Send us a textIn this short Wisdom of Alignment podcast episode, Andy emphasize the transformative power of adopting a learner's mindset, especially when it comes to challenging our own assumptions and stepping outside our comfort zones. We often cling to familiar beliefs, choosing comfort over growth. However, true development—both personally and professionally—occurs when we break this cycle by embracing discomfort, reflecting honestly on our habits, and being open to change.Daniel Goleman’s insights on self-awareness are central to this, highlighting that understanding our emotions, strengths, and weaknesses is key to growth. This self-awareness allows us to recognize when our thinking is rigid and prevents us from evolving. More than personal growth, the article encourages creating a learning culture that fosters collective development through curiosity and vulnerability.This episode’s importance lies in its practical strategies for leaders, coaches, and anyone looking to grow: embrace discomfort, cultivate self-awareness, and create a learning culture. It’s a reminder that progress doesn’t come from sticking to the status quo, but from consistently challenging our beliefs and making learning a lifelong process. By reflecting on where we might be stuck, we can break free from limitations and inspire those around us to do the same. This message is crucial for anyone striving to become their best self, lead others effectively, or build environments where growth thrives. We hope you enjoy this short episode and share it with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Thank you!Connect with Andy VasilyTwitterLinkedIn

Send us a textIn today’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Bennett, a Performance Architect whose work in performance psychology has shaped the way individuals and teams think about success. Our conversation dove into some powerful concepts that have the potential to transform the way you approach both performance and well-being in your life and work.Mark Bennett has worked with elite athletes from multiple different sports for more than 25 years. As well he works closely with business leaders and other organisations helping them create the formula for success in their companies. Mark's approach, is built on the foundational principle that "performance is a behavior, not an outcome," In our conversation, he offers profound insights into how we can shift our focus from results to actions—actions that, when consistently applied, lead to lasting success. We also explored his unique philosophy on need-centered coaching, which differs from the traditional athlete- or person-centered models, as well as the symbiotic relationship between performance and wellness. Mark argues that many organizations treat wellness as a safety net rather than a proactive investment, and that shift in mindset is critical to maximizing potential.There are plenty of tools and strategies you will walk away with in this episode such as the Action Review Process, a tool that improves judgment and self-awareness in real-time, an essential foundation for anyone seeking to better themselves and their skillset, whether in sports or business. Mark’s approach is deeply rooted in the fundamental believe that we are the drivers of our own growth and learning and that once we make a decision we must fully commit to it and execute. Regardless of success or failure, fully committing and executing is the key to this process of learning which is also deeply rooted in honest, genuine reflection that allows us to truly unpack what went well and what we might do better next time around. You’ll find out about this and so much more in our conversation today.  Thank you for listening this episode and please do share it with anyone who you feel will benefit from tuning in. Connect with Mark Bennett:Website LinkedIn Twitter 'X'YouTube 25% Discount Code for Mark's Online Training Resources- yourlife25 You can access his training here

Send us a textIn today's episode, you'll hear from Charles Feltman, a trust expert and leadership coach known for his work on building and sustaining trust in relationships, particularly in the workplace. His book, The Thin Book of Trust, is widely recognized for breaking down trust into four key distinctions: sincerity, reliability, competence, and care. What I most appreciate about Charles’ work is how practical and actionable it is, making it highly applicable in live time for leaders who want to foster trust, improve communication, and create stronger, more cohesive teams. His insights are particularly valuable in helping leaders navigate difficult conversations and maintain trust during challenging situations.World renowned, best-selling author Brene Brown herself has embraced Charles’ work over the years, recently saying that one of her favourite books on trust is the Thin Book of Trust by Charles Feltman. He definitions so beautifully capture what emerged from our data on trust. The 3rd edition of the book is now available and very much worth the read….In the conversation you are about to hear, we not only talk about what’s new in the 3rd edition of his book, we also take a deep dive into how the best leaders are able to build, maintain and most importantly, repair trust when it has been ruptured. It was a special treat to be able to spend time face to face with Charles recording this podcast. I hope you find as much value as I did in our conversation. You can find out how to contact Charles and where to buy his Thin Book of Trust by checking the links below. Connect With CharlesWebsiteLinkedInHis Trust on Purpose PodcastYou can buy the 3rd edition of his Thin Book of Trust here. I appeared on Charles Feltman and Ila Edgar's Trust on Purpose earlier in 2024. You can find part 1 and 2 of our episode below:Trust Around The World Part 1Trust Around the World Part 2

Send us a Text Message.It gives me great pleasure to introduce Kevin Bartlett, the Founding Director of the Common Ground Collaborative. This episode is part of my 'Perspectives on Pedagogy' podcast series which are education-based in nature, but rooted deeply in what it means to lead and learn with purpose and intentionality. A quote comes to mind when I think about Kevin: "A great educational leader possesses a unique set of qualities and skills that enable them to effectively guide and shape the educational institutions they oversee."Kevin does just that and has done it for decades in the field of education. He has a long history of creating true change in educational institutions. Throughout his decades of experience in the field of education, Kevin has learned to combine visionary thinking, strong communication, empathy and his genuine commitment to learning and growth into everything he does both personally and professionally in his life. He leads with integrity and is a true advocate for inclusivity which is evidenced by the schools he's helped transform over the years. Not only does he speak his truth with clarity and conviction, he is probably one of the biggest supporters of teachers I have ever come across. As a very experienced educational leader, Kevin has committed himself to making the professional lives of teachers more meaningful, manageable and rewarding. He knows how difficult a teacher’s job is and, as a consultant, he works on the ground with them, in their own space. He choses to teach and learn alongside them rather than from an ivory tower preaching about what good teaching practice is. In our conversation today, Kevin shares his thoughts on educational leadership and what each leader's role/responsibility is in creating schools that truly prioritize meaningful learning. We also dive into Kevin’s story and what drives him in the work that he does. Kevin also shares a genuine example of what a great school actually looks like in action, using one of the organizations that he works closely with through his consulting role. You will hear all about this school in our podcast today. I want to thank Kevin for his time and energy and agreeing to come on my podcast. It was an honor to have this conversation with him. I hope that any educational leader out there listening to this learns something new from Kevin today that they can immediately applied in their own leadership practice.Thanks for listening and please share this episode and my new podcast with any educator who you feel will benefit from tuning in.About Kevin:Kevin has held leadership positions in the UK, Tanzania, Namibia, Austria, and Belgium, where he was most recently Director of the International School of Brussels from 2001-2015.Kevin has co-designed accreditation systems for the European Council of International Schools (ECIS), the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEAS&C) and is currently engaged with a small team developing ACE, an innovative new accreditation protocol for NEAS&C.Kevin is a regular author of articles on a range of topics, a keynoter/workshop leader at multiple international and national conferences, and on-site consultant on a wide range of topics.He is a writer and trainer in the field of curriculum design and leadership for learning for the Principals’ Training Center. As a curriculum designer, he was the initiator and early leader of the IB Primary Years Programme.Connect With Kevin:TwitterLinkedInWebsite

Send us a Text Message.In the latest Wisdom of Alignment series, we explore the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations driving people to pursue leadership roles. While some leaders may be motivated by career advancement or recognition, many seek to drive positive change, mentor others, and bring out the best in their teams. However, leaders often face barriers that lead to complacency and stagnation, hindering their ability to inspire and motivate.The greatest leaders are aware of these barriers and consistently align their actions with a cause greater than themselves. They excel at connecting with their teams, making informed decisions, developing talent, and keeping empathy and compassion at the forefront.A powerful story from the Finding Mastery podcast with Dr. Michael Gervais illustrates this. A young pilot, after a series of mistakes, is supported empathetically by his commanders, who guide him through reflection and learning. This approach creates a psychologically safe environment, fostering growth and connection.The episode emphasizes that human-centered leadership, grounded in empathy and compassion, is the key to success. True leaders mentor, guide, and create platforms where everyone can thrive, learning from both successes and failures.Reflective questions are provided to help listeners assess their own leadership approach:To what extent do you choose empathy, compassion, and kindness over control and compliance?To what extent do you mentor those you lead, guiding them toward better versions of themselves?To what extent do you take full accountability for your own growth as a leader, admitting shortcomings and seeking support?Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences on building trust and mentoring in the workplace. Thanks so much for your support. Connect with AndyPlease connect with me through any of the social media platforms below:Twitter 'X'LinkedInFacebook

Send us a Text Message.In today's Wisdom of Alignment episode, we explore Joseph Campbell's idea that "invisible hands" help us when we're on the right path in life. Delving into Aristotle's ancient teachings on eudaimonic well-being, we discuss how aligning our actions with our true purpose brings much deeper fulfillment and purpose in our pursuit of things that matter most to us. In today's episode, we'll also reflect on personal growth, meaningful goals, self-acceptance, positive relationships, autonomy, and environmental mastery.Through the story of a first responder finding a new career path, we see the courage required to pursue the right path for us based not only on our unique context, but also on the skills, talents and values we possess. I hope you enjoy this episode and that it helps you to reflect on your own path and discover ways to live more authentically in your life. Thanks for listening.Connect with AndyPlease connect with me through any of the social media platforms below:Twitter 'X'LinkedInFacebook

Send us a Text Message.Today, we have an inspiring guest, Munashe Masawi, whose journey from Zimbabwe to Canada is a powerful testament to discipline, commitment, adaptability, and resilience. Known as Mu by his close friends and family, his story is nothing short of inspiring.Growing up in Zimbabwe, Mu faced numerous challenges and barriers. His mother’s courageous decision to seek a better life led her to Canada, leaving Mu and his sister behind for three years. Reuniting in Ontario at the age of 12, Mu had to navigate a completely new lifestyle. Despite the difficulties, his passion for sports, especially basketball and later football, became his guiding light.Mu’s athletic prowess earned him a successful collegiate career at Queen's University, but his story doesn’t end there. Beyond sports, he embraced health, wellness, and fitness, continually striving for personal growth. Meeting his partner, Sav, introduced him to the world of long driving in golf, where he is making significant strides with a personal best of 416 yards.In this episode, we delve into what high performance means to Mu, how he cultivates the conditions to pursue his best self, and the profound role spirituality plays in his life. Mu's journey is a remarkable example of what is possible when we are disciplined for greatness.Join us as we explore the inspiring story of Munashe Masawi and uncover valuable insights on resilience, commitment, and the pursuit of excellence.Connect with Munashi MasawiInstagramWebsiteLinkedIn

Send us a Text Message.In today's short Wisdom of Alignment podcast series, I dive into the work of Dr. Carl Jung and his focus on the 'shadow side' of self. His work has great application to leadership. In this episode, I share what it means to have a shadow side and how this side of us can greatly hinder our ability to lead in impactful ways. In terms of making this practical for any leaders listening to this, I've also included 4 very specific questions that can be used to gather the feedback needed to see what might be getting in the way of building the trust needed to lead with more authenticity in order to have the genuine impact we desire. Hope you enjoy this episode and that it provides you with some practical ideas to help you improve your leadership. Connect with AndyPlease connect with me through any of the social media platforms below:Twitter 'X'LinkedInFacebook

Today’s conversation is with Daniel Carcillo, two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks, and ten-year veteran of the NHL. Daniel also played with the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, and one season with the New York Rangers throughout his career.  Having had 4 Stanley Cup appearances over the last few years of his professional playing career, Daniel brings so much insight and wisdom into today’s discussion with me. From the highs of being an athlete at the top of his game to the lows of debilitating injuries that required multiple surgeries that ultimately resulted in a opioid addiction, he has seen and experienced it all and shares many gems of insight in this conversation.It’s clear that Daniel knows what it takes to be the best he can be when it comes to pursuing true passions in life, both personally and professionally. Despite having an amazing career that spanned ten years and two Stanley Cups over the course of 429 games and 164 fights in the NHL, Daniel is more defined by the human he is. He has done so much internal work to better understand his past trauma in order to live with much more authenticity, courage, resilience and purpose in his life. As a result, he continues to have such a positive impact on those who are lucky enough to come across his path. In our conversation today we cover the following themes:Early days in Daniel’s life and the strengths he developed that went on to serve him so well as an athlete and entrepreneurThe power of our internal voice and how to navigate it in ways that helps to bring out our best in lifeThe importance of having a mindfulness practice to help combat tough emotions brought on by past traumaThe power of vulnerability as a tool for being as honest as possible about our experiences, needs, and wants in lifeHow to maintain motivation and purpose regardless of our pursuitsAfter his playing days, Daniel began to suffer from mild-like dementia symptoms brought on by the many concussions he sustained while playing in the NHL. He knows all too well the physical and emotional toll that can accompany these injuries. Since retiring, Daniel has devoted his life to sharing his experiences, insights, and the transformative impact of emerging therapies, as well ancient and natural medicines in regaining brain health and quality of life. This conversation with Daniel was a special one that I hope you find value in. Please share it with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Hope you enjoy it!!Connect With Daniel CarcilloWebsite'X' Formerly TwitterLinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTube

The podcast you are going to hear today is with Sharon Salzberg. She has been a true pioneer in the realms of meditation and mindfulness for more than four decades now. Sharon's influence has been pivotal in bringing these practices to the forefront of Western consciousness as far back as the early 1970s. As a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and a New York Times best-selling author, Sharon's wisdom resonates deeply with audiences worldwide because she makes meditation and mindfulness so much easier to understand and apply in people’s lives. In today’s conversation we unpack the themes of trauma, mindfulness, loving kindness, compassion and the importance of staying aligned to the core values that drive us in life. Although Sharon has written 12 books, it’s 3 of those 12 that we dive into the most in today’s conversation:Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience which was a deeply meaningful endeavor putting that book together as it was the first time she shared her true life story and the struggles she had to overcome in her life and how meditation and mindfulness allowed her to do so. As well we explore the theme of loving kindness and compassion which she wrote about in her 1995 book Loving Kindness, the Revolutionary Art of HappinessWe finish off today’s podcast talking about her latest book called Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom which she published a year ago in April 2023 and what it is she hopes audiences world wide will takeaway from reading this book. It was a genuine honor to have Sharon join me on the podcast. Her gentle, calm, and compassionate demeanor immediately shines through in our conversation, offering profound insights and life lessons drawn from her journey.As you listen, I hope you'll discover as much value as I did in our discussion. I encourage you to also explore Sharon's books, including her latest release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom.Connect with Sharon:WebsiteInsight Meditation SocietyTwitterFacebookLinkedInAs well, you can find all Sharon's books hereThanks for sharing my Run Your Life podcast with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening.Thanks for sharing my Run Your Life podcast with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening.

My conversation today is with Dr. Jim Knight, Founder and Senior Partner of Instructional Coaching Group (ICG). Jim is also a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning and has spent more than two decades studying professional learning and instructional coaching. He earned his PhD in Education from the University of Kansas and has won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards. He’s also authored several books including Unmistakable Impact (2011), High-Impact Instruction (2013), Better Conversations (2015), The Impact Cycle (2018), and The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching (2021).What I appreciate about Jim is the thoughtful way that he shares his learning. He’s been on my podcast several times, and our conversations are not just about me asking questions and him sharing his knowledge. Jim is very authentic and genuine in the way he shares and he doesn’t ever imply that he has the so called ‘right’ answers but rather remains very curious and centered on what might be rather than what is absolute. In today’s episode we explore themes of:Learning to better know self in order to best show up for those who we coach and leadWe also dive into strategies that help to promote and facilitate peer coaching in organizationsThe impact for culture on coaching conversationsKnowing the importance of taking a flexible approach when coaching others….When I reflect on my friendship with Jim and who he really is…. this quote comes to mind: "A meaningful life is not about being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect. It’s about being real, being humble, being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others."To me this is who Jim is, so generous with his time and very real. He’s a humble person who always strives to learn and grow and in the process change the lives of so many leaders and educators that are so lucky to work with him. You can find out where to connect with Jim in the show notes of today’s episode. If you haven’t connected with him, I highly recommend doing so and signing up for any training that you can. I hope you find value in today’s discussion with Jim Knight Please share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Thank you!Connect With Jim:TwitterWebsiteLinkedInFacebookJim's books can be found here. As I pay all expenses on my own for all costs associated with my Run Your Life Podcast, I would appreciate any support by sharing these episodes with people in your own network and even leaving my podcast a review on ITunes. It would be very much appreciated. Thank to all my listeners over the years for their support with this podcast.

My guest today is the brilliant and inspiring Ila Edgar, a leadership development coach and trust-builder for organizations and businesses. Ila's story is a testament to the resilience we all require when challenged by  life’s mental and emotional obstacles. She deeply believes that who we are is how we lead and that being great leaders starts with us. It also requires honesty, looking inside of ourselves and committing to making real changes in our lives. In our conversation today, we talk about early days in her life, the strengths she developed and the challenges she had to overcome that ultimately led her on to the path of leadership coaching. In addition to this, we also cover the themes of resilience, self-compassion, knowing our own boundaries, and embracing vulnerability as keys to our own growth and learning. Most importantly, Ila opens up about serious health struggles she is currently going through and not only what this has taught her about herself, but how it has helped to shape her journey as a wife, mother and coach. As you listen to this episode today, you will see that there is no doubt that Ila is meant to do the work she is doing to serve the world. She is one of a kind and I feel so very fortunate to have had this time with her on the podcast. This was a really touching episode for me. I hope you find the same value in it as I did. Thanks for listening and please connect with Ila and let her know what you learned from our discussion. She would love to hear from you. Connect With Ila: WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTrust on Purpose PodcastEmail: [email protected] Credit to Patrick Watson for his beautiful song To Build a HomeYou can purchase Patrick's music here. As well, Patrick's YouTube channel can be found herePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

Today’s episode was recorded in the studio of American Community School of Amman in Jordan which is located on the boarders of Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Palestine. A big shoutout and very special thanks to my inspirational friend Mo Hourani and his team at the American Community School of Amman for hosting the Compassion Summit, an event devoted to promoting peace.What ACS in Jordan believes is that "When there is no compassion there can be no peace, and that when we know compassion, we then might know peace."I was honored to have been invited to be a keynote speaker alongside 2 inspiringly, compassionate humans doing amazing work to make a difference in the world in their own unique ways, Kathy Kelly and LeeAnne Lavender.This chat covers a lot of ground, but in particular what it is that both Kathy and Leanne feel compelled to share through their work, what being self-compassion means, and how we can all take action on being more compassionate in a world that needs people to step up and be more kind and caring. Kathy will share the real story behind the beautiful short song you heard in the introduction to this podcast which was sung by two students at the school here in Jordan. Special thanks to Dunia and Faye for taking the time to record this song and share it with me. You are brilliant humans and ACSA is lucky to have you both as their students.Kathy is an international peace activist from the United States. She is an author and one of the founding members of Voices in the Wilderness, and is currently a co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence. As part of peace teamwork in several countries, she has traveled to Iraq twenty-six times, notably remaining in combat zones during the early days of both U.S.-Iraq wars. Her recent travel has focused on Afghanistan and Gaza, along with domestic protests against U.S. drone policy. She has been arrested more than 60 times at home and abroad, and has written of her experiences among targets of U.S. military bombardment and inmates of U.S. prisons. LeeAnne cares a lot about compassion, storytelling and service. She is a storyteller and poet, as well as a coach and facilitator for international educators; she spends a lot of time exploring the power of stories to connect people in ways that promote peace, empathy and kindness. She’s committed to helping educators and students build changemaker/changeseeker cultures so we can all engage in positive, purposeful action. You can learn more about LeeAnne at https://www.leeannelavender.com/ This conversation covers a lot of ground but in particular what it is that both Kathy and Leanne feel compelled to share through their work, what being self-compassion means, and how we can all take action on being more compassionate in a world that needs people to step up and be more kind and caring. Kathy will also share the real story behind the beautiful short song you heard in the introduction to this podcast which was sung by Dunia and Faye who are both students at  ACSA. Hope you enjoy this podcast.  Connect With Kathy and LeeAnneKathy KellyTwiiterLinkedInWebsiteLeeAnne LavenderTwitterLinkedInPlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

In today's episode, I sit down with Jean-Paul Circelli, head football coach at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. This episode is a special one for me as I once played 5 seasons on this football team back in the 1990’s as a quarterback and punter. It was through this experience that I not only developed myself as a student athlete, but was also able to build a supportive network of close friends that stands strongly to this day. Jean-Paul and his dedicated coaching team have been instrumental in the Lancer football team's resurgence, emphasizing a holistic approach to player development. Beyond wins and losses, they focus on nurturing personal excellence and character growth in their student-athletes help best prepare them for life after football one day.In a world where young athletes face mounting pressures exacerbated by social media and academic demands, in our conversation, Jean-Paul offers insights into addressing the mental health crisis that is currently plaguing many young athletes. Through fostering vulnerability, learning from failure, and deepening connection, he cultivates a supportive environment where his athletes and fellow coaches can thrive.We also explore the importance of feedback, highlighting Jean-Paul's approach to constructive criticism and the growth-oriented coaching framework that he and his fellow coaches embrace. Whether you're a leader in business, a parent, or simply striving for excellence in your pursuits, this episode offers invaluable lessons applicable to any journey of personal growth, development and achievement.Tune in as we uncover wisdom and learning that transcends the field of play. Please share this episode with anyone you know who may be seeking inspiration and guidance on finding their own path to excellence. Thank you. Connect with Coach Jean-PaulTwitterInstagramLinkedInUniversity of Windsor Football Team WebsiteReferences for this episode: Dr. Martin Seligman: Positive PsychologyBrene BrownSimon SinekCharles Feltman: Thin Book of Trust15 Commitments to Conscious Leadership BookPlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

How many times have you asked yourself, “what’s my purpose”?  If you’re like most of us, probably too many times to count.  As we get older, the question seems to get a little louder.  Today’s guests on the Run Your Life Podcast are just the dynamic duo you need to provide you with proactive, intentional tools to help you along that journey.  Charles Feltman and Ila Edgar are both executive and leadership coaches offering a distinctive twist on finding your purpose and creating meaning in your personal and professional life.   They achieve this through Charles’ trademarked model described in his book, The Thin Book of Trust and their growing podcast, Trust on Purpose.Think Regis and Kathy Lee or Live with Kelly and Mark.  Insert whatever entertaining talk show hosts you can relate to, and you’ll hear the same passion and energy from Charles and Ila in their podcast.  Together, they bring their more than five decades of industry leadership and executive coaching experience to fuel this high energy and solution-oriented podcast to the masses.  In today’s episode with Andy, expect to hear many things that are sure to provide you with a fresh perspective that you probably haven’t considered before.  This fresh perspective allows you to look at your current situation differently and thus move you in the right direction.  Both readily admit they don’t have all the answers and they are by no means perfect.  They are human just like the rest of us.  What they have is experience, expertise, empathy, and the courage to confront!Mind shifting truths to listen for in today’s episode:1.     Trust is foundationalWhen your team or family is built upon trust, you will outperform your wildest dreams and performance objectives.2.     Boundaries and self-expression are okayMany of us learn from our families of origin to suppress feelings, not express our needs, or not set boundaries.  Charles and Ila help us realize that all of this is okay and is vital in establishing trust in our homes and workplaces.3.     Life knocksWhen we fail to do what’s mentioned above, it can have damaging repercussions later in life.  Learn how to develop resiliency and better manage adversity when it occurs.4.     WAIT“Why Am I Talking?”  We all have heard that the “good Lord gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason”.  However, using Charles’ WAIT model is the master’s level for listening.5.     You DO have a choiceOftentimes in life we tell ourselves we don’t have a choice.  Charles fundamentally disagrees and believes you can unleash incredible personal power by simply recognizing that you always have a choice.6.     Perception is reality.  But is it really?Ila stresses that we need to withhold our personal judgements when we interact with our world.  Or examine why we are judging and how we got there.  Many times, it’s not what people are doing to us, it’s simply how they are behaving that is worth exploring more.  7.     Who we are is how we leadSelf-awareness and authenticity are keys to great leadership.  We as humans, all bring our own unique life experiences to everything we do.  Those who excel as leaders recognize this and invest great amounts of time and effort in better understanding that so they can maximize their own effectiveness as well as the effectiveness of those around them.  Hope you enjoy today's episodePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

Today's episode features one of the greatest, most respected, and beloved commentators in Canadian sport broadcast history, Mr. Rod Black. As soon as you hear Rod’s voice, you will know immediately that he was destined for a career in broadcasting.Sportsnet president Scott Moore met with and told all the on-air talent, “You don’t have to be a jerk to be a star. Just look at Rod Black.”One of Rod’s favorite quotes is something his father used to tell him often. He would tell Rod, “If you find a job you love, you’ll never work another day in your life”. Rod took that to heart and dropped out of college at the age of 19 to pursue his career in broadcasting and the rest, as they say, is history. More than 40 years later, Rod has reached the pinnacle of his profession and continues to fearlessly reinvent himself. In this episode, Rod shares pearls of wisdom hehas collected along his journey that have helped him in both his professional and personal life. Rod’s enthusiasm and endless supply of positivity and energy are sure to inspire you to greatness.Some themes covered in this podcast include: 1. Community: Many people throughout Rod’s personal and professional life provided him with “nudges” to discover and pursue his life’s purpose. He is a firm believer in the need to have the right people around you.2. Resilience: You need to treat your lowest bottom as a trampoline and let it propel you to get back up and continue to move forward.3. Inner Voice: Pay attention to it. Whereas many people have a negative inner voice, Rod provides insight on how to foster a positive inner voice. Trust your own script.4. Acronyms for success: ABC, ICE, WIN, BED: Probably the foundation of Rod’s personal belief system and something he learned very early from a coach. Listen for them in the podcast and write them down and keep them where you can see them every day.5. Feedback: Be willing to seek and accept criticism and feedback.6. Patterns: Your life is full of patterns. Invest the time to study, learn, and act based on what you learn from them.7. Service: Play it forward! Live a life of service to others. You may not have money to donate but there are many ways to invest in the lives of others. Connect With Rod: TwitterInstagramPlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

In today’s episode, Andy connects with former professional baseball player and current Toronto Blue Jays’ TV analyst and commentator Joe Siddall. A quote that comes to mind with this episode is this: “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free” This quote attributed to Michaelangelo in reference to one of his sculptures. However, it also applies to Joe Siddall. He is a walking monument to what it means to have an attitude of gratitude. So much so that his daughter MacKenzie created her own brand to encourage the practice of 'gratitude' in order to help others live up to their potential.One of the special things that Joe demonstrates for us is that many of his core beliefs and codes of conduct are actually well-established mindfulness and optimal performance concepts that each of us has inside of us. We just need to learn to look for them. And just like Michaelangelo, if we can simply continue to carve until we set our own talents free, we, too, can create a life that is a beautiful work of art.As you listen to this podcast, see how many of Joe’s “Kevinism’s” come through. These “Kevinism’s” are the inspiration behind many of Joe’s expressed beliefs. You’ll learn why from the interview and will definitely want to hear it from Joe himself.Some of the concepts and themes Joe has practiced and lived himself are listed below. You are sure to hear others as you listen to this interview with Andy.1. Live life with an attitude of gratitude2. Keep moving forward3. We have to take action to realize the opportunities we are given4. Be adaptable5. Be present6. Competence leads to confidence which leads to performance7. You can quiet your inner critic8. Lean on others for support and guidanceJoe has a professional baseball career that spans 13 years playing in the big leagues for three teams; the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and the Detroit Tigers. Known as a defensive specialist, his skills were excellent and this is the one of the main reasons why he was able to rise the ranks he did in professional sport. This episode is about so much more than his playing days as a professional athlete, but more so how one lives a life rooted in the things that matter most. Through love, life, death and grief, Joe and his family have learned that gratitude and appreciation are the keys to finding meaning and purpose in this one life that we are offered. Hoping you find some takeaway value in this discussion with the inspiring Joe Siddall. Connect With JoeTwitterCheck out Joe's daughter Mackenzie's "Attitude with Gratitude' website.  Please be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

“Does that own me, or do I own it?” In today’s episode, Andy is talking with Herb Thompson, retired Army Green Beret. And they cover a lot of ground. Herb has had the deck stacked against him many times throughout his life. Any one of them could have easily overtaken him and changed the trajectory of his life. However, that very quote at the beginning has allowed him to keep things in perspective and keep them in order.Herb grew up living a life of poverty in a trailer park. However, instead of allowing his humble beginnings to keep him down, he used it to drive him. He saw many people living around him in the trailer park who had given up and were living defeated lives. When thinking back about those days, Herb sees examples of his core value of positivity throughout.Another mantra he adopted during his special forces training was to “keep stepping, one more step, one more step.” He has applied that to his daily life and shares what it means with Andy.Herb has written a book to help military men and women successfully transfer out of the military and into civilian life. It’s called the Transition Mission: A Green Beret’s approach to transition from military service. After spending 20 years in the military, Herb found himself at another one of those crossroads. He joined the military at 17 and it’s the only job he ever had. What do I do now? How do I get a civilian job? For that matter, what job am I qualified to get? How do I find my calling into a new career. As you might imagine, Herb’s advice and mantra is “Own your journey!” He relied on the skills he learned in the Army and applied them to help him in his career transition. The first thing he did was to get an MBA from Cornell. He knew he was lacking the business language and experience, so he kept taking one more step, one more step. He also intentionally engaged in informational interviews with people in many different professions so he could get a better understanding of those careers. It really served two purposes. First, he learned a lot about business and careers. Second, he met a lot of people. He built an amazing network that has served him well in many ways.Herb admits that his life is as fulfilling today in his new ventures as he was in the military. The last thing I’ll encourage you to listen for in the interview is Herb’s strong sense of who he is. He knows that if he is happy with himself, he’ll be able to help those around him and make them happy as well. Herb is constantly reminded of this concept by his 18-year-old son. When Herb mentions him in the interview, you can almost hear him smiling. His son has Aspergers and marches to the beat of his own drum and Herb couldn’t be prouder. He presents his true, authentic, vulnerable self to the world and if you like him. Great. And if you don’t like him? That’s okay too. You can’t make everyone happy, so you might as well make yourself happy. Good advice from Herb. Hope you find value in this discussion. Please share with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Thanks!Connect With HerbLinkedInWebsiteFind Herb's book hereRead about Herb's harrowing combat experience herePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

This week, Andy interviews Professor Thomas Curran, Department of Psychological and Behavioral Science at the London School of Economics. His writings have appeared in TIME magazine, the Harvard Business Review, the New Scientist, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times just to name a few. He is fresh off launching his debut book, The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough. He also delivered a TedMed talk on the subject which has garnered more than 3 million views. Not surprisingly, he is widely regarded as the world’s leading expert on perfectionism.Society seems to value the concept of perfectionism, but Professor Curran has a much different take on the subject. Not only does he identify the havoc-wreaking cause underlying perfectionism, he also provides healthy strategies to recognize, overcome, and manage it. Professor Curran even shares what his own battle with perfectionism looks like and how it could have prevented him from rising to his place of prominence on the subject.Hear how perfectionism almost prevented him from delivering his Ted Talk on the subject and how it almost prevented him from writing one of the most powerful and groundbreaking chapters of his new book.Maybe…just maybe, if even a world-renowned psychologist, author, and professor struggles with the ill effects of perfectionism, we can learn to treat ourselves with more kindness in our efforts to deal with it as well.Professor Curran says one of his primary purposes in life is to “bust myths” related to perfectionism, chiefly that it is good for us. Rather than benefit us, it actually blocks us from success and happiness and can result in many adverse psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.He also discusses three dimensions of perfectionism that you will find fascinating; 1) self-oriented perfectionism 2) Socially prescribed perfectionism and 3) Other-oriented perfectionism.In probably his most controversial assertion, Professor Curran highlights the societal and systemic causes of perfectionism. He argues that individual solutions don’t work when it’s a societal/systemic problem to begin with. When you consider that US students take more than 112 standardized tests from kindergarten to twelfth grade, it’s no wonder that our students focus on these scores and derive self-value (or lack of) from them. Then you add in the influence of social media, and the fact that everyone else seems to have a perfect life leaving us all to wonder why ours is not.Hopefully, you will be so intrigued and have so many “ah-ha!” moments while listening to this conversation, that you’ll wonder where the hour went. You’ll love Thomas’ affable, humble approach to life and living and buy his book so that you can learn more about how perfectionism may be impacting your life.Connect With Thomas: TwitterLinkedInWebsiteAs well, you can find Thomas' Ted Talk here. Please check it out. Please be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

Ever wonder about the meaning of life? In this episode, Andy and Patrick explore this very question from a truly unique and emotional perspective that is certain to encourage you to reexamine your own thoughts on the matter. Patrick shares his power list of 5 things he believes every human is searching for.Patrick’s list is not a cliched list based on formal scientific research. Instead, it’s based on his personal journey that began as an “unsupervised” child in Brooklyn, New York, in the early 60s and is still ongoing at 60 years of age, shaping him into the luminary he is today. Patrick’s list is based on hard-earned life lessons as a homeless alcoholic at his lowest point to his soaring success of becoming a recording artist with the likes of Sade, Chuck D (Public Enemy) and Dan Zanes with many other stops in between. With 23 years of sobriety behind him, Patrick puts his philosophy of life on full display through one very poignant story of having his bicycle stolen in this episode. You get the full range of his process in this one story.  You see that he experiences the full range of human emotion but ultimately returns to his place of equilibrium due to the embeddedness of his own personal philosophy. He has the same initial response that any of the rest of us would have upon learning that something had been taken from us. That we have been violated or disrespected. However, he processes that experience, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously and returns back to his place of gratitude to get back on track. A key thread throughout Patrick’s story, whether in childhood or adulthood, is the idea of the inner voice or critic. This voice often tells us we aren’t good enough, nobody loves us, or we can’t overcome this. And in many cases, we accept it at face value. However, Patrick’s response is to take it under advisement and consciously make his own decision. Patrick shows us that we do not have to accept the inner critic’s assessment. He also makes the point that “the mind is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.” He believes we have much to unlearn from what the inner critic has convinced us over time. The beauty is that we can!Today, Patrick has many roles: philosopher, musician, artist, author, and grandfather, to name a few. However, after this interview, I would like to recognize one more role for him. He is a “spiritual being having a human experience.” His understanding of the human condition is uncanny and is derived from the full range of experiences he has hadthroughout his journey with people from all walks of life. He has taken that lifetime of experience and formulated an incredibly resilient and awe-inspiring perspective that works for him. After listening to this podcast, I hope it works for you as well. For additional insight into Patrick’s life, check out the inspiring video featuring him and produced by Green Renaissance (now called Reflections of Life) entitled Am I Worthy? After only a couple of weeks of availability, it has racked up more than 55,000 views and is generating an enormous amount of buzz with more almost 1,400 comments -- a true testament to the power of Patrick's message. Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with others. Connect With Patrick: WebsiteInstagramEmailPlease connect with Justine and Michael from Reflections of Life to see their wonderful short films.Very special thanks to my friend Kevin Nall for his work helping me to produce this episode.Please be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

My guest in today’s podcast exemplifies what it means to take the risks needed to find his passion and true calling in life. His name is Obert Jongwe and he is a Zimbabwean artist who has devoted his life to the craft of painting. When I think of Obert and his life, there is a great quote that comes to mind that truly represents what it means to take the risks needed to thrive in life both personally and professionally. The quote is from Dr. Carl Jung, a world renowned Swiss psychologist who passed away in 1961. "The cave we fear to enter holds the treasure we seek."When you think of your own life, what comes up for you when you think about times in the past that you either took the risk needed to succeed at something that mattered to you or you failed to take the risk needed to pursue something that mattered to you. Obert's ability to take risk and believe in himself is a beautiful story of finding purpose in life. I first came across Obert’s story in an amazing short documentary that was created by the South African filmmakers Michael and Justine from the Green Renaissance project. I released a podcast I recorded with Michael Raimundo last month and in our conversation, he spoke and the work he and his partner Justine are doing with their Green Renaissance project.They  are a passionate team on a journey to inspire change by Creating beautiful, meaningful stories. They’ve done over 250 short films featuring amazingly ordinary people doing wonderful things in the world. I highly encourage you to check out their YouTube channel which you can find by searching for Green Renaissance. I will be doing free promotional work for them as I truly believe in their cause and hope that the listeners of my podcast can tune into their films which are sure to inspire you and provoke you to think differently about your life. When I watched their film featuring Obert Jongwe, I was inspired to reach out to him to invite him on my podcast to share his amazing story of resilience, meaning, and purpose. His work, as a painter, led him from Zimbabwe to South Africa. He has had his work featured in renowned art galleries in South Africa and Zimbabwe. His story is sure to move you to think about your true calling whatever that calling might be. I hope that my listeners will check out Obert’s work and maybe even one day buy one of his beautiful paintings. He is a wonderful person with a kind, caring heart who is hoping to impact the world in his own unique ways. It was an honor to interview him and share his life story. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for listening. Connect With ObertTwitterRoussouw Modern Gallery InstagramFacebookPlease follow Michael and Justine's work at Green Renaissance and consider donating to their cause. Michael and Justine's video about Obert can be found herePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

Today’s episode is devoted to two very inspiring humans, Justine and Michael, who have made it their life mission to spread hope and joy in the world and they do this through their Green Renaissance project which will soon be changing names to Reflections on Life. For the last 7 years, Michael and Justine, who are filmmakers, have embarked on a journey that has allowed them to have a very special glimpse into the lives of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They literally took the biggest gamble of their lives and quit their day jobs to start up their project Green Rennaisance. They had no idea whether or not they would be successful, but leapt into the unknown to follow their hearts and their passion to make a difference a difference in the world in their own unique way. Simply put, Justine and Michael are on a journey to inspire change by creating beautiful, meaningful stories through the films they make.One of the things they are most proud of is that they have no corporate agendas in place. They are not linked to any advertising, brands or products. They create their work for free which is the true embodiment of a life of service. I first came across their work a few months ago. My wife Neila had found their films online and began to share them with me. As I watched more and more of their films, I was deeply moved by what it was they were trying to do. They pay for the films out of pocket, but have established a patron page, so anyone who can afford it, who finds meaning in their work, can donate whatever they can to help offset the cost of making these films. I thank you for tuning into my episode with the inspiring filmmaker Michael Raimondo. Please follow Justine and Michael's work and their Green Renaissance project. Connect with Michael and JustineWebsiteFacebookGreen Renaissance Trailer on YouTubeGreen Renaissance YouTube ChannelPlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

Joining me on my Run Your Life podcast this week is George Mumford. He is arguably one of the greatest sports psychologists in the world based on the results he has achieved with his work. He has taught mindfulness and meditation to everyone from prison inmates to corporate executives to some of the most extraordinary athletes on the planet such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O Neal. He was also 11-time NBA championship head coach Phil Jackson’s right hand man during a run of 8 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and the LA Lakers. George Mumford was referred to as Phil Jackson’s secret weapon and helped the Bulls and the Lakers reach a legacy defining run of championships over those years. In Phil Jackson’s own words, he has said, that "Time after time and team after team, I’ve seen athletes transformed and seen championships saved by players who believed in Mumford’s one mind, one breath efforts." A true testament to the impact of George Mumford’s work. However, success did not come easy for George. During his career in high school and university, he was wracked with one debilitating injury after another which resulted in him developing an addiction to opioids which then led to a full on heroin and alcohol addiction that he grappled with for years. After hitting rock bottom, George devoted himself to recovery by focusing on his healing from the inside out. It was during this time, he found the power of meditation and mindfulness, working alongside some of the most brilliant minds in the world in this field of study including renowned experts John Kabat-Zinn, Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg. George has now been clean for 39 years and has made it his life mission to teach and work with others  helping them to find true fulfillment, meaning and purpose in their lives.It’s no surprise he has impacted so many humans through his work including Michael Jordan who credits George with transforming his on court leadership with the Chicago BullsKobe Bryant has also emphasized the impact of George’s work in many interviews and in his book ‘The Mamba Mentality’. He acknowledges George as a key figure in his mental training and personal development, often saying that his teachings and mindfulness techniques had a significant impact on his own ability to stay focused, maintain composure under pressure and perform at a high level. George continues to share his work for free on his YouTube channel At Home with George and every few days he posts a video sharing deep insight into how meditation and mindfulness can be applied in anybody’s life regardless of what it is they are going through or pursuing in their life. You can find this series below. In our conversation today, George and I unpack some of the key ideas embedded within his latest book including the power of mindfulness and ways to navigate through tough times in our life in a way that often leads to our greatest breakthroughs. Connect With George: WebsiteTwitterLinkedInInstagramFacebookLink TreeFind George's books by clicking the links below: The Mindful AthletePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

My conversation today is with Joel Monk, the co-founder of Coaches Rising which is a global community of over 6000 coaches dedicated to having the biggest impact they can have. He co-founded Coaches Rising nearly 15 years ago and has done extensive training in multiple different modalities in order to better understand how to help his clients truly thrive, both personally and professionally, in their lives.Based on my own experiences in leadership and in coaching a variety of people from different backgrounds and fields of work, from what I have seen and observed, the ones that are most successful are usually the ones who have gone through a deep process of personal transformation and growth in their own lives. Simply put, they have done a great deal of inner work in order to better understand themselves, their strengths and their areas in need of improvement. The most impactful coaches and educators out there are the ones who have gone through this process themselves and Joel Monk embodies exactly what it means to do the very difficult and deeply challenging internal work needed to continually transform himself so that he can help coach his clients through the turbulent times they face in this ever-changing and unpredictable world.What I truly appreciate about Joel is his ability to continually make himself vulnerable, sharing his real truth without fear of judgement, while demonstrating a strong sense of self-compassion which is the same attuned approach he brings to the clients he coaches and the amazing guests he interviews on his Coaches Rising podcast.In our conversation today, despite only having an hour, Joel and I go quite deep around a number of themes including:The importance of honoring the intelligence inside each of us in order to bring out our bestExploring and identifying our deeper sense of calling in our livesBetter understanding how to cope with emotional triggers Better dealing with difficult moments in our life in a way that allows us to come out better on the other side of the hardshipWe also discuss several other themes in our podcast that I hope will spark you to reflect more deeply about your own life in ways that have you thinking about what might be possible. Thanks for tuning in and I sincerely hope you share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. About Joel: He's the co-founder of Coaches Rising and very passionate about the role coaches can play in our turbulent times. He's also a coach and has worked with hundreds of executives, entrepreneurs and CEO’s from many different countries around the world.He's inspired to take a cross paradigmatic approach to his coaching and is influenced by – developmental theory, Steve March & Aletheia coaching, Thomas Hübl, Circling, Doug Silsbee, Purpose Guiding, Somatics, Focusing, AEDP….He also hosts Coaches Rising podcast where he interviews incredible people to explore how they work with others to facilitate transformation. Joel lives in Amsterdam with his beautiful family.Connect With Joel at: [email protected] be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

Dr. Chris Johnson joins me for episode #237 of my Run Your Life podcast. She’s the author of the book The Leadership Pause and is a highly sought after speaker and executive coach to many successful leaders. The experience she has, as a leadership consultant, has provided her deep insight into the real needs and challenges that leaders face on an ongoing basis. In today's episode, Chris and I unpack some of the key principles from her book the Leadership Pause: Sharpen Your Attention, Deepen Your Presence, and Navigate the Future which was published in July 2022.  In her book, Chris takes us on a guided journey into our most truthful future as leaders.  Her call to action is for all leaders--new and seasoned professionals alike--to take on the important practice of pausing.The Leadership Pause shows how to quiet the noise of the daily hustle so we can hear the still-small voice of purposeful curiosity that lives within us, which breeds wisdom in both work and life.The Leadership Pause teachesthe gift of mindful awareness that leads to clarity of mind and heart, reduced stress, and increased resilience;a deeper connection to self;a clearer vision of the natural leader resting just beneath the surface.Chris' book is for anyone looking to deepen their impact on the lives around them, leave a profound mark on their organizations, and build a legacy of intentional focus, pragmatic ambition, grounded compassion, and empathy-in-action. It was a genuine honor to have her on my podcast and I hope that after hearing our discussion today, you get your hands on a copy of Chris' book The Leadership Pause as it's sure to help you sharpen your skills as a leader. Thanks for listening and please share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from tuning in. Connect With Chris: WebsiteLinkedInYou can get your own copy of The Leadership Pause here.Please be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

On March 13th, 2023, world-renowned Red Bull aerobatics pilot, Luke Czepeila, became the first human to ever land an airplane atop the helipad of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel in Dubai. In today's episode, Luke and I have a chat about his career in flying, the death defying feat he accomplished two months ago in Dubai and how flying became a passion of his. Luke and his team of experts worked endlessly for two years preparing for the stunt in Dubai. As you will hear in this episode, Luke had more than 600 practice landings at their training facility in the United States and a special custom made airplane was built to help Luke be able to attempt this challenge. You will hear all about this experience, the training that went into it, and learn more about the mindset that Luke has for this type of flying. He is a remarkable person driven to do big things in his life. He has a great story of persistence, commitment, dedication, and resilience. Added to this, Luke has put in the time to be the very best in the world at his craft, he’s won Red Bull world championships and has been on the podium 19 other times in these events. His extreme discipline is evident in everything that he does in life….including being a airbus commercial pilot and captain of one of Europe’s most renowned airlines….When I think of Luke’s story, I think of a quote from Michael Jordan when it comes to fear. This is what Michael said: "I’ve never been afraid …..obviously I’ve been nervous, but afraid means you’re not confident in your skills but I have total confidence in my skills, so I’m not afraid because I have fully prepared for each moment I face."Luke and I talked about the role of fear when it comes to the extreme styles of flying he does and his response was that he is always extremely prepared for everything he does and with this preparation comes the belief and confidence needed to do the things he does. He is goal-oriented, deeply disciplined, and methodical in his approach to life and work and this is one of the main reasons why he has achieved the status he has in the world of flying. I hope you enjoy this episode. If you haven’t seen the recent landing he made atop the hotel in Dubai, please check it out. I put a link to this video in the show notes of today’s episode. Connect with LukeWebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramWatch Luke's historic landing atop Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel herePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

In today’s episode, we will hear from well-known trust expert, author, coach and consultant Charles Feltman. Charles’ work has been instrumental in they field of leadership and is embraced by many around the world as it genuinely helps leaders to focus on how best to create the conditions for ongoing trust in the workplace. More importantly, it also gives them to language and tools to rebuild trust when it has been compromised or broken altogether. Charles is the author of The Thin Book of Trust, first and second edition. In this book leaders can find very useful, practical strategies to prioritize trust in the workplace through better understanding the four assessment domains of trust which are Care, Sincerity, Reliability and Competence. Charles work is deeply impactful and well-known best selling author Brene Brown has embraced Charles’ work on trust as well as his definitions of trust and distrust in her own writing and talks. In her own words, she says that:“ Charles Feltman’s work to me is amazing as it helps leaders to immediately build more trust with the people around them. His work is so practical and actionable, but at the same time very deep and meaningful as it is so applicable to our lives.”Charles is a wonderful human who cares deeply about the work he puts out into the world. I sincerely hope that after this show, you get a copy of the Thin Book of Trust and subscribe to his podcast Trust which you can find in the show notes of today’s episode.Connect With Charles:Website: https://insightcoaching.com/business-coaching/Buy Charles' Book: https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Trust-Essential-Primer-Building/dp/0966537394Brene's Dare To Lead Podcast With CharlesAndy's Previous Episodes With CharlesMarch 2022September 2022Please be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

Why is it that some leaders excel at creating lasting success in their organizations in regards to motivation, well-being, productivity, and engagement while other leaders don't? What separates the very best leaders from the rest of them? Despite the vast amount of research about effective and impactful leadership, why is it that some leaders leave a trail of fragmented work relationships, lack of morale, trust, and disengagement in the workplace? And, what can leaders such as this do to strengthen their character by learning to lead with genuine compassion, responsibility, integrity and forgiveness? In today's show, I'll unpack some phenomenal research around impactful leadership based on a 7-year study done by Dr. Fred Kiel and his team on over 100 CEOs in multiple different fields. This study clearly shows that the best leaders, which Dr. Kiel refers to as 'virtuoso leaders' have a five times greater impact on their organizations than 'self-focused' leaders as identified in their study. In this episode, we will look at the specific behaviors and actions that virtuoso leaders demonstrate with consistency in the workplace and explain the impact that these types of leaders have on well-being, motivation, engagement and productivity. As well, we will look at the specific behaviors and actions of 'self-focused' leaders and the negative impact that their style of leadership has on their organizations. Added to this, we will also look at what the data says about the impact that the leadership teams of virtuoso and self-focused leaders have on the organization and its stakeholders. The results speak volumes for the importance of leaders taking their own growth seriously, especially in the face of such an uncertain, unpredictable future. The world needs authentic leadership more than ever, so if you are a leader listening to today's episode, how are you holding yourself accountable for your own growth in order to have the true impact you desire? Jorge Rodriguez joins me for today's episode and, in this discussion, I will also share with him a journal writing framework for any leader wanting to reflect more deeply on their leadership and next steps needed to become better at what they do. You can download a PDF to this handbook by clicking the link below. Thanks for listening to today's episode and sharing it with anyone who you feel will benefit from tuning in.  Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteConnect With Jorge RodriguezTo download the free Path To Virtuoso Leadership handbook click herePlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

In today’s show, I'll explore the themes of well-being, motivation and fulfillment. As well, I'll share three strategies you can immediately put into action in your own life to seek deeper meaning and purpose. These research-backed strategies have been proven to increase well-being and motivation and are sure to help you continue to move in your desired direction in life. In this episode, I share a special story as a powerful reminder about our own light within and the importance of keeping this light burning brightly. There will be external things that happen in our life, whether it be particular circumstances or people, that cause turmoil and distress. These things can inevitably lead to the light within greatly dimming or being extinguished crushing our own intrinsic motivation to stay on the path of growth, learning and personal development. It can also be far too easy, at times, to succumb to the pressures of life and lose focus on the things that truly matter in our lives. Every time this happens, it becomes our responsibility to stay motivated, intentional, and purposeful in our actions to keep our metaphorical flames lit. And, there are things we can do to increase motivation, well-being and productivity. Hope you enjoy this episode and please be sure to share with anyone who you feel with benefit from listening. Thanks. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteJoseph Haydn's Farewell SymphonyPlease be sure to subscribe to my Run Your Life podcast, much appreciated.

