PODCAST · business
The Next Step: Adulting 101
by Nichole Harken
It's Adulting 101. This podcast is focused on everything you *should* learn in school - but likely didn't. What EXACTLY is a deductible? How does insurance ACTUALLY work? What is the difference between a defined-benefit and defined-contribution plan? What does a good job offer look like? How do I negotiate a job? We'll cover these topics AND more. We'll break down complicated concepts with industry professionals - you know, like what are the differences between a HMO, PPO, and HSA? Discover more about the Next Step Program here. Get the book here!
Episodes
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Episode 41: The Crooked Career Path: From History Major to Financier
In this episode, Nikki interviews Scott Harken, a senior relationship manager at Rabo AgriFinance, about his non-linear path from history major to finance. Scott explains that he partners with agricultural companies to create promotional financing programs for farmers which involves...
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Episode 40: Demystifying the Recruitment Process with HR Pro Brooke Kraft
On this episode, Nikki interviews Brooke Kraft, Vice President of Talent Management at VGM Group, Inc., where she explains the job search and hiring process from an HR perspective. Kraft outlines VGM’s recruiting lifecycle: identifying the need through preparation/job analysis, creating legally...
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Episode 39: Entrepreneurial is Hard to Say, But Not as Hard to Do
On this episode, Nikki interviews Patrick Luensman, director of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Northern Iowa and co-owner of the Grid Lounge in Cedar Falls, about entrepreneurship. They discuss why entrepreneurship is easier when young and the bountiful number of...
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Episode 38: Career Fair Cheat Codes
On this episode, Nikki interviews Tori Labernik, a 2017 UNI alum, with a communications major and psychology minor. Tori begins by describing her career path from Target as an executive team lead, to admissions recruiting at Cornell College and later Central College. Most recently, she joined…
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Episode 37: Decoding Benefit Packages
On this episode, Nikki interviews Wartburg College alumni and Senior Area Vice President at Gallagher, Aaron Loan. First, Aaron details his career journey from political science/PR major, to a Washington DC Senate internship, radio sales, to financial services as an advisor where he moved from...
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Episode 36: Got a goal? Go for it!
On this episode, Nikki interviews University of Northern Iowa Communication and Media alumni, Shelby Reicks ,about charting her own path from a rural Iowa dairy farm to becoming a full-time travel content creator. Shelby describes landing a sports marketing job at Paragon Marketing Group in…
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Episode 35: Should I Go to Grad School? Part 2 of 2
On this episode, Nikki continues her conversation with Dr. Kyle Rudick as they chat about the power of a graduate degree during economic downturns. They argue enrollment rises because people re-skill and up-skill to reenter the job market above where they may have left. They cite post-2008...
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Episode 34: Should I Go to Grad School? Part 1 of 2
In Episode 34, Nikki welcomes Dr. Kyle Rudick of the University of Northern Iowa. Kyle contrasts undergraduate education as broad “tool gathering” with graduate school as focused development, mentorship, and creating knowledge rather than simply receiving. They discuss personality traits that…
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Episode 33: Just Move It
In this episode, Nikki interviews Brett Caviness, a University of Northern Iowa graduate and award-winning real estate agent in California, about forging a path from small-town Iowa to the Silicon Valley. Brett advises students not to overthink relocation, to secure a job before housing, budget...
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Episode 32: The Crooked Career Path: From Physical Education Major to Safety Guru
In this new mini-series, Nikki explores crooked career paths and how individual have used transferable skill sets to sell themselves in a new industry. The first episode features her husband, Matt Harken, Manager of Safety and Environmental Engagement at GROWMARK. He explains his role in helping...
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Episode 31: Collaborate and Conquer: Discovering Joy in the Job Search
On episode 31, Nikki welcomes Dr. Danielle McGeough, and they discuss the stress seniors feel balancing finals, jobs, internships, memories, and a job search. Danielle shares her trajectory from a communication media degree and speech coaching to earning a PhD, returning to UNI, getting tenure,...
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Episode 30: Legal Ease
On the Next Step Podcast, Nikki interviews attorney Trynann Utzinger and marketing professional Liv Wendt about key legal documents young adults often overlook after college. The discussion defines three core documents: a living will, a medical power of attorney, and a financial power of…
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Episode 29: Learn with Linda: All Things Tax, Part Two
On this episode Nikki and Linda debunk the myth that earning overtime, bonuses, or raises can reduce take-home pay by “bumping you into a higher tax bracket,” explaining that the U.S. uses graduated marginal rates where only the additional income is taxed at the higher rate, with a noted…
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Episode 28: Learn with Linda, All Things Tax, Part One
In this first of a two-part series, Nikki and Dr. Linda DeBarthe discuss how taxes affect budgeting and common misconceptions about take-home pay. Linda clarifies the key difference between employees and independent contractors, an important fact for students who are interested in doing…
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Episode 27: Co-Pays, Deductibles, Premiums OH MY! Breaking it Down with Brennan, Part 2
In the final episode of the series on health insurance, Brennan explains key insurance terms: deductible, copay, coinsurance, out of pocket maximum, open enrollment, and qualifying events. He also explains all of these terms and how they would impact the cost of a dental crown. The examples...
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Episode 26: Co-Pays, Deductibles, Premiums OH MY! Breaking it Down with Brennan, Part 1
On the Next Step podcast, host Nikki interviews Brennan Floss of Delta Dental about health, dental, vision, and medical insurance. They discuss why dental and vision are separate from medical, emphasizing preventive care and disease detection. Brennan explains common plan types—HMO, PPO, and high...
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Episode 25: Moving Carriers, Meeting Agents-Megan Maps it All, Part 2
In this final of a two-part series, hear more from Megan Schofield about the four key types of insurance for people graduating college: life, property, auto, and commercial. Key terms for life insurance are discussed and differentiated. When it comes to renters and homeowners' policy, Megan...
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Episode 24: Moving Carriers, Meeting Agents-Megan Maps it All, Part
On episode 24 of the Next Step podcast, former student Megan Schofield (UNI ’08) describes her career path from communications/public relations to collegiate athletics, marketing leadership, to entrepreneur. In this episode, Megan explains how to choose an insurer carrier and emphasizes agents’...
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Episode 23: Insurance Guy Steve Wraps it Up
In the final of a three-part series, Nikki and Steve discuss insurance and credit scores. The conversation emphasizes how inconvenient claims can be and shifts to liability coverage, urging listeners to know about their "three number" liability. Especially because medical costs can quickly exceed...
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Episode 22: Insurance Guy Steve Talks Beyond Terms
The second of a three-part series, Nikki and Insurance Guy Steve explore why insurance premiums and claim payouts change, noting that people often blame insurers without understanding broader factors. It describes how premiums are regionalized based on local risk and how insurers rely heavily on...
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Episode 21: Insurance Guy Steve Talks Terms
Episode 21 of the Next Step podcast begins a three-part series on insurance basics with guest Steve, an “insurance guy” with nearly 20 years in the industry. The discussion explains why insurance feels like a “necessary evil” and traces its origins to ancient merchants spreading cargo risk,...
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Episode 20: Owe, Grow, Give, Live-Budgeting with Brittany
Brittany Heard, a financial advisor at Foster Group in Des Moines, shares how a Public Relations (PR) degree led her from event planning to PR work and into insurance and finance, which she enjoys for its mix of relationship-building and analytical planning. Nikki and Brittany discuss how digital...
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Episode 19: Credit Scores with Bad Banker Ben, Part 2 of 2
Episode 19 of the Next Step podcast concludes a conversation with Ben Anderson of empeople Credit Union about maintaining and repairing credit scores, especially for college students. He discusses student loans as a long-term burden, recommending not sacrificing current financial stability to pay...
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Episode 18: Credit Scores with Bad Banker Ben, Part 1 of 2
In Episode 18 of the Next Step podcast, Nikki welcomes Ben Anderson (“Bad Banker Ben”), with empeople Credit Union, to discuss credit scores. Ben explains why credit scores were created to replace biased lending decisions, tracing history from the origins in the 1950s to today. He explains that...
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Episode 17: Campus Career Services, 4 of 4
Episode 17 is the final installment in the Career Services series of the Next Step podcast, features a conversation with Matt and Sarah about career fairs and how students—especially those outside business majors—can prepare and benefit from them. They explain the purpose of career fairs and how…
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Episode 16: Campus Career Services, 3 of 4
The third of a four-part series with University of Northern Iowa Career Services professionals Sarah and Matt, explain how academic advising and career services collaborate to help students choose majors and connect them to realistic job opportunities. They emphasize that careers are often...
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Episode 15: Campus Career Services, 2 of 4
On the Next Step podcast, Nikki continues a conversation with Matt and Sarah from the University of Northern Iowa Career Services Office about post-graduation support, cover letters, and interviewing. They explain that UNI typically provides services for one year after graduation, but their...
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Episode 14: Campus Career Services, 1 of 4
On the Next Step podcast, Nikki welcomes University of Northern Iowa Career Services staff Sarah Goblirsch and Matt Nuese to discuss how career services offices are named and structured across campuses, including centralized, decentralized, and hybrid models. They emphasize that career services…
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Episode 13: Break Up With Your Parents
In Episode 13 of the Next Step podcast, Nikki encourages soon-to-be graduates to initiate “breaking up with your parents” conversations to align expectations after graduation, especially around finances, taxes, insurance, vehicles, cell phones, legal documents, and medical needs. A printable…
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Episode 12: I borrowed, I’m graduating, HELP, Part III of III
In Episode 12 of the Next Step podcast, Nikki finishes a conversation with Tim Bakula, Director of Financial Aid at the University of Northern Iowa, about preparing to repay student loans after graduation. They emphasize that loan repayment and financial systems can be confusing even for educated...
