Be a Better Ally: Critical Conversations for K12 Educators

What happens when a veteran true crime author teams up with his daughter for her debut book? In this episode, we sit down with best-selling author Gregg Olsen and teacher-turned-writer Morgan Olsen to discuss the unique magic of a father-daughter writing collaboration.

Together, they take us behind the scenes of their historical true crime project on Lida Southard. Gregg reflects on how research has drastically changed from the days of microfiche and expensive courthouse copies to today's digital archives, while Morgan shares how her background as a teacher shapes her empathy for the people behind the headlines. We dive into the ethics of modern true crime, the danger of "clickbait" reporting, and why the most crucial part of any compelling story isn't the murder itself, but the mundane details and complex relationships that surround it. Whether you're a true crime junkie, an aspiring writer, or just someone looking for advice on how to successfully collaborate with family, this episode is a masterclass in nonfiction storytelling.

https://www.booksellers.ca/books/ordinary-wife-the-true-story-of-america-s-forgotten-serial-killer-9781918505030?srsltid=AYCX9vLLQvluHiLh_Qb26LrPB0YdR7-3hvZGSNFHz0u6hvM3HbPuDh5h

What can a game about drawing imperfect fish teach us about AI and learning?In this episode, Tricia explores how a game built around drawing, observing, and iterating—connects to generative AI, digital humanities, and education. She describes digital humanities as using computer technology to better understand people and culture, and shares the story of an early project using computers to find patterns across the writings of Thomas Aquinas.The machine can surface patterns, but people interpret them. That distinction informs Tricia's approach to AI: use it to compare, rearrange, and notice information differently, while staying aware of the choices behind the data we collect and the questions we ask.

In this episode:

• How Draw Aquarium's imperfect fish invite experimentation
• What digital humanities can teach us about working with AI
• The difference between "data" and "capta"—what we choose to collect and count
• How play can help us question assumptions and values
• Why iteration matters in learning, design, and relationships
• An introduction to AI Attention and the Architecture of Assessment, a three-session online course beginning November 12

https://cdlt.isa.nl/events/ai-attention-and-the-architecture-of-assessment

Chapters

• 0:00 Draw Aquarium and the joy of imperfect drawings
• 0:55 Iteration and generative AI
• 1:25 Digital humanities and its origins
• 2:24 Computers find patterns; people interpret them
• 3:49 Rethinking data and what we choose to measure
• 4:56 Playing with texts to find new meaning
• 5:23 Using AI to shift perspective
• 6:07 Critical play and questioning assumptions
• 6:45 Iteration as an opportunity, not a demand
• 7:42 AI, attention, and assessment course details

How do we help children navigate profound, often overwhelming emotions like grief, fear, and insecurity without overwhelming them? In this episode, host Tricia sits down with author Kara LaReau

to discuss her newest book, Licorice—a captivating, seasonal mystery that doubles as a gentle vehicle for deep classroom and family discussions.

Paying homage to Daphne du Maurier's classic Gothic novel Rebecca, Licorice uses a cast of imperfect, relatable animal characters to give young people the language and emotional distance they need to unpack heavy life experiences. Whether you are an educator designing a supportive literature unit, a parent guiding a child through loss, or simply looking for an engaging, atmospheric read-aloud, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the intersection of storytelling, empathy, and emotional growth.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Gothic mystery conventions can create a safe framework for young readers exploring fear and grief.

• Translating adult literary homage (Rebecca) into an accessible, child-friendly animal allegory.

• Practical tips for teachers and caregivers using Licorice as a prompt for social-emotional learning (SEL).

• Why flawed, imperfect characters are critical for helping students build self-compassion and a sense of belonging.

Connect with the Guest: https://karalareau.com/

What We Discuss in This Episode:

• (00:41) The "Human and Cat" Dance of Editing: Why trust is essential when receiving an editorial letter, how Kara's background as an editor shapes her writing, and finding the magic "Option C."

• (04:56) Feedback as Emotional Intelligence: How learning to truly listen to critique builds empathy in writing and everyday life.

• (06:13) Anatomy of a Physical Book: Sprayed edges, Scholastic design collaboration, and working alongside neighbor and illustrator Kelly Murphy without exchanging a single email during production.

• (09:29) De-Weaponizing Big Emotions: Adapting Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca for middle-grade readers to talk honestly about loss, fear, and belonging without feeling pedantic.

• (12:13) From Manderley to Menagerie: Translating Mrs. Van Hopper into a haughty rabbit, Ben into an anxious house squirrel named Skur, and Mrs. Danvers into an imposing gray parrot.

• (15:32) The Unseen Drawer of Manuscripts: Why Kara lists unpublished books in her FAQ, recycling cut characters (like an old poodle named Ostie), and treating rejection as a learning curve.

