The Student Loan Podcast
Daphné Vanessa and Shamil Rodriguez, Co-Founders for STARTNOO.com
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The Student Loan Podcast is your source for the latest and not-so-greatest on the rising cost of higher education. Student loan debt and tuition costs continue to rise and we will work together so that we do not get caught in the tide.
Join Daphné Vanessa and Shamil Rodriguez as they discuss student loans, tuition, and everything in between.
Visit www.thestudentloanpodcast.com for more information.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
3 days ago
24. Calling Customer Service - Daphne Calls a Student Loan Servicer
Today we have a unique episode for you of a recorded call Daphné had with a student loan servicer. We hope that this episode will help you before you call your student loan servicer and ask for details about your student loans. As you’ve heard from other guests of the show, the first step you need to take in paying of your student loans is gathering all of the details and options available to your specific student loan scenario. So, without any further ado, let’s get to it.
Apr 1, 2021
23. PSLF & Avoiding Student Loan Scams With Betsy Mayotte
Happy April Fool's Day! Unfortunately, being fooled isn't so fun when you've been scammed for thousands of dollars by someone posing to offer you student loan forgiveness.
No need to fear, because you will walk away from today's episode learning how to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and how to avoid scammers that pretend to offer similar programs to help you with your student loans.
Betsy Mayotte, the founder of TISLA (http://freestudentloanadvice.org/), joins the show again not only to share how to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and how to avoid student loan scams, she is helping spread awareness on this subject by using the hashtag #dontbefooled.
Learn more and join in on the #dontbefooled social media campaign by visiting the show notes at:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode23
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Mar 24, 2021
22. Ideas That Could "Radically" Change the Student Loan Industry
In today's episode Daphné and Shamil take a fun twist and discuss "radical" ideas that could change the student loan industry.
View the full list of resources in the show notes by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode22
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Mar 17, 2021
21. Katherine Wheatle on Changing the Narrative on Student Borrowers of Color - Lumina Foundation
Dr. Katherine Wheatle, strategy officer for federal policy and equity at Lumina Foundation, joins the show to share the details of a report that she led on Changing the Narrative on Student Borrowers of Color.
Today's episode is the deep dive of deep dive episodes, so put on your policy hats and get prepared to learn about how this report is helping people have the difficult conversation discussing the effect of endemic structural racism on inequitable student outcomes.
To learn more about Dr. Wheatle, the Lumina Foundation and to obtain your own copy of the report, visit the show notes at:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode21
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Mar 10, 2021
20. Nena Ugwuomo, Founder of Student Dream Shares How Student Dream Is Helping Close the Black Wealth Gap
Nena Ugwuomo, founder of Student Dream (https://www.studentdream.org/) joins the show to share how Student Dream is accomplishing their mission of closing the black wealth gap by leading lessons on personal finance, investing and entrepreneurship.
We hope you are ready for a great episode because Nena does a wonderful job of taking a deep dive into each of the three areas of focus and how they will help generate wealth for the black community and lead to long term generational change.
***As a BONUS, The Student Loan Podcast is going to pay for the application fee of one lucky winner. Listen to the entire podcast episode to found out how you can win this prize! ***
Capture everything that was covered in today's episode by visiting the show notes at:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode20
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Mar 3, 2021
19. Shamil Rodriguez Shares What It Was Like to be on The Board of Trustees for a Community College
Shamil Rodriguez, co-host of The Student Loan Podcast and co-founder of StartNoo.com shares his experience of being on a community college board of trustees at the ripe age of 23.
Sit back and enjoy this episode because we take the scenic route into Shamil’s higher education experience in hopes that you can take away some of the perspective he’s gained over the years.
Capture everything that was covered in today's episode by vising the show notes at:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode19
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Feb 24, 2021
18. Betsy Mayotte - Founder of TISLA Shares Free Student Loan Advice
Betsy Mayotte, the founder of TISLA (http://freestudentloanadvice.org/) joins the show to share free student loan advice that she has gained in over 20 years in the student loan space. She's helped thousands of families navigate through financing their higher education goals.
