In this episode, Lisa and Brooke discuss:

• The role of modern manners in building confidence and career readiness
• How social, physical, and relationship etiquette shape professional connections
• Strategies for networking, job shadows, and informational interviews
• The influence of parents, mentors, and micro-habits in developing these skills

Key Takeaways:

• Students should use simple conversation techniques—like making an observation and asking a question, or “throwing the ball back”—to create natural, balanced dialogue.
• First impressions matter: attire, language, and physical manners (handshake, eye contact, putting away your phone, appropriate clothing) often determine how seriously others take you.
• Adults are more likely to grant favors and mentorship opportunities to teens and young adults than older people, making this the ideal stage of life to ask for informational interviews, job shadows, or introductions.
• Parents and mentors should approach teaching manners with a growth mindset, praising progress, modeling skills, and helping young people practice consistently until they feel natural.

“Physical manners can go a long way, and oftentimes they’re not noticed until they’re not done.” – Brooke Romney

About Brooke Romney: Brooke Romney is a writer, speaker, and community builder who is committed to sharing real life with a hopeful twist.

She is the best-selling author of four books: 52 Modern Manners for Today's Teens, Volumes 1 and 2, 52 Modern Manners for Kids, and I Like Me Anyway: Embracing Imperfection, Connection, and Christ.

She recently launched a new game, Do You Even Know Me?, to help families connect and have fun together.

Meaningful connection with family, friends, strangers, and God is where she finds purpose and joy.

Episode References:

• Grab the free LinkedIn Profile Guide at flourishcoachingco.com/linkedin to help your student create a standout profile and start building their network with confidence.

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

flourishcoachingco.com/video

Connect with Brooke:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookeromneywrites/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-romney-9724a2100/
Website: https://brookeromney.com/welcome/

Shopify: https://082dc6.myshopify.com/

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brooke-Romney/author/B08L8WQN6C

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa, Dr. Gangelhoff, Dr. Alaina, and Melissa discuss:

• Shifts in the music industry and its evolving future
• Educational pathways for aspiring musicians
• Building independence, resilience, and clarity for young creatives
• Family roles and perspectives in supporting artistic career choices

Key Takeaways:

• Parents’ fears often stem from only imagining extremes—either starving artists or Grammy winners—yet most successful musicians build stable, thriving lives between those two points.
• Gap years can be powerful when structured with clear goals and intentionality, but they risk becoming wasted time if the expectations of the student and their parent aren’t aligned.
• Modern musicians must learn to independently create, release, network, and generate income streams before labels or gatekeepers will take notice.
• Many college music programs lag behind industry realities, leaving students to seek entrepreneurial, production, and tech skills elsewhere to stay competitive.

“The thing that is always going to be in demand is creativity, interpretation, and emotion, and AI can't replace all of that, and artists have all of those things.” – Dr. Christine Gangelhoff

“Sometimes the parents’ reason for thinking about a gap year, or the child’s reason for bringing it up, may not be aligned, and that’s when you get that messy kind of wasted year.” – Dr. Alaina Johnson

“The more we train our young adults and our young musicians to be entrepreneurial, creative problem solvers, the better they will be in this ever-changing industry.” – Melissa Mulligan

About our Guests:

• Dr. Christine Gangelhoff
  • Website: https://mysoundpath.com/
  • LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/christine-gangelhoff-4b89b324
• Dr. Alaina Johnson
  • Website: https://parentingtalent.com/
• Melissa Mulligan
  • Website: https://www.mastermindroad.com/
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-mulligan-3ab018142/

Episode References:

• How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

flourishcoachingco.com/video

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

In this episode, Lisa and Ilana discuss:

• Mother-daughter dynamics in shaping career confidence and identity
• The unconscious transmission of attitudes about work, relationships, and self-worth
• Navigating the tension between supporting and controlling children’s career paths
• The role of self-awareness and open conversation in healthy career development

Key Takeaways:

• Daughters absorb far more from how mothers navigate work, relationships, and confidence than from the advice they are given outright.
• Holding too tightly to a fixed idea of who a daughter should become can quietly undermine her ability to build true career confidence.
• Paying attention to the language you use about your job and your life helps prevent unintentional patterns of negativity or self-doubt from passing on to your children.
• Sharing the full, unpolished story of your own career choices—including pivots, regrets, and proud moments—gives your child permission to make different decisions without guilt.

“The real trick is for daughters and for us to recognize our own strengths and weaknesses and separate ourselves enough from mom that we could see ourselves.” – Ilana Levitt

Episode References:

• Download a Sample Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman
• Sample The Seven Stories Exercise: https://careercenter.lehigh.edu/sites/careercenter.lehigh.edu/files/Seven%20Stories%20Exercise.pdf
• New York Times: 25 Questions to Bring You Closer to Your Mom: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/05/09/well/mothers-day-questions.html

Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career...(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).
flourishcoachingco.com/video

Connect with Ilana:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatsmomthebook/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatsmomthebook/
Book: What's Mom Still Got To Do With It?: https://www.whatsmomthebook.com/
Take the quick quiz to find out which daughter type from What’s Mom Still Got To Do With It? fits you best!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanatolpinlevitt/

Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co