Sleep: it’s the ultimate college luxury, the missing ingredient in most all-nighters, and—according to our guest—one of the biggest players in your mental health. In this episode, we catch some wisdom (and maybe a few zzz’s) with clinical psychologist Dr. Colleen Ehrnstrom, who unpacks why college students are chronically tired, what circadian rhythms actually do, and how to tell the difference between being fatigued and being sleepy (yes, they’re different!). We talk about everything fr...

In this episode, we chat with debut author Heather Coley about her darkly captivating campus novel The Gilded Butterfly Effect. We unpack the toxic dynamics of Greek life, the uphill battle for mental health resources in college, and how fiction can often hit closer to home than nonfiction. Heather also gets real about the writing process, social media pressures, and navigating rejection in the creative world. If you're a student—or just someone who’s been through the college grind—this one’s...

From TikTok videos of organizing and cleaning content to everyday “I’m so OCD” comments, the term gets tossed around a lot, but what does OCD actually mean? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Guerry, a licensed clinical psychologist, who helps us break down the difference between personal quirks, perfectionism, and a true Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) diagnosis. He explains how intrusive thoughts and compulsions create distressing cycles, why people with OCD often suffer in sile...

In this episode we explore the therapeutic power of humor with comedian Amber Autry and therapist Melanie Reese. From using laughter to cope with stress and grief, to understanding how comedy can complement traditional therapy, this conversation highlights how joy and mental health intersect in unexpected ways. Amber and Melanie share the origin of their podcast I’m Fine, It's Fine and how comedians often process deep emotions through humor. Melanie brings insight into how laughter impacts th...

Everyone procrastinates—especially in college—but what’s really going on when you keep pushing things off? In this episode, Dr. Shannon Bennett (Weill Cornell Medicine) joins us to unpack why procrastination is so common, how it connects to emotions like anxiety, self-doubt, and perfectionism, and what you can do to get unstuck. We cover: Why procrastination isn’t about lazinessThe emotional roots of putting things off (fear of failure, perfectionism, boredom, self-doubt)Why college is a perf...

College isn’t all highlight reels and coffee-fueled study sessions—it’s also about handling the hard stuff. From failing a test to making a social misstep, these moments can trigger strong emotional reactions and leave students feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, we break down how stress shows up in the body and mind, and how students can respond wisely instead of getting stuck. We review practical skills like P.O.I.S.E. and T.I.P.P., and break down how to cultivate more willingness when we...

The people you build connections with in college can be the difference between just surviving college and truly thriving. The episode delves into the importance of having a balanced friendship matrix, recognizing different roles friends can play, and the necessity of seeking out both emotional and practical support. Additionally, we discuss the often-overlooked value of building relationships with professors and mentors. Listeners will gain tips on attending office hours and the benefits of p...

College life often feels like a tug-of-war between what we want to do and what we actually do. In this episode, we learn about the “Act with Purpose” skill. We discuss how to identify your internal GPS, navigating where your values and goals intersect, and learning how to tell if you are on-track or veering off-ramp. Real-life student examples bring procrastination struggles into focus, while Sarah and Liz provide practical tools—like acting as if and gradual exposure—to help students m...

In this episode of the R.E.A.C.H. Toolkit series, we dive into the tricky triangle of college life—sleep, study, and socialize. Can you really balance all three? (Spoiler: yes, but it takes strategy!) We talk about building emotional resilience, setting healthy habits, and learning how to be flexible with your thoughts. From late-night study sessions to the pull of TikTok, we explore what it takes to keep your mind sharp and your mental health strong. What you’ll learn: Why “catching up” on s...

In this rebooted episode, we sit down with college students Patrick (Villanova), Ali (University of Richmond), and Paul (Providence College) to talk about the reality of transitioning into college life. Together, we unpack the gap between expectations and reality—covering everything from forming friendships to handling loneliness, navigating independence, and balancing academic and personal pressures. We also introduce the R.E.A.C.H. toolkit, which holds the key skills students need to surviv...

In high school, college can feel like an exciting highlight reel—but what’s behind the Instagram posts and game-day photos? In this live episode, we sit down with three college students who get real about the highs, lows, and learning curves of transitioning from high school to campus life. We talk about what really helps during those ramen-fueled days and socially-overwhelming moments. From battling procrastination and navigating friend groups, to figuring out who you are and how to take car...

College is a critical period where students are exploring and solidifying their values and their identities. Polarizing social topics, like religion, politics, social justice, are often at the core of these developing identities. Now more than ever, polarization on these issues is worsening, and deeply impacts the lives of college students. Exploring these tensions on and off campus can feel daunting, and often leads students chronically swinging from avoidance to activism. We get it. There a...

Put down that red Solo cup and listen in as we talk with Dr. James McOwen, clinical director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this eye-opening chat, we dive into the real deal about college drinking and drug culture. What you'll learn in this episode: What percentage of college students drink, and when does it slip into a problem drinkingTips for partying smart if you do choose to drinkWhy pizza is your drinking allyIs drinking the same for me...

Up until college, a lot of our problems are solved for us. Whether its the high school teacher who notices you are falling behind pulling you aside after class to offer help, or your parents cleaning your room for you when you're feeling overwhelmed. College is the first time our independent problem solving skills are put to the test. Unfortunately, many students skip the problem-solving part and go straight to panic mode. If you are feeling overwhelmed and having a hard time appr...

Love coffee *and* looking for that next great job or internship? You're in luck. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of building important job connections with none other than Marc Reede, serial entrepreneur and author of The Coffee Code. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a successful career, one conversation at a time, make sure to listen in as Marc shares: How to turn informal connections into job leadsWhere to find the great jobs (hint: It's not on LinkedIn)The i...

In today’s episode, we’re following up on our previous microdose episode on the G.I.V.E. skill and diving into its counterpart, the F.A.S.T. skill. The F.A.S.T. skill is designed to help you build strong relationships while maintaining healthy boundaries. It's a balancing act: You don’t want to burn yourself out by giving too much to others without considering your own needs. Here are the key letters of F.A.S.T.: F = Fairness: Be fair to yourself and others. Your perspective matters jus...

In this week's microdose episode, we sit down to discuss the G.I.V.E. skill from DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), which helps individuals build and maintain positive relationships. Whether you are navigating a conflict with your roommate, trying to make new friends, or wanting to build a better relationship with your parents, the G.I.V.E. skill can help increase the likelihood that others will view you positively after your interactions with them. The skill involves four key components: - ...

Saying goodbye to your parents is often the last thing most college students are thinking about when they tackle their “to do” list before moving in on campus. In an earlier episode, we sat down with college students who shared their experiences with relationship shifts at home. In this week’s episode, we sit down with not one, but two expert psychologists to explore the challenges and growth opportunities that arise for the parent-child relationship when young adults head off to ...

In today’s microdose episode, we dive deep into one of the most powerful tools in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – the DEAR MAN skill. We welcome Dr. Sameena Groves, a clinical psychologist and DBT expert, to explore how this assertiveness technique can help navigate tough conversations, set boundaries, and communicate effectively during your college years (and beyond). Dr. Groves walks us through the steps of DEAR MAN, which is an acronym for: Describe: Lay out the facts without judgment...

So much of childhood education is about learning academic skills to get into college and very little is on the personal and social skills required to thrive in college. In this week’s episode we sit down with Dr. Ifeanyi Onyejiji, founder of Onye Speaks. Dr. Onye shares about his work developing a motivational and culturally relevant curriculum aimed to help students learn the “soft skills” that are often missing in K-12 education. Dr. Onye’s holistic approach highligh...