The Pickup Meeting

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What do advising strategy, data-driven decisions, leadership, jazz, Fortnite, and baking have in common? Somehow, they all make their way into this episode of The Pickup Meeting.

Kevin Thomas and Michael “Brody” Broshears sit down with Stephanie Kraft-Terry, newly named Director of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, for a conversation that’s equal parts higher-ed insight and wonderfully unpredictable detour.

Stephanie shares her journey from postdoctoral research to academic advising and now academic leadership, including what she’s learned about breaking down campus silos, building meaningful advising standards, using data to challenge assumptions, and making technology work for advisors rather than the other way around. She also talks about her experience with the NACADA LEAD track and what she’s carrying from advising into her new leadership role.

And because it wouldn’t be The Pickup Meeting without a few side quests, the crew also gets into questionable music genres, sleep deprivation, late-night Fortnite, baking lessons, dream lottery purchases, and the eternal question of what makes a truly terrible car conversation.

Come for the higher-ed leadership lessons. Stay for the chaos.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

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What do Trapper Keepers, 250 years of American history, chain restaurants, and the future of higher education have in common? Somehow, they all made it into this episode of The Pickup Meeting.

Kevin and Brody sit down with Dr. Aaron Brown, Executive Vice President of the Council for Opportunity in Education, for a conversation about why higher education still matters—and why its value goes far beyond a paycheck.

As a first-generation college graduate and TRIO alum, Aaron brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation. Together, they unpack the role colleges play in creating opportunity, the incredible influence of academic advisors, the power of simply believing in a student, and how one educational opportunity can ripple across an entire family.

Plus, the guys debate preparing vs. winging it, imagine what people might say about The Pickup Meeting 250 years from now, and tackle the truly important questions—like which chain restaurant deserves a spot at the top.

Come for the higher ed conversation. Stay for the Trapper Keepers and Texas Roadhouse.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Pickup Meeting officially turns ONE! 🎉

Kevin and Brody are celebrating a full year behind the microphones with a special “just us” episode—looking back at how two friends’ phone conversations somehow became an actual podcast people actually listen to.

They revisit the guests and stories that stuck with them, the lessons that have made their way into their work in higher education, and the moments that definitely did not go according to plan. From the unforgettable “cactus in the closet” lesson to Kevin literally disappearing from an episode, year one has delivered plenty of wisdom, technical chaos, questionable phrases, and laughs.

They also talk about the people who helped make the show possible, why hearing from listeners still feels surreal, and how The Pickup Meeting has strengthened their friendship while creating conversations they hope will stick around for years to come.

It’s part anniversary celebration, part behind-the-scenes look, and part love letter to the guests and listeners who made year one worth showing up for.

Here’s to Year Two. Same friendship. More great conversations. Probably more technical difficulties. 🎧

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when the Resident Assistant you hired 20 years ago becomes one of higher education's most respected student affairs leaders?

This week, Kevin and Brody welcome Dr. Joe Thomas, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life at the University of Colorado Boulder and former NODA President. Together, they dive into what it really takes to help students succeed—from creating a sense of belonging before classes even begin to building campus-wide collaboration that boosted retention without spending another dollar.

Along the way, they debate the year's best (and worst) movies, discuss why success is usually measured in small wins, swap He-Man memories, survive another lightning round, and reveal which movie worlds they'd happily live in for an entire year.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

It's another "Just Us" episode, and that means anything can happen! Kevin and Brody kick things off by reminiscing about back-to-school shopping, Trapper Keepers, NFL pencils, thermostat battles, surviving the summer heat, and the simple joys (or frustrations) of keeping a lawn alive. They also wrap things up with their latest Top 3 list, sharing the states they still hope to visit.

Between the laughs, the conversation turns to a timely discussion about the changing perception of higher education. Drawing on recent public opinion data, Kevin and Brody explore why confidence in colleges may be rebounding, the growing concerns about affordability and value, and why it's more important than ever for higher education professionals to tell the stories of student success. It's a thoughtful conversation packed with humor, perspective, and plenty of the unscripted banter that makes these "Just Us" episodes so much fun.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

What do community choirs, national parks, student success, chocolate bundt cake, and hidden restaurant menu items have in common? Somehow...they all end up in this episode! Kevin and Brody kick things off by celebrating a major podcast milestone, debating household chores, sharing the hobbies that bring them joy, and wondering why a certain baby cries every time Brody starts talking.

Then they're joined by Dr. Kristy Firebaugh, Assistant Provost for Student Success at the University of Denver, for a thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about leadership, collaboration, student success, higher education, and the importance of making time for joy outside of work. From building campus partnerships and eliminating "hidden" policies to singing in a community rock choir and camping under the stars, Kristy shares practical wisdom, contagious optimism, and a few great baking tips along the way. It's an episode packed with laughter, leadership insights, and plenty of reasons to keep showing up—for your students, your colleagues, and yourself.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

Summer may be the "slow season" on campus, but Kevin and Brody know that's when some of the biggest conversations happen. In this Just Us episode, they swap stories about out-of-office replies, overpriced concerts, World Cup fever, and the quirky things international visitors are discovering about America before diving into a thoughtful discussion about one of higher education's biggest challenges: how do you create campus-wide collaboration without centralizing everything?

Along the way, they explore why students don't care about organizational charts, why breaking down silos matters more than ever, and how the best ideas often come from bringing skeptics to the table. Plus, they wrap things up with a hilarious Top 3 list of the most overrated summer activities—including a few opinions that might spark some debate.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

What do wallets, walk-up songs, learning to drive a stick shift, and enrollment management have in common? More than you'd think.

This week on The Pickup Meeting, Kevin and Brody welcome Karen Archambault, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Rowan College at Burlington County, for a conversation packed with practical leadership wisdom, student success strategies, and a healthy dose of laughter.

Karen shares how a professor's encouragement unexpectedly changed the course of her career, why enrollment management should be everyone's responsibility, and how redesigning advising, removing administrative barriers, and meeting students' basic needs can transform outcomes. Along the way, the conversation detours into favorite walk-up songs, lifelong learning, quilting, photography, driving a manual-transmission Corvette, and even twirling fire.

Whether you're an advisor, enrollment leader, student affairs professional, or simply someone who loves learning something new, this episode is full of ideas you'll want to take back to campus—and maybe even into your own life.

In this episode:

•  🎵 Finding your walk-up song 
•  🎓 Why enrollment management is about people—not just numbers 
•  💡 Simple changes that make a big difference for students 
•  🚗 Learning new skills (including driving a stick shift!) 
•  🔥 The surprising hidden talent Karen's colleagues may not know about 

Grab your headphones, hit play, and join the conversation—you might just leave inspired to learn something new yourself.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

Brody Broshears and Kevin Thomas are back with another lively pickup meeting, diving into World Cup excitement, summer in higher education, and why soccer has one of the most confusing rules in sports. They also tackle the future of developmental education, explore how co-requisite support is transforming student success, and wrap up with a spirited debate over the worst fast-food chains—guaranteed to spark opinions and maybe even a little outrage.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn. 

Send us Fan Mail

Leadership, laughter, and a little Dairy Queen debate? This episode has it all. Dr. Beth Lesen joins The Pickup Meeting to share how trust, compassion, and authentic leadership can transform campus culture, support first-generation students, and inspire teams to do their best work.

From rebuilding divisions and leading through crisis to career coaching, financial wellness, and the future of student affairs, Beth offers practical wisdom and insight for listeners. Plus, the crew tackles Dilly Bars vs. Blizzards, beach vacations, and why sometimes the best leadership advice is simply to slow down, stay curious, and care for people.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at [email protected]!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.