Careers IRL

with Loxley Browne from Books That Build Skills
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Careers aren’t built in straight lines—and neither are skills. In short, honest conversations, founders, creatives, and builders share how they actually learned what they know—the detours, mistakes, curiosity, and books that shaped them. This channel is supported by Athenian, the nonprofit providing literacy and STEM programs designed to help kids build confidence and practical skills through reading and hands-on learning. Our proprietary books—the Charms Book Series- show that fun and skill-building go hand in hand. For teens, this is a place where books aren’t homework.

  1. 5d ago

    Be a Financial Coach for ADHD Clients | Things Kids Should Know

    What if budgeting isn’t about telling yourself “no”? What if it’s actually a tool for deciding what you want your money to do? And what happens when ADHD adds time blindness, impulse spending, forgetfulness, and decision fatigue to the equation? Certified Financial Coach Jewlz the Budget Nerd knows that combination firsthand—and she has built a career helping families create money systems that work with real life instead of against it.Financial coaching is different from financial advising. Jewlz focuses on the everyday side of money: keeping bills paid, organizing spending, understanding the behaviors behind financial decisions, and helping families build toward the future.In this Careers IRL conversation, Jewlz explains why she thinks of a budget as a spending plan—a tool that gives you permission to use money intentionally for the things that matter to you while still covering your needs and preparing for what comes next.She also takes us inside the particular challenges ADHD can create around money, including time blindness, living in the here-and-now, dopamine-seeking purchases, forgetfulness, and decision fatigue. Then she shares practical systems she uses with clients, from autopay and weekly financial check-ins to accountability, separate bill emails, and even budgeting specifically for fun money.And her path into financial coaching was anything but perfectly planned. She explored several majors, failed her first economics class because she wasn't managing her time or attending class, eventually earned the degree, learned from her own financial mistakes, and later turned decades of interest in personal finance into a career helping other people.GUEST INFORMATIONName: Julian “Jewlz” KohlbrandTitle: Certified Financial CoachCompany: Jewlz The Budget NerdIndustry: Financial Coaching & Personal FinanceWebsite: JewlzTheBudgetNerd.comSKILLS IN THIS EPISODEBudgeting — Jewlz explains how a spending plan can help people decide where their money needs to go before they spend it.Decision-Making — Budgeting requires working backward from a goal and choosing how limited resources will be used.Organization — Autopay, scheduled financial check-ins, dedicated email accounts, and accountability systems can reduce the mental load of managing money.Time Management — Jewlz connects ADHD time blindness to forgotten bills and also shares how poor time management contributed to failing her first economics class.Communication — Financial coaching requires explaining complicated ideas clearly and creating trust with the people you're helping.📖 BUY THE BOOKSBooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop❤️ SUPPORT LITERACY PROGRAMSBooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate📘 VISIT OUR WEBSITEBooksThatBuildSkills.org🔎 TAKE A LOOK AT OUR GUESTWebsite: JewlzTheBudgetNerd.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliankohlbrandInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewlzthebudgetnerdFacebook: https://www.threads.com/@jewlzthebudgetnerdYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@jewlzthebudgetnerd📚 THE CHARMS BOOK SERIESThe Charms Book Series is the story side of Books That Build Skills. The podcast shows kids real people using real skills. The books let them practice those same skills through story — problem-solving, leadership, STEM thinking, and smart decision-making. In Book 5, Calculated Risks, Attie has to plan a budget for the team to attend a STEM conference in Denver and pitch that budget to a sponsor, creating a direct story connection to the budgeting and decision-making skills discussed in this episode.💻 WHAT IS CAREERS IRL PODCAST?Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk.🗳 JOIN US… SUBSCRIBE!If this channel consistently shows up with conversations you'd actually want in your feed — subscribe.ADHD budgeting, ADHD money management, ADHD financial tips, Careers podcast, podcast for teens

