February 2026

In this solo episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins continues her series unpacking well-meaning career advice that unintentionally backfires. Following her previous episode challenging the phrase “you can be anything,” Lisa now tackles another cultural staple: “follow your passion.”  She explains that this advice often creates pressure, paralysis, and self-doubt rather than motivation, and why passion is rarely

In this solo episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins challenges one of the most common and well-intentioned phrases adults use with young people about their future: “You can be anything.” Drawing on years of career coaching experience and thousands of Birkman personality assessment results, she explains why this advice often increases pressure, cognitive overload, and paralysis rather than

In this episode, Lisa and Jennifer discuss: How real confidence is built through skills rather than personality or bravado The decline in foundational academic and communication skills The relationship between anxiety, ambiguity, and skill development in young people What parents can realistically do at home to help young people become capable, confident adults Key Takeaways: 

In this episode, Lisa and Jeff discuss: Why college prestige alone no longer guarantees strong early career outcomes — and what matters more instead How internships, micro-credentials, and co-ops now function as proof of employability How parental decision-making and assumptions about higher ed are shifting post-2008 Where higher education still falls short in delivering hands-on