It’s decision season for thousands of students and families across our community. The acceptance letters are in… the choices are narrowing… and now comes the question that can feel just as overwhelming as getting in—how do we pay for college? For many families, the process is filled with emotion, pressure, and uncertainty. Do you choose the dream school? The affordable one? And is there a way to do both—without taking on a lifetime of debt? On today's show we’re talking about a smarter path forward—one that blends strategy, purpose, and financial reality. My guest is Shellee Howard, Founder and CEO of College Ready, an award-winning college admissions and financial strategist who has helped families earn more than 80 million dollars in scholarships.

A growing number of Americans are turning to artificial intelligence for health advice some for convenience, others because they feel they have no better option. But a new national poll reveals many are relying on these tools without ever seeking professional care. Today, we’re talking with board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Teejay Tripp about the promise, the risks, and what you need to know to protect your mental health in an increasingly digital world. As helpful as technology can be, our mental health is still deeply human and it deserves care that goes beyond an algorithm. If you’re struggling, don’t stop at the screen. Reach out, talk to someone, and take that next step toward real support.

There are some stories that entertain and then there are stories that ask something of us.

What happens when faith is tested by unimaginable loss? When identity is reshaped by survival? And when two communities each marked by deep historical pain find connection in the most unexpected way? Today, we’re talking about a novel that lives in those questions. The Last Dekrepitzer by Howard Langer. This is a story about loss—but also about what we rebuild through faith, through love, through music, and through one another. The Last Dekrepitzer reminds us that even across cultures, histories, and unimaginable pain, there is still the possibility of connection and maybe even healing.

Think back for a moment to middle school that in-between space where you’re trying to figure out who you are, where you belong, and why it can sometimes feel like everyone else got a guidebook you didn’t. For many of us, those feelings don’t just disappear—they grow up with us. My guest has taken those tender, awkward, and deeply human moments and turned them into something both funny and profoundly relatable. Sara Amini is an actress, voice artist, and now author of Mixed Feelings, a semi-autobiographical graphic memoir that explores identity, friendship, family, and what it means to live between cultures—and sometimes between worlds. And while this story is told through the eyes of a young girl, its message speaks to all of us.

You know, some of the most powerful leadership training in this country didn’t happen in a boardroom… it happened in the Black church. From leading choirs to organizing communities, from speaking in front of a congregation to learning how to bring people together — generations of leaders have been shaped in those spaces, often long before they ever held a formal title.

Well, my guest today has written a fascinating new book that explores exactly that idea. It’s called Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, and it looks at how culture, faith, and community have quietly prepared so many people to lead in every area of life. I’m joined now by author and leadership expert L. Michelle Smith.

American higher education is at a crossroads. Colleges and universities are facing enormous pressures from shifting demographics and rising costs to political scrutiny, artificial intelligence, and questions about the real value of a degree. So what happens next? My guest today says the moment we’re in is not just a crisis it’s an opportunity. Arthur Levine, president of Brandeis University and coauthor of the new book From Upheaval to Action: What Works in Changing Higher Ed, has spent years studying how colleges are responding to one of the most significant transformations in their history. And today, we’re talking about what’s changing, what’s working and what the future of higher education may look like.

Today on Perspectives, we’re exploring a quiet but profound shift happening in American life. Nearly one in four U.S. adults — more than 50 million people — do not have children. Yet our financial systems, estate laws, and even our expectations around aging still assume that adult children will eventually step in to help make decisions or provide care. So what happens when that assumption doesn’t exist? My guest today, Dr. Jay Zigmont, says millions of Americans are facing what he calls a “fiduciary void” — a growing gap between how people actually live and how financial and legal systems are designed. Dr. Zigmont is a Certified Financial Planner, TEDx speaker, and founder of Childfree Wealth® and Childfree Trust®, where he studies how childfree adults are redefining legacy, caregiving, and long-term planning.

Dementia is a word that touches more families than many of us realize. Behind the diagnosis are real people — parents, spouses, friends — and caregivers trying to navigate an often overwhelming journey. Next week in Roswell, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity and purpose for older adults is bringing together national experts and local leaders for an important conversation about care, innovation, and compassion. It’s called the Take On Dementia Symposium, hosted by the nonprofit Second Wind Dreams. Joining me today is the organization's director of development Anna Wyatt.

March is National Nutrition Month, and with spring break right around the corner, many of us are thinking about resetting our routines—maybe getting a little more rest, getting outside more, and hopefully making healthier choices when it comes to what we eat. But here’s a statistic that may surprise you. According to the UnitedHealth Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings Report, only 7.4 percent of adults report eating the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. That means the vast majority of us know healthy eating matters… but putting it into practice can be a challenge. Poor nutrition is linked to serious health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, yet many people simply aren’t sure where to begin or how to make sustainable changes. Joining me today is Courtney Schauder, Health Engagement Consultant with UnitedHealthcare of Georgia. She works with individuals and communities to help people understand the role nutrition plays in long-term health and to make healthier eating feel practical and achievable.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “your health is your wealth.” But for many people in the Black community, achieving and maintaining good health can come with unique challenges. From higher rates of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, to disparities in access to care and preventative screenings, the reality is that health outcomes are not always equal. That’s why conversations around education, prevention, and advocacy are so important. Today we’re talking about an organization working to close those gaps and empower people to take charge of their wellbeing. Black Health Matters has been traveling the country bringing together medical experts, wellness advocates, and community leaders to focus on the health issues that disproportionately impact African Americans. Joining me today is Rosalyn Young Daniels, creator of the Black Health Matters initiative and is helping lead these important conversations about awareness, prevention, and healthier living.