  2. Aug 16

    I Want to Be a Musician | Things Kids Should Know

    Want to work in music? Being talented is only part of the job. Showing up prepared matters. Being easy to work with matters. Knowing how to connect with people matters. And sometimes the path to a career in music starts by listening to music you don't even like. Andrew McCluskey has worked as a professional musician, songwriter, musical director, creative director, nonprofit leader, and music entrepreneur—and his career has taken just about every detour imaginable. What does it actually take to build a career around music? Andrew McCluskey, President of the MusicTo Foundation, takes us behind the scenes of an industry with far more career possibilities than simply becoming the person onstage. As Andrew points out, musicians are only one small part of the world of work surrounding music. His own path certainly wasn't straight. Andrew went from playing piano as a child to working in retail, moving to Los Angeles to join a rock band, answering phones at a nonprofit, becoming its CEO, working as a songwriter and creative director, starting businesses, and eventually bringing music and nonprofit leadership together. We also get into the skills that don't necessarily appear on a music-school syllabus: show up on time, do the work, treat people well, be useful, learn how to work with other people—and become what Andrew calls "a good hang." In an industry where people may spend months together rehearsing or traveling, those human skills can matter just as much as technical talent. And for young people wondering where to begin? Andrew has a wonderfully simple assignment: listen to more music—including music you don't think you like. The larger your musical vocabulary becomes, the easier it is to communicate and connect with people across the industry. Name: Andrew McCluskey Title: President Company: MusicTo Foundation Career / Industry: Musician / Music Industry Guest / Company Link: MusicTo.com SKILLS IN THIS EPISODE Communication — Andrew describes using a broad knowledge of music as a shared language when musicians need to communicate an idea in the studio. Teamwork — From accompanying singers to working in bands and running organizations, Andrew's career repeatedly depends on helping other people do their best work. Curiosity — Andrew encourages young people to deliberately explore unfamiliar music and, more broadly, to make curiosity part of how they approach life. Reliability — Showing up on time, doing the work beforehand, and respecting other people's time are practical career skills Andrew considers essential in music. Leadership — Andrew discusses the difficulty of setting direction for a community and managing disagreement among people who care deeply about the work. Creativity — His career spans performing, songwriting, music direction, creative direction, playlist creation, and finding new ways for people to connect through music. 📖 BUY THE BOOKS BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop ❤️ SUPPORT OUR LITERACY PROGRAMS BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate 🔎 TAKE A LOOK AT OUR GUEST Website: musicto.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmccluskey 📚 THE CHARMS BOOK SERIES The Charms Book Series is the story side of Books That Build Skills. The podcast shows kids real people using real skills. The books let them practice those same skills through story — problem-solving, leadership, STEM thinking, and smart decision-making. 💻 WHAT IS CAREERS IRL PODCAST? Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk. 🗳 JOIN US… SUBSCRIBE! If this channel consistently shows up with conversations you'd actually want in your feed — subscribe. If not? A like on the episode you enjoyed is perfect.Andrew McCluskey, musician career, how to become a musician, careers in music, music industry careers, jobs in the music industry, career exploration for teens, career exploration for kids, what does a musician do, how to work in music, music industry skills, music career advice, Careers IRL podcast, career podcast

  3. Jul 20

    What It Takes to Be a Fighter Pilot | What Kids Should Know | Kim “KC” Campbell

    What does it really take to fly a fighter jet into combat and keep going if something goes wrong? Not just bravery, but preparation, resilience, smart decision-making, and the ability to recover fast under pressure.  In this episode of Books That Build Skills, retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Kim "KC" Campbell shares the real skills behind flying 100+ combat missions, landing a battle-damaged aircraft, and leading when the stakes are high. She breaks down how courage isn’t fearlessness, it’s action anyway. This conversation explores what it actually takes to become a fighter pilot: resilience, preparation, decision-making under pressure, and learning from mistakes. Kim also shares how small habits—like checklists, debriefs, and preparation—build confidence for big moments, and how kids and teens can start practicing those same skills right now. 🎙 Guest Info Name: Kim “KC” Campbell Title: Fighter Pilot Company: U.S. Air Force Colonel (Retired) What she really does:As a member of the United States Air Force for 24 years, Kim flew the A-10 Warthog protecting troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and later in South and Central America. She led teams of up to 1,000 people, taught leadership and courage, and now helps kids (and adults) learn how to face fear and keep moving forward. 🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode Resilience & recovery after failure Decision-making under pressure Preparation → confidence Using checklists to reduce stress Clear communication Learning from mistakes (the fighter-pilot debrief) 📘 EXPLORE MORE 📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop 🎯 Guest Website: https://kim-kc-campbell.com/ 🎯 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell 🎯 Guest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087531585608 🎯 Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kchawg987 🎯 Guest Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kim-kc-campbell 📚 What Is Books That Build Skills? Short Episodes. Real People. Real Careers. Real Skills. Zero Boring Adult Talk.  Every episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how incredible careers are built—aviation, military leadership, teamwork, decision-making—plus the mistakes, risks, and skills learned along the way. From “I kinda like this…” → “Whoa… I really DID THAT.”  Stories + skills = power. juvenile fiction series, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, fighter pilot career, women in aviation, Air Force pilot, leadership skills for kids, resilience for teens, decision making skills, military careers, courage in combat, fighter pilot, aviation career

  4. Jul 20

    I Want to Work in Finance & Economics | What Kids Should Know | Anoop Mishra from the Federal Reserve Bank

    What does the Federal Reserve actually do and what does your $20 have to do with the entire U.S. economy? In this episode of Careers IRL, Anoop Mishra, Regional Executive and Senior Officer for the Birmingham Office of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, takes us behind the scenes of economics, financial services, and the Fed. We explore the money skills every teenager needs—from saving, spending, and investing to understanding credit, debt, and interest rates—and why practicing these skills while the stakes are small matters. Anoop also shares the money lessons he wishes he'd learned earlier, why any first job can build valuable career skills, and why some of the most important skills in finance aren't math skills at all. They're listening, critical thinking, communication, and decision-making. If you had $20, what would you do with it? Spend it, save it, or invest it? This episode might change how you think about the answer. 🎙 Guest Info Name: Anoop Mishra Title: Regional Executive and Senior Officer – Birmingham Office Company: Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta What he really does: Anoop helps the Federal Reserve understand what's actually happening in Alabama's economy, not just by studying numbers, but by listening to business and community leaders and combining those conversations with economic data. That information helps inform the Atlanta Fed's understanding of economic conditions and monetary policy. He also brings extensive experience from business and financial services, having previously owned a consulting firm, served as a CEO and COO, and worked in Strategy/Financial Services at Accenture. 🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode Financial literacy Money management Saving Spending Investing Budgeting Networking and relationship building Asking good questions Personal responsibility Reliability and showing up on time Learning from mistakes Learning how to learn 📘 EXPLORE MORE 📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop 🎯 Guest LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/AnoopMishra1/ 📚 About the Books Behind This PodcastThe Charms Book Series isn’t just a set of stories, it’s the foundation of everything you see on the Careers IRL podcast.Each book follows a curious teen inventor navigating real-world challenges using the same skills our podcast guests talk about—problem-solving, communication, leadership, resilience, and STEM thinking. The podcast shows kids who uses these skills in real life. The books let them practice those skills through story. When kids read the books and watch the podcast together, learning sticks. Characters make choices, face consequences, and solve problems—just like the professionals you’re meeting in this episode. That’s why we say these are books that don’t just entertain… they build skills. 📘 Explore the books, read along, and turn every episode into a real-life learning adventure. juvenile fiction series, middle grade books, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, career exploration, career podcast, Anoop Mishra, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Federal Reserve, financial services careers, financial literacy for teens, money management for teens, economics for students, economics explained for kids, careers in economics, careers in finance, financial careers, personal finance for teens, saving money, investing for teens, budgeting for teens, credit cards for teens, understanding credit, credit card debt, financial wellness, monetary policy, interest rates explained, inflation explained, how the economy works, critical thinking skills, active listening skills, networking for teens, career readiness, life skills for teens, first job skills, workforce readiness, spend save invest

