As a new academic year kicks off, how do advisors support students without setting themselves on fire in the process? 🔥

In Episode 191 of Adventures in Advising, returning guest host Imani Hill sits down with Brandon Jones and Melissa Cumbia from the Well-being and Advisor Retention Community for a timely conversation about work-life balance, advisor well-being, and staying grounded in a changing higher education landscape.

From actually using that annual leave (yes, really!) to juggling doctoral studies, navigating new technology, enrollment pressures, funding uncertainty, and shifting roles, the group gets candid about what it takes to keep doing meaningful advising work while taking care of yourself, too.

Plus, get a sneak peek at what's coming to the annual conference in Oklahoma City—including Brandon's can't-miss session with a title that says it all: “Stop Setting Yourself on Fire to Keep Students Warm.”

Whether you're heading into another busy semester, questioning how to find balance, or simply looking for a reminder that advisor well-being matters, this episode is for you.

🎧 Press play, protect your peace, and start the academic year with a little more intention.

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What happens when the advisor becomes the one navigating a major transition?

In Ep. 190 of Adventures in Advising, Matt Markin welcomes back Matt Plescia from Hamilton College for a conversation about career moves, starting over, and discovering how our professional identities change along the way. Inspired by Matt Plescia’s Academic Advising Quarterly article, “Two Suitcases, a Backpack, and a Duffel Bag: Finding Advisor Identity in Motion,” the two Matts unpack what it really means to leave behind institutional knowledge, familiar faces, and comfortable routines for something new.

From cross-country moves and new campuses to loneliness, belonging, work-life balance, and the humbling experience of becoming the “new person” again, this episode explores how transition can make us more reflective—and more empathetic—advisors.

So pack your bags (metaphorically or otherwise!) and join us for an honest, thoughtful, and laughter-filled conversation about taking chances, embracing uncertainty, and realizing that sometimes starting over teaches us exactly what our students need from us.

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Dr. Xiao Yuan returns to Adventures in Advising for a conversation that goes far beyond academic advising. Since her last appearance in 2022, Xiao’s journey has taken some unexpected turns—from higher education and recruiting to investing in the last-mile delivery industry, where she discovered powerful connections between her research on belonging and the invisible human stories behind every doorstep delivery.

Xiao and Matt talk career pivots, applying for 1,000+ jobs, separating your identity from your job title, and what it really means to feel seen within a system. Xiao also shares the inspiration behind her upcoming book, A-bao’s Journey to You, which follows a package on its journey while shining a light on the people who make that journey possible.

It’s an episode about starting over, finding purpose in unexpected places, and making the invisible visible. 🎙️✨

Purchase A-bao's Journey to You: The Untold Story Behind Every Package!

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What does it take to turn great advising ideas into published scholarship? In this episode of The Adventures in Advising, Ryan is joined by Melissa Cumbia, Sarah Bechtel, and Alanna Bitzel —members of NACADA's Publications Advisory Board—for an honest conversation about their journeys as writers, collaborators, and contributors to the academic advising profession. Together, they explore how publishing can be more approachable than many advisors realize and why every practitioner has valuable experiences worth sharing. From finding the right topic and building a supportive writing team to navigating imposter syndrome, feedback, and the publication process, this episode is filled with practical advice and encouragement for advisors at every stage of their careers. 

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Guest host Margaret Mbindyo from Millersville University chats with Gugu Khanye, University of the Free State; Jonathan Muema Mwania, Makueni University College; and Oyebimpe Olusanya, Federal University of Technology Akure to explore how culture, community, and compassion shape student success. From the power of "it takes a village" to mentorship and holistic support, the panel also discuss the realities of student funding and how academic advising is evolving across different countries.

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What can one conversation change? In this inspiring episode of Adventures in Advising, guest host Dr. Melinda Anderson sits down with newly minted Dr. Erika Nixon-Lambert to explore how a chance encounter, the guidance of caring academic advisors, and the power of community transformed her path from the cosmetics industry to earning her Doctor of Pharmacy.

Together, they discuss resilience, mentorship, nontraditional student success, and why advisors have the opportunity to shape lives one conversation at a time. It's a heartfelt reminder that while dreams may be delayed, they are never denied—and that the right support can help students discover just how far they're capable of going.

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What happens when a passion for mathematics evolves into a passion for student success? In this episode, Giancarlo Labruna from Penn State shares his unique journey from mathematics faculty member to academic advisor, reflecting on the mentors, experiences, and opportunities that inspired him to pursue a career dedicated to helping students thrive.

We also dive into the growing role of scholarship in academic advising, exploring graduate education, research, professional development, and the future of the profession. Whether you're new to advising or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers valuable insights on mentorship, leadership, and the lifelong pursuit of learning.

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In this thought-provoking episode of Adventures in Advising, guest host Dr. Gerron Scott sits down with Brandi Byers, academic advisor at the University of South Carolina and chair of NACADA’s Advising Students with Disabilities Community. Together, they explore disability identity, accommodations, accessibility, and the critical role advisors play in supporting students through their educational journeys.

This conversation highlights the importance of advocacy, mentorship, and meeting students where they are. Whether you're an advisor, educator, or student affairs professional, this episode offers meaningful insights into creating more accessible and equitable pathways to student success.

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In this episode of Adventures in Advising, Ryan heads north for a lively conversation with Canadian advising leaders Aysha Haq, Elizabeth Venton-Parnell, Jing Yao, and Shoshana Kalfon. Together, they explore what makes academic advising in Canada distinct, from provincial policies and immigration changes to holistic student support, institutional pressures, and the magic of those “light bulb” student moments.

The panel also digs into the evolving role of the Canada Advising Community, the NACADA restructure, place-based advising, and why connection across institutions matters more than ever. Whether you advise in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, California, or somewhere in the academic wilderness beyond, this episode is a thoughtful, funny, and practical reminder that advising may look different across borders, but the heart of the work travels well. 🧭

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Guest host Dr. Margaret Mbindyo welcomes Ben Walker from Oxford Brookes University in the UK, and Chiara Bertolini and Dr. Alessandra Landini from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, for a rich discussion on academic advising, student success, belonging, mental health, disability support, and the changing needs of today’s college students.

From the UK’s “personal tutoring” model to Italy’s orientation practices and student support, this episode explores how advising looks across borders, and what higher education professionals can learn from one another. Along the way, they discuss the importance of building community, recognizing student struggles early, setting healthy boundaries as advisors, and seeing international students as whole people, not just paperwork.

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The Instagram, and Facebook handle for the podcast is @AdvisingPodcast

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