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Top 10 Degree Free Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Degree Free episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Degree Free for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Degree Free episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Creating Success in Tech: Sean’s Journey from Small Tech Roles to Amazon with Sean Dubois (DF#113)
Degree Free
09/06/23 • 65 min
Join us for an inspiring episode of the Degree Free Podcast, where Sean Dubois shares his personal journey of finding tech success without a degree. He discusses how working at Amazon opened doors for him and made job interviews easier. Sean encourages listeners to prioritize personal growth and happiness over societal expectations.
Key Discussion Points:
Sean and Ryan talk about programming and open-source projects, emphasizing the importance of solving problems you're passionate about and saying yes to opportunities.
- They discuss the benefits of open source projects, such as having control over your destiny and contributing to projects you care about. They also mention the challenges and rewards of creating your own projects.
- The importance of self-discovery and self-actualization in motivating oneself to work hard and succeed is discussed. They highlight the inner motivation to persevere through failures as being more important than specific programming languages or projects.
- Sean talks about finding a niche in the WebRTC space and the concept of doing things in public to create opportunities and connections. They also challenge the significance of job titles in the software industry.
- The conversation tackles the relationship between money and happiness, acknowledging that while money doesn't guarantee happiness, it can provide financial stability and freedom. Personal anecdotes about the impact of financial stability are shared.
- The episode ends with Sean explaining why he helps others, emphasizing paying it forward and the mutual benefit of helping motivated individuals. Ryan reflects on his own experiences and expresses a desire to do more.
- Sean advises that solving personal problems, finding self-confidence, and enjoying what you do can lead to career success and fulfillment.
Don't miss this enlightening episode of the Degree Free Podcast, where Sean Dubois and Ryan Maruyama share their experiences and insights on success, personal growth, and finding happiness. Tune in and be inspired!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: degreefree.co
Join the Degree Free Network and get the support you need to get hired, get that promotion, and achieve your career goals! You’ll get access to our free resources such as the 5 Degree Free Pathways and 7 Day Get Hired Challenge Course: degreefree.co/network
Learn job hunting skills and learn how to land your dream job in 7 days: degreefree.co/gethired/
Starting your degree free journey but don't know where to start? Check out our free ‘5 Degree Free Pathways’ Course: degreefree.co/pathways

Future-Proof Your Career: Positioning Yourself for Success in the AI Era with Drake Porter (DF#107)
Degree Free
07/26/23 • 71 min
Today, we have a returning guest! Drake Porter is a Senior Product Manager at Meta. He’s a former League of Legends coach, competitive StarCraft 2 player and you can find his previous episode here.
In his previous episode, he talked about his journey from being unemployed due to COVID, to earning $385,000/yr at Meta without a college degree. Today, he comes back and talks about how to future-proof your career with the AI revolution.
In this episode, we talked about:
The impact of AI across various industries and delve into its current uses while contemplating its future potential.
- The trends that are here to stay and examine the emerging possibilities, empowering you to make informed decisions about your career trajectory.
- What would Drake do differently if he could start all over now at 15 years old
- Practical tips and strategies for individuals who have experienced a layoff, helping them regain their footing and reignite their career journeys
- Worried about AI taking jobs? We address this concern and share proactive steps you can take to strategically position yourself in the era of automation. Furthermore, we explore effective ways to prepare for the impending AI wave, equipping you with actionable insights to seize opportunities and stay relevant.
Drake also talks about the biggest challenges he’s facing right now in his role and his strategies for tackling them.
Enjoy this value-packed episode!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: degreefree.co
Join the Degree Free Network and get the support you need to get hired, get that promotion, and achieve your career goals! You’ll get access to our free resources such as the 5 Degree Free Pathways and 7 Day Get Hired Challenge Course: degreefree.co/network
Learn job hunting skills and learn how to land your dream job in 7 days: https://degreefree.co/gethired/
Starting your degree free journey but don't know where to start? Check out our free ‘5 Degree Free Pathways’ Course: degreefree.co/pathways
Thinking of changing your career path but don't know where to start? Check out our job change accelerator course: degreefree.co/jobchange

