The Truth About Admissions, Debt & AI’s Role in the Future of Higher Ed

College costs are soaring, mental health struggles are rising, and the path to success looks more uncertain than ever.

In this conversation, Eric Kasimov talks with Senan Khawaja, Co-founder and CEO of Kollegio, an AI-powered platform helping students and universities rethink the college admissions process.

They explore the question that so many students and parents are asking: Is college still worth it?
Together they unpack how higher education, entrepreneurship, and technology are colliding in real time.

What You’ll Hear

• Why student debt is becoming a startup killer for young professionals
• The mental health toll of college admissions — and what schools are missing
• The rise and fall of the “test optional” movement
• Why SATs and ACTs are making a comeback
• How grade inflation and participation trophies distorted the system
• What resilience really looks like in education and entrepreneurship
• How AI can democratize opportunity — not just automate it

About Senan

Senan Khawaja is the Co-founder and CEO of Kollegio, an AI startup rethinking college admissions and guidance. A Stanford grad, he’s focused on making higher education more accessible and data-driven. Learn more about kollegio.ai

About Entrepreneur Perspectives

Real conversations on business, creativity, and life—hosted by Eric Kasimov. Founder of KazSource.

More from the KazSource Network

About that Em-Dash That Everyone Now Seems to Hate — KazCM
21% of College Students Use Financial Aid to Bet on Sports — SportsEpreneur
AI Security and 15M in Series B Funding — Deep Sentinel interview

Entrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — part of the KazSource network.

Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:
X | LinkedIn

Credits:
Music by Jess & Ricky — SoundCloud

Bob Knakal is a legendary figure in New York commercial real estate, known for his data-driven territory model, massive deal volume, and unapologetically old-school work ethic. As the founder of Massey Knakal Realty Services (sold for $100M) and now Chairman at BKREA, Bob has shaped both the skyline of NYC and the next generation of real estate professionals.

In this episode, Bob shares how 40 years of fieldwork, 22 boxes of newsletters, and a pandemic walking tour of Manhattan became the foundation of his modern marketing machine. He talks about launching The Bob Knakal Show, staying true to core values while adapting to AI, and how being “out there” isn’t about ego—it’s about client outcomes.

You’ll hear Bob’s brutally honest take on what it takes to succeed in sales, why cold calling still matters, the power of content in real estate, and how office-to-residential conversions are reshaping the NYC market. This conversation is packed with timeless lessons on resilience, relevance, and why liking what you do still beats any business plan.

Main Topics:

• How Bob turned mistakes and cold calls into a $100M business sale
• Why content creation is the modern version of “pounding the pavement”
• The ROI of podcasting, newsletters, and putting yourself out there
• A deep dive on NYC’s office-to-residential conversion wave and 467M tax program
• What young professionals really need to learn (hint: not just Excel)
• Why Bob started his own show—and why your legacy matters
• Lessons in grit, luck, leadership, and working through adversity

Chapters With Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction and Early Career Insights
[00:00:43] Bob Knakal's Life-Changing Advice
[00:01:41] Writing the Book: Selling Buildings
[00:05:17] Reading, Learning, and Staying Sharp
[00:08:44] Is College Still Worth It?
[00:15:22] Market Presence and Content Creation
[00:19:46] Adapting to Change: Tech and Tactics
[00:25:30] The Relentless Work Ethic
[00:26:58] Finding Passion in Work
[00:27:36] Resilience Through Adversity
[00:30:43] Commercial Real Estate Market Changes
[00:34:26] Office to Residential Conversions
[00:39:35] Commitment to New York City
[00:42:46] The Map Room Success
[00:46:58] Launching The Bob Knakal Show
[00:50:24] Inspiring the Next Gen
[00:54:04] Wrap Up & Final Words

Bob Knakal

• Website
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

Related Episodes:

• David Selinger on AI Security, $15M Series B, and the Deep Sentinel Mission | EP192
• Tastytrade: How a Trading & Media Empire Was Built by Giving Everything Away | Scott Sheridan CEO — EP189
• How AI Is Changing College Counseling and Admissions with Senan Khawaja, CEO of Kollegio | EP190

Entrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.

Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:
X
LinkedIn

Credits:
Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloud

David Selinger (aka “Selly”) is the founder and CEO of Deep Sentinel, a security company blending AI with live human monitoring to stop crime in real time. From Amazon to Redfin to AI security, Dave Selinger has built a real-time protection system now scaling fast with $15M in Series B funding from top investors.

In this episode, Selly breaks down how Deep Sentinel works—from crime prediction models and real-time police calls to training AI to spot danger before it happens. He explains how the company went from idea to reality, how it stacks up against traditional alarms, and why his military mentors shaped his leadership style.

This isn’t just about cameras. It’s about making AI useful, delivering outcomes that matter, and building a team with zero tolerance for compromise. You’ll also hear Selly’s thoughts on parenting, college, career detours, and how early obsessions with tech led him from Stanford to Jeff Bezos’s office to the front lines of crime prevention.

Main Topics

• How Deep Sentinel stops crime before it happens using AI and live guards
• Why traditional alarm systems fail — and what real security should look like
• Lessons from military mentors on leadership, discipline, and zero compromise
• The challenge of scaling real-time protection for homes and businesses
• How Selly’s early work at Amazon (with Jeff Bezos) and Redfin shaped his tech mindset
• Raising kids with curiosity, independence, and meaningful support
• Why the future of security depends on speed, customization, and trust

Chapters with Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction and Initial Scenario
[00:00:42] Podcasting and Audience Engagement
[00:02:06] AI and Podcasting Insights
[00:03:17] Real-Life Security Challenges
[00:03:58] Deep Sentinel’s Unique Approach
[00:04:49] Customer Experiences and Success Stories
[00:11:34] Public-Private Partnerships in Security
[00:15:52] Advanced Security Solutions and AI Integration
[00:27:45] Exploring Security Challenges and Solutions
[00:29:27] Military Influence and No Compromise Mentality
[00:33:35] Childhood Passions and Career Pathways
[00:36:02] Parental Support and Personal Growth
[00:41:43] College Education and Career Advice
[00:48:14] Amazon Experience and Innovations
[00:54:23] Founding Redfin and Its Impact
[00:56:29] Deep Sentinel’s Growth and Future

Deep Sentinel

• Website
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Series B Funding

Related Episodes:

• Ankit Somani | From Google to Conifer: Rare-Earth-Free Motors, $20M Seed, and Rethinking College
• How AI Is Changing College Counseling and Admissions with Senan Khawaja, CEO of Kollegio
• AI Content Detection & Digital Ethics with Madeleine Lambert

Entrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a modern media network and a KazSource brand.

Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:
X
LinkedIn

Credits:
Music by Jess & Ricky: SoundCloud