Change Starts Here

Difficult conversations shape culture. In this episode, host Dustin Odham sits down with Todd Davis to unpack why relationships are the operating system of leadership and how trust grows through specific, repeatable behaviors. They translate big ideas into concrete moves, from framing purpose and positive intent to the small language shifts that make feedback clearer and more helpful. You will lea...

Behavior isn’t who a student is–it’s what they’re trying to say. In this compelling episode of Change Starts Here, host Kim Yarris, M.Ed. challenges educators to see behavior as communication, not character. Connecting national trends with real classroom realities, Kim helps leaders and teachers decode what students are truly expressing. Discover how small, intentional shifts in language, routines...

This episode makes the case for gratitude as a real leadership skill, not a seasonal sentiment. Dustin Odham explains how appreciation fuels human connection, shifts teams from performance to people, and changes outcomes when leaders move gratitude from feeling to action. Gratitude is positioned as oxygen for culture, a daily choice that multiplies trust and belonging across classrooms, teams, and...

This episode explores a research informed lens for educator wellbeing, separating the brain’s wanting and needing systems and showing how chronic stress can push teachers to ignore needs until the tank runs dry. Dr. Eve Miller and Kim Yaris connect the science to lived experience, translating the model into clear metaphors and practical, repeatable moves that help educators respond instead of reac...

This episode explores how culture actually grows in schools, not through one big initiative, but through tiny moments that build trust, belonging, and momentum. Host Ashley Carranco talks with celebrated Keynote Speaker and Program Facilitator, Phil Boyte, about practical ways leaders can connect with people first, pace culture work across the year, and design simple rituals that make staff and st...

This episode invites educators to rethink how they relate to themselves in the work, treating self compassion as a practical leadership stance rather than a luxury. The lens is simple, care for the adult nervous system, and the classroom becomes steadier, more curious, and more humane. The aim is not lower expectations, it is wiser energy, clearer choices, and a climate where mistakes are part of...

Across the country, proficiency is sliding and absenteeism is climbing, yet there is a practical path that moves the needle. In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham makes a case for student ownership as the missing engine behind academic improvement, engagement, and long term readiness. Dustin connects national context to daily classroom reality, then shows what ownership actually...

Funding challenges often feel like the biggest barrier in education, but with the right strategy, leaders can avoid common pitfalls and unlock new opportunities. In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down with FranklinCovey Education’s Director of Funding, Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, to explore the three most common missteps districts face on the road to funding, and how to ove...

Chronic absenteeism has become one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. Nationally, nearly one in four students misses more than 10% of the school year, an alarming increase since the pandemic. In this episode of Change Starts Here, we dig into the data, the “why” behind the trend, and most importantly, what leaders and teachers can do about it. Through real stories from the field, incl...

What does it really take to build a school culture where every student can thrive? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down with Dr. Christi Buell, an educator driven by her passion to create meaningful learning environments that every child deserves. Christi shares how leaders can put people before programs to strengthen school culture, engage students and staff in the p...

Change Starts Here: Research Conversations is back for a brand-new season! In this first episode, hosts Dr. Eve Miller Ph. D. and Kim Yaris, M.Ed explore the secret to sustaining that back-to-school energy all year long by building strong teacher-student relationships. They dive into real stories from the field, including how a kindergarten teacher transformed a crying student into a classroom lea...

Ever worry that students might slip through the cracks, unnoticed for who they really are? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham shares a personal story about his son’s first days in middle school and the fear that he might become “just another face in the hallway.” Through the stories of Emily, Marcus, and Jared; three students whose hidden genius is often overlooked. Dustin ex...

Change Starts Here is back for a brand-new season! In this first episode, host Dustin Odham dives into how the way we see the year ahead shapes our leadership, our teams, and the impact we create. He explores why real change doesn’t come from doing it all at once, but from focusing on a few meaningful actions done well. Dustin challenges listeners to call out growth, name potential, and lead with...

Dustin Odom is a passionate educator, leadership development expert, and host of the "Change Starts Here" podcast, where he explores how internal transformation fuels external change in schools, communities, and organizations. As a podcast host, Dustin has conducted compelling conversations with educational leaders across the country, from superintendents transforming school districts to c...

How do you prepare students for jobs that don't even exist yet? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down with McLain Schaefer, Director of LIFT (Leaders Innovating for Tomorrow), a groundbreaking regional innovation and technology center in central Illinois that's redefining what Career and Technical Education can be. McLain shares his journey from elementary prin...

What does the future of workforce development look like—and how can education and business leaders work together to shape it? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down with Dean Faile, President and CEO of the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce, to explore how aligning education with evolving industry needs can empower the next generation of leaders. Dean shares his...

How do you create great leaders in the educational system? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham is joined by Laurie Brooks and Lynne Fox to explore the 4 roles of Leadership within the school system and how to utilize those roles effectively. In a conference style setting, Dustin dives into Laurie and Lynne's process of creating great leaders, both on the playground and not...

What happens when we shift from controlling outcomes to empowering people? In the season finale of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham explores how trust isn't just a leadership trait—it's the foundation of real, lasting impact in schools. Dustin dives into the essential shift from micromanagement to meaningful collaboration, showing how extending trust helps build stronger teams, deeper...

Leadership in education means empowering every student to recognize their unique strengths and potential. When we shift our mindset from "special education" to "students with exceptionalities," we transform how we view, support, and include all learners in our schools. In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down with Kimberly Gardner, the first-ever Assistant...

What happens when students step beyond the classroom walls and into the communities they live in? Meaningful connection. Real-world perspective. And a powerful sense of purpose. In this final episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education, and Kim Yaris, M.Ed., Associate Director of Research, explore how community partn...

What does it really mean to belong? It’s more than just being present in a room—it’s about feeling seen, heard, and valued. In a school setting, belonging plays a critical role in shaping students’ motivation, engagement, and success. When students know they’re a meaningful part of their environment, everything from their academic performance to their social well-being improves. In this episode of...

Ever feel like your day is running you instead of the other way around? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham explores one of the most powerful tools for effective leadership: the Time Management Matrix. Learn how shifting from spending time to investing time can unlock long-term success—for your team, your students, and yourself. Dustin unpacks why quadrant two (important but n...

Language is more than just communication—it’s a powerful tool that shapes how we think, feel, and experience the world. In this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, Kim Yaris, M.Ed., Associate Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education, and Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding at FranklinCovey Education, dive into the deep connection between language and learning. The...

Leadership in education isn’t just about policies and procedures—it’s about putting students first. When school leaders shift their mindset to serve students and staff rather than simply oversee them, they create an environment where everyone can thrive. Welcome to Change Starts Here. Join host Dustin Odham as he sits down with Dr. Toriano Holloway, Superintendent of Vicksburg Warren School Distri...

Think back to a time when you felt truly empowered to make a decision. Perhaps it was choosing your career path, selecting a home, or even deciding how to tackle a challenging project. That feeling of ownership and control is powerful—it drives motivation, persistence, and ultimately, success. Now imagine if we could cultivate that same sense of empowerment in our students from an early age. In th...