Fostering Conversations

Got questions about the admissions and enrollment process at Penn Foster? Whether you're looking for an online high school as a teen or adult, online college, or career program, our admissions specialists, including our guest Catherine Bressi, will guide you through the process. Learn all about admissions, from what information we need to enroll you or your child, tuition and payment plans, choosi...

Can you really learn high school math online? In this interview, we sit down with Penn Foster High School math instructor Mariam Dawoud, M. Ed to talk about what to expect from our online math courses, how they compare to traditional classroom learning, and why math skills are essential for your future, no matter your career path. Learn how Penn Foster’s flexible, self-paced courses help students...

Celebrate Vet Tech Week with Penn Foster graduate Jo Dsouza, who turned his love for animals into a rewarding veterinary technician career. In this episode, Jo shares how Penn Foster’s flexible, AVMA-accredited Vet Tech program prepared him for real-world success through hands-on externships, a supportive community, and practical online learning. Hosted by Jenny and Jess, this inspiring conversati...

It's Vet Tech Week, and it's almost Halloween! In celebration, Lauren devotes an entire episode to the rabies vaccine. 🎃 Key Takeaways: +Rabies is a serious zoonotic disease that can affect humans. +Routine vaccinations are essential for preventing rabies. +Veterinary technicians are at increased risk of rabies exposure. +The rabies vaccine is crucial for those working with animals. +The costs of...

Jess and Jenny talk about this year's graduation ceremony: the crowd, the performers, the grads, the dogs! Celebrate our 2025 graduating class, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! You can get more Penn Foster graduation content on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok; search Penn Foster!

Have you ever wanted to take an online class and been told that online degrees are fake and that no college or job will accept them? You’re not alone! We’re busting some myths about online learning so you can make the right choice about your education. Want to learn more about enrolling in Penn Foster? Start here: https://enroll.pennfoster.edu/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! Sources...

Jess and Jenny sit down with Monet Carter, the 2025 Penn Foster Graduate of the Year Winner! This Georgia resident and student at Atlanta Technical College earned her high school diploma online at Penn Foster High School, and we are so proud to have her as an alum. She shares her struggles, triumphs, and how she finished high school online at Penn Foster. Congratulations, Monet! Learn more: Enroll...

This week, I sit down with Annie Littrell, Penn Foster's Diversity Officer, to talk about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). She shares insights on DEI in education, accessibility, and leveling the playing field. So, how can we work towards making sure everyone feels included and valued at school and work? Let's get into it! Recommended reading for this episode: Caste: The Origins of Our Disc...

It's officially graduation season, so let's celebrate! Lauren is joined by Des to talk about all things graduation: not just the who-what-when-and-where, but also WHY you should attend! Let's celebrate your huge success together! Register by July 18 so you don't miss out! 🎓Register here: https://www.huddlearea.com/pfg-registration/ 👨🏻‍🎓Registration FAQ: https://www.huddlearea.com/pfg-registrat...

Lauren chats with Jesie Davenport, a team lead in the pharmacy technician program at Penn Foster! Jesie fills us in on everything we need to know about becoming a pharm tech: how the program works, externships, exams, and more! Read more about Penn Foster's Pharmacy Technician Program: https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs/healthcare/pharmacy-technician-career-diploma

Jess and Jenny discuss mental health matters in this replay of May's Facebook Live. When you feel anxious, depressed, or lost in your life, things can feel hopeless. You are not alone, and there are tons of resources--including many listed below--if you need help. Jess and Jenny talk about how to combat those pesky thoughts that make us feel like we aren't good enough. We are not mental health exp...

Lauren talks with Penn Foster High School English instructor Danielle Cooper all about teaching reading comprehension in high school, our favorite books, and why students need more, not fewer, assigned pages. Join the conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe to Fostering Conversations: A Penn Foster Podcast and never miss an episode! Learn more about our high school program: https://www.pennfost...

