Best Work After Grad School Podcasts (2025)

1
Prof. Elizabeth Lee: How Aligning with Core Values Helps You Rock College 36:22

Play Pause

25d ago36:22

36:22

Dickinson College professor Elizabeth Lee joins us to discuss how the aligning your choices around your core values helps you prepare for college and for long-term success. We discuss why her daughter, a high school freshman, signed up for the Ivy League Challenge, and how Professor Lee's experience teaching in college for over two decades made her…

1
Personal Statement College Essay Workshop wk 2 Your Garbage Draft 13:46

3M ago13:46

13:46

You’ve done the hard thinking. You’ve found your insights, explored your contradictions, and reflected deeply. But now you’re stuck—staring at a blank page, unsure how to turn those ideas into a compelling college essay. In this episode, Steve explains why the next step is not perfection—it’s motion. You’ll learn how to choose the right moment to w…

1
How to Get your Personal Statement Done 16:46

3M ago16:46

16:46

If you’ve been putting off your college essay, dreading it like a monkey on your back—you’re not alone. But what if you could stop trying to sound impressive and start telling a story that actually matters? In this episode, I’ll guide you through the exact questions and strategies we used in the first week of my Personal Statement Workshop to help …

1
Essay Workshop Prep Episdoe 19:58

3M ago19:58

19:58

The personal statement can be one of the most confusing and stressful parts of the college application — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I share a few key do's and don'ts to help you avoid common pitfalls and start your essay with clarity and confidence. Whether you're staring at a blank page or already brainstorming ideas, these tips w…

1
How to Get the College Essay Monkey Off Your Back — Before July 14:47

3M ago14:47

14:47

The personal statement is one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of the college application. In this short, powerful episode, Steve Gardner explains why so many students struggle to get started, what the real purpose of the personal statement is, and how families can reduce stress and gain a competitive edge now, before summer slips …

1
What Ivy League Admits Do After AP Exams 23:22

4M ago23:22

23:22

You’ve made it to the end of AP season—or you're just about to. So… what now? In this episode, I share what successful students actually do after their exams are over to prepare for college applications. These are the same strategies used by Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT admits—and they’re simple, clear, and powerful. You’ll learn: Why the summer a…

1
Smarter Summer, Stronger Application 24:52

5M ago24:52

24:52

Are you feeling pressure to make the most of summer—but not sure what actually matters for college admissions? In this episode, Steve Gardner breaks down the three most common mistakes high-achieving students make when planning their summer... and shows you how to avoid them. You’ll meet: Sophia, who overloaded her schedule trying to impress colleg…

1
How My Daughter Got Into Dartmouth, by Tessymol Jose 48:13

4M ago48:13

48:13

Steve sits down with Tessymol Jose — the inspiring mother of Erica, one of our incredible students — to tell the full, raw story of their college admissions journey. This isn’t a sugar-coated success story. It’s a front-row seat to the overwhelming pressure, confusion, and heartbreak that so many ambitious students (and their families) experience w…

1
Curiosity is a Skill to Develop 23:36

5M ago23:36

23:36

This episode is a special one — made especially for parents of Curiosity Lab students, but meaningful for anyone raising a curious preteen. Inside, Steve shares: Why curiosity is a skill, not a personality trait — and why that matters The five core pillars of the Curiosity Lab (and how they work together) Three powerful ways parents can support cur…

1
How Passion Actually Works: From Disengagement to Mastery 1:03:37

5M ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Most teens today feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in the race to be impressive — all while secretly wondering: “How do some students become so great, so young?” In this episode, we break down the real process of building passion and achieving meaningful success — not by performing for approval, but by discovering purpose and leaning into long…

1
The Hidden Test: What Colleges are Really Looking For 24:23

6M ago24:23

24:23

What if the real test in college admissions isn’t the one you think it is? In this episode, we unpack “The Hidden Test”—the one that’s not on any syllabus and can’t be studied for with flashcards. Drawing from a powerful psychological experiment, wisdom from Ivy League deans Lee Coffin (Dartmouth) and Logan Powell (Brown), and real insights from th…

1
Launching the Curiosity Lab with Ava D 36:48

5M ago36:48

36:48

In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce something brand new — Curiosity Lab, a program designed to ignite the minds of 10–13-year-olds through real-world learning, led by inspiring high school mentors. Our very first teacher is Ava, a passionate and thoughtful high school student who’s teaching the first Curiosity Lab unit on public speaking. Av…