How To Repurpose Your Education And Achieve Financial Freedom with Zakiya Akerele, Ph.D. - Ep. 65
Degree Free
10/05/22 • 52 min
"What’s alarming is that many think that having a degree is an employment guarantee. Solely connecting higher education to career sustainability creates a false sense of security."
-Zakiya Akerele, author of Dump Your Degree
Dr. Zakiya Akerele is an Atlanta-based educator, author, and speaker who found an early passion in academic pursuits hoping to use them to improve herself and the world around her.
She sought higher education with full force, obtaining degrees from Florida A&M University (B.A.), Columbia University (Ed.M.), and Fordham University (M.A. and Ph.D.) in International Education, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. Dr. Akerele has served in various capacities at higher education institutions and at social justice, political, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) both in the U.S. and abroad.
Her new book, Dump Your Degree, is a timely and invaluable resource for anyone seeking guidance on navigating higher education, developing their career, and having financial security.
In this episode, we talked about:
• Why a degree won't guarantee career success, and what can you do instead to have a successful career?
• How you can repurpose your education to get the job you want and achieve financial freedom
• Why 'who you know' is as important as 'what you know' to have career success.
Ryan and Zakiya also talked about how parents can help their children prepare for college and their careers.
Hope you all enjoy this fun conversation and value-packed episode!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co
Get the guide on how to: Teach Yourself. Get Work. Make Money. No Degree Needed.: https://degreefree.co/workbook
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get exclusive tips and tricks to make great money without a college degree! https://degreefree.co/signup
Like, subscribe, write us a review, and if you have a question or want some advice email us at [email protected]

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Bradley, a TikTok content creator, as he shares his eye-opening experience with student loan debt and the harsh realities of choosing a costly college without understanding the financial implications.
Join us as we delve into the importance of informed consent and radical responsibility in managing personal finances.
What You’ll Learn:
The lack of information and guidance before signing for student loans and the shock of realizing the amount owed after graduation.
- The impact of debt on creative professionals and the missed opportunities for career growth due to financial constraints.
- The pressure to pursue traditional education paths and the societal expectations surrounding obtaining a degree.
- Bradley's personal journey of overcoming $130,000 of debt with a low-paying job and the importance of taking control of one's financial future.
Don't miss this insightful conversation on student loan debt and the societal pressures around education.
Take control of your finances, make informed decisions, and commit to improving your financial situation.
Tune in to the Degree Free Podcast for more inspiring stories and practical tips on navigating the world of personal finance.
Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school?
Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co
Your questions, answered on air! Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!
Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?
Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!
Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.
Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.
Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Why The Best Time To Find A Job Is NOW! | Julia Pollak, Chief Economist at ZipRecruiter - Ep. 72
Degree Free
11/23/22 • 50 min
Today, we have Julia Pollak, ZipRecruiter's Chief Economist to talk about the current state of the job market and how you can stand out amongst the other job seekers.
Julia Pollak is the Chief Economist at ZipRecruiter, a leading online employment marketplace that uses AI-driven smart matching technology to connect millions of businesses and job seekers.
She uses data from the ZipRecruiter marketplace to measure the health of the labor market, identify hiring trends, and help employers and job seekers prepare for the future of work. Her research is frequently cited in leading national outlets, like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and NPR. She is also a contributor to Barron’s and a member of the Forbes Human Resources Council.
Prior to working at ZipRecruiter, Julia was an Assistant Policy Analyst at the RAND Corporation and an adjunct economics instructor at Pepperdine University.
Julia holds a B.A. in economics from Harvard and an M.Phil. in policy analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School. She was a drilling reservist in the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2022.
In this episode, we talk about:
The current state of the job market and why it's never been better for job seekers
- How you can stand out against other job seekers
- Why finding a job is more similar to the marriage market
- Why you don't need to meet the job qualifications 100% to get hired
Julia also talks about how having a mentor can greatly affect your career and life. She also talks about how you can find one!
Hope you all enjoy this fun conversation and value-packed episode!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co
Get the guide on how to: Teach Yourself. Get Work. Make Money. No Degree Needed.: https://degreefree.co/workbook
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get exclusive tips and tricks to make great money without a college degree! https://degreefree.co/signup
Like, subscribe, write us a review, and if you have a question or want some advice email us at [email protected]

What Does A Salesforce Admin Do - Ep.29
Degree Free
01/27/22 • 24 min
Salesforce Admin is one of the best jobs you can have without a degree. When junior positions are ranging from $70 to $75k, and the certification costs only a few hundred dollars, it’s indeed one of the best jobs you can have out there.
Learn from Hannah herself as she walks us through her first tech certification job!
Welcome to Degree Free, where we explain what you can do instead of going to college, and how to teach yourself, get work, and make good money.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What is the typical day like for Salesforce admins
- What experience do you need to become a Salesforce admin
- What’s the salary range for Salesforce admins
Hannah also talks about why you’re a good candidate for a Salesforce admin if you have customer service experience.
Hope you all enjoy the episode!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefreenetwork.com
Get the guide on how to: Teach Yourself. Get Work. Make Money. No Degree Needed.: https://degreefreenetwork.com/guide
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get exclusive tips and tricks to make great money without a college degree! https://degreefreenetwork.com/signup
Like, subscribe, write us a review, and if you have a question or want some advice email us at [email protected]
Thanks for listening, aloha guys!

