ONTARIO, Calif.— The Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) Alumni Association has launched “Frogcast,” a podcast created, maintained and updated by WCMS alumni to “foster innovative discussions, education, and insights from the credit union movement.”
According to WCMS, Frogcast — which honors the decades-long and beloved frog mascot of WCMS — was developed to “build upon the unique WCMS tradition of deepening the alumni connection to the school, to each other and the credit union industry,” and spark invaluable memories from their time on campus at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif.
“WCMS alumni are the current and future leaders of our credit union movement,” said WCMS Dean Dr. Michael Steinberger. “I enjoy listening in to Frogcast to learn what’s on the minds of some of the most creative and passionate credit union innovators and how they are responding to these turbulent times.”
The Hosts
Hosted by Shonna Shearson (WCMS Class of ’07) and Nate Burns (Class of ’11), WCMS said Frogcast episodes provide quick and fun interviews with faculty, alumni, and guests of WCMS on the challenges and opportunities the credit union industry faces today. Everyone is invited, whether alumni or not, to listen in for a conversation uniquely balancing the ‘head and heart’ philosophy of credit unions.”
“Alumni of WCMS have always been a close group of professionals who enjoy seeing each other at industry events, and the COVID-19 pandemic obviously cut down on those connection opportunities,” said Steve Schmidle, creator of the podcast (WCMS Class of ’10). “The idea for the Frogcast was born in the midst of dealing with this sense of separation, and the knowledge that our alumni and faculty continue to have some great stories and insights worth sharing with each other.”
According to the organization, 11 podcasts have been recorded and released thus far, with monthly additions planned through 2022.
The Frogcast can be found on Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever credit union leaders and professionals get their podcasts, WCMS said.