By Saron Gebereegziabhier
Trinity Times Correspondent

In an era where digital communication has become paramount, Trinity Times is embracing innovation with its new podcast, Enlightened Exchanges. 

The inaugural season of Enlightened Exchanges officially began Oct. 8, 2024, and it covers an array of relevant subjects, beginning with an in-depth analysis of the U.S. presidential election in its first episode. 

Subsequent episodes will delve into critical topics such as Critical Race Theory, self-care, the impact of war, and the unique experiences of commuter college students. 

Through these enlightening exchanges, Trinity Times aims to contribute to the broader discourse on important societal issues while re-establishing itself as a vital voice in the academic landscape.

This venture has been a long-awaited vision for Trinity Washington University’s student news organization, which was re-established as a digital platform in February 2023. 

The original print edition of Trinity Times ceased publication more than a decade ago due to the extensive time and labor commitment required to produce a physical student newspaper.

Students found they could no longer devote the amount of time it took to write and edit the stories, take the photographs, layout the pages and get it to the printer for publication, Trinity President Patricia McGuire told Trinity Times in early 2023.

The seeds for this new multimedia initiative were sown when the Evelyn Y. Davis Foundation awarded a substantial grant in 2022 to establish a state-of-the-art newsroom for the 21st century. 

McGuire, who once worked as an editor at Trinity Times during her own time as an undergraduate student, expressed her enduring desire to resurrect the student news organization, highlighting her commitment to student journalism at Trinity.

After more than a year of meticulous planning and development, the podcast Enlightened Exchanges was finally launched, promising to deliver high-quality, long-form journalism on pressing contemporary issues. 

The name of the podcast emerged from a collaborative effort among students in a Trinity podcasting class, said Chaz Muth, an assistant professor of Journalism and director of the multimedia newsroom at Trinity.

“The name Enlightened Exchanges reflects the open exchange of ideas about important topics of the day at a university that values intellectual exploration from many different voices,” Muth told Trinity Times. “It’s also a nod to the Enlightenment and its central doctrines of individual liberty, religious tolerance, rationalism, natural law, progress, fraternity, scientific advancement, free speech and free thought.”

As Enlightened Exchanges debuts its first episode, the inaugural recording took place in September in a classroom in Trinity Washington University’s historic Main Hall, the oldest building on campus. 

While the typical sounds of campus life continued outside — lawnmowers buzzing in the distance and students walking to and from classes — the discussion inside was focused and charged with anticipation, setting the stage for an insightful conversation about the 2024 U.S. presidential election and the debate that happened between the candidates. 

The setup for the podcast was simple yet effective. Students and Erin Carriere-Kretschmer, an assistant professor of Political Science, sat around a table, facing each other, with microphones placed in front of them. 

Professors Joshua Romney and Chaz Muth, key figures in making this podcast a reality, worked to create an environment that allowed the students’ voices to shine.

During the interview, the students took full command of the discussion, expressing their thoughts with confidence and depth. As the questions were asked, they responded with a level of insight that reflected their understanding of the political climate. 

Their responses resonated particularly with issues important to today’s youth — leadership, social justice, and the future of democracy. They raised significant points about the role of young voters in shaping elections, the importance of political engagement, and the intersection of identity and politics. 

Carriere-Kretschmer, who teaches the Campaigns and Elections course at Trinity, noted how compelling it was to hear students question the state of democracy. 

“What’s fascinating to me,” she said, “is hearing the students talk about democracy and whether it’s on the ballot and moving from there to the idea that the system is broken.” 

Carriere-Kretschmer also highlighted the growing engagement of the younger generation, pointing out that they “are participating more, voicing their opinions more, and want to hear more about policy.” 

This shift, she said, reflects a deeper desire for candidates who are both charismatic and substantive, offering clear policies that resonate with young voters.

The discussion itself touched on a variety of perspectives, offering more than just the usual political analysis. It explored the nuanced views of students who are not only aware of what’s happening in the world but care deeply about the direction it’s headed. 

The atmosphere in the room felt vibrant and uplifting, as it became clear that this podcast provided a much-needed space for students to articulate their opinions and engage with important societal questions.