Our first guest of the season is Alex Budak, faculty member at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, social entrepreneur, and author of Becoming a Changemaker. Together, we dive into what it actually takes to spark lasting change in our classrooms, schools, and communities without relying on formal titles and focusing instead on bringing people along, building strong relationships, and creating genuine buy-in every step of the way.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that real change rarely happens in one massive leap; it is built through small, everyday actions. We don't need a big stage to make a difference, just the willingness to take tiny steps forward right where we are.

Resources & Links

Connect and learn about Alex's work: 

Get in Touch: Have feedback or want to collaborate? Email us at [email protected] or connect through LinkedIn.

Subscribe & Connect: Stay tuned for upcoming Season 3 episodes covering service learning, sustainability, edible education, and global citizenship!

Welcome to Season 3 of the Edvolution Podcast! In this episode we kick off the new season with an authentic, unscripted conversation around a visual concept Laurence recently created: Learning Communities of Trust.

Stepping away from predefined curriculums, traditional grading, and one-way learning, we explore how schools can empower students to view themselves as genuine changemakers. Grounded in Laurence's experience with sports psychology, team cohesion, service learning, and intentional community-building, this episode dives into what happens when educators lead with trust to foster agency, self-efficacy, a sense of belonging, and meaningful community contribution.

Resources & Links

Featured Visual: Link to Laurence's "Learning Communities of Trust Framework" 

Get in Touch: Have feedback or want to collaborate? Email us at [email protected] or connect through LinkedIn.

Subscribe & Connect: Stay tuned for upcoming Season 3 episodes covering service learning, sustainability, edible education, and global citizenship!

For our last episode of the season, we are reflecting on where education needs to go next.

In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with educator, writer, and public philosopher of education Simon Lightman to explore some of the biggest questions facing schools today. Together, we examine the purpose of education in a time of uncertainty, what meaningful student agency really looks like, and how schools can move beyond compliance-driven approaches toward more ethical, future-focused learning.

We discuss:

As we approach the end of the school year, this episode is a timely invitation to zoom out, reflect on the bigger picture, and consider an important question: What are we really preparing young people for?

Learn about Simon's work here:

We'll be back in September with a whole new season, but until then, don't hesitate to connect with us at [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn!

What happens when schools move beyond student voice and create genuine opportunities for students to shape decisions, policies, and learning?

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Benjamin Freud, Head of Upper School and Strategic Lead for Regenerative Education at Green School Bali. Benjamin challenges traditional assumptions about education, leadership, and the role of young people in creating positive change.

Together, we explore:

This conversation offers a thought-provoking look at how schools can become communities where advocacy, collaboration, and meaningful participation thrive. As we approach the end of another school year, this conversation also invites us to pause and reflect on the bigger picture. Beyond the day-to-day demands of school life, what kind of learners, leaders, and communities are we hoping to cultivate? And how can we create the conditions for young people to play a meaningful role in shaping the future?

Follow Benjamin's work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminfreud/ 

Connect with us at [email protected] to share ideas, feedback, or topics you’d like explored in future episodes.

In this episode, we sit down with Heather Semon and Daniel Shrewsbury from the International School of Paris to explore how sustainability, service learning, and student voice can transform school culture.

Heather and Daniel share their journeys into international education and describe how their shared passion for environmental stewardship led to the growth of the “Action Cubs,” a student-led initiative empowering young learners to take meaningful action around issues they care about most.

From composting systems and urban gardening to food systems education and global sustainability conferences like ChangeNOW, this conversation is filled with practical ideas, inspiring stories, and thoughtful reflections for educators looking to create purposeful, student-centered learning experiences.

Together, we discuss:

Check out some of Heather and Daniel's favorite resources here:

Connect with us at [email protected] to share ideas, feedback, or topics you’d like explored in future episodes.

In this episode, we sit down with Teresa Tung, Director of Curricular Programs at Hong Kong International School, for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, systems thinking, sustainability, and what it truly means to create flourishing school communities.

Teresa shares her journey from growing up in Taiwan and immigrating to the United States, to becoming an international educator and leader across schools in Asia. Along the way, she reflects on identity, belonging, leadership, and how sustainability education transformed her understanding of the true purpose of schooling.

Together, we explore:

Check out some of Teresa's favorite resources here:

Connect with us for future topics and guests through LinkedIn or [email protected]!

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Lee, founder and director of the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS), to explore how service learning can move beyond good intentions toward meaningful, measurable impact.

Mike's work focuses on making education more accessible while embedding real-world experiences into accredited learning pathways. We dive into what’s often missing in traditional service learning, and how better preparation, structured reflection, and a shift in mindset can transform these experiences for students and communities alike.

Learn about Mike's work using the following links:

Reach out to us at edvolution.services@gmail.com and tell us what you think!

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jay Goodman, consultant with Goodman Learning Partners, to explore what it really takes to implement problem-based learning (PBL) in schools.

From his early days teaching in Honduras with Mel, to launching innovative programs in Shanghai and Santiago, Jay shares a powerful journey that challenges how we think about learning, leadership, and school transformation.

But this episode isn’t just about PBL. It’s about why so many well-intentioned programs fail… and what schools must build first to make them succeed.

To connect with Jay and learn about his work, don't miss this great opportunity on April 20 at 7pm EST: The PBL Pre-Launch Checklist Webinar. 

Looking for more information about Jay's "PBL Roadmap for Innovative Educators" online course? Email Jay at [email protected] or book a call here. 

And connect with us anytime through LinkedIn or [email protected]!

This episode explores a big question: how do we prepare young people for a future we can’t predict?

We’re joined by bestselling author and education consultant Julie Stern, whose work focuses on helping educators and families empower young people to navigate complexity, think critically, and apply their learning in meaningful ways. Julie shares her journey from school leadership to global consulting, and how her work has evolved to focus on one essential goal: helping learning transfer beyond the classroom.

We dive into the idea of pattern seeking to help students connect prior knowledge to new and unfamiliar situations. Through real-world examples, Julie illustrates how concepts like ratios, resilience, and systems thinking can help students better understand the world around them and make more informed, ethical decisions.

Learn more about Julie's amazing work using these links.

 Connect with us anytime through LinkedIn or [email protected]!

Today’s episode is a little different.

As we sat down to record, our team here in the UAE had been navigating difficult days in the region. Like many people around the world, we found ourselves feeling reflective, grateful for our communities, and reminded of why the work we do in education matters so much. So it felt especially meaningful to welcome international education consultant, author, and service learning pioneer Cathryn Berger Kaye to the podcast.

Cathy has been shaping the field of service learning for decades, working with educators around the world to connect classroom learning with real-world purpose. She shares how her journey in education led her to champion service learning as a powerful way to connect classrooms with real community needs. We discuss why purpose, listening, and civic engagement matter more than ever, and how meaningful learning happens when students apply their knowledge to the world around them.

In this episode, we reference the poem To Be of Use, which reflects on the value of meaningful work and contributing to something larger than ourselves. The poem resonates deeply with the purpose behind service learning and community engagement.

Cathy consults in person and virtually with schools around the world. Mel highly recommends her Service Learning Specialist Course! Learn more about Cathy and her work on her website or reach out to her directly at [email protected].

Connect with us! We’d love to hear your thoughts on this conversation. Reach out anytime at [email protected].