Student Takeover, Part 1 | Deepfakes, Trolling Russian Embassies, and the Power of the Youth Vote

What happens when the students behind the questions finally get to take over the conversation?

In this special, two-part episode of Running to the Noise, Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar turns over the microphone to student producers Travis O’Daniel and Eloise Rich. The newly minted Oberlin alumni return to share conversations of their own with some of Season 3’s most memorable guests including AI pioneer Tom Dietterich, Mamdani ally and civil rights attorney Ali Najmi, and Lawfare co-founder Benjamin Wittes.

The episode begins with Travis and Eloise looking back on their Oberlin experience and the transition into life after graduation. They discuss job hunting, networking, journalism, storytelling, and the challenge of becoming a “mini expert” quickly enough to ask meaningful questions across subjects ranging from artificial intelligence to law and politics. 

Then they take the lead.

AI pioneer Tom Dietterich joins them for a candid conversation about privacy, deepfakes, artificial intelligence in hiring, and why human-to-human skills may become even more valuable as AI takes over routine work. Dietterich also offers a sobering look at how generative AI is already affecting the job application process. 

Civil rights attorney and Mamdani ally Ali Najmi talks with the students about youth civic engagement, the role young voters can play in shaping communities, and, on a lighter note, the music behind his own career and his recommendations for young Obies making their way to New York City. 

And Lawfare co-founder Benjamin Wittes reflects on the Supreme Court, civic responsibility beyond voting, and the many different ways people can contribute to public life. The conversation eventually takes an unexpected turn toward his famous dog shirts and his self-described “Eras Tour” (Eradicating Russian Ambassadorial Sleep), projecting pro-Ukrainian imagery onto Russian embassies across Europe. 

Along the way, Travis, Eloise, and President Ambar also reflect on what podcasting taught them about journalism and storytelling, including one lesson that became central to their work together: sometimes the best story is not the one you planned to find.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Travis O’Daniel and Eloise Rich’s transition from Oberlin students to alumni
• What two seasons of producing Running to the Noise taught them about journalism and storytelling
• Why strong interviews begin with research, curiosity, and better follow-up questions
• Tom Dietterich on AI privacy, deepfakes, hiring algorithms, and the future of human-centered work
• How young graduates can navigate an increasingly automated job market
• Ali Najmi on youth civic engagement and the power of young voters
• The Oberlin network and the role relationships can play after graduation
• Benjamin Wittes on civic participation beyond the ballot box
• Why podcasts can create a different kind of connection than traditional print journalism
• The unexpected stories, questions, and moments that made Season 3 memorable

This is Part 1 of the student-led Season 3 wrap-up. Part 2 continues with more questions and conversations from Travis and Eloise before Running to the Noise returns for Season 4.