IU Media School

The Media School at Indiana University prepares students for careers in journalism, cinema, broadcast, game design, and other forms of 21st-century communication. In the school’s latest podcast, “I’m No Expert,” we sit down with Media School faculty to discuss their area of expertise. Not an expert in media research? Good! Neither is our host, undergrad student Lydia Norton or producer Betsy Leija. This podcast allows any listener to better understand the media’s impact on the social, physical, and psychological aspects of our lives. Each episode will feature a different topic and guest, so follow us to hear new episodes released every month!

Episodes

Episode 11: I'm No Expert on ... Public Relations

June 26, 2025 • 8 mins

What is public relations? How does it interact with journalism? Media School senior lecturer Dave Groobert joins us this episode to explain the core values of PR and its fluctuating relationship with journalism. Whereas PR used to be a very distinct field, the advertising, marketing, and PR fields are working hand-in-hand today and will likely continue to strengthen that connection. Special thanks to host Lydia Norton, producer B...

Mark as Played

Episode 10: I'm No Expert on ... Corporate Social Responsibility and Advocacy

March 26, 2025 • 12 mins

What do the Target Circle Card community giving initiative and Patagonia's involvement in environmental issues have in common? Both are examples of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at promoting societal good. In comparison, social advocacy theoretically benefits a portion of a company's stakeholders, but often involves navigating controversial, typically political, issues. Media School associate professor Nichol...

Mark as Played

Episode 9: I'm No Expert on ... Hoosier Radio and TV

February 9, 2025 • 8 mins

VCRs and projectors and Walkmans, oh my! Indiana Broadcast History Archive Director and Media School professor Mike Conway shares how he is working to save, preserve, and present information about the history of Indiana's radio and television. Due to obsolete technology, some of that information is lost forever. But Conway and the IBHA team is working hard to archive as much of the Hoosier history as possible.

Mark as Played

Episode 8: I'm No Expert on ... Environmental Journalism

November 19, 2024 • 8 mins

Why does environmental journalism matter? Why don't news organizations support environmental journalism more considering every community is impacted by environmental issues? How do environmental journalists get in the field? Associate professor and environmental journalism expert Suzannah Evans Comfort joins us this episode to explore these questions and look into the roots of the journalism coverage that addresses human-caused deg...

Mark as Played

Episode 7: I'm No Expert on ... Gaming for Girls

October 24, 2024 • 13 mins

Media School professor of practice Patricia Pizer shares how she's developing a new way of gaming for girls. She has spent over 30 years working with games of all kinds – from puzzles to board games, to video games, and even mobile games for parrots! Special thanks to host Lydia Norton, producer Betsy Leija, and intern Alice Racek. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Mark as Played

Episode 6: I'm No Expert on ... Mental Health and Filmmaking

January 12, 2024 • 21 mins

Who’s that at the door? Could it be … our next guest? Listen to us chat with the new Dean of The Media School, David Tolchinsky. Hear about his love of scary movies and how he manages to make art and serve as an IU dean. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Karl Templeton. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Mark as Played

Episode 5: I'm No Expert on ... Black Cinema

November 16, 2023 • 17 mins

Ugh, what a week. You know what sounds perfect? Staying in and watching a bunch of movies. Avi and Karl take a break from their usual adventures to hang out with Novotny Lawrence, director of the Black Film Center & Archive and Media School associate professor, and watch some important pieces of Black film history. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Karl Templeton. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natal...

Mark as Played

Episode 4: I'm No Expert ... on MAGA Culture

October 24, 2023 • 22 mins

Podcasting has its perks. Including time travel. This time on I’m No Expert, we chat with the real expert, assistant professor Lisa Lenoir. Lenoir and our host will travel back in time to explore the intersection of the Make America Great Again movement and Mattie Smith Colin, a longtime Chicago Defender reporter from 1950-2002 who covered the return of Emmett Till's body to Chicago. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer...

Mark as Played

Episode 3: I'm No Expert ... on Media Framing

September 22, 2023 • 15 mins

We’ve been framed! Or you’ve been framed? Well, all of us have been framed, really. This week on I’m No Expert, we sit down with associate professor Lesa Major to talk about the mechanics of framing in media. How does a reader connect with a story? How do we understand how important a given issue is? How do we make sure stories are never framed in order to hurt people? Listen in and find out! Special thanks to host Avi Forrest...

Mark as Played

Episode 2: I'm No Expert ... on Satirical News

May 18, 2023 • 13 mins

I’m no expert on satirical news, but our guest Jason Peifer is. Jason is an associate professor at The Media School and has conducted extensive research on satirical news and how it impacts our daily lives. Peifer explains satire has "a little more bite than your everyday humor" and is more than just a political cartoon. Listen in as we explore forms satirical news can take and if it's a trustworthy news source. Special thanks to ...

Mark as Played

Episode 1: I'm No Expert ... on Dirty Media

March 20, 2023 • 15 mins

I’m no expert on dirty media, but thank goodness our guest Rachel Plotnick is. Ever notice how dirty your devices get? Ever find spots on your laptop or smears on your smartphone? Well, according to Plotnick, an assistant professor at IU's Media School, that grime means a lot more than you might think. Listen in on what dirty devices tell us about our lives, expenses, and future. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Nat...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.