Episodes

Host Ian Fisher welcomes three experts for a practical conversation designed to help students and families get organized and make informed decisions about their college application process. In Segment 1, longtime College Coach counselor Marj Southworth breaks down the various early rounds of college admissions, including Early Decision, Early Action, and Rolling Admission. Marj explains the strategic considerations behind each option, discusses the benefits and limitations of applying early, an...

Host Sally Ganga is joined by College Coach counselors Joy Biscornet and Robin Khadduri, along with finance expert Aimee Yorsaner, for a discussion of The Anxious Generation by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. In his bestselling book, Haidt explores how the rise of smartphones, social media, and a shift away from real-world experiences have contributed to increasing levels of anxiety and mental health challenges. The panel examines how the themes of the book intersect with today's college ad...

Host Kyra Tyler takes a deep dive into two of the largest and most popular public university systems in the country, providing essential updates for students applying to California colleges this year. From application requirements and recent changes to financial aid considerations, this episode offers a helpful guide for families navigating the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) application processes. In the first segment, Kyra is joined by College Coach Cesar C...

Host Ian Fisher examines the realities of admission and affordability at the nation’s most selective colleges, separating headlines and misconceptions from the facts families need to know. From admission trends and testing policies to financial aid and paying the bill, this episode takes a practical look at the institutions often referred to as the “Ivy Plus” colleges. In the first segment, Ian is joined by College Coach Scott Alexander to discuss admission trends among the Ivies and other high...

Host Sally Ganga explores financial aid and college applications before launching an exciting new series that celebrates the traditions that make campuses unique. In the first segment, Sally is joined by finance expert Beth Feinberg-Keenan for a look at the history and current state of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Beth traces the evolution of this critical financial aid form, explaining how it became the gateway to federal, state, and institutional aid for millions of s...

Host Sally Ganga brings together admission and finance perspectives for a timely conversation about preparing to start college this fall, followed by another installment of our “Meet an Educator” series featuring one of the newer members of the Bright Horizons College Coach team. In the first segment, Sally is joined by College Coach Tova Javetz and finance expert Alex Gonzalez to discuss what students and families should be doing during their senior summer. Tova and Alex walk through the key t...

Host Dina Birmingham makes her debut as a podcast host with a special episode featuring a guest who has played an important role in her own life: her older brother, Roger J. Thompson, the 31st President of Saint Mary’s College of California. Together, they explore educational leadership, student support, and the many resources available to help students succeed on campus. In the first segment, Dina continues our “How to Become” series with a conversation about how to become a college president....

Host Ian Fisher welcomes listeners for an episode featuring two familiar faces and one new voice. In the first segment, Ian continues the “Meet an Educator” series with College Coach Stacey Badger. Stacey reflects on her career in admission at the University of Southern California, where she worked with applicants across multiple academic divisions, including both Viterbi Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She shares insights into how applications are reviewed f...

Host Sally Ganga continues our “Deep Dive” series with a closer look at Rollins College, a private liberal arts institution located in Winter Park, Florida, just outside Orlando. With approximately 3,000 undergraduate students, Rollins combines the personalized attention of a small college with the opportunities and resources of a vibrant metropolitan area. Sally is joined by Dr. Faye Tydlaska, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing; Dr. Anne Stone, Interim Associate Dean, Cornell Chair of ...

Host Kyra Tyler celebrates the 40th anniversary of Bright Horizons with an in-depth conversation with CEO Stephen Kramer and a look back at the company’s remarkable journey. In the first segment, Kyra continues the “Becoming” series with How to Become a CEO, sitting down with Stephen to trace his path from student to leader. He reflects on what he was like growing up and during his college search, including his focus on strong business programs and the early connection he made with a future bus...

Shannon Vasconcelos takes the mic for her final episode as host. Don’t worry though, she’ll be back as a guest at some point! In the first segment, Shannon is joined by College Coach Kara Courtois to share essential tips for the senior summer. From managing logistics like dorm room shopping and campus prep to pausing and reflecting on the emotional transition ahead, Kara highlights how students can stay organized without letting this meaningful summer slip by. Next, College Coach Julia Jones i...

Host Ian Fisher opens this episode with College Coach Lisa Albro to tackle what students should (and shouldn’t) ask their high school college counselor. Lisa shares the questions counselors wish students would ask more often, those that spark meaningful exploration and help students better understand their goals, while also addressing the questions that are difficult to answer or ultimately don’t provide much value. It’s a practical guide to making the most of this important relationship during ...

Host Sally Ganga kicks off this episode with members of the Bright Horizons College Coach High School Planning Team—Lauren Randle, Caroline Damon, and Robin Khadduri—for a conversation focused on how students and families can make the most of the middle school years. They discuss how to strike the right balance between early preparation for potentially competitive college paths and avoiding unnecessary pressure too soon. The team emphasizes an important takeaway: what students do in middle schoo...

Host Shannon Vasconcelos dedicates this special, all‑finance episode to National College Savings Day (5/29, 529 - get it?), beginning with Jonathan Hughes, Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation at the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). Jonathan explains how MEFA, a not‑for‑profit state‑chartered organization founded in 1982, helps families plan and pay for college through savings programs and loans, as well as its expanding focus on postsecondary pathways...

Host Kyra Tyler explores the world of college consortiums in this episode, starting with College Coaches Shayla Bezjak‑Martinez and Geraldine Castaneda. Drawing from their experience with the Five College Consortium and the Claremont Colleges, they break down how these models compare: from campus proximity and walkability to differences in institutional style. They highlight the many benefits consortiums offer, including access to shared academic, social, and extracurricular resources that can g...

Host Ian Fisher begins this episode with Josh Tobias, former professional baseball player and current scout, for an inside look at the path to competing at the highest levels of college and professional sports. Josh describes the work it took to reach his goals and what it was like playing at the University of Florida while balancing the demands of athletics and academics. He also discusses the increasing pressure college athletes face due to the rising business side of college sports and highli...

Host Kyra Tyler kicks off this episode with College Coach Joy Biscornet for a practical guide to college visits. Joy shares how to plan visits effectively, what to do once you’re on campus, and which questions are worth asking, as well as which ones aren’t. Most importantly, she explains how visits can help students decide whether a school truly feels like a good fit by seeing if they can picture themselves there. In segment two, Kyra is joined by College Coach Scott Alexander to tackle a commo...

Host Ian Fisher hosts several staff members from Oglethorpe University during a deep dive exploration of the school. In the first segment, Ginger Fay, Vice President of Enrollment, and Dr. Gabriel Barreneche, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs explore what makes Oglethorpe unique as a small university rather than a college and how the university’s Core Experience shapes students’ academic and personal paths. They also discuss Oglethorpe’s long‑standing common reading list, which conn...

Host Shannon Vasconcelos opens this episode with College Coach Blair Dixon and finance expert Chrissy Foran for a deep dive into Early Decision. They explore how to determine whether applying ED makes sense for you or your student from both an admissions and financial perspective. It can sometimes be the bump a student needs to be admitted, but committing to one college so early requires sacrificing a lot of the exploration process as well as a complete understanding of how you'll pay for it. I...

Host Ian Fisher kicks off this episode with finance expert Pati Pineiro‑Goodenberger to unpack some California‑specific financial aid and residency questions. She explains how the Cal State and UC systems determine California residency, how the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program interacts with California colleges, and whether UCs offer merit scholarships. In our second segment, Ian welcomes first-time guest College Coach Maya Gee for a conversation many students face this time of year...