The YouSchool Podcast

Scott Schimmel

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. More Than a Game: Using Sports to Shape Identity With Nolan Recker

    JAN 9

    More Than a Game: Using Sports to Shape Identity With Nolan Recker

    Guest: Nolan Recker, founder of Hey CoachHost: Scott SchimmelDuration: ~24 minsTheme: Using sports as a meaningful space for character development, reflection, and identity formation in kids 🔑 Episode Summary: In this episode, Scott is joined by long-time friend Nolan Recker, a coach, entrepreneur, and former pastor who is building Hey Coach, a platform to bridge communication gaps between coaches, kids, and parents. They explore: Why youth sports might be the best environment for identity development The emotional and relational challenges coaches face in mentoring kids How Hey Coach creates structured reflection through journaling via text Why kids today need private spaces to process identity—especially in a social media-driven world The tension between competition and character development How journaling and thoughtful coaching can counteract the pressure kids feel to perform or “be liked” online 🧠 Topics Covered: Scott’s experience coaching 25+ youth teams Nolan’s journey from vocational ministry to building a tech platform The “third space” idea: where identity is formed outside of school and home Why coaches feel under-equipped to mentor kids beyond the scoreboard Social media’s impact on kids’ sense of worth and the rise of performance-based identity Using asynchronous reflection questions to foster inner growth 💬 Notable Quotes: “I don’t know a coach who doesn’t want to develop kids—but most don’t know how.”– Scott Schimmel “Journaling helps you wrestle with things and form a grounded sense of self.”– Nolan Recker “Sports are the perfect setup for conversations about failure, resilience, and identity—if coaches are equipped.”– Scott Schimmel ✅ Practical Takeaways: Use reflection questions to help kids explore their identity (e.g., “What are you learning about yourself through competition?”) Coaches need tools, not just good intentions Journaling—even via text—gives kids a private way to explore thoughts without peer pressure Parents also need coaching on how to support their kids after a tough game or loss

    24 min
  2. Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Good Life: Values & Aspirations

    12/11/2025

    Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Good Life: Values & Aspirations

    Overview: As a parent, it’s tough to watch your child face difficult life choices—college, friendships, sports, leadership roles—and resist the urge to steer them in the “right” direction. But what if the best way to guide them is not to direct, but to help them clarify what they value? In this episode, Scott Schimmel unpacks a practical, research-backed tool parents can use to support their kids in making better, values-aligned decisions. Whether your child is choosing whether to run for student office or debating a college major, this framework fosters autonomy, motivation, and clarity. If you want to raise a self-aware, purpose-driven young adult, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: Kids don’t need you to decide for them—they need help figuring out what matters to them. Teaching values-based decision-making increases motivation and reduces burnout. A simple values clarification exercise can unlock self-awareness and long-term direction. Intrinsic motivation leads to greater persistence and satisfaction. Parents can be guides without being controlling—by asking the right questions. Timestamps: 00:00 Navigating Tough Decisions as Parents02:14 Clarifying Values and Priorities for Better Choices05:03 Empowering Kids to Make Autonomous Decisions Call to Action: Want to help your kid make confident, motivated choices?Guide them—not by telling them what to do, but by helping them discover who they are and what matters most.

    9 min
  3. Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Good Life: Intrinsic Drive

