Mindful Mentoring w/Tom Martin

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Listen to Marin Hara, this episode's co-host: "Is it just me, or did life suddenly get crazy busy once we became seniors? Because I feel it every day, trying to balance classes, internships, job searching, taking care of myself, and still trying to enjoy my last year with friends." 

It can feel like too much, and it's easy to worry if your first career choice will decide the rest of your life. But what if your first job is not the final answer, but just the first step of your journey? Marin and I are joined by Barry Waldman, a favorite professor at the college who gives great life advice in class. He is also the founder of Big Fly Communication and has over 30 years of experience in radio news, PR, and strategic communication. Listen as we discuss life, careers, and overcoming anxiety about the choices we make.

https://charleston.edu/martin-center/

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Today we’re trying something new. I have a co-host, Haley Ray, who is a current Martin Scholar at the College of Charleston and a student in my class. In Haley's words: "This episode focuses on the power of saying 'yes.' Doing so can open many doors in your life and career. Being willing to challenge yourself, put yourself forward, and make difficult decisions is incredibly important. We want listeners to understand the power of mentorship and what that has looked like over the course of a career." To do so, Haley and I interview her dad, Topper Ray, a longtime member of our National Advisory Council and a communications leader. He's been a mentor to many, including his daughter, Haley. Listen to how the Rays describe their respective journeys and how saying yes has made a huge difference.

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This is an encore presentation on a timeless issue, how to navigate your career. I’ve learned an important truth: career paths in communication rarely follow a straight line. They are winding roads, filled with detours, occasional potholes, a few dead ends, and countless zig zags. But with resilience, perseverance, and determination, they can ultimately lead to a career filled with opportunity, interesting challenges, and fascinating people. In this episode, three experienced Martin Scholars graduates discuss their career journeys and the lessons they learned along the way. They are: Jaquan Leonard from the Martin Scholars’ inaugural class; Kelsey Baum, who graduated in 2019; and Corinne Durocher from the Class of 2018 (and former captain of our national championship sailing team). Grab your compass and listen to their stories.

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This episode was originally aired in September of 2025, but the subject is timeless: how to make the most of your senior year in college. The final year of college is stressful. The prospect of graduation and entering the working world is daunting. What you do in that final year of college can have a powerful impact on attracting the attention of employers. How do you balance all these competing forces, and still have fun? Four Martin Scholars--Casey Riley, Jacqueline Jevtich, Evan Malcolm, and Blakesley Rhett--share their stories about how they juggled school, work, and outside activities, and still managed to enjoy their senior year. They all graduated in May of 2025, and they’re happy to share their experiences with you. 

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Hannah Robinson is a College of Charleston Communication graduate from the class of 2017. At the age of 7, she played a younger version of Hilary Duff in the movie “A Cinderella Story.” Today, Hannah is a business strategist, brand consultant, and founder of HVR STUDIO, a boutique consulting and creative studio built at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and meaningful connection. She earned her MBA in International Management and has worked across 45 countries, helping businesses and brands of all sizes reach their full potential. In her words: “At the heart of my work is a simple belief: meaningful growth is built through resilience, adaptability, and human connection.” Hear what Hannah has to say about overcoming fear, listening to mentors, and taking a leap of faith at pivotal moments.

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Ever heard of Ludwig Beethoven? Probably so. But how about Joseph Haydn? He was Beethoven's mentor. Ever heard of Michelangelo? Yes? Well, how about Domenico Ghirlandaio? You guessed it, he was Michelangelo's earliest mentor when his most famous student was just 13. The world of art is filled with mentors, going back to Socrates, who mentored Plato in ancient Greece. In this episode, we will explore the role of mentorship in the arts world with Dr. Jayme Host, the dean of the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston. She and some of her colleagues and students will describe how mentors have shaped them as performers, painters, musicians, and dancers. Oh, and one final question: Who was Lady Gaga's most famous mentor? None other than the legendary crooner, Tony Bennett.

https://charleston.edu/martin-center/

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What does it take to win a Presidential Award? Can you speak at Commencement and still admit your failures? How do you snag and keep that first job? David Byrd has the answers. At the College of Charleston’s Spring Commencement ceremony, David was a featured speaker as a recipient of the college’s Presidential Award for Scholarship, Leadership, and Service, the highest award given to undergraduates. He is an Honors College graduate who has received numerous other awards and recognitions. In the fall, he will start a position as an analyst at Dimensional Fund Advisors in Charlotte. Listen to hear more from David about the role mentors (including his mom) have played in his unparalleled success.

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You're about to make the transition from college to career, and you're probably getting more well-meaning advice than you can handle. Parents, grandparents, friends, coaches, and professors are all eager to pass along words of wisdom to you. But wouldn't you rather hear from people who have made that transition themselves? What do they have to share? In this episode, you will hear from three College of Charleston graduates—two from the class of ’22, Reganne Nowell and McKinley Pollard, and one from the class of ’24, Sydney Long. All three were Martin Scholars, and they’ve been highly successful in very different ways.  Hear how they did it and what they recommend as you approach one of the biggest transitions you will ever face.

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Commencement. It means a beginning, but for some, it's a scary end to their time in college. In just a few days, the College of Charleston Class of 2026 will walk across the stage at the historic Cistern Yard and receive their diplomas. As they're about to launch into this new world, how should they be preparing? Lancie Affonso says they should be focusing on adaptability, soft skills, and storytelling. He has years of experience helping students prepare for the world beyond graduation. A College of Charleston graduate, class of 1996, Lancie has worked at the college as a professor, an advisor, and a shepherd for hundreds of young women and men. Listen to his suggestions on how to get ready for launch.

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Do you need 12 internships to succeed after college? How can you make AI your friend? What is an "expander?" Does curiosity matter? How long should you stay at the same job? Dakota Kate Isaacs answers these questions and more on this episode. Isaacs, the head of brand strategy and narrative at Quince—the rapidly growing, affordable luxury clothing brand—recently received the 2026 Emerging Mentor award from the Martin Center for Mentorship. Isaacs graduated from the College of Charleston in 2015, and she is already establishing an impressive track record as a mentor. She was featured last November on Mindful Mentoring, sharing her advice on building your personal brand. Now she is an award-winning mentor. Hear the advice she shared on her award-winning night.

https://charleston.edu/martin-center/