1
The Curiosity Window 25:18

6M ago25:18

25:18

What if your child’s future success—especially with college admissions—hinges on how curious they become before they even get there? In this episode, I break down the Curiosity Window, the critical developmental phase between ages 10 and 13, when your child’s brain is primed for identity formation, exploration, and deep learning. If curiosity is nu…

1
What to Do When Your Teen is Overwhelmed 28:23

6M ago28:23

28:23

If you’ve ever felt helpless watching your teen struggle with stress, you’re not alone. Many parents want to help but don’t know how to do it in a way that actually works. In this episode, we dive into why today’s teens feel more overwhelmed than ever, the common mistakes even well-meaning parents make, and how to shift your parenting approach to t…

1
A Message to My Teenage Self About College Admissions 27:45

6M ago27:45

27:45

If I could sit down with my teenage self, I’d have a lot to say about college admissions—especially in today’s high-pressure environment. In this episode, I share the advice I wish someone had given me at 16, including the biggest misconceptions I had about the admissions process and what actually mattered in the long run. If you're feeling overwhe…

1
Visualize Yourself in Your Dream College Today 14:51

6M ago14:51

14:51

What if you could see yourself, right now, as a student at your dream college? What if you could feel what it’s like to walk across campus, sit in a classroom, and engage with world-class professors and peers? In this special guided visualization, I’ll take you through an immersive experience where you’ll: ✅ Step into the shoes of your future self …

1
Don't Chase Gold- Stand Out in College Admissions 15:40

7M ago15:40

15:40

Most students believe that getting into a top college means checking all the right boxes—perfect grades, leadership roles, and a long list of impressive achievements. But what if that’s actually the wrong approach? In this episode, I’ll reveal: ✅ The Gold Rush Mistake that keeps students stuck in the "Impressiveness Trap" ✅ The three levels of prep…

1
Build a Standout Application in 3 Steps 19:05

7M ago19:05

19:05

Most families assume that strong grades, leadership roles, and packed extracurriculars will guarantee college admissions success. But I explain why top schools aren’t just looking for impressive students—they’re looking for memorable students. In this episode, I’ll break down: ✅ The #1 mistake high-achieving students make in their applications ✅ Wh…

1
College App Roadmap Workshop day 2 (of 2) 1:23:56

8M ago1:23:56

1:23:56

We just completed our Holistic College Application Roadmap workshop. Enjoy our final day (day 2) here. To register for the Ivy League Challenge, go to TILC.to/register ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting wi…

1
College App Roadmap Workshop day 1 56:44

8M ago56:44

56:44

We just completed our Holistic College Application Roadmap workshop. Enjoy day 1 here. To register for the Ivy League Challenge, go to TILC.to/register ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here…

1
Holistic College App Roadmap Workshop 6:51

8M ago6:51

6:51

Announcing our upcoming workshop: the Holistic College Application Roadmap January 16-17th, 8:00 pm eastern time To register, go to TILC.to/CommonApp ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or schedule a meeting with Steve here…

1
S4 E5 - Things to Know Before Moving to the UK ft. Maureen Usiagwu, Workforce Consultant at Capgemini 1:01:22

10M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Leave me a fan note ❤️ Hellloo my favorite people! (shhhh, don't let the Youtube people hear), I have missed you! I have also missed recording audio content for my podcast! I feel like since I got comfortable with Youtube, I found it hard to come back to creating for my podcast again. I'd like to make the promise that I will be back with a new epis…

1
Complete College Application Audit 9:52

10M ago9:52

9:52

Complete College Application Audit Limited Spots for this personal guidance Sign up at TILC.to/audit Expert Guidance: With years of experience helping students gain admission to selective universities, I know what works—and what doesn’t—in a competitive application. Personalized Support: Unlike generic programs, this service is tailored specificall…

1
Imposter Syndrome, or Just Growth? 16:32

10M ago16:32

16:32

When you decide to grow, you set yourself up for challenging periods of awkwardness. You might feel like you are 'faking it' or that you don't belong, when really this is just the natural transition period when you grow. Listen to learn how to reframe your mindset when you face these challenging periods of growth. ----- To register for the Ivy Leag…

1
Charitable Assumptions 14:50

11M ago14:50

14:50

In times of deep conflict and polarization, we can easily become triggered. But when an event occurs, we all respond based on our assumptions coming into the event. What if we chose to become more charitable in our assumptions? I believe this approach helps us become more effective and influential change-makers. Not only is it a healthier, happier …

