Change Starts Here

In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller dive into the pervasive and often misunderstood topic of "high expectations." While most leaders strive to raise the bar, they often see the same patterns repeat: the same students doing the thinking and the same staff carrying the load. Kim and Eve explore the research behind why this happens, revealing that high expectations are not just a mindset, but a visible environment created by thousands of micro-decisions.Listeners will be guided through a visualization exercise to understand how belief shifts behavior, from the feedback we give to the opportunities we offer. The hosts unpack four research-backed practices to disrupt low-expectation cycles: conducting an "Opportunity Audit," separating a student's "snapshot" from their potential "pathway," utilizing "Wise Feedback," and pairing challenge with structural support. This episode challenges educators to examine their default settings and intentionally design cultures where growth is the norm, not the exception.Our Staff Booster: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/lim_staffbooster_episode23?x=63yTZlDownload the Handout: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_epis-23?x=63yTZlHosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey EducationDr. Eve Miller, Director of Research with FranklinCovey EducationTimestamps:(00:00 - 00:42) Podcast intro (00:42 - 01:49) The expectation gap (01:49 - 04:24) Visualizing belief versus doubt (04:24 - 06:28) Expectations as environments (06:28 - 08:46) How expectations leak out (08:46 - 10:45) Cycles of expectations (10:45 - 13:21) Balancing efficiency and expectation (13:21 - 16:21) Labels and self-perception(16:21 - 18:24) Practice 1: Opportunity Audit (18:24 - 19:35) Practice 2: Snapshot vs Pathway (19:35 - 20:30) Practice 3: Wise Feedback (20:30 - 21:54) Practice 4: Challenge and Support (21:54 - 23:00) Closing thoughts

In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller tackle a practice that is ubiquitous in education yet often misunderstood: reflection. While educators and students are constantly asked to reflect, it frequently feels shallow, performative, or exhausting. Kim and Dr. Miller explore the neuroscience behind why reflection works, revealing that without it, experience simply hardens habits rather than creating learning.Listeners will learn the critical neurological distinction between reflection and rumination, and how leaders often unintentionally trigger the latter. The conversation highlights that reflection is not a passive review of the past, but an active state of inquiry that requires psychological safety to engage the prefrontal cortex. By shifting from "why" questions to "what" questions and treating reflection as a learned skill, leaders can turn this practice into a powerful engine for self-regulation and capacity building.Download the Handout: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/CSH-Truth-reflection?x=fmnfWPHosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)Timestamps: (00:00 - 00:55) Podcast intro and topic (00:55 - 02:44) The tension of reflection (02:44 - 04:23) Experience versus learning (04:23 - 05:15) The cycle of inquiry (05:15 - 07:25) Why reflection drives growth (07:25 - 09:53) Neuroscience of the brain (09:53 - 12:33) Reflection versus rumination (12:33 - 14:20) Common reflection misconceptions (14:20 - 15:41) Practical leadership strategies (15:41 - 18:05) Closing thoughts

In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller tackle the dreaded "mid-year slump", that time when energy dips and motivation becomes scarce for both staff and students. Rather than pushing harder, they explore the neurobiology behind what actually drives us to take action. Dr. Miller breaks down the science of the "motivation switch" in the brain, the nucleus accumbens, and explains why choice, relevance, and connection are biological necessities, not just nice-to-haves.Listeners will discover why motivation is not a fixed personality trait but a response to environmental conditions. The conversation unpacks Self-Determination Theory and offers leaders practical strategies to shift their teams from compliance to contribution. By learning how to offer authentic choices and co-create paths forward, educators can reignite agency and engagement even during the toughest stretches of the school year.Download the Handout:https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/CSH_handout_S6E19?x=OcaUHVHosts:Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Mid-Year Slump 01:48 Neurobiology of Motivation 02:46 Visualizing Motivation Triggers 05:17 The Nucleus Accumbens 07:20 Autonomy and Choice 10:14 Self-Determination Theory 12:38 Biology Over Personality 15:24 Practice: Offering Meaningful Choice 17:37 Practice: Co-Creating Paths

