Princeton Alumni Weekly Podcasts

PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Shelley Slade ’80 and Marie Yovanovitch ’80 to discuss Jennifer Beale Parmalee ’80. Jenni was a journalist in East Africa, covering politics, war, and personal stories.

On this episode, PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Elyse Graham ’07 to discuss Professor Victor Brombert, who died Nov. 26, 2024.

On this episode of PAW’s Book Club podcast, we ask bestselling author and playwright Jodi Picoult ’87 about her latest book, “By Any Other Name,” which presents readers with a hypothesis: Could Emilia Bassano, a woman who really lived in Tudor England, have written some of the most famous plays attributed to William Shakespeare? Picoult discusses why she believes it, how her book has been received by scholars and fans, and the experiences she’s personally had with the persistent misogyny in the theater world.

As a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Stephen Lamberton ’99 is sharing the story of his father’s death in 1985 in hopes of destigmatizing suicide and helping others struggling with the loss of a loved one. On this episode of the PAWcast, Lamberton describes his journey toward processing his father’s death and discussing it with his own children, as well as the meaningful experience of attending his 25th Princeton reunion — an experience that his father, who also attended Princeton, didn’t live to see. Note: Listeners of this podcast will be hearing about some difficult topics. If you or anyone else you know needs help, you can reach the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by dialing 988, and you can text the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

On this episode, PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Jim Kempf ’67 to discuss Karl Hummel ’67, who died July 23, 2023.

On this month’s Memorials PAWcast, we remember Isabella de la Houssaye from the class of 1986. Isabella was a lawyer, mother, art curator, and endurance athlete. She died December 2nd, 2023.

On this episode of the PAW Book Club podcast, we talk with Katie Kitamura ’99, author of our latest read, “Intimacies.” The much-lauded novel follows a woman who comes to The Hague as an interpreter for the international court and begins to interpret for a former president who’s facing war crime charges. Kitamura answered our questions about the book, discussing why she gives so little backstory to her characters and why readers’ strong dislike of one character surprised her. She also discussed her writing philosophy and what advice she gives as a creative writing professor at NYU. “The writing itself, when it is private, when it’s just myself, when I can do whatever I want, that is the most special part of writing to me,” she said. “That’s my favorite part.”

When Cameron Hume ’68 graduated from Princeton, he joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Libya, where his two-year stint was cut short by a coup d’etat. The experience launched him on a diplomacy career that has taken him to some of the world’s most dangerous — and interesting — places. On the PAWcast, he spoke about two hot topics where he has expertise: prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid. He discussed his recent work trying to get aid into Gaza, he and explained why sometimes you need to go to a place to understand its people.

On this episode of PAW’s Memorials PAWcast, we remember Ernie Pascarella ’65. Ernie played on the 1964 undefeated football team and was All-Ivy two years.

On this first episode of PAW’s new Memorials PAWcast, we remember Joe Schein ’37, the longest-living member of the Class of ’37 and the oldest undergraduate alum in Princeton’s history. Joe carried the Class of 1923 Cane — an honor given to the oldest returning alum — at Princeton Reunions eight times.