06/13/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/13/2025 12:56
At National Louis University, we are all about authenticity and inclusivity. Our school specializes in ensuring student voices are heard, which is why we have finally launched our first-ever podcast station on Spotify! This space is a community built by students and for students.
Its History
The idea for the podcast station had been in the works before the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, it had been pushed off to the side until…Elizabeth Schaefer, Ed. D., Director of the B.A. Communication and Media, and B.A. Marketing programs put the idea into action in early 2025 by hiring one student who exceeded expectations and brought it to life in April 2025.
Meet the Voice Behind the Mic
The core of Eagle Talk is Samantha Padilla, a Marketing major with a minor in Communication, who plans to walk the graduation stage in June 2025. With a never-done-before station, Samantha set the tone and built it from scratch in the Communications and Media studio, Room 4018, on the Chicago campus located at 122 S. Michigan Ave. Being the Podcast Producer and Host, she is a prime leader by showcasing her editing, interviewing, and producing skills with conversations on the air, involving students and the NLU community. Her work is focused on inclusivity, authenticity, and creating engaging content for students on and off campus to get involved.
Samantha Padilla says, "A bit of my background is being shy, but I knew I had so much to say. I was looking for something to share my voice with the world without being uncomfortable. Podcasting was the way to go. I was most comfortable sharing my voice rather than showing my face in front of a crowd or camera. With that came learning how to edit, which I taught myself. To be able to put my talent to use not only for my podcast but also for my school's podcast has been one of the most incredible and fun opportunities in my life thus far."
What is Included in the Podcast?
What is unique about our podcast station is that we include voices from all over the NLU community. The main focus is on the students and their experiences. It's a space where students come together to share what they've learned through their studies, their involvement on campus, pieces of advice for peers, and much more! Listeners can expect to hear episodes on student involvement in clubs like the Student Advisory Council, all the way to undergraduate students gaining new perspectives on the world based on their majors. We have even included episodes with NLU mentors, career coaches, and professors to give current students insights on navigating college life.
Featured on the Social Work, Psychology, and Human Services episode, Lacovia Harper, Social Work major graduating Spring 2025, mentions, "Being a guest on the Eagle Talk Podcast reminded me that my voice-shaped by experience, resilience, and purpose-carries power. As a Black woman and single parent to six amazing children, I attended NLU full-time while working full-time in the field. I am living proof that no obstacle is too great when your purpose is rooted in service. Coming from a strategically marginalized community, social work has always been my life-and I will continue to be a voice for the voiceless. If I can rise, so can anyone. Let this be a call to keep pushing, keep advocating, and keep believing-because your story matters, your voice matters, and change begins with us."
Showcased on the Student Spotlight episode, Daylontie Jasper, a Communication and Media major graduating in Summer 2026, says, "When I was emailed about being on the podcast, I couldn't be happier. My work and personality were being recognized by the school. If you were to tell me this in my first year, I wouldn't have believed you. Being a Black male in a city of opportunity, I had a lot of weight on my shoulders. The world moves fast, and I worked on what I could control, let God handle the rest, and learn from the situation and improve upon it."
Ready to Get Involved?
Eagle Talk is not just a podcast station, but a community all NLU undergraduates belong to. If you are interested in telling your story or know of someone who has an inspiring story to share with current NLU students, please reach out to Elizabeth Schaefer at eschaefer@nl.edu.
Listen to Eagle Talk: