Higher Listenings

Top Hat
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

A lively look at the trends and people shaping the future of higher education, featuring thought leaders from across the industry. Brought to you by Top Hat. 

  1. Sep 22

    Making Learning Less “Schoolish” with Susan Blum

    What if some of the things that make higher education feel most like school are actually getting in the way of learning? In Schoolishness, Dr. Susan Blum argues that familiar practices—from lectures and grades to rigid schedules and requirements—can leave students going through the motions rather than genuinely invested in what they’re learning. Blum challenges us to look beyond student disengagement to the deeper problem of alienation, and to rethink what actually motivates students to care, take risks, and persist through difficult work. Along the way, she explores grading and fear as motivators, why students sometimes resist greater freedom and agency, and how faculty can create more authentic and meaningful experiences even within traditional academic structures. For educators wondering how to move beyond “doing school,” this conversation offers a provocative—and practical—vision for making learning a little less schoolish. Guest Bio Dr. Susan Blum is a professor of anthropology at the University of Notre Dame whose work explores education, learning, and the culture of schooling. She is the author of Schoolishness and I Love Learning; I Hate School, and editor of Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    Making Learning Less “Schoolish” with Susan Blum

  2. Apr 28

    Coaching the Classroom: Lessons from a Super Bowl Champion

    When Christian Fauria—a two-time Super Bowl champion turned broadcaster—stepped into the classroom at Bryant University, he quickly discovered that expertise doesn’t automatically translate into effective teaching. In this episode, he teams up with Bryant’s Interim Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, Constanza Bartholomae, to explore the surprising parallels between elite coaching and great teaching. From building trust and culture to delivering meaningful feedback and fostering reflection, they unpack what it really takes to help students grow—and why the best instructors, like the best coaches, focus on raising the floor for everyone. Guest Bio Constanza Bartholomae is Interim Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Bryant University, where she partners with faculty to foster meaningful, reflective, and student-centered teaching. Christian Fauria is a two-time Super Bowl champion, former sports broadcaster, and Professional in Residence at Bryant University, teaching sports broadcasting and leadership. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    Coaching the Classroom: Lessons from a Super Bowl Champion

  3. Apr 14

    Getting Students to Read Without the Threats

    Students aren’t reading the way we expect, and many faculty are feeling the strain. In this episode, James Lang, author of Small Teaching and Distracted, unpacks what’s really behind the decline in reading and what we can do about it.  From the impact of distraction and shifting reading habits to the often-overlooked need to teach students how to read in our disciplines, this conversation blends insight with practical strategies. You’ll hear how to scaffold reading, build meaningful accountability, and create conditions where students can engage more deeply with texts. If reading feels like an uphill battle in your course, this episode offers a more hopeful—and human—way forward. Guest Bio James M. Lang is Professor of Practice at the University of Notre Dame’s Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence and Emeritus Professor of English at Assumption University. He is the author of seven books, including Small Teaching, Distracted, and Write Like You Teach. A longtime columnist for The Chronicle of Higher Education and a highly sought-after speaker, Lang focuses on practical, research-based strategies to improve teaching, learning, and student engagement. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    Getting Students to Read Without the Threats

  4. Mar 31

    The Curiosity Deficit: Why It Matters—and What to Do About It

    Children ask hundreds of questions a day—until school teaches them not to. In this episode, educational leader, higher ed consultant, and The Collaboration Chronicle author Tawnya Means explores the growing “curiosity deficit” and what we lose when learning becomes an exercise in compliance rather than discovery. Tawnya challenges us to rethink the purpose of higher education—not as the transfer of information, but as the cultivation of human potential. From reimagining assignments to using AI as a partner in thinking, this conversation offers a powerful vision for creating learning experiences that spark wonder, deepen engagement, and inspire lifelong learning. Guest Bio Tawnya Means is an educational leader and consultant helping universities navigate AI and digital transformation. With over 20 years of experience, her work focuses on developing human potential, reimagining learning, and using technology to create more engaging, meaningful educational experiences. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    The Curiosity Deficit: Why It Matters—and What to Do About It

