Just Thinking...

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in education and the workplace, the challenge is no longer whether students should use AI, but how they can use it without outsourcing the critical thinking that learning is meant to develop.

On this episode of Just Thinking..., host Kevin Dougherty speaks with Jordan Wolff, CEO and Co-Founder of Typed By Hand, about finding the balance between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. Drawing from more than a decade in education, including experiences as an English teacher, high school principal, international educator, and edtech leader, Wolff argues that schools can embrace AI while still protecting student authenticity, creativity, and independent thought.

Their conversation extends well beyond technology. Wolff reflects on teaching and leading schools in South Korea, China, and the United States, and how those experiences shaped his belief in multiculturalism, curiosity, and learning from people with different perspectives. Dougherty shares his own experiences leading diverse schools, emphasizing the importance of helping students recognize what they have in common and approaching others with a desire to understand before being understood.

The discussion also explores opportunity and professional reinvention. Wolff describes his transition from the classroom into edtech and roles with organizations including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Lexia Learning, Instructure, and LinkedIn. His career, he says, has largely been shaped by a willingness to say yes to unfamiliar opportunities and recognize how transferable educators' skills can be outside the classroom.

That philosophy ultimately connects to the mission behind Typed By Hand. Rather than treating AI as something schools need to eliminate or attempting to detect AI-generated work after the fact, Wolff advocates for transparency at the point of creation. The goal is to give educators visibility into what comes from the student and where AI played a role, while allowing students to develop the AI literacy they will need in the workforce. His own LinkedIn writing follows the same principle, openly identifying when AI assisted with editing or imagery while distinguishing it from his original writing.

For Dougherty and Wolff, the future of education lies somewhere between rejecting AI and surrendering human thinking to it. AI can be an effective collaborator, but students still need opportunities to struggle with ideas, create, problem-solve, and think for themselves. And as the conversation closes, Wolff brings the focus back to educators themselves, calling for greater patience, grace, and appreciation for teachers carrying an increasingly complex workload.

On this episode of Just Thinking..., host Kevin Daugherty sits down with Amita Hosangadi, certified career coach and founder of Career Compass Coach, for a conversation about career transitions, personal growth, and learning to speak up for yourself.

Amita shares her journey from growing up and studying IT engineering in India to moving to the United States to pursue a master’s degree at UT Dallas. The transition exposed her to a different educational and professional culture, one that placed greater emphasis on creativity, leadership, and openly expressing ideas. Developing the confidence to speak up did not happen overnight. Instead, Amita describes it as the result of repeatedly putting herself in uncomfortable situations and choosing growth over familiarity.

That lesson became especially important after Amita was laid off in early 2024. During her job search, a former colleague encouraged her to attend the Southlake Focus Group, a Dallas-area networking and career-support community. What began as a resource for her own job search ultimately changed the direction of her career. After finding a new role, Amita returned to the group as a volunteer and discovered how much fulfillment she found in helping other job seekers navigate the same challenges she had faced. That realization eventually led her to leave the corporate world and launch Career Compass Coach in 2026.

Throughout the conversation, Kevin and Amita explore the importance of consistency, humility, networking, and having the courage to ask for help. Amita reflects on how cultural expectations once made admitting a job loss or seeking assistance uncomfortable for her, and how overcoming that hesitation became an important part of her growth. Her message to job seekers is straightforward: use your network, reach out to people, and do not let fear of rejection keep you from asking for advice, a referral, or an informational conversation. Sometimes the worst outcome is simply receiving no response and moving on to the next person.

Ultimately, Amita’s story is about turning an unexpected career disruption into an opportunity to find more meaningful work. By embracing discomfort, asking for help, and consistently showing up, she found a new purpose in helping others navigate their own careers with greater confidence and direction.

After 25 years in education, Bradlee Skinner made a decision few people would expect: he left the classroom to run away and join the circus, or at least the baseball equivalent of one.

In this episode of Just Thinking... host Kevin Doherty sits down with Bradlee, educator, speaker, performer, and now DJ for the Savannah Bananas, to explore what happens when you decide you're not too old to chase a new dream. Bradlee shares how a trip to a Banana Ball game with his theater students ultimately led to an audition in front of 50,000 people and a new career combining his passions for education, theater, music, and entertainment.

Their conversation explores why skills developed in the arts can translate far beyond the stage, the importance of growth mindset, and what Bradlee has learned from the Savannah Bananas' relentless focus on creating unforgettable experiences. He also shares the deeply personal story of performing at Yankee Stadium, a place he had dreamed of visiting with his late father, and how the Fans First Entertainment team made sure he had the opportunity to be there.