    12/04/2025

    Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Good Life: Intrinsic Drive

    Episode Overview Host: Scott SchimmelTheme: This episode dives into one of the most critical questions for every kid trying to build a meaningful life: What makes you unique? Scott explores how helping kids identify their intrinsic patterns—what naturally flows from them—is key to motivation, confidence, and direction. This episode explores how understanding a kid’s uniqueness can give them clarity and confidence to make better life choices—especially in a world that keeps pushing them to conform or chase someone else's definition of success. Key Quotes & Highlights “We don’t need to teach our kids to throw a dart at a career board.” “The worst advice is probably: ‘It’ll all work out eventually.’” “Extrinsic goals sound smart, but they rarely feel satisfying.” “Kids need help to pay attention to what’s already wired into them.” Major Highlights: Upstream Challenges: Kids today face nonstop pressure—from college competition, AI job market disruption, and social media telling them what to want. That noise makes it harder than ever to figure out who they are and what to do with their lives. Why Intrinsic Motivation Matters: Drawing from Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan), Scott explains how intrinsic pursuits—goals and activities that flow from genuine curiosity and joy—are more sustainable, fulfilling, and authentic than those driven by external pressure. The Persona Trap: Scott shares his personal story of picking a respectable path (finance) as a young teen—not because it fit, but because it got praise. That experience helped shape his passion for helping kids avoid the same trap of external validation over self-knowledge. The Magic of Question Two: “What makes you unique?” isn’t fluffy—it’s a foundation for building a meaningful life. It helps kids make aligned choices and gives parents a better lens for how to guide and encourage their kids. What to Look For: Kids’ patterns of curiosity, creativity, and resilience are clues. Listen for what lights them up, what feels natural to them, and what they keep returning to. That’s their “magic.” Timestamps 00:08 – Setting the scene: why today’s kids face a harder road to identity 02:35 – The finance persona story: chasing validation instead of authenticity 05:10 – What Self-Determination Theory teaches us about human motivation 08:00 – The difference between intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation 10:45 – Why “just go where the jobs are” is the worst advice 13:15 – The purpose of the 30 Critical Questions series 15:00 – What adults can do: become better mirrors, not fixers 16:45 – A better question to ask your kid tonight 18:00 – Wrap-up and call to action Try This With Your Kid Tonight at dinner or in the car, ask:“What’s something that feels easy or fun for you, but seems hard for other people?”Let them talk. Then listen again tomorrow. Their answers might just be the start of something meaningful. Mentioned Concepts Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan) – Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation – Pursuing goals because they feel right vs. because you're told to The 30 Critical Questions – From the Critical Foundations series by YouSchool

    13 min
  4. Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Good Life: Defining Aspirations

    11/21/2025

    Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Good Life: Defining Aspirations

    Overview As kids grow up, they hit pressure-filled decision points: Which school? What major? What job? But too often, those choices are made without any real vision for the kind of life they want. In this episode, Scott Schimmel explains why helping kids define their life aspirations—before making big decisions—is the key to less anxiety, more clarity, and better long-term outcomes. Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or mentor, this episode will help you guide kids toward a fuller vision of their future, rooted in values, identity, and a sense of purpose. Instead of narrowing options too early, you’ll learn how to help them zoom out, dream big, and choose wisely. 🔑 Key Quotes “Every choice a kid makes is shaped by the ones that came before it—and their sense of who they are becoming.” “We've overcommunicated to our kids: whatever you do, make sure it makes you happy.” “There are three big anxieties: Will I like it? Will I be good at it? Will it even exist?” “The clearer the vision for their life, the easier the decisions become.” “Aspiration isn’t just about work. It’s about family, friendship, community, even the kind of neighbor they want to be.” ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: The Pressure of Decision Points 01:30 – The Chain of Choices: From Habits to Jobs 04:45 – Prediction Anxiety: Will I Like It? Be Good at It? Will It Exist? 10:30 – The Cultural Obsession with “Liking” Your Work 13:15 – Why We Need to Start with Life Aspirations 15:50 – A Better Way to Guide Big Choices 19:30 – A Simple Exercise to Help Kids Dream Bigger 23:00 – How Parents Can Be Better Guides 26:10 – Final Thoughts: Clarity, Confidence, and Vision Call to Action Want to help your kid find clarity in the chaos? Start with these two questions tonight: “What do you want your life to look like in 20 years?” “What kind of person do you want to be known as?” Then, go deeper with our free life vision worksheet—grab it at theyouschool.com/resources  And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s helping a kid make big decisions.

    12 min
  5. Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Redemptive Work Perspective

