The Way to College Podcast

From foster care to the Ivy League to rebuilding after addiction and rock bottom. Ken Miller’s story is proof that your next chapter can be your best one. Ken and Dr. Jose Saldivar talk self-esteem, counseling, guilt vs. shame, Ken’s “4 buckets” growth framework, and why you should “not play in the gray.”
🎧 Follow, listen, and share with someone who needs hope today.
Content note: addiction, incarceration, suicide attempts. (U.S. support: 988)

In this week’s episode of The Way to College Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Hortencia Jimenez, a sociologist and tenured community college professor at Hartnell College. Dr. Jimenez is also a certified health coach + fitness instructor, and a creator who’s building a powerful platform around identity, healing, mental health, and body liberation.
We talk about:
redefining “education” beyond classrooms

how sociology gave her language for understanding systems, power, and belonging

navigating academia as a parent

choosing family and community over prestige and having zero regrets

why protecting your mental health isn’t optional

and what it looks like to be unapologetic about who you are

This is a powerful episode, one that I'm sure will resonate with my listeners. If this episode hits home, share it with one other person and remember, our stories matter.
Follow Dr. Hortencia Jimenez:
🌐 www.hortenciajimenez.com
📸 Instagram: @drhortenciajimenez
🎵 TikTok: @drhortenciajimenez

In this episode of The Way to College Podcast, Dr. Jose Saldivar sits down with Mya Andersen, independent academic life coach and founder of The Student Empowered, to break down the hidden curriculum of college, or the stuff students aren’t explicitly taught, but are still expected to master.
Mya has spent 20+ years working on campuses and saw the same pattern again and again: support is often passive, and schools intervene only when there’s a crisis. But when the conversation starts at crisis-level, the focus becomes the problem, not the student.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why being “college capable” isn’t the same as being “college ready.”

How to use office hours like a doctor’s appointment (and build real relationships with professors)

Why college is a big-ticket purchase… and what it looks like to protect your ROI

When students should start using career services (hint: earlier than most people think)

For parents: share the real version of your college experience

If you’re a student, parent, educator, or advisor who’s ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone tell me this?” this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen now, then share this episode with one student (or one parent) who needs to hear this conversation.
And if you're interested in learning more about The Student Empowered and Mya's services, you can find her here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myaandersen1928/
Website: https://thestudentempowered.com/
Instagram: @the_student_empowered

This week on The Way to College Podcast, I’m joined by Jeannie Salinas, founder of Book-E Bus, the Rio Grande Valley’s first mobile bookstore.
Jeannie’s story is a masterclass in pivoting with purpose: from earning her business degree at The University of Texas-Pan American, working in retail, helping run her family’s insurance business, and eventually turning a lifelong love of books into a full-on community experience on wheels.
In this episode, we talk about:

How she turned a side hustle into a real business

The mindset shift from “I’m stuck” to “I’m building”

Why experience + community matter

Mentorship, budgeting, and learning the “hidden rules” of college and careers

What it takes to bet on yourself without losing yourself

If you’re a student, parent, educator, or entrepreneur—this one will light a fire.
The Book-E bus will be in Weslaco on February 28th. Follow the Book-E bus on Instagram: @thebookebus

This episode is the reminder you didn’t know you needed.
Dr. Jose L. Saldivar sits down with Behdad Jamshidi, a former engineer who became a marketing connector, helping businesses avoid costly mistakes by pairing them with the right marketing partners. He’s spoken with 1,100+ agencies/experts, and what he learned applies way beyond marketing: your career grows at the speed of your relationships.
If you’re a student, early-career professional, or someone trying to pivot… this one’s for you.
✅ In this episode, we talk about:
Why the people skills you ignore become the skills that pay you

How Behdad moved up—not by being the “smartest,” but by being the most effective communicator

The simple way to find mentors (without being awkward)

What to do when you feel stuck: action creates clarity

The truth about fear: it doesn’t disappear—you get stronger

🔥 Quick challenge after you listen:
Message one person you respect today and ask: “What’s one move you’d make if you were me?”
Then actually do it.
🎧 Hit play, and if one moment resonates—share this episode with a friend who needs that push.
Connect with Behdad:
CJAM Marketing Connector: https://cjammarketing.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/behdadjamshidi/
https://www.facebook.com/beeee.jam
https://www.instagram.com/behdadjamshidi_/
https://www.instagram.com/themarketingconnector_/