Is social media silently sabotaging your success?In this episode, Steve Gardner — founder of The Ivy League Challenge and Harvard Summer School instructor — shares the mindset and strategies that set high-performing teens apart. Discover how top students manage (and often delete) their social media apps during critical periods like finals, and why this one decision can be a game-changer.You’ll learn:<ul><li>Why most teens are reactive with social media — and what to do instead</li><li>The exact challenge Steve gives his students during high-pressure seasons</li><li>How to use social media strategically (not addictively)</li><li>A 5-step plan to take back your attention and protect your goals</li></ul> Whether you’re prepping for finals, writing college essays, or just ready to feel less scattered — this episode will give you the clarity and tools to focus on what really matters. -----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, <a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'>visit our website </a>To follow on Instagram:  <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'>@TheIvyLeagueChallenge </a>To join us on our <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'>Facebook group for parents</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Is social media silently sabotaging your success?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Steve Gardner — founder of The Ivy League Challenge and Harvard Summer School instructor — shares the mindset and strategies that set high-performing teens apart. Discover how top students manage (and often delete) their social media apps during critical periods like finals, and why this one decision can be a game-changer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll learn:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why most teens are reactive with social media — and what to do instead&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The exact challenge Steve gives his students during high-pressure seasons&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How to use social media &lt;em&gt;strategically&lt;/em&gt; (not addictively)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;A 5-step plan to take back your attention and protect your goals&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt; Whether you’re prepping for finals, writing college essays, or just ready to feel less scattered — this episode will give you the clarity and tools to focus on what really matters.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;-----&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To register for the Ivy League Challenge, &lt;a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'&gt;visit our website&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;To follow on Instagram:  &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'&gt;@TheIvyLeagueChallenge&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;To join us on our &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'&gt;Facebook group for parents&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Is social media silently sabotaging your success? In this episode, Steve Gardner — founder of The Ivy League Challenge and Harvard Summer School instructor — shares the mindset and strategies that set high-performing teens apart. Discover how top students manage (and often delete) their social media apps during critical periods like finals, and why this one decision can be a game-changer. You’ll learn: Why most teens are reactive with social media — and what to do insteadThe exact challenge S...

Social Media & Teen High Performance

Real innovation isn’t about being impressive or unique unless it’s also about being useful. In this episode, three teens show how curiosity and compassion can combine to create meaningful change.Illia Denisov uses robotics and AI to protect civilians in Ukraine. Matthew Kim designs hands-on STEM programs that make science exciting and accessible for younger students. Mohammad Aarish Khan connects cutting-edge cancer research with a mission to help underserved communities.These stories reveal that when students pursue what they care about and use it to serve others. They don’t just innovate. They lead. -----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, <a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'>visit our website </a>To follow on Instagram:  <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'>@TheIvyLeagueChallenge </a>To join us on our <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'>Facebook group for parents</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Real innovation isn’t about being impressive or unique unless it’s also about being useful.&lt;br/&gt;In this episode, three teens show how curiosity and compassion can combine to create meaningful change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Illia Denisov uses robotics and AI to protect civilians in Ukraine.&lt;br/&gt;Matthew Kim designs hands-on STEM programs that make science exciting and accessible for younger students.&lt;br/&gt;Mohammad Aarish Khan connects cutting-edge cancer research with a mission to help underserved communities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These stories reveal that when students pursue what they care about and use it to serve others. They don’t just innovate. They lead.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;-----&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To register for the Ivy League Challenge, &lt;a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'&gt;visit our website&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;To follow on Instagram:  &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'&gt;@TheIvyLeagueChallenge&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/a&gt;To join us on our &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'&gt;Facebook group for parents&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Real innovation isn’t about being impressive or unique unless it’s also about being useful. In this episode, three teens show how curiosity and compassion can combine to create meaningful change. Illia Denisov uses robotics and AI to protect civilians in Ukraine. Matthew Kim designs hands-on STEM programs that make science exciting and accessible for younger students. Mohammad Aarish Khan connects cutting-edge cancer research with a mission to help underserved communities. These stories revea...

