PODCAST · education
Fostering Conversations
by Penn Foster Group
The official podcast for Penn Foster, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, The New York Institute of Art & Design, and The New York Institute of Photography.
Episodes
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How to Enroll at Penn Foster: Fast, Flexible Online School Enrollment Explained
Got questions about the admissions and enrollment process at Penn Foster? Whether you're looking for an online high school as a teen or adult, online college, or career program, our admissions specialists, including our guest Catherine Bressi, will guide you through the process. Learn all about...
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What It's Like to Take Online High School Math at Penn Foster
Can you really learn high school math online? In this interview, we sit down with Penn Foster High School math instructor Mariam Dawoud, M. Ed to talk about what to expect from our online math courses, how they compare to traditional classroom learning, and why math skills are essential for your...
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How Penn Foster’s Vet Tech Program Helped Jo Dsouza Launch His Career
Celebrate Vet Tech Week with Penn Foster graduate Jo Dsouza, who turned his love for animals into a rewarding veterinary technician career. In this episode, Jo shares how Penn Foster’s flexible, AVMA-accredited Vet Tech program prepared him for real-world success through hands-on externships, a...
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Should You Get the Rabies Vaccine For Your Vet Tech Externship?
It's Vet Tech Week, and it's almost Halloween! In celebration, Lauren devotes an entire episode to the rabies vaccine. 🎃 Key Takeaways: +Rabies is a serious zoonotic disease that can affect humans. +Routine vaccinations are essential for preventing rabies. +Veterinary technicians are at…
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Penn Foster Graduation 2025 Recap: What's an Online School Graduation Like?
Jess and Jenny talk about this year's graduation ceremony: the crowd, the performers, the grads, the dogs! Celebrate our 2025 graduating class, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! You can get more Penn Foster graduation content on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok; search Penn Foster!
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Common Myths About Online Education: Busted!
Have you ever wanted to take an online class and been told that online degrees are fake and that no college or job will accept them? You’re not alone! We’re busting some myths about online learning so you can make the right choice about your education. Want to learn more about enrolling in Penn...
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Why an EMT Student Chose Penn Foster to Get Her High School Diploma
Jess and Jenny sit down with Monet Carter, the 2025 Penn Foster Graduate of the Year Winner! This Georgia resident and student at Atlanta Technical College earned her high school diploma online at Penn Foster High School, and we are so proud to have her as an alum. She shares her struggles,...
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Mixing It Up: Let's Talk About Diversity with Annie Littrell
This week, I sit down with Annie Littrell, Penn Foster's Diversity Officer, to talk about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). She shares insights on DEI in education, accessibility, and leveling the playing field. So, how can we work towards making sure everyone feels included and valued at...
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Let Your Light Shine! Let's Talk About Graduation 2025! It's Here!
It's officially graduation season, so let's celebrate! Lauren is joined by Des to talk about all things graduation: not just the who-what-when-and-where, but also WHY you should attend! Let's celebrate your huge success together! Register by July 18 so you don't miss out! 🎓Register here:...
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Let's Talk About the Pharmacy Technician Program with Jesie Davenport!
Lauren chats with Jesie Davenport, a team lead in the pharmacy technician program at Penn Foster! Jesie fills us in on everything we need to know about becoming a pharm tech: how the program works, externships, exams, and more! Read more about Penn Foster's Pharmacy Technician Program:...
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Take Care of Yourself: Let's Talk About Mental Health with Jess and Jenny
Jess and Jenny discuss mental health matters in this replay of May's Facebook Live. When you feel anxious, depressed, or lost in your life, things can feel hopeless. You are not alone, and there are tons of resources--including many listed below--if you need help. Jess and Jenny talk about how to...
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Reading is What? Fundamental! Let's Talk About Why You Read So Much in High School with Danielle Cooper
Lauren talks with Penn Foster High School English instructor Danielle Cooper all about teaching reading comprehension in high school, our favorite books, and why students need more, not fewer, assigned pages. Join the conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe to Fostering Conversations: A Penn...