1
Ace Your Alumni Interview 18:39

12M ago18:39

18:39

Your alumni interview may be the first interview you've ever been a part of that felt like a high-stakes interview. I hope you realize after listening to this podcast episode that this interview should not be stressful either. But listen in to learn how to make sure that you will be completely prepared for your interview. ----- To register for the …

1
How to Demonstrate Leadership (training from the Global Impact Council) 46:45

12M ago46:45

46:45

If your high school is ultra competitive, and you don't want to step on the backs of your peers in order to land a leadership title, then this training is for you. There are many different ways to demonstrate leadership, and we discuss WHY colleges are very interested in non-traditional leaders-- not just the titles. ----- To register for the Ivy L…

1
Maximize your SAT/ACT Score 16:53

12M ago16:53

16:53

Learn how the top test takers prepare to get such outstanding scores. If you genuinely follow this approach, you can raise your test score by a significant margin within only 3 months. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook group for parents Or sche…

1
Saisha Pal-- Pivot your Impact Project 29:03

1y ago29:03

29:03

Saisha walks us through her journey to an impact project that she is excited about. It took time, probing, and effort for her to land where she is today, and we get to listen in to discover how she has transformed a very frustrating, stressful high school experience into a thriving high school experience. Listen in to learn from Saisha! ----- To re…

1
Leading a Cause with Ava DiNapoli 35:57

1y ago35:57

35:57

Ava has founded Junior Speakers and Voices Unmuted; two organizations designed to help others to find their voices and speak up. You can find her websites here: www.juniorspeakers.com www.voicesunmuted.org Listen in to learn how she progressed through multiple ideas to finally land on something she is very passionate about. ----- To register for th…

1
How to Complete the Common App Workshop pt 2 1:49:10

1y ago1:49:10

1:49:10

Day 2 of our workshop helping teens understand what colleges are looking for and how to complete the five different sections of the Common App so you stand out to the admissions officers who read your applications.By Steve

1
How to Complete your Common App Workshop 59:17

1y ago59:17

59:17

This is day 1 of our workshop helping teens understand what colleges are looking for and how to complete the five different sections of the Common App so that admissions officers will be excited to admit you. Part two will follow next!By Steve

1
Common App Workshop & a New Cohort Opening 11:23

1y ago11:23

11:23

If you are stressed about how to best fill out the Common App, I have good news for you. I'll be hosting a free workshop to help you understand how to fit all five pieces of the Common App together. You might recognize this from a few months ago-- we are repeating this training due to the high number of requests we received. Also, we will be adding…

1
S4 E4 - Losing our USA Work Authorization ft. Excel Chukwurah, T/PgM at Google 1:55:03

1y ago1:55:03

1:55:03

Leave me a fan note ❤️ Hi guys, I'm back with yet another episode featuring one of my best guys, Excel Chukwurah! "A friend, a colleague and a brother", we've spent the last two years making the best of our work & personal lives in New York City since we both moved here from Chicago and Ithaca, NY. Sadly, Excel & I will be temporarily saying goodby…

1
Essay Workshop Day 1 recording 1:14:33

1y ago1:14:33

1:14:33

For seniors-- it is time to get those essays done. Listen in to understand what role these essays play in your application, and how to avoid the most common mistakes. Also, stay tuned next week for part 2! ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on our Facebook grou…

1
Sathvic Interview-- Research with Harvard & MIT Professors 30:38

1y ago30:38

30:38

Sathvic has advice that is wise beyond his years. He has landed multiple research opportunities and internships, including with professors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. He discusses exactly how he began the outreach, as well as details about the work that he is doing. Sathvic also shares how younger teens can get started if they want to land…

1
S4 E3 - Bagging a PhD Degree in Chemical Engineering after 5 years featuring Dr. Pearl Abue, University of Austin, Texas 1:19:02

1+ y ago1:19:02

1:19:02

Leave me a fan note ❤️ HELLLLOOOO GOOD PEOPLE! Yes, yes, I have missed you too. How have you been? I hope you have been keeping well. If I tell you all that has happened to me within the past three months since you last heard from me here, you would not believe! So many changes! I didn't know Season 4 of my life in the US would hit this hard! I'm n…

