Cleo Washington (DnceBFA'25) is a gifted dance performance artist who deftly performs pieces across styles—from ballet to house, Hip Hop to modern. Hers is a rare talent, but Cleo's journey to graduation from the University of Colorado Boulder was not a simple story of recognizing talent and shaping skill in an academic experience. On today's episode, Cleo discusses challenges she faced, the courage she needed to ask for help, the support of her family and how the simplest moments, like a casual, friendly hello, deeply affects students' lives.

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Original music composed by Nelson Walker.

Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia.

Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

Can we trust what we see on social? In the case of today's guest, the answer is adamantly the affirmative. Sarah Looper is a gifted sommelier and wine educator who has worked in the food and wine world for over twenty-five years. She is also the beloved personality behind Loopersomm, an online presence that democratizes wine with content that rapidly switches between hysterical and informative. That presence and personality is authentically Sarah, and on today's episode she discusses her background, synesthesia, fascination with wine and interest in social media as a means to convey a topic she loves to her community.

Connect with Sarah three ways:

• On Instagram @loopersomm.
• TikTok.
• Online at loopersomm.com.

This episode was recorded in October 2024. Since the interview, we are deeply saddened by the loss of Richard Chamberlain, who passed away in March 2025. Sarah remains a fan and noted, "If I could serve him one last wine, it would be a 1995 Roumier Bonnes Mares Grand Cru. And I would savor it with him and tell him how much I loved him."

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Original music composed by Nelson Walker.

Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia.

Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

Erika and Producer Tim discuss Erika's debut novel, Music for Leaving, its origin story, what makes the story grand and how Erika and Tim navigate feeling like imposters, even with a gorgeous book in-hand.

Buy Music for Leaving on IngramSpark, our preferred vendor.

Music for Leaving is also available, often by request, from your favorite bookstore or online service.

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Original music composed by Nelson Walker.

Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia.

Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.