The Conscious Classroom

Amy Edelstein
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The Conscious Classroom with host Amy Edelstein explores the future of education and the world of mindfulness and contemplative approaches in education. Amy is the Founder and Executive Director of the award winning nonprofit Inner Strength Education, which trained more than 35,000 students and supported 5,000 teachers in its first decade with evidence based programming.  In each episode, Amy, who began her own meditation practice more than 40 years ago, leans into the edge of authentic transformative practices and makes them relevant and accessible. She shares classroom tools and activities for adolescents and young adults, articulates why teaching students about perspectives, worldviews, and context develops essential skills for long term happiness and success in work and life. Incorporating trauma sensitive approaches, systems thinking, and emotional intelligence to empower teens and uplift school communities, the Conscious Classroom is rooted in real life, field-tested approaches. Honored with a Philadelphia Social Innovation Award and a Philadelphia City Council Resolution for her work, Amy is passionate about what's possible and inspired to share that with you. More at: www.InnerStrengthEducation.org

  1. JAN 18

    Meme Carriers - An Encounter with Alexa

    Send us a text A simple request for the time turned into a lesson on hidden defaults and the values they carry. When Alexa, perhaps the most popular voice assistant offered eight new voices, Amy Edelstein follows the breadcrumb trail from “small” UX choices to big cultural scripts that land in our homes and classrooms. Along the way, she unpack how labels like “professional” for a male voice and “soothing” for female voices quietly reset expectations for students who are still forming their sense of agency and identity. She looks at the idea of “meme carriers”: everyday cues, tones, and rituals that spread norms, for better or worse. From monks walking for peace to smart devices whispering who belongs in the boardroom, she looks at how these signals shape what young people believe is possible.  Sharing strategies to teach meta-awareness, Amy offers methods on how to guide teens to notice who writes the menu of choices, what got left off, and how to envision the values that lift us up. She leads a guided meditation that helps listeners touch clarity, compassion, and strength . Looking ahead, she offers a sketch for values-aware AI in education: tools that enable cross-cultural exchange with nuance, establish firm safety boundaries, and make empowerment the default.  If you’re an educator, parent, or builder who cares about how design choices ripple through student lives, this conversation offers both reflection and action. Please like, subscribe, review, share with a friend. Your insights fuel future episodes! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    32 min

  2. 11/01/2025

    Mindfulness, More than A Productivity Hack

    Send us a text In this episode, Amy Edelstein unpacks why mindfulness goes beyond technique and how wonder is a key ingredient that develops authentic leadership in young people and adults. Mindfulness as only an add-on falls short of what it can be and how awe, gratitude, and presence foster the qualities of autonomy and leadership that are becoming more and more important. She encourages reflection on the wonder of human capacities, at a time when there is much attention on the capabilities of synthetic intelligence.  In this session, Amy will • contrast typical executive coaching models with the Inner Strength model of cultivating inner strength for outer stability  • reframes mindful awareness as reverence for our capabilities, not only as a productivity tool • explores gratitude for how evolution has unfolded, leading to the beauty and diversity of life on earth, and see that as a foundation for empathy and courage • shows how intuitive leadership does not need to be sloppy, it can be  informed, integrated and multi-faceted discernment • invites educators to point students to wonder and to see mindfulness in terms of what it can reveal rather than as a tool to address only deficits Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    29 min

  3. 10/05/2025

    Teaching Wonder: Jane Goodall inspires a Conscious Generation

    Send us a text What if the most powerful classroom tool isn’t another strategy, but a deeper way of seeing? In this episode, Amy Edelstein explore show purpose, presence, and philosophical clarity can reshape teaching from the inside out—so young people feel safe to grow, wonder, and lead with heart. As Amy reflects on the quiet force of Jane Goodall’s life—her translucent presence, her unflinching observation of beauty and brutality, and her devotion to conservation—and translates those lessons into daily actions educators can take: walk lighter, listen longer, hold paradox without flinching.  We then meet Peace Pilgrim, who turned values into motion, walking tens of thousands of miles as a living argument for peace. Her witness is a blueprint for schools: align methods with aims, structure learning for cooperation, and make compassion visible when tensions rise.  Threaded through the episode is a case for philosophy as a practical compass. When conflict and noise escalate, ethical reflection keeps action aligned with the world we want to build. Be sure to settle yourself before a long guided meditation to help you connect with the deeper currents you want to share with your students.  Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    30 min

  4. 09/09/2025

    Middle School Mindfulness, Made Practical

    Send us a text In this episode, Amy Edelstein shares a practical, developmentally appropriate guidance on teaching mindfulness to middle schoolers. She describes how to adjust practices to this age group, with a focus on structure, repetition, and emotional intelligence.  Paying attention to their emerging selfhood, a teacher can guide that emergence while recognizing that students are still very group oriented.  Short, tactile practices, playful competition, and thoughtful repeated transitions help students build mindfulness habits that will last. Tips and Guidelines in this session: • modeling calm, order, and consistent routines • keeping practices short and repeating for depth • focusing on emotional intelligence over abstract discussions around the thought process • focusing on emotional intelligence through role play And other activities will help you design a session and a set of classroom activities that will build your students' self knowledge, resilience, and happiness.  Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    24 min

