Change Starts Here

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...

In today's world, the need for strong leadership is more crucial than ever as we strive to develop the next generation into capable leaders. The education field plays a pivotal role in this mission, equipping students with the tools they need to reach their full potential. Our teachers are at the forefront of this effort, guiding and shaping future leaders. Today, we have the privilege of hear...

When you listen to an orchestra, the blending of numerous instruments into a harmonious melody is what makes the music truly captivating. While a single instrument can sound wonderful on its own, there is something profoundly powerful and beautiful about the orchestral approach. This concept applies to our school systems as well, where we refer to it as systemic synergy. Welcome back to our esteem...

With the arrival of a new season, we bring a fresh set of wisdom. Leadership is a continuous journey of learning and reflection. In this episode, you'll discover insights and guidance to enhance your leadership skills. Today, Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education, shares the top 7 pieces of leadership advice he has gathered over the summer. Tune in to learn about the choic...

Reflection is more than just something to check off a checklist- it is a practice that can be life changing if done intentionally. Since it has such a big impact, it is crucial to implement this for success in a career, educational journey, and personally. Join us for the season finale of Change Starts Here as Dustin Odham sits down for the final entry for this series to discuss Habit 7 and 4 area...

In the realm of education, possessing a servant's heart and genuine care for those you serve is incredibly important. This mindset not only fuels fulfillment but also drives success in the face of challenges. Today, we delve into the journey of a true servant leader. Our host, Dustin Odham, sits down with Dr. Warren Morgan, CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, to explore his remarkab...

Accountability goes beyond the surface level of pointing fingers or singling out individuals for underperformance; rather, it serves as a cornerstone for empowerment. By offering the necessary support and guidance, accountability equips individuals with the tools to not only meet but exceed their goals in the long term, fostering a culture of growth and achievement. Join us on Change Starts Here a...

In every field and endeavor, the ability to lead is indispensable for success, making it a vital skill for students to cultivate. Fostering leadership among students requires demonstrating it across every strand of your organization. One effective method to achieve this is through programs like Leader In Me, which we'll delve into in this episode. Today, our host, Dustin Odham, is joined by Su...

As we conclude our season of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, join us for our final episode today. Dr. Eve Miller, Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education, Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Content Creator/Researcher, and Dr. Jennifer Chevalier, Director of Funding, reflect on pivotal insights gained throughout the season. Explore themes like adaptability, self-awareness, and the transformative...

Building a culture of leadership and trust is essential for creating a successful and joyful educational environment. Whether it's fostering trust through meaningful conversations or establishing a culture of celebration, these small steps are vital for laying the foundation of a strong community, even before focusing on academics. Today our host, Dustin Odham, is joined by Ashley Carranco, Ed...

Math, science, and reading are essential skills that we learn in schools from a young age. Nowadays the realization that we need to teach students not only these fundamental skills but also integrate each student into the learning is growing immensely, but how do we do that? Meet our esteemed hosts: Dr. Eve Miller, Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education, Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Content Creator/R...

Players on the court push extra hard when they are down a few points or the timer on the scoreboard is counting closer to zero. They are able to find motivation in the points and time constraints presented to them because they are clearly informed and understand the measurements that they are being gauged with all from the scoreboard. This motivation doesn’t only apply to the basketball court, we...

The 4 Disciplines of Execution have been used across many different school districts and by many different leaders to improve their organizations. The 4DX Model allows you to reach a new level of goal setting that will develop growth for you and your entire team. Today join us as we interview someone who has utilized this 4DX Model to its max. Today our host, Dustin Odham, is joined by Larua Mendi...

Have you ever thought about thinking? Our brains easily switch to an autopilot setting that takes us through life without much thought put behind it. This can be useful to lighten our mental load, but putting effort into thought can have a few potential benefits to help us grow and learn. Join Dr. Eve Miller, Director of Research at FranklinCovey Education, along with Kim Yaris, M.Ed, Content Crea...

When the word 'problem' comes to mind, we might first think of challenging math equations or hurdles that have hindered our journey. However, every obstacle presents a chance for growth and learning. By reframing our mindset and embracing challenges as opportunities for innovation, we empower ourselves to not only overcome but to thrive. With a positive outlook and effective problem-solvin...