Just say yes to opportunities. 

Grace White, a rising sophomore public relations major at Texas State University, shares her transformative experiences about her three-week study abroad program in Scotland.  Grace was a student in my Intro to Public Relations class at Queen Margaret University.  We sat down in the library on campus and I recorded our conversation on my iPhone.  We talked about how a classroom presentation evolved into a life-changing journey.  

Key Takeaways

• Overcoming imposter syndrome as a first year student considering study abroad
• Surprised by the warmth and friendliness of Scottish locals
• Completing public relations projects with real local businesses
• Exploring Edinburgh's tourist highlights and hidden gems
• Building unexpected friendships with fellow Texas State students
• Learning to embrace mistakes as valuable experiences
• Discovering Calton Hill as a perfect sunset viewing location
• Navigating public transportation and finding adventure in wrong turns
• Pride in being among the first Texas State students at Queen Margaret University
• Taking home a new philosophy of saying "yes" to opportunities

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Please follow along for real stories, take away a little wisdom and maybe find something that helps you figure out what's next.  

Education abroad gives students the chance to discover the world beyond their familiar borders.  On this episode of Stories of Change and Creativity: Scotland Edition, I had the chance to talk with Angie Olmos.  Angie is a sophomore Mass Communication major minoring in International Studies at Texas State University.  She's in the Intro to Public Relations class I'm teaching this summer at Queen Margaret University near Edinburgh.  

Together we chat about how global experiences shape who we are and prepare us for the future. 

Key Takeaways

• Living on campus creates a more authentic, cozy experience
• Developing routine habits like studying at local coffee shops is part of the cultural experience.  Angie's favorite is Black Sheep Coffee! 
• Weekend travels to North Berwick, the Highlands, and plans for London expand cultural understanding
• Working with local businesses for class projects provides real-world experience
• Collaborative projects highlight individual strengths and allow students to support each other
• Study abroad challenges stereotypes and teaches students not to "judge a book by its cover"
• Traveling independently builds confidence and personal growth

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Please follow along for real stories, take away a little wisdom and maybe find something that helps you figure out what's next.  

What’s it like to leave the U.S. for the first time and study in a new country? In this short series I'm highlighting our Texas State University education abroad program in Scotland. Students and faculty spent three weeks living and working on the campus of Queen Margaret University, near Edinburgh, Scotland.  Join me as I sit down with students, faculty, and local professionals to capture their stories.

Tori, a sophomore advertising major, shares her journey as a first-time international traveler. From navigating airports solo to building confidence through creative PR projects with local Scottish businesses, Tori’s experience shows how studying abroad can transform your perspective—and your future.

Tune in to hear how Tori made meaningful connections and gained real-world skills that go beyond the classroom.

Key Takeaways:

• Study abroad builds independence and resilience
• Tips for navigating cultural differences and public transportation
• The impact of working on real PR projects in a global setting
• Creating connections through collaborative, creative student work
• Making meaningful connections with classmates through projects like her National Gallery photography series
•  Finding confidence in a new environment where Tori could define herself without preconceptions
• Discovering confidence and community in a new environment

You can learn more about our summer Texas State University Edinburgh program here. 

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Please follow along for real stories, take away a little wisdom and maybe find something that helps you figure out what's next.  

Are you a professor, researcher or writer?  Do you battle with distraction and writer's block?  If so, a writing retreat might be just what you need to finish your project.  Retreats provide academics with distraction-free environments to focus solely on their writing projects, helping them make significant progress in a short time.

While teaching a class at Queen Margaret University in Scotland, I stumbled upon a writing retreat just down the hall from my classroom.  I asked Dr. Vani Naik, Researcher Developer at Edinburgh Napier University, for a quick interview on my iPhone.  I'm fascinated with the creative process and thought it could make for an interesting podcast episode.  Let me know what you think. 

