Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?

By Shellee Howard

Your teen is in middle school or high school, and college is on the horizon! Do you know where to begin? It can be overwhelming! Which college will be a good fit? Can you afford it? What is my teen pa... more

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FAQs about Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?:

How many episodes does Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? have?

The podcast currently has 157 episodes available.

Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? episodes:

August 13, 2026How to Protect Your College Investment From the Unexpected — with John Fees
College planning usually focuses on admissions, scholarships, housing, and tuition. But there’s another question families should be asking:
What happens to the money we’ve invested if something unexpected prevents our student from finishing the semester?
In this episode of Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?, Shellee Howard sits down with John Fees, co-founder of GradGuard, to discuss some of the financial risks families may overlook when sending a student to college.
John explains why he helped create GradGuard and how tuition insurance can provide protection when a student has to withdraw for a covered reason. He and Shellee also discuss the realities students can face once they’re living independently—from illness and mental health challenges to stolen belongings, dorm damage, accidents, and other unexpected disruptions.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why families should understand a college’s tuition refund policy before the semester begins

How an unexpected withdrawal can create a significant financial loss

How tuition insurance may help when a student must leave school for a covered medical or mental health reason

Why John believes mental and physical health should be treated with equal importance

What parents should know about renters insurance for students living on campus

Why FERPA and other important documents deserve attention when a student turns 18

How families can check for potential duplicate health insurance charges

Why it may be worth contacting your auto insurer when your student leaves for college

How travel insurance can factor into planning when a student attends college far from home

Why financial preparedness is part of helping students successfully navigate college life
Shellee and John also share an important reminder: preparing for unexpected situations isn’t about creating more fear around sending a student to college. It’s about understanding the risks, asking better questions, and knowing what protections are available before you need them.
The takeaway: College is too significant an investment to understand the financial risks only after something goes wrong.
Before your student starts the semester, learn the school’s refund policies, review your family’s existing insurance coverage, understand what you would be responsible for financially, and determine whether additional protection makes sense for your family.
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
24min
August 06, 2026Can Buying a Condo Save You Thousands on College? | Kathi Jesse Explains
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why college housing is often one of the largest out-of-pocket expenses for families

How buying a property near your student's college may help build equity instead of paying rent

The benefits of FHA "Kitty Condo" loans and low down payment financing options

How 1031 exchanges can help families preserve and grow their real estate investments

Potential tax advantages of owning student housing

Whether a condo or single-family home makes the best investment for college students

What to do if your student changes schools—or decides not to attend college

How real estate can become part of a long-term family wealth strategy

Questions parents should ask before investing in college housing

College planning considerations that can help families minimize debt and maximize financial flexibility
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
24min
July 31, 2026How AI Is Changing College Majors and Careers: What Every Parent Should Know | Kevin Zhu
Why AI is advancing faster than most people realize

The truth about choosing a college major today

Which careers may be most vulnerable to AI

Why human skills matter more than ever

How students can become future-ready

The importance of AI literacy for every family

Opportunities for students interested in AI research
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
37min
July 17, 2026The 3 Questions Every Parent Should Help Their Teen Answer Before College | Featuring James McLamb
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
The three questions every teen should be able to answer before leaving for college

Why anxiety, peer pressure, and loneliness are often symptoms of deeper issues

How to start meaningful conversations with your teen—without making them feel interrogated

Why identity, belonging, and purpose are essential for long-term success

How parents can reconnect with their teen, even if they feel like they've missed opportunities in the past

Ways to help high-achieving students avoid burnout while staying motivated

Why college readiness is really about preparing students for adulthood
Whether your teen is in middle school, high school, or getting ready to head off to college, this conversation will give you practical tools to build a stronger connection and help them develop the confidence and resilience they'll need for the future.
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
28min
July 16, 2026 Helping Your Teen Stand Out for College Through Purpose & Impact | Featuring Aishani Sheth
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
• Why meaningful experiences matter more than résumé-building
• How students can develop leadership and problem-solving skills before college
• What admissions officers value beyond GPA and test scores
• Why purpose-driven projects create stronger college essays and interviews
• How students gain mentorship from professionals at companies like Google, Bain, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and Deloitte
• The future-ready skills every student needs in an AI-driven world
• What parents can do to help their teen find direction without adding more pressure
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
21min
July 03, 2026From Robotics to Cornell: A Father-Son Blueprint for College Success with Aarav & Ritesh Kumar
In this episode, we discuss:
Aarav's path from a passion for robotics to Cornell Engineering

Building a college application around authentic interests instead of trying to impress admissions officers

How parents can support their students while encouraging independence

The importance of essays, extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service

Why starting the college planning process early creates more opportunities and reduces stress

How organization and mentorship can simplify the admissions process

Lessons Aarav wishes he had known before his senior year

Advice from both Aarav and Ritesh for families preparing for college admissions
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
22min
July 02, 2026The Hidden College Credit Strategy That Could Save Your Family Thousands with Josh See
Why college planning should begin long before senior year

The difference between AP, CLEP, and dual enrollment

How students can earn college credit before graduation

The hidden college credit program that's been around for over 50 years

How to avoid mistakes that could impact scholarships and financial aid

Why researching college credit transfer policies is essential

How earning early college credit can build confidence and reduce college costs
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
26min
June 25, 2026 The Truth About Financial Aid: Why Some Families Pay Less for College Than You Think with Jack Wang
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why financial aid isn't based solely on income
• The difference between being accepted and being wanted by a college
• Why some families earning six figures still qualify for aid
• Common FAFSA misconceptions that cost families money
• How colleges determine scholarship and aid offers
• When a financial aid appeal makes sense
• Why every family should complete the FAFSA
• How to think strategically about student loans
• The importance of understanding your Student Aid Index (SAI)
• How to avoid costly college planning mistakes
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
31min
June 18, 2026 Human Skills Every Teen Needs for College, Careers & an AI Future with Rob Heller
In this episode, Shelley Howard interviews Rob Heller, founder of The Boost Program and author of The Missing Course. Together, they explore why human skills are becoming one of the most important predictors of future success.
Rob shares the 26 skills he teaches students, including communication, confidence, empathy, resilience, character, and mindset. He explains how smartphones, social media, and AI are changing the way students interact and why parents and schools must intentionally help teens develop the people skills that technology cannot replace.
Topics discussed include:
• The 26 human skills every teen needs to thrive
• Why soft skills matter more than ever in an AI-driven world
• How technology is affecting communication and relationships
• The connection between character, confidence, and career success
• What parents can do to help teens become future-ready
• Why schools should prioritize life skills alongside academics
Guest: Rob Heller, Founder of The Boost Program and author of The Missing Course
🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
20min
June 11, 2026 How to Help Teens Find Direction with Dr. Susan Belangee & Yogi Patel
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why self-awareness should come before choosing a major
• How parents can guide without controlling
• The role strengths and interests play in career fit
• Why job shadowing and real-world exposure matter
• How to help a teen who says, "I don't know what I want to do"
• The importance of independence, resilience, and confidence-building

🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email or call [email protected] (949)235-7350
...more
30min

FAQs about Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?:

How many episodes does Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? have?

The podcast currently has 157 episodes available.