When he was eight years old, Matt Lupica would cut the volume while playing sports video games and instead call the action himself, later scribbling down game recaps as if they belonged in a newspaper. He says those homemade play-by-plays remind him of where his passion for storytelling began.

Now a senior content writer at Cleveland State University, Lupica is channeling that same energy into Viking Voices, CSU’s new podcast. Launched in June, the series amplifies stories from students, faculty, staff and alumni, offering listeners a new way to connect with the university’s community and values.

“I know President Bloomberg recently named it CSU’s official podcast, which I'm humbled by,” Lupica said. “But it's just another way to get the word out when it comes to communicating, rather than just story writing or e-mails or other forms of communication."

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The idea grew out of Lupica’s experience at Kent State University, where he worked as a staff writer for Student Affairs during the pandemic and produced four seasons of a similar podcast. When he joined CSU in 2023 as a senior content writer, he saw the same opportunity—to offer a platform beyond written stories, emails or press releases.

“When I got the job here at CSU, I thought, well, we need to do that here now, because we don't have anything like that,” Lupica said.

The series gives students, faculty, staff and alumni a chance to share—in their own words—how CSU has shaped their paths. According to Lupica, everyone has a story to tell, and weaving those voices into the podcast is what makes it both engaging and fun. With more than 1,100 plays since June, the podcast is already carving out a new way for the university to reach its community.

“It provides an opportunity to bring our Cleveland State United values to life through the voices and stories of our CSU community,” Lupica said. “You know, as we launch this new strategic plan, Cleveland State United, we wanted to kind of work it around that and make sure that we cover collaborating with the community, serving students and unleashing creativity.”

Lupica emphasizes that the podcast is meant to showcase Cleveland State as a school rooted in the heart of downtown with opportunities that go beyond the commuter-school label it has sometimes carried. By highlighting stories from across the community, he hopes to demonstrate what CSU offers and encourage more people to follow along with the series.

“This is about Cleveland State University, Cleveland's university,” Lupica said. “How many schools are right in the heart of a downtown? I think it has a lot to offer when it comes to that.”

Lupica is currently focused on refining each episode and making sure it reflects the spirit of Cleveland’s university. According to him, the goal of this podcast is still developing and adjustments are always being made to enhance the experience of listening.

“For me, it's got to be just right,” Lupica said. “It can't be a minor league production. It's got to be perfect, because we're talking about a major university here, and a lot of people are listening to it.”

For students who want to get involved, Lupica has plans to eventually expand Viking Voices into a video podcast, giving students hands-on production experience through communications or related fields. 

The podcast is currently available on Spotify, with plans to expand to Apple and other platforms. From September through December, episodes are released twice a month—first with a one-minute preview, followed the next week by the full podcast.

“It's going to continue to pick up more steam,” Lupica said. “I think as we go on, it's going to be a big hit.”

Regardless of what is to come, Lupica is hopeful for the future of Viking Voices and plans to expand its reach and purpose. Even in moments of frustration, he’ll replay one of his own video game tapes as a reminder of why he started it all. 

“I'll pop one of those in, and I'll think to myself, this is where you started. This is where you came from," Lupica said. “This is where the passion comes from.”