{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "type": "PodcastSeries", "name": "Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators", "dateModified": "2026-10-31T05:34:43.445Z", "tagline": "Thought-provoking conversations on trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education.", "description": "Shifting Schools is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education. Hosted by educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, the podcast provides a platform for teachers, administrators, and education thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on how to improve teaching and learning. 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They interview teachers, leaders, authors, and innovators about the work of K-12 schools.", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/hosts/jeff-utecht-tricia-friedman" }, "listen": { "website": "http://www.shiftingschools.com", "applePodcasts": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/id185888113", "spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0sC3BM5ICcXfS87kwrYSdB", "youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_uL36t4NV0fM-Sw7QA6RIu8EDKqeWfvp" }, "alsoOn": [], "interactionStatistic": { "episodesListed": 77, "episodesIndexed": 77 }, "episode": [ { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 368, "name": "Googly Eyes, Big Feelings, and Asking for Help with Christy Mandin", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/googly-eyes-big-feelings-and-asking-for-help-with-christy-mandin", "datePublished": "2026-10-14", "dateText": "Oct 14, 2026", "duration": "PT22M43S", "durationText": "22:43", "description": "What can picture books teach us about helping children feel heard—and learning to ask for help ourselves? Author and illustrator Christy Mandin returns to explore Millie Fleur's Pumpkin Problem and Millie Fleur's Worst Day Ever. Through her imaginative characters, Christy opens up conversations about creativity, community, and respecting children's emotional experiences. Together, we consider why a child's \"worst day ever\" deserves our attention, even when the problem seems small to an adult. Christy shares how life in her neurodivergent household shapes her approach to communication and why supporting someone involves both expressing our needs and noticing the needs of others. We also go behind the scenes of her creative process—from gardening and escaping chickens to a beloved shed character—and hear her refreshingly honest three-day rule for processing feedback. In this episode, we explore: Respecting children as whole people with experiences that matter. Asking for help and challenging the fear of burdening others. Using picture books to spark conversations and build community. Finding characters and creative inspiration in everyday life. Making space to process feedback before deciding what comes next. For educators, librarians, parents, and anyone nurturing creativity, this conversation offers an invitation to notice more, listen closely, and make room for support. Explore Christy's books and work: https://www.christymandin.com Discover the Millie Fleur series: https://www.scholastic.com/site/millie-fleur.html", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/14_oct_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 367, "name": "What Horror Teaches Us About Grief and Belonging—with Ryan La Sala", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/what-horror-teaches-us-about-grief-and-belonging-with-ryan-la-sala", "datePublished": "2026-10-12", "dateText": "Oct 12, 2026", "duration": "PT22M23S", "durationText": "22:23", "description": "What can a horror novel teach us about friendship—and why might surviving together be its most hopeful message? Author Ryan La Sala joins Tricia Friedman to explore the queer horror of The Dead of Summer, where estranged childhood friends must decide whether they can hold onto one another when disaster strikes. Their conversation moves beyond the scares to examine representation, found family, grief, and the surprising relationship between terror and joy. Ryan explains why he writes queer characters whose lives extend beyond coming out, how each novel challenges his creative process, and what it means to see The Honeys adapted for film. For educators, librarians, readers, and writers, this episode opens up questions about whose stories young people encounter—and how fiction can invite deeper conversations about belonging, loss, and care. In this conversation: Why horror creates room for creative experimentation and queer storytelling. How friendship and community shape survival in The Dead of Summer. How humor and joy coexist with fear. Exploring grief across The Honeys, Beholder, and The Dead of Summer. Anticipatory grief: how fear of future loss can interrupt the present. Ryan's collaborative role in the film adaptation of The Honeys. Explore the books: The Dead of Summer, The Honeys, and Beholder by Ryan La Sala. Ryan also discusses Bodies of Water, the sequel to The Dead of Summer. A question to carry forward: Which stories help young people imagine that they don't have to face difficult things alone? Share this episode with a reader or educator who would appreciate a different perspective on horror. Content note: Discussion of grief, sibling death, cancer, and fictional horror.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/12_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 366, "name": "Building a Firm Around People Who Need an Advocate", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/building-a-firm-around-people-who-need-an-advocate", "datePublished": "2026-10-05", "dateText": "Oct 5, 2026", "duration": "PT31M45S", "durationText": "31:45", "description": "What does it take to build a firm around the needs of people facing some of life's most difficult circumstances? Tricia welcomes the founder of USA4ALL to explore the purpose behind its work, including serving survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The conversation begins with the firm's origin story and the question of what makes its approach distinctive. For educators and community leaders, this episode invites reflection on how compassion shapes the organizations we build—and how we recognize whose needs deserve greater attention. As you listen, consider: What can an organization's origin story reveal about its values? How does compassion influence everyday decisions about whom we serve and how? Whose needs might be overlooked by the systems we work within? What would it take to strengthen connections between our communities and people who can offer informed support? Learn more about Renata Castro and USA4ALL, and use this conversation as a starting point for thinking about what purposeful, compassionate leadership can look like in practice.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/5Oct_version_2_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 365, "name": "When Should Students Use AI? Let Them Design a Game", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/when-should-students-use-ai-let-them-design-a-game", "datePublished": "2026-10-01", "dateText": "Oct 1, 2026", "duration": "PT11M31S", "durationText": "11:31", "description": "What if your next assessment asked students to pitch a board game—and explain when they chose to use AI? In this episode, Tricia Friedman explores how game design can bring together research, persuasive writing, creativity, collaboration, and AI literacy. The central challenge: help students make thoughtful decisions about where AI supports their learning and where they want to work without it. You don't need time to develop an entire board game. Tricia introduces a smaller game-pitch challenge, using the history of the Spokane River as an example that educators can adapt to their own curriculum and local context. Together, we explore: A task that asks students to choose three moments to use AI and two to work without it—and justify those decisions. How matching game mechanics to a researched theme creates opportunities for testing, feedback, and revision. Connections to ELA, humanities, art, and mathematics through persuasive pitches, visual design, pricing, and material costs. How game reviews, playthrough videos, and crowdfunding pitches can become texts worth studying. What it means to approach assessment redesign with both boldness and humility. A question to bring to your next planning meeting: How could an assessment make students' judgment about AI as visible as their final product? Explore Tricia's free GAMES framework and consider where a game-pitch challenge could fit into an upcoming unit. https://shifting-schools-games.netlify.app/ Reach out: tricia@shiftingschools.com", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Friday_Bonus_mixdown_1.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 364, "name": "From Research to Collective Action: Dr. Camille Busette on Healthcare Advocacy", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/from-research-to-collective-action-dr-camille-busette-on-healthcare-advocacy", "datePublished": "2026-09-28", "dateText": "Sep 28, 2026", "duration": "PT12M41S", "durationText": "12:41", "description": "What happens when the cost of healthcare forces someone to delay a doctor's visit, skip a prescription, or take on debt? Tricia Friedman welcomes Dr. Camille Busette, executive vice president of Programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to discuss One Nation, Overcharged. The nationwide campaign brings people together to call for more affordable healthcare. The challenge is widespread, but it is not shared equally. In this conversation, Tricia and Dr. Busette examine what the data reveals about healthcare costs, whose experiences are too often overlooked, and how sharing those experiences can help communities push for change. Learn more about the campaign: https://onenationovercharged.org/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/28_Sept_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 363, "name": "Beyond Screen-Time Bans: Student Safety in the Age of AI", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/beyond-screen-time-bans-student-safety-in-the-age-of-ai", "datePublished": "2026-09-21", "dateText": "Sep 21, 2026", "duration": "PT32M17S", "durationText": "32:17", "description": "School districts are reaching a turning point in how they manage classroom technology. After years of rapid device adoption and policies that often responded to one risk at a time, leaders are asking a harder question: How can schools protect students from cyberbullying, data theft, AI-enabled scams, distraction and online harm without cutting them off from the learning, creativity and connection technology can provide? In this episode, Tricia speaks with Harrison Parker, Executive Vice President at Linewize, about the shift from reactive restrictions toward a more coordinated approach to student digital safety and well-being. Harrison explains why this work cannot sit solely with a district's technology department. Effective digital safety connects IT leaders, educators, safeguarding teams, administrators, students and families. It also brings together prevention, early detection, intervention and education rather than treating each new platform or threat as a separate problem. Their conversation examines three changes taking place across K–12 education: • Moving beyond screen-time bans toward digital-health strategies that address distraction and burnout while preserving useful learning • Replacing panic-driven AI bans with practical guardrails for privacy, safety and classroom use • Managing the \"3 PM hand-off\" by helping families understand and supervise what happens on school-issued devices after students leave campus Harrison also discusses how districts can identify concerning online behavior earlier, understand which applications students are actually using and give families greater visibility into children's digital experiences. In this episode: • Why banning the latest technology rarely provides a lasting solution • What schools need to know about student screen time and app use • How AI is changing online risks for students and districts • Why data privacy must be part of classroom AI decisions • How schools can distinguish productive technology use from distraction • What early detection and intervention can look like • Why digital safety should not belong exclusively to the IT department • How responsibility shifts when students take school-issued devices home • Ways schools and families can develop a more coordinated approach • How districts can protect students without abandoning technology-supported learning Questions for your leadership team: • Who owns digital safety in our school or district right now? • How well connected are our technology, safeguarding, instructional and family-engagement teams? • Do we know which digital tools students are using and how they are using them? • Are our policies teaching students to navigate digital environments, or only restricting access? • What happens to our duty of care when a school-issued device goes home? • Are our AI policies based on specific risks, or on a general fear of the technology? • How quickly could our current approach respond to a new digital threat? About Harrison Parker Harrison Parker is Executive Vice President at Linewize, the K–12 online safety division of Qoria. He works with district leaders across North America on digital safety, student well-being, technology management and family engagement. Learn more: Linewize: https://www.linewize.com/ Harrison Parker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrison-parker-02951921 Subscribe to Shifting Schools for more conversations about AI, technology and the changing needs of learners. Topics: student digital safety, screen time in schools, AI in education, cyberbullying, student mental health, online safety, data privacy, school-issued devices, digital citizenship, family engagement, educational technology and K–12 leadership #StudentSafety #AIinEducation #DigitalCitizenship #SchoolLeadership #EdTech", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/21_Sept_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 362, "name": "Why the World Has Always Been Weird — and Why That Matters", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/why-the-world-has-always-been-weird-and-why-that-matters", "datePublished": "2026-09-14", "dateText": "Sep 14, 2026", "duration": "PT18M52S", "durationText": "18:52", "description": "Uncle John's All-Knowing Bathroom Reader, Curiosity, and the Weirdness of Human History Brian Boone joins the show to talk about why the world has always been weird—not just now. The conversation ranges from animal history and television oddities to fact-checking, collaboration, and why curiosity is the engine behind good stories and human wisdom. In this episode, Tricia and Brian Boone discuss how access to information can make the present feel stranger than the past, even though human behavior has always been full of surprises. They also explore the storytelling and editorial work behind Uncle John's All-Knowing Bathroom Reader, including how the team verifies claims, chooses topics, and turns obscure facts into accessible reading. Key topics Why the world has always been weird, even if modern media makes us more aware of it Why dogs have so many breeds while cats have comparatively few How horses helped shape agriculture, travel, trade, language exchange, and city states Why fact-checking is more important—and more difficult—in an age of copied information The story of J. Fred Muggs, the chimp who co-hosted Today in the early days of television How risk-taking and strange ideas contribute to human innovation Why fads are much older than mass media How writers, editors, designers, and marketers collaborate on the bathroom reader How colleagues' different passions can make unfamiliar subjects fascinating Why curiosity may be the engine behind wisdom and connection Timestamps 00:00 — Why the world feels weirder now than it used to 00:42 — The case for \"the world has always been weird\" 01:55 — Why cats have far fewer breeds than dogs 03:18 — How horses helped shape the modern era 05:23 — Why fact-checking is harder in an age of copied information 06:41 — The strange story of J. Fred Muggs on Today 08:42 — Why risk-taking and weird ideas are part of human progress 10:23 — Fads are older than mass media 12:51 — How the bathroom reader team collaborates 14:21 — Learning from coworkers with radically different interests 15:46 — Curiosity as the engine of wisdom Learn more https://bathroomreader.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/14_Sept_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 361, "name": "From Super Bowl Champion to Literacy Champion | Malcolm Mitchell", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/from-super-bowl-champion-to-literacy-champion-malcolm-mitchell", "datePublished": "2026-09-07", "dateText": "Sep 7, 2026", "duration": "PT22M36S", "durationText": "22:36", "description": "What if readers and writers received the same attention, celebration, and investment as star athletes? In this episode, Tricia speaks with Super Bowl champion, children's author, and literacy advocate Malcolm Mitchell about his new picture book, My Super Duper Me. They discuss the lasting effect of a few encouraging words, the role librarians can play in helping children see their own possibilities, and why adults should never underestimate the power of simply showing up with a positive message. Malcolm shares his own journey from struggling reader to member of the Silverleaf Book Club, published author, and founder of Share the Magic Foundation. He explains why reading is not only an academic skill, but also a source of confidence, community, opportunity, and belonging. The conversation also considers what schools and communities could learn from the cultural power of sports. If young people see athletes celebrated everywhere, how might their aspirations change if readers, writers, books, and libraries were made just as visible? Malcolm also offers a candid look at his writing practice and the connection between athletic and creative training: show up, make the most of each repetition, and be willing to try again tomorrow. In this episode: • Why brief words of encouragement can stay with a young person • The librarian at the heart of My Super Duper Me • Malcolm's journey from struggling reader to passionate literacy advocate • How a welcoming book club helped change his life • Why reading can build confidence, connection, and belonging • What it would mean to celebrate literacy as loudly as sports • How educators can participate in free Share the Magic reading challenges • What football taught Malcolm about writing, practice, and persistence Learn more about Malcolm Mitchell, Share the Magic Foundation, and its free reading programs at readwithmalcolm.com. We also talk about: 📚 Librarians as guides, bridges, and heroes 📚 Reading as a source of confidence, community, and belonging 📚 What schools can learn from the visibility and cultural power of sports 📚 Why creative practice is not so different from athletic training 📚 The willingness to show up and try again", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/7septt_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 360, "name": "Never Underestimate a Young Reader", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/never-underestimate-a-young-reader", "datePublished": "2026-08-31", "dateText": "Aug 31, 2026", "duration": "PT28M31S", "durationText": "28:31", "description": "What do young people understand that adults mistakenly believe they have hidden from them? Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson returns to the podcast to discuss Ghost in the Night, her haunting middle-grade novel set against the ghost tours, buried histories, and complicated beauty of Savannah, Georgia. Tiffany invites educators to take young readers—and their capacity to confront difficult subjects—seriously. We explore why children sometimes attach themselves intensely to a particular interest while processing grief, and what educators might discover if they look beyond the fascination and ask what need it may be meeting. We also discuss the importance of grief literacy, the trust created when adults acknowledge what children already know, and the difference between protecting young people and underestimating them. The conversation moves beyond the ghosts of Savannah to examine whose histories become tourist attractions, whose stories remain untold, and how literature can inspire students to investigate the overlooked histories of their own communities. Tiffany also shares why young characters need opportunities to form friendships without constant adult choreography, how she calibrates horror for middle-grade readers, and the deceptively simple practice she recommends to every aspiring writer: read closely enough to notice how a story works. This episode explores: Why educators need to take children's inner lives seriously How intense interests can sometimes help young people process grief The role of grief literacy in schools and classrooms How honest conversations can build trust between adults and children Why young people need agency in friendship and problem-solving Whose histories are preserved, promoted, ignored, or buried How place can function as a character in a novel What horror offers middle-grade readers How students can learn the craft of writing by reading like writers At its heart, this conversation asks educators to consider what becomes possible when we stop assuming young people cannot handle the truth—and begin giving them stories that honour their intelligence, curiosity, and humanity.