The Harlan Cohen Podcast

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THE HARLAN COHEN PODCAST New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen has candid conversations with experts and influencers. Guests share their greatest victories, devastating setbacks, and most valuable advice to help listeners dream big and take action. Hosted by Harlan Cohen, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and syndicated advice columnist. Harlan is the founder of Best First Year, and has over 1 million books in print. His live events, books, programs, and workshops have reached millions of people and changed countless lives. SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HelpMeHarlan TEXT HARLAN: 321-345-9070 INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/HarlanCohen FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HelpMeHarlan/ TWITTER: http://Twitter.com/HarlanCohen WEBSITE: https://www.HarlanCohen.com | https://www.BeforeCollegeTV.com

Episodes

Thursday May 07, 2026

The Secrets of College Success - Lorraine Pennyman

Thursday May 07, 2026

I sat down with Lorraine Pennyman, Director of Experiential Learning and Engagement at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, and this conversation was one of my favorites. Lorraine has spent more than 20 years mentoring students, and what stands out about her is she's not just doing a job, she is genuinely in students' corners every single day. We talked about why building real relationships starting freshman year is the most important thing a student can do, what to do when you get rejected from competitive clubs and internships, why you don't need a big-name internship to set yourself up for success, and how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. If you're a student, a parent, or anyone trying to figure out how to make the most of the college experience, this one is packed with gold.

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Are you a parent of current or soon-to-be college student? Are you a student?
Join BEST FIRST YEAR, Harlan's College Success Coaching Community for High School & College Parents (and students)

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe and listen to Harlan’s podcast here:
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-harlan-cohen-podcast/id1531004466
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b5f3901f-d7b6-4f73-b183-8a5e10c4423a/the-harlan-cohen-podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28gSjxL3CmmL6U9lpDDlCA
Podbean: https://harlancohenpodcast.podbean.com/

About Lorraine

Lorraine Pennyman has spent more than 20 years in higher education at The Ohio State University's Max M. Fisher College of Business, where she currently serves as Director of Experiential Learning and Engagement in Undergraduate Programs. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for experiential learning, student engagement, and co-curricular initiatives serving more than 9,000 undergraduate business students. Across progressive leadership roles, Lorraine has designed and led high-impact programs centered on active engagement, intentional community building, and supporting students from their first year through graduation. She holds a Master's in Educational Foundations from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from Miami University (Ohio).

Lorraine's commitment to student development extends beyond her formal role through university-wide committee service and community leadership, including her lifelong membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including the Inclusive Excellence Award from Fisher College of Business and recognition in Who's Who In Black Columbus 2024. A self-described servant leader, Lorraine has been married to her college sweetheart for more than twenty years, and they have three children.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:49 From Academic Advisor to Director
5:55 How This Conversation Happened
9:31 What's Changed With Students Over 20 Years
15:36 Parenting a College Freshman
19:28 The Mess Is Where the Magic Happens
21:30 Handling Rejection
25:19 Your Senior Is Your Future Recruiter
31:05 Getting Into Competitive Clubs
35:25 Just Start Your Own
40:46 The Five Big Transitions
45:45 Do You Really Need a Big Internship?
54:30 AI and Losing Your Voice
57:05 Sorority, Service, and Servant Leadership
59:57 Overcoming Adversity

THE HARLAN COHEN PODCAST New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen has candid conversations with top experts, and leading influencers. Guests share their greatest victories, devastating setbacks, and most valuable advice to help listeners dream big and take action. Hosted by Harlan Cohen, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker. Harlan is the founder of Best First Year, and has over 1 million books in print. His live events, books, programs, and workshops have reached millions of people and changed countless lives.

Thursday Apr 30, 2026

How to Start a Business: Tips From Serial Entrepreneurs Mike and Kass Lazerow

Thursday Apr 30, 2026

I got to sit down with two of my favorite people, Mike and Kass, entrepreneurs, investors, and authors of the book Shoveling Shit: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur's Messy Path to Success, right in their home (which is basically a full-on operation center). These two have meant so much to my career. Mike and Kass actually introduced me to Peterson's, which led to my very first book deal. We got into the entrepreneurial mindset: why it's so hard to sell yourself even when you have something real to offer, how to build a business around what you know and who you can bring in for what you don't, and what it really looks like to lean into discomfort instead of running from it. We also talked about the power of rejection, how students can build genuine connections through curiosity, and why giving freely almost always comes back around in ways you never expect.
* * * * * * * * * *
Are you a parent of current or soon-to-be college student? Are you a student?
Join BEST FIRST YEAR, Harlan's College Success Coaching Community for High School & College Parents (and students)

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

About Kass and Mike:
Kass and Mike Lazerow are serial entrepreneurs and investors best known as the cofounders of Golf.com and Buddy Media, the leading social media marketing platform that sold to Salesforce for $745 million. With a lifetime of stories from decades of building businesses and helping others as investors and advisors, they are in high demand as public speakers, writers, and podcast guests.

