In this episode of "At the Edge of It All," we sit down with Alberto López Pulido, founding chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies at USD, and explore the cultural impact of the U.S. Postal Service’s new “Lowriders Forever” stamp collection. He shares his initial reaction to seeing lowrider culture recognized on a national stage and explains why this moment is so meaningful for both enthusiasts and the broader recognition of Chicano culture in the United States. We talk about his journey studying lowriders, as well as his role in shaping the stamp project.

In this episode of At the Edge of It All, we explore the impact of USD School of Law’s Civil Clinic with supervising attorney Joe Villaseñor and alum Ian Pike. They discuss how the clinic provides free legal support to the community while giving law students hands-on experience with real clients and cases. From consumer fraud to identity theft, the conversation highlights mentorship, service and how early practical experience helps shape compassionate, effective lawyers.

In this episode of At the Edge of It All, Karen Henken, adjunct professor, shares her journey from teaching in Japan to launching global ventures in Silicon Valley, and ultimately championing business for good here at the University of San Diego. She reflects on adapting across cultures, leading in emerging markets and helping companies embrace sustainability and B Corp values. Henken also discusses USD’s Global Executive Seminar, highlighting how ethical business models can drive economic opportunity, social impact and meaningful global change.

In this episode of At the Edge of It All, we speak with Joseph Provost, PhD, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of San Diego. He explains how he makes chemistry approachable by teaching through food by exploring browning, bread, beer and even debunking alkaline water myths. Blending cooking, metabolism and disease research, Provost reveals how understanding everyday chemistry empowers students to think critically and live healthier lives.

In this episode of "At the Edge of It All," we sit down with Caroline Baillie, PhD, Professor of Integrated Engineering and Academic Director of USD’s Master’s of Engineering, Sustainability and Health Program. Baillie shares how a lifelong passion for social justice merged with her career in engineering. From researching the impact of mining on Indigenous women in Peru to challenging students through Plastic Free July, she explores how engineers can drive systemic change. Her message to others is to question assumptions, follow your values and collaborate across disciplines to build a more just and sustainable world.

In this episode of At the Edge of It All, we sit down with Marni LaFleur, professor of anthropology at the University of San Diego, whose work focuses on lemurs in Madagascar. LaFleur shares her path to anthropology, her fascination with primates and why lemurs, especially their rare female-dominant social structure, became the focus of her life’s work. The episode also highlights her nonprofit, Lemur Love, which supports conservation, education and local communities in Madagascar.

Monica Thieu, assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Cognition, and Behavior at USD, joined "At the Edge of It All" to discuss how the brain makes sense of the world through emotion. She shares what first sparked her curiosity about the brain and talks about her work on how the brain processes fast-moving emotional information, like panic or joy, and how mathematical models of the brain could change our understanding of depression and PTSD.

This week, "At the Edge of It All" was joined by USD Women's Basketball Head Coach Blanche Alverson. Alverson shared her journey into coaching at USD and her coaching style on and off the court. She also stopped by to talk about an upcoming basketball game at USD that will raise awareness for cancer in support of the Play4Kay initiative.

Ashley Ahrens-Víquez, Program Operations and Engagement Manager for The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education at the University of San Diego, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to share how her work at The Jacobs Institute empowers young learners to think outside the box by using an innovator's mindset. Ahrens-Víquez also talked about her team's upcoming Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge -- an educational project which calls on teens, all over the world, to feel empowered to solve a problem in their community.

How does our mindset play a role in how we tackle everyday challenges? And, what is the science behind it? Rebekah Wanic, assistant professor of psychological sciences, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to share how she got into the psychology field and why her work focuses on helping others use the power of their minds to build happier lives.

Drew Talley, professor of Environmental and Ocean Sciences, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to talk about his journey into studying wetlands and how they play a crucial role in keeping our environment healthy. Talley also shared how his decades-long research on Baja California wetlands is providing insight into how we can better protect ecosystems everywhere.

Everywhere you go this year, you’re probably hearing those familiar tunes. Music tastes may change, but every year we return to the same holiday songs. Why is that? This week, Jeffrey Malecki, DMA, chair of USD’s music department, joined “At the Edge of It All” to explain what makes a song uniquely “Christmas-y,” why some songs endure after all these years, and about the few that are able to claim a new spot in your holiday playlist.