I walked into NatCon expecting connection, conversations, and content, familiar faces, easy moments, and stories that would translate neatly into photos and memories. Instead, I found myself navigating uncertainty, anxiety, and quiet moments of self-reflection I didn’t plan for. This episode explores what happens when you enter a space hoping to feel seen… and realize that growth sometimes comes from feeling invisible first.

I reflect on the weekend as it unfolded, the long drive, unexpected roommates, crowded rooms, and learning when survival looks like stepping back instead of pushing through. I talk honestly about attending breakout sessions on mental health, masculinity, and relationships, and the in-between moments where fear, prayer, and self-awareness collided. It became less about the event itself and more about noticing how I respond when I feel out of place.

This episode is ultimately about courage, not the loud kind, but the quiet decision to act even when you’re scared. From taking a risk I never thought I could, to confronting rejection, to learning that healing doesn’t always come from answers but from being carried for a moment. NatCon didn’t fix my life, but it reminded me that I can still step forward with honesty, boundaries, and self-respect even when things don’t go the way I imagined.

We started the season trying to survive college. But along the way, we discovered what keeps us going: faith, friends, purpose, identity, and learning how to breathe again. In this season finale, I reflect on everything we’ve learned together: that college isn’t just about classes, it’s where we grow, adapt, and figure out who we’re becoming. Sam reminded us that faith fits into change, even when everything feels new. We opened up about men’s mental health and the pressure of being “the strong friend,” learning that resilience comes from vulnerability and honesty. Micah and Stephanie showed us that leadership isn’t the spotlight; it’s service, compassion, and carrying the pressure behind the scenes.

And through every episode, every listen, and every shared moment, this season has proven we’re not alone in the journey.

This episode is a reminder that growth isn’t always obvious; sometimes it’s messy, confusing, and full of quiet victories. But we’re still here. We’re still moving. Wherever you are in your story, keep going. See you next season.

I’m back with another round of truth, tips, and lived-through lessons every college student needs to hear. In Part 2 of my Declassified College Survival Guide, we break down the realities that don’t make it into the brochure, the things you learn only by living them.

From understanding why every roommate is a life lesson to embracing “sleep when you can” as a survival strategy, this episode focuses on the practical side of navigating campus life. We talk about the power of remembering names, why upperclassmen are walking survival guides, and how asking alumni the right questions can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

We also get real about the difference between grades and relationships and why networking can matter just as much. And of course, we dive into internships: not the resume-perfect fantasy, but the honest truth, they teach both skill and self-control, and how to perform under the quiet pressure of the professional world.