In this episode, Lisa and Katie Azevedo discuss:

• The mid-year academic slump and its impact
• The role of task and time management systems in student success
• Shifting from passive to active learning
• Guiding teens to take ownership through the right questions and tools

Key Takeaways: 

• Students often face three interconnected struggles mid-year: increased stress and overwhelm, poor academic performance, and low motivation. Addressing these issues requires concrete strategies.
• Effective study habits rely on using active recall techniques (e.g., self-quizzing) instead of passive methods like re-reading notes, which can be misleadingly unproductive.
• A combination of task management (breaking down assignments and responsibilities) and time management (creating a realistic schedule that includes downtime) is crucial for reducing stress and increasing productivity.
• Parents can evaluate whether their teens are studying effectively by asking about their methods and encouraging practices like explaining concepts aloud or making flashcards, rather than merely reviewing materials.

“Motivation is temporary, and it’s really neat when it shows up, but we can’t count on it showing up…we need to rely on systems and strategies for when motivation doesn’t show up to the party.” – Katie Azevedo

About Katie Azevedo: Katie Azevedo, M.Ed., is a private executive function coach specializing in helping students and adults master learning and productivity strategies. With a master’s degree in special education, she focuses on supporting individuals with ADHD, ASD, and other learning challenges, working seamlessly alongside IEPs when needed. Since 2006, Katie has coached thousands of students on executive functions, study skills, test preparation, and writing, from grade 6 through graduate school. A mother of two, she balances her passion for teaching with a love of running, organization, and simplicity.

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Katie Azevedo:

School Habits University: https://www.schoolhabitsuniversity.com/

School Habits: https://schoolhabits.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolhabits/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SchoolHabits

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-azevedo/

The Learn and Work Smarter Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learn-and-work-smarter/id1719881389

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this special third-anniversary episode, Lisa steps into the guest chair with Doug Sandler, host of The Nice Guys on Business podcast. She reflects on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons that shaped her journey from high school teacher to transformative career coach and her mission to guide teens toward fulfilling futures. This episode offers a personal look at why Lisa believes clarity and the right guidance can make all the difference.

In this episode, Lisa and Doug discuss:

• The evolution of college and career guidance
• The impact of self-awareness on career success
• Challenges in navigating modern educational and vocational pathways
• Entrepreneurial growth, transitions, and building sellable businesses

Key Takeaways: 

• Many competitive college programs require students to declare specific majors during the application process, which can permanently close off certain career paths if not chosen early, emphasizing the need for informed decision-making.
• The Birkman Method Personality Assessment provides a unique insight into both behavior and expectations, making it a powerful tool for aligning personal strengths with educational and career paths.
• Careers in the trades, such as plumbing and electrical work, offer substantial financial and professional rewards, challenging the outdated perception that only college degrees lead to success.
• Beginning career and college planning as early as sophomore year in high school allows students to explore their interests, identify potential obstacles, and ensure that choices align with long-term goals and aspirations.

“One of the myths that we bust around here is that kids can't figure it out, but with intention and by devoting a little bit of time and resources to it, they can. It is very figure-outable.” – Lisa Marker Robbins

About Doug Sandler: Doug Sandler is a podcast producer, author of Nice Guys Finish First, and co-founder of Turnkey Podcast Productions.

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Doug Sandler:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-sandler/

The Nice Guys on Business Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nice-guys-on-business/id966086057

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa and Ann discuss:

• The role of grades and GPA as a fundamental aspect of college admissions
• Differentiating weighted versus unweighted GPA systems and their significance in the college admissions process
• The value of understanding high school profiles and how they influence college application reviews
• Finding a balance between academic ambition and emotional well-being in the high school years

Key Takeaways: 

• Colleges universally prioritize high school transcripts as the core admission criteria, focusing on both the GPA and the rigor of courses taken, as supported by National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) data.
• A high school profile contextualizes GPA, course availability, and rigor to admissions officers, making it a crucial document for families to review early in high school.
• Weighted GPAs, which add extra value for advanced classes, offer a clearer picture of academic rigor; students can explore tools like RecalculateMyGPA.com.
• Striving for academic challenge should be done thoughtfully, aligning with personal strengths and goals to avoid burnout while ensuring well-rounded involvement in extracurriculars.

“Colleges don’t want kids who just have their nose down in a book. They want kids who are adding to their community and involved in extracurriculars. So that's why I'm really passionate about building that career awareness alongside that self-awareness as early as 10th grade.” – Ann LaFemina

About Ann LaFemina: Ann LaFemina is a lifelong educator with extensive experience in college admissions and counseling. She began her career supporting college-bound students in Long Island, New York, and later became an adjunct professor. After moving to Florida in 2008, Ann established a private consulting practice and led the college counseling program at Cardinal Mooney High School, where she earned the 2022 Outstanding Service Award. Specializing in diverse majors, she now provides personalized counseling as part of the JRA Educational Consulting team.

