Graduation season always makes me reflective. In this first short solo episode from my new Making Life Work series, I share some thoughts from commencement weekend at Texas State University.  The stories unfolding behind every graduate walking across the stage — stories about growth, creativity, and figuring out what comes next.Our students have experience in journalism and storytelling projects, student media, internships, national competitions, and education abroad courses.  I also reflect on my own unexpected journey from journalism and public relations into higher education.This episode also features remarks from Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse recognizing graduates, mentors, faculty, family members, and the support systems that help students move forward.In this Episode<ul><li>Graduation and personal growth</li><li>Student success and storytelling</li><li>Internships, study abroad, and leadership experiences</li><li>Reinvention, uncertainty, and career journeys</li></ul>Thanks for listening to Stories of Change &amp; Creativity — documenting growth and making life work, one story at a time.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Graduation season always makes me reflective. In this first short solo episode from my new &lt;em&gt;Making Life Work&lt;/em&gt; series, I share some thoughts from commencement weekend at Texas State University.  The stories unfolding behind every graduate walking across the stage — stories about growth, creativity, and figuring out what comes next.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our students have experience in journalism and storytelling projects, student media, internships, national competitions, and education abroad courses.  I also reflect on my own unexpected journey from journalism and public relations into higher education.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode also features remarks from Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse recognizing graduates, mentors, faculty, family members, and the support systems that help students move forward.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this Episode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Graduation and personal growth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Student success and storytelling&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Internships, study abroad, and leadership experiences&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Reinvention, uncertainty, and career journeys&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks for listening to &lt;em&gt;Stories of Change &amp;amp; Creativity&lt;/em&gt; — documenting growth and making life work, one story at a time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Graduation season always makes me reflective. In this first short solo episode from my new Making Life Work series, I share some thoughts from commencement weekend at Texas State University.  The stories unfolding behind every graduate walking across the stage — stories about growth, creativity, and figuring out what comes next. Our students have experience in journalism and storytelling projects, student media, internships, national competitions, and education abroad courses.  I al...

Graduation Reflections: Stories About Student Success and Life After College

In this Mother’s Day episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with her daughters, Danielle and Jessica, about adoption, family, and experiences that shape identity and creativity.Judy reflects on the decision to adopt from China.  She shares how motherhood changed her understanding of creativity and personal growth.Dani and Jess share their perspective on parenting, identity, and what it means to grow together across generations. They also talk about foster families, adoption stories, and the Chinese belief in the “red thread of fate” — the invisible connection between people who are meant to find one another.What You’ll Learn in This Episode<ul><li>How adoption shaped Judy’s journey to motherhood</li><li>Lessons children teach parents about creativity and perspective</li><li>Reflections on infertility, IVF, and adoption</li><li>The meaning behind the “red thread of fate”</li></ul>Memorable Comments<ul><li>“There’s no rulebook when it comes to parenting.”</li><li>“Maybe we all have red threads in our lives.”</li><li>&quot;I always like to say that in every lifetime I think that you&apos;re my mother.&quot; - Jess</li></ul>If you enjoy conversations about adoption, motherhood, famil, and personal growth, this episode is for you. Follow Danielle Oskam on Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/danioskam/'>@danioskam</a>Follow Jessica Oskam on Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/jessicaoskam/'>@jessicaoskam</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this Mother’s Day episode of &lt;em&gt;Stories of Change and Creativity&lt;/em&gt;, Judy Oskam talks with her daughters, Danielle and Jessica, about adoption, family, and experiences that shape identity and creativity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Judy reflects on the decision to adopt from China.  She shares how motherhood changed her understanding of creativity and personal growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dani and Jess share their perspective on parenting, identity, and what it means to grow together across generations. They also talk about foster families, adoption stories, and the Chinese belief in the “red thread of fate” — the invisible connection between people who are meant to find one another.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What You’ll Learn in This Episode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How adoption shaped Judy’s journey to motherhood&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Lessons children teach parents about creativity and perspective&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Reflections on infertility, IVF, and adoption&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The meaning behind the “red thread of fate”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Memorable Comments&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;“There’s no rulebook when it comes to parenting.”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;“Maybe we all have red threads in our lives.”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;quot;I always like to say that in every lifetime I think that you&amp;apos;re my mother.&amp;quot;&lt;br/&gt;- Jess&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you enjoy conversations about adoption, motherhood, famil, and personal growth, this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow Danielle Oskam on Instagram: &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/danioskam/'&gt;@danioskam&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow Jessica Oskam on Instagram: &lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/jessicaoskam/'&gt;@jessicaoskam&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this Mother’s Day episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with her daughters, Danielle and Jessica, about adoption, family, and experiences that shape identity and creativity. Judy reflects on the decision to adopt from China.  She shares how motherhood changed her understanding of creativity and personal growth. Dani and Jess share their perspective on parenting, identity, and what it means to grow together across generations. They also talk about foster familie...

