The Red & Black Podcasts

This week, we speak with University of Georgia professors about the switch to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Professors from across disciplines talk about the challenges, or lack thereof, in switching to completely online instruction, and they focus on some silver linings of the current modes of instruction.  

This week, we speak with performers in Athens about how COVID-19 and subsequent precautions are changing the way they work. 

Forrest Whitlark and Kelly Bouchillon of the band AFTM talk about how they are getting through after having to cancel weeks worth of shows. Plus, Evie Jones of Decaf Comedy talks about how comedians are feeling as they too cancel gigs. And, Owen Hunt of Flying Squid Comedy talks about how he and other comics are using different outlets for revenue and creativity. 

This week, we speak with news editor Spencer Donovan, culture editor Savannah Sicurella and sports editor Augusta Stone about how COVID-19 is affecting each of their desks. How is the Athens government responding to the pandemic? How are businesses affected? And, what will happen as all university sports are cancelled.

This episode is longer than usual, so here are the timestamps for each conversation: 

News: 0:33 - 8:15 

Culture: 8:20 - 13:30 

Sports: 13:35 - 20:03

This week we speak with enterprise reporter Sherry Liang about high schools in Georgia. Nearly a quarter of the fall 2019 freshman class came from about 20 high schools in Georgia, and every school is within 10 miles of another. 

We talk about where these schools are located, some demographic trends and what the students from those schools said about coming to the University of Georgia.

This week, we talk about the dedication of the new Mary Frances Early College of Education. Early, the college's namesake, was the university's first black graduate, and she is the first black person to have a school or college named after them. We speak with Staff Writer Erin Schilling, who attended the dedication. 

This week, we be look into each Student Government Association ticket, diving into their platforms and informing you on who you can vote for on election day, February 26. We speak with our social media editor and SGA beat reporter Megan Mittelhammer about the tickets and the executive campaign process. 

This week on The Front Page, Donnell Gresham Jr. is Georgia basketball's only graduate transfer. In addition to being the team's most senior player, Gresham Jr. started following a vegan diet shortly before becoming a bulldog. We talk about Gresham Jr.'s role on the team, and why he decided to cut animal products from his diet. 

We also speak with Jana Heitmeyer, director of sports nutrition for the University of Georgia Athletic Association. Heitmeyer speaks about the specifics of sports nutrition and how the program works with Gresham Jr. and other athletes.

This week on The Front Page, we talk about The Healing Circle, a support group for black women in Athens. We speak to news contributor Joshua Walker about the group. Then, we are joined by the The Healing Circle's founder Shawntell Pace and facilitator Tanisha Pelham. We speak about their perspectives on mental health and community, the mission of The Healing Circle and why they saw a need for the support group.

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This week on The Front Page, we sit down with assistant sports editor Austin Roper to discuss his profile on Steve Eirish, the Zamboni driver for Georgia club hockey. How has a non-player become an essential part of UGA hockey game culture? We discuss Eirish's traditions, how he got to where he is today and the personality behind the Zamboni.

This week on The Front Page, we sit down with campus news editor Gabriela Miranda and talk about business in Athens. How do small businesses fare as larger companies — such as Target and Wayfair — move in? What do these larger companies see as their role in Athens? And, how are people reacting to the change? We discuss how small business owners, large company spokespeople, residents and local government view the changing Athens landscape.