THe Next 150 With President Parsons

Everyone has the potential to change the world. Finding the spark to become a changemaker can start with connecting with those who are already leading the charge.

On Colorado State University’s newest podcast, President Amy Parsons connects with CSU community members who deeply care about our collective future. Our conversations draw parallels between our guests’ exceptional work and CSU’s 150+ years of world-shaping achievements. With no topic off-limit, every guest opens up about their life, shares how they are making the world a brighter place and provides helpful advice they’ve learned along the way.

So, whether you’re a long-time CSU Rams fan or just discovering Colorado State University, it’s time to hit play, get inspired, and find your energy to help shape our next 150 years. Go Rams!

For the full podcast series, go to: https://president.colostate.edu/podcast/

Skip to Videos

  • Jenny Cavnar on Her Career and CSU

    Kicking off CSU’s The Next 150 podcast, Colorado State University President Amy Parsons sits down with Jenny Cavnar.

    From the CSU campus to making history as Major League Baseball’s first female primary play-by-play announcer, Jenny shares insights about her time at CSU, her groundbreaking career in sports broadcasting—including her work at the Colorado Rockies—and the role of female sports announcers in a male-dominated field.

    Plus, hear Jenny’s advice for CSU students looking to follow in her footsteps.

  •

    Isaac Slade and Stephen Brackett on Music and Mental Health

    Immerse yourself in the friendly banter and deeply moving words of longtime friends and Colorado rockstars Isaac Slade, co-founder of The Fray, and Stephen Brackett, CSU alum and co-founder of The Flobots, in the second episode of CSU’s The Next 150.

    From the importance of mental health to finding common ground in a polarized world, Isaac and Stephen share insights on how music and arts education can serve as powerful tools for self-expression and advocacy for today’s youth and CSU students.

    Plus, hear some one-of-a-kind CSU stories, including an anecdote about the founding of the CSU Breakdancing club!

  •

    Senator Cory Gardner on Bipartisanship and Political Engagement

    Drawing on his career in public service, U.S. Senator Cory Gardner joins President Amy Parsons to discuss leadership and fostering collaboration in today’s political landscape. Cory offers practical advice to CSU students on navigating political discourse, stressing the need for students to be active in their communities, engage in meaningful conversations and strive to find common ground. Listen in to hear Cory’s optimism shine through for the next generation of leaders.

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    Empowering Civic Engagement with Martín Carcasson and Sam Houghteling

    This episode brings us Colorado State University’s powerhouse civic engagement duo Martín Carcasson and Sam Houghteling. Martín is the director of CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation.  Sam is the director of CSU’s Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership.

    The conversation explores facets of civic education and active citizenship. Martín and Sam also dig deep into the importance of student voting and how their respective centers equip CSU students with the tools to participate in deliberative democracy.

  •

    Secretary John F. Kelly Reflecting on a Career in Public Service

    In this episode of The Next 150, we welcome Secretary John F. Kelly, a 45-year Marine Corps veteran who led the U.S. Southern Command.

    After retiring as a four-star general in 2016, Sec. Kelly went on to serve as the 5th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and later as White House Chief of Staff under the Trump administration.

    We explore Sec. Kelly’s strategies for students on becoming informed voters, emphasizing the need for civil discourse, diverse news sources, and community engagement. Sec. Kelly reflects on his military career, public service, and the shared values that give him hope for the future of American democracy.