🎙️ Just wrapped an inspiring Money Misfits episode with Isabella Vaka, a former student of mine who’s charting an incredible path.

From community college at CSM → transfer to Cal Poly → internships in D.C. → now on Capitol Hill, Isabella shows what’s possible when you mix grit, financial discipline, and a willingness to pivot.

We dug into:

Why she chose community college during the pandemic — and how financial aid, scholarships, and support programs shaped her journey.

The challenges of being a Pacific Islander in spaces where few looked like her — and how she let her work speak for itself.

Landing internships through persistence (even unpaid at first), then turning them into meaningful opportunities in advocacy and policy.

How budgeting, overspending on food (we laughed at this one), and slowly building credit all became part of her real-world money education.

Choosing fulfillment and impact over a big salary — with her eyes set on law school and political campaigns in the near future.

💡 Isabella’s story is a powerful reminder: community college can be the launchpad to Capitol Hill.

🎓 From Community College to Cal Poly & SDSU | Money Misfits Podcast

What’s it really like to transfer from community college to a four-year university? In this episode of Money Misfits, Professor Heath sits down with Ana Floyd (Cal Poly) and Aiden Takeuchi (San Diego State)—two former students who share their candid experiences navigating the transfer process, social challenges, financial struggles, and building their future careers.

💡 What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How Ana and Aiden decided between schools like UCLA, Berkeley, SDSU, and Cal Poly.
• The social and academic challenges of being a transfer student.
• Honest takes on imposter syndrome, making friends, and finding community.
• The financial shocks of moving out—jobs, savings, and learning to budget.
• Credit cards, Roth IRAs, and high-yield savings: how they’re already building financial independence.
• Networking wins (and fails): from hiding in bathrooms to nailing the elevator pitch.
• Clubs, internships, and why you should start networking NOW at community college.
• Real advice for CSM students on preparing for transfer and career success.

✨ Key takeaway: Transferring is hard—but with the right mindset, financial planning, and willingness to put yourself out there, it’s also an opportunity to grow, connect, and get ahead.

In this episode of Money Misfits, Professor Heath sits down with Mikky, the powerhouse behind Mikky and the Doom—a self-described “musical cult” fusing pop-punk, rock, and raw creative energy. 🎸🔥

Mikky opens up about her journey from stand-up comedy and voice acting to fronting a boundary-pushing band. She shares how discipline, sports, and resilience shaped her career, and how she built her brand with the same precision as running a tight business. We dive into:

The origin of Mickey and the Doom and its “cult-like” community of artists

Turning personal struggles into a villain origin story through music

Lessons from the 2008 financial crisis and how it shaped her views on money and survival

Balancing creativity with the business side of music

The importance of discipline, preparation, and setting boundaries

Why financial wellness fuels artistic freedom

This episode is packed with real talk about art, money, and survival—and it’s a must-listen for anyone navigating creative industries, chasing dreams, or just trying to get their financial house in order while living authentically.

👉 Support Mikky by pre-saving “H2HO” (link in her bio). Every pre-save helps push independent artists onto Spotify’s radar.

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