In this episode, Carolyn and Sara recap highlights from Day 2 of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) Summer Institute. Connection is key, as is making sure the right voices are at the table...

Also, when you golf, watch out for those geese (listen in to hear more).

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Here is the transcript for Episode 75: MAASE - Day 2.

Carolyn & Sara share insights from the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) Conference! Listen in as they discuss the importance of intentional leadership, building school culture, recognizing staff contributions, and fostering meaningful connections. Highlights include reflections on a keynote by Joe Sanfilippo, emphasizing that every interaction matters, and strategies for supporting staff and students.

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Here is the transcript for https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r453JODEn64lyHyeARNmgsPwqnTqbcHOpP1Lq8YAKMA/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Carolyn gets vulnerable about when change doesn't happen as quickly or as seemlessly as you want. She reminds you to use data to drive decisions, value multiple perspectives, and be ready for the push back - and take advantage of the little yeses that may open the door for something bigger!

Good luck this school year and keep doing all the great things! We are proud of YOU.

Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Here is the transcript for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 73: Change is Hard, Y'all.

In this episode, Sara and Carolyn dive into one of their favorite topics: designing professional learning that goes beyond the “sit and get.” They unpack what it takes to create intentional, engaging, and responsive learning experiences for educators - ones that not only spark mindset shifts but also support long-term changes in practice. Drawing from their years of experience and favorite conference takeaways, they share strategies for creating safe spaces, inviting vulnerability, and embedding implementation supports that make professional learning meaningful. Whether you’re facilitating professional learning for a district or presenting at a conference, this conversation will leave you reflecting on how to design with purpose, engage your audience, and keep the focus on real outcomes for students.

Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Here is the transcript for ⁠⁠⁠Episode 72: Designing Professional Learning that Lasts

At the end of a chaotic school year, it's easy to focus on your end-of-year to-do list and all of the things that haven't gone right in the last few weeks. We're challenging you to think bigger and recognize all of the good you and your team were able to do with your learners this year!

Using these reflective questions, consider all of the work you've accomplished this year as an individual and as a team. Use your responses to plan for what's next! Most of all: enjoy your summer break. Rest and reset for another impactful school year!

Here is a transcript of Episode 71: Reflect and Plan

In this episode, Carolyn and Sara unpack Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and reflect on how placement decisions affect students' long-term opportunities. They discuss the importance of shared understanding, the risks of staff-driven decisions, and how to keep students at the center.

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Here is the transcript for ⁠⁠⁠Episode 70: Rethinking LRE: Putting the Student at the Center

Earlier this week, Carolyn attended the 24th Annual START Conference here in Michigan. This episode recaps the energizing day of learning by reflecting on Caroline Gaddy's and Ashley Larisey's keynotes, then describes one of Carolyn's breakout sessions where participants designed stickers! Listen in to hear why the session went so well (and no, it's not because Carolyn hit all her marks and gracefully shared content). Sometimes, we all need to release the stress to be able to dream.

Mentioned in this episode:

START (Michigan's STatewide Autism Resources & Training)

Caroline Gaddy

Ashley Larisey

Here is the transcript for Episode 69: Igniting Change.

Feeling stuck in the chaos of the day-to-day? You’re not alone - this episode is your reminder to pause, reset, and breathe. Carolyn and Sara dig into the unspoken weight of "just getting through" and challenge the idea that business equals success. They reflect on modeling balance for our teams, our families, and ourselves. From reframing breaks as resets to scheduling self-care like any other meeting, this is a heartfelt call to step outside, unfollow the chaos, and truly live. Because life isn’t just about surviving - it’s for living.

Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Here is the transcript for ⁠⁠Episode 67: Bravery and Fear

"When we default to comfort out of fear of the unknown, we often ignore the paths that may change our life." - Todd Henry.

We've said time and time again that this work is HARD - and it often involves bravery to take the leap. Scared? Do it anyway. The weird thing about bravery is that if you're doing it right, it feels like fear!

Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Here is the transcript for ⁠Episode 67: Bravery and Fear

In this episode Carolyn and Sara dive into the challenges of the "messy middle"—that awkward, uncertain phase where self-doubt creeps in and progress feels slow. They discuss the importance of showing up, celebrating small wins, and surrounding yourself with supportive people to push through tough moments in both personal and professional growth.

Thanks for listening and, if you haven't already, please give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow us on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and now ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Here is the transcript for ⁠Episode 66: Navigating the Messy Middle - Finding Growth in the Struggles