In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben and Steve sit down with Dave Jones and Stephen "Klem" Klemich to unpack Heart Styles, the character development framework built on 18 years of research into what really drives effective leadership, teaching and learning.Dave Jones is the founder of Uplift, a coaching and leadership consultancy based in High Wycombe, UK. He is an accredited Heart Styles practitioner whose career has spanned youth work, church leadership, and running a school hub for Oasis UK's multi-academy trust in South London, before moving into full-time leadership consultancy.Klem is the co-founder of Heart Styles, a global character development methodology now used across corporate, education and sporting organisations. Based in Sydney, Australia, he spent over 40 years in people development and 18 years researching the principles behind effective and ineffective leadership behaviour.We cover:- What Heart Styles is and the 18-year research behind it- Why fear and ego-driven pride quietly sabotage classrooms and leadership teams- The shift from fight and flight into flow, and what it does to the brain- Why humility, not control, is what actually builds trust and results- Moving schools and organisations from a parent-child dynamic to adult-to-adult culture- The "smart plus heart" model for raising a whole person, not just a result- Why celebrating mistakes builds nimble, high-performing teams- Klem's own story of undiagnosed dyslexia and the teacher who nearly broke himWhy listen? If you lead a team, a classroom or a school and you've ever wondered why "getting tough" only works for so long, this conversation reframes leadership and teaching around humility and love as performance drivers, not soft add-ons. It's a direct challenge to fear-based, exam-obsessed culture in education, backed by two decades of research and lived experience.Chapters00:00 Highlights00:40 Introductions03:06 Meet Dave Jones03:47 Meet Stephen "Klem" Klemich04:53 Klem's origin story: moving schools, undiagnosed dyslexia, and finding purpose07:28 Dave's path from youth work to Heart Styles11:15 What is Heart Styles?11:57 18 years of research: fear, ego, humility and love17:53 Fight, flight and flow explained26:59 Why leadership is shifting toward vulnerability28:01 From parent-child to adult-adult culture34:26 The energy of humility vs ego37:17 Why control-based leadership fails long term40:14 Bringing love into work and education41:39 Klem's dyslexia story: the power of encouragement45:18 Quickfire Questions<a href="https://uplift-consulting.co.uk/blog/blog-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Read Dave's blog post about the Heart Styles Model</a><a href="https://heartstyles.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Find out more about Heart Styles</a>Grab a copy of Klem's book, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062886835" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Above the Line</a>Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve x<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a><a href="https://www.edufuturists.com/wolfpack" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Join the Wolfpack Community</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Get in touch</a><a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a>

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben and Steve sit down with Dave Jones and Stephen "Klem" Klemich to unpack Heart Styles, the character development framework built on 18 years of research into what really drives effective leadership, teaching and learning.Dave Jones is the founder of Uplift, a coaching and leadership consultancy based in High Wycombe, UK. He is an accredited Heart Styles practitioner whose career has spanned youth work, church leadership, and running a school hub for Oasis UK's multi-academy trust in South London, before moving into full-time leadership consultancy.Klem is the co-founder of Heart Styles, a global character development methodology now used across corporate, education and sporting organisations. Based in Sydney, Australia, he spent over 40 years in people development and 18 years researching the principles behind effective and ineffective leadership behaviour.We cover:- What Heart Styles is and the 18-year research behind it- Why fear and ego-driven pride quietly sabotage classrooms and leadership teams- The shift from fight and flight into flow, and what it does to the brain- Why humility, not control, is what actually builds trust and results- Moving schools and organisations from a parent-child dynamic to adult-to-adult culture- The "smart plus heart" model for raising a whole person, not just a result- Why celebrating mistakes builds nimble, high-performing teams- Klem's own story of undiagnosed dyslexia and the teacher who nearly broke himWhy listen? If you lead a team, a classroom or a school and you've ever wondered why "getting tough" only works for so long, this conversation reframes leadership and teaching around humility and love as performance drivers, not soft add-ons. It's a direct challenge to fear-based, exam-obsessed culture in education, backed by two decades of research and lived experience.Chapters00:00 Highlights00:40 Introductions03:06 Meet Dave Jones03:47 Meet Stephen "Klem" Klemich04:53 Klem's origin story: moving schools, undiagnosed dyslexia, and finding purpose07:28 Dave's path from youth work to Heart Styles11:15 What is Heart Styles?11:57 18 years of research: fear, ego, humility and love17:53 Fight, flight and flow explained26:59 Why leadership is shifting toward vulnerability28:01 From parent-child to adult-adult culture34:26 The energy of humility vs ego37:17 Why control-based leadership fails long term40:14 Bringing love into work and education41:39 Klem's dyslexia story: the power of encouragement45:18 Quickfire QuestionsRead Dave's blog post about the Heart Styles ModelFind out more about Heart StylesGrab a copy of Klem's book, Above the LineThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xCheck out all about EdufuturistsJoin the Wolfpack CommunityWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGrab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben and Steve sit down with Dave Jones and Stephen "Klem" Klemich to unpack Heart Styles, the character development framework built on 18 years of research into what really drives effective leadership, teaching and learning.Dave Jones is the founder of Uplift, a coaching and leadership consultancy based in High Wycombe, UK. He is an accredited Heart Styles practitioner whose career has spanned youth work, church leadership, and running a school hub for Oasis UK's multi-academy trust in South London, before moving into full-time leadership consultancy.Klem is the co-founder of Heart Styles, a global character development methodology now used across corporate, education and sporting organisations. Based in Sydney, Australia, he spent over 40 years in people development and 18 years researching the principles behind effective and ineffective leadership behaviour.We cover:- What Heart Styles is and the 18-year research behind it- Why fear and ego-driven pride quietly sabotage classrooms and leadership teams- The shift from fight and flight into flow, and what it does to the brain- Why humility, not control, is what actually builds trust and results- Moving schools and organisations from a parent-child dynamic to adult-to-adult culture- The "smart plus heart" model for raising a whole person, not just a result- Why celebrating mistakes builds nimble, high-performing teams- Klem's own story of undiagnosed dyslexia and the teacher who nearly broke himWhy listen? If you lead a team, a classroom or a school and you've ever wondered why "getting tough" only works for so long, this conversation reframes leadership and teaching around humility and love as performance drivers, not soft add-ons. It's a direct challenge to fear-based, exam-obsessed culture in education, backed by two decades of research and lived experience.Chapters00:00 Highlights00:40 Introductions03:06 Meet Dave Jones03:47 Meet Stephen "Klem" Klemich04:53 Klem's origin story: moving schools, undiagnosed dyslexia, and finding purpose07:28 Dave's path from youth work to Heart Styles11:15 What is Heart Styles?11:57 18 years of research: fear, ego, humility and love17:53 Fight, flight and flow explained26:59 Why leadership is shifting toward vulnerability28:01 From parent-child to adult-adult culture34:26 The energy of humility vs ego37:17 Why control-based leadership fails long term40:14 Bringing love into work and education41:39 Klem's dyslexia story: the power of encouragement45:18 Quickfire Questions<a href="https://uplift-consulting.co.uk/blog/blog-4" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read Dave's blog post about the Heart Styles Model</a><a href="https://heartstyles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find out more about Heart Styles</a>Grab a copy of Klem's book, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062886835" rel="noopener noreferrer">Above the Line</a>Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben &amp; Steve x<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a><a href="https://www.edufuturists.com/wolfpack" rel="noopener noreferrer">Join the Wolfpack Community</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get in touch</a><a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a>

Smart + Heart: Why Character Beats Control in Leadership with Stephen Klemich & Dave Jones (#358)

Is kindness in school leadership a weakness, or is it the one thing that actually stops your best teachers walking out the door?In this episode of the podcast, Ben Whitaker and Steve Hope sit down with Joanna Povall, principal, COBIS lead improvement partner, and author of Kind Leadership: Leading Schools with Empathy, Honesty and Impact. Joanna has spent 30 years in education across the UK, France and the UAE, including running a school through genuine crisis conditions in Abu Dhabi, and now carries out school accreditation visits everywhere from Tokyo to Ascension Island.We cover:- Why Joanna wrote Kind Leadership after coming close to burnout in a school that turned toxic almost overnight- The difference between being nice and being kind, and why people confuse the two- - The Al Capone quote that shaped the whole book, and what it reveals about legacy and leadershipThe CHASE framework: Communication, Honesty, Accountability, Self-esteem and Ego- What COBIS accreditation actually looks like when it's done as a relationship, not an inspection- Whether leaders can be both liked and respected- Why teacher and headteacher retention is a leadership problem before it's anything else- Being kind to yourself, and the story behind the now-famous red jacketIf you lead people, manage a team, or have ever worried that being kind makes you look weak, this conversation will change how you think about it. Joanna makes a compelling, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable case that kindness and accountability were never opposites.Chapters00:00 Highlights02:20 Welcome to the Edufuturists Podcast04:14 Meet Joanna Povall: from Manchester to Abu Dhabi06:11 Moving into international school leadership08:53 A melting pot of cultures and communities11:14 Inside COBIS: what accreditation really looks like14:23 Why accreditation should build relationships, not fear20:10 Introducing the book: Kind Leadership20:41 The toxic experience that inspired the book25:38 Kindness vs weakness: the Al Capone question32:41 The CHASE Framework explained37:31 The red jacket story: kindness to yourself39:11 Can leaders be liked and respected?48:48 Being kind to yourself as a leader54:00 Quickfire Questions<a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/kind-leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Grab a copy of Joanna's book</a> Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve x <a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a> Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Get in touch</a> <a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a><a href="edufuturists.com/wolfpack" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Join the Edufuturists Wolfpack</a>

