In this heartfelt episode of Inalienable Rights, Justin and Alyssa sit down with their first-ever guest: Isaac Rodriguez. Isaac shares the real, raw story of how he went from struggling academically and spiritually in undergrad to ultimately earning a spot at Ross University School of Medicine. Born and raised in Southern California, Isaac opens up about his upbringing in a Christian household, the pressures of pursuing medicine without a traditional support system, and how a pivotal job in a research lab reignited his passion and gave him the confidence to try again.

From MCAT woes and unexpected mentors to rediscovering faith and navigating long-distance marriage while in med school, Isaac’s journey is a testimony of resilience, divine timing, and the power of community. Whether you're on your own path to medicine or just love a good comeback story, this episode will encourage and inspire you.

👨‍⚕️ First-gen med student
🧪 From 2.5 GPA to clinical research
🙏 A faith-filled journey through doubt and growth
💍 Marriage and long-distance during med school
🎧 Real talk on what it's really like to study at a Caribbean med school

This week on Inalienable Rights, Justin and Alyssa get real about what it's like to navigate major life transitions while juggling faith, family, and the chaos of med school. Recorded on Easter Sunday (after several failed takes thanks to kids, pets, and tech issues), this episode is raw, honest, and deeply relatable.

They share the emotional highs and lows of saying goodbye to their island life in Barbados, how an unexpected change in clinical placements is forcing a pivot in their plans, and the big leap Alyssa is taking toward her dream of becoming a midwife.

From dream-chasing and role reversals in marriage, to wrestling with uncertainty and embracing flexibility, this episode is all about what happens when life throws curveballs—and choosing to trust anyway.

In this special episode of Inalienable Rights, Justin and Alyssa take a detour from medicine to dive into their love story, marriage advice, and a little bit of hilarity. From homeschooling in Barbados to ironing underwear in Africa, they share how their paths crossed, how they fell in love (spoiler: it involves Blackberry Messenger), and what they’ve learned over 12 years of marriage. Tune in for personal stories, practical tips, and a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a morning cup of coffee to keep the love strong.