Discussions on Writing and Rhetoric

Greetings and welcome to DWR- Discussions on Writing and Rhetoric. Join your hosts, professors Meeghan Faulconer and Nikolas Gardiakos from the University of Central Florida, for some informal conversations around research and practice in the field at the university level. These discussions are a place inclusive for curious novices, blossoming scholars, and seasoned academics to consider and share their inquiries, experiences, and passions surrounding writing and rhetoric.

Discussions on Writing and Rhetoric is a education podcast hosted by Meeghan Faulconer and Nikolas Gardiakos, with 24 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Meeghan Faulconer and Nikolas Gardiakos hosts Discussions on Writing and Rhetoric, a education show with 24 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #26

  Episode 26: Dr. Amy Cicchino - University Writing Center / Global Society of Online Literacy Educators (GSOLE)

  Sep 30, 202657 min

  Joining us today is Dr. Amy Cicchino, an Associate Professor and Director of the University Writing Center here at UCF. Dr Cicchino’s research focuses on praxis and digital composition, experiential and high-impact learning experiences, and writing program administration and has appeared in journals such as WPA: Writing Program Administration, the International Journal of ePortfolio, and the Writing Center Journal, among others.Her 2024 publication with Troy Hicks titled Better Practices: Exploring the Teaching of Writing in Online and Hybrid Spaces , was the Winner of the 2024–2025 Computers & Composition Johndan Johnson-Eilola Distinguished Book Award and received an honorable mention for the 2025 CCCC Outstanding Book Award. Dr Cicchino also serves on the Executive Board of the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators (GSOLE), where she collaborates with specialists in online literacy instruction to advance pedagogy and professional development tailored to digital and online learning contexts. She is also deeply engaged with the Association for Authentic, Experiential, Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL), where she was a founding co-chair and active member of the Digital Ethics Task Force. Lastly, Dr. Cicchino is a contributor to the field through editorial work, collaborating on a special issue of Across the Disciplines on ePortfolios across the disciplines and serving on the editorial board and as incoming editor for the Experiential Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ELTHE) journal.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #25

  Episode 25: Voices from the 2026 CCCC in Cleveland

  Aug 31, 202645 min

  When we recorded this episode, it was about a month after the conference, but before the events of the summer of 2026. We did not know it would encapsulate possibly one of the last C’s ever. Meeghan was a first time attendee and decided as a bonus (in addition to attending) to record moments and impressions with participants and use it for the podcast. After the conference, Nick and Meeghan spent time in the studio recording the host portion of the episode and shared context, thoughts, and feelings on C’s. We had no idea we would be preserving part of a community now de-chartered . We feel a deep sense of privilege at having captured such a moment, and thank all of the attendees that shared their thoughts and reflections with Meeghan. All of the audio clips that Meeghan recorded are included in this episode. Founded in 1949 as part of the National Council of Teachers of English, the Conference on College Composition and Communication—often called “the Four Cs” or just “C’s”—was the largest professional organization in the world dedicated to the teaching and study of writing, rhetoric, and composition. C’s grew into a central gathering point with attendees representing a wide range of institutions—research universities, community colleges, and writing programs—and included everyone from first-year graduate students to senior scholars shaping the field. Until 2026, CCCC hosted an annual major national convention that typically drew over 3,000 attendees, with membership in the organization numbering in the thousands. The program was built around dozens of concurrent panels running in 75-minute sessions, often with three or more presenters sharing research, pedagogy, or creative work. Additionally the conference included workshops, roundtables, research network forums, poster sessions, and Special Interest Groups and Caucuses. The guests you hear in this episode were captured in a variety of locations throughout the conference and from a wide range of attendees. We are incredibly grateful for their participation as it has turned into such a watershed moment. Our contributing guests are: Sayed Ali Reza Ahmadi, University of Anchorage; Yanni Angelis, University of Pittsburg; Ashley Beardsley, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; Joel Bergholtz, University of Central Florida; Casie Cobos, Baylor University; Anne Ruggles Gere, University of Michigan; Su Yin Khor, College of the Atlantic; Vee Kennedy, University of Central Florida; Melissa Ianetta, Georgia Institute of Technology; Joyce Inman, University of Southern Mississippi; Benjamin Luczak, University of Central Florida; Khushi Patel, Ohio State University; Bethany Van Scooter, NC State University

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #24

  Episode 24: Hannah Benton - Fanfiction and Disability Studies

  Feb 28, 202656 minS0

  <p>We are pleased to welcome Hannah Benton, a recent UCF graduate with a BA in Writing & Rhetoric, to the podcast. During her undergrad time at UCF, Hannah  worked as a peer tutoring consultant in the University Writing Center and completed an Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Her project titled “Fanfiction as a Reflection of Available Representation: A Critique on Mass Media,” explores how and why fanfictions affirm or transform canonical depictions of disability in mass media.</p> <p>This project was awarded both 1st place and the People's Choice at the Knights Write Showcase, and was presented the National Research Conference at UP...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #23

  Episode 23: Dr. Joel Bergholtz - Digital Rhetorics

  Jan 30, 20261h 6mS0

  <p>Join us as we chat with Dr. Joel Bergholtz, a member of our UCF faculty, who currently teaches Composition I and II along with ENC 4416 Writing in Digital Environments. Dr. Bergholtz's research interests include assemblage and circulation as methodological frameworks for internet research methods, raciolinguistics as an interpretive framework, public spaces (physical, digital, and hybrid), social media pedagogies, antiracist pedagogies, and more.  He is also currently a faculty editor of the UCF publication Convergence Rhetoric and presented at Conference on College Composition and Communication 2025 with his research titled:</p> <p>"R-R-R-Reeeemixxxx: Diggin’ in the Comments, Flippin' the Spreadsheets, Cuttin' the...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #22

  Episode 22: Dr. Esther Milu - Global Black Rhetorics

  Dec 2, 202555 minS0

  <p>Our guest for this episode is Dr. Esther Milu, Associate Professor here at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Milu’s research includes language diversity, multilingual pedagogies, translingual writing, immigrant Black literacies, and Global Black Rhetorics. Dr. Milu has been published in multiple publications, most recently including Composition Studies, Rhetoric Society of America Quarterly, and College Composition Communication, along with contributing to several books. </p>

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Discussions on Writing and Rhetoric. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.