If you’re the parent of a high school junior and January feels like a wake-up call—you’re not alone.

Winter break gave everyone a breather, but now the second semester of junior year is here, and suddenly college feels very real. In this episode, we’re talking about why January is actually the perfect reset point for junior families—and how to move forward with clarity instead of panic.

You’ll learn what truly matters right now, what can wait, and how to support your student through the most important academic semester col...

The week between Christmas and New Year’s always feels different.

The rush slows. The noise softens. And there’s finally space to reflect on the year that was—what went well, what changed unexpectedly, and what still hurts.

In this reflective New Year’s episode, I’m sharing an honest look at a year that didn’t unfold the way I envisioned it would. From unexpected job changes, to watching my oldest prepare to graduate high school and head to college, to the emotional shift of having one child at home, this year brought transitions...

This episode is for parents of teens — especially parents of high school seniors navigating college admissions decisions — who are feeling emotionally stretched during seasons of uncertainty.

Whether your student is facing college rejection, deferral, acceptance anxiety, or simply standing at the edge of a major transition, this Christmas Eve message is a reminder that nothing needs to be fixed right now.

Recorded for Christmas Eve but designed to be evergreen, this episode holds space for the emotional rollercoaster of parenting teens, waiting for college decisions, and letting go of familiar routines — without rushing grief or forcin...

College decisions are starting to land—and for many families, this season feels heavy, emotional, and charged. Whether your teen is celebrating an acceptance, navigating a deferral, processing a rejection, or simply watching it all unfold from the sidelines, December can feel like everything is suddenly on the line.

In this episode, we slow the moment down.

You’ll hear why college decision season hits teens so deeply, what different admissions outcomes actually mean (without the spreadsheets), and how parents can support their kids without making the process more stressful or assigning meaning too quickly.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a moment from the Jasmine Star Business Mentorship community that sparked a powerful reflection on how we—and our teens—view progress. When someone vulnerably shared their struggle to celebrate small wins, I responded with encouragement, and what unfolded was a reminder of how deeply this mindset shows up in adults and students alike.

But just as meaningful as the conversation itself was the community behind it. The support, the “me too” moments, and the shared humanity inside that space revealed something important: we don’t grow alone. And this isn’t...

If your teen has ever seemed “off” — quieter than usual, overwhelmed, irritable, or just drifting around the house with zero direction — you’re not imagining it. These dips are incredibly common, and today we’re breaking down exactly why they happen and what you can do to support your teen without pushing too hard or making things worse.

In this episode, we’re talking about the real reasons behind your teen’s sudden mood shifts: underdeveloped executive functioning, unstable routines, hidden stress, emotional overload, and the overwhelm they often can’t put into words. You’ll learn what actually helps...

If you’re parenting a teen right now—whether they’re a freshman finding their footing or a senior preparing to leave the nest—you know this season is a swirl of emotions. Gratitude and heartache. Joy and overwhelm. Pride and the ache of watching them grow faster than you’re ready for.

This Thanksgiving week, I’m inviting you into a grounded, honest conversation about the real kind of gratitude— not the Pinterest-perfect kind, but the kind that sits with you in the middle of late-night conversations, rushed dinners, forgotten hoodies, college deadlines, and the quiet realization th...

Episode 6: What Financial Fit Means — and Why It Matters More Than Rankings

Description:
Your kid is amazing. They’ve worked hard, gotten the grades, and maybe even landed an acceptance at one of those gasp-worthy colleges. But now you’re staring at the financial aid letter — and wondering if you’re going to have to crush their dream.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what financial fit really means (and why it matters more than college rankings). We’ll talk about what to look for in aid packages, how to compare pub...

Episode 5: FAFSA, CSS, Merit Aid & Scholarships 101

Ever find yourself staring at a financial aid form at 11 PM wondering if you accidentally signed up for a second mortgage? Same. In this episode, we're breaking down the alphabet soup of college funding — FAFSA, CSS Profile, merit aid, and scholarships — so you can stop spiraling and start planning.

What You'll Learn:
The FAFSA Essentials Why almost every family should file it (yes, even if you think you won't qualify), when to submit it, and why it's...

Duration: 00:10:39

There's a special tone only teenagers can pull off — that half-sigh, half-eye-roll combo that says, "Why are you like this?" It usually shows up right after you ask something like, "Did you turn that thing in?"

You're not crazy. It really does feel like every conversation is a landmine. You just want to help. They just want you to stop talking.

And yet… they still haven't done the thing.

So today, we're talking about how to have actual conversations with your teen without losing your voice, your temper, or your will to live.

Most high school students get about ten minutes with their counselor to talk about their entire future. Ten minutes to figure out classes, careers, and sometimes who they even want to be.

And it's not the counselor's fault. The ratios are impossible.

I've sat on that side of the desk, trying to help hundreds of kids and feeling like there just weren't enough hours in the day. Then I lived it from the other side — as a mom, sitting at my kitchen table with my son, surrounded by deadlines and forms and wondering how anyone ke...

Every week, I hear the same questions from parents — in hallways, emails, and grocery-store aisles. And they always start with, "Okay, I know this is probably a dumb question, but…"

Let me tell you right now: there are no dumb questions. There's just a ridiculous lack of clear information.

So today, I'm answering the ones that come up constantly — the things every parent wishes they could just get a straight answer on.

When do we actually start thinking about college? What are colleges really looking for? What if my kid doesn't have a passio...

When my oldest left for college, I thought I was ready.

I'd spent years helping other families through this process — I knew the forms, the timelines, the essays. What I didn't know was how it would feel when the checklist ended and the quiet started.

I've replayed that senior year so many times — not the grades or the acceptance letters, but the moments in between. And if I'm honest, there are a few things I regret.

Here's something I don't say out loud very often: I'm a self-proclaimed helicopter mom. I hover. I chec...

Welcome to The College Counseling Mom Podcast, where we make sense of the high school years—one eye roll, deadline, and cup of coffee at a time.

I’m Lindsay Phillips, a school counselor turned independent college consultant and mom of two, here to help you navigate high school and college admissions with clarity, humor, and heart.

In this short trailer, you’ll get a preview of what to expect each week: real talk, practical advice, and the reminder that you’re not behind, you’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think.