The Project Success Podcast: Recent Episodes
Project Success
The Project Success Podcast is a collection of student-produced work, audio workshops, and student interviews from Project Success, a youth-development nonprofit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Is a career or job in healthcare right for me? What are the steps I can take, to get there? What are skills a nurse uses and what are the options for specialized careers in the nursing field? Join Savannah and co-host PS Facilitator Alana as they connect with Katie Hodgden (Assistant Director, Career Development Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato) and Dr. Michelle Palmborg (Assistant Professor of Nursing and Registered Oncology Nurse) to talk through how you can begin thinking about and planning for a possible future in healthcare, and what could that specifically look like in a pathway like nursing. Join us as we break down what types of nurses there are, what is the schooling required, and what to do if you change your mind.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What considerations should I think of when making my post-secondary plans as a parent? What questions should I ask when touring a college or looking into housing? What support services and resources are there?
Join Savannah and co-host PS Facilitator April as they connect with Dr. Padmini Udupa (Principal of Longfellow High School), Brooke Eichele (College Advancement Teacher at Longfellow High School), Michelle Montoya (alum of Longfellow High School), and Susan Warfield (Program Director of the Student Parent HELP Center at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities) to talk through how pregnant, expecting, and current parents can plan for and attend college, what questions to ask, and what supports to look for as you take this next step!
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What is ‘stress’ and why is it so hard to work through? Why does my brain stop me from completing tasks when I’m stressed?
Join Savannah and co-host PS Facilitator Andy as they connect with Derek Francis (Manager of Counseling Services for Minneapolis Public Schools) and Wynn Haight (12th grader from South High School) to talk through what “stress” means from the point of view of our bodies experiencing it, what it causes us to feel, the language we can use to talk about it, and what happens when we try and work through stress to finish our college application, or study for that next test. Whether you are just starting off your academic journey or getting ready to graduate, we can work on building skills around understanding how we can navigate the feelings of stress at different points in our lives.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What do I need to know about paying for college in 2021? How do I sustain and balance work and school? How do I keep earning/finding that money?
Join Savannah and co-host PS Facilitator Hana as they connect with Daniel Matamoros (Associate Director of Financial Aid at Loyola University Chicago), Kevin Ario (Managing Director of Investment Management at Wells Fargo), and Ryan Deutsch (newly graduated Washburn High School and PS alum) to talk through what “paying for college” means for students in 2021, what are some of the important financial terms and ideas you should know going in, and ways to plan your finances in and outside of college.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What are colleges and scholarships looking for in an essay? What makes an essay stand out? What are the tips and tricks to writing a clear and creative essay?
Join Savannah as she connects with Casey Briskin (11th grade English Teacher at Southwest High School), Rhemi Abrams-Fuller (Carleton College’s Associate Dean of Admissions, Director of Diversity Outreach & Access), and Jesus Moreno (newly graduated Roosevelt High School and PS alum) as they break down the difficulties students face in trying to write that perfect college essay or scholarship, strategies on how to produce some of your best writing, and try and tease out what exactly a college admissions officer is looking for when they read an application essay.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What does it feel like to follow your dreams and passion? What are things to think about as you plan for the future? What are questions you can ask yourself to connect to your purpose?
Join Kyle & Kiah as they hear from MPS students grade 6-12, alumni of MPS high schools, and community leaders on what it looks like to connect to your purpose and dream big for your future!
Guest speakers: Eliza (Anwatin, 6), Thomas (Sanford, 7), Tasia (Olson, 8), Kyla (South, 9), Simon (Washburn, 10), Maya (Southwest, 11), Shruti (Edison, 12), Dijon McCain (Patrick Henry Alumni, Journalist, Emcee, Podcaster), Fred Edwards (Washburn Alumni, Graduate Assistant at NDSU, Public Speaker), Eleshaday Girma (South Alumni, Third-year student at St. Cloud State University), Lewis McCaleb/Lewiee Blaze (Artist, Activist, and Entrepreneur, Founder of N4), Dr. Padmini Udupa (Principal of Longfellow High School), and Adrienne Diercks (Founder and Executive Director of Project Success).