We hope you have your thinking caps on today because Betsy jumps into why she started a free student loan advice nonprofit, her experience negotiating the details of regulations that directly impact your rights as a student loan borrower, and the three most important take-aways she believes every listener should implement after listening to this Student Loan Podcast episode.
Capture everything that was covered in today's episode by vising the show notes at:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode18
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Feb 17, 2021
17. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel Breaks Down the History and Current State of Student Loans in America
Danielle Douglas-Gabriel from the Washington Post joins The Student Loan Podcast to discuss the history and current state of the student loan industry. Danielle covers everything from the history of student loans in America, CFPB enforcement efforts, student loan scandals that have shaped current student loan policies, the Biden administration plans for student loans, and so much more.
We hope you have your thinking caps on for this episode because Danielle drops knowledge bombs all episode long. We hope you take away as much as Danielle shares in this episode with us today.
Capture everything that was covered in today's episode by vising the show notes at:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode17
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Feb 12, 2021
16. Celebrities Paying Off Student Loans
In today's episode Daphné and Shamil take a fun twist and discuss celebrities that have paid off student loans for their fans or random people they've encountered on the internet.
This fun filled episode will inspire you, make you laugh, and give you some insight as to how sharing your story online can be heard by the right person at the right time and lead to your student loans being paid off. We hope you have as much fun listening to this episode as we did making it.
View the full list of resources in the show notes by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode16
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Feb 3, 2021
15. Laura Meckler from the Washington Post Discusses Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in Advance of Senate Confirmation Hearing
The train has arrived, ladies and gentlemen. Today is the beginning of the Senate Confirmation hearing of the Biden-Harris administration nominee, Miguel Cardona, for Secretary of Education.
Expert Laura Meckler joins us from the Washington Post to discuss the historical appointment of Miguel Cardona. With the incoming administration already making changes within the first few weeks, Laura discusses differences between the recent Secretary of Education and the current nominee, Miguel Cardona. We also discuss the unique complexities of how race-relations and bilingualism may impact the coming administration, and how Cardona may impact
View the full show notes and learn more by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode15
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Jan 27, 2021
14. Should You Push Back Paying Your Student Loans?
In today's episode Daphné and Shamil respond to a listener's question asking if they should go to graduate school to defer paying back their student loans.
They discuss what to consider when making this type of decision and walk you through the decision making process of the value of your graduate degree. They also take a dive into other options to keep in mind when making large financial decisions like deciding to go to graduate school.
View the full list of resources in the show notes by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode14
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Jan 20, 2021
13. Biden's Student Loan Plan
Happy Inauguration Day to everyone in the United States!
New administration, new student loan agenda. With every Presidential Administration, new policies, efforts, and strategies are implemented across a number of different categories. The student loan crisis is no different. At a time when over 44 million Americans hold over $1.7 trillion dollars in student loan debt, and at a time when the country attempts to heal wide divisions, there is no better time to have a clear agenda on an economic recovery.
Buckle Your Seat Belts and Stay Tuned as Daphné and Shamil take a Deep Dive Into the Biden Administration's Possible Plans for Student Loans.
View the full list of resources in the show notes by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode13
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Jan 13, 2021
12. How to Achieve Your New Year's Resolution of Paying Off Your Student Loan Debt
Daphné Vanessa and Shamil Rodriguez discuss how to achieve your New Year's Resolution of paying off your student loan debt. They've gathered ideas and share strategies that you can implement in your own plan to pay off your student loan debt.
Some of the lessons you'll learn from this episode include ways to committing to the challenge of paying off your student loans, accountability systems to keep you on track and several methods you can choose from that fit your personal preference for ultimately achieving your student loan debt payoff goal! This episode is jam packed with lessons so bring out your notebooks, iPads, laptops, or whatever it is you use to keep track of lightbulb moments because there will be plenty of them to come.
