Best Shane Bybee Podcasts (2025)

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#68 - Shereem Herndon-Brown and Timothy Fields 39:14

1+ y ago39:14

39:14

Join me, Shane Bybee, on this episode of "Let's Talk College" as I chat with Shereem Herndon-Brown and Timothy Fields, experts in college admissions. 🎙️📚 Shereem, CEO of Strategic Admissions Advice, and Timothy, Senior Associate Dean at Emory University, discuss their book "The Black Families Guide to College Admissions." We delve into their insigh…

1
#67 - Jim Etri 38:12

1+ y ago38:12

38:12

🎙️ In this episode of "Let's Talk College with Shane Bybee," I chat with Jim Etri, a lawyer for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and a soccer coach. We delve into Jim's journey from defending companies against the SEC to joining the "other team" as an SEC lawyer. We explore the intricacies of law school, clerking, and how Jim balances a …

1
Monday Briefs #3 - The Teacher's Perspective 11:06

1+ y ago11:06

11:06

📚🎙️ In this episode of "Let's Talk College with Shane Bybee," I delve into the often-overlooked subtleties of grade inflation from a teacher's perspective. I explore how English teachers, passionate about literature, balance their workload and the impact this has on student grades. We'll discuss the challenges of grading, the pressure from parents …

1
#66 - Ben Taylor 32:09

1+ y ago32:09

32:09

🎙️ Join me, Shane Bybee, on this eye-opening episode of #LetsTalkCollege! 🎓 I chat with Ben Taylor, a.k.a. Pleasant Green, about his unique journey on YouTube exposing scams. 🕵️‍♂️📹 Ben dives into his process of scambaiting, sharing insights and tips to stay safe online. 🌐💻 Don’t miss this intriguing conversation that blends storytelling, education…

1
#65 - Mike Rose 32:10

1+ y ago32:10

32:10

Join Shane Bybee in this enlightening episode of Let's Talk College, where he converses with Mike Rose, a seasoned leader, author, and coach. Mike shares his journey from starting his first business in a dog shed to leading a successful digital marketing agency, Mojo Media Labs, and how the principles of art and science fuel marketing success. Disc…

1
#64 - Jason Armour 41:22

1+ y ago41:22

41:22

In this episode of "Let's Start College" host Shane Bybee explores the unconventional career path of Jason Armour from Armour Creative. With no college degree, Jason's journey in creative services is a testament to self-taught skills and seizing opportunities. From working at a call center to founding a successful creative agency, his story is a ri…

1
#63 - Aaron Denney 48:28

1+ y ago48:28

48:28

Join Shane Bybee as he explores Aaron Denney's journey from a Berklee College of Music graduate to a New York actor. Aaron shares the challenges and triumphs of his artistic path, offering insights into the entertainment industry and advice for aspiring artists. A must-listen for anyone interested in the realities of pursuing a creative career. Cli…

1
Monday Briefs #2 - Grade Manipulation 11:51

1+ y ago11:51

11:51

In this insightful episode of Monday Briefs, Shane Bybee delves into the complex world of grade manipulation in education. He explores how pressures on educators lead to grade inflation, impacting students' GPA and their college admissions journey. Drawing on decades of experience, Shane analyzes the discrepancies between grades and standardized te…

1
#62 - Keith Wilkerson 47:49

1+ y ago47:49

47:49

Keith Wilkerson is the founder of College Thoughts, a college prep company that provides help with all of the elements that go into college and private school applications. He shares his insights into what is going on with the changes to the SAT and FAFSA as well as the impact of the Supreme Court decision last June affecting the use of race in col…

1
Monday Briefs #1: The Problem with Averages 11:09

1+ y ago11:09

11:09

In the first part of a multi-part series, I tackle the misconceptions surrounding academic grades. Why a student's GPA might not be telling you what you think it is.By Shane Bybee

1
#61 - Andi Thacker 51:37

1+ y ago51:37

51:37

This week's guest is Andi Thacker, a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with kids and adolescents. Note - We had some technical difficulties during the recording. I worked to patch through the especially rough places. I apologize in advance but promise that Andi's insights are well worth it! You can contact Andi at andithack…

1
#60 - Brian Eufinger 50:39

1+ y ago50:39

50:39

Brian Eufinger's college prep company Edison Prep works with a couple of thousand students a year. I don't know anyone in the test prep industry who is more dedicated to figuring out how the sausage is being made in college admissions. Based in Atlanta, Brian is our resident expert on all things UGA. In fact, he just released his annual look at UGA…

