A Conversation with Dr. Mildred Johnson

Content Creator Cole Smith '26

Recent Vassar graduate Cole Smith '26 is quietly building one of the most unique corners of Instagram and TikTok, and he's got a plan for what comes next. In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, Cole, a Film major, English minor, and social media comedian, chats with host Wesley Dixon about how he crafts his skits and sketches, what the Vassar experience actually looks like for a creator, and where his filmmaking ambitions are taking him after graduation. Whether you're into comedy, film, or just figuring out your own creative path, this one's worth a watch (or listen)!

A Conversation with Professor Robert "Bob" Brigham

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Shirley Ecker Boskey, Professor of History at Vassar, Robert "Bob" Brigham. Dixon and Brigham discuss Brigham's new book, This Is A True War Story, which details Brigham's complicated personal and professional relationship to the Vietnam War. Dixon and Brigham explore the intersection of feelings of belonging and "completeness," especially among adopted children.

A Conversation with Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, and Michael Patrick King

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with three guests: actress and comedian Lisa Kudrow '85, actor Dan Bucatinsky '87, and writer and director Michael Patrick King, who all served as Executive Producers on the HBO Series The Comeback. During the conversation, Wesley asks these close friends and long-time collaborators to reflect on the nature of their friendship and creative collaborations in a way that sheds light on how Hollywood productions really emerge and evolve.

A Conversation with Mike Gillis (The Onion)

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to writer and novelist Mike Gillis, one of the head writers for satirical newspaper The Onion. Gillis and Dixon discuss the role of satire and comedy in modern-day American society, and explore the far-reaching influence the newspaper has on pop culture and the law, including how The Onion encourages readers to engage in more honest conversations about the world around them.

A Conversation with Ethan Slater

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with Ethan Slater '14, the Tony-nominated star of Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical. In this conversation, Slater reminisces on his experience as a Vassar student and his path to Broadway, and more recently, starring as Boq Woodsman in Wicked and Wicked: For Good. Slater and Dixon also reflect on the intersection of personal identity and performance in the current media and entertainment ecosystem.