College and Career Clarity

In this episode, Lisa and JJ discuss: Rethinking post-high school pathways and expanding what counts as a successful career beyond the traditional four-year college path The role of curiosity, exposure, and hands-on experiences in meaningful career exploration The growing need for skilled and technical workers across multiple industries Supporting young people in finding aligned career paths witho...

In this episode, Lisa and Annie discuss: Career planning when chronic health conditions or physical disabilities affect daily functioning Self-advocacy and accommodations across education, training, and employment Aligning career choices with realistic capacity and long-term sustainability Using real-world experiences and conversations to validate career fit Key Takeaways:  College provides a stru...

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...

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 pol...

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 c...

In this episode, Lisa and Jackie discuss: How personal storytelling shapes identity and confidence in young people The role of a signature talk in strengthening communication and self-awareness Using life experiences to build clarity and purpose The way real-life opportunities and service experiences help youth grow passions and purpose Key Takeaways:  Young people learn their core values and purp...

In this episode, Lisa and Andrea discuss: Navigating family dynamics when college students return home for holidays and extended breaks Balancing student independence with household expectations during time at home Communicating effectively with teens and college students to reduce conflict around schedules, curfews, and responsibilities Supporting student identity development and deeper conversat...

In this episode, Lisa and Kami discuss: How curiosity shapes the development of lifelong learners who can adapt and grow over time Why box-checking habits weaken authentic engagement with learning What project-based learning offers as a bridge between interests and academics The role family culture plays in nurturing natural curiosity and supporting ongoing personal growth Key Takeaways:  Box-chec...

In this episode, Lisa and Ethan discuss: Managing setbacks and academic struggles in demanding college programs The importance of resilience, networking, and real-world experience in career development How communication and soft skills enhance technical education and employability Navigating college, internships, and professional growth with persistence and adaptability Key Takeaways:  When tradit...

Two hundred episodes strong—and this celebration goes deeper than a milestone. Lisa Marker-Robbins is joined by Vicki Weisbrod and Kayla Lane for an honest, energizing conversation about what’s really holding young people back and how you can help them move forward with clarity and confidence. You’ll leave inspired, recharged, and ready to guide the next generation toward purpose and possibility....

In this episode, Lisa and Stephen discuss: How to turn a passion for sports into a career off the field Building connections that open doors and gain experiences through sports internships What roles are in high demand in the sports and entertainment ecosystem Balancing passion, education, and hustle Key Takeaways:  Careers in sports extend far past the playing field, including roles in marketing,...

In this episode, Lisa, Dave, and Mike discuss: How career direction and college major alignment influence scholarship success The role of personal narrative and authenticity in admissions and financial aid Strategies for early scholarship searching and intentional college preparation How real-world experiences and self-awareness shape stronger college and scholarship applications Key Takeaways:  W...

In this episode, Lisa and Anita discuss: The growing trend of students choosing business as a “default” or undecided major The value of real-world work experiences for high school and college students exploring business What competitive business school admissions officers truly look for beyond academics How reflection, course choices, and extracurriculars shape clarity and college readiness for bu...

In this episode, Lisa and Christine discuss: Shifting hiring timelines and employer decision-making in today’s job market Growing importance of skills-based hiring and micro-internships Influence of artificial intelligence on entry-level roles and required skills Continued power of networking and accessing the hidden job market Key Takeaways:  The average job search now takes three to six months,...

In this episode, Lisa and Brooke discuss: The role of modern manners in building confidence and career readiness How social, physical, and relationship etiquette shape professional connections Strategies for networking, job shadows, and informational interviews The influence of parents, mentors, and micro-habits in developing these skills Key Takeaways:  Students should use simple conversation tec...

In this episode, Lisa, Dr. Gangelhoff, Dr. Alaina, and Melissa discuss: Shifts in the music industry and its evolving future Educational pathways for aspiring musicians Building independence, resilience, and clarity for young creatives Family roles and perspectives in supporting artistic career choices Key Takeaways:  Parents’ fears often stem from only imagining extremes—either starving artists o...

In this episode, Lisa and Ilana discuss: Mother-daughter dynamics in shaping career confidence and identity The unconscious transmission of attitudes about work, relationships, and self-worth Navigating the tension between supporting and controlling children’s career paths The role of self-awareness and open conversation in healthy career development Key Takeaways:  Daughters absorb far more from...

In this episode, Lisa and Dave discuss: Strategies for applying to scholarships throughout all four years of high school Building and refining a personal narrative that connects past experiences to future goals The role of family involvement and culture in long-term scholarship success National, local, and organizational scholarship opportunities are available at different grade levels Key Takeawa...

In this episode, Lisa, Dr. Corbin, and Catie discuss: Mentorship as a driver of growth and opportunity The mutual responsibilities within mentor–mentee relationships Early guidance shaping confidence and career direction Paying forward lessons learned through mentoring others Key Takeaways:  Mentorship offers students personalized support, creating opportunities that money alone cannot provide. Ad...

In this episode, Lisa and René discuss: The wide range of career opportunities available in aviation, beyond being a pilot The growing demand for aviation professionals due to industry growth and retirements Barriers and opportunities for women in aviation careers Ways for students and families to explore aviation early without costly commitments Key Takeaways:  Over 1.5 million new jobs are expec...

In this episode, Lisa and Zack discuss: Understanding the difference between everyday anxiety and an anxiety disorder The role of technology and social media in contributing to Gen Z anxiety Evidence-based treatment approaches, including exposure therapy Parenting strategies to support anxious teens without reinforcing fear Key Takeaways:  Anxiety can be defined as an overestimation of threat and...

In this episode, Lisa and Jaime discuss: Understanding the role of impacted majors and prerequisites The critical importance of aligning majors with career goals early Navigating the complexities of college transfers Financial planning and its impact on educational choices Key Takeaways:  Over one-third of undergraduates transfer colleges, and without early planning around majors, prerequisites, a...

In this episode, Lisa and Jack discuss: How authenticity influences a student’s journey through high school and college admissions Making intentional academic and extracurricular choices instead of chasing prestige Personal growth through adversity and how it can translate into advocacy and leadership Using entrepreneurship to solve real-world problems in the college admissions process Key Takeawa...

In this episode, Lisa and Joanna discuss: Exploring alternatives to the traditional college timeline The evolving role of parents in post-secondary decision-making Emotional and psychological challenges facing college-bound teens The importance of preparation and intentional planning for life after high school Key Takeaways:  College readiness is less about academic performance and more about whet...

In this episode, Lisa and Ramon discuss: The importance of real-world work experience in building employable skills How to approach job searching and internships with a strategic mindset The unique challenges and strengths of neurodivergent students in career development Why traditional career services often fall short in preparing students for the real job market Key Takeaways:  Applying to hundr...