The Back to Me Podcast

Yoli Tamu
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Founder and CEO of The Back to Me Podcast (@thebacktomepodcast), Yoli Tamu (@yolitamuofficial) hosts this college-focused podcast inspired by college students across the nation. The Back to Me Podcast was created to answer many questions posed by college freshmen entering this new environment and college graduates heading out into a new world as young adults. Every week, students will be inspired and encouraged by self-affirming interviews and tips to succeed in college and in a career they love.

  1. 4 days ago

    219. AI Careers Beyond Coding with Nicholas Beaudoin

    As we continue our “AI With Purpose: Student Pathways to What’s Next” series, we are joined by Nicholas Beaudoin, Director of AI Programs at Caltech’s Center for Technology and Management Education. He works across industry and education to make artificial intelligence practical and useful for organizations, and he emphasizes that there is no single route into an AI-related career. In this episode, Nicholas explores the expanding range of AI opportunities available to students, including roles in writing, technical documentation, and project management — not only engineering and coding. He encourages students to follow their curiosity, explore passion projects, participate in hackathons, and build community around what excites them most. Whether you pursue an internship, an entry-level role, or another hands-on experience, find out how to stand out as a strong candidate for opportunities with technology companies. ⁠ Nicholas completed his M.I.A. in International Economics at UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, and he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He also serves as AI Program Advisor and Instructor at Caltech's Center for Technology and Management Education, where he designs and leads courses that bring faculty, researchers, and industry practitioners together to teach executives, managers, and engineers how to apply AI strategy and implementation. Alongside this, he has advised Fortune 500 companies and U.S. federal agencies through consulting, with engagements spanning Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. His background covers hands-on AI/ML engineering, curriculum design, and enterprise strategy, and he has guided organizations from early proof of concept through production deployment. To learn more about Nicholas and his work, connect with him on LinkedIn.

    219. AI Careers Beyond Coding with Nicholas Beaudoin

  2. 2 Sept

    218. Preparing Students for an AI-Influenced Future with Dr. Stephen C. Sutton

    In this opening episode of our “AI With Purpose: Student Pathways to What’s Next” series, we welcome Dr. Stephen Sutton, Vice Chancellor Emeritus for Student Affairs at UC Berkeley. Recorded shortly before his retirement, this timely conversation explores what students need to thrive in an AI-influenced world. With four decades of leadership in student affairs, Dr. Sutton explores students’ understandable concerns about AI, including job uncertainty, unclear academic expectations, and access gaps. Discover why critical thinking, responsible AI use, cultural understanding, and equity matter as technology expands opportunity while also creating new barriers. Don’t miss his encouragement for students to take meaningful steps toward their future. Dr. Sutton completed his Doctorate of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston, where his research examined the persistence of students in web-enhanced courses. He also earned both his M.A. in College Student Personnel and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from The Ohio State University. With extensive expertise in student development, operational management, and institutional transformation, Dr. Sutton previously held various administrative roles in student activities, student-union management, and enrollment services at universities in Florida and Texas prior to stepping in as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at Berkeley. Throughout his career, Dr. Sutton has led student-affairs and enrollment initiatives that strengthen student development, expand access, and advance institutional success through strategic planning, process improvement, and a deep commitment to student well-being. To learn more about Dr. Sutton and his work, connect with him on LinkedIn.

    218. Preparing Students for an AI-Influenced Future with Dr. Stephen C. Sutton

  3. 26 Aug

    217. Finding Your People: Culture, Belonging & Student Success with Dr. T Gage

    Whether it’s your first year or your last, finding your community on campus is an important part of helping you stay engaged and motivated while you pursue both your academic and professional goals. In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. T Gage, Counseling Coordinator for Umoja-UBAKA at Laney College in Oakland, California. Dr. Gage shares how intentional guidance and a “my brother’s keeper” mindset can help students not only enroll in college, but truly thrive there. Find out how she models time management and accountability while helping create a space for students ages 16 to 83—where every student’s lived experience is valued and everyone is treated with dignity. Dr. Gage completed her Doctorate of Education Leadership and Success at Aspen University, her MA in Education Counseling at San Jose State University, and she received her Bachelor of Arts in Education/Child Development with at Mills College in Oakland, California. As a Bay Area native, her career has been dedicated to education, with more than a decade of experience in counseling. Throughout her professional journey, she has found the greatest fulfillment in helping students recognize their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their fullest potential. She believes every student has the ability to succeed when they are supported, encouraged, and empowered. To learn more about Dr. Gage and her work, connect with her via email at tgage@peralta.edu. ⁠

