This is the first episode of “College as It Should Be,” a miniseries of the Catalyze podcast that features insights and stories from Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford and current scholars and alumni.

On this episode, Ali Slack ’28 sits down with Chris and Isaac Watkins ’27 to talk about creating a “gym membership for your mind,” and what it takes to actually slow down and think in a world built to keep you scrolling, distracted, and disengaged.

Chris shares the Morehead-Cain Program’s philosophy in treating thinking as a discipline, not a mood. Isaac shares about how he built a personal reflection practice from deep in the woods, and what all scholars can do to be more intentional about their thought lives through reading, writing, and meditation.

Reading recommendations from Chris & Isaac

• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders—Chris’s recommendation; a book about reading, thinking, and writing that engages with classic Russian short stories
• The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks translated by Benedicta Ward—Isaac's recommendation; a collection of sayings and encounters from monks and nuns over several centuries
• Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein—Isaac’s recommendation for thinking about how to prioritize time and build intentional habits
• “The Starship and the Cloister” by Niall Ferguson—An essay referenced by Chris; argues students need to put themselves into a cloister for a few hours each day while also engaging with modern technology

Music credits

The episode’s intro song is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul.

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on social media @moreheadcain or you can email us at communications@moreheadcain.org.

Kemp Gouldin ’02 is the founder of Because Baseball, a nonprofit that uses baseball as a bridge for cross-cultural exchange and community-building in Egypt and beyond.

On this episode, guest host Olu Kopano ’26 speaks with Kemp about the origins of Because Baseball, its impact in Egyptian schools, orphanages, and community programs, and how Morehead-Cain Scholars and Alumni have supported the organization.

From a “Field of Dreams”-inspired vision to a growing international community of young athletes, Kemp reflects on how sport can become a language of connection, and what it takes to build something from the ground up.

Music credits

The episode’s intro song is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul.

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze onApple PodcastsorSpotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show usingourRSS feed. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on social media @moreheadcain or you can email us atcommunications@moreheadcain.org.

This spring, the inaugural class of Morehead-Cain Global Fellows will conclude their year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This miniseries of the Catalyze podcast highlights members of the first class, featuring global fellows from Nigeria, Turkey, and India.

In this episode, Ali Slack ’28 of the Scholar Media Team speaks with Morehead-Cain Global Fellow Güneş Tuğcu ’26 about her journey to Carolina, her experiences in the program, and how the year will inform her future impact.

About the guest

Güneş is a psychology and western languages and literatures double major at Boğaziçi University, passionate about science communication and accessibility. She co-founded a mentorship program for students affected by the 2023 earthquakes, is a staff reporter for campus journalism, and teaches English to underserved communities. At UNC, she is engaged in research in the Neurocognition and Imaging Lab, examining the neural substrates of complex cognitive functions. She is also involved in community engagement initiatives through the THRIVE Program, supporting outreach and service efforts for veterans and first responders living with traumatic brain injury. With a strong interest in the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging neuro-technologies, she plans to pursue neuroscience and law, aspiring to contribute to the emerging field of neurolaw as an IP lawyer and researcher focused on responsible innovation and equitable access.

About the Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program

The Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program identifies, invests in, and empowers emerging leaders who seek to positively shape communities across the world. Global fellows pursue a fully funded year of undergraduate study and research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

During their time at Carolina, global fellows engage in rigorous academics, immersive research, and meaningful cross-cultural exchange. The program includes funded travel within the United States, personal coaching from Morehead-Cain advisers, and yearlong leadership development designed to strengthen purpose, confidence, and impact. Global fellows return home with world-class research experience, an international network, and the skills to lead with clarity and purpose.

Are you ready to step forward and shape the world for the better? Learn more at global.moreheadcain.org.

Music credits

The episode’s intro song is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul.

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on social media @moreheadcain or you can email us at communications@moreheadcain.org.