Is kindness in school leadership a weakness, or is it the one thing that actually stops your best teachers walking out the door? In this episode of the podcast, Ben Whitaker and Steve Hope sit down with Joanna Povall, principal, COBIS lead improvement partner, and author of Kind Leadership: Leading Schools with Empathy, Honesty and Impact. Joanna has spent 30 years in education across the UK, France and the UAE, including running a school through genuine crisis conditions in Abu Dhabi, and now carries out school accreditation visits everywhere from Tokyo to Ascension Island. We cover: - Why Joanna wrote Kind Leadership after coming close to burnout in a school that turned toxic almost overnight - The difference between being nice and being kind, and why people confuse the two - - The Al Capone quote that shaped the whole book, and what it reveals about legacy and leadership The CHASE framework: Communication, Honesty, Accountability, Self-esteem and Ego - What COBIS accreditation actually looks like when it's done as a relationship, not an inspection - Whether leaders can be both liked and respected - Why teacher and headteacher retention is a leadership problem before it's anything else - Being kind to yourself, and the story behind the now-famous red jacket If you lead people, manage a team, or have ever worried that being kind makes you look weak, this conversation will change how you think about it. Joanna makes a compelling, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable case that kindness and accountability were never opposites. Chapters 00:00 Highlights 02:20 Welcome to the Edufuturists Podcast 04:14 Meet Joanna Povall: from Manchester to Abu Dhabi 06:11 Moving into international school leadership 08:53 A melting pot of cultures and communities 11:14 Inside COBIS: what accreditation really looks like 14:23 Why accreditation should build relationships, not fear 20:10 Introducing the book: Kind Leadership 20:41 The toxic experience that inspired the book 25:38 Kindness vs weakness: the Al Capone question 32:41 The CHASE Framework explained 37:31 The red jacket story: kindness to yourself 39:11 Can leaders be liked and respected? 48:48 Being kind to yourself as a leader 54:00 Quickfire Questions Grab a copy of Joanna's book Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Check out all about Edufuturists Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book Join the Edufuturists Wolfpack

Is kindness in school leadership a weakness, or is it the one thing that actually stops your best teachers walking out the door?In this episode of the podcast, Ben Whitaker and Steve Hope sit down with Joanna Povall, principal, COBIS lead improvement partner, and author of Kind Leadership: Leading Schools with Empathy, Honesty and Impact. Joanna has spent 30 years in education across the UK, France and the UAE, including running a school through genuine crisis conditions in Abu Dhabi, and now carries out school accreditation visits everywhere from Tokyo to Ascension Island.We cover:- Why Joanna wrote Kind Leadership after coming close to burnout in a school that turned toxic almost overnight- The difference between being nice and being kind, and why people confuse the two- - The Al Capone quote that shaped the whole book, and what it reveals about legacy and leadershipThe CHASE framework: Communication, Honesty, Accountability, Self-esteem and Ego- What COBIS accreditation actually looks like when it's done as a relationship, not an inspection- Whether leaders can be both liked and respected- Why teacher and headteacher retention is a leadership problem before it's anything else- Being kind to yourself, and the story behind the now-famous red jacketIf you lead people, manage a team, or have ever worried that being kind makes you look weak, this conversation will change how you think about it. Joanna makes a compelling, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable case that kindness and accountability were never opposites.Chapters00:00 Highlights02:20 Welcome to the Edufuturists Podcast04:14 Meet Joanna Povall: from Manchester to Abu Dhabi06:11 Moving into international school leadership08:53 A melting pot of cultures and communities11:14 Inside COBIS: what accreditation really looks like14:23 Why accreditation should build relationships, not fear20:10 Introducing the book: Kind Leadership20:41 The toxic experience that inspired the book25:38 Kindness vs weakness: the Al Capone question32:41 The CHASE Framework explained37:31 The red jacket story: kindness to yourself39:11 Can leaders be liked and respected?48:48 Being kind to yourself as a leader54:00 Quickfire Questions<a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/kind-leadership" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grab a copy of Joanna's book</a> Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben &amp; Steve x <a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a> Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get in touch</a> <a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a><a href="edufuturists.com/wolfpack" rel="noopener noreferrer">Join the Edufuturists Wolfpack</a>

