High School Hamster Wheel

This episode is a fun one! I’m delighted to welcome Stephanie Silverman to the podcast. Stephanie is the co-founder of Your Teen Media, along with Susan Borison who I interviewed in episode 77. Stephanie brings multiple perspectives to our conversation. Through her role at Your Teen, she is immersed in all things raising teens, and bonus, she also happens to be a mom to three young adults. So she has a lot of experience and insight, both personal and professional, to share. During our conversation, Stephanie gives a great analogy about why parenting is like running your own little business. She also shares what she calls her most defining parenting moment. Be sure to listen all the way through when Stephanie offers the advice she gives her kids when they feel butterflies in their stomachs. There’s lots of great info and quite a few laughs in this episode, so I hope you enjoy 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 Life After 12th Facebook Group Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have noticed that I’ve published several episodes lately having to do with college admissions. That's not the norm for me but I thought this one was definitely worth sharing. If you are a loyal listener, I hope you know by now that I have nothing against college but my primary goal with this podcast is to help parents guide their teens as they explore all paths through and beyond high school, whether that includes college or not. My guest today is Kristina Dooley. Kristina is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and founder of Estrela Consulting, an Ohio-based independent educational consulting firm. She has more than 20 years of experience working with students from around the world navigating the complex college and school search processes. In this episode, we’re talking about Colleges That Change Lives. You may already be familiar with the book and/or the website with the same title . It’s a pretty cool group of colleges that are definitely worth investigating. Most of them are smaller, private liberal arts colleges, but please don’t let that deter you from at least taking a look. These schools made the list for a reason and you just never know which college may turn out to be the best fit for your teen. During our conversation, Kristina shares valuable advice for parents about the right time to have the financial discussion with your college-bound kids, why you should view colleges like you would a hospital and two very important questions you should be asking those colleges that your teen is considering before they make a decision. I’m a huge fan of the Colleges That Change Lives book and website and this conversation with Kristina really inspired me to encourage my kids to take a closer look at these schools. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group 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 delighted to welcome Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge to the show. Dr. Roseann is a mental health trailblazer, founder of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann & Associates. Her mission is to "change the way we view and treat children’s mental health”. FORBES magazine called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health”. Her work has helped thousands reverse the most challenging conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, autism, learning disabilities, Lyme disease, and PANS/PANDAS, using proven holistic therapies such as neurofeedback, biofeedback, and psychotherapy. Dr. Rosanne has been featured on dozens of media outlets including Fox, CBS, NBC, FORBES, PARENTS, and the New York Times. Today we are focusing on something called “failure to launch”. You may have heard me mention that term in previous episodes, but if you aren’t familiar with it, in short it applies to those in their teenage years all the way through their early thirties who for different reasons, typically mental health and medical, don’t launch into the world of adulthood. During our conversation, Dr. Roseann shares some of the primary drivers for failure to launch, how to recognize signs of failure to launch in your teens and young adults before it becomes an issue, and the most important things you can do as a parent to help get your child back on track. Dr. Roseann has decades of experience and wisdom on this topic and it’s a must listen for parents of teens and young adults. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest today is Dr. Samantha Haviland, Executive Director of Career Development and Student Success for Denver Public Schools. Sam and I were introduced by our mutual friend, Joanna Lilley, who’s been a guest on this podcast multiple times. I am SO grateful that Joanna connected us. You’ll hear me say this during our conversation, and I’m only half joking, if I could convince my family to go with me, I’d sell my house and move to Denver so my boys could attend Denver Public Schools. Don’t get me wrong, I love where we live, love our neighbors and love the winters here in Florida, and our public schools here are doing a pretty good job. It’s just that Denver Public Schools, otherwise known as DPS, is doing an amazing job in setting their students up for success after high school. From elementary school all the way through high school, DPS facilitates and encourages students to explore careers and start planning for their future. Their high school students have to complete their “check out” list before they can participate in graduation activities. DPS demonstrates a “we’re all in this together” mentality through their strong relationships with local businesses, colleges and legislators. And they make social emotional learning a priority for every single student in their district. There’s a ton of value in this conversation for parents, educators and anyone who cares about setting kids up for success. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group 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’m really hopeful that today’s conversation will bring hope and direction to parents who may be feeling confused, scared or concerned about their teen’s future. Transitioning to life after high school, whether you are headed to college or someplace else, is difficult for most, and for some, it’s just plain overwhelming. Even for those students who seem to have what it takes to succeed academically, they may still need improvement in social skills and executive functioning skills like time management, organization and follow-through. Today’s guest, Lauren Merritt, is an expert in this field and has excellent advice and insight for parents of teens. Lauren is the Chief Operating Officer of College Steps, a non-profit organization that was founded by a clinical psychologist and a special educator with a simple mission: To empower students living with learning and social challenges through structured post-secondary support. Working closely with high schools, colleges and families, they emphasize peer-to-peer services that build confidence and success. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group 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 week's episode is probably one of the most fun interviews I've done to date. Full disclosure, I have admired my guest and "fan-girled" over her from afar for a while now. I'm beyond thrilled today to be interviewing Susan Borison. For those who may not be familiar with Susan, trust me when I say that after this interview you will want to get to know her. Susan is the parent of five grown children and has decades of parenting experience and wisdom to share. And as if that isn't a huge accomplishment already, Susan is also the founder and editor of Your Teen Magazine. For fourteen years, Your Teen has provided support and encouragement for parents of teens, including me. In addition to the magazine, Susan has launched a website, YouTube channel, multiple courses for parents, and co-hosts a fantastic podcast for parents of teens that she hosts with her friend Stephanie Silverman. (Subscribe today. You're welcome.) And on top of all that, her Working Hard to Raise Teens Facebook group has a highly engaged audience of parents who are actually nice to each other. Imagine that! Seriously though, I've said this before and I'll say it again, some of the best parenting advice I've received has come from parents who have "been there, done that". So, grab your favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy this conversation with my new friend, Susan Borison. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group 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 covers a topic that I don't often talk about on the podcast: college admissions. If you are a regular listener, you know that many of my conversations focus on post-high school paths that don't require college. I thought it was important to delve deeper into the college planning process, primarily because I've heard from a lot of parents about the overwhelm they are facing as their teens begin the college application process. And to be completely transparent, this is personal for me. Our high school junior has made the decision to attend college after high school graduation and already I'm feeling the confusion, overwhelm and information overload that so many families experience. If you've begun the online research, you know there is a LOT of information out there, some accurate and helpful, and some not. It takes a lot of time and patience to dig through the myriad of resources and even then, it's hard to know which ones provide correct information and which ones create the "hair on fire" mentality. This week's guest is an expert in her field and a breath of fresh air for parents who want to help their teen find the best fit. Notice I didn't say "best college"? That's right. I said "best fit". Because "best college" is completely subjective and our main focus should be helping our kids find the best fit for them. I'm joined today by Allison Slater Tate. If you live in Florida and have a teen pursuing the college path, you may already be a member of Allison's Facebook group. No matter where you call home, you have likely come across Allison's work on NBC News, TODAY.com, and Your Teen Magazine as well as others. Allison has extensive experience in test prep, essay writing and college counseling, and she has the "inside scoop" on the real truth about college admissions. Our conversation is straight-forward, no-nonsense and drama-free, so sit back and enjoy this pleasant trip down the college admissions path. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group 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'm going to start out this week's intro with some hard to admit truth. I have spent a good part of my kids' lives over-parenting. And if I'm being totally transparent, I still struggle with it. You too? Well, join the club. Based on the number of interviews I've done (today marks #75!) and the numerous casual conversations I've had with parents, we are a society of over-parenters. Call us helicopters, bulldozers or whatever other name you might have for it. At the end of the day we are micromanaging our kids' lives. And while we might do a bit less of it as our kids become teenagers, and ultimately adults, I for one have spent way too much time trying to steer my kids in one direction or another. This week's guest is an expert on this topic and our conversation is one that is worth a listen no matter how old or young your kids might be. I am joined today by the amazing Julie Lythcott-Haims. Julie is the New York Times bestselling author of the anti-helicopter parenting manifesto How to Raise an Adult. If you have not yet seen her TED Talk, make that a priority in your life. Today. It is packed full of raw truth that you might not want to hear but believe me when I say it is worth a watch. Julie's latest book, available now, is called "Your Turn: How to Be An Adult" and it's written for the young adult audience. During our conversation Julie shares her wisdom and experience as a former dean at Stanford University and as a parent of two now young adults. This episode is longer than most but Julie provided so much valuable advice and actionable tips that I knew I had to share the entire conversation. I am grateful to Julie for making time to speak to me and for being so open and honest about her own experience and that of her family. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group 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 week we’re talking about the topic of leadership. After 20 years in corporate, I had my share of leaders. Some were very good leaders and others, well, not so much. I used to sit back and watch as people who were really good at their job as an individual contributor get promoted to management or leadership simply because they were good at their job. And let’s be honest...just because you are good or even great at your job doesn’t mean you should be a leader. This week’s guest has a lot to say on this subject. I am delighted to welcome Jacob Morgan to the podcast. Jacob is a trained futurist and one of the world’s leading authorities on the future of work, employee experience and leadership. After interviewing over 140 CEOs and over 14,000 employees, Jacob developed what he calls the “Notable Nine”, 4 mindsets and 5 skills that good leaders have in common. If you are a loyal listener, you know that I’ve had multiple conversations about the future of work and what employers are and will be looking for. Whether or not a college degree is required, just about every job in the future will require skills that our kids just aren’t learning in school. This conversation is packed full of valuable advice to prepare our teens for life after high school no matter which path they choose. Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group 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 week, I'm joined by my partner-in-crime and expert GenZ Career Guide, Jay DuSold. If you're a regular listener you probably know that Jay has been on the show multiple times in the past. There's a reason for that. Not only is Jay my co-host in our Life After 12th Facebook Group, he's also one of the most passionate and committed people I know when it comes to helping young people find their way to a career they will love. Jay always brings a ton of value to my audience and today's episode is no exception. Our big focus today is helping our teens and young adults "know before they go" because it is critically important when trying to identify a career that fits. Also during our conversation, Jay offers super helpful advice for parents on how to get their kids started, and he shares the difference between two sides of the exploration coin when choosing a career. Be sure to stayed tuned to the end to get the inside scoop about Jay's brand new LA12 Learning Collective: DeepDive career research bootcamp! Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode. Connect with Me! High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page Life After 12th Facebook Group Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices