Best Jeff Selingo Podcasts (2025)

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What Families Get Wrong About College Admissions with Jeff Selingo 33:49

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7d ago33:49

33:49

Families obsess over “dream schools.” Colleges obsess over rankings and yield. Somewhere in between, the real truth about admissions gets lost. In this episode of The VineDown, I sit down (again!) with bestselling author and higher ed strategist Jeff Selingo to cut through the myths and talk candidly about what really drives admissions decisions to…

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465: Interviewing with Jeff Selingo 38:21

12d ago38:21

38:21

Jess here. My guest this week is Jeff Selingo, an author and speaker I’ve admired for a long time. His work on college, college admissions and the transition to work and life in emerging adulthood are essential reads for anyone looking to understand what want and need in higher education and life. His books, There is Life After College, Who Gets In…

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Interviewing with Jeff Selingo 38:21

12d ago38:21

38:21

Jess here. My guest this week is Jeff Selingo, an author and speaker I’ve admired for a long time. His work on college, college admissions and the transition to work and life in emerging adulthood are essential reads for anyone looking to understand what want and need in higher education and life. His books, There is Life After College, Who Gets In…

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Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right For You | Jeff Selingo (Dad of 2, Author) 55:06

13d ago55:06

55:06

In this episode of Startup Dad, Adam Fishman sits down with Jeff Selingo, a bestselling author, journalist and education expert, to discuss the complexities of college admissions and how parents can help their kids find their "Dream School." Jeff has spent over two decades researching higher education and is the author of Dream School: Finding the …

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Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You with Jeff Selingo 42:27

13d ago42:27

42:27

What’s more important: where you go to college, or what you do in college? Jeff Selingo has written about colleges and universities for more than 25 years and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books. His latest, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, draws on more than two years of research and a survey of some 3,000 p…

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Reporters Roundtable: How Trump Is Shaking Up Higher Ed 40:28

1d ago40:28

40:28

We’re bringing back a favorite format to go behind the headlines with top beat reporters covering colleges. Our latest roundtable focuses on how the Trump administration’s many executive orders, research grant cancellations, and crackdowns on international students are changing the higher ed landscape in the U.S. and globally. Jeff and Michael are …

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162. Navigating Standardized Testing: Insights and Strategies with Laura Whitmore 41:37

5d ago41:37

41:37

Send us a text 🎙️ In this episode of College Knowledge, we dive into the shifting landscape of standardized testing in college admissions. From test-optional trends to grade inflation and declining national scores, the education system is evolving—and fast. Joining us is Laura Whitmore, founder of Strategic Test Prep, who shares expert guidance on …

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466: Publishing Nerd Corner: Your Copyright and the Anthropic Settlement 18:13

5d ago18:13

18:13

Hey ho, welcome to the Publishing Nerd Corner, where we dive into the more technical aspects of authorship. Jess here. I love it when Sarina schools me on all things publishing nerdery, so we decided to make it official and create a whole new series. I have a long list of things I want her to explain for us, so stay tuned for more. In the meantime,…

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Publishing Nerd Corner: Your Copyright and the Anthropic Settlement 18:13

5d ago18:13

18:13

Hey ho, welcome to the Publishing Nerd Corner, where we dive into the more technical aspects of authorship. Jess here. I love it when Sarina schools me on all things publishing nerdery, so we decided to make it official and create a whole new series. I have a long list of things I want her to explain for us, so stay tuned for more. In the meantime,…

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Why Standing Up For Your Kids Is Massively Important | Jeremy King (Dad of 2, Ocean Orchestra) 46:54

6d ago46:54

46:54

Jeremy King, co-founder and CEO of Ocean Orchestra and former CEO of Attest, shares his journey as a founder, ocean advocate, and father of two daughters. In this episode, Jeremy opens up about building systems for both his family and his startups, why ocean conservation is personal to him, and how parenting has informed his leadership style. We di…

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161. FAFSA 2025 Updates: Strategic Tips for Maximizing Financial Aid 34:36

12d ago34:36

34:36

Send us a text 🎓 In this episode of College Knowledge, Dave and Joe break down the latest FAFSA updates and share expert strategies to help families navigate the financial aid season with confidence. With applications opening on October 1, this episode covers: The latest FAFSA simplifications and changes 📝 Why early submission is more important tha…

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Redefining the ‘Dream School’ 32:14

