Schurtz and Ties: A podcast about education and culture

Schurtz&Ties

Inspired by the classroom, Kasey Schurtz and Brian T. Miller wrestle with how to become better teachers, leaders, and people. Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivePD.com and is a proud member of the TeachBetter Podcast Network. You can find out more about Brian and Kasey, discover resources, and enjoy more content on their website, SchurtzandTies.com.

  1. 3H AGO

    Episode 134: The Wisdom of Being Unsure with Maggie Jackson

    What if uncertainty isn’t weakness—but the doorway to deeper thinking? In this episode of Schurtz & Ties, we sit down with journalist and author Maggie Jackson, whose books Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure and Distracted: Reclaiming Our Focus in a World of Lost Attention challenge some of our deepest assumptions about attention, expertise, and learning. Schools often reward speed, correctness, and certainty. But Maggie argues that the ability to pause, question, and remain open may be the very thing that allows us to think clearly, connect with others, and grow. We explore why focus is not simply the elimination of distraction, but the gateway to thinking. Maggie explains how attention works—not as a fixed trait, but as a skill that can be strengthened through practice. We also examine how uncertainty, when used intentionally, becomes a powerful tool for perspective-taking, empathy, and adaptive expertise. This conversation challenges the instinct to label students as motivated or unmotivated, capable or incapable. Instead, it invites us to stay open long enough to understand what’s really happening when students lose access to thinking—and what educators can do to restore it. As Maggie explains, uncertainty creates space. And in that space, new thinking becomes possible. Uncertainty isn’t the absence of knowledge. It’s the beginning of wisdom in motion. Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure Distracted: Reclaiming Our Focus in a World of Lost Attention Why focus is a skill that can be strengthened How uncertainty improves thinking and decision-making The difference between routine expertise and adaptive expertise Why labeling students creates false certainty How uncertainty promotes empathy and perspective-taking How educators can protect students’ access to thinking Website: https://www.maggie-jackson.comBooks available wherever books are sold Books by Maggie JacksonIn This Episode, We DiscussLearn More http://www.schurtzandties.com

    55 min

  2. FEB 22

    Episode 133 (Part 1): Teaching Through Fear — Inside a School During a Political Firestorm

    Teachers carry more than lesson plans. They carry fear that isn’t theirs.They carry responsibility no one trained them for.They carry the weight of holding stability when everything else feels uncertain. In this first episode of a two-part series on the unseen burdens teachers carry, we speak with Minnesota educator and Teacher of the Year finalist Sean Padden about what happens when national politics enters school hallways. Sean describes a reality many Americans never see: Students afraid to come to school.Attendance dropping dramatically.Teachers delivering food and printed lessons to homes.And classrooms becoming the place where students process fear, trauma, and uncertainty. As Sean explains, when fear enters a community, it doesn’t stay outside. It enters the classroom, and educators are left to help students carry it while still trying to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. This conversation is not about politics.It is about responsibility. It is about what happens when teachers are asked, once again, to hold together the lives of students in circumstances far beyond instruction. And it is about a truth every educator understands: We cannot surrender the classroom. This is Part 1 of a special two-episode release exploring the burdens teachers carry that the world rarely sees. Listen now:👉 https://www.schurtzandties.com #teachers #education #teacherlife #educators #schoolculture #teachertruth #classroomreality #educationpodcast #teacherburnout #schurtzandties

    44 min

  3. FEB 22

    Episode 133 (Part 2): The Fear Teachers Carry — When One Decision Can End a Career

    Teachers carry more than lesson plans. They carry the knowledge that one moment—one decision, one sentence, one misunderstood action—can change everything. They carry the quiet awareness that the work they love can also make them vulnerable. In Part 2 of this special two-episode series on the unseen burdens teachers carry, we speak with educator and former principal Toby Price, whose career was abruptly ended after reading a children’s book to students. No parents complained. No students were harmed. But within hours, he was suspended. Days later, he was terminated. Toby’s story is not just about a book. It is about fear. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear that the trust once placed in educators is no longer guaranteed. As Toby explains, this fear doesn’t just affect one teacher. It shapes the decisions educators make every day—what they say, what they teach, and how willing they are to take the risks necessary to truly reach students. And yet, even after losing his position, Toby remains clear about one thing: If given the chance again, he would still choose to do what he believed was right for students. Because teaching has never been about safety. It has always been about courage. This conversation explores the emotional and professional reality of what it means to teach in a time when educators must navigate not only the needs of students—but the fear of consequences beyond their control. This is Part 2 of a special two-episode release exploring the burdens teachers carry that the world rarely sees. Listen now: 👉 https://www.schurtzandties.com #teachers #education #teacherlife #educators #teachertruth #classroomreality #educationpodcast #teacherburnout #schurtzandties

    33 min

  4. FEB 15

    Episode 132: Brain Myths, Learning Science, and What Teachers Actually Need to Know — with Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa

    In Episode 132, we are joined by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa, an internationally recognized researcher and author whose work sits at the intersection of mind, brain, and education science. This conversation explores what neuroscience actually tells us about learning — and just as importantly, what it doesn’t. We dig into how research is often misapplied in classrooms, how teacher actions shape learning environments in ways we don’t always see, and what it means to design instruction that honors both science and humanity. Rather than quick fixes or “brain-based” shortcuts, Tracey challenges educators to think more carefully about evidence, complexity, and the ethical responsibility of teaching. What mind, brain, and education science really is — and common misconceptions How teacher behaviors and classroom conditions influence learning at a neurological and human level Why oversimplifying neuroscience can actually harm instruction What K–12 educators can learn from research without losing professional judgment How clarity, culture, and cognition are inseparable in meaningful learning This is a conversation for educators, leaders, and parents who want better questions, not buzzwords. Questions Kids Ask About Their Brains Crossing Mind, Brain, and Education Boundaries Five Pillars of the Mind: Redesigning Education to Suit the Brain (Each offers a research-grounded, educator-respecting approach to applying science without reducing teaching to technique.) 🎧 Schurtz & Ties Podcast: https://schurtzandties.com🎙️ Explore more episodes on education, culture, and learning.

    1h 4m

  5. FEB 9

    Episode 131: No-Nonsense Brewing No-Nonsense Education

    A true barstool conversation with brewer Jeremiah Johnson In this episode, Kasey Schurtz and Brian T. Miller step outside the education silo and sit down with Jeremiah Johnson, founder and owner of Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company. What starts as a light “barstool episode” quickly turns into a deeply relevant conversation about leadership, clarity, iteration, trust, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts. Jeremiah shares the story of rebranding an existing brewery under his own name, the risks that came with it, and the relentless attention to detail required to survive as a small, independent business. Along the way, the conversation draws powerful parallels to education—especially around innovation, curriculum decisions, collaboration, and knowing when to hold the line versus when to experiment. This episode isn’t about beer.It’s about craft, identity, and belief. In brewing, a single small mistake can ruin an entire batch. Jeremiah explains why quality demands precision—and why sometimes the hardest (but right) decision is to pour a batch out rather than let it damage trust. Teachers and leaders often hang onto “pet lessons” or practices because they love them, even when they aren’t serving students well. Quality requires the courage to let go. Jeremiah describes brewing 19 different versions of a hazy IPA before settling on the final recipe. The belief in the idea never wavered—but the process required constant adjustment. Trying something new doesn’t mean it works the first time. Belief plus iteration beats rigid loyalty to a first draft. When economic pressure hit the brewing industry, Jeremiah chose not to chase trends. Instead, he doubled down on what defined the brand: no-nonsense Montana beer. When scores dip or demographics shift, schools often search for the next new program. This episode challenges leaders to ask: What are we already good at—and how do we do that better? Jeremiah emphasizes that successful collaboration isn’t about buzzwords—it’s about real human connection, listening, and shared belief. Without trust, collaboration collapses into compliance. Jeremiah and the hosts discuss three qualities educators should nurture in students: Unwavering belief in eventual success Clarity of direction Relentless work ethic Talent alone isn’t enough. Confidence and effort compound over time. This episode reframes encouragement. Pumping kids up isn’t false praise—it’s truthful belief, honest feedback, and meaningful connection. “I looked at your test scores. You’re too smart not to do better.” Those words changed Jeremiah’s trajectory—and they highlight the lasting power educators hold. Educators feeling pressure to “innovate” without losing their identity School leaders navigating tough decisions Teachers wrestling with clarity vs creativity Anyone interested in entrepreneurship, craft, or human development This episode is a reminder that good work—whether in classrooms or breweries—requires clarity, patience, belief, and connection. Sometimes the most meaningful insights come from outside your field. #schurtzandties #dogreatthings #keepknocking #educationpodcast #educationleadership #teachersofinstagram #schoolleadership #culturematters #leadershipmatters #entrepreneurship #craftandculture

    52 min

  6. FEB 1

    Episode 130: Choice, Structure, and the Cost of Getting Education Wrong with Barry Schwartz

    🎙️ Episode 130: Barry Schwartz Choice, Structure, and the Cost of Getting Education Wrong In Episode 130 of Schurtz & Ties, we are joined by Barry Schwartz, renowned psychologist and author whose work has shaped how we think about motivation, choice, and meaning for decades. This conversation moves well beyond soundbites. We dig into why incentives often undermine learning, how too much choice fuels anxiety rather than freedom, and why structure is not the enemy of autonomy but its prerequisite. Barry challenges the assumption that motivation comes from rewards, arguing instead that learning must carry its own meaning if it’s going to last. Together, we explore: Why incentives in schools often function as band-aids rather than solutions How excessive choice erodes engagement and increases anxiety The danger of mistaking “intrinsic motivation” for entertainment Why sustained attention is a muscle that must be built, not bypassed How freedom without structure leads to intellectual anarchy Why education is always values-driven, whether we admit it or not What happens when schools prioritize credentials over understanding Why knowing the student matters more than perfect systems Barry also reflects on parenting, higher education, burnout, privatization, and the growing suspicion embedded in modern institutions. The throughline is clear: education is about building people, not managing systems. This episode is for educators, parents, leaders, and anyone wrestling with the tension between structure and autonomy in a world that wants simple answers to complex problems. Listen now and join the conversation: https://www.schurtzandties.com #SchurtzAndTies #DoGreatThings #KeepKnocking #Education #Motivation #Engagement #Leadership #Learning #BarrySchwartz

    52 min

  7. JAN 28

    Schurtz Shorts: What’s Our Guiding Light?

    Schurtz Short: What’s Our Guiding Light? In this Schurtz Short, Kasey Schurtz and Brian T. Miller wrestle with a deceptively simple question schools often rush past: What is our guiding light when we make decisions? As schools begin planning for the next year—staffing, policies, handbooks—this short conversation pushes beyond slogans and into something more concrete. If intellectual engagement is the non-negotiable task of schooling, what does that actually mean in practice? How do we avoid abstract vision statements that sound good but don’t guide real decisions? This episode explores: Why intellectual engagement isn’t optional—and isn’t the same as test scores How vague values create confusion instead of clarity The difference between identifying who we are and jumping too quickly to systems and processes A powerful reflective question for staff: Based on what we see every day, what do we actually value? Short, honest, and grounded in real leadership tension, this Schurtz Short is for principals, instructional leaders, and teachers who want their decisions to be anchored in something real—not just well-intended language. Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. And clarity keeps people in the thinking. www.schurtzhistory.com #dogreatthings #keepknocking

    25 min

  8. JAN 25

    Episode 129: When Inclusion Stops Working — A Conversation with Dr. Douglas Fuchs

    🎙️ Schurtz & Ties Dr. Douglas Fuchs on Inclusion, IDEA, and the Limits of the General Classroom In this episode of Schurtz & Ties, Kasey Schurtz sits down with Dr. Douglas Fuchs, one of the most influential scholars in special education, to explore one of the most pressing and emotionally charged questions in schools today: When is inclusion truly least restrictive—and when does it stop being instructionally responsible? Drawing on decades of research, classroom experience, and policy work, Dr. Fuchs helps unpack how good intentions around inclusion can drift into oversimplification, and why the IDEA framework was never designed to mean “general education at all costs.” This is a conversation about instructional limits, professional honesty, and what students with disabilities actually need to learn—not just belong. Inclusion as a moral imperative vs. an instructional decision Why Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is often misunderstood The difference between abolitionist and conservationist views of special education What IDEA actually says about placement and accommodation Why co-teaching often fails students with serious learning difficulties The limits of general education classrooms—even with strong teachers RTI / MTSS as an attempt to rethink general education structure What intensive, individualized instruction really requires Why expertise—not titles—matters most in special education The difference between enabling a disability and building independence What schools feel like when they get this right Much of the episode centers on the reality that learning problems are instructional problems, and that students with significant needs require teachers who can adapt instruction through data, not just provide accommodations . Dr. Douglas Fuchs is a Professor Emeritus of Special Education at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, where he has spent decades shaping the national conversation around learning disabilities, inclusion, and instructional design. His work has been foundational in areas including: Learning Disabilities research Data-Based Individualization (DBI) Instructional decision-making RTI / MTSS frameworks Special education policy interpretation Dr. Fuchs is known for bridging research, classroom reality, and federal law, often challenging schools to confront uncomfortable truths about capacity, expertise, and limits. Vanderbilt Peabody Faculty Biohttps://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/bio/douglas-fuchs/ Vanderbilt IRIS Center (Instructional Research & Practice)https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/ Research on Data-Based Individualization (DBI)https://intensiveintervention.org/ Publications and Research Profilehttps://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Douglas+Fuchs+special+education This episode is not about being “for” or “against” inclusion.It’s about being honest. Honest about what classrooms can sustain.Honest about what students need to learn.Honest about the difference between placement and instruction. As Dr. Fuchs reminds us, belonging without learning is not equity, and inclusion that ignores instructional reality ultimately fails the very students it aims to protect. 🎙️ Schurtz & TiesThoughtful conversations at the intersection of teaching, learning, and leadership.🌐 https://www.schurtzandties.com

    39 min
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Inspired by the classroom, Kasey Schurtz and Brian T. Miller wrestle with how to become better teachers, leaders, and people. Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivePD.com and is a proud member of the TeachBetter Podcast Network. You can find out more about Brian and Kasey, discover resources, and enjoy more content on their website, SchurtzandTies.com.

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