Episode References:

• Re-calculate Your GPA the Same Way as Most Colleges: https://recalculatemygpa.com/

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Ann LaFemina:

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-ann-lafemina

JRA Educational Consulting: https://www.jraeducationalconsulting.com/

Winter Park College Consultants: https://www.winterparkcollegeconsultants.com/

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa and Dr. John discuss:

• Importance of understanding college admissions processes, including test-optional policies and supplemental essays
• Role of financial considerations in determining college fit and navigating institutional aid policies
• Strategies for demonstrating interest and aligning applications with college-specific priorities
• Insights into creating balanced college lists to reduce stress and improve outcomes for families

Key Takeaways: 

• Using tools like the Common Data Set and Net Price Calculator provides crucial data about admissions rates, financial aid, and institutional priorities, enabling more informed decision-making.
• Demonstrating interest, even for colleges that don’t officially track it, strengthens applications by improving supplemental essays and showing alignment with institutional missions and values.
• Need-blind versus need-aware admissions can significantly influence outcomes; families should discuss financial constraints early and utilize FAFSA and CSS Profile for financial planning.
• Many highly competitive schools have institutional priorities that may be beyond an applicant's control, such as geographic diversity or specific skill sets, emphasizing the need for balanced college lists.

 
“Don't be afraid to ask the questions, because I always say, every question that you don’t ask—frankly, the answer is no, or you’re not going to find out any information. So, you might as well ask the questions.” – Dr. John Durante

About Dr. John Durante: Dr. John Durante has dedicated over 30 years to education as both a teacher and administrator. Since 2010, he has served as the principal of Syosset High School, playing a key role in its recognition as one of the top high schools in the country. After helping his own daughters navigate their college journeys, he launched The College Admissions Process Podcast in 2022, which has become a valuable resource for students, parents, and college counselors.

Episode References:
Dr. Durante's new book "Straight from the Admissions Office": https://a.co/d/gHZe0wl
Book Giveaway: flourishcoachingco.com/colleges (Enter before January 19)
The College Admissions Process Podcast https://www.collegeadmissionstalk.com/
The previous episode with Dr. John Durante: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/141 
How to Find the Common Data Set for Colleges: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/blog/demonstrated-interest-how-to-find-it-on-the-common-data-set/
Episode on Demonstrated Interest: https://flouriscoachingco.com/052
Episode on Institutional Priorities: https://flourishcoachingco.com/123

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 
flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Dr. John:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-durante-ed-d-248b35143/
 

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa discusses:

• Trends in highly competitive majors like computer science, nursing, engineering, and business
• The importance of aligning high school coursework and extracurricular activities with the intended major 
• The differences between liberal arts colleges and universities in admissions by major. 
• Three categories of how colleges handle admissions by major: direct admission, mixed approach, and applying to the university as a whole. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Most universities, even those that don't admit directly to a major, still consider a student's intended major in the admissions process 
• Only 4 out of 50 state flagship universities take a truly open approach to not pressing students on their intended major
• Universities are looking for alignment between the applicant and what they’re looking to major in (even if they don’t admit students directly to a major). 
• Using well-crafted questions and templates, families can gather the info they need to build a realistic, strategic college list.

“I want to emphasize to my listeners the need for early planning and informed decision-making while our kids are still at home under our roof because once they step foot on campus, the colleges are not communicating with the parents…Your student has to fully engage and take advantage of the resources on campus. And I’ve found that the quality of resources vary from needs improvement to really fantastic.” – Lisa Marker Robbins

Episode References:

• #123 College Institutional Priorities: Understanding Who Gets In with Aly Beaumont
• #057 College Admission by Major with Andy Borst
• Other Podcast Episodes: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/ 
• Live Masterclass: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/nostress 
• The College Admissions Process Podcast: https://www.collegeadmissionstalk.com/ 

Ensure Your Teen's Success: Learn the Untold Truth About College Major-Specific Admissions:

Gain exclusive insights into admissions by major at all 50 state flagship universities. Our comprehensive research reveals which colleges require students to apply to a specific major, where it's easy to change majors, and where your teen's options may be limited.

https://flourishcoachingco.com/majors  

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

https://flourishcoachingco.com/video

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa and Andy discuss:

• Why some universities require students to apply directly to a major and how that affects admission chances.
• How demand, faculty, and resources impact the number of students accepted into certain majors (like Computer Science).
• Understanding why some programs aren’t open for major changes later, making the first choice critical.
• When can your teen choose a second college major.
• What to ask during campus visits to understand how majors shape admissions and graduation timelines.