Is kindness a weakness in school leadership? with Joanna Povall (#355)

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben gets to sit down with AI pioneer and award-winning school leader Matthew Wemyss to unpack what AI literacy actually looks like when you stop treating it as a bolt-on subject and start building it into lessons teachers are already planning.Guest introMatthew Wemyss is Assistant School Director at the Cambridge School of Bucharest, a former Edufuturists AI Pioneer award winner, and founder of the AIDucation conference. He's the author of AI guides for teachers, students and (soon) parents, and creator of the AI Lit Kit - a tool that maps AI literacy activities directly onto existing lesson plans and curriculum standards.We cover:- Life inside a British international school in Bucharest and what makes international school culture different- Growing the AI Education conference from three workshops to hundreds of attendees, and what's next for 2027- Writing AI guides for teachers, students and now parents and why the tools change but the principles don't- Inside the AI Lit Kit: turning existing lesson plans into AI literacy opportunities without adding a new initiative- Navigating the EU AI Act, evolving deepfake definitions, and what schools are legally responsible for- Why "just try it and see what breaks" beats waiting for permissionWhy listenIf you're a school leader, teacher or parent trying to work out how AI literacy, compliance and everyday classroom practice actually fit together, without piling another initiative onto an already packed calendar, this conversation gives you a practical, grounded way to think about it, from someone living the compliance side and the classroom side at once.Chapters00:00 Highlights01:53 Welcome and Edufuturists updates03:59 Matthew's route into teaching09:03 Life in a British international school in Bucharest20:29 Building the AI Education conference25:53 Writing AI guides for teachers, students and parents30:36 Inside the AI Lit Kit38:30 Is AI illiteracy the real problem?42:39 EU AI Act, deepfakes and AI governance in schools49:34 Quick-fire questions53:12 Wrap-up and what's next<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/AI-Education-Parents-Handbook-ebook/dp/B0H4ZNSBPV/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=re3f1&content-id=amzn1.sym.5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&pf_rd_p=5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&pf_rd_r=520-9865677-7930756&pd_rd_wg=Qck7O&pd_rd_r=558f107b-e534-4620-a9c7-a3a38730a570" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Grab a copy of Matthew's new AI book</a> (which he wrote with Ben!)<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Get in touch</a><a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a><a href="edufuturists.com/wolfpack" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Join the Wolfpack</a> - our annual membership

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben gets to sit down with AI pioneer and award-winning school leader Matthew Wemyss to unpack what AI literacy actually looks like when you stop treating it as a bolt-on subject and start building it into lessons teachers are already planning.Guest introMatthew Wemyss is Assistant School Director at the Cambridge School of Bucharest, a former Edufuturists AI Pioneer award winner, and founder of the AIDucation conference. He's the author of AI guides for teachers, students and (soon) parents, and creator of the AI Lit Kit - a tool that maps AI literacy activities directly onto existing lesson plans and curriculum standards.We cover:- Life inside a British international school in Bucharest and what makes international school culture different- Growing the AI Education conference from three workshops to hundreds of attendees, and what's next for 2027- Writing AI guides for teachers, students and now parents and why the tools change but the principles don't- Inside the AI Lit Kit: turning existing lesson plans into AI literacy opportunities without adding a new initiative- Navigating the EU AI Act, evolving deepfake definitions, and what schools are legally responsible for- Why "just try it and see what breaks" beats waiting for permissionWhy listenIf you're a school leader, teacher or parent trying to work out how AI literacy, compliance and everyday classroom practice actually fit together, without piling another initiative onto an already packed calendar, this conversation gives you a practical, grounded way to think about it, from someone living the compliance side and the classroom side at once.Chapters00:00 Highlights01:53 Welcome and Edufuturists updates03:59 Matthew's route into teaching09:03 Life in a British international school in Bucharest20:29 Building the AI Education conference25:53 Writing AI guides for teachers, students and parents30:36 Inside the AI Lit Kit38:30 Is AI illiteracy the real problem?42:39 EU AI Act, deepfakes and AI governance in schools49:34 Quick-fire questions53:12 Wrap-up and what's nextGrab a copy of Matthew's new AI book (which he wrote with Ben!)Check out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGrab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education bookJoin the Wolfpack - our annual membership

