KC, Saïeda, and Danielle get behind the mic together one last time to recap season 7 and reflect on the group's time together as cohosts of Real Talk. For those who aren't caught up, this marks KC's final episode, concluding six seasons as the show's lead host. Join us in wishing KC farewell @realtalkhighered on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

KC, Saïeda, and Danielle talk with sociologists Dr. Cassi Meyerhoffer (Imprisoned: Interlocking Oppression in Law Enforcement, Housing, and Public Education) and Dr. Venice Michalsen (Mothering and Desistance in Re-Entry) about interlocking systems of oppression, the responsibility of researchers to communities, and the possibilities of abolition.

Tune in for a special announcement by KC, followed by a fascinating talk with Drs. Marian Evans and Anuli Njoku about their new book, Navigating Academia During Covid-19: Perspectives and Strategies from BIPOC Women. Don't miss this important and timely conversation about mentorship, fostering health and well-being on a community level, and the birth story of this beautiful book.

KC and Real Talk team member, Cindy Cardozo, engage in a conversation with three theatre professionals—Mike Skinner, associate professor of theatre at Southern Connecticut State University; Rebecca Goodheart, producing artistic director at Elm Shakespeare; and Rachel Alderman, associate artistic director for Long Wharf Theater—regarding the significance of the arts in promoting social change and initiating discussions about contemporary social justice issues. They delve into the crucial aspects of community and empathy development fostered by performing arts, along with emphasizing the importance of arts education.

KC, Danielle, and Saïeda talk with Amelea Lowery, a graduate student in Yale’s Master of Public Health program, about trauma and healing, how to tap into and create community when you’re new to town, and liberation through the land. 

KC, Saïeda, Danielle, and Zoe talk with student leader and Marisa Howard, a student resident advisor, about friendships in college — how to create community, navigate tricky situations, and make healthy connections.

Join KC, Danielle, and Saïeda as they sit down with the passionate creators behind two cherished community spaces in New Haven: Alisha Crutchfield-McLean of BLOOM and Lauren Anderson of Possible Futures. In this episode, they explore the significance of community spaces that have enriched their lives, discussing the role of plants, books, and communal gatherings in nurturing personal and collective growth.

Learn about the essential contributions of BLOOM and Possible Futures to the New Haven community. Find out more about these inspiring spaces at https://www.gatheratbloom.com/ and https://www.possiblefuturesbooks.com/.

KC, Saïeda, and Danielle talk with a panel of expert guests about affirmative action—its political history, its legal present, and the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on our university campuses and beyond. Guests are:

• Tess Marchant-Shapiro, professor of political science
• Andy Marchant-Shapiro, attorney at law
• Julie Edstrom, vice-president of enrollment management
• Diane Ariza, vice-president of diversity, equity and inclusion

KC, Saieda, and Zoe talk with Dr. June Parks, a clinical psychologist whose years of working with children and trauma have informed her current work empowering student support workers in higher ed. They talk about resilience–its possibilities and its limits—and the importance of mindset in preventing burnout.

Dr. June Parks is a licensed clinical psychologist, consultant, keynote speaker, and youth empowerment specialist who shows young people, and the professionals who provide services to them, how to obtain mental well-being and resilience. You can learn more about her and her work at https://juneparksphd.com/.

Join KC, Zoe, and Diane Ariza as they sit down with David Garza, the Executive Director of LEDA (Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America). In this episode, they delve into the power of mentorship, the significance of diverse leadership, and the authenticity that drives it. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, David's journey, born on the U.S.-Mexico border and marked by his own first-generation college experience, beautifully aligns with his commitment to student leaders from underserved communities.

David Garza has been a leader in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years, with expertise in fundraising, management and strategy. He joined Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America as the organization’s national Executive Director in July 2022. David is committed to student leaders from underserved communities, as their backgrounds, dreams, and paths mirror his own. Born and raised on the U.S.-Mexico border, David graduated from Princeton University in 1998 as a first-generation college student. Learn more about David and LEDA.