P's in a Pod

Reflecting on My Four Years at Princeton

June 06, 2023 17:00 - 37 minutes - 25.4 MB

As her final goodbye to the show, Susan is alone at the mic to reflect on each of her four years on this campus. She describes what she has learned while being challenged every step of the way and offers a few pieces of advice to incoming and current students. If you or anyone you know would like to continue the work of P's in a Pod, don't hesitate to reach out through our Instagram @psinapod. Thank you to everyone who has made this show possible.

Career Pipelines, Lessons, and Romanticizations

May 25, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MB

At Princeton, the word "career" can be pretty charged, with endless pressures and decisions to navigate. Susan and Nathan look back on how their ideas of careers have changed over time, what types of career pipelines circulate at Princeton, how their own career paths have changed, and advice they would give to their younger selves. They also discuss their career bucket lists, romanticizing what paths lie ahead of them. Also, Susan chose the job over grad school! This episode was recorded on...

Eating Clubs and the New Dining Pilot

March 23, 2023 00:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MB

Princeton has 11 eating clubs, which are basically huge houses lined up on one street, unironically called "the Street," that provide dining and social spaces for upperclassmen. 6 of them require you to "bicker" to become members (think rushing for greek life but slightly more regulated). Co-ops, which are also mentioned in this episode, are another dining plan option where students alternate cooking for each other in a designated space. Susan and Nathan discuss their thoughts on eating club...

5.1. Fast Fashion and Colonialism with a Future Comedian

April 02, 2022 14:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

This episode may be somewhat of a time capsule, since it was recorded several months ago on September 25th, 2021. This was at a time when returning to campus and attending in-person classes was still a fairly recent event, and this was before the emergence of the Omicron variant. Meet Imaan Khasru: third-year student from Bangladesh and Wales. Imaan and Ava talk about how strange the transition to an in-person campus has been. Imaan also discusses colonialism in the world of fast fashion a...

Fast Fashion and Colonialism with a Future Comedian

April 02, 2022 14:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

This episode may be somewhat of a time capsule, since it was recorded several months ago on September 25th, 2021. This was at a time when returning to campus and attending in-person classes was still a fairly recent event, and this was before the emergence of the Omicron variant. Meet Imaan Khasru: third-year student from Bangladesh and Wales. Imaan and Ava talk about how strange the transition to an in-person campus has been. Imaan also discusses colonialism in the world of fast fashion a...

The Dinner Table Draft: Female Artist Edition with Sam Spector '24

September 02, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MB

“Princeton” and “music” are often spoken in the same sentence when talking about our guest in today’s episode: Sam Spector! If you haven’t heard her music before, check her out using the links below and wait until the end of the episode to hear a spinnet of one of her songs! Jani, our in-house musician, also joins, and she, Ava, and Susan draft with Sam their favorite female artists of 2021. The group also discusses Sam’s recent musical successes. Speaking of which, GO SEE HER PERFORM LIVE A...

The Dinner Table Draft: Alumni Edition with Morgan Smith '21 and Joe Ort '21

August 12, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MB

Recent alumni Morgan Smith and Joe Ort join Nathan and Susan to "draft" Princeton alumni for their dream dinner tables. Listen as Susan roasts Nathan's picks, Nathan convinces himself that he can change the world, and Morgan and Joe prove that they've done more research than either of the hosts. Video of this episode is found on our IGTV and Youtube! *This was recorded on July 17, 2021. Featured song: Sleepless Nights (feat. Phoelix) by Dinner Party

4.4. Unjust Burdens of Marginalized Communities with a Tricultural Writer

May 24, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MB

Meet Danielle Samake: a rising second-year Princeton student from Maplewood, New Jersey. Danielle shares how she has grappled with her tricultural identity as a Jamaican, Malian, and first-generation American. She asks us to reconsider the ways in which we ask too much of marginalized communities, discusses her experiences as a Black woman at Princeton, and imparts wise words on how she stays optimistic. A literary enthusiast, Danielle provides an entire shelf of book recommendations, to whi...

4.3. Past and Present with a Singer-Songwriter

April 10, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MB

Meet Jani Dumapit: a second-year student and graphic designer of P’s in a Pod. A singer-songwriter herself, Jani shares her journey with music, from the beginning to producing her very first EP this year. Coming from New York City, she discusses her experience with the public school system and the different phases she went through growing up. A member of the Limits Matter task force at Princeton, she gives her take on healthy and safe drinking. Jani, a resident Swiftie, also delivers her op...