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben gets to sit down with AI pioneer and award-winning school leader Matthew Wemyss to unpack what AI literacy actually looks like when you stop treating it as a bolt-on subject and start building it into lessons teachers are already planning.Guest introMatthew Wemyss is Assistant School Director at the Cambridge School of Bucharest, a former Edufuturists AI Pioneer award winner, and founder of the AIDucation conference. He's the author of AI guides for teachers, students and (soon) parents, and creator of the AI Lit Kit - a tool that maps AI literacy activities directly onto existing lesson plans and curriculum standards.We cover:- Life inside a British international school in Bucharest and what makes international school culture different- Growing the AI Education conference from three workshops to hundreds of attendees, and what's next for 2027- Writing AI guides for teachers, students and now parents and why the tools change but the principles don't- Inside the AI Lit Kit: turning existing lesson plans into AI literacy opportunities without adding a new initiative- Navigating the EU AI Act, evolving deepfake definitions, and what schools are legally responsible for- Why "just try it and see what breaks" beats waiting for permissionWhy listenIf you're a school leader, teacher or parent trying to work out how AI literacy, compliance and everyday classroom practice actually fit together, without piling another initiative onto an already packed calendar, this conversation gives you a practical, grounded way to think about it, from someone living the compliance side and the classroom side at once.Chapters00:00 Highlights01:53 Welcome and Edufuturists updates03:59 Matthew's route into teaching09:03 Life in a British international school in Bucharest20:29 Building the AI Education conference25:53 Writing AI guides for teachers, students and parents30:36 Inside the AI Lit Kit38:30 Is AI illiteracy the real problem?42:39 EU AI Act, deepfakes and AI governance in schools49:34 Quick-fire questions53:12 Wrap-up and what's next<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/AI-Education-Parents-Handbook-ebook/dp/B0H4ZNSBPV/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;pd_rd_w=re3f1&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&amp;pf_rd_p=5e81eabe-938d-4936-a067-ca199f0f9913&amp;pf_rd_r=520-9865677-7930756&amp;pd_rd_wg=Qck7O&amp;pd_rd_r=558f107b-e534-4620-a9c7-a3a38730a570" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grab a copy of Matthew's new AI book</a> (which he wrote with Ben!)<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get in touch</a><a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a><a href="edufuturists.com/wolfpack" rel="noopener noreferrer">Join the Wolfpack</a> - our annual membership

Is your school already breaking the law? EU AI Act, Deepfakes & AI Literacy w/ Matthew Wemyss (#353)

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Alexandra Levit and Stephanie Loeck for a conversation about whether youth unemployment is really a "crisis" and what we should be doing about it either way. Alexandra Levit is a workforce futurist who has spent over two decades tracking the disconnect between what education provides and what employers actually need. Stephanie Loeck is VP of Strategic Development at GPS Education Partners, a nonprofit that bridges education and industry through work-based learning, a model borne out of a very real local talent 'crisis' rather than theory. Together they've co-written Make School Work: Solving the American Youth Employment Crisis Through Work-Based Learning, and their combined lens - one futurist, one practitioner - is exactly what makes this conversation land. We cover: - Whether youth unemployment is a genuine "crisis" or a slower-moving "wicked problem" - The demographic cliff, labour shortages, and the "twindemic" reshaping the future workforce - Why this is as much a moral and equity issue as an economic one - The "presentist" trap - why business adapts fast and education doesn't, and what that costs young people - Why "preparing young people for work" is the wrong goal and what to aim for instead - AI, curiosity, and the "four A's" of authentic work-based learning- Real examples of applying work-based learning thinking to your own kids' choices Whether you're a parent, teacher, school or college leader, or someone shaping policy around education and work, this episode will change how you think about what young people actually need to be ready for their future. Chapters 00:00 Highlights 01:16 Welcome to the podcast 02:49 Meet the guests 03:09 Alexandra Levit: workforce futurist 06:12 Stephanie Loeck: GPS Education Partners 09:27 Crisis or wicked problem? 13:07 The moral and equity crisis underneath it all 14:34 Presentism: why business and education move at different speeds 17:00 Why GPS Ed was built to solve a real local talent crisis 20:43 Inside the Make School Work framework 27:27 Anxiety, agency, and what work-based learning is really for 30:24 Preparing young people for the world, not just for work 34:33 AI, UBI, and the future of work 40:48 Applying work-based learning to your own kids 43:13 Curiosity beyond employment 45:55 AI and the four A's of work-based learning 50:28 Quick fire questionsThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve x<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Get in touch</a><a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a>