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
How can you strike a balance between enjoying your summer and preparing for college after high school graduation?
Kyle connects with Derek Francis (Manager of Counseling Services at Office of College and Career Readiness at MPS), Kumar Balasubrahmanyan, (Senior Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement at College Possible), Jim Bierma (Executive Director at the Office of College and Career Readiness for MPS), and Laura Garcia (Director of Schools & Curriculum at Project Success) to talk about what happens the summer before attending college in the fall.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What resources are there for students who are undocumented? What is the Dream Act? How do you pick a college that is the best fit for you?
Join Kyle as he connects with Neeyra Pena Estrada (Latino Admissions Representative at North Hennepin Community College), Chris Castellano (School Counselor at Wellstone) and Laura Garcia (Director of Schools & Curriculum at Project Success) who will discuss the challenges of being a student who is undocumented and where you can find resources and support in your school, college, and community.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What can a HBCU (Historically Black College or University) do for you? What makes an HBCU unique?
Join Kyle and co-host April (Project Success Facilitator and HBCU alum) as they connect with Dr. Carol Johnson-Dean (Former Supt. Minneapolis, Memphis and Boston and recently Interim President, LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis), Quinn Zellner-Smith (college student at Howard University and Southwest high school alumni), with Zacaria (12th grade student at North) to share the benefits of attending an HBCU.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
Warning: this podcast contains profanity at minute 36 & 43.
In part 1 and 2 we shared pathways to explore after high school. What if you're told “you’ll never get a job or make money doing that?” In our final part, we connect with three local creatives on how you can follow your dreams and passion to forge your own path.
Join Kyle as he connects with Andrés Pérez (Photographer), Gaosong V. Heu (Artist, Entrepreneur, and Arts Educator) and Marcela Michelle (Artistic Director at 20% Theatre Company; Artistic Co-Director and Director of programming – Lightning Rod) to explore creative pathways.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
In part 1 we discussed different pathways after high school and being undecided. In part 2, we continue our journey on options after high school and connect with 2 different GAP year programs and a Career opportunity with an environmental field focus to discuss: If you have an idea of what you want to do, which path will help you reach your goals?
Join Kyle as he connects with Adrienne Amell (Manager of Recruiting at Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa), Matt Young (Marketing Representative at NOLS), Alison Nyenhuis (Education Manager at Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness), and Franci (12th grade student at Patrick Henry) as they talk through different pathway options through the lens of outdoor and environmental career fields.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
In pathways part 1 of 3, learn about taking an apprenticeship, going to college undecided, or starting a career directly after high school. How do you decide which pathway is the best fit for you?
Join Kyle as he connects with Sarah Lechowich (Senior Director at Construction Careers Foundation), Amanda Yang (Senior Admission Counselor in the Office of Admissions at St. Thomas), Kit Keegan (Store Manager at Lunds and Byerly’s), and Gunxang (10th grade student at Patrick Henry) as they talk through how you can find out what you want to do after high school and the different pathways you can take.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
What do you need to know about being a college athlete? What are the benefits and challenges? What does it look like to play intramural or club sports?
Join Kyle and guest co-host Chase (alumni of Washburn, Division I basketball at University of Iowa) as they connect with Tylor Coley (FBC The North Coach, former Washburn girls' basketball coach, and graduate of Grace College, NAIA Basketball), Morgan (alumni of Washburn, Division II soccer at Mankato) and Kenda (alumni of Washburn, intramural basketball at UW Milwaukee).
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
Join Kyle and guest co-host Mary (11th grade student at South) as they connect with the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management featuring Geida Cleveland (Assistant Director of Diversity & Inclusion), Ed McFowland III (Assistant Professor, Information and Decision Science), Chinh Truong (Academic Advisor), Farida Mohammed (Sophomore, Entrepreneurial Management, Finance) and Chike Okonkwo (Junior, Marketing, Finance).
