New Podcast with Central Penn’s President Linda Fedrizzi-Williams

Former DJ back behind the mic

If there were one college president who is ideally suited to host a podcast, it’s Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams. Like many college administrators, she’s a well-spoken, dynamic presenter, but more than that… she was an actual drive-time radio personality. 

And not just at some small, low-powered station either, but rather at WSPK, a 50,000-watt behemoth whose signal reached into New York City as well as parts of New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Fedrizzi-Williams was the newscaster and a co-host of the top-rated “Woodman in the Morning” show. 

Now, 15 years after leaving the airwaves, Fedrizzi-Williams is back behind the mic, as the host of The Bridge, a twice-monthly podcast that will feature discussions with government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, alumni, faculty and students. 

“The Bridge is an opportunity to showcase people who are overcoming the odds and making a difference in our communities,” said the Mechanicsburg resident. “Our goal is to tell insightful, moving and inspiring stories, and tell them in a fun, entertaining way.” 

Resiliency 

The Middletown, N.Y., native adds: “A big focus for the program, especially during this time of uncertainty, will be stories of resiliency.” Hence, the podcast’s full name,

“The Bridge: Stories of Courage, Resilience and Innovation.” 

Why these topics? “Central Penn College is often a place of second chances. Many of our students have been underestimated, undervalued or downright forgotten by the systems that were supposed to put them first,” says Fedrizzi-Williams, who transitioned to a career in higher education after five years in radio.   

“Every time I speak with a student and hear one more story of determination and resiliency, I am personally moved to push to make Central Penn College better at meeting their needs.”  

For The Bridge, the former DJ won’t have to get up at 2:45 a.m., like she did for nearly five years at WPSK. The podcast will air twice monthly, which is much more conducive to her already full schedule as a college president. Not to mention being the mother of two active, pre-teen boys, Jake and Luke, who keep both her and her husband Glen quite busy with the usual array of sports, schoolwork, youthful interests and quality family time.  

First Episode 

The inaugural episode of The Bridge features State Rep. Greg Rothman who represents the 87th house district, which includes the Cumberland County communities of Camp Hill, East Pennsboro, Hampden and portions of Silver Spring Townships. A Marine veteran, he serves on a variety of committees including appropriations, insurance, liquor control, transportation, and urban affairs. He also is the deputy whip for the Republican House caucus.   

Episode 1 of The Bridge is now available on major podcast streaming services, including iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and Soundcloud. More information can be found at www.CentralPenn.edu/podcast.