The Liminal Podcast

<p>n this international episode, Tassel CEO Chase Rigby sits down with Beth Lincoln (Manchester Met) and Richard Barden (King’s College London) to explore how graduation is evolving across the UK. From hiring gowns to running 29 ceremonies in two weeks, this episode digs into the differences—and surprising similarities—between UK and US commencement traditions.</p><p>📝 Topics Discussed:</p><p>How UK universities handle cap and gown rentals (and why no one throws their cap)</p><p>Running “relaxed” graduation ceremonies for students with sensory or access needs</p><p>The growing trend of smaller, more personalized ceremonies</p><p>Why printed programs might be on their way out</p><p>Student costs, inclusion, and how some schools are helping grads attend</p><p>A behind-the-scenes look at 14–29 ceremonies in a single week</p><p>Forming the UK’s graduation planning community—and what US schools can learn from it</p><p>📌 Episode Highlights:</p><p>[01:38] Beth and Richard share their own graduation memories (spoiler: one involved a Lord!)[05:06] How a UK-wide group of 300+ graduation planners formed during COVID[06:35] “Relaxed ceremonies”: a low-sensory alternative for anxious or neurodivergent grads[12:31] Why students <em>hire</em> (not buy) their gowns in the UK—and what it costs[18:10] 14 ceremonies in a week? Why UK venues limit capacity[20:43] 29 ceremonies at Manchester Met and how the team pulls it off[24:02] The push for personalization: student-focused speakers and stories[28:27] Printed brochures are out—what students want instead[32:14] How collaboration across departments improved graduation logistics[36:28] Supporting students who can’t afford to attend[37:32] Why universities still invest in graduation—despite budget pressures</p><p>🎓 Want to deliver a more personalized, modern ceremony?</p><p>Learn how Tassel can help → <a target="_blank" href="http://tassel.com">tassel.com</a></p><p>This episode of <em>The Liminal</em> is brought to you by Tassel — the platform trusted by hundreds of schools to power commencement logistics, from ticketing and name reading to announcements and displays.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">heytassel.substack.com</a>

<p>🎙️ <em>The Liminal: From Paper to Power — Jermaine White on Ticketing Innovation and Graduation Equity</em></p><p>In this episode, Kate Williams chats with Jermaine White, Assistant Superintendent of Harnett County Schools, about how moving to digital guest ticketing transformed their seven high school ceremonies. From fighting fraud to helping families feel more included, Jermaine shares how Tassel’s tools saved time, improved security, and made graduation smoother for everyone.</p><p>📝 Topics Discussed:</p><p>The moment Jermaine realized paper tickets had to go</p><p>What families remember most—and why it always makes him emotional</p><p>How Tassel's digital ticketing became essential after COVID</p><p>Building school and venue trust through transparency and data</p><p>Fighting fraud (yes, even ticket scams at graduation!)</p><p>Why personalized tickets created a moment of pride for one graduate</p><p>How to get school-wide buy-in for new tech—and make other principals jealous</p><p>What Jermaine would tell any high school leader considering Tassel</p><p>📌 Episode Highlights:</p><p>[01:50] The speech, the cookout invite, and the last graduation his grandmother attended[03:30] Why graduation is as much for parents as it is for students[05:49] A fire marshal, a Google search, and the start of a digital transformation[07:40] How Tassel simplified logistics and brought peace of mind[08:06] Pre-Tassel chaos: boxes of paper tickets, manual counting, constant errors[10:20] How COVID helped accelerate digital ticketing adoption[11:20] Preventing fake tickets and giving unused ones to other families[14:24] A custom ticket for a Japanese Honor Society grad—and why it mattered[16:23] Tassel as a long-term part of the district’s graduation strategy[18:05] Jermaine’s favorite tactic to get buy-in: make other schools jealous[19:41] Strengthening venue relationships through real-time data and transparency</p><p>🎟️ Ready to simplify your ceremony with secure, modern guest ticketing?</p><p>Learn more at: <a target="_blank" href="https://tassel.com/ticketing">tassel.com/ticketing</a></p><p>This episode of <em>The Liminal</em> is brought to you by Tassel — the platform that makes graduation easier for schools and more meaningful for every guest.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">heytassel.substack.com</a>

<p>🎙️ <em>The Liminal: The Product That Pays Students Back — Behind the Scenes of Graduation Announcements</em></p><p>In this special episode, Tassel CEO Chase Rigby sits down with Systems Administrator Jake Mayer to talk about the launch of <em>Graduation Announcements</em>—Tassel’s newest product that lets grads tell their story, share a link, and receive financial gifts straight to their Venmo or PayPal accounts. They dive into how the idea came about, why it matters, and the surprising impact it’s had on students, schools, and families.</p><p>📝 Topics Discussed:</p><p>The problem with $100+ paper announcements—and what comes next</p><p>How a birthday gift page led to a nationwide rollout</p><p>The philosophy behind putting money <em>into</em> students' pockets</p><p>Why one student made $3,500 just by sharing their story</p><p>How schools are using announcements to surface powerful, authentic stories</p><p>The ripple effect for branding, enrollment, and global family reach</p><p>How Tassel made it “easier than Instagram” to set up a page</p><p>What’s next for announcements: videos, richer content, and stage-walk clips</p><p>📌 Episode Highlights:</p><p>[01:09] The outdated world of paper announcements—and the inspiration to digitize it[04:20] The MVP started as a birthday donation tool for Chase’s daughter[06:30] Tassel’s mission: stop squeezing students, start giving back[08:54] Students share what the money meant to them—and what they used it for[09:39] The recovery story that moved a university to tears[13:00] How real stories are now powering school marketing in a whole new way[16:01] What it’s like to create a page: upload, write, link your Venmo, done[18:19] Grandma messages, international donations, and future roadmap requests[24:41] The surprising ways students are sharing: LinkedIn, TikTok, even calendars[27:14] Beyond stories: announcements include livestreams, details, and ceremony links</p><p>🎓 Ready to create your own digital announcement? Visit: <a target="_blank" href="https://tassel.com/graduation-announcements?utm_source=podcast">tassel.com/graduation-announcements</a></p><p>This episode of <em>The Liminal</em> is brought to you by Tassel — building tools that make every graduation easier, more inclusive, and more memorable.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">heytassel.substack.com</a>

