Fordham Conversations

Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon talks with author Deanna Singh. The Fordham University Alumni discusses what inspired her to write her first children’s picture book “I Am A Boy of Color.”  Singh describes it as “a tribute to the beauty and power boys of color possess.” 

Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon talks with Fordham Professor Dr. Mohammad Nejad. They discuss his “Negative Word-of-Mouth” Study.  It looks at what can happen to a company’s profits when a  dissatisfied customer begins to express that with so-called “NWOM.”

  Fordham Conversations Host Chris Williams talks to people who, in one way or another, have gone back to college Cira Vernazza is Director of Fordham University's College at 60 program. Vernazza talks about how the university has special classes designed for people 60 and older. Then, students Judy Bowman, Timothy Kiehn, and Peg Smith-Loeb discuss the benefits of taking college courses after retirement. Finally, Taylor Harris talks about moving back to her alma mater and her McSweeney's column "Big Mom on Campus: Raising 2 Kids in a College Dorm."

There’s a painful, chronic disease that affects millions of women in the U.S. But it’s rarely talked about and even doctor’s say it’s often misunderstood. Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside, causing pain and sometimes infertility. Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon talks with Social Worker, Advocate and Fordham Alumni Casey Berna. She discusses her battle with endometriosis and her documentary “Endo-truth: The Impact of Endometriosis and Infertility on Mental Health.”

New York City has one of the oldest police departments which was established in 1845. It also has the largest police force in the nation, with about 55-thousand employees.    Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon is joined by the person who supervises those officers.  NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan is the highest ranking uniformed officer of the Police Department.  Chief Monahan will take us behind the scenes of the NYPD to discuss gun laws, community policing, body-worn cameras.  The Fordham Alumni will also share what it was like growing up the Bronx.

Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon sits down with Author, businessman and computer programmer Kingston Temanu. The Fordham University Gabelli School of Business graduate talks about his latest book “Get to know your backyard Opportunity.” In it, he explains how to pick up key business and life skills with a short 21-Day interview project.  He also discusses The Kilimanjaro app he created.  It connects all things-African in New York City, including restaurants, stores, events and people.

On this week’s Fordham Conversation we delve into music and more music. WFUV's Kacie Candela followed the story of Frank Werner and Travis Pike. The two crossed paths in the 60s to play music, only to have the music they recorded decades ago resurface and pressed on vinyl.  Then WFUV’s Patrick Russomanno spoke with Fordham Professor Nate Sloan about his podcast “Switched on Pop.”  The podcast examines the making and meaning of popular music.

Every year, thousands of people trek hundreds of miles from France to Spain as part of the Camino de Santiago.  This pilgrimage to the legendary burial site of St. James is taken by Christians to connect more deeply with their faith. Nonreligious travelers have been known to take the journey for the historic scenery, as a challenging hike, or to meet people from all over the world. Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon talks with a group from Fordham University that walked the Camino de Santiago.   Dr. Richard Gyug is a Fordham Professor of history and medieval studies who created the course that takes Fordham students on the trip. Dr. David Myers is Professor of History and Chair of the Department. He has taken the five times. Cristina Iannarino is a Bronx native and a recent graduate from Fordham’s Rose Hill campus. She shares details of her journey.  Rachel Podd is a Fordham graduate student and PhD candidate in History. She was a chaperone on three trips.

A new report looks at how subsidized housing may affect the health of Latinos. Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon sits down with Fordham Professor Dr. Emily Rosenbaum and Albert Einstein College of Medicine Assistant Professor Dr. Earle Chambers. The professors collaborated on a study that identifies how public housing may affect the health of Latinos living in the Bronx.

Fordham University has started a clinic that offers legal services to start-ups.  Bernice Grant is the Senior Director of the Entrepreneurial Law Program, and Founding Director of the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic. She sits down with Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon to discuss how the clinic benefits new companies and students entering the field of law.

Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon discusses the adventures Bronxville resident Renato Frison experienced  on a motorcycle trip from New York City to Brazil. 

Global Outreach (GO!) is a program at Fordham University that encourages student to travel and experience different cultures through service and immersion. Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon talks with Nemesis Dipre and Bailey Barnett, two Fordham students that participated in the program. Paul Francis, the director of the Global Outreach program, is also interviewed. Community, Simple Living, Social Justice and Spirituality are the four pillars of the program.

2018 marks 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement quelled decades of violent sectarianism in Northern Ireland. Fordham Conversations Host John Rogan talks with former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, who chaired the peace talks that lead to the Good Friday Agreement. Senator Mitchell talks about how the peace process overcame North Ireland's strife-plagued past

Fordham Alum Loretta Tofani won a Pulitzer Prize for her 1982 investigation of rape in a Maryland jail for the Washington Post. She joins Fordham Conversations host Robin Shannon to reflect on her groundbreaking story. Tofani also discusses her career highlights and offers advice for up-and-coming journalists

With each generation of veterans, comes different needs and challenges for the organizations created to assist them.   Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon talks Dan McSweeny, President of the United War Veterans Council. He discusses what his organization is doing to help veterans readjust to civilian life.   Dan McSweeny is also a Fordham University Alumni.

The word "neuroscience" might make you think of science fiction, but recent developments in the field are making changes in the legal world. New developments in the science bring up questions about the human brain, addiction and even free will.  Fordham Conversations Host Patrick Russomanno talks with Fordham Law Professor Deborah Denno about how recent developments in neuroscience are affecting America’s legal system.  She explores the role neuroscience plays in legal cases and current events, as well as the role it might play in the future.

A recent poll found blindness ranked 4th as the condition most feared by Americans, following Aids, Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.  This condition can be especially difficult for New Yorkers who begin to lose their sight as they age.  Fordham Conversations Host Robin Shannon talks with Dr. Amy Horowitz with Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Services. She shares her research on depression and late life vision loss.

On this week's Fordham Conversations, Host Alen Kanlic talks with two researchers about what they are doing to treat autism. Fordham University's Amanda Leeder discusses how brothers and sisters of autistic kids can be a key element in treatment. Then, Fordham University's Xiaoming Lou discusses her research on memory processing and how to develop it with kids with autism.

WFUV’s  Andrew Seger traveled to Morocco to look into the issue of disability.  Like other developing  countries people with disabilities often struggle to find a job because of legal barriers and social stigmas. Morocco is no exception— more than half of disabled Moroccans are unemployed. But, that could be changing in Rabat, the capital where there is an innovative restaurant staffed entirely by Moroccans living with down syndrome. WFUV’s Ben Carrizzo shares his documentary on the neurological condition known as Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD.  It’s both an exploration of the condition, as well as Ben’s personal experience dealing with it.

Whether you're a member of a social club, or a member of a community, there are pros and cons to membership. Fordham Conversations Host Chris Williams talks with Alan Linn who is the owner of the Norwood Club on West 14th St in Manhattan. Norwood is one of the most exclusive social clubs in New York City and was designed as a place for creative minds to come together. Then, urban planner and Fordham professor Cecil Bakalor discusses how city projects might not be the best thing for members of the Bronx community.