Change the Narrative

Let’s face it, the ROI on publishing a book is ridiculous. But there are many reasons why you should–or at least tackle a project of this scope.  In this episode, author and award-winning educator Michael Hernandez talks about his hate/love relationship with reading and writing, and explains why his first book almost didn’t happen. In this episode: A list of reasons why you should write your own b...

Educators, parents, and schools everywhere are worried about cheating with AI. But it turns out that it isn’t artificial intelligence that’s the problem–its artificial assessment.  In this episode, author and award-winning educator Michael Hernandez argues that the ways we try to measure students–and even create entire school systems and calendars around testing– has drained the love of learning f...

AI is disrupting entry level jobs, causing schools to rethink what they teach. If you’re a parent, student, or teacher worried about artificial intelligence and the future of college and work, this episode is for you. In this episode, host Michael Hernandez helps us reframe these challenges as an over reliance on technique and mechanics, and offers three driving questions to help everyone determin...

An entire generation of teachers and parents grew up under No Child Left Behind. Now AI is forcing us to remember what good teaching and learning is all about. Educators are struggling to figure out what to do about AI and academic integrity, and low student engagement and chronic absenteeism. And while there are plenty of people who are good at diagnosing the problem, few are coming up with pract...

When confronted with intense workloads and a constantly changing world (and technological changes like AI), it only makes sense that educators and leaders feel the need to double down on cultures of compliance that traditional teaching and assessments create–its a way for us to manage the chaos in our lives and work. But we’ve forgotten that our students are really no different from us, and as the...

The end of the year is always a time for reflection–and it’s B-side, goal-setting. Like the thesis statement of an essay, assessments can be a concluding sentence to sum everything up, or it can be placed at the top of the page like a road map or mission statement, challenging and preparing us for what’s to come. It got me thinking about assessment as a place to start rather than a place to end, l...

Last year was really rough, and we’re happy to put it behind us. So this season I thought I’d give us all a break from the noise, and share constructive and inspiring ideas to help us adapt and thrive in 2026. These are highlights from some of my favorite content that I’ve published recently. These micro-episodes are inspired by my monthly newsletter, keynotes, and conference presentations, and ar...

Watch this episode on YouTube   Join the webinar discussed in this episode . In this episode, Michael Hernandez shares his journey of writing and publishing his first nonfiction book. He discusses the importance of choosing the right topic, building an audience, and the decision between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Michael also delves into the legal aspects of contracts, offers tips...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   WATCH this episode on YouTube In this episode, Michael speaks with Dr. Rod Berger, an expert in storytelling and author of 'The Narrative Edge.' They discuss the importance of authentic storytelling, the writing process, and the challenges faced by first-time authors. Dr. Berger shares insights on findi...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   WATCH this episode on Youtube: Acquisitions editor Valerie Witt shares her journey as an editor and author, discussing the intricacies of the book publishing process, the balance between traditional and self-publishing, and the essential roles of editors. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between a...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   WATCH this episode on YouTube:  In this episode, filmmaker and professor Kent Hayward discusses his book 'Green Filmmaking', which focuses on sustainable practices in the film industry. He highlights the environmental impact of filmmaking, including waste generation and resource consumption. Kent shares...

Watch this episode on YouTube Learn about the writers workshop webinar Should you co-author your next book? Should you even write a book, or should you stick to platforms like newsletters and blogs? In this episode, Michael Hernandez talks with Columbia professor and education leaders Reshan Richards and Steve Valentine about their journey in co-authoring books, the challenges they faced, and thei...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelHernandez1/podcasts In this episode, Michael talks with author and education consultant Starr Sackstein about her journey as an author, discussing the motivations behind her first book, the importance of building a writing habit, and the unique pers...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   WATCH this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z4tFFjc3wTI?si=wilNOqXZ_h1JcqS_   In this episode, author and speaker Michael Hernandez talks with book editor Stephanie Argy about what new writers need to know about working with an editor, the intricacies of the publishing process, and the unique aspects of pub...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KEZqikvwuTQ?si=EtJsXfkNEkUSFEGq   In this episode, learning experience designer and CEO Erin Huizenga discusses her journey as a self-published author, sharing insights about her book 'Learning in the Wild', her writing process, and the motivations behind her deci...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   Watch this episode on YouTube . In this episode, host Michael Hernandez speaks with equity designer Susie Wise about her book published by the Stanford d. School, 'Design for Belonging,' which focuses on the importance of inclusion and collaboration in communities. They discuss the concept of design as...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6   Watch this episode on YouTube . In this episode, host Michael Hernandez speaks with performing arts leadership consultant Aubrey Bergauer about her first book, 'Run It Like a Business,' which provides a guide for arts organizations on how to thrive in a challenging environment. Aubrey discusses the purp...

Book Authoring Webinar mentioned in this episode: https://forms.gle/H4AaqdQkbgwWCdDR6 Watch this episode on YouTube In the first episode of this season is dedicated to publishing nonfiction books, host Michael Hernandez and edtech and curriculum consultant Monica Burns delve into the intricacies of authoring books, particularly in the realm of education technology. Monica shares her journey from b...

Season 5 of Change the Narrative is a series of conversations with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. These teachers from across North America went on expedition to places like Antarctica, Galapagos, the Arctic and others, to learn about the natural world and bring back inspirational learning experiences for their schools and colleagues. Find out how the experience...

Ali Pressel is a science communicator and environmental educator with over 20 years of experience working in secondary sciences education. Her background is in environmental sciences and she holds a Bachelor degree from Rutgers University and a Master degree from the University of Maryland. Ali has spent the past 17 years of her professional career working in schools in Northeast Florida, encourag...

Season 5 of Change the Narrative is a series of conversations with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. These teachers from across North America went on expedition to places like Antarctica, Galapagos, the Arctic and others, to learn about the natural world and bring back inspirational learning experiences for their schools and colleagues. Find out how the experience...

Season 5 of Change the Narrative is a series of conversations with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. These teachers from across North America went on expedition to places like Antarctica, Galapagos, the Arctic and others, to learn about the natural world and bring back inspirational learning experiences for their schools and colleagues. Find out how the experience...

Facts and statistics have so far failed to get humans to change our behavior to address the climate crisis. But can beauty? In this episode, host Michael Hernandez talks with marine biologist Jonny Reid about the importance of noticing, and how the beauty of the world may just save us–if we make time and space to do so. This episode was produced as part of Michael's Lindblad Expeditions/Nation...

Maybe you’ve tried (and failed) to take photos–of a concert, a skyscraper, or the Grand Canyon–that truly captures the immensity of the object or experience. In this episode, host Michael Hernandez talks with National Geographic photographer Susan Seubert about the limits of photography, especially when trying to convey something as vast as Antarctica, yet at the same time, emphasizing the importa...

While we often assume that Antarctica is an untouched, pristine continent, there is actually a long history of exploration and research–and yes, exploitation–of Antarctica. On an expedition to the Great White Continent, host Michael Hernandez visits the British research station at Port Lockroy, now operated by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust , which the busiest tourist attraction on the continent,...