In today's episode I'm joined by Shellee Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready, and named the 2026 Global Educational Consultant of the Year. Shellee is a two-time best-selling author, has been featured on Fox, NBC, CBS, and US News and World Report, and over the past 18 years she and her team have helped more than 3,000 families secure college acceptances, including 327 Ivy League placements and over $80 million in scholarships earned. She's also a mom of four whose own kids have graduated from schools ranging from Harvard to the University of Alabama, most of them debt free. This conversation was so illuminating for me, and honestly could not have come at a more perfect time as I navigate this exact process with my own kids.

Here's what we cover:

• The story of how a painful conversation with a high school counselor turned Shellee into "the mom on a mission" who started College Ready
• Why getting into college and getting out without debt are actually two separate goals, and why families need a plan for both
• The number one thing colleges want to know about your teen, and why so many teens genuinely can't answer it
• Why college should be thought of as a stepping stone to adulthood rather than the end goal, and how that reframe changes everything
• Why picking a major before picking a college (not after) can save families tens of thousands of dollars
• The four "buckets" of college money, including one of the most overlooked sources of funding
• How independent scholarships work, why kids as young as fourth grade can start applying, and how this strategy can help close the "gap" even after a student has already committed to a school
• What one step to take this week if you're feeling behind or overwhelmed about the college process

This episode is for any parent who wants to help their teen find their best-fit college and walk away with real scholarship money, without draining their own retirement to get there.

Shellee Howard Links

Free 30-Minute College Clarity Call a gift to listeners
 www.collegereadyplan.info

Free Resources — 7 tools you can use at no cost, including help finding your child's core values and calculating your student aid index
www.collegereadyplan.com/resources

Nonprofit: Empower Education
www.empowereducation.world

Books:

How To Send Your Student To College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money
amazon.com/dp/1546749624

The College Admissions PLAN Simplified: A Busy Parent's P.L.A.N. to a Debt-Free Degree
amazon.com/dp/B0DQ48NLLV

Connect with Jasmyne:
Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

🔗https://guided-passages.com/

In today's episode I'm talking about something I see so often in my coaching work: high-achieving teens and young adults who aren't struggling with big mental health crises, but with the everyday juggle of holding themselves to an incredibly high bar. I love their drive and their goals, but so many of them are quietly overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed because they haven't yet learned how to manage everything on their plate.

Here's what we cover:

• Why high-achieving teens can suffer significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use than the national average, even when they look like they have it all together
• The difference between perfectionist strivings and perfectionist concerns, and why it's the fear underneath the standards, not the standards themselves, that does the damage
• Why failure isn't the opposite of success, it's the actual mechanism that gets your teen there
• Practical regulation tools for when your teen is spiraling, including naming the emotion and box breathing
• Tangible systems like breaking big projects into smaller tasks, spreading work out, and building an organized space to reduce unnecessary stress
• Why celebrating wins and shifting self-talk matters just as much as the achievement itself
• The two ways parents accidentally get support wrong (over-rescuing and under-supporting), and what "high expectations, high support" actually looks like instead
• Why sitting down with your teen to audit their commitments, and giving them permission to let some go, might be one of the most supportive things you can do

This episode is for any parent of a high-achieving teen who wants to help them go after their big goals in a way that's sustainable, confident, and doesn't come at the cost of their wellbeing.

Connect with Jasmyne:
Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

🔗https://guided-passages.com/

Schedule a Free Discovery Call

Sources for this Episode:

