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Integrity and Joy — Episode 10: 

We live in uncertain times. How can integrity help us navigate these uncertain times and restore the integrity of the core institutions that we need for a functioning democracy and free society?

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Integrity and Joy — Episode 9: 

Education will be a recurring theme in this podcast because it is so central to our own development and to our society as a whole. I was fortunate to teach in and, eventually, run an innovative lab school, but most students go through schools that are not preparing them adequately for the world we live in, never mind the world they will live in five or ten years from now.

I wanted to start this ongoing conversation about the future of education by speaking with one of the leading thinkers on education today: Will Richardson.

A former public school educator of 22 years, Will has spent the last 18 years developing an international reputation as a leading thinker and writer about the intersection of social online learning networks, education, and systemic change. Most recently, Will is a co-founder of The Big Questions Institute which was created to help educators use "fearless inquiry" to make sense of this complex moment and an uncertain future. In 2024, he authored a "manifesto" titled "Confronting Education in a Time of Complexity, Chaos, and Collapse" aimed at provoking serious conversations about the future of schools. Download a copy of his manifesto here: https://futureserious.school/manifestoedu/

In 2017, Will was named one of 100 global "Changemakers in Education" by the Finnish site HundrED, and was named one of the Top 5 "Edupreneurs to Follow" by Forbes. He has given keynote speeches, led breakout sessions, and provided coaching services in over 30 countries on 6 continents. (Come on Antarctica!) He has also authored six books that have sold over 200,000 copies worldwide, and given TEDx Talks in New York, Melbourne, and most recently Vancouver. 

In addition to his focus and expertise on classroom pedagogies, learning theory, and emerging technologies and trends, his current interests include the use of Design Fiction, Speculative Design, and Regenerative Design to help schools and districts envision potential futures. 

Will has two adult children, Tess and Tucker, and lives in rural New Jersey with his wife Wendy.

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Integrity and Joy — Episode 8: 

We often think of courage as primarily being something heroes, first responders, and others facing physical danger have. But we all have some capacity for courage and need courage of different kinds throughout our lives.

In this episode, I will explore some of the ways in which we need courage, how to find and create it within ourselves, and how to foster it in our kids.

Courage will be a recurring theme in this podcast. Look out for bonus episodes in which I will discuss courage with a variety of guests.

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Integrity and Joy — Episode 8: 

Scott Zumwalt was impressive as a 10th grader in my European history class, foreshadowing his tremendous success as a digital marketing innovator on presidential and senate campaigns, in the LGBTQ rights movement, and for Fortune 500 corporations. He's impressive, thoughtful, and incredibly humble.

We talk about Scott's work in politics, the evolution of his ground-breaking career, the impact of AI, and his own personal journey and how coming out affected his personal and professional lives. It's an inspirational story on many levels.

Scott Zumwalt is a Managing Director at Bully Pulpit International, with over 15 years of experience in digital strategy and marketing for Fortune 500 corporations, progressive political campaigns, and nonprofits. Scott managed BPI’s work on four winning U.S. Senate races and two winning statewide ballot initiatives. In 2017, Scott was on the American Association of Political Consultants' "40 under 40" list.

As a leading digital innovator in the LGBTQ rights movement, Scott  helped launch and grow the award winning It Gets Better Project, has consulted for the Human Rights Campaign, and has served on the campaign board of the Victory Fund, which helps elect openly LGBTQ people.

Scott was  New Media Director for Kay Hagan’s successful U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina and was a digital aide on Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign.

Scott has an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from Georgetown University.

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Integrity and Joy — Episode 6: 

The quality and health of our relationships are huge factors in our ability to live a good life, to create and find joy and happiness and meaning in our lives. To experience love.

Here are five keys to having healthy, meaningful relationships. They are applicable to romantic relationships as well as relationships with family members, friends and colleagues.

Which of these do you do well? Which do you struggle with? Which do you want to hear more about in future episodes? Send us a text or DM, leave a comment here or on socials @integrityandjoy.

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In this Bonus Episode related to Episode 4, I discuss my own struggles with my inner voice, including imposter syndrome and fear of abandonment and rejection.

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Integrity and Joy — Episode 5: 

Navigating your 20s can be challenging — so why not throw in a five-month thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail?!

Do you like stories of adventures and big life lessons? Are you or is someone you know in your/their 20s? Have you ever wondered what it's like to hike the Appalachian Trail? If any of those are true, this episode is for you!

Adam Bayer and Ben Sackler are former students of mine whose stories and friendship are guaranteed to entertain and inspire. We discuss powerful lessons everyone will find helpful about saying "yes" more often, living with intentionality, friendship and more. They each share their stories of how they are navigating their 20s. Earlier this year, they thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail together, and the adventure provided incredible life lessons we explore, as well. (The Appalachian Trail story starts at 52:37)

Adam Bayer is a 26-year-old kid from Westchester County, NY. After 4 years in management consulting, he is now pursuing an MBA at NYU Stern with the goal of pivoting into the tech, entertainment, and/or media industries. If you know anyone hiring, message him on LinkedIn! He likes to run marathons, sing little songs, and get creative in the kitchen (although, candidly, most people call his culinary innovations "gross").

Ben Sackler is a 26-year-old goofball from Chappaqua, NY. After spending 3+ years at The Climate Reality Project, a climate nonprofit founded and chaired by former Vice President Al Gore, Ben thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, a 2,200-mile footpath spanning from Georgia to Maine (alongside his childhood friend Adam). Ben is an avid runner, amateur photographer, and passionate shower singer. 

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In episode 4 of Integrity and Joy, we talk about our inner voice — is it your biggest cheerleader or, like for many of us, your harshest critic? We’ll explore why we have such a negative inner voice, how paradigms and mindsets — which can become limiting beliefs — often define that inner critic and limit our possibilities, and what are some concrete steps you can take to quiet your inner critic and adopt new mindsets and paradigms that will unlock the life you want to be living.

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My guest on episode 3 of Integrity and Joy is Jamie Arkin, a New Yorker and former student of mine turned public health and development consultant based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Jamie  grew up in New York and knew there was more in the world than that which she was raised in. With a plan from a young age to live around the world, Jamie did just that through taking every opportunity she had to put that goal first, through the ups and downs. Through regular self reflection, Jamie has built a life by design where she gets to make significant positive impact in her career in public health and development while trying to be open to redefining what success and joy look like.

This conversation is a fascinating story full of how one woman has created and manifested an incredible life for herself, full of meaning and adventure. It is sure to inspire you and is full of wisdom throughout. You'll hear about Jamie's vision for her life, key decisions that changed her and the trajectory of her journey, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

I think everyone will enjoy this episode, but if you know someone in their teens, 20s or 30s who is trying to find their path, please share it with them!

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Integrity and Joy — Episode 2: 

How do we live a good life? Living a good life can be challenging and even a bit of a mystery. Managing our careers, relationships, finances and more can be confusing and overwhelming at times. 

We can even feel like we are the only ones without all the answers, but virtually everyone else is in the same boat, figuring it out as they go.

In this episode, Steve begins to explore what it means to live a good life, setting the stage for the rest of this podcast...

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