This Is Purdue

By Purdue UniversityBusiness Technology Education Marketing

This Is Purdue episodes

October 15The Hobby Revival: Creativity, Nostalgia and Community
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Haley Larsen (PhD English ’21), story lead of marketing and measurement at Pinterest.

As a storytelling expert and creative strategist for a global visual engine and social media platform, Haley’s helping us dive into the fun, trending world of tactile hobbies — from knitting and pottery to mahjong and so much more!

Haley is also a proud Purdue alumna with a background in English literature and culture. She’ll unpack the factors behind the recent hobby revival — fueled by Gen Z — and how Pinterest is meeting this moment.

In this episode, you will:
Learn more about how a pushback against hustle culture, a desire for connection and joy, and nostalgia for a prephone world are driving Gen Z’s interest in grandma-and-grandpa-core hobbies like crochet, scrapbooking and bird-watching.

Hear more about Pinterest’s unique position as a major social platform that not only offers its users the ability to collect and curate visual inspiration but also encourages them to get offline to pursue their hobbies.

Discover more about Haley’s favorite offline hobbies, including pottery, and how they’re pushing her outside of her creativity comfort zone and helping her find community.

Get insights into the paradox of online hobby trends, including how this points to a broader human pattern and why engaging with online communities can help you develop your offline hobbies.

Find out more about how slow, manual hobbies can improve your well-being and why the “friction” that comes with process-based activities is vital for self-reflection and self-development.

Tune in for key takeaways from Pinterest’s Hobbies Trend Report, and how the platform’s rich search data predicts top hobby trends for the year, including “Kitchen Witch,” “Home Cafe Engineering” and “Handmade Hacker.”

Learn more about Haley’s role and day to day as a story lead at Pinterest and how her Purdue liberal arts training set her up for career success with meaningful and measurable skills.

You don’t want to miss this episode with a Boilermaker and creative who’s helping to inspire hobby enthusiasts across the world!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
50 min
September 28 Finding Amelia: Part 4 | The Search for Amelia Earhart’s Missing Plane
In the final episode of “Finding Amelia,” we’re talking to Steve Schultz, Purdue University’s senior vice president and general counsel. As a field assistant on the search expedition to identify Amelia Earhart’s missing plane, Steve might play a role in solving one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century.

He dives into the new evidence that sparked the Purdue Research Foundation and Archaeological Legacy Institute’s joint effort to search for Amelia’s plane and exclusive details about the upcoming journey to Nikumaroro, an island in the western Pacific Ocean. From encountering coconut crabs to using machetes to cut through the jungle, the team will have to brave rough terrain on this expedition.

You don’t want to miss the fourth and final episode of the miniseries “Finding Amelia,” where we discuss Purdue’s persistent pursuit of answers to one of the world’s greatest mysteries.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
35 min
September 28 Finding Amelia: Part 3 | Uncovering Amelia Earhart’s Rare Artifacts and Memorabilia
In the third episode of “Finding Amelia,” we’re talking to Katey Watson, the France A. Córdova Archivist of Purdue Archives and Special Collections.

Katey manages Purdue Libraries’ Amelia Earhart Collection and is sharing the personal items Amelia left behind – including her iconic aviator goggles, leather flight helmet and brown suede jacket.

Katey also tells the story of why Amelia’s husband, George Palmer Putnam, along with his granddaughter Sally Putnam Chapman, chose to donate these significant historical items to Purdue University after the legendary Boilermaker’s disappearance.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22 min
September 28 Finding Amelia: Part 2 | Amelia Earhart’s Plane”
In the second episode of “Finding Amelia,” we’re talking to Chad Pittman, president and CEO of the Purdue Research Foundation. He shares the story behind Amelia Earhart’s famed Purdue-funded Lockheed Electra 10-E airplane and how she planned to return it to West Lafayette once her around-the-world flight was complete.

Don’t miss the second episode of this first-of-its-kind “This Is Purdue” series about this world-famous Boilermaker and legendary aviator.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14 min
September 28 Finding Amelia: Part 1 | Who Was Amelia Earhart?
On what would’ve been Amelia Earhart’s 129th birthday — July 24, 2026 — the Purdue Research Foundation and the Archaeological Legacy Institute announced a renewed joint effort to identify Amelia Earhart’s missing university-sponsored plane. Ahead of this search expedition, “This Is Purdue” is taking you inside one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century with our special miniseries “Finding Amelia.”

