unEDited chatter

Dr. Tisha Shipley and Dr. Stephanie Heald

Unfiltered, united, and unapologetically passionate about education. Welcome to the unEDited chatter podcast, where two bold bestie educators toss out the script and speak straight from the heart. This is not your typical PD. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it really means to teach, lead, and live in the world of education today…from the magic of lightbulb moments to the burnout, and everything in between. No buzzwords. No filters. Just real talk, real stories, and real love for the messy, meaningful work we do every day. Because when educators talk out loud? Things get real, and tha

  1. 20h ago

    E29: Pivot: From IFSP to IEP

    This podcast highlights the key differences between the IFSP and IEP, focusing on the pivot that happens at age three under IDEA. Dr. Otstot and Chloe Otstot explain how services shift from family-centered early intervention to school-based support. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration and continuity for children and families. Dr. Michelle Otstot is full time faculty at the University of Arizona Global Campus in the Early Childhood Program.  She has 26 years of experience in the field PreK-12 special education, early childhood education, and educational leadership.  She instructs and develops curriculum in early intervention. Chloe Otstot is Associate Faculty at the University of Arizona Global Campus.  She has six years of experience with instruction in the special education and recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Special Education from UAGC.

  2. 5d ago

    TXAEYC Bonus Episode: Choice and Calming Down

    What do you do when a little one has really big feelings? We sat down with Tamia Brionna at TXAEYC, and she shared how her ABA background shapes her classroom. Her go-to: give kids a CHOICE.

  3. Nov 5 ·  Bonus

    Zero to Three LEARN Conference Coverage: ECE Policy Needs to Match Reality

    We keep asking early childhood educators to do more with less and then act surprised when the system breaks. Drop a 🔥 if you think early educators should be paid like the brain architects they are. Melissa Boteach explains that if families don’t have access to childcare, nutrition support, or stability, there is no real “choice.”Policy has to match the reality families are living. Save this for the next time someone says early childhood doesn’t matter. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildCareCrisis #ECEVoices #ZeroToThree #PolicyMatters

  4. Oct 29 ·  Bonus

    Zero to Three LEARN Conference Coverage: The Power of Connection: Relationships, Play, and the Earliest Years

    What if the secret to supporting young children isn't another program, strategy, or checklist, but something much simpler? Human connection. In this episode, Stephanie and Tisha sit down with Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs at ZERO TO THREE, to explore the incredible power of relationships in early childhood education. With more than 20 years of experience supporting infants, toddlers, families, and early childhood professionals, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and real-world perspective to the conversation. Together, we dive into the importance of meaningful relationships, the magic of learning through play, what we might be getting wrong about early childhood development, and why supporting the adults who care for children matters just as much as supporting the children themselves. And, of course, we ask some of the questions that don't always get asked!

  5. Oct 28

    E28: Leading with Purpose, Empathy and Compassion

    An enlightening episode on "Leading with Purpose and Empathy." We’ll interview Bill Davis, Program Chair in the College of Professional Studies at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Bill will explain the critical need for leaders to exemplify care, empathy, and compassion by taking initiative and embracing servant leadership. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting your leadership journey, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools to lead more effectively and compassionately. Tune in to discover how you can make a lasting impact by leading with heart and vision. Bill will also discuss the power of EQ and Purpose and how to boost your credibility Bill Davis is the Program Chair for the BA Operations Management and Analysis program and oversees the Sports and Recreation Management emphasis. He brings over three decades of business and academic experience, combining practical leadership with a commitment to student success. His career spans consulting, management, leadership, sales, marketing, strategic planning, and organizational change, including 30+ years, mostly with PepsiCo in front-line, middle, and executive leadership roles. A true pracademic, Bill transitioned into higher education after a successful career in industry. He has taught more than 300 courses, developed over 20 curricula, and served in leadership roles including Program Chair, Lead Faculty, Assistant Professor, and Instructional Specialist Manager. Bill leads with passion, purpose, empathy, and compassion, modeling a student-first approach as the hallmark of online education. He is dedicated to empowering, supporting, enriching, and guiding every student toward graduation, and he finds great fulfillment in coaching and mentoring both in and beyond the classroom to help students become their best selves.   Bill serves on the Executive Board and Board of Regents for the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM) and has been recognized nationally for excellence in teaching, leadership, and scholarship. He also served on the ADEIL Board - the Association for Distance Education and Independent Learning,  earning its Excellence in Leadership Award. In 2025, he was named a Faculty Fellow at the University of Arizona Global Campus and serves as Co-Chair of the 2025–2026 Culture of Care Summit. He recently collaborated with IGI Global Scientific Publishing, co-editing and publishing  two books, Fostering Collaborative Learning Communities to Drive Student Success and Fostering Educational Culture for Student Success, and co-authored Harnessing Technology. The Future of Online Learning Communities, a scholarly chapter article and was selected as an Ambassador for IGI Global. He holds a CM - Certified Manager Certification from the Institute of Certified Professional Managers, a C.Mgr – Certified Manager from the Canadian Institute of Professional Managers, a CPL - Certified Positive Leader from Jon Gordon Certified Leader, a Certified Leader-Coach in the PepsiCo System and holds numerous certifications and certificates from John Maxwell Company, Dale Carnegie Training, PepsiCo and Toastmasters. Bill has published over 160 articles, presented at numerous academic conferences,  and co-authored the book Stay Engaged… It’s Essential! Chunks of Leadership Wisdom and Knowledge to Improve Your Leadership Effectiveness. In 2008, he received the Distinguished CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of only three educators nationwide to earn this honor.

