Podcast
Living On The Edge of Chaos
Hosted by Aaron Maurer · EN
“Living On The Edge of Chaos,” hosted by Aaron Maurer, is a podcast that takes listeners on an intellectual journey through various facets of education and technology. The show features conversations with experts and innovators like Kevin Eastman, former assistant coach for the Boston Celtics to Lori Mazor, who enlightens on the fusion of Artificial Intelligence and creativity, Brittany Blackwell, who discusses educator burnout and mental health, and Laura McBain, exploring the intersections of design and learning. Through these dialogues, listeners are provoked to ponder on the unfolding narrative of education, making it a unique platform for those curious about the evolving educational landscape.
Grab your cup of coffee and join the convo!
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
224: Stop Using AI to Do More with Victoria Mensch
Dec 1600:46:47Tap to summarizeListen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Key Discussion Points and Insights1) AI transformation ≠ “add a tool”; it’s “redesign the work”Victoria frames a common failure mode: organizations bolt AI onto existing workflows instead of questioning whether those workflows make sense in the first place, especially in knowledge work.Practical reframing for leaders:What is the purpose of this workflow?What decision is a human actually making here?What can be simplified or deleted before we automate anything? 2) The barrier is dropping so the “who can do this?” conversation changesThe episode highlights how quickly AI is moving from specialist territory to broad accessibility (no-code tools, conversational interfaces), which raises the stakes for shared understanding, norms, and guardrails. 3) Hidden adoption is real and it creates risk (and a leadership opportunity)We discuss the reality that many people are already using AI quietly, which means schools and organizations need clarity and psychologically safe training environments. 4) Burnout won’t be solved by “more output”; it’s solved by “better use of human time”A central point: if AI removes routine tasks but leaders refill that time with more routine tasks, nothing improves. The higher-order shift is using reclaimed capacity for work that builds culture and learning (coaching, reflection, feedback, relationship-rich instruction, better decisions). 5) Start small: experimentation is a strategy, not a side questVictoria repeatedly returns to “run the reps” thinking: pick a small use case, test it quickly, learn, and stack wins as data points. 6) Education lens: advance the mission because AI is not going awayYou explicitly connect the conversation to school realities: the goal is not to “win AI,” but to move the mission forward in a world where AI is embedded into everything. Actionable Takeaways for Teachers and LeadersRun a 2-week “AI workflow audit”Pick one recurring task (newsletter, family comms, lesson resource creation, feedback bank).Map the current steps.Ask: Which steps are “human judgment” vs “human labor”?Create a “safe sandbox” normOne protected time block/week for staff to try a use case and report back.Focus on learnings, not performance. Name and support champions (formal or informal)Champions are “self-appointed” and momentum makers; don’t wait for a committee. Reinvest reclaimed time into the most human workStudent conferencing, richer feedback loops, community-building routines, coaching conversations. Resources and LinksSilicon Valley Executive Academy (SVEA) — program model centered on immersion and experience-based knowledge sharing. Silicon Valley Executive AcademyVictoria Mensch (LinkedIn) — leadership and AI transformation writing. LinkedInMicrosoft / LinkedIn Work Trend Index (AI at work + BYOAI) — useful framing for why hidden adoption and governance matter. MicrosoftSuggested Past Episodes216: Designing Trustworthy AI in K-12: NASA, Ethics, and Teacher Voice (David Lockett) — direct complement on governance, ethics, and implementation realities in schools. Podcasts222: From Burnout to Better Questions – Human-Centered AI Adoption (Jackie Celske) — closely aligned with the burnout → redesign theme and the “people/process over tools” framing. Podcasts218: Teaching What Can’t Be AI’d (John “Camp”) — matches the “reinvest in what’s human” thread (presence, discourse, competency-based learning). PodcastsSupport the ShowIf you found this episode valuable, please share it with a colleague and leave a review. Your support helps other educators and leaders discover the show.
