Exquisite Compassion with Father Greg Boyle Father Greg Boyle has spent most of his adult years helping transform the lives of former gang members at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. In this conversation he applies his many lessons learned to how we can increase joy and reduce loneliness in schools through kinship, mercy, and meaning. We cover a lot of territory, including: 2:21 Greg’s childhood on Norton Avenue 4:23 How Bolivia turned Greg inside out 9:00 How Homeboy Industrie...
Oct 8, 2023
45 min
Michelle Pledger confronted the internalized oppression from her experiences as a Black girl in a predominately white school; then she converted her newfound wisdom into a commitment to promote culturally relevant teaching practices that honor and support the lived experiences of all students. Her story is essential listening for anyone committed to true equity in schools. We cover a lot territory, including: 4:00 Black in a White school 7:42 Michelle’s awakening 10:58 The personal cos...
May 28, 2023
52 min
Humans, young and old, share a basic need to have some authorship in our own lives. Dr. Russell Quaglia has built his entire career around how to bring students’ voices into focus in classrooms and schools across the world. The result is happier students who learn more. We cover a lot of territory, including: 2:55 The difference between hockey and school 7:40 Our basic human need 8:50 Russ’s definition of voice 11:21 The (often missing) factor needed for voice to thrive 14:50 Why survey...
May 18, 2023
39 min
Episode 19: The Achievement Culture Cure with Dr. Stuart Slavin When Dr. Stuart Slavin received disturbing data about the dismal mental health of students at St. Louis University School of Medicine, he broke into action. The changes that Dr. Slavin and his faculty made transformed the mental health of their students…AND improved their learning outcomes! This is a MUST LISTEN episode. We cover a lot of territory, including: 0:54 Great news and a warning 4:29 Stuart in denial 6:12 Stuart...
Jan 29, 2023
45 min
This is Your Brain on Achievement Culture with Dr. William Stixrud We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis, especially among kids in “high achieving” schools. Neuropsychologist William Stixrud has a front row-seat to the crisis, with unique insight into emerging research on the impact that “achievement-culture” related chronic stress and anxiety have on the adolescent brain. We cover a lot of territory, including: 4:20 How the Beatles shaped Bill’s brain 7:46 The difference ...
Jan 12, 2023
42 min
In our race to cover state content standards and prepare students for high-stakes tests, many educators are overlooking a powerful strategy for transforming students’ futures and making serious strides toward equity. Policy analyst and author Julia Freeland Fisher preaches the game-changing impact of expanding students’ social networks. Julia Freeland Fisher is the director of education research at the Clayton Christensen Institute. Her team educates policymakers and community leaders on the ...
Nov 14, 2022
37 min
In October 2022, educators from across the country gathered at NIHF STEM Middle School in Akron, Ohio for TeachBetter22. In this special edition episode, you'll hear 22 conference participants share the most powerful learning experience of their youth. The episode closes with an unforgettable tale from conference keynote speaker and Grammy winner Mickey Smith Jr.
Oct 24, 2022
36 min
Teenage Takeover with Sam Levin Today Sam Levin is the 29-year-old Oxford PhD CEO of a biotech company. Thirteen years ago he was a high school junior exasperated at his friends’ disengagement and unhappiness at school. So he did something about it! Now students, teachers, and parents are taking note of his bold vision. We cover a lot of territory including: 3:11 The seeds of Sam’s discontent with school 4:28 Sam’s mom puts forth a challenge 5:11 A community garden reveals that teens can love...
Jul 26, 2022
33 min
“Tuned In” to the Future with Tony Wagner A surprise package arrived at 11-year-old Tony Wagner’s house that permanently impacted his understanding of learning. Decades later, after a career that included twenty years of thought leadership at Harvard University and multiple best-selling books on school reform, Wagner connects the dots to the essential 21st century skills our schools are missing. Tony Wagner is one of the nation’s leading educational reformers. His books · &...
Jun 1, 2022
34 min
Julie Kim is an L.A.-based college admissions counselor who helps young people gain entrance into America’s most selective colleges. In this conversation Julie pulls back the curtain on the college admissions process and shows young people how they can not only get into selective colleges, but how they can be happier and more excited as they do it. Julie Kim is the founder of Julie Kim Consulting. She has helped her clients gain admissions to the nation’s most competitive colleges, from Stan...
Feb 27, 2022
34 min
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