Bradlee's journey is ultimately a reminder that careers don't have to follow a straight line. Sometimes the experiences that seem disconnected are exactly what prepare you for the opportunity you never saw coming. And as Bradlee reflects at the end of the conversation, the people you choose to surround yourself with can make all the difference in whether you're encouraged to stay comfortable or empowered to pursue what's next.

Connect with Bradlee Skinner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleewskinner/

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For millions of students in America, learning English is only one part of a much larger academic story. A 2024 GAO report found that English learners in U.S. public schools grew from 4.5 million to 5 million students between fall 2010 and fall 2020, and that they speak more than 400 languages. That diversity raises a central question for schools: whether language development is treated as remediation, or whether multilingualism is recognized as an academic strength.

So how can schools move beyond seeing language difference as a barrier, and instead build systems that help multilingual learners show what they know, grow in confidence and thrive across content areas?

Welcome to Just Thinking. In the latest episode, host Kevin Dougherty speaks with JW Marshall, VP of Marketing at Summit K12, about language development, multilingual education, science learning, student confidence and the power of storytelling in schools. Their conversation explores the move from deficit-based thinking to asset-based instruction, the role of home language in academic growth, and why language development must be connected to rigorous learning rather than separated from it.

Top insights from the talk…

• Multilingualism should be treated as a strength, not a problem to fix. Marshall argues that students’ home languages can support English development and deeper thinking, rather than interfering with it.
• Language development and content learning belong together. The discussion highlights science as an example: students can demonstrate curiosity, reasoning and understanding through experiments, visuals, gestures and collaboration while acquiring the academic vocabulary to explain what they know.
• Storytelling builds confidence and connection. Marshall encourages schools, districts and classrooms to use podcasts and audio storytelling as ways for students—especially multilingual learners—to practice language, listen actively and tell their own stories.

JW Marshall is an EdTech marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience leading marketing strategy, sales enablement, product launches and customer storytelling for K-12 education technology companies. As VP of Marketing at Summit K12, he oversees strategic marketing initiatives for online curriculum and instruction, with a focus on multilingual learners and science education. He also hosts the Voices of E-Learning podcast, where he connects with EdTech leaders and shares insights on online learning, education innovation and professional growth.

As conversations around the future of the U.S. Department of Education continue to intensify, educators and federal program leaders are facing mounting uncertainty about how federal funds will be managed, distributed, and regulated. At the same time, schools serving historically underserved students remain heavily reliant on programs like Title I and other federally supported initiatives to close learning gaps and provide critical services. In 2024, nearly three-quarters of public-school lunches were served free or at a reduced price through the National School Lunch Program, underscoring just how many students depend on federally supported services that reach far beyond academics.

But as policies shift and compliance requirements evolve, how can school leaders ensure federal dollars are still reaching the students who need them most? And perhaps more importantly, how can educators remain focused on the human stories behind the funding formulas?

On this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty sits down with Eric Reaves, Acting Director of the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (NAFEPA), for a deeply personal and timely conversation about federal education funding, leadership, resilience, and the life-changing power of mentorship. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of federal education programs, the growing need for compliance and guidance amid regulatory uncertainty, and the personal experiences that shaped Reaves’ passion for serving students and educators alike.

Key takeaways from the episode…

• Federal education leaders are navigating unprecedented uncertainty as discussions around Department of Education restructuring raise questions about compliance, EDGAR regulations, and program oversight.

• Student behavior often reflects unseen trauma, and educators must become better equipped to recognize the warning signs behind academic struggles and disengagement.

• Mentorship, gratitude, and curiosity can transform lives, as Reaves reflects on the influential people who helped guide him from a difficult childhood to national educational leadership.

Eric Reaves currently serves as the Acting Director of NAFEPA, an organization dedicated to supporting K–12 federal education program administrators nationwide. With nearly 4,000 members, NAFEPA provides training, resources, and policy updates to professionals responsible for managing federal education funding and compliance. Reaves brings a unique perspective to the role, shaped not only by years of leadership and operational experience, but also by his own experiences growing up as a Title I student facing adversity at home. Before entering education leadership, Reaves built a successful career in the orthotic and prosthetic industry, where mentors and medical professionals helped cultivate his lifelong passion for learning, service, and people-centered leadership.

Workplace leadership is under pressure: employees are continuing to disengage, and many managers are still trying to fix a trust problem with performance tactics. Gallup reported that U.S. employee engagement fell to 31% in 2024, its lowest level in a decade, and its research has found that managers account for at least 70% of the variance in team engagement. For leaders, coaches and educators, that makes the conversation bigger than productivity. It raises a harder question about how people build belief, discipline and trust in the first place.

So what actually makes people follow someone—not because they have to, but because they believe that person has their best interests at heart?

In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty sits down with Robert Morello, Personal Results Specialist at Robbins Research International, for a conversation about leadership, mindset and faith. Morello reflects on his Boston roots, more than two decades in health and fitness, his move to Dallas, his work influenced by Tony Robbins, and the personal transformation that helped him connect leadership with service, discipline and spiritual conviction.

Top insights from the talk…

• Leadership begins with knowing people. Morello argues that effective leadership is not built on micromanagement or hierarchy, but on trust, empathy and real relationship-building. His central lesson: to get the most out of people, leaders first have to know them.
• Mindset is shaped by repeated decisions. The conversation explores how habits, gratitude, fitness and self-talk influence confidence. Morello connects physical discipline with mental discipline, emphasizing that lasting change often starts by replacing an old story with a new one.
• Faith gives leadership deeper purpose. Morello shares how his own faith journey changed the way he sees service, daily opportunity and personal calling. He describes faith, mindset and leadership as connected forces that shape how people show up for others.

Robert Morello is a Personal Results Specialist at Robbins Research International, where he works with leaders, entrepreneurs and growth-minded individuals on high performance, identity and personal transformation. He brings more than two decades of fitness, wellness and multi-unit leadership experience, including senior personal training leadership roles at LA Fitness and district management experience at EōS Fitness. His career has focused on team development, multi-unit operations, personal training leadership and performance coaching across the fitness and wellness industries.

At a time when educator burnout is rising and schools across the U.S. are facing ongoing teacher shortages, leaders are being forced to rethink what sustainable success actually looks like. Research shows that teacher attrition is closely tied to working conditions, job-related stress, and workload demands. As districts push for innovation, data-driven instruction, and continuous improvement, a critical question emerges: are we building systems for excellence—or systems that are actually sustainable?

So what if the key to long-term success isn’t pushing everyone to be exceptional—but instead designing systems that the majority can consistently execute?

On this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty sits down with returning guest Justin Richardson, Soulful Leader at Waymaker Leadership Development, to explore a powerful reframing of leadership: building “doable” systems that empower the middle—the often-overlooked majority of educators. Together, they unpack how leadership expectations, system design, and human capacity intersect in today’s education landscape.

Key takeaways from the episode…

• The “commitment continuum” reveals that most organizations rely heavily on compliant performers—not just high achievers—to succeed

• Systems designed for “rockstars” often fail because they aren’t scalable or sustainable for the broader team

• “Doable” leadership—creating realistic, executable expectations—can increase confidence, retention, and long-term impact

Justin Richardson is the Soulful Leader of Waymaker Leadership Development, where he and his team support educators and leaders in building systems rooted in purpose, humanity, and sustainability. With extensive experience working alongside school districts, instructional leaders, and teacher development programs, Richardson is known for translating complex leadership ideas into actionable, real-world practices. His work emphasizes practical implementation, emotional intelligence, and creating environments where both educators and students can thrive.

School systems across the country are under mounting pressure to improve student outcomes while navigating shifting standards, staffing shortages, and rising expectations around accountability. Yet many reform efforts fall short because they are fragmented and short-term. According to Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning, sustained and job-embedded professional learning is linked to improved educator practice and student outcomes. The stakes are high because surface-level change rarely leads to lasting results. Continuous improvement in education requires disciplined, collaborative work that produces measurable impact over time.

How can district and school leaders ensure that their improvement efforts lead to measurable gains rather than temporary reform?

On this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty sits down with Dr. Michelle Bowman, the Senior Vice President of Networks & Continuous Improvement at Learning Forward. They explore how continuous improvement in education strengthens professional learning and drives sustainable results. The conversation unpacks how leaders can move beyond compliance-driven professional development and build cultures rooted in reflection, collaboration, trust, and evidence-based decision-making.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Disciplined improvement cycles – How continuous improvement in education provides a structured process for defining problems, testing change ideas, and measuring real impact.

• Networked collaboration – Why learning communities accelerate growth by allowing educators to build on shared insights rather than starting from scratch.

• Standards-aligned systems change – How Learning Forward’s 2025 Standards for Professional Learning create the conditions necessary for sustainable and measurable improvement.

Dr. Michelle Bowman is Senior Vice President of Networks and Continuous Improvement at Learning Forward, where she leads national strategies that support state and local education agencies in redesigning professional learning systems. With 30 years in public education, she has served as a mathematics teacher, curriculum director, dean of instruction, and executive director of professional learning, driving large-scale implementation of professional development and continuous improvement initiatives. Bowman earned her Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, where her research examined the impact of inter-district communities of practice on leader efficacy, and she has contributed to industry publications and co-authored work on professional development in the digital age.

Entrepreneurship is being glamorized in real time. Social media highlights overnight wins, AI tools promise instant scale, and private equity is reshaping industries at a rapid clip. Yet behind every “success story” is something far less flashy: failure, adaptability, and the discipline to keep going when life hits hard. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 20% of small businesses fail within their first year—and nearly half within five years. The stakes are real, and resilience isn’t optional.

So what actually separates those who break through from those who burn out? Is it talent, luck, or something deeper—perhaps vision, adaptability, and the willingness to learn from failure?

Welcome to Just Thinking. In the latest episode, host Kevin Dougherty sits down with Larry North, Operating Partner at Rise Run Capital and former nationally recognized fitness entrepreneur, to explore what it truly takes to build—and rebuild—success across decades. From a turbulent childhood shaped by adversity to a 42-year career in fitness and a bold pivot into private equity, North shares the mindset shifts and life lessons that defined his journey.

What you’ll learn…

• How hope and vision can override a lack of money, education, or support.

Larry North explains how belief in his future helped him move forward despite financial limitations and little formal direction. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, he chose action and trusted he would figure it out along the way.

• Why failure—13 publisher rejections and a shelved infomercial—is often the precursor to breakthrough success.

North shares how major setbacks became setup moments. By adjusting, refining, and staying persistent, he turned early failures into long-term wins.

• The power of relationships, forgiveness, and lifelong learning in sustaining both business and personal success.

He highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, continuing to grow, and letting go of resentment. For North, lasting success is built on strong relationships and constant self-improvement.

Larry North is an Operating Partner at Rise Run Capital and licensed broker who sources, evaluates, and raises capital for businesses, building on a successful 40-plus-year career in the fitness industry before transitioning into private equity. As the founder of Larry North Fitness, he built multiple health clubs, authored three bestselling books—Get Fit, Living Lean, and Slim Down for Life—hosted a 32-year talk radio show, and created the globally successful Great North American Slimdown infomercial, which generated more than $150 million in revenue. A speaker, media personality, and Richland College Wall of Fame inductee, North brings proven entrepreneurial leadership, brand-building expertise, and deep relationship capital to his investment work.

Career transitions rarely follow a straight line—especially for people coming out of the military. For many veterans, the challenge isn’t discipline or work ethic, but figuring out how deeply technical, high-stakes experience translates into civilian industries that speak a very different language. As more service members step into entrepreneurship, the real question becomes less about if the skills transfer and more about how.

What does it take to move from life-or-death decision-making in the military to building, testing, and scaling a marketing business in the real world?

Welcome to Just Thinking. In the latest episode, host Kevin Dougherty talks with Kris Groves, President of PassPass, about his unconventional path from Naval Special Warfare into entrepreneurship and marketing. Their conversation explores how critical thinking, risk assessment, and personal development—sharpened over years in the Navy—now guide everything from product strategy to customer acquisition in a fast-growing consumer platform.

Key highlights…

• How Kris’s experience in Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal shaped the way he evaluates risk, consequences, and decision-making in business.

• Why PassPass focuses on experiential, hyperlocal marketing—using giveaways and scavenger hunts to drive real foot traffic, engagement, and first-party customer data.

• Why personal development, self-awareness, and pushing beyond comfort zones were critical to Kris’s transition from military service to entrepreneurship.

Kris Groves is the President of PassPass, a viral giveaways and experiential marketing platform that connects brands and consumers through high-impact, hyperlocal campaigns. A retired U.S. Navy Special Operations veteran, he brings 14 years of leadership, risk assessment, and operational decision-making experience into business, sales, and marketing. Across prior executive roles, Kris has driven more than $60 million in sales, expanded products into international markets, and built high-performing teams across consumer, retail, and growth-focused organizations.