Key Takeaways: 

• There is a school that is the right fit for every student, and it will take some research. 
• Universities and colleges have institutional priorities, including where students are applying from and what major they are applying for. 
• Trying to “game” admissions with a different major first often backfires.
• Colleges are looking for future, happy alumni who can get a degree in a program that they're interested in and move on to talk about great things that they did at the university.
• Highly competitive programs (often called restricted majors) are not available to transfer into after admissions.

"I don't like denying students; I want to find students who are most likely to do well on our campus and who are most likely to be impacted by admission to our institution." – Andy Borst

About Andy Borst:

Andy Borst is the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Georgia (UGA). Formerly, when he was on our podcast, he was the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, responsible for recruiting, admitting, and enrolling new freshmen and transfer students. Before joining the University of Illinois, he served in the same position at Western Illinois University from 2011 to 2016. Andy has also served on the Admissions Practices committee for the Illinois Association of College Admissions Counseling, which reviews and enforces ethical standards for college admissions in the State of Illinois. He earned a B.S. from Buena Vista University, an M.B.A. from St. Ambrose University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Iowa.

Episode References:

• Launch College & Career Clarity Course
• UIUC Tool on Majors
• #041 Nursing Program Admissions with Jon Rice

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa and Sharon discuss:

• What sets the Birkman Method apart is different from other assessments for college and career clarity.
• How your teen can use the Birkman as a starting point to understand themself - not just academically, but also to their environment and others.
• How narrowing options can increase confidence and lead to more satisfying career choices.
• Why focusing on the “next first step” rather than a “forever future” can ease the pressure when planning for college and beyond.

Key Takeaways: 

• Birkman is unique because it pinpoints the motivations behind behaviors without burdening students with multiple questionnaires.
• Our needs and expectations are like the roots of a tree - they ground us and influence our personal health and well-being.
• Things you enjoy during personal time are just as crucial as work for long-term fulfillment.
• The Birkman system funnels all career possibilities into fewer select paths so your teen has options that are most likely to work for them.

 

“It's a broad world out there of career opportunities. If you look at your top three or four percentiles of interest, those are going to be excellent cues about a healthy direction for you to head, whether it's something that you do on the side that makes you happy, or whether it's included in your day job.” – Sharon Birkman



Episode Reference: 

Is now the right time for your teen's College Major and Career Planning? flourishcoachingco.com/quiz 


About Sharon Birkman: Sharon Birkman began her role as Birkman International’s President and CEO in 2002, becoming Chairman in 2022. As the daughter of company founder and influential industrial-organizational psychologist, Dr. Roger W. Birkman, Sharon cultivated her deep expertise in human perception and organizational behavior through her lifelong interest in The Birkman Method. Before succeeding Dr. Birkman as CEO, Sharon served in several roles including VP Corporate Relations, Training, and Career Coaching. Sharon’s leadership has been instrumental in ushering in a new era of product development, technology, and training initiatives during a time of unprecedented growth. In this period, Sharon and the business have been recognized with a multitude of awards. These include EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016, the Women President’s Organization’s Mary Lehman MacLachlan Award for Economic Empowerment in 2017, Houston’s Best and Brightest Places to Work For from 2014-2019, National Best and Brightest Places to Work For (2014-2018), the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award in 2017 and 2018, and as a Houston Power 50 Woman Leader in 2018.



Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 



Connect with Sharon:

Website: https://birkman.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-birkman-fink/ 

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa, Keith, and Tejas discuss:

• The value of student-led experiences and internships for your teen. 
• Building teen confidence, developing professional skills while still in high school, and using experiences to gain clarity about future careers.
• The importance of your student getting involved in extracurriculars early in high school. 
• How to DIY opportunities through school-business partnerships for your teen.

Key Takeaways: 

• During your student’s freshman year, let them get used to the rigors of high school and encourage them to figure out how they want to get involved at school. 
• Confidence is a skill your teen will build through practice and pushing themself outside their comfort zone. The more your teen stretches, the more their confidence will grow.
• Sometimes, an internship will confirm that the path is the right fit for your teen. But even if they find it is not the right fit, that is equally valuable.
• As proficiency increases, passion also tends to increase in equal measure. Passion can grow with proficiency.

 
“It is really valuable for the student as a person and pushing them outside their boundaries and getting uncomfortable and all those things. But it's also valuable for the resume, the application, and building those experiences that make you who you are, and you can find those wherever you are.” – Keith Koehne

About Keith Koehne: Keith Koehne has always wanted to have the greatest impact on the greatest number of students possible. He has a passion for leadership and connecting education with business leaders for the benefit of students. He is honored to serve as the Executive Director of the INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati, whose mission is to fill the regional IT talent pipeline by inspiring, developing, and retaining exceptional high school students.