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
Join Kyle as he connects with Bridgette R. Shannon, Ph.D. (3M Abrasive Systems Division), Peter Thao (alumni of Patrick Henry and Graduate of U of M in Information Technology) and Gina (12th grade student at South) about going to college and selecting a career in a STEM field.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
Join Kyle as he connects with Mai Nhia Xiong-Chan (Vice President of Enrollment Management at Hamline University), Antoinette Harris (Admissions Representative at Normandale Community College), Corey Young (Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Hennepin Technical College) and Elsa (10thgrade student at Southwest) to talk about some of the different types of college models that exist and the similarities and differences between them.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
Kyle connects with Sam (Financial Aid Counselor at the Dougherty Family College, St. Thomas), Keeley (Senior Financial Aid Counselor at St. Catherine University), and Zoe (10th grade student at Southwest) about the cost of college.
Visit www.projectsuccess.org/ccpodcast for resources, links, and next steps after the episode!
music by scottholmesmusic.com
Kyle connects with Derek (Manager of Counseling Services, Office of College and Career Readiness at MPS), Shonna (Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Augsburg), and Chelsea (10th grader, and PS alumni) about what do you need to feel supported on a college campus. How do you ask for support? Who can you go to? What resources are there and how can your community support you?
After taking a week off to go on some virtual college tours, we're back! This week Kyle connects with Josh (Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College admissions officer), Leo (12th grade student at Roosevelt High School), and Alwyn (MPS North High Alumni) on Self-Advocacy. How can you be your own advocate both in college and during the college process? Why should you ask for what you need and what does self-efficacy have to do with it?
Kyle connects with Kenzie (UMNTC Coordinator of Multicultural Outreach & Community Partnerships, Undergraduate Office of Admissions), Jeremiah (GEAR UP Program Manager), and Hana (Project Success Facilitator) on what it means to be the first to attend college. What are the challenges of being the first? How can you celebrate being the first?
Where do you want to go after high school? If you’re thinking college, the next big question you might have is which one? What are the factors to weigh and compare? In this week's College Conversations episode, Kyle connects with Cheryl (admissions coordinator at MCTC), Lana (Patrick Henry 10th grader) and Jordan (South Alumni now studying at the U of M) on their perspective of which factors are the most important when choosing a college.
In the final episode of this season on The Link, Kyle interviews Wellstone grad Alex Sogso. They talk about the importance of having a plan, and how that can lead to future success. Alex also talks about his transition from living in Ecuador for 18 years to finding his path to success in Minnesota.
On the final High School Panel of the season, Ryan talks with Washburn students Tuesday and Zoe about their perspective on plans and what advice they'd give a middle schooler.
The school year is wrapping up, and so is season 2 on the Project Success Podcast Feed. This morning, the guys talk about why having a plan is important, and how every week's podcast was leading to this.
This week on The Link, Kyle talks with Southwest grad Avery Young on the topic of "Taking Action." Avery started her post-high school journey on a "typical" college path, but since then her path has been anything but typical. She talks about leaving Hamline University after a year, moving to Seattle, and joining the circus.
This week, Ryan interviews Southwest student Zoe on her perspectives on community and taking action in high school.
Happy Memorial Day weekend! Today, Micah and Marc discuss the question: "How do I take action?" Listen as they come up with a cool way to create a to-do-list and talk about how motivation and accountability relate to taking action.
In this week's episode of The Link, Kyle interviews former North Polar and Patrick Henry Patriot Tess Montgomery. She talks about the importance of community in her life, and how community is tied to local, sustainable food.
Marc and Micah are back, and this week they're discussing Community. Community is a difficult thing to grasp in these changing times, and M&M try to walk through how to find community even today.
This week on The Link, Kyle interviews Roosevelt grad and founder of Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream, Michael Pellizer. They talk about the idea of Question-Asking, how it relates to the early days of the business, and the types of questions businesses ask during the times we find ourselves in.
