In this episode of Graduate Students’ Den, we welcome Sashette McPherson — Financial Analyst at Bowling Green State University, CEO of Power Moves Global, and host of the Power Moves podcast.

A proud BGSU alum with a master’s in Financial Economics, Sashette joins us to reflect on her graduate school journey, the lessons she learned along the way, and how she transitioned from student to financial leader and entrepreneur.

n this conversation, we explore:

• What graduate school taught her about leadership and discipline

• How financial identity shapes decision-making

• The mindset shifts students need to build wealth and confidence

• Practical advice for grad students navigating finances, ambition, and purpose

Whether you’re managing a stipend, building a side business, or trying to redefine your relationship with money, this episode offers clarity, motivation, and real strategy.

Welcome back to Graduate Students’ Den with John, Kelsey, and Halima.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shannon Orr, faculty member at Bowling Green State University and Director of the Falcon Food Pantry. Dr. Orr leads one of the university’s most important community initiatives, supporting students, faculty, and staff through accessible food and essential resources — including many graduate students who quietly rely on these services.

We talk about how the pantry supports the campus community, how graduate students can access resources without stigma, and how community engagement can meaningfully intersect with research and academic life.

Dr. Orr also shares her journey from professor to leading the pantry, offering insight into career pivots in academia and what it means to follow purpose over a traditional path. And in a powerful final segment, we discuss something every graduate student experiences but rarely talks about openly: failure and rejection — why they’re normal, necessary, and often transformative.

If you’ve ever struggled in grad school, questioned your path, or needed a reminder that community matters, this conversation is for you.

Grad school teaches theory, research, and critical thinking. It does not teach you how to file taxes on a stipend, understand health insurance, negotiate a lease, or survive university bureaucracy.

In this episode of Graduate Students’ Den, we unpack the life skills no one prepares you for but every graduate student has to figure out. From confusing paperwork and unexpected expenses to budgeting, self-advocacy, and adulting under pressure, we share the lessons we learned the hard way and the advice we wish we had sooner.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why did nobody tell me this?” this episode is for you.

This episode of Graduate Students’ Den dives into the often-unspoken realities of maintaining relationships during graduate school. From friendships that slowly fade, to romantic partnerships under pressure, to navigating family expectations and guilt, we unpack how grad school reshapes personal life. Through personal stories, honest reflection, and practical strategies, we explore how graduate students can protect meaningful connections without burning out or feeling like they’re failing in one area or another.

Season 3 of Graduate Students’ Den kicks off with a relaxed and honest conversation featuring John and Kelsey. In this opening episode, the panel reflects on winter break, the realities of grad life, and what it really takes to apply to and survive graduate school. We also talk about resetting for a new semester, managing expectations, and finding your rhythm as the academic year unfolds. Whether you’re considering grad school, newly admitted, or already deep in the journey, this episode sets the tone for a thoughtful and supportive season ahead.

Leadership, identity, vision. In this episode of Graduate Students’ Den, we talk with the director of BGSU’s School of Media & Communications - Dr. Cheryl Bracken - about her journey, the challenges and rewards of leading in academia, and what it takes to build an inclusive, forward-looking media school. Whether you’re a current student, aspiring leader, or future faculty — this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and real talk about what leadership truly means.

What does effective graduate research look like, and how do you find a mentor who guides you to success? In this episode of Graduate Students Den, Halima, Kelsey, and John welcome Professor Louisa Ha from BGSU’s School of Media and Communication. She shares her journey as a scholar focusing on social media influencers, online audiences, and global media communication. She reveals how she mentors graduate students to publish, collaborate, and carve their own path. Whether you are just starting your graduate journey or you are deep in research mode, this episode gives you practical advice, mentorship insights, and inspiration to take your work to the next level.

Prelims and proposal defenses are two of the most nerve-wracking milestones in any graduate student’s journey. In this episode of Graduate Students’ Den, hosts John, Kelsey, and Halima are joined by GCA President Madison Clatt to unpack their real experiences navigating these major academic hurdles.

Whether you’re just starting to think about your prelims or gearing up for your proposal defense, this episode offers honest advice, a few laughs, and plenty of encouragement to help you push through with confidence.

🎓 Tune in to hear what really happens behind the scenes — and how to come out stronger on the other side.

Starting a PhD can be both exciting and a little intimidating. In this episode of Graduate Students Den, hosts John, Kelsey, and Halima sit down with Aisha Tahir, a first-year PhD student in the School of Media and Communication at BGSU, to talk about what the first semester of doctoral life really feels like.

Aisha opens up about finding balance between research and life, adjusting to new expectations, and navigating the highs and lows of the PhD journey. Whether you’re just applying or already in grad school, this conversation offers practical advice, honest reflections, and a comforting reminder that you’re not alone.

What does life after graduate school really look like in academia? This week on The Graduate Students Den, hosts John, Kelsey, and Halima sit down with Dr. Lisa Hanasono, professor in the School of Media and Communication at BGSU and Academic Director of Training at the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). She shares practical advice on building a sustainable academic career, navigating the job market, finding work-life balance, and redefining success beyond publications and tenure.

Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation about how to not just survive but thrive in academia.

📧 Contact Dr. Hanasono: [email protected]

🌐 Learn more about the NCFDD: https://www.ncfdd.org/