Lonely Graduation: When the Finish Line Feels Empty

Welcome to "On the Way to School" with Dr. Dennis. In this episode, I open up about my upcoming book, Lonely Graduation: The Journey After the Milestone. September has always felt like a month of calibration to me, and as I get deeper into writing, I wanted to share some of that process with you.

I discuss where the book began with my own experience as a first-generation college graduate and the unexpected loneliness I felt on the night of my commencement. That moment launched a 20-year journey of discovery and understanding, and it has shaped how I think about transitions of all kinds: graduations, new jobs, relationships, and even endings.

Along the way, I also share how I've been weaving in the voices of seven people I interviewed for the book, all of whom answered the question: What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "lonely graduation"? Their stories, combined with mine, open up space to reflect on what happens after the applause fades.

This episode is a preview of the book, but it's also an invitation for you to reflect on your own milestones, the silence that follows, and the meaning you've found in those moments.