Real College Podcast

Inside Art

On this episode of Real College Podcast, we take you inside the art. Saniah Bates introduces us to Ella Beard, a rising Black artist making waves. Bianca Caputo digs into the legacy of Electric Fetus—and what new road construction could mean for the iconic record store. Nolan Wagner explores the larger-than-life Giants exhibit, featuring Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. Hayden Lessiter breaks down the musical connections between songs and famous painters. Alex Denisova guides us through Mihail Chemiakin’s surreal world at the Museum of Russian Art, and Anna Adamson closes the show with a look at the U of M’s apparel design graduation runway show.
 
Ella Beard’s Rise - Saniah Bates
Turning Left to Electric Fetus - Bianca Caputo
Swizz and Keys’s Giants  - Nolan Wagner
A Painter’s Music Fundamental - Hayden Lessiter
The Surreal World of Mihail Chemiakin - Alexi Denisova
Student Style on Stage - Anna Adamson

Fool Me Once

In this episode of Real College Podcast, we dive into the world of scams—how they work, who they target, and why they keep happening. First, Matt Sullivan sets the stage by defining what a scam really is. Then, Anna Adamson shares the story of an artist who, instead of making money from their work, ended up paying the price. Bianca Caputo unpacks the frustration of towing, revealing why so many people walk away feeling scammed. Saniah Bates exposes deceptive practices in some hair salons, particularly how they mislead customers in the Black community. Next, Hayden Lessiter lightens things up with a deep dive into Weird Al Yankovic’s unique place in pop culture. Finally, Sidney Hall takes us into the world of sports betting, exploring its risks and allure.
Scam 101 - Matt Sullivan [08 - 5:18]
The Artist Trap - Anna Adamson [5:18 - 11:50]
Black Hair, Broken Promises - Saniah Bates [11:50 - 17:43]
Towed & Cheated - Bianca Caputo - [17:43 - 22:01]
Weird Al: The Ultimate Parody - Hayden Lessiter [22:01 - 26:32]
The Gamble of Sports Betting - Sidney Hall [26:32 - 31:34]

Food for Thought

Food is more than just fuel - its culture, history, identity, simple enjoyment, and more. In this episode, we explore the many layers of what we eat and why it matters. Saniah Bates takes us to Soul Bowl in the North Loop to uncover its impact on Minneapolis. Anshu Patel breaks down the hidden biases behind restaurant pricing. Hayden Lessiter asks the crucial question: which song is better; Peanut Butter Jelly Time or the Chicken Wing Song? Bianca Caputo talks to urban chicken keepers amid bird flu and soaring egg prices. Anna Adamson explores how one school supports Muslim students during Ramadan, and Sidney Hall celebrates Pi Day. Plus, deep dives into MM...FOOD by MF DOOM and Chocolate and Cheese by Ween, courtesy of Ben Refsell and Nolan Baker.
 
Bowlful of Soul - Saniah Bates [0:41 - 6:29]
The Price of Taste - Anshu Patel [6:29 - 10:38]
MM Food - Ben Resfell [10:38 - 14:55]
Snack-Sized Songs - Hayden Lessiter [14:55 - 18:45]
Urban Roost - Bianca Caputo [18:45 - 23:33]
Chocolate and Cheese - Nolan Baker [23:33 - 27:08]
Pi and Pie - Sidney Hall [27:08 - 31:47]
May Day’s Second Act - Matt Sullivan [31:47 - 38:04]
School, Sunset, and Suhoor - Anna Adamson [38:04 - 43:51]

Black European Film Festival

Real College Podcast covered the debut of the Black European Film Festival (BEFF) in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where screenings showcased works by Europe’s most prominent Afro-descendant filmmakers. Bianca Caputo reported on films featured at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Saniah Bates spoke with a director about his film and its call to reflect. Sidney Hall reviewed a silent film about a Jamaican-born engineer contracted by the Soviets. Finally, Anna Adamson interviewed a director about her film, which she describes as a critical love letter to Austria.
 
Films at the MIA - Bianca Caputo [1:02 - 5:55]
Reflection Through Film - Saniah Bates [5:55 - 12:39]
Black Skin (1930) with Live Band - Sidney Hall [12:39 - 18:00]
A Critical Love Letter to Austria - Anna Adamson [18:02 - 24:37]

