What if everything you thought you knew about finding your path in life was wrong?

We’ve all been told the same story: pick a career, follow a straight line, and check off the boxes of success. But what if that rigid path is actually what’s keeping you from living a life full of meaning, joy, and purpose?

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Ryan, a Fulbright Scholar and PhD candidate from New Zealand, to talk about the myths we’ve been fed about happiness, potential, and purpose—and why real self-actualization isn’t about reaching the top of the mountain but learning how to walk the path that’s right for you.

Because let’s be honest—if you’ve ever felt like you're behind, lost, or like you missed the memo on how to “figure it all out,” you are not alone. And Ryan’s journey—from a small hometown in New Zealand to the halls of Harvard—is proof that there’s another way forward.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why self-actualization isn’t just a buzzword—and how to define it for yourself
• How your “ideal self” can become a compass for making aligned, purpose-driven choices
• The reason most people never reach their potential (and how to avoid that trap)
• What elite institutions get right—and wrong—about making life-changing knowledge accessible

This episode is an invitation to rethink what it really means to live a meaningful life—and how to bring big ideas back down to earth so they actually serve you.

TAKE ACTION

🎯 Start here: An Admissions Strategy Session where we'll identify your student's unique path and create a custom roadmap for their success. No generic advice—just a personalized strategy that works.

🚀 Go deeper: Apply for The Roadmap—our signature consulting experience that turns uncertainty into clarity (and acceptances to dream schools). We work with just a handful of families per year.

📧 Stay connected: Get our weekly newsletter with insider admissions strategies that traditional counselors won't tell you.

👑 Follow along on Instagram or TikTok

  💬 SHARE THIS EPISODE

Know someone who feels behind, lost, or stuck trying to “figure it all out?” Share this episode with them. Ryan’s story is a powerful reminder that purpose isn’t found by climbing someone else’s mountain—it’s created by walking your own path.

Let’s rewrite the narrative that success has to look a certain way—and help more students, parents, and dreamers find the freedom to define it for themselves.

🌟 If this conversation opened your eyes or heart, leave a review—it helps others discover the show and join this much-needed conversation.

Is "meeting students where they're at" actually doing more harm than good?

If you've ever heard the question, "What do you want to do with your life?" and felt a pit in your stomach—or worse, watched your child shut down in response—this episode is going to change the way you think about college admissions.

The truth? Most students don't know what they want at 16 or 17—and that's not the problem. The real issue is that traditional college counseling assumes they should know... and builds a future based only on who they've already been.

What if we stopped projecting certainty onto students and started creating space for curiosity, confidence, and growth?

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why starting with GPA and test scores can be a dead-end
• The #1 mistake most counselors make—and how it crushes self-esteem
• A real-life story of a student who turned a "silly" interest into a compelling college theme
• The power of building a path based on curiosity, not performance
• The 3-step framework we use at The Edvisory to help "undecided" students create authentic themes that admissions officers remember
• Why the students who seem "behind" often end up at their dream schools

TAKE ACTION:

Ready to stop asking "So... what are you going to do with your life?" and start building a roadmap to college that actually fits who your student is becoming?

🎯 Start here: An Admissions Strategy Session where we'll identify your student's unique path and create a custom roadmap for their success. No generic advice—just a personalized strategy that works.

🚀 Go deeper: Apply for The Roadmap—our signature consulting experience that turns uncertainty into clarity (and acceptances to dream schools). We work with just a handful of families per year.

📧 Stay connected: Get our weekly newsletter with insider admissions strategies that traditional counselors won't tell you.

👑 Follow along on Instagram or TikTok

SHARE THIS EPISODE:

Know a parent who's tired of asking their teen "what are you going to do with your life?" Tag them and share this episode. Let's change the conversation around college admissions, one family at a time.

⭐ Leave a review if this episode shifted your perspective—it helps other families find us who need to hear this message.

Today on the Bold Student Podcast, we’re joined by my very special guest Isaac Lubert. Isaac is a former transfer student of mine who is currently pursuing music, business and psychology at NYU. In today’s episode, we talk about Isaac’s journey from Indiana University to Santa Monica College to now NYU and how our work together encouraged him to pursue his current path.

 

Isaac shares wisdom around navigating change, not being afraid to try new things and how working with a private college counselor pushed him in the right direction (even when it meant pushing him outside of his comfort zone). If you ever wondered how working with an admissions counselor could benefit you, you don’t want to miss this episode!

What We Cover:

• Isaac’s original plans for college and how they changed

• Isaac’s current path and why it’s the perfect fit for him

• Cathleen’s role in helping Isaac discover and pursue his path 

• The importance of trying things out 

“I wouldn't change what happened with me, because that ended up working out well. So I'd say do what you want to do. Do what you think you're supposed to do and you'll figure it out.” - Isaac Lubert

 

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

Want to join a group coaching experience to help you develop a roadmap for living your wildest dreams, on your own time and on your own terms? Not to mention one that will WOW colleges and help you get admitted? Join our next round of Theme Queen™: https://theedvisory.thrivecart.com/theme-queen-november-2023/ 

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach

Today on the Bold Student Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Donald Jolly. Donald is our very own essay coach, but he’s also a first-generation college student who studied English at Dartmouth, and has an MFA in dramatic writing from the University of Southern California. He's also a Los Angeles-based writer proudly hailing from Washington, DC. 

