Campus Chronicles

Unwind from a long day of academia with Brooke and the Campus Chronicles team, your trusted companions in your student journey.

From inspirational stories, profound insights and practical advice that will fuel your success both in and out of the classroom, Campus Chronicles is your reliable friend and mentor, ready to enlighten and inspire you.

Each week we immerse you in heartening conversations that will deepen your understanding of student life and equip you with invaluable knowledge.

Campus Chronicles is a podcast that truly understands and caters to the essence of student life.

Unlock the secrets of creating meaningful connections as we sit down with Jennifer Winkel, the CEO of Girl Talk of Age. Jennifer shares practical strategies for anyone seeking to find their community in unfamiliar territories, such as the university campus.

In this episode, we explore how to use our interests and hobbies as a launch pad to build a supportive network that reflects our values. In a world where social media dominates, Jennifer uncovers the balance between its expansive reach and the intimate power of in-person gatherings.

The journey of being a student can sometimes be a challenging one. In this episode, we are joined by Nicole Haslett, a first-year acting student at the University of Chester, who brings a fresh perspective on being a new student.

Nicole shares her story of embracing her acting passion against societal norms. She sheds light on the transition to university life, particularly moving to a new country and finding her place in an unfamiliar territory. Her story explores the importance of following your passion and the challenges and triumphs of adapting to university life.

We explore the university life transition, focusing on sustaining mental strength, striking a work-life balance, and maintaining self-respect amidst the whirlwind of changes. Nicole opens up about her struggles, strategies, and moments of self-realisation that helped her navigate her journey.

Once bedridden by chronic back pain, Nicole Tuxbury has transformed her life and career, pivoting through challenges to become a multi-passionate business consultant.

In this episode, Nicole unveils the grit behind her successful journey, revealing how she turned adversity into a springboard for entrepreneurship. Nicole's story is marked by her ability to create opportunities during the most challenging times, from authoring a book to hosting a podcast. Her remarkable journey is a testament to the fact that we can shape our paths regardless of the hurdles that may come our way.

Discover how perspective is everything in life as the inspirational Brian King joins us. His journey involves overcoming undiagnosed autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and stage three testicular cancer, all while raising three sons with autism and ADHD. The resilience of Brian's spirit is awe-inspiring.

Brian's Buddhist practice has honed his perspective, teaching him to depersonalise life's challenges. He conveys a powerful message, reminding us that events occur, and we are merely present, not victims.

In this episode, we explore the intricate maze of relationships and assumptions' role in complicating things. We also understand the importance of checking in with your partners to clarify things so misunderstandings can be avoided. We also delve into the art of depersonalising experiences, a skill that can tremendously help you face adversity.

We're thrilled to introduce you to Ruqayyah from Ruqayyah and Co., a beacon of wisdom on emotional wellness. Ruqayyah enlightens us on the pitfalls of neglecting your health and hastily choosing careers while offering insights on her unique approach to healing that involves delving into past experiences and future goals.

Our conversation with Ruqayyah explores why emotional health should be a priority for every college student. It's a chat that will resonate with many as we touch on the challenges of navigating new social environments and relationships in college.

We also take on the task of unravelling the often tricky subject of setting and refining boundaries, especially if you're a natural people pleaser. Boundaries, physical, emotional, intellectual, or relational, are critical to maintaining healthy relationships. Ruqayyah shares personal experiences and practical strategies to help you establish them without guilt.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by constant pressures and expectations? We are fortunate to have a remarkable guest, Lena Suarez-Angelino, CEO of Light Collective and Co., who opens up about her own experiences of burnout as a student.

In this episode, we explore imposter syndrome and the stress of projecting a perfect image; we engage in a rich dialogue about recognising and addressing these issues for a holistic approach to student wellness.

Lena also reveals how burnout affects young adults beyond the academic realm. Behind the portrayal of success in media, the unseen struggles loom large. Lena highlights this contrast, and together, we discuss the need to seek and accept help and the challenges that come with it.

To learn more about Lena and see what she can offer, visit lenasuarezangelino.com.

A passionate advocate for neurodiverse individuals joins us on this episode of Campus Chronicles. Jennifer McFarland is an ADHD and neurodiversity coach who guides us through her journey, beginning with championing her son and leading to her discovery of neurodiverse traits within herself.

We delve into the nuances of self-advocacy, recognising it as an essential tool in understanding and communicating our unique needs.

With Jen's guidance, we explore practical strategies for seeking help, such as identifying individual needs, utilising campus resources, and rehearsing self-expression. We also highlight the reality that sometimes, students realise their need for accommodations only when they encounter challenges within the classroom setting.

Jennifer also unpacks different learning styles - visual, kinesthetic, and audio - emphasising the need for flexibility in the classroom to cater to these variances.

Do you find it challenging to balance your academic life and entrepreneurial aspirations? We recently had a conversation with Phoebe from Sincere Self Worth, who has mastered this delicate dance. We talked about setting personal boundaries, recognising our limitations, the importance of genuine self-care, and how it sometimes requires letting go of relationships. Phoebe also shed light on the pursuit of balance, living in the moment, and identifying when things are veering off track.

Have you ever felt burdened by societal expectations? Phoebe shared her journey of breaking free from these constraints, discovering her true self, and creating her self-discovery tool called 'The Light Journal'. We also discussed her entrepreneurial journey, starting her movement on Instagram, and her success on TikTok. We celebrated the beauty of failures, the art of letting go gracefully, and the power of inner peace during vulnerable times.

There's no denying that gender differences and stereotypes play a significant role in our lives, profoundly impacting our experiences. Today's conversation with Rick Yee delves into these sensitive topics, illuminating the disparities between men's and women's approaches to life, like college and social media.

Rick Yee is a resilient and transformative individual who has overcome a tumultuous upbringing and abusive environment. He is the author of the book Everything Is A Choice, which chronicles his personal growth and journey towards empowerment. Rick is dedicated to helping others discover their paths of self-discovery and empowerment, particularly in mental health. Through his community, The Warrior's Way Mindset, he provides a space for men and women to discuss their mental health without judgment.

Together with Rick, we look deeply at the transition from teenager to adulthood, the expectations it creates, and its lasting influence on our lives. Rick also shares his advice on dating and relationships, often fraught with challenges, burdens, and expectations. Rick uncovers the harsh realities faced by both men and women in the dating scene, bringing attention to a surprising statistic about women over 30.

What if you could harness the transformative power of laughter to manage stress and foster happiness? In our first episode of Campus Chronicles, we're joined by Katy Maag, a certified laughter yoga teacher who helps provide tools for stress management and laughter to provide more joy in current times.

Katy shares the wisdom she acquired through her journey back to school, battling stress and learning the importance of self-care, rest, and play in maintaining our mental health. She openly shares her experiences and the physical manifestations of stress, teaching us that failure is all part of the journey.

Using her expertise, Katy reveals how laughter can be a game-changer in alleviating anxiety, stress, and even physical ailments. Katy enlightens us on the many benefits of laughter - from building rapport with others to instigating creative thinking, making us more relatable. Moreover, she offers handy tips on how we can weave laughter into our daily routines, encouraging us to stay tenacious and find our 'next best thing'.