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In this episode of The Pickup Meeting, Brody and Kevin welcome Cecilia Olivares, Director of Academic Advising Initiatives at the University of Missouri and former NACADA President, for a conversation that zigzags delightfully from Easter candy to change management to the existential question of academic advising itself.

Fresh off the Administrators Institute, the trio dives into:

• Tech implementation without losing the human touch
• Decentralization dilemmas and the art of staying curious
• Why “What’s the worst that could happen?” might be leadership’s most underrated question
• Exploratory students, major changes, and decision-making on the daily
• Dissertation marathons, dust-covered books, and the power of just finishing
• And yes…Criminal Minds vs. NCIS

There are road trip playlists. There is Garth Brooks. There is a brief and unexpected detour into Breaking Bad territory. The rails are left. The rails are found again.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

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In this Just Us edition of The Pickup Meeting, Kevin Thomas and Michael “Brody” Broshears settle into a wide-ranging conversation that feels like one of their regular phone calls. From the many ways we mispronounce February and other deeply suspicious English words, to Valentine’s Day nostalgia, chalky candy hearts, and why umbrellas are wildly overrated, this episode leans into humor, reflection, and a little bit of friendly ranting.

The conversation then shifts to higher education realities, including why the first three to five weeks of the semester matter so much for student success, how early alerts and meaningful feedback can change outcomes, and what strong faculty-advisor partnerships can really look like in practice. Kevin and Brody also tackle the evolving world of NIL, the transfer portal, and the tension between athletics and academics, before closing out with a spirited discussion of the most underrated movies of all time!

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

Send us a text

This episode of The Pickup Meeting kicks off with peak banter, including an impossible Indiana football season, shared indifference toward cars, and the kind of sports fandom that only comes once in a lifetime. Kevin and Brody then welcome an incredible guest, Jennifer Markin, Director of Advising at Henry Ford College, who brings warmth, humor, and deep insight into advising, leadership, and student success in the community college context.

Jennifer shares what pulled her back into advising leadership and how intentional staff development and mission-driven work can transform student experiences. Along the way, the conversation hits solo music festivals, parenting moments you don’t want to rush past, Metro Detroit food gems, hidden talents, and a lightning round that somehow includes Barack Obama, Janis Joplin, and cereal for dinner. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply human, this episode is a reminder that the best pickup meetings are the ones where learning and laughter coexist.

*The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast!

Follow us on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel!

Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.