The Way to College Podcast

Trailblazer La Tonya “LT” Rease Miles returns to share the story behind her memoir Smart Girl and new Smart Girl podcast. We talk first-gen identity, breaking the “one path” myth, and why telling your story matters now more than ever. Check it out, now! #firstgen #smartgirl #podcast #journey #paths #story Smart Girl Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459505/episodes/17411979

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Reyes—South Texas native, Texas A&M alum, and mission-driven professional—who shares his powerful journey from a small ranching town to leadership roles in national associations and professional networks. Justin opens up about: The influence of his hardworking mother Navigating imposter syndrome and academic probation in college How getting involved tran...

Pamela Maldonado—sports betting analyst for ESPN and the Tennis Channel—joins The Way to College Podcast to share how she transformed curiosity, hustle, and self-taught skills into a national media career. We explore: Her bold move from Texas to Las Vegas with no plan Breaking into media without a journalism degree Lessons from poker that apply to life and work How she built a brand around analysi...

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast , I sit down with Sam Bernstein, co-founder of Loper , a free mobile app designed to guide high school students through their college and career exploration journey. Sam shares how his professional journey started at a prestigious hedge fund in New York City. Feeling unfulfilled, Sam began creating a student-centered tech platform to address educationa...

In this episode, attorney Ezra Brown joins me to share his powerful journey—from growing up in a working-class Jewish household to practicing law and leading pro bono efforts at the border. Ezra opens up about the culture shock of attending UT Law, the hard lessons he learned navigating the LSAT, and the strategies he used to avoid crushing law school debt. He also offers actionable advice for asp...

Maria Jose Cook moved to the U.S. at 14, undocumented and uncertain about her future. Today, Maria is the Associate Director at ISPOR and travels the world connecting leaders in healthcare. In this episode, Maria shares how self-advocacy, grit, and staying true to her values helped her build a fulfilling life and career. A must-listen for anyone navigating uncertainty or carving out their unique p...

This week on The Way to College Podcast , I’m joined by Sam Garcia —a Mission, Texas native who went from taking dual credit courses at South Texas College to earning a degree from Harvard Law and becoming a partner at the venture capital firm Amplo . In this episode, Sam shares: How early planning (and a few strategic A’s) helped him get into Harvard Law Why dual credit courses in high school can...

From immigrant kid in Miami to Executive Director of a national organization, Dr. Celia Chomon Zamora’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-belief. In this episode, we talk about the power of language, walking away from West Point, navigating rejection, and finding your true calling—even when it doesn’t come with a roadmap. Celia opens up about leading with purpose, advocatin...

What does it take to leave a stable career, move countries, and start a company from scratch—all in the name of purpose? In this episode, Sharon Samjitsingh, CEO and co-founder of Healthcare Originals, shares her inspiring journey from Trinidad and Tobago to Rochester, NY, where she launched a startup helping people with asthma and COPD thrive. We talk resilience, first-gen college life, the immig...

This week, Felida Villarreal, President and CEO of VIDA eht no em snioj ,podcast. From early college to CPA to nonprofit leadership, Felida shares how her educational journey and openness to opportunity led her to mission-driven work transforming lives across the Rio Grande Valley. This is definitely an episode you don't want to miss.

In this powerful episode, author Dorotea Reyna shares her journey from a small South Texas pueblo to Stanford and UT Austin—and how language, identity, and memory shaped her path. We discuss the bittersweet experience of gaining academic success while feeling cultural loss, the power of storytelling, and what inspired her to write Los Cedros: A Tejana Memoir . From resisting silence to honoring he...

🎧 New Episode Drop! Carlos Cardenas is living proof that detours don’t define you — persistence does. From serving his country to serving his community, Carlos opens up about his educational journey, his battles with self-doubt, and his drive to elevate Latino leadership. If you’ve ever needed a reminder that your story isn’t over, this is it. 👉 Listen now! #Persistence #VeteranVoices #LatinoExc...

In this episode, I sit down with Mayra Valle—educational consultant, facilitator, and owner of Mayra V. Strategy. From growing up in a close-knit immigrant community in Houston to launching her own consulting business, Mayra shares a journey rooted in resilience, culture, and community. We talk about identity, the power of education, learning to rest, and what it truly means to be community-made ....

