Zamarra Vrabel, left, and James Bernosky produced episodes for the podcast series "Intercultural Interludes," which was recognized by the Pennsylvania Press Club recently in a statewide collegiate contest.
DUNMORE, Pa. – Two Penn State Scranton students were recently recognized by the Pennsylvania Press Club for their podcast projects created as part of a class assignment in Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) 471: Intercultural Communication.
Zamarra Vrabel and James Bernosky produced episodes for the podcast series Intercultural Interludes, earning recognition in the statewide collegiate contest. Their professor, Stephanie Longo, DSC, assistant professor of corporate communication, worked with the students and entered their pieces into the competition.
Vrabel’s episode, titled "Culture — Little Pieces of You: A Strong Foundation and a Constant Journey," explores how culture shapes individuals and their place within their communities.
“This podcast is focused on culture, specifically, how it shapes individuals and their place within their community,” Vrabel said. “Some questions explored in my podcast include: ‘How did your childhood affect how you view your culture?’, ‘How well is your culture represented in our area?’ and ‘What is your definition of “culture”?’”
She said the podcast was recorded via Zoom, which was the preferred method for the class.
“I was very surprised,” Vrabel said about learning she had won. “Podcasting was a relatively new experience to me, so I had low expectations of winning. When Dr. Longo emailed me saying that I had won, I remember being really happy and proud of what I had accomplished. It’s just an example of how new opportunities and achievements can present themselves if you are willing to go outside of your comfort zone.”
Vrabel credited her success to her instructor and peers. “A big thank you to Dr. Longo and my Intercultural class, because without them, I might not have had the opportunity to create this podcast or gain this incredible experience,” she said. “Also, I have to thank Luz Cabrales, my guest on the podcast, for being a part of this project and for creating a meaningful interview with great insight into her culture.”
Reflecting on the project, Vrabel said, “I have become more familiar with the podcasting process and now feel confident to keep exploring similar creative projects in the future. I also gained valuable knowledge on culture and how culture influences the world around us.”
Bernosky also produced an episode of Intercultural Interludes and recorded it at home.
“The type of content I produce is that which highlights the different cultural mosaic that makes up the country that we live in,” Bernosky said. “It also allows for listeners to relate better to those that they may not know so much about.”
He also credited Longo for getting him involved with this opportunity, saying, “I became involved in the PA Press Club through Dr. Stephanie Longo last semester who helped me get my podcast out there and allowed it to be spread around.
“Finding out I was a winner made my day and made me proud to know that I could accomplish something that others could listen to and gain insight from,” he said. “It was a moment that made me thankful to be alive and have great people around me supporting me.
“I would like to thank Dr. Stephanie Longo for giving me the opportunity to put this podcast out and also for being one of my greatest supporters in everything that I do," Bernosky added. "I would also like to thank my classmates for being so supportive in their own ways.”
He said the experience helped him develop technical and creative skills.
“This experience has given me the opportunity and expertise needed to start my own media recording as well as allowing me to get more familiar with editing,” he said. “It also allowed me a better way to hone my craft for others to enjoy.”
“The Intercultural Interludes podcast assignment in CAS 471: Intercultural Communication was designed to help students develop several skills at once,” Longo said. “First, they had the chance to interview someone of a different culture from their own, which gave them the chance to develop interpersonal/intercultural communication skills, as well as interviewing skills. Also, they got to record and edit their own audio, which was a new skill that they now possess as a result of the assignment.”
“Zamarra and Jim did an exemplary job on their podcasts,” Longo said. “They demonstrated excellent interviewing techniques, intellectual curiosity and an eagerness to discover the new cultures that their interviewees presented to them.”
She also noted the significance of their recognition, saying, “Through these awards, Zamarra and Jim have demonstrated themselves to be among the best in the state, which shows just how strong our Corporate Communication program is here at Penn State Scranton.”