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Episode 11: I Borrowed, I'm Graduating, HELP!! (Part II of III)
In Episode 11 of the Next Step podcast, the host continues a conversation with Tim Bakula, Director of Financial Aid, about what graduating seniors should do regarding student loans. Tim advises students to identify their loan servicer, review how much they have borrowed, and develop a realistic...
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Episode 10: You are NOT Alone (Bonus, Long Episode)
Episode 10 of the Next Step podcast is an extended bonus conversation with four UNI May 2026 graduates—Mae, Alli, Estelle, and Grant—who discuss career goals and the stress of job searching. After introducing their majors and childhood dream jobs, they describe what they’ve learned: tailoring...
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Episode 9: I borrowed. I'm graduating. HELP!! Episode I of III
On episode nine of the Next Step podcast, host Nikki interviews Tim Bakula, a financial aid director at the University of Northern Iowa, about preparing for adulthood and managing student loans after college. Using the idea “find out before freaking out” (FOBFO) they define key terms: loan...
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Episode 8: Tell Me What They're Looking For, Part III
In episode eight Nikki concludes the conversation with recruiter David Leto of the Palmer Group. They focus on negotiating after receiving an offer, navigating a tough new-grad job market, and how to succeed in the first six months of a new job. He invites candidates to contact Palmer Group via...
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Episode 7: Tell Me What They're Looking For, Part II
In episode seven, Nikki continues her conversation with David Leto of the Palmer Group about social media and LinkedIn, application materials, and interviewing. Leto explains that employers often search candidates online and warns students that private settings are not truly private; he…
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Episode 6: Tell Me What They're Looking For, Part I
In episode six of the Next Step podcast Nikki welcomes guest David Leto of the Palmer Group. Together, they discuss career paths and what employers seek in new hires, especially recent graduates. Leto shares his journey from an organizational communication major to become the CEO of the Palmer...
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Episode 5: The Interview
In episode five of the Next Step podcast, Nikki provides detailed guidance on navigating job interviews, starting from the pre-screening stage to post-interview follow-up. She advises on the dos and don'ts of interview behavior, provides tips for virtual interviews, and discusses the significance...
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Episode 4: Cover Letters, References, and Professional Portfolios
In episode four of the Next Step podcast, Nikki guides listeners on creating impactful cover letters, securing references, and building professional portfolios. The episode emphasizes the importance of tailoring cover letters to job descriptions and organizational values. It also advises on how…
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Episode 3: The Resume
In this episode of the Next Step podcast, Nikki offers an in-depth guide on creating effective resumes. Emphasizing the importance of tailored resumes for different industries, she suggests consulting career centers, advisors, and professors. Key sections to include are education, work…
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Episode 2: Staying Organized: The Application Process
In this episode we discuss managing multiple job applications emphasizing the importance of staying organized by using a dedicated folder in the cloud and detailed application tracker. Nikki also discusses the role of Applicant Tracking Systems and AI, advising job seekers to adapt their…
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Episode 1: The Work Before the Job Search
Episode one focuses addressing recent college graduate mixed emotions and decision fatigue as they transition from academia to the workforce. It emphasizes the importance of networking, leveraging connections, and identifying personal priorities—whether focusing on preferred job roles or…
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What are we here for?
In 1999, after graduating with a bachelor's degree, the speaker recounts an experience that made her realize just how unprepared for adulting she was. This led to struggles throughout their twenties and thirties before gaining clarity in their forties. The experience inspired the creation of the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
It's Adulting 101.
This podcast is focused on everything you *should* learn in school - but likely didn't. What EXACTLY is a deductible? How does insurance ACTUALLY work? What is the difference between a defined-benefit and defined-contribution plan? What does a good job offer look like? How do I negotiate a job?
We'll cover these topics AND more. We'll break down complicated concepts with industry professionals - you know, like what are the differences between a HMO, PPO, and HSA?
Discover more about the Next Step Program here.
Get the book here!
HOSTED BY
Nichole Harken
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Next Step: Adulting 101 have?
The Next Step: Adulting 101 currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Next Step: Adulting 101 about?
It's Adulting 101. This podcast is focused on everything you *should* learn in school - but likely didn't. What EXACTLY is a deductible? How does insurance ACTUALLY work? What is the difference between a defined-benefit and defined-contribution plan? What does a good job offer look like? How do I...
How often does The Next Step: Adulting 101 release new episodes?
The Next Step: Adulting 101 has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Next Step: Adulting 101?
You can listen to The Next Step: Adulting 101 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 The Next Step: Adulting 101?
The Next Step: Adulting 101 is created and hosted by Nichole Harken.
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