The ”What’s Your Future? Podcast" celebrates Oakridge High School graduates who have found personal and career success. Each of our guests have a unique story to tell whether their pathway was through the military, university, straight to the workforce through credentials earned in high school, or just pure grit and opportunity. There is no wrong pathway to a successful career. These stories demonstrate the success of our schools and communities working together to prepare our students for their future.
Publisher
Tom Livezey, Superintendent at Oakridge Public Schools, Muskegon, Michigan
In this episode of What's Your Future Podcast, Don Kalisz shares his journey from being a high school student at Oakridge to becoming the founder of Kindred Marketing. He discusses his passion for art, the challenges he faced in navigating college and financial aid, and the importance of staying true to oneself. Don emphasizes the significance of finding fulfillment in one's career and offers valuable advice for current students on pursuing their passions and making informed decisions about their futures.
9 Aug 2025
Cary Harger - Don't Take Things Personal. Be Selfless.
Cary Harger, a retired educator from Oakridge Public Schools discusses his journey from being a student at Oakridge to becoming a teacher and mentor. Cary shares insights on navigating college, financial challenges, and the importance of influential figures in education (Coach Schugars, Coach Swinburne, Mr. Goodrich, and Mrs. Walling. He reflects on personal challenges faced during his career and offers advice for future educators. The conversation highlights the value of learning, mentorship, and the impact of community support. He offers his insight as he embarks on next career while reflecting on a life long lesson...don't take things personal and be selfless./
Cary Harger is starting a new career after retirement.
Communication skills are essential in any field.
It's important to stay open-minded about new opportunities.
College is a time to explore and figure out career paths.
Financial aid resources like FAFSA are crucial for students.
Mentorship plays a significant role in education.
Teachers should not take student behavior personally.
Building relationships with students is key to success.
New teachers should seek guidance from experienced educators.
Life lessons learned can apply to various situations.
Don't take things personal. Be selfless.
28 Jul 2025
Kassi Hanchera: Doodling in Math Class to Professional Content Creator for the City of Muskegon
In this episode of the "What's Your Future? Podcast", host Tom Livezey speaks with Kassi Hanchera, a content creator for the City of Muskegon and Oakridge 2009 graduate. Kassi shares her journey from doodling on her math assignment in Mr. Danicek's classroom in high school to her current role, discussing the challenges she faced, the influential figures in her life, and the importance of networking and education. She emphasizes the value of high school experiences, the role of financial aid through FAFSA, and offers advice for aspiring graphic designers. The conversation highlights the significance of making connections and exploring various opportunities during one's educational journey.Takeaways
Cassie transitioned from a pre-vet track to graphic design.
She faced challenges in college but found her passion in art.
Networking is crucial for career success.FAFSA can provide significant financial support for college.
High school is a safe space to explore interests.Influential teachers shaped Cassie's perspective and career.
Joining community groups can lead to job opportunities.
Doodling in class became a part of her career.
Exploring different subjects in high school is beneficial.
Cassie loves her job and the variety it offers.
20 May 2025
Ep. 1 - Carla Kevern PhD - Student to Director of Student Services. The Journey to a Successful Career in Psychology
In this episode of the What's Your Future Podcast, Carla Kevern shares her unique journey from being a first-generation college student to becoming the Director of MTSS at Oakridge Public Schools in Muskegon, Michigan. She discusses her educational path, the importance of financial planning for college, and offers valuable advice for aspiring psychology students. Carla reflects on the impact of public school education and the key influences in her life that helped shape her career. She concludes with her vision for making a broader impact in education.
21 Apr 2025
What's Your Future? Podcast - Introduction
Did you know that our graduates have found personal and career success through the military, through the university, straight to the workforce through credentials earned in high school, or just pure grit and opportunity? I’m Tom Livezey, host of the ”What’s Your Future? Podcast” and superintendent here at Oakridge. Our guests have a unique story to tell about their pathway to a successful career and they will demonstrate how our schools and community partner together to prepare students for their future.
Before we get to our first guest, help us tell these stories far and wide by clicking subscribe or liking our videos. And, if you’re interested in being a guest on the What’s Your Future Podcast, my email address is whatsyourfuture@oakridgeschools.org (mailto:whatsyourfuture@oakridgeschools.org) . Let’s get started!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,240
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
19
Social presence
0
YouTube
74
Engagement
0
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