In this episode, Brooke and Layla introduce themselves and provide an overview of what Touching Concrete is all about.
Categories
Breaking the Ice
Category: Podcasts
Categories
EOT 416 The Nubian Minute News Roundup
“Eye on the Triangle” host Emilia Rivadeneira is joined by staff from The Nubian Message to break down news from the previous week. The Nubian Minute News Roundup discussed the Grammys, with differing opinions on Beyoncé’s win for “Cowboy Carter.” Kristopher argued it was a groundbreaking album, while Emilia believed earlier works deserved recognition. They also highlighted Doja Cat’s historic win as the third Black woman to win Best Rap Album, joining Cardi B and Lauryn Hill. The conversation shifted to DEI initiatives, criticizing corporations for pulling back on diversity efforts and emphasizing the broader benefits of DEI, including healthcare representation and education. They stressed the importance of community voice and action against perceived injustices.
Welcome to the first episode of the semester! I hope you all had a great start to 2025 and are ready for another season of conversations on identity, culture, and life abroad.
To kick things off, I’m joined by Loridana Foksha, who is giving us a recap of her semester in Spain—living away from her home in the U.S. and NC State. From the excitement of immersing herself in a new culture to the challenges of adjusting to life abroad, Loridana shares the highs, lows, and unexpected moments of her time in Spain.
She takes us through the thrill of discovering Spain’s vibrant art scene, the charm of spontaneous travelling experiences, and the inspiration she found in the country’s rich history and architecture. But beyond the postcard-perfect moments, she also opens up about the struggles—language barriers, unexpected college life, and the challenge of truly feeling at home in a new culture.
Along the way, Loridana reflects on the simple yet profound joy of watching people go about their lives, soaking in the energy of a new place, and truly living her dreams. From moments of deep connection to the quiet beauty of everyday life, she shares what it means to embrace change and find inspiration in the world around you.
Whether you’re dreaming of moving abroad, reminiscing about your own travel adventures, or just curious about the realities of expat life, this episode offers a raw and insightful look at the highs and lows of starting over in a new country.
Tune in for stories of self-discovery, cultural surprises, and the lessons learned from embracing the unknown.
In Part 2, Jason Riddle Walks us through some of the changes in US administrations that impacted his military career at the air force. Jason shares with many stories – some are serious, and some are quite hilarious.
Welcome to Touching Concrete!
Join your devilish host DJ Crush as they interview TikTok sensation bedrumor, a sensational jazz-influenced band from right here in North Carolina
Categories
Pretty Crimes
An interview with the “genre-fluid” band Pretty Crimes about their creative process, ideas, experience as a band, and of course their music.
In this episode, The Nubian Message’s Aiyanna Moore, Senait Richmond, Olivia Henson, and Johnathan Lee kick off a new weekly segment, “The Nubian Minute,” where they take a closer look at the headlines and unpack the issues that are making an impact on Black students and minority communities at NC State. Later, host Emilia Rivadeneira sits down with Richard Bedlack, founder of Duke University’s ALS Clinic and Professor of Neurology at Duke, and Sam Pearce, Assistant Professor of the Practice at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles. They discuss their exciting collaboration, where Bedlack partners with NC State design students to create stylish, accessible clothing for people living with disabilities, such as ALS.
Jim Lawler, a former CIA officer, walks us through his days in the agency and his recruitment of foreign spies. Mr. Lawler shares with us many insights about human nature and what it takes for someone to betray a trust and commit treason. In addition, Mr. Lawler and I discuss the pagers’ attack conducted by Israel against Hezbollah, and devote the last bit of our conversation to his espionage novels. Links to these novels are attached below. Be sure to also attend Mr. Lawler’s book talk, where he will be discussing his third novel, The Traitor’s Tale. Time and place are attached below.
Living Lies
In The Twinkling of an Eye
Book Talk on The Traitor’s tale:
the American Legion Hall, 111 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA 20117 at 6:00PM on Tuesday 18 February. Hosted by former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell
Categories
EOT 413 Elections & Holidays
In this episode, host Emilia Rivadeneira sits down with Amy Sentementes, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Queens University of Charlotte, to explore how election season can impact relationships and conversations with family during the holidays. Sentementes shares practical tips to help students navigate challenging discussions with loved ones who hold opposing views. Additionally, Alianna Brooks, Editor-in-Chief of The Nubian Message, provides a semester news roundup, highlighting the publication’s standout coverage and stories. Visit The Nubian Message’s website to read more.