🔥 NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🔥

Brisket for breakfast? Fighting okra? Waffle House wisdom? Yeah, this episode has everything.

Join The Higher Ed Breakfast Club Podcast as hosts Chris Taylor & Brian Van Brunt sit down with Kenneth Johnson (Texas A&M) to talk:
🍳 His journey from student affairs to strategic partnerships🏈 Great stories from his days as a college athlete 🥑 Why Texas breakfast tacos changed his life

Also, we finally answer the big question: Are you extraordinary? (Hint: Kenneth has a legendary speech for that.)

#HigherEd #Podcast #BreakfastTalk #WaffleHouseWisdom #BrisketForBreakfast #StudentAffairs #FightingOkras

Welcome back to the Higher Ed Breakfast Club Podcast—where we serve up hot takes on higher ed with a side of crispy hash browns.

This week, we’re back with Part Two of our episode featuring Robert Scholz, and it’s a breakfast deep dive like no other.

• Shocking revelation: Robert has NEVER eaten at Waffle House. Should we be concerned? Should we stage an intervention?
• We unpack the art of cereal mixing, the psychology of breakfast choices, and the undeniable truth that Bob Evans is just Waffle House for people who don’t like to fight.

PLUS: It gets personal when we reveal which Breakfast Club character we identify with most. Who’s the misunderstood rebel? The brain? The basket case? The jock? The verdict may surprise you (or maybe not).

Don’t miss this hilarious, insightful, and slightly judgmental discussion.

What happens when a licensed therapist and two higher ed pros walk into a podcast? You get deep conversations about masculinity, therapy, and… the ultimate breakfast burrito.

This week onHigher Ed Breakfast Club, we’re sitting down for part 2 withDave DeNino—crisis response expert, counselor, and all-around breakfast aficionado.

What doWaffle House hash browns,New Orleans brunch, andhelping people through disasters have in common? More than you’d think.

Breakfast Takes You Need to Hear:

• The bestand most overrated breakfast spots in New Orleans
• Waffle House—is stopping at every exit a valid strategy
• The ultimate syrup debate—restaurant brand, real maple, or a secret syrup flask?

Serious Topics You Can’t Ignore:

• How higher ed professionals can support students & staff through crises
• The biggest mistakes schools make when responding to mental health emergencies
• Why self-careisn’t optional when working in student affairs & crisis response

This episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and (of course) strong breakfast opinions.

#HigherEdBreakfastClub #HigherEd #CrisisResponse #MentalHealth #StudentSupport #Podcast #BreakfastCulture

On this episode of the Higher Ed Breakfast Club, we’re joined by Dave Denino, a seasoned college administrator, counselor, and crisis response expert. Together, we explore what it takes to support both students and staff in high-stress environments, the importance of mental health first aid, and how to create more trauma-informed campuses.

We discuss:
🍳 Supporting students facing stress and trauma
☕ How supervisors can look out for their staff’s well-being
🥓 Why comfort matters—whether it's leadership style...or breakfast

And yes, we talk breakfast: grits, bagels, toast hierarchies, and peanut butter preferences.

It’s an honest, insightful, and tasty conversation you won’t want to miss. Available now wherever you get your podcasts!

Do you like it when the syrup touches everything else on your plate or no? In part two of our episode with Chris Usher, we tackle the ultimate breakfast debates—McDonald’s Big Breakfast vs. Burger King Croissanwich, the underrated magic of Waffle House, and even Chick-fil-A’s bagel sandwich, AKA "sin chicken." We also talk bodega breakfast sandwiches, why French toast just might reign supreme, and a few hilarious breakfast blunders. But this isn’t just about breakfast—Chris dives into the complexities of campus policing, security, and the challenges of keeping communities safe while fostering trust. It’s bold, insightful, and the perfect way to kick off your day.

Stream it now wherever you listen to podcasts and join the conversation!
#HigherEdBreakfastClub #BreakfastTalk #FrenchToastWins #WaffleHouse

In this episode of the Higher Ed Breakfast Club Podcast, Chris Taylor and Brian Van Brunt chat with guest Chris Usher, whose incredible career spans from the Marines to diplomatic security, and now to higher education and safety training.

• Here’s a taste of what we discussed:
• Roux. And I mean a lot of talk about roux. I'm serious.
• Eye-opening perspectives on law enforcement, cultural diplomacy, and campus safety.
• The differences in campus and non-campus policing and the importance of knowing the difference.
• What's the best fast food breakfast?

Oh, and we didn’t forget about Hubig's Pies—a New Orleans fried pie classic!

Tune in to hear how skills like conflict resolution, cultural understanding, and yes, breakfast preferences, connect to higher education and building better communities.

#HigherEdBreakfastClub #CampusSafety #LawEnforcement #OnlineLearning #BreakfastTalks #NewOrleansVibes #CampusPolicing #IACLEA

After our holiday hiatus, we welcome Lisa Pescara Kovach back to the Higher Ed Breakfast Club Podcast. Part two with Lisa looks at the deep complexities of higher education, faculty challenges, and fostering meaningful dialogue in today’s polarized climate.

Key topics discussed include:

• Navigating Controversial Topics in the Classroom: How educators balance neutrality, academic freedom, and student sensitivities.
• Faculty Burnout: The emotional toll on faculty managing difficult conversations and administrative pressures.
• Media Literacy as a Core Skill: Why teaching students how to critically evaluate information is more vital than ever.
• The Role of Colleges in Facilitating Dialogue: Examining how institutions can create safe spaces for challenging conversations while remaining true to their mission.
• Breakfast and Brunch Musings: A lighter note as the hosts and Lisa explore breakfast favorites, the perfect mimosa variations, and the potential for new brunch traditions.

This episode blends serious insights with moments of humor and warmth, making it a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone invested in the evolving landscape of higher education.