1.  The Washington Post, "Students in high-achieving schools are now named an 'at-risk' group, study says" — https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/09/26/students-high-achieving-schools-are-now-named-an-at-risk-group
2. Carolina Journal, "The secrets of success: More sadness, anxiety in high achievers" (citing Luthar, Kumar, & Zillmer, American Psychologist) — https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion/the-secrets-of-success-more-sadness-anxiety-in-high-achievers/
3. Frontiers in Psychology, "Perfectionism and psychological well-being in adolescents with high intellectual abilities" — https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1617755/full
4. OxJournal, "Striving to be the Best: The prevalence of perfectionism in young people and the impact on their achievement and well-being" — https://www.oxjournal.org/striving-to-be-the-best/
5. PAR Blog, "Anxiety and High-Performing Teens: The Pressures of Perfectionism" — https://www.parinc.com/learning-center/par-blog/detail/content-hub/2024/11/12/anxiety-and-high-performing-teens--the-pressures-of-perfectionism
6. American Psychological Association, "Perfectionism and the high-stakes culture of success: The hidden toll on kids and parents" — https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/10/antidote-achievement-culture

In today's episode I'm joined by a very special guest, Margot Machol Bisnow, author of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams, 99 Stories from Families Who Did. Margot spent 20 years in government, including as an FTC commissioner, before turning her focus to raising fearless, creative, and resilient kids. Her own sons went on to found the band Magic Giant and the international Summit conference series, and her book is built on interviews with 70+ entrepreneurs and their parents. We had such a rich conversation about what it actually takes to help our teens find their passion and become the best version of themselves.

Here's what we cover:

• What inspired Margot to write her book after hearing the same answer over and over from young entrepreneurs about who believed in them
• The number one thing that showed up across every single family she interviewed, no matter how different their backgrounds were
• Why the specific passion almost never matters as much as the skills kids build by pursuing it
• The two ways parents commonly get failure wrong, and what these families did instead
• Why letting go of our own expertise and agenda can actually be a gift to our kids
• How to support a child who hasn't found their passion yet, and what it looks like to really watch and let them explore

This episode is for any parent who wants to help their teen find what lights them up, without getting in the way of the process.

You can learn more about Margot and her book at her website: https://raisinganentrepreneur.com/ or connect with her on Instagram: @margotbisnow

Connect with Jasmyne:
Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

🔗https://guided-passages.com/

Schedule a Free Discovery Call

In today's episode I'm coming to you fresh off the trail from our high school girls' wilderness rite of passage backpacking trip, and I'm still processing all the beauty and depth that came out of that week together. But today isn't a full recap, it's a pep talk. Because I think as parents we can get so deep in the everyday slog of parenting that we lose sight of how much control we actually have over how we're viewing our challenges, our teens, and our relationship with them.

Here's what we cover:

• A quick behind-the-scenes glimpse into the wilderness trip and what it reaffirmed for me about this next generation
• Why the way we view a challenging moment has a direct impact on how we experience it, and how we show up in it
• The difference between labeling our kid and labeling their behavior, and why that distinction changes everything
• Why focusing on what's going wrong tends to bring us more of what's going wrong
• How to create a calm inner landscape by separating your teen's experience from your own
• A reminder that this is one of the hardest jobs you'll ever do, and why giving yourself grace matters just as much as anything you do for your teen

Plus, a simple reset for parents who are feeling off track:

• Notice the thoughts you're thinking, and question the ones that aren't serving you or the relationship
• Look for the small sparks of good, the little laugh, the little hug, and let those count for something
• Remember your teen's struggles don't define who they are
• Make space for connection, even in small everyday ways

This episode is for any parent who's feeling the weight of the everyday moments and needs a reminder to reset, refocus, and remember they're doing better than they think.

🔗https://guided-passages.com/

Connect with Jasmyne:

Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

Schedule a Free Discovery Call

In today's episode I'm talking about how to rebuild trust after your teen breaks a rule, lies, or does something that damages the trust between you. These steps can also be beneficial when the situation is reversed and you're the one working to repair trust with your teen.