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/31_August_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 359, "name": "The Humanoid Robot, the Headlines, and What Really Happened", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-humanoid-robot-the-headlines-and-what-really-happened", "datePublished": "2026-08-28", "dateText": "Aug 28, 2026", "duration": "PT57M39S", "durationText": "57:39", "description": "When Salamanca City Central School District announced plans to bring a humanoid robot into its robotics program, the story quickly became something else entirely: \"A school is replacing teachers with robots.\" That was never the plan. In this episode, Jeff Utecht speaks with Superintendent Mark Beehler about what the district was actually trying to build—and what happened when an AI-generated image, alarming headlines, and social media outrage overtook the facts. Mark explains how students helped shape the project, why the district saw the robot as an opportunity to explore emerging technology, and how a locally controlled AI platform could give students in an underserved rural community greater access to personalized academic support. The conversation also examines a harder question: What does it cost a school leader to pursue responsible innovation when public fear moves faster than the truth? You'll hear about: Why Salamanca invested in a humanoid robot for its advanced robotics students How students influenced its appearance, identity, purpose, and safeguards The difference between the physical robot and the district's customized AI learning platform How the technology was designed to scaffold learning—not provide answers or replace teachers What happened when an AI-generated image distorted the story Why even some edtech leaders helped spread the misinformation How students who initially wanted AI banned became some of the project's most thoughtful contributors The leadership lessons Mark learned about communication, control, and public trust How the backlash gave him a new understanding of what young people experience when social media turns against them This is not simply an episode about a robot. It is a candid conversation about educational risk-taking, media literacy, rural equity, and what it means to prepare students for a future that many adults are still struggling to imagine.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/28_August_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 358, "name": "Game Design Could Transform Assessment in the AI Era", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/game-design-could-transform-assessment-in-the-ai-era", "datePublished": "2026-08-24", "dateText": "Aug 24, 2026", "duration": "PT49M54S", "durationText": "49:54", "description": "What if students didn't simply complete an assessment—but designed an experience for someone else? In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman pitches Jeff Utecht a new approach to assessment for the AI era: invite students to become game designers. Games are memorable, social, challenging, and full of consequential choices. Designing one asks students to think about systems, understand an audience, establish meaningful constraints, gather feedback, solve problems, and defend the decisions they make. Those may be precisely the capabilities that matter most when AI can help produce a polished final product. Tricia introduces the GAMES learning-design framework: • Goal: What should players understand, practise, or accomplish? • Audience: Who is the game being designed for? • Mechanics: What rules, choices, and constraints make it work? • Engagement: When do players experience agency, challenge, or frustration? • Show It: How did testing and revision improve the game? Check it out: https://shifting-schools-games.netlify.app/ Jeff and Tricia also explore how teachers and students can intentionally decide where AI belongs in the design process—and where the thinking should remain entirely human. Along the way, they discuss centaur chess, systems thinking, authentic audiences, collaborative games, playtesting, vibe coding, and why assessment should increasingly examine a learner's judgment and reasoning rather than only the finished product. You'll also hear about Bark Park, Tricia's AI-assisted dog-park simulator, where limited budgets, overflowing bins, rainy weather, unhappy visitors, and a neighbouring pickleball court turn one small public space into a surprisingly complex systems challenge. In this episode: • Why games often remain in our memories longer than individual lessons • How game design develops systems thinking and executive function • Why creating for a real audience builds empathy • How playtesting makes feedback, failure, and revision feel natural • What human-only and AI-supported stages might look like • Why students need to explain and defend their design choices • How AI can expand what students are capable of creating • Why play may bring greater joy and meaning to assessment Explore the GAMES framework, student design kit, research, standards connections, printable resources, and Bark Park through the links accompanying this episode. We would love your feedback. Could this approach work in your classroom, course, or curriculum? Better yet, send us the unit you believe could never become a game. We would love to test the framework at its edges. Thank you to our show sponsor: Unfurl Learn more with Unfurl: https://unfurl.sh/ Connect with us: Tricia Friedman: tricia@shiftingschools.com General inquiries: info@shiftingschools.com", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/24_August_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 357, "name": "What will be your anchor for wellness this school year?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/what-will-be-your-anchor-for-wellness-this-school-year", "datePublished": "2026-08-19", "dateText": "Aug 19, 2026", "duration": "PT44M31S", "durationText": "44:31", "description": "The beginning of a school year often arrives with a familiar message: do more, organize more, and somehow become a brand-new person before the first bell rings. This episode offers a different invitation. Instead of attempting a total wellness overhaul, we explore four small anchors that can help educators, students, colleagues, and families start the year feeling a little more grounded: sleep, movement, attention, and connection. We talk about the habits that quietly shape how we show up—including where our phones sleep, how we build movement into an ordinary day, what helps us recover our attention, and the small acts of connection that make a school community feel human. Along the way, we share some of the tools we've been trying to support better rest, breathing, mobility, focus, and time together. The goal isn't to add another obligation to your list. It's to notice what genuinely helps—and choose one small place to begin. In this episode, we explore: Why educator wellness shouldn't become another performance metric The relationship between our own habits and what we ask of students Simple ways to make sleep feel more restorative \"Movement snacks\" that don't require a gym or workout plan Screen-free tools for breathing, focus, and nervous-system regulation Small, playful ways to strengthen connection with students, colleagues, and family A four-week challenge that adds one manageable anchor at a time You don't need to reinvent your life before school begins. Pick one category, make one small choice on purpose, and start there. Explore the complete Start the Year Well guide, product recommendations, listener discounts, reflection prompts, and printable four-week tracker: https://www.shiftingschools.com/start-the-year-well A big thanks to the following brands for offering us a chance to test out their products, and offering listeners a discount: SLEEP Loftie Clock — code SHIFTINGSCHOOLS for 20% off https://byloftie.com/discount/SHIFTINGSCHOOLS Slip Silk Sleep Mask https://slipsilkpillowcase.ca/collections/sleep-masks TUO Fara Circadian Bulb https://www.thetuolife.com MOBILITY Backpod https://buybackpod.com Naboso — Standing Mat + Neuro Ball — code SCHOOL for 20% off https://www.naboso.com Gokhale Stretchsit Cushion https://shop.gokhalemethod.com/bbhqox ATTENTION Komuso — The Shift — code SCHOOL15 for 15% off https://www.komusodesign.com Pso-Rite — code SHIFTINGSCHOOLS for 30% off https://pso-rite.com/shiftingschools Moonbird & Moonbuddy — 20% off applied automatically at checkout (or code SHIFTING10 for 10% off) https://moonbird.life/discount/?ref=wusymhxf&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=goaffpro CONNECTION Global Grub — code ShiftingSchools for 40% off (first 10 orders, through Sept 7) https://globalgrub.com eat2explore — code EE10 for 10% off https://eat2explore.com A note on transparency: Brands featured in this episode provided samples, and some of the links may be affiliate links or include listener discounts. We only share tools we genuinely use and would recommend to a friend.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/19_August_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 356, "name": "Lisa Gardner on Creativity and Curiosity", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/lisa-gardner-on-creativity-and-curiosity", "datePublished": "2026-08-17", "dateText": "Aug 17, 2026", "duration": "PT27M31S", "durationText": "27:31", "description": "What can ELA teachers learn from a bestselling suspense novelist who begins writing without knowing who the villain is? In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman speaks with Lisa Gardner about the habits, questions, and research behind her novels. Their conversation offers ELA teachers a fresh way to think about character development, suspense, inquiry, and the creative conditions young writers need. Lisa explains that she does not begin with characters divided neatly into heroes and villains. She gives each person layers, contradictions, motivations, and a moral code. As the story develops, she allows the characters to reveal who they are. That process offers a useful alternative to writing instruction that asks students to plan every part of a story before they have had a chance to discover it. Lisa also shares how she researches fictional crimes by speaking with police officers, medical examiners, and other specialists. She does not ask only what would happen. She asks what highly capable people would notice, what they would try, and why their best efforts might still fail. For ELA classrooms, her process models research as part of imaginative writing rather than something reserved for essays and reports. The conversation also considers the role of walking, daydreaming, reading, games, puzzles, and unstructured time in creative thought. Lisa describes writing as an individual craft supported by a community of other writers, researchers, readers, and even her three dogs. In this episode, ELA teachers will hear ideas for helping students: Create characters with competing motives and believable moral codes Move beyond simple hero-and-villain categories Use research to make fictional worlds more convincing Treat unanswered questions as fuel for writing Experiment with discovery writing before committing to an outline Build suspense by asking why an obvious solution would not work Use walking, conversation, and time away from screens to generate ideas Give and seek feedback while preserving an individual creative voice See reading, games, and puzzles as part of a larger writing practice Lisa also introduces her latest novel, You'll Be Sorry, a suspense story involving a family that vanished 30 years ago, a small town filled with secrets, a mysterious couple who purchases the abandoned crime scene, and a dog who may know more than anyone else. This episode invites ELA teachers to consider a different starting point for writing instruction: What might students create if they were not required to know exactly where their stories were going before they began? Learn more about Lisa https://www.lisagardner.com/ Thank you to our show sponsor: Unfurl Learn more with Unfurl: https://unfurl.sh/ Are you subscribed to AI Forward? One lucky listener can win a pro account, be sure to subscribe to AI Forward to learn more: https://k12aileadershipbrief.substack.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/17August_v2_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 355, "name": "How to Raise a Reader from Birth with Sandra Magsamen", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-to-raise-a-reader-from-birth-with-sandra-magsamen", "datePublished": "2026-08-10", "dateText": "Aug 10, 2026", "duration": "PT26M24S", "durationText": "26:24", "description": "What can a board book offer a baby who cannot yet speak or even hold it independently? Award-winning author, illustrator, and art therapist Sandra Magsamen joins Tricia to discuss Hello, Baby, her new board book created for children from birth to age three. With bright illustrations, melodic language, playful terms of endearment, and a mirror that places the baby inside the story, the book is designed to support far more than early literacy. Sandra explains how reading with a baby can build connection, vocabulary, attention, curiosity, and a growing sense of belonging. She also shares practical advice for parents, grandparents, and caregivers who may feel unsure about reading aloud: hold the baby close, play with the words, welcome the giggles, and do not worry about delivering a perfect performance. The conversation also considers what happens when adults treat books as objects children may freely touch, explore, drop, and even chew. Sandra and Tricia discuss why a home filled with accessible books and a healthy tolerance for \"uh-oh\" moments can help children associate reading with pleasure, discovery, and agency. Sandra closes by reflecting on her own growth as an artist. After more than 25 years of creating for children and families, she explains why successful artists still need to experiment, how becoming a grandmother is opening new creative directions, and why our work should be allowed to change as we do. In this conversation: What babies notice in illustrations How reading aloud supports bonding and early development Simple ways to make board books playful and interactive Why babies benefit from seeing themselves in a book The connection between reading, safety, and belonging Why children should be allowed to handle and explore books What mistakes and mess can contribute to creativity How Sandra continues to grow after a long creative career Hello, Baby is written and illustrated by Sandra Magsamen and published by Cartwheel Books, an imprint of Scholastic. It is intended for babies from birth to age three and includes an embedded mirror on its final spread. Learn more from Scholastic. Thank you to our show sponsor: Unfurl Learn more with Unfurl: https://unfurl.sh/ Are you subscribed to AI Forward? One lucky listener can win a pro account, be sure to subscribe to AI Forward to learn more: https://k12aileadershipbrief.substack.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/10August_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 354, "name": "Who Gets to Lead? Expanding Student Voice with Rachel Thrash", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/who-gets-to-lead-expanding-student-voice-with-rachel-thrash", "datePublished": "2026-08-03", "dateText": "Aug 3, 2026", "duration": "PT39M15S", "durationText": "39:15", "description": "When schools picture a student leader, they often imagine the confident speaker, the high achiever, or the student who already understands how to succeed within existing systems. But what about the students who are rarely invited to lead? In this episode, Tricia speaks with educator and author Rachel Thrash about expanding student leadership beyond the familiar few. Her book, Let the Learners Lead: Empowering Student Voice to Co-Create School Culture, presents leadership as something every young person can practice, not a privilege reserved for students who already fit a traditional leadership profile. Rachel explains how educators can move from simply asking for student input to genuinely co-creating with learners. She discusses why adults need the courage to admit they do not have every answer, what students gain when educators resist solving every problem for them, and how shared responsibility can strengthen student agency, belonging, and school culture. The conversation also offers practical tools schools can use to make student voice more authentic and inclusive. In this episode: Why traditional student leadership models leave many learners out The difference between student voice, student agency, and student leadership How co-creation changes the relationship between educators and students Why adults should resist rushing in to solve every student problem How uncertainty can become part of authentic leadership Practical ways to create more inclusive leadership opportunities How shared responsibility supports belonging and school culture What it means to treat leadership as a practice rather than a title This conversation is for teachers, school leaders, instructional coaches, and anyone seeking practical ways to increase student voice, agency, belonging, and participation in school decision-making. Featured guest: Rachel Thrash, educator and author of Let the Learners Lead: Empowering Student Voice to Co-Create School Culture https://www.routledge.com/Let-the-Learners-Lead-Empowering-Student-Voice-to-Co-Create-School-Culture/Thrash/p/book/9781041155713 Thank you to our show sponsor: Unfurl Learn more with Unfurl: https://unfurl.sh/ Are you subscribed to AI Forward? One lucky listener can win a pro account, be sure to subscribe to AI Forward to learn more: https://k12aileadershipbrief.substack.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/3_August_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 353, "name": "How do we teach students to sit with evidence longer?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-do-we-teach-students-to-sit-with-evidence-longer", "datePublished": "2026-07-27", "dateText": "Jul 27, 2026", "duration": "PT23M48S", "durationText": "23:48", "description": "What happens when historical research uncovers a truth you are not sure you want to know? In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia speaks with author Christine Kuehn and her husband and research partner, Mark Schiponi, about Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor. Christine's investigation began with a startling discovery: members of her family had been deeply involved with the Nazi Party, and her grandfather had been convicted for his role connected to the attack on Pearl Harbor. What followed was a 30-year search through family testimony, declassified FBI files, National Archives records, historical accounts, photographs, and long-buried memories. Christine and Mark describe the emotional strain of researching a painful family history and the many times the project was packed away because the discoveries became too difficult to face. They also explain how they compared official records with family stories, handled contradictions, organized years of handwritten notes, and decided what evidence could be trusted. The conversation also examines the craft of making history readable. Christine and Mark wanted the book to reach people who might never choose a conventional work of World War II history. They discuss weaving the past together with Christine's present-day investigation, writing nonfiction with the momentum of a novel, and removing compelling material when it no longer served the larger story. For educators, the episode offers a useful exploration of historical inquiry, source evaluation, inherited narratives, memory, and the role storytelling plays in keeping difficult history visible. It raises questions that belong in history, humanities, media-literacy, and ELA classrooms: How do we respond when evidence challenges the stories we have inherited? What responsibilities come with uncovering painful history? How can writers make complex historical research accessible without weakening its accuracy? What can students learn by comparing personal testimony, archival documents, photographs, government records, and published histories? Christine also reflects on secrecy, shame, and the realization that people are not responsible for their ancestors' actions. They can, however, decide how honestly they will confront that history and what choices they will make in their own lives. In this episode: • The emotional cost of investigating a family's Nazi past • Using declassified FBI files and National Archives records • Comparing family memories with documentary evidence • Turning 30 years of research into a coherent narrative • Writing history for readers who do not consider themselves historians • Confronting inherited shame and family secrecy • Deciding what to remove when it no longer serves the story • Teaching difficult history through human stories • Responding to historical denial and misinformation Timestamps: 00:00 The emotional and practical challenges of the research 03:49 Organizing decades of evidence and handwritten notes 07:20 Why confronting painful truths can matter 11:36 Sharing a private family history with the public 15:15 Historical storytelling and what comes next 18:55 Creating the book's past-and-present structure 21:48 Knowing when a powerful passage must be removed About the book: Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn combines memoir, archival investigation, World War II history, Nazi espionage, and the secret history surrounding Pearl Harbor. The book follows Christine's effort to understand her family's involvement and the effects that secrecy had on later generations. Content note: This conversation discusses Nazism, antisemitism, the Holocaust, Pearl Harbor, family trauma, and inherited shame. Resources mentioned: Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn Christine Kuehn's Politics and Prose conversation The United States National Archives Declassified FBI records and Freedom of Information Act research Subscribe to Shifting Schools for conversations about education, historical and media literacy, emerging technology, storytelling, and the questions shaping how young people understand the world.