In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, John Schembari speaks with Musical IQ leaders Philip Gillette and James Soler about how music can become a bridge to culture, identity, collaboration, and deeper learning.

The conversation explores how schools can move beyond treating music and the arts as “extras” and instead use them as powerful tools for engagement, systems thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and community building.

Topics include:
• Why music creates belonging and confidence for students
• How Musical IQ uses African and Afro-diaspora music traditions to teach culture and history
• Using drumming, storytelling, and ensemble work to develop student voice and collaboration
• Why “play” is essential for curiosity and learning
• Helping students feel seen through culturally responsive instruction
• The connection between music, memory, and deeper learning
• How arts integration supports systems thinking and interdisciplinary instruction
• Navigating cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation in education
• Practical ways schools can integrate music and culture into everyday teaching
• How immersive science experiences through Cosmic IQ connect to the same philosophy of engagement and wonder

One powerful takeaway from the episode:
“If students feel seen, connected, and curious, learning accelerates.”

Listen if you are interested in:
• Student engagement
• Arts integration
• Culturally responsive teaching
• Interdisciplinary learning
• Student voice and agency
• Music education
• Building joyful classrooms
• Global and culturally connected instruction

Musical IQ Website

James Soller LinkedIn Page

Phillip Gilette Website

Music by Aylex

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. William DeJean, CEO of Unleash Learning, to unpack a reality many school leaders are feeling but struggling to name: we’re in an era of overwhelm.

We explore why traditional approaches to leadership—compliance, checklists, and even strategy overload—are no longer enough.

Instead, William makes the case for systems thinking: grounding schools in a clear teaching and learning mission and a stable instructional “system” that can absorb new initiatives without overwhelming staff.

We discuss:

• Why leaders are losing focus on teaching and learning
• The difference between compliance, strategies, and systems thinking
• What it actually means to “make learning stick for everyone”
• How student engagement works like “lifting weights” for the brain
• Why too many initiatives increase cognitive load instead of improving practice
• The importance of shared language and modeling at the leadership level

Key takeaway: In a world where educators can’t keep up with everything, strong systems reduce overload and refocus schools on what matters most—learning that sticks.

William DeJean LinkedIn Page

Unleash Learning Website

A New Way Forward for Schools - Book

Unleash Learning TV

Music by Aylex

In this episode, we explore one of the most debated questions in literacy instruction:

👉 Should students read grade-level texts or texts matched to their ability?

Joined by Dr. Noreen Bunt, we unpack:

• Why grade-level text access matters for all students
• The risks of over-relying on leveled grouping
• How to support struggling readers without lowering expectations
• Practical strategies for:
• The evolving role of literacy in content-area classrooms
• How MTSS, Tier 1 instruction, and small groups should actually function

This conversation challenges common practices and offers a clearer path toward equitable, effective literacy instruction.

Norene A. Bunt LinkedIn Page

Solving the Literacy Puzzle Book

Music by Aylex

International Schools: What Educators Need to Know

Summary:
What is it really like to teach in an international school? This episode explores the realities—opportunities, challenges, and misconceptions—of working abroad as an educator.

Key Points:
• There is no single definition of an international school
• Leadership and school quality matter more than location
• Compensation often includes housing, travel, and benefits
• Professional growth comes from exposure to different systems
• The experience builds global perspective—but requires adaptability

Guests:
• Kate O’Connell
• Leo Thompson
• Craig Randall

Key Question:
👉 How would teaching in a different system change your practice?

Kate O'Connell Website - EduKate

Leo Thompson Website - Edsplorer

Craig Randall Website - Trust Based Observations

Special thanks to my students Liz DiClementi and Elizabeth Levin for co-hosting this episode!

Music by Aylex

In this episode, I’m joined by Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, authors of Lead It Like Lasso, to explore what school leaders can learn from Ted Lasso. We discuss leadership archetypes, building authentic school culture, and why leaders don’t need all the answers to be effective.

We also dig into developing reluctant leaders, surrounding yourself with the right team, and the difference between students being “finished” vs. truly “ready.”

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership comes in different styles—find your authentic approach
• Culture is defined by actions, not statements
• You don’t need all the answers—build trust through honesty
• Strong leaders develop others and invite challenge
• “Finished” doesn’t mean students are ready for the real world

A practical, real-world conversation connecting leadership, education, and culture.

Marnie Stockman LinkedIn Page

Nick Coniglio LinkedIn Page

Lead It Like Lasso Book

The Business of You Webpage

Music by Aylex

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, we explore what it really means to prepare students for a future shaped by rapidly evolving technology.

While tools like flight simulation may seem niche, the deeper conversation is about something much bigger: how we design learning experiences that build decision-making, problem-solving, and real-world application.

We discuss how immersive environments and AI-powered tools are shifting students from passive learners to active designers and why this shift is critical across all K–12 settings.

This conversation pushes beyond “using technology” and into how students think, create, and navigate complexity. These skills will define success in both college and the workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• Students need opportunities to apply knowledge in dynamic, real-world contexts
• Simulation and AI tools can amplify—not replace—student thinking
• The future of learning is less about content coverage and more about decision-making under uncertainty
• Schools must move from task completion → authentic problem-solving
• Educators play a critical role in designing environments where students create, not just consume

Topics Covered:

• The role of simulation in modern learning
• AI as a thinking partner vs. shortcut
• Designing for applied intelligence
• Preparing students for unpredictable futures
• Bridging school learning with real-world demands

Autumn Stewart LinkedIn Page

Stem Pilot Website

Music by Aylex

In this episode, I’m joined by Mariya Gluzman to explore how educators can use Notebook LM to support—not replace—student thinking.

We discuss how AI is shifting instruction from product to process, and how tools like Notebook LM can help structure deeper learning, safer AI use, and more intentional instructional design.

• AI should supplement thinking, not replace it
• Traditional plagiarism detection is no longer reliable → task design must change
• Strong instruction in an AI era = process, scaffolding, and feedback loops
• NotebookLM creates a closed, source-based AI environment for learning
• Educators can use AI to generate:
• AI can act as a “study buddy” to support skill development
• The real shift is from knowing about AI → learning with AI

The challenge isn’t access to AI—it’s designing learning experiences where AI enhances thinking instead of bypassing it.

Mariya Gluzman LinkedIn Page

Brooklyn College Academic Information Technologies

Watch Here: Mariya Gluzman-Brooklyn College (Notebook LM) - Descript

Music by Aylex

Leadership Isn’t About the Idea as much as It’s About the Decision

Most leaders have great ideas. The difference? Execution lives in the shadow between idea and reality.

In this podcast episode, we speak with Norman Hunter - author of the book "Between the Idea and the Reality: Decision-Making for the Thinking Educational Leader".

We dive into:

Why decision-making defines leadership

How great leaders think beyond the obvious

What it really takes to move from concept → impact

If you’re leading a school, team, or classroom… this one hits.

Listen in and rethink how you lead.

Norm Hunter LinkedIn Page

Between the Idea and the Reality - Book (Amba Press)

What can crossword puzzles teach us about learning?

In this episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, I speak with crossword constructor and social scientist Natan Last, author of Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle.

We explore how crossword puzzles bring together language, mathematics, history, and creative thinking—and why they can be powerful tools for classroom learning.

Natan explains how crossword solving strengthens decoding skills, pattern recognition, and productive struggle. We also discuss how puzzles reflect cultural moments in history and how teachers can use crossword creation as a collaborative learning activity.

If you’re looking for ways to help students think more strategically and deeply, this conversation offers surprising insights.

Topics in this episode

• How crossword puzzles develop analytical and creative thinking

• Why the best solvers rely on pattern recognition—not just knowledge

• The mathematics behind crossword grid design

• Crossword puzzles as cultural and historical artifacts

• Using crossword creation as a classroom learning strategy

• How puzzles foster collaboration and community

Guest

Natan Last is a crossword constructor whose puzzles appear in The New York Times and The New Yorker. He is also a social scientist whose research focuses on migration and asylum policy.

Natan Last LinkedIn Page

Natan Last Website

Natan Last Book - Across the Universe

Music by Aylex

In this episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, John speaks with Dr. Danita Grissom and Dr. Vicki Kelner, co-authors of High Five to Thrive: Five Proven Practices to Unleash Your Passion for Teaching.

The conversation explores why so many teachers are overwhelmed, why burnout is often created by the system rather than the individual, and what educators and leaders can do to restore hope, regulation, and sustainability. The guests share practical strategies including reconnecting to purpose, developing “hope habits,” self-regulation practices, and simple leadership moves that help teachers feel supported rather than depleted.

This episode is for teachers, school leaders, coaches, and anyone trying to build healthier, more human-centered schools.

Donita Grissom LinkedIn Page

Vicki Kelchner LinkedIn Page

High Five Book

Best Questers Website

Music by Aylex