How To Prepare For Job Interviews - Ep 28
Degree Free
01/20/22 • 25 min

How To Have a Successful Career Without a College Degree with Praxis’s CEO, Cameron Sorsby - Ep.67
Degree Free
10/19/22 • 69 min
Whether you're degree free or not, this episode is a goldmine of knowledge when it comes to having career success. Today, we're having Praxis's CEO, Cameron Sorsby as our guest.
Praxis is a company that offers a college alternative apprenticeship program. Cameron is one of the very first customers of Praxis, he then became an intern at the company and worked his way up to CEO!
In this episode, we talked about:
• Why you don't need a college degree to have a thriving and successful career
• What are the most in-demand skills that employers are looking for
• How you can emphasize your value to an employer even if you don't have relevant experience
Learn more about Praxis: https://discoverpraxis.com/
Ryan and Cameron also talked about the system behind Praxis and why it's a great way to launch your career.
Hope you all enjoy this fun conversation and value-packed episode!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co
Get the guide on how to: Teach Yourself. Get Work. Make Money. No Degree Needed.: https://degreefree.co/workbook
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get exclusive tips and tricks to make great money without a college degree! https://degreefree.co/signup
Like, subscribe, write us a review, and if you have a question or want some advice email us at [email protected]

Portfolio Building, Seizing Career Opportunities, and the Most Important Lessons from 2023! (DF#129)
Degree Free
12/27/23 • 49 min
2023 was wild! We’re going over the most important lessons we learned from our podcast guests this year. You should definitely listen to all the episodes. But, if you don’t have time, these are the highlights!
In this episode, we delve into the importance of portfolios and projects for showcasing skills and experience. We take a moment to reflect on Degree Free's incredible year, expressing gratitude to our amazing listeners.
What makes this episode special is that we go a step further, highlighting the key points and takeaways from each guest we've had this year.
What you’ll learn:
Explore the highlights and takeaways from riveting interviews with industry experts including Billy Cosentino, Diana Spencer, Bradley Rice, and others.
- Uncover valuable insights on career transitions, being bold in your moves, and different paths to enter industries like IT and software administration.
- Discover the importance of personal projects and portfolios for developers and the impacts of learning fast, taking action, and showcasing proof of work.
- Learn about the significance of job security and making strategic decisions while capitalizing on trends in your career and life choices.
- Get insider tips on connecting your skills to the job you're applying for and stand out as an effective job seeker.
Join us as we wrap up this episode, expressing our gratitude to the incredible guests who joined us in 2023. We have big plans for the future and can't wait to share more exciting content with you. As we welcome the new year, we wish you all the best in your endeavors. Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes on the Degree Free Podcast!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: degreefree.co
Join the Degree Free Network and get the support you need to get hired, get that promotion, and achieve your career goals! You’ll get access to our free resources such as the 5 Degree Free Pathways and 7 Day Get Hired Challenge Course: degreefree.co/network
Learn job hunting skills and learn how to land your dream job in 7 days: degreefree.co/gethired/
Starting your degree free journey but don't know where to start? Check out our free ‘5 Degree Free Pathways’ Course: degreefree.co/pathways

06/28/23 • 33 min
In this episode, we discuss how to use job references effectively. We’ll uncover the right approach to leverage this powerful tool for career success. Discover practical tips to make the most of your references, what you should and what you shouldn’t do to get the job you want.
Next, we delve into the concerning trend of declining college enrollment. Why are fewer people choosing college? We explore the factors behind this decline, including rising costs and alternative education paths. We also explore the effects of declining college enrollment to our economy.
Join us for an insightful episode as we demystify job references and declining college enrollment!
To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: degreefree.co
Join the Degree Free Network and get the support you need to get hired, get that promotion, and achieve your career goals! You’ll get access to our free resources such as the 5 Degree Free Pathways and 7 Day Get Hired Challenge Course: degreefree.co/network
Learn job hunting skills and learn how to land your dream job in 7 days: degreefree.co/gethired/
Starting your degree free journey but don't know where to start? Check out our free ‘5 Degree Free Pathways’ Course: degreefree.co/pathways
Thinking of changing your career path but don't know where to start? Check out our job change accelerator course: degreefree.co/jobchange
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FAQ
How many episodes does Degree Free have?
Degree Free currently has 191 episodes available.
What topics does Degree Free cover?
The podcast is about Podcasts, Education, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Degree Free?
The episode title 'Robyn Altucher, Master of Soft Skills - How to Go From Apprentice to Having 70+ Employees - Ep. 60' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Degree Free?
The average episode length on Degree Free is 43 minutes.
How often are episodes of Degree Free released?
Episodes of Degree Free are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Degree Free?
The first episode of Degree Free was released on Jun 25, 2021.
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