I Never Thought I’d Be a Mother: Adoption, Motherhood & Lessons from My Daughters

How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of <a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'>The Building Texas Show.</a> We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries.Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with lessons from interviewing leaders across the state.This episode is perfect for anyone interested in innovation and career opportunities in Texas.You’ll Learn<ul><li>Where innovation is happening across Texas</li><li>Why workforce development matters for future jobs</li><li>How local leaders shape economic growth</li><li>About Justin&apos;s passion for Texas and <a href='https://www.txst.edu/'>Texas State University </a></li><li>Advice for entrepreneurs and students</li></ul>Key Takeaways<ul><li>Opportunity exists across Texas—not just in big cities</li><li>Strong communities and leadership drive innovation</li><li>The future of work is evolving quickly</li><li>Success starts with taking action and learning as you go</li></ul>About JustinJustin McKenzie is an entrepreneur and host of The Building Texas Show, a podcast focused on highlighting innovation and economic development across Texas. He is a two-time Texas State graduate with experience in manufacturing, startups, and workforce strategy.<ul><li><a href='https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justinmckenzie_from-big-projects-to-one-pothole-leading-activity-7404551543003455488-Xmss?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Follow Justin McKenzie on LinkedIn</a> </li><li><a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'>Visit The Building Texas Show website</a> </li><li><a href='https://www.youtube.com/%40thebuildingtexasshow?utm_source=chatgpt.com'>Subscribe on YouTube</a></li></ul>This interview was recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University.  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Stories of Change and Creativity&lt;/em&gt;, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of &lt;a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Building Texas Show&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/a&gt; We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with lessons from interviewing leaders across the state.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode is perfect for anyone interested in innovation and career opportunities in Texas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;You’ll Learn&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Where innovation is happening across Texas&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why workforce development matters for future jobs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How local leaders shape economic growth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;About Justin&amp;apos;s passion for Texas and &lt;a href='https://www.txst.edu/'&gt;Texas State University &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Advice for entrepreneurs and students&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Opportunity exists across Texas—not just in big cities&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Strong communities and leadership drive innovation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The future of work is evolving quickly&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Success starts with taking action and learning as you go&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Justin&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Justin McKenzie is an entrepreneur and host of &lt;em&gt;The Building Texas Show&lt;/em&gt;, a podcast focused on highlighting innovation and economic development across Texas. He is a two-time Texas State graduate with experience in manufacturing, startups, and workforce strategy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justinmckenzie_from-big-projects-to-one-pothole-leading-activity-7404551543003455488-Xmss?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;Follow Justin McKenzie on LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buildingtexasshow.com/'&gt;Visit The Building Texas Show website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/%40thebuildingtexasshow?utm_source=chatgpt.com'&gt;Subscribe on YouTube&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This interview was recorded at Live Oak Studios on the campus of Texas State University. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How innovation is transforming Texas—and where the biggest opportunities are emerging. In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I had the chance to talk with entrepreneur Justin McKenzie, host of The Building Texas Show. We explore innovation across Texas—from small towns to major cities—and discuss workforce development and emerging industries. Justin shares insights from his career journey, along with lessons from interviewing leaders across the state. This episode is perfect fo...

Innovation in Texas: Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development & Economic Growth with Justin McKenzie

What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI?In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at <a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'>Texas House</a> as part of the Texas State University Global Innovation Roundup.From his early interest in science in India to his work in applied mathematics, Dr. Bora shares how interdisciplinary thinking can lead to meaningful innovation. I found Bora to be smart, kind and a joy to be around.  His energy is contagious.    Key Takeaways<ul><li>Problem solving starts with the right questions—not just the right tools</li><li>AI is most powerful when combined with mathematics and real-world data</li><li>Innovation often happens at the intersection of disciplines</li><li>Understanding what you don’t know is essential to learning</li><li>The future of education is about guiding curiosity, not just delivering answers</li></ul>Why This Episode MattersAs AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the ability to think critically and solve meaningful problems is more important than ever. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how curiosity and creativity can drive real-world impact.Learn more about Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, and his work in artificial intelligence and real-world applications<a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2633408'> here.</a> This podcast episode was recorded at the Live Oak Podcast Studio at Texas State University.  Photo by <a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'>Texas House. </a> 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a colleague, student, or friend who’s interested in AI and creative problem solving. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Stories of Change and Creativity&lt;/em&gt;, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at &lt;a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'&gt;Texas House&lt;/a&gt; as part of the Texas State University Global Innovation Roundup.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his early interest in science in India to his work in applied mathematics, Dr. Bora shares how interdisciplinary thinking can lead to meaningful innovation. I found Bora to be smart, kind and a joy to be around.  His energy is contagious.    &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Problem solving starts with the right questions—not just the right tools&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;AI is most powerful when combined with mathematics and real-world data&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Innovation often happens at the intersection of disciplines&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Understanding what you don’t know is essential to learning&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The future of education is about guiding curiosity, not just delivering answers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why This Episode Matters&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the ability to think critically and solve meaningful problems is more important than ever. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how curiosity and creativity can drive real-world impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, and his work in artificial intelligence and real-world applications&lt;a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2633408'&gt; here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This podcast episode was recorded at the Live Oak Podcast Studio at Texas State University.  Photo by &lt;a href='https://www.texashouse.org/'&gt;Texas House. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;🎧 &lt;em&gt;Enjoyed this episode? Please share it with a colleague, student, or friend who’s interested in AI and creative problem solving.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