In today's episode, we explore the life of Alfred Nobel and his special journey of creating the Nobel Foundation and the impact that this had on humanity. This story will challenge you to think about your own legacy and the trace of yourself you want to leave behind in the world. We all strive to make a difference in our lives through our parenting, as a spouse or partner to those we love, and in the workplace. How will we ultimately be remembered and what will our impact be? It is never too late to realize the impact we desire, but it certainly takes deep reflection and an unwavering commitment to be our best in whatever way that means. I hope this episode helps you to reflect on your current path in life and what it is you need to do to continue to move in the right direction, in order to leave the impact that you desire. Thanks for listening folks. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteDr. Jim Loehr's Leading With Character book can be found HERE

Today on the show, a dive into authentic leadership, what this means. As well, we will explore what gets in the way of it. In particular, we’ll explore identity awareness and the impact that this can have on any leader’s ability to lead with authenticity and purpose in order to have the impact they desire.To build trust in the workplace, leaders need to make the first move. However, that is becoming much more difficult for many leaders around the world.  Based on the latest research, two major themes are standing out more than ever in organizations.The first theme is that there has been a precipitous decline in trust in the workplace over the past few years. And secondly, leadership is harder than ever based on a variety of factors including the ever-changing global landscape, the dramatic increase in mental health issues, and the staff retention crisis (there are many other factors as well).True leadership skills are a precious resource in the workplace right now and will continue to be well into the future. So, where do we need to begin to ensure leadership is equipped with the skills necessary to face such turmoil and challenge in the workplace? This and more in today's podcast. Hope you have a listen and share with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInWebsiteSpecial Credit to Jim RoussinFind Jim's latest book here

On the show today, the inspiring Scottish poet Donna Ashworth joins us to share life lessons learned from her journey as a poet and best-selling author. Donna has written 8 books and, with a following of more than a million, Donna’s poetry speaks to the hearts and souls of countless people around the world through the themes of love, life, and loss. She has committed herself to helping as many people as possible understand that their imperfections, flaws and failures are all a part of their own journey of learning that ultimately makes them stronger and more resilient and to know that they are capable of so much more than they realize. Donna is a living example of someone who has overcome many obstacles in her own life in order to achieve the success she has by embracing vulnerability in a way that has helped her to develop the courage to speak her truth. Her journey and her work have inspired so many others to find their own truth and authenticity. Themes that we will explore are: Truth and authenticityFulfillment and well-beingThe creative processHow to deal with the inner criticLearning from hardship, failure and obstaclesDeveloping a more resilient mindsetThe power of poetryIt was a joy to interview Donna and I hope you find your own insight and takeaway value from our discussion. Please share this episode with anyone who you feel might benefit from listening. Connect with Donna Ashworth:WebsiteFacebookInstagramAll of Donna's books can be found hereThe BBC Scotland Interview mentioned in this podcastWelsh actors/actresses read Donna's poem 'History Will Remember When the World Stopped'

In today's episode, I share the latest, most relevant research around the themes of mental health, well-being and morale in the workplace and what the best leaders do, with consistency, to be impactful in their actions and words. Creating the conditions for high levels of mental health, well-being and morale in the workplace is no easy task for leaders, but those who do it well are very specific and intentional in their actions and words. We will explore research done by Forbes magazine in relation to mental health in organizations and also share very practical strategies to help leaders better pave the way for greater levels of well-being and morale. Hope you have a listen and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Thanks. Connect With AndyTwitterLinkedInFacebookEmail: [email protected] Article: How to Lead for Well-Being

Dr. Jason Patent, author of Humanly Possible: A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World joins me today on the podcast to share his deep insight in regards to how power can be used to create spaces where people feel they truly belong—leading to less stress and more happiness, to better and more productive workplaces, and ultimately to more fulfilling lives for everyone. It was a joy to have my old friend on the podcast to share his wisdom about what authentic leadership means in this day and age and also provide life lessons learned as an endurance athlete who has completed three 100-mile races along with other ultra events competed in. Jason is an organizational leader, consultant, author, thought leader, instructor, and workshop facilitator in the fields of global leadership and global diversity, equity, and inclusion. He loves partnering with organizations of all kinds to create thriving workplaces and classrooms where people feel they truly belong, and where they can devote their full talents.In his seven years as Director of the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership (CIL) at U.C. Berkeley’s International House, Jason, in partnership with Lauren and the CIL team, built out a suite of impactful workshops and courses for students from all six continents, and for organizations from local nonprofits and governments, to top universities, to Fortune 100 companies.Jason has served as American Co-Director of the Hopkins–Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies in Nanjing, China; Inaugural Director of the Stanford Program in Beijing; Consultant at Gap International; and Vice President, Communications & Marketing at Orchestrall, Inc. Fluent in Mandarin, Jason has a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Harvard University, an M.A. in the same field from Stanford University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Linguistics from U.C. Berkeley. Jason is passionate about the work he does and is making his dent in the world through his ongoing commitment to provide leaders with the training they need to show up as their best selves every day in order to lead more inclusive, empowering workplaces where all people feel a sense of belonging and trust. Hope you have a listen and share with anyone who you feel will benefit from tuning in.  Connect With Jason: WebsiteLinkedInBuy the Book: Humanly Possible- A New Model of Leadership for a More Inclusive World

In this episode, we will look at the impact that pressure and stress have on the body and mind in high stakes environments when you want to show up as your best selves in order to fulfill your potential and be impactful. We all experience moments in our lives when we face certain challenges. Perhaps it's having to give an important talk in front of colleagues or an audience of strangers. Maybe it's having to do a sales pitch to senior leaders in your company. It could just be having a difficult conversation with someone close to you or a colleague at work or even competing in a sports competition of some sort. Regardless of what the situation is, we all want to be impactful.  During these times, we want to be able to rise to the occasion to be our best in that moment to honor who we are and the impact that we want to have. However, there are times when we let ourselves down and fail to show up as we intended to due to giving into the demons of self-doubt, fear of judgement and a harsh negative inner voice. Although this is a natural part of being human, there are certain skills and strategies we can build and develop within ourselves to be able to face pressure in high stakes environments, when it matters most, to be able to perform to the best of our abilities. This episode will explore what the research around performance psychology has shown in regards what actually happens to the mind and body when under pressure. As well, three research-backed strategies will be shared that are immediately applicable in our own personal and professional lives in order to show up as our best selves when it counts the most. If you have ever caved into pressure or let nerves and anxiety get in the way of performing to the best of your ability on the stage, in the board room, in a sports competition, or any other situation when it mattered, this episode is for you. I hope you find takeaway value and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listenings. Thanks. Connect With Andy VasilyWebsite: http://www.andyvasily.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasilyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/Special Credits in this episode go to: Jimmy Fallon, Brendan Urie and the Roots remix for their rendition of Under Pressure by David BowieDr. Martin Seligman's work in Positive PsychologyDr. Michael Gervais and the Compete to Create online training courseDr. Jim Loehr's workOprah Winfrey's youtube talk

Today’s show is a unique one as my good friend, colleague and fellow podcaster, Jorge Rodriguez, takes control of the host seat in today’s episode. In our discussion, we take a dive into the wonderful Winter Enrichment Program held at our university KAUST here in Saudi Arabia in January and what we learned from interviewing some of the amazing keynote speakers and featured presenters. Jorge served as my sound producer for these episodes and also jumped in to ask a few questions. However, in today’s show, Jorge flips the script and interviews me about some of the presentations that I gave during the conference and what it was I wanted each audience member to think more deeply about in regards to the main themes of my presentations. At this conference, I was able to present about peak performance and the necessary conditions needed for humans to flourish and live more productive, fulfilled lives. In my conversation with Jorge, we take a dive into these themes and talk about how these ideas and strategies resonate with each of us based on our own unique contexts. Jorge was a gifted athlete in university and was on a track and field scholarship while attending the university of houston, so he was able to speak about what high performance meant to him during this time and what it was that he had to focus on to be his best. I also share what high performance means to me and what I’ve come to learn through my training as a performance coach. This conversation was very enjoyable to me as Jorge is not only a good friend and colleague but someone who I have developed deep respect for over the years based on his own life’s work and passion he has as an educator. Hope you find value in this discussion and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With JorgeTwitterPodcastWebsite

In today's episode, Raha Moharrak and I have a discussion about her life as a mountaineer and what she learned from scaling Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world at 29032 feet. When I think of Raha’s story, a quote from Nelson Mandela comes to mind. What Mandela said was this: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers his fear"Raha exemplifies what it means to be courageously bold in one’s life and to take the risks needed to leap into the unknown. For Raha that leap into the unknown led her to scaling some of the most difficult mountain tops in the world. What makes Raha’s story even more inspiring is that she was able to achieve all of this during a time when many young Saudi woman were discouraged from dreaming big and taking on difficult challenges. Having grown up in Jeddah, Raha had never been exposed to mountaineering but she lived a very adventurous and athletic life early on which propelled her on to dreaming big. In order to prepare for her journey to the top of Everest, Raha was required to get as much climbing experience as possible. In the year prior to summiting Everest she challenged herself to be able to scale 7 of the highest peaks in the world, as well she worked on her technical skills in mountaineering at a climbing school in Seattle, Washington. Her story is amazing as is her passion for inspiring all people to better understand that within each of them are limitless possibilities. I hope you enjoy my discussion with Raha Moharrak and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With RahaInstagramFacebookTwitterRead CNN's Article on Raha

In today's episode, I interview Dr. Paul Sutter. Paul is a theoretical cosmologist, award-winning science communicator, U.S. Cultural Ambassador, author, essayist, podcaster, speaker, TV host, and a globally recognized leader in the intersection of art and science. Paul is a research professor at the Institute for Advanced Computational Science at Stony Brook University and a guest researcher at the Center for Computational Astrophysics with the Flatiron Institute in New York City.Paul has authored two books, Your Place in the Universe and How to Die in Space. In addition to his books, he writes for Space.com, Ars Technica, Nautilus, Undark, Live Science, and more, with his articles syndicating to news outlets worldwide.Paul hosts a variety of science shows across all platforms, including How the Universe Works on Science Channel, Space Out on Discovery, and Edge of Knowledge on Ars Technica. He also writes and hosts his own shows, including his hit Ask a Spaceman podcast, which has been downloaded over 7 million times.Paul earned his PhD in physics in 2011 as a Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellow at the University of Illinois. He then spent three years as a research fellow at the Paris Institute for Astrophysics followed by two years at the Trieste Observatory in Italy. Prior to his current appointment, he held a joint position as the chief scientist at the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio and as a cosmological researcher at the Ohio State University.This conversation dives into the role of curiosity, imagination and the importance of keeping an open mind when it comes to learning. Hope you enjoy it and share it with anyone who will benefit from listening. Connect With PaulPaul's WebsiteTwitterYoutubeFacebook

It was an honor to interview Sunniva Sorby and Hilde Fålun Strøm in my latest podcast episode. Sunniva and Hilde are both courageously bold expeditioners, and citizen scientists who just over two years ago became the first women to live unassisted at the North Pole for what was supposed to be 9 months, but due to covid ended up being 21 months. Sunniva and Hilde's work to raise global awareness around climate change is remarkable as is their journey itself. They chose to live for two winters in total isolation on the Norwegian Arctic island of Svalbard to raise awareness of the massive impact climate change is having on our polar regions. In our interview we will unpack what that journey was like for them, how they learned to deal with fear, and what their biggest learning and takeaway was from that experience.This interview is one of 3 interviews I conducted as part of the Winter Enrichment Program 2023 at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. You will learn more about the amazing Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) in today's episode. Sunniva and Hilde are truly inspirational in the work that they do to raise global awareness around the issue of climate change. Hope you enjoy this episode and share with anyone who you feel will benefit from tuning in.  Connect with Sunniva and HildeTwitterLinkedInInstagramWebsiteBuy their book Hearts in the Ice here

This week's conversation is with the inspiring New York Times best-selling author and internationally renowned speaker Daniel Pink. Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into this episode based on his decades of writing and research. Although the main purpose of our conversation was to unpack the themes related to his latest New York Times best-seller The Power of Regret- How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward, we spend a fair chunk of our discussion initially talking about:Early days in Daniel's life and the type of learner he wasHow his experience living and researching in Japan led to him writing one of his books (The Adventures of Johnny Bunko- The Last Career Guide You Will Ever Need)Life lessons he has come to learn through his work and researchTalking about the above themes in Daniel's life helped to pave the way for an in-depth discussion about his latest best-seller. In the second half of this podcast we dove into the following themes: What sparked his desire to write his latest best-seller The Power of Regret- How Looking Backward Moves Us ForwardThe four core regrets that this book is structured aroundThe three-step process he shares in his book to help people proactively work through regrets in their livesWhat he is most proud of having given to the world through his workWhat strikes me about this conversation is Daniel's authenticity and personable way in which he communicates and connects. He has devoted his life to helping provide clarity to people around some of life's most challenging obstacles by consistently sharing, in his books, very useful, practical, researched-based strategies that are applicable in every day life. According to Daniel Pink:"Regret is not dangerous or abnormal, a deviation from the steady path to happiness. It is healthy and universal, an integral part of being human."Hope you enjoy my discussion with Daniel Pink. Thank you for tuning in and for sharing this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening to it. Daniel Pink Short BioDaniel H. Pink is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. His other books include the New York Times bestsellers When and A Whole New Mind — as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 42 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world. He lives in Washington, DC, with his family. Connect With Daniel PinkTwitter: https://twitter.com/DanielPinkWebsite: https://www.danpink.com/Daniel Pink's BooksA Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the FutureAdventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You Will Ever NeedTo Sell Is HumanDrive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates UsWhen: Scientific Secrets of Perfect TimingThe Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Helps us Move Forward

In today's episode, Jennifer Abrams and I unpack her latest book Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work. We take an in-depth dive into the 5 facets of personal and professional growth as outlined in her book. We discuss how these 5 facets apply to our improvement as an individual and as a workplace colleague in order to be able to show up as our best self with consistency both personally and professionally. As well, we also look at how the best leaders continually plant the seeds for adult development in their organizations in order to promote deeper well-being and productivity in the workplace. This is a thought-provoking discussion that will help all leaders to reflect more deeply on their role and responsibilities.  Jennifer Abrams for a part 2 of a conversation that began in September of 2022.  Jennifer is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits.  Jennifer’s publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work.Hope you can share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Thanks folks. Connect With JenWebsiteTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookPrevious Episode with Jennifer Abrams

In today's episode, I interview Rasmus Hougaard, the CEO/Founder of the Potential Project and best-selling author (Compassionate Leadership, The Mind of the Leader, and One Second Ahead). In the conversation, we cover such themes as living a mindful life, leadership,  dealing with trauma and helping organizations to thrive. Rasmus brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field of leadership development around the world and continues to make a difference every day in the work he does. It was a pleasure and honor to have him on the podcast. Please share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Rasmus' BioRasmus Hougaard is the Founder and Managing Director of Potential Project, a global research, leadership development, and consulting firm on a mission to create a more human world of work. His prescient views on the critical qualities of future leaders got him recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s most influential business thinkers. He has partnered with forward-thinking organizations like IKEA,Unilever, and Cisco to create a more human world of work by helping individuals, leaders, and teams to unlock the full potential of the mind. Rasmus is an experienced, authentic, and engaging speaker, having led morethan 1,500 keynotes and workshops. Rasmus is the co-author of Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way (Harvard Business Review Press, 2022). Using data from thousands of leaders, employees, and companies in nearly 100 countries, the book finds that when leaders bring the right balance of compassion and wisdom to work, they foster much higher levels of employee engagement, performance, loyalty, and well-being. Rasmus also co-authored The Mind of the Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People and Your Organization for Extraordinary Results and One Second Ahead: Enhance Your Performance at Work with Mindfulness. In addition, he writes for leading publications such as Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Forbes, and Business Insider.Connect With Rasmus:WebsiteTwitterLindkedInRasmus' BooksCompassionate LeadershipThe Mind of the LeaderOne Second AheadForbes Article Mentioned in EpisodeOther Forbes Articles Written By RasmusMindfulness For Well-Being at Work Talk

Dr. Jim Knight has been on my show two times previously and, in these episodes, we took a deep dive into the work he has done in the field of instructional coaching for the past two decades.In both of these episodes, Jim shared great insight into what instructional coaching is and how coaches work alongside educators to bring out their very best in order to have a positive impact on student learning. Although Jim and I will do a review of instructional coaching in our episode today, the focus of our conversation is more about Jim’s recent learning in relation to his own research, what he feels most compelled to share with the world through his work and how schools and their leaders can best support coaches in order to help them thrive within their roles. I hope you tune into today's episode and share it with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening to it. Thanks. About Jim:Jim Knight, Founder and Senior Partner of Instructional Coaching Group (ICG), is also a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying professional learning and instructional coaching. Jim earned his PhD in Education from the University of Kansas and has won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards. The pioneering work Jim and his colleagues have conducted has led to many innovations that are now central to professional development in schools. Jim wrote the first major article about instructional coaching for the Journal of Staff Development, and his book Instructional Coaching (2007) offered the first extended description of instructional coaching. Jim’s book Focus on Teaching (2014) was the first extended description of how video should be used for professional learning. Recently, writing with Ann Hoffman, Michelle Harris, and Sharon Thomas, Jim introduced the idea of instructional playbooks with their book on that topic. Jim has written several books in addition to those described above, including Unmistakable Impact (2011), High-Impact Instruction (2013), Better Conversations (2015), The Impact Cycle (2018), and The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching (2021). Knight has also authored articles on instructional coaching and professional learning in publications such as Educational Leadership, The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Kappan. Jim is also a columnist for Educational Leadership.Through ICG, Knight conducts coaching workshops, hosts the Facebook Live series, “Coaching Conversations,” and provides consulting for coaching programs around the world.Connect With Jim:WebsiteTwitterOur Previous Two Podcasts:January 2021September 2021

Rick was first on my show back in 2017 and, in this initial conversation, we explored the work he had done up until that point training teachers around the areas of assessment, feedback, and differentiated instruction. Rick’s work has received numerous media coverage over the years. Some examples include The Good Morning America Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, The Washington Post, the National Geographic and Good Housekeeping magazines (among many other publications).In today’s episode, Rick and I explore early days in his life and how this journey went on to shape who he became as an educator and ultimately the work he has done as a writer, presenter and trainer of teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards and business organizations. Rick shares deep insight into what it takes to be a great teacher and what the best leaders do to empower all stakeholders in their organizations to thrive and flourish within their roles. As well, he shares some valuable resources and ideas to help improve pedagogy and leadership practice. You are sure to enjoy this discussion with Rick. Connect With RickTwitter: https://twitter.com/rickwormeli2Website: https://www.rickwormeli.com/The 2017 episode I recorded with Rick can be found here.

In this episode, we will explore the power of personal narrative and the impact that mindset training has on sparking the very best within ourselves. We will double click on how we can all pursue our own level of excellence and in this episode, I will share snippets from interviews I’ve done on my podcast with three very uniquely talented and inspiring individuals who have carved out their own path of excellence in life. We will hear from world renowned performance psychologists Dr. Michael Gervais and Dr. Jim Loehr, as well as 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Andrea Proske. Through the conversations I have on my podcast, I love nothing more than to pull back the curtain on optimal performance and the conditions necessary to perform at our best, regardless of what it is we do. Maybe it’s being the best parent we can be or the best partner or spouse. Maybe it’s being the best in the workplace or even being the best in our sport. Regardless, it’s about pursuing personal and professional excellence and how the best in the world do this with consistency in their lives. I hope you enjoy this episode and it inspires you to pursue your best self. Thanks so much for listening and for sharing with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Shine on and thrive!Connect with Michael GervaisTwitter: https://twitter.com/michaelgervaisWebsite: https://findingmastery.net/category/podcasts/Online Training Course: https://competetocreate.net/Connect With Dr. Jim LoehrWebsite: https://www.jim-loehr.com/Leading with Character Book: https://www.jim-loehr.com/booksAndrea Proske: Website: https://andreaproske.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreaproskeAndy Vasily: Website: https://andyvasily.com/Twitter: https://andyvasily.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/

My guest today is Kath Murdoch. In today's show, we’ll explore leading and learning through the lens of inquiry and how taking on an inquiry stance, both internally and externally, can greatly shape what we learn about ourselves, others, and the world around usFrom the TED X stage to countless conferences, to lecture halls and schools around the globe, Kath has had a huge impact on the field of teaching and learning. She’s written 15 books and numerous articles for teachers – including her best-seller ‘The Power of Inquiry’ (2015) and two of her latest books Getting Personal With Inquiry Learning and The Wonder of Winsome. If you haven’t seen her TED X talk, you should check it out, because it was in this talk that she had the chance to speak so eloquently about The Power of Umm and share how silence allows young people to pick up lose threads of knowledge and reflection that open their minds to the most beautiful moments of curiosity that come alive through the questions that they come up with.  Kath emphasizes that it’s not the answers that enlighten but rather powerful questions instead which are responsible for sparking deep learning in young people. So in today’s episode, Kath and I are going to pull back the curtain on how she has continued to evolve her own learning related to the work she does inspiring teachers and students around the world to do their best work possible. As well, how curiosity, genuine reflection and asking the right questions all play a critical role in helping leaders be the best they can be for the organizations they lead. What was revealed to me through this discussion today was the impact that taking on an inquiry stance has on helping to build such a strong culture of genuine learning across the board in educational organizations. Hope you enjoy this discussion and share it with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With Kath: Website: https://www.kathmurdoch.com.au/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kjinquiryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjinquiry/Credits for this Podcast Go To: Kath Murdoch and Her TED X Talk: The Power of UmmSir Ken Robinson and His Talk on How Schools Killed CreativityRun Your Life Podcast With Andy VasilyCheck out my podcast with the amazing Cal Fussman which was mentioned in this episode. 

In today's episode, Olli-Pekka Heinonen and I have a conversation about his journey of learning as the Director-General of the International Baccalaureate Organization. In this discussion, Ollie-Pekka shares what his vision of education is and what he has committed himself to in order to bring out the best in those who he leads. With that in mind, we chat about the conditions necessary to help educational leaders and teachers best prepare young learners for the uncertain world they will one day face.  If you are on Twitter, you can connect with Ollie-Pekka and the IBO. I've included their Twitter handles below. Please share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening to it. Olli-Pekka Heinonen Bio: Mr Olli-Pekka Heinonen became the 8th Director General of the International Baccalaureate Organization on 1 May 2021. Prior to joining the IB, Mr Heinonen was Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education where he worked from January 2017. Mr Heinonen had an active career in politics in Finland between 1994 and 2002: he was Minister of Education and Science from 1994-1999; Minister of Transport and Communication from 1999-2002 and a Member of Parliament from 1995-2002. From 2002 to 2012, Mr Heinonen was Director of Yle, the Finnish national public broadcasting company, before joining the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office in March 2012 as State Secretary, responsible for organizing and leading the office. He has also been responsible, as State Secretary, for the portfolios of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development and then as State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance of Finland. Mr Heinonen holds a Master of Laws from the University of Helsinki in Finland and has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. He is married and has three children.Connect With Ollie-Pekka: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Heino1OlliConnect with the IBO: Twitter: https://twitter.com/iborganizationWebsite: https://www.ibo.org/

Top-down leadership is not only outdated, it’s also incredibly counterproductive in this day and age. It simply doesn’t work as it once did, yet many leaders still feel the need to direct and command from above. Perhaps it’s self-imposed pressure, fear of looking incompetent, or the need to appear in complete control that causes these types of leaders to undervalue and push aside the importance of prioritizing people and relationships in their organization.This short podcast takes a quick look at what it means to lead with humility and gratitude. Hope you enjoy it.Connect with AndyTwitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasilyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/Special credit to the amazing Jordi Savall for the background music

Dyslexia can be difficult for educational leaders, teachers, parents, and communities to oftentimes deal with as there is no universal understanding of how to recognize and identify it, screen for it and/or aid students who struggle to read because of it. The fact is that many young people can face enormous hardship as they journey through school due to diagnosing issues. Many of these students never even find out that they do in fact have a learning difference. October 3rd-9th of this month is World Dyslexia Week, with a particular focused theme of ‘Breaking Through Barriers’, therefore, I have decided to devote this episode to raising awareness around the issue of dyslexia by interviewing three special guests on today’s show in order to share three very different, yet deeply interwoven perspectives on the issue of dyslexia (Dr. Paul O'Callaghan, Marie Keçecioğlu & Megan Jeffries)In today’s episode, we will look at what dyslexia is, the obstacles that get in the way of addressing dyslexia on a deeper level, how dyslexia reveals itself at home and in school, and we will also share valuable resources that any teacher, parent, or school leader can access right away to help better support students who have dyslexia or dyslexic tendencies. To a dyslexic child, their world can oftentimes be filled with words and phrases such as ‘he or she is stubborn’ or ‘not working to their potential, or even ‘lazy and unintelligent’. Many young people who struggle to read and write often hear themselves described in this manner and sadly oftentimes have learned to label themselves in the same way as well. As I interviewed each guest that you will hear today, I couldn’t help but think of  quote that I once heard by Soren Kierkegaard: “Once you label me, you negate me".  A powerful quote that sums up how labels can make us feel at times. As a young person myself, I was labelled as a poor reader. Although not dyslexic, I do remember the impact that this had on my own self-esteem and how I felt about myself….the shame and embarrassment from being forced to read in front of the class was awful for me when I was young. The reading comprehension tests that were projected on the wall forced all the students to read at the same pace. I remember the anxiety it caused me not being able to keep up with my peers. This led to a total disengagement of reading which continued through my high school years. It wasn’t until well after high school that I found my own passion for reading. I’ve learned to develop a deep love of reading over the years which has made such a huge difference in my own life. Resources mentioned in this episode: Paul's Recommendations: Margaret Goldburg’s BlogTimothy Shanahan’s Blog Amplify’s Brain Builder Series for Children Explaining the Science of Reading and the BrainMeasured Mom Website  Marie's Recommendations:Positive DisciplineUniversity of Florida Literacy InstituteMegan's Recommendations:https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/Steps Web

Hi everyone, thanks for tuning into another episode of my Run Your Life podcast. I just wanted to do a quick introduction into the new podcast series SPARKS OF REFLECTION that I am starting up to give you a bit of background into why I am choosing to do this new series. The purpose of this series is to do a number of very short episodes devoted to sharing my thinking around some important themes that consistently come up in the work that I do as a coach, an educator, a consultant, and a podcast host. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work with many different people across a number of different fields. Although most of this work was initially done in the field of education, I find that, regardless of profession, there are many commonalities when it comes to what high performance means and what obstacles stand in the way of people becoming the best version of themselves possible in order to be deeply impactful in their personal and professional life. The themes of mental, social, emotional and physical well-being, resilience, joy and fulfillment, vulnerability, motivation, staying inspired, and leading with authenticity are consistently woven into the discussions that I have with many high performers. What separates the great from the good or average is the willingness that certain people have to better understand their own life context and to consistently reflect on what it is they need to do to continually grow, evolve and improve themselves on a daily basis. This podcast series will be devoted to sharing what I’ve learned and the things I reflect on myself as I pursue my own deeper learning. My hope is that this podcast series challenges you to think differently about your own life and what may be possible. Each episode will probably be only 5-7 minutes, but it is my goal and intention to leave you thinking and reflecting on your own performance. Some episodes may resonate, some may not. What matters most to me is that you stay open and receptive to change and growth in your life. As the saying goes, ‘Sometimes change may not be what we want, but it is exactly what we need in order to keep growing.”Thanks for listening. Connect With Andy:Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasilyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/Quotes from this Episode: "When inner conflict ends, peace begins." ~Tich Nhat Hanh"Every single human has a violent civil war raging within”. ~Martin Luther King

I’m joined today by Jennifer Abrams, an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits. Jennifer’s publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work.My original intention for having this conversation with Jen was to discuss her particular latest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work. My hope was to take a dive into her work through the lens of her writing but to also discuss her role as a consultant and the work she does training leaders to bring out the best in their organizationsAs we started this conversation off, we discussed early experiences in Jenn’s life and the major lessons learned that ultimately propelled her on to doing the work she now does in the world. We took a few unexpected turns in this conversation that helped to better frame up Jen’s life and work.As we moved deeper into our discussion, the themes of well-being, authenticity, self-reflection, and vulnerability came alive which helped to provide even more context for the journey Jen has been on and why the work she does matters so much to her. I appreciate the honest nature of this conversation and the way Jen models what it means to stand in her own truth. We agreed that this is really a part 1 to our conversation and have committed ourselves to recording part 2 in later October. We will dive deeply into her latest book: Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work in our next conversation which will no doubt strongly connect to the previous books she has written as well. It was an honor to have this conversation with Jen. I hope you find value in our discussion today and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening to it.Connect With JenWebsite: https://jenniferabrams.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferabramsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbethabrams/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-abrams-439176Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.abrams.50

Charles Feltman joins me on my podcast today for a second time. Our first conversation in March 2022 took a deep dive into his book The Thin Book® of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work. In that conversation we unpacked the 4 assessment domains that he outlines in his book and why understanding these domains is necessary for leaders to increase team cohesion and effectiveness. The four assessment domains revolve deeply around the themes of care, sincerity, reliability and competence. Our conversation today can be looked at as a part 2 to that original chat back in March, but much more hands on as Charles provides us with real examples of what great leadership looks like in action and how the best leaders learn to navigate important discussions to not only build deep trust, but also create the conditions for high performance in their organization. Charles provides deep insight through his life lessons learned having worked in the arena of trust-building for more than three decades. Through the years Charles has partnered with client companies to design and deliver custom leadership development programs that are unique to each client’s needs, culture and goals. These programs are all designed around the fundamental idea that organizations are networks of conversations, and the more effective leaders are at having the right conversations with the right people, at the right times, and in the right ways, the more successful their organizations will be.The inspiring author and speaker, Brene Brown, has had Charles on her own podcast and widely shares the fact that she has used his definitions of trust and distrust in every book she has written because these definitions are practical and actionable while at the same time deep and meaningful. It was an honor to have Charles back on my podcast. Wherever you are in the world listening to this, I hope you find lots of value in my discussion with Charles today.  About CharlesCharles Feltman has over 25 years of professional experience coaching, facilitating, consulting to, and training people who lead others. An overarching goal in all of his work is that his clients experience both success and wellbeing at work and in all areas of their lives. Prior to starting his coaching and consulting business he spent a decade in leadership roles in technology industry companies. Today Charles’ work is concentrated in two main areas: Coaching Individual Leaders and Leadership Teams.Clients include executives, managers and teams from Aerospace Corp., Calstar Air Ambulance, CareMore Health Plan, Cognizant, Comfort Systems, Designit, Genpact, Intel, Siemens, ST Microelectronics, SealedAir, Teichert Construction, UCSF, NASA, US National Park Service, USDA, Heifer Project International and The Nature Conservancy.  Charles is the author of The Thin Book® of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work, based on three decades of experience working with individuals and teams to build,maintain, and when necessary restore trust.Connect With Charles:Website: https://insightcoaching.com/business-coaching/Buy Charles' Book: https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Trust-Essential-Primer-Building/dp/0966537394

In today’s episode, I feel lucky to have Dr. Helen Street back on my show for a second time. The first time Helen was on was in March of 2020. In that episode, Helen and I spoke in depth about her book Contextual Well-Being. I’ve included a link to that podcast in the show notes of today’s episode for anyone wanting to have a listen. To frame up today’s episode, I want to share with you all the deep respect that I have for Helen and the work she does in the field of education. She has devoted her life to advocating for school contextual reform and the revolutionizing of traditional education systems. Helen is currently an honorary associate professor in the graduate school of education at The University of Western Australia and the chair of Positive Schools along with her partner Neil Portman. Helen firmly believes that, “Our role as educators is not to tell someone how to be well, or to reward them for behaving well. We have to provide young people with a context in which they can flourish”I love my conversations with Helen and I hope you all find the same value in the insight and life lessons that she shares in today’s episode. Connect With Dr. Helen StreetWebsite: Positive Schools, Helen's WebsiteTwitter: @drhelenstreetHelen's Book: Contextual Well-BeingPrevious Episode Recorded with Helen

My guest today, Dr. Brent Hogarth is a sport and clinical psychologist whose journey toward excellence began in 2010 when he traveled to India to live and learn in a Buddhist Monastery. In Brent’s own words, “I learned how to live in the present moment for the first time in my life.”Since his experience in India, he has seen how this one ability - to be fully here and now -  enables professionals to truly fulfill their own potential and make their most desired impact on the world. Brent is an expert in training flow-state, mindfulness, and self-control for both sport and corporate athletes. has significant training and experience providing performance enhancement and mental health counseling. This includes, but is not limited to, working with Olympic and professional athletes, serial entrepreneurs, members of the USA military, computer engineers, authors, hedge fund managers, and more. Brent's clinical counseling experience is vast, and he sees everyone as having the ability to be a high-performer.  It was a pleasure to have him on the podcast to share his life journey and the work that he does helping people to become the best version of themselves possible. Connect With Brent:Website: https://www.brenthogarth.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrentHogarthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenthogarth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brent.t.hogarth/Upcoming Workshops/Retreats: Vancouver Flow Festival (July 2022)

Alan Dunstan and Lewis Keens join me on the show for a discussion about the role that fear plays in our lives in regards to our growth and learning. As Alan and Lewis co-host their own podcast called Infinite Leaders, we decided that we would release our conversation on both of our podcasts. Both Lewis and Alan have leadership roles in education and have a combined 33 years of experience between them. They are passionate about leadership development and have devoted themselves to not only learning as much as they can about what great leaders do, they regularly share this knowledge on their Infinite Leaders podcast which now has more than 60 episodes. Great story here…..Alan was Lewis’s physical education teaching in high school many years back. After graduating from high school, Lewis and Alan developed a deep friendship which led to them working together for many years in Asia at a top international school. We decided to connect and do this podcast as we have many similar values and beliefs when it comes to leadership development. In our conversation today, we unpack what fear is and why it is so important in our life. We not only look at it from an evolutionary perspective, but also strategies to grapple with fear when faced with uncertainty, challenge, and hardship. Alan and Lewis bring a load of experience and knowledge into this conversation today. It was a pleasure to connect with them and I look forward to further collaboration.About Alan Dunstan and Lewis KeensAlan DunstanAlan is an accomplished, values-driven educator with over 20 years’ experience in a number of schools across the world. He takes great pride in building successful departments and coaching teams while promoting physical literacy to all students. Alan is an avid reader and an advocate of research-based practice. He values good old fashioned 'graft', humility and working in a happy, safe environment.Alan leads the PE team and is a member of the Primary Leadership team at the Diplomatic Quarter Campus of British International School, Riyadh. He is currently working towards a Master's degree in Educational Leadership.Lewis KeensLewis is a committed learner with over 13 years’ teaching experience in England and British International schools in Southeast Asia. Lewis leads hard-working teams with a focus on shared values, professional behaviours and a clear vision. He admires humility, honesty and kindness in others.Lewis is the current Chair of The Federation of British Schools In Asia (FOBISIA) PE & Sport Executive Committee, working to support the development of PE and Sport across over eighty member schools in the region. Lewis is the Director of Sport and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at The Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur. He is currently working on finding out more about his own roots by researching his family tree.Connect with Alan and Lewis:Alan Dunstan: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARJDunstan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-dunstan/Lewis Keens: Twitter: https://twitter.com/lewisjkeensLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-keens-709a26a8/The Infinite Leaders Podcast can be found here: https://theinfinitelearners.com/

In today’s episode, I have my friend and mentor, Jim Roussin, on the podcast to chat about his book Transforming Teamwork: Cultivating Collaborative Cultures. Jim co-authored this book with Diane P. Zimmerman and Robert J. Garmston. A fantastic read that draws on research and practical experience. In the book, Jim and his co-authors identify and unpack strategies and tools that: Help to build psychological safety in an effort to get teams to work towards resilient interpersonal relationships. Teach how to use constructive conflict as a powerful catalyst for team learning and transformationEmpower teams to inquire into problems of practice to transform capabilities and produce actionable learningI’ve known Jim for 6 years now and he was the one who trained me as a cognitive coach. This is the third time that Jim has come on my podcast. I love our conversations as they are so full of insight and wisdom. If you are a leader in any organization, you are sure to find deep value in our discussion today and I highly recommend that you get your hands on a copy of his book. It is sure to help transform teamwork in your own organization. Jim is currently the Executive Director for Generative Learning which you can find online at http://www.generative-learning.comIn addition to Transforming Teamwork he has also written two other books: Implementing Change Through Learning: Concerns-Based Concepts, Tools, and Strategies for Guiding Change in (2013); and Guiding Professional Learning Communities: Inspiration, Challenge, Surprise, and Meaning in (2010)I hope you enjoy our conversation and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening to it. About Jim: James L. Roussin has worked as an assistant superintendent, language arts teacher, ESL coordinator, ASCD Middle East consultant and adjunct professor.Jim is currently the Executive Director for Generative Learning. A consulting practice focused on healthy organizations and human development through the lens of natural systems theory and complexity science.He served as a teaching associate for Human Systems Dynamics (an institute using complexity theory to transform organizational culture). Jim facilitates learning in the following areas: leadership development, board development, Strategic Planning, Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools. Jim was the co-developer and co-facilitator of the West-Metro Teacher Leadership Academy in Minnesota.Connect with Jim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-roussin-b739514/

On today’s show, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview the inspiring Kailee Scales, the CEO of Pencils of Promise. Every organization that strives to do great things in the world, needs a strongly empathetic, compassionate and caring leader who is deeply committed to creating lasting change. Kailee Scales has embodied these attributes from early in her life. She has been devoted to a life of service for years and firmly believes that Every human being was born free. But we know for many people there are barriers to this freedom. She believes there are processes that allow people to either have freedom of action and decisions or not to have freedom over their actions and decisions and this is what devoted her life to figuring out why this is. Kailee has raised over $100 million and led domestic and international NGOs to address some of the world’s most progressive social and political issues. Most notably, she served as founding national director of Mentor USA and global coordinator of Mentor International, a drug-abuse prevention organization led by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, working in close conjunction with HMQ Silvia and United Nations leadership. From 2017 to 2020, Kailee served as the first Managing Director of Black Lives Matter Global Network.  In this role, she was responsible for building infrastructure across the global organization..  She launched the Arts+Culture platform and created BLM’s WhatMATTERS2020, a civic engagement campaign targeted towards Black Millennial and Gen Z voters at risk of disenfranchisement.  She also served as the executive producer of the viral video, Rest in Power Beautiful, which aired less than 48 hours after the murder of George Floyd. It was seen over 10M times on social media, BET, CBS, Times Square and the Staples Center.  In June 2021, she was chosen by Adam Braun to serve as the CEO of Pencils of Promise. This was a deeply insightful conversation and I hope you find a lot of takeaway value in Kailee’s message. I’ve included links to POP in the show notes as well where you can find Kailee on social media. I also encourage to head on over to POP to check out there amazing work. If you are an educational leader or teacher looking to be involved there are lots of ways to connect with them and offer your time. As well, please consider a donation to their cause. Connect with Kailee: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaileeScalesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaileescales/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.kaileescales.com/about/Pencils of Promise Website: https://pencilsofpromise.org/

Neila Steele and I have revived our 4 X Mindfulness podcast series. A podcast series devoted to sharing our learning around mindfulness and well-being. Although we've recorded almost 20 of these episodes previously, it's been a few years since we released our last one. This podcast series is a passion project of ours and we hope to start releasing them regularly again. We hope our listeners gain value and takeaway from these episodes. As I said in the introduction, this podcast series is never about having the right answers, but more so stimulating important discussion around our learning related to mindfulness. Thanks for listening and please share our 4 X Mindfulness series with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Connect With Neila SteeleTwitter: https://twitter.com/neilasteeleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilasteele/Connect With Andy VasilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasilyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-vasily-07b551157/Website: http://www.andyvasily.com/Podcast: https://www.runyourlifepodcast.com/

In today’s episode, Joe McDonough and I have a deep and moving conversation about his son Andrew, who at 14 years old lost his battle with cancer in 2007. Since that time Joe has devoted his life to keeping Andrew’s spirit alive through their B+ foundation. In Joe’s own words: The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the memory of Andrew, a 14-year-old athlete and ‘A’ student from Wilmington, Delaware. January 27, 2007, Andrew helped lead his team to victory in a Pennsylvania state championship soccer tournament. Within 48 hours, he was in cardiac arrest. The diagnosis was AML Leukemia. The prognosis was grim. In fact, doctors didn’t expect Andrew to live through the night. Amazingly, Andrew fought for 167 days before going to Heaven on July 14, 2007.In our conversation today, Joe shares many touching memories of his son Andrew Joe also talks about the process he has gone through grieving the loss of his son and the mission of their B+ foundation. Which is the largest provider of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer in the US, helping nearly 3,000 families this year.I first learned of Joe’s story as I did my research for my last episode with Cal Fussman. Joe was on Cal’s podcast and that is where I first heard his story. I was so moved by his story I reached out to Joe immediately after to invite him on my podcast. My podcast has always been a passion project of mine. Although there are many expenses that I pay out of pocket to keep this podcast going. I’ve never asked for money from my listeners, and never intend to. Even though I do not have a patron page, I am putting a request out there to everyone listening. If my podcast has helped you in any way or if you have found value in it, I would love to ask you this very special favor. After listening to my episode with Joe, it would mean the world to me to have you head on over to his website at https://www.bepositive.org/ways-to-give and make a donation to support the foundation. If you are on Twitter, please look them up at @bepositivefdn and let them know you heard Joe’s story on my podcast and donated to their cause. As well, please share this episode with anyone who you feel with benefit from listening to it. The more people we can get listening to this episode, the more possibilities of donations going their way. Connect With Joe:Website: https://www.bepositive.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BePositiveFdn

On the show today, New York Times bestselling author and longtime Esquire writer, Cal Fussman.  He is also the host of the Big Questions podcast  I first came across Cal’s work more than 6 years ago when I heard him  interviewed by well known podcaster Tim Ferriss. I was immediately drawn to Cal’s amazing ability to tell stories. As you will see in our conversation today, Cal has a very special way with words.For many years, Cal wrote the ‘What I’ve Learned’ column for Esquire magazine where he had the chance to interview world class leaders from various fields. Here is just a small list of some of the brilliant people he has interviewed over the years:Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden, Ted Kennedy, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Quincy Jones, Woody Allen, Barbara Walters, Pelé, Yao Ming, Serena Williams, John Wooden, and he also spend a week with Muhammad Ali to write a cover feature about his life. According to Cal himself--"Questions have guided my life ever since I was seven years old and sent a letter with a question to the President of the United States, and got a reply. Over the years, questions have taken me around the world and into interviews with hundreds of the most talented, compelling and powerful people on earth.:In today’s episode, Cal discusses the art of listening and the main reasons why he has devoted his life to reshaping health care. He also discussed, in detail, the lessons he learned from interviewing former Soviet Union leader Mikail Gorbachev in an Esquire article published in September 2008. Be sure to check out Cal’s work at calfussman.com and subscribe to his wonderful podcast on Apple podcasts, Stitcher or Google podcasts or tune into his podcast website at calfussman.com/podcast. Connect With Cal:Twitter: https://twitter.com/calfussmanWebsite: https://www.calfussman.com/Big Questions PodcastCal's Keynote talk can be found hereMohammad Ali's Astounding Bursts of Physical Brilliance

My guest today, Charles Feltman, has spent the last 3 decades deeply devoted to unpacking the concept of trust and through his work, he tries to help people understand that trusting others is not a switch that we simply turn off forever when trust has been broken. He firmly believes that 'trust' is an essential aspect of strong, authentic and productive working relationships. But that trust doesn’t just happen. It takes attention to the words and behaviors that affect trust.His Thin Book of Trust 2nd Edition provides a simple, powerful framework and language for building, maintaining and restoring trust. Filled with examples, it is designed to help readers pay attention to what matters to consistently build, maintain and, when necessary, restore strong trust in any complex, fast-paced and demanding work environment.Charles Feltman’s work with TRUST has been embraced by countless leaders around the world who have implemented his framework with great success. Renowned author, speaker and podcaster, Brene Brown, has built her amazing work around Charles Feltman’s definition of trust.As you listen to today’s episode with Charles Feltman, I hope you find value in learning more about his TRUST framework and how it might apply in your own personal and professional life. If you are a leader, how might you use Charles’ work to build more trusting, positive relationships in the workplace? What might you need to do better? And what actions might you need to take to rebuild any relationships that have been broken due to distrust? It was an honor to speak with Charles, better understand his own journey, and have a conversation about his powerful book called the Thin Book of Trust. I hope that after this podcast, you get your hands on a copy of the book and share it with your staff or just read it yourself. It is sure to get you to look at the concept of trust through a different lens.About CharlesCharles Feltman is an executive coach, consultant and facilitator. he coaches executives and managers in developing the thinking, being and doing that constitute the most effective leadership in their organizations. He also coaches teams and workgroups around issues of trust, commitment, conflict, collaboration, and accountability. In addition to coaching and consulting for Fortune 500 companies since 1990, Charles has served as a community mediator and facilitator for the past 30 years. In all of his work he has helped people successfully confront and deal with issues of trust, betrayal and reconciliation in their work, community and personal lives. Prior to beginning his coaching and consulting business, Insight Coaching, Charles was part of the early boom in the Silicon Valley high-tech industry during the 1980s. He also held management positions in higher education administration in the 1970s. Charles holds a Masters degree in Organizational Development from USC and a BA in Psychology from UCSC.Connect With Charles: Website: https://insightcoaching.com/business-coaching/Buy Charles' Book: https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Trust-Essential-Primer-Building/dp/0966537394Special Credit: Brene Brown Video: The Anatomy of TrustBrene Brown Podcast With Charles Feltman

This week’s conversation is with Todd Herman, best-selling author, performance coach, and world-renowned speaker. Todd is best known for the work he does coaching top-level people in sport, business, and entertainment. He believes deeply in being a practitioner, so he can create programs, systems, and tools for others, that are proven, practical and precise. He has logged more than 19000 hours working 1-1 with many of the world’s elite in their field. In our conversation, we unpack the main ideas and themes found in his best-selling book The Alter Ego Effect: How Secret Identities Can Transform Your Life. As well, we take a deep dive into the work he has devoted himself to in the field of performance coaching since he first started up his business in 1997. Todd challenges us all to think differently about what is possible in our lives when we break free from self-imposed limitations, imposter syndrome and we get out of our own way by taking action on the things we genuinely want in life. Connect with ToddWebsite: https://toddherman.me/Twitter: https://twitter.com/todd_hermanYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/toddherman1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/todd_herman/You can purchase Todd’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Alter-Ego-Effect-Identities-Transform/dp/0062838636

In this episode, Brittany joins me to discuss her book Next Chance You: Tools, Tips, and Tough Love for Bringing Your A-Game to Life. As well, we speak about her role in the popular Netflix series Last Chance U and the work she did helping more than 200 student-athletes academically quality for nationally respected NCAA division 1 schools.  In today's chat, we unpack the themes of resilience, self-belief, overcoming trauma, and finding purpose in life. It was a honor to have Brittany on the show to speak about her amazing work. Brittany's Bio:Brittany Wagner is a nationally respected athletic academic counselor and motivational speaker best known for her role as the breakout star of the hit Netflix documentary series, Last Chance U. Recognized for her compassion, encouragement, and no-nonsense attitude, Brittany guided many young men to academic/professional success despite run-ins with the law, extreme poverty, abandonment, and often a complete lack of academic preparedness. She has helped over 200 football players academically qualify for nationally respected NCAA Division I schools, and all of the students Brittany advised who are currently playing in the NFL, also hold college degrees. Brittany’s inadvertent stardom led to feature interviews with ABC’s Nightline, The Dan Patrick Show, GQ, The New York Times, The LA Times and Sports Illustrated — to name a few.For the past 4 years, Brittany has traveled all over the country as a motivational speaker. In the fall of 2017, she launched her own company, Ten Thousand Pencils (10KP). Through 10KP, she is able to aid at-risk youth by working individually with high school and college-level administrators, counselors, and teachers to help them build relationships with these students and better support their emotional, social, and academic needs. Brittany’s first book: Next Chance You: Tools, Tips and Tough Love for Bringing Your A-Game to Life is available for pre-orders now and will be published on September 7th of this year. A new, scripted television series based on Brittany’s personal and professional life is in the making! Actress Courteney Cox will be portraying Ms. Wagner in this series. Michael Strahan is also an executive producer on the project. Lastly, she is an adjunct professor in the College of Business at The University of Montevallo and is a boxing coach at Battle Republic. Brittany earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sports Communication and Administration from Mississippi State University, and currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her daughter, Kennedy. Connect With Brittany: WebsiteTwitterYou can find her book Next Chance You: Tools, Tips, and Tough Love for Bringing Your A-Game to Life hereSpecial Credit to: Opening Marching Band SongGood Morning America InterviewPodcast Intro #1Podcast Intro #2

This episode is devoted to exploring how self-imposed limitations can hold us back from performing at our very best. The science is clear on the impact that a negative mindset, fear, doubt and uncertainty can have on human potential. The story of the broken piano is a beautiful metaphor for breaking through self-imposed limitations in order to achieve great things in life. We'll unpack the broken piano story in hopes of challenging each listener to think more deeply about their own life and the self-imposed limitations that they oftentimes place on themselves. We'll look at how we can break through those limitations in order to live a more fulfilled and purposeful life and do our best work possible. Thanks for listening and for sharing with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Credits: Full credit to following Keith Jarret performing Bach pieceKeith Jarret and Miles Davis performanceThe out of tune piano pieceKeith Jarret's opening wordsKeith' Cologne concert pieceJanine Shepherd speechJanine Shepherd website

In this episode, I discuss what cognitive reframing means and how it can be applied in our own lives. As well, I share several other strategies and resources to help support and strengthen mental health and well-being. I take a deep dive into Dr. Martin Seligman's work related to positive psychology, Dr. Jim Loehr's research into the power of story-telling and personal narrative, Brene Brown's work related to vulnerability and connection, and finally the powerful role that physical activity can have in our lives. Hope you find some valuable takeaway from my solo podcast today and share with anyone who you feel would benefit from listening. Thanks! Resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Jim Loehr's work: Latest book: Leading with CharacterJim's website: https://www.jim-loehr.com/Brene Brown's work: Brene's website: https://brenebrown.com/Brene's podcast: https://brenebrown.com/podcast-show/unlocking-us/John Kabat-Zinn's work:Website: https://www.mindfulnesscds.com/Dr. Martin Seligman's work: Website: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/people/martin-ep-seligmanLatest Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Flourish-Visionary-Understanding-Happiness-Well-being/dp/1439190763

My guest, Dagur Sigurðsson, and I have known each other for almost 20 years. It was great to reunite with Dagur and bring him on my show to talk about his amazing journey in professional sport and playing/coaching the game at the Olympic level. Dagur  represented his country of Iceland in the Summer Olympics held in Greece in 2004 and over the years developed himself into a world renowned coach in the sport. He spent time in Austria before going on to coach professionally in Germany and lead the German men’s national handball team in the world championships and the Olympics. Dagur has a distinct coaching style that sets him apart from others and as you listen to this episode, you will learn about what he believe is most important in leading and coaching others and how he strives to deeply connect with those around him in order the lift them up and push them to be their best. As a family man, he is deeply committed to his loved ones and as a coach/mentor to his athletes, he is equally committed to helping them strive for excellence and through his leadership, he believes that context is everything and that a leader must deeply understand the context of the organization in order to put leadership moves into action that spark continued growth and progress. Dagur is on a mission as the Japanese men's Olympic handball coach and recently had the opportunity to lead his team in the Tokyo Olympics. He has signed on through the Paris 2024 Olympics and everything he is now doing is helping to plant the seeds for slow and continuous growth over time in order to put his athletes in the best position possible for competition. As well, he is deeply committed to spreading a love of the game of handball in Japan. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.  More About DagurRead here: https://www.handball-planet.com/dagur-sigurdsson-leads-japan-until-paris-2024/

My guest today, Rudy Ruettiger, exemplifies what it means to have the deep resilience and persistence needed to make a dream come true. For those who are not familiar with Rudy Ruettiger, his life story was made into a major motion Hollywood sports film in 1993 and to this day, nearly 30 years later, still stands as one of the most inspiring sports movies out there. In fact, in the words of the late, great Kobe Bryant: “If Rudy could accomplish what he did without being blessed with the physical talent to play football at that level, what could I accomplish if I worked as hard as he did? After watching that movie, I decided that I would always work as if I'm the last man on the team that had everything to prove.”Kobe describes Rudy as being the one person who's had the biggest influence on his life and he literally broke down in tears the day he met Rudy in person letting him know what a difference he made in his life and career. As well, 4 US presidents were so moved by the movie that they wrote hand written letters to Rudy himself. The 4 presidents were both Bushes, Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama. Rudy Ruettiger was an undersized walk on who earned a spot for two years on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team in the 1974 and 1975 seasons. Although he did not dress for games, he was given the opportunity to put on the uniform and dress in the last home game of his senior year in 1975 and got in the game in the the closing minute to record his first ever tackle in the final moments of the game. The final scene of this movie is a moving tribute to who Rudy was and why he was so loved.His story, however, is about so much more than football which is why Hollywood and Notre Dame deeply supported the making of this movie.  Full disclosure here, as a college football player myself back in Canada in the 1990s, I was an undersized player who had to work very myself to have a chance to be starting quarterback and punter for my university team. The movie Rudy was a great inspiration to me at the time and taught me that I needed to push myself even harder to be the best I could be with the talent I possessed.In our episode today, Rudy and I talk about what it was like for him growing up in the family of 14 brothers and sisters, the loss of his best friend which ultimately sparked his desire to quit his job and move to South Bend Indiana to make the Notre Dame dream happen, and we also talk about his spirituality and the desire he has to make a difference in the world by sharing his story. We also chat about Hollywood actor Sean Astin who played his character in the movie and how he and Sean collaborated in order for Sean to do the very best he could in the role of Rudy in the movie. I was super excited to record this podcast with Rudy, but due to technical difficulties and a poor internet connection, there were a number of glitches that prevented us from recording the entire interview. After editing, I managed to capture only 17 minutes of our 40 minute conversation but there are still some gems in there. Connect with Rudy:Website: https://www.rudyruettiger.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-ruettiger-76b46458/Rudy's Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6824050/Rudy's Movie: https://www.netflix.com/title/60002332

My guest today epitomizes what it means to follow a dream and to completely transform oneself into an olympic champion. Andrea Proske joins me for a discussion about her amazing life journey. At 27 years old, Andrea had very limited experience with team sport and although an active person by nature, she had never pursued excellence in her life through sport, let alone had never rowed in her life. At 27, She was working in the hotel industry at the time and had the opportunity to compete in her first Tough Mudder race. After this race, she became inspired to change her life and to find something new and challenging to tackle. As she says in this episode, she felt stuck in her life, not sure what to do. She wasn’t sure what this new challenge was going to be, but would go on to give rowing a try and what a story this turned out to be as 3 short years later she earned herself a spot on the Canadian Women’s National Rowing Team. In our conversation today, we unpack the roles of resilience and determination in Andrea’s life and how she was able to overcome numerous obstacles throughout the 8 years that she took up the sport of rowing, including a serious accident in 2015. In Andrea’s own words, Failing forward quickly became her motto…. she braved injuries, underperformance, the firing of an abusive head coach, falling out of the boat more times than she cares to admit,  a global pandemic and a historic Olympic postponement. But along the way she learned valuable lessons on handling failure, burnout, uncertainty… and the power of sisterhood.On Friday, July 30th, Andre Proske’s dreams came true as her and her team of 9 won Canada’s first gold medal in rowing in nearly 20 years. In this episode, Andrea talks about the Tokyo Olympics and what life has been like since winning gold. She also shares the work she is doing now and what her biggest hopes are in moving forward in her life. Wherever you are in the world listening to this, I hope you find value in this discussion as there is so much that we can learn from Andrea’s journey. About Andrea: In her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Andrea Proshe was a member of the women’s eight that won gold. It was Canada’s first Olympic gold in any women’s rowing event since Atlanta 1996 and the first gold in the women’s eight since Barcelona 1992.As a club rower looking to break onto the national team in 2016, Proske attended her first international regattas in Amsterdam (Holland Beker) and London (Henley Royal Regatta). The highlight was winning the senior women’s single sculls at the Henley and by the end of the year she was received her invitation to the national team.She first represented Canada on the senior international circuit in the double sculls with Gabrielle Smith in 2018. In their World Cup debut as a duo, they won silver in Lucerne. Later that summer, they finished sixth at the World Rowing Championships. They won another World Cup medal in 2019, this time a bronze in Rotterdam. They capped the season with a fourth-place finish in the double sculls at the world championships, qualifying the boat for Canada for Tokyo 2020.Connect With Andrea: Website: https://andreaproske.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaProskeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreaproske/

