Change Starts Here

Franklin Covey Education

Change Starts Here, presented by FranklinCovey Education, is the podcast for K–12 school and district leaders who are shaping—or ready to lead—meaningful change in their schools and communities. Through interviews with innovative educators and research-backed insights, each episode explores how to build leadership at all levels, foster high-trust school cultures, and achieve breakthrough results around what matters most. This podcast offers practical ideas and bold thinking to help you create lasting impact in your school community. Explore the episodes and dive into real stories, proven strategies, and the leadership mindset that transforms schools. This is your space for inspiration, clarity, and action. Real change starts here.

  1. Burnout to Breakthrough: Better Choices for Busy Leaders

    2D AGO

    Burnout to Breakthrough: Better Choices for Busy Leaders

    In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham is joined by Kory Kogon, FranklinCovey’s Global Practice Leader for Content Development and co-author of The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity. Together, they address the mounting pressure on educators to "do it all" and the burnout that inevitably follows. Kory explains why the old "work 'til you drop" mentality is no longer sustainable in an age of constant digital distraction and generational shifts. Kory breaks down the framework of The 5 Choices, explaining how it complements the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by offering a practical system for decision, attention, and energy management. Listeners will learn how to identify their "extraordinary roles," avoid "accidental energy drainers" that demoralize teams, and why physical renewal is a biological necessity for brain function, not just a luxury. This conversation is a roadmap for high performers to move from feeling buried by the whirlwind to achieving meaningful results without sacrificing their well-being. Get your copy of The 5 Choices: https://www.amazon.com/Choices-Path-Extraordinary-Productivity/dp/1476711712/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413483143&sr=1-2&keywords=the+five+choices+to+extraordinary+productivity Host: Dustin Odham, FranklinCovey Education Guest: Kory Kogon, Co-author, The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity Timestamps:  (00:00 - 02:07) Introduction and Context  (02:07 - 04:39) Meet Kory Kogon  (04:39 - 06:23) Rethinking Productivity  (06:23 - 08:56) 5 Choices and 7 Habits  (08:56 - 12:02) Decision Management  (12:02 - 13:04) Attention Management  (13:04 - 18:08) Real-World Impact Stories  (18:08 - 22:56) Fuel Your Fire  (22:56 - 28:50) Managing Overwhelm  (28:50 - 35:14) Modeling Energy Leadership  (35:14 - 37:15) Practical First Steps  (37:15 - 40:04) 5 Choices and 4DX  (40:04 - 42:17) Accidental Energy Drainers  (42:17 - 43:15) Conclusion

    43 min
  2. The Truth About Reflection — And Why It Often Fails

    FEB 10

    The Truth About Reflection — And Why It Often Fails

    In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller tackle a practice that is ubiquitous in education yet often misunderstood: reflection. While educators and students are constantly asked to reflect, it frequently feels shallow, performative, or exhausting. Kim and Dr. Miller explore the neuroscience behind why reflection works, revealing that without it, experience simply hardens habits rather than creating learning. Listeners will learn the critical neurological distinction between reflection and rumination, and how leaders often unintentionally trigger the latter. The conversation highlights that reflection is not a passive review of the past, but an active state of inquiry that requires psychological safety to engage the prefrontal cortex. By shifting from "why" questions to "what" questions and treating reflection as a learned skill, leaders can turn this practice into a powerful engine for self-regulation and capacity building. Download the Handout: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/CSH-Truth-reflection?x=fmnfWP Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps:  (00:00 - 00:55) Podcast intro and topic   (00:55 - 02:44) The tension of reflection  (02:44 - 04:23) Experience versus learning   (04:23 - 05:15) The cycle of inquiry   (05:15 - 07:25) Why reflection drives growth   (07:25 - 09:53) Neuroscience of the brain   (09:53 - 12:33) Reflection versus rumination   (12:33 - 14:20) Common reflection misconceptions   (14:20 - 15:41) Practical leadership strategies   (15:41 - 18:05) Closing thoughts

