Junior year of high school is here — and the college process is officially real.

In this special episode, we try something new: a “Newlywed Game”-style conversation between a mom and her daughter about their different takes on independence, stress, communication, and what the college process actually feels like inside one household.

Ali Dorfman, former TV producer and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, joins us alongside her daughter Emme to share the parent and student perspective in real time.

From ACT prep to Life360, from FOMO to family rules, this episode captures the nuanced dance between pushing, guiding, and letting go.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• When junior year suddenly makes college feel “real”
• The independence spectrum: How much should parents step in?
• Balancing grades, sports, extracurriculars, and test prep
• The emotional climate inside a household during application season
• Communication expectations once students leave for college
• Which family rules may (or may not) retire
• The role of social media in shaping college dreams
• Why passion > résumé padding
• The tension between parent aspirations and student interests
• The “marathon, not sprint” mindset
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Junior year often feels like “buckle up” season.
• Independence in the college process is rarely all-or-nothing.
• Students need space to develop their own internal compass.
• Parents are navigating their own letting-go journey.
• The fun stuff (sports, campus life, dorm decor) can be motivating — but academics still dominate the mental load early on.
• Family communication expectations should be discussed before move-in day.
  
  

About Our Guest

Ali Dorfman is a former TV producer (CBS News, The Today Show, ABC) and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, a one-stop platform supporting families through the college planning journey — from test prep to dorm décor. Make sure to check out this amazing resource! https://www.thecollegecorner.com/about-us

And a special thank you to the brave, insightful and all-around rock star Emme who was willing to be our *first* Two Takes guest!

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

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