 

As a playwright, he wrote the historical drama, Bonded, which was nominated for the Los Angeles stage Alliance Ovation award for playwriting and the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Los Angeles theatre, and winner of the 2013 Archon Bruce Brown Playwriting Award for LGBT historical place.

 

In today’s episode, Donald shares his experience as a first-generation college student and why he decided to major in English. He also talks about his love for using storytelling as an agent that inspires change. Donalds shares why he decided to go to Dartmouth and his collegiate experience, including how he found his space while navigating college life.

 

What We Cover:

• Being a first-generation college student and why he decided to major in English
• Donald’s love for using storytelling to inspire change
• Why Donald decided to go to Dartmouth, and what was his experience there like?
• Donald’s advice for navigating collegiate life and finding your space

 

“There are so many people who don't get to have this very special privilege that I have. And there's so much sacrifice that has gone in to get me here, whether it's my teachers in school, my grandparents who fled the Jim Crow South. The donors who gave money after school, American taxpayers for the Pell Grants, or Stafford loans, and financial aid, there were a lot of sacrifices made. And I felt it my responsibility to make the most of it. And that meant to explore what, meet new people, try new things, do my best in my classes, and ask for help when I need it.” - Donald Jolly

Connect with Donald:

• Website: https://www.d-jolly.net/ 

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

Learn about our group program, THE COLLEGE ESSAY EXPERIENCE™:

https://theedvisoryla.kartra.com/page/CEE 

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen

 

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach

I’m so excited to introduce you to today’s guest, Ilona Barnhart. Ilona is a human design reader who blends insight and inspiration from multiple sources to create something entirely new so that you can embrace and accept more parts of yourself.

 

In today’s episode, Ilona shares what human design is and the events that led her to become a human design practitioner. Ilona also talks about living in an energy-based world and what that means. Then, we discuss the different types of human design and how understanding human design allows you to connect to your own unique intuition while helping you understand those around you.

 

This is a very special episode that you won’t want to miss. So tune in to hear all about human design and how it can help you connect to your intuition.

 

What We Cover:

• What is human design?
• How Ilona’s life shifted and how she became a human design practitioner
• Living in an energy-based world and what that means
• Understanding the different types of human design
• How human design allows you to understand how you and those around you work
• How human design allows you to connect to your own unique intuition
• Where to start if you’re interested in human design

 

“Learning about the different (human design) types is really fun, because then you could potentially start playing with showing up differently.” - Ilona Barnhart

Connect with Ilona:

• Website: https://www.ilonabarnhart.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unravelbliss/ 

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

Learn about our group program, THE COLLEGE ESSAY EXPERIENCE™:

https://theedvisoryla.kartra.com/page/CEE 

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen

 

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach

Today’s guest has such an interesting and inspiring story for anyone who has dreams of overcoming their circumstances and becoming more than what they have always known. Marvette Lacy is an aspiring engineering student, turned student affairs doctoral student who started her business all while finishing her dissertation in THREE MONTHS! 

 

Now, Marvette runs a multiple six-figure business as a coach and in today’s episode she shares all of the pivots that she made in her journey to get to this place. Marvette’s story is one that will encourage you to always be flexible and to remember the importance of dreaming. Tune in now - you don’t want to miss this conversation!

 

What We Cover:

• About Marvette and her education journey
• The importance of mentorship and support in her journey to higher education
• Her decision to attend a small liberal arts college over Northwestern
• Her journey into entrepreneurship while pursuing her PhD
• Deciding how you want to contribute to the world & being a catalyst for change
• Marvette’s advice if you are overwhelmed but inspired by her story

 

“I want you to know you have so many options in front of you and that you already have the skills.”

Connect with Marvette:

Website: https://marvettelacy.com/ 

Full Time Educators Program: https://marvettelacy.com/full-time-educators 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvettelacy/ 

The Happy, Free and Paid Podcast: https://marvettelacy.com/podcast 

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

Learn about our group program, THE COLLEGE ESSAY EXPERIENCE™:

https://theedvisoryla.kartra.com/page/CEE 

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen

 

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. Whether you’re a parent to a soon-to-be-applying student, a junior or senior applying to college, or an international student coming to the US – this decision affects you.

 

In this episode, I want to make some predictions on how this decision will impact college admissions and how to actively prepare to still get into your dream college despite the changes that this decision may bring.

 

Even with these predictions, I believe this next generation will reshape our world into something better and brighter – and with intentionality, research, and planning, future students can get accepted to and attend a college where they’ll thrive, grow, and feel safe. And I’m here to help them every step of the way.