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Alexandra Levit and Stephanie Loeck for a conversation about whether youth unemployment is really a "crisis" and what we should be doing about it either way. Alexandra Levit is a workforce futurist who has spent over two decades tracking the disconnect between what education provides and what employers actually need. Stephanie Loeck is VP of Strategic Development at GPS Education Partners, a nonprofit that bridges education and industry through work-based learning, a model borne out of a very real local talent 'crisis' rather than theory. Together they've co-written Make School Work: Solving the American Youth Employment Crisis Through Work-Based Learning, and their combined lens - one futurist, one practitioner - is exactly what makes this conversation land. We cover: - Whether youth unemployment is a genuine "crisis" or a slower-moving "wicked problem" - The demographic cliff, labour shortages, and the "twindemic" reshaping the future workforce - Why this is as much a moral and equity issue as an economic one - The "presentist" trap - why business adapts fast and education doesn't, and what that costs young people - Why "preparing young people for work" is the wrong goal and what to aim for instead - AI, curiosity, and the "four A's" of authentic work-based learning- Real examples of applying work-based learning thinking to your own kids' choices Whether you're a parent, teacher, school or college leader, or someone shaping policy around education and work, this episode will change how you think about what young people actually need to be ready for their future. Chapters 00:00 Highlights 01:16 Welcome to the podcast 02:49 Meet the guests 03:09 Alexandra Levit: workforce futurist 06:12 Stephanie Loeck: GPS Education Partners 09:27 Crisis or wicked problem? 13:07 The moral and equity crisis underneath it all 14:34 Presentism: why business and education move at different speeds 17:00 Why GPS Ed was built to solve a real local talent crisis 20:43 Inside the Make School Work framework 27:27 Anxiety, agency, and what work-based learning is really for 30:24 Preparing young people for the world, not just for work 34:33 AI, UBI, and the future of work 40:48 Applying work-based learning to your own kids 43:13 Curiosity beyond employment 45:55 AI and the four A's of work-based learning 50:28 Quick fire questionsThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xCheck out all about Edufuturists Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGrab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Alexandra Levit and Stephanie Loeck for a conversation about whether youth unemployment is really a "crisis" and what we should be doing about it either way. Alexandra Levit is a workforce futurist who has spent over two decades tracking the disconnect between what education provides and what employers actually need. Stephanie Loeck is VP of Strategic Development at GPS Education Partners, a nonprofit that bridges education and industry through work-based learning, a model borne out of a very real local talent 'crisis' rather than theory. Together they've co-written Make School Work: Solving the American Youth Employment Crisis Through Work-Based Learning, and their combined lens - one futurist, one practitioner - is exactly what makes this conversation land. We cover: - Whether youth unemployment is a genuine "crisis" or a slower-moving "wicked problem" - The demographic cliff, labour shortages, and the "twindemic" reshaping the future workforce - Why this is as much a moral and equity issue as an economic one - The "presentist" trap - why business adapts fast and education doesn't, and what that costs young people - Why "preparing young people for work" is the wrong goal and what to aim for instead - AI, curiosity, and the "four A's" of authentic work-based learning- Real examples of applying work-based learning thinking to your own kids' choices Whether you're a parent, teacher, school or college leader, or someone shaping policy around education and work, this episode will change how you think about what young people actually need to be ready for their future. Chapters 00:00 Highlights 01:16 Welcome to the podcast 02:49 Meet the guests 03:09 Alexandra Levit: workforce futurist 06:12 Stephanie Loeck: GPS Education Partners 09:27 Crisis or wicked problem? 13:07 The moral and equity crisis underneath it all 14:34 Presentism: why business and education move at different speeds 17:00 Why GPS Ed was built to solve a real local talent crisis 20:43 Inside the Make School Work framework 27:27 Anxiety, agency, and what work-based learning is really for 30:24 Preparing young people for the world, not just for work 34:33 AI, UBI, and the future of work 40:48 Applying work-based learning to your own kids 43:13 Curiosity beyond employment 45:55 AI and the four A's of work-based learning 50:28 Quick fire questionsThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben &amp; Steve x<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get in touch</a><a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a>

