For some Americans, the outcome of the 2016 presidential election meant elation and victory; for others, a dark and confusing turn in national politics. In the midst of that highly contentious moment, adrift in a sea of supercharged rhetoric and caustic online debate, one truth was clear to sisters Brittany Candrian Richman (BA ’04) and Andrea Candrian Reeve (BA ’04): “People don’t understand what it takes to make a difference in our country.”

Andrea and Brittany, twin BYU journalism grads with respective careers in politics, resolved to change that. They started theAmerican Moms, a blog and Instagram account devoted to offering tips on civil engagement and involvement in public life.

In this episode, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA '01) learns about the life paths that led the sisters into politics and picks their brains about how, in an age of unparalleled division and disagreement, individuals can help to create a healthy American democracy.

This episode is based on the article “American Moms” in the Spring 2023 issue of Y Magazine.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

For some Americans, the outcome of the 2016 presidential election meant elation and victory; for others, a dark and confusing turn in national politics. In the midst of that highly contentious moment, adrift in a sea of supercharged rhetoric and caustic online debate, one truth was clear to sisters Brittany Candrian Richman (BA ’04) and Andrea Candrian Reeve (BA ’04): “People don’t understand what it takes to make a difference in our country.”
Andrea and Brittany, twin BYU journalism grads with respective careers in politics, resolved to change that. They started the American Moms, a <a href="https://theamericanmoms.com">blog</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theamericanmoms/">Instagram account </a>devoted to offering tips on civil engagement and involvement in public life.
In this episode, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA '01) learns about the life paths that led the sisters into politics and picks their brains about how, in an age of unparalleled division and disagreement, individuals can help to create a healthy American democracy.
This episode is based on the article “<a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/american-moms/">American Moms</a>” in the Spring 2023 issue of Y Magazine.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942">Apple Podcasts</a> or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg">Spotify</a>.

Welcome to the Y Magazine podcast, bringing you ideas, stories, and voices from Brigham Young University (BYU). New episodes post biweekly on Thursdays.

Welcome to the Y Magazine podcast, bringing you ideas, stories, and voices from Brigham Young University (BYU). New episodes post biweekly on Thursdays.

Y Magazine

How to Be a Good Citizen with the American Moms

What do you see when you look at a pile of cardboard?

BYU Recycling Supervisor Bill Rudy sees trees.

BYU has been ramping up its sustainability efforts for decades, with recycling, responsible food service practices, energy efficiency, transportation options and more. This fall, BYU was recognized as one of just 140 institutions with a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) takes listeners behind the scenes of BYU’s sustainability efforts by talking to Rudy; Bremen J. Leak (BA ’05), associate director of sustainability at BYU; Aaron Skabelund (BA ’95), bike enthusiast and director of the Office of Civic Engagement at BYU; and two students.

This episode is based on an upcoming article about BYU’s sustainability efforts that will appear in the winter 2025 issue of Y Magazine.

Check out other behind the scenes episodes: Take a Tour of BYU’s New Music Building and A Chat With President C. Shane Reese.

If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. Take the survey.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

What do you see when you look at a pile of cardboard?
BYU Recycling Supervisor Bill Rudy sees trees.
BYU has been ramping up its sustainability efforts for decades, with recycling, responsible food service practices, energy efficiency, transportation options and more. This fall, BYU was recognized as one of just 140 institutions with a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) takes listeners behind the scenes of BYU’s sustainability efforts by talking to Rudy; Bremen J. Leak (BA ’05), associate director of sustainability at BYU; Aaron Skabelund (BA ’95), bike enthusiast and director of the Office of Civic Engagement at BYU; and two students.
This episode is based on an upcoming article about BYU’s sustainability efforts that will appear in the winter 2025 issue of Y Magazine.
Check out other behind the scenes episodes: <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/take-a-tour-of-byu-s-new-music-building" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Take a Tour of BYU’s New Music Building</a> and <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/a-chat-with-president-c-shane-reese" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">A Chat With President C. Shane Reese</a>.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. <a href="https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAtJvGe5fXyroq" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Take the survey</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">Spotify</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@byumagazine" data-testid="link-with-safety" data-renderer-mark="true">YouTube</a>. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Cougar Cyclists and Cardboard Castles: Behind the scenes of BYU's Sustainability Efforts

BYU was named the No. 1 university for students studying abroad in a recent report from the International Institute of Education. BYU currently offers over 150 study abroad options each year to help students enhance their global perspectives while learning valuable lessons that couldn’t be taught in the classroom.

In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) talks with the director of BYU’s David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies, V. Stanley Benfell (BA ’87). Benfell discusses his own experience studying abroad as a student, the great programs BYU offers, and how alumni can make the most of their experiences abroad.