Their journey began as friends growing up in the suburbs of the nation’s capital. They started dating after reuniting at a mutual friend’s wedding in 1996. Two years later, they did what all new couples deeply in love do- cofounded a company, Golf.com, before marrying in 1999. After selling Golf.com to Time Warner in 2006, Mike and Kass cofounded Buddy Media. And since selling Buddy Media to Salesforce in 2012, they have focused on providing capital and advice to the world’s most innovative founders. Mike and Kass live in New York City and the Hudson Valley and have three grown children (Myles, Cole, and Vivian) and two rescue dogs (Cece and Gizmo).

You can order your copy of their new book Shoveling $h!t here: https://shovelingshit.com/
Check out their website here: www.kassandmike.com

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:34 Share what you do
07:12 Helping and serving others
24:05 Meeting the dogs
25:53 The story of Liquid Death
32:16 You don’t have to know everything
33:50 Working as a couple
40:16 Rejection
44:30 Anyone can start their own business
52:49 How to start a business
54:43 How to network
1:01:18 How to ask interesting questions
1:04:57 How can you help?
1:09:19 Getting comfortable on camera
1:13:50 Outro

Thursday Apr 23, 2026

How to Find Your Purpose and Stand Out - with Pascale Charlot

Thursday Apr 23, 2026

In this episode, I sit down with Pascale Charlot, senior fellow at the Aspen Institute and former president of Miami Dade College's largest campus. We talk about finding your purpose, connecting to your highest self, and why so many students miss the mark by only listing accomplishments instead of revealing who they truly are. Pascale shares her powerful insights on building meaningful relationships, finding your "zone of genius," and why meditation might be the secret weapon for managing today's overwhelming noise and disruption. This conversation challenged me to think differently about how we show up in the world and what it really means to shine as a "bright light." If you're navigating college, career transitions, or searching for deeper meaning, this one's for you.

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

About Pascale:
Pascale Charlot is Managing Director of the College Excellence Program (CEP) at the Aspen Institute, where she leads strategy to develop transformational colleges and leaders committed to advancing student outcomes. An alumna of Aspen's Rising President Fellowship, she oversees CEP's Presidential Fellowships, which have graduated over 100 community college presidents educating more than 1.5 million students. Pascale specializes in systemic change and institutional reform, helping college leaders build capacity for sustained student success through research, coaching, and consulting.

Previously, Pascale served as president of Miami Dade College's Kendall campus, the largest of eight campuses at the Aspen Prize-winning institution. As dean of Miami Dade's Honors College, she developed a pathways strategy that increased bachelor's degree attainment for first-generation students. A transfer student herself, Pascale brings deep expertise to advancing post-graduation outcomes, with particular focus on student learning, talent development, and economic mobility. She holds degrees from Duke University and the University of Michigan Law School and previously held leadership roles at NYU and Rutgers law schools.

Links:
College Excellence Program: https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/
Subscribe to the College 3.0 Newsletter: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/our-newsletters/
Connect with CEP on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/aspenhighered

Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:06:10 - Finding Your Purpose
00:10:53 - "Knowing You're Enough"
00:14:20 - The Growth That Comes from Taking Smart Risks
00:20:13 - Discovering Your Path
00:25:08 - Navigating Community College
00:32:23 - Planning Mode vs. Execution Mode
00:36:23 - Bringing Your A-Game
00:44:55 - Family Voices vs. Your Voice
00:50:53 - Being Comfortable with Uncertainty
00:54:27 - Building Your Support System
00:58:39 - Finding Mentors Who Will Change Your Life
01:00:08 - How to Be a Bright Light
01:07:19 - Meditation and Physical Grounding

Thursday Apr 16, 2026

Be Un-Ignorable: Career Advice for the AI Age with Jeremy Caplan - Harlan Cohen Podcast

Thursday Apr 16, 2026

I'm so excited to share this conversation with Jeremy Caplan, Director of Teaching and Learning at CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and creator of the Wonder Tools newsletter (80,000+ subscribers). If you're struggling with the job search and getting nowhere, this is for you. Jeremy breaks down what makes someone "un-ignorable" in today's market, the three traits that lead to success (follow-up, preparation, curiosity), how to think about AI as a tool rather than a threat, and why every student should be building side projects. Whether you're headed to college or figuring out your next steps, this conversation will help you stand out.

