In a first-of-its-kind narrative, the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology’s podcast covers the transformation of Orange County from a sleepy homogenous county to the vibrant, diverse “OC” that is known across the nation today. Hosted by longtime political observer Mike Madrid, who is serving as a senior fellow at the School, the podcast features a collection of current and former politicians, journalists, political operatives, and authors, showcasing the stories that have made Orange County a truly “purple” county. How did it happen? What is the future of Orange County? Our podcast series dissects these questions.
From the Judges
Red County, Blue County, Orange County delivers exceptional production quality, while focusing on a broader audience beyond campus boundaries. As we noted, this podcast "was not just about the university but how the university connects to the area," presenting a timely exploration of regional political evolution with national relevance. The series skillfully transforms UCI's academic expertise into accessible storytelling. The result demonstrates how higher education institutions can use creative media to connect campus insights to community context, thus adding to the public discourse.
