Change Starts Here

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...

Taking a close look at our schedules can reveal a lot about what we truly prioritize in our workday. You likely have time set aside for vision casting, meetings, or even lunch—but have you scheduled time to build relationships and extend trust within your team? Prioritizing this can strengthen your team and create a culture of trust within your community. In this episode, host Dustin Odham dives i...

Every project or plan requires time to complete, and it's often up to leaders to assess whether that time is being used effectively. Are we actively moving the project forward, or investing time now to ensure future projects run more efficiently? In education, building trust is one such "project" that benefits from this type of focus and intentional use of time. In this episode, host D...

As kids, we all tried peeking through a keyhole, hoping to glimpse the world beyond the door. We could see a small part of it, but everything outside that narrow view remained a mystery. In education, we often take the same approach—viewing our students and colleagues through a limited perspective. But what if we opened the aperture and looked at things from a broader angle? In this live episode o...

Unleash the genius within every individual—sometimes all it takes is the right guidance and environment. When people’s unique talents are recognized and nurtured, it creates a thriving community where growth and success are shared. Today on the Change Starts Here podcast, we highlight a district committed to making this vision a reality in their schools. Join our host, Dustin Odham, as he welcomes...

In some of our favorite movies, we love watching underdogs guided by a wise mentor who helps them rise to the challenge. These mentors all share one key trait—they believe their mentees can go further than they ever imagined and hold them to high standards throughout their journey. In the same way, setting high expectations in the classroom can unlock students' potential, helping them achieve...

Trust is the cornerstone of every strong relationship, especially when you're in a leadership role. It doesn’t happen overnight—it requires consistent effort, intentionality, and a genuine commitment to fostering a culture of trust. Building and sometimes even repairing trust can be challenging, but today’s episode offers actionable steps to help you strengthen your relationships with trust at...

In recent years, education has been rapidly expanding and evolving, with one of the most significant shifts being the focus on the whole child. Schools recognize their vital role in shaping a child’s academic future and their social and economic development as they grow. Today, we’re joined by a guest who is actively engaging with the community to cultivate these essential skills throughout their...

Students spend their school days in classrooms from bell to bell, but what about the many other hours outside of class? Are they receiving the support and opportunities they need to thrive? What kind of guidance are we offering beyond the school day? Join us as we explore how one school district is tackling these questions with outstanding results. In this episode, host Dustin Odham sits down with...

Humans are naturally curious. Whether it's investigating a strange noise in the night or going down a rabbit hole on the history of toothbrushes, we've all felt the pull of curiosity. So why don't our students seem to tap into that same curiosity at school? In today’s episode, hosts Kim Yaris, M.Ed., and Dr. Jennifer Chevalier explore this question and much more. They dive into a uniqu...

The name of the game for companies, school districts, and every individual is effectiveness and efficiency. We all strive to improve our speed and performance to elevate our roles and assist others more swiftly. This drive often leads us to adopt new software, streamline meetings, and develop innovative techniques. However, in our pursuit of efficiency, we frequently overlook a crucial element: tr...

Remodeling a home is a significant undertaking, but the transformation not only increases your home's value—it also enhances your enjoyment of the new, refined space. Similarly, in education, we often find ourselves working in silos, whether by design or by accident and they are in desperate need of an upgrade. In today’s episode, we’ll explore how to begin "remodeling" these silos to...