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223: Media Minimalism, Primary Sources, and Reclaiming Attention with Kira Shishkin
Dec 200:50:48Tap to summarizeListen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Key Takeaways:Attention is a Superpower: Why losing the ability to focus is a loss of personal power, and how to safeguard your attention footprint.Primary Sources vs. Commentary: The importance of reading the original documents (like a Supreme Court opinion) rather than relying on biased analysis from talking heads.Quality of Thought: A three-step framework for better thinking: write it down, speak it to a human, and publish it publicly to face scrutiny.Bias for Action: Why you should ship "version zero" and fix it later, rather than waiting for perfection.The Power of Helping: How the simple act of helping one person without strings attached is the root of true entrepreneurship.Guest ConnectionKira Shishkin on LinkedIn: Connect hereinformed Website: informed.nowQuotes"News readership as the biggest investment you can make in yourself as an adult... keeping in touch with the world as espousing a curiosity for the environment in which you are.""Attention is the human superpower. Whatever your superpower is, it gets unlocked through your attention.""We focus on significance. We don't focus on things that will trigger you... We focus on things that are going to change the world.""Perfect is the enemy of done... You would rather get a version zero out there in the world... than wait for double or triple the time to figure out some sort of perfect version."Resources mentioned in this episodeTry informed: Kira has set up a custom keyword for our listeners. You can text the word "coffeechug" to 844-406-INFO (4636) to test it out.Recent Feature: Check out informed on the front page of the International Business Times: infmd.co/ibtLaunch Post: Leave a supportive comment or repost on the informed launch post to get a free month.Support the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend or colleague who might benefit from these discussions. Your reviews and shares help me find new guests and perspectives to the show.
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222: From Burnout to Better Questions – Jackie Celske on Human-Centered AI Adoption
Nov 1800:52:40Tap to summarizeAccess the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/221Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Episode SnapshotJackie’s journey from burnout and “doing all the things” to rebuilding life and work around what actually mattersWhy 80% of AI projects fail—and what schools and organizations can do differentlyThe “Disney trash” lesson: stop chasing flashy AI and start with the boring, high-impact problemsWomen, confidence, and creating safer spaces to learn and lead with AI“...our value is in who we are, not in what we do”: using AI to rediscover identity, not erase itPractical, non-tech-bro ways to play with AI in your daily life (email, trip planning, speaking practice, and more)Episode HighlightsJackie’s story of walking away from a job that broke her health and identity and rebuilding life and work from NashvilleWhy 2023 felt like a turning point with ChatGPT and how it pulled her from digital marketing into AI adoption and strategyWhat “AI adoption” actually means (beyond tools) and why communication, culture, and expectations matter more than featuresThe harsh reality: most AI projects fail, not because of the tech, but because of people, processes, and misaligned outcomesThe “Disney trash” example: how starting with boring, high-volume, repetitive tasks beats chasing sexy, impossible AI dreamsA compassionate look at why many women hesitate to jump into AI and how community, safety, and “permission to not know” change thatEveryday use cases Jackie loves: practicing presentations with AI video, drafting hard emails, energizing workouts, travel planning, and using voice tools in playful waysThe deeper theme: AI shows us how not-special our tasks are, but it also clarifies how irreplaceable our humanity isConnect with Jackie CelskeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinecelske/Website – The Prose Co.: https://www.theproseco.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theproseco/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprosecoQuoteBeing human is your superpowerResourcesRand study 80% AI projects failWomen are avoiding AI: HBRGender DivideSupport the ShowIf this conversation helped you pause, reflect, or think differently about AI and learning, please share it with a colleague or friend. Leaving a review or tagging the show helps others discover these important conversations.