Here's what we cover:

• Why punishment alone teaches kids to avoid getting caught instead of teaching them to understand impact
• How restorative justice offers a different path, one that holds your teen accountable without shutting down the relationship
• The real difference between shame and accountability, and why that distinction changes everything

Plus, I walk you through five steps to help your teen rebuild trust after a misstep in a way that actually creates change instead of just delaying the next incident:

1. Create safety before you address what happened
2. Understand what need was underneath the behavior
3. Name the impact honestly
4. Co-create the repair plan together
5. Follow through and revisit it

This episode is for any parent standing in that uncomfortable place after trust has taken a hit, wondering how to move forward in a way that actually builds something stronger on the other side.

https://guided-passages.com/

Connect with me on Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

In today's episode I'm talking about something that comes up in nearly every single coaching call I have with parents: understanding what's actually going on beneath your teen's outward behavior. I get into why the slammed door, the "I'm fine" that clearly isn't, and the out-of-nowhere snap at dinner are never really about what they seem to be about, and why treating them as the whole problem keeps parents stuck in the same fight over and over.

Here's what we cover:

• Why behavior is never the whole story, it's a message, and what your teen's nervous system might actually be trying to tell you
• The all-too-common scenario of a teen who snaps at the same time every day after school, and what's really happening underneath it
• Why the parent often becomes "the safest place to fall apart" and how that reframes the whole dynamic

Plus, I walk you through five steps to help you decode what's actually being communicated so you can respond to the real thing instead of just the surface:

• Pause before you react to the behavior itself
• Ask what need isn't getting met in that moment
• Look for the pattern, not just the moment
• Get curious instead of corrective
• Respond to the need instead of just the behavior

This episode is for any parent who's ever been thrown off by their teen's behavior and wanted a way back to connection instead of another power struggle.

Connect with me on Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

In today's episode I'm taking you behind the scenes of our first wilderness rite of passage trip of the summer, a five day backpacking journey into the backcountry with a group of ten middle schoolers. I just got back last week and I'm still processing everything that happened out there, but I couldn't wait to come on and share it with you while it's all still fresh.

Here's what we cover:

• The full story of our time on the trail, including the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the moments that left the guides in tears
• How asking for help became the unexpected theme of the entire trip
• What happened during solo time and the powerful ritual that followed
• The appreciation circle that cracked every single heart wide open
• The welcome home ceremony with parents that brought it all full circle

Plus, I break down six myths about teenagers that got completely shattered out there:

• That teens can't or won't go deep
• That they need constant stimulation and can't handle stillness
• That their social lives are all about image and performance
• That they're too proud or self-conscious to ask for help
• That they're entitled or checked out
• That they resist ritual and being witnessed by the adults in their lives

This episode is for any parent who has ever wondered what their teenager is really capable of when they're given the right container.

Register by Friday the 3rd for the last spot in our High School Girls Rite of Passage Trip into the Marble Mountains (We hit the trail on July 8th!): https://youth.guided-passages.com/high-school-girls-wilderness-quest

Connect with me on Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

In this episode, I explore how our thoughts shape our emotions, behaviors, and ultimately the results we create in our lives. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), neuroscience, and real-life examples, I share practical tools that parents and teens can use to break free from negative thought patterns, build confidence, reduce anxiety, and create a more empowered mindset.

Whether you're parenting a teenager, coaching young people, or working through your own challenges, this episode will help you understand how changing your thoughts can transform the way you experience life.

What You'll Walk Away With:

• What Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is and why it's so effective 
•  The TEB Cycle: How Thoughts → Emotions → Behaviors → Results 
•  How neuroplasticity allows the brain to rewire itself through intentional thinking 
•  Why teenagers have a unique advantage when it comes to mindset development 
•  Lessons from Olympic champion Eileen Gu on mental performance and self-belief 
•  Common thinking traps that fuel anxiety, low confidence, and a lack of motivation 
•  Practical thought replacements that help teens feel more capable and resilient 
•  How parents' thought patterns directly impact their relationships with their teens 
•  The role of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) in shaping what we notice and focus on 
•  Why mindset work is a daily practice, not a one-time fix

Memorable Quote
"You can control how you think, and therefore you can control who you are."
— Eileen Gu

Resources Mentioned

•  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
•  Aaron Beck's work on cognitive therapy 
•  Byron Katie's "The Work" 
•  Episode 10: 5-Minute Guided Meditation for Teens and Parents

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another parent, educator, or teen who could benefit from these tools. Every conversation about mindset helps create stronger, more resilient young people.

