Touching Grass with Professor Ryan English | Living Lanterns | Episode 7

Josh Nieman talks with SAG professor, Ryan English, about parenting, society, and art in the modern era.

Host: Joshua Nieman

Editor: Addie Lutes

Josh Nieman

Josh Nieman uses he/him pronouns, and has worked for The Eastern Echo since May 2024. He started as a comics artist, then moved to podcast Director in Winter 2026. Nieman is a senior majoring in English and a dual minoring in art and film.

His job entails leading the brilliant podcasting team, creating new and exciting content every week, brainstorming and bring new shows into reality, helping creatives realize their visions, and telling journalistic stories through the medium of audio. For him, the best part is creating immersive soundscapes to engross the audience in engaging stories.

Nieman is on Instagram (@jniem22) and LinkedIn. Contact him with questions and information at jnieman@emich.edu.

Gray Connor

Gray Connor uses they/he pronouns, and has worked for The Eastern Echo since August 2024. They started as Newsletter Editor, then moved to Managing Editor of Operations for the 2026 Winter semester. Connor is a senior majoring in media studies and journalism, with a minor in public relations.

For him, the best part of the job is getting to know other people, and collaborating with other students just as passionate about journalism and justice.

Connor is on Instagram (@gray_connor_). Contact him with any questions or information at mconnor3@emich.edu.