Just as policy impacts every aspect of our lives, Policy Terps are making an impact far and wide. That’s why Evan Papp ’11, founder of Empathy Media Lab and member of the School of Public Policy Alumni Board, started a podcast to feature the voices of the School’s diverse alumni, faculty, and staff.
“I wanted to produce a series highlighting the importance of public policy and its impact on everyone, everywhere,” said Papp.
In addition to featuring alumni, Papp’s goal for the series was to “highlight specific policy solutions that can address and solve current local, national and international challenges we face,” by interviewing members of the SPP community.
So far, the podcast has hosted more than 20 community members, including a senior associate at Asia Group Advisors, a candidate for Prince George’s County Council and the house majority leader of the Maryland House of Delegates. It has covered topics from racial inequality and the wealth gap to housing policy, artificial intelligence and more.
“I was sure to seek out input from the alumni board regarding guests and many board members have also co-hosted the podcast," Papp said. I try my best to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and perspectives both for the audience and for myself.”
Papp’s own interest in podcasts stems from his experiences working with his publishing company, Empathy Media Lab, and the Labor Radio Podcast Network, as well as being an avid listener. He hopes that the alumni podcast will appeal to an audience who may not have time to sit down and read information, but can listen throughout the day.
“There is an incredible breadth of knowledge, experience and culture within our public policy community that can often be overlooked or even marginalized in the race to graduation and employment,” Papp said.
The podcast is available on Facebook, Youtube and Anchor. If you have ideas for podcast topics or speakers, reach out to Papp at evan@empathymedialab.com.