This week, Ava sits down with Logan Church, a driven freshman at North Carolina State University, for an honest conversation about starting over, finding your people, and redefining what success looks like. Logan opens up about his challenging transition from high school to college, the loneliness no one warns you about, and how simply talking to strangers can change everything.

They dive into his evolving career goals and his ambitious double major in Physics and Education—two fields he hopes to merge as he works toward transforming the future of public schools. Logan shares why failure is necessary, how stepping outside your comfort zone creates unexpected opportunities, and why he’s determined to make an impact through teaching, leadership, and educational policy.

It’s a grounded, motivating episode about embracing change, chasing purpose, and building a life that feels like your own.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Logan on Instagram | @logan_church101

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

This week, Ava sits down with Paul Bryan— a talented debater, impressive speaker, and master guitarist. Together, they dive into everything from their favorite books and the joys of photography to the chaos of school, motivation, and navigating a job market that feels more unpredictable than ever.

Paul opens up about his passion for photojournalism, why he’s choosing a less traditional academic path, and how he hopes to spotlight underrepresented stories around the world. He also walks Ava through his incredibly detailed life plan—graduating high school early, starting at community college, transferring to University of North Carolina Wilmington, and ultimately aiming for University of Oxford. The conversation winds through the pitfalls of the public education system, the reality of political change, procrastination, dreams of travel, and why (according to Paul) you should probably be working 40 hours a day.

Packed with wit and honesty, this episode is a reminder to strengthen your mindset, stay grateful, and question the path you think you’re supposed to follow.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Paul on Instagram | @im.eggscelent

This week, Ava chats with the sweet Brooklyn Baker, a Eugene Ashley High School graduate and current Cape Fear Community College student, as they dive into her journey from a challenging high school experience to finding confidence, purpose, and momentum in college. From reminiscing about their days in theater to exploring how Brooklyn rediscovered her passions—including becoming a self-taught figure skater—this conversation highlights the growth that comes from finally choosing yourself.

Brooklyn shares candid stories about balancing a job with classes, staying consistent in therapy, and navigating the highly competitive process of getting into the cardiovascular sonography program at CFCC. She also opens up about the resilience it takes to pursue such a demanding field and her long-term dream of living in New York City. Together, Ava and Brooklyn unpack the stigmas surrounding community college, the realities of working while in school, and the pressure Gen Z feels to map out their futures on a deadline.

Whether you’re searching for perspective, comfort, or just love a refreshingly honest conversation, this episode is packed with relatability and motivation. Get ready to be inspired by Brooklyn’s humor, honesty, and unwavering determination as she builds a future on her own terms.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Brooklyn on Instagram | @brooklynxbaker_

This week, Ava chats with the Student Body President of Eugene Ashley High School, Mary Paige Mott, as they dive deep into the journey of senior year, college ambitions, and future dreams. From reminiscing about shared chorus and yearbook days to unpacking a jam-packed schedule of leadership roles, Mary Paige shares what it’s like to balance school, cheerleading, and student government, all while navigating the excitement and pressures of college decisions.

We hear candid stories about senior activities (including some hilarious adventures with Senior Jeans and the infamous Senior Assassin), and get an honest look at the challenges and motivations behind Mary Paige’s aspirations to major in English and eventually become a judge. The conversation also explores the process of choosing Chapel Hill, ambitions for law school, and even a surprise Plan B as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader!

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practical advice on leadership and college applications, or just love Legally Blonde as much as Mary Paige does, this episode is packed with relatable anecdotes and uplifting motivation. Get ready to be inspired by Mary Paige’s drive, vulnerability, and unwavering trust in the process.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Mary Paige on Instagram | @marypaigemott

This week, Ava sits down with her fellow senior and “almost birthday twin,” Kayleigh Armstrong, for a conversation every stressed-out high schooler needs to hear. Standing on the edge of graduation at Eugene Ashley High School, Kayleigh opens up about the uncertainty, and excitement, of still deciding where she wants to spend the next four years. She shares her passion for Psychology, her backup plan in Speech Pathology, and what motivated her to apply to over ten colleges in the first place.

Together, Ava and Kayleigh dive into why the current school system doesn’t always reflect real intelligence, how easy it is to fall into the trap of tying your worth to your transcript, and why it’s okay to take a breath and admit you don’t have everything figured out yet. They also explore the awkward, and sometimes chaotic, world of finding college roommates on Instagram versus going random.

If you’re feeling the pressure to “have your whole life planned out,” this episode is your permission slip to slow down.

Follow the podcast on Instagram | @wheretfpodcast

Find Kayleigh on Instagram | @kayleigh_armstrong