Edvolution Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the Edvolution Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Mike Johnston, CEO of St. Joseph's Institution International, to explore what it truly takes to spark lasting change in our classrooms, schools, and communities. Mike shares his incredible journey across international schools in Mexico, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, Guatemala, and Germany, reflecting on how a singl...

Welcome to another episode of the Edvolution Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Alice Whitehead, CEO and founder of Orenda Learning, an organization dedicated to guiding young people to build deeper relationships with themselves and their communities while taking action for positive change. Alice shares her unique journey as a third-culture kid raised in Singapore, her full-circle return t...

Welcome to another episode of the Edvolution Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Dom Verwey, Middle and High School Service Learning and Student Leadership Coordinator at the American International School of Budapest. In this conversation, Dom shares his unique journey from studying advanced human biology and exercise physiology in South Africa to shaping progressive service leadership and...

Our first guest of the season is Alex Budak, faculty member at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, social entrepreneur, and author of Becoming a Changemaker. Together, we dive into what it actually takes to spark lasting change in our classrooms, schools, and communities without relying on formal titles and focusing instead on bringing people along, building strong relationships, and creating g...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Edvolution Podcast! In this episode we kick off the new season with an authentic, unscripted conversation around a visual concept Laurence recently created: Learning Communities of Trust. Stepping away from predefined curriculums, traditional grading, and one-way learning, we explore how schools can empower students to view themselves as genuine changemakers. G...

For our last episode of the season, we are reflecting on where education needs to go next. In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with educator, writer, and public philosopher of education Simon Lightman to explore some of the biggest questions facing schools today. Together, we examine the purpose of education in a time of uncertainty, what meaningful student agency really looks...

What happens when schools move beyond student voice and create genuine opportunities for students to shape decisions, policies, and learning? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Benjamin Freud, Head of Upper School and Strategic Lead for Regenerative Education at Green School Bali. Benjamin challenges traditional assumptions about education, leadership, and the role of young people in creating posi...

In this episode, we sit down with Heather Semon and Daniel Shrewsbury from the International School of Paris to explore how sustainability, service learning, and student voice can transform school culture. Heather and Daniel share their journeys into international education and describe how their shared passion for environmental stewardship led to the growth of the “Action Cubs,” a student-led ini...

In this episode, we sit down with Teresa Tung, Director of Curricular Programs at Hong Kong International School, for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, systems thinking, sustainability, and what it truly means to create flourishing school communities. Teresa shares her journey from growing up in Taiwan and immigrating to the United States, to becoming an international educator and leader ac...

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Lee, founder and director of the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS), to explore how service learning can move beyond good intentions toward meaningful, measurable impact. Mike's work focuses on making education more accessible while embedding real-world experiences into accredited learning pathways. We dive into what’s often missing in traditiona...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jay Goodman, consultant with Goodman Learning Partners, to explore what it really takes to implement problem-based learning (PBL) in schools. From his early days teaching in Honduras with Mel, to launching innovative programs in Shanghai and Santiago, Jay shares a powerful journey that challenges how we think about learning, leadership, and school transformati...

This episode explores a big question: how do we prepare young people for a future we can’t predict? We’re joined by bestselling author and education consultant Julie Stern, whose work focuses on helping educators and families empower young people to navigate complexity, think critically, and apply their learning in meaningful ways. Julie shares her journey from school leadership to global consulti...

Today’s episode is a little different. As we sat down to record, our team here in the UAE had been navigating difficult days in the region. Like many people around the world, we found ourselves feeling reflective, grateful for our communities, and reminded of why the work we do in education matters so much. So it felt especially meaningful to welcome international education consultant, author, and...

This episode was supposed to be short… but once we started talking about field trips, we couldn’t stop. After Mel returned from a field trip, we decided to pivot and unpack a big question: What makes a field trip truly meaningful? We explore the spectrum of real-world learning experiences from schools that rarely leave campus to fully student-directed trips. Along the way, we talk honestly about t...

In this episode, we’re joined by Claire Gary, founder of Sustainability at School, for a timely and grounded conversation about what it truly means for schools to “get serious” about sustainability. Claire shares her non-traditional journey from the nonprofit sector into education and explains why sustainability can’t live in one-off eco days or isolated initiatives. Instead, it needs to be woven...

In this episode, we’re joined by D'Arcy Lunn, founder of Teaspoons of Change and Group Head of Sustainability and Global Citizenship at Education in Motion. D'Arcy shares his journey from teaching in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia to leading global citizenship work across an international network of schools. Together, we explore what global citizenship really means (beyond travel, lang...

In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast, we explore a powerful and often overlooked connection: how athletics and physical education can be a catalyst for service learning, sustainability, global citizenship, and edible education. We’re joined by Dr. Gesa Beecken, Athletic Director and PE Lead at the International School of Ulm in Germany. Gesa brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective on how mo...

We’re kicking off the new year with inspiration and practical ideas for building sustainable service learning systems in schools! In this episode, we’re joined by Crystal Pottebaum, Service Learning and Sustainability Coordinator at the International School of Debrecen, Hungary. Crystal shares her journey from classroom teacher to K–12 coordinator and reflects on what it really takes to design pro...

In this episode, Laurence interviews Sandy and Mel about how edible education can transform learning. We unpack why it’s more powerful than food tech, how to build meaningful programs in real schools, and how food-based learning enhances rigor, even in AP and high school courses! Perfect for educators, school leaders, and anyone curious about sustainability, real-world learning, and reconnecting s...

In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast, we dive into the world of ethical global service learning with Kimberly Haley Coleman, Founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware. With more than 25 years in the field, Kimberly shares how community-driven partnerships, ethical frameworks, and deep cultural engagement create meaningful experiences for both volunteers and host communities. We unpack the...

This week we’re chatting with Tristan Reynolds, educator, writer, and Dean of Academics at VIS@betterworld lab in Taipei. We dive into what it means to build a school as a prototype, connect global citizenship to authentic community learning, and create student-centered systems for both project-based learning and AI use. Take a look at the fantastic resources Tristan has to share: Project Based Le...

In this episode, we dive into the many ways educators continue to grow both inside and outside the classroom. From Sandy’s unique journey to Italy for a Honey Sommelier certification to Mel’s deep dive into coaching and professional learning, and Laurence’s work with schools around the world, this conversation is all about how authentic learning experiences keep us curious, connected, and inspired...

Service learning experiences can be deeply meaningful for both students and teachers, but when they’re not thoughtfully planned, they can also lead to unintended consequences. In this episode, we dive into the behind-the-scenes of those big “Week Without Walls” trips and other school-led service projects. Together, we reflect on how schools can design service learning programs that foster meaningf...

In this episode, we dig into why so many schools struggle to truly embrace sustainability and what it takes to move beyond surface-level efforts. We explore: Why schools often see themselves as separate from “real life,” avoiding their ethical responsibility to lead by example. How traditional school structures, teacher practices, and admin mindsets can unintentionally block curiosity and authenti...

In this conversation, we sit down with the fabulous LeeAnne Lavender, a global citizenship and community engagement consultant who brings a passion for storytelling to every project. Together, we unpack some of the common challenges schools face when building service learning programs and explore strategies for creating strong, lasting community partnerships. We also discuss how storytelling...