Episode References:
Tips for Sending Student Emails that Get a Reply: https://flourishcoachingco.com/email 

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 
flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with INTERalliance:
Website: https://interalliance.org/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-interalliance-of-greater-cincinnati/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interalliancegc/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interalliance/ 
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@interalliancegc/ 
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/interalliance.org 

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa and Vicki discuss:

• How your teen’s school, you (as the parent), and your teen can work together to drive your student’s career development.
• The right time for your student to begin thinking about their future career path.
• Why your teen should be considering careers, not just college majors. 
• The difference between career development and career advising.

Key Takeaways: 

• Most school counselors have a caseload too great to also take on career counseling. They also are not trained to handle that aspect of counseling.
• By November 1 of your teen’s senior year, they are starting to apply to colleges.
• 42 of 50 state flagship universities require students to either apply directly to a college major or list their intended major in the application.
• Career development is a lifelong process. 
• You do not want to wait until your student is in college to start career advising. Once they are there, some majors will no longer be available to them, and you cannot make them go to the career advising office.

“We as parents force, not on purpose, but force an agenda onto our kids. I think the school becomes this objective third party to kind of take care of business, so to speak.” – Vicki Weisbrod

About Vicki Weisbrod: Vicki Weisbrod is a detail-oriented school counselor who has been consistently praised as a forward-thinking student advocate by her colleagues and administration. Over the course of her 17-year career, she created an extensive counseling program from ground zero focusing on the college search and selection process. Seven years ago, she partnered with an organization to be the first greater Cincinnati high school to offer the Birkman assessment to their juniors. The program has evolved to include in-depth career exploration modules for all of their students. This

process has created a more thorough approach to the college counseling that their

team provides. In her tenure at Bishop Fenwick, she has sought opportunities to

grow their community whether it is through their counseling program or for the

greater good of the school. 

Episode References:

• #120 Experiential Learning: Unlocking Your Teen’s Career Path with Drews Mitchell
• #040 Building Motivation & Stress Tolerance for Happy Teens

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 

flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa and Cheryl discuss:

• Strategies to help coach your teen without becoming a helicopter parent.
• How to identify when helping your teen is actually hurting them.
• Why your teen needs to learn to fix things on their own before they reach high school graduation.
• Transitioning from a parenting to a coaching role in your child’s life.

Key Takeaways: 

• Remind your teen of the wins that they had before they got to the big challenges they are facing.
• When you helicopter parent your teen through high school, you prevent them from learning vital life skills they will need when they get to college and beyond. 
• In college, parents cannot call the financial aid office, professors, dean, or any other office for or about your student, even if you are paying tuition.
• Helicopter parenting is not about your child. It is about you, the parent. Let your teen live their life, and go do those things you feel you’re missing out on for yourself.

 
“If you keep making these decisions for your kids, if you keep diving in and fixing everything, not only are you not giving them the skills they need, but I really believe it sends a message that you don't have any faith in them.” – Cheryl Pankhurst

About Cheryl Pankhurst: With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years as a Special Education Specialist, Cheryl has dedicated her life to understanding and supporting teenagers facing unique challenges. 

Through her transformative journey, Cheryl discovered her true calling – to uplift and empower not only teens with diagnoses but every young person navigating the complexities of adolescence. Her groundbreaking podcast, 'Teen Minds Redefined,' serves as a sanctuary for parents seeking guidance and wisdom on the rollercoaster ride of raising teenagers. Through this journey Cheryl has discovered that the “guidance” for parents starts with themselves. In order to raise our humans to be their true authentic selves, we must start living and speaking our own truth. It’s not them; it’s you. That is the good news, it begins with us and as we gain new insights, shift our perspective find the joy and calm within us, it causes the “ripple effect” to the people we love and care about. Beyond her professional endeavours, Cheryl is also a devoted Mom of two beautiful humans, a daughter and a life partner. As a lifelong Yogi addicted to doing the inner work, speaking her truth, and shining her light, Cheryl strives to embody the values she preaches, inspiring others to live their true authentic selves.

Episode References:
Email Guide: flourishcoachingco.com/email
#146 Overcoming Student Procrastination with Michelle McAnaney, the College Spy

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret). 
flourishcoachingco.com/video 

Connect with Cheryl:
Website: https://cherylpankhurst.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.a.pankhurst 
Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-ann-pankhurst-1b611855 
Podcast: Teen Minds Redefined: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYv9FQy1X43wwoYg0zF8zAJw6-nCpHMAk 

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co