Be a Better Ally: Critical Conversations for K12 Educators

Tricia Friedman
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What does real allyship look like in a classroom, a staff room, a school community? Be a Better Ally helps K-12 teachers and school leaders build inclusive classrooms where every student feels they belong — without slogans, scripts, or shame. Host Tricia Friedman (Director of Shifting Schools) sits down with the authors, researchers, and educators shaping these conversations to explore student identity, belonging, school culture, media literacy, and the digital lives of young people. Each episode leaves you with something to try, question, or read next. 280+ episodes of critical conversations for anyone who believes schools should be places where everyone gets to become themselves.

  1. 18h ago

    Be Bold, Be Humble: Rethinking Assessment with AI

    What does it look like to be bold about AI in education while remaining humble enough to revise what does not work? In this episode, Tricia Friedman responds to recent guidance from MIT by sharing a practical way to experiment with AI, assessment, and curriculum design. The challenge invites students to research a topic, develop the concept for a board game, select mechanics that support its theme, and pitch their idea. Along the way, students must make five deliberate choices: three moments when AI could assist their work and two when the task should remain human. They then explain what each choice contributed, complicated, or diminished. Tricia introduces a shorter version of her free GAMES Framework for educators who want to explore game design without committing to a complete game-development unit. Her example draws inspiration from the history of the Spokane River, but the structure can be adapted to almost any subject or local context. The episode also considers: Why AI literacy requires judgment, not simply tool proficiency How game design can bring together research, writing, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration Why the relationship between a game's theme and mechanics matters How playtesting gives students useful feedback about difficulty, clarity, and engagement What board-game boxes, reviews, playthrough videos, and Kickstarter campaigns can teach us as contemporary texts How the challenge could extend into mathematics, economics, visual art, media literacy, or local history Why alternative forms of assessment can help students make their thinking more visible The goal is not to use AI throughout the assignment. It is to give students genuine practice deciding when AI adds value, when it distracts from the work, and what evidence supports that judgment. Explore the free GAMES Framework: https://shifting-schools-games.netlify.app/salmon-challenge   Read the MIT report referenced in the episode: https://aiandeducation.mit.edu/   Have a unit that does not seem to connect naturally with game design or AI literacy? Send Tricia the topic and challenge her to find the connection. Contact Tricia: tricia@shiftingschools.com

  2. 18h ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing EILEEN GU: “The Ground Was Cracking Beneath Me.” from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Jay sits down with Eileen Gu, the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history, to go behind the resume and into the mindset that built it all. Eileen opens up about the grandmother and mother who shaped her, why direction matters more than raw effort, her “evidence over affirmation” approach to fearless competition, and the devastating personal loss she carried in the very same hour as her Olympic gold medal win. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty PURPOSE10 for 10% at altrarunning.com⁠/onpurpose. Free Shipping and Free 30-Day Trial. Mazda crafts cars for people who do more than simply move. Visit Mazdausa.com to learn more. Consumer reports does not endorse products or services. 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 here: 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 Introduction 01:25 Who Are You Beyond Your Achievements? 03:12 The Childhood Curiosity That Shaped Everything 05:52 What Her Childhood Journals Reveal Now 09:20 Rethinking Masculinity, Femininity & Fashion 11:30 The Weekend Trips That Built an Olympian 14:37 The Two Women Who Shaped Who She Became 17:38 Even Olympians Can Feel “Behind” In Their 20s 19:37 Hard Work Vs. Direction And Momentum 22:38 Finding Direction Amid Unlimited Opportunities 26:29 Learning As A Superpower 31:22 Train Like You’ve Never Won 36:06 Seperating Your Identity From Your Craft 41:34 Evidence Over Affirmation 43:34 The Physics And 4D Visualization of Freeskiing 49:42 Inside the Milan Olympics 55:13 Highest Highs And Lowest Lows 01:00:02 Eileen Gu On Final Five Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

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  3. Aug 27

    What Young People Notice: Tiffany D. Jackson on Grief, Ghosts, and Trust

    What do young people understand that adults mistakenly believe they have hidden from them? Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson returns to the podcast to discuss Ghost in the Night, her haunting middle-grade novel set against the ghost tours, buried histories, and complicated beauty of Savannah, Georgia. Tiffany invites educators to take young readers—and their capacity to confront difficult subjects—seriously. We explore why children sometimes attach themselves intensely to a particular interest while processing grief, and what educators might discover if they look beyond the fascination and ask what need it may be meeting. We also discuss the importance of grief literacy, the trust created when adults acknowledge what children already know, and the difference between protecting young people and underestimating them. The conversation moves beyond the ghosts of Savannah to examine whose histories become tourist attractions, whose stories remain untold, and how literature can inspire students to investigate the overlooked histories of their own communities. Tiffany also shares why young characters need opportunities to form friendships without constant adult choreography, how she calibrates horror for middle-grade readers, and the deceptively simple practice she recommends to every aspiring writer: read closely enough to notice how a story works. This episode explores: Why educators need to take children's inner lives seriously How intense interests can sometimes help young people process grief The role of grief literacy in schools and classrooms How honest conversations can build trust between adults and children Why young people need agency in friendship and problem-solving Whose histories are preserved, promoted, ignored, or buried How place can function as a character in a novel What horror offers middle-grade readers How students can learn the craft of writing by reading like writers At its heart, this conversation asks educators to consider what becomes possible when we stop assuming young people cannot handle the truth—and begin giving them stories that honour their intelligence, curiosity, and humanity.

  4. Aug 20

    Our Voices Are Our Power | Dr. Camille Busette

    What happens when we stop treating unaffordable healthcare as an individual problem—and recognize it as a shared crisis? In this episode of Be a Better Ally, Tricia Friedman speaks with Dr. Camille Busette about One Nation, Overcharged, a people-powered movement demanding a healthcare system that puts people over profits. Dr. Busette explains why so many people experience the rising cost of healthcare privately, even as families across the United States face the same impossible choices: medication or groceries, an inhaler or gas, necessary care or financial security. When these struggles remain isolated, it is easy to mistake a broken system for a personal failure. But sharing our stories can change that. Together, Tricia and Dr. Busette explore how personal experiences can build collective understanding—and how conversations in book clubs, faith communities, community gatherings, and even art spaces can help transform that understanding into action. They also discuss: Why asking "Whose perspectives are missing?" can change how we define a problem How healthcare costs affect people far beyond the person receiving care Why storytelling is essential to building people-powered solutions What those with greater financial privilege need to understand about healthcare affordability How seemingly small necessities, such as access to an inhaler, can prevent medical and financial trauma Why we are all responsible for one another How listeners can speak up, share their experiences, and organize within their communities As Dr. Busette reminds us, when one person cannot afford the care they need, the consequences reach their family, neighbors, community, and all of us. Healthcare affordability is not someone else's issue. It is a social and economic responsibility we share. Learn more, share your story, or find and organize a local event through the One Nation, Overcharged campaign.