On the show today, Dr. Gervais, joins us to take a deep dive into who he is and the work he does. We will explore the themes of personal excellence, vulnerability, self-awareness and pursuing mastery of things that matter most. Dr. Gervais feels fortunate to have worked with some of the most talented people across the globe helping to unpack the guiding principles that they have put into action in their life, with consistency, to have the profound impact that they have through their craft. Michael has done over 300 podcast interviews, as well has worked in the field of high performance psychology for more than two decades. His podcasts are deep, rich and full of wisdom/insight and he not only learns from some of the best in these interviews, he also challenges them, in the healthiest ways possible, to reflect deeply on their own life and oftentimes many of his guests walk away from these conversations with deeper wisdom about themselves. He has changed countless lives through the life lessons he shares not only on his podcast but also through his amazing online course Finding Your Best that he co-designed with his business partner and close friend Pete Carroll head coach of Seattle Seahawks. About MichaelAs a sport/performance psychologist, Dr. Michael Gervais is one of the world’s leading experts on the relationship between the mind and elite performance. Over the course of a 20-year career working with world class performers and organizations, Dr. Gervais has developed a  framework for the mental skills and practices that allow athletes to thrive in pressure-packed environments. Gervais’ influence can be felt across many touchpoints of popular culture.  His clients include the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, world record holders, Olympians, MVPs from every major sport, internationally acclaimed music artists, and Fortune 50 CEOs.Gervais has worked across  three summer Olympic Games (Tokyo, Rio, London) and two winter Olympic Games. He has served as the Olympic high-performance psychologist for USA Beach Volleyball,  USA Beach Volleyball, USA Women’s Indoor Volleyball, and, most recently, USA Surfing in Tokyo.  Dr. Gervais is the host of the popular Finding Mastery podcast that explores the psychology of the world’s most extraordinary thinkers and doers. In 2020, Gervais wrote an Audible Original, Compete to Create: An Approach to Living and Leading Authentically, with NFL coach Pete Carroll. He also created a six-week online course to bring the principles and practices of high performance mindset training into businesses and homes. A published, peer-reviewed author and nationally recognized speaker on optimal human performance,  Dr. Gervais has been featured in premier media outlets including NBC, ABC, FOX, CNN, ESPN, NFL Network, Red Bull TV, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Outside Magazine, WIRED, Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine.Connect with MichaelWebsite: https://findingmastery.net/Finding Your Best Course: https://competetocreate.net/findingmastery/Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelgervaisinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelgervais/Michael's Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Compete-to-Create-Audiobook/B088ZQ4L1NSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans for the podcast musichttps://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

When Tania Lattanzio reflects back on early days in her life, she has great appreciation for growing up in a bi-cultural family as it helped her develop a deep curiosity of culture and travel from a young age. This love of travel would help open the doors of possibility for Tania and provide her with many wonderful experiences that allowed her to see the world and learn more deeply about people and culture. Tania knew early on that she wanted to be an educator and, after university,  was willing to take the risk to leave Australia to find one of her first teaching jobs in London, England. It was this experience that opened many doors for Tania and as she continued on her path in education, she began to develop a deep appreciation and passion for teaching and for creating classroom environments that inspired young people to take more control of their own learning journeys.Tania’s path in education would continue to evolve for her in many different ways ultimately leading her to take on a position working for the ASIA PACIFIC IB OFFICE as a professional development trainer and It was through this experience that Tania was able to further develop her craft and lead many workshops for teachers around the world. She loved being able to visit schools, meet different educators, and help them to develop their own teaching practice. Tania moved on from the IB and launched her own consulting agency and is now Director of Innovative Global Education. In this role she works as an educational consultant throughout the world helping to develop and conduct professional learning for teachers and leadership, modelling pedagogy in classrooms and working intensively with teaching teams, through mentoring and coaching, to improve planning, teaching and assessment.As you listen to this conversation today, you will hear the passion that Tania has for the work that she does. She shares deep insight in this episode and it is my hope that any educator and educational leader will have take away value that they can apply in the work that they do. I want to thank Tania for taking the time to be on the podcast and for being willing to share her story and the work that she does. And with that, let’s jump right into this discussion with Tania Lattanzio. About TaniaTania Lattanzio is an experienced international educator. Previously a teacher, coordinator, and manager with the International Baccalaureate, she is now Director of Innovative Global Education. In this role she works as an educational consultant throughout the world.This role involves developing and conducting professional learning for teachers and leadership, modelling pedagogy in classrooms and working intensively with teaching teams, through mentoring and coaching, to improve planning, teaching and assessment.A key focus of Tania's work is developing and designing conceptual curriculum for schools, this work involves conceptualising curriculum across subject areas and year levels. This also involves equipping teachers with ideas and strategies to ensure that the learning has a conceptual focus.An advocate of inquiry, she works with educators to provide students with an education that is purposeful, meaningful and relevant to their lives, where students have opportunities to be motivated and have agency of their learning.A passionate educator Tania works closely with educational settings to specifically meet their needs through supporting school reform, making significant shifts in pedagogy and developing conceptual curriculum frameworks in both local and international settings. Tania has worked with schools and teachers from early childhood through to high school.Connect with TaniaWebsite: https://www.innovativeglobaled.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/igeeducators

In this episode, Jacqui  Weatherly, also known as the Tai Chi Lady, shares what early days were like for her growing up in a small rural community outside of Adelaide, Australia. Her father, a former physical education and dance teacher was a mentor to Jacqui and exposed her to multiple different forms of outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking and other pursuits. This allowed Jacqui to easily be able to tackle difficult physical challenges in her life from a young age. In her last couple of years of high school, Jacqui transferred schools and went to live with her grandparents in the city. She talks about this being a very difficult transition for her as she went from living in a very small town where she knew everyone to moving to a big city and attending a high school where she did not know anyone at all. Despite the difficulty, Jacqui learned a lot about herself through this experience. Jacqui would go on to pursue a career as a physical education teacher internationally and settle in Nanjing, China for 7 years at the Nanjing International School as head of the physical education department. As you listen to this episode you will hear Jacqui describe some of the mental challenges that she went through over the years and how these challenges truly sparked within her a desire to look within and to seek a major change in her life in order to find more fulfillment and to better understand herself. As well, you will hear the framework that Jacqui applies to combat fear and doubt in her life. She describes tackling fear in her life in a way that allows her to not be controlled by it and to embrace it so that she can constantly grow and learn in meaningful ways in her life. Jacqui speaks openly and candidly about the impact that anxiety has had on her and takes us through how her journey of TAI CHI has genuinely helped to physically and mentally transform her life. What was initially meant to be a year off studying CHEN Tai Chi in rural China has turned into a 6 year journey of pursuing mastery of her craft. Jacqui shares many life lessons learned through TAI CHI and also shares insight into how any teacher, whether they be a classroom teacher or physical education teacher can begin to apply basic elements of TAI Chi with their students. About Jacqui WeatherlyJacqui was born and raised in Australia. After finishing school, she completed a Bachelor of Education Degree in Secondary Physical Education. She taught Physical Education and Health for 17 years in Australia, the USA and China. She resigned from her job as the Head of the PE Department at Nanjing International School in June 2016 after 7 years, to follow her passion to study martial arts. She studied Chen Style Tai Chi full time for a total of 2.5 years at the Traditional Tai Chi School in Yangshuo, China.Jacqui begun competing in Tai Chi competitions in September 2017 and has won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals in both taijiquan and taiji weapons events in China, Hong Kong and Australia over the past 5 years.She was an intern teacher for beginners at the Yangshuo Traditional Tai Chi School in 2017/2018. This allowed her to deepen her knowledge, understanding and application of Tai Chi to effectively pass on the culture, skills and theory to other students.Jacqui now lives in Brisbane and is currently working on her own school, "Qi, Myself & Tai Chi", where she hopes to continue teaching Tai Chi to help improve the health and overall wellbeing of herself and others, whilst also passing on the ancient traditions and art of Tai Chi.Connect With Jacqui:Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/tai_chi_lady/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaiChiLady

It was a pleasure to have Jim Knight back on my podcast for a second time. I wanted to have Jim back on my show to take a dive into his Radical Learners online course called the First 90 Days of Instructional Coaching. Today’s conversation is pretty much focused on ideas and insight related to this course which you can find at courses.radicallearners.com/collections.In this course Jim Knight introduces the foundational principles, skills, and framework necessary for the first 90 days of instructional coaching, including The Partnership Principles, The Impact Cycle, and resources for coaching in action.I have been going through the course with some of my colleagues at The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia and it has sparked some excellent discussions on our leadership team around the role of the coach and how best to maximize time in order to be the most effective coaches that we can be for those who we serve. In our conversation today Jim and I review what the impact cycle is, how to facilatate discussions with teachers around their ‘current reality’ in order to set relevant, timely and meaningful goals, and to then look at strategies that they can apply in order to meet those goals. As well, Jim and I discuss the roadblocks that get in they way of successfully implementing and going through the impact cycle. Jim shares a lot of insight and knowledge that can be applied to the work that any coach does, but also major considerations when trying to deepen the impact that teachers have on student learning. It was an honor to have Jim back on the show. I hope that this conversation between Jim and I sparks some thinking on your part and that you get some valuable takeaway from this episode. About JimJim Knight, Senior Partner of ICG, is a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying instructional coaching, writing several books on the topic.  Jim’s articles on instructional coaching have been included in publications such as The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Teachers Teaching Teachers. Jim directs several research projects, including Pathways to Success, a comprehensive, district-wide school reform project in the Topeka, Kansas, School District. Jim also leads the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institutes and the Teaching Learning Coaching annual conference. Jim has presented and consulted in more than 40 states, most Canadian provinces, and around the world. He has also won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards.Connect with Jim:Website: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/Radical Learners: http://courses.radicallearners.com/collectionsTwitter: https://twitter.com/jimknight99

Dr. Jim Loehr is a world-renowned performance psychologist, Co-Founder of the Human Performance Institute, and author of 17 books including his most recent book… Leading with Character- Ten minutes a day to a brilliant legacyIn the opening of his latest book, Leading with Character, Dr. Jim Loehr describes a pivotal moment in his life that happened when he was 16 years old. He considers this moment to be his first exposure to real evil in the world and explains how this experience would go on to greatly shape the career path that he would one day take. From his more than 35 years of experience and applied research, Dr. Loehr believes the single most important factor in successful achievement, personal fulfillment, and life satisfaction is the strength of one’s character. He strongly contends that character strength can be built in the same way that muscle strength is built—through energy investment.He has worked with hundreds of world-class performers from numerous arenas of sport, business, medicine, and law enforcement, including Fortune 100 executives, FBI hostage rescue teams, and military special forces including navy seals and green berets.Dr. Loehr’s ground-breaking, science-based energy management training system has achieved world-wide recognition and has been chronicled in leading national publications, including the Harvard Business Review, Business Week, Fortune, Newsweek, Time, US News and World Report, Success, Fast Company and Omni. He has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Nightline with Ted Koppel, the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and CBS Morning News, and the Oprah Winfrey Show, as well most recently, he was on the very popular Tim Ferris podcast.In this episode, Dr. Loehr and I take a deep dive into the major themes that he wrote about in his latest book Leading with Character: Ten Minutes a Day to a Brilliant Legacy and the power that personal journalling can hold in our lives when we stick with it, when we are consistent and when we are very honest with ourselves. We unpack many of the themes he discusses in his book including how to construct a powerful, robust personal credo that will become a source code for vetting all future ethical decisions and for helping to build a strong and meaningful life and leadership legacy in order to have the deepest impact possible on the world. Dr. Loehr's Bio:Dr. Jim Loehr is a world-renowned performance psychologist, Co-Founder of the Human Performance Institute, and author of 16 books including his most recent, The Only Way to Win. He also co-authored the national bestseller The Power of Full Engagement. From his more than 30 years of experience and applied research, Dr. Loehr believes the single most important factor in successful acheivement, personal fulfilment and life satisfaction is the strength of one’s character. He strongly contends that character strength can be built in the same way that muscle strength is built throught energy investment. Jim Loehr is also well known for his individual work with top-flight athletes and Olympians. A sampling of his elite clients from the world of sport include: golfers Mark O'Meara and Justin Rose; tennis players Jim Courier, Monica Seles, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario; boxer Ray Mancini; hockey players Eric Lindros and Mike Richter; and Olympic gold medal speed skater Dan Jansen. Connect with Dr. Loehr:Website: https://www.jim-loehr.com/Get his latest book at:  https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Character-Minutes-Brilliant-Legacy/dp/1119781647

In this conversation, Dr. Yong Zhao and I unpacked many different layers of his life and his work. However, we devote much of this episode discussing his latest book Learners Without Boarders-New Learning Pathways For All Students which was published in July 2021. Dr. Zhao has written more than 20 books and has spoken and presented in many countries around the world and is widely recognized as one of the most influential education scholars. It was a pleasure to have this conversation with Dr. Zhao and I hope that anyone listening will benefit from hearing about his work and research. Dr. Zhao's BioYong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas and a professor in Educational Leadership at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in Australia. He previously served as the Presidential Chair, Associate Dean, and Director of the Institute for Global and Online Education in the College of Education, University of Oregon, where he was also a Professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy, and Leadership. Prior to Oregon, Yong Zhao was University Distinguished Professor at the College of Education, Michigan State University, where he also served as the founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology, executive director of the Confucius Institute, as well as the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a fellow of the International Academy of Education.Yong Zhao has received numerous awards including the Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association, Outstanding Public Educator from Horace Mann League of USA, and Distinguished Achievement Award in Professional Development from the Association of Education Publishers. He has been recognized as one of the most influential education scholars.Zhao was born in China’s Sichuan Province. He received his B.A. in English Language Education from Sichuan Institute of Foreign Languages in Chongqing, China in 1986. After teaching English in China for six years, he came to Linfield College as a visiting scholar in 1992. He then began his graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1993. He received his masters in Education in 1994 and Ph.D. in 1996. He joined the faculty at MSU in 1996 after working as the Language Center Coordinator at Willamette University and a language specialist at Hamilton College.Connect with Dr. ZhaoTwitter: https://twitter.com/YongZhaoEdWebsite: http://zhaolearning.com/Dr. Zhao most recent book Learners Without Boarders can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Learners-Without-Borders-Learning-Pathways/dp/1506377351

In his early days, Dan Chambliss was inquisitive, well-read, and curious about the world around him. Growing up in a home that valued reading and learning, Dan was able to create strong connections across multiple disciplines that helped to broaden his view of the world and to gain deeper understanding of the nature of the human spirit. Dan had very little interest in sport when he was young and in his own words, struggled with the basic motor coordination needed to participate in many different forms of team sport. Although he didn’t consider himself even remotely close to being an athlete, he somehow ended up becoming passionate about swimming. He worked endlessly on improving his skills in the pool and began to thrive which helped him to understand the power of perseverence and the importance of developing a greater belief in himself and what is possible when he set his mind to it. As you listen to this episode, you will hear the passion that Dan has for the work that he does and his lifelong quest to better understand the power of group dynamics in helping to shape a person’s character and their pursuit of excellence both personally and professionally. I came across his research in Angela Duckworth’s best-selling book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. In her book, she outlines Dan’s amazing work with the US Olympic Swim Squad and shares what he learned not only by observing swimmers of all abilities, but in particular the elite swimmers. By studying how the best swimmers in the nation pursued mastery of their craft, he learned deeply about how they connected with their coaches and teammates and the importance of developing strong relationships when striving to be one’s bestDan has been a member of the Hamilton College (Clinton, NY) faculty since 1981 and earned Master's and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University; in 1982 his doctoral thesis received the American Sociological Association’s prize for the best recent dissertation on medical sociology. His research interests are higher education, formal organizations, social psychology and research methodsHe is the winner of the ASA's Theory section prize for his work on organizational excellence in his widely-reprinted 1989 article, “The Mundanity of Excellence: An Ethnographic Report on Stratification and Olympic Swimmers,” and is author of the book Champions: The Making of Olympic Swimmers, which was named the 1991 Book of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee. This episode was just a mini-dive into Dan’s life and his work, he’s done so much more and has made a huge impact in his field. You can click on his Twitter link below or any of the links seen in this introduction about him. Dan continues to remain open and curious about the world and strives to read and learn every day. When I asked him about the legacy he hopes to one day leave behind, with great affection he said that he wants to always be remembered as a teacher, not a researcher, a writer or an academic, but to be remembered as a teacher who always wanted to make a difference in the lives of the students he taught. He is a wonderful person and it was a genuine joy to interview him on my podcast. I hope that wherever you are in the world, that you find some gems from this episode that you can apply in your own personal and professional life. Connect with Dan: Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanFChamblissSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

This podcast is actually a re-release of an episode that I  recorded with renowned golf coach Shawn Clement on his Golf's Perfect Imperfections WRX Radio podcast in July. In this episode, Shawn (Director of Golf at Wisdom in Golf) and I sit down to have a conversation about coaching, goal-setting, vision and purpose, not only in regards to the game of golf, but life in general. Although this episode is framed around the game of golf, much can be learned from this discussion that applies to sport, business and education. We are joined as well by Munashe Masawi, Head Kinesiologist at Wisdom in Golf and former collegiate football player.  About Shawn ClementFor those of you who do not know yet who I am, please consult my bio and know that I am a lifer in Golf and was put on this planet to help people enjoy a game that is so profound on so many levels. Golf can be played so easily with the right focus and can be so incredibly frustrating and elusive when you are focused on the wrong task.The most important tool that started me properly on this journey was the experience I had from age 17 (I am now 51) with the Canadian Ski Patrol and their relentless passion in making sure you knew what you were doing when treating a victim with a broken limb on the ski hill before transporting to hospital with vital information for the Emergency MD.This information helped guide me through the maze of golf instruction that was based purely on opinions that were based on assumptions of how the human body works. To this day, we do not have any documents, seminars, manuals on basic anatomy in the field of golf instruction which is very disturbing considering we are on the front lines of your abilities to learn this game and play for life!Last 20 years:Director of Development for Royal Québec Golf Club and AcademyNew association with Retrieve’s revolutionary AI Platform (www.retrieve.com)Member of Callaway Canada’s Fitting BoardCallaway Golf-Best Club Fitter in Canada for 2020Golf WRX-Regular Instruction contributor to the best golf equipment websiteLaunched “Golf’s Perfect Imperfections” PODCAST available at www.golfwrx.com (their only instructional podcast)Member of Golf Channel Academy FamilyFinal Top 3 nominees for PGA of Ontario Teacher of the Year – 2011 & 2015Director of Instruction at the Richmond Hill Golf Learning Centre 2005 to 2018Playing and Instruction Editor for Golf Tips Magazine from 2001 to 2004Director of Instruction at Taboo Resort and Spa (Mike Weir’s Home Course) 2002-2004Medalist Canadian PGA playing ability test for Class A MemberThe only Canadian PGA member to ever play left and right in the same bagIntrawest Mt Tremblant 1999-2001Canadian Tour and North Florida PGA mini tour 1997 to 1999Most Popular Teacher on YouTube from 2007 to 2012 and top 5 instructor now with over 40 Million hits and counting with 73 thousand natural and unsolicited subscribersConnect with ShawnWebsite: https://wisdomingolf.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/clemshawFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisdomingolf

Today’s conversation is with Pino Di Ioia, the CEO/Owner of BeaverTails, a one of a kind, very well-known, Canadian pastry chain. The chain started in 1978, but has spread widely throughout Canada and also has locations in 6 other countries around the world including France, Mexico, and Japan. With over 170 franchises and more opening each month, Beavertails is a massive success story that has been built on the vision of Pino and his amazing team working behind the scenes over the years. In this conversation, we’ll unpack some of the success principles that Pino has put into action over the years to help Beavertails thrive as an organization, but more importantly, we’ll take a dive into Pino’s life and learn how he was able to develop his world view from a young ago and capitalize on early strengths that he possessed that helped to give him the mindset of a champion. And I do not use the phrase ‘mindset of a champion’ lightly. To me a champion is someone who has the ability to impact those around them in a way that brings out their absolute best. Whether it be a professional athlete, best-selling author, or gold medallist in the Olympics, a champion mindset is not only about tapping into one’s own unique strengths in order to perform one’s best, it’s also about how they give back to the world in a way that helps others thrive. As you will see from this conversation, Pino, even at a young age, had a deeply entrepreneurial spirit and you will hear specifics on how he was able to consistently engage with the world in a way that tapped into his natural abilities to be curious, creative, innovative and resourceful and it’s these strengths that would later go on to help him build his hugely successful business. Pino’s capacity to put people first and focus on developing strong relationships is firmly rooted in his belief in the importance of autonomy in the workplace. Pino’s  encourages his employees in a way that not only feel supported but to contribute to the company’s success based on the strengths and abilities that they bring to the organization. You’ll learn specifics about Pino’s philosophy as we dig deeper into this episode. Beaver Tails has been enjoyed by many including former US president Barrack Obama, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, and has even been featured as a question/answer on the game show Jeopardy hosted by the late Alex Trebek. It was awesome to be able to sit down with Pino on Zoom to have this discussion. It was a fun and insightful chat and I hope you enjoy it. Connect With PinoWebsite: https://beavertails.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeaverTailsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavertails/Special thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

As a young boy, Simon Whitfield loved playing team sport. In particular, soccer and ice hockey, and through these pursuits, he was able to develop important skills that would go on to serve him well in the future. However, it was the sport of running that really captured his interest, inspiring him to think about what was possible in his life.He has nothing but fond memories when he reflects on his first time being introduced to triathlon, getting his start in the Sharbot Lake kid’s triathlon which was an informal, family friendly community-based event.He fell in love with triathlon and in order to become the very best he could be, he said his good byes to his family and friends and left his home in Kingston, Ontario, to travel alone, as a 16-year old, more than halfway across the world, to Sydney, Australia to complete high school and to train amongst its top-ranked triathletes. This decision would ultimately pay off for Simon and help spur him on to Olympic greatness. You’ll hear how in our discussion today. In this episode, Simon shares the role that visualization played in the process of winning his gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well how it always helped him to create and play out different scenarios in his head in order to always be ready for anything that happened in competition. Simon is a deep thinker, and in our discussion, he shares what he feels he has learned about himself, not only through success, but also through hardship and adversity. It’s these life lessons that continue to propel him on in his own journey, inspiring him to find meaning and purpose in his life that extend far beyond his identify as a world class athlete and Olympian to something that means so much more to him; the ability to always remain open and curious about the world and to always connect with nature, be out on the ocean as a certified paddle board instructor and to give back to his sport and to the younger generation of athletes striving to follow in his footsteps. Simon's BioSimon Whitfield, triathlete (born 16 May 1975 in Kingston, ON). Simon Whitfield is a four-time Olympian and Canada's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in triathlon. Whitfield won gold at the 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, the first year that the triathlon was an Olympic event. Although he did not medal at the 2004 Games in Athens, he sprinted to a silver medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing. Whitfield was the Canadian flag-bearer at the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London but crashed during the bicycle portion of the triathlon and was forced to pull out of the event. Whitfield has also amassed a total of 12 World Cup wins in addition to his gold and silver Olympic medals. He retired from competition in 2013 and was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.Connect with SimonTwitter: https://twitter.com/simonwhitfieldSpecial Recognition to: Special credit to CBC Sports for their video of Simon's Olympic Victory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg2SKW69AY0As well special credit to Hawksley Workman for their 'Beauty as Anger' song used in this episode: https://hawksleyworkman.com/Special credit as well to  the Tragically Hip and Jordi Savall for their music

Alan Tait first picked up a club at 5 years old. His love for the game was evident from this very early age and it was always his dream to pursue a career in golf. By the time he was 17 he was playing off plus 2 and in 1986 he won The Scottish Boys Championship, before going on to win The Doug Sanders European and World Junior Championships in the same year. During his amateur career he represented Scotland and Great Britain and Ireland and became only the 5th player in Scottish Golf history to be capped at boys, youths and senior levels in the same year.Alan turned professional in 1990 and is probably best known for being the first player ever to shoot 64 (8 under par) at the Championship Course at Carnoustie in 1994 at The Daily Express 72-Hole Pro Am Championship. This record stood for 23 years until none other than Englishman and Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood went one better shooting a 63 in The 2017 Dunhill Links. In this episode Alan shares a marvelous story about being pair with 15-time major champion Tiger Woods and 2-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw for a practice round at Carnoustie in 1995, a memorable round of golf that gave him the opportunity to teach Tiger and Ben about how to play Carnoustie to help them prepare for playing the 1995 Scottish Open being held at the course. Although success was hard to find on the European Tour Alan looks back at his experience with fond memories. He enjoys working for BBC Radio Scotland, commentating at events such as The Open, Scottish Open, Ryder and Solheim Cups.Currently Alan is Director of Operations for the UK working for GolPhin. GolPhin is a company focused on growing the game from grass roots through their education programme, MyPathway2Golf coaching initiative and also their award winning equipment, designed for 3-14 year olds.Connect With AlanWebsite: https://usa.golphin.com/Email: [email protected] 

From an early age, Oshiomogho Atogwe focused on the micro-steps needed to continually grow and learn and constantly refine and improve his skills as a football player. And as Atomic Habit’s author James Clear says, it’s the ‘aggregation of marginal gains over time’ that leads to long term lasting success. Little did Oshiomogho  know it at the time, but he would go on to be one of the best high school players to ever come out of Windsor, Ontario and also go on to receive a scholarship at Stanford University and be a defensive standout on the team. This would lead him to be drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL draft by the St Louis Rams and play 8 years in the NFL. 5 years with the Rams, 2 years with the Redskins and then finish his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. In our discussion, Oshiomogho and I talk about his journey in the NFL and what it was he came to better understand about himself through this experience. He has always been guided by his faith and the deep spiritual framework that he puts into action in his life to honor the talents and strengths that he feels he has been given and the responsibility to give back to the world in special ways to serve others with the gifts that he has been blessed with. Oshiomogho believes that a great coach has the power to change a persons life and that it is a role that cannot be taken lightly. Using his own experiences as an example, he speaks about the impact that his high school coach Harry Lumley had in his life and the difference he made. As a college football player myself and being from the same hometown, Windsor Ontario, it was great to connect with Oshiomogho  and have this discussion on my podcast. Wherever you are in the world listening to this, I hope you enjoy the conversation and share it with at least one person you feel with benefit from listening to it as well. About Oshiomogho Oshiomogho Isaac "O.J." Atogwe (born June 23, 1981) is a Canadian former professional American football free safety who served most recently as the secondary coach for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stanford. Atogwe was also a member of the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.

My guest today, Ann-Renee Desbiens, exemplifies what it means to show grit and to have a never give up attitude. As the youngest of 5 kids, she learned a lot from her older siblings and it was through her exploration of sport that she ultimately found a love of ice hockey.Although she had opportunity to play a variety of positions, she would settle into the role of goalie early on in her ice hockey career. Due to her talent, hard work and effort, Ann Renee played only in boy’s leagues up until she was 19 at which point she accepted a full-ride scholarship to play ice hockey for, Wisconsin Badgers, one of the best female ice hockey teams in the NCAA. As she states in this podcast, she had many great memories playing in the boy’s leagues back in Quebec, but there were a number challenging moments she experienced that forced her to be strongly independent and develop a resilient mindset that allowed her to get through these difficult times. She speaks about these experiences in our conversation in this episode. Ann-Renee would go on to have an amazing career in the NCAA breaking numerous records and ultimately winning the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award which is given to the top female college player in the United StatesShe represented Team Canada in the 2018 Winter Olympics as starting goalie winning silver medal and will begin training in a few months time for the 2022 Winter Olympics being held in Beijing. As you will see in this episode, Ann-Renee has the mindset of a champion and everything she does is aligned with the thoughts, words, and actions necessary for constant growth and learning.  Connect With Ann-ReneeTwitter: https://twitter.com/adesbiens30Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anndesbiens/

In 2013, Dr. Steven Katz and Dr. Lisa Dack published their book Intentional Interruption based on highly intensive field work that they had done attaching themselves to a number of schools to work closely with educational leaders and teachers in different districts in order to create long term positive impact on teaching and learning, as well as organizational improvement. Steven and Lisa have deeply committed themselves to helping schools to thrive and to increase student learning, achievement success and well-being. As the biggest predictor of student success is the quality of classroom practice, what teachers are doing with students in the classroom on a daily basis has the largest chance of making a positive impact on their learning. In their book Intentional Interruption, Steven and Lisa set out to identify barriers that get in the way of professional learning and to focus on what schools can do to not only identify these barriers but how they can put specific strategies into action to ‘interrupt’ these barriers to help maximize the impact that teachers can have on student learning. In this conversation, we do a quick tour of each chapter, highlighting the key points written about and discuss what educational leaders and teachers can do to deeply foster an professional learning environment where everyone can thrive and flourish. Both Steven and Lisa unpack the different between being a ‘lead knower’ and a ‘lead learner', as well the important difference between professional development and professional learning. They give us a brief look into strategies to interrupt habitual thinking that holds teachers back and share protocols that can be used to facilitate collaborative meetings in more meaningful and purpose ways. I highly encourage you to get your hands on a copy of this book if you are interested in knowing more about these important ideas and how they can be applied with consistency in a school setting. Thanks for tuning into this episodeAbout Steven Katz Dr. Katz's research interests include program reform in teacher education; building capacity through collaborative learning networks; the relationship between the psychological foundations of learning & development and classroom assessment; building capacity in evidence-informed decision-making for school improvement; teacher belief about mind and learning; impactful professional learning in school and system improvementConnect With Steven: [email protected]  About Lisa DackMy interests lie in bridging Developmental Psychology and Education to better understand the learning process in children and adults. In particular, I am interested in what it takes for children and adults' learning opportunities to have a lasting impact. My research focuses on teacher and leader professional learning and in understanding what professional learning opportunities look like when they truly change thinking and professional practice.Connect with Lisa: [email protected] Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/ Opening music written and performed by New York-born musician Scott Ferrare. You can find his work at: https://scottferrare.hearnow.com

When reflecting back on early days in his life, Guy Claxton considered himself to be an unadventurous, unexceptional learner in school. Although well-liked by his teachers and well-behaved, Guy felt as though he was a middle of the road type of student. During this time his parents moved from London to a very rural area in the west midlands of England. As this was a very isolated area, Guy had no kids his age to hang around with which helped to create the conditions for him to become much more self-sufficient, imaginative and resourceful in many different ways, ultimately leading him to develop a deep love of reading and interest in exploring the countryside. It was in his mid-teens that Guy had to take some high stakes exams to help prepare for higher education. As Guy states in his own words, “Much to everybody’s surprise including mine, I did unexpectedly well’. As a result of his performance on his O-Level exams, Guy experienced, as he calls it, a personality shift within himself spurring him on to believe that it was possible for him to be bright and to become intellectually and educationally successful. Little did he know it at the time, but Guy would go on to earn a double-first in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a Doctorate in Experimental Psychology from Oxford and eventually become an internationally renowned cognitive scientist. He is also a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, the Academy of Social Sciences, and the Royal Society of Arts. Guy’s interest in writing early on in his life led to him become a prolific author in education having written or co-written nearly 30 books. He is best known for developing the concept of ‘learning power’: a collection of skills and attitudes that underpin someone’s ability to tackle complex matters with confidence, capability, and relish. Guy’s come on the podcast today to really unpack his latest book The Future of Teaching and the Myths that Hold it Back and two important questions he poses are: What is the purpose of school? What does the future of education hold?Guy has a natural ability to connect with others and despite all of his accomplishments in life, he is not only down-to-earth, but also a very kind and caring person striving to impact the world through his work and advocate for every young person’s right to learn in a psychologically and emotionally safe environment that not only helps them achieve success in school but also supports them to develop the skills and dispositions needed to thrive in this ever-changing, complex and uncertain world. I highly encourage to get your hands on a copy of Guy’s latest book and to share it with other educators wanting to make a difference in the work they do. Guy’s Bio: Guy Claxton is a cognitive scientist specialising in the nature of real-world intelligence and ways in which it can be improved through education of all kinds. He is Visiting Professor of Education at King’s College London.Connect With Guy: Website: https://www.guyclaxton.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/GuyClaxtonGet Guy’s Latest Book at: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-future-of-teaching-guy-claxton/1138501805Explore Guy’s other books at: https://www.guyclaxton.net/booksOpening music written and performed by New York-born musician Scott Ferrare. You can find his work at: https://scottferrare.hearnow.com

In this episode, Trevor and I take a look back at early days in his life, the type of learner he was and what it was he most needed from his teachers to thrive in his own unique ways.  We unpack his journey through school and pathway into education as a career. Trevor firmly believes all students can flourish given the right conditions, provided autonomy and inquiry are at the heart and core of teaching and learning. In our conversation, you will gain valuable insight into inquiry-based learning practices that have a proven impact on student performance regardless of discipline. Trevor gives us a glimpse into his first two books, A Dive Into Inquiry written in 2016 and his second book An Inquiry Mindset written in 2018. We dive deeply into his latest book Inquiry Mindset Assessment Edition which is being released on May 15, 2021. The process of writing he went through putting this book together was a rewarding but difficult endeavor as it took a lot of time and energy, but was well worth the effort. Hope you find meaning and purpose in this episode and ideas/strategies that are applicable to the work you do in education. Thanks for listening. About TrevorTrevor MacKenzie is an experienced teacher, author, keynote speaker and inquiry consultant who has worked in schools throughout Australia, Asia, North America, South Africa and Europe. Trevor’s passion is  supporting schools in implementing inquiry-based learning practices. He is a highly regarded speaker known for his heartfelt storytelling, kind demeanor, and student-first philosophy.  Trevor’s graduate research focused on identifying and removing the barriers to implementing inquiry-based learning in the K-12  setting. He is an inquiry practitioner currently as a teacher with the Greater Victoria School District in Victoria, Canada. He has two publications: Dive into Inquiry and Inquiry Mindset, both published by Elevate Books Edu. He has vast experience supporting schools across several years in implementation strategies in public schools, international schools, and International Baccalaureate programs (PYP/MYP/DP).As a classroom teacher in Victoria, BC, Canada, Trevor uses technology to enhance his teaching as he leverages blended learning, inquiry-based learning, iPad Ed, and student blogging as a means to reflect on learning.  He strives to make learning public and meaningful and support innovation and connection amongst educators.Connect With TrevorWebsite: https://www.trevormackenzie.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/trev_mackenzieTrevor's Books:A Dive Into Inquiry: https://www.amazon.com/Dive-into-Inquiry-Amplify-Learning/dp/1945167149An Inquiry Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/Inquiry-Mindset-Nurturing-Curiosities-Youngest/dp/1945167432Inquiry Mindset Assessment Edition: https://www.trevormackenzie.com/inquiry-mindset-assessment-edition

When Dr. Katie Novak was a student early in life, she did what was required by her teachers, handing in her work on time and following rules and expectations set by the school, but she never genuinely developed a deep love of learning. She didn’t feel that she really had what it took to be a great student, but all that changed when a teacher that she had truly believed in her capabilities and pushed for Katie to be moved into advanced classes in high school. This genuinely changed the trajectory Katie’s life and she learned to believe in herself and she began to develop the habits and skills needed to thrive academically. This led Katie on a path that would have her eventually become a teacher herself wanting to reach all of her students and help them to find success in their own unique ways. Katie would journey into educational leadership and ultimately become the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Massachusetts. She would go on to earn a doctorate in curriculum and teaching, and publish 8 books. She now designs and presents workshops both nationally and internationally focusing on the implementation of inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), multi-tiered systems of support, and universally designed leadership. In today’s episode you will hear Katie talk about what Universal Design for Learning is and how it can be implemented successfully in schools. She shares many examples of what UDL looks like and what educational leaders need to think about when considering this framework and how it might be embedded within their school in authentic ways. Hope you find some valuable takeaways from this discussion with Katie. About Katie: Katie Novak, Ed.D., is an internationally renowned education consultant, author, professor at UPenn, and a former Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Massachusetts. Dr. Novak is the author of the best-selling book, UDL Now! A Teacher’s Guide to Applying Universal Design for Learning in Today’s Classrooms. Her book, Innovate Inside the Box, with George Couros, explores how to create innovative and purposeful learning opportunities for students within the constraints of educational systems. Let Them Thrive was endorsed by the PACER Foundation. Two additional publications, of which she is a co-author, have been endorsed by leading professors in the field of education and state departments of education. UDL in the Cloud was endorsed by the Executive Director of The Initiative on Learning and Teaching at MIT while Mitchell Chester, the late Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), endorsed Universally Designed Leadership.Novak’s work has been highlighted in many publications including Edutopia, Language Magazine, NAESP Principal, ADDitude Magazine, Commonwealth Magazine, The Inclusion Lab, Think Inclusive, School news, the Huffington Post, Principal Leadership, District Administrator, ASCD Education Update, and School Administrator.Connect With Katie: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatieNovakUDLWebsite: https://www.novakeducation.com/UDL Guidelines: https://udlguidelines.cast.org/Opening music written and performed by New York-based musician Scott Ferrare. You can find his work at: https://scottferrare.hearnow.comSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast intro music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

As a child, Anthony Calvillo absorbed himself in sport. Whether it be baseball, basketball, track and field or football, sport provided Anthony with an escape from a troubling home environment that was plagued by domestic violence and alcoholism.He grew up in a tough neighborhood about 20-minutes from central Los Angeles and knew that choosing sport over a life of street gang crime was his only way out. The natural gifts and abilities that Anthony possessed allowed him to thrive in sport, giving him the confidence needed to think bigger and have a dream of playing football at the college level. Through the support of important mentors in his life, Anthony knew that playing elite level sport was a way that he could have a better life. The path he took led him to be the starting quarterback at Utah State. It was here at Utah State, where Anthony was mentored by  his quarterback coach, Jim Zorn, the well-known left-handed QB who led the Seattle Seahawk offense for 8 seasons in the NFL. The outstanding success he had at Utah State led directly to a career in the CFL. Little did Anthony know it at the time but he would go on to play 20 seasons in the Canadian football League to become the league’s all-time leader in passing yardage at 79,816 yards, all-time leader in touchdowns thrown with 455 TD passes, He won Grey Cup championship 3 times and was voted the CFL’s most outstanding player 3 times which ties him for second behind Doug Flutie. As you listen to this episode, you will hear firsthand from Anthony, the way he approached the game and the physical and mental preparation he committed himself to throughout his career to improve and get better each season. Anthony admits that at certain points in his career, he had to hold the mirror up to himself in order to identify exactly what he needed to focus on to continue to show up and be the best version of himself possible to help guide and lead the Montreal Alouettes to greatness in the CFL. What defines Anthony the most in my opinion is not the records he holds, his Grey Cup wins, or his MVP awards, but more so his resilient spirit and his ability to overcome hardship and adversity in his life to carve out his own path of greatness. What we don’t talk about in this episode is the struggles that both he and his wife battled in overcoming cancer. This experience helped Anthony and his family to recognize what is most important in life- love, connection, and living with authenticity and purpose. The work that Anthony has done raising awareness about domestic violence is hugely important and he’s using his voice and platform to shed light on this issue in order to make a difference. It’s rare that we can get such a glimpse into the mindset of a champion. So many lessons shared in this episode. I hope you enjoy it.Connect With AnthonyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonycalvillo13/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/acalvillo13?lang=en

In the episode, Professor Kirk shares his deep insight related to critical pedagogies of affect and also gives us a glimpse into two of his latest books, the first one Precarity, Critical Pedagogy and Physical Education and Models-based Practice in Physical Education that was co-authored with Dr. Ash Casey. We begin this discussion talking about early days in David's life and how moving from Scotland to Australia really helped to shape his world view and the way came to better understand people and culture. David speaks about the role that physical activity and sport played in his life and how it led him toward a career in education and ultimately on the path to becoming a world renown educational researcher in his field. David will challenge listeners from the physical education profession to think differently about how we might approach the future of our discipline in order to address the social and economic challenges that shape young people’s health, happiness and life chances. About Professor KirkDavid is  currently Professor of Education and former Head of the School of Education (2014-17) at the University of Strathclyde. His is an educational researcher with teaching and research interests in educational innovation, curriculum history, and physical education and sport pedagogy. He is founding editor of the peer reviewed journal Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy (Routledge) and editor of Routledge Studies in Physical Education and Youth Sport. He has held academic appointments previously in universities in England, Australia, Ireland and Belgium and is currently Honorary Professor of Human Movement Studies at the University of Queensland. His most recent book Precarity, Critical Pedagogy and Physical Education was published by Routledge in 2020. His most recent co-authored book with Dr Kimberly Oliver, Girls, Gender and Physical Education: An Activist Perspective, was published by Routledge in August 2015. A book co-edited with Professor Patricia Vertinsky (University of British Columbia) Female Traditions in Physical Education: 'Women First' Revisted was published by Routledge in 2016.Connect With Professor KirkWebsite: https://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/kirkdavidprof/Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ayLHQNEAAAAJ&hl=enDavid's Recent Books: https://www.routledge.com/Precarity-Critical-Pedagogy-and-Physical-Education/Kirk/p/book/9780367345129https://www.amazon.com/Models-based-Practice-Physical-Education-Routledge/dp/0367333325

In this episode, three-time best-selling author and professional learning facilitator, Dr. Jenni Donahoo, joins me to discuss the work she does related to helping to develop collective efficacy in schools and capacity building for school improvement by strengthening the link between theory and practice. If you are a leader in education, Jenni shares valuable insight into how those responsible for leading can build collective efficacy among staff and how they can create the conditions for all stakeholders in their organization to thrive and flourish in regards to their professional development and learning. About JenniJenni Donohoo, PhD, is a three-time, best-selling author and professional learning facilitator with more than 20 years experience in leading school change. Jenni’s four books include: Quality Implementation: Leveraging Collective Efficacy to Make "What Works" Actually Work (co-authored by Steven Katz), Collective Efficacy: How Educators’ Beliefs Impact Student Learning, The Transformative Power of Collaborative Inquiry: Realizing Change in Schools and Classrooms (co-authored by Moses Velasco) and Collaborative Inquiry for Educators: A Facilitator’s Guide to School Improvement.Connect with JenniWebsite: https://www.jennidonohoo.com/ and http://teacher-efficacy.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jenni_DonohooGet Jenni's Books at: Most Recent Book: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Collective-Efficacy-Powerful-Achievement/dp/1071801805Previous Books: https://www.amazon.com/Collective-Efficacy-Educators%E2%80%B2-Beliefs-Learning/dp/1506356494https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/collective-efficacy/book253572https://www.amazon.com/Collaborative-Inquiry-Educators-Facilitator%E2%80%B2s-Improvement/dp/145227441Xhttps://store.educationcentre.auckland.ac.nz/the-transformative-power-of-collaborative-inquiry-realizing-change-in-schools-and-classrooms/Opening music written and performed by New York-based musician Scott Ferrare. You can find his work at: https://scottferrare.hearnow.comSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast intro music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In today’s episode, well-known consultants, Anne Van Dam and Kath Murdoch, talk about The Changing Face of Professional Development, especially during the time of COVID, We discuss how the pandemic has changed the way we approach professional development, but also what hasn’t changed. As schools around the world try to navigate the tricky waters of the pandemic, what do they want to keep? What has worked well? But also how might they repackage PD to be more meaningful and purposeful for all stakeholders in the organization. Anne and Kath share thoughts and ideas to challenge and inspire. If you find value in this episode, please share with other educators who might alos benefit from listening. About Kath Kath Murdoch is an experienced teacher, author, university lecturer and popular consultant who has worked for many years in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, America and Europe. She is widely respected for her work in the field of inquiry based learning and integrative curriculum in which she has taught, researched and published for well over 20 years.Kath began her professional life as a classroom teacher in Melbourne. Her fascination in how students’ constructed their understandings - and her interest in the way questions and big ideas could drive curriculum soon lead to a passion for integrative and inquiry based methodologies. This passion has become a career long focus for teaching, research and writing and the methodologies in which Kath specialises are now central to curriculum frameworks in many parts of the world – including the popular International Baccalaureate, PYP program. Critical to Kath’s success is her continued involvement in classroom teaching. Whether it is to demonstrate techniques, coach teachers or build her own repertoire of practices, Kath is committed to regular and ongoing work with students. Her classroom work and research feeds a dynamic and ever-evolving expertise in the area of integrative and inquiry-based learning. Kath’s professional development offerings are diverse. They range from intensive partnerships with schools to develop inquiry programs and practices over several years through to one-day workshops for beginning or experienced inquiry teachers. Whether in her home town of Melbourne or on the other side of the world, working with a team or speaking to a packed auditorium Kath’s style is refreshingly practical, inclusive and always connected to the real world of teaching.Connect With Kath: Website: www.kathmurdoch.com.au Twitter: https://twitter.com/kjinquiry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjinquiry/About Anne: Anne van Dam is an international educator who has worked in schools in the Netherlands, China, Singapore and Switzerland in a variety of roles; as a teacher, PYP coordinator, assistant principal and school Director. As an independent consultant she has travelled the globe to work with schools, facilitate workshops and present at conferences. Anne is experienced with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), is a workshop leader and developer and most recently has worked with the PYP development office in the Hague as a consultant on the enhanced PYP.Connect with Anne:Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnevanDam1966 Blog: https://unpackingourpedagogy.blogspot.com/

As an elite amateur golfer and tour professional, Sam Jarman enjoyed nothing more that practicing the game he loved and striving for mastery of his craft. His lifetime pursuit of excellence in golf was a journey of ups and downs that forced him to take a hard look at what it was he was missing from his tool kit that ultimately held him back from playing his very best and reaching his potential. He felt trapped in the belief that better golf was the only way that he could feel better about life, and about himself. In his pursuit to find more meaning in his own life and to better understand how to reconnect with the feelings of enjoyment and freedom he experienced when he first fell in love with the game, he was able to accept that perhaps the tour wasn’t meant to be for him. Instead he devoted his life to developing his own unique coaching philosophy to help his clients unlock the potential within themselves by helping them to develop a much broader and deeper understanding of who they are and what their purpose is in life. As his blog states, he takes his clients on a direct path that goes straight to the truth about what the feelings of freedom and confidence are truly about and where they come from. He compares this to taking a scenic route to understanding that starts from the other directions, taking people’s beliefs about the game one at a time and exploring them to see if it is these beliefs that are actually getting in the way. One by one, these ideas fall away until people are left with nothing but a deep realization of who they are and why they play. This realization comes in the form of happiness, peace, contentment that isn’t dependent on results or outcomes but instead runs much deeper and cuts to the core of what matters most in life. Although today’s discussion with Sam is about golf, there is so much takeaway value for anyone pursuing both personal and professional excellence in their life through their chosen craft, whatever that craft may be. I encourage you to have an open-mind as you listen to Sam not only share his own journey but also the work he has devoted his life to.  About Sam Sam Jarman is a professional golfer, coach, author and speaker. He played full time tournament golf for ten years, before he realized that helping other golfers to stop make the same mistakes he was making could be more enjoyable and more lucrative than continuing to make them himself.His first book 'The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf' is a fifty thousand word summary of the most significant thing he has learned; keep it simple. Sam lives near Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire with Daisy, a pretty but slightly unreliable cocker spaniel. When he isn't teaching, writing or playing golf he spends his time salmon fishing, skiing, reading, poker or enjoying the odd pint of Guinness.Connect With Sam:Website: https://sportsprinciples.com/  & https://samjarmangolf.com/about-my-golf-coaching-philosophy/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamJarmanGolfSam's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Take-Relief-Uncover-Misunderstandings-Performance-ebook/dp/B07N1DC2ZDhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Principles-Outstanding-Golf/dp/0993573401Special thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Jim speaks about important mentors and the support that they gave him in helping him to find his true calling in life. In particular it was Dr. Bob Boucher, the former Dean of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor, who really believed in Jim and helped to navigate and guide him on his trajectory into academic leadership. Although Jim has had a deep impact in the field of academics, his work in leadership has really been the main source of inspiration and motivation over the past several years. His book The 5C Leader-Exceptional Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Times was released in 2018 and has been widely read and well-received by both aspiring leaders and also experienced leaders in a variety of organizations and businesses. In this book Jim distills over 100 years of leadership research and theory development, couples it with his extensive research program, mixes in his consulting experience and his practical experience and delivers a leadership book rooted in what he calls the 5CsC1 – Credibility, C2 - Compelling Vision, C3 - Charismatic Communicator, C4 - Contagious Enthusiasm, C5 - Culture BuilderWe dive into a conversation about the 5Cs giving specific examples of their application in the role of leadership and also unpack some of the myths around what being a leader means. I highly encourage you to get your hands on a copy of Jim’s book, the 5C leader. Links to the book can be found in the show notes of this episode. Thanks for listening and I hope you check out Jim's work. About Dr. WeeseDr. Jim Weese teaches, consults, conducts research, and delivers speeches on the topic of leadership. He is heralded as a transformational academic leader and a leading authority in the area who has engaged audiences across many sectors on the power of people and the merits of a team approach to leadership. His “5C Leader” concept and new book serves as the foundation to his approach to leadership. He has also served as a consultant with both non-profit organizations as well as multinational companies and he currently leads academic leader development workshops for Academic Impressions, Inc. He has served in a number of senior leadership positions during his career (Athletic Director, Dean, Vice-President) and served as the President of the North American Society for Sport Management and the National Deans Councils for both Kinesiology (CCUPEKA) and Health Sciences Deans (CAHSD). He joined The University of Western Ontario in July of 2004 as the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, a post he held until December of 2015. He recently completed a second stint as the VP International at Western and currently serves as the Founding Executive Director of the Western Leader Academy (a.k.a. Deans’ School). He has earned a number of prestigious academic and leadership awards throughout his distinguished career including the top teaching, research, and leadership awards from his profession, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal by the Government of Canada in 2002 for his academic leadership and ten years later, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition for his leadership and advocacy for exercise and physical activity. In 2010, Weese worked with the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Hockey Teams at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. In 2014, his alma mater, the University of Windsor inducted him into its Sports Hall of Fame.Dr. Weese lives in London with his wife Sherri. His passions include golf, hockey, guitar, and gardening.Connect With Jim: Website: https://www.5cleader.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrWeeseFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.weese.37

While growing up in the projects of Portsmouth, Ohio, Chuck Ealey realized very early in life that sport was the only vehicle that would help him rise above poverty and be THE driving force that would lead him to getting an education. His mother Earlene was an influential figure in his life and although she only had an eighth grade education herself, she instilled in Chuck a firm belief that staying in school would allow him to find a better life for himself and to provide for his own family one day in ways that she couldn’t provide for him. Earlene taught Chuck many valuable lessons in life that would go on to serve him so well in the world. In his own words, she provided him with a strong sense of love and helped him to understand the power of connection, trust, respect and having a vision. When Chuck reflects back on early days, he is filled with pride in knowing that he had surrounded himself with such a supportive community of athletes while growing up. A few of his pals would go on to play professional baseball, but Chuck’s path led him in a different direction. One fateful day, while tearing it up on the basketball court in a high school match, a University of Toledo scout spotted him and recognized the enormous talent he had. However, it wasn’t a basketball recruiting scout, but instead a football scout. After that game, Chuck was offered a full ride football scholarship as a QB at the University of Toledo and would amazingly go on to having an undefeated record of 35 straight wins which still stands today as the best in NCAA history among starting QBs.What defines Chuck the most, however, is not his athletic accomplishments or becoming the first African-American QB to win a professional championship in football, but rather the life that he has led away from sport…..getting a university education for himself and being the father, husband, and grandfather he is, as well, the work he has done with his foundation which inspires People To Discover and Embrace Their Undefeated Spirit To Better Themselves and Their Community, One Play At A Time.Chuck Ealey’s life led him from America to Canada to pursue a dream of setting up a good life for himself and his family. He played professionally for 7 seasons in the Canadian Professional Football League winning one grey cup. He passed for over 13,000 yards and 82 touchdowns in his career. The impact he had on the game inspired a generation of amazing QBs such as Warren Moon, Damon Allen, Tracy Ham, Condredge Holloway and many more to follow in his footsteps.In 2012 a documentary was made about Chuck’s life and his journey. The documentary is called Stone Thrower- The Chuck Ealey Story which highlights his battle with racial intolerance that led him playing professional football in Canada, where he proudly remains to this day. You can find the documentary online, as well a link to it can be found in the show notes of this episode. Connect With Chuckhttps://undefeatedspirit.com/Chuck's Documentary: A Stone Throwhttps://vimeo.com/89731401

In today's episode, British sailor, Tracy Edwards, and I sit down to discuss her extraordinary journey and the life lessons she has learned through her passion for sailing and making a difference in the world. Tracy was the first woman to win the Yachtsman of the Year Award in the United Kingdom and assembled the first all-female crew to compete in the Whitbread Around the World Race, a treacherous 33000-mile course consisting of 6 different legs. Not only did they finish second in the race, Tracy and her team changed the course of racing history and inspired countless females to follow their dreams and and to strive for excellence in their lives. In today's discussion, Tracy opens up about the hardship and challenge that she experienced and how she had to overcome these obstacles in order to find her purpose and meaning in life. A deep thank you to Tracy for her time and energy. Tracy's documentary can be seen on Netflix at:  https://www.netflix.com/title/81272339About Tracy: Tracy was expelled from school at the age of 15 and with no exams or qualifications she left to travel the world. She began working on charter yachts in Greece at the age of 17 and learned how to sail. Tracy took part in her first Whitbread Round the World Race as cook aboard ‘Atlantic Privateer’ in 1985/86 becoming the first woman to race around the world on a Maxi.Upon completion she decided to enter the first all-female crew in the 1989/90 Whitbread and ‘Maiden’ crossed the start line on 2nd Sept 1989 and sailed into the history books. ‘Maiden’ went on to win two of the legs and came second in class overall. The best result for a British boat since 1977 and the best result for an all-female crew ever. Tracy was awarded the MBE and became the first woman in its 34 year history to be awarded the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy.In 1998 Tracy put together the first all-female crew to race a Multihull, this time in an attempt to be the first all-female crew to sail around the world non-stop and win the Jules Verne Trophy for the fastest non-stop circumnavigation of the world by sail. Sponsored by Royal & SunAlliance, the women had broken five world records and were well on the way to beating the Jules Verne, when their 92ft catamaran was dismasted 2000 miles off the coast of Chile.In 2002, Edwards created the first ever truly mixed gender team and broke four major world records in Maiden II.In October 2003 she signed a sponsorship deal with the Gulf State of Qatar as part of a four year sailing programme. The Oryx Quest 2005 was the first round the world race to start and finish in the Middle East. The worlds’ four largest and fastest multihulls raced against each other for the first time in sailing history. The event ended with non-payment by Qatar.In 2007 and 2008 Tracy worked for CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) as Project Manager for their International Youth Advisory Conference. Working with the UN she assisted in the creation of the 2009 Resolution to the UNCRC. Upon completion of her contract Tracy enrolled at Roehampton University taking a 3 year degree in Psychology and graduating with an upper 2:1Connect With Tracy: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TracyEdwardsMBE and https://twitter.com/maidenfactorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMaidenFactorWebsite: https://www.themaidenfactor.org/Netflix Documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/81272339

In today's show, Dr. Jim Knight and I have a discussion about his journey in life and the key experiences that helped to shape the work he has done developing the Instructional Coaching framework.  Jim and his team have deeply committed themselves to working with partners around the globe to improve the education of all students. In this episode, Jim unpacks different styles of coaching and their impact on teaching and learning. As well, he shares his insight into the 7 Partnership Principles that are the foundation of the Instructional Coaching framework.  Hope you enjoy this discussion with Jim and find takeaway value you can apply to your own teaching/leadership practice. Jim's Bio: Jim Knight, Senior Partner of ICG, is a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying instructional coaching, writing several books on the topic.  Jim’s articles on instructional coaching have been included in publications such as The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Teachers Teaching Teachers. Jim directs several research projects, including Pathways to Success, a comprehensive, district-wide school reform project in the Topeka, Kansas, School District. Jim also leads the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institutes and the Teaching Learning Coaching annual conference. Jim has presented and consulted in more than 40 states, most Canadian provinces, and around the world. He has also won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards.Connect With Jim: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimknight99Website: https://instructionalcoaching.com/Email: [email protected] thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In today’s episode, I bring Morris Ervin Jr back on my show for a second time. In our first episode together, Morris shared his inspiring story —a journey of self-discovery, passion, and overcoming many obstacles in his life to be able to do the amazing work he now does. Morris is a talented speaker, mentor, healer, and deeply committed educator. If you didn’t get a chance to listen to my first episode with Morris, I highly encourage you to have a listen as it will help to better frame up our discussion today. You can find a link to the first episode in the show notes of today’s podcast. I asked Morris to come back on the show to share his knowledge and insight related to Non-Violent Communication. Non-Violent Communication is a unique and powerful process for inspiring compassionate connection and action. It provides a framework and set of skills to address a wide range of concerns, from the most intimate relationships to global political conflicts. The purpose of NVC is to help all involved to sharpen their awareness of language so that they can express what really matters to them and also hear what really matters to others. It involves empathic communication whereby we can attune ourselves to both our own and other people’s real needs.Morris has years of experience training in Non-Violent Communication and regularly applies it in his own life…. both personally and professionally. I asked Morris to share his experiences using non-violent communication to give us a glimpse into how it works and ways that it can be applied in our lives in difficult situations. Evidence shows that ‘being judgmental’ is the root cause of the majority of conflicts that occur in life. We’ve all been in a place where we have not only judged others but have been judged by others. NVC is about removing ‘judgement’ and genuinely tapping into our own authentic needs and the needs of others, especially when deep conflict occurs. The founder of NVC Marshall Rosenberg stated many years ago that NVC is really the LANGUAGE of LIFE and that the framework can make such a huge difference to peacefully resolving conflicts and issues that arise between people. About Morris: Morris H Ervin, Jr. is an educator, entertainer, motivational speaker, and Youth Development Professional committed to helping the youth, families, communities, and institutions “turn fear into strength, and pain into passion.” Morris is the founder of Mansa Consulting and he has provided assemblies, workshops, mentoring programs, and leadership camps/retreats to 1,000s of students in over a dozen school districts across the country. Morris believes that the ultimate measure of a man is seen through the eyes of his family. He has a beautiful wife, two teenage children, and two dogs. His ultimate, inspiration, motivation, and drive are fueled by his family’s love and unconditional support.Connect With Morris: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morris.ervin.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealmansa/?hl=en Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/Previous Episode with Morris: https://www.buzzsprout.com/881980/4546919-the-power-of-authenticity-with-morris-ervin-jr

Today’s episode is a special one as I had the opportunity to reconnect with an old teammate and friend from university. My guest, Warren Christie and I played football together at the University of Windsor in Canada many years ago.  Warren has a very unique story and is a great example of somebody willing to leap into the unknown to pursue a dream. You will learn all about his story in today’s episode. Warren has been a film actor for nearly 2 decades and has earned roles in several TV series over the years including October Road and The Village. He recently starred alongside Candace Cameron Bure in the movie ‘If I Only Had Christmas’ which was just released this past week in Canada and on Thanksgiving Day weekend in the US. As well, he has been in several other movies over the years. What I appreciate about this conversation with Warren is his willingness to speak honestly and openly about his journey and what he has come to learn about himself through the process of trying to improve and get better every day at developing his craft as a film actor. With the uncertainty of his profession and the fact that he will no doubt fail over and over again, Warren has displayed not only deep resilience but also tremendous gratitude for being able to do the work he does.  In this episode we dive into the weeds of what it means to be in the spotlight and what it takes to step up and perform at your best in high stakes environments. As well, Warren shares how he best prepares for his roles and the tools he must develop within himself to be able to bounce back from failure and to be in the present moment, as much as possible, when filming. It was so good to sit down and reconnect with Warren. Lots of great memories from our days together playing football, but more importantly, a great conversation about life, learning, passion, and resilience. About WarrenWarren Christie was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but spent most of his childhood in London, Ontario.  He left London for Windsor after being recruited to play college football.  It was during these years that Christie developed his love for performing and decided to pursue it as a career.  This decision led him to Vancouver, where his rugged good looks and keen acting ability quickly landed him desirable leading roles.In 2005, Christie landed a lead role on the series “October Road,” playing a cocky construction company owner.  Last year, Christie had the chance to stretch his performing abilities when he was cast as the star of the musical feature film “The Magical Flute Diaries,” based on one of Mozart’s operas.  Christie recently wrapped filming on ABC’s pilot “Prince of Motor City,” a gothic family drama in which he stars along side Aiden Quinn and Piper Perabo.Christie’s ability to embody diverse characters is evident in the variety of roles he takes on and masters.  He played opposite Heather Graham in the romantic comedy “Gray Matters,” and then switched gears with his next project, the psychological thriller “Beneath,” produced by the group that did “Napoleon Dynamite” in conjunction with MTV Films/Paramount Classics. Christie has also lent his talents to numerous television shows, including “Supernatural,” “The L Word,” “Battlestar Galactica” and the ABC series “The Days.”  Christie’s future plan is to pursue character-driven roles in Canadian and American film.Connect With WarrenTwitter: https://twitter.com/HWarrenChristieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarrenchristie/?hl=enSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music. https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Jorge Rodriguez, Aaron Beighle, Greg Dryer and myself dive deeply into a discussion about the role of feedback on professional growth and learning in the field of physical education. Using the Harvard Business Review article The Feedback Fallacy as a starting point for our discussion, we all share what resonated the most with us in regards to the article. This led nicely into a deeper discussion about the impact that feedback can have on teacher practice, the obstacles and barriers that stand in the way of giving and receiving quality feedback, and ultimately the role that Twitter can play in promoting professional growth and learning in our profession. Although we point out the very positive impact that Twitter can have on learning and growth, we also discuss how it can get in the way of professional growth as some educators can use it to only seek praise rather than seek the critical feedback needed to grow and learn. In sharing our thoughts about feedback, we don't claim to have the right answers but are more interested in opening about dialogue about these important themes in our profession. Connect With The TeamGreg Dryer: Twitter- https://twitter.com/Greg_Dryer & https://twitter.com/miMoveAppAaron Beighle: Twitter- https://twitter.com/AaronBeighleJorge Rodriguez: Twitter- https://twitter.com/PhysedNowAndy Vasily: Twitter- https://twitter.com/andyvasilySpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In today’s episode, my good friend and colleague, Jorge Rodriguez, and I sit down to have a conversation about the role of feedback in regards to professional growth and how feedback can be used in a positive way to consistently reflect on our teacher practice in order to continually grow and learn. Not only do we share our own curiosities and wonderings around feedback, but also what we have come to learn about our own teacher and leadership practice through critical feedback from others. As both Jorge and I use Twitter as a platform to engage in dialogue about professional growth, we also dive deeply into a discussion about some concerns we have about the way Twitter is sometimes used by teachers in our field of physical education. We hope that any educator listening to this episode can critically reflect on how they use Twitter to not only share their own work and resources, but also the main purpose of why they are posting what they are posting. Jorge and I talk about big difference between seeking praise and seeking critical feedback. There is indeed a place for both, but what is most important to Jorge and I is that dialogue around professional growth, learning, and reflection can be done using Twitter, but it takes a clear and intentional focus and a willingness to be open to the views and perspectives of others. We hope that any educator listening to this can share their own thoughts on the themes and topics we discuss in order to keep the dialogue going. We are not claiming to be experts or that are views are right, instead we aim to keep dialogue open in regards to the role of feedback as it relates to professional growth and learning. Connect With Jorge: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhysedNowGlobal Physed Voxcast: https://www.globalphysed.net/Connect with Andy: Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyvasily

In this episode, Dr. Stephen Rollnick and I have a discussion about Motivational Interviewing which is a counseling approach he co-developed with Dr. William R. Miller. Motivational interviewing is a directive, client-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. Our conversation digs deeply into the roles of empathy and compassion with a specific focus on the skill of empathic listening.We also discuss the reasons why he developed Motivational interviewing based on his experiences as a clinical psychologist many years ago. He has taken his Motivational Interviewing to elite sports and now works with many top coaches and athletes helping them to unlock the internal resources within themselves to thrive and flourish in their sport. It was an honor to interview Stephen and I hope you find value in this discussion.About Stephen:Stephen Rollnick provides consultancy, mentorship and training on the subjects of motivation, change, teamwork and Motivational Interviewing. He an Honorary Distinguished Professor in the School of Medicine in Cardiff University, Wales, UK with a research record focused on good practice in efforts to promote change and behaviour change among patients, clients and the practitioners who serve them.Stephen is also a clinical psychologist with many years of experience in service provision and in the training of practitioners. This work, much of it on motivational interviewing (MI), has taken him into diverse cultures and settings. He has now retired to focus on training, writing and consultancy, in the fields of healthcare and sport.Stephen is a co-founder of Motivational Interviewing.  His work has included support to programmes for pregnant teens, children with HIV-AIDS in Africa and medication adherence in different areas.  He is a co-founder of PATA (Paediatric Aids Treatment for Africa) and the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), an international network for trainers.  He is the co-author of Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change(Miller and Rollnick, 1991; 2001 & 2012), Health Behaviour Change: A Guide for Practitioners (Rollnick, Mason & Butler, 1999) and Motivational Interviewing in Health Care (Rollnick, Miller & Butler, 2008), Motivational Interviewing in Schools (2016) and is completing a book on motivational interviewing for sports coaches.Individual consultation on a case by case base is available on request in a wide range of settings including education, sport and healthcare.Connect with Stephen:Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephenrollnickWebsite: https://www.stephenrollnick.com/Special thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, I feel very lucky to have had an in-depth discussion with Dr. Tony Chan, the current president of KAUST. Tony has had great achievements in leadership and academics, but remains a genuinely down-to-earth person who is very curious about the world and its people. In our discussion, we dive deeply into early days in Tony’s academic life, his trajectory into leadership, and his core belief that having a broad world view is essential, regardless of one’s chosen field of study or career. In this episode, Tony describes what he has learned from years of experience as a leader and what he hopes his legacy will be. It was a genuine honor to speak to Tony.Tony's BioDr. Tony F. Chan is the third president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). He joined KAUST as president on September 1, 2018, after nearly a decade as president of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Dr. Chan's professional field is computational mathematics, with interests including image processing and computer vision, physical circuit design and computational brain mapping. He has been one of the most cited mathematicians in the world and published over 200 refereed papers.Connect with KAUST and to learn more about Dr. Tony ChanWebsite: https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/faculty/tony-chanhttps://www.cse.ust.hk/admin/people/faculty/profile/tfchanSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Dr. Justen O'Connor and I dive deeply into a discussion about autonomy, differentiation, assessment and curriculum and some key ideas that teachers might consider when planning for the most meaningful learning experiences possible in physical education.  Justen's research work utilises systems thinking, social ecology and strengths-based approaches to explore curriculum and pedagogy associated with health, physical education, sport and lifetime physical activity. In our discussion, Justen shares his insight into the importance of physical educators differentiating learning experiences to meet the diverse needs of their students in PE and having an educative purpose behind all of the activities done in the the lessons and units taught. I always enjoy my chats with Justen and am happy to have been able to capture this one on my podcast. If you know a physical educator who might benefit from listening to this episode, please share. ThanksJusten's Bio: Justen has research experience that utilises systems thinking, social ecology and strengths-based approaches to explore curriculum and pedoagogy associated with health, physical education, sport and lifetime physical activity. He also has an interest in social justice within education and sports as well as informal forms of participation in movement. Justen’s research focuses on transforming existing community sport towards more inclusive practice and progressing alternative informal forms of participation in both community and education settings. His two significant research questions ask: 1) How can we reimagine policy and practice within community sport and physical education, so they open to a wider range of informal participation types, with global implications for health and inclusion? 2) How might we challenge sporting and physical education contexts to better recognise and reflect our diverse society?Connect With Justen: Twitter: https://twitter.com/justenoconnor Blog: http://healthphysicaleducation.blogspot.com/Special thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Greg Dryer and I have an in-depth discussion about relevance, autonomy, meaning and purpose in physical education. Greg is the Director of the Centre for Physical Education, Sport and Activity at Kingston University in the UK and has  devoted himself  to better understanding the role of physical activity and sport in young people's lives. He is the developer of the MiMove app which is currently being used by being used by over 130 schools across 20 countries to celebrate and support over 60,000 students' physical activity journeys. In our discussion today, Greg and I also dive deeply into  the role that data can play to help inform teacher practice and how the data can be used in multiple different ways to provide more information about the impact that physical activity and sport can have in a young person's life. Hope you find value in this chat. Thanks for listening.About GregGreg founded and is the Director of the Centre for Physical Education, Sport and Activity at Kingston University (CPESA) and Co-Founder of miMove. miMove is the world’s first app designed specifically for schools to help young people develop a physical activity habit.  He is a highly experienced physical educator and critical thinker who has been lucky enough to work with pre-schoolers through to post-grads. He led PE departments in 3 London Schools, before moving into HE. His work disrupts exclusive practices in PE /Sport and re-imagine them by applying the best of what we know to create more equitable and fulfilling experiences that will allow our profession to deliver more effectively on our universal goal; more young people finding a place for physical activity in their lives. He draws inspiration from a range of disciplines from psychology, critical theory, pedagogy and economics.  Connect with GregTwitter: https://twitter.com/Greg_DryerFor miMove visit http://mimoveapp.comEmail: [email protected] and [email protected] To read about the work that Greg and his team do at CPESA go to https://centreforphysicaleducationsportandactivity.wordpress.com/ where you can find a number of blogs and their Beyond the Square podcast as well as recordings of their weekly Friday conversations - Let’s Chat Phys Ed. Let’s Chat Phys Ed are open to anyone who wants to join the call. Simply subscribe to the CPESa newsletter to receive the weekly update and Zoom link. Special thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/ 

In this episode, I feel very grateful to have had a conversation with Dr. Richard Ryan, the co-developer of the Self-Determination Theory. Dr. Ryan's work has been instrumental in the field of human motivation over the last 4 decades. He has won 3 lifetime achievement awards in the profession and has dedicated himself to better understanding the conditions necessary for all humans to flourish. His team's work has been accessed and applied by many researchers/writers around the world, including Daniel Pink, best-selling author of-Drive: The Surprising Truth of What Motivates Us. It was a genuine honor to speak with Dr. Ryan in this episode and to share his amazing work.Dr. Ryan's Bio: Richard M. Ryan is an influential University of Rochester Professor Emeritus of Psychology. He is a clinical psychologist and co-developer of Self-Determination Theory, an internationally recognized leading theory of human motivation. He lectures frequently in the United States and aboard on the factors that promote motivation and healthy psychological and behavioral functioning (applied to such areas as work and organizations, education, health, sport and exercise, video games and virtual environments). Ryan is among the most cited researchers in psychology and social sciences today and the author of over 400 papers and books in the areas of human motivation and well-being, including his best-selling book, Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development and wellness (Ryan & Deci, 2017). Reflective of Ryan's influence internationally and across disciplines, he has been recognized as one of the eminent psychologists of the modern era[1],[2] and listed among the Top 20 most influential industrial-organizational psychologists[3]. He has also been honored with three lifetime achievement awards for his work on motivation, personal meaning, and self and identity.Connect with Richard: Website: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/selfdeterminationtheory/Twitter: https://twitter.com/centerforSDTInstagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/selfdeterminationtheory/Special thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Miranda Rose and myself have an in-depth discussion about how her organization, The American School of Warsaw, prepared itself for a return to face-to-face teaching and learning during these times of uncertainty due to COVID-19. Miranda speaks, in detail, about her school's journey in opening up and the health protocols that are in place to ensure that all staff and students are kept as safe as possible during this unpredictable time. Miranda also shares the successes that took place during distance learning at her school and how all faculty had a hand in creating positive solutions to help move the organization forward in such stressful times. Miranda is a wonderful educator who is deeply committed to the profession. A special thanks to Miranda for being on the podcast and for sharing her insight with us all.  Miranda's BioMiranda is on an international journey, by choice, having lived in Thailand, UAE, Ghana, India, and now Poland and travelled to many incredible destinations in between. She continues to call Canada her home, but is presently the PYP Coordinator at the American School of Warsaw in Poland. She enjoys moonlighting as an IB PYP Consultant, Workshop Leader and Evaluation and Verification Team Leader. She paused her EdD studies at University of Western Ontario to focus on her family but will get back to that in due course. Inquiry-based learning is her passion. With that, She is proud to be a lifelong learner looking to work and play with others who value learning both personally and professionally. Connect With Miranda:Twitter: https://twitter.com/mlrose14Email: [email protected] thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, I interview Dr. Bob Pangrazi and Dr. Aaron Beighle about the work that they have done together for the past 20 years. In particular, we discuss the journey of writing their well-known book Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children (now in its 19th edition) and how they constantly strive to refine and improve each edition of the book. We also dive into a discussion about what quality physical education is and what it is not. Both Bob and Aaron remain highly committed to open dialogue about best practice and share not only what excites them about the profession in this episode but also what their biggest concerns are. We also share our thoughts about the role of social media in professional growth, but also how social media can stand in the way of getting better and constantly growing as educators. It was a pleasure to have Bob and Aaron on my Run Your Life podcast series. About Bob and Aaron:Bob Pangrazi: Dr. Robert Pangrazi is a Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University and an Educational Consultant for Gopher Sport. Dr. Pangrazi has been in the education field over 50 years. He began his career as a 5th grade teacher and was an ASU professor of physical education for 32 years. Pangrazi has published over 60 textbooks and 100 research and professional articles. He has been an invited speaker at nearly 500 national and international conferences.Aaron Beighle: Aaron Beighle holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University and is currently a faculty member at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Beighle regularly collaborates with a variety of organizations interested in youth physical activity promotion. He has been a leading advocate for Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs since its inception in 2006. Aaron has written more than 85 research-based and practical articles as well as six books, most notably Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children. He recently collaborated with Dr. Bob Pangrazi and Gopher to make their widely used lessons plans available for free via dynamicpeasap.com.Connect with Bob and Aaron: Bob Pangrazi:Twitter: https://twitter.com/rpangraziPE Huddle Podcast: https://www.gophersport.com/blog/the-pe-huddle/Aaron Beighle: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaronBeighleSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Kellen Milad, a fitness and health professional based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin joins me for an in-depth discussion about his Movement Parallels Life YouTube series which is all about helping people find joy and flow through purpose, yet playful forms of sequenced movement patterns. Kellen's unique approach fuses his background in counseling psychology with extensive education and expertise in movement and nutrition. Kellen is a very deep thinker and has the ability to clearly articulate the language of movement and well-being so that it is understandable and accessible to any individual wanting to improve their quality of their life and health. It was a pleasure to have Kellen on my show and I'm sure any listener will find value in this episode. About Kellen Kellen is a movement coach and content creator. He advocates for a holistic and integrated approach to fitness. He focuses bringing play, creativity, and awareness to movement for sustainable fitness and strong mental health. He offers free workouts and training tips on his YouTube channel - Movement Parallels Life.Connect with KellenWebsite: https://www.movementparallelslife.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClAA3ne4EIls0NXvv0s7rSw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movement.parallels.life/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movementparallelslifeTwitter: https://twitter.com/KellenMilad

My guest today has an amazing story of resilience and truly embodies what it means to live a life of purpose and passion. James Wythe was an elite golfer competing nationally in the UK and had aspirations to turn professional. However, at the age of 21, he was struck down with myalgic encephalomyelitis which left him bedridden for two straight years, barely able to move and speak in the first few months. It took another 4 years of healing and recovery, but even though housebound at this time, he taught himself to cook and changed to a non-gluten, non-dairy diet. It was this diet that was a huge part of his healing journey. As James learned more about cooking, he developed a true passion for it and started up his very popular blog Healthy Living James which has a following on Instagram of more than 90000 people. His work has made a big impact on a lot of people around the world and it was a genuine pleasure to have him on my show. About JamesJames is a qualified Health Coach and food blogger. He specialises in creating quick and healthy gluten, wheat, dairy, egg and refined sugar free recipes. After suffering with a long term illness his food has been one of his ways of recovery. His aim is to inspire and motivate people to cook more to improve their overall lifestyle.Connect with JamesWebsite: https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthylivingjames/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/HealthyLivingJWSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In today's podcast episode, I have an in-depth discussion with Dr. Helen Street, the author of the well-known book Contextual Well-Being. This conversation with Helen is very timely in nature as many schools around the world face an uncertain, stressful time as they make important decisions about whether to return to face-to-face, virtual or a hybrid model of teaching and learning. Helen's work around contextual well-being has been recognized and praised by leading educators around the world. Over the years, Helen has committed herself to helping schools to truly define what well-being means based on their unique context while taking 4 important domains into consideration; The people of our community, policies and practices, social norms, and the physical space of schools. Helen is a wonderful person and is very passionate about the work she does. It was a pleasure to have her on my show and I would like to thank her for her time and energy. About HelenDr Helen Street is one of Australia’s most highly respected educators. With a passion for educational reform and for challenging the status quo, she has become known as a powerful advocate for childrens’ rights as well as a pioneer in the support of learning engagement, motivation and wellbeing in schools.  Helen works with schools and colleges from more than 15 countries in and including Australia, SE Asia and Europe. She has written four books including 'Standing Without Shoes' (co-authored with George Burns) which contains a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Helen’s book ‘Contextual Wellbeing – creating positive schools from the inside out’ has been praised by leading educators around the world. Helen is an honorary research fellow at the University of Melbourne and the founder and chair of the Positive Schools Initiative with Neil Porter. The Positive Schools Initiative includes the Positive Schools conference series (positiveschools.com.au) and Positive Schools Online (positiveschools.com) launching in September, 2020Connect With Helen:Twitter: https://twitter.com/drhelenstreetWebsite: http://www.contextualwellbeing.com.au/Email: [email protected]'s Ted X Talk: Well-Being is Not a CompetitionSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

Dr. Scott Kretchmar is a leading sports philosopher world wide with more than four decades of experience in the field of exercise and sport science. His research interests include the role of games and play in human evolution and theory of mind and the intellectual requirements of sporting activity. He has played a key role in making sport philosophy a legitimate field of scholarship and study and has had a huge impact on the physical education/health profession. In today's episode, Scott and I dive deeply into a discussion that focuses on how physical educators can plant the seeds for all students to flourish in a PE setting and how they can help young people to create personal narratives that include physical activity, sport, and exercise as part of the ongoing stories that they create for themselves. It was a pleasure to speak with Scott. He is an important mentor of mine and I always learn so much from our discussions. Scott's BioProfessor R. Scott Kretchmar is one of the leading sports philosophers in the country.  He has taught philosophy of sport for over three decades and played a key role in making it a legitimate field of scholarship and study.  He is one of the founding members of the Philosophic Society for the Study of Sport and served as its president.  He has also served as the president of the Philosophic Academy of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.  He is a retired professor at Pennsylvania State University in the Exercise and Sports Science department, where he has served as department chair. He was elected as the president of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education and is leading the way to making the subject of sports philosophy an important facet of the study of Kinesiology.Scott has received numerous awards over the course of his career and the impact that he has on the field of physical and health has been felt around the world. Connect with Scott: Email: [email protected] thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Beighle and I have an in-depth discussion about quality teaching and learning in physical education. In particular, we dive into a conversation about what teachers need to think more deeply about when planning for high quality virtual learning lessons. As well, we discuss our thoughts about how teachers might reframe what's possible in regards to the learning experiences they offer students in relation to important health and fitness outcomes in physical education. Aaron is a not only a fantastic educator but a wonderful person who I am happy to have met and formed a friendship with. Thanks for being on the show for a second time Aaron. Aaron's Bio: Aaron Beighle holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University and is currently a faculty member at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Beighle regularly collaborates with a variety of organizations interested in youth physical activity promotion. He has been a leading advocate for Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs since its inception in 2006. Aaron has written more than 85 research-based and practical articles as well as six books, most notably Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children. He recently collaborated with Dr. Bob Pangrazi and Gopher to make their widely used lessons plans available for free via dynamicpeasap.com. Connect With Aaron:Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaronBeighleSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/Closing Song: Thrive by Casting Crowns- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ71RWJhS_M

In this episode, I speak with long time friend and scientist, Dr. Al Scott. Al is doing some amazing work in the field of science and presently works in the Canadian space industry. He has a PhD in Laboratory Astrophysics and his current work focuses on developing laser communication systems for satellites. Al recently started up his own podcast called the Rational View and this is why I brought him on the show. I wanted to hear about Al's work and to learn more about the themes and topics he covers in each episode of his podcast. His podcast takes a deep dive into important societal issues and it is Al's hope that through each episode he provides a clear voice for the moderate majority on highly polarized issues such as climate change, social inequity, and the growth of anti-science sentiment. I highly recommend you have a listen to The Rational View, it's a fantastic podcast. I want to thank Al for taking the time to be on my podcast. About Al: My name is Dr. Alan Scott, namesake to the original Green Lantern. I grew up on the Scott Brothers' apple farm in the tiny village of Olinda, near Leamington Ontario where I was taught the value of an honest day's work in the orchards.  I determined at that time that it would be worthwhile exploring the big world and so I left the farm for University. I earned a BSc in Physics from the University of Guelph, Ontario. While there, I served as president of the College of Physical and Engineering Sciences student council. I was also a member of the varsity curling squad for which I was awarded the President's Trophy for combined academics/athletics achievement. Several years later, I graduated with a PhD in Laboratory Astrophysics from University of Waterloo under Professor Walt Duley. After this period of academic freedom I turned to the 'dark side' and entered the Canadian space industry working on the development of optical remote sensing instruments for scientific satellite experiments. I have been active in this field ever since, enjoying the opportunity to work with an amazingly broad range of cutting edge technology. I currently work for COM DEV/Honeywell as an 'Engineering Fellow' in optical technologies, developing laser communications systems for satellites. During this time I have also been involved in the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Ottawa chapter.  I served as the Ted Bean Telescope Loan Librarian for over a decade, and also as Counselor, VP, and President.  I was awarded a service award in 2016 by the Ottawa Center. As for my family, I have two wonderful teenage children, Clare and Will, a supportive and intelligent wife, Sarah, and a young kindergarten troublemaker, Rigel.Connect With Al: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlScottRationalPodcast: https://therationalview.podbean.com/#Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlScottRationalSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

I'm thankful to have had this round table discussion with my wonderful colleagues Laura Pendergast, Jessica Boland, and Carrie Mcewen about the role of the Pedagogical Coordinator and the work that we do at The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. The role itself is a very unique one that not only involves being a coach, collaborator,  consultant, and curriculum coordinator but also to work side-by-side with the amazing teachers in our school helping to support them with their own professional growth journeys. Not a day goes by when I am not extremely appreciative and thankful to do the work that I do at the school and to be a part of such a great leadership team at Gardens Elementary School. A special thanks to Laura, Jessica, and Carrie for their willingness to share their insight and experiences. About LauraBorn and raised in small-town Ontario, Canada I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.I was very fortunate to attend local schools that were brimming with kind and passionate teachers who always went above and beyond to help me and my fellow students. I saw from an early age the power of teachers in my own life and the lives of my peers. While in university in Canada, and facing an unstable job market for newly qualified teachers, I decided to teach aboard. The plan was to spend two years teaching overseas in Kuwait and then move back home to Canada to continue my career. Well, nearly 15 years later I am still teaching overseas. Currently, I am a Pedagogical Coordinator at the KAUST School in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.As a mother to three young boys I am furthering my own beliefs around learning and researching more about the power of play. I am finding ways to sneak vegetables into every meal I serve. Most importantly, I am eternally grateful for the opportunities to travel and connect with other people that life as an international Educator has brought me and my family.Twitter: https://twitter.com/penderlcAbout JessicaJessica Boland always knew that she would be a teacher.  As an educator for 20 years, in the states and internationally, she has held many roles, such as an elementary teacher, mathematics coach, Asst. Director of Math and Science and is currently working as a G1 Pedagogical Coordinator at KAUST. In addition to having two Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Mathematics Education, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching for the state of Arizona in 2010 and received National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards as an Early Childhood Generalist in 2008 and received renewal in 2017. She contributed classroom vignettes and student work to the book, Beyond Answers: Exploring Mathematical Practices with Young Children. About CarrieI’m American, born in Iowa, grew up in Ohio and in 1998 started my teaching career in Texas.  I’ve been teaching internationally now for 17 years, in Syria, Bangladesh and now Saudi Arabia at the Kaust School.  My classroom experience is in the early years, teaching kindergarten, first and second grade.  My undergrad degree is in early childhood education and my masters is in International Education.  Four years ago, after a number of years in the classroom, I moved into the role of pedagogical coordinator.  I feel so fortunate to have opportunities to work alongside such highly professional teachers.  From our partnerships we work together to really have a lasting impact on student learning and growth. Twitter: https://twitter.com/clmcewenSpecial thanks to Bronx band Conversing with Oceans & Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

My guest today, Morris Ervin Jr, has changed the lives of countless students and teachers through the work he does as an educator, entertainer and motivational speaker. Morris' authenticity shines through in this conversation as does the devotion and commitment he has for making the world a better place. In this episode, we dive into the work he does as a consultant, his experiences teaching in South Central Los Angeles, and the childhood trauma he had to overcome to be able to begin his own process of healing. Morris also shares how he and his family are dealing with recently testing positive for COVID and the impact that this has had on their lives. Morris is an inspiration and a shining light in a world that needs people like him to do the work that they are doing. Thank you to Morris for your time and energy. About MorrisMorris H Ervin, Jr. is an educator, entertainer, motivational speaker, and Youth Development Professional committed to helping the youth, families, communities, and institutions “turn fear into strength, and pain into passion.” Morris is the founder of Mansa Consulting and he has provided assemblies, workshops, mentoring programs, and leadership camps/retreats to 1,000s of students in over a dozen school districts across the country. For more than a decade, Morris’s programs, trainings, and retreats have helped the youth:Develop critical thinking skillsLearn and apply character strengthsBuild solid interpersonal communication skillsBecome confident and assertive in how they liveEmbrace the peace and harmony inside themselvesBecome reflective and purposeful about shaping their own futureMorris has spread his excitement, optimism, and passion to schools, churches,community centers, juvenile detention camps, colleges, and universities from the east to the west coast. He has developed curriculum and provided coaching to programs in districts from Compton to Ventura, California. Mansa Consulting has partnered with organizations such as FAMLI INC, Peace Over Violence, Making A Difference Consulting, and The California Conference for Equality and Justice providing Teen Summits that shape and empower our future leaders of tomorrow. Morris writes children’s songs to teach healthy habits and promote literacy development. Morris also writes and performs hip-hop music and performs on stages across the country using his humor and storytelling abilities. Morris is the Education Director for Open Doors Academy a non-profit that serves low income youth and families through extended learning opportunities, summer programming, and a college ready curriculum that challenges students to reach their full potential. Morris has a Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education from Kent State University and he is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Community Counseling. Morris believes that the ultimate measure of a man is seen through the eyes of his family. He has a beautiful wife, two teenage children, and two dogs. His ultimate, inspiration, motivation, and drive are fueled by his family’s love and unconditional support.Connect With Morris:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morris.ervin.1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealmansa/?hl=enSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Dr. Martha James and I have an in-depth discussion about critical pedagogy, professional accountability, differentiation, and the importance of critical feedback. With over 30 years of experience in urban education, Martha shares her thoughts about what the biggest gaps are in the field of physical education and health and how schools can address these gaps in order to improve teacher practice and better engage students in their learning in physical education. I'd like to thank Martha for her time and for being on my podcast. Martha's Bio:Martha James is a researcher, teacher, and leader with nearly 30 years of experience in PK-21urban education. Dr. James is an Assistant Professor at Morgan State University in the School of Education and Urban Studies and serves as Policy Chair on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners. Dr. James earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison inKinesiology; her Master’s in Education from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota; andwith her dissertation, “Physical Education as a Medium for Anti-Racist Consciousness Raising,” she earned her Doctorate in Critical Pedagogy from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2016 she proudly participated in the inaugural cohort of AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy going on to earn AASA’s prestigious Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award for her work with social justice in education. Dr. James has served in leadership roles advocating for equity on numerous professionalcommittees related to her work at Morgan State University and across the nation. Currently, she serves as the President of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education and on the Board of Directors for the Council of Great City Schools. Recently she has also served as the Past Chair of the Resolutions and Policy Chair for the Council of Urban Boards of Education, SHAPE America Diversity and Inclusiveness Group, and of the Social Justice and Cultural Diversity Taskforce for the National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education. Dr. James has written and presented extensively on the theoretical model of CulturalFluency, interdisciplinary teaching and learning, and best practices in education. She has earned numerous additional awards, including State and National teacher of the year, and the 2014 NAKHE outstanding young scholar in Kinesiology. She is a mother, friend, sister, aunt, and in 2008 became an Ironman by completing the 140.6-mile racecourse in 14 hours 9 minutes and 31 seconds.Connect With Martha: Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrJamesHassanSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Professor Kevin Marks from Solano College in California joins me to discuss the work he does around optimizing performance through mental and physical systems. Kevin's extensive knowledge and deep experience in the field comes alive in this episode through the rich discussion that we have around mindset training, mindfulness, the power of goal-setting and breath work. Kevin and I are connected through an online learning community that we belong to called the Finding Mastery Tribe that is led by Dr. Michael Gervais, the sports psychologist for the NFL team Seattle Seahawks. Kevin gives specific insight into strategies and approaches that anyone can apply to help plant the seeds for success in their personal and professional life. It was a pleasure to have him on the show and I want to thank him for his time. About Kevin: Kevin Marks has been teaching for 18 years at the college level and has been at Solano College since the fall of 2007.  Marks is a full time Tenured Professor in: Psychology & Health Science. He holds two master’s degrees.  One master’s of science degree in sport/exercise science (biomechanics & exercise physiology), and a second master’s of science degree in Psychology; is a former college football coach (associate head coach) of back to back conference championship teams and 3rd best team in school history at SCC in 2010).  As a professor, Marks teaches courses in: general/clinical psychology, sport psychology, and exercise science and works in the California State prison on level 3- psychological-education.In addition to his teaching duties, Marks is a sport psychology consultant for Solano College athletics working with teams and individual athletes.   Prior to joining Solano College, Marks taught and coached football at Modesto Jr. College. Marks has also coached football and taught at Laney College in Oakland, California.  Finally, as an endurance athlete, he complete his first full Ironman triathlon in 14 hours 47 minutes in 2019Connect With Kevin:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinMarksOptimalPerformanceTwitter: https://twitter.com/coachmarkssccSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Donovan Hall, to have a discussion about his background playing professional rugby and how this led to his trajectory into educational leadership. Donovan is the Director of Educational Technology at The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia and, as you can imagine, was faced with the challenging task of getting the entire organization ready for distance learning during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Once distance learning was up and running, he and his team had to make sure that all stakeholders in the school had the support they needed to do their best work possible. Donovan shares this experience, what he has learned about himself as a leader, and how he and his team continue to think about the next steps needed to keep the school moving in the right direction. Thank you Donovan for your time and willingness to share your journey. Donovan Hall's Bio:Born in the phenomenal South Island of NZ and I have been in education since 1999, and International Education in Africa & The Middle East for 12 years. In August 2019, I moved into the role of Educational Technology Director at a K12 International School in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.​On a personal note, I am married with two young children who are growing too fast for our liking! As a family we enjoy reading, beaches, biking and board games together. Core values that are important to me are commitment, humility & relationships.​Growing up in NZ, I was always outdoors with brothers, whether playing sport or following outdoor pursuits. This remains a big part of my life and I try and stay on top of my fitness and well being by running, through team sports and connecting with the environment.​Personal growth is a big part of my life as I look to iterate on myself in all areas. In July 2018 I gained a Certificate of International Education through The PTC. By connecting me with outstanding international educators and current research, these courses helped broaden my mind by asking me to examine my thinking around education. Currently, I am working my way towards a Masters In Education through Massey University, NZ which I am thoroughly enjoying. Getting back into the rigours of academic studies and balancing this with my new role as an Ed Tech Director and family life has certainly, and will continue to prove challenging. Connect With Donovan: Twitter: https://twitter.com/donovanhallnzSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

Happy to release part 2 of my interview with professional adventure skier and filmmaker, Brody Leven. In this episode, Brody and I discuss the obstacles that he faces on an ongoing basis in the work that he does and how he has learned to manage the fear that can arise from the danger that he is constantly up against. He shares his insight around avalanche risk management, the role of fear, and the powerful impact that preparation, learning, and intuition play in keeping him and his partners safe during their expeditions. Despite having over ten years experience climbing up and skiing down some of the most challenging mountains in the world, Brody constantly takes on a beginner's mindset in order to stay open to new learning, so that he can continue to thrive, both personally and professionally in his field of work. Brody is an inspiring person who has a strong passion for the outdoors, educating others about the impact of climate change, and filmmaking. It was a delight to have him on my podcast. Brody's Bio:Brody Leven is best known as a professional skier and climber, as well as for being a climate change activist and conservationist. His photos and stories have been published in several magazines and press outlets. As a professional athlete, he has collaborated with a variety of brands and companies including Toyota, Utah State Tourism, and Urban Outfitters and he shares photos from his skiing and climbing with his over 50,000 Instagram followers. He was born on October 5, 1987 in Ohio. With a passion for the outdoors early on, he graduated from Westminster College and then chose to pursue his career in climbing and skiing. Traveling to a wide range of mountains and volcanoes, he began sharing photos from his journeys to Instagram in April of 2012.Connect With Brody:Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/brodyleven/?hl=enTwitter- https://twitter.com/brodylevenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/brodylevenWebsite: http://www.brodyleven.com/Brody's Documentary 'Lost'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC5wu_uF4GwSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

As a professional adventure skier and filmmaker, Brody Leven travels the world to climb up and ski down some of the most challenging mountain peaks in the world. Through these adventures, Brody not only learns deeply about the physical and mental skills required to climb up and ski down these mountains, but also learns many important lessons that transcend his craft that he regularly applies in his personal and professional life. Brody is an activist for climate change and brings his message to countless people through the talks and presentations that he gives.In this episode, Brody also shares a life-changing adventure that he completed in 2018 which he made into his documentary 'Lost'. I encourage you to check out the short documentary by clicking the link below. It truly puts into perspective how incredible this feat was and shines light on the mental skills he needed to take on this enormous challenge. Part 2 of this interview will be released next week. I hope you enjoy this discussion with Brody Leven. Brody's Bio:Brody Leven is best known as a professional skier and climber, as well as for being a climate change activist and conservationist. His photos and stories have been published in several magazines and press outlets. As a professional athlete, he has collaborated with a variety of brands and companies including Toyota, Utah State Tourism, and Urban Outfitters and he shares photos from his skiing and climbing with his over 50,000 Instagram followers. He was born on October 5, 1987 in Ohio. With a passion for the outdoors early on, he graduated from Westminster College and then chose to pursue his career in climbing and skiing. Traveling to a wide range of mountains and volcanoes, he began sharing photos from his journeys to Instagram in April of 2012.Connect With Brody:Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/brodyleven/?hl=enTwitter- https://twitter.com/brodylevenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/brodylevenWebsite: http://www.brodyleven.com/Brody's Documentary 'Lost'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC5wu_uF4GwSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

Ewan McIntosh, the CEO and Founder of NoTosh, joins me on my podcast to share how the COVID19 public health crisis has impacted the work that he and his team have been doing around the world. In this episode, Ewan discusses what he has learned about himself, his global company, and how he and his team of innovative colleagues have managed to navigate the tricky waters caused by this pandemic. Ewan also share a few of the many successes that NoTosh has had over the years and the specific work that he and his team have done helping to transform schools in a way that gives them greater clarity and purpose. Ewan is inspired to keep reflecting on ways that he and his NoTosh team can refine the work that they do in order to keep making a difference in the lives of the people and organizations that they feel so lucky to serve. About EwanLeading projects around the world for clients in education and industry, Ewan is the passionate and energising tour de force behind NoTosh. A highly-regarded keynote speaker at events around the world, he’s also the author of How To Come Up With Great Ideas and Actually Make Them Happen and regularly writes about learning on our NoTosh Medium Blog."As a French and German high school teacher in Scotland back in the 1990s, I wanted to find new ways to help students engage with my subjects – I felt strongly that technology was both critical to achieving this and remained underused in the classroom, so my classes were among the first in Europe to podcast and blog as part of their daily learning."From here, it was a reasonably logical step to become National Advisor on Learning and Technology Futures for the Scottish Government... although joining Channel 4 as their Digital Commissioner in 2008 was a step in a different direction. But it was while I was with Channel 4 that I became fascinated by the strategies and tactics that my creative colleagues used to create imaginative and truly engaging digital services for young people. Could I take this insight and make it work in an education setting? Yes, I reckoned I could... and that’s how NoTosh came about."Connect With EwanWebsite: https://notosh.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ewanmcintoshBlog: https://medium.com/notoshFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoToshLearningSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

Zack Smith is one of the very best early years educators that I have come across in my career. He puts a tremendous amount of time and energy into creating the very best learning experiences possible for his young learners in physical education. Through the use of story-telling and very purposeful environmental design, Zack focuses on engaging every single student in relevant movement experiences that deepen their learning and their motor competence. Zack and I collaborated deeply this year around a research project that helped him better understand the impact that his program and teaching was having on his young learners. In this episode we discuss this research project, what he learned, and how he has used this information to further his thinking around what is possible in his program and next steps he would like to take. If you are an early years teacher or coordinator, I think you will find great value in this discussion. About ZackZack Smith has been an international early childhood educator since 2005. In 1998, he graduated from Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, CO, USA, with an International Baccalaureate diploma. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Culture, Text, and Language, from The Evergreen State College in 2001. In 2007, he received an MA.Ed from the University of Phoenix Online. Zack taught preschool, elementary ESOL, technology, and early years PE at Shanghai Community International School between 2005 and 2014. Since 2014, he has been a K1 PE teacher at the KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. As an educator, Zack is interested in foundation skill development and student empowerment through innovative and continuously evolving pedagogical strategies. In addition to sport, Zack is also passionate about music and poetry. He is an avid drummer and songwriter, as well as a husband and father of one son.Connect with Zack:Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrzackpeSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Julian Edwards, the Primary Principal of the Inter-Community School Zurich shares his organization's journey over the past couple of months dealing with the current COVID-19 public health crisis. Julian speaks in-depth about how the leadership team has worked closely together with the teachers to help provide the very best distance learning experiences possible for their students. Through critical reflection and gathering feedback, his team was able to be agile and flexible and to pivot as needed during this difficult time in order to best support their teachers, students and parents. Julian also discusses how the school got back to a blended mix of face-to-face teaching and distance learning and what they have learned through this entire process. It was a pleasure to have Julian on the show and even a greater pleasure that he is headed over to The KAUST School next academic year. Julian's BioJulian Edwards has been lucky enough to work in roles across most sectors of education including Elementary, Secondary and Special Education, as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, workshop leader, presenter, and school leader. Julian started his teaching career in the UK and for the last twenty years has held leadership roles in international schools including the International School of Tanganyika, Western Academy of Beijing and NIST International School in Bangkok. Julian is currently Primary Principal at the Inter Community School in Zurich and in August 2020 will join the The KAUST School as Director of Learning and Innovation. Julian’s professional passion lies in understanding how creative teaching and leadership can develop the fullest capacity of individuals, whatever their age. Having worked extensively with the IBO through workshop leading and involvement in developments across the three programmes, Julian has a somewhat unique understanding of the curriculum continuum in international education. In addition to his ongoing work of school-based leadership, Julian continues to lead workshops and professional learning opportunities in areas including Project Based Learning, Inquiry, Creative and Personalized Leadership, Agency, Innovation and Coaching and Mentoring.Connect With JulianTwitter: https://twitter.com/cornishju?lang=enSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

Dr. Nicole LePera, The Holistic Psychologist, has built a community of over 2.4 million on Instagram through her commitment to help people around the world better understand and deepen their own learning about the power of the mind and body connection. She teaches people to create more empowering personal narratives by giving them the tools and skills needed to break free from subconscious habitual patterns of behavior and thought that hold them back from living more fulfilled and meaningful lives. In this episode, Nicole not only shares her own journey of ups and downs and challenges that she has had to overcome in her life, but also very applicable and practical strategies that anyone can use to improve their own mental health and wellness. It was an honor to interview Nicole and to learn more about her work and the impact she is having. About Nicole: Dr. Nicole LePera is a Holistic Psychologist who believes that mental wellness is for everyone. She evolved her more traditional training from Cornell University and The New School to one that acknowledges the connection between the mind and body.Dr. LePera views mental and physical struggles from a whole person perspective and works to identify the underlying physical and emotional causes. She understands that balance is an integral part of wellness and empowers individuals to heal themselves, supporting them on their wellness journeys.Dr. LePera founded the Mindful Healing Center in Center City Philadelphia.  She recently expanded her work online creating a platform for teaching these often overlooked components of mental wellness to individuals and practitioners around the world.Connect With Nicole:Website: https://yourholisticpsychologist.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.holistic.psychologist/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.holistic.psychologist/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtEWTaMjqOH8J1Gy06Ey0YgSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/ 

In this episode, Kasson Bratton, the Deputy Director of Nanjing International School in China, shares the impact that the COVID-19 public health crisis has had on his organization and how they have dealt with the ongoing uncertainty caused by this pandemic. Kasson takes us through the first days of distance learning and the difficult challenges that they faced and speaks in-depth about the endless work done by the leadership team to get the school back to face-to-face teaching and learning. Thank you to Kasson for sharing your school's journey and what they have gone through over the past few months. Great learning for all schools going through the same thing. Kasson's Bio:Kasson is in his seventeenth year as an educator, sixteenth as a husband, ninth as a father, and seventh in a formal leadership role, serving as Deputy Director-Learning at Nanjing International School. Passionate about Hip-Hop, coffee, and, cycling, Kasson appreciates the strength of community, the spirit of innovation, and the power of positivity. He is working on his coaching skills, becoming a better listener, and empowering agile cultures of learning, in addition to his freestyle rap dexterity and eternal search for the perfect cold brew.Connect with Kasson:Twitter: https://twitter.com/KB_IntlConnect with Nanjing International School:Twitter: https://twitter.com/NISChinaRecent articles written: https://bit.ly/NISStrathttp://bit.ly/nisearcosSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Ted Hill, the Director of Chadwick International School, in South Korea, shares his school's experience trying to navigate the tricky waters caused by the current public health crisis, COVID-19, and the impact that it has had on his organization. He speaks deeply about the process that the school has gone through to collectively come together to meaningfully collaborate in order to deliver a distance learning program that best meets the needs of their students. As well, in this episode, Ted shares his own journey in education, his trajectory into leadership and what he has learned about himself throughout the years as an educator. If you are an administrator or a teacher listening to this episode and would like to know more about how Chadwick International School has delivered their distance learning program, feel free to contact them. The contact details can be found below. Thanks for listening to this episode with Ted Hill. Ted's Bio:Frederick T. "Ted" Hill is currently Head of School at Chadwick International School (CI) in Songdo (Incheon), South Korea. He also serves as President of the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation Group, which operates both CI and Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, California. Previously, he served for 18 years as Headmaster of Chadwick School. Hill oversaw the founding of CI in 2010 and its growth over the past 10 years from a student body of 270 to its current enrollment of 1,300 students, pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade. Hill led this expansion of Chadwick into East Asia in fulfillment of founder Margaret Chadwick's vision of bringing the progressive Chadwick education model to another country. Hill has previously served as a teacher, coach, and/or administrator at Williston-Northampton School, Graham-Eckes Palm Beach Academy, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, Louisville Collegiate School, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Harvard University. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Hill holds a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, a master’s degree in French language and literature from Middlebury College, and a bachelor’s degree in French and English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has served in the past on the boards of the California Association of Independent Schools, the Independent School Experiential Education Network (ISEEN), and the Harbor Interfaith Council.   Connect with Chadwick International SchoolWebsite: https://www.chadwickinternational.org/Email: [email protected] thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

Angela Maiers' work has been featured on NPR radio, NBC news, ABC news and in the Huffington Post, USA today, and Forbes. She has over 30-years experience creating and leading change in the world of education. As a world-renowned author of 9 books, her influence has impacted over 60,000 classrooms in over 100 countries. Her Choose-2-Matter campaign brings hope to the world by helping every individual embrace their value and potential contribution to the world. Hope you have a listen and connect with Angela. Angela's BioLeader. Visionary. Entrepreneur. Disruptor. Change Maker. Angela embodies each of these descriptors with passion, commitment and fierce determination. She has been creating and leading change in education and enterprise for 31 years, teaching every level of school from grade school to graduate school and consulting with companies around the world. Angela founded Choose2Matter to bring the world hope by helping every individual embrace their value and potential contribution. Initially launched to challenge and inspire students to work collaboratively to develop innovative solutions to social problems, Choose2Matter has evolved into a movement that support parents, educators, and employees around the world. Her work in 60,000 classrooms across 100 countries has rallied more than a million children who have banded together to launch 170 social enterprises and pass 17 laws. And organizations across all industries are finding new ways to ignite the genius of their employees, successfully addressing a $15 trillion employee engagement problemAngela earned a BS in Education with a minor in Neuroscience and Master Degrees in Literacy and Ed Leadership. She is the author of eight books, including Liberating Genius,The Habitudes and The Passion Driven Classroom. Angela is widely recognized as one of most influential voices on social media today, consistently ranking in the top 1% and a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. @angelamaiersConnect with Angela:Website: https://www.angelamaiers.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngelaMaiersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaMaiersSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Stephen Gallacher, 2014 Ryder Cup champion and European Golf Tour veteran, shares what he has learned about himself through his experiences playing professional golf for more than 20 years at the most elite level in the world. Stephen opens up and discusses not only his successes, but how he was also able to work his way through some challenging moments in his career that ultimately led to him being in the winner's circle again. Stephen speaks about defining moments in his career such as winning his first pro tournament in 2004 ( the Alfred Dunhill Cup), being a part of the European team that won the Ryder Cup in 2014, and his most recent victory, the 2019 Hero Challenge in India. We finish off this episode speaking about the legacy that Stephen hopes to leave on the game and the mission of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation which has given back so much to the game of golf in Scotland. Stephen's BioStephen James Gallacher is a Scottish professional golfer who plays on the European Tour. He was born in Dechmont, West Lothian and is the nephew of former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher. He played in a victorious Walker Cup side in 1995 and turned professional later that year.He first played on the European Tour in 1996, but struggled to begin with. In 2000, however, he reached the top hundred on the Order of Merit for the first time, placing 56th. In 2004 he recorded his first win on the tour at the Dunhill Links Championship and finished the year ranked 15th on the Order of Merit.In February 2013, he ended a 201-tournament wait for his second victory on the European Tour, when he won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by three strokes. He held the lead going into the final round after he shot his best career round of 62 on the European Tour in the third round. The win moved him back into the world's top 100.The following year, he defended his title with a one stroke victory at the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic for his third European Tour victory. He is the first golfer to ever successfully defend the title. Five years after his title defense in Dubai, he won again on the European Tour by claiming the 2019 Hero Indian Open, India's premier event, with a birdie on the 18th, despite a quadruple-bogey on the 7th. His son Jack caddied for him during his win in India. Gallacher was picked as one of the three captain's picks by Paul McGinley for the 2014 Ryder Cup.Connect With Stephen:Website: https://www.sgfoundation.co.uk/Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevieggolfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevieggolf/?hl=enSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/Opening saxophone piece by Peter Diglin

In this episode, I have a conversation with George Couros, an “Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Consultant”, speaker, as well as the author of “The Innovator’s Mindset” and “Innovate Inside the Box.” George has worked with schools and organizations in many places around the world through conferences, keynoting, providing workshops, and consulting on how organizations can move forward by creating innovative environments for all learners in the community.In this conversation we dive deeply into the impact that his parents had on him while growing up, his traditional Greek roots, and how sport defined who he was and the path that he is on. As well, George talks about an early mentor he had that made an enormous difference in his life. Her name is Kelly Wilkens and her impact on George is what led to his trajectory into leadership and wanting to make the same difference to others that Kelly made on him. George is driven and committed to the work that he does in education and I hope that you find value in our discussion. George's BioGeorge is currently an “Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Consultant”, speaker, as well as the author of “The Innovator’s Mindset” and “Innovate Inside the Box.”  Formerly, he was the Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and Learning with Parkland School Division, located in Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, and has over 20 years of experience as an educator, in a myriad of roles from K-12. He is passionate about distributed leadership within his division, and believes that creating a collaborative environment with all stakeholders, will help to ensure that we meet the best needs of all children.George believes that by being curious, collaborative, and open to new learning, we can truly inspire our students to not only be prepared for the real world, but ensure that they make the world better than it is now.  This is the work that drives what George does.Connect with George:Website: https://georgecouros.ca/blog/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcourosGeorge's Book:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity-ebook/dp/B016YTBZKOhttps://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, I interview Fritzi Horstman, the founder and executive director of the Compassion Prison Project. In 2017, Fritzi won a Grammy Award working alongside Dr. Dre in The Defiant One, a 4-part documentary series. She has worked with many of the top names in the industry such as Richard Dreyfuss, Christian Slater, Jewel, Jennifer Lopez and many more, but it is not her accomplishments in the movie industry that now define Fritzi, but more so the work she is doing with the Compassion Prison Project. At the very core of her being, Fritzi’s Compassion Prison Project is about bringing humanity and compassion to incarcerated men and women. She is currently filming a documentary about the work that she and her team are doing in maximum security prisons in the United States and their commitment to help inmates understand that their true nature is not violent and hateful but instead magnificent and magical. Her new mission in life is to help incarcerated men and women heal and reform themselves in ways that help them re-enter society and contribute back to the communities that they live in proactive ways. Her hope is to provide them with the tools and skills to live meaningful lives that give them a sense of purpose, hope, connection and love. This conversation dives very deeply into the impact of childhood trauma, the importance of compassion for others and compassion for self, the power of belonging and connection, and the need to look more closely at our own lives and the work we need to do to live with more fulfillment and meaning. Fritzi hopes that listeners of this podcast, at minimum, better understand the devastating impact that childhood trauma can have and to understand what the ACE Test is (Adverse Childhood Experiences Test). It is her hope that everybody takes this test to better understand any childhood trauma that they may have experienced and what can be done about it. The ACE Test can be found at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. See the powerful Step Inside the Circle videoFritzi's BioFritzi Horstman is the Founder and Executive Director of CPP.  She is a Grammy-award winning producer for her work on “The Defiant Ones”, has been a producer and post-producer on dozens of television projects and documentaries and has directed several films. She believes it is urgent to bring humanity and compassion to those living behind bars and these acts will help transform our society.  She has a Bachelor's Degree from Vassar College.Connect With FritziWebsite: https://compassionprisonproject.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fritzi5Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fritzi.horstman and https://www.facebook.com/compassionprisonprojectPlease consider a donation to Fritzi's Compassion Prison Project. She currently has a fund raising initiative to be able to continue doing the amazing work that she and her team are doing. Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

James Greenshields, the founder of the Resilient Leaders Foundation based in Australia, joins me on my podcast to share his inspiring story. James was a commanding officer in the Australian military who led a combat team of over 100 soldiers into a war zone 15 years ago. Having experienced firsthand the devastating impact that war can have, James developed PTSD and major depression that almost cost him his life. However, he was able to do the deep internal work needed to not only work his way through the recovery process, but to become a beacon of hope for others suffering from mental illness and PTSD. As a result, James and his wife, Kirsty, created the Resilient Leaders Foundation and have devoted themselves to building an organisation that provides people with the skills, resources and structures to lead and collaborate in order to thrive and flourish. James' BioJames is a man with a huge heart and a vision to match, and one of his favourite sayings is “we haven’t hit the causal issue yet …” His experience with Post Traumatic Stress, after serving in Iraq, set him on a path to learn all he could about healing the ‘causal issues’. The success of his healing journey is evident, and he describes himself as a man who lives with post-traumatic growth! As the Lead Facilitator for Men’s Wellbeing at Resilient Leaders Foundation, James is intensely passionate about assisting others reach their highest potential, and his mentoring and teaching programs are transformational, to say the least.James’ ability to ask the hard questions, his extensive leadership experience in challenging environments, and his affable manner mean organisations love his workshops.James is an inspiring and engaging public speaker, with a reputation to move an audience to tears within the first few minutes of a presentation. He will always encourage listeners to lead from the heart by oozing this quality himself.Connect With JamesWebsite: https://www.resilientleadersfoundation.org/mission/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResilientLeadersFoundation/Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

Distance learning is tricky to navigate for teachers, but with careful planning that focuses on personalized learning, students can still thrive as they are able to find their own entry points to learning as artists. In this episode, Andrew Shuttleworth, a visual arts teacher from The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia, shares how he is striving to engage his students in a way that not only allows them to have voice and choice, but to work at a pace that best suits them as learners and how they want to create art.If you are a visual arts teacher or a curriculum coordinator and want to see Andrew's very personalized approach to distance learning, have a listen to this episode. As well, please share the episode with any art teachers who may be looking for ways to deliver their visual arts lessons in a distance learning format. Special mention in this episode to Linda Kent who is Andrew's colleague. Both Linda and Andrew are teaching grade 3 and have worked equally hard on creating rich and meaningful art lessons through distance learning. Andrew and Linda have collaborated in-depth through the process of putting together lessons for online learning in art. As well, Wayne Bartelink who is teaching art at the grade 1 level. Bio - Andrew ShutleworthAndrew Shuttleworth is a visual arts educator currently based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He’s been teaching in different contexts for 13 years at schools in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and now the Middle East. Andrew is passionate about the role the Arts can have in a well-balanced, transdisciplinary education. He is an advocate for choice-based Art pedagogy and strives to run his classroom as a TAB (Teaching Artistic Behaviour) studio. Previous professional experiences include teaching as a grade four and five teacher, tech integration specialist, and integrated arts teacher.Originally from the UK, Andrew grew up in Canada so for him, like many of his students, the concept of ‘home’ is abstract. Outside of his work, Andrew enjoys pottery, photography, painting, drawing, graphic arts, football (soccer) and music. He is also a candidate for a Masters of Art Education through the Art of Education University.Connect With AndrewInstagram: @adshuttleworthTwitter: @mr_s_artLinks to Andrew's work can be accessed at:Distance Learning PlansDistance Learning VideosSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this episode, Dr. Clare Dallat, an expert in risk and crisis management, shares her deep insight into how schools and other organizations can navigate their way through the current COVID-19 public health crisis. Clare has a PhD in Engineering Psychology and an MSc. in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management and is the Director of Risk Resolve, an Australian-based consultancy organization. Using a systematic approach, Clare and her team have helped over 100 schools and organization from across Australia and internationally since 2011. It was a pleasure to have Clare on the 'In Times of Uncertainty' podcast series. Clare's Bio:Dr Clare Dallat is the Director of Risk Resolve; an Australian-based consultancy that has provided proactive and reactive risk and crisis management services for over 100 schools and organisations across Australia and internationally, since 2011. Clare has a PhD in Engineering Psychology and an MSc. in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management. Although the majority of her work is in supporting schools in the risk and crisis management of offsite programs (Outdoor Education programs, overseas trips, school tours etc), more recently, Clare has been applying these methods to in-school contexts. She is an experienced outdoor educator and has twenty five years of practice working in all aspects of the led-outdoor activity domain across the world. She is originally from Northern Ireland and has called Wales, the US and Canada home prior to moving to Australia some 20 years ago. Clare is an Accreditation Council member for the Association for Experiential Education and is an adjunct researcher with the Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems at The University of the Sunshine Coast. In 2018,  she became the first person outside of North America to win the prestigious Reb Gregg Award for exceptional leadership, innovation and contribution to international wilderness risk management. Her recent research specifically into risk assessment, and the development of the Networked Hazard Analysis and Risk Management System (Net-HARMS; Dallat et al., 2018) has led to many organisations modifying their practices relating to the identification and management of safety risks. Net-HARMS is now being applied by many researchers and organisations worldwide, including Qantas Engineering and The Outdoor Education Group, Australia. Clare is involved in a current project, along with colleagues from the UAE and the UK, to develop and implement adventure tourism safety standards for the emirate of Fujairah, UAE. Connect With Clare: Twitter: @claredallatInstagram: @theoutdooreducationgroupWebsite: Www.oeg.edu.auSpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this new podcast series, I plan to do short interviews with educational leaders from around the world to discuss with them how the current COVID-19 crisis has impacted them both personally and professionally. We will explore ways that they are learning to cope with the adversity and hardship, what is keeping them inspired, and what they are learning about themselves. It brings me great pleasure to have Kath Murdoch on the show to share her learning. Hope you have a listen.About KathKath Murdoch is an experienced teacher, author, university lecturer and popular consultant who has worked for many years in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, America and Europe. She is widely respected for her work in the field of inquiry based learning and integrative curriculum in which she has taught, researched and published for well over 20 years.Kath began her professional life as a classroom teacher in Melbourne. Her fascination in how students’ constructed their understandings - and her interest in the way questions and big ideas could drive curriculum soon lead to a passion for integrative and inquiry based methodologies. This passion has become a career long focus for teaching, research and writing and the methodologies in which Kath specialises are now central to curriculum frameworks in many parts of the world – including the popular International Baccalaureate, PYP program. Critical to Kath’s success is her continued involvement in classroom teaching. Whether it is to demonstrate techniques, coach teachers or build her own repertoire of practices, Kath is committed to regular and ongoing work with students. Her classroom work and research feeds a dynamic and ever-evolving expertise in the area of integrative and inquiry-based learning. Kath’s professional development offerings are diverse. They range from intensive partnerships with schools to develop inquiry programs and practices over several years through to one-day workshops for beginning or experienced inquiry teachers. Whether in her home town of Melbourne or on the other side of the world, working with a team or speaking to a packed auditorium Kath’s style is refreshingly practical, inclusive and always connected to the real world of teaching.Connect With Kath:Website: www.kathmurdoch.com.auTwitter: @kjinquiryInstagram: @kjinquirySpecial thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In this new podcast series, I plan to do short interviews with educational leaders from around the world to discuss with them how the current COVID-19 crisis has impacted them both personally and professionally. We will explore ways that they are learning to cope with the adversity and hardship, what is keeping them inspired, and what they are learning about themselves. It brings me great pleasure to have Anne van Dam on the show to share her learning. Hope you have a listen.About Anne:Anne van Dam is an international educator who has worked in schools in the Netherlands,China, Singapore and Switzerland in a variety of roles; as a teacher, PYP coordinator,assistant principal and school Director. As an independent consultant she has travelled theglobe to work with schools, facilitate workshops and present at conferences. Anne isexperienced with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), is a workshop leader and developer and most recently has worked with the PYP development office in the Hague as a consultant on the enhanced PYP.Connect with Anne:Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnevanDam1966Blog: https://unpackingourpedagogy.blogspot.com/Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music. https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/

In today’s episode, I feel very fortunate to have interviewed Simon Dyson. Simon, who is from England, was a 17-year veteran of the European Golf Tour having won 6 times in Europe and 3 times in Asia. Simon played in 20 majors over the years, having made the cut in 9 of them. Anyone who knows and understands the game of golf, knows just how hard it is to qualify for a major, let alone make the cut. Simon played in 2 Masters, 4 US Opens, 9 Open Championships, and 5 PGA Championships. His best showing in a major was in the 2009 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s Golf Club where he finished 9th place. His best world ranking was in 2012 when he was ranked the 26th best golfer in the world. One can only imagine the hard work that a professional athlete has to put into their game in order to develop the physical and mental skills necessary to compete at such an elite level. In this episode, Simon digs deeply into his own journey and the mental framework that he developed and applied that not only helped him achieve great success but also helped him to get through the lower points in his career.Simon’s journey with golf began by his father taking him to a nearby school along with his brother to hit some golf balls at the age of 10. Simon was captivated by the game right away and would go on to become a scratch player by the age of 15 and represent England in the Walker Cup in 1999. Simon began his professional career in Asia and through a very hard work ethic and the support of his coach Pete Cowan, he was able to have a breakthrough year as a rookie, winning three times in his first season. This led him back to Europe and a spot on the European Golf Tour. He would go on to play 17 seasons on the tour. Unfortunately a serious wrist injury sidelined him in the 2015 season and upon returning to the game, Simon had difficulty getting back on track. However, in knowing his career as a tour player was coming to a close, Simon wanted to redefine his purpose and to find new meaning in his life. This led Simon to change career paths and become a coach. Simon now wants to give back to the game by mentoring others and working with them to unlock their potential with the game of golf. He not only works on the physical skills necessary to play the game but also the mental skills required to to bring on peak performance. In this conversation, Simon shares his authentic self, his ups and his downs, and how he has always been able to stay focused in order to fulfill his purpose and the vision he has for the future. Simon also discusses the work he is now doing with his Elite Golf Performance School which is also known as the Simon Dyson Academy.I really enjoyed this discussion and hope you find takeaway value that you can apply in your own life. With that, let’s jump right into this discussion with Simon Dyson. About SimonSimon’s golfing career began to flourish in 1999. He was runner-up in the English Amateur Championship, won the Finnish Amateur title and was a member of the Great Britain and Ireland side which won the Walker Cup at Nairn. He turned professional in September of that year.The Englishman won the Asian PGA Tour Order of Merit, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2000, clinching three titles along the way. His breakthrough on the European Tour came in 2006, with victories at the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open and the KLM Open.Tour wins ENJOY JAKARTA HSBC INDONESIA OPEN 2006 KLM OPEN 2011 IRISH OPEN PRESENTED BY DISCOVER IRELAND 2011 ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 KLM OPEN 2009 THE KLM OPEN 2006Simon sustained a serious wrist injury which sidelined him for the 2015 golf season. On returning to the game in 2016, Simon was unable to find his form which led him to start to plan for a new career path which was going to be in coaching. Simon set up his Elite Golf Performance Center in 2019 and hopes to make a difference to others by helpin...

In todays’ episode, I sat down to have a face to face conversation with educational consultant and cartoonist, Matt Smith. Matt has a great story and is genuinely a person of the world. He is a third culture kid. If you haven’t heard this term before, this is what the actual definition is:Third culture kids (TCK) are people raised in a culture other than their parents' or the culture of the country named on their passport (where they are legally considered native) for a significant part of their early development years.As a young person, Matt lived in Germany, Thailand, and Malaysia. Having attended international schools, Matt was constantly exposed to a multitude of different cultures and experiences and it is during these very formative years when he began to develop an identify that was deeply rooted in a love of film-making. After graduating from high school in Malaysia, Matt attended the Vancouver Film School then ultimately went on to get a degree in education. Matt jumped right into the world of international teaching at the American International School of Japan which is located in Tokyo. From there he went on to teach in Kuwait as well. What I appreciate about Matt’s story and what you will learn from listening to this episode is his ability to take initiative in his life and to follow his passions. As a very creative person who enjoys writing and story telling, Matt began to develop himself as a cartoonist in order to pass on his love of story-telling and creativity to young people. Although he had a short stint in Cartooning school, he is very much self-taught. You’ll hear about Matt’s journey as a cartoonist and how he uses cartooning as a means to develop student’s literacy skills in the classroom. Matt now travels and presents at many different international schools around the world. He’s a man who continues to take action in his life to not only be his best but to live a life of purpose and meaning through his work. Matt’s BioMatt Smith is a Canadian/British cartoonist, filmmaker and educator. He has lived all over the world in countries like Malaysia, Japan and Kuwait. He currently lives in Glasgow, Scotland where he continues to create comics and facilitate comic workshops. Matt has taken his comics workshops to schools, comic conventions and art galleries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In May 2018, Matt facilitated a panel on creating comics at the Vancouver Comics Arts Festival with fellow cartoonist Ryan Howe. He is best known for his humorous autobiographical Smith vs Smith comics, which can be found online at SmithvsSmith.com, on the Tapas app and in the Comixology and ComixCentral online stores. You can also buy Smith vs Smith comics in book stores across Canada and the UK. Matt's comics typically focus on travel, the ups and downs of modern relationships, and the joys and frustrations of cat ownership. Matt also appears at comic conventions across Canada and the Middle East where he sells his books and runs workshops for future cartoonists.While Matt is best known for his humorous autobiographical Smith vs Smith series, Matt has branched out to the horror genre, creating Gruesome Comics, horror stories written by Matt and illustrated by a host of international artists.Connect with MattTwitter: https://twitter.com/SmithvsSmithInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithvssmithcomics/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithvssmithcomicsEmail: [email protected]: http://www.smithvssmith.com/aboutThemes Discussed:Creativity, Cartooning, Literacy, Purpose, Culture, Teaching, Gratitude, Initiative

In today’s episode, I sat down with Hamish Brewer. Anybody who has seen Hamish in action can immediately feel his presence, his passion, his zest for life and learning, and his desire to make a genuine difference in the lives of the teachers and the students he serves. Hamish is the principal of Fred Lynn Middle School in Woodbridge, Virginia. One the the very first things you can notice about genuine difference makers in this world is their ability to clearly articulate their purpose in life. Without question, Hamish knows and understands that his purpose in life is to serve others and to bring out the very best in them. Although every decision he makes in his role as an educational leader is about students, Hamish has a very strong commitment to supporting teachers on their autonomous journeys of personal and professional development. Having grown up in New Zealand, Hamish felt, from an early age, that he was meant to use his talents in a way to change the world. It took him some time to figure out what those talents were and how he could use them to make an impact, but he quickly realized that it was going to be through teaching and educational leadership. Hamish is all about creating a deep sense of belonging in the schools that he leads and continually builds a very strong community base that all stakeholders feel a part of. In this episode, we dive into how Hamish was able to overcome the obstacles he experienced as a young person and how he dealt with a dysfunctional family environment. He openly discusses what his hopes and dreams were when he was young and how he was destined to leave New Zealand in order to travel the world and learn about different people and cultures. Hamish has deep gratitude for these experiences.It was this life of travel that ultimately led Hamish to America and to the current path he is on in the field of education. Hamish pours his heart and soul into the work that he does as he feels strongly that serving others is a noble gift that can help to change the world, one person at a time. Through the Dave Burgess Publishing company, Hamish released his first book a couple of months ago which is entitled ‘Relentless’. This book has taken the world of education by storm and is a very honest and open narrative about Hamish’s life and an unpacking of the educational philosophy that guides the amazing work that he is doing with the students and with teachers he is responsible for leading. Although much has been written about Hamish being the skateboarding, tattooed principal, we don’t discuss his tattoos or his skateboarding at all in this episode. Instead we dig deeply into who Hamish is as a person and what continues to drive him forward in his life in order to create his own dent in the universe. I want to thank Hamish for his time and energy. He’s a gem of a person and I’m so happy that our paths crossed. Hamish's BioHamish Brewer, the relentless, tattooed, skateboarding principal in Northern Virginia isn’t your normal principal. Hamish is high octane, constantly calling on his students to “Be Relentless. Mr. Brewer has become known as an educational disrupter and game changer who transcends the status quo and typical educational norms.Known for working with some of the most at risk students in America and getting results! Its not often you find an educational leader who not only inspires the world but does it while getting results and changing the outcomes of entire communities.Hamish was recognized as the 2017 NAESP Nationally Distinguished Principal, the VAESP School Bell Award, and ASCD Virginia Impact Award. In 2018 Hamish was named a Northern Virginian of the year by Northern Virginia Magazine and the 2018 Principal of the year for the national publication Education Dive. He was most recently named the Prince William County Public Schools 2019 Principal of the Year.As a leader and speaker, Hamish is considered an inspiration,

In today’s episode, I had the privilege to interview Shawn Livingston. Shawn is a 10-year military veteran having served in Iraq during his time in the military. Having sustained a serious back injury while serving, he required long term use of narcotic pain killers to get through each day due to the intense pain he was experiencing as a result of the back injury. Over the course of two years, military doctor’s continued to prescribe these meds to Shawn which resulted in him developing a severe opioid addiction. This is when everything began to unravel for Shawn in his life. After finishing his time in this military, Shawn’s life spiraled further downward. Feeling lost and displaced, he turned to heroin to ease his physical and emotional pain. It was this heroin addiction that led to his arrest and landed him in prison for a period of time on drug possession charges.Almost three years ago, Shawn was facing a 15-20 year prison sentence for drug possession charges, but in that very dark and desperate moment, he had the internal strength to turn his life around. You’ll hear about his extraordinary journey and how physical activity, in particular running helped to transform his life. Shawn is now an up and coming ultra marathoner, motivational speaker and has devoted his life to serving others. It’s this service to others that has given him a clear sense of deep purpose in his life. Shawn opens up about his life and his struggles in this episode, but also shares the amazing work he is doing with disadvantaged youth and with other military veterans who also struggle with opioid addictions. Shawn’s struggles with heroin addiction and his transformation through ultra running will be featured in an upcoming documentary which is called Woke the Monster. You can find links to Shawn’s work and the documentary in the show notes of this podcast. It was a genuine honor to interview Shawn. I hope you enjoy this episode with the inspiring Shawn Livingston. Shawn’s BioAfter the tragic events of 9-11, right out of high school, Shawn joined the air force. He felt so young and naïve at the time. After a tour of 4 years, he found himself sliding down a very slippery slope. After receiving several cortisone shots and opioid pain due to a back injury sustained in training, Shawn developed a severe addiction to narcotic pain killers. He knew that these powerful drugs were masking more than the physical pain he was suffering from. After almost bring imprisoned on drug possession charges, Shawn turned his life around through ultra-running and now devotes his time to serving others. Although he doesn’t consider himself to be a motivational speaker, he now finds himself front and center on many stages sharing his story in order to help others. He is passionate about the community of people he has met through running and has found a sense of belonging to this running community.He understands the need to step outside his comfort zone.He understands that addiction doesn’t discriminate.He now lives in Austin, Texas and serves others through his work with disadvantaged youth and other military veterans overcoming addictions of their own. Shawn’s life is being featured in an upcoming documentary entitled Woke the Monster. Connect with ShawnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawn.livingston.566Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_shawnlivingston/Website: https://www.wokethemonster.com/Themes Discussed: Addiction, Emotional Trauma, Physical Activity, Purpose, Service to Others, Connection, CommunityA trailer to Shawn’s documentary can be found here: https://vimeo.com/327282863

How habitual is it for you to take out your cell phone when waiting in lines or when in the company of strangers? How often do you strive to stay present and mindful in difficult situations? Is chaos more easily embraced when we practice mindfulness? How does practicing mindfulness help you to produce the best work possible? How does being present and truly listening help to improve the quality of relationships in your life? These are some of the questions that we explore in this installment of 4 X Mindfulness. Neila Steele shares a recent difficult situation that she found herself in, but how employing mindfulness allowed her to diffuse the situation and make a genuine connection with a complete stranger. As well, Neila shares a great mindfulness strategy that can easily be applied in very little time in our own life. This strategy helps us to stay present and focused and to better observe our surroundings. Andy shares a story that he recently learned about the amazing jazz musician Keith Jarret. The story takes place in 1975, but the lessons learned from the story transcend time and place and can easily be applied in the work that we do both personally and professionally. As well, Andy shares how simply rephrasing a common question that we ask can help to spark more meaningful and authentic conversations with other people in our lives. It you are a listener of the 4 X Mindfulness episodes, let us know your thoughts about what might have resonated with you in this episode and your own experiences applying mindfulness in your personal and professional life. Thanks!BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 18 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a pedagogical coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker.Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Neila SteeleTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndy VasilyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:Habits, Connection, Empathy, Embracing Chaos, Observation, The Power of Questions

In today’s episode, I had a chance to speak with renowned lecturer and author, Alfie Kohn. Alfie writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education, and parenting. He has published 14 different books since the late 1980’s and has been described by Time magazine as being America’s most outspoken critic of education’s fixation on grades [and] test scores.”As well, Kohn has been featured on hundreds of TV and radio programs, including the “Today” show and two appearances on “Oprah”; he has been profiled in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, while his work has been described and debated in many other leading publications.There were so many questions that I wanted to ask and themes that I wanted to discuss with Alfie in this episode, but I mostly focused in on the areas of self-efficacy, agency, feedback and assessment, as well as individualized learning.  Alfie and I also dug into the key factors necessary for teachers to feel empowered in their own professional learning journeys. Alfie is extremely passionate and very knowledgeable in many areas of education. His efforts to make research in human behavior accessible to a general audience have also been published in the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, Parents, and Psychology Today. It was an honor to have Alfie Kohn on my podcast and he left me thinking more deeply not only about the work that I do in regards to coaching teachers around best educational practices, but also the importance of empowering my own children to better drive decision making in their own lives. I hope you find this episode useful and that Alfie’s insight helps you to look at your own teaching a little differently. Alfie’s BioAlfie Kohn writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education, and parenting. The most recent of his 14 books are SCHOOLING BEYOND MEASURE…And Other Unorthodox Essays About Education (2015) and THE MYTH OF THE SPOILED CHILD: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom About Children and Parenting (2014).  Of his earlier titles, the best known are PUNISHED BY REWARDS (1993), NO CONTEST: The Case Against Competition (1986), UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING (2005), and THE SCHOOLS OUR CHILDREN DESERVE (1999).Kohn has been described in Time magazine as “perhaps the country’s most outspoken critic of education’s fixation on grades [and] test scores.” His criticisms of competition and rewards have helped to shape the thinking of educators — as well as parents and managers — across the country and abroad. Kohn has been featured on hundreds of TV and radio programs, including the “Today” show and two appearances on “Oprah”; he has been profiled in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, while his work has been described and debated in many other leading publications.Kohn lectures widely at universities and to school faculties, parent groups, and corporations. In addition to speaking at staff development seminars and keynoting national education conferences on a regular basis, he conducts workshops for teachers and administrators on various topics. Among them: “Motivation from the Inside Out: Rethinking Rewards, Assessment, and Learning” and “Beyond Bribes and Threats: Realistic Alternatives to Controlling Students’ Behavior.” The latter corresponds to his book BEYOND DISCIPLINE: From Compliance to Community (ASCD, 1996), which he describes as “a modest attempt to overthrow the entire field of classroom management.”Kohn’s various books have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Swedish, Dutch, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Arabic, Hebrew, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Malaysian. He has also contributed to publications ranging from the Journal of Education to Ladies Home Journal, and from the Nation to the Harvard Business Review (“Why Incentive Plans Cannot Work”). His efforts to make research in human behavior accessible to a general audience have also been published in the New ...

In today’s episode, I feel very lucky to have sat down in person with Caterina Carna, who has become a good friend of our family here in Saudi Arabia. Caterina is from a small village in southern Italy, but has lived here at KAUST in Saudi Arabia for the past 5 years. Anyone who knows Caterina knows what a kind, caring, and compassionate person she is. What makes Caterina uniquely special is her ability to connect with others in an effort to build community and give people a greater sense of belonging. The reason why I wanted to have Caterina on my podcast is to share her very inspiring journey of transformation within herself over the past year. Caterina has spoken very openly about her struggles with being overweight for most of her life. In this episode, Caterina discusses how her relationship with food impacted her health for many years, especially growing up in a small village in Italy where food was one of the major ways that people in her life connected and came together to celebrate life and friendships. What makes Caterina’s story even more special is that over the past 12 months, she has lost 100 pounds. It has been amazing to see this transformation within her and the main reason for this transformation was her ability to activate an internal strength that she never knew existed within herself. In this episode, Caterina shares how losing both her parents within ten months of one another deeply impacted her in a way that ultimately empowered her to choose life over death.Caterina knew that she needed a complete change in her life in order to confront the fact that the state of her physical health had seriously declined due to her weight. Amazingly, Caterina made a brave and bold decision to change her life and has completely dedicated herself to this greater purpose. I applaud Caterina for her ability to make herself vulnerable and for sharing her authentic self in this episode. Her story is amazing and more people need to know about it. Please connect with Caterina on Instagram and on Facebook to learn more about her story and to see for yourself the transformational journey she is now on. Caterina BioCaterina is from Guardavalle, a small village on the shores of Ionian Sea, in Calabria, Southern Italy.She has a Masters degree in Political and Social Science at the University of Bologna, Italy. She worked as the Provost personal assistant and event organizer at the Magna Graecia University in Catanzaro for almost 10 years, then, when her son was 1-month old, she and her husband moved to Genova, in the north of Italy, where her husband got a job as team leader of a research group at the Italian Institute of Technology. Spent 3 years in Genova being a mum and cooking for parties and events.They arrived at KAUST 5 years ago and fell in love with the place from day one. She works as research assistant for a Professor, who became one of her best friends and an “uncle’ to her son. She considers herself a very lucky person because she has the possibility to live in such an amazing place surrounded by people that love, support and inspire her every day.Something you should know about her: she loves lifting weights, cooking, traveling, reading and taking long walks in the nature. She is stubborn, funny, kind, hot-blooded, passionate, sensitive and even describes herself as being a little crazy!Connect with CaterinaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caterina.carnaInstagram: @CatecarnaThemes Discussed: Purpose, Hope, Internal Strength, Life vs Death, Physical Well-Being, Weight Loss, Exercise, Relationship with Food

Today’s episode is part two of a two-part series devoted to sharing the inspiring journey of professional endurance athlete Adam Campbell. Although this was originally going to be just one episode, there was so much depth to our conversation that I literally lost track of time. I had scheduled in approximately 45 minutes for our podcast but before I knew it, I was asking Adam if we could do a part two in order to dig more deeply into his story. In part 1 you learned that Adam spent the first 17 years of his life growing up on the beaches of Nigeria. Physical activity, movement, and outdoor pursuits had been ingrained in him from an early age but it wasn’t until going to boarding school at Trinity College in Ontario, Canada for his last couple of years of high school that he found a deep love and passion for more endurance-based movement pursuits. This ultimately led to Adam becoming a professional endurance athlete competing in multiple fields of endurance sport before ultimately finding a special niche in different types of mountain and trail running. In part two, we really dive into Adam’s journey of recovery from a near-death fall he had experienced as he and two close friends took on the challenge of completing the grueling the Horseshoe Traverse which consists of 14 different mountain peaks. Adam’s near death experience not only changed his perspective on life, but allowed him to look at his accomplishments and his profession through a completely different lens. We dig into his story of recovery, what he learned about himself and others, and his ultimate return to competitive endurance running which took place nearly a year after his accident as he AMAZINGLY finished one of the hardest ultra marathon races there is, the Hardrock Hundred Mile event. Adam also shares the experience of giving his first Ted Talk soon after his accident and how his very raw and honest talk required great vulnerability to speak his truth. Adam has inspired countless people around the world through his passions and his talks. I hope you enjoy part 2 of this two part series and share this episode with those who you feel will benefit from hearing it. Thanks for listening. Please share this two-part series with anyone who you feel will benefit from hearing it. Adam’s BioAdam Campbell likes to ‘suffer in beautiful places” and loves exploring his backyard and challenging himself on foot, skis, and on rock. He was raised on the beaches of Lagos, Nigeria to Canadian parents, but now calls the Canadian Rockies his home. He has competed in, and regularly placed on the podium at some of the world’s most challenging and competitive mountain running races and trail ultra-marathons. This includes podium finishes at the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji, Hardrock 100, UTMB, Squamish 50 and the Canadian mountain running championships. Adam is a member of Canada’s ski mountaineering team and has the fastest known times on many Canadian mountains and trails. Mount Fuji, Hardrock 100, UTMB, Squamish 50 and the Canadian mountain running championships.Adam is happiest exploring mountain terrain on foot, rope and skis and sharing those moments with close friends. When not running around the mountains, he's an environmental and business lawyer. He is also a co-owner of Canada's largest trail running series and is a vocal advocate for getting people, especially children, to reconnect with nature and explore their own backyards, parks and neighbourhoods through human powered movement.These days Adam is most inspired by "alpinrunning" - taking his fitness and love of human powered movement and combining it with technical mountain skills to approach the mountains in a light and fast way, although a recent accident has caused him to reevaluate his approach to risk and mountain pursuits.Connect With AdamWebsite: http://alpinebureau.com/index.htmlTwitter: @campbelladam79Instagram: adamo1979Themes Discussed: 

Today’s episode is part one of a two-part series devoted to sharing the amazing journey of professional endurance athlete Adam Campbell. It was originally scheduled to be a hour-long podcast, but as I dug more deeply into Adam’s journey, there was so much more that I wanted to talk with him about, so we made a decision to record two separate episodes a week apart. Adam is Canadian but spent the majority of his childhood and teenage years growing up as a third culture kid in Nigeria. It was in Nigeria that he developed a deep love of physical activity and movement which ultimately led to Adam embarking on a career as a professional endurance athlete. Adam has represented Canada on 5 different national teams. You’ll hear about the different teams he represented and more about this journey later in this episode.Part 1 of this two part series really sets the context for a very honest and open discussion that we have in part 2. Adam was almost killed in a serious fall in the Selkirk mountains in 2016. He was running across Rogers Pass, B.C., doing the Horseshoe Traverse, a course of 14 mountain peaks. Normally it takes three to five days. Campbell and his 2 friends, who were also world elite mountain runners, were trying to do it in a single day.The near death experience changed Adam’s life in many ways, but ultimately led to him having a much greater appreciation not only for the people in his life who supported him through this ordeal,  but he also had tremendous gratitude for being given a second chance in life.In this episode we discuss the mini-documentary called In Constant Motion that was made about the accident and his recovery and his return to the competitive endurance running. Adam discusses the fact that his physical self is how he always defined himself and how the accident forced him to change this perspective to focus more holistically on who he was. As his life as an athlete was almost taken from him, Adam shares the struggles he experienced during his recovery and what he had too overcome within himself to push forward in his life in the most positive ways possible. We conclude episode one by agreeing to record a part 2 in order to dig more deeply into Adam’s journey and his return to professional endurance running. I think you will really enjoy this discussion and sincerely hope you will come back to listen to part two.Adam’s BioAdam Campbell likes to ‘suffer in beautiful places” and loves exploring his backyard and challenging himself on foot, skis, and on rock. He was raised on the beaches of Lagos, Nigeria to Canadian parents, but now calls the Canadian Rockies his home. He has competed in, and regularly placed on the podium at some of the world’s most challenging and competitive mountain running races and trail ultra-marathons. This includes podium finishes at the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji, Hardrock 100, UTMB, Squamish 50 and the Canadian mountain running championships. Adam is a member of Canada’s ski mountaineering team and has the fastest known times on many Canadian mountains and trails. Mount Fuji, Hardrock 100, UTMB, Squamish 50 and the Canadian mountain running championships.Adam Campbell is a qualified lawyer and professional ultra marathon runner who likes to spend time in the mountains and exploring new trails. A social media junkie, outdoor and healthy living advocate, coach, race promoter, freelance writer and product tester. Here are just some of his accomplishments.Adam is happiest exploring mountain terrain on foot, rope and skis and sharing those moments with close friends. When not running around the mountains, he's an environmental and business lawyer. He is also a co-owner of Canada's largest trail running series and is a vocal advocate for getting people, especially children, to reconnect with nature and explore their own backyards, parks and neighborhoods through human-powered movement.

I feel a great sense of gratitude to have had a chance to interview Leon Logothetis in the episode you are about to hear. Leon is a global adventurer, motivational speaker & philanthropist but It wasn’t always that way. He used to be a broker in the city of London where he felt uninspired and chronically depressed but he gave it all up for a life on the road. This radical life change was sparked by the inspirational movie The Motorcycle DiariesLeon recently returned from filming the second season of his Netflix TV show The Kindness Diaries. In season one he circumnavigated the globe on his vintage yellow motorbike named Kindness One, and in season two he drives a vintage yellow Volkswagen Beetle convertible which he names Kindness 2 all the way from Anchorage, Alaska down to Argentina. Along the way in both season 1 and 2, Leon gives a life changing gift to an unsuspecting good Samaritan in each episode. All of this while relying on the kindness of strangers to get him through each day. Leon is no stranger to adventure. He teamed up with First Book® & drove a car from London to Mongolia raising money to buy 10,000 books for underprivileged children in America. He also drove a vintage London taxi across America, giving free cab rides to the needy and working with Classwish to bring hope back to the schools of America.Leon has documented his travels for numerous media outlets including Good Morning America, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, THE BBC, FOX NEWS, CNN , Psychology Today, and The New York Times.Leon just released his 5th book which is entitled Go Be Kind This book isn’t just a journal or another how-to guide to getting what you want. It’s a series of daily adventures that will help you rediscover the greatest human gift—kindness, ultimately helping you to connect with others in order to create a happier and more magnificent life.In addition, Leon has 4 other books:The Mojo Diaries, The Amazing Adventures of a Nobody, Live, Love & Explore, and the Kindness DiariesIn today’s episode you will get a glimpse into Leon’s journey, what he has learned about himself, and the hope and vision he has for making the world a better place through kindness. Leon has been very busy doing lots of different talks and interviews since finishing up season 2 of the Kindness Diaries. Having seen a lot of his interviews, I’ve seen a lot of the same type of questions asked to him, so I really wanted to focus on asking him some different questions to dig into Leon is an inspiration and I highly recommend bringing him into your school as a guest speaker. You can find all the information you need about Leon in the show notes of this episode.Leon’s BioLeon Logothetis is a TV host, producer, author, traveler and all around good guy. Formerly a London broker, he gave up his comfortable life to travel and find real human connection.Born in London England, of Greek descent, Logothetis now lives in Los Angeles California. He was educated in London and graduated from Babson College in Boston Massachusetts with a Business degree. After graduating college, Logothetis was a successful broker. But his real education started in the school of life—traveling the world. He had a radical life change after stumbling upon an inspirational movie, The Motorcycle Diaries, which chronicled the story of Che Guevara. On Che’s journey, he crossed South America relying solely on the kindness of strangers, and his story lit up Logothetis' mundane existence.At this point, Logothetis felt disconnected and was leading an uninspired life. He felt his life had no purpose and no sense of direction, so he decided to do something about it. Tired of his disconnected life and uninspiring job, Logothetis left it all behind—job, money, home and even his cell phone—and hit the road with nothing but the clothes on his back and five dollars in his pocket. Each day of his journey helped him realized that the kind,

The guest you will hear today, Dr. Scott Kretchmar, has been on my show before and I’m so very happy he took me up on my invitation to come back on the podcast. The first time I had him on the show was about 18 months ago and in that episode, we really dug deeply into the work that he has done in the field of physical education. In particular the importance of helping every young person find joy and delight in their physical education experience.Scott’s work is all about inspiring young people to find joy through movement and when we do this it can change their lives forever. In our first podcast, Scott also emphasized that every person has their own story or narrative when it comes to physical activity. He asks us all to think about what those stories are and how those narratives have change over time. I recorded part two with Scott about a month ago and In part 2, we dive right a discussion about the importance of keeping our playgrounds alive as long as possible in our lives and he uses his own life as an example of this. Scott discusses, in detail, how his own narrative in regards to physical activity has changed. In particular how it has changed over the last 18 months since our last podcast. Although he still strives to be as active as possible, you’ll hear how Scott has had to modify his approach to being active over the last several months. Scott also talks about how an active lifestyle generates hopes and he shares some of the hopes that he has in his ongoing narrative of being someone who has embraced physical activity in his life. It was great to hear Scott reflect on some of his earlier days of teaching. In this episode, he describes some of things he tried out in his own teaching and how he learned the importance of translating mechanical instructions into feel instructions as a teacher and how this allowed him to move away from being strictly focused on the technique side of learning skills to allowing students to feel what it was like to execute certain techniques in different tasks and activities he had designed for them in PE.It was so good to have Scott back on my show and to reconnect with him. I love my conversations with him and it’s my hope that you will find a lot of value in this discussion. Scott is in my thoughts at the moment as he went in for hip replacement surgery last week. Scott, if you are listening to this I wish you the speediest of recoveries and hope that you are back on your bicycle soon and back out there golfing as soon as spring arrives.If you find value in this episode, drop Scott a line by email and let him know. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. His email can be found below in the show notes. Dr. Kretchmar’s BioProfessor R. Scott Kretchmar is one of the leading sports philosophers in the country.  He has taught philosophy of sport for over three decades and played a key role in making it a legitimate field of scholarship and study.  He is one of the founding members of the Philosophic Society for the Study of Sport and served as its president.  He has also served as the president of the Philosophic Academy of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.  He is a retired professor at Pennsylvania State University in the Exercise and Sports Science department, where he has served as department chair. He was elected as the president of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education and is leading the way to making the subject of sports philosophy an important facet of the study of Kinesiology.Scott has received numerous awards over the course of his career and the impact that he has on the field of physical and health has been felt around the world. Connect with ScottScott asked me to share his email address and invited people to reach out to him at:[email protected] Discussed: Personal Narratives, Physical Activity, Pedagogy, Hope, Passion, and Purpose

In today’s episode, I feel very lucky to have sat down, in person, with former European Tour player Andrew Coltart a couple of weeks ago. Andrew is an 18-year veteran of the European Tour having played competitively from 1993-2010 accumulated 494 European Tour starts and 6 victories as a professional.Anyone who knows the game of golf, understands just how difficult it is to qualify for the tour, let alone to keep your playing privileges. Maintaining your tour card requires that you play at high standard over time and to make cuts. The fact that Andrew Coltart was able to stay on the tour for 18 straight years speaks volumes for just how good of player he was during this time span. Added to this was the fact that Andrew played in 3 out of the 4 major tournaments. He had one US Open appearance, making the cut and finishing in 75th place in 1997. He also played in 4 PGA championships making the cut in all four of these tournaments with his best finish being T37th place. Another impressive feat is that he played in twelve Open championships with his best finish being a tie for 19th place in 1999. Although Andrew had many accomplishments in his 18-year career, his most defining moment was being selected as 1 of 12 players to represent Europe on the 1999 European Ryder Cup team. This was a tremendously rewarding experience for Andrew as it taught him many things about himself at the time. Not only did he have the skill set to make the European team, he also was able to compete at the highest level possible when the stakes and pressure were incredibly intense. You will hear Andrew speak about his Ryder Cup experience, as well as, what it was like playing a singles match on the final day against the world #1 player at the time, Tiger Woods. Andrew shares some great stories from that final day of the Ryder Cup in this episode. What I appreciate about this conversation with Andrew was his openness, his honesty, and his willingness to not only talk about the successes in his career but to unveil the curtain on failure and hardship and what he was able to learn about himself when times were tough and how he had to come to grips with a decline in performance in his game. As Andrew’s career on the tour was coming to an end, he was offered a wonderful opportunity to move into a very different role that took him from competing on the golf links to a leading role as a European Tour Sky Sports Golf Analyst and Commentator. He has thrived within this role and is a huge asset to the game of golf through the current work that he does. I want to thank Andrew for his time and energy and for being his authentic self in this conversation. Everyone, thanks for tuning into this episode, I’m sure you’ll have a lot of takeaway value. Andrew’s BioBorn in 1970 in Dumfries, Scotland, Andrew Coltart grew up playing golf at Thornhill Golf Club in the Scottish Borders, where his great uncle was a founding member. A strong amateur golfing career produced numerous victories and led to representing Scotland in the 1990 Eisenhower Trophy, and GB & Ireland in both the 1990 St. Andrew’s Trophy and the 1991 Walker Cup. Turning pro in 1991, Andrew gained his Tour card at Qualifying School, and over the next 20 years accumulated 494 European Tour starts and 6 victories as a professional. He represented Scotland in the Alfred Dunhill Cup on 5 occasions (winners in 1995) and the World Cup on 5 occasions, and represented Europe in the 1999 Ryder Cup, facing Tiger Woods in the singles matches on the final day. He is now a leading analyst for Sky Sports TV. Connect With Andrew:Website: https://andrewcoltart.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewcoltartThemes Discussed:Personal Excellence, Purpose, Overcoming Challenge, Pressure, Mindset, Failure, The Ryder Cup, Sky Sports

In today’s episode, I have a return guest on the show. It really was a pleasure to sit down with Gary Nicol, former European Golf Tour coach and current professional golf coach and co-author of the best-selling golf book The Lost Art of Putting. Gary has a very distinct style that he brings to his coaching that is very much focused on asking rather than telling. Gary sets out to ask the right questions and by asking the right questions, he can get his clients to dig more deeply into their patterns of thought and habits that they might bring with them to the golf course. He does this to unlock answers within themselves in an effort to better understand their own golf games and the mindset that have developed and how this mindset might need to change or shift in order to bring about an improvement in their game. Even if you are not a golfer, you will benefit from hearing this episode as you will see Gary’s unique style come alive in this conversation. With 16 years experience on the European Golf Tour, Gary had the chance to coach some of the game’s greats and to learn alongside them. The framework that Gary brings to his coaching is about finding clarity and decluttering the mind in order to simplify the game and in doing so, help each of his clients genuinely experience more joy on the course. The game of golf is a lifetime pursuit that is meant to keep people physically active in their lives for as long as possible. Gary does a great job helping his clients understand this. However, when coaching the world’s elite golfers, it’s about giving them the edge they need to perform at their best in competition. Even with the elite that he has coached, he steers clear of being a swing technician and making the focus of his coaching specifically on technique. He works more on mindset, imagery, and creating success through the art of paying attention and being present with oneself. Much of Gary’s work is deeply rooted in the building blocks of peak performance psychology, mindfulness, and sports psychology. I want to thank Gary for his time, energy, and insight. He’s a quality person who embodies everything it means to be a lifelong learner. Hope you enjoy the episode with Gary. Thanks for listening. About GaryCo-Founder and Coaching Director of Tour Pro Experience Golf Schools, Gary has been coaching golf since the late 1980’s. Since then he has helped thousands of golfers around the world including over 30 European Tour Professionals and numerous Ryder Cup players, amassing 10 wins as a coach. He has coached at all the Majors and loves to share the knowledge and expertise gained from these experiences with visitors to TPEGS in his own inimitable style. Gary combines his personal experience with the latest, V1 video analysis, SAM Putt Lab and Trackman precision swing and ball flight analysis to help golfers unleash their true potential. Gary works closely with TrackMan co-hosting training seminars and workshops and is a certified TrackMan University Master as well as a Certified Mind Factor coach. Look out for Gary’s instruction in Today’s Golfer magazine.Connect with GaryTwitter: @garynicol67, @archerfieldgolf, @tpegsgolfLinks to Gary’s Work: http://www.tpegs.com/Themes Discussed:The Power of Questioning, Intention and Purpose, Singular Point of Attention, Imagery, Empowerment, Mindset, Mindfulness

In today’s episode, I feel very lucky to have been able to have a conversation with former National Hockey League Player, Theo Fleury.Theo, a Stanley Cup Champion, as well as a gold medalist for the Canadian Olympic hockey team in 2002, played for 4 teams over the 15 years that he was in the NHL. Most of those years were spent with the Calgary Flames, BUT he also had stints with the Colorado Avalanche, the New York Rangers, and the Chicago Blackhawks. As one of the smallest players of his generation, he had to constantly prove himself in a league that was dominated by much bigger players. However, Theo’s work ethic and endless dedication to putting in the long hours of hard work paid off as he scored over 1000 points in his 15-year career which still ranks him in 61st position in all-time points scored in the National Hockey League. Despite Theo’s huge success as a professional hockey player, off the rink, his life once carried the markings of a troubled childhood, abuse and coping with emotional pain through addictive and self-destructive behaviours. In this episode with Theo, you will hear some of the struggles he went through, what he learned about himself through those struggles, and the skills that he has been able to develop within himself in order to live a more authentic life. As well, we close off today’s conversation with Theo talking about the powerful role that music has played in his life. As a singer and songwriter, Theo has used music to aid in his own personal recovery and has produced a number of country songs. Music has been a form of therapy for Theo and he hopes that he can impact other people through his music. With Theo’s permission, I included his song “As the Story Goes” in this podcast, so you’ll be able to hear his music at the end of this show. Theo has devoted himself to helping AND leading others down a path of healing through speaking engagements and presentations, as well as personal coaching. It was a honor to have Theo on my podcast and I want to thank him for his time. As I told him, I have no doubt that he will continue to change the world one person at a time. Thanks for listening. Theo’s Bio:NHL STANLEY CUP CHAMPION – OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST – WORLD CUP JUNIOR CHAMPION – EXPERT IN THE FIELD OF RELATIONAL TRAUMA.Theo Fleury is perhaps best known for his time on the ice. But off the rink, his life once carried the markings of a troubled childhood, abuse and coping with emotional pain through addictive and self-destructive behaviours.Today, Theo defines himself as a victor over trauma and addiction, and a facilitator to those still trying to find their way. His best-selling books, Playing with Fire and Conversations with a Rattlesnake, encourage open sharing and provide practical tools that people seeking help can personally use. Connect With Theo:Website: https://www.theofleury.life/Twitter: @theofleury14Instagram: @theofleury14

How do you try to be more self-aware of your emotional state? Do you employ specific strategies to better control your emotions? How much self-compassion do you have toward yourself? What role does ‘impermanence’ play in your life? How do you emotionally prime yourself to prepare for each day? In the latest 4 X Mindfulness podcast, Neila Steele and Andy Vasily discuss the themes of impermanence, self-compassion, emotional priming, and breath control and the impact that these things can have on living a more mindful existence. Neila opens up this podcast by sharing her thoughts related to the idea of impermanence. In particular, the work of Vinny Ferraro and his mantra, “Right now it’s like this”. Vinny created this mantra to illustrate the point that any intense emotional state (positive, negative or neutral) that we are experiencing does not last, so it is important to be aware of this and remind ourselves that everything that we experience is impermanent. This can help us better shape our perspective, especially in times of difficulty. Neila’s second seed of mindfulness relates to a specific breath control strategy that we can utilize in order to better control our emotional state. Neila takes us through how to use this breath and models it for us to try out. For Andy’s first seed of mindfulness, he discusses the importance of putting more self-compassion and self-forgiveness into action in our lives, especially when we may be feeling down. His second seed of mindfulness relates to the power of priming to help shape the way we feel when we start the each day. The concept of emotional priming is discussed in detail and ways that we can emotionally prime ourselves in order to start the day off on the right foot. Andy and Neila hope you enjoy this episode and that there is takeaway applicable value that resonates with you in your life. Thanks for listening. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a pedagogical coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Neila SteeleTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndy VasilyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:Self-Compassion, Forgiveness, Breath Control, Emotional Priming, Impermanence, Reflection, Learning & Growth

In today’s episode, I had the chance to sit down and have a great chat with 4 X World Champion and 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze medallist, Donny Robinson from the USA. Donny competed professionally in BMX racing (that’s Bike Motorcross Racing), for 17 years. Donny’s fighting spirit and never give up attitude allowed him to excel on the world’s stage becoming one of the elite in his field for many years. Having won world titles in 2001 in America, 2006 in Brazil and 2009 in Australia, as well as bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics, Donny gained much deeper insight in regards to how powerful of a role mindset plays in helping to bring on peak performance. Donny was a guest speaker at our school and an ambassador for our Bike Week campaign which was held last week. The purpose of bike week was to inspire all members of our community to be more active on their bicycles. Donny shared with students specific failures he had experienced and how he bounced back from these failures to go on and achieve many amazing things. In particular, he shared his Olympic journey and how crashing his bike in qualifying heats could’ve led to him never making it to the Olympic final and ultimately not winning his bronze medal in 2008. Being an undersized athlete, Donny has an enormous heart and his message about being bullied when he was young and always being told that he’ll never make it as an athlete had a big impact on our students across the school. Donny specially shared with students how he overcame these challenges and refused to listen to people tell him what he cannot do. Many professional athletes, once they retire, never really give back to their community or to their sport. However, Donny is a class act and has committed himself to spreading his message through his ‘How far can two wheels take you’ campaign. His message is not about riding bikes but more so about helping young people to find and follow their passions and to put in the hard work necessary to develop their skills and to create opportunities for themselves through these passions. It is important to Donny that young people not give up on their dreams and hopes because there is so much that they can accomplish in their lives. I want to thank Donny for taking the time to be on my podcast and also give a shoutout to Max Andrews, our Recreation Specialist here at KAUST in Saudi Arabia. Max was the one who had the vision to bring Donny over to KAUST and to work with our students, so a big thank you to Max. Donny’s BioDonald Robinson (born June 17, 1983, in Napa, California, is an American professional "New/Current School" Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer whose prime competitive years are from 1999 to the present. His moniker is "dR", his initials. The use of the lowercase "d" for his given name is perhaps related to his relatively diminutive physical size. A past nickname, "Scrawny", was definitely linked to his small stature, since even when very young he was the smallest child in his age group. It was given to him by Bruce Minton. Like BMX predecessors Mike Miranda and Eric Rupe, Robinson is a devout Christian. He admitted in late 2013 to suffering at least 25 concussions over the course of his career. In the same interview, he advocated for better concussion protocol at the lower levels of BMX racing. Robinson joined the board of directors of concussion-education collaborative The Knockout Project in January 2013.On June 25, 2008, Robinson was chosen by Mike King, team coach of the 2008 USA BMX Olympic Team, to represent the USA along with teammates Jill Kintner, Mike Day, and Kyle Bennett in BMX racing competition at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. His Olympic dream was realized at least in part when he came in third at the Summer Olympics winning a Bronze Medal executing a maneuver that saw Sifiso Nhlapo take out nearly half the field. Since it was the sport's debut and the men's final was run after the women's,

How do you contribute to the positive energy of the universe? In what ways do you embrace the role of silence in your life? When things aren’t going your way, what kind of body language do you project? How do you intentionally control your emotions? In the 21st episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Andy and Neila discuss their thoughts related to the above 4 questions. In Andy’s first seed of mindfulness he shares his big takeaway from a recent Finding Mastery podcast that he listened to that focused on doing good for others and making a difference. For Andy’s second seed of mindfulness, he shares a strategy that he learned from well-known sport psychologist, Dr. Karl Morris, that provides insight into self-awareness of our own body language. Neila’s seeds of mindfulness deal with the powerful role that silence can play in both our personal and professional lives. As well, Neila shares an interesting fact about the first NASA mission to the moon and what they had astronauts specifically train themselves to be able to do in order to be able to handle any conditions thrown their way. Neila discusses the connections to mindfulness that resonated with her as a result of learning about this NASA story. As always, thanks for listening to the ‘4 X Mindfulness’ series. We hope that you find some takeaway value in this episode. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a pedagogical coordinator, consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect with Andy and NeilaNeila SteeleTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndy VasilyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:The Role of Silence, Contributing Positive Energy, Body Language, Intentional Control of Emotions, Hannover Mindfulness Workshop

In today’s episode, my guest and I, discuss the themes of ‘making a difference’ and ‘finding purpose’ in regards to pursuing both personal and professional excellence. I feel very lucky to have had, Clint Pulver, on my Run Your Life podcast. Clint is an amazing individual who has committed himself to making a difference in the world through the talents he has worked so very hard at developing within himself. Clint is an award-winning presenter, entertainer, professional drummer, motivational speaker and actor. He’s has performed on America’s Got Talent and starred in motion pictures with actors such as Jack Black and Jon Heder. Clint has shared his message with hundreds of thousands of teachers and students around the globe as well as business organizations. The philosophy he shares is that every single person in the world has unique talents and strengths that can make a difference to others. In developing these talents, strengths, and passions within ourselves, we have the ability to inspire others and to truly change their lives for the better. In today’s episode, you will hear Clint’s powerful story and how one very special teacher changed the course of Clint’s life when he was 10 years old. And as a direct result of this one teacher’s impact, Clint fell in love with playing the drums and has had drum sticks in his hand every day for the past 21 years. Clint’s energy and enthusiasm is contagious and it’s so easy to see why he has had such an enormous impact on the students and teachers he has presented to. The cool thing is that Clint was sitting in his home studio when we recorded this podcast on Skype. I noticed his massive drum kit in the background and presented him with the fun challenge of banging off a live piece for us. He took me up on the challenge and jumped behind his kit and proceeded to play an awesome 20-30 piece on his drums. It was amazing, but unfortunately the microphone couldn’t handle absorbing the sound of this mini-performance, so the quality of audio when he was playing wasn’t very good. BUT, I’m keeping it in as you’ll definitely be able to hear just how talented of a percussionist he is. I encourage you to check out Clint’s website and his FB page which are included in today’s show notes. I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode with Clint and that this conversation helps you to reflect on the talents and strengths you possess and how you are using these skills to positively impact others in your life both personally and professionally. As Clint says, there is a huge difference between being the best in the world and being the best FOR the world. In being the best FOR the world, we can spark hope, wonder, excitement and inspiration. Exactly what the world needs!Thanks for listening to this episode with Clint Pulver. Hope you enjoy it!!Clint’s BioClint is from Heber City Utah. He is a graduate of Utah’s premiere Flight Program, having received his pilot’s license from OK3air and Utah Valley University (UVU), where he also received his Bachelors Degree in Speech Communication with high distinction from UVU’s nationally ranked Leadership Program. Clint was very active in college as a Presidential Leader, Orientation Director, UVU Ambassador, and former UVU Student Body Vice-President.He has been a Professional Drummer for over 20 years, having played for various professional musicians and in venues like the Vivint Arena, the Stadium of Fire, and the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. For 6 years he directed the UVU Drumline known as the Green Man Group which he founded in 2010, and continued on to direct the Drumline for the NBA’s Utah Jazz until 2015. In 2012, Clint was voted as one of Utah’s most fabulous people and was recently awarded UVU’s distinguished Young Alumni Award. He has appeared on America’s Got Talent and in several different Feature Films with actors like Jack Black (School of Rock) and John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite). 

A while back I was fortunate enough to sit down and have a conversation with well-known consultant, Tom Costello in my home in Saudi Arabia. Tom does quite a bit of consulting work for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and it was here that I was able to attend one of the excellent workshops. As I’m very interested in the type of work that Tom does, we connected right away and soon enough discovered that we both have a passion for golf as well. I asked Tom if he would be interested in coming on my podcast to share his own journey and what he has learned from working in the field of leadership and influencing for more than 2 decades. As an experienced coach, consultant, designer and facilitator of development programmes, working with the 2Gether Partnership has given Tom Costello the opportunity to deepen his skills and knowledge of leading and influencing and also the opportunity to research the impact that conversations have on business performance, team performance, and engagement in different types of organizations. Over the past 20 years, Tom has had the chance to work with many different people, organizations, and cultures across the world. Time and time again, he hears how the quality of conversations makes such a difference to performance and engagement. It’s these experiences that sparked Tom’s interest in developing their Authentic Conversations model. Tom is qualified in meditation, negotiation, conflict management and also a licensed user of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. He is qualified as a structural consultant following a 3yr coaching program with Robert Fritz inc in Vermont USA. Tom is a wonderful person with great insight. What I appreciate the most about Tom was his willingness to speak honestly and openly about his personal and professional learning journey. Tom is a critically reflective person who continues to pursue greater purpose in his life through the work he offers the world. Every great leader has the ability to be vulnerable and to share their authentic self without fear of judgement. Tom embodies excellence in everything does and I feel lucky to have had the chance to interview him on my podcast. Tom shares lots of insight in this episode and it is my hope that you walk away from this conversation with a gem or two to apply in your own personal and professional life. Connect with Tom Website: https://www.the2getherpartnership.com/team/tom-costello.htmlThemes Discussed:Influence, Purpose, Leadership, Authentic Conversations, Vulnerability, Organizational Change, Reflection

My guest today is Melissa McQuaid who is from Toronto, Canada and has been teaching internationally, with her husband Jeff for many years. My original intention was to have Melissa on my podcast to share some of the great work she’s doing with her grade 3 students in the classroom, in particular, her dedication to creating a classroom culture and environment that is visually rich in meaning and purpose. As I thought about how I was going to do this interview, I couldn’t help but be drawn to not only Melissa, as a teacher, but also her life journey over the past several years as it has really defined and shaped the person she is today. Melissa’s husband, Jeff Woodcock, is our elementary head of school. Although she is very supportive of Jeff’s role as leader of our school, Melissa in her own right has carved out a very purposeful path for herself, as an educator in our school. She has worked very hard to develop a unique teaching style that is focused on visible learning in the classroom in order to accommodate every one of her learners. She carefully models and co-constructs learning with her students on a regular basis and this is one of the many reasons why I feel she is such a great educator. In today’s episode you are not only going to hear about Melissa, as an educator, but more importantly you are going to hear about some very difficult, yet profoundly important experiences that shaped not only her life but also her husband’s life as well. Melissa will explain, in detail, both of these experiences, but it’s the first experience she talks about that specifically taught Melissa how powerful a role community can play in changing a person’s life. As Melissa told this story, I really wanted to go into specific examples of how the community that she and her husband were a part of helped to be a major support for them through a very challenging and difficult time. I got sidetracked during this discussion and wasn’t able to dig deeper into how community specifically supported her and Jeff during this time. However, I still wanted to mention and give a shoutout to the wonderful community that they were a part of in Bonn, Germany many years ago. Melissa’s love of community continues to this day and she is a very active force in bringing people together to celebrate connection, friendship, kindness and joy here at our school here in Saudi Arabia. I want to thank Melissa for sharing her authentic story in this episode. It’s never easy to talk about things that strike so closely to the heart.Melissa’s BioMelissa McQuaid is an international educator in her eleventh year of teaching, all spent working within the Primary Years Programme. She is passionate about inquiry-based learning and the merits of an education that supports development of the whole child. Walking into her classroom, you will be struck by how well thought out the learning environment is. Her classroom is rich with text, features flexible spaces to support different learners and learning, and is organized with the child’s needs in mind. Developing and nurturing a student’s curiosity and agency are cornerstones of her practice, and have a role in everything she does with learners.When she was 27 years old Melissa experienced a traumatic, life-threatening situation that forced her to rethink her vision of what she had planned for her future. Described by friends and colleagues as “determined and resolute,” her personal story is about over-coming trauma and embracing many obstacles in search of her happiness. Melissa believes that if you can visualize what you want in life, and work towards that vision, anything is possible.  Melissa’s time of trauma took place in Germany while she was working at Bonn International School. The rallying and support that came from the BIS community to support her during this difficult time was unforgettable. One way Melissa strives to pay it forward at her current school, The KAUST School,

In this episode, Dr. Tim Fletcher discusses the work taking place behind the scenes in helping to develop and deepen the use of the Meaningful PE model that he and his team of researchers have been working on over the past several years. Tim is a part of a great team that is refining this model so that physical education and health teachers can develop the language needed and specific tools to know how to regularly, systematically, and intentionally create meaningful learning experiences related to physical activity and sport for young people. Their ultimate goal is to get young people to take action on leading physically active lives in order to embrace movement for life. At the heart of the Meaningful PE model are 5 features that Tim and his team think are critically important to embed within all physical education and sport experiences in order to help develop lifelong movers; Challenge, Motor Competence, Fun, Social Interaction, and Personal Relevance. We dive into these 5 features and begin to unpack each of them in this episode, so that physical education and health professionals can gain deeper insight into how they can plant the seeds for student success in their programs. Tim and his team do not claim to have all of the answers or are they implying that their Meaningful PE model is the best that there is, but they instead they continue to refine their own understanding of how this model might be applied across different contexts and cultures in order to promote richer and more positive experiences for young people in physical education. You are sure to gain some valuable takeaway from this discussion with Dr. Tim Fletcher. Thanks for listening. Tim’s BioPrior to teaching in universities Tim taught high school health and physical education for five years. Current research focuses on how future teachers and coaches might learn to foster meaningful experiences for learners in physical education and youth sport (the LAMPE project), conducted with Déirdre Ní Chróinín and Mary O’Sullivan. Much of his work involves self-study methodology, including the text Self-study of physical education: The interplay of scholarship and practice (2014, Springer), co-edited with Alan OvensConnect with Tim:Email: [email protected]: @TimFletcher12 Website: https://meaningfulpe.wordpress.com/lampe-team/Themes Discussed:Meaningful PE, Fun, Motor Competence, Challenge, Personal Relevance, Social Interaction, Differentiation, Critical ReflectionSpecial Credits To:Déirdre Ní Chróinín and Mary O’Sullivan, Stephanie Beni, Ciara Griffin

In today’s episode, Dr. Stephen Harvey and I discuss the roles of self-regulation and self-coaching in education and how to plants the seeds for student success in physical education. Stephen dives deeply into his work and shares the vision that he has based on his own journey in education that has taken him back and forth between the United States and England over the years. Stephen’s expertise lies in the Teaching Games For Understanding model. He finds great value in using creativity to deepen the impact that physical activity and movement can have in a young person’s life. Much of his work lies in the field of coaching but Stephen clearly shows the strong connection and links between quality teaching and effective coaching. You are sure to find a gem or two you can apply in your own teaching practice after hearing this episode with Dr. Stephen Harvey. Stephen’s Bio:Dr. Stephen Harvey has joined the Patton College of Education as an Associate Professor in Sports Coaching. Dr. Harvey is a former junior international field hockey coach and currently works with organizations such as USA field hockey and the United States Olympic Committee in a coach development and education role. Recently Dr. Harvey has successfully completed international coach educator/developer qualification and was previously a coach educator with England Hockey, the National Governing Body of Field Hockey in England. Dr. Harvey is also an experienced, licensed soccer and badminton coach and has coached both these sports at the collegiate level in England. In addition, he is also a licensed physical education teacher in England.Dr. Harvey moved to Ohio from West Virginia University (2013-2017) where he was an Associate Professor in Physical Education Teacher Education. He previously completed hi PhD at Oregon State University (2003-2006). In 2016 Dr. Harvey was honored as a Research Fellow by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America due to his extensive contributions to research in both physical education and sports coaching. His main research interest surrounds game-based approaches to teaching and coaching. However, his work in coaching has additionally been focused on the systematic observation of coaching behavior, and how coaching behavior is tied to coaches' biographies. Dr. Harvey has maintained an interest in educational technology and co-developed an app (Axis Coaching) that a trained observer can use to investigate and record coaches' behavior. Finally, Dr. Harvey's interest in educational technology has led to him researching with and about teachers and coaches social media use.Connect with Stephen:Email: [email protected]: @drstephenharveyThemes Discussed:Self-Regulation, Creativity, TGFU, Self-Coaching, Quality Physical Education, Feedback, Teaching and Learning

Today’s discussion is with Todd Stahl. Todd is one of those distinctly unique individuals who not only has a heart of gold, but is willing to take the risk to do the extremely hard work to find out what’s he’s truly made of and how he can honor the gifts and talents he’s been given in order to make a difference in the world through his work and passions. Todd’s life has not been routine or linear in any way which is why it’s important to really listen to his story as you will see that there were key pivot points in his life that that threw specific obstacles in his path.You will also hear how he used these challenges to better understand himself and the changes that he needed to make in order to find more meaning and purpose in his life. You will see that Todd’s faith is extremely important to him and making a difference by serving others is what he feels he has been called to do. He strives to do this through several different capacities including his work as a firefighter, an artist, a children’s book illustrator, an author and the charity work that he and his wife Sherry have devoted themselves to. What is even more unique about this episode is that I have known Todd for most of my life. I can honestly say that in looking back at the 40plus years we’ve known each other, it doesn’t surprise me to see the path that Todd is on.As I sat down this summer to interview Todd, there were several key areas that I wanted to ask him about in order to learn more about his journey. I wanted to learn more about how his faith has carved out a specific path for him. I also wanted to learn about what inspired him to take the leap into becoming an artist and an author, yet how he has been able to balance these pursuits with his work as a firefighter. As well, I wanted to learn more about the internal forces that drive him toward better understanding himself in an effort to strive for both personal and professional excellence in his life. You’re going to hear about Todd’s book, 40 Days in the Mancave and the role that critical self-reflection has played in his life. In particular, you are going to learn about how Todd has had to deal with the gripping hand of depression and the impact that this has had on his life. I commend Todd for being so open about this part of his life. It’s not easy to discuss these things but in sharing our struggles, there is so much to be learned about how we deal with life and with others when we authentically open up.I hope you take the time to listen to the episode in its entirety and that it sparks reflection in yourself. I hope you are left answering these questions about who you are and what you offer the world.What are the gifts you’ve been given in life? How do you honor and develop these gifts? And how are these gifts making a difference to others in your life and in the world?Our gifts and talents need to be embraced and spending the time to better understand what these gifts are can have a huge impact on the world around us.Thanks for taking the time to listen to this episode with my good friend, Todd Stahl.Todd’s BioFor Todd, Art has always remained that 'dream' he has continued to pursue. Todd was involved in a family run business for over 20 years, but the search was there to do something more related to his gifting. taking steps towards pursuing his dreams, Todd became a firefighter in 2004.Moving closer to the heart of his dreams, Todd has rekindled his passion for Art. His desire is to continue creating thought provoking pieces of art.Todd has completed a number of commissioned projects and recently had his art published in a collaboration with his wife Sherry, providing the illustrations within her devotional with study guide 'Water in the Desert'.In 2013, Xulon Press selected Todd to be one of their 'preferred' illustrators creating art for future publications. Just recently Todd illustrated another Xulon book soon to be release...

If you had to create a personal statement that sums up your philosophy, what would that statement be? How can you better motivate yourself to find more value in your daily efforts to do well? What does loving-kindness mean and how can we practice it more in our lives? What role does human connection play in your life, especially with people you do not know very well? Andy and Neila explore these questions in their latest 4 X Mindfulness podcast in order to share their thoughts and their recent learning about themselves and about others. In the first seed of mindfulness, Neila dives into the work of Claire Boothe Luce, one of the first females to serve in the US congress who went on to do extraordinary work throughout her career in politics. In particular, the way she challenged leaders like Kennedy to create their own personal philosophy statements. Neila talks about the strategy of creating these statements and how challenging it can be. For the second seed of mindfulness, Andy discusses Daniel Pink’s latest book: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and a specific strategy outlined in the book that helps to assess our levels of motivation to do difficult things in our life in order to be more proactive. The third seed of mindfulness is about loving kindness and Neila takes listeners through a short exercise to help practice more loving kindness with ourselves and with others. The fourth seed of mindfulness relates to human connection and how random acts of kindness can be a thing of beauty that brightens our day when we least expect it. Neila and Andy hope that you find some value from this episode that is applicable in yoru personal and professional lives. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect with Andy and NeilaNeila SteeleTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndy VasilyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed: Personal Philosophy Statements, Motivation, Human Connection, Loving Kindness, Daniel Pink, Claire Boothe Luce, Presence

In this episode, Marina Gijzen, current elementary head at Nanjing International School shares her insight and experience as it relates to her journey in education that has spanned well over two decades.A few years ago, Marina chose to change directions and move into educational leadership as she felt, in her heart, that she wanted to take the risk to share her authentic self and the vision that she had in regards to what quality teaching and learning means. To Marina, teaching is a deeply personal pursuit that is greatly impacted by the language we use with young people, as well the relationships that we build with them.In this episode, Marina shares specific strategies and approaches that she has developed over the years, as well she also discusses how she has changed and what she has learned about herself related to the shifting in gears in her career from a classroom teacher to a leader in education. Marina is all about liberating greatness in others and has built her educational leadership philosophy around living this statement and leading by example day in and day out in order to bring out the best in the teachers she feels so lucky to work with. Marina has brought so much wisdom and experience into her many different roles at Nanjing International School. She will be transitioning over to a new role as head of elementary school at Lincoln Community School in Ghana next year and is sure to bring so much value to that school. Thanks for listening to today’s episode with Marina Gijzen. About Marina: Marina Gijzen is an international educator who is very interested in the discussions about  educational innovation. What does it mean? What does it look like? Why do it? How do we do it? When and where? and Who will be a part of it?She has been teaching primary aged children for 25 years in 5 different countries in two different languages (French and English).Children fascinate Marina. She believes that they are full of potential and are naturally open-minded, sincere, caring, enthusiastic, brave, and so creative. She aspires to be like the students she teaches and works with!She writes a blog to help her think about how to help keep these wonderful qualities in our children and in our world. She would love you to join in on the conversation.Connect With Marina:Twitter: @marinagijzen Website: https://marinagijzen.com/Themes Discussed: Student agency, Empowerment, Lifelong Learning, Thoughtful Language, Educational Leadership, Quality Teaching and Learning.  

This episode is devoted to the power that meditation can hold in helping us to better understand ourselves. My guest, Dr. Mani Sarathy, the Associate Director of the Clean Combustion Research Center at King Abdullah University of Science of Technology, shares his meditative journey with us and how it has helped to transform his life over the past 15 years. We dive into the nuts and bolts of what mediation means and specific strategies that we can all apply in our lives if we devote ourselves to this cause. Mani shares his backstory and the experiences that guided his formative years while growing up, in particular his self identity which was shaped by both Canadian and Indian cultural values. Mani has great insight and wisdom when it comes to meditation. Whether you are a total beginner or seasoned veteran at meditation, you are sure to glean some insight that can apply to both your personal and professional self. Mani’s BioMani Sarathy is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology of Science and Technology (KAUST) in the Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC). Mani was previously a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Combustion Chemistry group at the US Department of Energy Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. During that time he held a prestigious fellowship from NSERC of Canada. Mani received his PhD and MASc degrees in Environmental and Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto and his BASc in Environmental Engineering Chemical Specialization from the University of Waterloo. In 2015, Mani Sarathy was named a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher. Mani’s research interest is in developing sustainable energy technologies with decreased net environmental impact. A major thrust of research is simulating the combustion chemistry of transportation fuels. The goal of Mani’s research is study conventional and alternative fuels (e.g., biofuels, synthetic fuels, etc.), so the environmental impact of combustion systems can be reduced. Connect With ManiWebsite: https://ccrc.kaust.edu.sa/Pages/Home.aspxThemes Discussed: Vipassana Meditation, Presence, Self-Awareness, Reflection, Observation, Breath Control, Silent Retreats, Personal Excellence, Regret

How do our personal perspectives shape our lives when we experience upheaval and hardship? How often do we genuinely invest ourselves in others? What role do personal stories play in helping us to connect with other people? Do we show ourselves enough self-compassion? Andy Dutton, an excellent educator currently working in Bucharest, Romania, joins Neila Steele and Andy Vasily in the latest 4 X Mindfulness podcast series. Andy Dutton shares two seeds of mindfulness in this episode which relate to his own journey of mindfulness and the importance of investing in his own mental health through a variety of strategies. In sharing the mantra, ‘This too shall pass.”, Andy discusses the importance of being aware of our own negative thought pattern loops that hold us back from living a more genuinely happy life. As well, Andy also shares the importance of having more self-compassion and taking time away each day to regenerate and recharge in order to be our best personal and professional selves. For Neila Steele’s seed of mindfulness, she shares the importance of investing in others by being curious, by asking questions, and showing a genuine interest in others. When we invest in others, we put our own needs and wants aside to better connect and get to know other people in our lives. For the fourth seed of mindfulness, Andy Vasily shares the power of personal stories in helping to make stronger connections with others. By making ourselves vulnerable and genuinely sharing our experiences, we can better connect with others and give them permission to do the same. Lots of powerful themes discussed in the latest 4 X Mindfulness series. We hope you are able to gain some new insight from this episode with Neila Steele, Andy Dutton, and Andy Vasily. BioNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Neila, Andy Vasily and Andy DuttonNeila SteeleTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndy VasilyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comAndy DuttonTwitter: @PEAndyDThemes Discussed:Empathy, Efficiency, Self-Compassion, Personal Upheaval, Coaching and Counselling, Vulnerability, Human Connection, Relevance

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.Inquiry and AgencyIn this episode, grade 4 teacher, Jamie House, shares the work and learning he has embarked on with his own professional inquiry at Gardens Elementary School. Jamie has looked deeply at his own teaching practice over the past 7 months in order to identify which area he would like to deepen his understanding of. He identified a particular need to examine more closely how he creates opportunities for each student to develop the skills necessary to move forward with their own learning. A recent trip to Poland to attend Kath Murdoch’s inquiry workshop helped Jamie to consolidate his learning and refine the teaching approaches he uses in the classroom. Jamie discusses a number of things related to inquiry, agency, and how he is striving to help students develop their Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills within their learning journeys in his classroom. Connect With Jamie:Twitter: @jamierhouse Connect With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Student Agency, Skill Development, Inquiry, Kath Murdoch, Content and Coverage, Professional Inquiries

In this episode, Arsenal Soccer School coach, Tim Jones, shares his journey and the valuable lessons he has learned that have led him on the current path that he is. Tim is a deeply reflective coach who places great emphasis on developing personal and social wellness within his players through specific structures that he implements in each practice session. Although there is still great focus on skill acquisition, Tim creates the conditions that help to develop the whole player in an effort to better prepare them for being part of a team while not lose sight of the importance of their own individual development. Through extensive study, Tim continually refines his craft by genuinely inquiring into who he is as a coach and what he needs to do to be a better version of himself. In this episode, Tim provides us with a deeper insight into the role that a coach plays in the lives of their players and how growth, learning, and change are of paramount importance in better developing our professional practice. Tim’s journey actually began in the field of music having completed a university degree in Music and Computer Sound Design from the University of Surrey in the UK. It was through the experience of symphony and playing the viola that Tim learned valuable lessons about creativity and flow. Although he was passionate about music, he began to gravitate more toward soccer and ultimately coaching as this sport has also been a big part of his life for many years. Hope you enjoy this episode with coach Tim Jones. Tim’s BioTim is a soccer coach currently working for Arsenal Soccer Schools in Saudi Arabia. His professional career has spanned ten years and five countries as he has sought out professional and learning opportunities. This has included work in the grassroots, charity, University and elite environments, most recently with the Bristol Rovers FC Academy and the University of South Wales Women’s 1st team.Hailing originally from the British island of Jersey, he was first exposed to coaching through his older brother assisting his sessions with local teams. Indeed it wasn’t until a change of staff at the club, that he was presented with the opportunity for him to take the helm of an adult female team. It was from successes here and a developing love for the craft of coaching that sparked the progression to where he is today.It was the wish of Tim that it should be noted that all views expressed by him are his own rather than a reflection of his current, or past employers.Connect With TimTwitter: @coachtimjonesThemes Discussed:Timely Feedback, Participation vs Performance, Social and Personal Wellness, Constraints Led Coaching, Music, Lifelong Learning

In this 75th episode of the Run Your Life podcast, well-known author/educator, Frank Stepnowski, shares the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ behind his latest book, Retribution: A Teacher Strikes Back. As a very committed and passionate educator with over 25 years of experience, Frank speaks from the heart about the obstacles and roadblocks that stand in the way of teachers in America, and other parts of the world, from operating at their best for the students whom they serve. In this episode, we delve into many important facets of what being a great educator means. Accountability, reflection, relevance, and the importance of feedback all entered the radar of this discussion. Frank has loads of insight that he shares, based on his own story of being an educator in America. Frank’s wisdom comes through loud and clear as does his endless desire to keep making a difference in our field. Regardless of what you teach or your role in education, you are sure to find great value in this discussion with the one and only Frank Stepnowski. Frank’s BioFrank (Step) Stepnowski is a father, husband, teacher, author, and iconoclast. He is a 25-year veteran of the teaching trenches and an outspoken advocate for educators everywhere. He has written four books championing teachers and shedding light on their daily struggles and the broken system in which they work. His voice is unapologetic, often prescient, occasionally controversial, but always entertaining. “Why Are All the Good Teachers Crazy?”,“S.C.R.E.W.E.D., An Educational Fairytale”,“Teaching Sucks, But We Love It,” and his newest release: “RETRIBUTION: A Teacher Strikes Back” are all available online wherever kick-ass books are sold.Connect With Frank:Twitter: @Frankstep1 Themes Discussed: Critical Reflection, Advocacy, Obstacles, Failure, Vulnerability, Accountability, Purpose, Hope, Vision 

Today’s episode is a special one as my friend, Christina Polatajko, shares her deeply personal story with addiction. As a well-known physical/health educator, Christina has made a huge impact on our profession through her work and her presentations. Teaching is an extremely personal endeavor that requires us to know our strengths and limitations and to learn as much as we can about ourselves in order to have the impact that we desire through our work. Often times people mask their inefficiencies by hiding their truth, whatever that truth may be. Christina shares her journey with us in order to move forward in her life. She has made it very clear that if sharing her story in this episode impacts just one person who is suffering from addiction, it will be well worth it. Making ourselves vulnerable and sharing who we really are can make a huge difference in the lives of others. Christina continues to shine and thrive in our profession through the bonds that she has created with others, but in her heart, she knows that sharing her story is the next step needed for her to continue to move forward in her life and to pursue excellence. Addiction kills and destroys people both mentally and physically. The more we can openly talk about these things, the more of an impact it will have on providing support to those who need it most. Christina is committed to life-long learning and her struggle with addiction and hardship serve to help her teach in a way that impacts the body, mind, and spirit or every student that walks through her gymnasium doors. Who in your life suffers from addiction? Who in your life do you need to reach out to and better support? In listening to this episode, think of who that person might be. Thanks for tuning into this episode with Christina. About ChristinaChristina has been a physical educator for 8 years now as a Health and P.E coordinator in Melbourne, Australia. She pursued this career with a passion for making a difference and to have an impact. She hopes that the resources and techniques she has created will help other teachers in also making a difference in the classroom. She blogs at http://missphysicaleducation.com/blog/.Christina believes that we all have the greatest opportunity to make a difference every day through our work and is a very driven and determined learner and human being. She has presented nationally and internationally both online and in person. Connect With ChristinaTwitter: @cpola17 Website: missphysicaleducation.comThemes Discussed: Vulnerability, Addiction, Connection, Hope, Purpose, Masking Truth, Motivation, Desire to Improve

In today’s episode, Neila and Andy have a great mindfulness chat with a renowned educational consultant, Mark Church. Some of the questions explored in this chat are: Is mindfulness a stance we take in life or something we have to practice day in and day out? What role does daily gratitude for our present body play in helping us to better appreciate what we sometimes fail to notice? How can we be more mindful and present in our daily interactions to not miss out on important moments that help us to grow and develop ourselves? In what ways is evolution predicated and dependent on stress? How does this stress help us evolve into our better selves? This conversation was more about delving into making more sense of what mindfulness can mean in our lives and the role it plays in helping to better understand and appreciate ourselves. Mark offers lots of insight into his own thinking, not by having answers, but asking more questions to better explore the meaning that mindful thinking and actions can play in our lives. Hope you enjoy our episode with special guest, Mark Church. About MarkMark Church works with educators throughout the world striving to create cultures of thinking in their classrooms and schools.  Mark challenges teachers to foster thinking dispositions in students in service of deep understanding.  He invites teachers to promote a discourse of thinking in their classrooms that communicates value to student sense-making.  Mark encourages teachers to make their classroom environments rich with the documents of student thinking processes.  Mark is currently a consultant with Harvard Project Zero’s Making Thinking Visible and Cultures of Thinking initiatives worldwide, drawing upon his own classroom teaching experience and from the perspectives, he has gained working with educators throughout North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe.  Mark enjoys helping teachers examine opportunities for student thoughtfulness, use thinking routines as supports and scaffolds, interact with students in ways that demonstrate an interest in and respect for students’ thinking, and send clear expectations about the importance and value of thinking in learning.  Together with Ron Ritchhart and Karin Morrison, Mark is co-author of the book Making Thinking Visible:  How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners (Jossey-Bass, 2011).Connect With Mark:Website: http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/cultures-of-thinkingAbout Andy and NeilaNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 5 different countries over the past 18 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Both Andy and Neila now work at the KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. Andy is also a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed: Meaning Making, Being Present, Body Awareness, Gratitude, Purpose, Relationships, Connection

In the 17th installment of 4 X Mindfulness, Neila Steele and Andy Vasily discuss the themes of monitoring, assessing, and changing habits by bringing more self-awareness to our daily lives. In the first seed of mindfulness, Neila shares the work of the author, Laura Vanderkam, and the strategy of the 168-hour weekly spreadsheet that she created to assess where people spend their time each week. It is a great strategy to record and redirect energy in ways that lead to greater satisfaction, happiness, and health. For Neila’s second seed of mindfulness, she shares two excellent websites related to self-improvement, Coach.me, as well as Leo Babauta’s work with Zen Habits. Both of these websites are excellent resources to help focus on making improvements in both our personal and professional lives. The third seed of mindfulness is rooted in the work of well-known psychologist, Dr. Martin Seligman and his work related to creating a more positive mental framework to operate our daily lives by. Andy explains the story behind his research and the specific strategies Seligman and his team of researchers have developed. This leads nicely into the 4th seed of mindfulness which is all about being more self-aware of our emotional state, to look deeply at the root causes of these emotions and the stories that we tell ourselves about these emotions. In becoming more self-aware of these stories, we position ourselves to change our narratives and reframe our daily experiences. Hopefully, you’ll find an insight or two from this episode that will be applicable in your own life. Thanks for listening. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 17 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China and Saudi Arabia). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Both Neila and Andy work at Gardens Elementary School on the King Abdullah Campus of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Connect With Andy and NeilaNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:Zen Habits, Dr. Martin Seligman, Mindset, Laura Vanderkam, Habit Awareness,

Dr Karl Morris is one of Europe’s leading Mind Coaches, delivering cutting-edge methods of peak performance and goal achievement to a range of clients across sports and business.From the world of golf, he has worked with players such as Darren Clarke, David Howell, Lee Westwood, Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell and Louis Oostehazen among many others in both the PGA and LPGA. As a consultant to the PGA of Great Britain and Europe, Karl has presented seminars all over the world to the Australian PGA, South African PGA, German PGA, Swedish PGA, Dutch PGA,  Belgian PGA and the Hong Kong Golf Association.I feel lucky to have had Karl on my podcast and in this episode, we dig into a variety of themes related to peak performance. Although Karl works mostly in the arena of professional golf, he also brings his peak performance model to athletes in other sports and into the corporate world as well. Karl firmly believes that good coaching or teaching is never telling people what they should do but instead to ask the right questions in order to unlock the potential held within. Karl involves his clients in the co-construction of their own learning ultimately helping them to unpack the answers themselves and it's in the process of this unpacking that they better lead themselves toward mastery of their craft. In this episode, There are so many parallels to great teaching in the world of education which we also discuss, such as the importance of building relationships, differentiated instruction, and finding every student’s entry point to learning. You are sure to glean some great insight from this episode that can be applied in both your personal and professional life and if you are a golfer, you’ll find even more value in our discussion. Thanks for listening. About KarlKarl Morris is a regular feature writer for a host of publications including Golf World, Todays Golfer, Golf International, National Club Golfer, Chip and Spin, as well as the author of ‘Golf – The Mind Factor’ with Darren Clarke.He has a passion to demystify psychology and to provide a range of practical and applicable tools to assist performance breakthrough at all levels.The Karl Morris MIND FACTOR approach to golf has been proven to help people transform their game in the only environment that really matters – THE REAL WORLD.Connect with KarlWebsite: https://themindfactor.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Karl_MorrisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/themindfactor/Themes Discussed: Peak Performance, Mindset, Asking Good Questions, Learning From Failure, Visualization, Mindfulness, Being Present

Two-time mountaineering world record holder, Colin O’Brady, joins me in today’s episode to share his major lessons learned through hardship and adversity that served to inspire him to strive for both personal and professional excellence in his life. Not only was Colin a top level triathlete for seven years, he currently holds the world record for being the fastest mountaineer to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents and journey to both the north and south poles (The Explorer’s Grand Slam challenge). Not only did he become the fastest person in history to do this, he accomplished this incredible feat in 139 days which was 60 days faster than anyone else had ever done. Despite being almost burned to death in a traumatic accident ten years ago in Ko Tao, Thailand and suffering serious burns to 25% of his body, Colin was able to overcome these injuries by setting small achievable goals and work toward these goals every day. In this episode, we dig into Colin’s work ethic and the specific strategies he has put into action that have allowed him to achieve excellence through his work. As well, Colin shares the work that he and his wife, Jenna, do with their non-profit organization, Beyond 7/2. As Colin states in this episode, the number one goal that they have for their organization is to inspire young people to lead healthy lives by being active and by believing in their own ability to accomplish anything that they set their mind to. Colin is wise beyond his years and his insight will surely inspire anyone listening to take more action in their own lives to be the very best that they can be. Colin’s BioColin O’Brady  was born in Olympia, Washington on March 16th, 1985. The son of an eagle scout, Colin spent his childhood exploring the wilderness of the pacific northwest with his family. He learned about healthy living from his father, an organic farmer and from his mother and step-father, co-founders of a local, natural foods grocery chain. Through passion, dedication, and hard work, Colin grew into a youth sports star. He won Oregon State Championships and received national honors in both swimming and soccer. Colin was recruited to swim at Yale University where he swam all four years.During his time in college, Colin took a leave of absence to pursue a semester-long course with the National Outdoors Leadership School, mountaineering and kayaking in remote Patagonia, Chile. Later, while studying African economic development in college, he traveled to Tanzania, where he caught a glimpse of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. That day, a dream was born: to climb the Seven Summits.In 2006, Colin graduated from Yale with a BA in economics. The day after graduation, he embarked on a 4000-mile cycling journey from Connecticut to Oregon, with the aim to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity.Before beginning his career in finance, Colin left to explore the world on a backpacking trip. While in Thailand, Colin suffered a tragic accident and was severely burned in a fire. His injuries covered nearly 25% of his body, primarily damaging his legs and feet.Doctors warned him he might never walk again normally, but Colin was determined to beat the odds. He focused not only on walking again, but set himself a goal: to complete a triathlon following his recovery. A mere 18 months after his accident while working as a trader in Chicago, Colin amazed the racing world when he placed first overall amateur at the 2009 Chicago Triathlon.His victory in triathlon sparked a new path. Colin turned pro, and fulfilled his childhood dream of being a professional athlete. Over the last five years, he has represented the United States in triathlon competitions in 22 countries and on six continents. Meanwhile, the distant peaks still called to him: Colin finally summited Mount Kilimanjaro following a race in East Africa, and climbed Mount Fuji after racing in Japan.

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.This Episode is With Siobhan WestbrookResponsive ClassroomIn this episode, Siobhan discusses what Responsive Classroom is and how she is using different elements of this approach with her grade 4 students in order to strengthen the relationships she has with students. By using specific strategies related to Responsive Classroom, Siobhan has seen the impact it has on building trust amongst her students and better connecting them with one another. Not a day goes by when Siobhan does not use Responsive Classroom routines and approaches which is important in embedding this experience into the culture of the classroom. Listen to this episode to learn specific things you can do to immediately apply Responsive Classroom strategies with your students. Siobhan’s BioSiobhan spent her formative years growing up in Ghana and attended the Valco School in Tema for Grades K-5 before returning to the U.S.  This may explain why, once she became a teacher, she chose to teach internationally.  Siobhan has 25 years’ experience teaching grades 1-4 in Sudan, Pakistan, China, England, Bangladesh, Nigeria,  and India.  She joined the KAUST School in August of 2017.  Siobhan is passionate about developing a strong sense of community within her class and the school.  Siobhan enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband, Mike and two children Hayley, who attends Lynn University in Fla. and Matt, who is a 10th Grader at The Kaust School. Connect With Siobhan:Email: [email protected] With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Responsive classroom, Building Trust, Routines, Structure, Strengthening Relationships

It was great to sit down with Jo Bailey and record this episode live in Dubai at the Connected PE  Conference last month. Jo brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field of physical education and has devoted herself to learning and continually refining her teaching practice. Jo shares her thoughtful stance on what quality physical education means and the major lessons that she has learned over the last few years that have greatly impacted the work she does. Jo’s ability to be critically reflective about her own practice has allowed her to look at her own teaching with fresh eyes in order to ensure that she continually challenges herself to improve and get better. Jo has a unique perspective that has been shaped by living in different parts of the world which has helped her to develop a truly internationally minded outlook on life and on  teaching. Jo’s BioJo Bailey teaches Physical Education at D.C. Everest Senior High in Weston, WI., USA. Originally from the UK, Jo spent much of her life in Hong Kong and taught in the both the UK and Hong Kong for several years before moving to the USA in 2004. Jo is is a National Board Certified Teacher, a Google Certified Innovator, and was the 2013 Midwest SHAPE America High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. An avid technology and gadget lover, Jo is always looking for ways to improve workflow, enhance learning (often through gamification), and leave more time for being active! She is committed to helping students find their fun through Physical Education. Jo blogs at http://lovephyed.blogspot.com/ Connect with Jo: Twitter: @lovephyedGoogle +:  +Jo Bailey    Themes Discussed: Quality PE, Assessment, Meaning and Purpose, Connected PE, Good Teaching Practice, Major Lessons Learned

Dr. Shane Pill and I recorded this episode live while in Dubai together last month. Shane and I were both keynote speakers/presenters at Jarrod Robinson’s Connected PE conference. I’ve been meaning to have Shane on my show for quite some time, but we thought it would be even better to sit in person together to record the episode you are about to listen to. We dive into many areas of our profession, but in particular, the vision and philosophy that Shane has in regards to maximizing the impact that we can have on our profession and on the students that we teach. Shane brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with him and has a unique approach that focuses on empowering students to find joy and love of movement through specific approaches that he brings with him in the work that he does. Having come to know many researchers from around the world in the field of physical education, I know that they are all very passionate about the work that they do. Although I have always been aware of the work that Shane does and have learned from him in the past, sitting down together and really digging into his specific vision allowed me to better understand his purpose and his desire to make a difference by equipping physical education teachers with the tools necessary to make a difference in the lives of the students that they teach. I hope you take the time to listen to this episode with Shane Pill. You’ll have immediately takeaway that can be applied to the work that you do. About ShaneShane previously worked for 18 years as a science and physical education teacher in schools in Perth and Adelaide where he held various leadership positions including HPE Coordinator, Sport Coordinator, Year Level Coordinator, Director of School Administration and Deputy Principal. Since 2006, Shane lectures at Flinders University in curriculum studies, physical education and sport studies and his research interests include curriculum design and enactment, pedagogy and instructional strategies for games and sport teaching, sport coaching and curriculum leadership. Shane is the author of six ACHPER published books on game sense teaching and coaching, and the concept of Play with Purpose. He is a Life Member of the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (ACHPER); was an ACHPER Australia Board Member 2004-2009, and ACHPER(SA) Branch President 2002-2015. Shane is internationally recognised for his research into sport teaching and coaching, and he was a major contributing writer to the Cricket Australia S’Cool Cricket resource, the Tennis Australia Hot Shots Tennis resource and the revised AFL Sport Education program. Shane is a coach with the West Adelaide Football Club in the SANFL.Connect With Shane: Twitter: https://twitter.com/pilly66Themes Discussed: Timely Feedback, Assessment in PE, Teacher Reflection, Refining Teacher Practice, Careful Design of Teaching & Learning, Connecting to Community

In this episode, Jim Roussin and I, breakdown the key fundamentals that drive the work that he does in empowering educators to find their best selves. Jim has years of experience consulting for schools around the world. He shares specific strategies and approaches related to cognitive coaching in order to help both teachers and educational leaders create the conditions for all stakeholders to thrive within their organization. Jim has a unique journey and has devoted his life to bringing out the best in others. As Jim was on my podcast last year, we both agreed that this episode was carrying on from our first one, so we consider it to be a part 2 to our great chat. With every passing day, Jim is fully committed to refining his work and sharing what he learns with others. It’s common for consultants to define themselves as experts, but Jim is the type of leader and presenter who values being in and amongst the group, learning alongside them throughout the workshops he presents. Whether you are an educational leader, a teacher, a coach, or in any other line of work, you are sure to find valuable takeaway in my episode with Jim Roussin. To listen to part 1 of the podcast recorded last year, please click this link https://21clradio.com/4377-2/. About JimJim Roussin has worked as a language arts teacher; gifted coordinator; ESL coordinator; curriculum director; executive director of teaching, learning, and school improvement; adjunct professor; and educational consultant. He is currently the executive director for Generative Learning (www.generative-learning.com).Jim is the author of a variety of articles as well as a coauthor of the book Guiding Professional Learning Communities: Inspiration, Challenge, Surprise, and Meaning (with Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers, 2010). His new book will be published in 2013 with Shirley Hord — Implementing Change Through Learning. Jim is a teaching associate for Human Systems Dynamics (an institute that is using complexity theory to impact organizational development work). He also facilitates program evaluation. Jim has another book coming out in December of 2018. Connect With JimEmail: [email protected]: https://twitter.com/jroussinWebsite: http://www.thinkingcollaborative.com/Themes Discussed: Empowerment, Reflection, Thoughtful Use of Language, Cognitive Coaching, Adaptive Schools Training, Learning From Failure, Non-Judgement

In this episode, my friend, Jarrod Robinson, and I catch up at the Connected PE conference that he hosted in Dubai this past October. This is the second time that Jarrod has been on my podcast and what I was most interested in was having Jarrod share the ways in which he constantly challenges himself to grow and to learn. In today’s show, Jarrod discusses what he has learned over the past year and how he continually strives to improve on the Connected PE experiences that he offers his members and conference participants. Jarrod has a specific vision and approach that he refines through learning and through failure in an effort to not only improve on the conferences that he runs, but also how he strives for both personal and professional excellence in his life. It is my hope that you gain some valuable takeaway from today’s show. Thanks for listening to today’s show with Jarrod Robinson. BioJarrod is a Physical Education teacher from country Victoria Australia, with a passion and enthusiasm for the role unspecifiedemerging technologies play within teaching and learning. He is first and foremost an advocate for lifelong movement and physical activity, however realises the power of 21st-century technologies that can shape new age teaching pedagogies.Jarrod is known throughout the online community as “The PE Geek”, and authors a blog of the same name at www.thepegeek.com which has proved to be an invaluable resource for teachers seeking effective use of 21st-century tools in PE.  He has presented Nationally and Internationally for over 6 years, running workshops in over 30  countries.His major interests lie within mobile learning which he believes is the perfect fit for the outdoor-minded PE Teacher. As a result he has begun his own mobile development company, “The PE Geek Apps”, which builds mobile applications for teachers on both Android and iOS devices. His mobile applications have also won numerous awards throughout Australia and Overseas.Connect with JarrodWebsite: https://thepegeek.com/ & http://connectedpe.com/Twitter: @mrrobboThemes Discussed: Self-Direction, Learning From Failure, Empowerment, Surrounding Ourselves With Excellence, The Connected PE Vision, Resilience

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.This Episode is With Simon BissellSupporting Student LearningIn this episode, grade 2 teacher, Simon Bissell, discusses the key strategies he puts into action in his classroom to ensure that he provides his students with opportunities for genuine voice and choice to take place. Simon shares the work of his students in their recent, ‘How We Organize Ourselves’ unit and how their learning led them to wanting to organize a large scale event for their classmates across the grade level. However, planning an event such as this can be a very daunting task for a classroom teacher, but in letting go of control and placing ownership in the hands of the students, both Simon and his students learned a lot. Simon shares this learning in today’s episode. As Simon has a extensive background in sport, we also discussed the major life lessons that he learned through sport and how he has been able to apply this learning to becoming the teacher he is. Simon continues to work hard on his teaching practice to elevate his game and provide the best experiences possible for his students. Simon’s BioI completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary History and Politics from Salford University in the UK. During my time in the UK I taught across various year groups ranging from Early Years Foundation Stage, right through to Middle school. I am currently in my 5th year teaching at The KAUST School.. I have spent 4 years in Grade 1 and this year made the move up to Grade 2. I love being an educator in such a wonderful, diverse school and community.Away from my school life I am happily married to my wife, Caroline, and we have two wonderful boys aged 6 and 1. I enjoy an active lifestyle and I’m also proud to be part of the KAUST adult and junior Rugby Club. We currently have 120 children enrolled who receive coaching and skill building on a weekly basis. Connect With Simon:Email: [email protected] With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed: Voice and Choice, Agency, Student Action, Organization, Learning From Failure, Student Leadership

In this episode, Terri Walker, a PYP Curriculum manager at the global IB office in the Hague, discusses key changes in the program that will take effect in 2018. Terri shares the behind the scenes work that went into creating these changes and the next steps needed to ensure that these enhancements are clearly communicated to PYP schools around the world. In order to empower PYP teachers and schools to do their best work, the head office in the Hague will provide specific support materials to help guide each school regardless of where they are at in their PYP journey. In order to faciliate deeper discussion in this episode about the 2018 changes, an elementary head of school (Jeff Woodcock from the KAUST School), a PYP Coordinator (Jon Davidson from the KAUST School), and a director of a school (James Brightman) sat in on this discussion with Terri to share their own unique viewpoints, challenges, and ideas in regards to ensuring that they prepare their schools and teachers for the 2018 changes.If you are a PYP teacher or administrator, you are sure to have some valuable takeaway from this episode that can help you to better think your way through how you might approach the 2018 changes to ensure success for you and your school. Thanks for listening. Terri’ BioTerri Walker, a native of Alberta Canada, joined the IB in The Hague in 2014 to manage curriculum development for the PYP. Terri brings extensive career experience in teaching and administration to the Hague team, including 12 years as PYP coordinator in North Carolina, USA. Terri has been active as a PYP workshop leader, site visitor and consultant across the US and Canada and has enjoyed participating in IB sponsored meetings for assessment and pedagogical leadership. She loves connecting with PYP educators globally and chatting about all things PYP related!Connect with Terri and the IBPYP:Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibpypWebsite: http://www.ibo.org/en/programmes/primary-years-programme/Themes Discussed:PYP Enhancements, Student Agency, Assessment, Vertical Articulation, PYP Planners

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.Episode 6 is with Tim ScarrottUnpacking Success Criteria Related to Positive Peer InteractionsIn this episode, Tim Scarrott discusses how he involves students in the co-construction of success criteria related to developing a deeper understanding of positive peer interactions in his class. Tim believes in the power of making learning very explicit and visual in order to provide his students with the tools necessary to build a positive class culture by ensuring a supportive environment is in place from the start of the school year. Tim shares how he and his students developed a common language around what positive peer interactions look and feel like in his classroom in order to scaffold important learning related to social and emotional wellness. By creating a culture of mutual trust and respect, Tim and his students have specific guiding principles in place that allows everyone’s voice to be heard and respected. This conversation is sure to spark your thinking in regards to how you construct a positive environment for your students that allows them to feel safe and to show respect for one another. Tim’s BioTim graduated the University of Melbourne with a PE major and started his teaching career at a public school in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. He then hit the international teaching circuit, teaching PYP and MYP in Singapore and Jeju Island Island, Korea. Tim began teaching at the KAUST school earlier this year. He is passionate about student's voice, keeping active physically and mentally and positivity. Tim and his wife, Naomi spend most of their summers in Ireland with their 1-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.Connect With TimTwitter: @TimJScarrott Connect With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Postive Peer Interactions, Class Norms, Social & Emotional Wellness, Responsibility

In today’s episode, my guest, Margaret Heffernan, discusses her work and vision related to helping organizations around the world create the changes needed to inspire all stakeholders to thrive. She brings with her a model of thinking that challenges all people to respectfully speak their truth in an effort to help everyone around them improve upon their performance and find deeper meaning in the work that they do. In our conversation, Margaret delves into the principles embedded within her best-selling book, Willful Blindness, and the need for people to no longer stay silent, but instead to embrace the magic of asking exploratory questions to better stimulate important discussions related to improvement and change. Margaret’s work has great value and application in the world of education. She believes in each person’s ability to be an ordinary hero who can change the world through honest and open dialogue and utilizing critical feedback for self-growth. Themes Discussed:Critical Feedback, Growth & Development, Inspiring Change, Human Behavior, Embracing Conflict, The Power of QuestioningMargaret’s BioMargaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, Chief Executive and author. She was born in Texas, raised in Holland and educated at Cambridge University. She worked in BBC Radio for five years where she wrote, directed, produced and commissioned dozens of documentaries and dramas.As a television producer, she made documentary films for Timewatch, Arena, and Newsnight. She was one of the producers of Out of the Doll's House, the prize-winning documentary series about the history of women in the twentieth century.She designed and executive produced a thirteen-part series on The French Revolution for the BBC and A&E. The series featured, among others, Alan Rickman, Alfred Molina, Janet Suzman, Simon Callow and Jim Broadbent and introduced both historian Simon Schama and playwright Peter Barnes to British television. She also produced music videos with Virgin Records and the London Chamber Orchestra to raise attention and funds for Unicef's Lebanese fund.Leaving the BBC, she ran the trade association IPPA, which represented the interests of independent film and television producers and was once described by the Financial Times as "the most formidable lobbying organization in England."She was named one of the Internet's Top 100 by Silicon Alley Reporter in 1999, one of the Top 25 by Streaming Media magazine and one of the Top 100 Media Executives by The Hollywood Reporter. Her "Tear Down the Wall" campaign against AOL won the 2001 Silver SABRE award for public relations.Her third book, Wilful Blindness (Simon&Schuster in the UK, Bloomsbury in the US, Doubleday in Canada) was a finalist for the Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Best Business Book award and, in 2014, the Financial Times named it one of its "best business books of the decade.” Her next book A Bigger Prize (Simon&Schuster in the UK, Public Affairs in the US and Doubleday in Canada) won the Transmission Prize. Her most recent book Beyond Measure : The Big Impact of Small Changes was published in 2015. Her TED talks have been seen by over 6 million people. She has been invited to speak at all of the world’s leading financial services businesses, the leading FTSE and S&P corporations as well as the world’s most successful sports teams. She continues to advise private and public businesses, to mentor senior and chief executives and to write for the Financial Times and Huffington Post. Connect With MargaretTwitter: @m_heffernanWebsite: http://www.mheffernan.com/Margaret’s Ted Talks:https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_why_it_s_time_to_forget_the_pecking_order_at_workhttps://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_dare_to_disagreehttps://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_the_dangers_of_willful_blindnessMargaret’s Books:http://www.mheffernan.com/index.php

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As studentslearn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.Deanna’s BioDeanna has been in the field of education in varying capacities for 25 years. Starting out as a Nutrition Educator for a program that supports families with limited income & food stamp recipients.She was involved in home visits, working closely with various social service related programs. Deanna started college while she was working with this program, and also working at a day care/learning center part time. She became a peer tutor in earth science classes & a note taker for students with disabilities at my university.Deanna learned so much from each of those experiences. She was a teacher in Billings, Montana for a very long time and had the honor of teaching young people who have grown into well-rounded citizens of the world. Timing is really everything, and she had a deep burning in her heart that could not be squelched- she wanted to be a part of the bigger world, cultures, geography, and experiences. She has been an international teacher for the past five years in Saudi Arabia. The students all over the world and over all of these years have given her the most valuable education, in the way they wonder, see the world, humanity, and living in the moment.Deanna is the mother of two outstanding young men who are her life’s compass points forcompassion and living life to its fullest.Utilizing Learner Voice For Professional GrowthIn this episode, Deanna Mydland speaks about her own professional growth journey and how she has leveraged student voice as a tool to learn more about how she can better structure learning in her class that honors each of her students. Deanna takes us through the specifics related to what student's voice taught and how she created her professional inquiry to reflect this learning. As a 25-year veteran of education, Deanna brings a wealth of knowledge to the work she does and her ability to critically reflect on her own practice is what our professional inquiry journeys are all about at Gardens Elementary School. You are sure to gain some insight and take away from this episode with Deanna Mydland.Connect With DeannaTwitter: @DeannaMydlandConnect With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Student Voice, Professional Inquiries, Spheres of Influence, Deepening Relationships, Classroom Culture, Co-Construction of Learning

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.Bill’s BioI am from Kars Ontario, a small town of less than a thousand people, located 25 minutes south of Ottawa. I have a Kinesiology degree from the University of Wilfrid Laurier, A Baccalaureate of Education from the University of Ottawa and Masters of International Education Administration from Endicott College. In 2005, straight out of university I moved overseas to teach in the small Island Kingdom of Bahrain. This two-year adventure turned out to be eight years of learning and growing as an educator.  Professionally, I am qualified and have taught grades one through twelve in Physical Education, History and Special Education. Most of my years of teaching have been in Health and Physical Education, however, I have also spent time in grade three and grade five classrooms. I currently teach elementary Health and Physical Education at The KAUST School just north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  I have a young family with a son who is four and a daughter who is six, which helps keep me quite busy when I’m not teaching or coaching. We are an active family who enjoy outdoor activities such as biking and swimming. I enjoy playing hockey and writing in my free time. If you are an educator and thinking of making the leap to move overseas, check out the book “Become an International Teacher A Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Your First Job”, available on amazon. You can find me on twitter @pypmovementman, I am looking forward to connecting with educators from around the world. For the Love of MovementIn this episode, Bill unpacks how he and his colleagues in the PE department at Gardens Elementary School create specific conditions for student voice and choice to shine. There are a number of critical elements that go into structuring a quality physical education program to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for students to take action on their learning outside of their normally scheduled PE time at our school. Despite this episode being more PE focused, there is plenty of takeaway for classroom teachers as many of the strategies and approaches that Bill and his team ultilize are non-subject specific and connect with great teacher practice in general. Hope you enjoy this episode with Bill Kelly. Connect With BillTwitter: @pypmovementmanConnect With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Empowerment, Student Agency, Voice and Choice, Physical Activity, Timely Feedback, Assessment, Quality Physical Education

Background:This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.Episode Three with Kristin AnsonKristin’s Bio:Kristin started her teaching career at a small independent school in woods of Washington, USA and since then has held PYP Visual Arts positions in Vietnam, Ecuador and Cambodia.  She has been teaching at the KAUST School since 2011. Kristin is an advocate of choice based art education and fostering authentic engagement and passion for the arts in her students. She and her husband recently completed designing and building a home in a remote corner of Sri Lanka and they enjoy spending holidays there with their 3 and 8 year old daughters.Student Agency and AutonomyIn today’s episode, Kristin shares the work she has done over the last three years to help deepen student agency in her elementary art program at Garden’s Elementary School. Kristin shares the behind the scenes work required to organize her program in a way that allows for self-directed learning. She shares major lessons learned and AHA moments in her teaching that have allowed her to refine her approach and maximize time in her classes. Kristin delves into how she has modified the flipped classroom approach in order to promote more student agency and increased opportunities for her to give timely feedback to her students that is quality in nature. Regardless of the subject area you teach, you are sure to gain some valuable insight from today’s episode with Kristin Anson. Connect With KristinTwitter: @artykris Website: https://princessartypants.blogspot.co.ukConnect With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Teaching For Artistic Behavior, Flipped Classroom Learning, Student Agency, Play and Exploration, Self-Directed Learning, Timely Feedback, Classroom Organization

In this episode, renowned consultant, Ewan Mcintosh digs deep into his own journey and the major life lessons he has learned that have had a tremendous impact on the work that he does. His company, NoTosh, is a global consultancy with a passion for learning and a conviction that innovation and creativity can change the way people think, the way they learn and the way they work – as individuals, teams, organisations, and communities.Notosh was established in 2009 to improve student engagement by challenging the status quo of teaching and learning in schools. But they quickly realized that their NoTosh Design Thinking process, like their students, had a valuable role to play in the wider world too.Ewan has worked hard to build the best team possible at Notosh and surrounds himself with people that will make him better each and every day. In this episode, he shares specific strategies that have led to his company’s success and also dives into obstacles that he has had to overcome to produce his best work possible. This was a great conversation that is sure to provide listeners with some gems of insight that can be applied in their own work and life. Thanks for listening to my episode with Ewan Mcintosh. About EwanLeading projects around the world for clients in education and industry, Ewan is the passionate and energising tour de force behind NoTosh. A highly-regarded keynote speaker at events around the world, he’s also the author of How To Come Up With Great Ideas and Actually Make Them Happen and regularly writes about learning on his blog edu.blogs.com.Ewan will be Keynoting at the 10th Annual 21st Century Learning ConferenceConnect with EwanTwitter: @ewanmcintosh Website: notosh.comThemes Discussed:Purpose, Overcoming Obstacles, Designing Your Thinking, Notosh, Self-Directed Learning, Empowerment, Team Cohesiveness

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.Episode Two is with Brad TraynorBrad’s Bio:Brad Traynor is an international educator in his 15th year of education. Brad has held positions ranging from JK through to high school and has worked in several classroom settings including alternative learning spaces for behavioural concerns. Brad is currently working as a grade 4 teacher and team leader at Gardens Elementary School in Saudi Arabia. Teaching has taken Brad from his roots of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada to Thailand, China, Switzerland and now Saudi Arabia. Brad continues to demonstrate an ongoing passion for teaching and learning by taking every opportunity possible to learn through collaboration with his colleagues at TKS and other educators around the world. He has also begun his leadership training at the Principal’s Training Center and takes IB online courses whenever he can. Brad and his wife, Leigh Ann, are in the 4th year at Gardens Elementary School and are soon expecting their first child.Fostering Student AgencyIn this episode, Brad dives into the role that critical self-reflection has played in helping him to not only refine his own teaching practice but to also examine how he can better design his own learning space in an effort to honor the unique ways that his students learn. Brad shares his own journey and how he came to the realization that he needed to give up control and traditional ways of that he had been teaching. Handing over trust to his students has helped to deepen agency and ownership over his students’ learning journeys in Brad’s class. Brad offers advice and insight into how anyone can change the learning space in which they teach. Every educator can benefit from hearing Brad’s story. Connect With BradTwitter: @traynorbrad1980 Connect With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Student Agency, Autonomy, The Role of Self-Reflection, Redesigning Learning Space, Trust, Extending The Perimeters of Learning, Group Decision Making

Regardless of our profession, we must remain open and receptive to new learning as it’s this new learning that not only helps us excel within our chosen field, but also makes a genuine difference in the work that we do. In this episode, I interview, Gary Nicol, a golf coach who worked on the European tour coaching some of Europe’s finest professional golfers for 16 years. Great coaching has many parallels to great teaching. We dig deep into Gary’s fundamental teaching philosophy identifying specific principles that he has put into action in his personal and professional life that help him to constantly refine his craft and raise the performance of those around him. Gary shares a number of different strategies and approaches that he uses in order to better understand each golfer that he coaches. In better understanding them, he is able to differentiate his instruction in order to maximize the impact he has on helping them improve their games. There are many gems of insight that he shares that easily transfer over into the world of education. Whether you are a golfer or not, you are sure to learn some valuable takeaways in this episode that are applicable to the work that you do. About GaryCo-Founder and Coaching Director of Tour Pro Experience Golf Schools, Gary has been coaching golf since the late 1980's. Since then he has helped thousands of golfers around the world including over 30 European Tour Professionals and numerous Ryder Cup players, amassing 10 wins as a coach. He has coached at all the Majors and loves to share the knowledge and expertise gained from these experiences with visitors to TPEGS in his own inimitable style. Gary combines his personal experience with the latest, V1 video analysis, SAM Putt Lab and Trackman precision swing and ball flight analysis to help golfers unleash their true potential. Gary works closely with TrackMan co-hosting training seminars and workshops and is a certified TrackMan University Master as well as a Certified Mind Factor coach. Look out for Gary's instruction in Today's Golfer magazine.Connect with GaryTwitter: @garynicol67, @archerfieldgolf, @tpegsgolfLinks to Gary’s Work: http://www.tpegs.com/Themes Discussed: Self-Directed Learning, The Power of Questioning, The Importance of Listening, Intention and Purpose, Singular Point of Attention, Visualization, Data Informed Learning, Mindset

This podcast series is devoted to sharing good teaching practice at Gardens Elementary School which is located on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus in Saudi Arabia. At GES, our student population is multi-cultural, diverse, enthusiastic, engaging and confident. They are also fun loving and happy.Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) we provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners. Our students are actively involved in authentic inquiry-based learning across all the curriculum areas. They develop confidence in their abilities, think for themselves, question, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others. As students learn to reflect on their learning, they become critical thinkers. We encourage students to voice their ideas and to take action to improve the school and the community. Student achievement and progress is shared through regular assemblies, parent conferences, open houses and activities aimed at making the school a stimulating center for the community.Episode One is with Adam ReidAdam’s Bio:Adam Reid is an international educator and learner, originally from Canada and currently working at TKS in Saudi Arabia. He has worked with the PYP curriculum for the last 8 years and has taught in many countries, including Angola, Egypt, Canada and the Czech Republic. While Adam continually works to improve as an educator, two areas he is particularly passionate about are mathematical learning and the construction of positive learning environments.Establishing The Importance of a Growth MindsetIn today’s episode, Adam shares how he has started the year off by focusing on creating a classroom culture that embraces a growth mindset. Adam walks us through the first few lessons of the year and how he had his students co-construct what a growth mindset means and how they can support each other by understanding that failure and mistakes are a critical part of each student’s learning journey. Adam also shares specific ways that he and his students have established norms related to better supporting one another with their learning throughout the year. Connect With AdamTwitter: @adamreid905Connect With Gardens Elementary SchoolTwitter: @GESatKAUSTWebsite: http://tks.kaust.edu.sa/Message-from-the-Principal-GESThemes Discussed:Growth Mindset, Learning From Failure, The Learning Pit, Identifying Obstacles, Inner Voice, Classroom Culture, Students As Co-Constructors of Learning

In today’s episode, my guest, Jorge Rodriguez, shares his story and the major life lessons learned that he has been able to transfer into his career as an educator. Jorge is a self-initiator who has taken charge of his own personal and professional learning. He has done this through embracing the challenge, connecting with others, and developing his own unique style of teaching that has had a very positive impact on student learning in his program. Jorge shares the strategies and approaches that have allowed him to develop and deepen his teaching practice. Any educator listening to this episode with Jorge Rodriguez is sure to find some valuable take away that they can apply in their own life and teaching. Hope you enjoy my conversation with Jorge Rodriguez. Jorge’s Bio:Jorge Rodriguez is originally from McAllen, Texas and now lives in Houston. He attended the University of Houston where he was a high jumper on the track team and earned his Bachelors degree in Kinesiology with a minor in health. Jorge later went to receive his Masters degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education. He is currently a physical education teacher at Harvard Elementary (an IB and STEM magnet school) in the Houston Independent School District, and is a Lead Teacher and the KEY teacher for physical education for the district. He is also an active member in Texas AHPERD, and sits on the recreation and social media committees and chairs the diversity section. Jorge absolutely loves his profession and is dedicated to do all he can to make it better!Connect with Jorge:Website: http://www.physednow.com/Twitter: @PhysedNow Themes Discussed: Restorative Justice, Critical Feedback, Social Media, Joy of Movement, Student Empowerment, Teacher Growth, Obstacles and Failure

In today’s episode, my guest, Jeff Woodcock, shares his major life lessons learned in education that has helped to guide his journey and acsent into leadership. Jeff’s philosophical stance is that quality leadership is all about unlocking excellence within others and it’s through this process that we continually put ourselves in a position to grow and develop our own skills. In our conversation, we delve into the powerful role that sport and physical activity have played in his life and the core values gained from these areas that transcend sport itself and apply to his current leadership position and the work that he does. In this conversation, we unpack what critical self-reflection means and share valuable tools and strategies that any educator can put into practice in order to ensure constant growth. Jeff is wise beyond his years and has many gems of insight that he shares in today’s episode. About JeffJeff Woodcock is the Elementary School Assistant Principal at the KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. He is in his tenth year as an educator at international schools, previously working at Bonn International School in Germany. He has received a Certificate of International School Teaching from his participation in the TTC and completed a Master’s of Science through the TTC and Buffalo State University. Jeff has served in the role of chair for his school's accreditation process with the Primary Years Programme and CIS/NEASC. Other previous roles include Activities Director and Professional Development Coordinator. He is dedicated to facilitating learning through an inquiry-based and student-centered approach. He is the administrator and a contributor to the inquiry blog inquiringminds.me.Connect with JeffTwitter: @jdotwdot Themes Discussed:Quiet Leadership, Self-Reflection, Empowerment, Physical Activity & Sport, Core Values, Gratitude, Self-Awareness, Purpose & Meaning

How do you inspire your students to take action on being physically active? How do you structure your physical education program in a way that allows them to find value, joy, and delight in movement? What role does physical literacy play in this process? In today’s episode, I had the chance to dig deep into these questions with the well-known researcher, Scott Kretchmar. Scott has devoted his life to helping physical educators understand the tremendous impact that they can have on helping young people embrace physical activity for life. Scott not only shares his educational philosophy and his research, he delves deep into the major life lessons that he has learned that have given him a strong sense of purpose and direction. Although Scott is now retired, he still goes to his office every day at Penn State to continue his journey of learning. Without question, Scott has committed himself to his cause and made a life of inspiring thousands of professionals from the field of physical education and health to be genuine difference-makers in the work that they do. It was an honor to be able to interview Scott and to learn more about him. There are sure to be many gems of insight that you will be able to apply to your own work in this episode. Thanks for listening. Scott’s BioProfessor R. Scott Kretchmar is one of the leading sports philosophers in the country.  He has taught philosophy of sport for over three decades and played a key role in making it a legitimate field of scholarship and study.  He is one of the founding members of the Philosophic Society for the Study of Sport and served as its president.  He has also served as the president of the Philosophic Academy of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.  He is a retired professor at Pennsylvania State University in the Exercise and Sports Science department, where he has served as department chair. He was elected as the president of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education and is leading the way to making the subject of sports philosophy an important facet of the study of Kinesiology. Scott has received numerous awards over the course of his career and the impact that he has on the field of physical and health has been felt around the world. His bio can be found here: http://hhd.psu.edu/directory/documents/Kretchmar-RScott-FID-299-Vitae.pdfConnect with ScottScott asked me to share his email address and invited people to reach out to him at: [email protected] Themes Discussed: The Joy of Movement, Physical Literacy, Purpose, Sports Philosophy, Relevant & Meaningful PE, Resilience

How do you recognize your limitations and work toward developing these areas? What transformative moments have shaped your journey in education? What role does service to others play in your personal and professional life? How do you open yourself up to being a lifelong learner? How can we empower our own narratives in order to live a more fulfilled existence? In today’s episode, Rick Wormeli shares his insight and wisdom based on nearly 40 years of experience in the field of education. As an educational leader, author, teacher, speaker, and presenter, Rick brings a multitude of different perspectives into today’s discussion that resulted in opening up the dialogue related to what it means to be an educator. Rick has put loads of time and energy into developing himself as an educator in order to better understand the keys to success in regards to helping students to achieve their very best. Although my original intention in this discussion was to dive into the work he has done on sharing best practice related to formative and summative assessment, the conversation channelled off into the areas of service to others, teacher empowerment, the importance of unlearning and relearning, and how to create the best conditions possible for young people to thrive in the classroom. There are sure to be many gems of insight that can be extracted from this discussion with Rick Wormeli that can be applied to your own teaching practice. Rick’s Bio:One of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, Rick brings innovation, energy, validity and high standards to both his presentations, and his instructional practice, which includes 38 years teaching math, science, English, physical education, health, and history, and coaching teachers and principals.  Rick’s work has been reported in numerous media, including ABC’s “Good Morning America,” “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” National Geographic and Good Housekeeping magazines, What Matters Most: Teaching for the 21st Century, and the Washington Post.  He is a columnist for AMLE Magazine, and a frequent contributor to ASCD’s Education Leadership magazine.  He is the author of the award-winning book, Meet Me in the Middle, as well as the best-selling books, Day One and Beyond, Fair Isn’t Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom, Differentiation: From Planning to Practice, Metaphors & Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching any Subject, all five from Stenhouse Publishers, as well as Summarization in any Subject, published by ASCD.  His book, The Collected Writings (So Far) of Rick Wormeli: Crazy Good Stuff I Learned about Teaching Along the Way, is a collection of his published articles, guest bloggings, and more through 2013.  His classroom practice is a showcase for ASCD’s best-selling series, “At Work in the Differentiated Classroom.”With his substantive presentations, sense of humor, and unconventional approaches, he’s been asked to present to teachers and administrators in all 50 states, Canada, China, Europe, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Australia, the Middle East, and at the White House.   He is a seasoned veteran of many international Web casts, and he is Disney’s American Teacher Awards 1996 Outstanding English Teacher of the Nation.  He won the 2008 James P. Garvin award from the New England League of Middle Schools for Teaching Excellence, Service, and Leadership, and he has been a consultant for National Public Radio, USA Today, Court TV, and the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural Partners Program and their search for the Giant Squid. In June 2012, Rick was the graduation commencement speaker for the highest performing, public high school in the Washington, D.C. area.  He lives in Herndon, Virginia with his wife, and both of them are now celebrating the post-college launch of their two children into the adult, working world.  Rick is currently working on his first young adult fiction novel and a new

For the 50th Run Your Life podcast, host Andy Vasily turned the hosting reins over to yours truly - author/educator/Captain America wannabe -  Frank Stepnowski, and allowed me to interview HIM. Together, with the help of a very special guest, we made some radio magic to start 2017 with an inspired bang.The program starts with a shout out to mutual friend and all around good guy Ross Halliday, which led into a discussion of kindred spirits and the “inner voice’ that called Andy to start the Run Your Life podcast. The initial days of the podcasts are discussed, and how it evolved into an exploration of personal excellence, with Andy using it as a vehicle to inspire educators to self-reflect.Drawing on his myriad travels around the globe, Andy offers, as a student of the World, some insight into our current state of divisiveness and how the presence of religion and faith grew and metamorphized in his life and led to his promotion of the recognition of goodness in others as a means to “oneness.” This is a message that needs to be heard, and I am thrilled to have facilitated getting this on record.In a must listen segment, Andy’s wife, the beautiful and talented Neila Steele, joins us with some personal reflection on how their family used their Christmas vacation in Europe to practice mindfulness, and extend their already daily practice of gratefulness.Andy can’t help being the host, (and it is his show after all,) so he gets me rolling on the delicate dance between satisfying BS educational mandates and connecting to very human students. As mindfulness was on the table, we discussed love and loss of family, and how Andy’s commitment to their memories informs his daily decisions, and how he initially found his way through grief through sports and physicality.Brightening the mood a bit, I asked Andy to elaborate on what makes him a good teacher, his ability to be “in the moment,” and why connection takes precedent over curriculum. Of course, this being a pre-Christmas show, we had to talk holiday movies and such, and I’m pretty sure I got compared to the Grinch at some point.Before he let me wrap up, Neila Steele flipped the script and put the guest host on the hot seat with a discussion of how I plan to carry mindfulness into the new year; I must have given a good answer because I get rewarded with a spiritual blessing and virtual hug that is guaranteed to make everyone listening feel good.I teased you with some tidbits from our extended conversation, but trust me, Andy’s (and Nelia’s) observations and insights provide a calming influence that we could all use in this day and age, do yourself a favor and listen.I, for one, cannot wait for episode 51.-Frank StepnowskiConnect with Frank and AndyFrank: Twitter (@frankstep1)Andy: Twitter (@andyvasily)Website: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:Empowerment, Human Connection, Mindfulness, Ross Halliday, Personal & Professional Growth, Teacher Impact, Excellence 

In today’s Run Your Life podcast, special guest Andy Dutton from the United Nations School of Hanoi, joins Andy Vasily and Neila Steele for the 16th episode of their ‘4 X Mindfulness’ series which was recorded live in Bucharest, Romania. As always, the main goal of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ is to share seeds of inspiration related to living a more mindful personal and professional life.The first seed of mindfulness was shared by Andy Dutton and had to do with the importance of connecting at an emotional level with the students that we teach day in and day out in the work that we do. This emotional connection is not possible if we are not present and focused on developing relationships first. Andy shares his belief that creating strong emotional connections with others changes lives and that we must never forget this.In moving into the second seed of mindfulness, Neila discusses how critical it is to know the triggers in our life that have the potential to cause us to act in ungraceful ways when dealing with others. In knowing these triggers we can bring more mindfulness into the way we choose to respond to others who will challenge us.For the third seed of mindfulness, Andy Vasily shares how he was recently inspired by the work of singer/songwriter Jewel and her belief that mastery is all about showing up day after day and continually refining what we do in order to be our personal best. That being our personal best means that we can give more and when we give more, we impact others.Andy Dutton closed off today’s episode by speaking about the work of Mike Kuczala and how Mike inspired him to understand that meaning making is state dependent. When we deal with others in the work that we do, it is the human connection, at an emotional level, that brings out the best in us. When we are present and in the moment, we are more receptive to these emotional connections.As always, Neila Steele and Andy Vasily would like to thank you for listening and hope that with each episode comes new learning and gems that you can apply in the work that you do.BioNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Neila, Andy Vasily and Andy DuttonNeila SteeleTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndy VasilyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comAndy DuttonTwitter: @PEAndyDThemes Discussed:Gratitude, Reflection, Ferran Adrià, Meaning Making, Mike Kuczala, Aaron Beighle, Physical Education, Student Relationships, The Power of Emotional Connection

It today’s episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ the themes of happiness, fear, vulnerability, and inner criticism are explored. Can happiness be tracked in an effort to understand important patterns in our lives? How can quiet reflection help us to identify whether the fears we experience in our lives are genuine or irrational? Does being vulnerable and sharing our authentic self open the door for others to do the same? How can we tame the inner critic within us?Neila delves into a recent party that she organized called a Shakti Circle and the main purpose of this evening. She goes into detail about the types of mindfulness activities that were focused on and the impact that this night had on her. As well, Neila shares some great strategies for being more aware of the self-critic within us and how this inner critic voice can be tamed. Andy shares his thoughts related to fear and how quiet reflection can play an important role in assessing to what degree our fears are genuine or not. We often create irrational fears in our lives that can rob us of our talent and our happiness. He references both Jamie Foxx and singer/songwriter Jewel and their perspectives on overcoming irrational fears in our lives. As well, Andy dives into the theme of happiness and references the work that the greats minds at trackyourhappiness.org are doing in an effort to help people better understand what brings them genuine happiness. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Neila, Andy, and MikeNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:Shakti Circles, Fear, Vulnerability, Happiness, Reflection, Inner Criticism

This episode was scheduled to be released right after the New Year, so it’s a bit late in getting out. Neila and Andy recorded their 14th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ while vacationing in Paris in early January. To kick start 2017 they both shared their recent insight and inspiration in regards to living a more mindful life, especially going into the new year. Andy’s first seed of mindfulness has to do with better dealing with the stressors that the holiday season can bring with it to our lives if we are not careful. Regardless of the time of year, vacations, celebrations, and other holidays can cause stress, anxiety, and tension as we tend to build these moments up to mean much more than they actually do. Without knowing it, we can unravel when things don’t go as planned during these big moments, causing even more stress. Andy shares a blog written by one of his favorite authors, Brene Brown, that is all about the importance of taking on a different perspective when it comes to holidays and celebrations. Andy’s second seed of mindfulness has to do with goal-setting and the anxiety that comes with it as we sometimes tend to focus only on the future without being grateful for the present moment when it comes to the small successes that we experience with the goals we set for ourselves. He was inspired to share this perspective on goal-setting after hearing Tim Ferriss and Tony Robbins speak about in a recent podcast. For Neila’s two seeds of mindfulness, she shares a very mindful Japanese way of looking at life and it’s difficult moments. She delves into how this perspective takes on a very mindful approach when dealing with potential difficulties that can arise in our lives. As well, Neila shares a 3-step strategy inspired by the work of Stanford PHD, BJ Fogg that has been proven to be successful in changing unwanted habits in our lives. In controlling what is within our spheres of influence, we can have much more success in creating the habits that we need to better serve us in life. Although an originally scheduled New Year’s episode, Andy and Neila hope you are able to capture a gem or two that can be applied to both your personal and professional life regardless of the time of year. BioNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Neila, Andy, and MikeNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed: Tiny Habits, Gratitude, Perspective, Power to Change, Presence, Self-Awareness, Reflection, Goal-Setting, BJ Fogg, Brene Brown

In what ways do you take charge of your own professional learning? What do you need to be aware of within yourself in order to become the educator that you would like to be? What have major pivot points shaped your own journey in education? What are cognitive coaching and the key fundamentals of the model itself?In today’s episode, Jim Roussin and I deconstruct his amazing journey and the major lessons he has learned that have helped to shape his career as an educator and a renown consultant in his field. We explore what cognitive coaching is and strategies that we can all put into action that can help us to move toward more of a self-authoring approach in regards to our personal and professional growth. We also explore the important roles of efficacy, interdependence, flexibility, craftsmanship, and consciousness as they relate to the development of our pedagogy and practice.Jim will inspire listeners to find greater purpose and value in the work that they do. You are sure to gain many useful gems that can be immediately applied in the work that you do. Thanks for listening to today’s show with Jim Roussin.About JimJim Roussin has worked as a language arts teacher; gifted coordinator; ESL coordinator; curriculum director; executive director of teaching, learning, and school improvement; adjunct professor; and educational consultant. He is currently the executive director for Generative Learning (www.generative-learning.com).Jim is the author of a variety of articles as well as a coauthor of the book Guiding Professional Learning Communities: Inspiration, Challenge, Surprise, and Meaning (with Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers, 2010). His new book will be published in 2013 with Shirley Hord — Implementing Change Through Learning. Jim is a teaching associate for Human Systems Dynamics (an institute that is using complexity theory to impact organizational development work). He also facilitates program evaluation.Connect With JimEmail: [email protected]: http://www.thinkingcollaborative.com/Themes Discussed:Teacher Empowerment, Purpose, Cognitive Coaching, Self-Authoring, Meaning of Work, Personal and Professional Growth, Inspiration

In today’s ‘4 X Mindfulness’ episode, our special guest, Mike Kuczala, joins us in sharing valuable insight and wisdom related to strategies and approaches to living a more mindful life. Andy discusses strategies to detect negative thought patterns in our lives and what we can do to break ourselves free of these potentially harmful ways of thinking by applying the ‘pyramid of influence’ into our daily routines. Neila shares her list of 10 intentional ways to bring more joyfulness into our everyday lives and Mike discusses what a gratitude letter is and how he plans to put it into action in his own life by honoring someone who means a great deal to him. Mike also shares his thoughts on the valuable role that music can play in our lives when approached in a very mindful manner. It was a pleasure to record this episode with our good friend, Mike Kuczala. We hope you find as much value in the discussion as we did. Thanks for listening! Andy and Neila’s BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Mike’s Bio:Mike Kuczala is a leading authority on using movement and understanding the brain/body connection in both Screen Shot 2016-04-20 at 8.31.09 AMeducational and corporate settings.  His keynotes, workshops and professional development programs have been enjoyed by tens of thousands of teachers, administrators, parents, trainers, and corporate executives across the United States. The Director of Instruction for the Regional Training Center, an educational consulting firm based in Randolph, New Jersey, and President of Kuczala Consulting, Mike is the coauthor of the Corwin best-seller and Association of Educational Publishers’ Distinguished Achievement Award nominated The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement.  Mike’s 2nd book, Training in Motion: How to Use Movement to Create Engaging and Effective Learning was released in June of 2015.His standing room only presentations have been experienced in such diverse settings as The American Society for Training and Development, The Forum for Innovative Leadership, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the American Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the Lawyer Brain OD Roundtable.Mike proudly and humbly comes from a family of educators including his wife, sister, both parents and three grandparents. “I am the product of three generations of teachers. Education is what I love and do. It is always an honor and pleasure to work with both educators in helping them to become true instructional leaders and corporate executives and trainers in providing presentation skill and effectiveness. My background in education gave rise to my love of teaching, public speaking, curriculum and training design, and helping people create goals and live their dreams.”Connect With Neila, Andy, and MikeNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comMikeTwitter: @kinestheticlassWebsite: mikekuczala.comEmail: [email protected] Discussed: Gratitude Letters, Habitual Thought Patterns, The Pyramid of Influence, Cognitive Coaching, Joyfulness, Music, Physical Activity, Reflection, Social and Emotional Well-Being

What is your sense of purpose as an educator? How do you sustain your motivation over time to ensure constant growth and development? What are the intangibles behind leading successful change and authentically transforming school culture? What does teaching with the head, heart, and hands mean? How do you become the best version of yourself? These are just a few of the questions explored in today’s episode with Madeleine Hewitt and Cathryn Berger Kaye. Both Madeleine and Cathryn bring a wealth of wisdom, insight, and knowledge with them having been in the field of international education for more than 30 years each. Drawing upon many major life lessons both personally and professionally, Madeleine and Cathryn share many gems that have allowed them to take action to strive for excellence within their roles in education. Creating systemic change that transforms school culture is dependent upon instilling within all stakeholders a genuine sense of purpose and meaning. Find out how Madeleine and Cathryn continue to clarify their life purpose through the work that they do and the steadfast commitment they have shown toward bringing out the very best in the teachers and students that they learn alongside. What is your growing edge? You are sure to find many takeaways in today’s episode with Madeleine and Cathryn. Thanks for listening!About Maddy and CathyMaddy HewittMadeleine (“Maddy”)  Hewitt has served as the Director and a founding member of The KAUST School, a 3-programme IBO World School serving a research University community in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Maddy has served previously in four other International Schools; The International School of Tanganyika, Taipei American School, Cairo American College, and the American International School of Johannesburg. Maddy holds a BA in English Literature from Mount Holyoke College,  and an M-Ed in Teaching, Curriculum and Learning Environments  from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has recently been appointed the new Executive Director of the Near East South Asia (NESA) Council of International Schools, effective July 2017. Maddy has a passion for systems work in schools, and has presented at international conferences on a wide range of topics including gender issues in schools, transforming school culture through teacher-led appraisal, and data-informed decision-making.  Maddy appreciates the case study method, and her workshops often start with case studies generated by participants and end with tools, systems and execution of strategy to drive change. Cathy Berger KayeWhen asked, “Where do you live?” Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., often answers “in Los Angeles and airports.” As president of CBK Associates and ABCD Books, Cathryn travels 200+ days a year globally providing professional development to schools and universities, conference keynotes, in-depth institutes, and exceptional education and learning resources on service learning, social and emotional realms, climate and culture, youth engagement and leadership, effective approaches to teaching and learning, and advisory programs. Cathryn is fortunate to spend significant time consulting with international schools worldwide, and has also been consulting with the International Baccalaureate Programme to assist in the development of the new CAS Guide, and program resources for the new IB Career Related Programme. Cathryn is the author of the widely used book The Complete Guide to Service Learning, and two books with environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau. A former teacher, Cathryn inspires with practical ideas that work, poignant stories worth remembering and strategies that enliven education. Having taught in rural, suburban and urban settings, and bringing years of experience in diverse settings, she is knowledgeable about the landscape of education and communities today. She is known for sustained relationships that build internal capacity for excellence.

Do you have a set of fundamental principles that help to guide your life? How often do you take time out of your busy day to remain goalless and do nothing? Is it possible for our water and food to change it’s molecular structure when love and energy are directed toward them? What does the Sanskrit word ‘Namaste’ mean and how does it apply to those who cross our paths each day? In the 12th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Neila and Andy explore these questions by sharing their latest seeds of insight and inspiration related to living a more mindful life. Andy shares a powerful 7-Point Creed that he first learned about from listening to a Tony Robbins podcast from 28 years ago when Tony had interviewed world renown basketball coach, John Wooden. In the Robbins podcast, Wooden discusses the 7-Point Creed that his father taught him to live by. The 7-Point Creed is a special set of guiding principles that are very mindful in nature and can challenge us to reflect on the importance of creating our own creed to live by. Andy also shares an amazing study done by Dr. Masaru Emoto that has to do with how the molecular structure of water changes depending on the emotions and feelings that are cast upon it. In this comprehensive research project, Emoto exposes water to a wide range of both positive and negative emotions and proves how the structure of water can change from fragmented and chaotic forms to being beautifully crystallized in different shapes and sizes. A truly astonishing experiment with paying attention to.As this episode was recorded in Italy, Neila delves into a wonderful Italian expression, ‘dolce far niente’, which literally translates into the ‘Sweetness of Doing Nothing’. She discusses how the Italians embrace this type of attitude each and every day through the interactions that they have with others and how they structure this type of time into their own lives. She challenges everyone of us to think about how we might carve out time in our daily schedules to do the same. Neila also shares the meaning of the Sanskrit word, ‘Namaste’ and why this is so much more than a single word but a beautiful philosophy to embrace in our lives. Neila and Andy hope you find a gem or two that resonates with you in this episode which was recorded in the amazing, rustic, old fishing village of Monterosso, Italy. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:John Wooden, Tony Robbins, Dr. Masaru Emoto, Gratitude, Energy and Love, Mindfulness, Principles to Live By, The Molecular Structure of Water

How closely do you monitor your own mindset? To what degree are you self-aware in regards to your own tendencies to be either fixed or growth mindset in nature? How have you taken action to transform yourself both personally and professionally? In today’s episode, Eric Sheninger, a Senior Fellow at the International Center For Leadership in Education, opens up about the transformation of his own mindset a few years back when he was the principal at New Milford High School in New Jersey. As a result of this transformation, Eric and the great team that he surrounded himself with all played a pivotal part in re-creating the culture of the school by getting all stakeholders to embrace and embed the use of social media and technology as major tools in the learning process. One must wonder and be curious about the steps that Eric took in re-inventing the school and its’ culture.In our conversation, Eric deconstructs the success that he had by identifying specific strategies that he and his team put into action. It is these exact strategies that any educator can apply to their own work if they open themselves up to the possibilities that exist within their day-to-day teaching and leadership. Regardless of your role in education, there is no question you will leave this episode feeling inspired and motivated to be a change maker in your own work space.  Eric’s belief is that gratitude is about ‘paying it forward’. Everything that we do in education is about paying it forward in a way that honors the potential that we have to be genuine difference-makers in the world. When paying it forward, not only do we benefit both personally and professionally, but we also have the ability to change the lives of those who matter most — the students in our schools. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Eric Sheninger. About EricEric is a Senior Fellow and Thought Leader on Digital Leadership with the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE).  Prior to this, he was the award-winning Principal at New Milford High School.  Under his leadership, his school became a globally recognized model for innovative practices.  Eric oversaw the successful implementation of several sustainable change initiatives that radically transformed the learning culture at his school while increasing achievement. His work focuses on leading and learning in the digital age as a model for moving schools and districts forward. This has led to the formation of the Pillars of Digital Leadership, a framework for all educators to initiate sustainable change to transform school cultures.  As a result, Eric has emerged as an innovative leader, best-selling author, and sought after speaker.  His main focus is purposeful integration of technology to facilitate student learning, improve communications with stakeholders, enhance public relations, create a positive brand presence, discover opportunity, transform learning spaces, and help educators grow professionally.Eric has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for his work. He is a CDE Top 30 award recipient, Bammy Award winner, NASSP Digital Principal Award winner, PDK Emerging Leader Award recipient, winner of Learning Forward's Excellence in Professional Practice Award, Google Certified Innovator, Adobe Education Leader, and ASCD 2011 Conference Scholar.  He has authored and co-authored the following:    BrandED: Tell Your Story, Build Relationships, and Empower Learning (coming soon)Uncommon Learning: Creating Schools That Work for KidsDigital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times Communicating and Connecting With Social Media: Essentials for PrincipalsWhat Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning ScienceConnect With Eric:Twitter: @E_Sheninger Website: http://ericsheninger.com/esheninger?sid=28Themes Discussed:Technology, Innovation, Teacher Empowerment, Student Agency, Fixed vs. Growth Mindset, Transformation, School Culture,

In this episode, Dr. Dean Dudley, a senior lecturer in physical education and health from MacQuarie University in Australia, shares his journey in education and the major life lessons he has learned that have helped shape the direction of his career. Dean also discusses the key factors necessary for providing students with a quality physical education experience and ways that practitioners can become researchers in their own teaching space. The divide between research and practice is explored to better understand how this gap might be better bridged in order to enhance the overall physical education experience for students of all ages. If you are a physical education and health teacher, you are sure to find a gem or two applicable to your own practice in today’s episode with Dr. Dean Dudley. BioDean Dudley is currently a Senior Lecturer in Education at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia and a Chief Examiner for the New South Wales Board of Studies and Teacher Education. Prior to undertaking a career as a researcher, Dean was a Head Teacher in secondary schools, Director of Education for the Australian Sports Medicine Federation, National Education Manager for Surf Life Saving Australia and Soldier in the Australian Army. Dean completed his PhD and a Master of Education (Research) at the University of Wollongong and also holds a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) and a Bachelor of Health Science.In 2012, Dean was awarded Churchill Fellowship in the fields of Health, Medicine and Education. Following this fellowship, Dean worked as an Expert Consultant to the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and was appointed as the Australian Delegate to the International Federation of Physical Education (Fédération Internationale d'Education Physique- FIEP). Dean's research focuses on evidence-based teaching, learning, and health research in schools and the metacognitive assessment of pre and in-service teachers. He is also interested in understanding the associations between health and learning in school-aged children and adolescents.Connect with DeanTwitter: @deandudleyEmail: [email protected] Discussed:Quality Physical Education, Research to Practice, Curriculum, Student Achievement in PE, Teacher Empowerment, Drawing on All Disciplines

How do you strive to connect with others in your life? What does human connection mean to you? What is a microadventure and how can it benefit you? Mindfulness allows us to be present with our thoughts in order to reflect upon our best selves and sometimes this is only possible when we remove ourselves from the environment that we make routine in our lives. In today’s ‘4 x Mindfulness’ episode, Neila discusses a recent solo trip to Campagnano, Italy that allowed her to put some specific mindfulness strategies into practice thus opening herself to be in a more reflective state. Neila also shares an important message and perspective that is important to embrace when learning something new in our lives in order to take on a more effective mindset when approaching this learning. Andy shares his thoughts regarding a powerful video about human connection and how mindfulness allows us to be more present and open to connecting with others that goes beyond a superficial level. Andy also shares a new podcast that he is listening to that deconstructs how people pursue mastery in their lives. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Explored:The Power of the Microadventure, Finding Mastery Podcast, Human Connection, A Learner’s Mindset, Reflection, Self-AwarenessUseful Resources:http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/ & https://21clradio.com/around-earth-wonder-curiosity-adventurers-mindset-15/Looking Beyond Boarders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7XhrXUoD6UJon Kabat Zinn: http://www.mindfulnesscds.com/

What forces help to shape your own journey of learning both personally and professionally? Where to you gain your greatest insight from? How do you apply this learning to your own line of work? In today’s episode, my good friend, Ross Halliday and I, have an informal discussion about life and learning and the major forces that continue to influence the work that we do. We recorded this in one take with no preparation whatsoever, so we truly didn’t know where the conversation was going to take us. These are the exact types of conversations that I love to have on my podcast as they are just informal chats from the heart. Ross exemplifies what it means to take initiative and action in regards to his own learning in order to find meaning that genuinely applies to his work as a leader in education. As both Ross and I have a deep connection and love of physical education, we share major takeaways that have impacted our own careers as physical educators, but also extend this learning over to education in general. There are many gems of insight and inspiration shared in today’s episode that we hope resonate with you and the work that you do. I’d like to thank Ross for his time, energy, and willingness to be a part of my Run Your Life podcast series. About RossGrowing up in the west coast of Scotland, Ross could be found playing sport in nearby parks, climbing trees, building things out of random materials, and practicing many musical instruments (some of which he continues to attempt to master).It is fair to say that Ross’ impressions of school were mixed.  A collection of the very best and worst teachers (and the impact they had on him) led him to pursue his passion, to make school a place where students can develop curiosity, dream, invent, learn by doing and to foster a culture in which students can pursue their interests and achieve more that they ever thought possible.  Ultimately, to create, and be part of, a school that offers an education worth having.Simultaneous with a short period as a professional footballer, the completion of his undergraduate honors degree at the University of Edinburgh affirmed Ross’ decision that improving the quality of education - and life chances - for young people was to be his core driving purpose.Following a somewhat intense initiation into teaching in the tough schools of Glasgow, a mixture of football and travel desires led Ross to Australia where he has now worked and lived for the last nine years. In this time he has been able to learn to learn, learn to teach and learn to lead with some of the most inspirational students, colleagues, mentors, and coaches.Ross’ transition from Physical Education Teacher to Deputy Head of School (including a period as Acting Head) has afforded him valuable insight about how school culture, effective change management and transformational school leadership can impact improving student outcomes.His time in Australia has also brought him the joy of meeting his wife Louisa, with whom he now shares the responsibility of parenthood.  As first-time parents, their baby daughter, Helena, brings them daily joy and in Ross’ words ‘provides a constant reminder of what it really means to be a life-long learner’ (for baby and for Mum and Dad!). Ross hopes that the rich and varied experiences he has been lucky to have in both his personal and professional life to this point will provide strong foundations upon which to make a lasting positive contribution in his next professional role.Connect with RossWebsite: MakingPEFizz.comTwitter: @fizzicaledThemes DiscussedAustin Kleon(Steal Like an Artist), Empowerment, Leadership, Being a Socially Connected Educator, Lifelong Learning, Motivation, Physical Education, Making a Difference

In what ways have you evolved as an educator throughout each stage of your career? To what extent has reflection played a role in moving you forward in a way that helps to embrace the change needed to deepen your pedagogy and practice? In today’s episode, I interview Jon Davidson, currently working as curriculum coordinator at the King Abdul University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Jon is a leader in the field of education who continually strives for excellence in deepening his understanding of teaching and learning. Jon has held several positions ranging from classroom teacher to head of school over the past 20 years in the 7 different countries he has worked. He is a thoughtful and reflective educator who truly exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong learner. In today’s episode, Jon and I have an informal discussion related to the thoughts we have about how pedagogy and practice can be improved upon to bring out the very best learning experiences possible for students and teachers alike. Jon is both leader and learner who continues to inspire those around him with his insight and wisdom. BioDespite his South African roots, Jon was raised in the United Kingdom and spent the early years of his career in Bristol. Over 24 years ago, he moved to the Caribbean on a total whim and yet after 3 years he returned to the UK where he completed his Master’s Degree in Education at The University of Wales at Cardiff. Rediscovering his itchy feet Jon’s next stop was Switzerland where he became deeply involved with the International Baccalaureate. Taking on the roles of workshop leader and school visitor, has allowed Jon to visit dozens of schools across Europe, Asia, Australia and, most recently, the Middle East. With an international career that has seen him working in seven countries as homeroom teacher, MYP teacher, curriculum coordinator and Principal, Jon is the now the PYP coordinator at The KAUST School in Saudi Arabia. His curiosity about what contributes to great teaching remains unquenched and Jon is now fortunate enough to work in a school that actively Connect With JonTwitter: @DavidsonJondThemes Discussed:Inquiry, Teacher Empowerment, Leadership, Strategies to Move Teaching Forward, Student Engagement, Autonomy and Purpose

Life is so incredibly precious but very fragile at the same time. Without question every single one of us experiences hardship and obstacles that can impede our growth and development in life. When faced with such roadblocks, what is our default setting in regards to how we respond to these challenges? Does the way in which we respond to crisis help to empower or disempower our own narratives? In today’s episode, Cory Weissman and I discuss his moving story and the major life lessons he has learned about the importance of self-belief, goal-setting, and personal excellence. Cory was a college basketball player ready to break into the starting lineup when, just prior to his second season, he suffered a major stroke at age 19 that almost killed him. Cory’s life since has been all about the choices he has to empower his own narrative and journey by choosing to strive for excellence along every step of his recovery. Now a motivational speaker, Cory engages audiences around the United States by inspiring them to know and understand that they can achieve anything if they set their mind to it. Cory’s steadfast determination and resilience is a lesson for all of us regardless of our age or the obstacles that we face on a daily basis. Cory shares several gems of insight in today’s episode that are immediately applicable in our lives and work. I hope you enjoy this episode with Cory Weissman. Cory’s BioCory Weissman is a motivational speaker that suffered a catastrophic stroke at the age of 19. Cory was a 1000-point scorer in high school and was on his way to being a standout guard at Gettysburg College, but that all changed on March 26th, 2009. The debilitating stroke would not stop Cory form getting back out onto the basketball court, so he worked for 3 years until he finally achieved his goal and was able to play in one final game. Not only did he play in the game, but he scored a highly unlikely point to cap off his college basketball career. Cory’s story spread nationwide throughout numerous media outlets including ESPN Outside the Lines, Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated, NPR and many more. The inspirational story was made into a full feature length film called, ‘1000-1: The Cory Weissman Story’ starring David Henrie, Beau Bridges, and Jean Louisa Kelly. The movie chronicles Cory’s recovery including all of the obstacles and adversity he had to overcome to get back onto the basketball court and score the hardest point of his career. The movie can be found on Netflix, iTunes, and Amazon. Cory speaks at various camps, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools all over the country. He spreads a message that no obstacle is too great to overcome. He discusses how hard work and sacrifice are crucial to succeed in any facet of life. He talks about the importance of appreciating the lives we have. He knows from personal experience that you can lose everything in a blink of the eye. Connect with CoryEmail: [email protected]: @CoryWeissman3 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coryweissman3/?fref=tsThemes Discussed:Resilience, Goal-Setting, Adversity, Making a Difference, Empowering Our Narrative, Striving For Excellence, 1000-1: The Cory Weissman Story

Life offers us many opportunities for growth and development from both a personal and professional perspective. When we remain open to what these experiences can teach us, we ultimately provide ourselves with the tools necessary to see our work and purpose through a different lens. In today’s #RunYourLife episode, Dr. Martha James-Hassan shares her major life lessons learned throughout her 25 years in education and how these lessons continually help to shape her professional practice. In our discussion, Martha and I explore what quality physical education means and the impact that a great program can have on helping to inspire young people to take initiative on being physically active for life. We delve into the role that fitness plays in a physical education curriculum and the key factors necessary for deepening teacher practice. Martha shares some gems in this episode that will truly challenge us to think about the current stances that we hold about what is most important in our profession. Martha’s BioMartha James-Hassan earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Kinesiology, her Master’s from Hamline University in St.Paul, Minnesota, and her Doctorate in Critical Pedagogy from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a graduate of the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy and the Saint Paul Public Schools Leadership Academy. She is a researcher, teacher, and leader with nearly 25 years of experience in urban public education. Dr. Hassan is currently aAssistant Professor at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Her research agenda involves investigating in-service teacher professional development, cultural fluency, and interdisciplinary education.In addition to her teaching, Dr. Hassan has served in local, regional, and National leadership roles throughout her career. Currently, she represents the students and families of Baltimore City as a Commissioner on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners and as a Board of Directors member for the Maryland Association of Boards of Education.Martha has been honored as an Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellow, State Teacher of the Year, National Social Justice and Diversity Teacher of the Year, Joanna Davenport Outstanding Doctoral Research Awardee, The National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education’s Outstanding Young Scholar, a Faculty Diversity Fellow, and the Baltimore-Area Badger Alumna of the Year.She is the proud parent of two adult children, wife to an amazingly supportive partner, and in 2008 she became an Ironman by completing the 140.6 mile course in 14 hours 9 minutes and 31 seconds.Connect With MarthaTwitter: @DrJamesHassanEmail: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-james-hassan-25314a102Themes Discussed:Systemic Change, Quality Physical Education, The Role of Fitness in PE, Socio-Emotional Wellness, Meaning and Purpose, The Bigger Picture

When trying to better understand what mindfulness means and the powerful role it plays in education, it is important to continually search for resources that can help us learn more about it. In celebration of the 10th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Andy and Neila take the time to share their top ten go to resources that have helped to shape their mindfulness practice. Included in this top ten list are inspiring people, books, Ted Talks, and online resources that Andy and Neila hope to connect you with in order to push your mindfulness practice to a deeper level. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Andy and NeilaNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comResources Explored:Tara Brach, The Enlightened Brain, The Essential Marcus Aurelius, The 5-Minute Journal, Scientific American Mind Magazine, David Steindl-Rast, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Marina Gijzen, Brene Brown, Ted Radio Hour

What is your formula for success when it comes to deepening your learning of things that you are passionate about? What role does reflection play in this process? How often do you take the quiet time necessary to recharge your own batteries in order to be at your best both personally and professionally? What types of patterns and routines present themselves when eating each meal/snack of the day? To what degree do our emotions cloud the decisions that we make when trying to overcome a challenge? In the 9th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Neila and Andy explore these themes in an effort to share strategies and approaches that have been proven effective in better developing these areas. They look at the work of best-selling author, Ryan Holiday, and delve into a specific type of digretion therapy that Sting once did to overcome writer’s block that had persisted for years. As well, the theme of mindful eating is explored and the positive benefits it has on our digestive system and overall well-being. As always, thanks for listening to ‘4 X Mindfulness’ with Neila Steele and Andy Vasily. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Andy and NeilaNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Explored:Mindful Eating, Creativity, Sting, Ryan Holiday, Plus/Minus/Equal Theory of Learning, Emotional Resilience, ReflectionBooks Mentioned:The Obstacle is the Way and The Ego is the Enemy (Ryan Holiday)

Gratitude, Reflection and Being PresentCapturing more time in our lives to better develop our sense of well-being is no easy task. When trying to integrate more mindfulness practice into our lives, we must adapt and modify these strategies in a way that best suits who we are and our level of comfort with putting these approaches into action. There certainly is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to employing more mindfulness in our lives. Some things will resonate more greatly with us and other things not so much. What’s most important is having an open mind to the possibilities that exist then tinkering with these approaches in order to determine what works best for us. In today’s episode, Neila and I discuss our go to sources of inspiration and insight for this week in regards to our own mindfulness practice. Neila shares a great reflection that includes asking ourselves 3 essential questions at the end of each day. She delves into what each question means and how to apply it in our lives. As well, Neila gives an example of how pets can help us to be more mindful and present. Andy shares a new visualization and gratitude activity that he recently started putting into practice that is all about helping to sync up the energy of heart and mind. He also shares one of his favorite quotes and how this relates to better understanding and identifying the talents that we bring to the world. Thanks for listening to the 8th episode of ‘4 X Mindfulness’. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Andy and NeilaNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:Gratitude, Visualization, Daily Reflection, Non-Judgement, Presence, Tony Robbins, Self-Awareness, Service to Others, Jim Carrey Commencement Speech

To what extent do the roles of creativity and innovation play a factor in your personal and professional development? In what ways do you learn best and how does this learning apply to the work that you do? In today’s episode, Denise Rosetto, the Creative Director at BBDO Toronto shares her work, her journey, and major life lessons learned over the 20 years that she has worked in the advertising industry. Our productivity and levels of success are often a result of drawing upon a wealth of experiences that ultimately shape our personal and professional journeys. Denise has used these life experiences as a source of major inspiration in her pursuit of excellence within her field. Denise provides gems of insight and inspiration that are immediately applicable in any line of work that you do in life. I hope you enjoy this episode with Denise Rosetto. Densie’s BioDenise recently joined the BBDO team and is proud to be Executive Creative Director of an agency she has always admired.After consistently being named one of the top ten copywriters in Canada, Denise was appointed Executive Creative Director of the DDB Toronto office in 2010. That year she was part of the team that led DDB to be named top agency in the country. They repeated that feat again in 2012.Denise now enjoys the distinction of being one of Canada's top 10 creative directors. She has won awards in every national and international award show including:  Cannes Lions, The One Show, Communication Arts and D&AD. She has brought home numerous Lions in several categories for clients such as Cialis, Subaru, Epson, Crime Stoppers and Mott's Beverages. She has also won the Grand prix for the most effective Campaign in the country for her team’s work on Auto Trader.Denise has judged several international award shows including Communication Arts, London International, the New York Festivals and was a 2012 Cannes judge and a 2015 Cannes judge.She sits on many advertising panels and was recently a moderator for Women of Influence. Being a mom of twin seven year-old boys she would love to do a campaign that changed the world for the better.Connect With DeniseLinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/denise-rossetto-9a0a422bExamples of Denise’s Work:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6bRKx23E60https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RDmxnJIRJ4Themes Discussed:Creativity, Inspiration, Where We Get Our Ideas From, Design Thinking, Emotional Hooks, The Art of Great Advertising, Staying Motivated

What do new beginnings really mean? Our 7th episode of ‘4 x Mindfulness’ is devoted to change and new beginnings which occur on multiple levels within our lives. Each seed of mindfulness that is discussed in today’s episode is about becoming more present and aware when approaching our life and work but doing so in a different manner. Looking at change and new beginnings through a different set of lenses allows us to become more fully cognizant of things we wouldn’t normally pay attention to or let enter our radar. For Neila’s two seeds of mindfulness, she shares a peaceful resolution and communication strategy rooted in the work of Dr. Amy Saltzman and her book A Still Quiet Place. Neila also shares a quote that has deeply resonated with her that deals with the natural ups and downs of life and how to approach these ups and downs with a more mindful attitude. Andy shares a quote from Austin Kleon’s book Steal Like an Artist. The quote was taken from Jim Jarmusch, an American film director. The message is very clear and has to do with being more mindful of everything that exists around us and when we do this we can always find something to fuel our inspiration, innovation, and creativity. However, we MUST remain open to understanding that learning takes place in many forms that exist in our lives. The other seed of mindfulness that Andy presents in today’s podcast has to do with teacher and administrator well being. To use an anaology that Andy first heard this past week, teacher and administrator well being must begin by looking upstream at the key factors that empower educators to function at their best. Andy discusses what these key factors are and how to better apply them in our work and life. Andy and Neila hope you find a gem or two in this episode that can be applied in your own lives and the work that you do

In the 6th installment of ‘4 X Mindfulness’, Neila and Andy record this episode live at Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada. Neila shares specific strategies related to mindful walking and hiking that are immediately applicable in your own environment wherever it is you may live. As well, she also shares an excellent breathing strategy (called the ‘stoplight breath’) that helps to reduce anxiety and stress that you may experience while driving. Andy shares a great quote from George Bernard Shaw that has to do with the illusion that communication has taken place when it really hasn’t. Embedded within this quote is a powerful message about how to be better communicators and listeners. Andy also shares a story about Neila that is funny, but also contains a valuable lesson about the possibility of impacting others, who we least expect, in very positive ways. We hope you enjoy our 6th episode of 4 x Mindfulness.BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.Connect With Andy and Neila Neila Twitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.com Andy Twitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes DiscussedMindful Walking, Stress Reduction, Breathing Techniques, Communication and Listening, Default Responses

In this episode, best selling author, Michael Bungay Stanier and I have an in-depth discussion about his latest book entitled The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever. Michael provides a rich insight into the power of questioning and the role it plays in empowering those around us. Although Michael’s work is deeply rooted and directed toward the corporate world, there is excellent takeaway value for all educators who listen to this podcast. Great teaching is all about asking great questions. The themes of staying curious, the importance of reflection, and being more comfortable with silence are also explored during this episode to emphasize just how critical a role they play in helping to construct a meaningfully rich learning environment for our students. There is no doubt that you will find immediate takeaway value in this podcast with Michael Bungay Stanier. Bio:Michael Bungay Stanier is the Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, a company that helps organizations do less Good Work and more Great Work. Box of Crayons is best known for its coaching programs, which give busy managers practical tools to coach in 10 minutes or less.On the way to founding Box of Crayons in 2002, Michael lived in Australia, England, the United States and Canada (his current home), where he worked in the fields of innovation and change management. He’s written a number of books, the best known of which is Do More Great Work, with almost 100,000 copies sold. He’s proudest of End Malaria, a collection of essays about Great Work by thought leaders that has raised $400,000 for Malaria No More. His latest book, The Coaching Habit, is already being called a modern classic. To balance all this out, Michael was banned from his high school graduation for “the balloon incident,” was sued by one of his law school lecturers for defamation and managed to give himself a concussion while digging a hole as a labourer...He was the first Canadian Coach of the Year and is a Rhodes Scholar.Connect with Michael:Website: http://www.boxofcrayons.biz/homepage-2/Twitter: @boxofcrayonsLinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/boxofcrayons.biz/?fref=tsThemes Discussed:Empowerment, The Power of Questioning, Inquiry Teaching, Well-Being, The Coaching Habit, Reflection, Maximizing Impact, The Meaning of Work

The 5th installment of ‘4 X Mindfulness’ was recorded live at Manhattan Bar and Grill in Nanjing, China. This is the last podcast that Neila and Andy recorded while living in China, so this episode took on a special meaning as they are saying good bye to the life they’ve known for the past five years. Neila shared her two seeds of insight and inspiration for the past week with the first one being rooted in the idea of non-attachment and the nature of impermanence in our lives. She shares the work of Marie Kondo, a famous Japanese organizational consultant who focuses her work on decluttering the unnecessary in our lives. Neila also shared the inspirational story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, an author and past editor of the French fashion magazine ELLE. It is an extraordinary journey that led to the book The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. For Andy’s two seeds of mindfulness for the past week, he shares his thoughts on the impermanence of relationships in our lives and the importance of always remaining open to connecting with new people who cross our paths as it’s sometimes these new people who may very well have a very special, lasting impact on our lives. Andy also shares some inspiration he gained from the latest Tim Ferriss podcast featuring the work Ryan Halliday. Ryan discusses the ‘Blank Canvas’ strategy which is all about putting others first in our lives. Neila and Andy truly hope that you gain some takeaway value from this episode and would like to thank you all for taking the time to listen to their 4 X Mindfulness series. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comThemes Discussed:Impermanence, Decluttering, Marie Kondo, Mike Kuczala, Jean-Dominique Bauby, The Blank Canvas Strategy, Embracing the Unknown, Gratitude, Perspective, Saying Good Bye

As educators, we can sometimes entrench ourselves in certain ways of thinking when it comes to what is best for students to be able to know, understand and do. In today’s episode, Tom Johnson and I have an in-depth discussion about the importance of removing ourselves from these entrenched positions and to approach teaching and learning differently. The journey of learning is a noble pursuit that both teacher and student must be equal stakeholders. However, in order to create this type of learning environment, there are major considerations that must be well-thought out if we are to maximize the impact that students and teachers can have on the learning process. Tom delves into his PHD studies and the major lessons he has learned throughout his own learning journey in education that are applicable in the current work that he does. As well, Tom and I take a hard look at what it means to be a ‘leader’ in education. Bio:Tom Johnson is father of a four year old son named Mickey.  This has been the game-changer.  He is also a practicing academic and a scholar-practitioner.  He is an intrapreneur, a learning coach, a designer, and was once a Google Certified Individual.  He founded the Learning and Technology Exchange Network (LTEN) that has now gone almost fully Turkish.  Tom has lived through hurricanes in Mexico, earthquakes in Guatemala, political unrest in Thailand, gun-fights in Toronto, hold-ups in Niagara, motorcycle accidents in Taiwan and hopefully a PhD. in Turkey and China.  As you will hear, he would argue for the modification of any fixed model of thinking. Connect with Tom:Twitter:@ictechdesignWebsite: ict-design.orgThemes Discussed:Disrupted Leadership, Cognitive Dissonance, Blended Learning, John Hattie, Dylan William, Daniel Pink, Seth Godin, Maximizing Student Learning, Teacher Motivation

In the 4th installment of our 4 X Mindfulness series, Neila shares a specific strategy that helps to put stressful situations into better perspective in our lives through the 10-10-10 approach. This approach can easily be modified in multiple different ways, but what is most important to realize is that it is all about better coping with stress. Added to this Neila also shares another strategy that she playfully puts into pratice in her life which is called the 20-second hug. Evidence shows that holding on to hugs a bit longer actually works to release higher levels of oxytocin. Neila explains why this is so important to our well-being. Andy shares his go to sources of insight and inspiration for the past week as well. The first one is delving into the beautiful South African philosophical belief called ‘Ubuntu’ which is all about humanness and the importance of the human connection. As well, Andy shares a gratitude visualization that he has been practicing over the past week which is rooted in the idea of giving grratitude for family, friends, and other people in our lives.BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comDiscussion TopicsStress Reduction, The Human Connection, Oxytocin, Gratitude and Visualization, Nelson Mandela, Ubuntu, The Importance of Connectedness

In this episode, Dr. Craig Harrison shares his work and research related to helping young people to find a love of movement and physical activity through sport and other recreational endeavours. Craig is highly committed to ensuring that all young people have an opportunity to connect with movement and understand the positive impact that it can have in their lives. His interpretation of the ‘student athlete’ is different than you would imagine. Craig and I deconstruct what it means to be a student athlete and the multiple factors that must be addressed in order to deliver a holistically empowering framework that allows all young people to embrace physical activity for life.BioCraig Harrison is the Director of Athlete Development at AUT Millennium. Craig has a PhD in youth athlete development and focuses on uncovering best practice and inspiring change in the area.  He leads a team of mighty coaches to create the best possible learning and improving environments for athletes to achieve their best. Before working at AUT Millennium, Craig held sport science and athlete conditioning roles in high performance sport. Connect with CraigTwitter: @drcraigharrisonWebsite: http://www.autmillennium.org.nz/ Themes DiscussedThe Student Athlete, Well-Being, Love of Movement, Physical Activity for Life, Relevant and Meaningful Learning in PE, Striving for Excellence

In this episode, Neila and Andy record live from downtown Shanghai, China. 4 x Mindfulness is all about sharing weekly go to sources of inspiration and insight in regards to mindfulness. Neila starts this episode by sharing how mindfulness can play a pivotal role in helping to set intentions with more focused attention. She also describes a very useful breathing technique that she puts into practice. This breathing technique called ‘54321 Breath’ works to calm stress levels and to become more aware of the thoughts, feelings, and body sensations that we experience in the moment. It’s very useful for both teachers and students. Andy shares a strategy that he uses to help focus on priorities and to take these important ‘need to do’ things in our lives one step at a time, rather than having that overwhelming sense that everything needs to be done at once. As well, he shares his thoughts about the importance that being present has on good listening and asking the right questions at the right time. Andy and Neila hope that any teachers listening to this have valuable takeaway that can be applied in their own life and work. Thanks for listening to the 3rd installment of 4 X Mindfulness. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comDiscussion TopicsDean Bokhari Meaningful Show, Breath Control, Stress Reduction, Setting Intentions, Being Present, Good Listening, Questioning for Deeper Purpose

In this episode, Dr. Dean Kriellaars and I deconstruct the key fundamentals necessary in order to design the very best learning experiences possible in physical education. We delve into what it means to be physically literate and the critical importance of allowing every young person to find a specific movement pursuit that they fall in love with and strive to master. Mastery is not about medals and championships, nor is it about standing on podiums celebrating. Every young person deserves the right to find joy and love through some form of movement. Dean and I discuss the future of physical education and what it’s going to take to ensure that every single young person can strive toward becoming physically literate citizens of the world.Dean is a passionate educator who is doing his very best to raise awareness about the need to bring movement and physical activity back into the every day life of young people. You are sure to get a lot of takeaway value from our discussion today. BioDr. Kriellaars is a faculty member of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. He is a scientist of the Manitoba Institute of Child Health. His Human Performance Laboratory has numerous students directed to undertaking research on physical literacy and physical activity, related to health, performance, injury prevention and treatment. Dr. Kriellaars has been awarded two major university teaching awards, as well as national and international awards for scientific research and innovation. Dr. Kriellaars has received two University of Manitoba Presidential Outreach awards for meritorious community work, and recently was awarded the Campbell Award for longstanding community service. He was named as the co-chair of the Premiers Council on Health Living for the province of Manitoba. He was awarded the Healthy Living Award for his outstanding activities in building community wellness in the province of Manitoba. He was recently awarded the MPETA builder award for outstanding dedication and promotion of health and physical education in Manitoba. He works with Canadian Sport for Life, PHE Canada, the Sport Medicine and Science Council of Manitoba, Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, Cirque du Soleil and the National Circus School, as well as the RCMP on community wellness initiatives.Connect with DeanTwitter: @DeanKriellaars Themes DiscussedPurposeful Movement, Mastery, Teaching Excellence, Physical Literacy, More is Not Better, The Meaning of Work, Physical Education

In today’s episode, Neila and I share our go to sources of insight and inspiration for the week that are rooted in the seeds of mindfulness. Neila does a reading of her all-time favorite poem written by Max Ehrmann entitled ‘The Desiderata’ and explains why she is so deeply moved by this piece. She discuses specific connections made to mindfulness in this poem and challenges the listeners to reflect on the signifance that the poem may play in their lives. Neila also discusses a powerful mantra that she learned a few years ago that she shares with her yoga students at end of each class that she teaches. Andy shares a story that he first heard on the Ted Radio Hour that helps to emphasize the importance of keeping our internal flames of motivation lit. This story is a metaphor for the need to always strive to empower ourselves and those around us. As well, Andy also shares the importance that reflection plays in better appreciating the small wins in our lives. We hope you enjoy the second installment of 4 x Mindfulness. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comDiscussion TopicsThe Desiderata, Appreciation, Mindfulness, Empowerment, Ted Radio Hour, Gratitude, The Jar of Awesome

An Artist’s Dent in the UniverseIn this episode, I interview Jane Roos, the Founder of CAN Fund, an organization set up to help fund Canadian athletes in their pursuit of representing their nation on the Olympic stage. Jane embodies exactly what it means to take action and initiative to strive for both personal and professional excellence through the work that she does. Through hardship and adversity, Jane has had to overcome many obstacles in her life in order to find her true purpose which is firmly rooted in her passion for helping others succeed. Jane openly shares her amazing journey, the specific work that she does, and her desire to give hope and meaning to the athletes she helps to support in their Olympic quest. We recorded this one live in her art gallery in Toronto, Canada. I thoroughly enjoyed my discussion with Jane Roos.BioJane was a promising track athlete before a devastating car accident ended her athletic career at age 19. Jane turned this life lesson into helping Canadian athletes and started the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, a not-for-profit organization.  As a former athlete herself, Jane saw a need. In order for Canada’s elite athletes to compete on the world stage, they must have money to pay for proper training, coaching, nutrition and living expenses.At the 2006 Olympic Games, Jane was honored with the Live Olympic Award. This is an international Award given to only 20 people. For the past seven years, Jane has been recognized by CAAWS as one of the most Influential Women in Sport. The Globe & Mail selected Jane as one of the Most Influential People in Sport and at the 36th Canadian Sports Awards; Jane was the recipient of the Leadership in Sports Award.In January 2010, knowing a Gold medal has never been won on Canadian soil, CAN Fund launched the Sprott Gold Metal Celebration. For every GOLD medal won by a Canadian athlete, $100,000 would be donated by Sprott Asset Management and the Sprott Foundation to CAN Fund to support athletes training for London 2012.  CAN Fund directly supported 80% of the Canadian athletes who competed in Sochi and has raised over $21 million dollars to date.Jane is also a very successful artist with “See Jane Paint”.  Her paintings are sold across Canada and New York, and she has created a number of commission paintings for corporate Canada and charity.Owner of the Jane Roos Gallery, which recently opened in downtown Toronto, Jane exhibits her paintings and other Canadian artists.There is no straight line with Jane; all of her varied experiences have shaped her unique perspective as an entrepreneur, artist, speaker and human being. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.Connect with JaneTwitter: @janeroosgallery @CANFUNDWebsite: myCANFund.ca  janeroosgallery.comThemes DiscussedThe Meaning of Work, Creativity, CANFUND, Purpose, Hardship and Adversity, Striving for Excellence

Neila Steele and I are rolling out an additional podcast each week that will still fall under the umbrella of my Run Your Life series. 4 x Mindfulness is about Neila and I sharing our go to sources of mindfluness inspiration each week. It is a way for us to document the big ideas or themes related to mindfulness that have really resonated with us for that particular week. If you are really into mindfulness or a complete beginner with this practice, we sincerely hope that you will gain some strong takeaway value from each weekly episode of 4 x Mindfulness. In today’s episode, Neila shares a great story that she first heard on the Tim Ferriss podcast that is very much rooted in the seeds of mindfulness and the importance of being present. She also discusses the amazing work of John Kabat Zinn who is considered be one of the most renown mindfulness gurus worldwide. As for me, I share the story of Verna Myers, a well known consultant, who has devoted herself to helping people and organizations uncover certain biases that they hold. Being mindful and present is a part of this process. The last thing I share in today’s 4 x Mindfulness episode are a couple of specific approaches that have worked well in helping me to find more quiet and calm during my meditation sessions. We hope you enjoy the first installment of 4 x Mindfulness. BiosNeila Steele and Andy Vasily are international educators who have worked at fully authorized IB schools in 4 different countries over the past 16 years (Japan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and China). Andy is a consultant, workshop leader, presenter, and speaker. Neila presents and leads multiple workshops in the area of mindfulness. They have devoted themselves to sharing the powerful effects that mindfulness has on promoting greater mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Connect With Neila and AndyNeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comAndyTwitter: @andyvasilyWebsite: www.pyppewithandy.comDiscussion TopicsTara Brach, Tim Ferriss, Verna Myer Ted Talk, Jon Kabat Zinn, Meditation, Mindfulness, Being Present, Connecting with the Breath, Specific Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques

Today’s Run Your Life podcast is really a two-part series that was recorded live back in Toronto a few weeks ago with my good friend Joey Feith. We took the time to really dig deep into our own teaching practice to draw out core beliefs that we hold about good pedagogy and instruction. In this episode, Joey shares his unique journey and path that has led him to being one of the most sought after speakers in the arena of physical education worldwide.Today’s show is not just about what it takes to be a great physical educator but also the critical importance of pursuing personal excellence along the way. Joey delves into the mindset and work ethic that has propelled him forward in his teaching and his fundamental beliefs about the creative process in regards to the amazing resources he has developed over the years. Any educator listening to this podcast will gain immediate takeaway value applicable in their own teaching practice. BioJoey Feith is the founder of ThePhysicalEducator.com. He currently teaches physical education in Montreal, Canada. Joey believes that every child should have access to a world class physical education experience, and that teacher professional development is the key to that. That is why, between lesson planning and helping kids improve their running, he has dedicated thousands of hours to creating a site that helps inspire fellow physical educators.Joey has presented his ideas at the local, provincial, national, and international levels through various speaking and training events. He is a recipient of Physical and Health Education Canada's Dr. Andy Anderson Young Professional Award and was an Education finalist in the 6th Annual Shorty Awards, an awards ceremony honouring the best in social media.When not teaching, blogging, or developing new teaching resources, Joey enjoys spending time with his family, longboarding, and drinking tea.Connect with JoeyTwitter: @JoeyFeith @phys_educatorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thephysicaleducator/Website: ThePhysicalEducator.comThemes Discussed:Backwards Design, Quality Physical Education, Meaning & Relevance, Deconstructing Outcomes, The Creative Process, Mindset & Failure, Goal-Setting

What are the key components to better understanding leadership and becoming more proactive in taking the lead in our own personal and professional lives? In today’s episode, my guest, Kasson Bratton, an insightful leader from Nanjing International School, helps me to deconstruct the fundamental building blocks of leadership in an effort to more deeply understand what great leaders do in order to empower those around them and to focus on ‘giving’ rather than ‘taking’ control. Much of our discussion today revolves around a best selling book about leadership entitled Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders written by Captain David Marquet, a former nuclear submarine commander in the US Naval Fleet. We delve into specific strategies and approaches that are immediately applicable to anyone wishing to better take the lead in their own lives. As well, we examine the mindset of great leaders and their relentless desire to connect, learn, grow, and develop their skills based upon their own unique needs both personally and professionally. We hope that anyone listening to this episode will have immediate takeaway value that can be applied in the work that they do. Kasson Bratton BioKasson Bratton is enjoying his second year as Head of Middle School at Nanjing International School. This marks his 11th year as an international educator with successful stints in Haiti, Scotland, Qatar, and now, wonderful China! Kasson holds an Ed.S in Educational Leadership from Capella University and an M.Ed from Portland State University. His professional passions are meeting the unique needs of adolescent learners, empowering his colleagues, and helping make the mission of inclusive education, creative thinking, international-mindedness, and personal excellence a reality. He is supported in these endeavors by his lovely wife, Olivia, and energetic five-year-old son, Harris. Connect With KassonTwitter: @KB_Intl Themes Discussed:Taking vs Giving Control, Empowerment, Passion, Purpose & Clarity, Personal Mission Statements, The Meaning of Work, Allowing Failure, Assessing Risk

In today’s episode, my guest, John Rinker, and I have an in-depth discussion about what design thinking means from our own perspectives and the role that it plays in education and in life. John has been teaching internationally for 25 years and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to design thinking. An avid cyclist and tinkerer, John shares his thoughts about the importance of working with our hands, as well as the need to be physically active in the outdoors. Although the focus of today’s episode is design thinking, we delve into the impact that the framework can have when applied to teacher instruction in physical education. Hope you find some great takeaway value in today’s podcast with John Rinker. Connect with John RinkerTwitter: @johnrinkerBioAn international teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator, and Learning2 Leader with almost 25 years experience, John has been using tools, both analog and digital, most of his life to make cool things. He is inspired to leverage the best that technology has to offer in creating meaningful educational challenges for each of his students. His DIY mindset challenges him to look at problems in novel ways and to create imaginative solutions. John loves teaching because he gets to hang around with kids who are inclined towards creativity, invention, and play.Themes Discussed:Design Thinking, Relevance & Meaning, Love of Exploration, Physical Activity, Mindset, Lifelong Skills, Cycling, 3rd Culture Lifestyles, Empathy & Compassion, Getting Out of the Way of Learning

In this episode, I speak with Conrad Leinemann, a former Canadian Olympic athlete, about his journey in sport and the major life lessons that he has learned about resilience, hard work, and pursuing excellence, both personally and professionally. Performing at our best requires a specific mindset, as well as putting certain strategies to work with regularity in our lives. Conrad shares what he learned from being coached by some amazing mentors throughout his athletic career. As well, he discusses the charitable organization, CANFUND, that he and his wife, Jane Roos, set up to help fund countless members of the Canadian Olympic team over the last decade. To date they have raised over 22 million dollars. Bio:Conrad Leinemann (born April 2, 1971 in Kelowna, British Columbia) is a male beach volleyball player from Canada, who won the gold medal in the men's beach team competition at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, partnering with Jody Holden. He represented his native country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.Connect with ConradTwitter: @CANFUND Website: myCANFund.caThemes Discussed:CanFund, Skill Acquisition, Work Ethic, Quality Preparation, Self-Evaluation, Olympic Excellence, The Athletic Mind, Goal-Setting 

Nicole “Coco” Daignault’s passion to change lives through yoga began 20 years ago when she was first introduced to it in Canada. As Nicole states, she was hooked for life and knew in her heart that yoga would forever remain with her and committed herself to sharing it with others. After several years of training in various parts of the world, Nicole returned to her roots in Windsor, Canada to set up her own yoga practice and began to teach others how to transform their physical bodies, minds and health through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Nicole offers each of her learners a very individualized approach rooted in neuro-scientific awareness that is delivered with non-judgement, compassion, warmth, and kindness. She has worked with several schools helping teachers to integrate yoga activities in the classroom and in physical education. Identifying and correcting imbalances in body and mind are of paramount importance in the work that Nicole brings to all those that are lucky enough to cross her path. BioNicole “Coco” Daignault was introduced to yoga in her early 20's, and her life changed dramatically. Until that point, she suffered chronic pain due to scoliosis and a leg-length discrepancy.  When she lay in the relaxation pose at the end of that first yoga practice, Coco felt a pain-free bliss, thus beginning an intense physical and mental journey that took her around the world a few times.In 1999, Coco did her Yoga Teacher Training in Varanasi, India.  Her understanding and fascination of the body/mind grew when she became a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner. In 2003 she moved to Thailand, where she learned Thai Massage and shamanic healing.  Experiences with Vipassana meditation and Sufi whirling took her practice to new levels.  In 2005 Coco returned to her hometown of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where she shares her knowledge and expertise.   Over the years, people have come to know Coco as a teacher who gives unique guidance according to each individual's particular needs.  She shares wisdom and insight based on her  practice and exploration of her own rotated and curved spine.  When working on a client, or teaching a student, Coco finds muscle imbalance and postural patterns, and gives suggestions on new ways of sitting, walking, and standing that correct these patterns, leading to improved physical, emotional and mental well-being. In recent years, Coco has been specializing in teaching modified yoga to people with disabilities, mental disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.  She is very grateful to witness the powerful healing benefits of yoga and massage on herself and others every day.  Connect with Coco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coco.daignault Website: www.cocoyoga.ca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-daigneault-b4744294Themes DiscussedBeing Present, Preventative Yoga, Individualizing Instruction, Identifying Inbalances, Health & Wellness, Compassion & Non-Judgement, Mindset, Neuroscientific Awareness, Body Consciousness, Gil Ron Shama (www.gilronshama.com), Posture Beads (www.posturebeads.com)

Nicole Daignault’s passion to change lives through yoga began 20 years ago when she was first introduced to it in Canada. As Nicole states, she was hooked for life and knew in her heart that yoga would forever remain with her and committed herself to sharing it with others. After several years of training in various parts of the world, Nicole returned to her roots in Windsor, Canada to set up her own yoga practice and began to teach others how to transform their physical bodies, minds and health through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Nicole offers each of her learners a very individualized approach rooted in neuro-scientific awareness that is delivered with non-judgement, compassion, warmth, and kindness. She has worked with several schools helping teachers to integrate yoga activities in the classroom and in physical education. Identifying and correcting imbalances in body and mind are of paramount importance in the work that Nicole brings to all those that are lucky enough to cross her path. BioNicole “Coco” Daignault was introduced to yoga in her early 20's, and her life changed dramatically. Until that point, she suffered chronic pain due to scoliosis and a leg-length discrepancy.  When she lay in the relaxation pose at the end of that first yoga practice, Coco felt a pain-free bliss, thus beginning an intense physical and mental journey that took her around the world a few times.In 1999, Coco did her Yoga Teacher Training in Varanasi, India.  Her understanding and fascination of the body/mind grew when she became a Holistic Healthcare Practitioner. In 2003 she moved to Thailand, where she learned Thai Massage and shamanic healing.  Experiences with Vipassana meditation and Sufi whirling took her practice to new levels.  In 2005 Coco returned to her hometown of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where she shares her knowledge and expertise.   Over the years, people have come to know Coco as a teacher who gives unique guidance according to each individual's particular needs.  She shares wisdom and insight based on her  practice and exploration of her own rotated and curved spine.  When working on a client, or teaching a student, Coco finds muscle imbalance and postural patterns, and gives suggestions on new ways of sitting, walking, and standing that correct these patterns, leading to improved physical, emotional and mental well-being. In recent years, Coco has been specializing in teaching modified yoga to people with disabilities, mental disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.  She is very grateful to witness the powerful healing benefits of yoga and massage on herself and others every day.  Connect with CocoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/coco.daignaultWebsite: www.cocoyoga.caLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-daigneault-b4744294Themes Discussed: Being Present, Preventative Yoga, Individualizing Instruction, Identifying Inbalances, Health & Wellness, Compassion & Non-Judgement, Mindset, Neuroscientific Awareness, Body Consciousness, Gil Ron Shama (www.gilronshama.com), Posture Beads (www.posturebeads.com)

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, British explorer and world record holder, describes today’s #RunYourLife podcast guest as having ‘Enormous determination, lateral thinking, and a love for life and adventure’.  Whether it be circumnavigating the globe by bicycle over 4 straight years, rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic, running the Marathon des Sables which is one of the most gruelling footraces on earth, walking across Iceland pulling a sled, or inspiring others to embark on adventures of their own, Alastair Humphreys exemplifies what it means to pursue both personal and professional excellence. In this episode, Alastair shares the major lessons that he has learned through his life of adventure; hardship and resilience, goal-setting, failure, mindset, determination, and his love of culture and exploring our beautiful earth. In 2012 Alastair was recognized by the National Geographic as being one of their Adventurers of the Year through the work he has done spreading the power and value that microadventures can hold in our daily lives. Looking at the world with wonder and curiosity has allowed Alastair to tackle these extraordinary challenges with an open-mind, knowing that there are gems to be discovered along every step of the way and every pull of the oars. And it’s these gems that Alastair has shared with countless school children and teachers from around the world. You are sure to find great takeaway value in today’s #RunYourLife podcast with Alastair Humphreys. Thanks for listening. Bio:Alastair’s quest for adventure began young. Aged 8, he completed the 26 mile Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge and the National 3 Peaks in 24 hours aged 13. At 14 he cycled off-road across England. After leaving school Alastair taught for a year in South Africa.Whilst at university (Edinburgh and Oxford) Alastair cycled from Pakistan to China, Land’s End to John O’Groats, Turkey to Italy, Mexico to Panama and across South America. He ran a charity project in the Philippines and the London marathon dressed as a rhino.Since graduating Alastair has cycled round the world for 4 years, raced a yacht across the Atlantic Ocean, canoed 500 miles down the Yukon River and walked the length of the holy Kaveri river in India.Alastair has also run the Marathon des Sables, (finishing as one of the ten fastest Brits despite breaking his foot during the race) and rowed to France with a paralysed soldier. In 2010 he completed an unsupported crossing of Iceland by foot and packraft. In 2011 Alastair decided to remain in the UK in order to encourage people to seek out adventure and wilderness closer to home, challenging themselves through microadventures. In 2012 Alastair rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, did an expedition in Greenland and walked across the Empty Quarter desert.Since then he has concentrated on his microadventures, encouraging people to get out and fit more adventure into their busy lives. He has worked with clients including National Geographic, Talisker, Peugeot, Vodafone, GoPro and Adidas on this movement. Alastair’s book, Microadventures, was an Amazon UK Top 20 Bestseller for all books. Grand Adventures reached Number 8 for all books on Amazon UK.Alastair has published nine books and is a keen photographer and videographer.Alastair pays the bills through motivational speaking at businesses and schools, fulfilling a long ambition by speaking to a full house at the Royal Geographical Society.He was chosen as one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2012. Alastair lives in a village outside London with his wife and two young children (hence the microadventures!)Connect with AlastairWebsite: http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/Twitter:  @Al_HumphreysFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alastair-Humphreys-149963098097/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/al_humphreys/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alhumphreys/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/englishwildman

In this episode, Dr. Doug Gleddie, from the University of Alberta, digs deep into what he feels to be a few of the critical elements necessary for improving upon our pedagogy and practice in physical education. Among a few of the big themes discussed in this podcast are questioning protocol, critical partners, the difference between fun and joy in PE, educative vs. miseducative experiences, and the meaning of work. Doug shares a few useful teaching strategies that are sure to provide listeners with some valuable tools and approaches to help move their teaching forward. Doug is a thoughtful and reflective educator who embraces a physically active life and works to ensure that his preservice teachers find a true sense of meaning and purpose as they journey toward becoming full-time teachers. BioDr. Doug Gleddie is a husband and father who also happens to be an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta (Elementary Physical Education).  In a career filled with change, the only true constants have been physical activity/education, working with kids and, how joy fills the spaces in between.  Although it took him a while to fully embrace this epiphanal thought, the journey itself has enabled Doug to work with a wide variety of people and organizations across Canada and around the world.  Doug is currently researching narratives of movement and physical education as well as exploring the affective aspects of physical literacy.  He takes care of his own wellness by being active with his family; improving his guitar picking and; seeking new challenges each day. Visit Doug’s blog at www.purposefulmovement.netConnect with DougWebsite: www.purposefulmovement.netTwitter: @doug_gleddieThemes DiscussedCritical PartnersQuestioning ProtocolConcept LearningOrganic Process of LearningThe Meaning of WorkRelational TeachingContextual Teaching and LearningEducative vs Miseducative ExperiencesFun vs Joy in PE

In this episode, Dr. Tim Fletcher and I discuss key elements to consider when trying to engineer and construct meaningful experiences in physical education. Tim, an assistant professor at Brock University in Canada, has put loads of time and energy into researching how best to engage young people in physical activity through a meaning-making framework that has guided his teaching and learning over the past few years. He shares the specifics behind this framework and how he applies it with his pre-service teachers at Brock University. As well, we delve into the critical role that reflection and well-being plays in the lives of both teachers and students. Listeners of this podcast will have great takeaway value that will leave them thinking about their own practice and next steps to consider when moving their teaching and learning forward. Bio:Tim Fletcher is Assistant Professor in physical education pedagogy in the Department of Kinesiology at Brock University, Canada. Prior to working in higher education, he taught high school health and physical education in Ontario for five years. His recent research has focused upon how future teachers might learn to foster meaningful experiences for learners in physical education and youth sport; this is the emphasis of the Learning About Meaningful Physical Education (or LAMPE) project, conducted with Déirdre Ní Chróinín and Mary O’Sullivan. Much of his work has used self-study methodology, including the text Self-study of physical education: The interplay of scholarship and practice (2014, Springer), co-edited with Alan Ovens. He is a member of the editorial boards of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy and the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. In 2014 he was awarded a Young Scholar Award from the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP). Connect With TimTwitter: @TimFletcher12 & @meaningfulpeWebsite: https://meaningfulpe.wordpress.com/Themes Discussed:Relevancy and Meaning in PETeacher and Student Well-BeingFive Elements of Meaningful PEPhysical LiteracyCurriculum and Assessment

In today’s episode, Jarrod Robinson, who is known to many educators around the globe as the PE Geek, shares the behind the scenes work that has helped shape him into one of the world’s most renown presenters in the field of physical education. For Jarrod to be at his very best, he pushes himself to look well beyond the arena of physical education in order to hone his craft and to strive for both personal and professional excellence in his life. Although his work is firmly rooted in the subject area of physical education, in today’s podcast Jarrod shares specific lessons that he has learned from well beyond the boundary lines of PE itself. And it’s these very lessons that have helped to deepen his love of teaching and his desire to share the passion he has for integrating technology in both the classroom and in physical education. In this episode you’ll learn what truly drives Jarrod and the love that he has for the work he does.Connect with JarrodWebsite: https://thepegeek.com/ & http://connectedpe.com/Twitter: @mrrobbo BioJarrod is a Physical Education teacher from country Victoria Australia, with a passion and enthusiasm for the role emerging technologies play within teaching and learning. He is first and foremost an advocate for lifelong movement and physical activity, however realises the power of 21st-century technologies that can shape new age teaching pedagogies.Jarrod is known throughout the online community as “The PE Geek”, and authors a blog of the same name at www.thepegeek.com which has proved to be an invaluable resource for teachers seeking effective use of 21st-century tools in PE.  He has presented Nationally and Internationally for over 6 years, running workshops in over 30  countries.His major interests lie within mobile learning which he believes is the perfect fit for the outdoor-minded PE Teacher. As a result he has begun his own mobile development company, “The PE Geek Apps”, which builds mobile applications for teachers on both Android and iOS devices. His mobile applications have also won numerous awards throughout Australia and Overseas.Themes DiscussedThe Meaning of WorkExcellence Beyond PEPassion and PurposeWork EthicCreativity and Innovation80/20 Concept

Today’s Run Your Life episode was recorded live at the East Asia Region Council of Schools conference being held at the International School of Manila in the Philippines at the end of March. Well-known PE consultants from Canada, Ted and Carolyn Temertzoglou, and Dr. Ashley Casey from the University of Loughborough in the UK all share their perspectves about what a quality physical education experience should offer students.Although Twitter has brought together countless PE teachers from around the world to help share excellent teaching practice and pedagogy, we delve into the caveats of becoming a socially connected educator. Whether already socially connected or just becoming connected, there are major considerations that need to be well thought out as teachers use Twitter as a tool for improving practice. Ted, Carolyn, and Ash all share their valuable insight into what these considerations are. Better engaging students and moving them toward becoming more physically active requires a thoughtful construction of the learning environments we create in our PE programs. In this episode, you will hear about different ways that this end goal can be achieved. It was an honour to have these three great minds together to share their knowledge, passion, and wisdom. Enjoy today’s show!About Carolyn TemertzoglouCarolyn teaches health and physical education in the teacher education program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Through Carolyn’s many years of educational experience as a teacher,department head,curriculum writer, and teacher educator, she advocates for quality daily health and physical education programs. Carolyn is the recipient of the Ontario Supervision of Physical and Health Education Teacher Advocacy Award for her work in supporting pre-service and in-service health and physical education teachers with their practice. She has an MA in education from OISE, and her research interests include teacher development in health and physical education. Carolyn has been actively involved in writing and reviewing curriculum and curriculum- supports for the Ministry of Education and serves on several provincial committees. She is the co-author of the Exercise Science Workbook/Lab Manual (Thompson Educational Publishing 2003), co-author of the Functional Fitness Charts, Perfect Practice, Game On (2012) and a contributing author for Teaching Physical Education Today: Canadian Perspectives (2013). About Ted TemertzoglouExceptional Athlete Program. Presently he works with Thompson Educational Publishing, creating learning resources for health and physical education K-12. He is the lead author for many books, including the newly released Kinesiology: An Introduction to Exercise Science, 2nd Edition (university preparation course), Healthy Active Living: Keep Fit Stay Healthy Have Fun used in Ontario and New Brunswick and the Functional Fitness Chart Series K-12.Ted is a former Ontario board representative for Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada advocating and promoting the importance of quality daily health and physical education programs in schools across Canada. He is a certified personal trainer with The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiologist.Ted was the recipient of the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association’s Outstanding Contribution Award in 2008. He completed his MA in physical and health education with a research focus in student success and teacher-student rapport.Ted works with PE teachers from around the world delivering keynote addresses and conducting workshops in the USA, Asia, Europe, and Africa, and he is excited to return to EARCOS.Connect with Ted or Carolyn at the 2nd Annual APPEC Conference in Hong Kong   About Dr. Ashley CaseyAshley Casey, a lecturer in pedagogy at Loughborough University (UK) and an sdjunct senior lecturer at the University of Limerick (Ireland), has published 24 peer-reviewed papers in the last ...

As Mike Kuzcala comes from a long line of educators in his family, teaching has always been in his blood. However, his path in education has been an unorthodox one, taking many interesting twists and turns along the way. Mike is an accomplished author having written the books The Kinestetic Classroom (2010) and Training in Motion (2015). He has devoted himself to sharing the neuroscience behind the brain/body connection and the powerful impact that it has on learning in both education and in the corporate world.Through his writing, presentations and talks, he has had a profound difference on the way educators deliver learning in their classrooms. Embedded within Mike’s work is a passion for mindfulness, meditation, and the critical importance of well-being and the role it plays in the personal and professional lives of teachers. In this episode, he shares his unique journey in education and discusses specific strategies and approaches he wrote about in the Kinesthetic Classroom. Although much of Mike’s work is rooted in the importance that movement plays in learning, he carries with him an extensive musical background having graduated with a Masters of Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado. It is this musical background that has also had a big impact on who Mike is as a person and an educator. He is a huge fan of the arts and appreciates the aesthentics that music brings to peoples’ lives. With joy I bring to you this episode with Mike Kuzcala. Mike’s Bio:Mike Kuczala is a leading authority on using movement and understanding the brain/body connection in both educational and corporate settings.  His keynotes, workshops and professional development programs have been enjoyed by tens of thousands of teachers, administrators, parents, trainers, and corporate executives across the United States. The Director of Instruction for the Regional Training Center, an educational consulting firm based in Randolph, New Jersey, and President of Kuczala Consulting, Mike is the coauthor of the Corwin best-seller and Association of Educational Publishers’ Distinguished Achievement Award nominated The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement.  Mike’s 2nd book, Training in Motion: How to Use Movement to Create Engaging and Effective Learning was released in June of 2015.His standing room only presentations have been experienced in such diverse settings as The American Society for Training and Development, The Forum for Innovative Leadership, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the American Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the Lawyer Brain OD Roundtable.Mike proudly and humbly comes from a family of educators including his wife, sister, both parents and three grandparents. “I am the product of three generations of teachers. Education is what I love and do. It is always an honor and pleasure to work with both educators in helping them to become true instructional leaders, and corporate executives and trainers in providing presentation skill and effectiveness. My background in education gave rise to my love of teaching, public speaking, curriculum and training design, and helping people create goals and live their dreams.”Connect with Mike:Twitter: @kinestheticlassWebsite: mikekuczala.comEmail: [email protected] Discussed:Brain/Body ConnectionNeuroscience of MovementThe Kinestetic ClassroomMindfulness and MeditationTony RobbinsTeacher and Student Well-BeingStrategies to Integrate Movement in LearningPhysical ActivityRelevancy in Physical Education

In today’s episode, well-known consultant and author, Kath Murdoch, shares her journey in education over the past 33 years and what has driven her towards striving for both personal and professional excellence in her life. Although Kath’s expertise is related to inquiry-based teaching, she discusses other important factors that she believes are necessary to put into action in order to create the best learning environments possible for our students. The buillding blocks to creating a warm, nurturing, and supportive learning envionment must include strong elements of teacher well-being and setting up our schools in a way that motivates and inspires teachers to be at their very best day in and day out. In this episode, Kath discusses specfiic strategies and approaches that she puts into practice with many of the schools and teachers that she works with around the world. Whether you are an administrator or a teacher, you are sure to find a lot of takeaway value in this Kath Murdoch podcast. ABOUT KATHKath Murdoch is an experienced teacher, author, university lecturer and popular consultant who has worked for many years in schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, America, and Europe. She is widely respected for her work in the field of inquiry-based learning and integrative curriculum in which she has taught, researched and published for well over 20 years.Kath began her professional life as a classroom teacher in Melbourne. Her fascination in how students’ constructed their understandings - and her interest in the way questions and big ideas could drive curriculum soon lead to a passion for integrative and inquiry-based methodologies. This passion has become a career-long focus for teaching, research and writing and the methodologies in which Kath specializes are now central to curriculum frameworks in many parts of the world – including the popular International Baccalaureate, PYP program. Critical to Kath’s success is her continued involvement in classroom teaching. Whether it is to demonstrate techniques, coach teachers or build her own repertoire of practices, Kath is committed to regular and ongoing work with students. Her classroom work and research feeds a dynamic and ever-evolving expertise in the area of integrative and inquiry-based learning. Kath’s professional development offerings are diverse. They range from intensive partnerships with schools to develop inquiry programs and practices over several years through to one-day workshops for beginning or experienced inquiry teachers. Whether in her hometown of Melbourne or on the other side of the world, working with a team or speaking to a packed auditorium Kath’s style is refreshingly practical, inclusive and always connected to the real world of teaching.Connect with KathTwitter: @kjinquiryWebsite: http://www.kathmurdoch.com.au/Themes Discussed:What is inquiry?Mindset and MotivationThe Role of Direct instructionStudent-Teacher RelationshipsBrene Brown’s WorkThe Power of Inquiry (Kath’s most recent book)Teacher and Student Well-Being

Mindfulness is a buzz word being passed around educational circles at the moment. Despite there being a mountain of research to support the power of mindfulness in enhancing student and teacher well-being, there are still many misconceptions about what it actually means. In today’s episode, Neila Steele, discusses specific strategies and approaches that she puts into practice across all grade levels and how she strives to develop a mindful mindset with both teachers and students alike.Neila also dives into the power of visualization and yoga as being critical components to any mindful practice being delivered in schools and provides examples of how this can be done. Being a mindful educator allows teachers to make use of specific strategies that help to better deal with the daily stressors that can pile up in their lives. In this episode, Neila shares multiple ‘go to’ resources that have had a profound impact on her teaching practice helping to shape how she integrates mindfulness in every aspect of her work in education. BioNeila Steele graduated from the University of Windsor in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree which led her to accepting a position working in the orthopedic ward of a private hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She had the opportunity to take time away from nursing to travel and work in Hiroshima, Japan in 1997. Many doors continued to open for Neila which resulted in her finding her place in the international schooling system as a school nurse and ESL teacher. She worked at the Hiroshima International School until 2007 before moving on to fully authorized IB schools in Baku, Azerbaijan, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and currently Nanjing, China. Neila is a certified English language teacher and has additional elementary teaching qualifications through the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. She has been a certified yoga instructor since 2005 having completed an intense teacher training program in Ubud, Bali. Her path in yoga eventually led her to finding and connecting with the art of mindfulness which she now integrates into many aspects of her personal and professional life. Neila continues to bring mindfulness to the teaching faculty and the students at the Nanjing International School community in China. She has presented mindfulness in Europe, Asia, and North America over the past couple of years. Her goal is to continue to share the positive effects of mindfulness through presenting, speaking, and running workshops worldwide. Connect With NeilaTwitter: @neilasteeleWebsite: www.mindfulandpresent.comMajor Themes ExploredWhat is mindfulness?Specific mindfulness strategiesThe power of visualizationTeacher and student well beingThe importance of breath awarenessMindfulness resourcesMeditiaton

BioAaron Beighle holds a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from Texas Christian University and Ph.D. from Arizona State University in Curriculum and Instruction – Physical Education. Prior to these degrees, Dr. Beighle worked in the fitness and recreation industry throughout the United States. Currently, he specializes in the areas of physical education and physical activity for youth. He is a faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky where he trains future physical educators and works to promote physical activity for youth. Dr. Beighle has consulted with school districts, recreation programs, and youth sport organizations across the country in their efforts to maximize physical activity experiences and promote youth to be physically active for a lifetime. This has included trainings for physical education faculty, after-school staff, early child care staff, and youth sport coaches, in addition to presentations to parents regarding the importance of physical activity. He is the author and co-author of 75+ research-based and practical articles pertaining to school-based physical activity promotion and physical education. In addition, he is a co-author on several national documents including the CDC’s Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool and NASPE’s  original Comprehensive School Physical Activity Promotion: A position statement. Beighle is also a co-author of six books (Promoting Physical Activity and Health in the Classroom, Pedometer Power, Pedometer Power 2nd ed., Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children 16e, 17e, 18e.). Most recently he has served on the National Physical Activity Plan Education Sector Committee and the Let’s Move ActiveSchools Physical Activity Leader Training and Train the Trainer Workshop. Connect with Beighle  Twitter :@AaronBeighle @dynamicphysed Voxer: aaronbeighle

Orlando Bowen is the founder and Executive Director of One Voice One Team Youth Leadership Organization, a non-profit youth leadership development organization that uses sport and community awareness to teach leadership and life skills to young people. Although a former professional football player, Orlando prides himself more in his relentless pursuit of helping to empower other people to overcome adversity, find their passion, and use their gifts to serve others.In this episode, Orlando opens up about a life changing experience that caused a profound shift within himself. Even though he had already committed himself to community service before this experience, the ordeal helped Orlando gain a deeper understanding of his purpose and intensified his desire to work with disadvanteged youth, teaching them how to take action to be their very best within the communities that they live. In this podcast, Orlando shares his S.W.O.L.E model which emphasizes the values of Self-respect, Work ethic, Overcoming adversity, Leading by example, and Excellence. He has brought this model to over 300,000 people over the past 9 years through his training and leadership programs. You are sure to find valuable takeaway in our discussion. BioOrlando Bowen holds a Master of Science degree in the Management of Information Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from Northern Illinois University. He is former linebacker and co-captain at NIU and spent fours seasons in the Canadian Football League. His mission is to inspire people to be GameChangers in the lives of others. GameChangers influence the path, perspective or possibilities for others and inspire people to see beyond their circumstances as they pursue excellence. Orlando has been motivating youth and corporate audiences for years through keynotes and through his role of founder and Executive Director of One Voice One Team Youth Leadership Organization. Orlando empowers people to serve through their passions and he created the “S.W.O.L.E.” Leadership Development Program. Orlando has been recognized for his work by; Being many awards including a 2013 QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDAL, a national 2014 HARRY JEROME AWARD for community service and a 2015 National Youth Empowerment Award. Connect with Orlando Twitter: @orlandobowen Website: www.orlandobowen.comMajor Themes Discussed Teaching Excellence Resilience Teacher/Student Relationships Leadership Mentoring Harvard Graduate School study on teacher/student connectedness Ted Radio Hour: The Meaning of Work

The meaning of quality physical education has been continually discussed around the globe by researchers and practitioners alike. Is there one definition that succinctly sums up what a quality physical education program looks like? I’m not sure if there is a definitive answer, but there are certain factors that we must put into practice to help ensure that we are providing authentic opportunities for a quality physical education experience for our students. When designing our curriculums we need to be aware of what these factors are in order maximize the impact of our programs on our students.In this episode Dr. Trent Brown, from the Monash University shares what he feels to be the essential components needed to better engage students and to give them more opportunities to take action in their own lives in regards to being physically active.The influential work of Dr. Peter Arnold and his three dimensions of movement are explored in this episode with Trent giving his own interpretation of what they mean in a student’s physical education experience.Connect with TrentTwitter: @DrTrentBrownEmail: [email protected] D. Brown is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education in the Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. His work to date has focussed on curriculum and pedagogy in physical education, most particularly in Senior Secondary/Examination Physical Education.He has written widely in the field via academic and professional publications with a focus on policy and practice of Physical Education, the lived experiences and meaning-making of participants, curriculum development and pedagogy (Foundation to Year 12) and professional learning.Over the past 10 years Trent has been involved in the professional association as board member and past president (2011-2014). He was made a Fellow of the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) in 2014 for his scholarly and professional contribution over the past 20 years.Themes for the podcastQuality Physical EducationJoy and Love of MovementPeter Arnold: 3 Dimensions of MovementThe Reflective Learner

Teaching over the long haul can be an extremely demanding job, but to be our very best, we need to be switched on and ready to go each and every day. In today’s episode, my guest, Frank Stepnowski, shares his wisdom and insight based on over 25 years of experience in the profession. He has worked in some very challenging conditions throughout his career, but has never used this as an excuse for not giving it his all.We dive into the 3 books that Frank has written about education, the main themes in these books, and the reasons for writing them. Frank shares his honest thoughts about the ups and downs of teaching and discusses specific strategies that he continually puts into practice in order to get through to his students to help them achieve success both in and out of school. Frank will challenge you to think about your own practice and identify what it takes within yourself to pursue excellence in both your personal and professional life. Connect with FrankTwitter: @Frankstep1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.stepnowski.3?fref=tsHis interesting bio!!Frank Stepnowski began life as an ungrateful child and a tyrannical older brother, eventually evolving into aforgettable boyfriend, and then into a pedestrian husband and dictatorial father. Along the way he managed to trick people into employing him as a teacher, bartender, club manager, martial arts instructor, coach and writer, all of which he performed with intensity and a stunningly consistent lack of proficiency. He has been a teacher for twenty five years, despite thousands of letters and Emails from students, parents, lawyers, school board members, and his sister to have him psychologically evaluated and imprisoned.He lives in New Jersey with his wife, three children, his in-laws, a dog and a fish, none of whom deserve to be imprisoned under the same roof with him.Major Themes Discussed Teacher Motivation System Flaws Self-Improvement Book#1: Why Are All the Good Teachers Crazy Book#2: S.C.R.E.W.E.D: An Educational Fairytale Book#3: Teaching Sucks! But We Love it Anyways What Embracing Physical Activity Means Defining Your Purpose Harvard Longitudinal Study into Happiness

Defining the genuine purpose of physical education is never an easy thing to do BUT necessary if we are to have the impact that we desire on student learning in our programs. Being willing to take risk and deliver our programs differently to reflect the relevant needs of young people can help to increase levels of engagement and lead to more healthy lifestyles.In this episode, Dr. Justen O’Connor discusses his views on what quality physical education means. He also shares an amazing research project that he was involved in a few years back that made a difference by giving young people in a small community a voice in a very important issue related to physical activity. Well worth the listen to hear about this initiative.Connect with Justin Twitter: @justenoconnor Website: https://culturalpolicyreform.wordpress.com/category/justin-oconnor/BioJusten has research experience that utilises systems thinking, strengths-based approaches to explore curriculum and pedagogy associated with health, physical education, sport and lifetime physical activity.Major Themes Discussed Quality Physical Education Reporting Community-based initiatives Relevance in PE

The journey of an educator is defined by both high and low moments. There are times when we are left in doubt as to next moves in our career. Taking charge and believing in our purpose is an extremely important thing to do in order to take the necessary action to following our dreams and goals.A willingness to learn and to be of service to others is what being an educator is all about. In today's episode, I speak with Aaron Hart about his journey over the past 20 years in education,the valuable lessons that he has learned, and how he is trying to make a difference within thePhysical Education community worldwide.Connect with Aaron Twitter: @nyaaronhart Website: openphysed.orgBioAaron is the creator of OPEN and the Director of Educational Programs for US Games. He has co-authored several nationally recognized physical education curriculum projects and specializes in web-based content delivery. Aaron’s passion for equity of access and community empowerment began 20 years ago and has continued to guide his professional journey. He began his teaching career as a New York City public school teacher and is currently a part-time faculty member in SUNY Cortland’s Physical Education Department. The vision for OPEN began as a crazy conversation between Aaron and his long-time friend, Nick Kline. US Games and BSN Sports believed that Aaron’s crazy vision was the right thing to do for teachers and for the kids that they serve. Aaron joined the US Games family in 2014 and the OPEN movement was born.Themes Discussed Quality Physical Education 9-11 Valuable lessons learned Open Physical Education Making a Difference

Overcoming adversity and obstacles in our lives can be very difficult at times, especially when faced with serious injuries or illness. There is a certain kind of strength that is accessible to all of us when we focus on the things that matter most and gain a clearer vision of our purpose. One of the most gruelling challenges that a person can take on is to train for and run ultra-marathons and other long distance race events. Today’s guest, Allison Tai, discusses a near-death accident that she endured back in 2006 and the obstacles that she had to overcome on her journey towards competing in the World’s Tough Mudder Competition in 2014 in Las Vegas where she finished 2nd place. Lots of valuable lessons were shared by Allison in this episode including how we need to re-shift our focus when it comes to defining what being fit and healthy means. Lots of takeaway for educators. Connect With Allison Twitter: @allisontai Website: allisontai.comBioAllison Tai was a competitive runner and Ironman triathlete before getting hit by a truck in 2006 and breaking her back, pelvis and arm. She also suffered nerve damage and soft tissue injury. After a half a year in a full body cast, not able to roll herself over in bed, Allison fought her way back onto the podium in running and obstacle course racing events. Now a mom of two, Allison feels blessed to be able to share her passion for life and fitness with othersThemes Discussed Ironman Canada World’s Tough Mudder Obstacle Course Racing Re-shifting Defining What Fit and Healthy MeansPhysical Activity Setting the Bar High