1
#59 - Manu Shahi 49:28

1+ y ago49:28

49:28

Manu Shahi, owner of Homework in a Cafe, is an expert on helping students with executive function and helping parents "connect before you correct." In this episode we talk about a number of the "meta" requirements that go into helping a student be academically successful. Click here for more information on Homework in a Cafe.…

1
#58 - Mike Bergin 44:40

1+ y ago44:40

44:40

I joke that Mike Bergin is the godfather of test prep, but he's been involved in the industry for longer than just about anyone and at all levels having worked with Kaplan and Huntington before starting his own tutoring company Chariot Learning. He's seen multiple changes in the tests themselves as well as the way colleges are usuing the tests for …

1
#57 - Jason Robinovitz 57:32

1+ y ago57:32

57:32

This week's guest is Jason Robinovitz. As the COO of Score at the Top Learning Centers and Schools in Florida, Jason has a unique insight into trends in college admissions for the range of universities from highly selective on.By Shane Bybee

1
#56 - Freddie deBoer 55:23

1+ y ago55:23

55:23

Freddie deBoer was kind enough to find an hour to sit down and catch up with what he's been up to over the last 2 years. He also shares his perspective on what's going on in higher education as well as K-12. You can click here to subscribe to his work at substack or click here to visit his website.By Shane Bybee

1
#55 - The Relaunch 37:42

1+ y ago37:42

37:42

It's been close to two years since I shelved the podcast to focus on the growth of the business. Things were moving quickly for us, and something had to give. But now we've gotten organized and I can put my attention back on this passion project. In this relaunch episode, I focus on something that isn't getting shared with most parents when they he…

1
#54 - Freddie deBoer 1:04:20

3+ y ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Freddie deBoer is a freelance writer. He has a Ph.D. in writing assessment and has worked in administration in higher education. After Harvard announced they would stay "test-optional" through the class of 2026, his article "Why the Fuck Do You Trust Harvard?" had some interesting insights. Follow him on Substack: https://freddiedeboer.substack.com…

1
#53 - Ben Sexton 1:06:40

3+ y ago1:06:40

1:06:40

We're starting off our 2nd year with a conversation with someone who has been doing test prep long enough to see the dramatic changes that have happened. Ben Sexton, owner of Sexton Test Prep, specializes in helping students trying to get into the top 5 percent of test scores. Check out his company at https://www.sextontestprep.com/.…

1
#52 - What they don't tell you about test scores 40:37

3+ y ago40:37

40:37

Want to save $50,000 on college? It's been 1 year! (It's been 1 year?) In this anniversary episode, I look at 2 case studies of students we've worked with recently and the value of their test scores in their college admissions process. This podcast is in connection with my recent blogpost. https://bybeecollegeprep.com/college-applications/what-they…

1
#51 - Jackie Polina & Josh Kariyev 1:04:57

3+ y ago1:04:57

1:04:57

TikTok stars, SAT prep experts, and now published authors. Josh and Jackie, owners of J&J Test Prep, sat down to talk with me about their new book, No B.S. SAT Math, their approach to helping students improve their scores, and other things going on in the world of college admissions. You can find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/B-S-SAT-Math-J…

1
#50 - Rusty Oglesby 1:30:02

3+ y ago1:30:02

1:30:02

Many parents and students have the dream of playing their sport in college. I sat down with Rusty Oglesby, one of the top soccer coaches in Texas, to talk about the process of becoming a college athlete and his experiences helping students achieve that goal.By Shane Bybee

1
#49 - Pranoy Mohapatra 57:51

3+ y ago57:51

57:51

Pranoy Mohapatra, owner of PM Tutoring, is an expert in online tutoring. We sat down to talk about how to make online sessions as effective as in-person tutoring and what parents should watch for in a quality online tutoring session. Find out more about PM Tutoring at https://pmtutoring.com/ Check out his demo video at https://youtu.be/mzCQH3CMYO4…

1
#48 - Dave Lynch 59:43

3+ y ago59:43

59:43

Let's Talk LSAT! Dave Lynch is THE expert LSAT tutor! Check out his services at https://studylark.com/ We also talked about a fantastic web designer, Jason Armour. Shout out to Jason at https://jasonarmour.com/By Shane Bybee

1
#47 - Vinny Madera 1:00:59

3+ y ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Whether he is a college professor and part time tutor or a tutor whose side hustle is math professor, Vinny Madera is definitely one of a kind. It was great to sit down with him for an hour to talk about his unique perspective on this crazy college thing. Click here to visit Test Prep WizardsBy Shane Bybee

