PsychSessions: Conversations about Teaching N' Stuff

In this episode Eric and Garth interviewed Rick Miller from Texas A&M-Kingsville in Kingsville, TX. Rick's story is fascinating, in part due to being raised by his grandparents and world travels starting early, but also because Rick is a master storyteller. Mentoring is a consistent theme, from a high school music teacher to Thomas Cook at Northwestern. We interrupted his origin story in time to t...

Here at PsychSessions we are excited to be supportive of the American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Educational Affairs working group -- the Introductory Psychology Initiative (IPI). At www.apa.org/ipi, you can sign up for updates, provide feedback about the introductory course, take the introductory course/IPI census, and more. www.apa.org/ipi

Please enjoy this brief sidebar from us at the PsychSessions podcast about the excellent Teaching Introductory Psychology (TIP) Northwest conference that will take place April 12, 2019 on the campus of Highline College in Des Moines, Washington. The featured speaker for the day is Dr. Stephen Chew from Samford University. For more details, check out www.tipnorthwest.org

In this episode Garth interviews Philip Zimbardo from Stanford University (emeritus) in Stanford, CA. It's a treat to hear Phil discuss how he became such a passionate teacher, with his upbringing, family values about education, and undergraduate/graduate years (Brooklyn College/Yale University). The interplay of his teaching leading to research (think: shyness work) is fascinating, and just wait...

In this episode Garth interviews Rob McEntarffer from Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, NE. They discuss AP Psychology, the course, and the role of college credits. Rob suggests that perhaps the AP course is a convenient excuse to help adults talk to students about human behavior. He also mentions his Faustian bargain of serving as both high school teacher and administrator. Rob shares the 'Young...

In this episode Garth interviews Suzie Baker from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Suzie is equal parts curious scientist and passionate teacher, with undergraduate students at the center of both endeavors. In this whirlwind interview, they discuss the AP psychology reading and test development, Suzie meeting Charles Brewer for the first time, Suzie's educational history as well as se...

In this episode Garth interviews Maria Vita from Penn Manor High School in Millersville, PA. Maria is a master teacher, from her AP Psychology reading experience to her national leadership in APA's Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS). Growing up in Long Island, NY, she loved school and inherited a strong work ethic. She credits experiences like the Clark Workshop and the High Schoo...

In this episode Eric interviews Karly Schleicher and Jen Blush, both currently graduate students at the University of Texas-El Paso, representing The Novice Professor website/blog on the podcast. Founded by Ciara Kidder, TNP has curated an audience seeking advice on multiple aspects of success in higher education; an example being a popular blog about the job interview process, which yielded mento...

In this episode Garth and Eric host their very first live podcast event featuring STP Legends Randy Smith and Jane Halonen recorded at the Oct. 2018 Annual Conference on Teaching. It was a lovely evening, with topics ranging from serious topics to roasting. Jane and Randy talked about their teaching tribe beginnings at the Mid-America Conference for Teachers of Psychology, STP today, Charles Brewe...

In this episode Eric interviews Teresa Ober and Charles Raffaele, both representing STP's Graduate Student Teaching Association (GSTA); Teresa and Charles are both graduate students at the City University of New York (CUNY). After we review the operations GSTA and what it offers, we discuss the current challenges of graduate students today, as well as the career trajectories for Teresa and Charles...

In this episode Garth interviews Charlie Blair-Broeker from Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA (after 39 years at Cedar Falls H.S.). High school psychology is in Charlie's DNA, as he has been a part of the Advanced Placement (AP) reading since its inception. An early teaching inspiration was a negative role model, but he found positive influences and role models through Ludy Benjamin, Teach...

In this episode Garth interviews Rik Seefeldt from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in River Falls, WI. Rik is the chief reader for AP Psychology, so you can imagine the cool insider's conversation. They then shift into Rik's origin story, from high school psychology to pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling psychology. Rik's interest shifts dramatically when he starts teaching. The passi...

In this episode Garth and Eric discuss, reflect, and ponder the first year of existence of the PsychSessions podcast. From the original planning March 2017 to the our launch on iTunes October 3, 2017, PsychSessions has become more than "just a podcast" for the two of us. We discuss our experiences, what we have learned, and future ideas to pursue. We are grateful for each and every listener who ha...

In this episode Eric interviews Raechel Soicher from Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. Raechel, at the time of this interview, is a graduate student about to start her dissertation. But her pedagogical wisdom and collegial generosity are highly accelerated, as evidenced by so many conversational topics (from publisher dinners to the imposter syndrome to badging for teacher competencies and...

In this episode Eric interviews Jennifer Dyer-Seymour from California State University-Monterey Bay in Marina, CA. It's a whirlwind interview from discussing a relatively new campus with high psychology enrollments to training 16 undergraduates to do a replication study in a natural environment. Jen shares her own stories of aspiring to be an actress to the value of improv. We close by discussing...

In this episode Eric interviews Robert Biswas-Diener from the Noba Project in Portland, OR. No singular paragraph can describe Robert's eclecticism. Serving as the Editor of the Noba Project is one example of a family tradition of 'giving back,' but listen to the story of the difficulty of 'giving away' introductory psychology. Researching happiness around the world led him to world-class opportun...

In this episode Eric interviews Martha Zlokovich from Psi Chi in Chattanooga, TN. Trained as a developmental psychologist, after 18 years as a faculty member she became the Executive Director of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Beyond Psi Chi and the operations of the Central Office, other conversational topics include strong parental role models, a leadership theme among si...

n this episode Eric interviews Kris Leppien-Christensen from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. Kris tells the story of the best job he ever had was the one he did not get, and we learn about how his MSW and three years on the job with intense writing helped him succeed in his I/O doctoral program. Then the conversation turns to his national service, including WPA, PT@CC, CABE, and Psi Beta....

For this IntroPsychSessions bonus episode, Garth interviewed Stephen Chew from Samford University in Birmingham, AL. Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.

For this IntroPsychSessions bonus episode, Garth interviewed Noland White from Geogria College & State University in Milledgeville, GA. Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.

For this IntroPsychSessions bonus episode, Garth interviewed Virginia Welle from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in Chippewa Falls, WI. Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.

For this IntroPsychSessions episode, Garth interviewed Danae Hudson from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.

For this IntroPsychSessions bonus episode, Garth interviewed Jane Halonen from the University of West Florida, Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.

For this IntroPsychSessions bonus episode, Garth interviewed Regan Gurung from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in Green Bay, WI. Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.

For this IntroPsychSessions bonus episode, Garth interviewed Sue Frantz from Highline College in Des Moines, WA. Enjoy this back-to-school energy booster shot discussion about introductory psychology.