In this episode, Lisa and Jennifer discuss: AI as a formal academic major and how it intersects with other disciplines Strategies for aligning student strengths and interests with suitable college majors How to assess readiness and fit for AI-related college programs and careers Cultivating adaptable, future-proof skills in a rapidly changing tech landscape Key Takeaways: While only a dozen U.S. universities currently offer formal AI majors, these programs are rapidly evolving and can be categor...
Jun 24, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 180
In this episode, Lisa and Melissa discuss: The misconceptions and realities of pursuing a music career The value and limitations of majoring in music at college How parents can support teens responsibly pursuing creative paths Building sustainable and financially secure careers in the arts Key Takeaways: Majoring in music is often unnecessary, and sometimes unhelpful, for students pursuing contemporary music careers, who instead benefit more from learning entrepreneurial skills like music produc...
Jun 17, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 179
In this episode, Lisa and David discuss: Evolving expectations in college admissions Challenges in assessing academic readiness amid grade inflation, and how some colleges are responding Increased reliance on standardized, verifiable academic indicators Strategic adjustments needed for competitive application success Key takeaways: Colleges increasingly expect students to submit AP exam scores for each AP class listed on transcripts to verify true academic mastery beyond inflated grades. Objecti...
Jun 10, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 178
In this episode, Lisa and Tara discuss: Navigating cultural, generational, and personal differences through intercultural competence Building self-awareness as the foundation for meaningful cross-cultural understanding Creating opportunities for teens to develop global and human skills in everyday contexts Connecting intercultural experiences to long-term success in education, careers, and relationships Key Takeaways: Intercultural competence includes understanding one’s cultural values and norm...
Jun 03, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 177
In this episode, Lisa and Phil discuss: The increasing competitiveness of college admissions and how students can stand out College affordability challenges and emerging solutions for middle-income families How military-affiliated education pathways like Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) are evolving in today's landscape Strategic early planning in high school to align students with admissions and career opportunities Key Takeaways: Pursuing ROTC scholarships can significantly increase a s...
May 27, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 176
In this episode, Lisa and Alison Slater discuss: Mastering college interviews as a tool for standing out in competitive admissions Building confidence and communication through intentional interview prep Navigating different formats and policies of college interviews Applying interview skills to scholarships, internships, and future jobs Key Takeaways: Starting interview prep in junior year helps students take advantage of early opportunities, including summer interviews and scholarship deadline...
May 20, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 175
In this episode, Lisa and Stephen discuss: Entrepreneurial mindset development for comprehensive student growth Career readiness beyond traditional educational frameworks Soft skills as critical professional success indicators Family's strategic role in cultivating adaptive thinking skills Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurial skills can be intentionally developed through a framework of four interconnected pillars: growth mindset, grit, redefining failure, and seeking opportunities, all of which reshap...
May 13, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 174
In this episode, Lisa and Leia discuss: Strategies for crafting effective scholarship essays How early planning influences scholarship success Understanding the types of scholarships available Maintaining consistency and organization throughout the scholarship process Key Takeaways: Focusing on three core essays—the personal statement, community impact, and scholarship impact—addresses six of the ten most common prompts, saving time and enhancing application quality. Starting the personal statem...
May 06, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 173
In this episode, Lisa and Ben discuss: The impact of math confidence and mindset on educational and career paths How math anxiety can steer students away from valuable opportunities The importance of data literacy and real-world applications of math Strategies for building confidence and persistence in learning math Key Takeaways: Developing math confidence hinges more on persistence, curiosity, and the ability to ask questions than on natural speed or accuracy, enabling students to thrive acros...
Apr 29, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 172
In this episode, Lisa and Amanda discuss: A holistic admissions review that looks beyond grades and test scores Writing authentic, personal essays that reflect a student’s true identity Strategically crafting supplemental essays to show university fit and motivation Preparing for campus visits to gather insights for stronger applications Key Takeaways: Application readers carefully evaluate every part of a submission, typically spending 5 to 30 minutes depending on the depth, creativity, and aut...