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221: Evolving Beyond the Hype: AI, Humanity, and the Cost of Progress
Oct 2301:03:12Tap to summarizeAccess the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/Direct Link to This Episode: Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Episode HighlightsRevisiting Moxie and how closing it deepened their understanding of AI, ethics, and learningThe balance between innovation and honesty when your business depends on what you critiqueHow technical knowledge led them from excitement to skepticismMoxie “AI Sandwich” workflow and how to use AI to brainstorm and refine while keeping the human in the middleKimberly’s story of watching her husband evolve from using AI for tests to using it to write creative scripts for science studentsThe hidden costs of AI tokens, data, energy, attention, and what it means to “pay the real price”Why the most valuable outcomes of AI may be emotional: motivation, reassurance, and calmRethinking productivity: what if being “more efficient” isn’t the goal?QuotesOn understanding AI as novice vs. expert....you can't think critically about something unless you are already an expert, unless you have some level of expertise. There came a point where we were experts enough to see… to think critically enough to say, oh, whoa, wait, hold up, hold up.What is it worth to you?....what would I be willing to pay if I had to pay the true cost of this? Because right now, our use of AI is fully subsidized by venture capital and these big tech companies. But if you had to pay the full cost of what that interaction was, if it's $75, would you pay for it?Power of Choice....what are you saying no, and what are you saying yes to? And not just in terms of financial, but all resources. Time, energy, serenity. I think about serenity as a resource for me, because I need to refill my cup. I cannot just be a yes girl, because I somehow ended up one.....what are you willing to pay for in all the different ways we pay for things, and are you saying yes to too many things?Mirage of Productivity to Save TimeAnd it's just crazy to think that this is gonna give us more time, and we're gonna be more productive and more efficient. No, you're just gonna get a new task......this mirage of we'll reach so much productivity that we'll have a leisure class, it'll be a four-day work week. It's never happened, and what do you know? It's not going to happen, because that is not the culture and the system that we are in, which prioritizes growth at all costs, no matter what.ResourcesEpisode 207: The Importance of Good Writing, Curiosity, Bravery, and the Process of LivingPractical AI for Educators PD for Higher Education Session 3 Breakout With KimberlyJessica on LinkedInKimberly on LinkedInLink: AI Sandwich Graphic by MoxieBook: Empire of AISubstack: Women Writin' 'Bout AIPodcast: Women Talkin' 'Bout AISupport the ShowIf this conversation helped you pause, reflect, or think differently about AI and learning, please share it with a colleague or friend. Leaving a review or tagging the show helps others discover these important conversations.
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220: Finding Flow Through Curiosity: A Conversation with The Curiosity Experiment’s Clare Inkster
Oct 1600:46:27Tap to summarizeAccess the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/Direct Link to This Episode:Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Episode Highlights Clare shares how a career in behavioral and neuroscience research led her to question whether her work truly served the world and how that moment of disconnection sparked a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology and a deep dive into curiosity interventions.She explains the science behind curiosity and well-being like how curiosity broadens perspective, strengthens creativity, and helps us find meaning and purpose.Clare describes creating “Curiosity Thursdays”, unpaid days dedicated to exploration and learning and how intentional time for curiosity fuels new thinking.The conversation explores balancing curiosity with productivity: scheduling curiosity intentionally, matching brain energy to task type, and building rhythms like “Wonder Wednesday” meetings to re-ignite collective wonder.Clare unpacks top-down vs. bottom-up curiosity and purposeful learning versus open, unstructured noticing and why both are essential for creativity and growth.She discusses the intersection of curiosity and AI, including how awareness and questioning keep our brains engaged rather than passive.Clare introduces her Curiosity Sprints that are two-week experiments inspired by Agile thinking designed to make learning iterative, joyful, and evidence-based.We reflect on how curiosity can help redefine success, shift from “achievement” to “enjoyment,” and re-learn the lost art of being bored.Featured QuotesOn the necessity of intention“I had to intentionally carve out that time, because otherwise something more important would always be there. There has to be an aspect of intentionality around curiosity in the world we live in today.”On balancing curiosity and efficiency“I’ve given myself permission, and I’ve actively chosen to be curious. Know the importance of it, be purposeful about it—and then schedule it into your day.”On curiosity and AI“Curiosity actually amplifies memory. So if we can ignite our curiosity before we go in and ask a question of an AI, we’ll remember more and learn more deeply.”On slowing down and not being busy“We are so busy all the time that we don’t really have any hobbies, or we don’t know what our hobbies are anymore. And it’s like, I don’t know how you find that when you’re always busy—you can’t listen, you can’t hear, you can’t find that creativity that’s bubbling up inside you.”On redefining success“I stopped asking, ‘What do I need to achieve this week?’ and started asking, ‘How can I make this week as enjoyable as possible?’ It was a shift from achievement to enjoyment—and it changed how I lived each day.”On curiosity as practice“When I wanted to make changes in my life, I didn’t know how. I just turned them into two-week sprints and figured it out. It’s empowering—because you’re building confidence in your own ability to learn and grow.”Resources & LinksClare Inkster on LinkedInThe Curiosity ExperimentThe Curiosity Experiment on InstagramResearch and studies on amount of questions we ask through the agesClare email address clare@thecuriosityexperiment.co.uk.Global Curiosity Institute website to measure curiosity https://www.globalcuriosityinstitute.com/diagnosticsYour Brain At Work BookTop Down vs. Botton Up Processing Video or ArticleMIT Study: Your Brain on ChatGPT and Clare LinkedIn Post That Inspired My QuestionBlog post about sprintsSatya Nadella article on culture of learn-it-allsSupport the ShowIf this episode helped you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. It helps more educators and leaders find the show.
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219: Finding Humanity Through Wanderlust: A Conversation with Lost in Adventure Travel’s Stephanie Cantwell
Oct 900:38:01Tap to summarizeEpisode Highlights Stephanie shares how family vacations to Disney sparked her early love for travel and curiosity about the world.She explains how formative middle and high school trips inspired her to create unique, personalized travel experiences through her company, Lost in Adventure Travel.The conversation explores how travel builds empathy and human connection by meeting people, hearing their stories, and seeing everyday life in different cultures.Stephanie discusses how being a parent influences her approach to accessible trip planning, focusing on visual schedules, pacing, and flexibility so every traveler can fully participate.Both reflect on the importance of downtime and moments of rest during travel, recognizing that learning and reflection often happen in those quiet spaces.She talks about concerts and live music as experiences that bring people together, reminding us of our shared humanity.Featured QuotesWhy travel mattersWe as humans have a tendency to live inside our own echo chambers, and when we push ourselves beyond our comfort zone, which travel really can do, whether it's stepping on the airplane, getting on the train, just leaving our homes sometimes can be scary. It challenges our mindset, it challenges our bodies physically sometimes, it expands our worldview, it allows us to meet people that aren't just like us....it's really important to try and understand where other people are coming from, mindsets, like, physically, where do people live? How is it different than what my house looks like? How is it different than how I was raised?Power of a Guide....guides are the storytellers of the destination. Guides, I think, make or break a vacationCreating Wanderlust LocallyAllowing yourself to go out and try a new restaurant. Try, like, go for a hike in a place you've never been. Those kind of experiences help drive the wanderlust as well, and allow us to step outside of that comfort zone a little bit.Challenge for Living..don't be afraid to take that first step. Whether you are traveling to Asia, or you're exploring your town, going to the concert that you wanted to go to, allow yourself to have the human experiences.Challenge for Immersion...allow someone to tell you a story about where you live about the town next door, go to a museum. Allow yourself to take the tour. Don't… just be your introverted self. Don't just grab your phone and learn about it, but go out there and talk to these people. And, I just think that overall, we will be better off.Learn MoreStephanie on LinkedInLost in Adventure TravelSuggested Past Episodes215: Born to Jump — Tara Martin on Courage, Story, and Self-CareWhy it fits: Courage and story as catalysts for change which are the same muscles you need to launch travel experiences or classroom micro-adventures.214: From Independence Day to Interdependence — Steven PuriWhy it fits: Designing work that prioritizes culture, presence, and curiosity is perfect framing for travel as community-building.104: Estella Owoimaha-Church — Building Empathy through the ArtsWhy it fits: A deep dive on empathy and restorative practices; complements this episode’s theme of travel as perspective-taking.
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218: Teaching What Can’t Be AI’d with John "Camp"
Oct 200:49:02Tap to summarizeWhat We Talk About Camp’s path to NEIA and why he still teaches while leading (modeling the work)Courage as the catalyst for change in any system, at any scaleCompetency-based assessment as a school-wide skill map (transfer across humanities, science, math, Innovation Studio)“Linear school” in a nonlinear world and how AI can help us blow up the old schedule logicWalking the fine line: college-prep and “what-comes-next” prep (love this framing)Keeping innovation alive after year 1: support systems, permission to try (and fail), and tapping teacher passionsWorkflow talk: using ChatGPT to organize brainstorms; Google Classroom paired with “Otis” for competencies; protecting life balanceTeach what can’t be AI’d: discourse, idea-to-idea connection, and real human presence in the roomOne small “ruckus” for tomorrow: break the pattern with a 10-minute gallery walk or other quick shift that re-energizes learningAccess the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/Direct Link to This Episode: Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Resources & Links Tiny Experiments BookNEIA Profile: John Camp: https://neiacademy.org/team/john-camp/Camp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/campsm/Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death (referenced in the discussion with link to my blog post)Alpha School: (referenced in AI discussion)Highlighted Posts (good primers for listeners)Why human-to-human discourse beats screen-staring (ties to “teach what can’t be AI’d”).Quick wins to break the invisible rules (small, classroom-level ruckuses).Episode QuoteIf you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Maya AngelouandWe don’t just think outside the box, we act outside the box. Campand our love for Neil PostmanTeach children something about the art and science of asking questions.Question-asking is the most significant intellectual tool human beings have.Support the ShowIf this episode helped you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. It helps more educators and leaders find the show.
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217: AI Without Freaking Out or Falling Asleep with Rebecca Bultsma
Sep 2500:50:06Tap to summarizeWhat We Talk AboutRebecca’s journey from communications into AI and ethics research.The moment in 2022 when ChatGPT changed the conversation about AI.Misconceptions: why AI is not a fad, and why it matters for everyone.Quick wins with generative AI from reading terms & conditions to learning through NotebookLM.Her mantra: “Never trust a large language model.” What that means and why human oversight is non-negotiable.The risks of over-trusting AI when it feels “human.”Opportunities in strategy: using AI for pattern-finding, scenario testing, and persona-building.Practical advice for staying safe: separating personal/work accounts and turning off data training.Why experimenting with Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini is the best starting point.Rebecca’s daily workflow: from AI-powered health stacks to automations that save brainpower.Final advice: control the controllables, start small, and build confidence step by step.Access the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/Direct Link to This Episode: Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Resources & LinksRebecca’s website: rebeccabultsma.com (speaking, workshops, resources)LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebecca-bultsma (active posts on AI ethics, policy, comms)X (Twitter): @rebeccabultsma — “AI awe + rational anxiety” stream and resource dropsTikTok: @rebeccabultsma (short takes on AI, comms, and ethics)Instagram: @commsrebecca (communications + AI insights)Highlighted Posts (good primers for listeners)“POV: You’re the ‘AI ethics’ person and not freaking out about LinkedIn’s data use.”Nuanced take on platform data and practical risk framing (great for comms leaders). LinkedIn“Never trust an LLM” in practice.Threads/posts where she pushes for human review, disclosure, and trust-building. Pair with her SchoolCEO feature. ApptegyDefining AI ethics as a philosophical puzzle.Reflective post that shows her influences and systems lens. LinkedInAI learning resources roundup.Shareable list of podcasts, newsletters, books, and courses, great on-ramp for teams. X (formerly Twitter)Webinar: Navigating AI Tools in Schools.Concrete strategies for K-12; sets expectations for ethical adoption and practical wins. risevision.comCourses & Tools Mentioned:OpenAI Academy – Free ChatGPT classesGoogle AI on Coursera – AI 101 courseAnthropic Academy – Free Claude coursesNotebookLM – AI-powered research synthesisThe Boring ReportGPT - JobsGPT by SmarterXZapier - https://zapier.com/ai Episode Quote“Anything you can’t do well, or you feel overwhelmed by have generative AI help you. That’s what it’s amazing for. It can be that external brain when you need it.”– Rebecca BultsmaSupport the ShowIf this episode helped you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. It helps more educators and leaders find the show.
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Designing Trustworthy AI in K‑12: NASA, Ethics, and Teacher Voice with David Lockett
Sep 1800:46:14Tap to summarizeAccess the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/Direct Link to This Episode:Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]Top TakeawaysStart where you are, start small. Reverse engineering and cross‑curricular alignment build admin buy‑in and teacher confidence.Make it hands‑on. Robotics, geospatial data, drones, and art integrations hook curiosity and translate AI into the real world.Bake in ethics and trustworthiness. Teach students to question data flows, wearables, and terms of service without doom and gloom.Broaden participation intentionally. Recruit widely, guarantee tool access, and position students as peer experts to level the field.Use your teacher voice. Join listening sessions, meet reps, ask questions, and shape AI policy and funding.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation now01:51 – David’s current roles + new workforce development announcement04:00 – From classroom to national initiatives (Einstein Fellow, 3C at Duke)05:44 – Teacher fears, mindset, and the power of perspective08:31 – NSF AI Institutes (AVO): design, prompts, trustworthiness10:50 – NASA partnerships & a new grant (AI + drones)13:32 – Entry points: reverse engineering; cross‑curricular buy‑in & PD17:20 – Secret sauce: collaboration, robotics + data + art20:55 – Broadening participation: recruiting, access, student experts24:08 – Teaching ethics & trust: classroom modules and what “trust” means26:55 – Wearables, privacy, and reading the ToS28:08 – Policy & advocacy: funding, privacy, and meeting your reps31:57 – Getting started: PLNs (ASCD, ISTE, NSTA, NASA) and vendor curricula35:58 – Teachers: your everyday practice is worth sharing41:39 – Full‑circle moment: Python in MS → PhD data science today44:38 – Where to find David + final adviceNote: Timestamps are approximate based on the raw recording.Resources & Mentions (add links) Meharry Medical College — School of Applied Computational Sciences (SACS) — https://sacsmeharry.org/ NSF AI Institutes Virtual Organization (AVO) — https://aiinstitutes.org/(Overview of all institutes: https://www.nsf.gov/focus-areas/ai/institutes)White House OSTP Listening Sessions (AI Bill of Rights process overview) — https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/ostp/ai-bill-of-rights/listening-to-the-american-people/NASA STEM Engagement — Learning Resources — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/NASA EXPRESS (weekly STEM newsletter) — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-express/NASA Student Opportunities (HS challenges, programs, field trips) — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-stem-opportunities-activities/NASA Internships (HS/college) — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/Hands-on NASA STEM activities (technology/aeronautics) — https://science.nasa.gov/learn/lessons-and-activities/Reverse engineering AI in the classroom (ISTE feature on David Lockett) — https://iste.org/blog/building-ai-student-creators-meet-artificial-intelligenceMeharry SACS — Trustworthy AI in Medical Systems (NSF CAP project) — https://sacsmeharry.org/taims/Ethics overview (PDF) — https://sacsmeharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2_Ethics.pdfUse case: Ethical & Trustworthy AI (PDF) — https://sacsmeharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1_Use-case-trustworthy-AI.pdfPLNs: ASCD — https://www.ascd.org • ISTE — https://www.iste.org • NSTA — https://www.nsta.orgTynker × NASA: Moon-to-Mars coding activities — https://www.tynker.com/hour-of-code/nasa-return-to-moonNASA page: Host an Hour of Code with Tynker — https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/host-an-hour-of-code-on-the-moon-with-nasa-and-tynker/Connect with David:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_davidjlockett/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjlockettX/Twitter https://x.com/DavidJLockett/status/1843755067306086451
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215: Born to Jump: Tara Martin on Courage, Story, and Self-Care in Education
Sep 400:52:27Tap to summarizeIn This Episode, You’ll Hear About:Tara’s journey from classroom teacher to instructional coach, district leader, and now Director of Publishing at Dave Burgess Consulting.Why mentors who see potential in us can change the entire trajectory of our lives.The Be REAL framework (Relatable, Expose vulnerability, Approachable, Learning through life) and why it matters in every relationship.Lessons from Cannonball In about fear, confidence, and tuning out the “dabblers” who sit on the sidelines.How Tara sustains her energy and creativity through systems: journaling, fitness routines, accountability groups, and her “ups and downs” T-chart.The importance of self-care and giving yourself permission to put your needs on the calendar first.The healing power of story and why fitting in is the opposite of true belonging.Why Listen:If you’ve ever felt torn between giving everything to your work and finding space for yourself, Tara’s perspective offers both inspiration and practical strategies. This conversation is about teaching, yes — but it’s also about building a life where you can thrive.Resources & Links:Connect with Tara: Website | Twitter/XTara’s books: Be REAL: Educate from the Heart | Cannonball InJoin the Conversation:What’s the “jump” you need to take in your own classroom or life? Share your reflections in the comments or tag me and Tara on social media.Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]
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