4.2. A Chess Master Plans His Future

March 25, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MB

Meet Vignesh Panchanatham: Princeton junior from Cupertino, CA. Vignesh sits down with Nathan as they consider where they see their future selves, discussing the merits of city versus suburb and whether they would send their children to private or public school. As an avid cook and baker, he plans out a hypothetical dinner party itinerary "Come Dine With Me"-style, beginning with appetizers and ending with dessert plus entertainment. He also shares tips for prospective chess players, an exp...

4.1. Our Hosts Build a Time Capsule

February 26, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.3 MB

For the first episode of Season 4, hosts Susan Baek, Ava Vilensky, and Nathan Gage tune in from quarantine at Princeton. Returning for the first time in a year, the group discusses everything campus life — from the best dining hall meals, to their favorite spots on campus, to eating clubs and bicker. The hosts also offer recommendations on their latest music finds, TV shows, and YouTubers. *This episode was recorded on February 13, 2020. Links mentioned: The Zac and Jay Show Chloe x Hall...

3.7. New Year's Reflections and Predictions with Two Familiar Voices

January 30, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MB

Nick Padmanabhan, the very first guest of P's in a Pod on Season 1, and Suniya Nsehti, a guest on a summer episode in Season 2, return for the finale of Season 3. After reflecting on what has changed since their original episodes, Nick and Suniya join Nathan, Alisha, and Susan for a discussion on the Capital riots, the power of private companies to control the use of their platforms, and the progress of Mars exploration. The group looks ahead to a new year, making predictions for 2021 and th...

3.6. Perceptions and Platforms with a Baking Enthusiast

January 23, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 78.7 MB

Meet Srishti Ghosh: second-year student from Dubai. Srishti discusses how politics has largely become perception and bonds with Ava over their love for baking. An advocate for women empowerment, Srishti has a candid conversation with the other three women on the call about feelings of guilt when it comes to being a "bad" feminist and struggles approaching jealousy and competition among women in male-dominant spaces. Srishti also delivers her hot takes on sparkling water and potato chips, giv...

3.5. A Philosophical Map Lover Performs Stand-Up

December 19, 2020 02:00 - 1 hour - 74.5 MB

Meet Daniel Drake: first-year student from Covington, Washington. A future SNL-hopeful, Daniel discusses "personal narrativism", a term he has dubbed for the phenomenon that people are increasingly thinking their lives are like a movie. Passionate about comedy and performance, Daniel performs stand-up (or "sit-down") and delivers a couple of impressions at Susan's request. The two also debate Harry Potter films, weigh the loneliness and social phobias of online school, and explore Daniel's l...

3.4. Gap-Year Endeavors of a Pescatarian

November 28, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 65.7 MB

Meet Katherine Brubaker: gap-year student from Orange County, CA. Our first gap-year guest shares some insights into what led her to make the decision to take a year off, her experience as a field organizer for the Biden campaign, and what she has planned for the rest of the year. As a vegetarian-turned-pescatarian, she also discusses the environmental implications of meat consumption and the ineffective nature of scare tactics in bringing about real environmental change. Katherine offers up...

3.3. #EndSARS with a Converse Sneaker Skeptic

November 20, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 58.8 MB

Meet Adwoa Afrifa: Princeton first-year from Accra, Ghana. She shares her passion for female empowerment and the End SARS movement and highlights the importance of using one’s platform to address such issues. Adwoa and Nathan, both international students, discuss their perspectives on private schools and how their views of the United States have changed over time. While they agree that American football is inaptly named, they disagree on the merits of various shoe brands and the correct rank...

3.2. A Pre-Med Student Critiques American Lawns

November 06, 2020 13:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MB

Meet Julie Wilson: Princeton sophomore from Newton, MA. She sits down with Ava to discuss how her private school background has influenced her belief in the importance of access to quality public education. As a pre-med student interested in psychology, she also shares how her intersecting passions for science and childhood development have led her to pursue pediatrics. Tune in to hear about her childhood obsession with rabbits, her opinion on manicured lawns, advice for current freshmen, an...