    217. Finding Your People: Culture, Belonging & Student Success with Dr. T Gage

  4. 19 Aug

    216: Game Plan for the Semester: Discipline, Balance & Building Your Future with Chris Plantey and Laolu Kalejaiye

    School is back in session and we hope you had a restful summer! Have you mapped out your game plan for the semester yet? If not, get ready to be inspired by two student athletes who are learning the benefits of preparation, discipline and leadership both on and off the court! In this week’s episode, we are joined by Chris Plantey and Laolu Kalejaiye, two Business majors and Basketball Point Guards at Lincoln University in Oakland, California. Find out how friendships, mentorship, and genuine care from their coaches have made their student-athlete experience more meaningful. In addition to keeping up with their studies, these athletes share the value they discovered in mentoring elementary and early middle school students. Chris Plantey is a Junior Business Administration major at Lincoln University, where he maintains a 4.0 GPA and continues to build a strong academic foundation. His professional experiences as a resident advisor, youth basketball coach, tutor, and consultant have equipped him with valuable skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Each of these roles has allowed him to mentor others, manage responsibilities, and thrive in diverse environments. Having lived and studied in Guadeloupe, France, Spain, and the United States, he brings a global perspective, adaptability, and resilience to every opportunity. Laolu Kalejaiye is also a Junior Business Administration major at Lincoln University. This Nigerian athlete relates well to his peers and young kids. Known for high productivity and efficient task completion, Laolu is skilled in program development, behavior management, and emergency response, ensuring engaging and safe environments for camp participants. He excels in communication and leadership, while being committed to creating memorable experiences through innovative approaches and team collaboration. To learn more about Chris and Laolu's mentorship work, connect with them on IG @chris.plty and @1aolu or visit them on LinkedIn.

    216: Game Plan for the Semester: Discipline, Balance & Building Your Future with Chris Plantey and Laolu Kalejaiye

  5. 27 May

    215. Are You Performing or Are You Living? With Yoli Tamu

    Congratulations, Graduates! As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, our host and founder, Yoli Tamu invites you to pause and reflect on the difference between performing for approval and living with purpose. Using her personal freshman-year story as the backdrop, she explores how boredom, peer pressure, and the desire to fit in can quietly shape our choices if we’re not paying attention. If you have ever felt caught between image and authenticity, this episode will challenge you to look beneath the surface, trust your values, and choose a more intentional way of living. Yoli completed her M.Ed. in Cross-Cultural Teaching at National University, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at Howard University in Washington, DC. She has fused her thirst for creativity and entrepreneurship with 25 years as a resolute educator/motivator, podcast host, speaker, author, and recording artist. In August 2020, Yoil created The Back to Me Podcast: College and Beyond-a weekly podcast that she also hosts and serves as Executive Producer. In her weekly thirty-minute shows, Yoli seamlessly shares enlightening, engaging, and entertaining conversations that feature monthly themes and a wide array of special guests from different social classes and professions. Her arsenal of talents also includes developing a professional career as a songwriter/singer, live performer, independently publishing a book as an author, and working as a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) coach. To learn more about Yoli’s college journey, check out her self-published book, “Back to Me: A Devotional Walk for the College Freshman Woman” and visit our website at TheBacktoMePodcast.com.

