High School Hamster Wheel

If you have been listening for a while, you might remember Michael Horn from episode 15 of the podcast. Last time we talked about his book, Choosing College, and how students and parents go about selecting a college. If you haven’t listened to that episode or read that book, I highly recommend it! Today, we’re talking about Michael’s newest book, Reopen to Reinvent: (Re)Creating School for Every Child. If you are like me, frustrated with the broken system of public education, this is a conversation you will want to hear. Michael has issued a call to action for educators to reinvent and reimagine education as we know it. We all need to be asking one very important question: “What do we want kids to be able to do when they leave high school?” and then deliver that in our schools. There’s a lot to unpack here, including how parents can play an active role and be part of the solution. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am thrilled to welcome Lisa Sosnowski to the podcast. Lisa is one of the most passionate, dedicated, big-hearted people I’ve met in my life. Her mission is to create a better world for people with autism through high-quality training and community. When Lisa’s young son was diagnosed with autism, she left her career in accounting to care for her son and to make sure that he was getting the best education and care possible. What she found over the years was that there were a lot of gaps in the services offered and that the services they did encounter weren’t providing what her son needed. Rather than sit back and complain about it, Lisa took matters into her own hands and spent years educating herself and connecting with people and resources who could make a difference. The result of all of her time and dedication led Lisa to her vision: creating a world in which people with autism can live and learn and become more independent. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is very special to me. My firstborn son graduated from high school this week and it’s been a rollercoaster of emotion as we prepare to send him off to college in the fall. In addition to that big adjustment, my family is making a huge move from Florida to New Jersey this summer. Needless to say that I am up to my elbows in packing material and tissues as I burst into spontaneous tears more frequently as the days go on. Twelve years ago, we moved to our Florida home, and almost immediately, our boys made friends in the neighborhood. Little did we know back then that these would be friendships that would last a lifetime. It started out as six boys (who I lovingly refer to as the “six-pack”) and then over the past twelve years, the group grew to include several more. I’ve watched these kids grow up together through elementary school, then middle school, and finally high school. Some will be headed in the same direction this fall (Go Knights! Charge On!) and others will take a different path. As a gift to me, I asked this gang of high school grads to join me for this episode. We talk about their high school experience, what they wish was different about the past four years, and the stress they endured. Be sure to listen to the end as they offer their advice to incoming freshman and their parents. Just a quick note for my listeners… this will be my last podcast episode until Fall. I will be packing up my microphone along with the contents of our home and moving it all to NJ this summer and I will return in September. I'll be on social media here and there but not much. I am actually looking forward to a bit of a disconnect for a while. Please know I will still be available by email. It might just take me a little bit to reply. So feel free to reach out. I'd love to hear how things are going with you and your teens. All that said, please enjoy this conversation with my favorite high school graduates. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, I am joined by Jill and Dave Henry, authors of “The Greatest College Health Guide You Never Knew You Needed.” Not only are they published authors, but they are also parents and high school athletic coaches. In researching their book, Jill and Dave talked to hundreds of students as they developed this amazing “how-to manual” about how to manage food, booze, stress, sex, sleep, and exercise on campus. During our conversation, Dave and Jill explain why students struggle so much after high school and how parents can best support their children during the college years. They also share valuable tips for parents when talking to teens about alcohol and why it’s so important that our kids know their limits. Some of the topics that we discuss might make some listeners uncomfortable, but I truly believe that it is important that we have these conversations with our teens now, to prepare them for what lies ahead. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by Stephanie Haynes. Stephanie is an Education Coach and Consultant providing custom educational consulting and coaching for high school students, educators, and schools that equips all stakeholders to build a pathway to a successful future that teens are excited to pursue. She is also the author of “College Is Not Mandatory: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating All the Options Available to Our Kids After High School”. During our conversation, Stephanie provides insight as to why teens seem to be lacking in motivation right now and why parents need to abandon their fear of missing out (FOMO) mindset. You won’t want to miss Stephanie’s valuable advice on how to get your teens talking about their life after high school. This episode is packed full of helpful tips and actionable steps for parents of teens. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If I asked you to walk into your kitchen pantry and tell me what was on your shelves, what would be the first three items you would list? I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that we have way too many carbs on our pantry shelves and more processed food than we should. Most of the time, I can walk on by and avoid eating those unhealthy foods but my teenagers are another story. Chips, cookies, and the "can't live without it" mac and cheese are probably our biggest culprits. I try to limit those snacks within our home but if I'm being honest, I could definitely do better. But even if I do clean up our pantry, how do I encourage my teens to eat better outside the home? And when they head off to college or career or wherever they go, then what? My guest today is here to help! I’m thrilled to welcome Renata Cambria to the podcast. Renata is a board-certified health coach and the founder of Create Health Coaching. During our conversation, Renata shares the benefits of healthy eating starting at a young age. She also explains the importance of the gut-brain connection and why some hormonal imbalances may be nutrition-related. Be sure to stick around till the end when Renata offers actionable tips and strategies for parents to guide their children to become healthy eaters. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a conversation that will make you rethink the traditional ways of post-high school education. My guest today is Abby Brody. Abby is a mother on a mission to bring education to meet the needs of the modern student and the knowledge-based economy. She is also a co-founder of The MYX, a personalized outcome-based approach to higher education that puts purpose and experience first. During our conversation, Abby explains why The MYX was created and how it works. We also discuss the importance of creating flexible learning ecosystems and why we need to give the power back to students. Abby shares why meaning in learning is critical for success and how to ensure that learning is “sticky”. There’s a lot to unpack here so be sure to listen all the way to the end. One more special note about today’s episode - I am joined in this episode by my new friend and podcast apprentice, Carson Greenberg. Carson reached out to me recently to ask if I would consider having him as an apprentice for the podcast. Of course, I said yes! Carson has been involved in the researching, planning, producing, and editing of this episode, and spoiler alert - he also participates in the interview! Carson is one of the sharpest (and funniest!) teenagers I’ve had the pleasure to work with and I’m grateful for his expertise and perspective. I wouldn’t be surprised if Carson ends up with his own podcast one day soon. So without further ado, please enjoy our conversation with Abby Brody. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a special one and it’s personal for me. I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Your Teen podcast a few weeks ago. Susan Borison and Stephanie Silverman have become two of my favorite podcasters and also my new BFFs. The three of us thought it would be fun if I turned the mic around and interviewed them about what it’s like to send your firstborn off to college. My son will be starting college this fall and will be living far from home. I’m starting to prepare myself for all of the change and worry that is coming my way and I could definitely use some reassurance. Sue and Steph to the rescue! I pummeled them with questions and they gave me helpful honest answers that I hope will help you too. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are a loyal listener, then you are well aware that I am passionate about today’s topic. In this episode, I am joined by Tom Pike. Tom is the founder of Jump Education, an educational consulting service that helps families and teens understand the benefits of Early College and how to access that path. I am all about helping young people find the path that is best for them and the early college path is one that is definitely worth exploring. During our conversation, Tom explains what early college is and the types of students that will do well with early college. He also outlines the many benefits of early college related to mental health, finances, engagement, customization, and educational outcomes. It’s no secret that our public school systems are struggling due to a lack of teacher retention and outdated standards that just don’t fit today’s learners. If your teen is fed up with high school and has lost their passion for learning, sit down next to them and hit the play button. You won’t regret it. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is one of my favorite topics as it is related to helping young people plan for the world of work. My guest today is Mark Herschberg, author of The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s as well as in academia. During our conversation, Mark shares lots of helpful tips for young people embarking on a new career but his advice is valuable for job seekers of any age. We talk a lot about mentors - why they are important and how to find the right one. And be sure to listen to the end when Mark talks about the FREE career toolkit app that he created. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page No Degree Required Facebook Group Betsy Jewell Career Coaching Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices