Free-ish in Higher Education
Free-ish in Higher Education
Podcast Description
Freeish in Higher Education is a podcast about what it really takes to chase a degree when the system was not built for you. Hosted by Chelsea, a passionate advocate, non-traditional parenting student, and community leader from Dallas, this series pulls back the curtain on higher ed and exposes the real cost of being successful in a system that wasn't built with us in mind.From the broken promises of DEI to imposter syndrome, financial aid, mental health, dual credit and more this show amplifies the voices they overlook and the strength they underestimate.We are so much more than students.We are people with visions, goals and dreams.We are the future. Free-ish and still showing up.Together we can make a difference.If you’ve ever felt invisible, weighed down by barriers, or like you’re carrying the weight of the world alone; we can carry it together.This space was made for you.📸 Follow us on Instagram: @freeishpodcast📧 Got a story? Email me: [email protected]🖤 Sponsor: redcircle.com/shows/35816a73-151e-4911-950e-9b61b6d2d67a🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/free-ish-in-higher-education
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast tackles themes of access to higher education, systemic inequality, and student empowerment with episodes focusing on topics like DEI shortcomings, the journey of dual credit students like Jasmine Crawford, mental health challenges in academia, and the ongoing fight for representation, as observed in the Juneteenth spotlight of TABPHE.
Freeish in Higher Education is a podcast about what it really takes to chase a degree when the system was not built for you. Hosted by Chelsea, a passionate advocate, non-traditional parenting student, and community leader from Dallas, this series pulls back the curtain on higher ed and exposes the real cost of being successful in a system that wasn't built with us in mind.
From the broken promises of DEI to imposter syndrome, financial aid, mental health, dual credit and more this show amplifies the voices they overlook and the strength they underestimate.
We are so much more than students.
We are people with visions, goals and dreams.
We are the future. Free-ish and still showing up.
Together we can make a difference.
If you’ve ever felt invisible, weighed down by barriers, or like you’re carrying the weight of the world alone; we can carry it together.
This space was made for you.
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @freeishpodcast
📧 Got a story? Email me: [email protected]
🖤 Sponsor: redcircle.com/shows/35816a73-151e-4911-950e-9b61b6d2d67a
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/free-ish-in-higher-education
In this episode, I talk with Paige Swanstein, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC), a national nonprofit working to end food, housing, and healthcare insecurity among college students. SBNC bridges technology, policy, and student leadership to drive systemic change — and has already connected students to over $27 million in SNAP and Medicaid benefits across 500 campuses nationwide.
Paige shares how SBNC’s programs, peer navigators, and policy advocacy efforts are helping restore the balance of power so students are included in creating solutions to basic needs insecurity. We also talk about how this work is shifting the conversation in higher education toward equity, well-being, and shared responsibility.
This episode is a powerful reminder that when students are part of the solution, change becomes not just possible, but unstoppable.
If you want to learn more or get involved, visit the Student Basic Needs Coalition: https://www.studentbasicneeds.com
Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sbnc
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/free-ish-in-higher-education/donations
Disclaimer
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