Hello, and welcome to:

What We Stay Alive For

A podcast about the importance of art and creativity in 2025.

I was a freshman in college when I first watched Dead Poets Society. Desperately shoving two portions of dining hall chicken breast and green beans down my throat in the hopes of exiting the busy lunch rush as soon as possible, I propped up my phone against a napkin container with my fingers crossed that Robin Williams and his angsty group of ragamuffins could distract me from the chaos swimming around my four-top table (occupied only by me… oops).

I didn’t remember much about the movie after the first watch, as it took me an embarrassing seven different meals in the crowded dining hall to make it through the 128 minutes of pure teenage distress. Honestly, I haven’t returned to Dead Poets since spoiling the viewing experience for myself with the auditory backdrop of cheap plates clattering and hallmates shouting at each other from the french fry line. Yet, one quote from the movie stuck with me.

“We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

As the end of my college experience neared and spontaneous regret surrounding my decision to pursue my passion as a career increased, I found myself looking for validation in my choice to study the arts. The growing doom of our political and cultural sphere colored my everyday life, my everyday interactions. *How had my parents raised me to be so self-indulgent and frivolous with my college education?

I needed something to reinvigorate my love for the arts, something to bolster my core belief that performance and visuals have the power to impact lives and incite change. And, like any obnoxious college-aged individual, I decided to start a podcast.

My four years of undergraduate education have introduced me to some of the most brilliant young minds in the arts industry. As I reflect back on my time at the University of Michigan, I don’t hyperfixate on specific moments that defined my college career: I always come back to the people. With What We Stay Alive For, I wanted to give my friends and peers the opportunity to share their stories, thoughts, and experiences with the world – even if each episode only gets five streams.

Through this mini podcast series, listeners will have the chance to hear from the best and the brightest of the arts community at the University of Michigan. **By focusing each episode on a different medium of art, I hope to introduce eager listeners with wide ranges of artistic experience to new thoughts, new ideas, and new voices.

*Don’t worry, Mom; this was just the insecurities and graduation dread speaking.

**Loosely… the best artists don’t confine themselves to one artistic medium.

Hi there!

My name is Reese Leif, and I'm a graduating senior from the Bachelor of Theatre Arts program at the University of Michigan with double minors in Writing and Digital Studies. As a multihyphenate theatre artist, writer, and creative producer, I find great joy in combining my passions through creation. Following my graduation in May 2025, I am headed to New York City to pursue a career in the arts and entertainment sector.

Favorite Books and Reads: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donaghue, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, Modern Love (New York Times Column)

Favorite Movies: Cha Cha Real Smooth, Juno, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Easy A, When Harry Met Sally

Favorite Podcasts: Binchtopia, Normal Gossip, Smartless

Favorite Musical Artists: Sidney Gish, Carole King, Chappell Roan