Reframe from Miami University

When the coronavirus suddenly shutdown the entire sport industry, fans and athletes everywhere were forced to reckon with the magnitude of the pandemic. Since then, many teams and leagues have returned. But nothing is as it once was, and the future is still uncertain.

To understand what happened, and how the industry can move forward, two Miami University researchers talk about the new book, Sport and the Pandemic: Perspectives on Covid-19's Impact on the Sport Industry, which explores all aspects of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Applying to college can be thrilling. However, for many, the stress involved is also very real, especially amid a global pandemic that has upended nearly every aspect of life. On this episode, Bethany Perkins, Miami University Director of Admission, talks about what college admissions looks like during COVID, how things have changed, and what parents and students need to know to make the best choices possible.

Jump to a Question:

01:18 How has admissions changed during COVID? What do parents need to know now?

03:56 How many schools should a student consider?

05:26 When should students start exploring their college options?

06:50 With all the factors involved in getting into a good school, what should be prioritized?

09:44 What does going test-optional change for schools and for students?

15:00 How important is the strength and quality of a student's high school?

16:39 Is it beneficial to transfer to a highly rated school district?

18:12 What are you really looking for in an admissions essay?

20:17 Should the essay be personalized for each college application?

22:00 Are there essay topics that should be avoided, or topics that you see too often?

24:20 How important is it to apply for early admission?

26:30 What should undecided students look for in their school of choice?

29:37 Do you have advice for first generation college students?

31:29 Do you have any tips on navigating the financial aid process?

33:50 During COVID, what does the campus visit look like? What can people expect?

36:29 For students who start thinking about college late, what can they do to catch up?

38:54 What do you know about admissions now that you wish you’d known as a student?

41:29 What is something that most people never consider, but absolutely should?

42:56 Are there any myths or misconceptions that you would like to clear up?

Online and virtual learning is becoming an important part of education, especially as more schools now strive to adapt and evolve in a post-pandemic world.

In this episode, Dr. Jason Abbitt, a Miami University associate professor who specializes in educational technology, online learning, and distance education, talks about new research that has implications for designing educational experiences that can help students succeed in online and virtual learning environments. 

Additional music: Lee Rosevere “As I was Saying,” “Thought Bubbles,” and “Curiosity.”

Athletics are a vibrant and vital part of most universities. However, the rights and wellbeing of many student athletes can erode if they become too isolated and disconnected from the rest of college life.

On this episode, Dr. Brian Janssen, a student affairs educator who specializes in connecting athletics and academics, talks about helping student athletes thrive -- and not only on the field, or court, but inside the classroom, out in the community, and even after they graduate.

Additional music: Broke For Free “Black Lung," Broke For Free “Luminous,” Blue Dot Sessions “High Ride”

The line between traditional sports and esports is blurring. As competitive video gaming becomes a lucrative global phenomena and a popular form of mainstream entrainment, the esports industry is beginning to mirror the ways in which traditional sports organizations operate.

On this episode, we explore the emerging career paths now available in esports, and why video games are evolving far beyond what they were just a few years ago.

Additional music:

Little Glass Men “I Dare You”

Lee Rosevere “Let That Sink In”

Many schools still rely on detentions, suspensions, and even expulsion to address student discipline. However, research shows that these traditional punishment-based approaches often create more problems than they solve.

So what if there was a better way?

On this episode, learn how mindfulness may offer a promising alternative to support positive student behavior, and how new technology is making mindfulness meditation easier than ever.

New studies are showing that getting the recommended amount of physical activity can be a lot easier than you may think. On this episode, guest host Amanda Valentine from the Pound This Podcast speaks with Miami University Associate Professor Dr. Kyle Timmerman about the surprising benefits even a little exercise can bring. 

They also talk about all the buzz around inflammation, why it can be both good and bad, and about setting reasonable physical activity goals, adjusting our perceptions of what being healthy really means, and more.

Today we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes. It’s a conversation about sporty psychology with Dr. Robin Vealey, a professor in Miami University’s new department of sport leadership and management.

As one of the leading researchers in this field, Dr. Vealey explains how sport psychology is used among athletes and coaches to improve performance and increase motivation. But it can also help all of us achieve more and perform better in all kinds of ways. It can help people deal with high stress jobs, overcome performance anxiety, build confidence, increase focus, and more.

Mentorship can mean a lot more than simply being a positive presence in the lives of youth. Today, it’s also about addressing a variety of social issues by building the kinds of relationships that engage youth in relevant new ways.