1
Holistic Common App Overview Pt. 2 17:20

1+ y ago17:20

17:20

How do each of the five sections of the Common App come together tell your story to the admissions officers? What are the most common mistakes people make as they prepare for college? We address these issues in a two-part podcast. This is a recording from the masterclass I did in early May, 2024. Be sure to catch both parts of the masterclass -----…

1
Holistic Common App Overview 43:04

1+ y ago43:04

43:04

How do each of the five sections of the Common App come together tell your story to the admissions officers? What are the most common mistakes people make as they prepare for college? We address these issues in a two-part podcast. This is a recording from the masterclass I did in early May, 2024. Be sure to catch both parts of the masterclass -----…

1
Restricting or Driving Change? 17:15

1+ y ago17:15

17:15

How can we use business principles I learned at Harvard to improve our mentoring and increase our impact? I go over how to use Lewin's Force-field Analysis as mentors in the Global Impact Council. Mentors can use this to encourage mentees to take action that will create change, and might help everyone to clarify first steps. ----- To register for t…

1
Essay Workshop-- Get it Written! 12:12

1+ y ago12:12

12:12

Now that exams have finished up, it is time to shift your focus to your college application essays. I will be hosting a workshop to help you get started, and to make sure that you avoid the biggest mistakes most people make in these essays. Participation in the workshop is free, but you need to register. you can register at TILC.to/BestEssay ----- …

1
Dealing with Disappointment 17:23

1+ y ago17:23

17:23

What do you do when both of your children work hard for an audition, and then one is chosen to perform, but the other is not selected? How should they each deal with the news? I find that musicians develop a unique ability to handle criticism, and also to handle rejection. I hope this episode helps teens everywhere (musicians and non-musicians alik…

1
Academic Considerations in the College Application 24:58

1+ y ago24:58

24:58

Is an A in a regular class, or a B in an honors/AP class more valuable for me? How do I decide how many APs to take? How do I schedule my classes in order to be as competitive as possible for college? Which high school should I attend? These are a few of the questions that should be straightforward, but end up being quick difficult to decide, becau…

1
Your Common App Audit-- urgent! 9:00

1+ y ago9:00

9:00

Are you stressed about what is coming when you fill out the Common Application? Do you worry that you might have gaps in your story that need to be filled, but don't know how to find them ahead of time? I will be hosting a masterclass on May 8th in order to help you answer these questions, and give you clarity about what is important vs activities …

1
Your Holistic College Application Audit 17:20

1+ y ago17:20

17:20

What gaps might exist in your future application? How can you find those gaps so you can fill them before it is too late? We go through each element of the Common Application to identify how to prepare for every section. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvyLeagueChallenge To join us on ou…

1
NHS & Volunteering 17:24

1+ y ago17:24

17:24

Should you sign up for NHS? Is it worth the effort? What about volunteering in general? How much should I volunteer? How many hours is enough? Which type of volunteering is best for my application? Listen in to learn the answers to these questions and more. ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @T…

1
So, Which College Should You Choose? 11:38

1+ y ago11:38

11:38

April for high school seniors can be a stressful time-- instead of worrying about which schools might admit their application, many seniors now have multiple acceptances, and are anxious to make sure that they make the right decision. Listen in to learn my advice about how to best make that decision, and to make sure that you end up loving your cho…

1
Begin Essay Prep Now (You'll Be Glad You Did) 19:47

1+ y ago19:47

19:47

If you are willing to spend a few minutes listening to this podcast now, you'll be equipped to save most of the stress coming your way when it comes time to write your essays. You'll need a notebook and a few minutes of time. Watch for these meaningful moments as they occur, and just keep track of them. By the time you need to write your essays, in…

1
S4 E2 - Friendship in Your Late 20’s: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly ft. Oluwabusayo Omoleye 1:16:02

1+ y ago1:16:02

1:16:02

Leave me a fan note ❤️ Hi guys!!! How are you doing? How have you been? I hope you're thriving & in good health! I'm back with yet another new episode and this time, I came back with a three-time guest; one of my best girls, Busayo! In this episode, we dive into the details of our first big fight and how it almost cost us our 11-year long friendshi…

1
Info Session Ahead of March 2024 Ivy League Challenge Cohort 1:07:32

1+ y ago1:07:32

1:07:32

Join us to hear how to avoid the major mistakes most teens make in their college prep so you can gain an advantage in future college admissions. Registration is now open and will close before class begins on Saturday night. Register at TILC.to/register ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our website To follow on Instagram: @TheIvy…