"EdUp Edge: The Scoop on Career Schools, Leadership & Life Hacks"

Let’s be honest—admissions and leadership can be an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you’re inspiring someone’s future, the next you’re talking a student off a metaphorical ledge… or holding back from rolling your eyes on Zoom.

In this solo episode, Kat breaks down emotional intelligence like only she can—with straight talk, a little sass, and a whole lot of strategy. You’ll learn how to keep your cool when things get heated, handle objections like a pro (without catching an attitude), and lead your team without losing your sanity.

Because EQ isn’t about being soft—it’s about showing up sharp. Grab your coffee, your confidence, and maybe a stress ball… we’re going in.

In this bold episode, Glen Patterson drops serious knowledge on what’s broken in workforce development—and how WorkSchool is flipping the script.

We dig into the real skill gaps plaguing today’s job seekers, the rise of Web3.0, and why recruiters and mentors matter now more than ever.

Glen unpacks the critical difference between just having a job and building a career that evolves with tech, data, and demand.

We talk upskilling, the myth of job security, and how WorkSchool is connecting learners with next-gen opportunities that actually pay off.

Whether you're hiring, training, or hustling for your next move—this episode is your wake-up call.

🔗 Tune in, take notes, and get ready to rethink everything you know about jobs, learning, and success.

In this episode, I sit down with Darius Goldman, founder of Career Bond, to expose the biggest enrollment killer—lack of financing options. Schools aren’t just losing students; they’re losing revenue because marketing, admissions, and financial aid teams are stuck fighting a battle they can’t win without the right tools.

Darius shares his journey from Meratas to Career Bond and why he’s doubling down on solving this problem. We break down the brutal reality of the enrollment funnel—students want to enroll, but without flexible funding options, they disappear. We discuss the direct impact on lead conversion, the student journey, and how schools can flip the script by offering smarter financing solutions.

We also get real about pushback—what went wrong with Meratas, concerns about Career Bond, and why institutions need to rethink their approach before they bleed out more enrollments. If you're in marketing, admissions, or financial aid, this episode is your wake-up call. Tune in and take notes!

Let’s be real—admissions is a battlefield. Every day, reps face intense pressure to hit numbers, handle constant rejection, and juggle fast-paced conversations while trying to stay personal and genuine. Sound familiar?

In this episode, I’m calling out the hidden struggles admissions reps and leaders deal with but rarely talk about. From the mental weight of enrollment goals to the daily grind of overcoming objections, we’re breaking it all down.

More importantly, I’m giving you real solutions—no fluff. Think strategies to flip rejection on its head, simplify tough conversations, and stay sharp without burning out.

Plus, I’m diving into how the Next Level Admissions Recharged program and community are helping reps and enrollment leaders stay at the top of their game. This is more than training—it's a space for real talk, support, and growth.

🔥 This isn’t about surviving admissions—it’s about owning it.

Ready to crush it? Hit play.

Q1 is in the books—now it’s time to level up and make Q2 your strongest quarter yet!

I sit down with admissions and marketing powerhouse Brian Maggio to break down the must-know strategies for boosting enrollments, re-engaging leads, and maximizing advisor performance.

If you’re a school leader, admissions director, or marketing pro, this episode is packed with real, actionable insights to help you fine-tune your pipeline, optimize outreach, and turn more prospects into starts.

Plus, stay tuned until the end for a special announcement on game-changing services designed to take your enrollments to the next level.

This is the Q2 strategy session you can’t afford to miss—tune in now and get ahead!

In this episode, I sat down with Rustam Irani, President of RGI Marketing and Consulting, a powerhouse in enrollment strategies, marketing, and institutional growth.

Rustam helps institutions navigate the enrollment cliff, tackle regulatory changes, outmaneuver competition, and fix broken marketing strategies that drain budgets with little return.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

👉 The biggest enrollment threats institutions face today (and the warning signs leaders should spot early)
👉 Why many marketing agencies miss the mark—and how to tell if yours is failing
👉 The truth about inquiries (hint: more leads won’t solve your enrollment struggles)
👉 How to build a growth strategy that actually works—with the right KPIs and a smarter approach to marketing spend
👉 What’s next in higher ed marketing and enrollment trends (and how to stay ahead of the game)

Rustam doesn’t hold back, sharing hard-hitting insights that every admissions and marketing leader needs to hear.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels with outdated strategies, this episode is your wake-up call.

🎙️Listen now and take control of your enrollment game!

Episode Drop: Breaking the Cycle – The Admissions Counselor Malaise

Admissions burnout is real, and it’s killing motivation, performance, and results. In this episode, I sit down with Teege Mettille, a powerhouse in the admissions world, to dig deep into his book, The Admissions Counselor Malaise—what’s behind the frustration, the fatigue, and the “going-through-the-motions” mindset.

We’re talking broken systems, unrealistic expectations, and the toxic grind culture that keeps good counselors from thriving.

More importantly, we’re breaking down how to break free, stay energized, and reclaim the mission behind this work.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just need a reality check—this one’s for you.

Are accreditation visits keeping your school up at night?

Think again! In this episode, we sit down with Laurie Shanderson, CEO of Accreditation Insights, to flip the script on accreditation stress and show schools how to turn these visits into a strategic advantage.

With 25+ years in higher ed leadership, Laurie breaks down the biggest misconceptions about accreditation, why agencies are actually your partners, and how institutions can stay ahead of the game with clean, compliant records.

What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why schools panic about accreditation (and why they shouldn’t)
✅ The secrets to proactive compliance—no last-minute scrambling needed
✅ How to build a culture of continuous improvement instead of “check-the-box” oversight
✅ Key trends shaping the future of accreditation

If you’re in higher ed leadership, an administrator, or just love an inside look at how schools maintain top-tier standards, this episode is for you!

🎧 Listen now and take the stress out of accreditation!

This week, I’m sitting down with Dr. Karen Hills Pruden, a powerhouse Leadership Strategist with over 30 years of expertise who knows how to transform careers and build impactful leaders.

From struggling to find mentorship in middle management to investing $350/hour with a LinkedIn mentor, Dr. Pruden shares how that game-changing investment helped her secure a senior leadership role after a rigorous 4-month process.

Now, she uses her proprietary frameworks—Amplify Your Value (APV), Learn. Practice. Teach (LPT), and Professional Equity (PE)—to equip businesses with tools to turn high-performing professionals into leaders who drive real results.

Ready to take your leadership to the next level? Grab her FREE Leadership Framework Download here!

Don’t just lead—dominate!

With a new administration taking the reins at the U.S. Department of Education, the stakes for educators, students, and institutions are higher than ever. In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Dr. Fateri, a trailblazer in higher education whose remarkable journey spans decades of leadership and transformation across the industry

Dr. Fateri brings his bold insights and expertise to unpack the impact of these leadership changes...

What happens when the old guard departs and new priorities emerge? How will educators and institutions adapt to the evolving policy landscape? And what does this all mean for the future of learning in America?

Question is, are we really ready for this conversation?

Get ready for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation that dives into the controversies, challenges, and opportunities ahead.

If you care about the future of education, this episode is a must-listen!

Higher Education MUST return to their "WHY"...