  5. Jul 20

    What Do You Want to Become? What Kids Should Know

    What if we've been asking kids the wrong question for decades? Instead of asking, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" maybe we should ask something far more powerful: Who do you want to become? That one shift changes everything. In this premiere episode of Careers IRL, author, entrepreneur, educator, and Books That Build Skills founder Loxley Browne introduces a completely different way for kids, parents, and educators to think about careers, life skills, reading, curiosity, and preparing for the future. This episode launches the new direction of Careers IRL—a weekly family-friendly podcast that introduces kids to real professionals, real careers, and the real skills that build successful lives. Instead of telling kids they have to pick one career at age twelve, Loxley encourages them to become explorers—discovering careers, collecting skills, asking questions, and building confidence one conversation at a time. Parents will also discover why reading, curiosity, communication, leadership, and problem-solving matter far more than memorizing job titles. Whether your child dreams of becoming an astronaut, engineer, veterinarian, artist, entrepreneur, or hasn't figured it out yet...this episode is where the adventure begins. 📚 About the Books Behind This Podcast The Charms Book Series isn't just a collection of adventure stories—it's the foundation behind every Careers IRL episode. Each book follows a curious teen inventor solving real-world challenges using the same skills you'll hear professionals talk about on this podcast: communication, leadership, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, project management, critical thinking, and STEM thinking. The podcast introduces you to people who use those skills every day. The books let you practice those same skills through exciting adventures, hands-on projects, recipes inspired by the story, career exploration activities, and family discussion questions. When kids read the books and watch the podcast together, learning sticks. Stories become experiences. juvenile fiction series, middle grade books, books for ages 10-15, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, career exploration, career podcast, Loxley Browne, Careers IRL, Books That Build Skills, Charms Book Series, career exploration for kids, career exploration for middle school, career readiness, life skills for kids, STEM careers, STREAM education, career ideas for teens, future careers, communication skills, critical thinking, reading skills, entrepreneurship, family podcast, homeschool resources, middle school, careers

  6. Jul 20

    I Want to Play Golf | What Kids Should Know

    What do golf and your future career have in common? More than you think. This week, as The Masters begins at Augusta National — the most prestigious golf tournament in the world — we’re talking about the real skills behind the game: focus, communication, networking, and etiquette. Because sometimes the most important lessons don’t happen in a classroom… they happen on a golf course. “Golf gives you four hours with someone — and that’s where real relationships are built.” This episode is about how golf teaches life skills that translate directly into careers and leadership. We talk about communication, networking, focus, learning from mistakes, and personal discipline. Golf is a sport where you compete against yourself, learn patience, and build relationships — all skills that matter in the real world. If a student can learn to focus on a golf shot while blocking out distractions, they can learn to focus on goals in life too. This episode connects sports, life skills, and career development in a way kids and parents can both understand. Name: Rob NorthcuttTitle: Investor / Capital AllocationWhat they really do: Rob helps decide where money should be invested and how businesses grow. But one of the most important parts of his career isn’t spreadsheets — it’s relationships. Golf has helped him build friendships, business relationships, and communication skills that have helped him throughout his career. Communication Networking Focus & Concentration Learning from Mistakes Discipline Personal Responsibility Etiquette & Manners Confidence Goal Setting Competing Against Yourself 📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop ❤️ Donate to our literacy programs: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Donate 📚 About the Books Behind This Podcast The Charms Book Series isn’t just a set of stories—it’s the foundation of everything you see on the Books That Build Skills podcast.Each book follows a curious teen inventor navigating real-world challenges using the same skills our podcast guests talk about—problem-solving, communication, leadership, resilience, and STEM thinking. The podcast shows kids who uses these skills in real life. The books let them practice those skills through story.When kids read the books and watch the podcast together, learning sticks. Characters make choices, face consequences, and solve problems—just like the professionals you’re meeting in this episode. That’s why we say these are books that don’t just entertain… they build skills.📘 Explore the books, read along, and turn every episode into a real-life learning adventure.  juvenile fiction series, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, golf lessons for life, skills learned from golf, The Masters Augusta National, communication skills for kids, networking skills for teens, focus and discipline for students, etiquette for kids, sports and life skills, career skills for teens, golf and business, how golf teaches life skills

  7. Jul 20

    I Want to be a TV Reporter | What Kids Should Know | Jeh Jeh Pruitt of FOX News Birmingham