View the full list of resources in the show notes by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode12
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans…
Jan 6, 2021
11. Daphné Vanessa Shares How She Was Able to Get Her Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees for Free!
Daphné Vanessa Shares How She Was Able to Get Her Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees for Free! Daphné Vanessa is not just a boss at StartNoo (pun intended), she is a boss at following the flow of money, understanding the university endowment system and has first-hand experience with building out a multinational network of nonprofits and volunteers.
In this episode not only will you learn more about the co-host of the Student Loan Podcast, but you will gain valuable advice that can potentially change the way you finance your education while in college. Daphné shares how relationships, hard work, creative thinking and a little bit of serendipity can go a long way. So take out your notebooks (or note taking app...lol) because you'll want to remember what she has to share. Visit the show notes for more details.
View the full show notes and learn more by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode11
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service h…
Dec 30, 2020
10. Co-Hosts Daphné Vanessa and Shamil Rodriguez Provide the 2020 Year End Recap and 2021 Look Ahead for Student Loans
Daphné Vanessa and Shamil Rodriguez, The Student Loan Podcast co-hosts and co-founders of StartNoo.com provide a 2020 end of year recap and look forward to possible changes to student loans, tuition and everything in between in 2021.
This episode is fun twist from the traditional interview format as Daphné and Shamil share their thoughts on some of the student loan headlines that dominated 2020 and look forward to what's on the horizon in 2021. They discuss topics such as student loan forgiveness, payment deferral programs, remote learning and much more.
View the full show notes and learn more by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode10
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Dec 23, 2020
9. Jorge Alguera Shares How Being an Undocumented Immigrant Didn't Stop Him From Pursuing His Goals of Higher Education
Ladies and gentlemen, be prepared to leave your excuses at the front door. Jorge Alguera joins the show to share his personal journey of obtaining a higher education while being an undocumented immigrant.
This episodes discusses how Jorge went from paying $15K for an associates degree to having to pay only $1,500 while completing his first semester of law school part-time. Jorge also shares his perspective as a college administrator and discusses why he gives back to the community through programs such as the CUNY Black Male Initiative.
In addition to your notebooks, pull out some Kleenex (not a sponsor) because Jorge inspires with his humble beginnings, his steady perseverance, and unwavering optimism.
View the full show notes and learn more by visiting:
https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode9
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Dec 16, 2020
8. Leslie Awasom Shares How He Tackled Over $200K in Student Loans While Growing a Multimillion Dollar Real Estate Portfolio Outside of his FT Job - It All Started With a Shift in His Mindset
Leslie Awasom joins us from Xsite Capital and the Exciting World of Multifamily Investing to share his journey conquering mindset, becoming financially independent, and shifting the paradigm on student loans. Leslie is a successful investor, healthcare professional, family man, and so much more. During this episode, prepare to be enlightened and bring out your journal, because you will be taking notes.
Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode8
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Dec 9, 2020
7. Dr. Adam Rothman Shares How He Managed to Work While Attending Med School and Pay Down His Student Loans - Dr. Adam Rothman Interview
Are we seeing double? Yes, today's episode with with Dr. Adam Rothman, M.D., a hero in his own right. Dr. Rothman is saving lives during COVID-19, and has graciously offered his time to share his student loan journey with us!
This episode has exciting tips and tricks for navigating six figure student loan debt and all of the unique solutions available to aspiring doctors. You won't want to miss this one!
Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode7
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Oct 12, 2020
6. Choncé Maddox Shares How She Paid Off Her Student Loans 7 Years Early! Pay Yourself First and Help Your Future Self - Choncé Maddox Interview.
Choncé Maddox joins us in this episode to discuss how consistency and good habits resulted in paying off over $50,000 of consumer debt. Choncé has been featured in Essence magazine, she is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) and freelance writer who loves to talk about everything personal finance. Her writing has been featured on sites like Business Insider, LendingTree, Credit Sesame, Barclaycard and the New York Post. Choncé was named one of the top financial experts to follow on Instagram by Black Enterprise.
Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode6
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Oct 6, 2020
5. Jordan Rothman Shares How He Paid Down Nearly $200K in Student Loan Debt In Less Than 4 Years! A Penny Saved Is More Than a Penny Earned - Jordan Rothman Interview.
You probably aren't surprised that our guest Jordan Rothman paid off $197,890.20 in less than four years. Oh wait, you are surprised. We were too. Jordan paid off six-figure student loan debt in less time than it took to accumulate the debt. We dig that. One more thing. He accomplished this before 30.
If you want to learn from the best, this episode is it.
Get ready for some laughs! Jordan was fun, insightful, and full of actionable advice. Jordan Rothman, Esq. joins us from from the Student Debt Diaries, where he blogs about all things student loans. Jordan is also partner at The Rothman Law Firm LLC , where the firm is led by experts both on the litigation front and transactional side - from commercial litigation and real property disputes to commercial deals and transactions.
That's not all ladies and gents - Jordan also writes for Above the Law!!! (We are clearly ATL fans).
Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode5
Visit our po…
Oct 5, 2020
4. A Little Bit Everyday Goes a Long Way - Zina Kumok Interview. Zina Shares How She Saved Over a Year in Student Loan Payments just $10 a month.
In this episode, we cover how small consistent steps over time can result in big outcomes - like Zina paying off $28,000 in student loan debt 7 years early by making consistent $10 extra payments.
Using a combination of increasing extra payments, and freelance writing, Zina discusses tips, tricks, and strategies she used to conquer her mountain of student loan debt.
Full show notes and resources can be found here: thestudentloanpodcast.com/episode4
Visit our podcast sponsor at StartNoo to learn how you can exchange service hours in the community for direct payments towards your student loans or tuition.
Sep 21, 2020
The Student Loan Podcast - Episode 3 - Your Net Worth Is Not Your Self Worth
So you're in over your head in student loan debt and you don't know where to turn. It feels like this weight that you can't shake off or a thought that is constantly repeating in your head like a broken record. If you've been in that situation, you're not alone and Melanie Lockert is here to help.
Melanie has been to the student loan debt mountaintop and she has great advice to share on how she paid off over $80,000 in student loan debt but more importantly, she shares resources that you can use to help cope with the stress that carrying student loan debt can cause.
She's been there before and that's what makes this episode so interesting. Melanie is the author and creator of Dear Debt and she is currently expanding her reach into the mental health and personal finance space with her latest "Mental Health and Wealth" blog and podcast.
We can't wait for you to enjoy and learn from this episode. Share this episode with a friend that might be looking up the student loan debt mountain w…
Dec 19, 2017
The Student Loan Podcast - Episode 2 - Scholarships
The Student Loan Podcast - Episode 2 - How to Find and Win Scholarships
So, it’s the 11th hour, and your college tuition bill is due. Should you take out student loans? Today, we are going to talk about how you can scholarship your way to a fully paid tuition bill.
In this episode we go over four questions to help you secure scholarships and reduce your need for student loans:
* Where do I find scholarships?
* How do I write a winning scholarship application?
* What do I do after submitting my scholarship application?
* What resources are available to help?
For more information and for a copy of our show notes, visit www.thestudentloanpodcast.com/Episode2
Oct 17, 2017
The Student Loan Podcast - Episode 1 - Preparing to Pay for School
The Student Loan Podcast - Episode 1 - Preparing to Pay for School
Yay! You are accepted, you got into your school of choice - or not - but you are going to college! Now, it is time for you to figure out how to graduate without drowning financially. Come join us to understand how to pay for school without taking out student loans (or the least amount possible), because let's face it - no one dreams of having student loans.
In this episode we go over three steps to keeping student loans at bay while going to school:
* ASSESS YOURSELF
* PLAN IT OUT
* EXECUTE
For more information and for a copy of our FREE School Payment Planner, visit www.thestudentloanpodcast.com/Episode1