Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and Homa Tavangar explore the significance of asking big questions in leadership, the importance of relationships, and the need for deeper connections in education and community. They discuss how embracing complexity and uncertainty can lead to growth, the role of play in learning, and the necessity of listening to unheard voices. The dialogue also touches on redefining leadership to combat loneliness and the importance of cultivating awe and spirituality in our lives. Meet our guest: Homa Tavangar is the co-founder of the Big Questions Institute and the Oneness Lab. She brings 30+ years’ experience helping diverse organizations and individuals to build cultural, racial and global competence, strategic governance, and visionary, generative leadership in diverse schools and organizations. She coaches leaders on accountability for equity, leading through crisis, and advises on strategic design and planning across five continents. She has co-authored seven books for educators, and is the author of best-selling Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World (published by Random House) and Global Kids (Barefoot Books). Her most recent publication is 12 Big Questions Schools Must Answer to Create Irresistible Futures with Will Richardson (forthcoming, 2025). A graduate of UCLA and Princeton, Homa was born in Iran, has lived on four continents, speaks four languages, and has heritage in four world religions. She serves on several Boards, including ISS (International Schools Services) and is a judge for the Templeton Prize, considered the “world’s most interesting prize” with a purse calibrated to exceed the Nobel Prize. She is married and the mother of three adult daughters, and resides in Villanova, Pennsylvania. https://homatavangar.com/about-homa Chapters 00:00 The Power of Questions in Leadership 04:06 Embracing Relationships as Solutions 09:46 Nature and Relational Intelligence 18:31 The Role of Boards in Education 23:50 Reframing Leadership as an Act of Love 29:52 The Role of Joy in Education 31:50 Social Emotional Learning: A Double-Edged Sword 34:20 Loneliness in Leadership and the Need for Connection 36:13 Global Citizenship: Friendship and Community 41:27 Seeking Spiritual Guidance in Education 44:28 Cultivating Awe and Community Connections

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and Reem Labib Tyson explore the evolving landscape of coaching, emphasizing the importance of reflection, emotional intelligence, and the dynamics between coach and coachee. They discuss the significance of diverse experiences in coaching, the gray areas of leadership, and the need for accessible coaching strategies. The dialogue highlights the importance of curiosity, identity, and authenticity in coaching relationships, as well as the flexibility of coaching engagements and the potential of group coaching. Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Coaching 03:00 The Need for Reflection and Space 06:04 Navigating the Coach-Coachee Dynamic 09:13 The Importance of Diverse Experiences in Coaching 12:02 Leadership in the Gray Areas 15:05 Emotional Intelligence and Coaching 17:52 Demystifying Coaching 20:50 Finding the Right Coach 23:45 Identity and Coaching 26:31 Navigating Difficult Conversations 29:29 The Art of Active Listening 32:37 Building Inclusive Spaces 34:26 Influences on Coaching Style 36:11 Simplifying Complex Concepts 39:25 The Importance of Breathing and Mindfulness 41:09 Democratizing Coaching 45:23 Understanding Group Coaching Dynamics Connect with Reem: https://www.edspired.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/reem-labib-tyson/

Dr. Laura Chávez-Moreno is an award-winning scholar, qualitative social scientist, and assistant professor in the Departments of Chicana/o & Central American Studies and Education at the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education. Her book published by Harvard Education Press, won the 2025 American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Early Career Book of the Year Award. Dr. Chávez-Moreno’s research has been published in top-tier academic journals and recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as the American Educational Research Association and the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation. In 2023, she received the Alan C. Purves Award from the National Council of Teachers of English for her article, “The continuum of racial literacies: Teacher practices countering whitestream bilingual education,” published in Research in the Teaching of English. This annual award honors the article deemed most significant in advancing the field. Dr. Chávez-Moreno has taught at all levels of schooling, from elementary and secondary to tertiary and older-adult education. Her five years as a high school Spanish teacher in the School District of Philadelphia included writing district curriculum and serving on boards of community organizations. https://latino.ucla.edu/person/laura-c-chavez-moreno/

In this conversation, Jim Murphy shares insights from his book 'Inner Excellence,' discussing the importance and the need for self-awareness. He emphasizes that true excellence comes from within and is about developing skills that foster belief and joy. The discussion touches on the lessons that can be learned from sports, particularly in youth leagues, where the focus should be on character and how we treat others. 00:00 The Journey of Inner Excellence 03:00 The Power of Inner Performance 05:55 Overcoming Self-Centeredness 09:10 The Role of Love in Performance 12:00 Charity and the Greater Good 15:12 Lessons from Little League Learn more: https://innerexcellence.com/

In this conversation, Daria Burke discusses her book and the complexities of self-identity, healing, and the importance of community. She explores how our past shapes our present and the power of storytelling in personal growth. Burke emphasizes the significance of friendship and chosen family in the healing process, and she challenges conventional notions of success, advocating for alignment over ambition. The discussion also touches on the ongoing nature of healing and the internal resources we possess to navigate our journeys. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Time and Self 03:10 The Power of Story and Science 06:07 Redefining Success 08:51 The Role of Friendship and Community 11:47 Building Networks of Care 15:07 The Journey of Healing Ready to get your copy? https://bookshop.org/shop/dariaburke

