In the final 2025 episode of Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey is joined by consultant and academic life coach Mya Andersen of Student Empowered. The discussion delves into the challenges and transformations faced by first-year college students, emphasizing skills like self-authorship and self-advocacy. Maya shares insights from her work helping students and their families prepare for and thrive in the college environment. They also explore the broader issues of undergraduate education, the pressure of professionalization, and the value of a college degree in today's evolving landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:06 Mya Anderson's Background and Approach

02:56 Impact of COVID on Higher Education

05:51 Challenges in Student Services

11:26 The Value of an Undergraduate Degree

16:07 Navigating College and Personal Growth

25:56 Supporting Students Through Challenges

35:37 Mentoring Adolescents for Success

37:53 High Stakes in Higher Education

38:40 Treating College Like a Big Ticket Item

43:41 The Professionalization of Undergraduate Degrees

49:01 The Importance of Coaching and Career Services

52:43 Challenges Faced by Faculty and Students

58:26 Gen Z and the Changing Educational Landscape

01:06:42 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

Resources:

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People. A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation – and Making Your Own Life Easier, by David Yeager

https://thestudentempowered.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the_student_empowered/

In this episode of The Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey interviews Lisa Leander, the founder and CEO of WiBE. Initially launched as the Women in Business Education Network, WiBE has pivoted to a more inclusive mission focusing on where imagination builds excellence. Leander shares her journey of founding WiBE during the pandemic, growing its membership, and the recent pivot to include both men and women in creative leadership roles. The discussion delves into the importance of leading with curiosity, fostering a supportive and innovative community, and maintaining a sense of joy even in challenging times. They also touch upon the significance of personal branding, creative problem-solving, and the necessity of psychological safety in fostering innovation. Throughout the interview, both Leander and Askey emphasize the value of community, strategic networking, and finding ways to sustain one’s creative spirit in both professional and personal spheres.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:07 Meet Lisa Leander: Founder of WiBE
01:11 The Birth and Evolution of WiBE
02:57 Creative Leadership and Changes in Education
05:15 Leading with Curiosity
09:14 Embracing Creativity and Innovation
17:01 Navigating Challenges in Higher Education
19:52 The Importance of Community and Support
22:48 Inclusivity and Future Directions for WiBE
28:31 Understanding University Budget Models
28:57 The Importance of Inner Circles
29:52 Navigating Leadership Challenges
30:55 Embracing Innovation and Creativity
32:16 Surviving Toxic Work Environments
34:22 Building a Supportive Community
37:11 The Value of Personal Branding
42:08 Leveraging Visibility for Opportunities
49:29 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey speaks with Dr. Steve Haberlin from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Haberlin discusses his extensive background in meditation and mindfulness, beginning with his martial arts training in the 1980s, and how these practices have influenced his academic journey. The conversation delves into the integration of mindfulness into educational settings, specifically how Dr. Haberlin incorporates meditation into his classroom to help students manage stress and enhance learning. They also explore the connection between mindfulness and the body, and touch on Dr. Haberlin upcoming book, 'Meta-Meditation,' which addresses the intersection of meditation with modern technologies such as neurofeedback, virtual reality, and AI. This episode offers valuable insights for educators and leaders interested in incorporating mindfulness practices into their personal and professional lives.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:48 Steve's Journey into Meditation

03:54 The Benefits of Meditation

12:59 Teaching Meditation in the Classroom

18:15 Embodiment and Mind-Body Connection

26:43 Upcoming Book and Future Insights

27:34 Exploring Digital Mindfulness Tools

27:47 Neural Feedback and Meditation

28:46 Virtual Reality Meditation

29:19 Navigating Meditation Technology

30:00 Pedal Assist Bikes and Meditation

31:19 E-Bikes and Meditation Practice

33:31 The Evolution of Meditation Practices

34:09 Challenges in Sustaining Meditation Practices

37:42 Personalizing Meditation Practices

41:56 Meditation for Academics and Professionals

43:46 The Timelessness of Meditation

50:34 Conclusion and Resources

Resources:

Deepak Chopra’s meditation training

Emily Fletcher and Ziva Meditation

Muse neural feedback headband

Steve Haberlin’s books and articles