A Better Tomorrow is Possible with Jenni Awesome

Jennifer Awesome

What kind of world are we building—and is it worthy of our children? A Better Tomorrow Is Possible is a podcast about people, possibility, and progress—and the courageous conversations that can help us build what comes next. Hosted by educator, speaker, and nonprofit founder Jenni Awesome, the show explores education, leadership, belonging, culture, parenting, purpose, innovation, community, and the systems and ideas shaping our future. After more than 20 years in education—from the classroom to school leadership—Jenni believes meaningful change begins when we're willing to get curious, question what we've accepted as inevitable, listen to perspectives different from our own, and ask: Who does this serve? Does it actually work? What if there's another possibility? Some episodes feature honest conversations with educators, leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, parents, creators, community builders, and people challenging the status quo. Others are Jenni's unfiltered explorations of the questions she believes we need to be asking. You'll hear conversations about Reigniting Belonging, learning to FAIL Forward, challenging “we've always done it this way,” creating environments where people can thrive, and turning possibility into action. This isn't a podcast about having all the answers. It's about being brave enough to ask better questions. Because we don't need more people standing on the sidelines waiting for someone else to fix the world. We need thinkers. Listeners. Learners. Builders. If you believe our children deserve a future filled with dignity, belonging, curiosity, courage, and possibility, you're invited into the conversation. People. Possibility. Progress. A better tomorrow isn't something we wait for. It's something we build. Hosted by Jenni Awesome Awesome Consulting & Educational Services (ACES) Follow: @msjenniferawesome Join our Community: www.awesomeconsulting.org/subscribe

  1. 3d ago

    IEP Confidence: Know Your Rights with Frances Shefter

    The conversation covers the unintentional mistakes parents make in the IEP process, challenges with school trust and empowerment, personal experiences as a parent and education attorney, advocating for a child's needs in school, diagnosis and understanding of autism and PDA, involving children in IEP meetings and decision-making, parental involvement in IEP meetings and support groups, parental confidence in IEP meetings and understanding of child's needs, and empowering teachers to teach. The key takeaways include parental confidence in IEP meetings, supporting neurodivergent learners, and empowering teachers to teach. https://shefterlaw.com/ Takeaways Educational Law JourneyIEP Expertise Parental confidence in IEP meetingsSupporting neurodivergent learnersEmpowering teachers to teach Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Special Education Law03:00 Transition to Educational Law06:00 Role of an Educational Attorney08:48 When to Seek Legal Support11:07 Understanding IEP and Qualification15:08 Timelines and Rights of Parents25:05 Challenges with School Trust and Empowerment26:15 Personal Experience as a Parent and Education Attorney27:13 Advocating for Child's Needs in School29:27 Diagnosis and Understanding of Autism and PDA32:41 Involving Children in IEP Meetings and Decision-Making36:35 Parental Involvement in IEP Meetings and Support Groups43:36 Parental Confidence in IEP Meetings and Understanding of Child's Needs48:38 Empowering Teachers to Teach

  2. Aug 27

    Human Trafficking Survivor Misti Spencer: Grooming, Prevention & the Journey to Advocacy

    The conversation covers the themes of survivor advocacy and the impact of technology on children. Misti Spencer shares her journey as a survivor and advocate, highlighting the importance of serving others and breaking the cycle of isolation. Additionally, the discussion delves into the grooming process and the detrimental effects of technology on children's social and emotional development. The conversation delves into the generational impact of abuse and the importance of open and honest conversations with children. It emphasizes the need for teaching children boundaries, recognizing red flags, and the role of parents in preventing abuse. Personal stories are shared, highlighting the need for open dialogue and education on red flags and consequences. The conversation delves into the importance of empowering children with a voice and the impact of childhood trauma on adulthood. It also explores the role of the inner child in healing and the power of music in the healing process. https://mistispencer.com/ Takeaways Survivor AdvocacyImpact of Technology on Children Generational impact of abuseImportance of open and honest conversations with children Empower children with a voiceImportance of listening to children Chapters 00:00 Survivor Advocacy and Impact15:49 The Grooming Process30:00 Technology and Children35:05 Generational Impact of Abuse36:02 Teaching Children Boundaries and Red Flags37:18 The Role of Parents in Preventing Abuse48:31 Personal Stories and the Need for Open Dialogue59:21 Educating Children on Red Flags and Consequences01:03:22 Empowering Children with a Voice01:04:04 Healing and Rebuilding from Trauma01:05:03 The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adulthood01:06:29 The Role of Inner Child in Healing01:21:51 The Power of Music in Healing01:29:48 Empowering Children with a Voice

  3. Aug 25

    Empowering Families in Literacy with Dr. John Frias

    Dr. John Frias, an educational consultant, shares his journey in creating the Read Together, Rise Together program, emphasizing the need for family literacy engagement and the impact of empowering families through literacy. He discusses the positive changes in school culture, the importance of bridging the gap between school and families, and the role of AI and technology in education. Dr. Frias highlights the significance of building capacity and confidence in parents, drawing from personal experiences and insights to connect literacy to real-world experiences and engage families in literacy everywhere. He shares strategies for engaging families in literacy, including play-based and real-world connections. The conversation delves into the importance of empowering multilingual families, building confidence and engagement, the impact of family engagement, creating a culture of family engagement, the power of relationship building, intentional family engagement, and the importance of fun in education. Dr. John Freas shares insights on the significance of these themes and their impact on education and student success. Takeaways Empowering families through literacyBridging the gap between school and families Empowering multilingual families through literacy routinesThe critical role of family engagement in student success Chapters 00:00 Creating Read Together, Rise Together Program01:19 Recognizing the Need for Family Literacy Engagement02:12 Empowering Families Through Literacy03:39 Impact of Family Literacy Night06:21 Positive Changes in School Culture07:43 Bridging the Gap Between School and Families08:41 Equipping Parents for Family Engagement11:39 The Role of AI and Technology in Education13:49 Building Capacity and Confidence in Parents22:07 Personal Experiences and Insights19:00 Connecting Literacy to Real-World Experiences20:32 Engaging Families in Literacy Everywhere27:10 Strategies for Engaging Families in Literacy29:26 Empowering Multilingual Families32:50 Building Confidence and Engagement33:20 The Impact of Family Engagement35:15 Creating a Culture of Family Engagement37:12 The Power of Relationship Building37:41 Intentional Family Engagement51:20 The Importance of Fun in Education

About

What kind of world are we building—and is it worthy of our children? A Better Tomorrow Is Possible is a podcast about people, possibility, and progress—and the courageous conversations that can help us build what comes next. Hosted by educator, speaker, and nonprofit founder Jenni Awesome, the show explores education, leadership, belonging, culture, parenting, purpose, innovation, community, and the systems and ideas shaping our future. After more than 20 years in education—from the classroom to school leadership—Jenni believes meaningful change begins when we're willing to get curious, question what we've accepted as inevitable, listen to perspectives different from our own, and ask: Who does this serve? Does it actually work? What if there's another possibility? Some episodes feature honest conversations with educators, leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, parents, creators, community builders, and people challenging the status quo. Others are Jenni's unfiltered explorations of the questions she believes we need to be asking. You'll hear conversations about Reigniting Belonging, learning to FAIL Forward, challenging “we've always done it this way,” creating environments where people can thrive, and turning possibility into action. This isn't a podcast about having all the answers. It's about being brave enough to ask better questions. Because we don't need more people standing on the sidelines waiting for someone else to fix the world. We need thinkers. Listeners. Learners. Builders. If you believe our children deserve a future filled with dignity, belonging, curiosity, courage, and possibility, you're invited into the conversation. People. Possibility. Progress. A better tomorrow isn't something we wait for. It's something we build. Hosted by Jenni Awesome Awesome Consulting & Educational Services (ACES) Follow: @msjenniferawesome Join our Community: www.awesomeconsulting.org/subscribe