    What does it actually take to be on the news? Not just talking on TV — but reading, writing, thinking fast, solving problems, and working as a team under pressure. In this episode, we meet a real TV reporter and learn the skills behind the stories you see on the news every day. If you’ve ever wondered how TV reporters do their job — this episode is for you. This episode is about the real skills behind careers in media, reporting, and storytelling. Jeh Jeh Pruitt explains how reading, writing, listening, and preparation are the foundation of his career as a FOX News reporter. Students will learn that being on TV isn’t about being famous — it’s about communication, teamwork, and solving problems quickly. 🎙 Guest Info Name: Jeh Jeh Pruitt Title: Reporter Company: FOX News Birmingham What he really does: Jeh Jeh is a television news reporter. He reads, writes, interviews people, solves problems quickly, and explains important stories so the community can understand what’s happening in the world around them. 🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode Reading comprehension Writing Communication Listening Public speaking Preparation Teamwork Problem solving Thinking quickly under pressure Financial literacy Empathy Technology & AI tools in media 📘 EXPLORE MORE 📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop  🎯 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jermelle-jehjeh-pruitt-6a773418  🎯 Guest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jehpruitt  🎯 Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jehpruitt  📚 About the Books Behind This Podcast The Charms Book Series isn’t just a set of stories—it’s the foundation of everything you see on the Books That Build Skills podcast.Each book follows a curious teen inventor navigating real-world challenges using the same skills our podcast guests talk about—problem-solving, communication, leadership, resilience, and STEM thinking. The podcast shows kids who uses these skills in real life. The books let them practice those skills through story.When kids read the books and watch the podcast together, learning sticks. Characters make choices, face consequences, and solve problems—just like the professionals you’re meeting in this episode. That’s why we say these are books that don’t just entertain… they build skills.📘 Explore the books, read along, and turn every episode into a real-life learning adventure. Visit us at BooksThatBuildSkills.org to find out more! juvenile fiction series, books for ages 10–15, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, TV reporter career, journalism careers, FOX News reporter, communication skills for students, public speaking skills for kids, media careers, storytelling careers, reading and writing skills, jobs in news, broadcasting careers, career exploration for students

  8. Jul 20

    I am the Pilot Character Inspiration for the Book | What Kids Should Know

    Have you ever met a real person who inspired a character in a book? In this episode, you will. Makayla Galler is the real-life inspiration behind Raye in the Charms Book Series—and her story is even more incredible than fiction. She started flying gliders at 15, earned her pilot’s license in high school, and is now working toward becoming a Navy aviator—and maybe even an astronaut one day. This episode is about what it really takes to build a future: showing up, working hard, managing your time, and putting yourself out there even when it’s uncomfortable. Makayla explains how networking, persistence, communication, and planning helped her move from a student with a dream to someone actively working in aviation and the military pathway. If you’re a student trying to figure out what to do with your life—or a parent trying to help your child find direction—this episode is a roadmap. 🎙 Guest Info Name: Makayla Galler Title: Aviation Student, Navy ROTC Company: Arizona State University What she really does: Makayla studies aviation and unmanned aerial systems (drones), earned her pilot’s license while still in high school, and is working toward becoming a Navy aviator. She also mentors and inspires students who are interested in aviation, STEM careers, and military service pathways. 🔧 Skills Highlighted in This Episode Persistence Time Management Networking Communication (professional, interviews, media, teamwork) Spatial Awareness & Safety Goal Setting Preparation & Advocacy Showing Up & Trying New Things 📘 EXPLORE MORE 📖 Buy the books: BooksThatBuildSkills.org/Shop 🎯 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makayla-galler 📚 About the Books Behind This Podcast The Charms Book Series isn’t just a set of stories—it’s the foundation of everything you see on the Books That Build Skills podcast.Each book follows a curious teen inventor navigating real-world challenges using the same skills our podcast guests talk about—problem-solving, communication, leadership, resilience, and STEM thinking. The podcast shows kids who uses these skills in real life. The books let them practice those skills through story. When kids read the books and watch the podcast together, learning sticks. Characters make choices, face consequences, and solve problems—just like the professionals you’re meeting in this episode. That’s why we say these are books that don’t just entertain… they build skills.📘 Explore the books, read along, and turn every episode into a real-life learning adventure. juvenile fiction series, books for ages 8–14, books for grades 6–9, books for tweens, Books for teens, podcast, podcast for students, podcast for teens, learning through stories, aviation careers, Navy ROTC, women in STEM, drone pilot, aviation student, career exploration for teens, life skills for students, time management for students, networking skills for teens, goal setting for teens, STEM careers for girls

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About

Careers aren’t built in straight lines—and neither are skills. In short, honest conversations, founders, creatives, and builders share how they actually learned what they know—the detours, mistakes, curiosity, and books that shaped them. This channel is supported by Athenian, the nonprofit providing literacy and STEM programs designed to help kids build confidence and practical skills through reading and hands-on learning. Our proprietary books—the Charms Book Series- show that fun and skill-building go hand in hand. For teens, this is a place where books aren’t homework.

Information

  • Creator
    with Loxley Browne from Books That Build Skills
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © with Loxley Browne from Books That Build Skills
  • Show Website
    Careers IRL