In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller explore the common "disconnect" between traditional school efforts and what actually drives student achievement. Dr. Miller shares insights from a deep dive into family engagement research, revealing that many widely accepted practices are more about compliance than connection. By shifting the focus from school-based events to "academic socialization," educators can unlock more powerful outcomes for their students. Listeners will learn how to identify and remove subtle barriers, such as scheduling conflicts and language gaps—that prevent families from engaging. The conversation highlights the transformative power of two-way communication and proactive, positive reach-outs. By moving away from visible but less effective gestures and toward building trust, educators can foster a partnership with families that significantly accelerates learning.Download the Handout, What Strengthens Family Engagement?:https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/fy26_csh_rc-handout_?x=hPII-q Hosts:Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)Timestamps: (00:00 - 00:42) Podcast intro (00:42 - 01:57) Research disconnects (01:57 - 04:28) Perceptions of engagement (04:28 - 06:27) Identifying engagement barriers (06:27 - 08:17) Changing educator paradigms (08:17 - 10:38) Redefining family involvement (10:38 - 12:21) Three engagement categories (12:21 - 14:07) Academic socialization impact (14:07 - 15:58) Building parent capacity (15:58 - 17:44) Power of two-way communication (17:44 - 21:36) Efficiency and effort tradeoffs (21:36 - 22:17) Closing thoughts

In this powerful episode, Dustin sits down with Sean Covey, President of FranklinCovey Education, for a candid conversation about why so many schools today feel overwhelmed, overcommitted, and stuck in the whirlwind of competing priorities. Drawing from decades of global experience, and fresh insights from recent district visits, Sean describes what educators are experiencing firsthand: growing student needs, teacher burnout, increasing complexity, and constant pressure to improve everything at once.Tune in for practical insights and mindset shifts school and district leaders can use tomorrow, a roadmap for moving from overwhelmed and overcommitted to focused, empowered, and ready for meaningful change.Read Sean’s article Overwhelmed and Overcommitted: Why Schools Underperform and Struggle to Improve:https://www.leaderinme.org/blog/overwhelmed-and-overcommitted/ Host: Dustin OdhamGuest: Sean CoveyTimestamps: (00:00 - 00:14) Beyond academics (00:14 - 00:51) Show open (00:51 - 01:18) The focus problem (01:18 - 01:37) Welcome and setup (01:37 - 02:39) Why Leader in Me (26:37 - 27:13) What gives hope now (27:13 - 27:56) Students leading the way (27:56 - 28:50) Focus on the good (28:50 - 29:24) Principles work everywhere (29:24 - 29:52) Leader in Me Unplugged (29:52 - 31:04) Lessons at home (31:50 - 32:20) Love of the arts (32:55 - 33:24) Thanks and vision (33:24 - 34:10) Close and call to action

In this energizing episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris explores how you can retrain your brain to move from constant stress to noticing daily bright spots. She explains the brain’s filtering system (your RAS) in simple language and connects it to practical choices educators can make to see more of what’s working.You’ll hear encouraging data showing that schools can shift momentum—even in the busiest seasons—and walk away with two quick routines that make the good more visible, without adding anything to your to-do list.Real change comes from small, repeatable choices that naturally fit into the rhythm of your day and gradually reshape what you notice. Tune in to discover how these simple shifts can boost clarity and optimism in your school, and share this episode with a colleague who could use a lift.Downloadable resources:https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_epis?x=HmJ7qQHost: Kim Yaris, M.Ed.Timestamps: (00:00 - 00:53) Intro(00:53 - 01:23) Why our focus narrows (01:23 - 04:20) Meet the RAS (03:52 - 04:46) Retune what you notice (04:46 - 05:35) Why this matters now (05:35 - 07:32) Student ratings rise (07:32 - 08:11) Engagement hits records (08:11 - 09:35) Encouragement and hope (09:35 - 10:32) Strategy 1, daily cue (10:32 - 11:17) Strategy 2, end question (11:17 - 11:55) Two big takeaways (11:55 - 12:05) Outro