Get ready to walk across the stage and receive your diploma, degree, or certificate at Penn Foster Group's Graduation 2025 commencement and celebration! This episode contains all the info you need to register for graduation, get tickets for your friends and fam, and everything else you need to know before you go! When: August 16, 2025 Where: Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA Find more info on our FAQ:...

Lauren talks with Pam Ward and Theresa Sinkevich, two of Penn Foster's medical assistant program instructors. Learn more about the program here: https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs/healthcare/medical-assistant-career-diploma Graduation 2025 FAQ: https://www.pennfoster.edu/why-penn-foster/learning/graduation

We talk with college freshman and JMHS graduate Beth Dusenkova about her international high school experience and how it prepared her for college. She shares how her mental health struggles were the catalyst for her pursuing her high school diploma online. And Beth gives us insights on the differences between American and Slovakian high schools, gushes about her two cats, and talks about her futur...

Jenny, Jess, and Dr. Andy Shean discuss how AI and LLM (language learning models) can be used in education to help students and teachers. They get into how AI could be an affordable tutor, but that it is somewhat unreliable and to be cautious. Graduation 2025 FAQ: https://www.pennfoster.edu/why-penn-foster/learning/graduation

Is it too late to go back to school as an adult? Jess and Jenny break down what it’s really like to return to school later in life. They discuss the challenges adult learners face, share study and time management tips, and offer words of encouragement to help you stay motivated. Plus, hear inspiring stories from graduates who have successfully earned their diplomas and degrees at any age. If you’r...

Are online high school and homeschooling the same thing? Not quite! In this episode of Fostering Conversations, Lauren breaks down the differences between the two. If you want to learn how each works, the level of parental involvement required, and how factors like accreditation, curriculum structure, and grading vary between them, check it out! Plus, we answer two of the most common questions abo...

In this episode, Jenny, Jess, and Kristin dive into what the job market looks like in 2025! They break down the hottest job opportunities, share expert tips on crafting a standout resume, and dish out interview strategies that actually work. From tailoring your resume to showing up authentically in interviews—and even mastering the post-interview follow-up—they cover it all. Plus, Kristin brings h...

Lauren sits down with Haley, an Ashworth College graduate and this year’s Graduate of the Year winner, to chat about his journey. Haley talks to us about why he chose to get his criminal justice degree from Ashworth, what it was like going to college online, and how he landed his first job out of college as a paralegal. He tells us how he stayed motivated, set goals, and made frequent use of Ashwo...

2024 New York Institute of Photography grad Dennis Beaulieu shares his photography journey with interviewer Lauren. He talks about how NYIP’s online program helped him build confidence, improve his skills, and prepare for future challenges. Dennis also highlights the importance of networking, following your passion, and how education can make a difference at any age.

Ever wondered what it's like to finish high school entirely online? Wyatt, a Penn Foster High School grad, talks about his experience making the switch from a traditional classroom to online learning. He shares how working at his own pace helped him balance school with extracurriculars and why having a plan and clear goals kept him motivated. If you're thinking about online school or just curious...

Lauren talks with Nikita about her journey as a recent graduate from Penn Foster's childcare program, diving into her passion for working with special needs children. Nikita gets into the challenges faced by parents in finding suitable childcare, her motivation for pursuing further education, and the flexibility of online learning. She also shares with us the importance of support from family and...

Lauren speaks with Jenny Fox: fashionista, entrepreneur, and owner of Fox Styling PNW. She transformed her love of styling and creating with others into a fulfilling career, and her work has even been in VOGUE! How did she get started? With the Personal Style Course at NYIAD! Jenny took control of her style--something she struggled with during the pandemic in 2020--and enrolled in the Personal Sty...

Congratulations to Ronell Gibbs, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Ronell excelled in school in his youth, but after switching districts in 9th grade, he found himself struggling academically and emotionally. His mother helped him find and enroll in James Madison High School. Here, he was able to learn at his own pace, bringing his GPA up to 3.79, and restoring his confidence.