• (20:14) "Winging It and Flinging It": Kara's drafting process, daily journaling habits, and sneak peek into her next Gothic-inspired animal mystery.

• (23:22) The Storytelling Power of True Crime & British TV: Exploring illogical choices, imperfect humans, and using imagination to cultivate compassion for difficult characters (and bad drivers).

What happens to the human mind and body when Earth is reduced to a pale blue dot millions of miles away ? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mark Shelhamer, professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and former Chief Scientist for NASA's Human Research Program . Drawing from his career studying human adaptation and his upcoming book, Are We Ready for Mars?, Dr. Shelhamer reveals why sending people to the Red Planet is far more than an engineering problem —it is a profound test of psychological resilience, autonomous teamwork, and human flexibility . From dealing with communication delays to coping with the "Earth-out-of-view effect," he breaks down why surviving the unexpected in deep space requires a generalist mindset, deep curiosity, and the willingness to take calculated risks . In this episode, you'll discover:

• From Pacemakers to Spaceflight: How Dr. Shelhamer transitioned from biomedical engineering to heading NASA's Human Research Program .
• The "Earth-Out-of-View" Effect: What happens psychologically when astronauts realize rescue is impossible and they are truly on their own .
• Building Real Resilience: Why the greatest challenge on long-duration missions isn't the hardware, but behavioral health, performance, and interpersonal collaboration .
• The Triumph of the Generalist: Why cultivating broad interests—including music and drumming—powers innovation and calculated risk-taking in high-stakes environments .
• Lessons for Earth: How structuring flexible support networks and embracing the unexpected can help anyone manage high-stress environments .

Featured Guest:

• Dr. Mark Shelhamer – Johns Hopkins University Professor, Former Chief Scientist of the NASA Human Research Program, and author of Are We Ready for Mars?

https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54095/are-we-ready-mars?srsltid=AYCX9vI5VRZYm6vBXEC57Sm5dDn3rUbfs00bBWpjPeDoQiEOqdit3Lcf

Award-winning author Sharon Cameron joins the podcast to discuss her novel, Up from the Ashes . Sharon shares her meticulous process of creating "dramatized reality" by working closely with the family of her real-life subjects, Hyman and Selma, to honor their legacy with accuracy and respect . She also opens up about the messy reality of the creative process, how her background as a musician influences the rhythm of her sentences, and why a lifelong love of The Lord of the Rings taught her that ordinary people hold the power to change the world . In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Weight and Joy of Research: How Sharon balances the devastating realities of Holocaust research with the profound joy and resilience found in real families' stories .
• "Dramatized Reality": The ethical responsibility of writing about real historical figures and the importance of building a common vision with their descendants .
• The Messy Creative Process: Why writers must give themselves permission to write terrible first drafts, and Sharon's need to isolate and fully immerse herself to find the story .
• Musical Storytelling: How Sharon's background in music and teaching translates into the pacing, swelling, and emotional rhythm of her writing .
• The Power of the Ordinary: How reading fantasy literature as a child instilled the core belief that ordinary people are not powerless—a theme deeply woven into Up from the Ashes .

Books & Resources Mentioned:

• Up from the Ashes by Sharon Cameron
• The Other Bennet Sister (A Jane Austen spin-off Sharon is currently reading for lighter fare)
• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (Which Sharon estimates she has read nearly 50 times)
• Traditional polyphonic folk music from a men's choir in the country of Georgia

https://sharoncameronbooks.com/

How do we raise innovators, rebels, and revolutionaries? This week, award-winning author A.S. King joins the show to answer that question and discuss her latest middle-grade novel, It Came From the Creek. We explore the real-life youth activists fighting book bans, the heartbreaking decline of creative writing in public schools, and the deep, late-night research into negligent chemical dumping that inspired her new book. Along the way, A.S. King shares her personal journey with self-esteem, the importance of nurturing lifelong childhood friendships, and how one teacher handing her a Paul Zindel novel changed the trajectory of her life.

Key Takeaways

• Youth Activism: How students in Pennsylvania successfully organized to overturn a massive school board book ban when the adults could not.

• The Creativity Crisis: Why heavy testing burdens have pushed creative writing out of 90% of public schools, and why story-building is an essential life skill.

• The Puzzle of Writing: A look into A.S. King's creative process, how she weaves together haunted houses, the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies, and environmental hazards.

• Deep-Dive Research: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and 3 A.M. rabbit holes that uncovered the true history of toxic dumping in Pottstown, PA.

• The Power of Friendship: How A.S. King's perspective on connection and self-esteem has evolved, and why childhood friendships are worth nurturing well into adulthood.