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/27th_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 352, "name": "How Nolan's Odyssey and Cover Songs Help Us Talk About AI", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-nolan-s-odyssey-and-cover-songs-help-us-talk-about-ai", "datePublished": "2026-07-22", "dateText": "Jul 22, 2026", "duration": "PT13M27S", "durationText": "13:27", "description": "Christopher Nolan's Odyssey just earned nearly $300 million retelling a 3,000-year-old story — so what actually separates imitation from transformative interpretation? In this episode, Tricia makes the case that cover songs are the perfect entry point into the AI and creativity conversation for educators. You'll trace how Aretha Franklin re-authored Otis Redding's \"Respect,\" why translator Emily Wilson's critique of Nolan's film proves that interpretive choices matter, and how three human skills — reflect, re-envision, rework — map directly onto UNESCO's vision of students as AI co-creators rather than passive users. Tricia also shares a new free resource, \"What Exactly Is Human Nature?,\" an interactive timeline that lets you listen backwards through the many renditions of one iconic song. If you've been looking for an invitational, art-first metaphor to bring colleagues into the AI conversation, this one's for you. 00:00 – Nolan's Odyssey: 2 a.m. sold-out screenings for a 3,000-year-old story 02:22 – Can a cover ever beat the original? Aretha Franklin re-authors \"Respect\" 04:23 – Emily Wilson's critique + three skills: reflect, re-envision, rework 06:27 – The skills in practice, and UNESCO's students-as-co-creators framework 08:47 – New resource: \"What Exactly Is Human Nature?\" interactive timeline 10:43 – Your debate homework, and an invitation to email the show: info@shiftingschools.com Check out the resource: https://triciafriedman.com/what-exactly-is-human-nature/ Learn more about our incredible show producer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagheer-m/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/23rd_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 351, "name": "Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernández: Fútbol Is Life, and It's Never Too Late to Dream", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/ted-lasso-s-cristo-fern-ndez-f-tbol-is-life-and-it-s-never-too-late-to-dream", "datePublished": "2026-07-20", "dateText": "Jul 20, 2026", "duration": "PT19M2S", "durationText": "19:02", "description": "You know him as Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso. He's also a professional footballer with El Paso Locomotive FC, a filmmaker, and now the author of a bilingual picture book, Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol es vida!, illustrated by James Rey Sanchez. But before all of that? He was a life insurance salesman who sold nothing for a year. This conversation is about what happens between the dream and the arriving. About injuries that turn out to be redirections. About why \"be curious, not judgmental\" might be the most useful thing we can teach — and keep learning ourselves. In this episode: (00:01) The gotcha question: is Cristo actually a superhero? (01:27) The family example: why \"the more you give, the more you receive\" (03:32) What team sports teach us about not being the star (04:19) Injuries, rejection, and becoming a hustler: \"I love when someone tells me no\" (09:22) The market scene: remembering to pause and notice (10:31) What Dani Rojas reminds Cristo about joy (12:55) Embracing where you come from as a superpower (14:09) Collaboration, and never thinking you know everything (16:30) Why a children's book is the perfect format for dreaming big Quotes worth stealing: \"I love when someone tells me no. It might not be no here, but it might be yes somewhere else.\" \"Aim for the moon. If you don't hit the moon, you hit a star. And if you don't hit a star, you hit some space dust — and that's fine too.\" \"There's not one single way of being Mexican or being American or being Latino. We all bring something great to the table.\" Links: The book (Barnes & Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/futbol-is-life-futbol-es-vida-cristo-fernandez/1148772346 More episodes: https://pod.shiftingschools.com", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/20th_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 350, "name": "When Students Go After Real Problems", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/when-students-go-after-real-problems", "datePublished": "2026-07-18", "dateText": "Jul 18, 2026", "duration": "PT32M28S", "durationText": "32:28", "description": "When Alex Campbell set out to teach sociology through true crime, he wasn't trying to catch a murderer. He was trying to make the stakes real. Nine years later, his high school students in Appalachia have restored names to victims of the \"redheaded murders,\" helped families, and become the subject of a limited series with a perfect critic score. But as Alex tells it, the thing that mattered most was never on the syllabus: how much his students came to care. In this conversation, Alex and Tricia dig into what it actually takes to hand young people a real problem — and why that's the whole point. In this episode: Why sociology and murder aren't apples and oranges — and how high stakes bring out the best in students The surprise Alex didn't plan for: students connecting with victims who died decades before they were born Schools as \"the institution best at separating people\" — and how project-based learning breaks down the walls His three-part test for a real project: passion-driven, community-focused, interdisciplinary Practical, permission-giving advice for teachers who find this exciting and scary — start small, start with a partner, use the resources that already exist \"You don't work for me\": how buy-in reframes classroom management and reaches the students who've stopped believing in school's promises Civics you can feel — freedom-of-information requests, and why John Benet Ramsey has a thousand websites and Lori Pennell had almost none The creative gamble behind the series: victim-forward, not offender-forward, and a true-crime story that doesn't end tied up in a bow Portraying Appalachia and teenagers with authenticity instead of stereotype Using the series for professional development — what to watch for, and why it might matter more than you'd expect Building a house, powerlifting, and teaching yourself: Alex on learning as a lifelong series of real problems to solve Watch: Murder 101 is streaming now.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/18th_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 349, "name": "Do you want to better understand your team?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/do-you-want-to-better-understand-your-team", "datePublished": "2026-07-15", "dateText": "Jul 15, 2026", "duration": "PT14M51S", "durationText": "14:51", "description": "Every team has communication habits, but how many of those habits have ever been discussed out loud? In this episode, Tricia introduces The Shared Kitchen, a free reflection and facilitation tool designed to help teams understand how each person prefers to communicate, receive feedback, make decisions, ask questions, and work through a project. Using stories about getting fired from a bartending job and accidentally adding unwanted sriracha to breakfast, she shows how easily we can mistake our own habits for shared expectations. The tool begins with individual reflection before helping a team create its own shared \"recipe\" for collaboration. Participants consider questions such as how much context they prefer, when they like others to check in, what helps feedback land well, and what makes them feel trusted. Tricia also shares how she built the interactive page using Claude Code and OpenAI Codex, including an experiment in asking the two coding tools to compete against one another. The result is both a practical resource for teams and a look at how generative coding tools can support educators and leaders who want to turn an idea into something others can use. Access the page here: https://triciafriedman.com/the-shared-kitchen/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/15th_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 348, "name": "The perfect middle grade book for readers during The World Cup", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-perfect-middle-grade-book-for-readers-during-the-world-cup", "datePublished": "2026-07-13", "dateText": "Jul 13, 2026", "duration": "PT21M45S", "durationText": "21:45", "description": "Award-winning author Christina Diaz Gonzalez joins Tricia to discuss Offside, her new bilingual middle-grade graphic novel about soccer, friendship, ambition, identity, and finding the courage to use your voice. Although soccer brings the characters together, Offside is also a story about young people learning to form their own opinions rather than simply inheriting the assumptions of the adults around them. Christina explains why she wanted her characters to have real agency, including the ability to challenge gender stereotypes, rethink competition, navigate conflict, and sometimes help their parents see the world differently. The conversation also examines how much may be happening beneath a young person's behaviour. A student who appears selfish, overly ambitious, withdrawn, or uncertain may be responding to pressures at home, shifting friendships, injury, loneliness, or the fear of no longer knowing who they are. Christina shares the thinking behind writing a graphic novel in which English and Spanish appear together as part of the characters' lives rather than as separate translations. She also discusses Palmer, a young athlete who must reconsider his identity after an injury keeps him from playing. Through writing and journalism, he discovers another way to participate in the game and another way to create change. Tricia and Christina also talk about the literary complexity of graphic novels, Christina's highly improvisational writing process, her earlier career in law, and the habit that continues to fuel her creativity: asking \"What if?\" about the people, stories, and possibilities she encounters. In this episode: • Why young people should be trusted to navigate conflict and form their own views • How Offside challenges gender stereotypes and inherited assumptions • The complexity behind students' choices and behaviour • Why bilingual graphic novels can support belonging and language learning • What happens when an athlete can no longer define himself through sport • Writing and journalism as tools for participation and change • Why graphic novels deserve recognition as complex literary works • Christina's \"pantser\" approach to writing without a traditional outline • How curiosity and \"what if\" questions generate new stories This conversation will interest educators, librarians, families, coaches, and anyone looking for books that help young people think about identity, friendship, fairness, and the many different ways they can contribute.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/13th_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 347, "name": "AI Literacy Is Problem-Solving Literacy", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/ai-literacy-is-problem-solving-literacy", "datePublished": "2026-07-07", "dateText": "Jul 7, 2026", "duration": "PT13M44S", "durationText": "13:44", "description": "Tricia Friedman shares a real-life story about a flooded basement, an insurance claim, and what it revealed about AI literacy. After a major storm in Ottawa caused basement flooding, Tricia found herself facing the kind of problem many people recognize: too many damaged items, too many documents, too many decisions, and a process that can quickly become overwhelming. But this time, compared with a similar flood two years earlier, the experience felt different. Using AI tools, Tricia organized photos of damaged belongings, created an insurance-ready inventory, reviewed policy details, searched for replacement costs, identified relevant local supports, and built a project plan for the weeks ahead. She also used AI to think through communication with the insurance company, plan around disruption at home, and even create a small family recipe resource in the middle of the chaos. The point is not that AI made the flood easy. It did not. The point is that AI changed Tricia's capacity to respond. For educators, that distinction matters. Too often, school conversations about AI focus on shortcuts, cheating, prompt-writing, or which tool to use. This episode asks us to widen the frame. AI literacy is also about helping students become stronger problem solvers. That means knowing how to break down a complex situation, gather evidence, ask better questions, compare options, verify claims, communicate clearly, and decide what to do next. This kind of AI literacy belongs across the curriculum. A flood insurance claim can become a math problem, a media literacy problem, a civics problem, a consumer rights problem, a writing problem, a design problem, and a wellbeing problem. That is the real invitation here: bring AI bigger problems, not just cleaner prompts. In this episode: Tricia explains how AI helped her organize a flood-related insurance claim. She reflects on the difference between using AI for a task and using AI to manage a complex problem. The episode explores why AI literacy should include verification, judgment, documentation, and communication. Tricia makes the case that schools need to help students practice using AI in realistic, interdisciplinary situations. She also raises an equity question: if AI can help people navigate systems like insurance, consumer rights, city services, and legal language, then every student deserves to understand how to use it responsibly. For educators, this episode asks: What kinds of real problems are we inviting students to bring to AI? Are students learning how to check AI outputs against evidence, policy, data, and lived context? How might AI help students see connections across math, language, civics, research, and design? What does it mean to teach AI literacy as a form of agency, not just technical skill? Big idea: AI literacy is not mainly about knowing how to use a chatbot. It is about knowing how to think with a tool when the problem is complicated, consequential, and real.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Friday_Bonus_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 346, "name": "Jerry Spinelli: What Young Writers Need to Know About Stories", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/jerry-spinelli-what-young-writers-need-to-know-about-stories", "datePublished": "2026-07-06", "dateText": "Jul 6, 2026", "duration": "PT17M56S", "durationText": "17:56", "description": "Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli joins the podcast for a conversation about writing, perseverance, childhood, and the stories that stay with young readers. Known to many elementary and middle school teachers through books such as Maniac Magee, Stargirl, Wringer, and his latest book, Fifth Grade Top Dogs, Spinelli reflects on the long road to becoming a published author. Before his first book found a home, he wrote four novels that were rejected and spent nearly twenty-five years working toward publication. His story offers a useful reminder for K–12 classrooms: writing is not only about talent. It is also about patience, attention, revision, and staying with the work when it gets difficult. In this episode, Spinelli talks about why stories matter, why a writer's first job is to pay attention, and why childhood remains so recognizable across generations. Haircuts, clothes, slang, and games may change, but children's feelings about friendship, fear, belonging, rivalry, and being understood remain deeply familiar. For educators, this conversation connects directly to writing instruction, read-aloud culture, social-emotional learning, and the classroom power of books. Spinelli shares how he begins with noticing, moves into pages of notes, and then faces what he calls the difficult middle of a story. That process gives teachers a practical way to talk with students about creative stamina and the normal struggle of shaping an idea into finished writing. The conversation also includes a moving story about a teacher whose students chose to keep listening to one of Spinelli's books instead of going outside for recess. For anyone who has seen a read-aloud transform the energy of a classroom, that moment will feel familiar. Listen for: Jerry Spinelli's twenty-five-year path to publication. Why perseverance matters for young writers. How noticing becomes the foundation of storytelling. What teachers can say to students about the hard middle of a writing project. Why books help students understand themselves and one another. How classroom read-alouds can create lasting reading memories. Featured book: Fifth Grade Top Dogs by Jerry Spinelli. Optional chapter markers: 00:00 — Jerry Spinelli on rejection, resilience, and becoming a writer 02:37 — Why stories matter 04:15 — Fifth Grade Top Dogs, siblings, and understanding childhood 08:07 — Paying attention as the first job of a writer 13:00 — The Newbery Medal, reader letters, and the classroom power of read-alouds", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/6th_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 345, "name": "Colin Woodard on Civic Identity, Trust, and the American Story", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/colin-woodard-on-civic-identity-trust-and-the-american-story", "datePublished": "2026-07-05", "dateText": "Jul 5, 2026", "duration": "PT18M18S", "durationText": "18:18", "description": "In this Fourth of July weekend episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with Colin Woodard, director of Nationhood Lab at Salve Regina University's Pell Center, about national identity, civic trust, polarization, and the stories that shape how people understand belonging. Woodard's work asks a question that belongs in every civics and history classroom: What story holds a nation together? Drawing from his background as a historian, journalist, and researcher, he explains why national identity is not abstract. It shapes how people understand who belongs, what freedom means, how communities make decisions, and what kind of future they believe is possible. The conversation explores two competing visions of the United States: one rooted in civic ideals and the promise of equal freedom, and another rooted in exclusion, hierarchy, and inherited identity. For K–12 educators, this framing offers a powerful way to help students examine founding ideals without simplifying the conflict, contradiction, and struggle embedded in the American story. Woodard also discusses polarization and why Americans may agree on more than they realize, even while political systems and media environments often push people into opposing camps. The episode closes with a look at social capital: the local relationships, associations, clubs, faith communities, civic groups, and shared spaces that help people know and trust one another. This episode is especially useful for history teachers, civics teachers, humanities educators, curriculum leaders, and school communities preparing for America 250. It invites educators to help students think about national stories not as slogans, but as living civic questions: Who belongs? What do we owe one another? What makes trust possible? What kind of community are we trying to build? Suggested classroom connections include civic identity, polarization, primary source inquiry, constitutional ideals, national myths, media literacy, local community research, social capital, civil discourse, and student reflection on belonging and responsibility.