"When you're writing, you're writing, and when you're not writing, you're not writing"   - Vani Naik

Key Takeaways

•  Writing retreats separate participants from daily demands and distractions
• Structured 90-minute writing sessions create focused blocks of productive time
• Creative elements like guided walks, yoga, and puzzles enhance productivity
• Building community and acknowledging participants personally creates a supportive environment
• Sustainable practices academics can incorporate into their regular routines
• Separating writing time from non-writing activities is crucial for productivity
• Creative approaches to academic writing challenge traditional views of academic seriousness
• Participants consistently are surprised at how much they accomplish in short periods
• Setting clear boundaries around writing time (out-of-office replies, phones away) enhances focus

Bio: 

Dr Vani Naik is Researcher Developer at Edinburgh Napier University, where she supports researchers with their professional development. She’s particularly interested in supporting career development, as she recognises how much enjoying your work impacts on wellbeing. She’s carved out an enjoyable working life so that the “Sunday Scaries” don’t apply, and works to foster this in others. Apart from curating creative writing retreats, she is also keen to support professional development for researcher developers. She is part of an international committee creating one-to-one mentoring pairs, and a UK scheme for peer mentoring circles.

What Vani loves about her work is that she can create practical impact from her theoretical PhD thesis work on academic career pathways to the professoriate for women engineers. She has also started her own business with a view to sharing creative practices, providing consulting services to individuals and higher education institutions. Her main interest throughout all her roles is transforming academic barriers into bridges, ensuring that researchers thrive in any chosen career pathway. 

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For college grads

In this short solo-episode, I hope to send a message of encouragement to college grads.   

Standing at life's crossroads after graduation doesn't mean you need to have all the answers—just take that first step.  You've got this. 

The path reveals itself through action, so it's important to make a start.

Key Takeaways

• Feeling uncertain is normal and where the significant growth begins
• Life isn't about having a perfect plan, but about learning as you go
• A recent reunion with former Texas Tech University students Traci Balmos and Jarret Mallon reminded me to stay open to change and curiosity
• Growth happens through bold, unprepared action rather than waiting for certainty
• The metaphor of driving uphill—you can't see what's ahead but the view becomes clear as you move forward
• Potential isn't about perfection; it's about perseverance and practice

If this message resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need encouragement. If you have a story to share or know someone who does, reach out to me at judyoskam.com.

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Judy Oskam shares the behind-the-scenes journey of creating and delivering her TEDx talk at Texas State University.  She turned the microphone over to her long time friend and mentor Carole Barasch about the process, challenges, and insights gained.  Earlier in her career, Carole was an award-winning TV news anchor and reporter and public relations professional.

This is an honest conversation about the emotional and strategic work that powers a successful TEDx talk—mentorship, message clarity, and showing up vulnerable.  

In this episode, we talk about:  

• The application process  - it begins months before the actual TEDx event
• How working with multiple coaches helped refine content and delivery
• Creating a "personal advisory board" of mentors and friends for guidance
• Developing a theme: "take action and figure it out along the way"
• Vulnerability as a key component of an impactful presentation
• The importance of pacing, connecting with the audience, and practicing
• The value of having someone "in your corner" during challenging projects

Check out my TEDx talk - Why you should take action - then figure it out.  

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In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity, I talk with Kyle Hawley, founder of Letterpress PLAY and creative director at 26 Keys. Kyle shares how growing up in a multi-generational household shaped her creative journey and her approach to entrepreneurship and motherhood.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Kyle’s path from a theater and mass communication student at Texas State University to entrepreneur
• How a thesis project on post-WWII playgrounds led to the creation of Letterpress PLAY
• Life lessons from Kyle's grandparents
• Balancing motherhood, art, and business by staying grounded 
• Using printmaking to explore the broader archetypes of motherhood
•  Unfolding the Rainbow of Motherhood, an exhibition by Kyle Hawley with Flatbed Press 
• The power of consistent creative practice: “You have to show up for yourself and do that consistently”

Bio

Kyle Hawley is the founder and creative director of Letterpress PLAY, an Austin-based letterpress studio and stationery store. The studio designs and prints beautiful, high-quality goods, while also curating products from artisans around the world.