In the first episode of “Finding Amelia,” we’re talking to Kelly Hiller, Purdue’s chief marketing officer. During her 20 years at Purdue, Kelly has led several marketing campaigns inspired by Amelia’s persistence, expanding her commitment to celebrate female trailblazers.

She discusses the famous aviator’s journey to Purdue as an advisor within the Department of Aeronautics and her life before becoming a household name. Plus, we dive into the parts of her life and career that make Amelia one of the most iconic figures in history.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
September 17Why Focus Feels Harder Today and How To Train Your Brain
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to two professors in the Daniels School of Business: Allie Gabriel, the Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management in the Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management Department and director of the Center for Working Well, and Kate Zipay, associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources.

Allie and Kate are leading experts and researchers on employee well-being, work-life balance, performance and motivation. They were recently nominated for the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2026, which recognizes 30 emerging management strategists from around the world.

This award-winning duo joins the podcast for a thought-provoking conversation about how professionals can retrain their brains to master productivity and focus in today’s digital age — at work and home.

In this episode, you will:
Learn more about the difference between productivity and activity — and how “doomscrolling” on social media and constant email, Teams and Slack notifications can undermine our daily work tasks.

Discover more about focus and cognitive stamina, like what these buzzwords really mean and how professionals can build their capacity for deep, meaningful work.

Hear Allie’s and Kate’s tangible tips for retraining your brain to conquer digital distractions — like locking down your phone — and how they’re teaching their students to improve their digital well-being.

Find out how to build a balanced “work diet” and why deep-thinking and low-stakes tasks are both vital parts of a healthy professional lifestyle.

Dive deeper into how organizations can better support employee well-being and productivity and why leaders should start normalizing rest and recovery.

Hear more about how “early bird” and “night owl” labels can inhibit our self-growth and how to plan your work schedule around the times that work best for you while still being collaborative.

Explore why high performers are more susceptible to burnout and how rethinking your identity as a “doer” and setting boundaries can help improve your overall well-being.

Learn more about Allie’s and Kate’s goals for the future and how Purdue is at the forefront of performance, productivity and well-being research.

Gain insights into using AI to enhance productivity — and why it can give users a false sense of efficiency due to a lack of psychological ownership.

You don’t want to miss this episode with two innovative Purdue business professors and researchers who are transforming the way we work — and how we take care of ourselves.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
55 min
September 03The Future of Sports Careers: From the NFL Fan Experience to Data Analytics
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Stephanie Pemberton (BA communication ’05), senior vice president of marketing for the Indianapolis Colts.

For over 20 years, Stephanie has worked in multiple marketing and community relations roles within the Colts organization. As a proud Purdue alumna and marketing executive in the NFL, she has key insights into the future of sports careers and how students can break into the industry through its many diverse pathways.

The Indiana native and sports marketing leader joins host Kate Young for an exciting interview from the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center — near Purdue’s Indianapolis campus — to celebrate Purdue’s powerful new partnership launch with the Colts!

In this episode, you will:
Learn more about how the sports industry has evolved in the past few decades and what careers are the most in demand, including areas like fan experience, sports performance and data analytics.

Find out what skills and experiences students need to gain if they want to land careers with professional sports organizations like the Colts, and what qualities set successful candidates apart.

Hear how rapidly evolving technology like AI is being integrated into the Colts organization — and the NFL at large.

Discover more about Stephanie’s background and path to working for the Colts, including how her time as an intern with Purdue Athletics helped launch her decadeslong NFL career.

Tune in for more about Stephanie's vision for Purdue’s new partnership with the Colts and how it will accelerate the talent pipeline in Indianapolis.

Learn more about what energizes Stephanie about the Colts’ future — like building a global audience — and why her commitment to the fans and community inspires her every day.

You don’t want to miss this episode with a Boilermaker who’s invested in fostering the next generation of sports leaders!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
August 20Is TikTok Lying to You About Protein? The Truth About Nutrition Trends
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Lauren Link (BS dietetics/health, fitness and nutrition ’11, MS health and kinesiology ’19), assistant athletics director of sports nutrition for Purdue Athletics.

