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

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?:

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

The podcast currently has 160 episodes available.

Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready? episodes:

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
June 04, 2026 From Uncertain Freshman to USC Admit: Chase Ott's College Readiness Journey
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How Chase explored different career paths before choosing engineering
• Why passion projects helped him gain clarity about his future
• The role leadership and service played in his college journey
• How internships can help students test potential career interests
• What colleges look for beyond grades and test scores
• How students can build a meaningful application without trying to impress everyone
• Why starting early can create more opportunities and less stress
• What Chase would tell his freshman-year self if he could start over
• The lessons he learned while preparing for competitive engineering programs
• How finding direction helped him approach college admissions with confidence
Whether your student is interested in STEM, still exploring their options, or simply trying to figure out what's next, Chase's story is a powerful reminder that success comes from consistent growth, curiosity, and purposeful action.
🎁 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
19min
May 28, 2026How Families Reduce College Costs Without Sacrificing Retirement | Terry Wheeler on Tax Strategies
Together, Shellee and Terry discuss:
Why college planning should be approached strategically, not emotionally

The connection between retirement planning and college affordability

How tax strategies can create additional cash flow for tuition

FAFSA misconceptions: families often misunderstand

Why scholarships and tax planning should work together

Tax-saving opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs

The Augusta Rule and short-term rental strategies

How families can start planning even if their student is already in high school
🎁 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
May 21, 2026Helping Students Find Direction in an AI-Driven World: Tyler Moulton on College & Future Readiness
Tyler Moulton’s journey from AI astronomy researcher to Director at Veritas AI

How students can explore AI and research opportunities in high school

Why students do not need to have their future figured out yet

The growing role of AI across careers and industries

How AI is changing college admissions and future job opportunities

Why adaptability and AI literacy matter for today’s students

The difference between using AI ethically versus relying on it improperly

How project-based learning helps students discover interests and strengths

Why hands-on experiences strengthen college applications and career readiness

Encouraging students to explore opportunities, leadership, and real-world skills
🎁 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
23min
May 14, 2026How to Raise Financially Smart Kids with Darla Bishop | College Planning Without Debt
Why kids form money habits by age 7

How parents can start money conversations early

The connection between financial literacy and college success

Why students need financial education before college

Helping teens understand the true cost of college

The importance of academic, social, and financial fit

How Dr. Darla completed graduate school debt-free

Creative strategies to reduce college expenses

Using jobs, housing, and employer benefits to offset tuition costs

Teaching kids trade-offs and delayed gratification

Money conversations parents should have in the car

Understanding your child’s “money personality”

When to introduce investing, high-yield savings, and the stock market

Preparing teens for real-world budgeting before college

Helping students become financially independent

Why parents should communicate financial realities early

How financial literacy strengthens family relationships

Dr. Darla’s books and resources for families
🎁 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
April 30, 2026 Helping Students Ace Math with AI: Dong Zhang on Personalized Learning, SAT Prep, and Confidence
🎙️ In this episode of Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?, Shelly Howard welcomes Dong, founder of Ace Rocket, to discuss how AI, personalized learning, and strong tutoring support can help students succeed in math and science.
🚀 Dong shares his journey from earning a PhD in astrophysics and working as an AI scientist at Amazon and IBM to building an education platform designed to help students reduce math anxiety, identify learning gaps, and prepare for exams like the SAT, ACT, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics.
📚 Parents will learn why math confidence starts with understanding a student’s current skill level, how personalized roadmaps can save time, and why AI can support learning but never fully replace the connection and motivation of a human tutor.
🎁 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
April 28, 2026From Athlete to Admissions Leader: John Frost on College Costs, Scholarships & Student Success
John Frost’s journey from athlete to college leadership

Why exposure matters when choosing a major or career

Helping students who feel lost or unsure about their future

The difference between liking many things vs. committing to one path

Why community service and purpose-driven work matters for students

The true reason college costs what it does—and why it’s an investment

Real talk: why a college degree pays off long-term

The 4 major buckets of college funding:

Why families should start planning for scholarships early (not senior year)

How colleges decide which students receive the most money

The importance of building a strong “student resume”

Why students must take initiative—scholarships won’t come to them

Addressing parent fears about sending kids to college

Why college is a “transformational environment” for independence

The role of engagement, clubs, and community on campus

Final takeaway: students are 13% of the population—but 100% of 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
24min
March 19, 2026How Larry Hagner Builds Legendary Fatherhood: Lessons on Parenting, Marriage & Raising Boys
Larry Hagner’s early life and path to fatherhood 🎓

Transition from psychology to health management and medical sales 💊

Lessons learned in sales and leadership that shaped his parenting philosophy 🤝

Fatherhood journey: raising four boys with curiosity, collaboration, and respect 👦👦👦👦

Team Hagner principles: Responsibility, Everyone, Action, Manage, Sacrifice (T.E.A.M.S.) 🏠

Strategies for parenting teens with different personalities and interests 🎮📚

Navigating marriage and alignment with your spouse 💑

Larry’s book Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood: inspiration, process, and structure 📖

Bonus courses with book purchase: Creating More Patience & Creating Extraordinary Marriage 🎁

Key takeaway: Parenting, marriage, and leadership are skills you can learn, not just figure out by chance 🎯
🎁 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
32min

FAQs about Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?:

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

The podcast currently has 160 episodes available.