Today Zach sits down with Branden Baskin to discuss extended realities, student engagement, and the value of sharing our story. After graduating from City College of New York with a B.A in Media Studies and a passion for altruistic projects, Branden led a number of community collaborations and business opportunities in various leadership roles. Since 2015, Branden has served as Chief Executive Officer for Vivid Imagination Inc., with the mission to empower young people to learn through both the aesthetic and technical fundamentals of digital technology. Branden's company has secured over $500,000+ in grants and funding for student-based projects to help give student's the tools to tell their stories and become digital creators.

Today Zach sits down with Dr. Emily King, a Licensed Psychologist and Health Services Provider in private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina with nearly 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. King received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked as a School Psychologist in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston, Texas before returning home to Raleigh in 2010. She is passionate about helping parents embrace their parenting journey by taking care of their own mental health and finding the best fit of services for their child’s growth and happiness. Dr. King is also a mother to two boys, ages 7 and 13 years old. Dr. King launched Parenting On Your Own Path in 2020 to share online resources beyond her psychology practice. Resources include the Parenting On Your Own Path blog, [The Roadmap] online course for parents, and digital social stories. Dr. King has been quoted in The Washington Post and has written for Parents.com, Mother.ly.com, and TheMighty.com. You can also find Dr. King on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube where she shares helpful information for parents.

After a three month hiatus, we're back! Today Zach sits down with Tia Goebel and Jade Lowder of Compassion Project in Bozeman, MT. As Executive Director of Compassion Project, Tia is committed to supporting individuals and communities in creating long-lasting, positive change towards wellness. She believes she is here to listen, learn, and unlock creativity through collaboration with others. Jade, Board President of Compassion Project, has worked with multiple nonprofits in the Gallatin Valley. Jade is an artist who has shown his work across the country, and he currently teaches drawing and painting at Montana State University. Jade's work with  Compassion Project has been driving his idea of living compassionately. 

Today Zach speaks with Ann Hackler-Foutch - a mom, a certified PDA trainer, a Family and Education consultant, and more. Ann worked as an early learning classroom educator for 9 years, she has served as a parent educator for the Parents as Teachers program, and she is an advocate for individuals and families living with Pathological Demand Avoidance. Ann currently homeschools and unschools her youngest son, and today we talk about her journey in making this decision and navigating her and her son’s experience. I so enjoyed hearing Ann’s perspective and finding out what has arisen as she has set out to create a learning structure that meets the needs of her son. I hope you enjoy hearing her story.

Today Zach sitsdown with Diane Gould, a licensed clinical social worker and a board certified behavior analyst. Diane’s work is about blending the art of psychotherapy with the science of behavior analysis. Based in Chicago, Diane works with families, school districts, and professionals, where she provides direct support, consultation, and continuing education. Diane is also the founder of PDA North America where she is creating a platform for families navigating Pathological Demand Avoidance.

Today Zach sits down with Derek Peterson, youth development and engagement expert with almost four decades of experience working in the field. Derek's work in the US and around the world fosters opportunity for people to build and feed their web of support, and live authentic lives that align with their mission. This is an episode for everyone - parents, teachers, students, mentors...this is for all of us humans who are trying be human amongst other humans.

Today Zach sits down with Austin McCulloh, a 23-year-old entrepreneur who, by the age of 20, had already begun his executive career. He is the Principal Consultant & Founder of Austin McCulloh Advising, which is a human capital consulting firm that is on a mission to help sales professionals grow their book of business. As Austin always says, “Life is much more fulfilling when you begin to realize what you’re capable of”. He wants everyone to see this for themselves. Austin's high energy, strong discipline, and intense drive make him the perfect fit for entry-level financial advisors looking to take their career to the next level and increase their income.

Zach really enjoyed having Austin on the podcast because although he is in a very different field of work than a lot of the people Zach talks to, so much of Austin's focus is also grounded in self-awareness, relationship building, and human optimization - which are so many of the things we talk about when we talk about learning and growing.

Today Zach talks with educational psychologist, Cristal McGill PhD. Cristal is a leader in the field of engagement practices for social/emotional wellness within education. Cristal works directly with residential programs, and also conducts trauma informed care seminars that offer teachers support strategies to implement with students. She is a proponent for active learning platforms, and from my conversation with her it is evident that she has a deep understanding of the social/emotional nuances and needs involved within education. I really enjoyed our conversation, and I think the things we talk about are especially pertinent to teachers, administrators, and other school professionals, especially in this time of redesigning so many of our educational structures.

Today Zach talks with Lisa "Kersch" Kerscher, Education Director at Brightways Learning here in Missoula, MT. Kersch works with educators, families, and students to help facilitate connection and collaboration around social/emotional wellness. Zach and Kersch talk the value of relationship development for students, they talk 'power with' structures, and they talk education considerations in the time of COVID. 

Today Zach sits down with Nick Salmon, President and Founder of Collaborative Learning Network, an organization that supports teaching and learning all over the world. Nick helps educators create clear visions. He models dynamic collaboration, and he advocates for systems that support the needs of students and teachers. Nick is such a valuable asset to education development, and it was a pleasure to have him on the podcast.