High School Counseling Conversations®

This episode is one that high school counselors come back to again and again — and for good reason. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to reset with your team before the chaos of the school year begins, this conversation is packed with practical tips for hosting an off-campus planning day that sets the tone for a successful year. From crafting SMART goals and setting team norms to reviewing ke...

If there’s one thing I hear over and over from high school counselors, it’s that there’s just never enough time in the day. That’s why I loved this conversation with Kaci Ranger—so much so that I’m bringing it back as a listener favorite! In this episode, Kaci and I talk through simple, effective time management strategies that are actually doable for busy counselors. We cover everything from buil...

We’re bringing back one of your favorite episodes all about “Coffee with the Counselor”, because any chance to connect with parents (and drink coffee!) is a win, right? In this replay, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from hosting these events at my own school—the good, the not-so-great, and everything in between. From picking the perfect time of day to choosing topics parents actually want to hear a...

In this replay of a High School Counseling Conversations listener-favorite episode, we’re diving into the world of artificial intelligence—specifically how it can support and streamline your school counseling work. With all the buzz around AI, it’s time to explore how this powerful tool can actually save you time and enhance your counseling program! I’m sharing over ten practical ways you can use...

Starting out as a high school counselor is both exciting and overwhelming—and there’s a lot you don’t learn until you’re in the role. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the top three things I wish I knew when I was just beginning my counseling career. From navigating tricky relationships with parents and colleagues to connecting with hard-to-reach students, these lessons are ones I wish I could go...

Feeling burned out as the school year ends? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into the tough(but important) question many school counselors ask themselves: Is it time to move on? Summer break gives you the space to reflect, and this conversation offers support and clarity as you sort through the weight of burnout and consider what’s next. We’ll walk through practical questions to ask...

If you’ve ever been curious about the differences in school counseling roles based on the grade levels they support, then this episode is for you. I’m joined by Alabama school counselors, Laura Rankhorn and Kim Cumbley. Between the three of us, we have experience as elementary, middle, and high school counselors.   Our conversation centers around the differences and similarities between...

I love sharing ideas, tips, and advice about all things related to school counseling. But nothing excites me more than the energy, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective of new high school counselors! They’re full of ideas and ready to hit the ground running. So if you’re a new high school counselor wondering, “What do I need to know before the school year begins?”—this episode is for you. Starting out...

As the school year wraps up and summer break draws near, it’s tempting to mentally check out and leave everything behind. But before you do, there are a few key steps you can take that will save you headaches next fall and make your summer more peaceful! In this episode, I guide you through three simple yet powerful end-of-year tasks to help you wrap things up thoughtfully and set yourself and you...

You’ve been collecting data all year—student attendance, classroom lesson frequency, intervention effectiveness, and student stories… but now what? In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to do with all that school counseling data so it actually works for you . Because let’s be real, data is only powerful if you know how to use it to show your students’ progress and advocate for your...

From awkward group projects to job interviews, communication is the life skill students will use daily, but rarely get taught. In the final episode of my “Life Skills Your Students Should Master” series, we’re diving into healthy communication life skills - the kind that makes a lasting impact on students’ personal and professional lives. If you missed last week’s episode on time management o...

Time management is one of those essential life skills that often gets overlooked—and yet it can make a huge difference in a student’s success both now and in the future. In this episode, we’re continuing our life skills series (listen to part one HERE!) with a focus on helping high schoolers understand and practice effective time management before they graduate. You’ll hear how this skill connects...

 Imagine if your students graduated not just with academic knowledge, but real-world skills they’ll use every day. Today we’re starting that conversation. I’m kicking off a three-part series that will cover essential life skills that students should master before they leave high school, no matter what their post-secondary plans are. First up: the basics of budgeting - a skill so many students are...

When it comes to student mental health, the need is huge, but the budget? Not so much. If you’ve ever looked around your school and thought, “How am I supposed to support these students with so little to work with?”, this episode is for you. I’m sharing five practical, low-cost (or completely free) ways to address mental health needs on your campus. Whether you’re part of a fully staffed counselin...

Substance use in schools isn’t just a “some kids” issue. It’s happening across all kinds of student groups and the trends are changing fast. In this episode, I’m joined by Kriya Lendzion, a therapist, addiction specialist, and powerhouse speaker who is helping us understand what teens are using and what we can actually do about it as school counselors. We talk about evolving substances like THC an...

After graduation, students are eager to jump into the next chapter of their lives, but sometimes things fall through the cracks. Summer melt is real, and it can make the transition to the next chapter way harder than it needs to be. In this episode, I’m breaking down what summer melt is, why it happens, and, most importantly, what we can do to help students stay on track. It's all about finding so...

What if students could earn college credits, explore the world, and gain invaluable life experience, all before starting their traditional college journey? In this episode, I sit down with Neal Crosson from Verto Education to talk about a unique yet powerful path: first-year study abroad programs. We dive into how these programs work, who they’re best suited for, and how counselors can support stu...

Are non-counseling duties taking over your job? If you’re spending more time on testing, paperwork, and hall duty than actually working with students, you’re not alone and it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, I dive into the reality of these overwhelming responsibilities and why they can lead to burnout and resentment. But don’t worry, I’m not just here to vent! I’m sharing practical w...

The college search should be an exciting journey, but for many students, it’s filled with pressure, competition, and anxiety. Too often, students and parents fixate on prestigious schools without considering whether they’re truly the right fit, leading to stress and a loss of self-discovery in the process. Today’s guests, Jen and Jared, school counselors and co-founders of Forget the Rankings, are...

Choosing the right college is one of the biggest decisions a student will make. But what if there was a way to explore campuses across the country without ever leaving home? In this episode, I sat down with Alex Boylan, the creator and host of The College Tour, to talk about how the show is changing the way students and families approach the college search. After visiting over 180 college campuses...

Think college searches have to be boring and overwhelming? Think again! In this episode, I sit down with Sam Bernstein, co-founder of the Loper app , to talk about how gamification is shaking up the college search process. We all know that researching colleges can feel like an endless, stressful task for students and for you as counselors trying to guide them. But what if there was a way to make i...

Are you constantly juggling emails, student crises, and endless paperwork, feeling like there’s NEVER enough time in the day? I think most of you feel this way! That’s why I invited Kaci Ranger on the podcast to talk about practical time management strategies designed specifically for school counselors. We cover simple, effective ways to create structure in your day, set boundaries, and use digita...

Have you ever felt like parents don’t understand what you actually do as a school counselor? I know I’ve experienced this more times than I can count! In this episode, I dive into the challenges of working with parents who may not fully grasp your role and how that misunderstanding can sometimes lead to frustration or even hostility. While it’s easy to feel discouraged, let’s remember that yo...

What if you could create a program that not only helps your students grow as leaders but also strengthens your entire school community? That’s exactly what we’re diving into today! I’m breaking down how to set up a successful peer leader program that empowers students, builds relationships, and lightens your counseling load. I’ll walk you through the key steps to selecting student ambassadors, tra...

Have you ever stopped to truly notice the world around you—the small moments and subtle ways people carry the weight of their day? In this unique episode, I’m sharing a spoken word piece by Leah Grant, a high school counselor and podcast listener, who beautifully captures the essence of what it means to be a counselor. Through her quiet observations in the hallways, she reflects on the emotional t...