Life Is The Future

More than friends! Check out the next Summer Short episode with three ways to start or maintain a dating or committed relationship this summer (and always). Quick Tips: 1)  Calm down. 2) Consent. 3) Communicate. Listen in for details. Resources! Love is Respect What is a healthy relationship? Consent It's simple as tea. Domestic Violence Hotline Free, confidential support with lifesaving tool...

HIGH QUALITY, FACT-BASED INFORMATION. From managing media to vaping to sex ed to mental health, today's adolescent is in need of some real guidance. In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews Christopher Pepper, award-winning health educator involved in comprehensive sexual wellness, substance use awareness, suicide prevention efforts, and more. Chris discusses h...

MOVEMENT AS MEDICINE. Are mindfulness and movement the perfect combination for emotional well-being? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews William Pullen, a London-based psychotherapist and founder of Dynamic Running Therapy (DMT). William talks through his work in mental health and guiding himself and now his clients through mindfulness therapy that include...

Become comfortable being uncomfortable! Check out the next Summer Short episode with three steps to expanding your comfort zone this summer (and always). Quick Tips: 1)  Decide If It’s Necessary. 2) Acknowledge Fear Exists. 3) Test and Retest. Listen in for details. Resources! IQ Matrix Expand your comfort zone. Achieve your goals. WebMD Don't leave it-- expand your comfort zone. Mayo Clinic...

OPPORTUNITY & INCLUSION. What is the impact of involvement and inclusivity for those with special needs? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews Olivia Mayszak, special education teacher and Special Olympics coach in Naperville, Illinois. Olivia talks through her work with self-contained classrooms, inclusion in schools, and how everyone can see and speak...

EDUCATING THE MIND & BODY. What does good teaching entail? How can teachers reach the needs of every young learner? What are the rewards of being involved in education? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews the 2019 SHAPE America Teachers of the Year! This is a big group— five Physical Education teachers plus a SHAPE program director all join Scott for a...

Manage those emotions! Check out the next Summer Short episode with three ways to maintain emotional well-being this summer (and always). Quick Tips: 1) Recognize a range of feelings. 2) Reduce clutter. 3) Get involved! Listen in for details. Resources! Everyday Health Happiness and Emotional Well-Being Acuity Mag 8 Ways to Clear Mental Clutter When A book by Daniel Pink. It’s summer... but that i...

CELEBRATE YOUR BODY. What does the notion of radical self-love entail? How can we overcome body terrorism? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews Sonya Renee Taylor, author, spoken word poet, social justice activist, and founder of the The Body Is Not an Apology website and related media . Sonya works against discrimination, social inequality, and injustice t...

SELF-AWARENESS. How can we realize our potential and maximize our impact? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews Brian Alexander, entrepreneur, strength and conditioning coach, and founder of CrossFit Illumine and Expressing the Genius Within . Brian brings more than fitness instruction to his community-- he talks through his experiences through business, ent...

Make healthy habits stick! Check out the next Summer Short episode with three ways to develop a habit this summer (and always). Quick Tips: 1) Decide your focus. 2) Start small. 3) Keep it going. Listen in for details. Resources! The 20 Second Rule How to build a new habit. The Power of Habit A book by Charles Duhigg. Atomic Habits A book by James Clear. It’s summer... but that is not going to sto...

COMPREHENSIVE SEX ED. How do we reach a wide audience in terms of age, abilities, and needs? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews Kim Cavill, comprehensive sexual educator, teen pregnancy prevention specialist, and founder of the Tea & Intimacy website as well as the Six Minute Sex Ed podcast . Kim works to provide high-quality, inclusive, and critical...

Balance that screen time! Check out the next Summer Short episode with three ways to manage media this summer (and always). Quick Tips: 1) Clock screen time. 2) Limit allurement. 3) Make it purposeful. Listen in for details. Resources! Moment Less phone. More real life. Scientific American Pediatrician guidelines: No more than 2 hours of screen time a day. American Academy of Pediatrics New recomm...

ART SPEAKS. Does music extend our livelihood? This week's Expert Insight comes from Chip Staley, a 30+ year music education teacher. Scott interviews Chip to discuss the impact of music on people both young and old, the crucial role of the arts in education, and the impact that music can have on the brain and overall wellness. Chip discusses his passion and advocacy, organizations where he draws i...

