Launching on September 17, just a few days ahead of United Nations World Peace Day (September 21), the new Quinnipiac University podcast is designed to inspire thought and action in individuals to build a more peaceful world.

“Dismantling the Divide” is the newest in a remarkable suite of meaningful podcasts created by Director of Community Programming David DesRoches, MS ’25. In addition to managing an ever-growing network of podcasts produced at the Quinnipiac Podcast Studio, DesRoches is also an adjunct professor at the School of Communications.

An award-winning print and public radio journalist, DesRoches blends his expertise and natural curiosity with his passion to dive deeply into learning about thought-provoking topics by talking with experts. For “Dismantling the Divide,” DesRoches sits down with guests in episodes framed around key aspects of human civilization: peace, narratives, art and music, war, and justice, with a bonus episode focusing on actionable next steps.

“For me it was an incredible learning experience,” said DesRoches. “I think in the core of journalists is the desire to make the world a better place, because you see the world has problems and you want to help solve them.”

Sean Duffy, executive director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute and professor of political science, joins DesRoches for the bonus episode’s conversation as well as appearing in several other podcast episodes.  This fall, DesRoches traveled with Duffy as part of the Quinnipiac delegation of students, faculty and staff participating in the Albert Schweitzer Institute’s annual trip to engage in the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
For Duffy, who has attended numerous summits and helps to organize its youth programming, seeing the impact of summit participation on university delegation members is gratifying.

“I love to see how much it engages our students and our faculty that we bring, just to be able to focus on this topic of peace and to think about how they can be involved in that,” said Duffy. “As a political science professor, I also feel one of the things that is so important for Quinnipiac students to know is that it’s not only political science people who are interested and can contribute -- health science majors, majors in business, majors in communication all have something to contribute to this society-wide objective.” 
Through the Albert Schweitzer Institute, Duffy offered DesRoches the opportunity to attend the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates as a first-time participant, which in turn inspired DesRoches to develop “Dismantling the Divide. “

“That’s kind of the framework of the podcast – his reactions and reflections and use of footage that he recorded at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates,” said Duffy.
Duffy said the interest and passion DesRoches pours into exploring ways listeners can act in their own lives to engender peace makes for compelling conversations across the podcast episodes.

“Each of the episodes takes the form of a puzzle that he’s working through in his head, which I think is quite beautiful,” said Duffy.

“Dismantling the Divide” seeks to bridge the widening gap of a world that seems increasingly hostile, partisan, angry and vitriolic; where people from opposing points of view are less likely to come to the table, DesRoches said.

“I’m hoping that people can take away actionable next steps toward building a more peaceful world,” said DesRoches. “I’m hopeful that people will hear this and have some hope that there is potential for healing. It can be challenging, but there is a path forward."

One orientation the Albert Schweitzer Institute works to relate to the world is what it means to act for peace. It’s message that’s also imparted during “Dismantling the Divide’s” episode focusing on peace, in a discussion with Duffy and DesRoches.

“What is peace? What does it mean to do peace? That’s the overarching lesson that I hope people take out of this,” said Duffy. “Peace is a many-faceted thing, but it’s something that we can each work on in our own lives and our own interactions.”

Another area discussed in the series is importance of uncertainty. DesRoches notes Joanna Macy, a Buddhist scholar and activist, talked about the “…knife edge of uncertainty [is] where we come alive to our truest power.”

The concept also relates to a message Quinnipiac Provost Debra Liebowitz recently imparted during her convocation speech, DesRoches said.

“We live in a world where we rely on certainty — we have the entirety of human knowledge in our pocket at all times. Whenever we encounter something we don’t understand or aren’t able to learn about, we become instantly uneasy and stressed. But, as Deb and Joanna pointed out, uncertainty shouldn’t be something we fear or even tolerate. It should be something we wholly embrace. It should be something we use as motivation. It should be seen as an opportunity to innovate, and to be open to new experiences. It is such an important concept, especially when we’re talking about building a peaceful world,” DesRoches said.

While the broad concept of world peace can seem unattainable, one of the takeaways messaged with “Dismantling the Divide” is that everyone can make a difference in their own way. DesRoches has done this by putting his talents toward creating the podcast. 
“It’s that old cliché – think globally, act locally. When you take little steps and do small things that have some sort of tangible benefit, it reinforces your will to continue to work toward it,” said DesRoches.

Duffy said peace is something that everyone can work for and it is attainable.

“It can often seem like an aspiration that you’re always working toward, but can never be achieved,” Duffy said. “But I think that peace can be achieved, and it can be achieved in our own lives, and that’s something that we can be effective at working toward.”

Starting on September 17, 2025, “Dismantling the Divide” can be accessed at quinnipiacpodcasts.com or by visiting qu.edu/podcast.