  5. Aug 14

    Competence, Compassion, and Supporting Families in Crisis

    Renata Castro on Supporting Immigrant Families, Choosing Competent Counsel, and Staying Resilient My guest today is immigration attorney Renata Castro,ESQ. founder of USA4All, a law firm focused on helping immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, and victims of human trafficking. We talk about the role educators can play when families are facing immigration stress, how to recognize real professional competence, and why empathy matters most when it is paired with expertise. Renata also shares the personal story behind her work, the emotional toll of immigration law, and the habits that help her keep going through difficult cases. The conversation widens into a bigger lesson about learning, resilience, and refusing to let other people define your potential. Key topics In this episode, Renata shares how her own experience as an immigrant and survivor of abuse shaped the creation of USA for All. She explains that the firm has 5 working attorneys and a total staff of 90 across several countries, with about 3,200 active cases and roughly 2,000 new calls each month. We discuss why educators are often the first people families turn to, and how the best support is to listen, show empathy, and avoid giving legal advice. Renata suggests educators can help by referring families to more than one attorney when possible and by offering practical handouts from trusted nonprofit or pro bono sources. She makes a strong case that empathy alone is not enough in legal work - clients should prioritize competence, clear strategy, and honest communication over chemistry. We talk about why immigration law is demanding, multidisciplinary, and often emotionally draining, yet also deeply rewarding. Renata describes the importance of resilience, detachment from personal criticism, and not letting one loss define a whole mission. She shares the routines and supports that keep her grounded, including family, a partner who helps her stay objective, exercise, mentors, therapists, and a mindset of not spiraling. She encourages young people to stay intellectually curious, read widely, and treat learning as a privilege rather than a chore. The conversation closes with a reminder that success takes time, effort, and a willingness to sit with adversity. Timestamps 00:00 - Why educators are often the first support line for immigrant families 00:34 - Renata's personal immigrant story and the origin of USA for All 01:58 - Serving survivors of domestic violence and trafficking 03:31 - What educators should do instead of giving legal advice 04:27 - Why listening and school counseling matter in crisis situations 07:25 - Competence versus empathy when choosing a lawyer 11:24 - Why the best legal work comes from challenge, not cookie-cutter cases 13:45 - Not taking client or public criticism personally 15:07 - Active caseloads, new inquiries, and the reality of immigration practice 18:16 - How family, exercise, mentors, and therapy help Renata stay grounded 21:49 - Why immigration law stays intellectually exciting 23:16 - Learning as a privilege, not a chore 26:01 - Kim Kardashian, persistence, and the myth of instant success 28:48 - A final reminder to keep going and trust your own path     Action items If you work with immigrant families, listen first and avoid offering legal advice. Refer people to qualified attorneys instead of trying to solve the legal issue yourself. Encourage access to school counselors or psychological support when families are overwhelmed. When choosing professional help, look for competence, clarity, and honesty. For your own resilience, build support outside of work and protect time for recovery.

  6. Aug 13

    What Suspense Novels Teach Us About Empathy, Curiosity, and Creativity with Lisa Gardner

    What can a suspense novelist teach educators about empathy, creativity, and the danger of reducing people to simple labels? In this episode of Be a Better Ally, Tricia Friedman speaks with bestselling author Lisa Gardner about the psychology behind her novels and her enduring fascination with the nature of evil. After 35 years of researching crime and human behaviour, Lisa no longer sees good and evil as an either-or question. People are layered, shaped by experience, relationships, choices, and generational trauma. That understanding guides her approach to character development. Lisa begins writing without knowing who the villain will be. Instead, she allows each character to reveal more of themselves as the story develops. Even a villain, she argues, needs a moral code. Their conversation moves beyond writing to consider the conditions that make creative thinking possible. Lisa discusses hiking with her dogs, letting her mind wander, cold-calling experts, learning through games and puzzles, and giving characters enough room to surprise her. She also explains why publishing is a team sport and why accomplished writers benefit from supporting one another rather than treating creativity as a competition. For educators, this conversation raises questions about the space students are given to wonder, investigate, revise their assumptions, and create without already knowing the answer. In this episode: Why suspense helps readers explore fear and human behaviour What fiction can teach us about empathy and moral complexity Why Lisa does not decide who the villain is before she begins writing How walking and unstructured time support creative thought What careful research adds to imaginative work Why games, puzzles, and reading mattered during Lisa's childhood How collaboration supports even highly accomplished artists What educators can learn from Lisa's distinction between individual craft and collective support The real-life research and creative process behind You'll Be Sorry Lisa Gardner's latest novel, You'll Be Sorry, brings together a missing family, a decades-old mystery, small-town secrets, a witchy rhyme, complicated characters, and one especially important dog. Learn more: https://www.lisagardner.com/