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/4th_July_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 344, "name": "Teaching the Declaration Beyond the Fourth of July", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/teaching-the-declaration-beyond-the-fourth-of-july", "datePublished": "2026-07-05", "dateText": "Jul 5, 2026", "duration": "PT23M12S", "durationText": "23:12", "description": "In this Fourth of July weekend episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with historian and author Katie Kennedy about her new book, The Declaration Decoded, and the stories behind America's foundational documents. For history and civics educators, this conversation offers a timely reminder: founding documents are not static artifacts to memorize. They were written by real people, shaped by conflict, compromise, risk, contradiction, and imagination. Kennedy helps bring those documents back into the realm of human storytelling, where students can see both the courage and complexity behind the words that continue to shape civic life. This episode is especially relevant for K–12 educators looking for ways to make history feel alive without flattening it. Rather than treating the Declaration and other founding texts as finished products, Kennedy invites us to examine the conditions, debates, choices, and tensions that produced them. That approach can help students move beyond dates and quotations into deeper questions about power, voice, evidence, freedom, belonging, and responsibility. Listeners will come away with ideas for helping students read historical documents with curiosity, care, and critical attention. The conversation also offers a useful entry point for educators preparing lessons around Independence Day, civic identity, primary source analysis, or the upcoming America 250 conversations. This episode is a strong fit for history teachers, civics teachers, humanities educators, librarians, curriculum leaders, and anyone interested in helping young people understand how the past continues to shape the choices we make in the present. Suggested classroom connections include primary source inquiry, civic discussion, historical thinking, document analysis, media literacy, and student reflection on how national stories are created, preserved, questioned, and revised.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/3rd_july_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 343, "name": "What 600 Letters Can Teach Us About WWII", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/what-600-letters-can-teach-us-about-wwii", "datePublished": "2026-06-29", "dateText": "Jun 29, 2026", "duration": "PT28M27S", "durationText": "28:27", "description": "In this episode, Tricia speaks with Jan Cress Dondi about the years-long research journey behind her USA Today bestselling WWII book. What began with the discovery of hundreds of family letters became a much larger act of historical reconstruction, combining personal correspondence, military records, National Archives research, firsthand family memory, and deep attention to the emotional lives of the people who lived through war. Jan shares how she pieced together the stories of two young airmen connected to the Ploesti campaign, one of the most dangerous Allied efforts to disrupt Nazi Germany's fuel supply. She explains how her background in legal research helped her organize evidence, verify details, and shape a true story with the pace and emotional pull of a novel. Along the way, she reflects on why letters mattered so deeply to servicemen, how small clues can open major research paths, and why war becomes too abstract when we lose sight of individual human lives. This conversation is especially rich for educators, history lovers, family historians, and anyone interested in how primary sources can help us understand the past. As schools and communities prepare for the U.S. 250th, Jan's work offers a powerful reminder that history is not only found in textbooks. It can also live in letters, family stories, archives, unanswered questions, and the persistence to follow a clue wherever it leads. In this episode: Jan's discovery of 500–600 family letters and how they shaped the book Why the Ploesti campaign mattered during WWII How personal letters and official military records can work together", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/29th_june_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 342, "name": "AI in Schools Is Changing: What Leaders Need Now", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/ai-in-schools-is-changing-what-leaders-need-now", "datePublished": "2026-06-22", "dateText": "Jun 22, 2026", "duration": "PT17M39S", "durationText": "17:39", "description": "In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff and Tricia reflect on the 2025–2026 school year and what they are seeing as schools move into a more mature phase of AI work. The conversation moves beyond tools and prompt tips into the deeper questions now facing educators and school leaders: AI companions, student wellbeing, shadow AI use, schoolwide expectations, sustained professional learning, and the need to rethink pedagogy for a world shaped by information overload. Jeff and Tricia discuss why AI support in schools can no longer be limited to one-off workshops. They share what they are hearing from school leaders, counselors, teachers, support staff, and districts that are beginning to ask for longer-term help. The episode also explores why honest, nonjudgmental conversations matter, especially when students and adults are already using AI in personal, social, and emotional ways. 00:00 — Opening reflection on the 2025–2026 school year Jeff welcomes listeners and invites Tricia to reflect on the year in AI and schools. 00:37 — AI companions become a serious school conversation Tricia shares why this was the year more school leaders became open to talking about AI companions. 02:39 — Companionship, loneliness, and parasocial relationships Tricia connects AI companion use to broader human patterns of connection, including parasocial relationship theory. 04:54 — Why school counselors need to be part of the AI conversation Jeff and Tricia discuss students turning to AI for advice and support, and how counselors can respond without dismissing students' experiences. 06:23 — Shadow AI use in schools Jeff explains why schools need to name the AI use already happening among staff, students, and support teams. 08:58 — Honesty, openness, and nonjudgmental conversations Tricia highlights what has not changed: the need for trust, honesty, and open dialogue. 09:18 — The \"large breed puppy\" problem Tricia explains why waiting to address AI is risky, using the analogy of training a large dog while it is still small. 10:00 — From one-off PD to sustained AI support Jeff describes a shift in what districts are asking for: longer-term cohorts, yearlong support, and multi-year planning. 11:49 — What can schools retire now? Tricia and Jeff discuss the chance to move away from outdated practices and ask more complex questions. 12:57 — From information scarcity to information overload Jeff argues that schools were built for a world where information was scarce, but students now need to be assessed on sense-making. 15:00 — New possibilities for learning Tricia points to opportunities for students to tell familiar stories in new ways and work with more complex problems. 15:28 — Summer episodes and favorite replays Jeff previews upcoming summer reflections and replays from the past year.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/TJmix.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 341, "name": "The Father's Day Gift of Curiosity: Brian Boone on Trivia, Memory, and Connection", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-father-s-day-gift-of-curiosity-brian-boone-on-trivia-memory-and-connection", "datePublished": "2026-06-19", "dateText": "Jun 19, 2026", "duration": "PT19M14S", "durationText": "19:14", "description": "Looking for something thoughtful, funny, curious, and conversation-starting for Father's Day weekend? This episode may be just the thing. We are welcoming back Brian Boone, a writer, researcher, and storyteller whose work reminds us that trivia is not really about random facts. It is about memory, meaning, surprise, and the pleasure of sharing something unexpected with someone else. That makes this conversation especially fitting for Father's Day weekend. Trivia has a way of bringing people together across generations. It can turn into a car ride conversation, a dinner-table debate, a story you have heard before but somehow still want to hear again, or the kind of small shared fact that becomes part of a family's language. In this episode, Brian talks about the research behind his work, the fandom that has gathered around it, and why his latest book could make a particularly good Father's Day gift for the dad, granddad, uncle, mentor, or curious person in your life who loves facts, stories, pop culture, puzzles, or simply knowing things no one else in the room knows. This is a Father's Day weekend episode for anyone who has ever bonded over a weird fact, a favorite movie, a sports stat, a music memory, a book, a question, or the sentence: \"Wait, did you know this?\" In this episode, we discuss: Why trivia is not trivial How curiosity becomes connection Why odd facts often carry personal meaning The research and storytelling behind Brian Boone's work The fandom around his books and writing Why trivia makes such a good Father's Day weekend gift How shared knowledge can spark family stories, laughter, and conversation Featured Guest: Brian Boone, writer, researcher, and author Check out his book: https://bathroomreader.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/19th_june_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 340, "name": "Living at the edge of emerging technology", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/living-at-the-edge-of-emerging-technology", "datePublished": "2026-03-30", "dateText": "Mar 30, 2026", "duration": "PT32M24S", "durationText": "32:24", "description": "What happens when we stop asking AI to do everything faster and start asking how it might help us understand people better? In this episode, Jeff sits down with Andy Sitison, CTO of Share More Stories, for a conversation about empathetic AI, story collection, and why trust may be the real differentiator in the next phase of technology. Andy shares how his work uses AI not just as a productivity tool, but as a way to surface patterns in human experience by gathering and analyzing stories from real people. Together, they explore what gets lost when efficiency becomes the main goal, why intent matters so much in AI use, and what educators can learn from the way thoughtful organizations listen to communities. Andy explains how story-based analysis can reveal not only answers, but better questions, helping leaders move beyond surveys and toward a deeper understanding of what people are actually feeling and needing. The conversation also turns to schools. Jeff and Andy discuss why educators are often well positioned to use AI well, especially when the goal is support rather than replacement. From drafting difficult parent emails to making sense of complex data sets, Andy argues that AI works best when it helps humans communicate more clearly, think more creatively, and act with more care. There is also a clear caution running through the episode: not every use of AI is a good one. Jeff and Andy push on the difference between meaningful application and empty automation, questioning whether some so-called AI advances are really just profit-driven systems wrapped in new language. It is a useful discussion for school leaders trying to separate signal from noise. This episode is a thoughtful listen for anyone trying to hold onto human connection while navigating rapid technological change. In this episode, we discuss: What Andy means by \"empathetic AI\" How Share More Stories collects and analyzes human stories at scale Why stories can reveal questions leaders did not know to ask What gets lost when efficiency matters more than empathy Why trust and intent matter in AI adoption Skills educators may need to help students live well with emerging technology Practical, human-centered uses of AI in schools Why better questions may matter more than faster answers The difference between useful AI and AI added for its own sake Memorable ideas from the episode: \"Trust is the next big X factor.\" AI can help humans connect better when it is applied with care. Story collection can be therapeutic for the storyteller and revealing for the organization. The real power of AI may be in helping us handle complexity, then validate what matters most. Schools need more than tools. They need thoughtfulness, context, and purpose.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/30th_March_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 339, "name": "Human Still Required: out now!", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/human-still-required-out-now", "datePublished": "2026-03-26", "dateText": "Mar 26, 2026", "duration": "PT17M36S", "durationText": "17:36", "description": "Jeff Utecht is back with a brand new book for schools looking to understand what to prioritize in the era of AI. Human Still Required is available for purchase, and you can get chapter one free: https://humanstillrequired.com/ Learn all about it in this special bonus episode.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Human_Still_Required.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 338, "name": "Billy Ray on Writing Hope in Dark Times, and Building Future Worlds", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/billy-ray-on-writing-hope-in-dark-times-and-building-future-worlds", "datePublished": "2026-03-22", "dateText": "Mar 22, 2026", "duration": "PT15M32S", "durationText": "15:32", "description": "What does it take to write a story that faces darkness without surrendering to it? In this episode, Tricia speaks with acclaimed screenwriter Billy Ray about his move into YA fiction with Burn the Water, a future-set story shaped by Shakespeare, political urgency, and a deep belief in young people's capacity to lead us forward. Their conversation explores community, imagination, hope, and the discipline of creating when the world feels bleak. Billy also offers a sharp look at his writing process, including what changed when he moved from screenwriting to novel writing, and why he sees writing less as inspiration and more as problem-solving. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why Billy Ray believes community is at the core of everything he writes How Romeo and Juliet and The Hunger Games helped shape Burn the Water Why setting a story 400 years in the future opened up new creative possibilities What it means to write for teens living through uncertainty and disenfranchisement Why hope is not passive, but something we practice How writing can help us process emotion, perspective, and possibility What surprised Billy most about shifting from screenwriting to novel writing Why he approaches writing like a mechanic, not a mystic How structure, routine, and problem-solving power his creative process Memorable ideas from the episode: Billy Ray reflects on the role of story in helping us imagine better futures, even when the present feels unstable. He talks about art as a way to tell the truth through invention, and about the importance of refusing hopelessness. He also shares a compelling view of young people, not as passive inheritors of crisis, but as the very people who may lead us through it. Episode takeaway This is a conversation about craft, courage, and the necessity of hope. For writers, readers, and anyone thinking seriously about the futures we are building, this episode offers both creative insight and moral clarity. Join Tricia for a free Futures Literacy session: https://triciafriedman.com/futureoffun/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/23_March_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 337, "name": "Why Kids Need Stories About Belonging and Friendship Right Now | Jasmine Warga", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/why-kids-need-stories-about-belonging-and-friendship-right-now-jasmine-warga", "datePublished": "2026-03-16", "dateText": "Mar 16, 2026", "duration": "PT19M41S", "durationText": "19:41", "description": "What can a cheetah and a rescue dog teach us about trust, friendship, and belonging? In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Jasmine Warga to talk about her newest book and the powerful themes at its heart: vulnerability, unlikely friendships, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you. Inspired by a real program in zoos where rescue dogs are paired with anxious cheetahs, Warga's story explores how connection can help both animals—and humans—feel less alone. Through the voices of a cheetah and a dog, the book opens up conversations about anxiety, trust, identity, and the universal desire to belong. Together, Tricia and Jasmine explore how storytelling helps young readers navigate big emotions, why animals can sometimes say things humans cannot, and how asking questions—rather than providing answers—is often the most powerful way to write for young people. They also go behind the scenes of Warga's writing process, from messy notebooks and long walks to the surprising freedom of writing a \"zero draft.\" This conversation is a powerful reminder that the stories we share with young readers can help build empathy, connection, and community. 🎧 Podcast Chapters 00:00 — Welcome + Why This Story Matters Right Now Tricia introduces Jasmine Warga and shares why the new book immediately resonated with her. 01:20 — Why Trust and Vulnerability Sit at the Heart of the Story Jasmine explains how the book explores the courage it takes to let someone see your \"soft parts.\" 02:00 — Why the Story Is Told Through a Cheetah and a Dog How animal characters help young readers open their hearts to difficult conversations. 03:30 — The Real Zoo Program Behind the Book The fascinating practice of pairing rescue dogs with anxious cheetahs. 05:00 — How Jasmine Built the Two Main Characters Finding the emotional core of Chase the cheetah and Finnegan the dog. 07:10 — Why Everyone Needs to Hear \"You're Good\" A powerful moment about reassurance, belonging, and emotional validation. 07:45 — Jasmine Warga's Writing Process Walking, daydreaming, music, and asking questions instead of chasing answers. 09:15 — The Music That Soundtracked the Book Why The National and \"You've Got a Friend in Me\" became part of the creative process. 10:00 — Why Unlikely Friendships Matter for Kids How stories can help young readers connect with people who seem different from them. 12:10 — Experimenting as a Writer From A Rover's Story to a cheetah and a dog—why Jasmine loves exploring new storytelling lenses. 14:00 — Why Jasmine Starts Every Book with Questions How curiosity drives the themes of belonging and identity. 15:30 — The Power of the \"Zero Draft\" A strategy for overcoming perfectionism and writer's block. 17:10 — Which Character Is Jasmine Most Like? A fun reflection on perfectionism, identity, and the author's personal connection to the story. About Jasmine Warga Jasmine Warga is a bestselling and award-winning author of books for young readers. Her stories explore themes of belonging, identity, friendship, and emotional courage, helping young people ask big questions about the world and their place in it.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/16th_March_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 336, "name": "Tui T. Sutherland on Creativity, World-Building, Empathy, and Writing for Young Readers", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/tui-t-sutherland-on-creativity-world-building-empathy-and-writing-for-young-read", "datePublished": "2026-03-09", "dateText": "Mar 9, 2026", "duration": "PT24M20S", "durationText": "24:20", "description": "In this episode, we sit down with Tui T. Sutherland, bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series, for a rich conversation about creativity, writing, world-building, empathy, and storytelling for young readers. Tui shares how play, curiosity, and even dogs can support focus and imagination, why world-building starts with better questions, and how writers can balance community feedback with their own creative vision. She also reflects on the role of empathy, diversity, and self-exploration in storytelling, offering practical insights for aspiring writers, educators, and anyone interested in how stories shape young minds. This conversation explores the creative process behind building immersive fictional worlds, developing memorable characters, and staying grounded in joy and curiosity while writing. Whether you are a fan of children's literature, interested in the craft of writing, or looking for inspiration around imagination and creative confidence, this episode offers plenty to take away. 00:00 How Dogs Support Creativity and Focus 02:40 World-Building That Makes Stories Feel Real 05:23 Balancing Reader Feedback and Creative Vision 07:56 Community, Empathy, and Representation in Storytelling 10:58 Writing as Therapy and Self-Exploration 14:30 Advice for Aspiring Writers 17:11 Imagining Worlds Through Play and Curiosity Resources Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland — https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/tui-t-sutherland/ Scholastic — https://www.scholastic.com/ Tui T. Sutherland on Twitter / X — https://twitter.com/tuitweets", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/9th_March_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 335, "name": "Dream Big, Start Small: A Conversation with Peter H. Reynolds", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/dream-big-start-small-a-conversation-with-peter-h-reynolds", "datePublished": "2026-03-03", "dateText": "Mar 3, 2026", "duration": "PT10M23S", "durationText": "10:23", "description": "In this episode, we sit down with beloved children's book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds to explore how educators can ignite creativity and self-discovery in young learners. Peter shares why a single question can transform how we teach, and why imagination and dreaming big aren't luxuries but essentials. What We Cover: How teachers activate creativity through authentic, feeling-driven questions Encouraging kids to explore many interests instead of choosing just one path The vital role of imagination and dreaming big in personal growth Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Educators on Creativity 05:33 Dreaming Big: Navigating Identity and Aspirations What to win your copy of this book? Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to enter the give-away. https://www.linkedin.com/company/shifting-schools/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Bonus_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 334, "name": "Character First Writing: Practical Mini Lessons from Deborah Goodrich Royce", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/character-first-writing-practical-mini-lessons-from-deborah-goodrich-royce", "datePublished": "2026-03-02", "dateText": "Mar 2, 2026", "duration": "PT26M5S", "durationText": "26:05", "description": "Deborah Goodrich Royce, author of literary psychological thrillers and a former actor, unpacks how she builds tension without forcing the outline. You will hear how sensory observation from her New York Botanical Garden work feeds scene-level detail, why she prefers a \"reveal\" that feels earned over a twist that feels gimmicky, and how an actor's training translates into characters with layered motives and believable self-deception. What you will learn How to pace a psychological thriller so the reader feels pulled forward, not pushed. Character-first plotting: letting voice, backstory, and contradictions shape the turns. Designing \"good reveals\" and planting signals that pay off cleanly later. Key topics Botanical observation as a storytelling skill (attention, pattern, detail). Character development through lived experience and emotional memory. Organic plot development: earning twists through setup, not shock value. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Deborah's background 01:00 Why the New York Botanical Garden matters to her creative life 01:57 Creative growth through lived experience 03:09 The Lincoln quote and what it signals in the book 03:37 Identity, deception, and what thrillers let us examine 04:55 Using \"signals\" from real life to build believable turns 05:46 The actor's lens on role, emotion, and subtext 07:10 Writing thrillers in a fast-paced media environment 07:48 \"Organic\" plotting: how reveals get earned 09:18 Creative community and collaboration 12:31 Openings, pacing, and keeping readers in the scene 14:59 Starting a new project: practical tools and habits 17:30 Visualizing the story with notes and systems 18:09 Readers, book clubs, and what she learns from conversations Want to learn with Tricia this April? Learn more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empathy-as-interface-rethinking-ai-in-education-tickets-1630138009669?aff=oddtdtcreator", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/2nd_March_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 333, "name": "How to Turn Real History into Fiction: Lessons from Steve Berry", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-to-turn-real-history-into-fiction-lessons-from-steve-berry", "datePublished": "2026-02-23", "dateText": "Feb 23, 2026", "duration": "PT15M15S", "durationText": "15:15", "description": "In this conversation, author Steve Berry discusses his deep-rooted love for history, the intricate process of crafting thrillers that intertwine historical facts with modern narratives, and the importance of research in his writing. He also shares insights into his philanthropic efforts through the History Matters initiative, which focuses on preserving local history, and hints at future adventures for his protagonist, Cotton Malone, in unexplored regions of the world. Takeaways Steve Berry's love for history began in childhood. His writing combines action, history, and conspiracies. The formula for his books is 'the same but different.' Research is crucial for creating engaging narratives. The 'ooh factor' is essential in selecting historical elements. History Matters has raised nearly $3 million for preservation. Berry's research trips are meticulously planned. He seeks unique insights during his travels. Cotton Malone will explore new regions in future novels. Berry aims to continue writing for many more years. Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty Cotton Malone novels, six stand-alone thrillers, two Luke Daniels adventures, and several works of short fiction. He has over twenty-six million books in print, translated into forty-one languages. With his wife, Elizabeth, he is the founder of History Matters, an organization dedicated to historical preservation. He serves as an emeritus member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board and was a founding member of International Thriller Writers, formerly serving as co-president. Check Steve out on Facebook or his website Chapters 00:00 The Roots of a Historian 02:58 Crafting Thrillers with Historical Depth 05:49 Researching History for Modern Thrillers 08:45 Giving Back: The History Matters Initiative 11:41 Future Adventures in Historical Fiction Learn more about the brand new book from Jeff Utecht https://humanstillrequired.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Feb_23_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 332, "name": "Building connection one board book at a time", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/building-connection-one-board-book-at-a-time", "datePublished": "2026-02-15", "dateText": "Feb 15, 2026", "duration": "PT14M33S", "durationText": "14:33", "description": "In this conversation, Sandra Magsamen discusses her approach to creating children's literature that emphasizes connection, love, and emotional intelligence. She shares insights into her creative process, the importance of feedback from readers, and how her work aims to foster self-love and connection between caregivers and children. Magsamen also reflects on her artistic journey, the role of perseverance, and the significance of storytelling in shaping lives. Takeaways Connection is at the heart of children's literature. Love is an action that caregivers can demonstrate. Books can provide comfort and emotional support to children. Feedback from readers is validating and inspires future work. Objects like books and blankets can hold deep emotional significance. Stories can change lives and shape worldviews. Curiosity fuels creativity and artistic expression. Perseverance is essential in the creative process. Every project is an opportunity to connect hearts. The act of reading together fosters intimacy and connection. Chapters 00:00 The Heart of Connection in Children's Literature 02:48 Love as an Action: The Role of Caregivers 05:34 Impactful Feedback: Stories from Readers 08:31 The Power of Objects and Books in Shaping Lives 11:06 Curiosity and Creativity: Fueling the Artistic Journey Learn more about our special guest: https://www.sandramagsamen.com/ Learn more with Jeff and Tricia https://www.shiftingschools.com/ Our show is produced by Sagheer M. Learn more: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01a20f0c0c32996d55", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Feb_16_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 331, "name": "Empowering the Next Generation Through Storytelling with Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/empowering-the-next-generation-through-storytelling-with-gloria-steinem-and-leym", "datePublished": "2026-02-09", "dateText": "Feb 9, 2026", "duration": "PT10M35S", "durationText": "10:35", "description": "In this conversation, we explore the new collaborative picture book 'Rise Girl Rise', which explores themes of empowerment, friendship, and the importance of storytelling across cultures. They emphasize the book's role in inspiring the next generation and fostering a sense of shared humanity. Gloria Steinem is a political activist, feminist organizer, and the author of many acclaimed books, including the national bestseller Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem. She is a contributor to the classic children's book Free to Be You and Me, which became a children's entertainment project, conceived, created, and executive-produced by actress and author Marlo Thomas, produced in collaboration with the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Free to Be Foundation, both cofounded by Ms. Steinem, and most recently illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Ms. Steinem is also the co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus and the Women's Media Center. In keeping with her deep commitment to establishing equality throughout the world, Ms. Steinem helped found Equality Now, Donor Direct Action, and Direct Impact Africa. To learn more, visit gloriasteinem.com. Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, social worker, and women's rights advocate. She is Founder and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, based in Monrovia. As a writer, Ms. Gbowee is the author of the inspirational memoir Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War, and author of the children's book A Community of Sisters, illustrated by Coleen Baik. Ms. Gbowee is perhaps best known for leading a nonviolent movement that brought together Christian and Muslim women to play a pivotal role in ending Liberia's devastating, 14-year civil war in 2003. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Picture Books 02:43 Friendship Across Cultures 05:15 Legacy and Call to Action The Shifting Schools podcast is produced and edited by Sagheer M.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Feb_9_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 330, "name": "Will AI change the future of the Super Bowl?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/will-ai-change-the-future-of-the-super-bowl", "datePublished": "2026-02-02", "dateText": "Feb 2, 2026", "duration": "PT11M3S", "durationText": "11:03", "description": "How is artificial intelligence being used in the NFL today? In this solo episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman explores how AI is already shaping professional football, with a special focus on Super Bowl Sunday. Rather than speculation, this episode looks at concrete, current examples of how AI is influencing advertising, predictions, player safety, and fan experience. Get the free conversation guide to share with friends and family: https://open.substack.com/pub/k12aileadershipbrief/p/five-signals-of-change?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web This episode is designed as a conversation resource for educators, families, and anyone gathering around the Super Bowl, offering five clear lenses for discussing AI's role in sports and society. What role does AI play in Super Bowl commercials? Major brands, including OpenAI, are now using the Super Bowl to tell stories about AI itself, while many non-AI companies are using generative tools to shape persuasive advertising. Tricia invites listeners to compare past and present Super Bowl ads and consider how the rise of AI-driven storytelling may change the creative skills schools should prioritize. What is the AI Influence Index and why does it matter? For the first time, startup Emberos is tracking which Super Bowl ads are most visible inside large language models during the game. Instead of asking people at the watercooler which ads were memorable, this index asks which brands \"win\" inside AI systems like ChatGPT. Can AI really predict Super Bowl winners? Recent reporting from USA Today and CNET shows how generative AI models are being used to forecast playoff outcomes, Super Bowl scores, and even halftime show cameos. As these models improve, Tricia raises questions about how fans may rethink expertise, intuition, and luck in sports forecasting, and whether some fans will resist consulting AI altogether. Why this episode matters for educators and families This conversation goes beyond football. It models how adults can talk with one another about AI's influence in everyday life, notice differing attitudes toward technology, and ask longer-term questions about which changes are likely to last over the next decade. Key discussion questions listeners can use on Super Bowl Sunday – Does AI enhance or diminish creativity in advertising? – Should brands optimize for human memory or AI visibility? – If AI predictions outperform humans, how does that change our view of expertise? – Where should decision-making authority sit when AI informs player safety? – Does AI-driven commentary deepen or reduce the joy of debate in sports? Subscribe to our free AI Forward newsletter to get the free conversation guide: https://k12aileadershipbrief.substack.com/ Email thoughts or additional angles to Tricia at Tricia@shiftingschools.com.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Feb_2_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 329, "name": "How Puzzles Build Confidence, Community, and Curiosity", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-puzzles-build-confidence-community-and-curiosity", "datePublished": "2026-01-27", "dateText": "Jan 27, 2026", "duration": "PT15M44S", "durationText": "15:44", "description": "What do puzzles teach us about being human. In this episode, Tricia talks with Allison Kane, Head of Puzzle Innovation at Highlights, about why puzzling matters far beyond entertainment. From Hidden Pictures and Wordle to classroom design and family learning, this conversation explores how puzzles build confidence, perseverance, and joyful learning across ages. Learn more: https://parents.highlights.com/printable-puzzles-and-mazes-puzzle-day-challenge Allison shares her origin story as a lifelong puzzler, explains the idea of the satisfaction of the solve, and offers practical advice for educators and families who want to integrate puzzles into learning spaces. The conversation also looks at puzzle design, community building, and what adults model for young people when they choose curiosity over avoidance. Topics covered Allison Kane's path from Highlights intern to Head of Puzzle Innovation Why puzzles support perseverance, confidence, and joyful learning The satisfaction of the solve and why payoff matters Puzzles as community builders in classrooms and families Designing puzzles that challenge without frustrating How educators can bring puzzles into classrooms easily What adults model for kids through playful intellectual challenge National Puzzle Day and the rise of puzzle communities Puzzles are not just activities. They are invitations to practice thinking, persistence, and joy. When adults model engagement with challenge, they show young people that learning can feel good.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/jan_28_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 328, "name": "What to Do When Teachers Are at Very Different Places With AI", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/what-to-do-when-teachers-are-at-very-different-places-with-ai", "datePublished": "2026-01-25", "dateText": "Jan 25, 2026", "duration": "PT31M10S", "durationText": "31:10", "description": "How do you move forward with AI in schools when staff confidence is all over the place? Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman address one of the most persistent leadership challenges in AI literacy implementation. Within the same faculty, some educators are experimenting confidently with tools and workflows while others feel intimidated, skeptical, or frustrated by rapid change. Jeff and Tricia frame the issue through a mindset-first lens and introduce practical leadership moves grounded in BAKE: balance, adaptability, knowledge sharing, and empathy. The conversation begins with a simple leadership truth: confidence grows through a beginner's stance, repetition, and low-stakes practice, not perfection on day one. Tricia shares a \"pumpkin patch\" analogy for learning something new and models how leaders can normalize experimentation and productive struggle for staff. From there, the episode explores how leaders can reduce anxiety and build confidence by \"level setting\" foundational understanding of how AI works. When teachers grasp what is happening under the hood, they are more willing to engage, ask better questions, and try new workflows. A central theme is personalization. Confidence increases when educators connect AI learning to what they already love about teaching, then use AI to enhance that strength rather than asking teachers to adopt tools for their own sake. The hosts also highlight the importance of playful, low-stakes experimentation outside of school contexts, from recipe support to pop-culture research challenges, as a way to learn tool boundaries without the pressure of classroom performance. The episode closes with a clear leadership stance: sustained learning matters. AI capabilities are changing quickly, so professional learning cannot be treated as a one-time training. Adaptability requires ongoing documentation of experiments, time-stamped learning, and renewed emphasis on media literacy as AI becomes more persuasive and more embedded in everyday life. If you are leading AI literacy in a school or district and trying to support both early adopters and hesitant educators, this episode offers a grounded approach to building momentum without fracturing culture. In this episode, you will hear about leading AI literacy when teacher confidence varies widely, progress over perfection and the beginner's stance, differentiated professional learning for AI, foundational understanding of how AI works, low-stakes experimentation that increases staff buy-in, balancing voices of early adopters and skeptics, adaptability as AI tools evolve, and mindset-first change management through the BAKE Framework. Explore the BAKE resources and multiple ways to engage, including a four-week email series, PLC slide decks, a live cohort, and school-wide implementation: https://www.shiftingschools.com/ Our show is edited and produced by Sagheer M. Learn more about his work: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01a20f0c0c32996d55 Are you signed up for Crayola Creativity Week? https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week Reach out to learn with us: info@shiftingschools.com 00:00 Welcome and Series Context Jeff frames the third and final BAKE episode and names the core leadership question about uneven staff confidence. 01:30 Why Confidence Gaps Are Normal When Learning Something New Using the beginner's stance and the pumpkin patch example to normalize discomfort and learning curves. 03:30 Progress Over Perfection in Teaching and Leadership Why educators often expect mastery too quickly and how modeling learning matters. 05:30 The Leadership Challenge of Mixed AI Confidence High flyers, hesitant staff, and the tension leaders feel managing both groups. 08:00 Level Setting: How Understanding AI Builds Confidence Why explaining how AI works reduces fear and increases willingness to engage. 10:30 Passion-Based Entry Points for AI Learning Connecting AI use to what educators already love doing in their work. 13:00 Playful, Low-Stakes AI Experiments Using non-school examples to explore AI without pressure or risk. 15:30 Pop Culture as a Confidence Builder The Taylor Swift research experiment and why interest drives learning. 18:00 Abundance of Information and Better Questions Why confidence grows when educators move from answers to inquiry. 20:00 Empathy First: Leading With BAKE Starting with empathy before tools, expertise, or expectations. 21:45 Knowledge Sharing Inside and Outside the Classroom Why sharing personal AI use builds collective confidence. 23:15 Adaptability in a Fast-Changing AI Landscape Why AI learning must be ongoing, time-stamped, and revisited. 25:15 Balance: Creating Space for All Voices Supporting both skeptics and early adopters through reciprocal dialogue. 27:15 Key Takeaways and Next Steps Mindset-first leadership, community, and how schools can engage further with BAKE.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/jan_26_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 327, "name": "What Skills Matter Most for AI Literacy?