3.1. Service in Locality with an FLI Athlete

October 30, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 65.4 MB

Meet Kelton Chastulik: Princeton senior from Chambersburg, PA. He shares his experience attending Princeton after growing up in a blue-collar family, in a community where "Princeton" is usually an unknown term. As an FLI student athlete from a semi-rural town, Kelton discusses the importance of exploring the intersection of complex identities that are often undermined by stereotypes. Listen as he shares with Nathan and Susan his passion for community service both on campus and in his hometow...

2.7. Finale: The Making of P's in a Pod

August 28, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 50.1 MB

Meet (finally) our executive producer, Alisha Somani '23. She joins Susan to tell the story of P's in a Pod, discuss their vision for the podcast (and network) moving forward, describe how they have navigated working together while remaining close friends, and answer questions from listeners. Stay tuned for an exciting Season 3, and follow us on Insta @psinapod to stay updated with our mission and some exciting upcoming news! Apply to become an Advising Fellow for Matriculate: matriculate.o...

2.6. A Hurdler, Fencer, and Goalkeeper Lament a Canceled Fall

August 14, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 59.8 MB

Ella Gantman '23 is a goalkeeper for Princeton women's soccer. Jovan Aigbekaen '23 is a hurdler for Princeton men's track and field. Nicholas No '22 is a sabreur for Princeton men's fencing. The three of them join Susan (2:27) to discuss their Perspectives on entering the fall without sports (4:34), pros and cons of Princeton's athletics and overall institution (21:46), and their personal experiences as minorities on campus (40:22). The students then baffle at the University's most recent de...

2.5. International Princetonians Reflect on a Strange Yet Culturally Powerful America

July 31, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MB

Rohan Jasani '23 and Aparna Shankar '21 are two of the many international students at Princeton. They join Susan (2:30) to discuss their Perspectives on quarantine (3:59), Perceptions of both American and Princetonian cultures (6:18), and the unique space that international students hold at an American university (22:47). They also answer all of your juicy, Pitched questions (30:24), including if Rohan is single, the strangeness of American small talk, thoughts regarding ICE's announcement, ...

2.4. Transfer Students and Veterans Continue to Push the Envelope

July 17, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MB

In 2016, Princeton finally resumed its transfer program after pausing it for nearly 30 years. In the first cohort after reinstatement, 9 students enrolled out of 1,429 applicants. Susan talks with 3 of them: Daniela Alvarez '21, Frelicia Tucker '22, and Sam Fendler '21. After introducing themselves (2:18) and briefly discussing Princeton's reinstatement of its transfer program, they first discuss Perspective (13:24): their reasons for transferring and how transitioning to college from colleg...

2.3. Statues, British Perceptions of the U.S., and Incoming Classmates

July 03, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 59.7 MB

Andrew Somerville, Suniya Nsehti, and Nathan Gage are rising freshmen in Princeton's Class of 2024. After introducing themselves and describing a favorite Pastime (1:29), they join Susan to discuss Perspectives (6:13) on statue removals, protests, and Nathan's perception of the U.S. as a student from the U.K. During Platform (28:49), the students discuss education reform and affirmative action. For Princeton (53:10), the prefrosh discuss what they are looking forward to at college and ask qu...

2.2. Two Graduated Tigers, Four Years Under Reflection, and Many Words of Wisdom

June 19, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MB

Recent graduates of the Class of 2020, Matthew Oakland and Tessa Albertson join Susan to reflect on their four years traversing the arches of Old Nassau. After Susan describes some of their accomplishments (00:30) and the graduates introduce themselves (4:19), the first P is Princeton, during which Matthew and Tessa discuss how it feels to finally be graduated as they reflect on the values and shortfalls of their Princeton experience (7:23). During Prefrosh (22:29), they impart their wisdom ...

2.1. Fighting Racism, Evaluating Quarantine, and Changing Ourselves Before the World

June 05, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 65.6 MB

Camille Reeves, Alkin Kaz, Ashwini Shende, and Douglas Robins return for an unprecedented roundtable discussion with Susan — over Zoom. After (re)introductions (3:11), they have a candid conversation about racism and the surge in social media activism (5:48). Their first P is Progress, in which they discuss virtual appearances (12:54), seeing COVID-19 patients as people (18:17), Alkin's life-changing philosophy (22:50), educational disparities during quarantine (34:15), and Douglas' hot take...

