From foster care to the Ivy League to rebuilding after addiction and rock bottom. Ken Miller’s story is proof that your next chapter can be your best one. Ken and Dr. Jose Saldivar talk self-esteem, counseling, guilt vs. shame, Ken’s “4 buckets” growth framework, and why you should “not play in the gray.”
🎧 Follow, listen, and share with someone who needs hope today.
Content note: addiction, incarceration, suicide attempts. (U.S. support: 988)

In this week’s episode of The Way to College Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Hortencia Jimenez, a sociologist and tenured community college professor at Hartnell College. Dr. Jimenez is also a certified health coach + fitness instructor, and a creator who’s building a powerful platform around identity, healing, mental health, and body liberation.

We talk about:

• redefining “education” beyond classrooms

• how sociology gave her language for understanding systems, power, and belonging

• navigating academia as a parent

• choosing family and community over prestige and having zero regrets

• why protecting your mental health isn’t optional

• and what it looks like to be unapologetic about who you are

This is a powerful episode, one that I'm sure will resonate with my listeners. If this episode hits home, share it with one other person and remember, our stories matter.

Follow Dr. Hortencia Jimenez:
🌐 www.hortenciajimenez.com
📸 Instagram: @drhortenciajimenez
🎵 TikTok: @drhortenciajimenez

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with Mya Andersen, independent academic life coach and founder of The Student Empowered, to break down the hidden curriculum of college, or the stuff students aren’t explicitly taught, but are still expected to master.

Mya has spent 20+ years working on campuses and saw the same pattern again and again: support is often passive, and schools intervene only when there’s a crisis. But when the conversation starts at crisis-level, the focus becomes the problem, not the student.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why being “college capable” isn’t the same as being “college ready.”

• How to use office hours like a doctor’s appointment (and build real relationships with professors)

• Why college is a big-ticket purchase… and what it looks like to protect your ROI

• When students should start using career services (hint: earlier than most people think)

• For parents: share the real version of your college experience

If you’re a student, parent, educator, or advisor who’s ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone tell me this?” this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now, then share this episode with one student (or one parent) who needs to hear this conversation.

And if you're interested in learning more about The Student Empowered and Mya's services, you can find her here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myaandersen1928/

Website: https://thestudentempowered.com/

Instagram: @the_student_empowered

This week on The Way to College Podcast, I’m joined by Jeannie Salinas, founder of Book-E Bus, the Rio Grande Valley’s first mobile bookstore.

Jeannie’s story is a masterclass in pivoting with purpose: from earning her business degree at The University of Texas-Pan American, working in retail, helping run her family’s insurance business, and eventually turning a lifelong love of books into a full-on community experience on wheels.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How she turned a side hustle into a real business

• The mindset shift from “I’m stuck” to “I’m building”

• Why experience + community matter

• Mentorship, budgeting, and learning the “hidden rules” of college and careers

• What it takes to bet on yourself without losing yourself

If you’re a student, parent, educator, or entrepreneur—this one will light a fire.

The Book-E bus will be in Weslaco on February 28th. Follow the Book-E bus on Instagram: @thebookebus

This episode is the reminder you didn’t know you needed.

Dr. Jose L. Saldivar sits down with Behdad Jamshidi, a former engineer who became a marketing connector, helping businesses avoid costly mistakes by pairing them with the right marketing partners. He’s spoken with 1,100+ agencies/experts, and what he learned applies way beyond marketing: your career grows at the speed of your relationships.

If you’re a student, early-career professional, or someone trying to pivot… this one’s for you.

✅ In this episode, we talk about:

• Why the people skills you ignore become the skills that pay you

• How Behdad moved up—not by being the “smartest,” but by being the most effective communicator

• The simple way to find mentors (without being awkward)

• What to do when you feel stuck: action creates clarity

• The truth about fear: it doesn’t disappear—you get stronger

🔥 Quick challenge after you listen:
Message one person you respect today and ask: “What’s one move you’d make if you were me?”
Then actually do it.

🎧 Hit play, and if one moment resonates—share this episode with a friend who needs that push.

Connect with Behdad:
CJAM Marketing Connector: https://cjammarketing.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/behdadjamshidi/
https://www.facebook.com/beeee.jam
https://www.instagram.com/behdadjamshidi_/
https://www.instagram.com/themarketingconnector_/

Who shapes what Texas students learn? Dr. Jose Saldivar talks with Thomas Ray Garcia, an educator and candidate for the Texas State Board of Education (District 2), about curriculum, textbooks, graduation requirements, charter approvals, and what families are truly concerned about right now: literacy, safety, and the attention economy.

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with Jillian Reilly (joining us from Cape Town, South Africa) to talk about the invisible “success script” so many students feel pressured to follow — and how to rewrite it with courage, clarity, and action.

We unpack:

• Why the “linear life” is a myth (and what to do instead)

• How to stop outsourcing your choices to approval from others

• The difference between support, resources… and permission

• A practical way to take your next step even when you’re unsure

Jillian is the author of “The 10 Permissions,” and her message is simple: get out into the real world, and let it teach you.

🎧 Listen now, then share this episode with one student (or parent) who needs a reset.

Learn more: https://tenpermissions.com/

Too many families are told, “Just apply for scholarships,” and then left to figure it out alone—while tuition climbs and student debt keeps stacking.

To kick off a new season of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with Jocelyn Pearson, founder of The Scholarship System, to break down what actually works when you’re trying to make college affordable—especially for families stuck in the “income gap” (not enough aid, not enough cash).

You’ll hear:

• How to “follow the money” when choosing schools (and why affordability starts before scholarships)

• A simple weekly routine (think: 2 hours/week) that keeps scholarship stress from taking over your life

• What to avoid with “easy” scholarships and inbox-filling traps

• How to build reusable materials (essays, stories, lists) so you’re not starting from scratch every time

• The biggest myths that derail parents and students—and the mindset shift that gets results

🎧 Listen now, and check the link to access The Scholarship System site and their resources:

https://thescholarshipsystem.com/waytocollege

If this episode helps you, follow the show, share it with a parent or student who needs a plan, and leave a quick rating—it really helps more families find the podcast.

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar talks with Kevin Krebs, a first-generation college graduate and founder of Hello College. Kevin shares how his parents’ belief that education is the great equalizer shaped his journey from immigrant roots to Northwestern University and ultimately to building one of the world’s leading college planning companies.

He offers practical advice for students and families navigating the admissions process — including his SAFE framework (Social, Academic, Financial, and Employment fit) — and insights on staying resilient, proactive, and prepared.

🔗 Learn more at sayhellocollege.com

In this week’s episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with motivational speaker and author Jonathan Medina — America’s #1 School Motivator.

From a shy middle schooler in the Rio Grande Valley to a Georgetown University graduate and national speaker, Jonathan shares how a single college visit through GEAR UP sparked his dream, how one counselor’s doubt nearly stopped him, and how another educator’s belief changed everything.

Listen as Jonathan reflects on his journey, his advice for students starting college, and his message to all educators: “Dream big, and help others do the same.”

🎙️ Tune in and get inspired. Don't forget to share the episode and inspire others.

#podcast #latino #dreambig #jonathanmedina #georgetown #gearupworks