Change Starts Here

How do education leaders create systems to achieve predictable success? What are the essential leadership principles that the best educational leaders know to make a difference in learning every day? And most important: what lessons can people use to live life with passion and purpose to make a difference in the world and the students and communities that depend on these educators? If there is a s...

The educational landscape changes often and conversations surrounding teaching methods, particularly post-pandemic, have never been more crucial. The metaphor of the “educator’s plate” represents a broad spectrum of challenges educators face daily. It ranges from managing students’ behavior to nurturing their cognitive abilities, all amid a backdrop of increased responsibility. The balance of thes...

In the latest episode of the FranklinCovey Change Starts Here Podcast, host Dustin Odham welcomes back Dr. Jody Carrington , a world-renowned psychologist. The conversation delves into Dr. Carrington’s new book, “Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World,” and explores the concept of connection in an increasingly disconnected world. They discuss the power of shame, how to conquer it, and...

As the 2023-2024 academic season begins, educators, researchers, and parents are scratching their heads about a troubling trend: a continued slide in academic achievement. While many point to the pandemic as the culprit , a deeper, less-visible issue may be at play. Educational researchers have shown that a student’s executive functioning–their ability to plan, focus, and recall information–plays...

Host Dustin Odham kicks off the latest season of Change Starts Here with some timely thoughts on Chip and Dan Heath’s book, “The Power of Moments.” Odham shares his personal experiences and insights on how big and small moments can shape our lives and destiny. He emphasizes the importance of intentionally being present, creating memorable moments, and harnessing their transformative power. Odham a...

In a world where quick fixes are often sought after, it becomes essential to examine the foundations of our habits and how they affect our lives. Why now? Because amidst the fast-paced modern lifestyle, taking the time to refine and better ourselves can have profound impacts on our overall wellbeing. According to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes on average 6...

In an era where screens dominate our time, finding your personal identity becomes a challenge. Our generation is shaping itself based on an increasingly virtual world, often losing touch with the inner self. In fact, a recent study suggests that we could end up spending at least ten years of our life in front of a screen. But how does this shape who we become? This episode of "Change Starts He...

In an era where students are grappling with uncertainties and challenges presented by the pandemic, the question arises: how do we prepare students for life, not just college? The stakes are high and the need for reimagining education is urgent. Now more than ever, the discussion must shift towards a comprehensive approach that caters not just to academic growth but overall wellbeing. The core que...

With the ever-increasing pressure to perform on standardized tests, many educators are looking for ways to help their students learn more effectively. Dr. Janell Blunt, an associate professor of psychology and learning at a Midwestern university, is on a mission to do just that. In this episode, Dr. Blunt discusses her research on the science of learning and memory and shares strategies for improv...

Students and teachers are trying to achieve a “new normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic. And it seems like they’re on track to reaching this goal. According to a July 2022 report from The Collaborative for Student Growth, students in K to 8th grades are showing signs of rebounding in key areas like math and science. However, students in high-poverty areas are behind. This report asks everyone to “s...

From digital health services in healthcare, and drone delivery services in technology, to creating a biliteracy instructional framework in education, innovators, change-makers, disruptors, and idea people create the solutions that make a difference in the world today. Is there ever an idea that’s too crazy? Not in Kobi Yamada’s book, it’s not. Embracing crazy ideas is what Yamada is all about. He...

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis. It’s hard to believe, but another school year is approaching the finish line. There’s always a desire amongst teachers and students alike to coast to the final school bell. A word of advice: don’t. Those who finish strong could find those last days of the school year the most rewardin...

Being a teacher can be immensely rewarding just as much as it can be overwhelming. Some people who are inspired to teach later find other ways of utilizing the skills they learned in teaching to help out others outside just their classroom. So what kind of effect can children’s books aimed at classrooms have on a global scale? On this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham speaks with te...

The word trust is synonymous with many things. For some, trust means having confidence in something, believing in something, or having faith. For others, trust means having responsibility and accountability. No matter how you define trust, it remains an integral part of our everyday lives. Not only does trust help build connections and deepen relationships, but it supports a level of unparalleled...

Preparing for the future has always been a main tenet of education. As the future of the workplace continues to change with advancements in technology, community workforce development initiatives are becoming a key part of local infrastructure in staying with the times and ahead of the curve. While these initiatives spark change in local communities, how is bringing back education helping to chang...

We are creatures of habit, always have been and probably always will be. We are now also, thanks to the success and efficiency of technology, creatures of comfort. Unwinding after a hard day's work is something everyone deserves, yet it is this very unwinding that can lead to an uncoupling of our surroundings, our intentions, and ourselves. How do we fix that? In this short-feature episode of...

In a post-pandemic world, students are playing catchup with their education, with additional needs for those in underserved communities. Educational disparities exist in all areas of education, especially in the STEM curriculum, where gaps can hurt students looking to take their careers in those directions. How can educators get students back on track? Extended learning time (ELT) is one method sh...

The last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized how important community and togetherness are. While being alone and on your own has its upsides, so does being and engaging with others. It’s something that people who travel a lot might also recognize when they attend events that bring groups together. On this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham talks about this topic by talking...

Am I, or can I be the leader my people need? This is a serious question every leader needs to pose to themselves and be able to answer with the utmost humility. There are different definitions of leadership, which can be subjective, but two quite resonate: Adeoye Mayowa defines leadership as the ability to evaluate and/or forecast a long-term plan or policy and influence their followers toward the...

Amidst and after the pandemic, there is more pressure on teachers to produce more outputs than inputs; people call for more responsibility and standardization in teaching and learning. This pressure trauma is showcasing itself and putting immense pressure on teachers to perform effectively, leading to burnout, quitting, and losing great people in the field. According to a Wall Street Journal repor...

Being an educator is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs, and nobody knows that better than Olympia Della Flora. On this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Oldham spoke with Della Flora about her experience as an educator, from teacher to principal to superintendent. They also discuss how you can best help students, including what to remember when in the classroom. Currently a s...

Mental stress and burnout are becoming increasingly common issues, characterized by feelings of exhaustion, loss of motivation, and decreased job satisfaction. This can result from prolonged and intense work demands, lack of control, and an imbalance between work and personal life. It's essential to recognize the signs and take steps to manage and prevent burnout for overall well-being. But ho...

When we make decisions in life, oftentimes they are decided by our inner thoughts. But not everyone has inner thoughts despite how common it is. Experts say some 30 to 50 percent of people have an inner monologue with themselves. In having this inner monologue, it helps some people figure out a lot of things and decisions they make in life because thoughts are very powerful. But figuring out thing...

The health of the human brain is of utmost importance considering it is responsible for how we move, the ways in which we give and interpret information, our memories, our moods and behavior and so much more. It is also why when the brain is dealing with disorders that affect normal activities it can be a detriment to how someone functions. One of those disorders is ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hype...

The world of business and workplaces continues to change, and no one knows that better than Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, along with being a New York Times bestselling author and host of the 5 Questions podcast. Dustin Oldham, host of Change Starts Here, spoke with Schawbel about workplace challenges in schools, such as staff retention and what to do about it. A self-de...