Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman
  • 4.9 (41)
  • Courses
  • Updated Semiweekly

Shifting Schools is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education. Hosted by educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, the podcast provides a platform for teachers, administrators, and education thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on how to improve teaching and learning. From innovative approaches in classroom management to leveraging technology for personalized learning, Shifting Schools tackles the most pressing issues facing K12 educators today. Whether you are a seasoned teacher or a new educator, this podcast will inspire you to think outside the box and shift your educational approach. Tune in to Shifting Schools to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and join a community of passionate educators who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of their students. Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok

  1. 2d ago

    Meredith Walker on Why "Be Yourself" Isn't Enough

    What do we really mean when we tell young people to "be yourself"? In this episode, 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: "be yourself." It sounds kind. It sounds simple. But for many young people, especially those still figuring out who they are, the advice can feel vague, confusing, or even impossible. Meredith invites us to slow down and ask better questions. What does it mean to become yourself? How do young people sort through the noise of expectation, comparison, performance, and pressure? And how can adults offer support that feels more useful than a slogan? The conversation also explores one of Meredith's favorite mottos: "get your hair wet." It is an invitation to join in, to stop waiting until everything looks perfect, and to enter the messy, joyful, human parts of life. For educators, caregivers, and anyone who works alongside young people, this episode is a reminder that becoming yourself is not a polished final product. It is a practice. In this episode, you'll hear about: How Meredith Walker thinks about the phrase "be yourself" Why some well-meaning advice can leave young people without enough guidance What adults can do instead of offering vague encouragement How Smart Girls has helped shape conversations about curiosity, courage, and identity Why "getting your hair wet" is a powerful metaphor for participation, joy, and self-discovery How young people can begin defining identity on their own terms

    18 min
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    2d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Coral Santoro: The #1 Reason Most People Never Reach Their Goals (Use THIS 1% Rule to Keep Making Progress When Motivation Disappears) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Many of us feel pressured to keep up with timelines, expectations, and the highlight reels we see online, but this conversation offers a different perspective. Coral Santoro shares how success is less about reaching a destination and more about who you become through resilience, patience, and self-belief. From navigating failure and uncertainty to building meaningful relationships and staying true to your vision, she reminds us that there is no universal timeline for achievement. This episode is a powerful reflection on purpose, courage, and the importance of continuing to build your life, even when progress is quiet, slow, and unseen. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Stop Comparing Your Timeline to Others How to Keep Going When It Stops Being Exciting How to Turn Failure Into Useful Data How to Stay Patient While Chasing Big Goals How to Find Success in the Boring Work How to Surround Yourself With Supportive People How to Communicate Better in Relationships and Business How to Keep Building Even When No One Believes in You Every challenge, setback, and uncertain moment is shaping you into someone stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep building. The life you want is not created in a single breakthrough, it’s built through the small, consistent choices you make every day. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:32 Why You’re Not Falling Behind 03:25 How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others 08:35 The 3 Traits That Drive Success 13:19 The Secret to Staying Patient 16:50 Focus on Your Own Path 26:37 Building the Right Circle Around You 29:32 Finding Beauty in Life’s Quiet Moments 36:59 Simple Ways to Train Your Brain for Success 42:41 Hearing More, Listening Less 45:22 This or That: Entrepreneurial Mindsets 50:59 How to Grow a Social Media Following 54:41 The Power of Choosing the Right Partner 01:03:36 Why Great Communication Changes Everything  01:07:57 Coral on Final Five Episode Resources: Website | https://www.coralsantorogroup.com/  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8WGOzdnEcNaYioYrP132Gg  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/p/Coral-Santoro-61570173779394/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/coralsantoro/  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/coralsantoroventuresinc  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@coral.santoro  X | https://x.com/coralsantoroo  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 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.

