Once In College

In today’s episode, we meet Regina Blackburn, a talented 18-year-old whose head was full of both idealistic and naive views of the world. She walked on the campus of Howard University in 1977, completely unaware that both those views would soon be shattered.  Don’t miss this unique event – a sexual assault story that is as uncomfortable as it is inspirational. This is the tremendous arc of a young...

Long before ADHD or any names we use now for attention deficit disorders, Scott Smith went to college only to become held captive by his own turbulent brain. When the paranoia and anxiety took control, he learned quickly to tell people what was going on inside his head. Don’t miss his true story and lesson in life not found in textbooks or online lectures – Speaking the truth will set you free.

Today on campus, it’s 1985. Only, we’re not in America, we’re in Tokyo, Japan. In this heartfelt true story, a young couple, each from different parts of America, form an intimate relationship while studying overseas. When they suddenly learn she is pregnant, the two must make a life-altering decision 6,000 miles from home. We think this episode is unique since the entire experience is told from t...

In another hilarious episode, we meet Chelsea Grint, a fun-loving young freshman at the University of South Florida, who became the ringleader of the wildest parties off campus. The moment she graduates, however, those lurid nights catch up to her in a single, sweaty meeting that will determine the fate of her career. Stay tuned for this true story, a cautionary tale for today’s record-everything...

In this hilarious episode, we meet Karen Scholl, an introverted young woman who bucks her family and the entire state of Ohio by enrolling at the University of Michigan. However, her newly found independence is tested to its limits when all eyes are on her at a glamorous dinner. It will take an iron gut to decide if being the life-of-the-party sorority girl is the person she wants to become.  Hear...

Hear the journey of a bright young kid who went to college wishing his life to center around drinking, women and writing whatever he felt. This is the remarkably true story of the lessons that were handed to Steffan Postaer, but then ignored, so he could stay a college freshman forever. His authentic journey that started in college reminds us – You won’t ever change, if you don’t really don’t want...

Meet Jeff York, a hapless 19-year-old who grew up in a town of 700, a Mayberry as he puts it, with few prospects. But his venture to college in Chicago changed all that when one fateful night, he hits a formidable bump, head-on. Marilyn Chambers, the most famous porn star on earth. Hear for this semi-steamy coming-of-age story. These are the actual events that unfolded for an innocent college nerd...

A determined young man over-extends himself at college in every way possible. We find him hellbent on believing ambition alone will be the key to his happiness, even if it costs him the love of his life. It’s not until one fateful sit-down with a very eccentric professor does his life come into focus. This true account written by Brian Heffernan, is a lesson in life he learned from a pirate profes...

A surprise pregnancy is not something any young woman just out of high school is ready for, and Marie Newman at that age was not the exception. If you think this episode, a true story, is about navigating the crossroads of what to do next, it is. In part. But it’s also about one woman’s courageous journey, starting in shame and ending in self-esteem. Marie Newman is a former congresswoman, nonprof...

Our latest episode is a love story of sorts. A true story from the late 1970s of a young man who walks into a local college bar at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, and meets someone that will change his life forever. Only, it's probably not what you think.  Find out how the world can sound so much larger if you have an open mind, and ear, to hear it. Lee knew he wanted to be a profess...

A funny but true story from 1988 that painfully reminds us that the moment we think we are close to having it all solved, there’s always that one person who can knock it all back down. A hard reality that was learned by an eager student at a tiny college of art and design in Minneapolis, taking a brutal class that was required to graduate, called Typography 101. Written by Pete Griffith Pete Griff...

In this episode it's 1980. We meet Jay, a leader in college who takes a dangerous venture into the underworld of narcotics. One that many never escape from. Hear this cautionary tale, a lesson in life not found in textbooks or online lectures - We all do some dangerously stupid things, just to be liked. Jay Kaskel is a recently retired advertising writer who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. He i...

Today on campus, it’s somewhere in the 1980’s. It’s the decade of decadence. On the radio, all the girls just want to have fun, and that includes Whitney, Billie Jean and Jessie’s girl. But we can also include one other girl, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin. Today we hear the true story of a journalism student who gets hustled into joining a sorority. It doesn’t take long for this smart...

Today we meet a college football super fan, a Florida student who desperately wants to leave his mark at a nationally televised game. And as you may guess, it ends up leaving a mark on him. A rather distinctive mark.  Hear this cautionary tale, a lesson in life not found in textbooks or in any lectures – Your parents may not know everything, but some of it may save your skin someday. FAIR WARNING:...

Kevin is a perfectly normal freshman at the University of Iowa who discovers an extraordinary workaround, one that will change his life. That same workaround, however, will cause him to disappear from campus altogether.  Take a listen to this cautionary tale, a lesson in life not found in textbooks or online lectures – cheaters almost never win. Written by Pete Griffith Pete Griffith is the Founde...

At a small Maryland College, a timid loner digs deep to find the courage to stand up for what he believes in. Only, like with many big decisions, he learns it will come with a terrible cost. Listen to this inspirational true life story, a lesson from college not found in textbooks or online lectures – The bravest person is often the one that stands up first. Written by an Anonymous Author

In the heart of the Midwest, at the University of Illinois, a young music major joins a club on campus. The purpose of the club is to bring in world-renown guest speakers for student lectures and debates. And as one of her first assignments, this young coed is to host one of the most intimidatingly famous women of that era. An icon. Stay tuned for this true story, two lessons in life the author di...

Once In College is a podcast dedicated to sharing the unique and unforgettable experiences during college. From hilarious mishaps to life-changing events, our true-life stories capture the essence of college life. These are the lessons we learned the hard way, or sometimes the fun way. The lessons you couldn’t learn from textbooks or lectures.   Produced by a team of Emmy and award-winning editors...