Episode 1: Tales from the Ring

Episode 1: Tales from the Ring

When SENSES moved into Steele Hall, Facilities Building Manager Phil Benedict was instrumental in helping us get settled in our new home. It turns out that Phil has many interesting life experiences, including teaching boxing, teaching women's self-defense, and gator hunting in Florida. Prof. Joanna Spitzner (VPA) and Amy Messersmith (OSS) sat down with Phil to learn more. In the course of recording this podcast, they discover that Phil and Prof. Spitzner had already crossed paths in the past through a mutual friend and artist, CASSILS. [Just a heads up - as Phil and Prof. Spitzner dive into their shared connections, this podcast includes a few incidents of accidental mis-gendering. Phil talks about how CASSILS has helped him better understand transgender identity.] Phil also shares tales from his boxing career in the military and various significant matches he fondly recalls.