This episode is based on Benfell’s article “A World Campus,” from the fall 2024 issue of Y Magazine.

Check out these episodes about specific study abroad programs: Life and Breath: BYU Students Improve Public Health in Nepal, Students Engineer Prosthetic Solutions for Ecuador and Happiness 101.

If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. Take the survey.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

BYU was named the No. 1 university for students studying abroad in a recent report from the International Institute of Education. BYU currently offers over 150 study abroad options each year to help students enhance their global perspectives while learning valuable lessons that couldn’t be taught in the classroom.
In this episode of the Y Magazine podcast, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) talks with the director of BYU’s David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies, V. Stanley Benfell (BA ’87). Benfell discusses his own experience studying abroad as a student, the great programs BYU offers, and how alumni can make the most of their experiences abroad.
This episode is based on Benfell’s article “<a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/byu-kennedy-center-a-world-campus/">A World Campus</a>,” from the fall 2024 issue of Y Magazine.
Check out these episodes about specific study abroad programs: <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/life-and-breath-byu-students-impact-public-health">Life and Breath: BYU Students Improve Public Health in Nepal</a>, <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/students-engineer-prosthetic-solutions-for-ecuador">Students Engineer Prosthetic Solutions for Ecuador</a> and <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/ymag-podcast-happiness-v1-2">Happiness 101</a>.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. <a href="https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAtJvGe5fXyroq">Take the survey</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg">Spotify</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@byumagazine">YouTube</a>. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

BYU’s World Campus with Kennedy Center Director Stan Benfell

Does a “Utah accent” exist?

According to David S. Eddington (BA ’86, MA ’89), BYU emeritus linguistics professor, the language and accents used in Utah are always changing. But if you’ve heard the word “feel” pronounced like “fill” or the word “mountain” pronounced with a strong “t,” you might be hearing newer elements of a Utah accent. And what about those names—and unique spellings?

In this episode, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) breaks down Utah accents, language, and names with two BYU linguistics professors: Eddington, author of Utah English, and Dallin D. Oaks (BA ‘84) who recently co-edited a book called Perspectives about Latter-day Saint Names and Naming.

This episode is based on two Y Magazine articles: “Do Utahns Talk Funny,” written by Jennifer G. Jones (BS ’12), from the winter 2012 issue, and “What’s in a Baby Neighm?” by Miriam Brantley Merrill (’24), which appeared in the fall 2023 issue.

Check out another episode about how Artificial Intelligence is changing the landscape of language and writing: “Writing and Teaching with ChatGPT.”

If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. Take the survey.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Does a “Utah accent” exist?
According to David S. Eddington (BA ’86, MA ’89), BYU emeritus linguistics professor, the language and accents used in Utah are always changing. But if you’ve heard the word “feel” pronounced like “fill” or the word “mountain” pronounced with a strong “t,” you might be hearing newer elements of a Utah accent. And what about those names—and unique spellings?
In this episode, host Whitney Singley Archibald (BA ’01) breaks down Utah accents, language, and names with two BYU linguistics professors: Eddington, author of <a href="https://uofupress.com/books/utah-english/">Utah English</a>, and Dallin D. Oaks (BA ‘84) who recently co-edited a book called <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Perspectives-on-Latter-day-Saint-Names-and-Naming-Names-Identity-and-Belief/Oaks-Baltes-Minson/p/book/9781032350448?srsltid=AfmBOoqnTnFX49OSxxTUQ1-YPnIfvTs0Pks4pqV_2LrI19NpqGCCQ7YZ">Perspectives about Latter-day Saint Names and Naming</a>.
This episode is based on two Y Magazine articles: “<a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/do-utahns-talk-funny/">Do Utahns Talk Funny</a>,” written by Jennifer G. Jones (BS ’12), from the winter 2012 issue, and “<a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/utah-baby-names/">What’s in a Baby Neighm?</a>” by Miriam Brantley Merrill (’24), which appeared in the fall 2023 issue.
Check out another episode about how Artificial Intelligence is changing the landscape of language and writing: “<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/y-magazine-podcast/writing-and-teaching-with-chatgpt">Writing and Teaching with ChatGPT</a>.”
If you’re enjoying this podcast, we’d appreciate your feedback so we can make more of the types of episodes you like best. <a href="https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaAtJvGe5fXyroq">Take the survey</a>.
Subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y-magazine/id1676318942">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/50YytMCSd0wQSF0DJTx1D2?si=GMYodGZDTBe_k-sTdPvPJg">Spotify</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@byumagazine">YouTube</a>. New episodes post on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

How to Be a Good Citizen with the American Moms

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