Apr 22, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 171
In this episode, Lisa and Susan discuss: How AI impacts the essay-writing process for students Mistaken beliefs about what makes a strong application essay Crafting essays that truly reflect a student's voice and experiences Helpful strategies and tools that can assist in writing a strong college essay Key Takeaways: AI should not be used to generate or refine college essays. It can assist with research, but all information must be verified, and the writing must be entirely the student's own. Ad...
Apr 15, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 170
In this episode, Lisa and Rick discuss: How a student’s choice of future intended major impacts their college admissions chances The role of holistic review in determining “Fit To Major” (FTM) The challenges students face when trying to change majors after admission Why flexibility is essential in the college application process Key Takeaways: Colleges often evaluate whether a student’s academic choices and extracurricular activities align with their intended major, so applying without evidence ...
Apr 08, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 169
In this episode, Lisa and Elliot discuss: How to identify truly student-centered colleges beyond marketing claims The impact of well-connected campus services on student success Why experiential learning is essential for career readiness The hidden challenges of higher education that students and families should know Key Takeaways: Colleges with one-stop shops simplify administrative challenges by consolidating financial aid, registration, and advising services into a single location, reducing c...
Apr 01, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 168
In this episode, Lisa and Amy discuss: Identifying personality traits, interests, and work styles for career exploration Factors influencing long-term career satisfaction and professional fulfillment The research and validation behind data-driven career assessments The relationship between career clarity, education choices, and financial outcomes Key Takeaways: The Birkman Assessment identifies career matches by analyzing multiple personality dimensions—not just interests but also work styles an...
Mar 25, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 167
In this episode, Lisa and Dr. John discuss: Navigating the college admissions process thoughtfully How colleges handle financial aid, scholarships, and what you can do to know the true college costs Building a college list based on fit, not prestige Crafting a strong personal story in your teen’s application through essays, interviews, and extracurriculars Key Takeaways: Use the Net Price Calculator on college websites to estimate tuition costs instead of relying on sticker prices or general ass...
Mar 18, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 166
In this episode, Lisa and Brian discuss: Strategies for maximizing college scholarships given by the institutions The difference in merit vs. need-based financial aid The role of GPA and standardized testing, ACT and SAT, in scholarship awards Colleges with merit scholarship grids where students can know the amount they can earn for good grades and scores Transparency of college financial aid policies Key Takeaways: Merit aid is often more predictable than need-based aid because many colleges of...
Mar 11, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 165
In this episode, Lisa and Rebecca discuss: Shifting from a deficit-based to a strengths-based model for career development for neurodiverse students The importance of self-awareness in career planning and decision-making How experiential learning enhances career exploration and job fit for all students Challenges and strategies for neurodiverse students pursuing STEM careers Key Takeaways: Traditional education focuses on the deficits of neurodiverse students, but they thrive by recognizing stre...
Mar 04, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 164
In this episode, Lisa and Megan discuss: Understanding the role of a school counselor The benefits of independent educational consultants (IECs) Collaboration between school counselors and Independent Educational Consultants How families can get support navigating college admissions based on their budget Key Takeaways: Many school counselors manage an average caseload of 400+ students, handling not just college advising but also mental health crises, IEP/504 plans, scheduling, and graduation req...
Feb 25, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 163
In this episode, Lisa and Cindy discuss: Summer programs as a college & career exploration tool Enhancing college applications through summer experiences The rise of STEM programs & growing competition Choosing the right summer program & avoiding misleading claims Key Takeaways: Deadlines for selective summer programs are often in January or early February, with some as early as November and a few extending into April. Families should plan ahead to secure a spot. Most summer programs...
Feb 18, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 162
In this episode, Lisa and Dave Peterson discuss: The role of personal narratives in college applications and scholarships Winning strategies beyond academics and extracurriculars The importance of future-oriented thinking for scholarship and college admission success Fixing common mistakes students make and misconceptions about what matters most Key Takeaways: Organizations offering scholarships, including colleges, expect a return on investment (ROI), whether through goodwill, marketing, or fut...