15d ago32:14

32:14

In this era of uncertainty, many parents view highly-selective colleges as the best bet for their student’s futures. In his new book just out this month, Future U co-host Jeff Selingo challenges that assumption. For this episode, Jeff moves from the host chair to being a guest to share highlights from the book, ‘Dream School.’ He talks about going …

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160. The Business Side of College Admissions: Expert Insights with Dr. Robert Alexander 53:06

19d ago53:06

53:06

Send us a text In this episode of College Knowledge, hosts Dave Kozak and Joe Kerns explore the business of college admissions with Dr. Robert Alexander, Vice Provost and University Dean of Enrollment at the University of Rochester. Together, they unpack critical topics for students and families, including: College yields and why they matter Early …

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The Beauty in Writing About Tragedy 1:03:19

19d ago1:03:19

1:03:19

Guests: * Rossana D’Antonio – Author of 26 Seconds: Grief and Blame in the Aftermath of Losing My Brother in a Plane Crash * Marty Ross-Dolen – Author of Always There, Always Gone: A Daughter’s Search for Truth Two authors, Rossana D’Antonio and Marty Ross-Dolen, each faced the unimaginable loss of loved ones in separate plane crashes decades apart…

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464: The Beauty in Writing About Tragedy 1:03:19

19d ago1:03:19

1:03:19

Guests: Rossana D’Antonio – Author of 26 Seconds: Grief and Blame in the Aftermath of Losing My Brother in a Plane Crash Marty Ross-Dolen – Author of Always There, Always Gone: A Daughter’s Search for Truth Two authors, Rossana D’Antonio and Marty Ross-Dolen, each faced the unimaginable loss of loved ones in separate plane crashes decades apart. Th…

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Going Full Startup CEO in the Delivery Room | Peter Kazanjy (Dad of 1, Founding Sales, Atrium) 1:04:03

20d ago1:04:03

1:04:03

Peter Kazanjy is the best-selling author of Founding Sales and co-founder of Atrium. He’s also a dad to a seven-year-old son, Michael, and husband to Tracy, a designer and entrepreneur. In this episode, Pete reflects on building companies, building capabilities, and building a family. He talks about the grit and perseverance behind their seven-roun…

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No Relaxing Summer for Higher Ed 46:56

22d ago46:56

46:56

This summer brought no rest for college leaders. With the Trump Administration’s continuing push to reshape the college world, plus lots of announcements in Artificial Intelligence, there are many higher ed headlines to recap. So Jeff and Michael kick off season 9 with their take on the most important developments of the past couple of months. That…

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159. Navigating Elite College Admissions: Expert Insights with Jayson Weingarten 39:43

26d ago39:43

39:43

Send us a text 🎙️ In this episode of College Knowledge, hosts Dave Kozak and Joe Kerns welcome Jayson Weingarten, Senior Mission Consultant at Ivy Coach and former admissions officer at the University of Pennsylvania. Jayson brings a rare dual perspective—having worked inside one of the nation’s most selective admissions offices and now guiding fam…

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463: Find Your Voice, Write Your Genius 58:27

26d ago58:27

58:27

This week’s episode explores how to tap into your unique creative genius and align it with your values to become the writer you were meant to be. Jennie Nash and Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist, dive into the Wise Effort Method. Hear about Diana's journey of overcoming her book writing challenges and how Jennie guided her through unleashing…

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Find Your Voice, Write Your Genius 58:27

26d ago58:27

58:27

This week’s episode explores how to tap into your unique creative genius and align it with your values to become the writer you were meant to be. Jennie Nash and Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist, dive into the Wise Effort Method. Hear about Diana's journey of overcoming her book writing challenges and how Jennie guided her through unleashing…

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Why Having Children Inevitably Ends in Heartache | James Currier (Dad of 4, NFX) 51:54

27d ago51:54

51:54

James Currier is a serial entrepreneur, founding partner at NFX, and a father of 4 boys. Known for his sharp insights into human behavior and startup dynamics, James brings that same clarity and intention to his parenting. He’s not just raising kids, he’s cultivating creators, adventurers, and independent thinkers. In this episode, James shares how…

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Peeling Back the Curtain on Highly-Selective College Admissions with Dr. Andrew Hoffman 1:05:32