Her mission with Letterpress PLAY is twofold: to share the heritage craft of letterpress printing and to foster community and play for everyone through her products. Kyle also serves as the creative director of the award-winning 26 Keys Productions, an Austin-based film and television company known for producing cinematic, character-driven stories.

As a fine artist, Kyle explores the topics of beginnings and closures regarding developmental phases of life through photographic technics, printing, and textiles. Current exhibitions include the Wichita Falls Museum of Art and Flatbed Press. She is a graduate of The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA and earned her first Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Broadcast Journalism, and Theater at Texas State University. Her diverse educational background enriches her work across multiple creative fields. Additionally, Kyle serves as a board of trustees for Sarah Lawrence College.

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Andy Bell had a life changing event that rocked his world.   And now he's working to change the world of education.  As CEO of Thinkery, Andy shares his vision for revolutionizing education by combining AI technology with joyful learning experiences.

During our conversation you'll learn: 

• how a brain cancer diagnosis gave Bell clarity and urgency about his mission to transform education
• that our traditional education system was designed for industrial era skills, not the critical thinking needed today
• the statistics that show 95% of preschoolers test as creative geniuses while less than 10% of college students do
• how parents can model a growth mindset by learning alongside children 
• about a revolutionary new model that combines formal education with museum experiences 
• how AI can free educators to focus on nurturing creativity instead of delivering content

Check out Andy Bell's TEDx Talk: Education Revolution: How AI and Joy will Transform Learning

You can learn more about Thinkery, a nonprofit organization that celebrates play-based STEAM learning, at this link.  

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Mark Paz II shares his journey from shy kid to award-winning communication professor and TEDx coordinator and coach at Texas State University. He's on a mission to build strong relationships and develop good people.

Mark was my TEDx coach and I think he's a rock star.  Thanks to his coaching,  I was able to find my voice, craft my message and deliver my talk from the red carpet.  

During our interview, you will learn how: 

• Growing up with parents who emphasized service and education created the foundation for Mark's life
• Moving to a small school taught Mark essential relationship-building skills
• Using a strength-based approach to coaching helps people overcome their fears and deliver powerful messages
• Finding the redeeming quality in everyone builds connection and understanding
• Stepping outside your comfort zone and "doing it afraid" leads to growth and unexpected opportunities
• Maintaining a positive but realistic mindset helps navigate life's challenges

You can find out more about Mark Paz here.  

Check out my TEDx talk and learn why you should take action - then figure it out.  

If you enjoyed this interview, please rate and review the show. It really does help the algorithms.  Remember, if you've got a story to share or know someone who does, reach out to me at judyoskam.com. 

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Please follow along for real stories, take away a little wisdom and maybe find something that helps you figure out what's next.  

On this episode, I'm excited to share my interview with J.R. Gonzales.  J.R. shares his remarkable journey from growing up in South Texas to becoming a successful entrepreneur, speaker, and podcaster.  He's also a proud Texas State University graduate.  

J.R. recognizes his Latino heritage as a superpower that changed the trajectory of his life and career.  He traces his family roots to the 1700's and says 'my ancestors never crossed the border, the border crossed them."  

A passionate and engaging storyteller, J.R. Gonzales talks about the importance of family, culture and education.  

You will learn how: 

• J.R. navigated Texas State University in the late 1970s as one of the few Latino students
• Family can support a growth mindset
• Education is a tool to combat discrimination
• Why the Latino Business Report podcast was created 
• J.R. met six US presidents and stood on the Great Wall of China 13 times
•  Confidence and social intelligence are key elements of success
•  Asking the right questions shapes your future
• Swimming with Ralph, the swimming pig, impacted the course of J.R.'s career

If you've got a story to share or know someone who does, reach out to me and let's connect.  

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Please follow along for real stories, take away a little wisdom and maybe find something that helps you figure out what's next.