Two weeks into the spring 2025 semester, it was time for me to host The Prospector Podcast for the first time ever. I had just been promoted to the role of multimedia editor and was still finding my footing, so walking into the studio I knew two things.
First, what we were going to talk about. Second, that I’d have my friend from high school Cameron Mason, a contributor that semester, by my side as a co-host, but what I didn’t know is that an unplanned member would be joining us on that first episode.
Before going into the studio that day in early February, I was running down the plans with Cameron, who just so happened to be sitting next to Kristian Hernandez. Kristian, also a contributor at the time, happily offered to help us film the podcast. We didn’t really need help with camera work, after all the studio we used already had one, so I did the next best thing I could to include him. I asked if he wanted to co-host.
Despite it being last minute, Kristian said yes. Since that day he’s co-hosted 11 podcasts episodes with me and has served as the best ying to my yang that I can ask for. Whether it was him swiftly shooting down my request to be friends on episode six of season 12, helping me and Cameron properly tie our 10 anniversary balloons, or allowing me to compare him to a Minecraft Enderman after saying “because no one looks me in the eye,” in episode seven of season 12.
Most importantly, Kristian has been my support system for the podcast. No matter the day, or time, he’s always there, ready to work and help make the podcast as best as it can be by pitching topics or skit ideas, such as trying matcha in episode three of The Summer Spin-off.
I attribute Kristian and his attitude for giving The Prospector Podcast a feel-good view around the office. His willingness to participate spread like wildfire, as staff members and editors gained those emotions and always hopped on the podcast with a smile.
The podcast, however, is only one part of my job; the second part consists of filming, reporting, scripting and editing video packages. It is rigorous but pays off once the video is finished. I will say, the reason why I believe the video packages which can be viewed on YouTube, are of the quality that they are, is because of the people around me.
My first time filming, reporting and editing a video independently at the collegiate level was in January of this year, but I was lucky not to be alone. By my side was Ximena Cordero, former audience engagement editor and current web and copy editor. Ximena helped me with my vision for said video, pitching locations for my standup and ran around campus with me to get interviews. She also made sure my framing was right and that the audio was working. To this day, I know that every time I set off to make a video, I can always count on her to help.
I can say the same for the rest of the staff as well. When I look back to our Valentines Day video released last Spring, all I’m reminded of is getting to run around with Kristian and our photo editor Iziah Moreno, while collectively teaching former staff reporter Leah Austin on interviewing and shooting video. Those journeys also make for great conversations and laughs, which just make the work experience feel as if I’m out with friends.
As I scroll through previous podcast episodes and video packages while writing this story, I smile at the memory of our current editor-and-chief Evelyn Palma, sitting criss-cross at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Undergraduate Learning Center, focused on an online class session, with a pizza box sitting by her. She had jokingly suggested we do a mukbang for our segment on Cinemark’s Gamescape. Cameron, Kristian and I wanted to take her up on the idea and she actually brought us pizza to eat on episode four of season 12.
That episode is possibly the most fun I’ve had filming a podcast. We were in the middle of a dust storm, and the week was just about to end. I really can’t think of any better way to end a day than to eat pizza with some of your best friends after going through all the madness the world can offer you in a single day.
I believe that attitude of childlike wonder, a willingness to make creative thoughts into reality and a want to have fun is what molds this multimedia section and makes our video content at The Prospector standout in the collegiate student media world.
Without a doubt, if you click any video on this section, or on YouTube, you are bound to feel the amount of heart and care that goes into every piece of content, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a representation of it.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro is the multimedia editor for The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected] or Instagram and X @sebastianpn8, and on LinkedIn @sebastianperez-navarro.
