North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to announce the launch of its newest academic initiative: The Deep End Podcast, a platform that brings the innovative research, scholarship, and passion of NCWU faculty straight to listeners’ ears.

Spearheaded by Dr. Joseph Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, The Deep End dives into the creative ways faculty integrate their scholarly work into the classroom experience. Each episode highlights NCWU’s teacher-scholars and offers valuable insights for students, alumni, and fellow educators alike.

“Our goal is to share the intellectual energy happening every day on campus,” said Dr. Lane. “This podcast allows us to celebrate the brilliant work of our faculty and how they make learning relevant and exciting for our students.”

The first three episodes, now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, feature engaging conversations with:

• Dr. Shane Thompson, discussing ancient cultures and languages
• Drs. Meredith Gringle and Ami Thompson, on public health and biology
• Dr. Doreen Thierauf, exploring English literature in new ways

New episodes will be released throughout the year, with upcoming guests including Dr. Benjamin Hiskes (Psychology), Tyana Ellis (Communication), Dr. Daniel Elias (Environmental Science), and Dr. Emily Weber (Biology/Pre-Medical Sciences advisor).

Dr. Shane Thompson (Religious Studies and Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research) manages the recording schedules and will host some episodes.

The podcast is produced by an undergraduate student, Shafiq Nuijts, NCWU Class of 2026. Shafiq contributes to recording and editing each episode. His leading role in bringing the Deep End to life demonstrates North Carolina Wesleyan’s commitment to offering a Personal, Practical, and Purpose-Driven Education, by giving students hands-on experiences in a variety of fields, including digital content creation.

Listeners can stream The Deep End Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.