March 27, 2026

Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design will launch Iterations, a new podcast about creativity, design, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, with its first episode debuting Monday, March 30.

Hosted by Westphal’s Associate Director of Communications and successful podcast producer Laurel Hostak Jones, Iterations features conversations with Drexel faculty, researchers, and community partners whose work bridges disciplines and demonstrates the impact of creative practice in addressing social and environmental issues. The inaugural season explores the intersections of design, the arts, and health, highlighting how the creative disciplines contribute to innovation, equity, and new models of care.

The premiere episode, “The Body Remembers,” features dance artist and researcher Valerie Ifill, whose work examines how movement can function as both a research methodology and a tool for healing. Drawing on projects such as Movement of Mothers and Black Girls STEAMing Through Dance, the episode explores how embodied practices can expand traditional approaches to health - particularly for communities whose experiences are often underrepresented in healthcare systems.

Upcoming episodes will spotlight additional voices, including fashion designer Nancy Volpe Beringer, whose adaptive design work reimagines clothing as a form of accessibility and dignity, internationally recognized designer Patricia Moore, a pioneer in inclusive design whose work has influenced industries ranging from product design to healthcare, and documentary filmmaker Ben Kalina, whose films and curricular innovations inspire climate justice action.

The production of Iterations itself is a cross-College collaboration. Conversations are recorded in the new Content Creation Studio, housed in the Department of Cinema & Television. This cutting-edge studio is designed to support a wide range of content production, from podcasting to vlogging and flexible shooting setups. Branding and design for Iterations are created by current Graphic Design student Alyssa Johnson.

Iterations reflects Drexel’s commitment to experiential learning and interdisciplinary research, showcasing the breadth of work taking place across the Antoinette Westphal College and its impact on community health, design innovation, and social equity. A second season is in early development, and will explore design, entertainment, and the arts as time travel. How can the creative industries preserve and reinvigorate forgotten cultural histories? How can artists, designers, and entertainers collectively imagine different futures?

Iterations will be available on major podcast platforms beginning March 30.

Subscribe now:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts

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For questions, media inquiries, or to inquire about collaborating on a future season of Iterations, contact Laurel Hostak Jones.