How hopeful do you feel about the future? Does it show in your interactions with youth? I think we can all use a healthy dose of hope these days, but we're not talking about it enough. We look at the events of the world today and we stay quiet, feeling like we need to grin and bear it.

That's not true. If you're struggling, others are struggling. And our youth need to hear stories of love, compassion, and hope. It's our responsibility as educators to do just that.

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Lindsay Recknell, a certified expert in hope. She's sharing why this is so important and the brain science to back up the power of hope. This isn't a bunch of woo woo talk; it's real science and actionable steps we can all take to become more hopeful and improve the mental health of our educators, our students, and our communities at large.

About Lindsay Recknell:

As an expert in hope and a Certified Psychological Health & Safety Advisor, Lindsay Recknell works with individuals and organizations to increase their levels of psychological health & safety in the workplace using Positive Psychology and the Science of Hope. She empowers individuals, strengthens teams and transforms organizations through her Self-Awareness Superhero, Dream Catalyst and Wellness Webinars programs. She is host of two podcasts, Hope Motivates Action and Mental Health in Minutes. Lindsay lives in Calgary with her husband and their Golden Retriever, Squeak. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Jump in the Conversation:

• [2:01] - Where the work from hope started
• [3:25] - Hope has a PR problem
• [4:05] - Hope as a catalyst for courage
• [6:18] - Feeling like the only one (you're not)
• [6:54] - Hope encourages you to keep learning
• [9:40] - If it matters to you, it matters
• [11:50] - How to implement hope conversations with young adults
• [15:40] - Activity for teachers to do with students
• [20:09] - Growth and personal development after doing this exercise
• [21:45] - You learn by doing this with students
• [22:27] - The difference between hope and optimism
• [27:15] - Turbo Time
• [28:53] - What you need to know about the practice of hope
• [29:26] - It's all about mental health
• [32:35] - Lindsay's Magic Wand
• [34:18] - Maureen's Takeaways

Links & Resources

• Hope Motivates Action: Creating Change in Education
• Making Hope Happen by Dr. Shane Lopez
• The Book of Joy (on audible)
• Episode 97: Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms and Putting Kids First with Dr. Kristen Miller
• Email Maureen

• Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

• The Education Evolution
• Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
• Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
• LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
• EdActive Collective
• Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids

• Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
• The Micro-School Coalition
• Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
• LEADPrep