Special Retrospective with Jennifer Ramsdell!

In this very special milestone episode, the tables are turned and Dustin gets interviewed by none other than his wife, Jenn! They reminisce about Dustin’s early days podcasting, discuss the journey to 200 episodes of Higher Ed Geek, and what is hopefully ahead for the show. Many thanks to everyone who has ever listened to an episode, been a guest, or helped with the show in any way!

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Key Takeaways

• Podcasting as a Journey of Growth
  • From recording with Apple headphones on Skype to a professional multi-mic setup, Dustin highlights how podcasting has been both a personal and professional evolution.
• The Power of Persistence
  • Reaching 200 episodes is a rare achievement in the podcasting world. Dustin credits his dedication, support from his guests and listeners, and adaptability in navigating challenges.
• Podcasting Creates Opportunities
  • Through the podcast, Dustin has secured speaking engagements, partnered with industry leaders, and even landed his role at Pathify—all testaments to the power of putting yourself out there.
• The Value of Diverse Voices
  • Dustin emphasizes the importance of representation and diversity in higher ed discussions, ensuring the podcast amplifies voices and perspectives from across the industry.
• Looking Ahead: Experimentation and Innovation
  • From live episodes at conferences to multi-part series and roundtable discussions, the future of Higher Ed Geek is all about fresh formats and expanded conversations.

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Episode Summary: FAQs Answered

How did Higher Ed Geek begin?

The podcast began after Dustin’s work on the Student Affairs Collective Podcast, where he produced 140 episodes. After taking a short break, he launched Higher Ed Geek as a passion project to explore the intersection of higher education, technology, and student success.

What does reaching 200 episodes mean to Dustin?

For Dustin, this milestone represents persistence, growth, and gratitude. Few podcasts reach 200 episodes, and the journey has been made possible by the support of his family, listeners, guests, and professional partners.

What are some memorable milestones from the podcast?

Key moments include recording live on stage at South by Southwest, doubling downloads between 2021 and 2022, and interviews with notable guests like Ben Nelson from Minerva. These milestones reflect the podcast’s steady growth and impact over the years.

How has podcasting impacted Dustin’s career?

The podcast has been a vehicle for professional growth, helping Dustin secure speaking engagements, connect with industry leaders, and even land his current job at Pathify. It has also allowed him to stay engaged with the evolving higher ed landscape.

What’s next for the podcast?

Dustin plans to explore live and on-location recordings, multi-part episodes on focused topics, and roundtable discussions with multiple guests. The goal is to bring more diverse voices to the forefront while experimenting with new formats to keep the content fresh and engaging.

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Lessons from 200 Episodes

1. Consistency is Key

Producing 200 episodes requires dedication and discipline. Whether it’s overcoming technical difficulties or finding time to record, consistency is what sets long-term creators apart.

2. Collaboration Fuels Success

The podcast’s growth is a testament to the power of collaboration—with guests, industry partners like Enrollify, and a supportive personal network.

3. Embrace Change and Innovation

From upgrading equipment to joining the Enrollify network, Dustin’s willingness to adapt and evolve has been central to the podcast’s success.

4. Find Your Niche

By focusing on higher ed, technology, and student success, Higher Ed Geek has carved out a unique space in the podcasting world, appealing to a dedicated audience of professionals.

5. Create Content with Purpose

Whether amplifying underrepresented voices or sharing actionable insights, the podcast is driven by a mission to inspire and educate the higher ed community.

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How Podcasting Shapes Careers in Higher Ed

1. Building a Personal Brand

Podcasting has allowed Dustin to establish himself as a thought leader in higher ed. His voice and perspectives are now recognizable across the industry, leading to speaking invitations and professional opportunities.

2. Networking at Scale

With nearly every episode featuring a guest, the podcast has built a rich network of professionals across higher education. This network has opened doors to collaborations and long-term partnerships.

3. Staying Current with Trends

Through interviews and research, Dustin stays informed about the latest in higher ed, from technology innovations to student success strategies.

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The Future of Higher Ed Geek: What’s Next?

Live Recordings and Conferences

Dustin plans to continue recording live at conferences like South by Southwest, capturing dynamic conversations in real time.

Multi-Part Series

Exploring complex topics across multiple episodes, such as the future of edtech or trends in student retention, will allow for deeper dives into key issues.

Roundtable Discussions

Bringing together multiple guests for debates and roundtables will add new energy and perspectives to the podcast.

Engaging Listeners More Actively

Listeners are encouraged to suggest topics, nominate guests, or even share their own stories as potential episodes. The goal is to create a more interactive and inclusive platform.

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Celebrating the Milestone

This milestone episode is a reminder that passion projects can lead to meaningful opportunities and lasting impact. Dustin’s advice to aspiring podcasters or higher ed professionals is simple: “Just start.” The tools are accessible, and there’s always room for new voices in the conversation.

Thank you to all the listeners, guests, and supporters who have made 200 episodes possible. Here’s to the next 200!

This Episode is Sponsored by Pathify

Meet Pathify —  an innovative higher ed engagement hub that puts students at the center of their college journey. Pathify sits at the center of your school’s digital ecosystem, becoming the single, user experience interface tying together all systems, content, and communications. Their engagement hub elevates the information that matters most and pushes systems like the SIS behind the scenes where they belong, making it simpler for students to discover and engage with the opportunities your institution provides at every step of their higher ed journey, from prospect to alumni. What’s even better, Pathify has a mobile experience that provides 100% parity with the responsive web app, so your campus app is always in sync. Pathify is a platform that EVERY stakeholder on campus  — from marketing, to admissions, to student affairs, to IT, etc., — can get equally excited about. Learn more about how Pathify is uniting strategic units across campus and bettering the entire student experience by visiting Pathify.com

About the Enrollify Podcast Network: 

The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Jeremy Tiers, Zach Busekrus, Jaime Hunt, Allison Turcio, Jamie Gleason and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours.