For this week’s episode we chatted with Max Gonzales (also known as GEMS), who is a Pittsburgh based graffiti artist.

Max brings a unique perspective on the art scene, since they were arrested in 2016 as Pittsburgh’s most wanted graffiti artist and now work as an artist and muralist. The conversation covered Pittsburgh’s graffiti art, the regional differences and history of the art form, and their current work on murals. Well worth a listen!

Listen to the interview: Max Gonzales

Credits:
Archan Das, host, researcher, audio engineer
Kate Smigie, host, researcher, audio engineer
Riona Duncan, audio editor
Recorded October 22, 2024; WRCT debut November 12, 2024

Recently we discussed free speech and academic freedom with Richard Scheines, the Dean of Dietrich College here at Carnegie Mellon.

Dean Scheines talked about the importance of having conversations about difficult and controversial topics, the restrictions that apply to free speech on campus, his experience working on CMU’s Commission on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression, and more! It was a very intriguing conversation about a topic that’s perennially relevant.

Listen to the interview: Dean Richard Scheines

Credits:
Riona Duncan, host, audio editor, audio engineer, researcher
Recorded October 11, 2024; WRCT debut November 5, 2024

This week on Forbes Avenue, we had a chat with Dave Mawhinney, executive director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business.

While the days of Pittsburgh’s Industrial Revolution are in the past, a new revolution is happening in the city: the emergence of tech startups. We discussed all things entrepreneurship with Dave, including his own experiences starting tech companies in Pittsburgh and how he’s trying to help students and alumni at CMU become entrepreneurs themselves.

Listen to the interview: Dave Mawhinney

Credits:
Archan Das, host, researcher, audio editor
Riona Duncan, audio engineer
Recorded October 8, 2024; WRCT debut October 29, 2024