Category: Podcasts

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.

ARTS/CULTURE: Music and Arts in Social Media

By: Conner Parker and Evan Niewoehner —

In today’s social media revolution, opportunities have opened for those who are unseen. Small-scale artists can share their work internationally with millions of viewers. A teenager with a hobby for music or a father painting out of his garage could become an internet sensation at any time.

From Alex Warren to Max Alexander, artists are finding their voices and success through social media. Posting one’s art can now lead to a full-time career in creative fields.

In this podcast, Evan Niewoehner and Conner Parker discuss the changing environment of artistic careers. They cover social networks, creative strategy, and monetization, all of which are impacted by social media’s growth.

The environmental dilemma of artificial intelligence

By: Evan Hull, Alana Powell, and Gracie Gosier – environment, climate, and sustainability reporters

As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries and daily life, its environmental impact is becoming a growing concern. While AI technologies can offer us tools for combating climate change, developing these models contributes significantly to increasing CO2 emissions.

Benjamin Jantzen, associate professor of computer science at Virginia Tech, discusses what goes into developing AI models and its impact on climate change.

Federal hiring freezes and funding cuts leave college graduates with uncertainty

By: Kyndall Hanson, Elizabeth Hill, and Janae Neely, education reporters

Throughout 2025, federal hiring freezes and funding cuts implemented by the Trump administration have created uncertainty for graduating college seniors. As students navigate post-graduate plans, they are often left to choose between entering the workforce or pursuing higher education, both of which present challenges. Kate Renz, assistant director of employer relations and career services in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, discusses the potential impacts on graduating seniors and offers advice on navigating the job market.

The News Feed NRV Podcast: Discussing Art-based Activism

By: Caroline Herbert, Will Frank, and Zain Omar, arts and culture reporters

This podcast discusses the recent “Just Stop Oil” protest in London at a performance of The Tempest. We then discussed the implications and consequences of art based protest and spoke with David Gammons, Assistant Professor of Directing, on his thoughts regarding protesting in the theater.

Differences in diet around the world

By Elizabeth Ann Miller, Evvy Fite and Madi Poole, health & wellness reporters.

Recently, on The Newsfeed podcast, we discussed the differences in diet within the U.S compared to other countries around the world. From the ingredients used in the food to the outside of food factors that we see worldwide, and the effects this may have on people and their daily lives. The group speaks on personal experience in and out of the country and knowledge learned from a Virginia Tech professor, Sean O’Keefe, from Canada.