For most first-year students, adjusting to college means figuring out class schedules, meeting new people and maybe stopping by a professor’s office hours. For Graiden “Grady” Allen ’29, it meant creating his own version of them.

Allen, who also serves as first-year Class President, is the voice behind “Papa G’s Office Hours”, a student-led podcast that brings candid, conversational interviews with Bucknell faculty, administrators and peers to a broader audience. With a microphone in the WVBU studio and a growing list of guests, Allen is working to make higher education feel more accessible– one conversation at a time.

The nickname “Papa G” has quickly become part of Allen’s identity on campus, but its origins were unexpected. During a pre-orientation program, a classmate Bobby Davidson ’29 coined the name, inspired by Allen’s demeanor.

“I’m kind of an old man at heart,” Allen said. “People always joke that I’ve got the mindset of an 80-year-old man, and it’s very true. I have the demeanor– I’m the quintessential old soul.”

The name stuck almost instantly. “Before I knew it, more people knew me as Papa G… than they did as Grady,” he said. That recognition eventually became an asset when Allen ran for Class President, and later when he was searching for a name for his podcast.

The idea for “Papa G’s Office Hours” emerged early in Allen’s time at Bucknell, though not entirely by his own design. During orientation, several students commented on his voice and storytelling, asking if he already had a podcast.

“I thought that was the strangest question ever,” he said. Still, the idea lingered. A few weeks later, encouragement from home pushed him to take the leap.

“I got a call from my mother,” Allen said. “And she said, ‘Grady… I think you need to start a podcast’.”

Drawing inspiration from shows like “Diary of a CEO,” Allen developed a format centered on conversation and reflection. He officially launched the podcast in November of this year and has since recorded 15 episodes. 

The concept is simple but intentional: each episode features a new guest–from professors and peers to university leaders–sharing experiences and lessons that extend beyond academic material.

“I wanted to talk about and get advice that wasn’t always taught in the classroom,” Allen said. “We learn way too much here at college, so I wanted to get those fun life skills and life advice that you don’t find in a textbook.”

Guests have included high-profile campus figures such as President John Bravman, Vice President for Student Affairs & Fritz Family Dean of Students Moe McGuinness, and Associate Dean of Student Life Erin Pascal. Other guests have included professors and faculty members, as well as students. Allen selects guests based on both personal connection and curiosity.

When asked how he chooses who to invite onto the show, Allen explained, “[I invite] someone that I would want to talk to and get advice from myself, and then hopefully [they] share that through my platform.”

The podcast is recorded in the WVBU radio station in the Stuck House, typically on Friday afternoons, and released shortly after with minimal editing to preserve authenticity. That authenticity is part of what makes the podcast resonate– not just with listeners, but with the guests themselves.

“What I have discovered… is that the guests almost enjoy it as much as I do,” Allen said. “It’s very humbling to watch some of these people come behind the microphone…and watch them have a good time and feel just as honored as I do to have them there.”

Each conversation leaves a lasting impact. “I always walk away from the podcast having learned something myself,” he added. 

At its core, “Papa G’s Office Hours” aims to challenge perceptions of higher education and break down barriers between students and faculty. “There’s a lot of myths that surround higher education,” Allen said. “More often than not, you’ve built them up in your head.”

He hopes the podcast helps students see faculty and administrators as approachable individuals rather than distant authority figures. “I wanted students to see that these faculty members and professors are humans, too,” he said. 

That message is especially meaningful for Allen, who comes from a large, low-income family and understands the weight of accessing higher education. His advice to fellow students reflects both gratitude and perspective.

“There’s so much more to [college] that you will miss in a heartbeat if you don’t take the time to enjoy it,” Allen said.

He encourages students to focus less on outcomes and more on experience: “Don’t lose sleep over the college decision,” he said. “You’re going to miss the things that are right there in front of you.”

Looking ahead, Allen hopes to expand the podcast beyond Bucknell and continue amplifying more voices that offer meaningful insight. For now, “Papa G’s Office Hours” remains exactly what Allen envisioned: a space where the most meaningful lessons happen outside the classroom.

And if you see Allen around campus, don’t hesitate to stop him– Papa G’s office hours aren’t limited to the microphone.

“Come stop me on campus!” Allen said. “I’m always happy to talk to people.”

Listeners can follow along on Instagram @PapaGOfficeHours and stream new episodes on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.