  5. Mar 17

    The Power of Mattering: When Students Feel Seen, They Thrive

    In an era Zach Mercurio calls an “epidemic of insignificance,” many students feel invisible. And when students feel unseen, motivation fades, trust erodes, and persistence becomes fragile. Drawing on his bestselling book The Power of Mattering, Mercurio shares three simple, research-backed practices—noticing, affirming, and helping students feel needed—that educators can use to cultivate significance in everyday moments. These small shifts don’t require sweeping reforms or more time, but they can transform classroom culture, performance, and resilience. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or leader, this conversation offers practical, powerful ways to help people feel seen—and thrive. Guest Bio Zach Mercurio, Ph.D., is the bestselling author of The Power of Mattering (Harvard Business Review Press). His scholarship in positive organizational psychology and meaningful work informs his engagements with higher education institutions and organizations seeking to foster cultures of significance, motivation, and well-being. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    The Power of Mattering: When Students Feel Seen, They Thrive

  6. Mar 3

    From Burnout to Flourishing: What Positive Psychology Reveals About Thriving in Today’s Classroom

    Burnout. Disengagement. AI anxiety. In higher education right now, flourishing can feel like a distant dream. But what if joy isn’t a distraction from serious teaching but the foundation?  In this episode, we sit down with Flower Darby, author of The Joyful Online Teacher, to explore the science of human flourishing and why it matters more than ever. Drawing on positive psychology and Martin Seligman’s PERMA model, Flower makes the case that when instructors thrive, students do too. And the best part? This isn’t about lowering standards or adding fluff. It’s about designing learning experiences that energize, connect, and endure. So the question is: Are you flourishing in your classroom, or just surviving? Guest bio An internationally-renowned instructor, author, and speaker, Flower Darby inspires educators to bring an equity-minded lens to enhance their teaching practices. As Associate Director of the Teaching for Learning Center at the University of Missouri, she draws on 28+ years of teaching across diverse subjects and modalities. Darby’s work empowers faculty to create inclusive learning experiences, and her publications include The Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching (2023), Small Teaching Online (2019) and, most recently, The Joyful Online Teacher: Finding Our Fizz in Asynchronous Classes.  Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    From Burnout to Flourishing: What Positive Psychology Reveals About Thriving in Today’s Classroom

  7. Feb 17

    Making Learning Matter for the WHY Generation

    College has never cost more, or the payoff more uncertain. As students question the value of a degree, many are disconnecting, skipping class, ghosting assignments, and drifting through their education. Faculty, meanwhile, are working harder than ever to re-engage them. Enter Mark Perna, bestselling author of Answering Why and a leading voice on generational motivation. He believes today’s students are ready to invest when they see clear, compelling relevance. As he argues, the path forward doesn’t require a full reinvention of higher ed, just a smarter, more intentional way to frame what we’re asking students to do, and why it matters.  Because if we can’t clearly answer “What’s the point of this?”— how can we expect them to?  Guest Bio Mark C. Perna is a bestselling author, speaker, and international expert on generational engagement. As founder and CEO of TFS, a strategic communications firm, Mark has spent his career helping educators, employers, and parents connect with the passion and potential of today’s younger generations. His award-winning book, Answering Why, offers a blueprint for motivating Gen Y and Z with purpose and relevance. A frequent keynote speaker and Harvard guest presenter, Mark’s insights are reshaping how we think about education, work, and the future of talent. Learn more at MarkCPerna.com. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    Making Learning Matter for the WHY Generation

  8. 11/25/2025

    Textbooks Are Failing Students (and Other Dangerous Ideas)

    Textbooks are the flip phones of higher ed: clunky, outdated, and yet somehow the model persists. The reality is, students aren’t buying them. And increasingly, faculty are asking: why am I still assigning something that isn’t delivering value? In this episode, Donna Battista and Bradley Cohen join us to explore a provocative new vision for course content, one that’s not just digital, but dynamic. Drawing on dozens of faculty and student interviews, they share insights into what’s broken, what’s possible, and why it’s time to move beyond static, one-size-fits-all materials. Because if the textbook is already on life support… what comes next? Guest Bio Donna Battista has spent more than 20 years leading content and product development in higher education. As the Managing Director of Learning Solutions at Top Hat, she is responsible for the strategy and development of our growing catalog of high-quality, interactive digital learning experiences, custom content delivery and content services. Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/higherlistenings Higher Listenings is brought to you by Top Hat Subscribe, leave a comment or review, and help us share stories of the people shaping the future of higher education.

    Textbooks Are Failing Students (and Other Dangerous Ideas)
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

A lively look at the trends and people shaping the future of higher education, featuring thought leaders from across the industry. Brought to you by Top Hat. 

Information

  • Creator
    Top Hat
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Top Hat
  • Show Website
    Higher Listenings

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