Influential Woman · Education and media, philosophy, podcasting
Gwendolyn Dolske
Adjunct Professor, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Los Angelas, CA 90004
Her Story
About Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn Dolske, PhD, is an accomplished philosophy professor, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host who is passionate about making philosophy accessible and meaningful in everyday life. She has served as an adjunct professor of philosophy at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) since 2006, teaching courses including ethics, moral theory, critical thinking, and philosophy of sex and love. She earned her graduate degrees in philosophy from KU Leuven in Belgium, where she specialized in existentialism. Dolske is also a member of the International Simone de Beauvoir Society and other professional and academic organizations, and she regularly shares her expertise through academic conferences, speaking engagements, and educational forums.
In 2019, Dolske co-launched Good Is In The Details, an educational philosophy podcast that brings rigorous academic ideas into accessible conversations for a broad audience. As a co-host and executive producer, she researches potential guests, reads their books and scholarly work, develops episode outlines, conducts interviews, and contributes to editing and production. The podcast has grown to more than 200 episodes and has received multiple honors and recognitions. Dolske has presented at academic conferences, including an International Simone de Beauvoir Society event at the University of Klagenfurt in Austria, and co-presented on podcasting as pedagogy at Higher Ed PodCon. The podcast was also named a finalist for Episode of the Year at the 2026 HigherEd PodCon Awards. Her book, Interview with Intention: The Podcast Host's Guide to Creating Captivating Conversations, was recognized as a Golden Leaves Honoree by the Cal Poly Pomona University Library.
Dolske attributes her success to her late father, whom she describes as an eternal student who instilled in her a lifelong love of learning and the belief that knowledge is central to a meaningful life. His influence continues to shape her intellectual curiosity and commitment to asking thoughtful questions. She values patience, presence, humanity, and curiosity, principles that have been further reinforced through raising her young daughter. As an educator, Dolske is particularly focused on encouraging active engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving in the classroom. She believes educators have an important role in helping students move beyond passive consumption of instant information and instead develop the ability to think independently, engage deeply with ideas, and apply philosophical reasoning to the challenges of everyday life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gwendolyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my father, who was a lifelong learner with a deep passion for knowledge. From a young age, he encouraged my curiosity by sharing books with me, often buying two copies so we could read and discuss them together. One of my fondest memories is taking turns reading books such as Treasure Island with him. Before he passed away, he shared with me that the purpose of life is knowledge, a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my life. I have carried that same commitment to learning, constantly seeking to understand more, read more, and grow both personally and professionally. I believe the business accomplishments, financial success, and recognition I have received are simply byproducts of my genuine curiosity and lifelong desire to learn.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education today is that many students are entering university without the foundational skills needed for academic success, including the ability to read deeply, conduct research, and think critically. With the increasing reliance on instant information and technology, students can become accustomed to passive consumption rather than actively engaging with complex ideas and developing independent problem-solving skills. I see this challenge as an important opportunity to transform the classroom by encouraging curiosity, active participation, critical thinking, and meaningful problem solving. My goal is to help create learning environments where students engage deeply with information, strengthen their analytical abilities, and become confident, independent thinkers.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are patience, presence, humanity, and curiosity. Having a young daughter has taught me the importance of being patient and fully present, especially in a world where it is easy to become distracted by work and technology. Learning to close the laptop, step away from responsibilities, and simply be present with her has reminded me of the importance of connection, balance, and what it means to be human. I carry these values into my work by remaining curious, compassionate, and open to learning while making a conscious effort to be present and engaged with the people around me.
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