On this episode, we speak with Tim Pehlke, a program design manager with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, who’s work on innovative programs such as Bigs in Blue shows how youth mentorship can be a win-win for entire communities.

Great scientific discoveries don’t always happen at places like NASA or CERN. Important breakthroughs are actually happening all around us. This is a message that Chris Anderson wants to share with more people, especially children, through a video series called Science Around Cincy.

Science Around Cincy features the stories of real scientists at places like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Nature Center, local neuroscience labs, and more. In this episode, Chris talks about inspiring new scientists, and why you don’t have to be a super genius to become one.

For many of us, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is a daily ritual. But many public health professionals are now showing a growing concern over the consumption of these drinks, especially when it comes to children.

On this episode, two public health researchers discuss the changing cultural trends around how we consume and view sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as how parents can help their children make more healthier choices.

We visit special space where all children seem to find their place. The Wonder Lab at Lakota Local Schools is a STEAM-based classroom that sparks curiosity and critical thinking among our youngest learners by using the environment itself to nurture creative exploration.

Created in part with the Cincinnati Museum Center, The Wonder Lab also helps children build important soft skills like communication, collaboration, and a capacity for empathy.

Power and dominance are not always about physical force or political authority. On this episode, Dr. Lisa Weems, a Miami University scholar-activist-educator, explains how power dynamics can take on far more subtle forms.

In schools, across society, and in our daily lives, these power struggles often happen when certain dominant cultural values are privileged and reinforced, while others are marginalized or silenced -- especially around issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality.

These ideas are also expressed in her recent book, Staging Dissent: Young women of color and transnational activism.

Additional music: Lee Rosevere “Thought Bubbles” and Broke For Free “The Gold Lining.”

Middle school can be an intense and challenging time. All the drama around social media. The pressure of getting good grades. Bouncing back from disappointments. These are just a few of the things that students face. But helping them transition through this awkward and confusing phase is what makes the work of Robin Beavers so meaningful.

As a middle school principal, an Ohio 2019 Educator of the Year, and the founder of a youth mentorship program, Robin talks about how to help impressionable students figure out who they are, and who they hope to become.

School mascots can create a shared identity and foster a sense of loyalty among fans and communities. But some mascots, especially those that may be viewed as stereotypical or insensitive to cultural subgroups, can also cause controversy.

This issue recently caused a deep rift throughout a local school district in Ohio, where a debate around a Native American mascot became a fascinating story that touched upon moral psychology, the importance of local politics, and the ways in which other schools can navigate similar challenges.

When we talk about health and wellness, we often talk about what we eat, how we move, and the personal choices we make. But our health and wellbeing, and even the health of entire communities, depends on more than just diet and exercise. It also has a lot to do with where we live and the spaces we occupy.

Music: Tech Toys by Lee Rosevere. Black Lung and Our Ego by Broke For Free.

Children who fail to read well by 3rd grade risk facing many long-term consequences. Low reading scores in elementary school have been linked to lower high school graduation rates, a higher risk of poverty, a lack of global competitiveness, and even less overall productivity as adults.

So Ohio has implemented the 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee to help all elementary-aged students get the support they need to read at grade level. On this episode, a school psychologist explains how this policy works, as well as how parents can help their children become better readers.

Music: Tech Toys by Lee Rosevere

When we talk about inequality and poverty, one issue is rarely addressed. Even though it is a natural part of life that affects more than 800 million people every day, the menstrual period can still be a source of financial hardship, shame, embarrassment, and even inequity. So at Miami, there is a new outreach project called Periods Rock! Which addresses issues such as period poverty, the pink tax, and the ongoing social stigma that still persists in many ways. Music: “Tech Toys” by Lee Rosevere.

What if we could recreate school all over again? What if there were no more lectures, or worksheets? What if school became a place where students could create their day as they saw fit? These were the kinds of questions asked by Sycamore High School, which set out to create the Synnovation Lab – a modern, self-paced learning environment that encourages students to take full ownership of their education. Music: Tech Toys and Let that Sink In by Lee Rosevere. Our Ego featuring Different Visitor by Broke For Free.

On this episode, we continue the conversation around youth sport. This time, by looking at the role that coaches play. And how their feedback and bias and expectations, can have an overwhelming impact on the performance and development of so many young athletes. Music: Tech Toys, Under Suspicion, and Swift Wind by Lee Rosevere.