  5. 08/10/2025

    Letting Go & Creating Safe Spaces: Rituals for the Conscious Classroom

    Send us a text For teachers feeling overwhelmed by global challenges and classroom responsibilities, this episode offers a lifeline of wisdom. Amy Edelstein delves into the transformative power of letting go—not as abandonment of responsibility, but as a profound acceptance that creates space for growth. Just as great trees stand witness through storms and seasons, we can bear witness, standing still, mindfully being with emotions without trying to fix them. We can practice being present with our own anxiety, grief, or despair. Inner work is essential. When we metabolize our emotions, we become capable of authentically seeing our students as unique individuals deserving of personalized attention. The Refuge Ritual: How 5 Minutes Before Class Can Change So Much In this episode Amy gives several practices, so you can create that space for yourself and as you create inner space the outer space will be there too.  Magic happens when we educators do our inner work: students feel our authenticity and respond with trust. They become willing to step outside their comfort zones, support each other, and experience the joy of learning in community. In a world of educational bureaucracy that can unintentionally dehumanize, these practices bring humanity, personalization, and connection back into our classrooms. Ready to transform your teaching experience? Listen now, then visit innerstrengtheducation.org for more resources to support your journey toward conscious education. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    20 min

  6. 06/30/2025

    Mindful Interconnectedness: Seeing Beyond Personal Stress

    Send us a text In this episode, Amy Edelstein explains why she included the lessons on systems thinking in the Inner Strength Teen Mindfulness Program.  Teaching students how to understand their experiences within larger systems, helps them manage stress by seeing interconnections across time and society rather than taking challenges personally. You'll learn why: • Teaching teens to think in context allows them to see how their current stressors connect to broader historical developments • Systems thinking serves as powerful self-care by revealing our interdependence and reducing feelings of isolation • Understanding interdependence helps students not overpersonalize challenges, reducing depression and reactivity • First graders successfully used systems diagrams to solve playground conflicts by identifying intervention points • Looking at friend dynamics as systems rather than just individual personalities creates new solutions • Focusing on what makes whole systems work well naturally leads to better outcomes for individuals • Mindfulness creates space to acknowledge personal feelings while still seeing the bigger picture • Systems thinking helps students identify upstream leverage points for positive change rather than just trying to "fix" themselves As always, Amy invites you to experiment with systems thinking in your own life and practice. See what happens and whether you can internalize this profound shift in perspective!  Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    24 min

  7. 05/31/2025

    Closing the School Year with Purpose: Mindful Rites of Passage

    Send us a text We explore how to end the school year with mindful intention and purpose by creating powerful rites of passage that help students recognize their growth, learn from challenges, and prepare for summer with confidence. • Experiential mindfulness activity for you, the listener, to help all teachers acknowledge their own accomplishments, learn from challenges, and recognize personal growth • Creating conscious endings for students that transform an academic year closing into a meaningful rite of passage • Guiding students to re-contextualize mistakes and identify their new capabilities and responsibilities • Helping students create summer support systems with identified go-to people for different needs (fun, advice, safety) • Developing "streak buddies" and activity plans to maintain positive habits during unstructured summer time • Teaching the balance of strong moral values while holding space for growth after transgressions • Implementing simple celebration rituals that honor the journey shared between teachers and students To learn more about these practices, visit innerstrengtheducation.org where you'll find additional resources and information about conscious classroom approaches. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    29 min

  8. 04/26/2025

    True North: The Key to Navigating Change in Education

    Send us a text In this episode Amy Edelstein explores what it can meet to root in our True North, our deepest values, when we lean into how education needs to transform. The questions surrounding education's future form an intricate web: How do we pause and reflect while simultaneously responding to the immediate needs of our students? Who funds it and why? What outcomes do we desire? How do we serve students with vastly different backgrounds and trajectories?  When confronting  complexity, Amy looks at how returning to a "true north" of universal human values—compassion, care, and recognition of each person's dignity—provides both stability and flexibility.  This podcast explores the essential paradox of educational transformation: we need time for deep reflection, yet our students continue growing each day, requiring immediate guidance. By embracing both patience and urgency, holding our preconceived ideas lightly while standing firmly in our humanity, we create space for innovations that honor both the passionate curiosity of youth and the thoughtful discernment needed for lasting change. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review! Your review supports our podcast to reach more educators and share the importance of creating more conscious classrooms. We are committed to sharing insights that transform outlooks and inspire with what's possible. Subscribe so you don't miss a single episode and Review so your friends can listen too. Visit Inner Strength Education for more on the great work of the Conscious Classroom. Bringing mindfulness, compassion, and systems thinking to empower young minds. Get your copy of the award-winning, #1 bestseller The Conscious Classroom: The Inner Strength System for Transforming the Teenage Mind.

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Conscious Classroom with host Amy Edelstein explores the future of education and the world of mindfulness and contemplative approaches in education. Amy is the Founder and Executive Director of the award winning nonprofit Inner Strength Education, which trained more than 35,000 students and supported 5,000 teachers in its first decade with evidence based programming.  In each episode, Amy, who began her own meditation practice more than 40 years ago, leans into the edge of authentic transformative practices and makes them relevant and accessible. She shares classroom tools and activities for adolescents and young adults, articulates why teaching students about perspectives, worldviews, and context develops essential skills for long term happiness and success in work and life. Incorporating trauma sensitive approaches, systems thinking, and emotional intelligence to empower teens and uplift school communities, the Conscious Classroom is rooted in real life, field-tested approaches. Honored with a Philadelphia Social Innovation Award and a Philadelphia City Council Resolution for her work, Amy is passionate about what's possible and inspired to share that with you. More at: www.InnerStrengthEducation.org

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Edelstein
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Amy Edelstein
  • Show Website
    The Conscious Classroom