    11/13/2025

    Guiding Your Kids to THEIR Redemptive Work Perspective

    Episode Summary There’s a moment every parent dreams about—when your kid turns to you and says, “What should I do with my life?” And in that moment, most of us freeze. Even the pros (like Scott Schimmel, who literally does this for a living) mess it up. This episode is a real-time reflection on how we talk with our kids about their future. But instead of diving into majors and jobs right away, Scott makes the case that we need to back up and ask a much deeper question: What is work even for? If you want to help your kid build a meaningful life, start by examining how you talk about your own work. Because guess what? They’re paying attention. Every offhand comment, every sigh, every joke about “working for the man”—it’s all shaping their perspective on what work means. This episode will help you reset that foundation. Your kid is already forming beliefs about work—and most of it is coming from you. Not school.Not social media.Not their part-time job. You. The question is: Are you helping them see work as meaningful... or miserable? Best Quotes “Our kids are learning about work from us—whether we like it or not.” “You’ve got to look at what story you’re telling about work. Because they’re watching. They’re absorbing it all.” “We want to give advice when they ask about majors or careers, but if we skip the philosophy, we miss the whole point.” “What if the purpose of work isn’t just to make money or survive—but to make a contribution that matters?” Episode Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – The Moment Every Parent Hopes ForScott shares the recent story of his kid finally asking for career advice—and how he fumbled the moment. 02:10 – Why Work Conversations Often Fall FlatParents rush to give advice, but skip over the most foundational questions: What is work for? 04:30 – Your Kid’s Work Philosophy Starts With YouThe way you talk about your job—the little phrases and offhand remarks—becomes their framework for understanding work. 07:15 – 3 Ways Kids Absorb Your Attitude About Work The phrases you repeat The characters in your work stories The choices you make around work-life balance 12:00 – Reflecting on the Work Story You’re TellingAre you painting work as drudgery or purpose? Sacrifice or contribution? 15:00 – A Better Conversation With Your KidBefore you give career advice, ask your kid: What do you think work is for? Call to Action This episode is paired with a companion article that goes even deeper into this idea. 👉 Read it now: https://www.theyouschool.com/blog/guiding-your-kids-to-their-good-life-a-redemptive-perspective-about-work  Let this be your reminder: You’re not just helping your kid pick a job—you’re helping them build a philosophy of work. Start there. And next time they ask for your advice, you won’t fumble it.

    15 min
  6. Guiding Your Kids to Their Good Life

    11/06/2025

    Guiding Your Kids to Their Good Life

    Guiding Your Kids to Their Good Life Hosted by: Scott SchimmelEpisode Summary: In this episode, Scott Schimmel kicks off a brand-new series called Guiding Your Kids to Their Good Life, built for anyone who cares deeply about the kids in their lives—parents, educators, mentors, coaches, or grandparents. Scott reflects on YouSchool's work with veterans transitioning to civilian life through Vector Accelerator and draws a powerful parallel: whether you're 18 or 38, the work of figuring out your life—who you are, what you want, and where you're headed—requires guidance, clarity, and intentionality. And it’s the same process for kids. Scott shares a raw, relatable look at what it’s like to parent kids through high-stakes decisions (education, career, life direction) while resisting the urge to control them. He introduces a powerful idea: every now and then, you get a "layup moment"—when your kid turns to you and actually asks, “What do you think I should do?” The question is—will you be ready? Key Takeaways: Guiding, Not Controlling: Kids need help making informed decisions, not scripts for their lives. The goal is autonomy, not obedience. Layup Moments Matter: Every so often, your kid will ask for your opinion. These are golden moments—don’t freeze or preach. Be ready to guide. Same Curriculum, Different Ages: The questions that help veterans transition with clarity are the same ones that help kids build meaningful lives. It's about purpose, identity, and belonging. Success ≠ Meaning: You can do all the “right” things—grades, college, job—and still miss building a meaningful life. That’s why reflection and guidance are so essential. The Emotional Load is Real: Your kid’s choices can feel personal. But your job isn’t to manage their outcomes—it’s to equip them with clarity and confidence. Best Quotes: “I wish it was as easy as telling our kids what to do and then they go and do it… but that’s not how this whole thing works.” “We want to help you think well about the most significant moments you can have with your kids—while preserving and honoring their autonomy. That’s the ‘you’ in YouSchool.” “There are a fixed number of conversations, exercises, and experiences your kid needs to find clarity. That’s what we’ll cover in this series.” “We’ve all had those moments where we drop everything to protect our kids in a crisis. But the decisions they’re making about their lives? Those are just as critical.” Call to Action: Subscribe to the Parent School series wherever you get your podcasts. Visit theyouschool.com  for supporting articles, tools, and resources to go deeper with your kid. Ask your kid this one question tonight:“What’s something you're wondering about your future right now?”Then—just listen. You might be getting your layup moment.

    10 min
  7. Emotional Intelligence Starts Here: Helping Your Kid Read the Room

    07/11/2025

    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

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.