144–Passing of the Torch

Andrew shares his favorite moments and advice, while Kinsley opens up about her vision for future episodes, including spotlights on first-generation students, campus staff, and financial aid resources. Filled with humor, heart, and excitement for what’s ahead, Passing the Torch is both a farewell and a fresh beginning for Bear In Mind. 

Welcome to Bear in Mind. I’m Kinsley, your new host. But before I dive in, I’m sitting down with the person I’m replacing—Andrew—to learn the ropes. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to host this show. Andrew shares what he’s learned, and I’ll talk about the vision I have for the stories we’re going to tell—everything from celebrating unsung heroes on campus to exploring the financial struggles students face. This is the passing of the torch. 

Andrew, I want to start with your reflections and experiences on how you did the podcast and how important that was to you and what you learned 

I had a lot of fun doing this. I talked to a lot of interesting people. I got to learn about things I knew nothing about. It was a really good time. And so, yeah, you got to be ready to, like, edit and do all those things, but I got better with those skills, as the year went on. And I'm honestly looking back now, very grateful that I got to do those things because without that I wouldn't be the, you know, journalist and the editor that I am today. So I think that's what you should have to look forward to. Yeah. 

What was your favorite part, though? Did you like the editing the most or did you like the recording the most or meeting the new people? 

Definitely the actual like talking to the people part. Because like editing is fine. You know, you do it right. It's part of the job. But like recording, being in the studio I used to try to make people laugh so hard. But it was actually kind of embarrassing. But it was good time and it was a lot of fun. 

Yeah, but you got to make people laugh because when they're, like, feel comfortable and fun. 

And I'm a stranger to them. You know, I got to try to, like, break the ice a little bit. So I'd say, like, the worst joke you've ever heard is like, the worst, like, dad joke, unfunny thing. Okay you guys I'm going to hit record now. But, yeah, it was a good time. Yeah. 

Who was your favorite guest? 

Oh, God. I can't pick a favorite guest. Well, I got to talk to, a lot of interesting people about a lot of interesting things. I think, I'm not going to say my favorite, but the conversation that stuck with me the most, I think, was the one about bear pantry, just because then I went to go on and like, work on other things was out of Bear in Mind with those guys. And so and that's how I met them. And so, yeah, it was really convenient. And it worked out really for me. And then of course, they have the whole new Bear Pantry thing going on. So it was just very timely. And it worked out great for me. 

And the people at Bear Pantry are amazing. I've done so many projects with them. Oh yeah. Yeah, they are so, so so sweet. 

And I think that's just the best part, right? Because like, you know, even if it's something you don't really know anything about, which was most of my episodes, you go in, right, not knowing these people, not knowing what they have to offer. And then you leave, you know, 30 minutes an hour later and it's like, I feel like I've known this person for forever. And you learn a lot of interesting things. It's cool. 

Yeah. Just feel like you make a new friend. Yeah. That being said, is there anything that you wish you got to that you didn't? 

Oh, I don't know. That's a tough question. No, I, I wish I could have, redone maybe some of my earlier episodes. I was very like, Hello. Nice to meet you. I was very like plastic about it. Okay. Noted. Very like. Yeah, I wasn't very comfortable. I, like, sat, like, really stiff in the studio. What's your name? But there's nothing wrong with that. Yes. Looking back, I think I could have been a little more dynamic with my. Loosen 

up a little bit? Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. But, I don't think there's anything I missed. Well, is there a part that you are the most scared about doing? 

It’s just - not really, no. Besides, like, my little, like, shyness that I have here and there, I'm not that scared about it, honestly. I've listened to like, radio shows my whole life. I am a big podcast listener and I always have been. Before it was like the fad to like podcasts. And yeah, I like, was so excited. Over summer I like, made this whole like packet of proposals and yeah. 

So out of that packet of proposals, do you have things you're most interested to talk about? 

Yeah. Financial aid specifically and scholarships and stuff. Working on that episode right now. 

I feel like the coolest thing really is being like, hey, look at this dope thing that we do that. Yeah, right. And being able to be like, yeah, I think look, look, look, yeah. Look what we found. Yeah, this is some cool people doing some cool things. Yeah. It's it's kind of rewarding in a way. 

Exactly. And I feel like just from everything I've learned as a journalism student, people like to be noticed and people like to know that other people know they exist. You know what I mean? Yeah. Especially me. Yeah. That is why I was a host. But like how we want to show appreciation and an episode about for like, janitors, especially I know there's one in Candelaria that people just love and talk to all the time, and I've never met them. But I want to now. But I also have ideas for first generation students, because that part makes me cry every time I go to a commencement ceremony. It's if you're a first generation student, please stand up, I sob, yeah, every single time. Maybe that'll be a very tear-filled episode. Probably. And I would love that. Like the picture for you and your guest is just like sobbing. I don't know why. It just always makes me cry. I'm like that's the sweetest thing in the world. You're the first person to ever graduate in your family. And every time they're so proud and you can hear their family screaming and I'm like, oh my God, I need tissues. 

