I’d like to welcome you to a very special episode of the High School Hamster Wheel podcast. I am beyond thrilled to tell you that this is the 100th episode of the podcast. Even when I say that out loud, it’s still hard to believe. I remember recording episode one like it was just yesterday. And coincidentally, today happens to be International Podcast Day, so there’s even more reason to celebrate!
I am not just a podcaster. I am a parent of teens which means that I am going through this right along with you. Little did I know when I started this podcast that I would gain so much knowledge and insight from every single guest. It’s been an unexpected bonus for me in that I can apply this personally in my own life, and that has been invaluable as my family navigates the high school hamster wheel. Every child is different (even those that are raised in the same household as I am finding out!) and there is no one size fits all solution for every teen or young adult. As I cross the threshold of 100 episodes, I can’t think of a better time to reflect back on my previous episodes and share some of the takeaways that I have gained along the way. This isn’t a complete list. It would take multiple episodes to share everything I have learned. But I encourage you to go back through the list of all 100 episodes, search the topics and listen to the conversations that are relevant to you where your child is right now. Save the rest for later. They will be here whenever you need them. And as always, thanks for listening.
Episode Highlights
Takeaway #1: Don’t be an over-parenter
Takeaway #2: Focus on your child’s strengths
Takeaway #3: Failure to launch is a real thing and it’s happening…a LOT
Takeaway #4: There is NOTHING more important than our kids’ mental health
Takeaway #5: Help your kids find a mentor in and out of high school
Takeaway #6: Explore, explore, explore
Takeaway #7: There is no such thing as lazy
Takeaway #8: A 4-year college degree isn’t for everyone
Takeaway #9: Gap years make a lot of sense
Takeaway #10: Careers in the trades should not be overlooked
Takeaway #11: The future of work is changing rapidly
Takeaway #12: We need to celebrate ALL paths, college-bound or not
Special Thanks and Gratitude
Many thanks to my amazing guests on the podcast. am humbled and honored that you agreed to spend time with me, imparting your knowledge and wisdom to my audience. Because of you, I have been able to discuss topics of which I had no experience. Some of you have become friends, close friends, and mentors to me, and I am so very grateful for you.
A huge thank you to my listeners. You are the reason I host this podcast. Without you, it literally would not exist. You are the reason that I try harder each week to make every episode better than the last. You have given me ideas for episodes. You’ve given me honest feedback when I really needed it. And you have allowed me to come into your life, via your podcast app, every week. I will never take that for granted.
Finally, an enormous thank you to all of my supporters and cheerleaders. My family, my friends, and my collaborators. I wish I could name every single one of you. This endeavor has been so much more enjoyable because of you. For those of you who have shared my podcast with others, who have encouraged friends to listen, who have texted me randomly to tell me how much you liked the last episode, I am beyond grateful for you. For my sister who knew and wasn’t afraid to tell me that “I am a better talker than a writer”. If not for that conversation, this would probably be a mediocre blog and not a podcast. And last but certainly not least, the man behind the curtain, my husband, Dale Jewell. When I came home one day and told him I was quitting my corporate job to follow my passion, he didn’t even blink. The first words out of his mouth were, “Go for it.” You have believed in me, supported me, encouraged me, picked me up off the floor (literally), and never complained once, even when I was editing episodes into the wee hours of the night. This journey wouldn’t have been possible without you and one of these days, you’re going to join me behind the microphone, like it or not.