Curiosity sits at the intersection of creativity, effective human interactions, problem-solving and purposeful change. Unfortunately, the pace of life — at home, work, and school — often sidetracks our natural curiosity. So, listen as we look at the familiar from a different angle or something new as a possibility to consider.
In this solo episode, I reflect on Father's Day and remember my dad, who passed away some 40 years ago. I explore what I remember about him, the potential reasons for gaps in my knowledge, and the deeper conversations I wish we had shared.
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In this episode, I talk with lay historians Bill Whiteside and Paul McNicholls about D-Day, June 6, 1944. Using David Stafford’s unique history, Ten Days to D-Day, as the basis for our discussion, we examine the extensive planning, elaborate deceptions, and luck that served as critical elements of the invasion’s success. We also stretch a little bit by speculating "what if" the invasion had failed.
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Danelle Almaraz, an educational leader with over three decades of experience, is committed to advancing leadership in modern education. At InnovateED, she empowers middle-tier leaders, promoting collaboration, innovation, and growth. Danelle champions continuous improvement, student success, and curiosity, advocating for an inclusive educational experience that enables learners at all levels to drive positive change.
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Discover how Ethan Bryson’s Natural Urban Forests organization plants small urban forests to heal, educate, engage communities, and restore ecological balance. Join us, as we discuss forest design, community involvement, and environmental education.
This week’s guest, Dimitri Anselme, the Chief Officer of Growth and Engagement with Facing History & Ourselves, examines the persistence of hate despite efforts to combat it. He delves into Facing History's mission and its impact on schools. He and I discussed teaching sensitive topics and the importance of curiosity in education and professional development.
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In this episode, I sit down with four LinkedIn friends/colleagues to discuss Dacher Keltner’s book, Awe the New Science of Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life. Each of my guests, Melissa Hughes, Rich Gassen, Brooke Erol, and Sarah Elkins, brings an important perspective to the topic. We talk at length about the role of curiosity and awe in the workplace.
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Tour guide, Iain McHenry, helps us walk virtually through the battlefields of World War I. There we learn about the soldier’s life, the remnants of battle today, the continued search for the missing, and the haunting nature of war memorials and cemeteries.
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In this episode, Tara LaFon Gooch, TED-X speaker, best-selling author, and confidence coach, explores how self-gratitude can jumpstart the journey to confidence and purpose. Learn how to reframe negative thoughts, discover your strengths, and build a life that aligns with your values.
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If you’re periodically struggling to find direction and purpose in your life, this episode explores a practical framework, “possibility management,” developed by sociology professor Bradley Wright. In this episode, we also dive into his new book, The Purpose Journal, to learn how to navigate different paths, discover your passions, and take action to create a fulfilling life with a positive impact.
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What happens when “In sickness and in health” and “‘till death do us part” become more than words in a wedding ceremony? Author Jarie Bolander recounts a powerful story of negotiating impending loss and then managing the grief that comes with a spouse’s death.
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This is an episode about episodes that never happened. Here, I briefly profile six individuals I could not entice—for various reasons—to sit opposite me behind the mic. But there was still much to be learned.
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As a happiness keynoter, consultant, and coach, Kim Strobel could establish a level of value simply by quoting ideas from others who have researched happiness. What makes Kim’s work extraordinary is that she has lived unhappiness. As a longtime sufferer of panic attacks, Kim knows what it’s like to look at the world through lenses of pain and fear. Her strategies for transformation are hard-earned.
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Like most people, I had known beavers—this furry, industrious rodent—to be very adept at building dams and lodges of brush, leaves, twigs, and mud. But it’s what happens to the riverscapes and landscapes as a result of their building that makes them special. Environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb provides the details.
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Are you in a traditional sales position? Are you a consultant or speaker trying to influence other people's thinking and behavior? Are you leading a team or an organization? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you’re “selling” something. Most of us are, and that's why sales consultant Katie Mullen's message is so powerful—how she looks at "selling" applies to all of us. Listen in as Katie explains the imperatives of successful selling today. And, of course, it starts with being curious.
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In this conversation, educational leader John “Camp” Camp highlights how the New England Innovation Academy is shifting the 6-12 education landscape away from the idea of knowledge acquisition toward student-centered instruction and learning, competency-based assessment, and students’ social-emotional development.
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Bennett (Ben) Bratt helps leaders and their teams create the transformative, inclusive, and enduring changes in their team effectiveness that fuel their most deeply desired outcomes. The operative word in that description is “help.” Ben doesn’t ride in on a white horse and say, “Do this to fix your team's dysfunction.” He takes a different approach. He listens.
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From a major in communications, Dr. Donya Ball's path to becoming an educational leader and teacher began with America Reads, igniting a passion for people-centered learning. Prioritizing empathy and collaboration, she champions personalized experiences over standardized tests, embracing diverse perspectives as fuel for continuous growth and a more equitable education system.
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“Getting Unstuck” host Jeff Ikler reflects on recent messages of remembrance that prompt him to consider life's impermanence of life and how he wants to be remembered. (Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash.)
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WHAT STORIES do you tell yourself? In this timeless conversation, Rosamund and Benjamin Zander explain how we can reframe those draft stories – they're not written in concrete – into life lessons that are more useful for us and those around us. “It’s all invented anyway,” write authors Roz and Ben Zander, “so we might as well invent a story … that enhances our quality of life….”
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My conversation with Dr. Hayley Watson delved into the critical topic of mental health support for students, exploring its connection to childhood trauma and the need for robust education in schools. Dr. Watson emphasized the neuroscience behind mental health and its impact on both students and educators, highlighting the importance of prioritizing well-being within the educational space. Key to her work is training educators to use words that help draw the limiting stories out of children and provide a space for students to help one another.
Our conversation covered practical strategies like mindfulness exercises and self-care techniques that educators can adopt while advocating for broader systemic changes like comprehensive mental health education for children. By bridging the gap between neuroscience, education, and self-care, she provided valuable insights into fostering a healthier and more supportive environment for students and educators alike.
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