    215. Are You Performing or Are You Living? With Yoli Tamu

  6. 20 May

    214. The Power of Belonging, Support, and Student Wellness with Elise Sturdivant

    Our ‘Campus Care Collective’ series for Mental Health Awareness Month continues with Elise Sturdivant, Vice President of Student Affairs at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead. Mrs. Sturdivant shares how higher ed chose her after growing up surrounded by educators, advocates, admissions recruiters, and financial aid support that helped her feel she belonged, even as a young mom in college. Now serving as the only African American woman at her college, she leads with cultural awareness, visible presence, and a deep commitment to the whole student through positive intelligence coaching, nervous system regulation, and early alerts that help students access the support they need. Mrs. Sturdivant completed her MBA in Strategic Management at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management and Communications at University of Michigan. She is a mission-centered executive with over two decades of experience leading strategic transformation, operational growth, and cross-sector collaboration across higher education, nonprofit, for-profit, and civic organizations. Mrs. Sturdivant leads enterprise-wide initiatives supporting 10,000 students and oversees a multimillion-dollar operating budget across 15 departments. Her leadership has driven record-breaking enrollment and retention, secured multimillion-dollar federal grants, and modernized enterprise technology infrastructure to improve access, equity, and efficiency. To learn more about Mrs. Sturdivant, connect with her via email at elise.sturdivant@minnesota.edu or visit her at Minnesota.edu.

    214. The Power of Belonging, Support, and Student Wellness with Elise Sturdivant

  7. 13 May

    213. From Burdens to Brilliance with Dr. Jerell Hill

    For Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue our ‘Campus Care Collective’ series with Dr. Jerell Hill, Dean of Counseling and Guided Pathways at Los Angeles City College. This Education Leader, author, and international speaker feels privileged to transform student struggles into strength. From full academic scholarship recipient to administrative healer, Dr. Hill shares lived wisdom from his new book, "Developing Conscious Gratitude in Schools.” He teaches aspiring educators how to shift students from burdens to brilliance and recognize that "the wound is the data," not the problem. Find out how to use your struggle as the beginning of progress while Dr. Hill demonstrates how he loves students into their purpose. ⁠ Dr. Hill completed his Doctorate of Education at William Howard Taft University in Denver, Colorado, and he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at University of California, Irvine. His work sits at the intersection of educational justice, trauma-informed leadership, and conscious leadership development. Dr. Hill's research spans teacher preparation, student motivation, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and urban education. He is a passionate advocate for equity and excellence and brings that conviction to every stage, classroom, and community he enters. To learn more about Dr. Hill, visit his website at JerellHill.com and LACC.edu/student-services/counseling or connect with him on LinkedIn.

    213. From Burdens to Brilliance with Dr. Jerell Hill

  8. 6 May

    212. Athletic Mental Health Beyond the Court with William Middlebrooks

    It's Mental Health Awareness Month, and we're launching our “Campus Care Collective” series with William Middlebrooks, Deputy Athletic Director, Leadership Strategist, and Basketball Program Director at Lincoln University in Oakland, California. From college basketball player to high school coach at age 18, Coach Middlebrooks shares how mental health fuels athletic success and lifelong prosperity. He warns against desperation-driven sports decisions while coaching parents to prioritize personal value over financial prospects. Through programming designed with his wife, athletes build mental resilience, conflict resolution, organizational skills, and real-world grounding through jobs and community service. After leading teams to championships, he teaches true success balances on-court wins with off-court intentionality, which is where most athletes actually build their wealth. ⁠ Coach Middlebrooks completed his MBA in Finance, Policy and Law at Southern Utah University, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management at Ashford University in Chandler, Arizona. He is known for developing high-performing teams while prioritizing mental wellness and personal growth. Often called “The People’s Coach,” Middlebrooks blends athletics, leadership, and life development to help student-athletes and professionals build resilience, manage pressure, and lead with purpose. His programs have produced championship teams, academic standouts, and transformational personal outcomes — all rooted in a culture that values mental health as a cornerstone of sustained success. To learn more about Coach Middlebrooks, connect with him on IG @williampmiddlebrooks or visit his website at WilliamMiddlebrooks.com or LincolnUCA.edu.

    212. Athletic Mental Health Beyond the Court with William Middlebrooks
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About

Founder and CEO of The Back to Me Podcast (@thebacktomepodcast), Yoli Tamu (@yolitamuofficial) hosts this college-focused podcast inspired by college students across the nation. The Back to Me Podcast was created to answer many questions posed by college freshmen entering this new environment and college graduates heading out into a new world as young adults. Every week, students will be inspired and encouraged by self-affirming interviews and tips to succeed in college and in a career they love.

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