    18 min
  3. Treat Behavior as Feedback, Not Failure

    FEB 3

    Treat Behavior as Feedback, Not Failure

    In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham addresses the unique challenges of the "February slump", a time when fresh start energy has faded and end-of-year milestones are still out of sight. Dustin explores why behavior problems from both students and adults often spike during this period, arguing that these are rarely character issues but rather energy issues fueled by fatigue and disconnection. Listeners will learn three practical leadership moves to navigate this difficult stretch without burning out: regulating yourself before redirecting others, narrowing the focus to essential behaviors, and catching engagement before correcting behavior. By viewing behavior as feedback rather than failure, leaders can shift from reacting to responding, rebuilding trust and momentum when it is needed most. Host: Dustin Odham Timestamps: (00:00 - 01:45) Introduction (01:45 - 02:49) Fatigue impacts behavior (02:49 - 03:50) Energy versus character issues (03:50 - 05:02) Behavior is information (05:02 - 06:05) Connection over consequences (06:05 - 06:39) Regulate yourself first (06:39 - 07:06) Narrow the focus (07:06 - 07:58) Catch engagement early (07:58 - 09:24) Leading from the middle (09:24 - 09:53) Outro

    10 min
  4. What Truly Drives Motivation?

    JAN 27

    What Truly Drives Motivation?

    In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller tackle the dreaded "mid-year slump", that time when energy dips and motivation becomes scarce for both staff and students. Rather than pushing harder, they explore the neurobiology behind what actually drives us to take action. Dr. Miller breaks down the science of the "motivation switch" in the brain, the nucleus accumbens, and explains why choice, relevance, and connection are biological necessities, not just nice-to-haves. Listeners will discover why motivation is not a fixed personality trait but a response to environmental conditions. The conversation unpacks Self-Determination Theory and offers leaders practical strategies to shift their teams from compliance to contribution. By learning how to offer authentic choices and co-create paths forward, educators can reignite agency and engagement even during the toughest stretches of the school year. Download the Handout: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/CSH_handout_S6E19?x=OcaUHV Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Mid-Year Slump 01:48 Neurobiology of Motivation 02:46 Visualizing Motivation Triggers 05:17 The Nucleus Accumbens 07:20 Autonomy and Choice 10:14 Self-Determination Theory 12:38 Biology Over Personality 15:24 Practice: Offering Meaningful Choice 17:37 Practice: Co-Creating Paths

    20 min
  5. Why Trust Isn’t Soft—and Control Isn’t Working

    JAN 20

    Why Trust Isn’t Soft—and Control Isn’t Working

    What if the leadership practices that once kept schools running are now holding them back? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down with David Kasperson, co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Trust & Inspire and Director of Speaking & Business Development at FranklinCovey, to challenge the deeply rooted belief that control drives results. Together, they explore why traditional, compliance-driven leadership is reaching its breaking point in today’s schools—and how shifting to a Trust & Inspire model can unlock the latent potential of educators and students alike. Kasperson reframes trust not as a “soft” idea, but as rocket fuel for innovation, engagement, and performance. Listeners will gain practical insights into the three stewardships of leadership—modeling, trusting, and inspiring—and learn how to rebuild trust, even after it’s been damaged. This conversation is a call to action for K–12 leaders ready to move beyond managing tasks and start leading people with belief, purpose, and stewardship. Get Your Copy of Trust & Inspire: https://store.leaderinme.com/products/trust-and-inspire-book-hardcover Host: Dustin Odham, Managing Director with FranklinCovey Education Guest: David Kasperson, Co-author of Trust & Inspire and Director of Speaking & Business Development at FranklinCovey Timestamps: (00:00 - 01:18) Episode introduction (01:18 - 03:04) David’s leadership journey (03:04 - 04:47) Why trust matters now (04:47 - 07:19) Measuring trust vs. engagement (07:19 - 09:11) Speed as a differentiator (09:11 - 11:07) Management vs. leadership paradigms (11:07 - 14:13) Moving beyond compliance (14:13 - 17:09) Barriers to trust (17:09 - 19:56) Tapping into inspiration (19:56 - 24:11) High expectations, not micromanagement (24:11 - 30:37) Steps to rebuild trust (30:37 - 36:23) Stewardship for the person (36:23 - 42:38) Love in the classroom (42:38 - 44:13) Leading through potential (44:13 - 46:05) Overcoming leadership frustration (46:05 - 50:00) Outro and resources