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/what-skills-matter-most-for-ai-literacy", "datePublished": "2026-01-18", "dateText": "Jan 18, 2026", "duration": "PT33M35S", "durationText": "33:35", "description": "AI literacy in the classroom looks like students practicing judgment, sense-making, and self-awareness while working alongside AI, not replacing thinking with tools. It emphasizes mindset before mechanics. In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman frame AI literacy through the BAKE Mindset: Balance – Knowing when AI helps and when it doesn't Adaptability – Updating learning practices as tools change Knowledge Sharing – Making thinking visible and collective Empathy – Designing learning with student experience in mind How Does AI Change Research in Schools? AI changes how research starts and what counts as learning. Instead of: Finding information Rewriting sources Formatting citations Students now practice: Comparing perspectives Identifying bias and heuristics Deciding what matters and why Research becomes an exercise in judgment, not retrieval. The episode traces this shift historically—from card catalogs to microfiche to Google—and positions AI tools as the next evolution rather than a rupture. The conversation highlights several skills that remain human-led: Judgment – Evaluating ideas, not accepting outputs Question Formation – Using AI to clarify what to ask next Bias Awareness – Recognizing anchoring and confirmation effects Metacognition – Noticing learning gaps and strengths AI supports these skills but does not perform them on a learner's behalf. What Does \"AI as a Co-Learner\" Mean? AI as a co-learner means: Students remain responsible for decisions AI offers scaffolding, variation, or clarification Learning paths stay human-directed This mirrors patterns already familiar in education, including IEPs, 504 plans, and differentiated instruction. How Does AI Literacy Connect to SEL? AI literacy intersects with social-emotional learning by strengthening: Self-awareness of strengths and gaps Confidence in asking questions Comfort with uncertainty and revision As students work with AI, they gain clearer insight into how they learn—not just what they produce. Who Is This Episode For? Classroom teachers rethinking research and assessment School leaders shaping AI literacy strategy Instructional coaches and curriculum designers Educators focused on mindset, SEL, and learning design Series Context This episode is part of the BAKE Mindset series from Shifting Schools. Ready to learn more: https://www.shiftingschools.com/ Do you love the way this show is edited and produced? If you are looking for an amazing producer, learn more about connecting with our very own, Sagheer M. https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01a20f0c0c32996d55", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/jan_19_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 326, "name": "The Mindset Shift You Need for AI Literacy in 2026", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-mindset-shift-you-need-for-ai-literacy-in-2026", "datePublished": "2026-01-11", "dateText": "Jan 11, 2026", "duration": "PT33M10S", "durationText": "33:10", "description": "In this episode of Shifting Schools, hosts Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their personal experiences over the holidays, leading into a broader conversation about the importance of mindset in education, particularly in relation to AI literacy. They introduce the 'BAKE Framework' as a tool for educators to navigate AI discussions, emphasizing the need for adaptability, empathy, and open communication. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in educational settings, encouraging educators to embrace change and foster a culture of experimentation and learning. Takeaways The importance of personal gifts and experiences in shaping our perspectives. Mindset plays a crucial role in how we approach AI in education. The Bake Framework offers a structured way to think about AI literacy. Addressing concerns about AI requires empathy and understanding. Adaptability is key for leaders navigating technological changes. Misinformation about AI and its impacts must be addressed thoughtfully. Conversations about AI should focus on perspectives and experiences. Time is necessary for understanding and shifting opinions on AI. Playfulness in experimentation can lead to better outcomes. Educators should foster a culture of open dialogue and consideration. Chapters 00:00 New Year Reflections and Personal Gifts 03:07 Mindset and AI in Education 05:47 The Bake Framework for AI Literacy 08:20 Addressing AI Concerns in Education 12:29 Adaptability and Playfulness in Leadership 17:46 Navigating Change and Misinformation 22:31 Conversations and Perspectives on AI Learn more about Crayola Creativity Week https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week Send Jeff and Tricia your questions and feedback: info@shiftingschools.com Learn with us in 2026 https://www.shiftingschools.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Jan_12_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 325, "name": "How do we help students be more critical of health advice?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-do-we-help-students-be-more-critical-of-health-advice", "datePublished": "2026-01-05", "dateText": "Jan 5, 2026", "duration": "PT22M3S", "durationText": "22:03", "description": "In this episode, host Tricia Friedman sits down with Dr. Michael Greger, bestselling author and founder of NutritionFacts.org, to explore why non-commercial, evidence-based health guidance matters more than ever. They discuss lifestyle medicine, plant-based nutrition, scientific integrity, cannabis research, and how small, testable behavior changes can dramatically improve long-term health. What This Conversation Is Really About Health advice is everywhere — but trustworthy guidance is not. This conversation slows things down and examines how to make informed choices in a noisy, commercialized health landscape, without absolutism, hype, or fear-based messaging. Dr. Greger shares: Why he donates 100% of book proceeds to charity How lifestyle medicine transformed his own family's health What the science actually says about cannabis — both risks and benefits Why updating guidance as evidence evolves is a strength, not a weakness How social support, not willpower, determines whether health changes last Key Topics Covered Why non-commercial health information matters How financial incentives distort nutrition and medical guidance — and how to recognize bias. Lifestyle medicine in practice Diet, movement, and daily habits as powerful tools for disease prevention and reversal. Plant-based eating (defined clearly) What \"plant-based\" actually means — and what it doesn't. Cannabis: separating evidence from ideology What newer human studies reveal about cancer risk, pain management, and safer use. Scientific uncertainty and misinformation How peer-reviewed research works, where it fails, and how to interpret studies responsibly. Behavior change that sticks Why short-term \"experiments,\" bodily feedback, and social support outperform rigid rules. Who This Episode Is For Listeners overwhelmed by conflicting health advice Educators, parents, and caregivers navigating cannabis conversations Anyone curious about plant-based nutrition without extremism People interested in evidence-based, non-commercial wellness guidance Listeners looking for sustainable, realistic behavior change About the Guest Dr. Michael Greger is a physician, internationally recognized speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of How Not to Die. He is the founder of NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit providing free, evidence-based nutrition research, and a leading voice in lifestyle medicine. Chapters Introduction and Non-Commercial Guidance - 0:00 Dr. Greger's Personal Story and Motivation - 3:15 Importance of Repeated Guidance and Lifestyle Changes - 6:30 Updated Book Topics: COVID, Cannabis, and Misinformation - 10:45 Science Communication and Challenges - 15:00 Plant-Based Diet and Personal Health Experiments - 19:15 Social Support and Sustainable Lifestyle Changes - 23:30 Closing Thoughts and Positive Messages - 27:45", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Dr._Greger_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 324, "name": "Why Millions of Students Are Creating Together: Inside Crayola Creativity Week", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/why-millions-of-students-are-creating-together-inside-crayola-creativity-week", "datePublished": "2025-12-29", "dateText": "Dec 29, 2025", "duration": "PT32M9S", "durationText": "32:09", "description": "What does it look like when creativity becomes a global learning movement—not an add-on, but a connector across every subject? In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman is joined by Cheri Sterman to explore Crayola Creativity Week, a free, cross-curricular program designed to help educators spark collaboration, confidence, and creative thinking in classrooms around the world. Together, they unpack how Creativity Week connects creativity to every subject and career, why celebrity partners—from the Property Brothers to NASA astronauts—volunteer their time to inspire students, and how this year's themes emphasize social-emotional skills like collaboration and confidence in one's own ideas. You'll also hear how: over 13 million students across 122 countries participated last year—and why participation is projected to exceed 20 million educators can access low-prep, high-impact resources available in multiple languages families are invited into the learning through at-home creative challenges and shared student galleries teachers can enter global sweepstakes, school grants, and creativity retreats designed to restore educator energy Whether you're a classroom teacher, librarian, school leader, or parent, this conversation offers a practical and hopeful look at how creativity can unite learning communities—and why it matters now more than ever. Explore printable thinking sheets, educator guides, and activity downloads designed to support creativity, collaboration, and confidence across grade levels and subject areas. https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Caryola_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 323, "name": "Holiday Gifting for Teachers: Tools for Wellness, Creativity, and Reflection", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/holiday-gifting-for-teachers-tools-for-wellness-creativity-and-reflection", "datePublished": "2025-12-22", "dateText": "Dec 22, 2025", "duration": "PT28M58S", "durationText": "28:58", "description": "This special Shifting Schools holiday episode isn't about trendy gadgets or generic gift lists. Instead, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman share seven thoughtfully chosen gifts for educators—each matched to a specific kind of person and a specific kind of need. Some gifts are playful. Some are reflective. Some are deeply practical. All of them offer a meaningful boost during a season when educators are often running on empty. This episode asks a practical question: \"What might actually support someone through their days?\" Whether you're shopping for a colleague, a school leader, a family member, or yourself, this episode helps you gift with attention, care, and intention. 🎧 What You'll Hear in This Episode 1️⃣ TekXYZ Reflex Ball A surprisingly powerful wellness tool for educators stuck in back-to-back meetings. Jeff and Tricia explore why quick movement resets attention, boosts mood, and even brings a little playfulness into staff spaces. Perfect for: colleagues, teens, or any educator who needs a fast energy reset. 2️⃣ Letters by Lantern Light A slow-burn, story-driven mystery told through monthly letters. This gift invites patience, curiosity, and narrative thinking—qualities educators value deeply but rarely get to savor themselves. Perfect for: grandparents, ELA teachers, reflective readers, or monthly gatherings with friends. 3️⃣ Rocketbook Smart Notebook A bridge between handwriting and digital organization. Tricia and Jeff unpack why this tool works so well for teachers, leaders, students, and creatives who think best with pen and paper. Perfect for: note-lovers, journalers, sketchers, and idea-catchers. 4️⃣ Tune Up Fitness Alpha Ball & Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls The gift for people who say they \"don't have time for self-care.\" These small tools fit under desks and into real workdays—encouraging somatic awareness and tension release in minutes. Perfect for: administrators, teachers, staff lounges, and anyone carrying stress in their body. 5️⃣ Makedo Cardboard Construction Tools A maker favorite that proves creativity doesn't require expensive materials. Jeff and Tricia highlight how this kit supports problem-solving, collaboration, and playful design—for kids and adults alike. Perfect for: families, makerspaces, staff retreats, and rainy-day creativity. 6️⃣ INQ Smart Pen For analogue thinkers who want digital power. This pen syncs handwritten notes in real time, making it ideal for deep learning, graduate work, and idea remixing. Perfect for: master's students, researchers, and lifelong learners. 7️⃣ TheraBox Monthly Subscription A recurring reminder that someone is seen and appreciated. Tricia calls this her most universal gift—one that says \"thank you\" again and again. Perfect for: anyone who gives a lot to others. 💡 Why This Episode Matters This conversation goes beyond shopping lists. It models intentional gifting—a practice that mirrors great teaching itself: noticing, listening, and responding to real needs. If you're feeling overwhelmed by last-minute holiday decisions, this episode offers clarity, warmth, and ideas that actually fit educators' lives. 🛒 Official Gift Links TekXYZ Reflex Ball → https://tekxyz.com Letters by Lantern Light → https://lettersbylanternlight.com Rocketbook Smart Notebook → https://getrocketbook.com Alpha Ball & Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls → https://www.tuneupfitness.com Makedo Cardboard Tools → https://www.make.do INQ Smart Pen → https://www.inqfactory.com TheraBox Subscription → https://www.mytherabox.com We'd love to know—which gift would you give, and to whom? Join the conversation by sharing this episode or tagging @ShiftingSchools. Subscribe to the podcast for more thoughtful conversations about learning, leadership, and the future of education.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Holiday_Ep_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 322, "name": "What Makes a Family? Scott & Mark Hoying on Representation, Creativity, and Love", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/what-makes-a-family-scott-and-mark-hoying-on-representation-creativity-and-love", "datePublished": "2025-12-15", "dateText": "Dec 15, 2025", "duration": "PT24M55S", "durationText": "24:55", "description": "You know Pentatonix – the multi-platinum selling acapella group is the number one most listened to musical acct of the holiday season. Co-founder and Grammy winner Scott Hoying is currently starring in Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. Scott Hoying and his husband Mark are now also authors of an innovative picture book which features text that doubles as lyrics to a new, original Christmas song. FA LA LA FAMILY celebrates the spirit of Christmas with a look at nontraditional families. The reviews are loving their new book: \"A fun and festive dive into Christmas celebrations with diverse families.\"―School Library Journal \"Cozy and filled with love.\" ―Kirkus In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman sits down with Scott and Mark Hoying, creators and authors of a new children's book that challenges traditional definitions of family and centers love, creativity, and chosen community. Together, they explore why representation in children's literature matters, how creative collaboration shapes healthy partnerships, and what their journey toward modern, inclusive parenthood has taught them about patience, communication, and imagination. This conversation is especially relevant for educators, parents, and caregivers seeking stories that reflect diverse families—and for anyone curious about how creativity prepares us for life's biggest transitions. Chapters 00:00 What Defines Family Today? 02:51 Creativity, Collaboration, and Partnership 05:46 Communication in Creative Relationships 08:51 Preparing for Parenthood Through Art 11:42 Why Representation in Children's Books Matters 14:27 Stories, Holidays, and Belonging ABOUT: Scott Hoying is a GRAMMY award winning and Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, and arranger from the multi-platinum selling acapella group, Pentatonix. He co-founded the group in 2010 and has headlined hundreds of shows all around the world. He is currently starring in Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. He is very active in the LGBTQ+ community and works closely with The Trevor Project. How Lucky Am I? is his first picture book. Mark Hoying is a writer and marketing professional from Seattle, Washington. After graduating from the University of Washington, he met and began developing projects with his husband, Scott Hoying. He co-wrote the original Christmas single \"Thank You\" on Pentatonix's holiday album and currently manages the girl group Citizen Queen. Fa La La Family is published by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Scott_and_Mark_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 321, "name": "Why Interdisciplinary Learning Fuels Creativity: A Conversation with Alan Gratz", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/why-interdisciplinary-learning-fuels-creativity-a-conversation-with-alan-gratz", "datePublished": "2025-12-08", "dateText": "Dec 8, 2025", "duration": "PT21M23S", "durationText": "21:23", "description": "In this episode of Shifting Schools, bestselling author Alan Gratz joins Tricia Friedman to explore the craft of storytelling, the role of creativity in education, and why curiosity is the engine behind both great writing and great learning. Gratz shares how baseball has quietly shaped the structure of many of his novels, how he approaches character development with authenticity, and why understanding a character's background is essential for emotional truth. The conversation also digs into the need for interdisciplinary learning in today's classrooms and the value of teacher collaboration. Gratz argues that creativity isn't a mysterious talent—it's a skill that can be nurtured, practiced, and strengthened when schools design learning experiences that cross traditional subject boundaries. Whether you're an educator, writer, or lifelong learner, this episode offers fresh insights into how storytelling helps us understand the human experience and how curiosity fuels both art and education. 🔑 Key Takeaways Alan Gratz's novel has stayed on the bestseller list for five years, a longevity he describes as \"never taken for granted.\" He uses baseball as a metaphorical framework when structuring narratives. Creativity is a teachable practice—not an innate gift. Interdisciplinary learning increases student engagement and deepens understanding. Strong character development depends on knowing a character's background, motivations, and contradictions. Reading diverse perspectives cultivates empathy, curiosity, and creative thinking. Gratz encourages exploring multiple creative pathways in writing and education. Schools benefit when teachers collaborate across disciplines to build rich learning experiences. 🕒 Chapters 00:00 – The Legacy of a Best-Selling Author 02:57 – Baseball as a Creative Influence 05:43 – The Teachability of Creativity 08:46 – Interdisciplinary Learning in Education 11:37 – Character Development and Authenticity 14:20 – Curiosity and the Human Condition ALAN GRATZ is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed books for young readers, including Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, Two Degrees, Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade, Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, Code of Honor, and Captain America: The Ghost Army, an original graphic novel. Alan lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest. Look for him online at alangratz.com. Huge thanks to our show sponsor Poll Everywhere! Learn more", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Alan_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 320, "name": "Inside the Mind of a 4.1 Million-Follower Creator: AI, Internships, and the Future of Storytelling", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/inside-the-mind-of-a-4-1-million-follower-creator-ai-internships-and-the-future-", "datePublished": "2025-11-30", "dateText": "Nov 30, 2025", "duration": "PT19M36S", "durationText": "19:36", "description": "In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht reconnects with Marcus DiPaola, a successful content creator and documentary filmmaker. They discuss Marcus's journey from working in news to becoming a prominent influencer on platforms like TikTok, where he has amassed over 4 million followers. The conversation delves into the challenges of content creation, the importance of writing skills, and the role of AI in enhancing creative processes. Marcus shares insights on his documentary work, including a recent project on protests and his upcoming film about food insecurity. He emphasizes the value of internships for aspiring creators and the dedication required to succeed in the industry. Connect with him: https://www.tiktok.com/@marcus.dipaola?lang=en https://www.youtube.com/c/marcusdipaola Takeaways Content creation requires strong writing skills. Consistency is key in content creation. The journey to becoming an influencer is not instant. Internships provide invaluable experience for aspiring creators. AI can assist but cannot replace creativity. Documentary filmmaking involves significant research and planning. Understanding audience engagement is crucial for content success. Passion is essential to avoid burnout in content creation. Networking from internships can lead to lasting professional relationships. The landscape of content creation is constantly evolving. Sound bites \"You have to be super consistent.