As a registered dietitian, Lauren and her team manage the menu planning, nutrition education and food service for 18 varsity teams at Purdue, including basketball, football, volleyball and soccer. She’s also a proud graduate of Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences and a former collegiate athlete herself.

The nutrition expert sits down with host Kate Young to debunk the myths — and explain the realities — behind the recent health crazes dominating our social media feeds.

In this episode, you will:
Learn more about what’s fueling viral nutrition trends on TikTok, including the protein craze and “fibermaxxing,” and why we should be cautious about who we get our health information from.

Hear how doctors, dietitians and nutritionists can use social media to combat health and nutrition misinformation.

Discover more about the national rise in the use of GLP-1s and how it’s impacting the protein industry and the overall population.

Get the facts about the U.S. supplement industry and how to be more informed the next time you’re buying vitamins or supplements.

See what Lauren has to say about the types (and amounts) of food the average adult needs to consume daily to stay physically and mentally well — without breaking the bank.

Dive deeper into how AI is changing the health, nutrition and fitness space and Lauren’s expert tips for using AI for your weekly shopping and meal planning.

Find out about Lauren’s vital nutrition coaching work with Purdue’s student-athletes and how she helps them perform at an elite level and center their well-being.

Hear more about Lauren’s Boilermaker journey, including her time as a Purdue soccer player, and why she’s passionate about helping students successfully transition into life after elite sports.

You don’t want to miss this fascinating episode with a Purdue alumna who’s empowering Boilermaker athletes in their health and nutrition journeys!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
33 min
August 06 Hall of Fame Quarterback Drew Brees on Leadership and Life Beyond the NFL
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to record-setting quarterback Drew Brees (BS industrial management ’01, HDR business ’26), who on Aug. 8 will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As a Super Bowl MVP, it’s safe to say Drew’s reputation precedes him. But what comes next for this entrepreneur and philanthropist? The Boilermaker legend sits down for a fascinating interview to discuss leadership, legacy and life after his 20-year career in professional football.

In this episode, you will:
Hear Drew reminisce about his journey from growing up in Austin, Texas, to becoming an award-winning and record-breaking quarterback at Purdue
Dive deeper into the lessons he learned from Purdue coach Joe Tiller and the strong network he built as a Boilermaker, as well as how they prepared him to succeed in the NFL and beyond
Learn more about Drew’s life-changing tenure with the New Orleans Saints, including his love of the city and “Who Dat Nation,” and how their strength during and after Hurricane Katrina inspired him
Find out more about what it meant for Drew to receive an honorary doctorate in business from Purdue at the Spring 2026 Commencement
Discover why he and his wife, Brittany (BS organizational leadership and supervision ’00), are passionate about giving back to their alma mater and why the university’s continued growth excites them
Get the details about Drew’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and what it meant to get a knock on the door from fellow NFL icon Dan Fouts
Learn more about his next chapter, like his work with the Brees Dream Foundation, entrepreneurial endeavors and role as an NFL game analyst for Fox Sports
Hear more about Drew’s mentorship of his kids — who are also budding athletes — and why he’s motivated to shape younger generations in this new phase of life

You don’t want to miss this episode with an NFL powerhouse and celebrated Boilermaker who’s guiding the next generation of athletes and leaders!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
49 min
July 09 America at 250: Mitch Daniels on Higher Education, Free Speech and Democracy
In this special episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Mitch Daniels, interim president of Purdue University, in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

Daniels served for 10 years as Purdue’s president (2013-22) and championed frozen tuition and student success during his tenure. Before this role, he was the 49th governor of Indiana (2005-13) and served as an advisor to President Ronald Reagan, and was director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush.

He sits down with podcast host Kate Young for an insightful conversation about the unique role that land-grant universities like Purdue have played in our nation’s growth and evolution. The two also discuss his Purdue legacy and the state of higher education, covering topics like academic freedom, civic responsibility, public impact and affordability.

You don’t want to miss this timely episode with an innovative and respected leader in higher education.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 min

About This Is Purdue

From the publisher's feed

This Is Purdue, the official podcast for Purdue University, highlights stories about Boilermakers from across all disciplines, who through research, innovation and determination, have persistently pursued their next giant leap.