In this episode of The High School Panel, Ryan interviews high schoolers Kai, Tuesday, and Zoe. They talk about Leadership and Question-Asking and how they relate to their high school experiences so far.
This week on Marc and Micah in the Morning, we discuss questions. First we play 3 games that help us differentiate different types of questions, and then we get into a conversation about why questions are such an important part of our futures.
This week's episode of The Link features South High grad Umar Hassan. Kyle talks to Umar about his views on leadership through his childhood in Kenya, to his teenage years at South, through to his experiences at Macalester.
This week on Marc and Micah in the Morning, we discuss leadership. As M&M decide who will lead this podcast, we do a fun leadership activity and then discuss why everyone is a leader.
In this episode of The Link, Kyle interviews Edison grad Bob Kabeya about identity. They talk about how music has been a part of his identity from childhood to Edison, and beyond.
In this episode of The High School Panel, Ryan first interviews Brynn on the topic of obstacles. Then he has Chelsea and Amy on to talk about Identity.
This week on Marc and Micah in the morning, we're discussing identity. Marc asks Micah who he is... a number of times. Then Micah leads a fun activity you can do at home!
This week on The Link, Kyle interviews South High grad Sinjun Strom about her life after graduation, and some of the obstacles she faced along her path that led her from Minneapolis, to Kansas City, to New York City.
This week on Marc and Micah in the morning, we're discussing obstacles. Marc puts on his meteorologist coat and helps Micah forecast some of the obstacles with a goal that he has.
This week on The Link, Kyle interviews South High grad Peter Larsen about his post high school path. From his time at MCTC in the Power of You program to opening up his own small civil rights based law firm.
In the second episode of The High School Panel, Ryan interviews Project Success students Asma and Kaylon on the topic of Goal Setting.
In the third episode of Marc and Micah in the Morning, M & M discuss goal setting, play a quick game of "Guess The Dream", and tell you all about the amazing programming coming to you from Project Success.
This week, Kyle interviews his sister, Eleanor, who is a Project Success alum who has recently followed her aspirations to Italy.
In this, the first episode of The High School Panel, Ryan interviews Project Success students Chelsea, Dominic, and Oliver.
While our Institute programs are on hiatus, you can check back weekly for Project Success podcasts produced by Project Success staff and students. This week, Marc and Micah kick things off with their Monday morning podcast.
This week on The Link, Facilitator Kyle interviews Chase Coley, Project Success Alumni, former college and professional basketball player, and current Project Success Program Coordinator.
We're kicking off another season of Project Success Podcasts. While our regular programming is in hiatus, Project Success Facilitators and Workshop Managers Marc and Micah will be kicking off each week with an episode of Marc and Micah in the morning. Be sure to subscribe to hear next week's episode!
This week, the podcasters discuss a topic suggested by Lucky, one of our students: the fear of failure. This podcast will be the last until at least the end of Spring Break, with the possibility of our hiatus lasting longer. Keep your eyes on this feed for more Project Success-related content!
In this episode of Are You With Me?, the podcasters debate whether physical education should be a graduation requirement, and they dig into the age-old question of cats vs. dogs.
This week, the podcasters take on standardized testing. Do they really test what you know? Are they supposed to? Do they build grit and determination? Are we even learning what we're supposed to learn in school?
This week, the podcasters of the Project Success Institute take on the hot button issue of free college tuition, and throw in a little chatter about video games and Netflix just to see if you're listening. Be sure to rate, review, subscribe and share!
This week, the "Are You With Me?" podcasters from Minneapolis Public Schools square off on the age-old debate: Cake vs. Pie. Things get heated. Literally. Use the comments section to weigh in!
Welcome to "Are You With Me?", a new student-produced podcast from students served by Project Success, a Minneapolis educational nonprofit "where students connect to their purpose". On "Are You With Me?", students debate issues big and small, from pancakes to politics.