<p>🎙️ <em>The Liminal: Getting Every Name Right — Lindsay Kimbrough on Ceremony, Legacy, and the Power of the Perfect Moment</em></p><p>In this episode, Manny Vozos sits down with Lindsay Kimbrough, Assistant Principal at East Kentwood High School in Michigan—one of the most diverse high schools in the U.S.—to talk about what it really takes to make graduation meaningful for every student. From QR codes and jumbotrons to family pride and student-led production, Lindsay shares the “why” behind every detail.</p><p>📝 Topics Discussed:</p><p>* Planning for 600+ grads: balancing logistics and emotion</p><p>* Why name pronunciation matters—and how Tassel helps get it right</p><p>* Evolving commencement into a personalized, tech-powered event</p><p>* Including underclassmen in the production (and building future buy-in)</p><p>* How ceremony efficiency creates room for connection</p><p>* Creating a ripple effect for families, staff, and even security</p><p>* New features Lindsay can’t wait to try next</p><p>📌 Episode Highlights:</p><p>[01:53] Lindsay reflects on graduating from the same school she now helps lead[02:15] What students really remember from the ceremony[04:20] Using registration to spark excitement and ownership[05:40] Why saying names correctly is non-negotiable[07:39] Students take the lead on personalization—and take pride in it[08:13] ROI beyond the tech: building a live, student-powered production[10:33] Moments that matter: from first-gen grads to students with disabilities[13:37] The logistics that make 600 names go smoothly[15:45] Staying on time without feeling rushed—and why that helps everyone[17:59] How saved time becomes a better post-ceremony experience[21:45] Advice for high school leaders considering Tassel[22:41] Sneak peek: new chatbot and graduate announcements in Tassel’s Plus Package</p><p>💬 Want to explore Tassel at your school? Learn more at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tassel.com">tassel.com</a></p><p>This episode of <em>The Liminal</em> is brought to you by Tassel — helping schools deliver the perfect moment with tools for registration, name pronunciation, ticketing, displays, and more.</p><p>✨ Celebrate every student → <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tassel.com">tassel.com</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">heytassel.substack.com</a>

<p>🎙️ <em>The Liminal: From Solo Coordinator to Seamless Ceremonies — James Cuaresma on Evolving Commencement at Cal State LA</em></p><p>In this episode, Staci Matt-Beal talks with James Cuaresma, Senior Director of University Events and Protocol at Cal State LA. From running commencement as a one-person team to orchestrating nine ceremonies with 150 volunteers, James shares how Cal State LA transformed its approach—and how embracing digital tools helped along the way.</p><p>📝 Topics Discussed:</p><p>* Why Cal State LA has changed venues six times in 12 years—and what that’s taught them</p><p>* Scaling from one person to a team-supported operation</p><p>* Shifting from all-campus to college-based ceremonies</p><p>* Strategies for creating a truly student-centered experience</p><p>* How partnerships and cross-campus collaboration make it all possible</p><p>* The decision to adopt digital ticketing, chatbots, ceremony displays, and more</p><p>* Lessons learned from QR code mix-ups and how they plan to improve</p><p>* James’ philosophy: Give every student their moment, no matter what</p><p>📌 Episode Highlights:</p><p>[01:00] Cal State LA’s six venue changes in 12 years—and the silver lining[02:54] From a team of one to a ceremony supported by five leads and 150 volunteers[03:44] The shift to college-based ceremonies and the importance of student recognition[07:47] James’ approach to creating meaningful moments that prioritize students[09:28] How Tassel helped simplify complex logistics with an all-in-one platform[12:31] Early adopter insights: Using chatbots to cut down on student emails[15:18] Why ceremony visuals matter—and how students and families respond[16:49] Keeping registration easy: balancing tech tools with clear communication[18:49] Multi-channel outreach: emails, posters, postcards, and more[21:17] Switching to pre-recorded names—and the benefits for students and staff[22:29] The biggest value of Tassel’s all-in-one solution for large-scale events[23:54] What James plans to try next: stickers over name cards to save time and stress</p><p>💡 Have a tip or want to share your ceremony story? Drop us a note.</p><p>This episode of <em>The Liminal</em> is brought to you by Tassel — the leading platform for modern commencements. From registration to ticketing, name pronunciation, displays, and analytics, Tassel makes it easier for schools to celebrate every graduate.</p><p>✨ Give grads their perfect moment → <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tassel.com">tassel.com</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://heytassel.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">heytassel.substack.com</a>