Be a Better Ally: Critical Conversations for K12 Educators

Tricia Friedman
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What does real allyship look like in a classroom, a staff room, a school community? Be a Better Ally helps K-12 teachers and school leaders build inclusive classrooms where every student feels they belong — without slogans, scripts, or shame. Host Tricia Friedman (Director of Shifting Schools) sits down with the authors, researchers, and educators shaping these conversations to explore student identity, belonging, school culture, media literacy, and the digital lives of young people. Each episode leaves you with something to try, question, or read next. 280+ episodes of critical conversations for anyone who believes schools should be places where everyone gets to become themselves.

  1. 6d ago

    Why iteration matters in learning, design, and relationships

    What can a game about drawing imperfect fish teach us about AI and learning?In this episode, Tricia explores how a game built around drawing, observing, and iterating—connects to generative AI, digital humanities, and education. She describes digital humanities as using computer technology to better understand people and culture, and shares the story of an early project using computers to find patterns across the writings of Thomas Aquinas.The machine can surface patterns, but people interpret them. That distinction informs Tricia's approach to AI: use it to compare, rearrange, and notice information differently, while staying aware of the choices behind the data we collect and the questions we ask. In this episode: How Draw Aquarium's imperfect fish invite experimentation What digital humanities can teach us about working with AI The difference between "data" and "capta"—what we choose to collect and count How play can help us question assumptions and values Why iteration matters in learning, design, and relationships An introduction to AI Attention and the Architecture of Assessment, a three-session online course beginning November 12 https://cdlt.isa.nl/events/ai-attention-and-the-architecture-of-assessment     Chapters 0:00 Draw Aquarium and the joy of imperfect drawings 0:55 Iteration and generative AI 1:25 Digital humanities and its origins 2:24 Computers find patterns; people interpret them 3:49 Rethinking data and what we choose to measure 4:56 Playing with texts to find new meaning 5:23 Using AI to shift perspective 6:07 Critical play and questioning assumptions 6:45 Iteration as an opportunity, not a demand 7:42 AI, attention, and assessment course details

  2. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Oprah Looks Back at Her Best Surprises from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast Surprise! Oprah is looking back on some of her favorite surprises from 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah shares how when she was surprised by her idol Mary Tyler Moore it sent her into the ugly cry. The time she’ll never forget surprising Tom Cruise’s biggest fan while standing in her robe, no makeup and her hair soaking wet from the shower. More surprises include Mariah Carey’s biggest fans, the iconic car giveaway - “you get a car, you get a car” - and the moment she surprised an entire audience they were all “going to Australia!” When The Oprah Show ended in 2011 she allowed her staff to surprise her over and over again at a star-studded event at the United Center in Chicago. 00:00:00 - Oprah on loving to surprise people on The Oprah Winfrey Show 00:02:15 - Oprah was surprised by Mary Tyler Moore 00:08:14 - The Tom Cruise Surprise 00:12:49 - The Weight Loss Surprise 00:16:10 - The Will and Grace surprise 00:18:36 - The Family surprise 00:20:50 - The Mariah surprise 00:24:00 - The You Get a Car surprise 00:29:20 - The biggest fans surprise 00:33:58 - The Surprise Trip 00:39:30 - Oprah’s 25 year surprise show Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/oprah/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

