What if everything you believed about college was a lie?
In this episode, I sit down with Hannah Maruyama of Degree Free, who, alongside her husband, has dedicated her life to helping young people reject the myth that college is the only path to success. She’s not just talking theories, she’s working directly with 16 to 20-year-olds, helping them carve out real, debt-free futures that actually align with their values.
We get into why the college system is fundamentally broken, how it became a trillion-dollar trap, and what we can do instead. From calling out the emotional manipulation baked into college marketing to breaking down how Gen Z is waking up and opting out, this conversation is direct, eye-opening, and deeply personal.
You’ll Learn:
- The real reason college became a trillion-dollar industry, and who profits most
- What happens when you tell teens they need a degree to succeed
- The surprising link between college debt and delayed adulthood
- Why most college grads are underemployed and overpromised
- How Gen Z is flipping the script on traditional education
- What it feels like to build a career without a degree, and win
- A practical framework to help teens uncover real interests and viable paths
- The social bait of college, and why it’s not what your kid actually needs
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[06:10] The financial reality and predatory nature of student loans
[12:15] How the Higher Education Act created the college debt crisis
[18:05] The social myths used to sell college to parents and teens
[24:20] The cultural programming behind college as an avoidance tactic
[30:35] Why large peer groups in college create artificial community
[43:50] Real world alternatives to college that build skills and networks
[57:40] Passion vs interest and helping teens choose a career path
[1:15:20] Designing a life around priorities like family, location, and income
[1:35:10] Reclaiming education outside the college system with targeted learning
[1:52:30] Empowering parents to guide teens toward true vocational freedom
- How to connect with Hannah:
- Website: degreefree.com
- Instagram: @degreefree
- TikTok: @degreefree
- Go to the Juvent Store and use code KELLY300 at checkout to get $300 off your purchase.
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