Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Deborah Goodrich Royce , author of literary psychological thrillers and a former actor, unpacks how she builds tension without forcing the outline. You will hear how sensory observation from her New York Botanical Garden work feeds scene-level detail, why she prefers a "reveal" that feels earned over a twist that feels gimmicky, and how an actor's training translates into characters with layered m...

In this conversation, author Steve Berry discusses his deep-rooted love for history, the intricate process of crafting thrillers that intertwine historical facts with modern narratives, and the importance of research in his writing. He also shares insights into his philanthropic efforts through the History Matters initiative, which focuses on preserving local history, and hints at future adventure...

In this conversation, Sandra Magsamen discusses her approach to creating children's literature that emphasizes connection, love, and emotional intelligence. She shares insights into her creative process, the importance of feedback from readers, and how her work aims to foster self-love and connection between caregivers and children. Magsamen also reflects on her artistic journey, the role of perse...

In this conversation, we explore the new collaborative picture book 'Rise Girl Rise', which explores themes of empowerment, friendship, and the importance of storytelling across cultures. They emphasize the book's role in inspiring the next generation and fostering a sense of shared humanity. Gloria Steinem is a political activist, feminist organizer, and the author of many acclaimed books, includ...

How is artificial intelligence being used in the NFL today? In this solo episode of Shifting Schools , Tricia Friedman explores how AI is already shaping professional football, with a special focus on Super Bowl Sunday. Rather than speculation, this episode looks at concrete, current examples of how AI is influencing advertising, predictions, player safety, and fan experience. Get the free convers...

What do puzzles teach us about being human. In this episode, Tricia talks with Allison Kane, Head of Puzzle Innovation at Highlights, about why puzzling matters far beyond entertainment. From Hidden Pictures and Wordle to classroom design and family learning, this conversation explores how puzzles build confidence, perseverance, and joyful learning across ages. Learn more: https://parents.highligh...

How do you move forward with AI in schools when staff confidence is all over the place? Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman address one of the most persistent leadership challenges in AI literacy implementation. Within the same faculty, some educators are experimenting confidently with tools and workflows while others feel intimidated, skeptical, or frustrated by rapid change. Jeff and Tricia frame th...

AI literacy in the classroom looks like  students practicing judgment, sense-making, and self-awareness while working alongside AI , not replacing thinking with tools. It emphasizes mindset before mechanics. In this episode of Shifting Schools , Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman frame AI literacy through the BAKE Mindset : Balance – Knowing when AI helps and when it doesn't Adaptability – Updating l...

In this episode of Shifting Schools, hosts Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their personal experiences over the holidays, leading into a broader conversation about the importance of mindset in education, particularly in relation to AI literacy. They introduce the 'BAKE Framework' as a tool for educators to navigate AI discussions, emphasizing the need for adaptability, empathy, and open com...

In this episode, host Tricia Friedman sits down with Dr. Michael Greger , bestselling author and founder of NutritionFacts.org, to explore why non-commercial, evidence-based health guidance matters more than ever. They discuss lifestyle medicine, plant-based nutrition, scientific integrity, cannabis research, and how small, testable behavior changes can dramatically improve long-term health. What...

What does it look like when creativity becomes a global learning movement —not an add-on, but a connector across every subject? In this episode of Shifting Schools , Tricia Friedman is joined by Cheri Sterman to explore Crayola Creativity Week , a free, cross-curricular program designed to help educators spark collaboration, confidence, and creative thinking in classrooms around the world. Togethe...

This special  Shifting Schools holiday episode isn't about trendy gadgets or generic gift lists. Instead, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman share seven thoughtfully chosen gifts for educators —each matched to a specific kind of person and a specific kind of need. Some gifts are playful. Some are reflective. Some are deeply practical. All of them offer a meaningful boost during a season when educator...

You know Pentatonix – the multi-platinum selling acapella group is the number one most listened to musical acct of the holiday season.  Co-founder and Grammy winner  Scott  Hoying is currently starring in Season 34 of  Dancing with the Stars. Scott   Hoying and  his husband  Mark  are now also authors of an innovative picture book which features text that doubles as lyrics to  a new, original Chri...

In this episode of Shifting Schools , bestselling author Alan Gratz joins Tricia Friedman to explore the craft of storytelling, the role of creativity in education, and why curiosity is the engine behind both great writing and great learning. Gratz shares how baseball has quietly shaped the structure of many of his novels, how he approaches character development with authenticity, and why understa...

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht reconnects with Marcus DiPaola, a successful content creator and documentary filmmaker. They discuss Marcus's journey from working in news to becoming a prominent influencer on platforms like TikTok, where he has amassed over 4 million followers. The conversation delves into the challenges of content creation, the importance of writing skills, and t...

Are micro schools the future of personalized learning? In this high-impact episode of Shifting Schools , Jeff Utecht sits down with David K. Richards , CEO of ChangeMaker Education , to break down one of the fastest-growing movements in the education ecosystem: microschools . With over 125,000 micro schools and 1.5 million students already learning in small, relationship-centered environments acro...

What if our pets are communicating complex ideas—and technology is finally catching up? In this episode of the Shifting Schools Podcast , cognitive scientist and FluentPet founder Leo Trottier joins us to explore how breakthroughs in animal cognition , inter-species communication , and speech-button interfaces are reshaping the way humans understand pets. Trottier unpacks the science behind commun...

Summary In this episode, Jeff Utecht discusses the critical importance of understanding where schools stand on the AI adoption curve. He emphasizes the need for leadership to actively engage with AI and for educators to integrate AI into their teaching practices. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI in education, urging schools to move from mere conversation to meaningful...

Discover how educators are using generative AI not to automate, but to elevate critical thinking and collaboration in K-12 schools. In this episode of Shifting Schools , host Tricia Friedman shows how "disagreement by design" and intentional prompt-engineering transform student and leadership learning. What you'll learn: What disagreement by design looks like in real classrooms and leadership team...

A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners.... In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christy Mandin to explore what school leaders can learn from the creative process behind children's literature. Together they unpa...

The conversation about AI in education often starts—and stops—with cheating. But what if that's the least interesting part of the story? In this episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with the team behind the new show: The Homework Machine , MIT's Justin Reich and journalist Jesse Dukes. They unpack how generative AI is reshaping what we mean by integrity, creativity, and student voice. Together they exp...

In this episode Tricia Friedman talks listeners through an example of how she vibe coding an app from start to finish. Her vibe coding process of building an app blends AI literacy , digital humanities , and leadership design thinking . What does this tell us about the future of using generative AI for projects in K12? This episode is sponsored by our amazing friends at Poll Everywhere. Join over...

  Today, a college diploma is no guarantee that graduates have  the  competencies that businesses need, including using emerging technologies, communicating, working in teams, and other necessary skills. So, it's fair to ask, " Do students really need a college degree"?   Brandeis University President, and nationally respected higher education leader and researcher,  Arthur Levine  has been at  th...

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with authors Dylan Thuras and Jennifer Swanson about their ambitious book that explores the evolution of invention and technology. They discuss the importance of collaboration in science, the interdisciplinary nature of learning, and how curiosity drives innovation. The conversation also highlights the role of play in the invention process and how every...

On this episode Jeff and Tricia catch up on all the learning they did last summer. Hear them talk about gardening...and of course generative AI Learn more about how to catch them this year: https://www.shiftingschools.com/