What does it really mean to solve a problem in the age of AI? In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, I sat down with Dr. Aniruddha Bora, assistant professor of computer science at Texas State University, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we think about problem solving.  I met Dr. Bora when I moderated a panel at South by Southwest (SXSW) at Texas House as part of the Texas State University Global Innovation Roundup. From his early interest in sc...

Artificial Intelligence and Problem Solving: Real-World Innovation with Dr. Aniruddha Bora

How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers? At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.   In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with <a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2266636'>Dino Chiecchi,</a> associate professor of practice at Texas State University.  He&apos;s a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of newsroom experience. During our conversation, we explore how classroom instruction meets professional practice.  We talk about why mentorship and real-world experience matter in higher education.What You’ll Learn• Why experiential learning helps students build professional skills  • How expert faculty elevate classroom learning  • The importance of mentoring in developing confidence and resilience  • How students can publish meaningful work before they graduate  • Why telling the stories about real people mattersThe articles written by Texas State University students were published in the Austin American Statesman and the Texas Standard.  Check out the SJMC website for <a href='https://sjmc.txst.edu/newsroom/newsroom-archive/2026-news-archive/journalism-project-hillcountry-story.html'>more information</a>.  You can learn more about Professor Chiecchi&apos;s book here: <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Josue-Young-Mans-Life-Suicide-ebook/dp/B0C4W96LRC'>Josue: A Young Man&apos;s Life Lost to Suicide.  </a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new">Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! </a>   Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please <a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'>let me know.</a> Check out <a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;reserved=0'>my TEDx talk</a>.  Why you should take action - then figure it out.

<description>&lt;p&gt;How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with &lt;a href='https://faculty.txst.edu/profile/2266636'&gt;Dino Chiecchi,&lt;/a&gt; associate professor of practice at Texas State University.  He&amp;apos;s a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of newsroom experience. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During our conversation, we explore how classroom instruction meets professional practice.  We talk about why mentorship and real-world experience matter in higher education.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What You’ll Learn&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Why experiential learning helps students build professional skills&lt;br/&gt; • How expert faculty elevate classroom learning&lt;br/&gt; • The importance of mentoring in developing confidence and resilience&lt;br/&gt; • How students can publish meaningful work before they graduate&lt;br/&gt; • Why telling the stories about real people matters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The articles written by Texas State University students were published in the Austin American Statesman and the Texas Standard.  Check out the SJMC website for &lt;a href='https://sjmc.txst.edu/newsroom/newsroom-archive/2026-news-archive/journalism-project-hillcountry-story.html'&gt;more information&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can learn more about Professor Chiecchi&amp;apos;s book here: &lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Josue-Young-Mans-Life-Suicide-ebook/dp/B0C4W96LRC'&gt;Josue: A Young Man&amp;apos;s Life Lost to Suicide.  &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/371849/fan_mail/new"&gt;Did you enjoy this episode? send me a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt; &lt;br/&gt;Do you have an idea for a guest interview?  Please &lt;a href='https://www.changeandcreativity.com/guests/intake/'&gt;let me know.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a href='https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9MXx3cjha-I&amp;amp;data=05%7C02%7Coskam%40txstate.edu%7C167d6a77505c4a47839b08dd83614f92%7Cb19c134a14c94d4caf65c420f94c8cbb%7C0%7C0%7C638811176278182461%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;amp;sdata=dGkj4vjMiDTA67iNTQzVNFZwbwZfwBe4NggZCtbd1WY%3D&amp;amp;reserved=0'&gt;my &lt;b&gt;TEDx&lt;/b&gt; talk&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Why you should take action - then figure it out.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How does experiential learning prepare college students for real-world careers?  At Texas State, journalism students don’t just study reporting — they do it. They cover major news events and interview real people.  Students report on impactful stories like the aftermath of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and the 2025 deadly Central Texas flooding.    In this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity, Judy Oskam talks with Dino Chiecchi, associate ...

Experiential Learning in Journalism: Real-World Reporting & Mentorship with Dino Chiecchi

Stories of Change &amp; Creativity is a podcast about reinvention, creativity, and the people courageous enough to embrace change.&nbsp; Hosted by professor and former journalist Judy Oskam, the show features inspiring interviews with artists, scholars, entrepreneurs, students, and everyday changemakers. &nbsp;https://linktr.ee/judyoskam

Stories of Change & Creativity

Details

Recent Episodes