  3. Jun 1

    How to build a story one ingredient at a time with Keala Kendall

    Join us as Keala Kendall, author of the compelling 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. This conversation uncovers the layers behind her work, blending culture, history, and genre to provoke thought and evoke emotion. Main topics covered: Kendall's artistic process and how the novel evolved from initial inspiration The significance of Hawaiian history, colonialism, and land in her storytelling How research and world-building influenced the succinct yet powerful narrative The role of horror in exploring societal fears and marginalized voices The creative benefits of genre fiction, especially horror, in addressing difficult truths Personal journey: reading influences, media inspiration, and her experiences as a Pacific Islander author The novel's reception, including selection by Reese Witherspoon's Book Club, and its impact on conversations about Hawaii The importance of representation and amplification of Pacific Islander stories in publishing How fiction can be a tool for education and social change Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the novel That Which Feeds Us 00:30 - The inspiration and artistic process behind the book 01:25 - Use of horror to tell stories rooted in colonial history 02:16 - Hawaii as a gothic setting and its historical echoes 03:00 - How the novel balances brevity with depth and world-building 06:13 - Introducing the protagonist, Lihua, and her connection to Hawaii 07:03 - The significance of the book's title and themes of reciprocal land relationships 07:53 - The impact of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection 08:28 - What readers might discuss after reading the book 10:05 - Amplifying Pacific Islander voices and stories in publishing 11:17 - The concept of ghosts and history as a collective haunting 12:49 - Confronting Hawaii's dark history and media portrayals 13:17 - The influence of reading and media on her writing, including White Lotus and horror films 14:05 - Early ideas for the novel and Hawaiian cultural motifs in her stories 15:36 - How horror makes space for taboo topics and societal critique 16:24 - Early stories about sisters and the significance of land in Hawaiian culture 17:22 - Her transition from Massachusetts inspiration to homeland storytelling 18:07 - Influences from film and media, including Moana and Hollywood's depiction of Hawaii 19:02 - The intersection of media representations and authentic cultural narratives 20:58 - The pandemic's role in shaping her perspective on Hawaii's infrastructure 22:12 - Why horror's capacity for boundary-pushing makes it vital today 23:58 - The societal fears reflected in horror, from Godzilla to Get Out and Us 25:26 - The power of horror in sparking conversations and societal reflection 26:20 - Closing remarks and thoughts on the book's impact and importance Keala Kendall is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of How Far I'll Go and Nobody Gets Left Behind in Disney's A Twisted Tales series. Hapa Native Hawaiian, she is a co-founder of Pacific Islanders Publishing and a past organizer of the charity Books for Maui.

    28 min

  4. May 25

    Veronica Roth on Taylor Swift, Dystopian Fantasy, and the Art of Starting Again

    This week, Tricia Friedman speaks with Veronica Roth, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series and the author of Seek the Traitor Son, the first book in a new epic romance dystopian fantasy series. In this conversation, 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 after a hugely successful series. She also talks about world-building, writing for young readers, creative confidence, and the challenge of beginning again as an author. For educators, librarians, parents, and anyone supporting creative young people, this episode offers a rare look at how one of today's most widely read writers thinks about imagination, reinvention, and the stories that stay with readers.   00:00 — Welcome to the Show 01:00 — Veronica Roth's New Book, Seek the Traitor Son 03:00 — Looking Back at Divergent 06:00 — What Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Helped Veronica See 10:00 — Creative Reinvention After Huge Success 14:00 — Writing for Young Readers 18:00 — Building Dystopian and Fantasy Worlds 23:00 — What Inspires Veronica's Creative Process 28:00 — Advice for Creative Young People 32:00 — Why Stories Still Matter

    17 min

  5. May 18

    Dr. Brittney Cooper on Picture Books, Collaboration, and Love

    This week, Tricia Friedman welcomes Dr. Brittney Cooper to the podcast 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. Dr. Cooper also reflects on what it means to write with intention and to collaborate with artists, editors, and readers in mind. Known for her work as a New York Times bestselling author, cultural critic, professor, and public thinker, Dr. Cooper brings a layered perspective to writing for young readers and the adults who read alongside them. Mentioned in this episode Mama Says I'm Fine by Brittney Cooper, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony. Dr. Brittney Cooper's Rutgers faculty profile. Dr. Brittney Cooper's TED Talk, "The racial politics of time."

