YDN Podcast Desk

Steven Rourick '27, a sophomore in Silliman, is best known as the "Taylor Swift guy" for singing Taylor Swift songs as he walks around campus. Join us as host Xavier Guaracha '25 talks with Steven about the origins of his music walks, his relationship with Taylor Swift's music, and the current musical landscape. Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25 and Joanne Lee '26 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Ivana Ramirez ’25 is a member of Whim and Rhythm and the group's rush manager. Join us for an episode where host Xavier Guaracha '25 speaks with Ivana about her a capella career, the history of Whim and Rhythm, and her most significant memories as a member of Yale’s acapella community.  Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25 and Joanne Lee '26 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Andre Fa'aoso '27 and Gemard Guery '28 speak to Tina Li '27, who wrote an article about anxiety amongst First Generation Low-Income students at Yale who have to interact with the Yale Financial Aid Office for hardship and emergency grants. It is a difficult process that has issues, and we want this episode to elaborate on those hardships and the wider difficulties that students who receive financial aid face when interacting with the office. Guests: Tina Li '27, Gia Cook '26 Producers: Andre Fa'aoso '27, Gemard Guery '28, Joanne Lee '26, Camila Perez '26 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Woolsey Hall in 1959. At a time when Yale was highly segregated, King challenged students to resist complacency and protest the unjust conditions of segregation. How did Yale answer his call? This episode examines how Yale students, administration, and alumni engaged with King and the civil rights movement. Written and produced by Jonas Losel '27, with production help and editing from Grace Ellis '25, Joanne Lee '26, and Camila Perez '26. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions.

In 1969, Yale planned to demolish the Hill neighborhood to build a parking lot. Residents stepped in and protested the proposal. This Footnotes episode examines two urban renewal plans and asks: How did Yale shape the landscape of New Haven in the 1950s and '60s? And who did these changes serve?  Written and produced by Hannah Mark ’25, with production help and editing from Grace Ellis ’25 and Suraj Singareddy ’25. Special thanks to Simone Felton, whose exhibition “City Rewritten” inspired this episode, and to Sean Davis, who voiced Fred Harris. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions.