Heart Work

Imagine Learning

Hosted by former teacher, principal, and broadcast journalist Lauren Keeling, Heart Work is an honest profile of America's educators, capturing the raw stories of those doing the hard work of change. Our newest podcast series, "Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety" is out 5/20. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1. S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Pt. 1

    Episode 1

    S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Pt. 1

    In the 1950s, the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik sparked fears that American students weren’t prepared for a new era of technological advancement. Decades of back and forth in how math was taught followed. But what of the students caught in the middle? For Lauren, those shifts left a scar. Her math experience was shaped by procedures and timed tests, and today, the mere mention of math problems leaves her anxious. But when she finds herself in an unlikely situation, she’s forced to reckon with that anxiety and confront the idea that she’s just “not a math person.” Join her as she sets out to uncover where that belief took root — and whether it can be unleared. Featuring My Mathematical Mind founder Dr. Deborah Peart Crayton and curriculum specialist Sam Murro Shea. Special thanks to the educators at the NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition 2025 and the CMC South Annual Conference 2025 for sharing their stories with us for this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min
  2. S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Pt. 2

    Episode 2

    S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Pt. 2

    Now in Toronto to undergo math therapy, Lauren begins to unpack where her relationship with math went wrong and why it left her so anxious. To her surprise, she realizes that math itself was never the problem. So what was? Featuring math therapist, author, and educator Vanessa Vakharia, My Mathematical Mind founder Dr. Deborah Peart Crayton, and cognitive behavioral therapist Emma Fogel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  3. S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Pt. 3

    Episode 3

    S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Pt. 3

    Lauren’s personal journey out of math anxiety concludes with an exploration into how students experience math. From classroom practices to wider school systems, what needs to change to make math feel less isolating?  Featuring Building Thinking Classrooms creator Peter Liljedahl, National Math Improvement Project director Hillary Rinaldi, Imagine Learning’s own Kallie Markle and daughter Winter, and curriculum specialist Sam Murro Shea. Special thanks to the educators at the NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition 2025 and the CMC South Annual Conference 2025 for sharing their stories with us for this episode, plus the educators and students in the Ceres Unified School District. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  4. S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Vanessa Vakharia Special

    Episode 4

    S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Vanessa Vakharia Special

    In this Heart Work special, Lauren joins math therapist, educator, and author Vanessa Vakharia at her boutique math and science tutoring studio in Toronto, The Math Guru. In this raw and personal conversation, Vanessa taps into the trauma behind Lauren's lifelong math anxiety and helps her understand just how much it shaped her identity. Together, they explore what it will take to move past the idea of being a "math person" and how educators and students alike can build a healthier, more human relationship with math. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or sign up for the Heart Work Club so you never miss an episode at imaginelearning.com/heart-work/latest. Follow Imagine Learning Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginelearning/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imaginelearning/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imaginelearningofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/imaginelearningchannel Follow Vanessa Vakharia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themathguru/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themathguru Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  5. S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Peter Liljedahl Special

    Episode 5

    S2 Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety: Peter Liljedahl Special

    In this Heart Work special, Lauren Keeling and Sam Murro Shea sit down with math education pioneer and creator of Building Thinking Classrooms Peter Liljedahl to explore what happens when math classrooms stop rewarding students for simply getting the right answer and start helping them truly think — and how the right experiences can transform math anxiety into confidence. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or sign up for the Heart Work Club so you never miss an episode at imaginelearning.com/heart-work/latest/. Follow Imagine Learning Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginelearning/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imaginelearning/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imaginelearningofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/imaginelearningchannel Follow Peter Liljedah: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkingclassrooms YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@BuildingThinkingClassrooms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  6. Introducing Heart Work S2: Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety

    Season 2 Trailer

    Introducing Heart Work S2: Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety

    “I’m not a math person” is a phrase almost every educator has heard. It’s a phrase that reflects a belief passed from one generation to the next: that math capability belongs to someone else. But once that belief sets in, it has the power to shape an entire life. This collection explores how math anxiety takes root in the classroom and what it will take to break this cycle once and for all. Featuring math education pioneer Peter Liljedahl, author, speaker, and math therapist Vanessa Vakharia, curriculum specialist Sam Murro Shea, My Mathematical Mind founder Dr. Deborah Peart Crayton, policy strategist Hillary Rinaldi, and cognitive behavioral therapist Emma Fogel. Voice: Lauren Keeling Series Director: Justyna Welsh Series Producer and Writer: Anise Lee Producer: Danny McPadden Writer: Steven Smithwhite Field Producer: Sarah Shelton Field Producer: Sam Murro Shea Recording Engineer, Audio Editor, and Mixer: Fraser Allan Artwork: Kate Clough Location Recording Team: Danny McPadden, Kristan Crawford, David Sexton Executive Producer: David McGinty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 min
See All Season 2 (6)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hosted by former teacher, principal, and broadcast journalist Lauren Keeling, Heart Work is an honest profile of America's educators, capturing the raw stories of those doing the hard work of change. Our newest podcast series, "Breaking the Cycle of Math Anxiety" is out 5/20. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Imagine Learning
  • Episodes
    11
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Imagine Learning
  • Show Website
    Heart Work

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