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Graduation 2025 is Coming... Are You Ready?
Get ready to walk across the stage and receive your diploma, degree, or certificate at Penn Foster Group's Graduation 2025 commencement and celebration! This episode contains all the info you need to register for graduation, get tickets for your friends and fam, and everything else you need to…
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(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Medical Assistant
Lauren talks with Pam Ward and Theresa Sinkevich, two of Penn Foster's medical assistant program instructors. Learn more about the program here: https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs/healthcare/medical-assistant-career-diploma Graduation 2025 FAQ:...
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Interview with JMHS Alum & 2024 Grad of the Year Finalist Beth Dusenkova
We talk with college freshman and JMHS graduate Beth Dusenkova about her international high school experience and how it prepared her for college. She shares how her mental health struggles were the catalyst for her pursuing her high school diploma online. And Beth gives us insights on the...
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Are AI Tutors the Future of Equitable Learning?
Jenny, Jess, and Dr. Andy Shean discuss how AI and LLM (language learning models) can be used in education to help students and teachers. They get into how AI could be an affordable tutor, but that it is somewhat unreliable and to be cautious. Graduation 2025 FAQ:...
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Should You Go Back to School as an Adult? What You Need to Know!
Is it too late to go back to school as an adult? Jess and Jenny break down what it’s really like to return to school later in life. They discuss the challenges adult learners face, share study and time management tips, and offer words of encouragement to help you stay motivated. Plus, hear...
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Is Online High School The Same As Homeschooling?
Are online high school and homeschooling the same thing? Not quite! In this episode of Fostering Conversations, Lauren breaks down the differences between the two. If you want to learn how each works, the level of parental involvement required, and how factors like accreditation, curriculum...
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Where the Jobs Are in 2025: Is This the Year You Land Your Dream Job?
In this episode, Jenny, Jess, and Kristin dive into what the job market looks like in 2025! They break down the hottest job opportunities, share expert tips on crafting a standout resume, and dish out interview strategies that actually work. From tailoring your resume to showing up authentically…
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Interview with Ashworth College Graduate of the Year Winner, Haley Yegorov
Lauren sits down with Haley, an Ashworth College graduate and this year’s Graduate of the Year winner, to chat about his journey. Haley talks to us about why he chose to get his criminal justice degree from Ashworth, what it was like going to college online, and how he landed his first job out of...
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Interview with Personal Style Graduate Jenny Fox
Lauren speaks with Jenny Fox: fashionista, entrepreneur, and owner of Fox Styling PNW. She transformed her love of styling and creating with others into a fulfilling career, and her work has even been in VOGUE! How did she get started? With the Personal Style Course at NYIAD! Jenny took control…
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Interview with Child Care Professional Graduate Nikita Coleman
Lauren talks with Nikita about her journey as a recent graduate from Penn Foster's childcare program, diving into her passion for working with special needs children. Nikita gets into the challenges faced by parents in finding suitable childcare, her motivation for pursuing further education, and...
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Interview with High School Graduate of the Year Finalist Wyatt Taylor
Ever wondered what it's like to finish high school entirely online? Wyatt, a Penn Foster High School grad, talks about his experience making the switch from a traditional classroom to online learning. He shares how working at his own pace helped him balance school with extracurriculars and why...
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NYIP Interview With Photography Graduate Dennis Beaulieu
2024 New York Institute of Photography grad Dennis Beaulieu shares his photography journey with interviewer Lauren. He talks about how NYIP’s online program helped him build confidence, improve his skills, and prepare for future challenges. Dennis also highlights the importance of networking,...
