In this episode of the Inclusive Excellence Podcast, co-hosts Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel are joined by Bert Odom-Reed, director of Cornell Broadcast Studios, for a heartfelt farewell. After thirty-five years at Cornell, Odom-Reed reflects on his journey, sharing memorable moments and offering words of encouragement for the next generation of podcasters and media professionals.

As co-producer and sound engineer for all seven seasons of the Inclusive Excellence Podcast, Odom-Reed takes listeners down memory lane, revisiting some of his favorite episodes and reflecting on what being a part of this project has meant to him, both personally and professionally. 

He credits the hosts, both past and present, for helping to build and sustain the podcast’s inclusive platform – shouting out Cornell Woodson, Sherron Brown, Anthony Sis, and today’s co-hosts, Toral Patel and Erin Sember-Chase. 

"The most important part of DEI is inclusion, and this podcast has been a very inclusive space for us to share a wide range of ideas. "

“You all bring energy, love and thoughtfulness to this project,” Odom-Reed said. “The most important part of DEI is inclusion, and this podcast has been a very inclusive space for us to share a wide range of ideas. I do shift my little hat from engineer to listener at times, and it’s rewarding to hear how the episodes have expanded beyond Cornell. The experiences we talk about are universal. No matter where you are, the human experience is going to have a wide range of viewpoints, diversity, equity and inclusion.” 

Beyond his role with the Inclusive Excellence Podcast, Odom-Reed has overseen a wide range of broadcast services for Cornell, including video and audio production. His work at Cornell Broadcast Studios has been pivotal in shaping the university’s approach to storytelling through multimedia, fostering a broader culture of communication and engagement. 

“In all of my time in media, I’ve come to deeply value each person's journey and what they can bring,” Odom-Reed said. “I wish more people would find the big voices, medium voices and small voices and listen to what they have to say, because it's crucial that we get that input into society. It's important to be yourself and bring what you have to whatever situation you're in, because the world needs you.” 

Looking ahead to retirement, Odom-Reed shared his plans, which include spending more time with his son, his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha and supporting his wife Peggy Odom-Reed, who is a senior lecturer in the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. 

Although he is stepping away from the university, Odom-Reed will not be leaving the world of multimedia entirely. He plans to dedicate time to personal projects, including launching his own podcast, where he hopes to continue amplifying diverse stories and experiences through this new venture. 

“What we need to focus on is supporting real allies,” Odom-Reed explained. “A real ally is someone who speaks up when they see something wrong, or steps in when someone else is in need. For example, disability inclusion isn’t just about following regulation. You build a ramp because you know you want to invite everyone in—it’s a base-level way of thinking. We need to create spaces where people don’t feel smaller or unheard.”

When it comes to his biggest takeaway from his time at Cornell, Odom-Reed keeps it simple: “All things are possible,” he said. “They may not be easy, but they are possible.”

To celebrate Bert Odom-Reed’s career at Cornell, tune in to Episode 85: Thanks Bert! A Farewell to Our Sound Engineer and join listeners in thanking Bert one last time. Visit https://diversity.cornell.edu/iepodcast to access the episode and transcript.