  3. Oct 30

    Trick and a Treat: A Halloween Bonus Episode with Kara LaReau

    How do we help children navigate profound, often overwhelming emotions like grief, fear, and insecurity without overwhelming them? In this episode, host Tricia sits down with author Kara LaReau to discuss her newest book, Licorice—a captivating, seasonal mystery that doubles as a gentle vehicle for deep classroom and family discussions. Paying homage to Daphne du Maurier's classic Gothic novel Rebecca, Licorice uses a cast of imperfect, relatable animal characters to give young people the language and emotional distance they need to unpack heavy life experiences. Whether you are an educator designing a supportive literature unit, a parent guiding a child through loss, or simply looking for an engaging, atmospheric read-aloud, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the intersection of storytelling, empathy, and emotional growth. In this episode, we explore: How Gothic mystery conventions can create a safe framework for young readers exploring fear and grief. Translating adult literary homage (Rebecca) into an accessible, child-friendly animal allegory. Practical tips for teachers and caregivers using Licorice as a prompt for social-emotional learning (SEL). Why flawed, imperfect characters are critical for helping students build self-compassion and a sense of belonging. Connect with the Guest:  https://karalareau.com/ What We Discuss in This Episode: (00:41) The "Human and Cat" Dance of Editing: Why trust is essential when receiving an editorial letter, how Kara's background as an editor shapes her writing, and finding the magic "Option C." (04:56) Feedback as Emotional Intelligence: How learning to truly listen to critique builds empathy in writing and everyday life. (06:13) Anatomy of a Physical Book: Sprayed edges, Scholastic design collaboration, and working alongside neighbor and illustrator Kelly Murphy without exchanging a single email during production. (09:29) De-Weaponizing Big Emotions: Adapting Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca for middle-grade readers to talk honestly about loss, fear, and belonging without feeling pedantic. (12:13) From Manderley to Menagerie: Translating Mrs. Van Hopper into a haughty rabbit, Ben into an anxious house squirrel named Skur, and Mrs. Danvers into an imposing gray parrot. (15:32) The Unseen Drawer of Manuscripts: Why Kara lists unpublished books in her FAQ, recycling cut characters (like an old poodle named Ostie), and treating rejection as a learning curve. (20:14) "Winging It and Flinging It": Kara's drafting process, daily journaling habits, and sneak peek into her next Gothic-inspired animal mystery. (23:22) The Storytelling Power of True Crime & British TV: Exploring illogical choices, imperfect humans, and using imagination to cultivate compassion for difficult characters (and bad drivers).

  4. Oct 28

    Surviving Mars: What Astronaut Resilience Teaches Us About Human Limits (with Dr. Mark Shelhamer)

    What happens to the human mind and body when Earth is reduced to a pale blue dot millions of miles away ? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mark Shelhamer, professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and former Chief Scientist for NASA's Human Research Program . Drawing from his career studying human adaptation and his upcoming book, Are We Ready for Mars?, Dr. Shelhamer reveals why sending people to the Red Planet is far more than an engineering problem —it is a profound test of psychological resilience, autonomous teamwork, and human flexibility . From dealing with communication delays to coping with the "Earth-out-of-view effect," he breaks down why surviving the unexpected in deep space requires a generalist mindset, deep curiosity, and the willingness to take calculated risks . In this episode, you'll discover: From Pacemakers to Spaceflight: How Dr. Shelhamer transitioned from biomedical engineering to heading NASA's Human Research Program . The "Earth-Out-of-View" Effect: What happens psychologically when astronauts realize rescue is impossible and they are truly on their own . Building Real Resilience: Why the greatest challenge on long-duration missions isn't the hardware, but behavioral health, performance, and interpersonal collaboration . The Triumph of the Generalist: Why cultivating broad interests—including music and drumming—powers innovation and calculated risk-taking in high-stakes environments . Lessons for Earth: How structuring flexible support networks and embracing the unexpected can help anyone manage high-stress environments . Featured Guest: Dr. Mark Shelhamer – Johns Hopkins University Professor, Former Chief Scientist of the NASA Human Research Program, and author of Are We Ready for Mars? https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54095/are-we-ready-mars?srsltid=AYCX9vI5VRZYm6vBXEC57Sm5dDn3rUbfs00bBWpjPeDoQiEOqdit3Lcf

  5. Oct 22

    Sharon Cameron: The Hidden Musical Rhythm of Storytelling

    Award-winning author Sharon Cameron joins the podcast to discuss her novel, Up from the Ashes . Sharon shares her meticulous process of creating "dramatized reality" by working closely with the family of her real-life subjects, Hyman and Selma, to honor their legacy with accuracy and respect . She also opens up about the messy reality of the creative process, how her background as a musician influences the rhythm of her sentences, and why a lifelong love of The Lord of the Rings taught her that ordinary people hold the power to change the world . In This Episode, We Cover: The Weight and Joy of Research: How Sharon balances the devastating realities of Holocaust research with the profound joy and resilience found in real families' stories . "Dramatized Reality": The ethical responsibility of writing about real historical figures and the importance of building a common vision with their descendants . The Messy Creative Process: Why writers must give themselves permission to write terrible first drafts, and Sharon's need to isolate and fully immerse herself to find the story . Musical Storytelling: How Sharon's background in music and teaching translates into the pacing, swelling, and emotional rhythm of her writing . The Power of the Ordinary: How reading fantasy literature as a child instilled the core belief that ordinary people are not powerless—a theme deeply woven into Up from the Ashes . Books & Resources Mentioned: Up from the Ashes by Sharon Cameron The Other Bennet Sister (A Jane Austen spin-off Sharon is currently reading for lighter fare) The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (Which Sharon estimates she has read nearly 50 times) Traditional polyphonic folk music from a men's choir in the country of Georgia https://sharoncameronbooks.com/

