A new school year, a new panic about higher education. 

But don’t worry! We have Shellee Howard, owner and founder of College Ready, a company that is in the business of giving clarity about your student’s future, and helping families confident choose the right path for them. 

We discuss how she came into the field of helping students, her process for helping students and families, and questions for anyone to ask that is considering choosing a new major or career. 

 You can learn more about Shellee and reach out about a free strategy call at 

CollegeReadyPlan.info

https://collegereadyplan.com/

There were some latency issues, so I apologize in advance if there are some glitchy portions of the call. 

P.S: I also have to point out that at some point she mentioned that most households would break the $100,000 income threshold that most need-based scholarships use, which may be true in California, but the U.S. median income is only $87,000, so depending on what state you live in, and which college you choose, there will probably be different poverty levels. (https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2026/09/median-household-income.html)

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

The Parable of the Talents is a popular biblical story, but is there more to it? Of course. Listen in and see what lessons you can pull from this story. 

#fables #morals #wisdom

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

We’d all like to have more money… but how much is enough?
 And while there’s definitely a point of too little money, is there a point of too much money?

Today we discuss what I call the 5 levels of wealth, figure out where most of us stand, and what we can do to move up the wealth ladder. 

I am joined by Conrad Williams, Retirement, Investment, and Insurance Advisor

Sources:

www.MyAgentConrad.com    772-677-1881

“Mind Over Money” Authors- Brad and Ted Klontz: https://www.yourmentalwealth.com/

Just for Fun- "Scrooge and Money": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9d8l-Gkweg

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

In this first mini-episode, I read one of Aesop’s fables, The Crow and The Pitcher, which has a valuable lesson about effort. 

#fables #morals #wisdom

Sources:

The Crow and the Pitcher: https://www.read.gov/aesop/012.html

"Fantasy Adventure Quest" Music by Alex Morgan from Pixabay

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

Can anything good come from college loans?

The short answer: not really. The deeper answer: It depends. Some educations end up giving boons, while some debts only grow deeper. 
 However, I’ve decided to take those lemons, sort ‘em out, and sell them to the Coca Cola Corporation for that lemony zest flavor in Sprite. 

In other words, here are some lessons that I’ve learned, and am still learning, thanks (and no thanks) to my student loans. 

#LifeLessons #ItsAHardKnockLife #StudentDebt #StudentLoans

“LoFi Ambiental Music For Study” Music by DailyJourney2023 from Pixabay

“We Were So Young | Lo-fi Music” Music by Kontraa from Pixabay

“Sakura” Music by FASSounds from Pixabay 

“Melodic Type Beat” Music by Tunetank from Pixabay

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

When you hear the word “apprentice” you probably think of a Victorian English blacksmith assistant that would make any proponent of Child Labor Laws cringe… or you’re thinking of Mickey Mouse wearing a magician’s hat and creating a mess. 

I’m hear to tell you that apprenticeships are alive and well, and not only do they pay and train you on the job, but it can lead to a satisfying career. Today I interview a professional who went through both the college and an apprenticeship, and why an apprenticeship might be the right career path for you.

#Apprenticeship #WizardHatNotIncluded

“LoFi Ambiental Music For Study” Music by DailyJourney2023 from Pixabay

“We Were So Young | Lo-fi Music” Music by Kontraa from Pixabay

“Sakura” Music by FASSounds from Pixabay 

“Melodic Type Beat” Music by Tunetank from Pixabay

Sources:

https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/apprenticeship-programs/ (Specifically Florida)

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/

https://tradeschooldudes.com/apprenticeships-vs-college-lifetime-earnings-comparison/

https://www.ajactraining.org/programs/youth/internship-or-apprenticeship/ (Specifically for Washington State)

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

You have the degree. You have the job. The struggle of getting to this point is over. 

So why aren’t you happy? In this episode, I delve into my personal thoughts and experience over why reaching a finish line doesn’t mean you’re finished, and the mindset shift you can focus on instead. 

#HappinessIsNotAFishYouCanCatch #LifeIsAProcess

Helpful Materials: 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/purpose/202407/why-is-happiness-so-elusive

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindfulness-insights/202503/the-overlooked-and-misunderstood-arrival-fallacy

Music by NEST-BEATZ Official from Pixabay
Music by Aliabbas Abasov from Pixabay
Music by OctoSound from Pixabay

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

So you’ve finally got you’re undergraduate degree! You’ve taken off the pull-ups because Mommy WOW, you’re a big kid now! But wait, there’s the possibility of going further. Pushing your degree to the next level. Maybe even taking it TERMINAL (or the highest degree based on the latin terminus which means “the end”)!

But is that necessary? Today, let’s dive into some of the reasons you should and should NOT attend graduate school. 

WORKSHEET: Future Vision

#GraduateStudies #MyGodLookAtTheSizeOfThatDebt

Sources:

https://www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/credential-options/registered-radiologist-assistant

https://www.gradschoolcenter.com/grad-schools-best-corporate-partnerships/

https://freopp.org/whitepapers/is-grad-school-worth-it-a-comprehensive-return-on-investment-analysis/

https://www.wisebread.com/stay-in-school-until-the-job-market-improves

https://fortune.com/2025/12/16/job-market-so-bad-people-age-40-going-back-to-school/

https://www.fit.edu/levelup/

https://grantivia.com/grants-for-graduate-school

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

Community College… far from being just the basis for a hit TV show with quirky characters, it is often a great way to get your foot into the door and make affordable and actionable changes to your life. In today’s episode, I discuss the difference between the state university systems and community colleges, and how you can potentially leverage both to achieve your goals quicker. 

Sources:

https://irsc.edu/search-programs/ (Indian River State College Programs)

https://rose.edu/programs/ (Rose State College)

https://www.ruso.edu/ (Regional University System of Oklahoma)

https://okhighered.org/ (Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education)

https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/about-us/colleges.stml (FL Community Colleges)

https://www.flbog.edu/ (State University System of Florida)

https://www.wtcsystem.edu/about/wtcs-board/ (Wisconsin 2 year board)

BOSTON AREA:
Bunker Hill Community College: https://www.bhcc.edu/tuition/;

Boston Univ:  https://www.bu.edu/finaid/undergraduate-students/undergraduate/; 

UMass-Boston: https://www.umb.edu/bursar/tuition-fees/tuition-mandatory-fees/

Niche.com

#ChooseYourOwnAdventure 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

April 28, 2026: Do you like options? The more the merrier, right? The Department of Education has a different idea bout that when it comes to student loan repayment. In fact, they’re changing the standards and expectations when it comes to repayment in general. Will the new plans on July 1st save higher education and borrowers? Or are they trying to treat a symptom of the bigger cost of rising education? 

Just have your knowledge of T.R.A.P. (Tiered or Repayment Assistance Plans)...

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-court-actions

https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF13075

https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/learn/what-is-the-new-repayment-assistance-plan-rap-for-student-loans

https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/higher-education-policy/negotiated-rulemaking-for-higher-education-2025-2026

https://www.studentloanplanner.com/repayment-assistance-plan-rap-calculator/

https://thecollegeinvestor.com/58820/repayment-assistance-plan-rap-student-loan-calculator/

Music by NEST-BEATZ Official from Pixabay
Music by Aliabbas Abasov from Pixabay

Music by OctoSound from Pixabay

#StudentLoans #LoanRepayment 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!