    50 min
  6. Reimagining Family Involvement: From Barriers to Bridges

    JAN 13

    Reimagining Family Involvement: From Barriers to Bridges

    In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller explore the common "disconnect" between traditional school efforts and what actually drives student achievement. Dr. Miller shares insights from a deep dive into family engagement research, revealing that many widely accepted practices are more about compliance than connection. By shifting the focus from school-based events to "academic socialization," educators can unlock more powerful outcomes for their students. Listeners will learn how to identify and remove subtle barriers, such as scheduling conflicts and language gaps—that prevent families from engaging. The conversation highlights the transformative power of two-way communication and proactive, positive reach-outs. By moving away from visible but less effective gestures and toward building trust, educators can foster a partnership with families that significantly accelerates learning. Download the Handout, What Strengthens Family Engagement?: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/fy26_csh_rc-handout_?x=hPII-q Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps: (00:00 - 00:42) Podcast intro (00:42 - 01:57) Research disconnects (01:57 - 04:28) Perceptions of engagement (04:28 - 06:27) Identifying engagement barriers (06:27 - 08:17) Changing educator paradigms (08:17 - 10:38) Redefining family involvement (10:38 - 12:21) Three engagement categories (12:21 - 14:07) Academic socialization impact (14:07 - 15:58) Building parent capacity (15:58 - 17:44) Power of two-way communication (17:44 - 21:36) Efficiency and effort tradeoffs (21:36 - 22:17) Closing thoughts

    22 min
  7. Think Before You Sprint: Resetting the Right Way

    JAN 6

    Think Before You Sprint: Resetting the Right Way

    While the calendar promises a fresh start, many educators feel the heavy weight of expectations before their energy has fully returned. Join host Dustin Odham as he tackles the unique tension of January leadership. This episode explores why pushing harder right now might be the wrong move and how treating this month as a true reset point can prevent burnout down the road. Dustin shares personal insights on why intensity without intention leads to exhaustion. He offers three critical questions to help leaders shift their paradigm from a "pressure cooker" mentality to one of clarity and trust. Listen in to discover how to honor capacity, define what truly matters, and lead with a renewed sense of purpose this semester. Host: Dustin Odham Timestamps: (00:13 - 00:51) The reality of January pressure (00:51 - 01:25) Why December drains our tanks (01:25 - 02:30) Resetting before you sprint (02:30 - 03:02) Where burnout is revealed (03:02 - 03:58) Pressure cooker vs reset point (03:58 - 04:30) Your lens shapes leadership (04:31 - 04:58) Clarity builds trust (04:28 - 05:55) Intensity without intention (05:55 - 06:21) Clarity is the foundation (06:21 - 06:53) Best energy (06:54 - 07:25) How people feel (07:25 - 08:11) February and March are sprints

    8 min
  8. Buried, Busy, and Breaking Through: Sean Covey on Schoolwide Change

    12/09/2025

    Buried, Busy, and Breaking Through: Sean Covey on Schoolwide Change

    In this powerful episode, Dustin sits down with Sean Covey, President of FranklinCovey Education, for a candid conversation about why so many schools today feel overwhelmed, overcommitted, and stuck in the whirlwind of competing priorities. Drawing from decades of global experience, and fresh insights from recent district visits, Sean describes what educators are experiencing firsthand: growing student needs, teacher burnout, increasing complexity, and constant pressure to improve everything at once. Tune in for practical insights and mindset shifts school and district leaders can use tomorrow, a roadmap for moving from overwhelmed and overcommitted to focused, empowered, and ready for meaningful change. Read Sean’s article Overwhelmed and Overcommitted: Why Schools Underperform and Struggle to Improve: https://www.leaderinme.org/blog/overwhelmed-and-overcommitted/ Host: Dustin Odham Guest: Sean Covey Timestamps: (00:00 - 00:14) Beyond academics (00:14 - 00:51) Show open (00:51 - 01:18) The focus problem (01:18 - 01:37) Welcome and setup (01:37 - 02:39) Why Leader in Me (26:37 - 27:13) What gives hope now (27:13 - 27:56) Students leading the way (27:56 - 28:50) Focus on the good (28:50 - 29:24) Principles work everywhere (29:24 - 29:52) Leader in Me Unplugged (29:52 - 31:04) Lessons at home (31:50 - 32:20) Love of the arts (32:55 - 33:24) Thanks and vision (33:24 - 34:10) Close and call to action

    34 min
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4.9
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About

Change Starts Here, presented by FranklinCovey Education, is the podcast for K–12 school and district leaders who are shaping—or ready to lead—meaningful change in their schools and communities. Through interviews with innovative educators and research-backed insights, each episode explores how to build leadership at all levels, foster high-trust school cultures, and achieve breakthrough results around what matters most. This podcast offers practical ideas and bold thinking to help you create lasting impact in your school community. Explore the episodes and dive into real stories, proven strategies, and the leadership mindset that transforms schools. This is your space for inspiration, clarity, and action. Real change starts here.

Information

  • Creator
    Franklin Covey Education
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    214
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Change Starts Here