* * * * * * * * * *
Join BEST FIRST YEAR, Harlan's College Success Coaching Community for High School & College Parents (and students)

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

About Jeremy:
Jeremy Caplan is Director of Teaching and Learning at CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. Over the past 15 years at the City University of NY he has helped hundreds of journalists around the world develop their own niche journalism ventures. A former Time Magazine reporter, he writes Wonder Tools, a weekly newsletter that helps more than 80,000 global subscribers discover the most useful tools for creative productivity. He lives in New York City with his wife and two young daughters.

Links:
Personal Site: jeremycaplan.com
My Wonder Tools Newsletter: wondertools.substack.com
YouTube: youtube.com/jeremycaplan
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremycaplan

Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Video Tools
4:30 Who Is Jeremy Caplan
9:33 Being Un-Ignorable
15:23 The Joy of Creating
17:28 The Game Mindset
22:31 Three Key Traits
25:44 Persistence and Perseverance
32:58 What Is Substack
36:41 Owning Your Audience
39:30 Building Wonder Tools
42:06 The Power of Side Projects
45:31 AI for Students
48:53 Standing Out in the AI Age
51:14 Diversity of Inputs
54:08 Innovation Clubs
54:48 Voice AI
55:43 Where to Find Jeremy

Monday Apr 06, 2026

The Science of Getting Good Sleep - Dr. Shelby Harris

Monday Apr 06, 2026

I sat down with sleep expert Dr. Shelby Harris to break down why sleep is a powerful driver of mental health, performance, and overall well being, especially for college students. We talked about common barriers like late nights, phones, and packed schedules, and why change starts with actually wanting it. Instead of perfection, we focused on small, practical experiments to improve sleep habits. This conversation will challenge you to see sleep as a competitive advantage for better mood, focus, and success.

* * * * * * * * * *
Join BEST FIRST YEAR, Harlan's College Success Coaching Community for High School & College Parents (and students)

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Dr. Harris is in private practice in White Plains, NY where she specializes in the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression. She is board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and treats a wide variety of sleep disorders (insomnia, nightmares, circadian rhythm disorders, narcolepsy, apnea treatment noncompliance) using evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments. Before going into private practice, Dr. Harris was the longstanding director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center.
Dr. Harris currently holds a dual academic senior-level appointment as Clinical Associate Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in both the Neurology and Psychiatry Departments. Dr. Harris has published and presented research on the neuropsychological effects of insomnia in older adults as well as behavioral treatments for insomnia, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and excessive daytime sleepiness. She is frequently invited by hospitals and organizations to give grand rounds lectures and workshops.
She obtained her undergraduate degree with honors from Brown University and graduated with her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University. Dr. Harris completed her predoctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center where she trained in the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center and received advanced postdoctoral training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for anxiety and depression.

Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM
Licensed Psychologist
Board Certified, Behavioral Sleep Medicine

NY Sleep and Psychology
Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NYC, NY

Website: www.drshelbyharris.com
Instagram: @ SleepDocShelby

Dr. Shelby's Books:
The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night’s Sleep Without Relying on Medication (by Harris)

The Essential Guide to Children’s Sleep: A Tired Caregiver’s Workbook for Every Age and Stage (by Roth, Shale and Harris)

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
01:20 Why Sleep Matters for Longevity and Performance
03:30 Why College Students Ignore Sleep
05:50 How Sleep Impacts The Brain
07:30 Sleep Trackers, Wearables, and Obsessing Over Data
10:00 Phones, Technology, and Realistic Sleep Boundaries
12:00 Building Better Sleep Habits Through Small Experiments
16:30 Why You Have to Want Better Sleep
20:00 Learning from High Performers and Athletes
22:30 Roommates, Communication, and Sleep Compatibility
28:00 Sleep Environment, Temperature, and Dorm Challenges
34:30 Supplements, Alcohol, Weed, and Sleep Myths
42:30 Naps, Irregular Schedules, and Energy Management
47:00 Medical Issues, Snoring, and When to Get Help
50:30 Can You Catch Up on Sleep and Final Takeaways

Friday Mar 13, 2026

Drum Corps International World Championships - Walk & Talk with Harlan Cohen

Friday Mar 13, 2026

Watch the full video version of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/U_Swp7u_N-I?si=Rr3LVK8jWo8PSgv-

I had the chance to attend the Drum Corps International World Championships. Student musicians from all over the country performed at Lucas Oil Stadium, and it was an incredible experience. While I was there, I walked around and spoke to students about their memorable experiences as part of DCI and why it's such a special community.