Feb 11, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 161
In this episode, Lisa and Dr. Karyn Koven discuss: Importance of language study in education and future opportunities Flexible and innovative alternatives for world language learning College admissions considerations for world language persistence Emerging credentials like the Global Seal of Biliteracy Key Takeaways: Persisting in language studies through high school and beyond can differentiate students in college admissions, especially since many students drop language studies early. Innovativ...
Feb 04, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 160
In this episode, Lisa and Katie Azevedo discuss: The mid-year academic slump and its impact The role of task and time management systems in student success Shifting from passive to active learning Guiding teens to take ownership through the right questions and tools Key Takeaways: Students often face three interconnected struggles mid-year: increased stress and overwhelm, poor academic performance, and low motivation. Addressing these issues requires concrete strategies. Effective study habits r...
Jan 28, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 159
In this special third-anniversary episode, Lisa steps into the guest chair with Doug Sandler, host of The Nice Guys on Business podcast. She reflects on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons that shaped her journey from high school teacher to transformative career coach and her mission to guide teens toward fulfilling futures. This episode offers a personal look at why Lisa believes clarity and the right guidance can make all the difference. In this episode, Lisa and Doug discuss: The evolution ...
Jan 21, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 158
In this episode, Lisa and Ann discuss: The role of grades and GPA as a fundamental aspect of college admissions Differentiating weighted versus unweighted GPA systems and their significance in the college admissions process The value of understanding high school profiles and how they influence college application reviews Finding a balance between academic ambition and emotional well-being in the high school years Key Takeaways: Colleges universally prioritize high school transcripts as the core ...
Jan 14, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 157
In this episode, Lisa and Dr. John discuss: Importance of understanding college admissions processes, including test-optional policies and supplemental essays Role of financial considerations in determining college fit and navigating institutional aid policies Strategies for demonstrating interest and aligning applications with college-specific priorities Insights into creating balanced college lists to reduce stress and improve outcomes for families Key Takeaways: Using tools like the Common Da...
Jan 07, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 156
In this episode, Lisa discusses: Trends in highly competitive majors like computer science, nursing, engineering, and business The importance of aligning high school coursework and extracurricular activities with the intended major The differences between liberal arts colleges and universities in admissions by major. Three categories of how colleges handle admissions by major: direct admission, mixed approach, and applying to the university as a whole. Key Takeaways: Most universities, even thos...
Dec 31, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 155
In this episode, Lisa and Andy discuss: Why some universities require students to apply directly to a major and how that affects admission chances. How demand, faculty, and resources impact the number of students accepted into certain majors (like Computer Science). Understanding why some programs aren’t open for major changes later, making the first choice critical. When can your teen choose a second college major. What to ask during campus visits to understand how majors shape admissions and g...
Dec 24, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 154
In this episode, Lisa and Sharon discuss: What sets the Birkman Method apart is different from other assessments for college and career clarity. How your teen can use the Birkman as a starting point to understand themself - not just academically, but also to their environment and others. How narrowing options can increase confidence and lead to more satisfying career choices. Why focusing on the “next first step” rather than a “forever future” can ease the pressure when planning for college and ...
Dec 17, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 153
In this episode, Lisa, Keith, and Tejas discuss: The value of student-led experiences and internships for your teen. Building teen confidence, developing professional skills while still in high school, and using experiences to gain clarity about future careers. The importance of your student getting involved in extracurriculars early in high school. How to DIY opportunities through school-business partnerships for your teen. Key Takeaways: During your student’s freshman year, let them get used t...
Dec 10, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 152
In this episode, Lisa and Vicki discuss: How your teen’s school, you (as the parent), and your teen can work together to drive your student’s career development. The right time for your student to begin thinking about their future career path. Why your teen should be considering careers, not just college majors. The difference between career development and career advising. Key Takeaways: Most school counselors have a caseload too great to also take on career counseling. They also are not traine...
Dec 03, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 151
