All Episodes

Considering that Minnesota has one of the largest achievement gaps across socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic demographics, what needs to change so education is equitable for all people? In this episo... 

Is it possible to turn your passion into a career? In this episode, Uzo Ngwu shares about how being an artist and believing in herself has helped her find the confidence to achieve her goals to purs... 

Markus Flynn talks about the value of representation in education, specifically with Black male educators, in the Minneapolis and St. Paul public school systems. Combined, these school systems serve... 

We know there are many reasons why pursuing your education might seem impossible, but we have also heard so many stories about why it’s worth it, that you can do it, and that there are resources out... 

Representation matters! Lara Gerhardson, the Outreach Liaison for the Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program (MISP), talks about her journey through higher education, including stops at Harvard and B... 

Are you trying to find your own community on campus? David Mesta talks about the benefits of staying active during your college experience, not only in class but also in extracurricular activities. F... 

In this episode, Liz and Nimo Omar discuss how knowing your “story” and understanding what matters to you is a crucial part of staying grounded and finding your place in the world. Nimo shares stori... 

Money can be one of the most challenging aspects of our lives until we understand how to manage it. Preenon Huq talks about how understanding finances early in your life can have a dramatic influenc... 

Rahje Branch, Senior Program Manager for the Reach Higher Initiative, talks about fighting oppressive systems through education, the importance of rest, and paving the way for those that will come a... 

Dan-neya Yancey shares her experience finding a sense of belonging on campus while maintaining her identity, getting college credit in high school, being involved, and defining her own path to succe... 

When it comes to disrupting racism in our schools, we need to stand up.  Derek Francis, manager of counseling services in Minneapolis Public Schools, speaks with us about how best to support st... 

Have you ever thought about being a Resident Advisor (RA) in a college dorm? Asha Mohamud talks about all of the benefits that being an RA provides, from making it financially feasible to live on ca... 

Did you know that there’s a program where workers receive a combination of related instruction strategically paired with on-the-job training right here in Minnesota? Yese Ruiz talks about finding he... 

FAFSA, Loans, Work-Study, Grants… Where do you even begin? In this episode, we bring in a financial aid expert to talk about the process and demystify how to pay for college. Dean of Financial Aid ... 

As the first womxn and first Latinx president in Macalester’s history, Dr. Suzanne Rivera knows that academic excellence and inclusion go hand-in-hand; you don’t need a well-tread path to get where ... 

Going to college is a big decision and a big change, and that’s especially true if you’re coming from another country. As a multicultural admissions counselor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, N... 

In this episode we chat with Jodi Furman. Jodi is the founder of Enlightened Admissions, a consulting company that helps students navigate the college admissions process. Jodi breaks down the timelin... 

Jeremiah Harris, the director of GEAR UP Minneapolis, talks about the kinds of support you deserve and should expect in making choices about your educational future. There are lots of great prog... 

We have a lot of great guests lined up on Life After Now - leaders, experts, professors, counselors, and more. These individuals will share insights and expertise on helping you on your path to and t... 

Is your college motivation melting away? You might be experiencing “summer melt”. Nationally, 1 in 5 college-bound students fail to show up to campus in the fall. This phenomenon is called summer m... 

Khalique Rogers talks about how important it is to be fearless when it comes to seizing opportunities whether it be participating in PSEO programs, developing a career, or bringing change to your co... 

Should I go to college if I don’t know what I want to major in or do with my life? Is it something I can figure out while I’m there? How can I pay for college? What is Minnesota doing to make it more... 

Bryan Contreras joins the podcast to talk about the importance of mental health, which is a critical part of the educational journey. Bryan gives tips on both evaluating the state of your mental heal... 

A global pandemic, racial injustice, political uprisings, and a pending climate crisis are just a few of the serious issues we face as we begin building towards a “new normal.” So, how do these chal...