    17 min

  6. May 11

    Why Patricia Cornwell Still Believes in Stories

    Patricia Cornwell joins Tricia Friedman for a conversation about memory, writing, curiosity, forensic science, and the memoir she never expected to write. In this episode, Cornwell reflects on the childhood experiences that shaped her imagination, including the early encouragement that helped her begin to see herself as a writer. She talks about learning to "populate the world with imagined characters," the role of journaling and archival memory in writing memoir, and why finding the opening hook still begins with one question: what am I seeing in my head? The conversation also turns to the ethical weight of writing about violence. Cornwell explains why crime is not abstract to her, why she refuses to treat death as entertainment, and how her work through Kay Scarpetta has influenced readers, forensic science, law enforcement, and public awareness. This is also a conversation about curiosity. Cornwell discusses her need to see, study, and understand things for herself, from forensic settings to archaeology, mummies, research trips, and the physical details that help stories come alive. The episode closes with a reminder that feels especially timely: even as the forms of storytelling change, humans will always need stories. In this episode Patricia Cornwell discusses: How childhood imagination became a survival tool and a writing foundation Why a fourth-grade teacher's encouragement still matters decades later How she finds the "hook" for a book, including her memoir The journals and early autobiographical writing that helped her reconstruct memory Why writing about crime requires moral care, not exploitation How Kay Scarpetta influenced forensic science, law enforcement, and reader behavior Why curiosity keeps driving her research and creative life The story behind the Annie Leibovitz photograph used for the memoir cover Why stories will continue to matter, even as formats change

    17 min

  7. May 4

    The Questions Students Are Asking About AI: and the Mindsets that help Answer Them

    Tricia and Jeff talk about what AI literacy actually looks like in K-12 — past the policy memos, past the vendor pitches, past the "ban it or adopt it" debate that keeps stalling schools out. They were very excited to receive questions from a student, and they used those as the structure for this conversation. The conversation uses the Shifting Schools BAKE framework as a loose map: Balance, Adaptability, Knowledge-sharing, Empathy. A mindset-first approach for leaders who want to think clearly instead of react fast. What Jeff and Tricia get into: How to explain AI to a 10-year-old without overcomplicating it (and why metaphors help) Where kids still need to struggle on their own — and why productive friction is identity-forming work The first habits to teach when a child gets AI access: check it, don't trust it; notice when your thinking shuts down Whether AI can actually make education more inclusive, and what has to be in place before it does The mistakes schools and parents are making right now: banning instead of teaching, adopting without training, treating AI like an IT rollout instead of a relationship shift Check out the free one-pager: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17ny-mD1QY450NdG5J4gVZzZE01qyFfOM/view?usp=sharing

    37 min

  8. May 3

    Great gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week

    This week Jeff and Tricia share their five top gifts to celebrate the special educator in your life. They take you through why these five gifts celebrate creativity, learning, wellness, and show personal recognition during Teacher Appreciation Week. Featured on the show: WoofPack   https://woofpacks.ca/ SketchBox   https://getsketchbox.com/ PlantWave   https://plantwave.com/en-ca/products/plantwave Back To The Roots   https://backtotheroots.com/collections/organic-mushroom-kits Waking Up App   https://dynamic.wakingup.com/

    22 min
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4.9
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Shifting Schools is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education. Hosted by educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, the podcast provides a platform for teachers, administrators, and education thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on how to improve teaching and learning. From innovative approaches in classroom management to leveraging technology for personalized learning, Shifting Schools tackles the most pressing issues facing K12 educators today. Whether you are a seasoned teacher or a new educator, this podcast will inspire you to think outside the box and shift your educational approach. Tune in to Shifting Schools to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and join a community of passionate educators who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of their students. Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok

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