“Every episode is a reminder that the real story of a university isn’t told by one voice….. it’s told by the many who live, learn, and lead within it.”
Behind the Mic: What I’ve Learned from Building The Bulldog Mindset
When we launched The Bulldog Mindset last spring, the goal was simple: capture the voices, stories, and spirit of Gardner-Webb University. What started as a conversation about possibilities has grown into something much deeper, a community platform that reflects the heart of campus life.
Finding Our Voice
The idea came from our Marketing and Communications team, who envisioned a podcast focused on the academic culture of Gardner-Webb. I was new to the university and eager to explore ways to connect people through storytelling. We decided to build a show that would highlight faculty innovation, student experiences, and the everyday moments that make this place unique.
From the beginning, one principle guided me: it’s not about me. My role is to create space, for students to share what drives them, for faculty to explain why they teach the way they do, and for staff to talk about how they help students succeed.
Lessons from Season One
Fifteen episodes later, I’ve learned that preparation is essential, but conversation is the real art. Early episodes felt like structured Q&As. Over time, they became genuine exchanges, less scripted, more human. I began writing guest guides for each interview, not as scripts but as invitations to talk.
And I listened….both to guests and to myself. Hearing your own voice can be humbling, but it’s also the fastest way to improve. Each episode has made me more aware of pacing, tone, and how to draw out stories that matter.
Consistency has been another lesson. We release new episodes every other week, even through the summer. That rhythm matters. It builds trust with listeners and helps the podcast become part of the institutional heartbeat.
Centering Student Voices
Season two has placed students front and center. One of my favorite segments, What’s in Your Backpack?, asks guests, literally or metaphorically, what they carry with them. Answers range from notebooks and headphones to mindsets like “and so it goes.” Those moments remind me that wisdom often shows up in unexpected places.
Another question I ask near the end of each conversation is, “What do you hope to leave the next Bulldog?” The answers are thoughtful and often personal, lessons learned, mistakes made, encouragement for those who come after. In many ways, that question captures the podcast’s purpose: to connect generations of learners through shared experience.
The Team Behind the Mic
None of this happens alone. I’m fortunate to work with Noel Manning III, our Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications, who produces and edits every episode. His background in film and media has been invaluable. That partnership allows me to focus on content and conversation while still keeping my day job running.
Why It Matters
Podcasting has become one of the most authentic storytelling tools in higher education. It blends reflection, dialogue, and discovery in ways that printed publications often can’t. For students, it builds confidence and communication skills. For the institution, it offers a transparent look at the people who make learning come alive.
As I shared recently on Continuing Studies, a podcast for higher-ed podcasters, this experience has reminded me that impact doesn’t always come from scale. Sometimes it’s a single conversation that changes how someone feels about a campus, a major, or themselves.
We’re already planning future seasons, and I hope that whoever hosts The Bulldog Mindset next will find the same joy in it that I have: using a microphone not as a spotlight, but as a mirror for the community we serve.