Is youth unemployment a crisis? with Alex Levit and Stephanie Loeck (#352)

What if the one thing standing between a child and a lifetime of struggle is simply which adult happened to notice them today?Turning down a pro wrestling contract to study Shakespeare isn't the usual route into running a multi-academy trust but nothing about Stephen Steinhaus's journey has followed the usual route, and that's exactly why this conversation is so good. Stephen is co-founder and CEO of the Solihull AP Multi-Academy Trust, and on this episode he sits down with us to talk about what actually gets him up in the morning: a genuine, fired-up belief that permanent exclusion isn't inevitable, and that every single person in a school - from the cleaner to the CEO - has the power to change a child's trajectory. From Chicago Bears fandom to Falstaff, from a heritage archive project that changed his career to the hard truths about what happens to kids after they're permanently excluded, this one covers a lot of ground. And yes, there's a quick fire round at the end. Yes, he smashes it. We cover: - Stephen's route from American football and professional wrestling to Shakespeare scholarship and teaching - How a heritage archive project called "Other People's Children" reshaped his whole approach to education - The real statistics behind permanent exclusion in the UK and why they should make you angry - Why "alternative provision" should really just be called "provision" - The JFK/NASA mindset - why every role in a school, not just teachers, is a difference-maker - Rethinking behaviour policies: culture, language, and moving away from a punishment-first mindset- Practical starting points for anyone dealing with complex behaviour in mainstream, AP or special settingChapters 00:00 Highlights 01:33 Welcome to the podcast (and Ben's brand new overshirt) 02:50 Meet Stephen Steinhaus 03:55 From Chicago to Solihull: building an AP trust 08:03 Turning down a wrestling contract to study Shakespeare 18:15 How Shakespeare led to alternative provision 23:14 The "Other People's Children" project that changed everything 29:20 The truth about permanent exclusion 39:33 Every role matters: the JFK/NASA mindset 50:51 Rethinking behaviour: culture, language and leadership 59:09 Quick Fire Questions<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-steinhaus-9374778/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Find out more about Stephen</a>Read his <a href="https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/send/lets-tackle-the-send-exclusion-crisis-one-child-at-a-time/?swcfpc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Let’s tackle the SEND exclusion crisis one child at a time article</a>Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve x<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Get in touch</a> <a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a>

What if the one thing standing between a child and a lifetime of struggle is simply which adult happened to notice them today?Turning down a pro wrestling contract to study Shakespeare isn't the usual route into running a multi-academy trust but nothing about Stephen Steinhaus's journey has followed the usual route, and that's exactly why this conversation is so good. Stephen is co-founder and CEO of the Solihull AP Multi-Academy Trust, and on this episode he sits down with us to talk about what actually gets him up in the morning: a genuine, fired-up belief that permanent exclusion isn't inevitable, and that every single person in a school - from the cleaner to the CEO - has the power to change a child's trajectory. From Chicago Bears fandom to Falstaff, from a heritage archive project that changed his career to the hard truths about what happens to kids after they're permanently excluded, this one covers a lot of ground. And yes, there's a quick fire round at the end. Yes, he smashes it. We cover: - Stephen's route from American football and professional wrestling to Shakespeare scholarship and teaching - How a heritage archive project called "Other People's Children" reshaped his whole approach to education - The real statistics behind permanent exclusion in the UK and why they should make you angry - Why "alternative provision" should really just be called "provision" - The JFK/NASA mindset - why every role in a school, not just teachers, is a difference-maker - Rethinking behaviour policies: culture, language, and moving away from a punishment-first mindset- Practical starting points for anyone dealing with complex behaviour in mainstream, AP or special settingChapters 00:00 Highlights 01:33 Welcome to the podcast (and Ben's brand new overshirt) 02:50 Meet Stephen Steinhaus 03:55 From Chicago to Solihull: building an AP trust 08:03 Turning down a wrestling contract to study Shakespeare 18:15 How Shakespeare led to alternative provision 23:14 The "Other People's Children" project that changed everything 29:20 The truth about permanent exclusion 39:33 Every role matters: the JFK/NASA mindset 50:51 Rethinking behaviour: culture, language and leadership 59:09 Quick Fire QuestionsFind out more about StephenRead his Let’s tackle the SEND exclusion crisis one child at a time articleThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book