 

What We Cover:

• Why this decision affects every college student
• Looking for the benefits and opportunities through hardship
• The positive changes that could emerge as a result
• Why our greatest challenges produce the greatest heroes
• Deciding how you want to contribute to the world & being a catalyst for change
• Being intentional and doing your research on state laws
• Predicting an increase in applications for urban areas and blue states
• Why it’s so important to commit to intentional education

 

 

“Whatever your goal is, make it wild and bold and audacious and pursue it, and don't give up.”

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

SIGN UP FOR THE FREE CREATE YOUR COLLEGE ROADMAP LIVE WORKSHOP:

https://theedvisory.thrivecart.com/create-your-college-roadmap-workshop/ 

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen 

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach

I’m so excited to be joined by none other than Mary Esposito on today’s episode of The Bold Student Podcast. Mary is a 19-year-old entrepreneur and financial literacy TikToker. She’s always been an entrepreneur at heart, juggling business and academics while in high school. Today, she helps Gen Z’ers sharpen their financial literacy skills through her educational TikTok content, runs her company called Money with Mary, and is a full merit scholarship college student.

 

In this episode, Mary and I discuss her early journey through entrepreneurship. She also shares her experience of breaking free from the traditional mold and how she found her way to entrepreneurship. Then, Mary talks about how she was self-taught in personal finance and financial literacy before sharing her advice for younger women who’d like to get started on their own financial literacy journey. Finally, Mary talks about why she decided to take a gap year and why that time was incredibly valuable to her.

 

What We Cover:

• Mary’s early journey through entrepreneurship
• How Mary broke free from the traditional mold and found her way to entrepreneurship
• How Mary taught herself about personal finance and financial literacy
• Mary’s advice for younger women who’d like to get started on their financial literacy journey
• Why women should take more accountability when it comes to learning financial literacy
• Why Mary took a gap year and why that time was valuable to her

 

“I'm appealing to Gen Z as a whole, but specifically other teenage girls because financial abuse is more common than we think in relationships.” - Mary Esposito

 

“I started my gap year with the intention of seeing how far I could take my businesses if I took away academics temporarily and just went all in.” - Mary Esposito 

 

Connect with Mary:

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/moneywithmary 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moneywithmary

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen 

 

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach

In today’s episode, I’m joined by a very special guest, Nikhil Desai. Nikhil is a recent college graduate currently applying to med school, and he happens to be a TikTok and Instagram phenomenon as well. 

 

We have a raw conversation that breaks down the stereotypes of success, pursuing a non-traditional route as a student, and the importance of being intentional with your time (no matter how you spend it). Nikhil shares his journey to college and being a non-traditional pre-med candidate, being open-minded about learning from others’ success, and why it’s so important to discover your true purpose. This is an incredibly uplifting episode for anyone who might feel like things aren’t turning out the way you thought they would. So tune in and get ready to be inspired.

 

What We Cover:

• The different paths to success
• Why Nikhil made the decision to be a non-traditional pre-med candidate
• Why college rejection means that there is a more aligned opportunity
• Why you need to be more focused and intentional with your time
• Being open and more willing to learn from other successful people
• Discovering your true purpose, finding your tribe, and creating your reality

 

 

“If a college declines you, that doesn't necessarily mean they don't think you're a good student or you're not worthy. I think they might just not think you're the right fit for that time for that college.” - Nikhil Desai

 

 

Connect with Nikhil:

https://www.tiktok.com/@nikhil.desai?lang=en 

https://www.instagram.com/nikhildesai.med/ https://www.nikhilndesai.com/premed-services https://www.nikhilndesai.com/proteus-creative 

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen 

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach

In today’s episode, I am keeping it short and sweet as I discuss a few important things to consider as you begin your college admissions journey. Speaking from years of research as an admissions counselor, my own experience in college and my students’ experiences, I share the best way to approach your own decision-making process. There is a lot to consider as you enter this very important stage of your life and learning journey. Tune in now for some tips on how to make the best decisions for you so that you can create the successful life you dream of.

 

 

What We Cover:

• What is an open curriculum and why you should consider schools that offer them
• The pros and cons of a CORE curriculum 
• The importance of dating colleges and selecting a fit based on alignment 
• The benefits of working with an advisor throughout the college admissions process

 

 

“Know that colleges are like people. Colleges have personalities. You're not going to be best friends with everyone, and just because your friend thinks someone is incredible and funny, you might find them annoying.”

 

Thanks for listening, and if you like what you’ve heard, subscribe and listen to The Bold Student Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to spread the word by leaving a review or sharing this podcast with your friends!

 

WORK WITH THE EDVISORY:

 

If you’re a high school student in 9th-12th grade or the parent of one, I work with a small cohort of students annually and help them develop the core traits I discussed in the podcast and apply to selective colleges. You can apply to work with me below:

 

Apply to Work with Cathleen 

 

Follow Cathleen on Instagram & DM with any questions @lifeandcollegecoach