What do conference doors, airplane hangars, and Zoom rooms have in common? Steve Sanderson has made people feel welcome in all three! In this special episode, Dr. Jenny Bloom interviews her husband and steadfast partner, whose warm smile and welcome sign have greeted NACADA conference attendees for nearly 30 years. Steve shares stories from his adventures in university administration, farming, aviation, student orientation, and life as the behind-the-scenes “broadcast engineer” for the Office of Appreciative Education.

Along the way, Jenny and Steve reflect on a partnership grounded in love, service, and unwavering support—and reveal why a residential air park makes an unforgettable setting for graduate-student recruitment! Tune in for plenty of laughs, heartfelt moments, and timeless advice about networking, showing up for others, and treating every student as you would want your own family to be treated.

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What do medieval pedagogues, conference posters, and a double scholarship win have in common? They’re all part of the wonderfully wide world of academic advising! In this episode, Ryan Scheckel interviews Trina Menefee on her journey from first-generation college student to pioneering advisor and conference powerhouse, while Jing Yao chats with Aric Faulkner as they reflect on professional growth, assessment, leadership, and the connections that make service so rewarding.

Then, Wojciech Bełtkiewicz takes us on a fascinating trip through advising history from medieval student guides to the Great Depression’s influence on the profession. Along the way, we celebrate the volunteers working behind the scenes, explore how scholarship can strengthen everyday practice, and discover why growing as an advisor helps students thrive.

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The Adventures in Advising crew is bringing Mighty Morphin’ academic advising energy to the 2026 NACADA Annual Conference in Oklahoma City! Matt Markin sits down with Dr. Locksley Knibbs, recipient of the 2026 Leading Light Award, to celebrate his powerful work advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as how he’s helping advisors and emerging leaders find their voices, protect their well-being, and make room for others at the table.

Then, newly graduated Emerging Leader Cami Christopulos flips the script and interviews her mentor, Michael Geroux about managing in the middle, building a personal board of directors, and keeping meaningful conference connections alive long after everyone heads home.

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What can comic books teach us about academic advising? More than you might think! Matt and Ryan dive into the power of story, exploring how heroes like Silver Surfer, Robin, Green Lantern, Ms. Marvel, and Captain America illuminate identity, imposter syndrome, growth, and belonging. From childhood comic racks to conference presentations, they unpack why pop culture can make big advising ideas feel accessible, engaging, and downright fun.

Along the way, they reflect on Peter Hagen’s lasting influence, share favorite characters and personal connections, and show how superheroes can open the door to meaningful conversations about confidence, representation, and possibility. Because students and advisors are never finished stories; every chapter is a chance to grow, adapt, and become something new.

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As a new academic year kicks off, how do advisors support students without setting themselves on fire in the process? 🔥

In Episode 191 of Adventures in Advising, returning guest host Imani Hill sits down with Brandon Jones and Melissa Cumbia from the Well-being and Advisor Retention Community for a timely conversation about work-life balance, advisor well-being, and staying grounded in a changing higher education landscape.

From actually using that annual leave (yes, really!) to juggling doctoral studies, navigating new technology, enrollment pressures, funding uncertainty, and shifting roles, the group gets candid about what it takes to keep doing meaningful advising work while taking care of yourself, too.

Plus, get a sneak peek at what's coming to the annual conference in Oklahoma City—including Brandon's can't-miss session with a title that says it all: “Stop Setting Yourself on Fire to Keep Students Warm.”

Whether you're heading into another busy semester, questioning how to find balance, or simply looking for a reminder that advisor well-being matters, this episode is for you.

🎧 Press play, protect your peace, and start the academic year with a little more intention.

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What happens when the advisor becomes the one navigating a major transition?

In Ep. 190 of Adventures in Advising, Matt Markin welcomes back Matt Plescia from Hamilton College for a conversation about career moves, starting over, and discovering how our professional identities change along the way. Inspired by Matt Plescia’s Academic Advising Quarterly article, “Two Suitcases, a Backpack, and a Duffel Bag: Finding Advisor Identity in Motion,” the two Matts unpack what it really means to leave behind institutional knowledge, familiar faces, and comfortable routines for something new.

From cross-country moves and new campuses to loneliness, belonging, work-life balance, and the humbling experience of becoming the “new person” again, this episode explores how transition can make us more reflective—and more empathetic—advisors.

So pack your bags (metaphorically or otherwise!) and join us for an honest, thoughtful, and laughter-filled conversation about taking chances, embracing uncertainty, and realizing that sometimes starting over teaches us exactly what our students need from us.

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Dr. Xiao Yuan returns to Adventures in Advising for a conversation that goes far beyond academic advising. Since her last appearance in 2022, Xiao’s journey has taken some unexpected turns—from higher education and recruiting to investing in the last-mile delivery industry, where she discovered powerful connections between her research on belonging and the invisible human stories behind every doorstep delivery.

Xiao and Matt talk career pivots, applying for 1,000+ jobs, separating your identity from your job title, and what it really means to feel seen within a system. Xiao also shares the inspiration behind her upcoming book, A-bao’s Journey to You, which follows a package on its journey while shining a light on the people who make that journey possible.

It’s an episode about starting over, finding purpose in unexpected places, and making the invisible visible. 🎙️✨

Purchase A-bao's Journey to You: The Untold Story Behind Every Package!

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What does it take to turn great advising ideas into published scholarship? In this episode of The Adventures in Advising, Ryan is joined by Melissa Cumbia, Sarah Bechtel, and Alanna Bitzel —members of NACADA's Publications Advisory Board—for an honest conversation about their journeys as writers, collaborators, and contributors to the academic advising profession. Together, they explore how publishing can be more approachable than many advisors realize and why every practitioner has valuable experiences worth sharing. From finding the right topic and building a supportive writing team to navigating imposter syndrome, feedback, and the publication process, this episode is filled with practical advice and encouragement for advisors at every stage of their careers.

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The Instagram, and Facebook handle for the podcast is @AdvisingPodcast

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Connect with Matt and Ryan on LinkedIn.