That is really sweet. I'm joking. But that's very yeah, it's super sweet. And we're really lucky that we get to talk about stuff like that that we find, like, emotional. 

Yeah, exactly. That and students who work. Okay, that's like, obviously students work, but students that work 40 plus hours a week at a job and then they're full time class. I know so many students like that right now because they need to afford where they're living. They need to afford gas to get to their job like they need to afford tuition. So I'd love to talk about that. 

We are in a position where we get to talk about these interesting things, and I'm so glad that you're going to come to campus and be, you know, sure. Like showcasing janitors and showcasing, you know, parents working their way through college to support their kids and like, that's amazing stuff. And I feel like I think you're right. It goes a little underrepresented sometimes. So yeah. So I guess in that same breath, do you have goals for your time here as host? 

Building on what you have done Andrew, I am really passionate about telling the stories of students who are often overlooked. I want to launch this season with information about things like the goal program and financial aid. My goal with the financial aid one is, I mean, Weld County in general. I know so many people because my dad's an educator in this county that just don't think they can afford college, and I just want to I want everyone to know that you you can afford college. It's just a lot of loans and scholarships and financial aid. But it's definitely possible. 

And I think it kind of goes back to what you're saying. Like UNC students work. Yeah. I work I'm sure you think it's just part of UNC’s culture even to have students supporting themselves as they go through college. Yeah, I think that's a great idea. I feel like there's so many facilities at UNC that are designed to to support students. And that's even before the being enrolled. Right. We're lucky here in Colorado to have all types of scholarships, all types of grants available at all types of students from every background, from every financial level. So even if you are, you know, having your school paid for, there's absolutely no reason you shouldn't be like, hey, how can I make this cheaper for me and my family? Yeah, you can still do that. And I think that's a great thing about just the college system. But UNC specifically is that we are ready to help students through this college process. And I don't know, I think that's an important thing. 

And I feel like students also don't realize that scholarship money isn't just for classes like it is just for classes, kind of, but also say you get $3,000 in scholarships and you're only paying $2,000 in classes that semester. They're going to send you that thousand dollars that isn't being used. And that's for books. That's for like, if you're going to class and your car breaks down, you need like you get a flat tire, like, that's for, late night studying and you need a little coffee. That's for- Your espresso with, like six, seven shots. Now that we looked back, I would love your advice as I step into this role. 

So the host before me was Katie. Yeah. And she's fantastic. Suggest anybody go listen to her episodes. She was better than me at this. She's really good. And then she gave me the episode on the, passing the torch episode. And then after the mics were done, she would, like, call me and be like, hey, when you're editing, you should do this and this. It'll make it easier for you. And she helped me schedule my first guest, and she was just, like, very, very helpful with making sure that I got off on the right foot. And I am forever appreciative of her doing that for me. That's a lot of work. I don't know if I'll do that for you, but I'll try. So if you need anything, let me know. Sounds good. I can't be that good. But, you know it seems like you got it pretty figured out. 

I've got an idea of what I'm doing, if that makes sense. I don't - I don't feel like I- I don't feel like I'm fully 100% ready. Maybe like 85%, maybe like 67%. 

I think you are going to be a fantastic host and let me know if you need anything. 

What are your hobbies? 

What are my hobbies? I like to read, and drink matcha and carry around vinyls of Lana Del Rey. What do you read? No, I wasn't prepared for that question. Oh, fake reader? No, I actually am a real reader. I just finished Butchers Crossing by John Williams, famous American author. Fantastic book. But the ending is sad. So if you're not ready for that, don't do it. Heartbreaking. Then I am currently reading What Money Can't Buy. By- What's his name? I think Michael Sandal. Jordan Sandal. Something Sandal? Something Sandal. He's a philosopher at Harvard. Oh, nice. He talks about the moral limits on markets. Oh, really? Very interesting read. But I am really enjoying it. Do you read? 

Yeah, I read, not as much as I used to. I was originally an English major. I got my associate's degree in English, so I had to read a lot for class. But I grew up reading a lot. Not Harry Potter? I never got into Harry Potter. 

I think, you know, I know J.K. Rowling's got a lot of weird stuff going on. The books are still pretty good. Are they? So I read them when I was a kid. Long time ago. I'm like old. Okay. Older. Right. But I remember like they were famous because like the like aesthetic of the magic. Right. For J.K. Rowling's faults those books are very they put you in the world. Do they? As a kid they were good. 

I think it's because it's all in third person. Right. And I can't do the third person for whatever reason. No? It has to be first person or I struggle to read. Yeah. Okay. Really? I'm judging you. Thanks. Seriously, I can't read any third person point of view books. I really struggle. I mean, I just reread Twilight for the 50th time. Known as pinnacles of literature, in my opinion. Yeah. The best books ever made. Ever made. What podcasts do you listen to? 

