Finally the audio from the live show with Dr. Melissa Shivers.

During our recording, she was VP of Student Life, since the recording she has been promoted to VP of Student Life as well as Interim Chief Diversity Officer.

We discuss what it means to be in student affairs and how the university works. We also talk about what it means to be the first African American female in the role of VP at the University of Iowa.

*i do not own the rights to this song

Who eats grapes when they binge watch Netflix? Anthony Wright, co-founder of the #BlackHooded movement.

This week he comes on and discusses how he learned how to change his path with a quickness. He went from wanting to "have money and be cool" to wanting impact students of colors lives as they go through college and enter the workforce.

We also talk about long distance relationships while you're in grad school and how to make them work. (that was more for me)

follow him at: @ayyoAnt

website: https://www.blackandhooded.com/

if you have any questions: [email protected]

* i do not own the rights to this song

Curtrelle Rawls, RN joins me this week to discuss her time in the in Peace Corps!

Service is in her DNA, but volunteering in a new country for 2 years was going to be a learning experience. We learn about how she coped with culture shock and how she was chased by a baboon one morning.

We also get serious and talk about what its like making major decisions and how to cut out the voices that may not support you.

*i do not own rights to this song.

Bennie Niles @justrynagrad , founder of justtrynagrad.com, joins me this week.

We discuss masculinity and the female body when it comes to sports.

What it looks like to survive to your 3rd year in a doctoral program.

We also talk about keeping your circle small and trusting the process.

check him out on twitter @bennieniles

*i do not own rights to this song.

This week graduate student Kat Stephens joins me!

We had a really difficult conversation about some really difficult things.

And to some it may be a trigger warning but it is a story that needs to be told.

We talk about making decisions that are best for us even when it doesnt make sense to others. How to stay authentic to your whole self. And always seek out mental health counselling because life is ever changing.

This week she is listening to a mix: Kevin Campbell, Cardi B, and Kanye

* I do not own rights to this song

Jena Peevy came on and snatched all of my edges this week!!

We talk about reclaiming your purpose and how to walk in it.

We also talk about how important it is to tell the story of your journey because a "journey untold is a journey wasted!"

She answers questions about going back to graduate school at 35 years old and what that took.

* I do not own the rights to this song. "Wake Up" x Aaradhna

Toyin Alli, PhD. joins me this week to discuss what it means to be a millennial graduate student.

We talk about the importance of finding opportunities and believing in yourself.

She even convinces me that math really isn't that bad.

She gives an in-depth look at her website https://www.theacademicsociety.com/

And a secret to her success is the podcast she listens to on the drive to work http://thinkcreativecollective.com/podcast-directory/

* i do not own the rights to this song

Theon E. Hill, Ph.D is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Wheaton in Wheaton, IL.

He joins me this week to kick off the year to talk about creating space for yourself. How to critique something you love. The records he is listening to.

We also talk about dogs, Amazon Prime, and triathlons.

If you have questions, send them to [email protected]

Lance K. Bennet, Ph.D. student from Uiowa who studies interpersonal communication and the sociology of emotions, joins me this week.

The Philly native talks about how he ended up in Iowa (spoiler alert, it has a lot to do with adjusting plans to meet your goals)

We discuss relationship(ing) while in grad school. (another spoiler alert: he's my boyfriend)

Kenya Crawford, M.A., Ed.M. ( @KenyaTherapy ) joins me this week to have a conversation that is much needed.

We talk about interpersonal/interrelational violence and what that does to your mental health. How to seek counseling.

We talk about how there is not many resources out there not just for same-sex interpersonal violence, but also how there is not many resources for Queer people of color

What it looks like to "age out" of foster care system.

Please know that this episode can/may be triggering and below are some resources:

national domestic violence hotline

1-800-799-7233

http://www.thehotline.org

https://ncadv.org/resources

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/fv-centers

http://www.egscf.org/programs/steps/