\" \"I make one 60 second video a day.\" \"You have to be better than that.\" Chapters 00:00 Reconnecting and Backgrounds 02:39 The Journey of Content Creation 05:29 Documentary Filmmaking and Its Challenges 08:23 The Role of AI in Content Creation 10:58 Advice for Aspiring Creators and Future Projects Thank you to our Sponsor Poll Everywhere Learn more about them: https://www.polleverywhere.com/plans/education?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=shiftingschools&utm_campaign=shiftingschools", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Marcus_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 319, "name": "The Rise of Micro schools: How Educators Are Reimagining Learning with David Richards", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-rise-of-micro-schools-how-educators-are-reimagining-learning-with-david-rich", "datePublished": "2025-11-24", "dateText": "Nov 24, 2025", "duration": "PT24M45S", "durationText": "24:45", "description": "Are micro schools the future of personalized learning? In this high-impact episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht sits down with David K. Richards, CEO of ChangeMaker Education, to break down one of the fastest-growing movements in the education ecosystem: microschools. With over 125,000 micro schools and 1.5 million students already learning in small, relationship-centered environments across the U.S., this episode delivers a deeply practical and future-focused look at why educators, parents, and policymakers are paying attention. What You'll Learn in This Episode What a micro school really is — and why its flexible size (5–150 learners) unlocks personalization How the pandemic accelerated the movement, doubling homeschooling rates and driving families to seek community-based alternatives. Why micro schools are not new—they're the modern reimagining of the one-room schoolhouse. How micro schools fit across sectors: private, charter, district-partnered, and homeschool learning centers. The regulatory landscape educators must understand—voucher programs, ESAs, accreditation, and state-by-state flexibility. Key Insight From David Richards Teachers often underestimate how many entrepreneurial skills they already have—project management, relationship-building, instructional design, crisis navigation, and creative problem-solving. Micro schools simply give them a pathway to use those skills with autonomy, community connection, and purpose. Featured Guest David K. Richards CEO, ChangeMaker Education Charter school founder • Former Chief of Schools • Micro school accelerator • Host of Changemaker EDU Podcast Learn more or apply to launch a micro school at: changemakereducation.com Huge thank you to our show sponsor, learn more about Poll Everywhere: https://www.polleverywhere.com/plans/education?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=shiftingschools&utm_campaign=shiftingschools", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Richard_mixdown.m.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 318, "name": "Can we communicate with our pets? Leo Trottier on the Future of Interspecies Communication", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/can-we-communicate-with-our-pets-leo-trottier-on-the-future-of-interspecies-comm", "datePublished": "2025-11-17", "dateText": "Nov 17, 2025", "duration": "PT40M10S", "durationText": "40:10", "description": "What if our pets are communicating complex ideas—and technology is finally catching up? In this episode of the Shifting Schools Podcast, cognitive scientist and FluentPet founder Leo Trottier joins us to explore how breakthroughs in animal cognition, inter-species communication, and speech-button interfaces are reshaping the way humans understand pets. Trottier unpacks the science behind communication-enhancing tools for animals, drawing from research in cognitive psychology, comparative cognition, and linguistics to explain how dogs and cats may be expressing needs, feelings, and even intentions. He also discusses how this emerging field could deepen human–animal bonds, strengthen empathy, and influence the future of animal welfare and education. Listeners will learn: How cognitive science informs FluentPet's design What behavioral research reveals about dogs' communicative abilities Why emotional connection with animals supports childhood empathy development The ethical and rights-based implications of interspecies dialogue How next-generation technology could expand communication across species Perfect for educators, future-focused parents, animal lovers, and anyone curious about the intersection of science, empathy, and emerging technology. Thank you to our show sponsor for making episodes like these possible. Learn more about Poll Everywhere today", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Leo_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 317, "name": "Crossing the Line of Falling Behind: Where Is Your School on the AI Curve?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/crossing-the-line-of-falling-behind-where-is-your-school-on-the-ai-curve", "datePublished": "2025-11-10", "dateText": "Nov 10, 2025", "duration": "PT9M51S", "durationText": "09:51", "description": "Summary In this episode, Jeff Utecht discusses the critical importance of understanding where schools stand on the AI adoption curve. He emphasizes the need for leadership to actively engage with AI and for educators to integrate AI into their teaching practices. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI in education, urging schools to move from mere conversation to meaningful integration. Learn more about our amazing show sponsor: Poll Everywhere Takeaways AI adoption is crucial for schools today. Leadership must model AI usage and curiosity. Schools are on a curve of AI adoption. Teachers should empower students to engage with AI. AI can enhance learning, not replace teachers. Starting small with AI can lead to significant progress. The goal is to move from conversation to integration. AI tools should be used daily by educators. Understanding AI is essential for future readiness. Schools must not fall behind in AI integration. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of AI in Education 02:37 Understanding the AI Adoption Curve 06:01 Empowering Schools to Embrace AI", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/lineofai.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 316, "name": "How Generative AI Can Deepen Critical Thinking in K12, Not Replace It", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-generative-ai-can-deepen-critical-thinking-in-k12-not-replace-it", "datePublished": "2025-11-03", "dateText": "Nov 3, 2025", "duration": "PT20M32S", "durationText": "20:32", "description": "Discover how educators are using generative AI not to automate, but to elevate critical thinking and collaboration in K-12 schools. In this episode of Shifting Schools, host Tricia Friedman shows how \"disagreement by design\" and intentional prompt-engineering transform student and leadership learning. What you'll learn: What disagreement by design looks like in real classrooms and leadership teams How prompt engineering unlocks student curiosity and systems-thinking mindset in K-12 Why writing bespoke GPT bots might just be the 'new essay' of our times Who this episode is for: Any educator, school leader or district-innovator exploring how to responsibly integrate companion AI, AI avatars and prompt-driven dialogue into a learning ecosystem. 🧭 Key Topics What \"disagreement by design\" looks like in real classrooms How prompt engineering can unlock student curiosity Why generative AI needs to serve learning, not automation Examples of schools using AI for civic and digital literacy Mindsets for leading change with courage and care Want to try out the chatbots? 'All about Avatars' https://chatgpt.com/g/g-69000b1682a8819188039180edcc55ce-all-about-avatars On the Rise of Livestreaming: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-68ffd3cfb750819197dfa42090d38076-making-sense-of-fanum-and-the-rise-of-streaming Learn more about our amazing show sponsor: Poll Everywhere Keep learning with Shifting Schools Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Generative AI and Its Misunderstandings 01:36 The Importance of Designed Disagreement in AI 03:57 Prompt Engineering: Thinking Like a Designer 09:26 Creating Custom Chatbots for Specific Needs 13:52 AI Literacy and Community Building Through Technology", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Disagreement_by_Design_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 315, "name": "Parenting, Picture Books, and the Practice of Wonder: Leadership Lessons in Creativity", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/parenting-picture-books-and-the-practice-of-wonder-leadership-lessons-in-creativ", "datePublished": "2025-10-27", "dateText": "Oct 27, 2025", "duration": "PT27M17S", "durationText": "27:17", "description": "A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners.... In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christy Mandin to explore what school leaders can learn from the creative process behind children's literature. Together they unpack how curiosity fuels empathy, how messy iteration sparks innovation, and how embracing the dark and uncertain moments of creativity can make us more compassionate educators. What You'll Learn Why boredom and unstructured time are essential ingredients for student creativity. How to help students (and ourselves) become friends with the dark—embracing uncertainty as a path to growth. Why modeling curiosity, reflection, and open-mindedness is one of the most powerful leadership moves. Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books. She's grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles. She currently lives in Georgia with her husband and four children. Visit Christy online at christymandin.com or Instagram @christymandin Learn more about our amazing show sponsor: Poll Everywhere Keep learning with Shifting Schools.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Christy_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 314, "name": "Beyond Cheating: What AI Is Really Teaching Us About Students and Schools", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/beyond-cheating-what-ai-is-really-teaching-us-about-students-and-schools", "datePublished": "2025-10-20", "dateText": "Oct 20, 2025", "duration": "PT46M38S", "durationText": "46:38", "description": "The conversation about AI in education often starts—and stops—with cheating. But what if that's the least interesting part of the story? In this episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with the team behind the new show: The Homework Machine, MIT's Justin Reich and journalist Jesse Dukes. They unpack how generative AI is reshaping what we mean by integrity, creativity, and student voice. Together they explore how teachers can balance innovation with empathy, and what schools might learn from students already living in the AI age. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Homework Machine 02:47 The Importance of Listening to Students 05:45 AI and Academic Integrity: A Deeper Look 08:23 The Role of Relationships in Education 10:59 Challenges in Teacher-Student Relationships 13:46 Navigating AI in Education 16:38 The Need for Empathy in Educational Policy 19:15 The Impact of the Pandemic on Education 22:17 Engaging Skeptics in AI Discussions 24:41 Finding Balance in Educational Priorities 27:45 Creating Safe Spaces for Student Voices 30:27 Looking Ahead: Future of The Homework Machine The Homework Machine is a mini series from TeachLab, a podcast that investigates the art and craft of teaching. Hosted by Justin Reich, MIT Professor and director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab. https://www.teachlabpodcast.com/ Jesse Dukes is a journalist and comedian who has done (nearly) all the jobs in podcasting and audio including producer, editor, executive producer, reporter, mix engineer, and teacher. Along with other projects, He's currently working with the Teaching System's Lab at MIT on The Homework Machine, a research and podcasting project about the arrival of generative AI in schools. He has taught audio storytelling at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke and Denison University. Justin Reich is an associate professor of digital media in the Comparative Media Studies/Writing department at MIT and the director of the Teaching Systems Lab. He is the author of Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can't Transform Education, and the host of the TeachLab Podcast. He earned his doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and was the Richard L. Menschel HarvardX Research Fellow. He is a past Fellow at the Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society. His writings have been published in Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and other scholarly journals and public venues. He started his career as a high school history teacher, and coach of wrestling and outdoor adventure activities. We are grateful to our sponsors: Poll Everywhere for supporting us this season, learn more: https://www.polleverywhere.com/plans/education?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=shiftingschools&utm_campaign=shiftingschools", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Jesse_justin_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 313, "name": "Why vibe coding is such a vibe", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/why-vibe-coding-is-such-a-vibe", "datePublished": "2025-10-13", "dateText": "Oct 13, 2025", "duration": "PT13M31S", "durationText": "13:31", "description": "In this episode Tricia Friedman talks listeners through an example of how she vibe coding an app from start to finish. Her vibe coding process of building an app blends AI literacy, digital humanities, and leadership design thinking. What does this tell us about the future of using generative AI for projects in K12? This episode is sponsored by our amazing friends at Poll Everywhere. Join over 1 million educators using Poll Everywhere. Try it risk free for 30 days—we'll refund you if it's not a good fit. Listeners will gain insight into: how AI-assisted app design reshapes collaboration and imagination in schools what happens when storytelling meets software in project-based learning why ethical AI, digital well-being, and student agency must anchor innovation Ultimately, this episode challenges educators to think differently about what it means to \"build.\" Tricia frames vibe coding as an invitation to design with empathy — where app creation, futures literacy, and educator creativity merge to model a more human-centered approach to technology in learning. If you're curious about AI in education, digital storytelling, women in edtech, or the future of creative leadership, this episode offers a front-row seat to the evolving intersection of art, code, and compassion.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Tricia_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 312, "name": "The Future of Higher Education in America", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-future-of-higher-education-in-america", "datePublished": "2025-10-06", "dateText": "Oct 6, 2025", "duration": "PT33M41S", "durationText": "33:41", "description": "Today, a college diploma is no guarantee that graduates have the competencies that businesses need, including using emerging technologies, communicating, working in teams, and other necessary skills. So, it's fair to ask, \"Do students really need a college degree\"? Brandeis University President, and nationally respected higher education leader and researcher, Arthur Levine has been at the forefront of the changing role of higher education. Co-author of THE GREAT UPHEAVAL, HIGHER EDUCATIONS PAST PRESENT AND UNCERTAIN FUTURE, Levine argues that in the next 20 years, consumers of higher education will determine what higher education will be, and that every institution will have to change. Today, the United States is undergoing change of even greater magnitude and speed than it did during the Industrial Revolution as it shifts from a national, analog, industrial economy to a global, digital, knowledge economy. At the same time, public confidence in higher education has declined. Threatened by a demographic cliff in most states where fewer students will be graduating from high school over the next 20 years, the increased competition for students means that a larger number of higher education institutions will be closing or merging with other institutions. It is expected that as many as 20 to 25 percent of colleges, particularly liberal arts colleges and comprehensive regional colleges, will close in the coming years. Learn more about The Great Upheaval: The book reveals that five new realities, none of higher education's own making, will characterize the coming transformation: Institutional control of higher education will decrease, and the power of higher education consumers will increase. In a range of knowledge industries, the advent of the global, digital, knowledge economy multiplied the number of content providers and disseminators and gave consumers choice over what, where, when, and how of the content they consumed. The same will be true of higher education. The digital revolution will put more power in the hands of the learner who will have greater choice about all aspects of their own education. With near universal access to digital devices and the Internet, students will seek from higher education the same things they are getting from the music, movie and newspaper industries. Given the choice, consumers of the three industries chose round-the-clock over fixed-time access, consumer- rather than producer-determined content, personalized over uniform content, and low prices over high. In the emerging higher education environment, students are placing a premium on convenience—anytime, anyplace accessibility; personalized education that fits their circumstances and unbundling, only purchasing what they need or want to buy at affordable prices. For instance, during the pandemic, while college enrollments were declining, enrollment in institutions with these attributes, such as Coursera, an online learning platform, saw the number of students they serve jump. In the United States and abroad, Coursera enrollments jumped from 53 to 78 million. That 25 million student increase is more than the entire enrollment in U.S. higher education. New content producers and distributors will enter the higher education marketplace, driving up institutional competition and consumer choice and driving down prices. We are already seeing a proliferation of new postsecondary institutions, organizations and programs that have abandoned key elements of mainstream higher education. These emphasize digital technologies, reject time and place-based education, create low-cost degrees, adopt competency or outcome-based education, and award nontraditional credentials. Increasingly, libraries, museums, media companies and software makers have entered the marketplace, offering content, instruction and certification. Google offers 80 certificate programs and Microsoft has 77. The American Museum of Natural History has its own graduate school, which offers a Ph.D. in comparative biology, a Master of Arts degree in teaching, and short-term online courses that teachers can use for graduate study or professional development credit. The new providers are not only more accessible and convenient, offering a combination of competency- and course-based programs, they are also cheaper and more agile than traditional colleges and universities which will lead to more contraction and closings? The industrial era model of higher education focusing on time, process and teaching will be eclipsed by a knowledge economy successor rooted in outcomes and learning. In the future, higher education will focus on the outcomes we want students to achieve, what we want them to learn, not how long we want them to be taught. This is because students don't learn at the same rate and because the explosion of new content being produced by employers, museums, software companies, banks, retailers and other organizations inside and outside higher education will be so heterogeneous that what students accomplish cannot be translated into uniform time or process measures. The one common denominator they all share is that they produce outcomes, whatever students learn as consequence of the experience. The dominance of degrees and \"Just-in-case\" education will diminish; non-degree certifications and \"Just-in-time\" education will increase in status and value. American higher education has historically focused on degree granting programs intended to prepare their students for careers and life beyond college. This