Navigating School while Raising Children

Mental Health Support for Students

Becoming overwhelmed can happen quietly. You keep showing up to class and work, but your sleep slips, your focus falls apart, and you start telling yourself you just need to push harder. We sit down with Dilyn Szpila, Director of Social Services and Resource Development at Ross College, to name what many college students are carrying and why mental health support can feel out of reach even when it exists. We get specific about the most common mental health challenges students report: anxiety, depression, chronic stress and the pressure of juggling school, finances, family responsibilities, and future plans. Dilyn also explains the deeper stressors that can sit beneath the surface, including trauma, housing instability, and food insecurity.  We discuss barriers that stop students from reaching out, like stigma, lack of time, cost, and privacy concerns.  We also cover digital mental health tools and apps for mindfulness, mood tracking, and guided breathing, and we break down the differences between individual counseling, group therapy, and peer support, including telehealth and sliding scale options. If you have been waiting until things feel like a crisis, this conversation is your reminder that you deserve support sooner. Here are some links to the digital resources that Dilyn mentioned that have completely free options: Loona [https://loona.app/] Daylio [https://daylio.net/] UCLA Mindful [https://www.uclahealth.org/uclamindful/guided-meditations] Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/] Additionally, if you are a Ross student or an employee interested in the resources Dilyn has put together, you can visit: Ross Student Resources [https://rosseducation.edu/students/student-resources/] We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1890511/fan_mail/new] Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com [https://www.rosspodcast.com] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-the-leap-podcast].

Navigating School while Raising Children

We invited three student mothers—Keta, Claribell, and Caroline—to share their stories: pregnancy detours, stacked externship hours after full-time work, and the late-night study windows that keep goals alive. Their stories are tender and tough, grounded in purpose, and full of practical moves anyone can copy. We talk about what actually keeps a parent-student going: childcare that shows up, flexible schedules, and advisors who do more than send reminders. You’ll hear how externship hours feel less like a burden and more like an investment when they’re tied to real skills, how being transparent with instructors unlocks grace and options, and how a tight routine—like studying between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.—can turn chaos into consistency. The kids are watching, and that matters. From a missed Halloween to a daughter dreaming of forensic science, these moments reveal what persistence teaches at home: recovery beats perfection, and momentum is built one choice at a time. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a quick review telling us your best time-saving tip for busy weeks. Your advice might be the lifeline someone else needs. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1890511/fan_mail/new] Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com [https://www.rosspodcast.com] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-the-leap-podcast].

Persisting and Thriving After Graduation

What if your first diploma isn’t an ending, but the start of everything you hoped a career could be? We dive into the real work of turning ambition into action—setting goals that point past a paycheck, finding the specialty that fits, and building a support system that shows up when life gets loud. Marie Aveline, Program Chair for Ross’s Medical Assistant Program, breaks down how early goal-setting and “sampling” different clinical areas help students discover where they thrive. She lifts the curtain on the culture her team protects: instructors who are approachable, honest about what they don’t know, and willing to meet students whenever they need help. Kay’s story is the pulse of the episode. From homelessness and losing everything in storage to landing her first MA role and stepping into an instructor position, she shows how purpose fuels persistence. A patient’s smile became her turning point; a network of mentors turned setbacks into steps. We explore how to shift from “I graduated” to “I’m growing”—stacking micro-credentials, embracing continuing education, and seeing healthcare as a lifetime of learning. Expect practical takeaways: build a simple roadmap, assemble a small support bench, and commit to consistent, one-hour blocks that compound into confidence. If plan A fails, go to plan B through Z; momentum beats perfection. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a review with your next small step. Let’s keep making the leap—together. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1890511/fan_mail/new] Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com [https://www.rosspodcast.com] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-the-leap-podcast].

Persistence: Making the Leap When Everything Works Against You

Persistence isn't just about pushing through minor inconveniences—sometimes it's about walking four miles to work when you can't afford bus fare, studying during lunch breaks, and refusing to let homelessness define your children's future. Meet Keisha, a Ross Dental Assistant graduate whose journey exemplifies what it truly means to persist. As a single mother working two jobs, Keisha's path to success wasn't just challenging—it seemed impossible. Yet through a chance encounter with a Ross Education representative, she found herself reconnecting with her childhood passion for dental health while facing the harsh realities of poverty. What makes Keisha's story extraordinary isn't just her personal triumph but how her transformation has rippled outward. Her experience highlights a crucial truth about overcoming obstacles: while individual determination is essential, success often requires both personal persistence and the helping hands of others who recognize your potential. Throughout this deeply moving conversation, Keisha shares practical wisdom about time management as a working student, the importance of communication when facing barriers, and how setting small achievable goals eventually leads to major life changes. Her father's powerful words—"Excuses are the nails that build a house of failure"—have become a guiding philosophy not just for her own journey but for the students she now helps in her role at Ross Education. Whether you're currently struggling with obstacles to your education or simply need inspiration to keep pushing forward, Keisha's story offers both emotional resonance and practical strategies for making the leap from where you are to where you want to be. Listen now and discover what's possible when persistence meets opportunity. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1890511/fan_mail/new] Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com [https://www.rosspodcast.com] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-the-leap-podcast].

Housing Insecurity and Homelessness: Changing The Narrative

Ever wondered how the United States can better address the homelessness crisis? This episode of "Make the Leap" promises eye-opening insights as we welcome Kelsey Fox, the dedicated Director of Housing and Community Solutions at the United Way in Delaware County, Ohio. Kelsey guides us through her journey from public relations to becoming a passionate advocate for housing stability, sharing inspiring stories and impactful initiatives like the Delaware County Housing Alliance and a young adult transitional living program. Hear firsthand about the urgent need for emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as the poignant accounts of those living on society’s margins, including an emancipated youth forced to live in his car. As we navigate the complexities of housing assistance programs, Kelsey sheds light on the hurdles low-income individuals face, from cyclical voucher availability to overwhelming eligibility criteria. We challenge societal stereotypes about homelessness, particularly focusing on single mothers and children, and discuss the role of communities in promoting affordable housing through campaigns like YIMBY. The episode also tackles systemic issues, such as the impact of racism on housing insecurity and the importance of creating walkable, affordable communities. Join us for a thorough exploration of how we can equip individuals and communities with the resources to navigate housing crises and foster thoughtful, inclusive development. We’d love to hear from! Send us a message or topic idea. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1890511/fan_mail/new] Stay up to date on Make the Leap by following us on our website, rosspodcast.com [https://www.rosspodcast.com] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/make-the-leap-podcast].