Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning

Seth Fleischauer
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Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning is the podcast for globally-minded educators seeking thoughtful conversations about how education can adapt to an ever-changing world. Your host is Seth Fleischauer, former classroom teacher turned founder of an international learning company specializing in the teaching of global learning. Each episode features educational changemakers whose insights lead to practical solutions as we explore the interconnectedness of people, cultures, and systems and how these relationships shape transformative ideas in education.

  1. #66 How a Scrappy Video Experiment Became a Model for Cultural Fluency (with Tsai Hsing Alumni)

    AUG 11

    #66 How a Scrappy Video Experiment Became a Model for Cultural Fluency (with Tsai Hsing Alumni)

    In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer takes us on the origin story of Learning Live—his scrappy, video-conferencing English program that began in 2007 with one camera and 42 fifth-graders in Taipei. Through candid student testimonials (from reporting on Ukraine news to college-application interviews) and Seth’s own memories of adapting progressive pedagogy to a Taiwanese context, we explore how this live virtual learning program evolved from a novel experiment into a model of cultural fluency, confidence, and connection that’s now reached over 5,000 students on three continents. Key Themes From Drill to Dialogue: How shifting away from grammar drills toward real-world communication transformed English learning.Context and Courage: Student stories of stepping out of comfort zones—using English to cover international news, interview professors, and tackle college applications.Blended Beginnings: The humble roots of Learning Live—borrowing teleconferencing gear after teaching in New York and pitching a bridge-across-the-world model to Tsai Hsing School in Taipei.Cultural Adaptation: Lessons in moving slowly, celebrating mistakes, and balancing collectivist expectations with a global mindset.Authentic Connection: Why imperfect, “messy” live virtual field trips—from Starbucks lines in L.A. to Christmas traditions—became powerful windows into everyday life around the world.Enduring Impact: How graduates carry forward confidence, critical thinking, and cultural fluency long after their time with the program ends.Student Voices “Because of this program, I had the courage to jump out of my comfort zone.”“Learning Live felt like a break from regular class—it was unforgettable.”“I use English now to report on international events and interview people for college applications.”“Those field trips—when the video shook or the audio crackled—it felt real, and that authenticity taught me more than any textbook.”Host & Guest Bios - Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and the architect of Learning Live. After experimenting with contextualized English lessons in Taipei, he pioneered daily, live virtual classes that blend quality pedagogy with cross-cultural exchange. Over 17 years, his program has helped thousands of students build language skills, confidence, and global citizenship. - Featured Alumni include: Jasper, current Boston University finance studentAlicia, reporter at Taiwan’s news stationEmily, Ariel, and Ian - 12th graders at Tsai Hsing High SchoolEpisode Links Banyan Global Learning: https://www.banyangloballearning.comLearn more about Learning Live: https://banyangloballearning.com/learning-live-2/

    21 min
  2. Make It Mindful Rewind: #41 Lindy Hockenbary on AI in Teacher PD

    JUL 16

    Make It Mindful Rewind: #41 Lindy Hockenbary on AI in Teacher PD

    How can schools use AI thoughtfully to help educators reclaim time, reduce burnout, and stay focused on teaching? In this condensed episode of Make It Mindful, EdTech expert Lindy Hockenbary joins us to unpack what practical, human-first AI-powered professional development really looks like for teachers today. We dig into: Where AI makes the biggest difference (and where it doesn’t)How to help teachers start using AI without adding overwhelmWhy mindful, teacher-first PD matters now more than ever👉 Want to bring AI into your school with confidence and clarity? Download our free AI PD Starter Kit — a quick-start guide to help educators use AI as a tool to enhance learning. 📥 Download the Starter Kit

    15 min
  3. #65 Why We’re All Becoming Third Culture Kids with Chris O'Shaugnessy

    JUN 30

    #65 Why We’re All Becoming Third Culture Kids with Chris O'Shaugnessy

    In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Chris O’Shaughnessy, international speaker, author, and advocate for third culture kids (TCKs) - children who grow up in a culture different from their parents’ or passport country and who often attend international schools. The episode explores how the TCK experience is becoming increasingly relevant for students everywhere. Chris and Seth discuss how growing up with multiple cultural inputs and frequent transitions shapes identity, empathy, conflict resolution, and resilience—and why these same themes are essential in today’s rapidly changing world. The episode highlights how we can build the small “weights” of resilience into classrooms and homes, helping students better navigate discomfort, conflict, and complexity. Key Topics Discussed: What defines a third culture kid and why their experiences matter beyond international schoolsIdentity formation and the challenge of answering “Where are you from?” in a globalized worldHow relational resilience is undermined by both transience and technologyThe cost of avoidance and the rise of “relationship disposability”Why adaptability is a critical life skill and how to help students build itThe need for intentional inefficiencies to build resilience in the age of convenienceHow rethinking culture as a non-zero-sum game creates more compassionate global citizensGuest Bio: Chris O’Shaughnessy is a speaker, author, and passionate advocate for international and third culture kid communities. With a background in both performance and global education, Chris brings humor and insight to topics like identity, cross-cultural communication, and resilience. He has worked with international schools, diplomatic organizations, and corporate groups around the world. Host Bio: Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for global, digital, and cultural competencies in education. Through live virtual programs and thought leadership, he helps students and educators explore the interconnectedness of people, cultures, and systems. Episode Links: Chris O’s website: www.chris-o.comChris’s podcast Diesel & Clooney Unpack the WorldBook: Arrivals, Departures, and the Adventures In-Between by Chris O’ShaughnessyHost Links: Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.

    42 min
  4. #64 CTE 2.0: Preparing Students for High-Wage, High-Demand Futures with Chris Brida

    MAY 19

    #64 CTE 2.0: Preparing Students for High-Wage, High-Demand Futures with Chris Brida

    In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Chris Brida, district administrator at Portland Public Schools, to explore how career and technical education (CTE) can transform K-12 learning. They discuss the urgent need for public-private partnerships and the role of cross-functional teams in driving educational systems change. The episode highlights how aligning education with workforce needs can empower students with durable, transferable skills—without sacrificing choice or creativity. Key Topics Discussed: The evolution of CTE: from vocational stigma to future-ready pathwaysWhy CTE must start before high school: awareness, exploration, and preparationBuilding public-private partnerships to align K-12 with workforce needsHow to design systems that are nimble, sustainable, and equitableThe power of cross-functional teams to solve educational problemsWhy K-12 must stop working in isolation—and what happens when it doesn'tHow bringing in outside expertise can solve internal challenges (like teacher burnout)Guest Bio: Chris Brida is a district administrator for Portland Public Schools, overseeing Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. He is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky, where his research focuses on the role of public-private partnerships in education systems change. Host Bio: Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for global education. He leads conversations with forward-thinking educators who are shaping the future of learning by connecting people, cultures, and systems. Episode Links: Connect with Chris Brida on LinkedInLearn more about Portland Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education programsHost Links: Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.

    40 min
  5. #63 What If Middle School Didn’t Suck? Rethinking Adolescence with Chris Balme

    MAY 5

    #63 What If Middle School Didn’t Suck? Rethinking Adolescence with Chris Balme

    In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Chris Balme, educator, author, and founder of Hakuba International School and Millennium School, to explore how middle school can be redesigned to better support adolescent development. They discuss how current structures often fail kids during this crucial time—and how identity, social belonging, and real-world engagement can drive meaningful transformation. The episode highlights the importance of brave spaces, authentic adult role models, and trusting students to lead. Key Topics Discussed: Why middle school “doesn’t have to suck”—and how to redesign itThree developmental drivers in early adolescence: identity, social belonging, and contributionThe role of advisory in creating safe and brave spaces for meaning-makingHow weird (authentic) adults help model real growth for studentsThe power of apprenticeships and real-world learning experiencesNavigating cultural authenticity in American and Japanese school contextsHow distance learning can level access to global ideas and connectionsGuest Bio: Chris Balme is an internationally recognized educator, school founder, and author of Finding the Magic in Middle School. He founded Millennium School in San Francisco and Hakuba International School in Japan, both designed around the developmental needs of adolescents. Chris is also the creator of Spark, a nonprofit that has facilitated over 17,000 apprenticeships for middle schoolers. His newsletter, Growing Wiser, shares ongoing insights on adolescent learning. Host Bio: Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for teaching digital and cultural competencies through a global lens. Episode Links: Chris Balme’s book: Finding the Magic in Middle School – https://www.findingthemagicinmiddleschool.comGrowing Wiser Newsletter – https://chrisbalme.substack.comHakuba International School – https://www.hakuba-is.jpMillennium School – https://millenniumschool.org

    33 min
  6. #62 Peer-Based Mental Health with Dr. Hayley Watson

    APR 21

    #62 Peer-Based Mental Health with Dr. Hayley Watson

    In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Dr. Hayley Watson, clinical psychologist and founder of Open Parachute, to explore how schools can meaningfully address student mental health without overburdening teachers. They unpack the developmental science behind peer-based mental health education and discuss how a preventative, skill-based approach can empower both students and educators. Key Topics Discussed: Why traditional therapy alone can’t meet the scale of the youth mental health crisis.How peer-driven, documentary-style lessons create authentic, relatable entry points for mental health discussions.The power of practicing emotional regulation, communication, and critical thinking in a classroom setting.Why teachers don’t need to be mental health experts to facilitate meaningful conversations.The developmental need for adolescents to learn from peers rather than adult authority figures.How Open Parachute equips educators with ready-to-use, non-clinical mental health lessons.What happens when we avoid the “can of worms” — and why we must open it with care and structure.Building a culture of self-reflection in schools to shape future generations of emotionally aware adults.Guest Bio: Dr. Hayley Watson is a clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health and the founder of Open Parachute. Her organization provides documentary-based mental health education programs for schools globally, helping students build emotional resilience and social-emotional skills through authentic peer storytelling. Host Bio: Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for global competence, digital literacy, and education reform. As a former classroom teacher, he brings deep experience and thoughtful insight to conversations that bridge practice and possibility in today’s schools. Episode Links: Try Open Parachute for free: https://openparachuteschools.comConnect with Hayley on LinkedIn: Dr. Hayley Watson

    43 min
  7. #61 Why Most PLCs Don’t Work—and How to Fix Them with Steve Ventura

    APR 7

    #61 Why Most PLCs Don’t Work—and How to Fix Them with Steve Ventura

    In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Steve Ventura, educator, author, and founder of the Achievement Teams model. They explore how reflective teaching, collective efficacy, and purposeful collaboration can transform both teacher culture and student outcomes. Ventura shares why traditional PLCs often fall short—and how his framework, rooted in evidence and emotional intelligence, gives teachers the tools to improve practice without fear. The conversation highlights the emotional challenges of teacher self-assessment, the power of root cause analysis, and the global applications of culturally responsive collaboration. Pain Point: Teachers are expected to constantly improve—but often lack the time, structure, and emotional safety to do so effectively. Solution: Achievement Teams provide a collaborative framework that supports honest reflection, shared responsibility, and mid-course corrections grounded in student data—not blame. Action: Start small. Identify one meaningful learning target, build a short-cycle assessment, and focus on what you can control. From there, build trust and clarity within your team before scaling up. Episode Links: Steve Ventura’s WebsiteAchievement Teams book on AmazonHost Links: Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.

    34 min
  8. #60 Why This Online Model Outperforms Traditional Education with Highgrove's Heather Rhodes

    MAR 24

    #60 Why This Online Model Outperforms Traditional Education with Highgrove's Heather Rhodes

    Many educators assume online education is inherently inferior to in-person learning—especially when it comes to student agency, academic rigor, and building a real sense of community. Teachers worry students will fall behind, become socially isolated, or struggle to self-motivate in virtual settings. Heather Rhodes, founder of Highgrove Education and former leader of Harrow School Online, proves otherwise. Her students consistently outperform their in-person peers while becoming confident, globally-minded adults. In this episode, Heather shares the key structures behind that success: • Flipped learning models that promote deeper understanding. • Cultural collaboration and rituals that foster true connection. • Executive functioning skill-building baked into the curriculum. • A values-based culture of shared academic goals and high expectations. Listen in to learn how online educators—and brick-and-mortar schools too—can build learner autonomy, nurture global citizenship, and deliver world-class academic outcomes. Plus, Heather shares how conflict transformation, small-group work, and personalized coaching create a safe and rigorous environment where students thrive. Key Topics Discussed: • How to build community in an international online school • Fostering learner autonomy and executive functioning • The flipped classroom model done right • Turning cultural differences into shared values • Why online learning might actually reduce social conflict • What kind of adults online education can uniquely produce Guest Bio: Heather Rhodes is the founder of Highgrove Education and the former leader of Harrow School Online. With over a decade of experience at the forefront of online international education, she’s known for designing high-impact models that combine academic excellence with global citizenship. Host Bio: Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world. Episode Links: 1. Highgrove Education 2. Highgrove Speaker Series – A public-facing program of expert-led talks that anyone can attend, not just enrolled students.

    35 min
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Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning is the podcast for globally-minded educators seeking thoughtful conversations about how education can adapt to an ever-changing world. Your host is Seth Fleischauer, former classroom teacher turned founder of an international learning company specializing in the teaching of global learning. Each episode features educational changemakers whose insights lead to practical solutions as we explore the interconnectedness of people, cultures, and systems and how these relationships shape transformative ideas in education.

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