On March 20, 2025, “Enlighten U” debuted its first live podcast, focusing on finding a healthy balance in everyday life.
Created at Eastern Michigan University, "Enlighten U" is an award-winning podcast dedicated to improving the mental health of not only EMU students but also viewers everywhere. Episodes follow themes like self-care, student struggles, and identity, featuring guests to discuss these topics and find solutions.
The live episode featured host and EMU professor Lolita Cummings, co-host Melissa Thrasher, mental health expert Aesha Mustafa, Ph.D., and “Enlighten U” intern Gavin Millard.
The show was produced in Sponberg Theatre at the Judy Sturgis Hill Building, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. The event featured exciting prizes for attendees, a high-energy dance segment led by EMU’s Cheer and Dance Teams, and a Q&A session.
Cummings envisioned “Enlighten U” in 2019 as a valuable resource for students struggling with mental health. Since its inception, the podcast has recorded 17 episodes, collecting over 5,000 views. Cummings was inspired to create “Enlighten U” to remind students that they are not alone in their struggles.
“I like that 'Enlighten U' doesn’t just help the student who is on the show, but it helps so many other students who have the same issues,” Cummings said.
Mental health expert Aesha Mustafa, Ph.D., plays a key role in the “Enlighten U” podcast, offering wellness advice to struggling college students alongside Lolita.
“I love to highlight the great things happening at EMU and always learning about more resources and how they can fit into students’ lives,” Mustafa said.
Like most “Enlighten U” listeners, Gavin Millard is an EMU student. His appearances on the podcast provide a voice for mental health advocacy.
“I think the biggest thing I want people to gain is that they’re not alone,” Millard said. “Our podcast allows students to connect with stories that are maybe similar to theirs ... They realize that a lot of people are going through the same thing.”
The live episode is set for release on the "Enlighten U" channel on April 15, 2025. Episodes are available for streaming on multiple platforms.