28d ago1:05:32

1:05:32

There are some tough, tough colleges to get into these days. Why is that the case? And how can your student crack the code? Dr. Andrew Hoffman is a College Admissions Strategist who’s worked in college admissions since college, including being the Director of Admissions for Swarthmore College and the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions a…

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Rerun: Reclassifying Higher Ed: Will the New Carnegie Groupings Change the Race for Prestige? 51:30

28d ago51:30

51:30

Jeff and Michael are joined by Mushtaq Gunja, Executive Director of the Carnegie Classification Systems and Senior Vice President at ACE, to unpack the sweeping changes to the Carnegie Classifications. They explore how the new system aims to better group institutions, highlight student access and earnings, and shift incentives across funding, accou…

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462: Writing Thrilling People & Places: Jess and Sarina talk with Tess Gerritsen 44:30

1M ago44:30

44:30

Jess here! A while back, Sarina and KJ talked about how much they enjoyed Tess Gerritsen’s novel, The Spy Coast, and Sarina reassured KJ she’d enjoy book two of the series even more. I had never read a Tess Gerritsen novel, and while I’d heard her name before and vaguely understood she wrote thrillers, I was starting from square one when I download…

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Writing Thrilling People & Places: Jess and Sarina talk with Tess Gerritsen 44:31

1M ago44:31

44:31

Jess here! A while back, Sarina and KJ talked about how much they enjoyed Tess Gerritsen’s novel, The Spy Coast, and Sarina reassured KJ she’d enjoy book two of the series even more. I had never read a Tess Gerritsen novel, and while I’d heard her name before and vaguely understood she wrote thrillers, I was starting from square one when I download…

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He Brought His Potty to My Client Meeting | Mike Malloy (Dad of 1, Malloy Industries) 54:41

1M ago54:41

54:41

Mike Malloy is the founder of Malloy Industries, a firm that connects scaling entrepreneurs with vetted fractional executives. He's also a Georgetown professor, a husband, and the father of Max, the company's self-declared Chief Cuteness Officer. Mike’s life is an intersection of serious business systems and silly dad jokes, all woven together by a…

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Rerun: Learning from the Swiss Apprenticeship Model 48:04

1M ago48:04

48:04

The U.S. has a lot to learn when it comes to systematizing apprenticeship. Thankfully, there are successful international models, like Switzerland’s, that we can study. Katie Caves, the Director at Switzerland’s Center on the Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems, joins the podcast to discuss the Swiss model and what can be gle…

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158. AI and Academic Integrity: Expert Insights with Stephen Cicirelli 34:15

1M ago34:15

34:15

Send us a text Join host Dave Kozak and co-host Joe Kerns (a.k.a. Joe the College Pro) for an in-depth conversation with Stephen Cicirelli, lecturer of English at St. Peter’s University. In this episode, they explore the evolving role of educators, the differences between tenure and non-tenure positions, and the growing influence of AI in academic …

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461: Karin Slaughter Does it Again 37:55

1M ago37:55

37:55

Hey writers! Sarina here! I have never been quiet about how much I enjoy Karin Slaughter’s work. So when the opportunity arose for me to read her brand new book, We Are All Guilty Here, and then interview her about it, I raised my hand faster than an extra in a deodorant ad. The new book is a series starter with a kickass female heroine, and I coul…

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Karin Slaughter Does it Again 37:55

1M ago37:55

37:55

Hey writers! Sarina here! I have never been quiet about how much I enjoy Karin Slaughter’s work. So when the opportunity arose for me to read her brand new book, We Are All Guilty Here, and then interview her about it, I raised my hand faster than an extra in a deodorant ad. The new book is a series starter with a kickass female heroine, and I coul…

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Create Your Parent Advisory Board | Mike Leibovich (Dad of 1, Adobe) 1:01:29

1M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Michael Leibovich is the Head of Growth at Adobe, but at home, he’s dad to a curious two-and-a-half-year-old and husband to a full-time working partner. With a previous career as a touring musician and a current career in creative tech leadership at companies like Vimeo and Abstract, Michael brings an emotionally grounded, inventive lens to fatherh…

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Putting the Wow in Your College Essays with Susan Knoppow 49:35

1M ago49:35

49:35

Writing college essays is one of the most challenging aspects of the college application process. Where do students even get started? Susan Knoppow is Co-Founder & CEO of Wow Writing Workshop, where she created the Wow Method - a simple, 10-step process for writing college essays. A former executive speechwriter and copywriter, Susan is also a publ…

