Change Starts Here

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...

Imagine standing at a crossroads. In one direction, you can react to every challenge that comes your way, constantly fighting fires and feeling overwhelmed. In the other, you can choose to focus on what you can control, taking ownership of your responses and creating meaningful change—even within constraints. Which path will you choose? Join us on Change Starts Here as host Dustin Odham continues...

There are countless stories about the power of belief—whether in classic fairytales, sports movies, or the journeys of groundbreaking innovators, we often see the impossible become possible through self-belief. But does believing in yourself, or self-efficacy, truly make a difference in real life, especially in education? In this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, Dr. Jennifer...

Building leadership in your district doesn’t start with conferences or new hires—it starts with students. Cultivating leadership from a young age empowers future generations with the wisdom and guidance to lead. Tune in to hear how one superintendent is making this vision a reality. Welcome to Change Starts Here. Join host Dustin Odham as he sits down with Thom Cochran, Superintendent of Johnson C...

When you listen to a podcast or read an article, you take in the information and process it—but when something in that content connects to you personally, it sticks. You digest it more deeply and remember it with greater clarity. The same holds true in education: students retain information better when it feels relevant and engaging, and when they feel actively involved in their learning. Now imag...

Imagine a glass of milk—half full or half empty? The way we perceive what’s in front of us shapes our ability to grow, innovate, and lead. An abundance mindset allows us to maximize what we have, find creative solutions, and unlock potential—even in the face of obstacles. In today’s education landscape, this perspective is more essential than ever. Join us on Change Starts Here as host Dustin Odha...

Imagine trying to push a boulder up a hill by yourself—it keeps rolling back down before you reach the top. Even with a team, if everyone pushes at different times, you’ll struggle to make progress. But when a team communicates effectively, trusts one another, and moves as one, that boulder doesn’t stand a chance. In education, the same is true: with a strong, collaborative team, no hill is too st...

Changing the culture of an organization and creating the desired impact takes hard work, but it’s often difficult to identify where these improvements are truly taking place. Yearly reviews and test scores provide valuable insights into progress, yet they reveal little about the culture within our districts. But what if the changes we seek could begin with something as simple—and symbolic—as the p...

Have you ever had a friend who instinctively knows what you're thinking, aligning perfectly with your decisions and comments? That kind of relationship, built on high trust, allows for quick, efficient collaboration while fostering a more engaging and enjoyable connection. When applied to the workplace, such relationships can boost productivity and create systemic synergy across districts and...

Imagine wearing sunglasses with a red tint—everything you look at would have a red hue. The glasses represent our perceptions, but they don't always reflect the truth of the situation. Sometimes, we need to remove them to see the full spectrum of color and gain new perspectives. Join us on Change Starts Here as Dustin Odham starts off 2025 right, by setting a goal for all to start shifting our...

We’ve all heard the buzzword innovation—it’s a term that’s making waves in businesses and education alike. But it often leaves us with more questions than answers: What does innovation really mean? Does it always involve technology? Does it have to be a completely new idea? If you’ve been pondering these questions, you’re in the right place. In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham...

Sports are full of inspiring stories where belief propels struggling teams to national championships. But this kind of belief isn’t confined to the court or field—it’s just as transformative in education. When teachers and staff unite around a shared belief that they can make a difference, they create a winning culture that drives meaningful change. In this episode of Change Starts Here: Research...

Finding time to reflect and envision the future can feel nearly impossible amidst life’s chaos. Our packed schedules and uncertainty about how to craft a meaningful vision often hold us back. But in today’s episode, we’re giving you both the space to reflect and the tools to shape your vision for 2025. Join us on Change Starts Here as Dustin Odham shares his personal reflections on 2024, demonstra...

Aiming at a target is challenging if every element isn’t fully aligned. You can hold the bow steady, but if your elbow isn’t positioned right, you’ll miss the mark. This is similar to education today—many districts are striving to achieve top-level goals, but they’re missing the impact of vertically aligned goals that could elevate district-wide success. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Di...

When all lanes of a highway are open and free of construction, traffic flows smoothly, allowing travelers to reach their destination efficiently. But if one lane is closed or too much attention is focused on just one lane, traffic builds up, causing delays—or even accidents. The same holds true for whole-person education. Neglecting or hyper-focusing on any one area can cause bottlenecks in progre...