Category: Podcasts

ARTS/CULTURE: Hidden tunnel linked to Underground Railroad

by JJ Hendrickson & Justin Patrick–

A hidden tunnel was found beneath a dresser in New York City’s Merchant House Museum, which is the only 19th-century home in the city that is preserved intact, both inside and out. The tunnel, which is about 2 feet wide and 2 feet long, could only be revealed by pulling the bottom drawer completely out of the dresser. 

The concealed room likely served as a safe house for slaves trying to escape by way of the underground railroad, especially during the early and mid-1800s. White abolitionists were rare in New York at the time the building was constructed in 1832, but it is believed the original owner, Joseph Brewster, was one of the few willing to help slaves find safe refuge. 

SPORTS: Way Too Early- Predicting the 2026–2027 NFL Season

by Jackson Woodling and Donovan Keyes–

In this episode, we discuss our predictions for the 2026–2027 NFL season. Months before kickoff, we break down which teams we believe have legitimate Super Bowl potential and which franchises might quietly be building something special under the radar.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2026–2027 season is the wave of new head coaches taking over across the league. With fresh systems, new play-calling philosophies, and revamped locker room cultures, there’s a real sense that the NFL hierarchy could shift quickly.

From bold Super Bowl picks to sleeper playoff threats, this episode is packed with hot takes, early projections, and a few predictions we might regret by midseason. If you love offseason debates and NFL speculation, this one’s for you.

SPORTS: NFL Draft Preview

by JJ Hendrickson & Thomas Callahan–

With the Seattle Seahawks defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the official draft order for the first round is now set. This year, the NFL Draft will be held from April 23-25, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Every draft day brings a feeling of hope for each of the 32 NFL franchises, as any one of them may select the league’s next superstar. The Las Vegas Raiders will be making the first selection of the draft, with the Jets, Cardinals, Titans, and Giants rounding out the top 5.

Fernando Mendoza leads the group of prospective NFL players, as this Heisman and National Championship-winning QB is expected to go first overall. When looking at the prospect rankings, it becomes rather apparent that the vast majority of positional needs could be filled in this draft. There’s talent all over the field, with elite edge rushers, tackles, and even a safety projected to go in the top 10. With all the talent on the board and the combine still yet to come, we won’t know who ends up where until draft day.

INTERNATIONAL: Russia’s ban on photographers

Photo by Lian Rodriguez

by Anna Payne, Justin Patrick–

Photojournalism serves as a vital tool for political transparency, capturing the reality of politics and serving as a form of communication to the public. The Russian State Duma’s recent ban on photographers, sparked by complaints of “unflattering” images, highlights the growing friction between public appearances and the public’s right to know. When photography is taken out of the equation to protect a politician’s image, the line between governance and performance begins to blur.

From the Duma’s restrictions to Christopher Anderson’s intimate Vanity Fair portraits of the Trump administration, visual storytelling remains a powerful tool for debate, truth, and outright information. These moments force a choice between objective reporting and artistic taste.

Students’ opinions about Blacksburg Transit

By Sean Hughes and Kyle Rupe–

Photo by Jakob Scholz

Blacksburg Transit is the main bus system in Blacksburg and takes on the responsibility of getting thousands of students to class. Recently, the transit system has been facing problems due to the winter storms. Routes have been changing and delays have caused students to be late to class. Some students are also concerned about overcrowding on the busses. In this vodcast students give their opinions on Blacksburg Transit and its current state. Not all students have been negatively impacted recently, but most of them at least know one person who has been.

POLITICS: Va. governor’s tax increases

By: Sophia Tarabola & Walker Milstead–

Governor Abigail Spanberger’s early time in office has brought attention to a long list of new tax proposals being discussed by lawmakers in Richmond. Although Spanberger ran on making life more affordable for Virginians, several bills would add taxes to everyday goods and services that many people already use. These proposals include taxes on delivery services like Amazon, Uber Eats, and FedEx, as well as gym memberships, dog walking and grooming, dry cleaning, storage units, ride-share services, and certain equipment used by small businesses. There are also ideas to change income and investment taxes, which could affect higher earners.

Supporters say these taxes could help raise money for public programs and state needs. Critics argue they could increase costs for families, small business owners, and gig workers. Many of the proposals have not passed yet and are still being debated. According to reporting from 12 On Your Side
and 7News, the debate centers on whether these ideas match promises to keep Virginia affordable.

SCI/TECH: Inside Moltbook

By Jackson Woodling and Caitlin Whitfield —

Moltbook, the internet’s latest viral phenomenon. Moltbook, a social network created exclusively for artificial intelligence agents, where humans are allowed to observe but not post themselves.

Launched in January 2026 by entrepreneur Matt Schlicht, the site mimics the look and feel of Reddit but replaces human users with autonomous AI agents that can post, comment, and upvote discussions ranging from technical tips to philosophical musings.

We explore why this experiment in “AI social interaction” has captivated millions online, sparked debates about machine autonomy, and even led to security concerns after vulnerabilities in the system’s design were exposed.