1
#46 - Wendy Raynor 1:06:04

3+ y ago1:06:04

1:06:04

Wendy Raynor is the expert I turn to any time I have a question about accommodations for the SAT or ACT. She sat down to talk with me about the way tutoring and testing is different for neurodivergent students. Find out more about Wendy's programs at http://www.wrhcollegeprep.com/By Shane Bybee

1
#45 - Tony Miglio 59:11

3+ y ago59:11

59:11

In the world of test prep tutors, Tony Miglio is something of a unicorn. He was tutoring virtually well before a pandemic forced tutors to figure out how to make it work. He's built a thriving business focused primarily on helping students with just one section of one of the tests. If you're looking for an expert on ACT Math, Tony is your guy. Chec…

1
#44 - Claudia Murga 1:14:10

3+ y ago1:14:10

1:14:10

Claudia Murga is on a mission to help 1st generation college students with the complicated college admissions process. It was exciting to find out more about how she created a program that has already helped hundreds of students realize their college goals. Click here to visit her Facebook page and find out more about her program.…

1
#43 - Kevin Newton 1:02:15

3+ y ago1:02:15

1:02:15

With the rising costs and increased competition at universities in the US., some students are thinking about attending schools overseas. Kevin Newton, founder of An Education Abroad, sat down to share his insights into how the process of applying to a school in another country is similar to and different from applying to a school here, as well as w…

1
#42 - 5 questions to help build a college list 43:44

3+ y ago43:44

43:44

No guest this week. Instead, I share 5 questions we ask to help build college lists and some key resources to help you find the answers. 1. What do you want to study? https://www.youscience.com/ 2. What are you looking for in a college? https://www.amazon.com/College-Match-Blueprint-Choosing-School/dp/1733578412/ 3. What colleges offer what you're …

1
#41 - John Irish 1:36:31

3+ y ago1:36:31

1:36:31

John Irish is verifiably one of the top 5 educators in the country. That's not just me saying it. College Board selected him as one of 3 teachers to help rewrite the AP US History exam, and he was selected as the co-chair of that committee. He reads for the AP exam every year and spends his summers traveling around the southern US teaching other AP…

1
#40 - Aaron Golumbfskie 51:28

3+ y ago51:28

51:28

I had the chance to sit down with Aaron Golumbfskie, Education Director at Prep Matters based near Washington, D.C. Sometimes referred to as "the godfather of test prep", Aaron shares his unique perspective about helping students navigate the college admissions process.By Shane Bybee

1
#39 - University of Texas at Arlington 49:02

3+ y ago49:02

49:02

I got the chance to sit down with Anam Iqbal and Karla Hernandez from the University of Texas at Arlington to talk about how the admissions process is unique to them and their mission. They shared the programs that make UTA special and insights into how they can help students and celebrated the university's recent designation as a Tier 1 research u…

1
#38 - Mike Bergin 1:10:31

3+ y ago1:10:31

1:10:31

Mike Bergin, founder and President of Chariot Learning, is a recognized leader in the field of test preparation. Among his many endeavors, Mike is one of the founding members of the National Test Prep Association, an organization dedicated to establishing best practices and credibility for test prep professionals. He is also the co-host of a fantas…

1
#37 - Gary Stocker 1:04:31

3+ y ago1:04:31

1:04:31

Gary Stocker is the founder and CEO of College Viability, an app parents can use to evaluate the financial viability of a university they are considering. It's not something most parents think about, and we discuss why it can be such an important consideration when selecting a school to attend. Find out more at their website: https://collegeviabili…

1
How to solve the Good Student/Bad Tester problem 13:48

3+ y ago13:48

13:48

We often talk to parents of students with good grades but low test scores - the "Good Student/Bad Tester" problem. What causes this? More importantly, what can you do to solve it? Here are some links referenced in the podcast: Khan Academy SAT Subreddit ACT Subreddit SATACTPrep Subreddit (Probably the most helpful)…

1
2 things to watch for with your student's grades 14:37

3+ y ago14:37

14:37

We're taking a break from interviews for the next couple of weeks, and I wanted to share some tips on things parents can watch for here at the start of the school year to help keep their students on track. I discuss 2 specific things that seem to come up in the Fall semester each year and how you can help your student they make these mistakes.…