Right. So I actually wasn't sure when I first started Bear in Mind what it was going to be like. So I listened to the previous hosts and, you know, that tells you a lot. All their styles are very different. So you can kind of bring what you want to bring to this podcast. And at that point I was very like not entertainment 

value. I was very like news. I'm a journalism major. I'm serious all the time. Yeah I only drink Americanos.Even though they are secretly gross. So I was like I really like, you know, NPR's podcasts there. Like I forget the name of it, but like the news line, it's stuff was really good. And I listen to a lot of podcasts and stuff like that, that I was like, yeah, that is what I want to bring. I want to bring like very informative, things that are happening at UNC based to the podcast. My same question to you is like, what do you think you're gonna- 

Oh, I, I think I want to bring more like, I don't know, I want to bring comedy into it a little bit. Like I want to have my guests laughing all the time, but also talking about, you know, the serious stuff. And I feel like 

that's really me. I just come from a household that's always like, we're joking about everything. So it's hard for me to not joke about everything. So yeah, I just really hope to bring comedy and laughter, but also seriousness and emotion when it calls for it. But yeah, I'm really excited for that. And I'm really excited to see, you know, I mean, learn people's different like, comedy styles, I guess, because not everyone's going to laugh at the same joke. Yeah, well, can we hear, like, a sample joke, maybe? Now you're putting me on the spot. Now there's nothing. 

That was intentional. Yeah. So that's one thing I wish I implemented more. Was comedy? Comedy. I feel like it's- Well, not only is it, like, enjoyable for the listener, you know, hypothetically. And I get everyone's comedy is different, but in general, like you feel happier when people laugh, you know? So like if you're worried about, like, meeting new guests and being shy and all that, which I kind of feel is not going to be an issue for you.That might be just me. Making them laugh, like, and then you're good like, first thing, like, I was telling you, I make that really crappy joke. 

Yeah. Like I need a good dad joke. Podcasting in general, do you think that you're going to do any more of it? Do you want to do more of it? 

I did The Reflection for The Mirror. I started that with, Zvi Gutierrez. Fantastic journalist. I think she's out in the field now. I can't remember where, but, we and I had a co-host, Sophia Raymond, and we did all types of interesting stuff and was very unserious. Like, I we didn't edit anything. We had guests, but we just kind of like, joked around with our guests and it was like. Right. And then I did this, Bear In Mind, which is a little more studious, I feel, more professional in a positive way, like there's more structure. The guests and topics are a little more dynamic and interesting. So I've had a lot of experience with podcasts, both as a host, but then also, like I scheduled every single guest, I edited every single episode. I produced both those podcasts. And so I feel like, if that was an opportunity that presented itself to me, I'd love to be in the podcast world just because I think I have a lot of experience with it and could be good with it, but, you know, I'll take what I can get. 

Yeah, yeah, I, I mean, yeah, podcasts are amazing in general, but I do think people get so intimidated when they first walk into like a podcast studio like this, especially guests. Well, this I mean, our studio is kind of intense. Yeah. Classroom classroom, full studio. Great studio. Producing video like news. Usually like students walking around running around. 

And then I don't know I mean I know you've been in the journalism like atmosphere but it's not, it's not unfriendly but it's not friendly. I mean, they are all yelling at each other. There's scripts, there's cursing. When you're in the middle of it there's. Yeah. It gets intense. As it should be for the news cycle. You like walk into that and they're like okay. You're like, sorry you're not. Don't look at that. Just come into the studio. Sit down. We're having a good time. Yeah. Yeah. 

But then you walk in and you're like actually I need you to sit down, sit right in front of this mic and talk into it. Don't be scared. People are going to listen to this. Yes, yes, yes. And you actually are also being watched. Oh, yeah. Because there is a camera right there. I'm so scared that I'm not going to make people comfortable enough. 

You know, I think there's a certain skill. And making it, awkward enough where they, you know, are uncomfortable the whole time. Yeah. But give decent answers. Yeah. Yeah, I think that's an art. 

I want to be, like, best friends with people. Maybe I'll bring, like, my dogs in. Have everyone just meet my dogs. How many dogs do you have? I have two.. I have two little, two little terriers. We call them my two little rat dogs. You can sit them on the table. Yeah. Like anxiety dogs. Yeah. But I think my one dog would ruin it because she whines when people don't pet her. So every like five seconds you just hear - 

So I mean, it is a little intense walking in. Right? To the studio. What I'm assuming. Some people walk in and then talk with the confidence of a thousand men. Some people walk in and you think that they've done this a million times before. Yeah. I mean and it's, I mean we know as the host that this is not, it's, it's serious as in like this is what we do, but it's not like scary. It's not court. You don't got to be in a tie. Right. And so I feel like just finding a successful way to convey that is the most important bit. Definitely. Yeah. Hopefully. I bet you will be totally fine. 

I bet you I’ll be fine. I'm really excited to start. But right now it is just a lot of planning. It's a lot of getting 

things set up and we'll see how it goes. 

I wish you the best of luck. Thank you. 

Looking ahead, I plan to bring my own style, incorporating humor while highlighting important and often underrepresented campus stories. Tune in for episodes on financial aid, the GOAL program, the experiences of first-generation students, and celebrating the work of university staff who make this place run.