
Episode #140
Is College Right for Your Child? Values, Calling & Alternatives with Dr. Carla Caturia
Episode Description: Anna sits down with Dr. Carla Caturia - educator, former principal, and mental performance coach with 20+ years working with students and families - to tackle the college question every parent eventually faces. Together they explore how to move beyond the "college conveyor belt" mentality and instead root decisions in family values, a child's unique design, and God's calling for their life. Key Points: College isn't one-size-fits-all decisions should flow from family values and each child's individual purpose, not default expectations "Success without self": high-achieving kids often tie their identity to performance, leading to perfectionism, anxiety, and burnout Praise effort and learning over outcomes to build intrinsic motivation instead of external validation Networking and campus engagement can matter more than the degree itself but only if a student is truly plugged in Trade schools, gap years, online college, and hybrid paths are valid alternatives to traditional 4-year college Let kids fail early (middle school, not freshman year) to build resilience before higher-stakes decisions Parents should coach kids to problem-solve first, stepping in only when truly needed the goal is raising independent adults Watch for living vicariously through your child vs. genuinely supporting their right path No past "detour" or career pivot is wasted every season can be redeemed and used for growth Scripture Mentioned: Proverbs 22:6 (paraphrased) — "Train up a child in the way they should go" — discussed as pointing to a child's God-given design/bent, not just moral instruction Romans 8:28 — "All things work together for our good and for His glory" Books/Resources Mentioned: Dr. Carla's Website - https://thehouseofrise.com/ Find Dr. Carla on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drcarlacaturia/ Connect Leave a Review — Enjoying the show? A review helps more people find it - and we appreciate it SO much! Overwhelmed to Overcomer - Podcast - Apple Podcasts Book a Curiosity Call — Want someone walking alongside you as you learn to trust the Holy Spirit's leading? Book here! https://calendly.com/annahmclaughlin/coaching-curiosity-call Just Like Paradise — Are you looking for your next beach getaway? We'd love to host you at Just Like Paradise in Oak Island, NC! See if our space fits your needs here: airbnb.com/h/justlikeparadise ... and then contact me on Instagram @sheconsidersafield or at 704.810.1181 for 10% off your stay! Referral gift — AND....... refer a friend who books a stay with us at Just Like Paradise ... we'll send you $100 cash as a thank you! MUSIC CREDITS Theme music: Brave New World ASLC-1BEF9A9E-9E9D609662 Artist: Fantoms Inspiring Hopeful Audio source: Jamendo Artist: Aliaksei Yukhnevich ASLC-2B505EF3-E9CD4817A6