Love & Everything Around It

Love, heartbreak, music, and flowers, we got it all in this episode of Real College Podcast. Join us as we explore these aspects of Valentine's Day. First, Matt Sullivan tells a love story of two Radio K college students. Next, Anna Adamson covers a night of speed dating and Nolan Wagner dives into Lorde’s Love Club album. Afterwards, Saniah Bates talks to young adults about how their parents and culture fit into their dating life. The value of platonic love is explored by Anshu Patel, and Sidney Hall asks if online dating is worth it. Later, Bianca Caputo shines a light on an LBTQ+ owned floral shop. Last, Hayden Lessiter reports on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs; an album of unrequited love.
A Radio K Love Story - Matt Sullivan [0:48 - 5:56]
Speed Dating Night - Anna Adamson [5:56 - 15:03]
Lorde’s Love Club - Nolan Wagner [15:03 - 21:21]
Parents and Dating as a Black Young Adult - Saniah Bates [21:21 - 26:38]
Platonic Love - Anshu Patel [26:38 - 30:48]
LGBTQ+ Floral Shop - Bianca Caputo [30:48 - 34:42]
The Drawbacks of Online Dating - Sidney Hall [34:42 - 40:07]
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs - Hayden Lessiter [40:07 - 45:07]
Love is a Construct of Capitalism, Right? - Alex Denisova [45:09 - 49:45]

Stories from The Wake

Real College Podcast linked up with The Wake Magazine to share their stories on our show. First, Ashley Seduta reads about enjoying life without a reason, then a story about the worth of handmade items. Afterwards, Quinn McClurg reads two of her works: Creature and This Damn City. Bianca Llerna shares her story Love Patterns. Last, Jose Miguel Manrique brings us their Numbers that Deserve No Counting. 
 
"Irrationally Wonderful" - Ashley Seduta [1:18 - 3:47]
 
"The Love Between the Stitches" - Ashley Seduta [3:47 - 6:23]
 
"Creature: An Interrogation of a Distorted, Yet Coveted Form" - Quinn McClurg [6:23 - 15:11]
 
"This Damn City: Balancing State Sponsored Violence with Resistant Histories" - Quinn McClurg [15:11 - 22:55]
 
"Love Patterns - Bianca Llerna" [22:55 - 24:55]
 
"Numbers that Deserve No Counting" - Jose Miguel Manrique [24:55 - 30:30]

Mixed Signals

Inconsistent social cues, contradictory messages, confusing gestures, we talk about it all in this episode of Real College Podcast. Matt Sullivan talks about the commonplace for mixed signals: dating apps. Afterwards, Sidney Hall brings us into the cosmos and the confusion behind astrology signs that accompany it. Anna Adamson uncovers the use of jargon in the workplace and Saniah Bates explores the mixture between culture and business Flava Cafe provides. Last, Bianca Caputo reports on the tense relationship between vintage resellers and their customers. 
Matt Sullivan - The Dating Apps [0:34 - 7:42]
Sidney Hall - Astrology Signs [7:42 - 13:31] 
Anna Adamson - Workplace Jargon [13:31 - 21:10] 
Saniah Bates - Flava Cafe: Culture Meets Business [21:10 - 27:55]
Bianca Caputo - Are Vintage Resellers Valid [27:55 - 32:27]

It's Holidazzle!

It’s Holidazzle! The team of Real College Podcast head to a Minneapolis holiday festival in search of five stories. We came back with tales of puppies, drummers, skates, and elves as well as the history behind the festival. Happy holidays and happy new year!
Anna Adamson - History of Holidazzle [0:36 - 5:15]
Bianca Caputo - Singing Elves [5:15 - 10:32]
Sidney Hall - Puppy’s: Perfect Present [10:32 - 14:54]Saniah Bates - Skol Line Drummers [14:54 - 21:08]Matt Sullivan - Twin Cities Skaters [21:08 - 26:57]

Bassoons, Bass, and Bangers

In this episode of real college podcast, we bring you the sonically inclined stories, bassoons, bass, and bangers! Saniah Bates shares the music of UMN student Uchenna Ngwu. Afterwards, Sidney Hall meets with a local band and talks about the rise of local musicians in the Twin Cities. Later, Bianca Caputo speaks about the underappreciated bassoon. Anna Adamson talks to her soon-to-be seventy year old classmate Chuck, student by day, musician by night. Last, Matt Sullivan does an interview with up and coming band She’s Green. 
Saniah Bates - Uche’s Music [0:25 - 5:47]
Sidney Hall - Local Bands [5:47 - 11:42]
Bianca Caputo - Bassoons [11:42 - 16:37]
Anna Adamson - My Classmate Chuck [16:37 - 21:33]
Matt Sullivan - She’s Green Spotify Wrapped [21:33 - 29:54]

SPORTS: Periods & Pickleball

Hoops, skates, menstruation, and more in this episode of Real College Podcast.First, Anna Adamson talks us through periods on and off the field. Afterward, Matt Sullivan joins the heated argument between tennis and pickleball players. Then, Bianca Caputo takes us to the ice rink to follow an ice skater, and Sidney Hall introduces a team of students working on a hockey-focused app. Last, Saniah Bates brings us to the annual Black Student Union basketball game on campus.  
Anna Adamson - Periods & Sports [0:50 - 7:05]
Matt Sullivan - Tennis vs. Pickleball [7:05 - 13:55]
Bianca Caputo - Student Ice Skater - [13:55 - 19:23]
Sidney Hall - [19:23 - 24:52]
Saniah Bates -  Black Student Union Basketball Tournament [24:52 - 30:00]