Conflict on college campuses has changed—and not just because of roommates and group projects.

In this episode of College Is Fine, Everything’s Fine, we’re joined by Bob Bordone, conflict and negotiation expert, former Harvard Law School professor, and author of Conflict Resilience, for a timely conversation about how students can navigate disagreement when the stakes feel personal, political, and deeply tied to identity.

From classroom discussions and group chats to social media posts and friendships strained by global events, Bob helps us understand why conflict feels so overwhelming right now—and why avoidance has become the default coping strategy. He introduces the concept of conflict resilience, a skill that isn’t about “winning,” fixing, or resolving differences, but about staying present, authentic, and connected in the face of discomfort.

Together, we explore:

• Why conflict avoidance feels safer—but costs us more in the long run
• How polarization and social media amplify fear, reactivity, and disconnection
• The difference between aggression, assertion, and avoidance
• What “disagreeing better” actually looks like in dorm rooms, classrooms, and relationships
• How to raise hard topics without betraying your values—or yourself
• Why conflict resilience is a core leadership and life skill, not just a communication tactic

Bob also shares practical ways students can start building conflict resilience right now, including reframing conflict as a normal (and even connective) part of relationships and learning to sit with discomfort instead of immediately fleeing it.

If you’ve ever felt anxious about speaking up, setting boundaries, or engaging with someone who sees the world very differently than you do, this episode offers a grounded, hopeful path forward.

Links to Bob Bordone’s book Conflict Resilience and his work are below:

https://www.bobbordone.com/

https://www.bobbordone.com/books

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

Did last semester not go the way you hoped? You’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone.

In this episode of College Is Fine, Everything’s Fine, we’re joined by college professor and executive-functioning expert Krisler Bailey to talk about how to actually bounce back after a tough semester. We cover why motivation fades (and what works instead), how unstructured time quietly wrecks your schedule, and why rereading notes and highlighting everything isn’t studying.

This conversation is equal parts validating and practical. Whether you struggled academically, socially, or just felt overwhelmed, this episode will help you build a realistic reset plan—without perfectionism, shame, or all-or-nothing thinking.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why everyone struggles in college (just in different ways)
• Why discipline beats motivation every time
• How unstructured time derails students—and how to fix it
• Time-blocking your day so you still have a life
• Why your phne feels like an emotional support device (and what to do about it)
• How to reduce distractions without going cold turkey
• What actually works for studying (hint: not rereading notes)
• How community—friends, classmates, professors—makes bouncing back possible

Takeaway:
Last semester doesn’t define you. College is a skill set—and skills can be learned.

🎧 Listen now and start your reset.

Krisler Bailey is a college professor, college success coach, and functional medicine certified health coach. With over 20 years of experience supporting students through the transition to college and adulthood, Krisler helps students and families navigate the hidden curriculum of college while building routines that support both academic success and well-being.

You can read more about Krisler and her coaching services here: https://coachingwithkrisler.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

03:04 Understanding Student Struggles

05:45 The Role of New Year's Resolutions

08:58 Building a Supportive Community

12:00 Strategies for Academic Success

15:59 Time Management and Study Skills

23:57 Engaging with Course Material

29:00 Conclusion and Resources

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

What were therapists really like in college?

In this candid episode of College Is Fine, Everything’s Fine, we sit down with therapists for an unfiltered conversation about their actual college experiences—no polished bios, no clinical jargon, and absolutely no acronyms.

From awkward roommate situations to academic struggles, bad decisions, and lessons learned the hard way, our guests share the truths they wish someone had told them as students. This episode is equal parts validating, surprising, and reassuring—especially if you’ve ever thought, “Everyone else has this figured out except me.”

Whether you’re stressed about grades, doubting your major, or feeling behind, this episode is your reminder that becoming a therapist (or a functional adult) was never a straight line.

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner