While most scholars share their research via publications, adjunct history professor Ryan Purcell, Ph.D., also uses another medium: podcasting.
“One of the things I love most about podcasting is that you can express your enthusiasm about historical knowledge,” said Purcell, whose award-winning Soundscapes NYC podcast examines the sounds and music of New York City. “There’s an intimacy between you and your audience that’s really compelling.”
That sense of connection will be on display Nov. 10, when Purcell and a number of his students produce “The Soundscapes NYC Experience” at McNally Amphitheatre. The live podcast recording—a spinoff of the studio-recorded show that Purcell launched in 2024—is made possible by an Arts and Sciences challenge grant Purcell received to mount six of these events at Fordham.
In a typical Soundscapes NYC episode, Purcell interviews academics, artists, and critics about topics in 1970s NYC music history, weaving in performances that reflect those themes. The Fordham events will go beyond that scope, said Purcell, “to welcome broader audiences and a greater diversity of programming.”
The Nov. 10 “Experience” will feature two musical acts plus Mark Naison, Ph.D., professor of history, director of the Bronx African American History Project, and a muse for the series. Naison’s class on popular music, From Rock to Hip Hop, spurred Purcell to design his own course on the intersection of race, popular music, and urban spaces, which in turn inspired the podcast.
Naison will speak about the doo-wop music he grew up listening to—“the Brooklyn soundscapes of his youth,” said Purcell. Singer Nora Flamer, a recent Fordham grad, will headline the event, along with the group Cover Story Doo Wop, juxtaposing their “sonic similarities.”
Purcell feels fortunate to have such talented students working with him on the show. “I work with a lot of creative students … and they continue to teach me on a daily basis, whether about audio production, promotions, or live event production.” As this series at Fordham continues, he hopes to create a lasting experience for them—“something they can be involved with semester after semester.”
Check out past episodes of Soundscapes NYC, and read on for more podcasts from the Fordham community.
Faculty and Staff Podcasts
Art and Soul produced by the Center on Religion and Culture will debut in mid-November, featuring guests such as Wicked author Gregory Maguire.
Bite-Sized Business Law, produced by Amy Martella, executive director of the Corporate Law Center at Fordham Law, breaks down top stories in legal business news with attorneys and legal experts.
Sports Business Podcast with Prof. C, produced by Mark Conrad, professor of law and ethics at Gabelli School of Business, features interviews with sports experts, athletes, and authors about the sports industry.
To Save Us From Hell, co-produced by Anjali Dayal, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, covers news on the United Nations and its activities around the world.
Twice Over, co-produced by Anne Fernald, Ph.D., professor of English and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and Steve D’Agustino, senior director for online programs, ran for four seasons. Through conversations with faculty members at Fordham and other universities, it examined teaching practices across disciplines.
Did we miss your Fordham podcast? Tell us and we’ll add it here: [email protected].