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Vanessa Fonseca Chavez—Associate Dean of Inclusion and Student Success and Assistant Vice Provost at Arizona State University—takes us through her powerful journey from rural New Mexico to academic leadership. Vanessa reflects on the early experiences that shaped her—being underestimated, navigating college as a young mother, and discovering her purpose through langu...

Ep. 181 – Caroline Graham: Reinvention, Resilience & the Power of Showing Up From ballet dreams and Stanford ambitions to the classrooms of East Palo Alto and a career at Boeing, Caroline Graham’s story is a powerful reminder that our paths are rarely linear. In this episode, Caroline shares how love, loss, and an unshakable belief in meaningful work shaped her journey. We talk about navigatin...

How does one go from being a first-generation college student to a trailblazing educator? In this episode of The Way to College Podcast , Dr. Roberta Treviño shares her inspiring journey through higher education, the mentors who shaped her path, and her mission to create opportunities for future generations. Dr. Treviño’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of education to tra...

🎙 Episode 179: Finding Purpose Through Conservation with Sara Lopez 🌿 In this episode of The Way to College Podcast , we sit down with Sara Lopez , founder of The Jungle Journal , to explore her inspiring journey from the fast-paced world of advertising in New York to the heart of rainforest conservation in Mexico’s Lacandona Jungle. Sara shares how studying abroad in Morocco first ignited her pa...

How do you stand out in a competitive world? Kelley Francis, Executive Director of the High Tech Foundation, shares her inspiring journey from a determined high school student to a leader in tech education. In this episode, we talk about the power of boldness, the impact of mentorship, and why stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to your biggest breakthroughs. Tag a friend who needs to hear...

🎙️ From Stand-Up to Standout: The Journey of Jacob James Garcia What happens when a stand-up comedian discovers his true stage isn’t just comedy clubs, but classrooms and conferences? This week on The Way to College Podcast , I sit down with Jacob James Garcia , a comedian-turned-motivational speaker and children’s author. Jacob shares his incredible journey—how 23 years in stand-up prepared him f...

🎙️ From Setbacks to Growth: A Conversation with Dr. Michelle Singh What if the setbacks in your life were actually stepping stones to something greater? In this episode of The Way to College Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Michelle Singh , an educator, consultant, and advocate for culturally responsive teaching. From being turned away from school as a child in Jamaica to earning multiple degrees and...

In Part 2 of my conversation with John Espinoza, we dive into his journey as a writer, educator, and advocate for undocumented students. From teaching at the National Hispanic University to becoming a trusted "poetry coach" for Sandra Cisneros, John shares how creativity and community shaped his unconventional career. #TheWayToCollegePodcast #EducationMatters #JohnEspinoza #UndocumentedS...

Episode 174: Poetry, Perseverance, and Pathways – A Conversation with John Espinoza (Part I) In this episode, I visit with poet and writer John Olivarez Espinoza to explore his educational journey, creative pursuits, and the life experiences that shaped his art. From growing up in rural Southern California to finding his voice through poetry, John shares poignant stories about family, identity, an...

This week on, The Way to College Podcast, I am joined again by Dr. Jose Navarro. This is the second part of our conversation and in this episode Dr. Navarro talks about navigating graduate school and his post-graduate career pathway. If you've ever thought about teaching in higher education, check out this enlightening conversation. Let's go! #podcast #thewaytocollegepodcast #journey #graduatescho...

This week on The Way to College Podcast , I’m joined by Dr. Jose Navarro, Chair of the Ethnic Studies Department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Despite his impressive academic achievements, Jose’s path to success was far from straightforward. In this episode, we delve into his inspiring journey from growing up in the Ramona Gardens housing projects of East Los Angeles to becoming a respected scholar...

Before we close out the year, we have one final episode of The Way to College Podcast. In this week's episode, Dr. Susan Saucedo shares her inspiring journey from a tight-knit immigrant community in Los Angeles to becoming a family medicine physician. Dr. Saucedo opens up about the mentors who shaped her path and her passion for serving underserved communities. Her story is a powerful story of res...