HANCEVILLE, Ala. – In a roar of creativity, students at Wallace State Community College have launched their own podcast, aptly named “The Mane Topic,” as a reference to the college’s Lion mascot.
The driving force behind the launch of “The Mane Topic” is Vianney Verdin Maldonado, a student whose vision brought the podcast to life. Verdin Maldonado serves as the host, bringing her enthusiasm and curiosity to each episode.
Vianney Verdin Maldonado is the creator and host of “The Mane Topic,” a student-led podcast at Wallace State Community College. (Wallace State)
“I was in journalism while in high school and wanted to continue that part of me throughout college. Last May, I helped with Wallace Way, an event for incoming students to learn about student organizations and activities. That specific event made me think about how nice it would be for incoming students to hear about the organizations and clubs they are interested in from students themselves and so the podcast came to be. It took me a long time to propose the podcast because I was doubtful of this idea, but I learned a valuable lesson when I finally did. An idea will only be an idea unless you bring it into this world. Sometimes those ideas will not become the reality you wanted, but sometimes they become an even better reality than what you had hoped for,” said Verdin Maldonado, who wants students to know ‘The Mane Topic’ is made by students for the benefit of students. “It is a resource they can use to learn about student life and organizations on campus.”
Alongside Verdin Maldonado is Gracie Moody, the podcast’s outreach manager, who conducts communication on behalf of the podcast and ensures that students from a variety of campus programs and extracurriculars are represented. Moody also chooses a faculty or staff member to give their “Advice of the Week” for each episode. The audio/video editors are Emily Delgado Duarte and Arleth Flores, who help to ensure the quality of each episode and clip out bloopers so that the episodes flow seamlessly. Ellanora Slusser serves as the script writer and editor, crafting engaging narratives that keep listeners hooked. To do so, Slusser must be aware of common practices within the campus program or club of each interviewee, to ensure that each question adequately informs listeners about the program or extracurricular that that week’s guest represents.
Emily Delgado Duarte is the first editor of “The Mane Topic,” a student-led podcast at Wallace State Community College. (Wallace State)
The podcast’s editor, Delgado Duarte, noted, “I enjoy the creative aspect of the editing process. It’s satisfying to take raw audio recordings and transform them into polished episodes that captivate our audience. I also appreciate the technical challenge of editing, as it allows me to apply my computer science and programming skills in a practical and creative way.”
Delgado Duarte mentioned specific podcasts that have inspired her: “I have a wide range of podcasts that I enjoy listening to, spanning various genres and topics. Some of my favorites include ‘Reply All’ and ‘CodeNewbie.’”
Delgado Duarte said, “Being a part of ‘The Mane Topic’ has taught me valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and time management. Collaborating with team members has strengthened my interpersonal skills and taught me how to work effectively in a creative environment. The technical skills I’ve gained from editing audio recordings will be beneficial in my future career as a computer science professional.”
Since its implementation, “The Mane Topic” has published six episodes and featured seven students from various programs, extracurriculars and athletic teams across campus, with more episodes set to be released. Through conversations with students, the podcast aims to showcase the diversity of student life at Wallace State.
As Verdin Maldonado, Slusser and Moody prepare to transfer to their respective institutions, they have found successors to fill their shoes. New hosts for “The Mane Topic” will be Gabi McCormack and Josiah Johnson. Outreach manager will be Marleigh Arthur. Audio/video editors will be Arleth Flores, Reagan Armstrong, Summer Stamps and Katelynn Hicks. Stamps and Hicks will also serve as graphic designers. The team is actively recruiting new members to continue the podcast’s legacy.
Delgado Duarte, who will continue working on the team until her graduation in spring 2025, said, “’The Mane Topic’ has not only provided a platform for student voices but also fostered a sense of connection within the college. By highlighting the experiences of their peers, the podcast serves as a testament to the creativity and talent that thrives at Wallace State Community College.”
Listen to “The Mane Topic” on Spotify.
Listen to “The Mane Topic” on YouTube.
