The Pickup Meeting

Michael "Brody" Broshears and Kevin Thomas
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Self-Improvement

Ever stumbled into an unexpected convo that left you energized, inspired, and maybe even laughing out loud? That’s The Pickup Meeting. Join higher ed besties Michael "Brody" Broshears and Kevin Thomas as they sit down with passionate changemakers who put students first and aren’t afraid to shake up the status quo. These are the unplanned conversations that just might become the best part of your day.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep. 50 - A "Just Us" Episode

    Send us Fan Mail The Pickup Meeting hits episode 50! Kevin and Brody celebrate the milestone with bold NFL and college football predictions, including a few potentially regrettable hot takes. Then they dig into higher ed’s implementation fatigue—why constant new tools and policies can wear teams down, and what thoughtful leadership can do about it. To wrap it up, they share the vehicles they’ve loved most, from a Chevy Chevette and minivan memories to a Prius and a brand-new 4Runner. It’s equal parts sports, real talk, and good-natured nonsense—just the way a “Just Us” episode should be. *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 50 - A "Just Us" Episode

  2. Sep 9

    Ep. 49 - Chandler Vandenberg, The University of Texas at Austin

    Send us Fan Mail What do NFL uniforms, graphic design, AI, and multimillion-dollar philanthropy have in common? More than you’d think. In this episode of The Pickup Meeting, Brody and Kevin sit down with Chandler Vandenberg, Senior Director of Development for Principal Gifts at the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, to talk about the art—and science—of building relationships that lead to transformational impact. Chandler shares his unexpected journey from graphic design to higher-ed fundraising, why authenticity might be the most valuable skill in advancement, and what institutions get wrong when making the big ask. The crew also digs into how AI is changing fundraising, what the next generation of donors expects, and why sometimes you have to be willing to put a really big number on the table. Plus, before any of that happens, there are strong opinions about NFL uniforms, the Dallas Cowboys, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and why some classics simply shouldn't be messed with. In this episode: relationship-building, principal gifts, creative careers, high-performing teams, AI in advancement, the future of higher education—and just enough football trash talk to keep things interesting. *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 49 - Chandler Vandenberg, The University of Texas at Austin

  3. Sep 2

    Ep. 48 - A "Just Us" Episode

    Send us Fan Mail What do frozen chips, shrinking wardrobes, higher ed leadership, and a heated color draft have in common? Somehow, they all make perfect sense in this episode of The Pickup Meeting. Kevin and Brody kick things off with some real-life wardrobe struggles, Kevin’s 111-pound weight-loss journey, and the surprisingly controversial suggestion that chips belong in the freezer. From there, they settle some very important snack debates—Cool Ranch Doritos, sour cream & onion, kettle chips, Gripos, and more—before shifting gears into the realities of leadership in higher education. They dig into what it means to assume good intent, build strong professional relationships, find common ground when things get political, and remember that even when people disagree on the path forward, they often want the same thing: better outcomes for students. And because no Pickup Meeting would be complete without a completely unnecessary competition, Kevin and Brody finish with a color draft that gets much more personal than expected. 🍟 Should chips be frozen? 🤝 Can assuming good intent make us better leaders? 🎨 And which colors deserve a first-round draft pick? Grab your favorite snack—frozen or otherwise—and join the meeting. Do good. Be nice. And we’ll see you at the next Pickup Meeting. *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 48 - A "Just Us" Episode

  4. Aug 26

    Ep. 47 - Stephanie Kraft-Terry, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

    Send us Fan Mail What do advising strategy, data-driven decisions, leadership, jazz, Fortnite, and baking have in common? Somehow, they all make their way into this episode of The Pickup Meeting. Kevin Thomas and Michael “Brody” Broshears sit down with Stephanie Kraft-Terry, newly named Director of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, for a conversation that’s equal parts higher-ed insight and wonderfully unpredictable detour. Stephanie shares her journey from postdoctoral research to academic advising and now academic leadership, including what she’s learned about breaking down campus silos, building meaningful advising standards, using data to challenge assumptions, and making technology work for advisors rather than the other way around. She also talks about her experience with the NACADA LEAD track and what she’s carrying from advising into her new leadership role. And because it wouldn’t be The Pickup Meeting without a few side quests, the crew also gets into questionable music genres, sleep deprivation, late-night Fortnite, baking lessons, dream lottery purchases, and the eternal question of what makes a truly terrible car conversation. Come for the higher-ed leadership lessons. Stay for the chaos. *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 47 - Stephanie Kraft-Terry, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