Ready to Help Your Teen Build Confidence, Purpose, and Resilience?

If you're looking for deeper support beyond the podcast, I offer coaching, programs, and transformative wilderness experiences designed to help teens develop confidence, self-awareness, leadership skills, and a stronger sense of purpose.

Explore available programs and resources, and take the next step toward helping your teen thrive.

🔗https://guided-passages.com/

Connect with Jasmyne:

Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

Have you ever looked up in the middle of summer and realized your teen is sleeping until noon, spending hours on screens, and slowly losing motivation?

You're not alone.

In this episode, I'm sharing five practical steps that can help your teen create a summer that feels meaningful, productive, and enjoyable—without turning you into the summer police.

I'll walk you through how to get your teen's buy-in, create a realistic plan together, build healthy routines, set motivating goals, and stay accountable without creating daily conflict. These are the same strategies I'm using with my own teenagers this summer, and I hope they'll help your family create a summer that feels good for everyone.

What You'll Discover:

• Helping your teen learn from last summer's experiences 
• Balancing high expectations with strong support 
• Creating a summer plan together instead of enforcing one 
• Building healthy routines and screen-time boundaries 
• Using SMART goals to increase motivation and purpose 
• Holding weekly check-ins that encourage accountability 
•  Strengthening your connection through positive encouragement and support

Resources and links mentioned:

Free Summer Planning Sheet for Teens

To make summer planning easier, I've created a free Summer Planning Sheet that helps teens:

• Create a daily routine
• Set meaningful goals
• Build healthy habits
• Stay accountable throughout the summer

Download it here: youth.guided-passages.com/summer-plan

Recommended Reading

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David Yeager

This book has had a significant impact on my approach to supporting young people and on my understanding of what truly motivates them.

Connect With Me

I'd love to hear how summer planning is going in your family.

📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages

Send me a message and let me know what strategies you're trying or what goals your teen is working toward this summer.

If you have a graduating senior, or you've had one in the past few years, or you're watching one of your younger kids and already feeling the anticipation of this moment coming, this episode is for you. No matter where you are on the parenting journey, there is something here for you today.

In today's episode I'm coming to you from a very personal place. In two days, my own senior graduates, and I've been living right in the middle of everything I want to talk about with you today. I'm sharing honestly about what this transition has been like, what I've been feeling, and the tools and perspective that have been helping me move through it. My hope is that you walk away from this one feeling a little less alone and a little more grounded as you navigate this season.

In this episode I cover:

• Why every emotion you're feeling right now is valid, including the messy, inconvenient, and unexpected ones
• How grief pulls us out of the present and what to do instead so you don't miss what's still right in front of you
• What letting go actually means and why trusting your child is one of the most loving things you can do
• Why this is a rite of passage for you as a parent, not just for your teen, and a simple ritual to mark the moment and set intentions for your next chapter
• A message for the parents whose teen's path looks different right now, whether that's a delayed graduation, a different route altogether, or an uncertain next step

Quotes from this episode:

"Reminiscing is not the same as dwelling. It is honoring."

"We're not releasing our kids into a void. We're releasing them into their own lives, into their own becoming."

"Progress is not always linear, and neither is becoming who we are each meant to be."

"Everyone is at their own spot and they are right on time for their own life."

Resources and links mentioned:

• Guided Passages wilderness rites of passage backpacking trips for high school girls. We just have 2 spots left! https://youth.guided-passages.com/high-school-girls-wilderness-quest
• Join the Parents of Teens Rising Skool community
• Rise Up & Ignite Coaching programs for Teens & Young Adults

Connect with Jasmyne:

• Instagram: @jasmyne.guidedpassages