  7. Aug 5

    From Catching Passes to Turning Pages with Malcolm Mitchell

    What if readers and writers received the same attention, celebration, and investment as star athletes? In this episode, Tricia speaks with Super Bowl champion, children's author, and literacy advocate Malcolm Mitchell about his new picture book, My Super Duper Me. They discuss the lasting effect of a few encouraging words, the role librarians can play in helping children see their own possibilities, and why adults should never underestimate the power of simply showing up with a positive message. Malcolm shares his own journey from struggling reader to member of the Silverleaf Book Club, published author, and founder of Share the Magic Foundation. He explains why reading is not only an academic skill, but also a source of confidence, community, opportunity, and belonging. The conversation also considers what schools and communities could learn from the cultural power of sports. If young people see athletes celebrated everywhere, how might their aspirations change if readers, writers, books, and libraries were made just as visible? Malcolm also offers a candid look at his writing practice and the connection between athletic and creative training: show up, make the most of each repetition, and be willing to try again tomorrow. In this episode: • Why brief words of encouragement can stay with a young person • The librarian at the heart of My Super Duper Me • Malcolm's journey from struggling reader to passionate literacy advocate • How a welcoming book club helped change his life • Why reading can build confidence, connection, and belonging • What it would mean to celebrate literacy as loudly as sports • How educators can participate in free Share the Magic reading challenges • What football taught Malcolm about writing, practice, and persistence Learn more about Malcolm Mitchell, Share the Magic Foundation, and its free reading programs at readwithmalcolm.com.

  8. Jul 30

    The First Story We Tell a Child: You Belong | SANDRA MAGSAMEN

    What can a book offer a child before they understand its words? For bestselling author, artist, and art therapist Sandra Magsamen, the answer begins with connection. Her new board book, Hello, Baby, was created for children from birth to age three as a bright, playful welcome into reading—and into the family awaiting them. Sandra joins Tricia to discuss how large illustrations, expressive faces, melodic language, and an embedded mirror help babies engage with a book. They explore why reading with a young child is about much more than building vocabulary. It is also a chance to snuggle, play, bond, and communicate one of the earliest messages a child can receive: you are loved, you are seen, and you belong here. The conversation also makes room for chewed books, spilled milk, crowded bookshelves, and the occasional "uh-oh." Sandra explains why children need permission to touch, explore, and make mistakes—and why treating books as untouchable objects can get in the way of curiosity. Sandra also reflects on collaborating with her daughter, preparing to become a grandmother, and continuing to experiment after decades as a successful artist. She shares why creative growth requires us to loosen our grip on what has worked before and remain open to who we are becoming. In this episode: How early reading supports connection and belonging Designing words and illustrations for babies Making books playful, sensory, and inviting Allowing children to explore without demanding perfection How stories become part of a family's shared language Why artists—and people—need to keep changing   SANDRA MAGSAMEN is the author and illustrator of many books for young children, including the picture book When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me, as well as a number of bestselling novelty titles, including Everybody Goes Nighty-Night, named a Best Board Book of 2018 by The Children's Book Review; Baby Love; I Love You, Little Pumpkin; and Peek-a-Boo, I Love You. As an artist, an art therapist, and a mom, she uses her creativity to remind people to express themselves and connect with others. Her lifestyle brands, products, and books are sold worldwide. Visit her at sandramagsamen.com

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What does real allyship look like in a classroom, a staff room, a school community? Be a Better Ally helps K-12 teachers and school leaders build inclusive classrooms where every student feels they belong — without slogans, scripts, or shame. Host Tricia Friedman (Director of Shifting Schools) sits down with the authors, researchers, and educators shaping these conversations to explore student identity, belonging, school culture, media literacy, and the digital lives of young people. Each episode leaves you with something to try, question, or read next. 280+ episodes of critical conversations for anyone who believes schools should be places where everyone gets to become themselves.

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