Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?
Your teen is in middle school or high school, and college is on the horizon! Do you know where to begin? It can be overwhelming! Which college will be a good fit? Can you afford it? What is my teen passionate about? This can be an exciting time, but a stressful one! College admission is at an all time high in both competitiveness and cost. How do you navigate this? Your host Shellee Howard with College Ready has helped countless families in the college admissions process while saving them thousands of dollars in tuition! In her podcast, she sits down...
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Helping Students Find Direction in an AI-Driven World: Tyler Moulton on College & Future Readiness
Tyler Moulton’s journey from AI astronomy researcher to Director at Veritas AI How students can explore AI and research opportunities in high school Why students do not need to have their future figured out yet The growing role of AI across careers and industries How AI is changing college admissions and future job opportunities Why adaptability and AI literacy matter for today’s students The difference between using AI ethically versus relying on it improperly How project-based learning helps students discover interests and strengths Why hands-on experiences strengthen college applications and career readiness Encouraging students to explore opportunities, leadership, and...
How to Raise Financially Smart Kids with Darla Bishop | College Planning Without Debt
Why kids form money habits by age 7 How parents can start money conversations early The connection between financial literacy and college success Why students need financial education before college Helping teens understand the true cost of college The importance of academic, social, and financial fit How Dr. Darla completed graduate school debt-free Creative strategies to reduce college expenses Using jobs, housing, and employer benefits to offset tuition costs Teaching kids trade-offs and delayed gratification Money conversations parents should have in the car Understanding your child’s “money personality” When to introduce investing, high-yield savings, and the stock market Preparing teens for re...
Helping Students Ace Math with AI: Dong Zhang on Personalized Learning, SAT Prep, and Confidence
<p>🎙️ In this episode of Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?, Shelly Howard welcomes Dong, founder of Ace Rocket, to discuss how AI, personalized learning, and strong tutoring support can help students succeed in math and science.</p> <p>🚀 Dong shares his journey from earning a PhD in astrophysics and working as an AI scientist at Amazon and IBM to building an education platform designed to help students reduce math anxiety, identify learning gaps, and prepare for exams like the SAT, ACT, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics.</p> <p>📚 Parents will learn why math confidence starts with understanding a student’s current skill...
From Athlete to Admissions Leader: John Frost on College Costs, Scholarships & Student Success
John Frost’s journey from athlete to college leadership Why exposure matters when choosing a major or career Helping students who feel lost or unsure about their future The difference between liking many things vs. committing to one path Why community service and purpose-driven work matters for students The true reason college costs what it does—and why it’s an investment Real talk: why a college degree pays off long-term The 4 major buckets of college funding: Why families should start planning for scholarships early (not senior year) How colleges decide which students receive the most money The importance of buildi...
How Larry Hagner Builds Legendary Fatherhood: Lessons on Parenting, Marriage & Raising Boys
Larry Hagner’s early life and path to fatherhood 🎓 Transition from psychology to health management and medical sales 💊 Lessons learned in sales and leadership that shaped his parenting philosophy 🤝 Fatherhood journey: raising four boys with curiosity, collaboration, and respect 👦👦👦👦 Team Hagner principles: Responsibility, Everyone, Action, Manage, Sacrifice (T.E.A.M.S.) 🏠 Strategies for parenting teens with different personalities and interests 🎮📚 Navigating marriage and alignment with your spouse 💑 Larry’s book Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood: inspiration, process, and structure 📖 Bonus courses with book purchase: Creating More Patience & Creating Extraordinary Marriage 🎁 Key takeaway: Parenting, marriage, and leadership are skills you can learn, not just figure out by chance 🎯 <p>...
How to Help Your Teen Ace AP Exams: Predictable 4s & 5s with Dr. Joe Sebestyen
<p>Key Takeaways:</p> AP exams are skill-based, not just memorization—students need practice in analysis, application, and evaluation. Grades in class do not always reflect AP exam readiness. A student with an A may still struggle without proper exam strategies. Starting preparation even a few weeks before the exam can still be effective if a structured plan is in place. Developing critical thinking and timed practice strategies is essential for predictable 4s and 5s. AP scores impact college admissions, scholarships, and earning college credit. The importance of a balanced approach: academic preparation, mental readiness, and healthy support at home. Dr...
Student Spotlight: Turning Volunteering, Business, and Leadership Into a Standout College Application
How purpose-driven volunteering strengthens college applicationsUsing entrepreneurship to create real-world impactThe role of Empower Education as a catalyst for leadershipBuilding a focused academic narrative around business and economicsWhy exploration before choosing a major mattersTurning interests into action through nonprofits and fundraisingLessons learned from competitive entrepreneurship programsThe power of mentors, collaboration, and networkingWhy LinkedIn matters — even for high school studentsApplying strategically to programs, internships, and opportunitiesHow College Ready supports students through college lists, essays, and strategyAdvice for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who don’t know where to startBalancing academics, mental health, and passion projectsWhat colleges really look for beyond grades and pres...
Raising Resilient Teens with Sarah Morgan
<p>In this enlightening conversation on the "Parents is Your Teen College Ready?" show, Shellee Howard interviews Sarah Morgan, a former corporate trainer turned school assembly speaker who focuses on teaching students about emotional resilience and recovery. Sarah shares her compelling personal story of a horseback riding accident that nearly left her quadriplegic, highlighting how her mindset and belief system played a crucial role in her recovery. She emphasizes the importance of understanding emotions through Dr. Albert Ellis’s ABC theory, which explains how our beliefs mediate emotional responses rather than the activating events themselves. Sarah discusses the challenges students fa...
Inside the Admissions Office: What Colleges Really Look For—and How Parents Can Help Without Hurting
<p>Key Insights from the Episode:</p>Most U.S. colleges admit more than half of applicants—elite schools are the exception, not the ruleAdmissions officers are looking for fit, not perfectionApplications are reviewed holistically by trained teams using rubrics—not randomlyEssays should tell a small story in a meaningful way, not trauma-dumpAuthentic explanations for academic dips help admissions officers understand contextOptional essays are rarely “optional” if students want to stand outMental health topics should focus on growth, insight, and recovery—not the lowest pointSenior-year grades still matter after acceptanceParents play a vital role—but too much control can increase stressThe co...
Is Your Teen’s College Financially Safe? What Parents Must Know About College Closures and Risk
<p>Key Takeaways for Parents:</p><p>Many colleges — especially small, private, non-urban schools — are under significant financial strain</p><p>Some colleges have closed with little warning, leaving students scrambling</p><p>Graduation rates below 50% are a major red flag</p><p>“Merit scholarships” are often tuition discounts, not actual awarded funds</p><p>Low-enrollment majors may be at risk of being eliminated mid-degree</p><p>Teach-out agreements exist but may transfer students to similarly struggling institutions</p><p>Financial health should be the first checkpoint when building a college list</p> <p><p>🎁 Episode Gift & Contact</p><p> </p><p>🎓 Colle...