Speak up for yourself! Check out the next Summer Short episode with three ways to self-advocate this summer (and always). Quick Tips: 1) Use "I" Statements 2) Have an Opinion 3) Be Willing to Change Listen in for details. Resources! SARTAC Organizing self advocacy groups, particularly for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Good Therapy The power of "I"-statements. Big Th...

THE POWER OF STORY. Using story and animation to promote personal well-being. Can healthy eating and other wellness habits be cool? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews Joseph Vivens, founder of Chunky and Friends . Chunky And Friends is an illustration and animated series that provides healthy eating tips and active play resources that kids of all ages can...

Get moving! Check out the next Summer Short episode with three ways to stay active this summer. Quick Tips: 1) Don’t overthink it. 2) Avoid what you hate. 3) Notice your heart rate. Listen in for details. Resources! Polar Heart Rate Zones Info on intensity zones that are determined from the percentage of your maximum heart rate. Top Fitness Apps For Kids Five apps that help teens get on the move....

GIVING THE TALK. Like, as in, “THE Talk?” The birds and the bees? S-E-X ? In our next installment of the Expert Insight summer series, Scott interviews Julia Feldman, sexual wellness educator and founder of Giving The Talk. Julia works as a community health educator, providing comprehensive Sex Ed for this century. Her Instagram platform has a steady stream of content meant to empower all ages, ge...

Be mindful! Check out the second Summer Short episode with three ways to stay mindful this summer. Quick Tips: 1) Pause for a minute. 2) Drop self-judgement. 3) Respond after reacting. Listen in for details. Resources! What is Mindfulness? Mindful.org offers lots of science and useful examples. CALM Calm.com and its app provide free access to teachers! Pocket Mindfulness A “start here” blog and ap...

DO GOOD. BE KIND. Could it be that simple? Our first installment of the Expert Insight summer interviews includes Chris and Brittany Kurtz, founders and "chief kindness officers" at Do Good. Be Kind. Both Britt and Chris discuss their passion and advocacy, organizations and people whom they draw inspiration, and three things that have made their life better. RESOURCES: Clothing line and lifestyle:...

Stay social this summer! Check out the first Summer Short episode with three ways to stay connected this summer. Quick Tips: 1) Wake up! Don't sleep the day away. 2) Meet in real life. Media is a tool for social health, not a replacement. 3) Be flexible. Plan ahead, but also be spontaneous. Listen in for details. Resources! Sleep Foundation: Healthy Sleep Habits Social Barrel: Face-to-Face Interac...

The end of an era! We are finishing up the 2018-19 school year, and Luke and Tadiwa are moving on up. We meet two of our next podcast hosts, Salil and Shauna! These 7th grade students will take the lead next year, and join two other students to be our Season 2 leaders. We chat more about how it all went with Luke and Tadiwa in our premiere podcast season, and ultimately say thanks and goodbye to o...

Passing the torch! We are finishing up the 2018-19 school year, and Luke and Tadiwa are moving on up. We meet two of our next podcast hosts, Lauren and Jannell! These 7th grade students will take the lead next year, and join two other students to be our Season 2 leaders. We chat through how it all went with Luke and Tadiwa in our premiere podcast season, and what the weekly interviews with classma...

The end of middle school! Luke and Tadiwa interview four other students to conclude our 8th grade interviews for this school year, what we are calling "Season 1" of our podcast. Olivia, Amelia, Nick, and Gabe open up to talk through their 3 years of middle school, summer plans, and the upcoming jump to high school. RESOURCES! Students: "16 Things For Teens To Do This Summer" from CBS News. Parents...

The power of music! Luke and Tadiwa interview two other students, Camilla and Keith, and the four 8th graders discuss the impact of music--  creating and playing music as a musician, listening to music in class, and the overall impact of music on teenage life. RESOURCES! Article: "How music affects the brain" from BeBrainFit.com Video: "How does music affect your brain?" from Wired Teaching i...

Social justice! Luke and Tadiwa interview two other students, Ellie and Jack, and the four 8th graders discuss diversity and tolerance, including topics of race, religion, gender, culture, and sexuality differences.  RESOURCES! Students: "A Class Divided" - Jane Elliott ("Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes") Teachers: "Teaching Tolerance" - Social Justice Standards Parents: "Beyond the Golden Rule" - A Fa...