YDN Podcast Desk

Silhouette E25: How to Tell a Story with Professors in the Yale English Department

Host Amiya Vashi speaks to Yale English professors and students about what it means to tell a story through creative writing. This episode uncovers the way Yale preserves the tradition of storytelling through the popular class English 1020. As a literary essay class that centers on personal narrative, how does it strengthen students’ ability to write, communicate and engage? Guests: Jennifer Stock ’03, Jack Hanson GRD ’24, Kimberly Shirkhani, Miriam Syoum ’29, Courtney Tetteh-Martey ’29 Producers: Amiya Vashi ’29, Andre Fa’aoso ’27  Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Silhouette E24: On Seasonal Sadness with Psychiatrist Paul Desan

Host Esmeralda Vasquez-Fernandez speaks to psychiatrist Paul Desan about Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. As Yale students hunkered down over the Fall and early Spring due to extreme cold and snow days, Desan delves into the science behind how weather changes and the winter darkness affects our moods. Desan also shares strategies for coping during these periods, and Vasquez-Fernandez speaks with students about how the weather has affected them and what they do to cope. Guests: Paul Desan MED ’93, Carissa Alcaraz ’29, Annasophia Castillo ’29, Gabriella Mwangi ’29, Sean Yu ’29 Producers: Esmeralda Vasquez-Fernandez '28, Andre Fa’aoso '27 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Silhouette E23: Yale Farm and Sustainable Food Programming with Jeremy Oldfield

In this episode, Amiya Vashi ’29 speaks to Jeremy Oldfield, Farm Manager of Field Academics at the Yale Farm. The Yale Farm and greater Yale Sustainable Food Program, YSFP, are integral parts of the Yale community, providing spaces for not only agricultural work but also food systems learning. This episode will cover what the YSFP brings to Yale, as well as ways to get involved.  Guests: Jeremy Oldfield, Mara Klien ’27, Lawrence Tang ’26 Producers: Amiya Vashi ’29, Andre Fa’aoso ’27  Music: Blue Dot Sessions

The Yalie Ep 25: Vegan Activism with the Yale Chapter of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection

Host Esmeralda Vasquez-Fernandez will be talking about veganism at Yale and the group responsible for tabling across campus - the Allied Scholars For Animal Protection. Vasquez-Fernandez sits down with the Yale Chapter President Hannah Owens Pierre ’28, and Events Coordinator Allie Ruiz ’28 to discuss the organization and their tabling strategies. Vasquez-Fernandez also goes out on the field to gain student perspectives and wraps up with a conversation over the phone with Allied Scholars' founder, Dr. Faraz Harsini. Many thanks to Belen Mendoza Cortes ’28, Justin Fan ’28 and Victoria Cantu ’28 for sharing their thoughts and experiences on this topic. Producer: Esmeralda Vasquez-Fernandez, Andre Fa’aoso Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Silhouette E22: Transfer Student Experiences with Hana Tilksew, Armando Encinas and Danielle Kabboul

This episode uncovers the varied experiences and challenges of transfer students when making their shift to Yale. Host Esmeralda Vasquez-Fernandez sits down with Hana Tilksew ’28, Armando Encinas ’28 and Danielle Kabboul ’28 who share their transfer journeys thus far. They also discuss the opportunities they are delving into on Campus and the mix of reactions they receive from other students when premising they are transfers. Collectively, they share insights on adjusting and thriving at Yale after previously starting college at vastly different institutions across the country. Guests: Hana Tilksew '28, Armando Encinas '28 and Danielle Kabboul '28   Producer: Esmeralda Vasquez-Fernandez and Andre Fa'aoso Music: Blue Dot Sessions