This week, Ava reunites with her former middle school chorus classmate, Madison Mintegui, for a heartfelt and uplifting conversation about passion, purpose, and the unpredictable path from adolescence to adulthood. Together, they dive into Madison’s lifelong love of musical theater and her exciting plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue Speech-Language Pathology.

Madison opens up about her shift from chasing a BFA to discovering her calling in speech therapy—a path deeply inspired by her younger brother, who has autism. And don’t worry, she’s not stepping away from the stage anytime soon. Ava and Madison talk about her plans to minor in musical theater, her love for R&B, and the dream role she’s dying to play: Mimi in Rent.

It’s a grounded, honest conversation about rethinking your plans, figuring out what you truly want, and embracing the fact that you don’t need to have everything figured out yet. A reminder that it’s okay to take your time, pivot, and grow at your own pace.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Madison on Instagram | @madison.mintegui

This week, Ava sits down with her former statistics classmate, the fashionable and driven Heidi Lewis, for a conversation that every college student-in-the-making will relate to. Originally from Charlotte, Heidi opens up about her decision to attend Cape Fear Community College instead of a traditional university—and why that choice makes the most sense for her goals and her future.

Together, they dive into Heidi’s strategic roadmap to becoming a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, her pivot away from Marine Biology, and the realities of making big academic decisions at 18. From pop-culture hyperfixations and campus-life adjustments to practical advice for stressed college students, Heidi lays out exactly where she’s going and how she plans to get there—with clarity, confidence, and plenty of personality.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Heidi on Instagram | @heidi._lewis

This week, Ava sits down with her birthday twin, Ashtyn Ganey, for a conversation every soon-to-be college student needs to hear. Together, they dive into the whirlwind transition from high school to college—finding the right roommate, facing the pressure of life-changing decisions, and learning to embrace uncertainty when everything feels like it’s happening at once.

Ashtyn opens up about her future dreams and her plans for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the challenges of scholarship applications, and the practical worries that come with balancing a demanding nursing path alongside her passion for orchestra. Ava and Ashtyn also get into the importance of time management, staying grounded, and figuring out how to live in the moment while still keeping an eye on long-term goals.

Whether you’re finishing high school, prepping for college, or just trying to get a handle on what comes next, this episode is filled with encouragement, honesty, and the kind of perspective that makes everything feel a little more manageable.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Ashtyn on Instagram | @ash.ganey