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.

In this episode, I sit down with sophomore student leader Stephanie Monisit, one of the most involved and committed students on campus. We talk about how her college journey began, how she would describe her experience so far, and what it’s really been like navigating her second year at the University of Memphis. Stephanie opens up about her calling toward pre-nursing, why she chose this field, and how studying health and care has shaped the way she sees others and herself. She shares the challenges, meaningful moments, and lessons that have defined her path so far, along with the parts of the journey most people never see.

We dive deep into her leadership roles across SGA, TISL, Tour Guides, Mock Trial, Phi Mu, etc., and how each space has taught her something different about serving, balancing expectations, and staying grounded. She reflects on the pressure that can come with being involved, the importance of protecting your mental health, and the difference between the public “leader” version of herself and the personal one.

Before we wrap, Stephanie offers heartfelt advice for freshmen, talks about what she’s proud of, the person she’s growing into, the legacy she hopes to leave on campus, and of course, her go-to Waffle House order.

In this episode, I sit down with one of the most active and recognizable student leaders on campus (Micah Loftis) a senior who’s spent the last four years pouring into Memphis Tigers through Frosh Camp, tours, orientation, outreach, and everything in between. We talk about what senior year really feels like, where his journey in student involvement began, and the moments as a counselor and guide that changed the way he sees community, leadership, and himself.

We dive into his major (music business) and how studying creativity shapes the way he thinks, works, and carries himself on campus. He opens up about balancing expectations, taking care of your mental health while constantly showing up for others, and how faith plays a grounding role in his life. He also breaks down what campus outreach actually is and why it matters.

Before we wrap, he shares honest advice for freshmen, the things he wishes someone told him years ago, and yes, his go to Waffle House order.

In this episode, I open up about a moment when burnout hit harder than I expected, the kind that forces you to slow down, reflect, and rethink what “being strong” really means. I talk about the moment I finally recognized the difference between distracting myself and actually healing.

I explore the expectations men face (to be confident, ambitious, social, successful) all while silently figuring out who we are. Being the “strong friend” can make you believe that reliability means silence, even though silence doesn’t make pain disappear; it only makes it heavier. This episode digs into stigma, vulnerability, and the weight of pretending you’re fine when you’re not.

I also reflect on the things I used to hide behind jokes or a smile, the moments I realized I needed to reach out, and the hard truth that healing isn’t about fixing something broken, it’s about learning how to carry things better without pretending they’re light. Through it all, faith has taught me that resilience and honesty go hand in hand, especially when we talk about mental health, connection, and what it means to finally be seen.

November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and honestly, it’s something we don’t talk about enough. In this solo episode, I open up about what it really means to carry the weight of expectations while trying to stay strong. From being a first-gen college student and campus leader to being the one people count on, I’ve learned that “keeping it together” can sometimes mean holding too much inside.

This episode dives into how I was taught to handle pain (“keep moving,” “don’t complain,” “stay strong”) and the moment I realized that mindset couldn’t protect me forever. I talk about what it’s like when strength turns into silence, how pressure can quietly build, and how finding genuine people can remind you that you’re not alone.

For the first time, I share the events that led me to my lowest point and the four people who made/ make me (respectively) feel like a normal person despite everything (2 from 1st gen and 2 from tiger catholic).

In the second episode of Dimensions of D, I sat down with Sam Norwood, freshman here on campus, to talk about transition, identity, and keeping faith in college.

We talked about what it’s like starting over in a new environment (balancing faith, academics, and mental health) and how growth can look different for everyone.

Enjoy our real conversation about adjusting, reflecting, and finding peace in the middle of all the noise that comes with being a student.