One Cool Story: The Official UO SOJC Podcast

Advertising instructor Slavka Eberhart-Garah talks about how she leads with playfulness and experimentation from the classroom to Allen Hall Advertising.

Journalism alum Austin Ota ’25 shares how he parlayed a job at KWVA Sports into sports commentator gigs at Stanford and other California colleges.

Maya Lazaro, exhibits, publications, and student competitions coordinator, shares why she is so passionate about the SOJC and why she considers herself a “creative nerd.”

Check back soon for our 24th episode!

Meet Jon Sharpy, academic operations manager, and videographer Lucas Castillo Delgado—the duo behind the SOJC’s Storycraft class with a passion for helping students tell their stories.

Martha Tejeda, a Communication and Media Studies PhD international student, talks about the importance of studying what you love. In her case, that’s Disney, K-pop, and fandom.

Andrew DeVigal, director of the SOJC's Agora Journalism Center, shares insights on community-centered journalism and how to strengthen local news ecosystems.

Media studies graduate Heidi Stevenson ’25 shares her research on interactive news games and how they’re changing the way we experience journalism.

Regina Lawrence, the SOJC’s new interim dean, talks about her journey to the UO and her love of the innovative and collaborative vibe at the SOJC.

Jackie Gutierrez, MS ’21, founder and manager of the Women Kick Balls soccer media company, shares how a love of the game led her to her sports journalism dream job.

Assistant Professor Danny Pimentel recalls his first encounter with virtual reality as an 8-year-old and how it inspired a lifelong passion for immersive media.

Polly Irungu ’17 discusses the storybook photojournalism career that took her to the White House, and a close encounter with a mega star.

Alex Horwitch ’12, director of digital marketing for DreamWorks Animation, shares how a viral video and a social media class at the SOJC helped launch his career.

Journalism major Malya Fass discusses her passion for journalism and audio, what it’s like working as a morning broadcaster at radio station KLCC, and more.

Brian Bull, senior reporter for Indigenous digital news site Buffalo's Fire and former SOJC faculty member, looks back over his epic career.

Heather Davis ’98, CEO of the Portland Timbers, speaks about her time at the SOJC and UO, and how hard work and determination helped her achieve her goals.

Andy Wilson, Communications and Media Studies PhD student, discusses his journey to the SOJC, teaching alongside his own teachers, and his dissertation on internet memes.

Faculty member Peter Laufer discusses his early career in publishing and radio, life as a journalism professor at the SOJC, heated debates with media faces, and more.

Carmelli Hess BA '23, MA '24, talks about her award-winning advertising and brand responsibility capstone project on Latinx and Filipino representation in luxury fashion.

Camilla Mortensen, editor and new owner of Eugene Weekly, talks about being an SOJC faculty member and a journalist and the embezzlement that almost tanked the EW.

Whitney Phillips, assistant professor of digital platforms and ethics, talks about her extensive research, why she loves teaching and her favorite travel stories.

Kayla Krueger ’24 shares her experience as a DJ for campus radio station KWVA, the importance of having a creative outlet and her favorite concerts.

Sally Garner, director of the Undergraduate Student Success Center, chats about the evolution of Allen Hall and her four-legged friends.

SOJC alum Andrew Theen ’06, OPB politics and government editor, shares his journey to an editing role and the most memorable news story of his career.