Check out DCI: https://www.dci.org/

Are you a parent of current or soon-to-be college student? Are you a student?
Join BEST FIRST YEAR, Harlan's College Success Coaching Community for High School & College Parents (and students)

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/cou...

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Friday Feb 27, 2026

What EVERY Student Needs to Know About Applying For Jobs - with Keith Jones (career counselor at Penn State University)

Friday Feb 27, 2026

I had an incredible conversation with Keith Jones, a Penn State career counselor, to talk what all college students should know about transitioning to a career after school. Keith breaks down LinkedIn strategy, interviews, and why 95% of companies now use Application Tracking Systems to screen resumes. He talks about the importance of relationships built freshman year (not senior year when it's too late). We cover essential resources like O*NET, The Muse, and free certifications from Amazon, Google, and more. Keith's philosophy? Position yourself so jobs chase you. If you're a student or parent, this conversation is packed with actionable advice you can use immediately.

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

About Keith:
Keith Jones is a full-time career counselor at Penn State University and instructor of counselor education. He teaches "Effective Career Decision Making," a course focused on helping students navigate the college-to-career transition through self-exploration, skills development, and strategic networking. Keith presented to the entire Big Ten Conference on the effective use of artificial intelligence in career counseling and education. His approach emphasizes building genuine relationships, leveraging LinkedIn strategically, and starting career planning early.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: Keith's Role
01:37 - Ikigai & Self-Discovery
03:00 - Skills-Focused Resume
06:09 - O*NET Career Resource
10:07 - LinkedIn Development
17:02 - Career Fairs & Connections
22:50 - Advice for Late Starters
27:39 - Unpaid Internships Strategy
32:39 - Approaching Mentorship
36:44 - ATS Systems & Skills-Based Hiring
51:00 - Course: Effective Career Decision Making
58:21 - The Fishing Analogy
1:17:15 - AI in Career Counseling
1:26:31 - Map Out Your Career Plan
1:31:05 - Use Career Services

Career Databases & Research
O*NET Online - https://www.onetonline.org/ (US Department of Labor occupational database with salary info, skills, job outlooks)
The Muse - https://www.themuse.com/ (Career advice, interview prep, company culture insights)

Resume & Application Tools
Jobscan - https://www.jobscan.co/ (ATS resume optimization tool - paid)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/ (Professional networking & job search)
Indeed - https://www.indeed.com/ (Job search platform)

Micro-Internships & Experience
Parker Dewey - https://www.parkerdewey.com/ (Short-term paid professional projects for students)

Learning Platforms
LinkedIn Learning - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/ (Online courses & professional development)
Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/ (Online course marketplace)

Free Company Certification Programs
IBM - https://www.ibm.com/training (Free certification trainings)
Meta/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/business/learn (Free certification programs)
Amazon - https://aws.amazon.com/training/ (Free training & certifications)

AI Tools
NotebookLM - https://notebooklm.google.com/ (Google AI tool that converts documents/articles into podcast conversations)

Career Advice Creators
Jeff Su - https://www.jeffsu.org/ & YouTube (Informational interviews, resume tips, career advice)
Rosie McCarthy (Badass Careers) - https://www.badasscareers.com/ & YouTube (Career coaching, personal branding, LinkedIn strategies)

Wednesday Feb 18, 2026

The Fundamental Problem with College: An impromptu conversation with anyone willing to listen

Wednesday Feb 18, 2026

Harlan Cohen breaks down the fundamental problem with college: schools prepare students academically but leave them completely unprepided for the emotional, social, financial, and professional transitions that make or break the college experience. Drawing from his own painful story of struggling, feeling lonely, and eventually transferring, Harlan reveals why so many high-achieving students arrive on campus overwhelmed, anxious, and blindsided by challenges no one warned them about. The episode introduces his core framework for navigating change through patients, places, and people, and makes the case that curiosity, belonging, and practicing discomfort are the real keys to a successful first year.

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Harlan Cohen is a leading expert on college readiness and success. He helps parents, students, and educators.

Check out his Best First Year College Readiness & Success program for Parents & Students:
🎓 https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course
Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.

Check out his On-Demand Events:
🎓 https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/collections

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@HelpMeHarlan
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Website: https://www.HarlanCohen.com

THE HARLAN COHEN PODCAST New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen has candid conversations with top experts, and leading influencers. Guests share their greatest victories, devastating setbacks, and most valuable advice to help listeners dream big and take action. Hosted by Harlan Cohen, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker. Harlan is the founder of Best First Year, and has over 1 million books in print. His live events, books, programs, and workshops have reached millions of people and changed countless lives.