What Matters Most During High School

Most students think leadership starts with a title like captain, president, or founder. But true leadership doesn’t wait for permission.In this episode, two teens prove that real impact begins the moment you care enough to act.  Asher Stubbs shares how his great-grandmother’s legacy in Peru inspired him to create Kusko Trips, a program helping students build cross-cultural understanding through service and entrepreneurship.Asher&apos;s email address is ajstubbs100@gmail.com Toby Hou explains how he launched the Civil Discourse Initiative to bridge political and social divides in his school through empathy and open dialogue.Toby&apos;s email address is thou26@lawrenceville.orgIf your teen believes they need a title to lead, this episode will change the way they see leadership and themselves.Register for the Ivy League Challenge to gain the kind of support that these students had as they went through this journey towards incredible college preparation.  -----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, <a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'>visit our website</a> To follow on Instagram:  <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'>@TheIvyLeagueChallenge</a> To join us on our <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'>Facebook group for parents</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Most students think leadership starts with a title like captain, president, or founder.&lt;br/&gt;But true leadership doesn’t wait for permission.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, two teens prove that real impact begins the moment you care enough to act.&lt;br/&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Asher Stubbs shares how his great-grandmother’s legacy in Peru inspired him to create K&lt;em&gt;usko Trips&lt;/em&gt;, a program helping students build cross-cultural understanding through service and entrepreneurship.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Asher&amp;apos;s email address is ajstubbs100@gmail.com&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Toby Hou explains how he launched the &lt;em&gt;Civil Discourse Initiative&lt;/em&gt; to bridge political and social divides in his school through empathy and open dialogue.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Toby&amp;apos;s email address is thou26@lawrenceville.org&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If your teen believes they need a title to lead, this episode will change the way they see leadership and themselves.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Register for the Ivy League Challenge to gain the kind of support that these students had as they went through this journey towards incredible college preparation. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;-----&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To register for the Ivy League Challenge, &lt;a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'&gt;visit our website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;To follow on Instagram:  &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'&gt;@TheIvyLeagueChallenge&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;To join us on our &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'&gt;Facebook group for parents&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Most students think leadership starts with a title like captain, president, or founder. But true leadership doesn’t wait for permission. In this episode, two teens prove that real impact begins the moment you care enough to act.   Asher Stubbs shares how his great-grandmother’s legacy in Peru inspired him to create Kusko Trips, a program helping students build cross-cultural understanding through service and entrepreneurship. Asher's email address is ajstubbs100@gmail.com  Toby Hou expla...

