When Talei Ricketson ‘27 arrived at Connecticut Public as an intern in the fall of 2025, she expected to learn how public radio works behind the scenes. Within a few months, the political science major and Spanish minor found herself stepping into one of the station's most important production roles.
After successfully producing a show for The Wheelhouse during her internship, Talei was offered the opportunity to serve as interim producer for the show which covers local and national politics, while the program's regular producer was on maternity leave.
"It was an incredible opportunity," Talei says. "It made me realize just how much planning, research, and collaboration goes into producing one hour of quality radio." As interim producer, Talei developed show ideas, booked guests, conducted pre-interviews, wrote detailed rundowns for each episode, collaborated with editors and interns, and helped manage the fast-paced environment of the live Wednesday broadcasts.
Her first independently produced episode explored the history of political violence in America, drawing on weeks of research and interviews. Each show typically took a week and a half to two weeks to develop, beginning with brainstorming current events or policy issues before narrowing the focus, identifying expert guests, and building thoughtful conversations for listeners. "I could read, watch, or listen to 20 or more sources while researching a topic," she says. "We wanted every show to provide context and help listeners better understand complicated issues."
Preparing each episode required extensive research—not only into the subject matter but also into the backgrounds and expertise of guests, whose books, articles, and previous interviews often became part of her preparation. Pre-interviews helped shape the final conversations, allowing the production team to create meaningful questions and anticipate where discussions might lead.
Talei Ricketson ‘27, Hillyer College of Arts and SciencesIt was an incredible opportunity. It made me realize just how much planning, research, and collaboration goes into producing one hour of quality radio.
The live broadcasts proved to be the most challenging—and rewarding—part of the experience. "At first, the live show was overwhelming," Talei says. "But I grew to enjoy those moments when we had to think on our feet, pivot questions, and solve problems in real time based on what guests were saying."
As her confidence grew, so did her responsibilities. She credits the mentorship of her Connecticut Public colleagues, Host and Producer Frankie Graziano, Assistant Director of News and Talk Shows Patrick Skahill, and Senior Producer Tess Terrible for helping her develop as a producer.
"They sat in during pre-interviews, reviewed my questions, and gave me the confidence to improve," she says. "By the end, I could create the rundown much more efficiently and with far less stress."
One interview remains especially memorable. Talei helped prepare an interview with former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, whose insights into federal litigation resonated deeply with her own career aspirations. "I'm interested in becoming a lawyer, so hearing her explain the legal process and discuss how those issues apply today was fascinating."
The experience also broadened her perspective on journalism. While she still plans to pursue a legal career, Talei now sees opportunities to combine law, public service, and journalism. “It has made me seriously consider journalism in my future or how I can combine journalism with advocacy as a lawyer," she says. "It has also given me a new appreciation for journalists and the work they do."
Back on campus, Talei has found strong support from faculty who encouraged both her academic and professional growth. She credits Political Science Professors Bilal Sekou, Amy Schoenecker, and Katharine Owens with enriching her classroom experience, helping connect her with internship opportunities, offering career advice, and inspiring new ideas.
Outside the classroom, Ricketson balances academics with her commitments as a member of the University's women's lacrosse team and UHart’s Women's Advancement Initiative's LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program for undergraduate students.
She says the University's close-knit community has played an important role in her success. "The small community has allowed me to better connect with friends and my learning because professors at UHart really care."