Is college/university still worth it in 2026? Or are we sending millions of young people down a path of debt, anxiety, and lost purpose?

In this episode of The Conscious Man 7 Podcast, Todd Cave speaks with Terry Iverson, a 45-year manufacturing veteran, author, and founder of CHAMPION Now!, a movement helping young people discover debt-free, purpose-driven careers through apprenticeships and skilled trades.

With over 46 million Americans carrying student loan debt, Terry argues that the real crisis isn’t a lack of intelligence or ambition, it’s that young people are rarely shown the alternative paths to success that actually match their talents.

In this conversation we explore:

• Why the traditional college/university path is failing many young people
• The real opportunity behind apprenticeships and skilled trades
• How hands-on work builds confidence, identity, and purpose
• The hidden mental health benefits of meaningful work
• Why parents and mentors must rethink how we guide the next generation
• What the future of education and careers could look like

This episode challenges the cultural belief that success only comes from a university degree, and explores a powerful alternative that could transform how we prepare young people for life.

If you’re a parent, mentor, educator, or young person searching for direction, this conversation may completely change how you see success.

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