The Kind of Leadership Colleges Can't Ignore

Harvard and Stanford educator and co-author of the bestselling book Innovation-ish Richard Braden joins me to discuss how his book can help my students. We explore how teens, parents, and aspiring innovators of all ages can develop the mindsets and skill sets needed to thrive in an ambiguous world.Rich shares how his book demystifies innovation, reframes failure as essential learning, and helps ordinary people unlock their creative potential. Together, we dive into the connection between design thinking and college prep, the power of micro-failures, and how to navigate the real world with curiosity, empathy, and humility.Whether you&apos;re a student trying to design an impact project or a parent guiding your teen through uncertainty, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and practical tools. Topics Covered:<ul><li>What Innovation-ish really means, and why it makes innovation more accessible</li><li>How “Explore Before Explain” builds lasting learning</li><li>The critical role of ambiguity in growth, creativity, and college prep</li><li>Why the myth of the lone genius is holding us back</li><li>The two types of failure, and how to embrace the kind that leads to success</li><li>Why humility is the single most important trait for innovation, leadership, and impact</li></ul> ----- You can find Richard&apos;s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-ish-Anyone-Breakthrough-Solutions-Problems/dp/1394318901 To register for the Ivy League Challenge, <a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'>visit our website</a> To follow on Instagram:  <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'>@TheIvyLeagueChallenge</a> To join us on our <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'>Facebook group for parents</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Harvard and Stanford educator and co-author of the bestselling book &lt;em&gt;Innovation-ish &lt;/em&gt;Richard Braden joins me to discuss how his book can help my students. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We explore how teens, parents, and aspiring innovators of all ages can develop the mindsets and skill sets needed to thrive in an ambiguous world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rich shares how his book demystifies innovation, reframes failure as essential learning, and helps ordinary people unlock their creative potential. Together, we dive into the connection between &lt;b&gt;design thinking&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;college prep&lt;/b&gt;, the power of &lt;b&gt;micro-failures&lt;/b&gt;, and how to navigate the real world with &lt;b&gt;curiosity, empathy, and humility&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you&amp;apos;re a student trying to design an impact project or a parent guiding your teen through uncertainty, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and practical tools.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Topics Covered:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;What &lt;em&gt;Innovation-ish&lt;/em&gt; really means, and why it makes innovation more accessible&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How “Explore Before Explain” builds lasting learning&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The critical role of &lt;b&gt;ambiguity&lt;/b&gt; in growth, creativity, and college prep&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why the myth of the lone genius is holding us back&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The two types of failure, and how to embrace the kind that leads to success&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why &lt;b&gt;humility&lt;/b&gt; is the single most important trait for innovation, leadership, and impact&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;-----&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can find Richard&amp;apos;s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-ish-Anyone-Breakthrough-Solutions-Problems/dp/1394318901&lt;br/&gt;To register for the Ivy League Challenge, &lt;a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'&gt;visit our website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;To follow on Instagram:  &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'&gt;@TheIvyLeagueChallenge&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;To join us on our &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'&gt;Facebook group for parents&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Harvard and Stanford educator and co-author of the bestselling book Innovation-ish Richard Braden joins me to discuss how his book can help my students.  We explore how teens, parents, and aspiring innovators of all ages can develop the mindsets and skill sets needed to thrive in an ambiguous world. Rich shares how his book demystifies innovation, reframes failure as essential learning, and helps ordinary people unlock their creative potential. Together, we dive into the connection betwe...

Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions with Rich Braden

Most people romanticize mastery.They talk about &quot;grit&quot; and &quot;passion&quot; and &quot;work ethic,&quot; but avoid the uncomfortable truth:Mastery is build by failing-- over and over again. In public, in private, both big and small failures. Failure is followed by recovery and reflection and leveling up.In this recording, you can hear me teaching this idea to my students in the Global Impact Council, which is our internal teen mentoring program. Enjoy the call! ----- To register for the Ivy League Challenge, <a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'>visit our website</a> To follow on Instagram:  <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'>@TheIvyLeagueChallenge</a> To join us on our <a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'>Facebook group for parents</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Most people romanticize mastery.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about &amp;quot;grit&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;passion&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;work ethic,&amp;quot; but avoid the uncomfortable truth:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mastery is build by failing-- over and over again. In public, in private, both big and small failures. Failure is followed by recovery and reflection and leveling up.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this recording, you can hear me teaching this idea to my students in the Global Impact Council, which is our internal teen mentoring program. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Enjoy the call!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;-----&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;To register for the Ivy League Challenge, &lt;a href='http://www.theivyleaguechallenge.com/'&gt;visit our website&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;To follow on Instagram:  &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-instagram'&gt;@TheIvyLeagueChallenge&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;To join us on our &lt;a href='https://tilc.to/podcasts-facebook-group'&gt;Facebook group for parents&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Most people romanticize mastery. They talk about "grit" and "passion" and "work ethic," but avoid the uncomfortable truth: Mastery is build by failing-- over and over again. In public, in private, both big and small failures. Failure is followed by recovery and reflection and leveling up. In this recording, you can hear me teaching this idea to my students in the Global Impact Council, which is our internal teen mentoring program.  Enjoy the call!  -----  To register for the Ivy League C...

Mastery Training from the Global Impact Council training

Equipping you to successfully pursue the college of your dreams. I believe that the world needs every student to reach their full potential. College admittance shouldn't hold you back. I'm an educator and Harvard grad who has been in your shoes. I designed this podcast to accompany the Ivy League Challenge (my online course) to support my listeners. I've met with graduates, admissions officers, and professors to identify the criteria used to select candidates. I've crafted a road map for success and can share it with you.&nbsp;

Ivy League Prep Academy Podcast

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