  5. Aug 19

    Ep. 46 - Aaron Brown, Council for Opportunity in Education

    Send us Fan Mail What do Trapper Keepers, 250 years of American history, chain restaurants, and the future of higher education have in common? Somehow, they all made it into this episode of The Pickup Meeting. Kevin and Brody sit down with Dr. Aaron Brown, Executive Vice President of the Council for Opportunity in Education, for a conversation about why higher education still matters—and why its value goes far beyond a paycheck. As a first-generation college graduate and TRIO alum, Aaron brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation. Together, they unpack the role colleges play in creating opportunity, the incredible influence of academic advisors, the power of simply believing in a student, and how one educational opportunity can ripple across an entire family. Plus, the guys debate preparing vs. winging it, imagine what people might say about The Pickup Meeting 250 years from now, and tackle the truly important questions—like which chain restaurant deserves a spot at the top. Come for the higher ed conversation. Stay for the Trapper Keepers and Texas Roadhouse. *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 46 - Aaron Brown, Council for Opportunity in Education

  6. Aug 12

    Ep. 45 - A "Just Us" Episode

    Send us Fan Mail The Pickup Meeting officially turns ONE! 🎉 Kevin and Brody are celebrating a full year behind the microphones with a special “just us” episode—looking back at how two friends’ phone conversations somehow became an actual podcast people actually listen to. They revisit the guests and stories that stuck with them, the lessons that have made their way into their work in higher education, and the moments that definitely did not go according to plan. From the unforgettable “cactus in the closet” lesson to Kevin literally disappearing from an episode, year one has delivered plenty of wisdom, technical chaos, questionable phrases, and laughs. They also talk about the people who helped make the show possible, why hearing from listeners still feels surreal, and how The Pickup Meeting has strengthened their friendship while creating conversations they hope will stick around for years to come. It’s part anniversary celebration, part behind-the-scenes look, and part love letter to the guests and listeners who made year one worth showing up for. Here’s to Year Two. Same friendship. More great conversations. Probably more technical difficulties. 🎧 *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 45 - A "Just Us" Episode

  7. Aug 5

    Ep. 44 - Joe Thomas, University of Colorado Boulder

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the Resident Assistant you hired 20 years ago becomes one of higher education's most respected student affairs leaders? This week, Kevin and Brody welcome Dr. Joe Thomas, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life at the University of Colorado Boulder and former NODA President. Together, they dive into what it really takes to help students succeed—from creating a sense of belonging before classes even begin to building campus-wide collaboration that boosted retention without spending another dollar. Along the way, they debate the year's best (and worst) movies, discuss why success is usually measured in small wins, swap He-Man memories, survive another lightning round, and reveal which movie worlds they'd happily live in for an entire year. *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 44 - Joe Thomas, University of Colorado Boulder

  8. Jul 29

    Ep. 43 - A "Just Us" Episode

    Send us Fan Mail It's another "Just Us" episode, and that means anything can happen! Kevin and Brody kick things off by reminiscing about back-to-school shopping, Trapper Keepers, NFL pencils, thermostat battles, surviving the summer heat, and the simple joys (or frustrations) of keeping a lawn alive. They also wrap things up with their latest Top 3 list, sharing the states they still hope to visit. Between the laughs, the conversation turns to a timely discussion about the changing perception of higher education. Drawing on recent public opinion data, Kevin and Brody explore why confidence in colleges may be rebounding, the growing concerns about affordability and value, and why it's more important than ever for higher education professionals to tell the stories of student success. It's a thoughtful conversation packed with humor, perspective, and plenty of the unscripted banter that makes these "Just Us" episodes so much fun. *The Pickup Meeting is a spinoff of the Adventures in Advising podcast! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, subscribe to the Adventures in Advising YouTube Channel! Have a question? Want to chat? E-mail us at thepickupmeeting@gmail.com! Connect with Brody and Kevin on LinkedIn.

    Ep. 43 - A "Just Us" Episode
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Ever stumbled into an unexpected convo that left you energized, inspired, and maybe even laughing out loud? That’s The Pickup Meeting. Join higher ed besties Michael "Brody" Broshears and Kevin Thomas as they sit down with passionate changemakers who put students first and aren’t afraid to shake up the status quo. These are the unplanned conversations that just might become the best part of your day.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael "Brody" Broshears and Kevin Thomas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pickup Meeting
  • Show Website
    The Pickup Meeting

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