Mentioned in This Episode

• It Came From the Creek by A.S. King

• Me and Marvin Gardens by A.S. King (Companion novel)

• The Pigman by Paul Zindel

About the Guest A.S. King is a multi-award-winning author of young adult and middle-grade fiction. She is the recipient of the Printz Medal and the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. Known for her authentic, surreal, and deeply empathetic storytelling, she has spent her career championing the voices and complex inner lives of young readers.

Connect with A.S. King

https://www.as-king.com/

Have a question for Tricia?

tricia(@)shiftingschools(dotcom)

What can picture books teach us about helping children feel heard—and learning to ask for help ourselves?

Author and illustrator Christy Mandin returns to explore Millie Fleur's Pumpkin Problem and Millie Fleur's Worst Day Ever. Through her imaginative characters, Christy opens up conversations about creativity, community, and respecting children's emotional experiences.

Together, we consider why a child's "worst day ever" deserves our attention, even when the problem seems small to an adult. Christy shares how life in her neurodivergent household shapes her approach to communication and why supporting someone involves both expressing our needs and noticing the needs of others.

We also go behind the scenes of her creative process—from gardening and escaping chickens to a beloved shed character—and hear her refreshingly honest three-day rule for processing feedback.

In this episode, we explore:

• Respecting children as whole people with experiences that matter.

• Asking for help and challenging the fear of burdening others.

• Using picture books to spark conversations and build community.

• Finding characters and creative inspiration in everyday life.

• Making space to process feedback before deciding what comes next.

For educators, librarians, parents, and anyone nurturing creativity, this conversation offers an invitation to notice more, listen closely, and make room for support.

Explore Christy's books and work: https://www.christymandin.com

Discover the Millie Fleur series: https://www.scholastic.com/site/millie-fleur.html

What makes a monster? NYT bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega just finished the five-book Witchlings series, and she's got thoughts.

We talk about The Sims as a storytelling engine, why curiosity about death and darkness is something to welcome, and how kids are finding their first real friends through Seven, Valley, and Thorn. Claribel shares how she held a whole series in her head from day one, why "writing" includes walks with her dog Steven, and why she refuses to write about community without living it.

Educators: stick around for Ghost Squad Week and her classroom resources. Gamers: she leaves you with two indie picks that might eat your weekend.

Chapters

• 00:00 Steven, her canine manager
• 02:38 Why raccoons are half monster
• 04:20 Respect across species
• 05:53 The Sims and worldbuilding
• 07:48 Why we're curious about the dark
• 09:56 What readers write to her
• 11:58 Planning five books from the start
• 14:14 Showing up for inspiration
• 15:53 Community, Ghost Squad Week, and Louise Penny
• 20:24 Design and crediting illustrators
• 24:33 Game recommendations
• 26:35 What's next: Thirty Ways to Kill Your Avatar

About the Guest

Claribel A. Ortega is a New York Times bestselling author born in the Bronx to a Dominican family. She wrote Ghost Squad, the graphic novel Frizzy, and the Witchlings series, which concludes with The Sea Witch Prophecy.

Resources Mentioned

• Claribel's site: https://www.claribelortega.com
• Witchlings series: https://www.claribelortega.com/witchlings
• Educator resources + Ghost Squad Week: https://www.claribelortega.com/educators-teachers
• Paralives: https://www.paralives.com
• Dressmaker on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4019220/Dressmaker/
• Louise Penny: https://louisepenny.com
• Website designer Danika Corrall: http://www.danikacorrall.com

What helps a young person believe their creative ideas are worth pursuing?

New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory joins Tricia Friedman to discuss her first young adult novel, It's Only Dancing, inspired by Dirty Dancing. Together, they explore teenage friendship, artistic possibility, and what it means to write about young people with respect.

Jasmine shares how an encouraging friend helped her begin writing, why finishing an imperfect draft matters, and how her creative process changes from book to book. She also reflects on the joy of learning something difficult—a conversation with particular resonance for educators thinking about creativity in the age of AI.

In this episode, we explore:

• Taking teenagers' passions and perspectives seriously.

• How unexpected friendships help us try something new.

• Supporting a creative person through listening, questions, and encouragement.

• Making room for the struggle and discovery involved in learning.

• Valuing art for the joy it brings, alongside its career possibilities.

Listen with this question in mind: Who in your classroom or community needs encouragement to keep going with an idea they're still learning how to express?

Featured book: It's Only Dancing by Jasmine Guillory.

https://www.jasmineguillory.com/its-only-dancing

This short episode asks for your help.

In anticipation of the upcoming AAIE Institute in Atlanta, might your students want to weigh in and share their feedback on questions we will be using for focus groups and surveys?

If yes, share this link with them:

https://student-voice-questions.netlify.app/

Want to join me this November for an online series that begins the critical work of reimagining assessment?

Learn more:

https://cdlt.isa.nl/events/ai-attention-and-the-architecture-of-assessment