1
#36 - Trinity University Admissions 55:30

3+ y ago55:30

55:30

Justin Doty, Dean of Admissions at Trinity University, sat down with me to talk about what is without a doubt one the top universities in the state of Texas. We discussed Trinity's admission process as well as how it has adapted to expand beyond its reputation as a liberal arts university.By Shane Bybee

1
#35 - Griffin Rea 53:28

3+ y ago53:28

53:28

Griffin graduated from THE Ohio State University in May of 2021 and started his first job with 49Financial this Fall. He shares how he chose his major and his university as well as his strategy for finding his first job.By Shane Bybee

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4 things to know about test optional applications (College Insights #10) 23:00

4y ago23:00

23:00

In response to cancellations of the SAT and ACT administrations in the spring of 2020, many colleges and universities announced new "test optional" application processes. Now that the class of 2025 is moving into their dorms, what can we tell about the results of these policies?By Shane Bybee

1
#34 - Julia Neunreiter Byrd 44:34

4y ago44:34

44:34

Julie Neunreiter (nine-rider) Byrd is an expert on helping students write their college essays. We sat down to talk about the writing process, what makes college essays different, and how to help students get discover their own voice in the writing. If you want to contact Julia for more information, here's her information. Email: julia@essay-coach.…

1
#33 - Texas Tech University Admissions 56:43

4y ago56:43

56:43

This is the first episode in what I hope will be a series where I get to talk with admissions officers from colleges and universities. Of course, I had to start with my alma mater Texas Tech. Rex Oliver, the Director of Recruitment at TTU, and Jennifer Mauppin, Regional Manager for the Dallas-Fort Worth area sat down to talk about their unique appr…

1
#32 - Katherine Reynal 59:46

4y ago59:46

59:46

Headed into her Senior year at Texas A&M, Katherine has a unique major, Industrial Distribution, that is a combination of engineering and business. It's not the sort of major that most students know about when they think about majoring in engineering.By Shane Bybee

1
#31 - Srishti Ellson 52:46

4y ago52:46

52:46

Having graduated from from Columbia just 6 years ago, Srishti makes me wonder what I've been doing with my life. Currently working at her 3rd start up, she's been involved in 2 others, both of which have had successful exits. Along the way she worked for Dell, but she found the atmosphere of a start up suits her better. She shares what that means f…

1
#30 - Sameer Malhotra 39:53

4y ago39:53

39:53

Sameer is a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army currently serving in South Korea. He attended Baylor University and earned his commission through an Army ROTC scholarship. In a era of continually rising college costs, and ROTC scholarship remains one of the best ways to pay for college. Sameer shares what it meant for him and how students can qualify.…

1
#29 - Mike McGibbon 1:05:38

4y ago1:05:38

1:05:38

Mike McGibbon is the founder and CEO of Mathchops, an online program that helps students improve their math skills. Mathchops approach to the process is to gamify the tasks in a way that is engaging and meets the student where they are. It helps math concepts on the SAT, ACT, ISEE, and others. Click here to visit the Mathchops website. Click here f…

1
#28 - Michael Cone 1:06:14

4y ago1:06:14

1:06:14

Michael Cone has done a lot of things. Business owner, classroom teacher, youth minister. For 28 years now, he's been involved with Young Life, currently as an area director for the organization. Now as a parent of 4 girls, the oldest of whom is starting to think about college, he's looking at the entire process from a range of perspectives.…

1
5 common mistakes students make preparing for the SAT & ACT (College Insights #9) 15:38

4y ago15:38

15:38

I often talk to students who are preparing on their own for the SAT or ACT. They are often making simple mistakes that, if fixed, could help them get higher scores faster. In this episode, I also reference an earlier College Insights where I talked about using QAS and TIR dates. Click here for that episode.…

1
#27 - Kendall Pryor 1:04:38

4y ago1:04:38

1:04:38

It's not every week you get to sit down with a Hall of Famer. Kendall Pryor was inducted into the University of North Texas Hall of Fame in 2017. She now coaches at Denton Ryan High School. She shares her experiences as a player at the Division 1 NCAA level, how she got to that level, and what it means in her approach to coaching today. We talked a…

1
#26 - Kylie Mason 1:17:23

4y ago1:17:23

1:17:23

Kylie graduated from UT-Austin with a degree in Communications in May of 2020. The last year convinced her she wanted to do something different with that degree. When we got to talk for this podcast, she'd just finished her first week in her Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at SMU. In this wide ranging conversation, we also talked her unique coll…

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Shane Bybee Podcasts

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