  6. Oct 15

    Defending Creativity in Schools with Author A.S. King

    How do we raise innovators, rebels, and revolutionaries? This week, award-winning author A.S. King joins the show to answer that question and discuss her latest middle-grade novel, It Came From the Creek. We explore the real-life youth activists fighting book bans, the heartbreaking decline of creative writing in public schools, and the deep, late-night research into negligent chemical dumping that inspired her new book. Along the way, A.S. King shares her personal journey with self-esteem, the importance of nurturing lifelong childhood friendships, and how one teacher handing her a Paul Zindel novel changed the trajectory of her life. Key Takeaways Youth Activism: How students in Pennsylvania successfully organized to overturn a massive school board book ban when the adults could not. The Creativity Crisis: Why heavy testing burdens have pushed creative writing out of 90% of public schools, and why story-building is an essential life skill. The Puzzle of Writing: A look into A.S. King's creative process, how she weaves together haunted houses, the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies, and environmental hazards. Deep-Dive Research: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and 3 A.M. rabbit holes that uncovered the true history of toxic dumping in Pottstown, PA. The Power of Friendship: How A.S. King's perspective on connection and self-esteem has evolved, and why childhood friendships are worth nurturing well into adulthood. Mentioned in This Episode It Came From the Creek by A.S. King Me and Marvin Gardens by A.S. King (Companion novel) The Pigman by Paul Zindel About the Guest A.S. King is a multi-award-winning author of young adult and middle-grade fiction. She is the recipient of the Printz Medal and the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. Known for her authentic, surreal, and deeply empathetic storytelling, she has spent her career championing the voices and complex inner lives of young readers. Connect with A.S. King https://www.as-king.com/ Have a question for Tricia? tricia(@)shiftingschools(dotcom)

  7. Oct 15

    Notice more with Christy Mandin

    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

  8. Oct 8

    What Makes a Monster? Ending Witchlings with Claribel A. Ortega

    What makes a monster? NYT bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega just finished the five-book Witchlings series, and she's got thoughts. We talk about The Sims as a storytelling engine, why curiosity about death and darkness is something to welcome, and how kids are finding their first real friends through Seven, Valley, and Thorn. Claribel shares how she held a whole series in her head from day one, why "writing" includes walks with her dog Steven, and why she refuses to write about community without living it. Educators: stick around for Ghost Squad Week and her classroom resources. Gamers: she leaves you with two indie picks that might eat your weekend. Chapters 00:00 Steven, her canine manager 02:38 Why raccoons are half monster 04:20 Respect across species 05:53 The Sims and worldbuilding 07:48 Why we're curious about the dark 09:56 What readers write to her 11:58 Planning five books from the start 14:14 Showing up for inspiration 15:53 Community, Ghost Squad Week, and Louise Penny 20:24 Design and crediting illustrators 24:33 Game recommendations 26:35 What's next: Thirty Ways to Kill Your Avatar About the Guest Claribel A. Ortega is a New York Times bestselling author born in the Bronx to a Dominican family. She wrote Ghost Squad, the graphic novel Frizzy, and the Witchlings series, which concludes with The Sea Witch Prophecy. Resources Mentioned Claribel's site: https://www.claribelortega.com Witchlings series: https://www.claribelortega.com/witchlings Educator resources + Ghost Squad Week: https://www.claribelortega.com/educators-teachers Paralives: https://www.paralives.com Dressmaker on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4019220/Dressmaker/ Louise Penny: https://louisepenny.com Website designer Danika Corrall: http://www.danikacorrall.com

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What does real allyship look like in a classroom, a staff room, a school community? Be a Better Ally helps K-12 teachers and school leaders build inclusive classrooms where every student feels they belong — without slogans, scripts, or shame. Host Tricia Friedman (Director of Shifting Schools) sits down with the authors, researchers, and educators shaping these conversations to explore student identity, belonging, school culture, media literacy, and the digital lives of young people. Each episode leaves you with something to try, question, or read next. 280+ episodes of critical conversations for anyone who believes schools should be places where everyone gets to become themselves.

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