The YouSchool Podcast

Scott Schimmel
The YouSchool Podcast

Go to our YouTube channel to watch the episodes (just search The YouSchool) My nightmare at 20 years old was that I would wake up at 40 and feel deep regret that I lived the wrong life- a really nice, predictable, and boring story belonging to someone else. If you had told me back then that there was actually a roadmap, a step-by-step curriculum to walk through that would help me put all the pieces of my life together and set me on a path to build an authentic, meaningful life- I would’ve done anything to get it. It matters now more than ever. Right alongside planning for your future is living well now. We’re at an urgent time in our world: mental health / unemployment and The Great Resignation... Building a Meaningful Life isn’t something you just close your eyes and wish for. It’s not something only a few people get lucky enough to experience. You can’t just put your head down, do what you’re ‘supposed to’ and try hard, and expect it all to work out. It’s something you can design. And everyone deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful life. The thing about life, though, is there are no black and white answers. What we’ve discovered over a decade of working with more than 20,000 students, hundreds of educators, over 1,500 military service members through their transition to the civilian world, and countless conversations with parents, elite athletes, therapists, neuroscientists, and researchers are: There are 30 Critical Questions everyone must answer for themselves so their identity is defined, their purpose is clear, and they have what they need to build healthy relationships. Those are the pillars, and answering those questions will give you the foundation you need so you can make wiser choices about your career, feel alive as you pursue a mission and contribute to a cause bigger than yourself, experience inner peace as your inner and outer lives become more congruent, navigate the complexity of friendships so you can find the belonging you long for, and feel grateful for the life you get to live. I’m not exaggerating, this is the reality you can experience. So here’s the plan: every week we’ll release a new episode. In one episode we’ll dig into the question- why it’s critical, how to go about discovering an answer. Go to theyouschool.com/store to sign up. The following episode we’ll invite a guest and talk through that question with them- so you can see what it looks like to dig in and do the deeper reflection work. Maybe this is something you’ll want to go through for yourself. Perhaps you have a friend or small group and you want to have these deeper conversations with them. Or you’re a parent, and you’ve been struggling to find the right conversations and context to engage your kid- follow along, listen to these episodes in the car or watch them together online. If you’d like, you can sign up and follow along with some curriculum to guide you, too. These episodes are free, please share. To access the curriculum that goes with the episodes is simple- signup for only $5/month and we’ll send you the videos as well as a downloadable worksheet you can use to go deeper for yourself or with a friend or your kids or students.

  1. Emotional Intelligence Starts Here: Helping Your Kid Read the Room

    5D AGO

    Emotional Intelligence Starts Here: Helping Your Kid Read the Room

    What do people actually experience when they’re around your kid? In this episode of the YouSchool Podcast, Scott Schimmel explores one of the most underrated (and most essential) life skills: social awareness. It’s a core part of emotional intelligence—and it shapes how kids show up in the world, build relationships, and get included… or left out. Scott breaks down why every kid needs to develop social awareness, especially in a world full of screens, sarcasm, and isolation. And he shares practical ways parents can help kids become more tuned in to how they come across to others—without guilt, shame, or awkward lectures. Whether your kid is super social or socially unsure, this episode will give you tools to: Ask the right reflective questions Gently give feedback without shutting them down Model emotional intelligence in your own life Make reflection feel normal (not forced) Because kids who grow in self-awareness and social awareness? They’re the ones people trust, include, and follow. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Social awareness isn’t just “being nice”—it’s noticing how you impact others Most kids aren’t naturally good at this (especially if they’re anxious or neurodivergent) Emotional intelligence is learned—and needs practice, modeling, and feedback Asking the right questions plants the seed for lifelong growth 🕒 Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro to the 30 Critical Questions 1:45 – What is social awareness and why does it matter? 4:10 – A personal story that changed Scott’s life 7:00 – Emotional intelligence vs. just being “smart” 10:15 – What happens when kids don’t develop social awareness 13:25 – The power of feedback and modeling 17:00 – Practical tips for helping your kid build social awareness 22:00 – The long-term impact on relationships and confidence 25:00 – Reflective questions to ask your kid this week 👇 Try This at Home: Ask your kid: “How do you think you come across to others?” Then listen. Really listen. And let the seed grow.