Tuesday Feb 10, 2026

The Career Success Formula - with Brandon Busteed (CEO of Edconic)

Tuesday Feb 10, 2026

In this conversation with Brandon Busteed, founder of Edconic and former head of education research at Gallup, we explored what really matters when it comes to career success after college. Brandon shared groundbreaking findings from the Gallup-Purdue Index, revealing that only 22% of college graduates had a mentor who encouraged their goals and dreams. We discussed his own non-linear journey from Duke athlete to class president to entrepreneur, and how he learned to reframe failure as fuel for growth. Brandon emphasized that picking your manager is more important than picking your company, challenged students to look beyond Fortune 500 firms to small and medium-sized enterprises where they can make real impact, and urged everyone to focus on relationship-rich experiences and work-integrated learning during college. His advice is clear: success isn't just about the paycheck or the brand name. It's about doing meaningful work that uses your unique talents every single day.

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

About Brandon:
Brandon Busteed, CEO of Edconic, is a leading expert on work-integrated learning. Edconic provides students with transformative industry-immersive experiences in partnership with iconic organizations.

Links:
Check out Edconic's industry-immersive experiences: https://edconic.com/
Brandon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/busteed
Contributor / Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brandonbusteed/

Link to an article on the Gallup-Purdue Index Big 6 College Experiences: https://news.gallup.com/poll/182306/big-six-college-experiences-linked-life-preparedness.aspx

Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:19 - Defining Success: Beyond Money and Titles
00:04:23 - The Gallup-Purdue Index: What Predicts Career Success
00:08:44 - Relationship-Rich Experiences in College
00:10:19 - Work-Integrated Learning: The Missing Link
00:12:17 - Pick the Professor, Not the Class
00:18:37 - Brandon's Non-Linear Career Journey
00:22:40 - Reframing Failure as Opportunity
00:28:19 - Learning to Be Motivated by Failure
00:34:55 - Starting Outside the Classroom: From Idea to Business
00:41:38 - Why Young Adults Need More Work Experience
00:43:35 - How to Explore Career Options Early
00:46:26 - Interview Question: What Are You Great At?
00:50:20 - The Most Important Question: Who's Your Manager?
00:54:42 - Manager Feedback Matters More Than You Think
00:56:32 - Small Companies vs. Fortune 500: Hidden Opportunities
01:01:00 - Closing Thoughts

Friday Jan 16, 2026

The Grade Round Up Experiment with David Loudermilk - The Harlan Cohen Podcast

Friday Jan 16, 2026

Months ago, I posted a reel encouraging students to try and ask their teachers to round up their grades if they were close to the next letter grade. High school teacher David Loudermilk saw an opportunity to use this idea to teach self-advocacy. In this conversation, Mr. Loudermilk and I discuss how he turned my controversial concept into a reality, requiring students to use argumentative writing skills (claim, evidence, reasoning) to make their case. We dive into why communication is such a critical skill students need, and how creating safe spaces for self-advocacy prepares young people for life's inevitable rejections and opportunities. A must-listen for educators and parents who want to help students find their voice.

Use code Pod15 at checkout and get 15% off a 12 or 18 month membership.
Tap here: https://courses.bestfirstyear.com/courses/your-first-course

The Harlan Cohen Podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

About Mr. Loudermilk
David Loudermilk is a social science teacher in Northern California. Before teaching high school, he taught middle school, served as a middle school athletic director, worked as a 1:1 paraprofessional in a high school/adult transition program for special needs students, and was a substitute teacher for K-12 classrooms. From 2020-2024, he was elected to serve as a board member for the Durham Unified School District in Durham, California.

Related videos: Life Tip 1033 - The Round Up Request Experiment: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DJ5Rh71vTU8/ College Tip 1578 - If You're a College Student Who Successfully Asked a Professor to Round Up https://www.instagram.com/reels/DSKwirLEcNm/

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
02:05 - Why This Experiment
03:25 - Points Controversy
07:22 - Building Trust
08:13 - Grade Grubber Myth
10:35 - Evidence-Based Approach
11:27 - Creating Safe Space
12:16 - Social Capital & Equity
15:54 - Worthiness & Advocacy
19:06 - The Process Explained
25:21 - AI Consequences
29:17 - Participation Numbers
30:29 - Email vs Face-to-Face
33:21 - Teacher Time Investment
37:23 - Student Feedback
42:19 - Grades vs Skills
43:00 - Best Buy Story
44:28 - Rejection Lessons
47:37 - Sharing Resources
49:24 - Full Circle Moment
51:08 - Outro