Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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… Read more

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.… Read more

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… Read more

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. They discuss the mindsets that help educators answer those questions with curiosity, honesty, and a sense of possibility.

Jeff and Tricia share their five top gifts to celebrate the special educator in your life. The conversation is a lighthearted, practical look at what teachers actually appreciate, from meaningful gestures to useful tools.

What happens when you stop talking about students and start talking with them? In this episode, Jeff and Tricia explore what changes when educators make space for student voice, curiosity, and agency — and what they learn about teaching when they do.

Jeff talks with Nick and Marnie about why we want to help students stop waiting for permission to pursue their interests and start building their own paths. The conversation bridges readiness, entrepreneurship, and the skills students need to shape their futures.

What can a graphic novel teach educators about belonging, friendship, and the inner lives of young people? Tricia Friedman speaks with Sara Amini about the stories we carry, the friends who help us see them, and what that means for classrooms.

Alyson Gerber joins Tricia Friedman to talk about The Liar Society, why friendship is serious business, and how the stories we tell about relationships can help young people navigate their own. The conversation explores the emotional work of friendship and how educators can support it.