    9 min
  2. Raising Kids Who Serve— Not Just Succeed

    MAY 23

    Raising Kids Who Serve— Not Just Succeed

    Episode Summary: What if your kid grows up and still believes the world revolves around them? Not ideal, right? In this heartfelt episode, Scott Schimmel tackles a tough but necessary parenting question: Are we raising kids who instinctively put others first—or just looking out for themselves? Scott shares a powerful story from his own family about quiet generosity and gives practical ways parents can shape kids into selfless, others-focused adults. This episode dives deep into what a “life of meaning” really looks like—and how it’s built, one small act of service at a time. In This Episode: 0:00 - Why selflessness doesn’t come naturally 2:30 - A story about Grandpa Fudd and the family dog 5:20 - Why service is a cornerstone of a meaningful life 8:10 - The parenting mindset shift we all need 10:05 - 3 simple ways to teach your kid to put others first 13:00 - The importance of modeling service, even when it’s inconvenient 15:00 - Real talk: what happens when we don’t model it 17:15 - A weekly question every parent should ask their kid 19:00 - Wrap-up + how to learn more Takeaways for Parents: Ask your kid: “What did you do today to put someone else first?” Share stories of generosity from your own life or your family’s past. Include your kid in acts of service—even when it’s inconvenient. Be honest about the moments you miss the mark. That teaches humility. 📌 Subscribe for more content like this 👍 Like, comment, and share this video if it helped you 🧠 Follow us on Instagram @theyouschool

    8 min
  3. From Frustration to Fulfillment: Helping Your Kids Find Their Purpose

    MAY 16

    From Frustration to Fulfillment: Helping Your Kids Find Their Purpose

    As parents, we dream of raising kids who are self-sufficient, driven, and living with purpose—not just checking boxes or chasing paychecks. In this episode, Scott Schimmel flips the script on how we talk to our kids about their future. Instead of asking, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” he challenges us to ask something much deeper: 👉 “What problem do you want to solve?” This question unlocks something powerful: intrinsic motivation. The kind of drive that doesn’t depend on grades, job security, or pleasing others—but comes from within. Scott breaks down: Why typical “career planning” talk often backfires 🧠 How to spot real frustration as a clue to your kid’s purpose 🔍 The link between internal drive and the science of self-determination 💥 Practical ways parents can guide, reflect, and encourage deeper reflection 🙌 If you want your kid to grow up passionate, persistent, and grounded in who they are—this episode is a must-listen. 🔑 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – The future we really want for our kids 02:10 – The myth of choosing based on grades or job trends 04:30 – The power of inner drive: where it really comes from 07:45 – Asking better questions: “What problem do you want to solve?” 10:00 – Scott’s story: a dream turned nightmare (that saved him) 13:15 – Self-Determination Theory: autonomy, competence, connection 17:05 – Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation 20:40 – How to help your kid reflect on real frustration 25:00 – What good mentors do: listen, reflect, challenge 28:10 – Final thoughts: imagination > job titles 💡 TAKEAWAY FOR PARENTS: Ask this at dinner tonight: “If someone gave you $10 million to solve a problem in the world, what would you fix?” Then just listen. You might be surprised what your kid says.   💬 COMMENTS WELCOME: What problem did YOU want to solve as a kid? Drop it in the comments below! ⬇️

    9 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Go to our YouTube channel to watch the episodes (just search The YouSchool) My nightmare at 20 years old was that I would wake up at 40 and feel deep regret that I lived the wrong life- a really nice, predictable, and boring story belonging to someone else. If you had told me back then that there was actually a roadmap, a step-by-step curriculum to walk through that would help me put all the pieces of my life together and set me on a path to build an authentic, meaningful life- I would’ve done anything to get it. It matters now more than ever. Right alongside planning for your future is living well now. We’re at an urgent time in our world: mental health / unemployment and The Great Resignation... Building a Meaningful Life isn’t something you just close your eyes and wish for. It’s not something only a few people get lucky enough to experience. You can’t just put your head down, do what you’re ‘supposed to’ and try hard, and expect it all to work out. It’s something you can design. And everyone deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful life. The thing about life, though, is there are no black and white answers. What we’ve discovered over a decade of working with more than 20,000 students, hundreds of educators, over 1,500 military service members through their transition to the civilian world, and countless conversations with parents, elite athletes, therapists, neuroscientists, and researchers are: There are 30 Critical Questions everyone must answer for themselves so their identity is defined, their purpose is clear, and they have what they need to build healthy relationships. Those are the pillars, and answering those questions will give you the foundation you need so you can make wiser choices about your career, feel alive as you pursue a mission and contribute to a cause bigger than yourself, experience inner peace as your inner and outer lives become more congruent, navigate the complexity of friendships so you can find the belonging you long for, and feel grateful for the life you get to live. I’m not exaggerating, this is the reality you can experience. So here’s the plan: every week we’ll release a new episode. In one episode we’ll dig into the question- why it’s critical, how to go about discovering an answer. Go to theyouschool.com/store to sign up. The following episode we’ll invite a guest and talk through that question with them- so you can see what it looks like to dig in and do the deeper reflection work. Maybe this is something you’ll want to go through for yourself. Perhaps you have a friend or small group and you want to have these deeper conversations with them. Or you’re a parent, and you’ve been struggling to find the right conversations and context to engage your kid- follow along, listen to these episodes in the car or watch them together online. If you’d like, you can sign up and follow along with some curriculum to guide you, too. These episodes are free, please share. To access the curriculum that goes with the episodes is simple- signup for only $5/month and we’ll send you the videos as well as a downloadable worksheet you can use to go deeper for yourself or with a friend or your kids or students.

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