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JMHS GOTY Finalist - Ronell Gibbs
Congratulations to Ronell Gibbs, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Ronell excelled in school in his youth, but after switching districts in 9th grade, he found himself struggling academically and emotionally. His mother helped him find and enroll in James Madison High School. Here…
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JMHS GOTY Finalist - Joseph Brooks
Congratulations to Joseph Brooks, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Joseph struggled early on with school due to his mental health and anxiety. Determined to do well, Joseph enrolled in James Madison High School. JMHS helped him more accurately measure his strengths and develop…
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JMHS GOTY Finalist - Hannah Alfonso
Congratulations to Hannah Alfonso, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Since the age of 10, Hannah struggled with anxiety. Her small, private high school lacked the resources she needed to progress successfully, so she enrolled in James Madison High School. The ability to complete...
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AW GOTY Finalist - Sarah Sand
Congratulations to Sarah Sand, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Because Sarah spent her early years struggling in school, she faced years of feeling insecure in her professional life. Tired of feeling like an imposter, she enrolled in Ashworth College and earned her bachelor’s…
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AW GOTY Finalist - Jeremiah Williams
Congratulations to Jeremiah Williams, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Jeremiah wanted to move up in his construction job, but traditional colleges weren’t cutting it. He enrolled in Ashworth College, learning new project management skills on top of sharpening his soft skills.…
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AW GOTY Finalist - Garrik Haynes
Congratulations to Garrik Haynes, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Growing up, Garrik never saw the need for college. At the end of his military career, he became a police officer. Wanting to move up in the ranks, he quickly realized that education would be the key to his success....
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AW GOTY Finalist - Dana Perea
Congratulations to Dana Perea, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Inspired by her 11th grade world history teacher, Dana always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Though life initially took a different turn, she found Ashworth and realized she could reach her goals. After earning her...
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Penn Foster GOTY Finalist High School - Jailey Hall
Congratulations to Jailey Hall, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Jailey struggled to find a challenge at her local school. After much research, her parents agreed to enroll her in Penn Foster so she could complete her studies at a pace that worked best for her. She finished her…
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Penn Foster GOTY Finalist Medical Billing And Coding - Rachel Delgado
Congratulations to Rachel Delgado, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! After graduating high school in 2015, Rachel wasn’t sure what her next step would be. She took a few different jobs over the years, finding her passion working in the medical field. Rachel enrolled with Penn Foster...
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Penn Foster GOTY Finalist High School - Sydney Zaremba - Woodward
Congratulations to Sydney Zaremba-Woodward, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Sydney started her online high school journey after moving to Poland with her family. Here, she found a love of travel and performance art. Penn Foster’s flexible scheduling allowed her to pursue her...
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Penn Foster GOTY Finalist Small Engine Repair - David Pennington
Congratulations to David Pennington, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! David is a First Sergeant in the US Air Force. In his 23 years of service, he has traveled the world ensuring his commanders and team are mission ready. Enrolling in Penn Foster’s Small Engine Repair course…
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Penn Foster GOTY Finalist Vet Tech - Lynn Blake
Congratulations to Lynn Blake, one of our 2023 Graduate of the Year finalists! Lynn always had a love of animals, so it was only natural for her to find her way into the veterinary technician field. Penn Foster allowed Lynn to follow her dream while working full-time and raising her infant...
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Meet Penn Foster Vet Tech Graduate Laurel Popolizio
Laurel Popolizio always had a passion for biology, finding fascination in the care of animals. Inspired to work in veterinary medicine, she began her career as a veterinary assistant at Banfield Pet Hospital, but knew she needed to further her education to make her dream of becoming a veterinary...
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Meet Penn Foster Vet Tech Graduate Lauren Campion
Lauren Campion has always loved animals, having spent her entire life around them. She was raised with pets, worked in pet stores, and was always fascinated by the medical aspect of animal care. This interest led her to earning a biology degree from Widener University, followed by working in...
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Meet Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Graduate Julia Mensen
Vet tech graduate Julia Mensen loved animals since her teens. Though she wanted to work with and around them, she never thought she would want to enter into veterinary medicine. After years of working in pet stores and as a veterinary receptionist, she became more comfortable and wanted to expand...
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Meet Ashworth Associate in Healthcare Graduate Dwight LaVan Podcast
Dwight LaVan worked in the Medical Billing and Coding field for years. Once he realized he hit a ceiling without a degree, he looked into accredited, self-paced programs and found Ashworth College. "I really felt like it was time for me to get my degree. I got tired of looking at job openings and...
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Meet Penn Foster High School Graduate Dylan Benavidez
Dylan Benavidez knew he wanted to get a head start on his adult life. A high achiever, Dylan decided to enroll in Penn Foster to help earn his high school diploma more quickly, giving him more time to dedicate to his job and help his community, which has led to him running for public office this...
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Meet New York Institute of Art and Design Wedding Planner Graduate Kathleen Conlin
After spending the pandemic planning her own wedding, she was inspired to turn it into a career and enrolled in the NYIAD Wedding Planner course. Finishing in just six months, she credits NYIAD with helping her land her dream job as a Wedding and Special Events Coordinator. Now spearheading all…
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Meet New York Institute of Art and Design Interior Design Graduate Jennifer Caterinacci
Loving design from an early age, Jennifer spent much of her life improving the look of her surroundings. Through social media, Jennifer began receiving inquiries from friends, family, and real estate clients about hiring her for design projects. Afraid she didn’t know enough to design for paying...
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Meet James Madison High School Graduate Sean Flanagan
Growing up in Australia, Sean dreamed of attending a Division-1 university in the U.S. He and his parents found that James Madison would offer him the most flexibility while helping him meet American education requirements. Completing the College Prep track, Sean will be attending Baylor…
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Meet James Madison High School Graduate Isabella Lynch
Isabella found a safe and comfortable learning environment away from bullying with James Madison High School. Through her experience, she was able to further explore her interests and passions which she feels she wouldn’t have been able to do if enrolled in a traditional high school. Isabella…
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Meet James Madison High School Graduate Fatih Illeez
Moving to the U.S. from Turkey during a coup, Fatih’s father struggled to find employment, so he and his brother helped him open his own used car dealership. With his extra workload, Fatih decided to enroll in James Madison High School so he could focus on school at his own pace while still…
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Meet Ashworth Bachelor's Degree in Psychology Graduate Tiffany Whitter
Tiffany knew she had more to offer to her young students but would need to complete her degree to do it. Ashworth’s flexibility was the perfect fit for the busy schedule of a mom working full-time. Through many late nights, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and was promoted to be a...
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Meet Ashworth Business Management Associate Degree Graduate Carren Itza-Montejo
Though Carren began her journey towards a degree in her youth but gave up only one final away from earning her Associate Degree in Business Management from Ashworth. This haunted her, so ten years later she re-enrolled, earning her degree with a 3.95 GPA. Since graduating, she has gone on to earn...
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Meet Veterinary Assistant Career Diploma Graduate Savannah Reed
Meet Penn Foster's Graduate of the Year Finalist, Savannah Reed! When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Savannah needed to reassess her career goals to determine her future. Encouraged by family and friends, she decided to pursue her dream of working with animals. She was able to find a job working at…
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Meet Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Graduate Nicole Gonzalez
Nicole always had a plan to attend college right after high school, but life took her in a different direction. After four years, she decided to pursue her degree while she was pregnant with her second daughter. Balancing work, being a mom and wife, and then school was challenging, but she was...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The official podcast for Penn Foster, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, The New York Institute of Art & Design, and The New York Institute of Photography.
HOSTED BY
Penn Foster Group
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Fostering Conversations have?
Fostering Conversations currently has 91 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Fostering Conversations about?
The official podcast for Penn Foster, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, The New York Institute of Art & Design, and The New York Institute of Photography.
How often does Fostering Conversations release new episodes?
Fostering Conversations has 91 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Fostering Conversations?
You can listen to Fostering Conversations on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Fostering Conversations?
Fostering Conversations is created and hosted by Penn Foster Group.
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