Colleges have always been pressure cookers. The crucibles in which young adults can be fired to greatness are also heating some students to dangerous levels. Suicide and attempts are rising, as is campus violence. What’s going on? Helping us to understand the myriad pressures that today’s kids are under is Dr. Lynda Doyle, a therapist in-touch with the college generation. We also look at the controversial book, "Doing School" by Denise Clark Pope. Music heard on the show includes "Under Pressure" by David Bowie.

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As metaphors go, this is one of the best for teaching us how to succeed at virtually anything. Sometimes we are all that prevents true happiness in our relationships and careers. Here’s how to connect to your soul. Take this cello lesson, tap into your inner-self, and discover all you are, all you were meant to be. My thanks to fellow podcaster, Heidi Miller from “Diary of a Shameless Self-Promoter” for relating this story, and to author John David Mann for playing the notes. Music heard in this episode includes “Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major” by yo-yo Ma.

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How do you define retirement? Craig Jennings calls it “a nap on the way to the big sleep.” And at age 74, and running three businesses himself, who has time to nap? Today, many younger workers envision their “after work” years as adventure-filled. As a small business coach who went from CBS sales exec to African deep sea diver, Mr. Jennings is here to cheer you on! I guarantee your views on retirement will change dramatically when you hear this interview! Music heard on this show includes Gone Fishin’ by ‘The Chairmen of the Board’.

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I’ve been thinking about some of the recent and not so recent murders and suicides involving teens and young adults in the US. The Illinois campus. The Virginia campus. The shooting/suicides that took place in the wealthy Colorado suburban high school not too many years ago. Schools are clearly not the only settings where these tragedies happen. But they are the very places that have been created to provide hope. To offer life opportunities through learning.

I don’t doubt there must have been a variety of factors that triggered these murders and suicides. Nonetheless, I am convinced these kids share a sense of being hopelessly alone. Desperately misunderstood. Without a future.
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Turns out that what you put out on You Tube and other places in the Citizens Media can come back to bite you in major ways. That is, according to an article in Information Week that Ken sent today.

On Blame Game we talked about employers checking out social networks. But did you know the CIA closely follows You Tube and chat rooms for “honest-to-goodness intelligence”?

These are public spaces. Postings made in public are fair game for everyone. That includes the CIA. Schools. Employers. Voyeurs. Makes me think even more about the importance of using good judgment. Necessity of managing a hot temper. And how someone you never met may interpret your words. Food for thought.

The seamy underbelly of social networking sites. Accusations fly, kids punk their parents, people get canned, everybody it seems is out to get somebody. Forget MySpace and Facebook. Have you seen EnemyBook? Advice for a grad student with a bully for an advisor. Music heard on this show includes “Blame Game” by Keith Hinton. Call my comment hotline 888-378-5463 or email me at asknow@askdrharriet.com

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Down in the gym this morning I overheard Lola pleading with Shawn, her personal trainer. I’m losing it. Can’t do it. This is too hard. I could easily relate to her pleading. I work with Shawn on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This was her day to struggle. As I listened to Lola, my mind drifted to conversations I’ve had with clients, friends, and family. I was reminded once again that life lessons can be found in many arenas.
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Spare us the histrionics! Is there a drama queen in your life? Everything is always about them. Adversity befalls only them. One thing you must not do is play into it. Here’s is your DQ survival kit. Guest Wendy Susman. Music heard on this show includes “Drama Queen” by Dave Blackledge. E-mail me at asknow@askdrharriet.com

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It’s campaign season again. Reminds me of the last several campaigns. If you think  political campaigns inspire trust, vote yes. If you don’t, vote no. I sure have my doubts. Broken promises. Reassuring public statements followed by private betrayals. Little accountablility. Outright lies.

Lack of trust is not limited to politics. It’s in business. Remember Enron? You see it in local communities. Public figures say one thing. Then do another. I’m concerned about the consequences on a public level. And think about the implicit permission for private relationships. If it’s OK for a celebrity to violate trust, then maybe it’s not too bad for me to sometimes act that way.
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Don’t you deserve The Best? Here’s how to get it. Simple steps you can take to turn dreams about the perfect worklife into your own Career Breakthrough! Hint: think BIG! My guest is successful career coach, Michele LoBianco. Music heard on this show includes ‘The Best’ by Tina Turner. If you have a comment please e-mail me at AskNow@askdrharriet.com

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