Tricia speaks with Naomi and Kyra from Making Stuff Better about their upcoming event and the intentionality behind their work. They discuss the importance of resourcefulness, noticing, and community in education, as well as the need to rethink traditional educational practices. The conversation emphasizes the power of unscripted dialogue, active participation, and trust within teams to foster creativity and innovation in educational settings. In this conversation, Kyra, Naomi, and Tricia discuss the innovative approaches to educational conferences and professional development, emphasizing the need for human-centric experiences that prioritize reflection, storytelling, and community building. Ready to join them June 5th? https://makingstuffbetter.com/resourcing-yourself-in-a-time-of-uncertainty/#waitlist Chapters 00:00 The Intentionality Behind Making Stuff Better 02:57 Noticing and Resourcefulness in Education 05:57 The Power of Conversation and Community 11:55 Rethinking Educational Practices 15:01 Embracing Improv and Unscripted Conversations 19:53 Active Participation and Trust in Team Dynamics 24:57 Imagining New Possibilities for Conferences 26:25 Reimagining Educational Conferences 31:39 Human-Centric Professional Development 39:11 The Importance of Reflection and Storytelling 44:03 Engaging Student Voices in Education 49:42 Resourcing and Community Building

Francesca Cavallo discusses her new book and the importance of rethinking masculinity through storytelling. She emphasizes the role of media in shaping gender dynamics and the necessity of compassion in understanding boys' identities. The discussion highlights the impact of gender representation on society and the importance of creating engaging dialogues around masculinity. Chapters 00:00 Exploring Media's Role in Gender Dynamics 05:10 Rethinking Masculinity: A New Narrative 11:24 Compassion and Understanding in Masculinity 17:34 The Impact of Gender Representation on Society 22:21 Creating Engaging Conversations Around Masculinity Learn more about the book: https://www.rizzolibookstore.com/product/stellar-stories-boys-future?srsltid=AfmBOoq3OuxxNug0LbPMg7YiBEO-xQ7_Xxz_lYM48mzF23S1PnbL6XOa Join Tricia to explore research about AI and society April 17th, free via AAIE: https://app.glueup.com/event/aaie-global-leaders-conversation-with-tricia-friedman-134980/

Tanisia Moore discusses her latest picture book 'Wash Day Love', emphasizing themes of intergenerational care, joy, and representation in children's literature. She shares her personal experiences that inspired the book, the importance of collaboration with illustrators, and her passion for empowering young voices through school visits. We also explore Moore's writing process, highlighting the significance of capturing ideas and the power of imagination. Learn more about this week's guest: https://tanisiamoore.com/ Chapters 00:00 Intergenerational Care in 'Wash Day Love' 06:10 The Joy of Collaboration in Picture Books 09:00 Empowering Young Voices through School Visits 16:22 The Writing Process: From Ideas to Publication

In this episode of the Be a Better Ally podcast, Tricia Friedman interviews Hope Larson, a prolific artist and author, about her journey in the creative industry. They discuss the importance of defining success beyond traditional metrics, the significance of connection and community in education, and the challenges of navigating learning differences. Hope shares insights into her creative process, the role of collaboration, and the value of mini comics in artistic development. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators to foster an environment that encourages creative expression and exploration among students. Chapters 00:00 Defining Success Beyond Achievements 02:57 The Importance of Connection in Education 05:57 Navigating Learning Differences and Asking for Help 08:59 The Creative Process: Finding Characters and Themes 11:54 Collaboration and Intellectual Humility in Art 15:09 The Role of Mini Comics in Artistic Development 18:11 Encouraging Creative Expression in Communities Learn more about the guest and the book: https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/hope-larson

On the show this week is Dr. Tony Keith Jr.: a Black American gay poet, spoken word artist, and hip-hop educational leader from Washington, DC. He is author of the YA memoir in verse How the Boogeyman Became a Poet. Tony’s writings have appeared in the International Journal of Critical Media Literacy, the Journal of Black Masculinity, and many others. A multiyear Fellow of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities with a PhD in education from George Mason University, Tony is CEO of Ed Emcee Academy and lives with his husband, Harry Christian III, in his DC hometown. Visit him at www.tonykeithjr.com In this conversation, Dr. Tony Keith Jr. discusses his poetry collection 'Knucklehead' and the significance of spoken word poetry. He explores the relationship between spoken and written poetry, emphasizing the importance of audience engagement and personal connection. The discussion explores themes of masculinity, self-preservation through writing, and the role of creativity in processing emotions. Dr. Keith shares insights on how consumption of joyful content influences his artistic practice and the power of poetry to awaken wonder and understanding in readers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Knucklehead and Spoken Word Poetry 03:03 The Relationship Between Spoken and Written Poetry 05:59 Audience Engagement and Personal Connection 08:55 Exploring Masculinity Through Poetry 11:58 Poetry as a Form of Self-Preservation 14:45 Creativity as a Response to Emotion 18:13 Consumption and Production in Artistic Practice 20:51 Awakening Wonder Through Poetry

This episode is a musical rendition of the forty 'forbidden' words that are under attack right now. Special shout out to the bravery of Darby Saxbe, a professor at the University of Southern California for sharing the list of forbidden words, as she said on Twitter in her post: "This is a crisis for academic freedom & science." How might we use art and music to help us understand the significance of these words? Tricia generated this song as a collaboration with AI and then mixed it in Garageband. You are welcome to take the song and remix it in any way you'd like.

In this conversation, Tricia speaks with Luthern Williams, a futurist and school leader, about the role of creativity and the arts in reimagining education. They discuss the importance of imagination and the need to move away from the factory-age industrial model of education. Luthern shares the story of a school that was intentionally created to be different and emphasizes the importance of preparing students to live together and work towards the common good. Takeaways Creativity and the arts are essential for imagining what education can be and moving away from the factory-age industrial model. Integrated and equitable schools create dynamic and exciting learning environments where children can thrive. Teachers need to do their own internal work to create a positive culture and climate in the classroom. Connect with our Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luthern-williams-64a39ba/ Check out the free guide Tricia mentioned at the start of the episode: https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/your-free-shifting-schools-guide-more-generative-collaboration-in-2025/