In Solidarity

June 03, 2020 03:00 - 2 minutes - 1.91 MB

A reminder that our student generation has immense power in creating change that lasts. Our actions determine the kind of world into which future generations are born. P's in a Pod stands in solidarity with Black students and communities across the country. Black lives matter.

7. A Fashionista Warns Against Complacency

March 20, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MB

Meet Camille Reeves: Princeton first-year from New Albany, Ohio. We discuss our thoughts on Coronavirus amidst the chaos of college move-outs, the importance of education for middle schoolers, and the impact of attire on self-perception and performance. Camille also gives advice on living a more eco-friendly life, making better first impressions, and avoiding complacency.

1.7. A Fashionista Warns Against Complacency

March 20, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MB

Meet Camille Reeves: Princeton first-year from New Albany, Ohio. She and Susan discuss their thoughts on Coronavirus amidst the chaos of college move-outs, the importance of education for middle schoolers, and the impact of attire on self-perception and performance. Camille also gives advice on living a more eco-friendly life, making better first impressions, and avoiding complacency.

1.6. Paradigm Shifts of a Philosophical Engineer

March 13, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 42 MB

Meet Alkin Kaz: Princeton first-year from Konya, a town near Istanbul, Turkey. He discusses developments in quantum computation, philosophies on changing the world, differences between Turkish and American culture, and his excitement over Galatasaray's win in the Intercontinental Derby. ***We do not address Coronavirus until next week's episode. Stay healthy and accurately informed. To Princeton students and college students across the nation: this has been a devastating week for all of us ...

6. Paradigm Shifts of a Philosophical Engineer

March 13, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 42 MB

Meet Alkin Kaz: Princeton first-year from Konya, a town near Istanbul, Turkey. He discusses developments in quantum computation, philosophies on changing the world, differences between Turkish and American culture, and his excitement over Galatasaray's win in the Intercontinental Derby. ***We do not address Coronavirus until next week's episode. Stay healthy and accurately informed. To Princeton students and college students across the nation: this has been a devastating week for all of us ...

1.5. Educational Inequities with a Music Enthusiast

March 06, 2020 13:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MB

Meet Ashwini Shende, Princeton first-year from the Philly suburbs and creator of this podcast's title. She joins Susan to discuss the values and inequities of our education system, compare the Bachelor to Love Island, appreciate different forms of music, and wonder why people spend so much time on their phones.

5. Educational Inequities with a Music Enthusiast

March 06, 2020 13:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MB

Meet Ashwini Shende, Princeton first-year from the Philly suburbs and creator of this podcast's title. We discuss the values and inequities of our education system, compare the Bachelor to Love Island, appreciate different forms of music, and wonder why people spend so much time on their phones.

4. Car Troubles of a Future First Gentleman

February 28, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MB

Meet Douglas Robins, Princeton first-year from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. What is a "palatable" celebrity? Should writing seminars become P/D/F classes? And what exactly is so appealing about Snapchat? In addition to answering those questions, we debate the meaning of my "passion" question and comment on the presidential primaries.

1.4. Car Troubles of a Future First Gentleman

February 28, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MB

Meet Douglas Robins, Princeton first-year from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. What is a "palatable" celebrity? Should writing seminars become P/D/F classes? And what exactly is so appealing about Snapchat? In addition to answering those questions, Douglas and Susan debate the meaning of the "passion" question and comment on the presidential primaries.

1.3. A Future President Recites Poetry

February 21, 2020 13:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MB

Meet Zachary Sahin: Princeton first-year from Pace, Florida. As an aspiring POTUS and fan of Richard Curtis like Susan, Zach discusses the importance of compromise and reads a beautiful poem by an unknown author.

3. A Future President Recites Poetry

February 21, 2020 13:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MB

Meet Zachary Sahin: Princeton first-year from Pace, Florida. As an aspiring POTUS and fellow Richard Curtis fan, Zach discusses the importance of compromise and reads a beautiful poem by an unknown author.

1.2. Criminal Injustice with a Former Tie-Dyer

February 14, 2020 14:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MB

Meet Kennedy Mattes: Princeton first-year from Mason, Ohio. Learn about how "innocent until proven guilty" can be the other way around sometimes, how bad driving and stealing coats drive both her and Susan crazy, and why skydiving wins over rollercoasters.

Episodes