  6. Oct 13

    E27: The Heart Behind the Books

    In this conversation, Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne shares the heart behind the books she’s been launching—each one rooted in a deeper mission to help people grow, regulate, and lead with intention. Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne is an author, speaker, and the founder of Enriched Learning Academy. With almost three decades of experience in education and leadership, she has served as a teacher, principal, and higher education program chair. She brings a unique blend of expertise in early childhood education, wellness, and human performance—including her background as a yoga instructor and martial artist—to her writing and speaking. Her work bridges the gap between science, spirituality, and real-life application, helping women, educators, and leaders regulate their nervous systems, build sustainable habits, and lead with clarity and purpose.

  7. Sep 30

    E26: The Magic Bag™: A Simple Tool to Spark Curiosity and Engagement

    Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne shares how she created The Magic Bag™, a simple, hands-on tool that helps educators spark curiosity, increase engagement, and stop competing with screens. Rooted in play-based, standards-aligned learning, this approach makes lesson planning easier while creating meaningful, memorable experiences for young children. Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne is an author, speaker, and the founder of Enriched Learning Academy in Sandwich, Massachusetts. With almost 3 decades of experience in education, she holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and has served as a teacher, principal, and higher education leader. She is the creator of The Magic Bag™, an innovative system designed to simplify teaching and bring learning to life through hands-on, engaging experiences.

  8. Sep 16

    E25: Hidden in Plain Sight: Poverty at School

    We have a chat with education reporter Kavitha Cardoza, who was recently named the recipient of the 2026 American Mosaic Journalism Prize for elevating stories of underrepresented school children and educators in the US. Kavitha Cardoza is a Washington, D.C.–based journalist known for deep reporting on children, education, and poverty. Cardoza is widely recognized for seeing education not as a standalone beat, but as inseparable from poverty and inequality. Her work has appeared in NPR, The Hechinger Report, and The Guardian, among other outlets. Cardoza’s international upbringing and cross-cultural education strongly shape both the topics she covers and the way she covers them. Cardoza holds a master’s in broadcast journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, as well as a master’s from the Manipal Institute of Communication in India. In her early career, Cardoza worked as bureau chief for the NPR affiliate in Springfield, Illinois, and later in Washington, D.C., eventually becoming a special correspondent covering children, education, and poverty. In 2022, Cardoza became a public editor at the Education Writers Association (EWA) and host of the EWA Radio podcast, helping train and support education reporters. Cardoza has been a keynote speaker and moderator at various national education and poverty conferences, including The Aspen Institute, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, United Way, Committee of Education Funding, and American Institutes of Research. “My life’s mantra can be summed up by the saying, ‘a society will be judged by how it treats its last, its least and its littlest’- which is why I am so passionate about covering populations that are overlooked and underrepresented.  Children and teens often don’t have a voice in matters that affect them, and I am so grateful that this Prize will enable me to continue shedding light on their stories.”  — Kavitha Cardoza, 2026 American Mosaic Journalism Prize Recipient

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About

Unfiltered, united, and unapologetically passionate about education. Welcome to the unEDited chatter podcast, where two bold bestie educators toss out the script and speak straight from the heart. This is not your typical PD. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it really means to teach, lead, and live in the world of education today…from the magic of lightbulb moments to the burnout, and everything in between. No buzzwords. No filters. Just real talk, real stories, and real love for the messy, meaningful work we do every day. Because when educators talk out loud? Things get real, and tha

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Tisha Shipley and Dr. Stephanie Heald
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Tisha Shipley and Dr. Stephanie Heald
  • Show Website
    unEDited chatter