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Rerun: Chips and Higher Ed: What the Federal Investment Means for Colleges 21:14

1M ago21:14

21:14

What does a community college in Idaho have to do with mounting economic tensions between the U.S. and China? A lot, actually. On this episode of Future U., Michael and Jeff dive into what the CHIPS and Science Act—the federal spending package designed to reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign manufacturers for microchips and other advanced …

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157. Decoding College Admissions: Expert Insights with Jeff Selingo, Author of Dream School 40:30

2M ago40:30

40:30

Send us a text In this episode of College Knowledge, Dave and Joe sit down with Jeff Selingo, a leading voice in higher education and author of the new book Dream School. Drawing from his decades of experience—from his early days as an intern at U.S. News & World Report in 1994 to his tenure at The Chronicle of Higher Education—Jeff unpacks the com…

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460: How to Deliver Both Feels and Fun 33:12

2M ago33:12

33:12

How dare you? That’s the first question KJ asked Ally Carter, whose name is “synonymous with hilarious action and heart-pounding romance” (TRUE). Is KJ outraged? Hell no. It’s a legit question. Ally’s books are so so much fun, with wild action scenes befitting a Bond movie (or a Jason Bourne, OBVIOUSLY) and plots that trot the globe while dancing b…

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How to Deliver Both Feels and Fun 33:12

2M ago33:12

33:12

How dare you? That’s the first question KJ asked Ally Carter, whose name is “synonymous with hilarious action and heart-pounding romance” (TRUE). Is KJ outraged? Hell no. It’s a legit question. Ally’s books are so so much fun, with wild action scenes befitting a Bond movie (or a Jason Bourne, OBVIOUSLY) and plots that trot the globe while dancing b…

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Parenting is our Founder Superpower | Neil Vidyarthi & Lauren Dugan (Parents of 2, Feel Good Games) 59:17

2M ago59:17

59:17

Lauren Dugan and Neil Vidyarthi are the husband-and-wife co-founders of Feel Good Games, creators of Little Magic Stories, an AI storytelling platform designed to spark creativity and independence in kids. They’re also parents of two boys (ages 3 and 8), longtime partners in both life and work, and startup veterans bringing a playful, grounded pers…

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Paid Internships for All: Provost Joe Hartman on How UMass Lowell Redefined Student Success 38:37

2M ago38:37

38:37

What happens when universities stop thinking of “student experience” as a buzzword and start treating it like an outcome-driven mission? In this episode of The Vinedown, host Emily Smith sits down with Joe Hartman, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at UMass Lowell, to explore how his university reimagined student success …

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459: A Deep Dive Into Genre 43:17

2M ago43:17

43:17

Sarina’s second thriller is now out. It’s a twisty thriller with a single-mom protagonist and some deep, dark secrets. It’s called Dying to Meet You and it is creepy in the best possible way. In this episode, Jennie interviews Sarina about the new book, and about the difference between writing romance and writing thrillers. You may think that’s obv…

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A Deep Dive Into Genre 43:18

2M ago43:18

43:18

Sarina’s second thriller is now out. It’s a twisty thriller with a single-mom protagonist and some deep, dark secrets. It’s called Dying to Meet You and it is creepy in the best possible way. In this episode, Jennie interviews Sarina about the new book, and about the difference between writing romance and writing thrillers. You may think that’s obv…

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Parenting is Deeply Unnatural: Advice from a 6x Founder on Becoming a Dad | Aaron White (Dad of 1, AppyAI, Profitwell, Vendr) 56:36

2M ago56:36

56:36

Aaron White, founder of six companies including Appy People, Profitwell, Boundless and Blissfully discusses the intersection of startup life and fatherhood. In this episode, he shares how the challenges of becoming a parent have reshaped his approach to leadership, the unexpected lessons he's learned, and his evolving perspective on success. We dis…

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New ACT & Testing Tips with Sean Quinn 59:54

2M ago59:54

59:54

What’s new with the ACT? A lot. That means students have to change how they prep for the test AND how they approach things on test day. Sean Quinn has you covered. He’s the Founder & Tutor at Onsen Education, providing one-on-one preparation tailored to your needs. He and his team have helped students across the states and in over 20 other countrie…