What if the one thing standing between a child and a lifetime of struggle is simply which adult happened to notice them today?Turning down a pro wrestling contract to study Shakespeare isn't the usual route into running a multi-academy trust but nothing about Stephen Steinhaus's journey has followed the usual route, and that's exactly why this conversation is so good. Stephen is co-founder and CEO of the Solihull AP Multi-Academy Trust, and on this episode he sits down with us to talk about what actually gets him up in the morning: a genuine, fired-up belief that permanent exclusion isn't inevitable, and that every single person in a school - from the cleaner to the CEO - has the power to change a child's trajectory. From Chicago Bears fandom to Falstaff, from a heritage archive project that changed his career to the hard truths about what happens to kids after they're permanently excluded, this one covers a lot of ground. And yes, there's a quick fire round at the end. Yes, he smashes it. We cover: - Stephen's route from American football and professional wrestling to Shakespeare scholarship and teaching - How a heritage archive project called "Other People's Children" reshaped his whole approach to education - The real statistics behind permanent exclusion in the UK and why they should make you angry - Why "alternative provision" should really just be called "provision" - The JFK/NASA mindset - why every role in a school, not just teachers, is a difference-maker - Rethinking behaviour policies: culture, language, and moving away from a punishment-first mindset- Practical starting points for anyone dealing with complex behaviour in mainstream, AP or special settingChapters 00:00 Highlights 01:33 Welcome to the podcast (and Ben's brand new overshirt) 02:50 Meet Stephen Steinhaus 03:55 From Chicago to Solihull: building an AP trust 08:03 Turning down a wrestling contract to study Shakespeare 18:15 How Shakespeare led to alternative provision 23:14 The "Other People's Children" project that changed everything 29:20 The truth about permanent exclusion 39:33 Every role matters: the JFK/NASA mindset 50:51 Rethinking behaviour: culture, language and leadership 59:09 Quick Fire Questions<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-steinhaus-9374778/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find out more about Stephen</a>Read his <a href="https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/send/lets-tackle-the-send-exclusion-crisis-one-child-at-a-time/?swcfpc=1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Let’s tackle the SEND exclusion crisis one child at a time article</a>Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben &amp; Steve x<a href="https://www.edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Check out all about Edufuturists</a>Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?<a href="mailto:info@edufuturists.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get in touch</a> <a href="https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book</a>

Blowing up the PX Pipeline with Stephen Steinhaus (#351)

This week Ben and Dan chat to a digital innovator who is living the Google for Education dream at Basingstoke College of Technology in the UK.

EduFuturists #13 - The BCOT Model with Scott Hayden

This week Dan and Ben chat with Leslie McBeth in Canada.

EduFuturists #12 - Design thinking with Leslie McBeth

Dan interviews Ben about his recent journey of becoming a Google for Education Certified Innovator.

EduFuturists #11 - The Google Certified Innovator Experience

Carmel Bones is a sought after trainer and consultant to teachers

EduFuturists #10 - Driving student engagement through passion with Carmel Bones

Martin Bailey is director of Animate2Educate

EduFuturists #9 - Using iPads in the primary phase with Martin Bailey

In this episode Dan and Ben chat to Jamie Smith.

EduFuturists #8 - Imagining a new way to educate with Jamie Smith

We are delighted to be joined by Wendy Whitaker a primary school teacher in the UK

EduFuturists #7 - Becoming a Google Educator with Wendy Whitaker

an and Ben interview Andrew Caffrey, the UK Regional Director of EdTeachTeam.

EduFuturists #6 - Training in the UK with Andrew Caffrey

We stay in the USA and move from Ohio to New Jersey to interview Kim Mattina.

EduFuturists #5 - Troubleshoot your technology problems with Kim Mattina

This week Dan and Ben chat with Eric Curts

EduFuturists #4 - Building a network with Eric Curts

We are led to believe that the education system will continually evolve to meet the needs of learners and society. This has not happened. We need a revolution!

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