Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Welcome to our podcast series where we address crucial topics impacting our campus and community.
Hosts: Judi Brown Clarke, Vice President of Equity & Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer; and Rick Gatteau, Vice President of Student Affairs at Stony Brook University.
In Episode 7 of Season 2, we explore the culture of Congress. We discuss whether Congress is a hostile place in the context of the government shutdown and polarization covered in the media. We talk about Separation of Powers and its role in our democracy. We also learn what a lobbyist does.
We are joined by expert guests:
Ryan Vander Wielen — a Professor and Chair of Political Science at Stony Brook University — and Czareena Dotchev — Senior Strategist at the International Trademark Association and a Stony Brook University alumna.
Welcome to our podcast series where we address crucial topics impacting our campus and community.
Hosts: Judi Brown Clarke, Vice President of Equity & Inclusion and Chief Health Equity Officer; and Rick Gatteau, Vice President of Student Affairs at Stony Brook University.
In Episode 7 of Season 2, we explore the culture of Congress. We discuss whether Congress is a hostile place in the context of the government shutdown and polarization covered in the media. We talk about Separation of Powers and its role in our democracy. We also learn what a lobbyist does.
We are joined by expert guests:
Ryan Vander Wielen — a Professor and Chair of Political Science at Stony Brook University — and Czareena Dotchev — Senior Strategist at the International Trademark Association and a Stony Brook University alumna.
