High School Hamster Wheel

In this episode, I interview Jason and Jane Sarouhan, co-founders of J2Guides. Jason and Jane have decades of expertise planning and leading gap year experiences, and they have turned their #gapyearstateofmind into a career that they love. The term "gap year" is often misunderstood and there's no better team to set the record straight than Jason and Jane. Their passion and enthusiasm are contagious and if you are like me, you'll be ready to start planning your own gap year before the end of the conversation. Whether your teen or young adult is questioning what to do right after high school or is thinking about taking a meaningful break during college, or if you are just plain curious about gap years, this is a conversation you'll want to hear!

Be sure to visit the show notes page for all relevant links and resources.

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In this episode, I interview Michael Horn. Michael is the author of multiple books including Choosing College: How to Make Better Learning Decisions Throughout Your Life. The book is filled with helpful information and excellent advice for parents, teens or anyone considering college. During our conversation, we talk about the "Jobs To Be Done" methodology that Michael and his team applied when interviewing students, and Michael shares some of the big learnings they uncovered during the research. Michael also offers sound advice for parents for helping their teens identify their next steps after high school including asking the right questions at the right time, the importance of making connections and the outlook for non-traditional learning opportunities. You won't want to miss Michael's recommendations for helping teens prototype their future as a means to clearly define where they are headed in life and whether they should choose college...or not.

Be sure to visit the show notes page for all relevant links and resources.

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In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Anna Stumpf. Anna directs the online Master's in Information and Computer Sciences program at Ball State University. Throughout her long career in teaching, Anna has noticed that people are not fully leveraging their own value, and she believes that developing a personal brand is key to finding success in the world. 

Anna refers to herself as the "Golden Ticket Prof". Tune in to hear Anna's unique theory on why each student has a golden ticket. She also shares some wisdom about the three different types of helicopter parents and why young people should be investigating alternative options to college, especially as it relates to the gig economy.

Be sure to visit the show notes page for all relevant links and resources.

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In this episode, I interview Jessica Roddenberry. Jessica is an architect by trade and is the Director of Design at BRPH. 

Her diverse project experience includes education, aviation, aerospace, and entertainment. Jessica believes that her job is to bring people together, listen to their stories and then design spaces that narrate those stories.

During our conversation, we talk about the importance of learning in 3D and providing immersive learning experiences for kids. Jessica also shares her insights and ideas related to community building in schools and the importance of teaching kids to fail.

You won't want to miss Jessica's story about her passion for design that started at a very young age and her a-ha moment when knew she had found her "people".

Be sure to visit the show notes page for all relevant links and resources.

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Don Wettrick is the founder of the STARTedUP Foundation, author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation and Taking 20% Time to the Next Level” and was the Innovation Specialist at Noblesville High School in central Indiana. Don is known for his award-winning work as a middle school and high school teacher; educational and innovation consultant; and educational speaker. During our conversation, you'll hear about Don's experience inspiring teens both in and out of the classroom and about the important work the STARTedUp foundation is doing. You won't want to miss Don's advice to teens about the steps they can take NOW to get started on their journey to discovering their path to a happy and fulfilled life.

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In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Cindy LaJoy. Cindy is a homeschooling mom of five wonderful children who are now thriving teens and young adults. During our conversation, Cindy shares stories about her family and the challenges they have faced (and overcome!) both in learning and in life. The LaJoy family is extraordinary. Be sure to tune in to hear about their new family business which was planned and built, and is now managed by their children. The LaJoys are a true inspiration!

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#010 - In this episode, I'm joined by Captain Jim Murphy, an American Airlines pilot. Jim has spent decades flying planes, both in the military and commercially. Jim offers lots of great advice for those looking to pursue a career in aviation. He also shares "a day in the life of a pilot". I learned a lot during our conversation and in fact, was left speechless more than once! Whether you are interested in a career in aviation or not, there's something for everyone in this episode!

Be sure to visit my show notes page where Jim shares helpful links to resources for more information about becoming an airline pilot.

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#009 - In this episode, I'm joined by Calvalyn Day of the Well Counseling Group. Calvalyn is a mother of four daughters, Mimi to four grandsons, and a school counselor by trade. During this interview, we talk about so many important and relevant topics for teens including intellectual and social development, improving communication, decision making, focusing on values while building self-esteem, exploring options through real-life exposure, developing self-confidence and so much more!

Be sure to visit my show notes page for a link to bonus content, "17 Magical Phrases To Get Your Teen Talking".

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#008 - Are the teens in your life anxious about their future? Are they feeling stressed about how their grades and achievements will affect their life after high school? In this episode, I'm joined by Chelsea Torres, founder of Big Bad Brainery. During her 17 years of tutoring, Chelsea started noticing patterns in the way academic stress was affecting teens. So, she transitioned her business to offer ongoing support in the form of mentoring. This conversation is filled with useful tips and strategies for parents to help their teens slow down, find their "why" and manage their stress and anxiety. 

Be sure to visit the show notes page for a link to exclusive audio content created especially for listeners of High School Hamster Wheel. 

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#007 - There's a well-kept secret tucked away in Central Florida. It's the nationally recognized Automotive Engineering Technology program at Seminole State College. With its master-level instructors and state of the art facility, this 2-year program offers students the opportunity to learn a highly-skilled trade that's in high demand. Join me as I speak with Mark Davis, Professor and Program Manager at SSC, where he talks about the classes, certifications, and cooperative internships offered through this program. 

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Show highlights are available at https://betsyjewell.com/hshw007

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