has been called \"just-in-case education\" because its focus is teaching students the skills and knowledge that institutions believe will be necessary for the future. In contrast, \"just-in-time education\" is present-oriented and more immediate, teaching students the skills and knowledge they need right now. \"Just-in-time education\" comes in all shapes and sizes, largely diverging from traditional academic time standards, uniform course lengths and common credit measures. The increasing need for upskilling and reskilling caused by automation, the knowledge explosion and Covid promises to tilt the balance toward more \"just-in-time education, which is closely aligned with the labor market and provides certificates, micro-credentials, and badges, not degrees. This episode is made possible by our partner Poll Everywhere Poll Everywhere's new version makes student engagement faster, simpler, and smarter. With AI-powered poll creation and seamless LMS integration, it's built to transform lectures into truly interactive learning experiences. Try it out today with special promo code '25OFF'", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Arthur_Mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 311, "name": "Collaboration: The Heart of Innovation", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/collaboration-the-heart-of-innovation", "datePublished": "2025-09-29", "dateText": "Sep 29, 2025", "duration": "PT22M30S", "durationText": "22:30", "description": "In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with authors Dylan Thuras and Jennifer Swanson about their ambitious book that explores the evolution of invention and technology. They discuss the importance of collaboration in science, the interdisciplinary nature of learning, and how curiosity drives innovation. The conversation also highlights the role of play in the invention process and how everyday objects can inspire new perspectives. Dylan Thuras is the cofounder and creative director of Atlas Obscura. He lives in Rosendale, NY Jennifer Swanson is an award-winning children's author of more than forty-five nonfiction and fiction books, including National Geographic Kids Brain Games and Outdoor School: Rocks, Fossils, and Shells. She is also the creator and co-host of the award-winning podcast Solve It for Kids. Visit her online at jenniferswansonbooks.com and @jenswanbooks. Chapters 00:00 The Ambitious Project Begins 02:52 Exploring the Evolution of Invention 05:56 The Power of Collaboration in Science 08:38 Interdisciplinary Learning and Curiosity 11:30 The Role of Play in Invention 14:23 A New Perspective on Everyday Objects", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Jennifer.mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 310, "name": "I know what you did last summer: Jeff and Tricia edition", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-jeff-and-tricia-edition", "datePublished": "2025-09-22", "dateText": "Sep 22, 2025", "duration": "PT17M43S", "durationText": "17:43", "description": "On this episode Jeff and Tricia catch up on all the learning they did last summer. Hear them talk about gardening...and of course generative AI Learn more about how to catch them this year: https://www.shiftingschools.com/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/jeff_and_tricia_2_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 309, "name": "Where is the current taking K12?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/where-is-the-current-taking-k12", "datePublished": "2025-09-15", "dateText": "Sep 15, 2025", "duration": "PT31M6S", "durationText": "31:06", "description": "In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their upcoming training sessions focused on integrating AI into education. They emphasize the importance of understanding AI's impact on the job market, the necessity of prompt engineering as a new skill for educators, and the need for AI literacy among students. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of AI tools and the importance of addressing mental health concerns related to technology use among students. You can learn more about the five part series: https://web.cvent.com/event/19d647db-557e-4502-8a0c-17bd3325fe0b/summary Takeaways AI is reshaping the educational landscape and job market. Understanding AI's impact is crucial for educators and students. Prompt engineering is a vital skill for effective AI use. Generative AI can enhance learning and career exploration. Educators must engage with students about AI and its implications. AI literacy is essential for preparing students for future careers. The evolution of AI tools requires ongoing adaptation in teaching. Interdisciplinary approaches can enrich AI education. Mental health concerns related to technology must be addressed. Local context is important in AI training for educators. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI in Education 02:51 The Driftwood: Navigating AI's Impact 08:38 Understanding Job Market Changes 14:19 Prompt Engineering: The New Skill 20:05 AI Literacy and Its Importance 25:57 Engaging with Students on AI and Mental Health", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/jeff_and_Tricia_-_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 308, "name": "Step up for Second Chance for Students around the world", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/step-up-for-second-chance-for-students-around-the-world", "datePublished": "2025-09-08", "dateText": "Sep 8, 2025", "duration": "PT39M42S", "durationText": "39:42", "description": "On April 13th, 2018, Nepali New Year's Eve, the University of Texas at Tyler revoked full-ride scholarships it had previously awarded to 60 Nepali students. The university described it as \"an administrative oversight.\" But the global education community knew that it was an unprecedented admissions crisis. The scholarships, which included tuition as well as room and board, were revoked well after most other US university application deadlines had passed. Thus, Nepali students had already declined offers from other institutions they had previously applied to. The moment UT Tyler's mass email hit the inboxes of these high-need, high-performing students, some were already midway through the visa process to attend UT Tyler, and all had celebrated the momentous feat of a hard-earned Presidential Scholarship. In the days following, Selena Malla at USEF-Nepal, Kathmandu, issued a call on social media for help. After seeing a call for support from Selena, Joan Liu, a university advisor at the United World College of South East Asia, Singapore, stepped forward to help. Joan assembled a group of counselors from several corners of the world to form a volunteer crisis management team. Joan Liu is on the show to explain how we can step up this September to support Second Chance. Ready to learn more? https://www.secondchance.global/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Joan_Liu_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 307, "name": "Data Literacy: The Key to Future Problem Solving", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/data-literacy-the-key-to-future-problem-solving", "datePublished": "2025-09-01", "dateText": "Sep 1, 2025", "duration": "PT25M26S", "durationText": "25:26", "description": "In this episode, Jeff Utecht, Tricia Friedman, and Dr. Curt Merlau discuss the transformative role of AI and data literacy in education and employment. They explore how Pivot, an AI-powered tool, helps unemployed individuals find better job opportunities and training. The conversation emphasizes the importance of data literacy for educators and the potential of AI to personalize learning and improve educational outcomes. They also highlight real-world applications of data in education and the need for teachers to embrace AI responsibly to prepare students for the future. Connect with our guest on LinkedIN: Vice President @ Resultant | EdD, Organizational Leadership and Learning Former Educator, Administrator, and now Consultant. Interoperability Nerd. AI Enthusiast Connect with the work Dr. Curt does. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Pivot and AI in Employment 02:15The Importance of Data and AI Literacy 06:27AI's Role in Education and Personalized Learning 10:08The Power of Data in Student Success 12:42Emerging Pathways and Career Opportunities 19:36Preparing Teachers for an AI-Driven Future Connect with Jeff and Tricia on LinkedIN Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffutecht/ Tricia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-friedman/", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Curt_revised.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 306, "name": "Future-proofing students through service learning", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/future-proofing-students-through-service-learning", "datePublished": "2025-08-25", "dateText": "Aug 25, 2025", "duration": "PT30M58S", "durationText": "30:58", "description": "In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and LeeAnne Lavendar discuss the evolving landscape of service learning and education. They explore the importance of experiential learning, community engagement, and the need for transformative teaching practices that resonate with students. LeeAnne shares practical examples and insights on how educators can adapt their approaches to foster curiosity, joy, and meaningful connections in the classroom. The discussion also touches on the significance of future-proofing education by equipping students with essential skills for the complexities of the modern world. Chapters 00:00 The Future of Service Learning 05:52 Transformative Learning Experiences 11:33 Future-Proofing Education 14:30 Community Engagement in Education 19:16 Practical Approaches to Curriculum Design 22:39 Embracing Change in Education Thank you to our amazing show sponsor: Alongside", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Lee_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 305, "name": "Help students have a healthier relationship with the news", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/help-students-have-a-healthier-relationship-with-the-news", "datePublished": "2025-08-18", "dateText": "Aug 18, 2025", "duration": "PT28M35S", "durationText": "28:35", "description": "In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Jack Brewster, CEO of Newsreel, discussing the importance of news literacy, the impact of misinformation, and how Newsreel aims to engage students with high-quality news. They explore the role of social media and AI in journalism, the skills needed for future journalists, and how educators can utilize Newsreel to enhance students' critical thinking and media consumption habits. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Newsreel and Its Mission 02:29 The Role of News Literacy in Education 05:09 Engaging Students with Newsreel 09:00 Misinformation on Social Media 09:49 Skills for Future Journalists 14:04 AI's Role in Journalism 17:32 Data Insights for Educators 21:49 Ensuring Accurate News Reporting Jack has written for The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Time Magazine, Vice, Fortune, Newsweek, and The New York Daily News. His reporting has been covered by The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNN The Washington Post, and other news outlets. In September 2024, Jack and his then-colleague Sam Howard broke the story uncovering the source of the viral claim that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. In 2022, he led the team that conducted a landmark study on TikTok's algorithm, which revealed its propensity to feed misinformation to young users. Jack was previously a Fulbright scholar in Germany conducting research on news avoidance and young people's changing media habits. Get started exploring NewsReel today: https://newsreel.co/about", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/jack-mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 304, "name": "The Future of Civics with Joshua M. Scacco, PhD", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-future-of-civics-with-joshua-m-scacco-phd", "datePublished": "2025-08-11", "dateText": "Aug 11, 2025", "duration": "PT46M41S", "durationText": "46:41", "description": "Tricia Friedman and Dr. Joshua Scacco explore the evolving landscape of political communication, emphasizing the impact of technology and attention fatigue on democracy. They discuss the dual nature of change in political engagement, the importance of understanding human behavior, and the challenges posed by the entertainmentification of politics. Scacco highlights the need for future researchers to adapt to new communication styles and the role of regulation in shaping political messaging. The conversation concludes with a focus on building community and preparing individuals for meaningful democratic engagement. Joshua M. Scacco (PhD, University of Texas at Austin) is the founding Director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy at the University of South Florida. He also is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication. Dr. Scacco specializes in political communication, media content and effects, and quantitative research methods. He is the co-author, with Kevin Coe, of \"The Ubiquitous Presidency: Presidential Communication and Digital Democracy in Tumultuous Times\" (Oxford, 2021). Dr. Scacco also serves as a Faculty Researcher with the award-winning Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Political Communication 03:02 Navigating Attention in Modern Politics 06:54 Emerging Technologies and Political Engagement 12:30 Understanding Human Behavior in Politics 17:15 The Entertainmentification of Politics 21:28 Preparing Future Researchers 27:12 Regulating Information in Democracy 32:58 Building Community for Democratic Resilience Connect with our guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/jscacco/ Learn more about our show sponsor https://www.alongside.care/shifting?utm_campaign=Shifting", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Josh_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 303, "name": "Will this be the summer of vibe coding?", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/will-this-be-the-summer-of-vibe-coding", "datePublished": "2026-06-15", "dateText": "June 15, 2026", "duration": "PT26M32S", "durationText": "26:32", "description": "In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff and Tricia talk about vibe coding: the emerging practice of using AI tools to help turn prompts, sketches, hunches, and half-formed ideas into working prototypes. They look at what this shift means for educators, students, school leaders, and anyone trying to understand how AI is changing the relationship between imagination and production. This is not a conversation about replacing technical skill. It is a conversation about what becomes possible when more people can test ideas, build small tools, and learn through making. Jeff and Tricia explore the promise, the messiness, and the limits of vibe coding.", "speaker": [], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pod.shiftingschools.com/" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 302, "name": "Meredith Walker on Why \"Be Yourself\" Isn't Enough", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/meredith-walker-on-why-be-yourself-isn-t-enough", "datePublished": "2026-06-08", "dateText": "June 08, 2026", "duration": "PT17M36S", "durationText": "17:36", "description": "What do we really mean when we tell young people to \"be yourself\"? Tricia Friedman speaks with Meredith Walker, co-founder of Smart Girls with Amy Poehler and author of Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice. Together, they question one of the most common phrases young people hear from adults and explore how adults can offer support that feels more useful than a slogan. Meredith invites us to slow down, ask better questions, and enter the messy, joyful, human parts of life.", "speaker": [ { "type": "Person", "name": "Meredith Walker", "jobTitle": null, "homepageLocation": null, "description": null, "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/guests/meredith-walker" } ], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pod.shiftingschools.com/" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 301, "name": "How to build a story one ingredient at a time with Keala Kendall", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/how-to-build-a-story-one-ingredient-at-a-time-with-keala-kendall", "datePublished": "2026-06-01", "dateText": "June 01, 2026", "duration": "PT27M49S", "durationText": "27:49", "description": "Keala Kendall, author of the gothic novel That Which Feeds Us, takes us through her creative process, the importance of representation in storytelling, and how horror can serve as a mirror to society's fears and unresolved histories. The conversation uncovers the layers behind her work, blending culture, history, and genre to provoke thought and evoke emotion.", "speaker": [ { "type": "Person", "name": "Keala Kendall", "jobTitle": null, "homepageLocation": null, "description": null, "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/guests/keala-kendall" } ], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pod.shiftingschools.com/" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 300, "name": "Veronica Roth on Taylor Swift, Dystopian Fantasy, and the Art of Starting Again", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/veronica-roth-on-taylor-swift-dystopian-fantasy-and-the-art-of-starting-again", "datePublished": "2026-05-25", "dateText": "May 25, 2026", "duration": "PT16M59S", "durationText": "16:59", "description": "Tricia Friedman speaks with Veronica Roth, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series and author of Seek the Traitor Son. Veronica shares how watching Taylor Swift perform during the Eras Tour helped her reflect on her own earlier work, her growth as an artist, and what it means to keep creating after a hugely successful series. The conversation explores world-building, writing for young readers, creative confidence, and the challenge of beginning again.", "speaker": [ { "type": "Person", "name": "Veronica Roth", "jobTitle": null, "homepageLocation": null, "description": null, "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/guests/veronica-roth" } ], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pod.shiftingschools.com/" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 299, "name": "Dr. Brittney Cooper on Picture Books, Collaboration, and Love", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/dr-brittney-cooper-on-picture-books-collaboration-and-love", "datePublished": "2026-05-18", "dateText": "May 18, 2026", "duration": "PT16M49S", "durationText": "16:49", "description": "Tricia Friedman welcomes Dr. Brittney Cooper to talk about her new picture book, Mama Says I'm Fine, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony. The conversation explores the story behind the book, the emotional weight of the phrase \"you're fine,\" and how children's literature can hold care, resilience, identity, and family love. Dr. Cooper reflects on what it means to write with intention and collaborate with artists, editors, and readers in mind.", "speaker": [ { "type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Brittney Cooper", "jobTitle": null, "homepageLocation": null, "description": null, "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/guests/brittney-cooper" } ], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pod.shiftingschools.com/" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 298, "name": "Why Patricia Cornwell Still Believes in Stories", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/why-patricia-cornwell-still-believes-in-stories", "datePublished": "2026-05-11", "dateText": "May 11, 2026", "duration": "PT17M3S", "durationText": "17:03", "description": "Patricia Cornwell joins Tricia Friedman for a conversation about memory, writing, curiosity, forensic science, and the memoir she never expected to write. Cornwell reflects on the childhood experiences that shaped her imagination, the role of journaling and archival memory in writing memoir, and why finding the opening hook still begins with one question: what am I seeing in my head? The episode closes with a reminder that even as the forms of storytelling change, humans will always need stories.", "speaker": [ { "type": "Person", "name": "Patricia Cornwell", "jobTitle": null, "homepageLocation": null, "description": null, "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/guests/patricia-cornwell" } ], "listen": { "spotify": null, "youtube": null, "original": "https://pod.shiftingschools.com/" } }, { "type": "PodcastEpisode", "position": 297, "name": "The Questions Students Are Asking About AI: and the Mindsets that help Answer Them", "url": "https://www.k12podcasts.com/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators/the-questions-students-are-asking-about-ai-and-the-mindsets-that-help-answer-the", "datePublished": "2026-05-04", "dateText": "May 04, 2026", "duration": "PT36M53S", "durationText": "36:53", "description": "Tricia and Jeff talk about what AI literacy actually looks like in K-12 — past the policy memos, past the tool demos, and into the questions students are really asking. 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