Baylor Connections

Hosted by Baylor University - Baylor Connections

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A weekly podcast introducing the Waco community to the people behind Baylor’s teaching, research and distinct role in higher education.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 11, 2026Episode 79828 min

Concert Season at Baylor University

Concert season is almost here at Baylor and across Waco, with nationally known artists and rising stars taking the stage at venues like Foster Pavilion. Go inside the concert scene with Jason Cook, Baylor Vice President for Marketing and Communications, in a conversation at the historic Texas Music Cafe . Cook examines how the community has become a destination for artists and fans alike, the partnerships helping grow Waco's music ecosystem, and the work that goes into creating memorable experiences both on stage and behind the scenes. From family-friendly concerts and football weekend performances to major touring acts and emerging artists, discover how live music is helping shape the cultural life on campus and in Central Texas.

July 28, 2026Episode 79723 min

Undergraduate Research Culture: Student and Professor Collaboration

How does the undergraduate research experience impact students at Baylor? Go inside a research lab with a student and his faculty mentor, a nationally renowned cancer researcher. Dr. Kevin Pinney, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Devin Guedry, a rising junior from Frisco, Texas, together explore the collaborative culture that defines undergraduate research at Baylor. From developing potential cancer therapies to navigating the challenges and rewards of scientific discovery, Pinney and Guedry share how faculty mentorship, student curiosity, and hands-on learning create opportunities for growth both inside and outside the laboratory.

July 14, 2026Episode 79624 min

The Sendero Story: Building a Brand and Community in Waco

What happens when a Baylor geologist makes a career pivot to build an apparel and lifestyle brand? Hunter Harlow, a 2010 Baylor graduate did just that, shaping Sendero into a brand rooted in the culture, landscapes and stories of the American West. Harlow shares how his Baylor experience shaped his approach to creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, and why Waco proved to be the ideal place to launch and grow Sendero. From its early days as a passion project to its emergence as a nationally recognized brand, the conversation explores how a love for the outdoors, authentic storytelling, and a strong sense of place helped turn an idea into a thriving business. Along the way, Harlow reflects on the unique culture of Baylor and Waco, and how both continue to influence the company's identity and success.

June 30, 2026Episode 79523 min

Baylor Line Camp: Friendship, Tradition and Belonging

Each summer, Baylor Line Camp welcomes hundreds of incoming students to campus and introduces them to the traditions, friendships and experiences that shape life at Baylor. From small-group connections and campus immersion to the historic Independence experience, Line Camp helps students discover what it means to be part of the Baylor family. On this Baylor Connections, Baylor Line Camp student leaders Olivia Knapp and Matthew Peterson share how Line Camp helped them feel at home as out-of-state students, why they chose to serve future Baylor Bears and how Baylor's culture of hospitality and belonging comes to life through one of the University's most cherished traditions.

June 16, 2026Episode 79424 min

Baylor Missions: Serving and Learning Around the World

Each year, Baylor students travel around the world on mission trips that combine service, learning, and calling. Baylor nursing faculty member Katy Vogelaar and Baylor student Julia Pitts recently returned from missions trips in Kenya and Peru. They join the program to immerse viewers and listeners in their experiences. On the program, they share what it looked like to serve alongside Baylor's global partners, apply what they’ve learned in the classroom, and grow through experiences that challenged their perspectives. Along the way, the conversation highlights what makes Baylor Missions distinctive.

June 2, 2026Episode 79325 min

Baylor Summer Camps: Connecting Kids to the Campus Experience

Even in the summer months, Baylor’s campus is full of energy, thanks in part to a wide range of camps that bring pre-college students to Waco. In this episode of Baylor Connections, hear about two of those camps with Todd Kettler of the Moody School of Education's Talent Identification Program and Mary Lauren Benton from Engineering and Computer Science’s Innovate camp to explore how these experiences shape young learners. From hands-on academic challenges to the chance to live in the residence halls and connect with faculty and students, these camps offer more than just a preview of college—they build curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging that can last well beyond the summer.

May 19, 2026Episode 79223 min

Fulbright Honors: Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders

Baylor continues to be one of the nation’s top Fulbright-producing institutions, and in this episode of Baylor Connections, two students who recently earned the prestigious opportunity to become a Fulbright scholar share that experience. Ella Carlile, who just earned her bachelor’s degree in linguistics, will be headed to South Korea, while Alan Koroluk, also a 2026 graduate with a political science major and entrepreneurship minor, is going to Mexico City. On the program, they recount how Baylor helped prepare them for the experience, and what they’re hoping to learn as they step into new cultures, experiences and communities around the world.

May 5, 2026Episode 79121 min

Jon Eckert: Baylor Center for School Leadership

Educational leadership shapes classrooms, schools, and communities. Jon Eckert, director of Baylor’s Center for School Leadership, shares how Baylor is supporting educators at every level—locally, nationally, and around the world, living out its mission within that discipline. Eckert shares how the Center has grown into a global network connecting leaders, research, and practical tools, all with a focus on helping educators—and students—flourish. From navigating change and technology to fostering wellness, engagement, and joy, the conversation highlights Baylor’s commitment to serving those on the front lines of education.

April 21, 2026Episode 79024 min

Baylor ECS: Engineering the Future

This year marks a major milestone for Baylor Engineering and Computer Science as the school celebrates its 30th anniversary. Daniel Pack, dean of Engineering and Computer Science, and Ryan Malone, a Baylor graduate and vice chair of the ECS Board of Advocates, reflect on how far the school has come—and where it’s headed next. From rapid growth in students, faculty, research and degree programs to a continued commitment to faith, purpose, and student formation, the conversation highlights how Baylor's influence in engineering and computer science continues to grow, and why it matters to pursue a call to serve at a Christian R1 university.

April 7, 2026Episode 78924 min

Eddie Contreras: Baylor's Vibrant, Caring Global Community

Baylor’s mission has always reached beyond campus, and with the addition of Pro Mundo—“for the world”—that global focus is now a part of the University’s motto. Eddie Contreras, Vice Provost for Global Engagement, shares how Baylor is living out that calling. From study abroad and international student opportunities to faculty partnerships and long-term global hubs, Contreras shares how Baylor is building a vibrant, caring global community—one rooted in service, learning, and meaningful engagement around the world.