Edvolution Podcast

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].

This episode was supposed to be short… but once we started talking about field trips, we couldn’t stop.

After Mel returned from a field trip, we decided to pivot and unpack a big question: What makes a field trip truly meaningful?

We explore the spectrum of real-world learning experiences from schools that rarely leave campus to fully student-directed trips.

Along the way, we talk honestly about the very real points of resistance:

But instead of stopping there, we reframe those challenges as opportunities.

We also share examples of interdisciplinary field trips that blend social studies, science, math, language, and sustainability, discussing how the best trips are never built in isolation. And maybe most importantly, we remind ourselves: If we want real-world learning… we actually have to go into the real world. Or at the very least, intentionally bring it in!

We want to hear from you:

Our Edvolution newsletter comes out every other Monday (on non-podcast weeks), and we have a submission section just for educators like you.

Use this form to send us:

250 words

A photo of yourself

Your field trip insight, strategy, or story

We’d love to feature you.

Connect with us any time on LinkedIn or email us at [email protected]. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Claire Gary, founder of Sustainability at School, for a timely and grounded conversation about what it truly means for schools to “get serious” about sustainability.

Claire shares her non-traditional journey from the nonprofit sector into education and explains why sustainability can’t live in one-off eco days or isolated initiatives. Instead, it needs to be woven into a school’s culture, operations, curriculum, and decision-making.

To learn more about how Sustainability at School can help your school reduce its footprint and develop sustainability leadership, visit https://www.sustainabilityatschool.org/ or directly download an action plan and get started today!

You can contact Clare directly at [email protected] or www.linkedin.com/in/clare-garey

As always, we’d love to hear from educators doing this work on the ground. If you’re involved in sustainability, service learning, or systems change at your school, reach out and share your story with us!

In this episode, we’re joined by D'Arcy Lunn, founder of Teaspoons of Change and Group Head of Sustainability and Global Citizenship at Education in Motion.

D'Arcy shares his journey from teaching in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia to leading global citizenship work across an international network of schools. Together, we explore what global citizenship really means (beyond travel, language learning, and buzzwords) and how it shows up in everyday school culture, classrooms, and personal choices.

We talk about:

This conversation is grounding, hopeful, and full of practical wisdom for educators who want to help students (and themselves) feel connected to something bigger...without burning out or trying to be perfect.

Learn about D'Arcy's work here: Teaspoons of Change.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out at [email protected] or connect with us on LinkedIn and let us know your definition of global citizenship or regeneration.

In this episode of the Edvolution Podcast, we explore a powerful and often overlooked connection: how athletics and physical education can be a catalyst for service learning, sustainability, global citizenship, and edible education.

We’re joined by Dr. Gesa Beecken, Athletic Director and PE Lead at the International School of Ulm in Germany. Gesa brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective on how movement, play, and competition can support deeper learning and social impact.

Together, we discuss:

This episode invites educators and school leaders to rethink spaces we don’t always associate with service learning, and to see athletics as a powerful platform for connection, purpose, and real-world learning.

Here are Gesa's resource recommendations:

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to [email protected] to share what’s happening in your school community or to continue the conversation.

Join us next time for more stories and strategies at the intersection of learning, sustainability, global citizenship, and edible education.

We’re kicking off the new year with inspiration and practical ideas for building sustainable service learning systems in schools!

In this episode, we’re joined by Crystal Pottebaum, Service Learning and Sustainability Coordinator at the International School of Debrecen, Hungary. Crystal shares her journey from classroom teacher to K–12 coordinator and reflects on what it really takes to design programs that last.

Together, we explore:

This conversation is especially valuable for educators and leaders who are starting the year ready to rethink service learning, sustainability, and how schools can live their values through purposeful programming.

Check out Crystal’s Padlet for building service learning programs here and her children's books below:

Laney's Little Lamb - Amazon or USA-based distribution.

Pass it to Rizwana (Amazon)

As always, we’d love to hear from more educators doing meaningful work. If you have experiences to share, reach out and join the conversation!

In this episode, Laurence interviews Sandy and Mel about how edible education can transform learning. We unpack why it’s more powerful than food tech, how to build meaningful programs in real schools, and how food-based learning enhances rigor, even in AP and high school courses!

Perfect for educators, school leaders, and anyone curious about sustainability, real-world learning, and reconnecting students with the natural world.

Check out the Center for Ecoliteracy and their guide for getting started with a school garden!