Living Lovett

S8E8 How does the parent perspective fit in with The Lovett School's partnership with Challenge Success? Three parent leaders join Living Lovett host and Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant to discuss their experience volunteering for the Challenge Success initiative, and the importance of community, intentionality, and partnership between families and the school. Christopher Cooper, Bliss Stone, and Aimee Connolly have a variety of relationships with Lovett: they are parents of grads, and current students; one is even an alumnae and trustee. Regardless of how many ties they have to Lovett, each parent is committed to Lovett serving students in the best way possible for generations to come.

If you are interested in how much impact parents have on how Lovett approaches whole child education and how Lovett is delivering on its values, this episode is for you.

Mentioned on the episode: Listen to some student participants of Challenge Success, including the "I Wish" exercise: https://sites.libsyn.com/401270/the-students-of-challenge-success-at-lovett

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E7 Students don't just attend Lovett, they are known by teachers and staff; they are appreciated for who they are and who they are growing to be. Meredyth Cole, Head of School, joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant for a reflective conversation on Lovett's core values and educational approach. Together, they discuss the importance of clarity and intentionality in defining who Lovett is as a community, emphasizing the school's commitment to nurturing the whole child: intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Meredyth shares insights on what it means to be an independent Episcopal school, the significance of honoring dignity and diversity, and the value of fostering resilience and authentic self-knowledge in students. The conversation also explores the partnership between families and the school, the challenges and rewards of letting students experience "healthy failure," and the enduring impact of strong relationships and community connection.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E6 The challenges and opportunities of parenting and educating children in a technology-saturated world are significant. Family counselor Teddi Bair joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant to talk about the impact of screen time on children's development, the importance of modeling healthy technology habits, and the need for emotional connection between parents, educators, and kids.

Drawing on research, personal experience, and professional practice, Teddi and Jessica highlight the value of community, open dialogue, and supportive parenting approaches. The discussion emphasizes that small, intentional changes with screens and other digital tools, such as being present, setting boundaries, and fostering resilience can make a significant difference in children's well-being.

Learn more about Teddi Bair and her counseling in Atlanta, GA: https://www.teddibair.com/

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E5 Janet Gibbon, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Gallup, joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at the Lovett School, discuss our multi-year partnership focused on enhancing engagement and well-being across the Lovett community. Using Gallup's data-driven tools, including the Q12 employee engagement survey and the Clifton Strengths assessment, the experiences of students, staff, and parents have been assessed to identify areas of improvement and spotlight successes.

The episode highlights the school's journey from post-pandemic challenges to building a culture of transparency, intentionality, and personal growth. By leveraging strengths-based development and comprehensive feedback from all stakeholders, Lovett has fostered a more engaged, self-aware, and collaborative environment, setting a model for holistic educational success.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E4 In this episode, recovering gambling addict and speaker Saul Malek shares his personal experience with gambling addiction, describing how a casual bet in college escalated into a serious problem that affected his finances, relationships, and academic life.

Saul discusses the increasing accessibility and normalization of online gambling among young people, the role of social media and peer influence, and the unique vulnerabilities of adolescents. He offers insights for parents and educators on recognizing early warning signs, fostering open conversations, and creating supportive environments that prioritize wellness over punishment. His conversation with Lovett Chief Engagement Officer and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant emphasizes the importance of proactive education, community support, and providing healthy outlets for competitive energy, ultimately highlighting hope and resilience in recovery.

• Saul Malek will be speaking at Lovett in January 2026
• Learn more about Saul at his website: https://www.saulmalek.com/
• Watch Dr. Timothy Fong discuss Understanding the Gambling Brain on YouTube

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E3 Colleen Dieselhurst a registered dietician with extensive experience in both acute and primary care joins Chief Engagement Officer and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant to talk about eating and nutrition for our kids. The discussion spans the challenges of feeding children and teens, from toddler food fears to the nutritional demands of puberty.

Colleen shares practical strategies for involving kids in meal preparation, managing busy schedules, and recognizing signs of disordered eating. The conversation also covers the impact of social media on body image, the importance of family meals, and how parents can foster a positive food environment even if they lacked healthy models growing up.

Have more questions for Colleen? Colleen's profile on the Piedmont Pediatrics is here.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E2 While the landscape of adolescent substance use continues to evolve, parents who stay informed and engaged have more power than they realize to guide their children toward healthy choices.

Dr. Brian J. Dew, Department Chair of Counseling and Psychological Services at Georgia State University, joins Living Lovett host and Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant to discuss substance use trends, risk factors, and the importance of education and parent involvement at Lovett.

In addition to offering practical information for parents navigating challenges, the conversation covers Dr. Dew's unique perspective and professional journey, including his familiarity with issues of substance use at independent schools.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E1 At Lovett, we believe that when students are seen, supported, and valued for who they are, remarkable things happen. This kind of thriving requires more than excellent teaching: it requires intentional collaboration across every aspect of student life. Lovett's newly formed Faith and Flourishing Team embodies those values, and the members of this team are our guests on the Season 8 premiere of Living Lovett.

Rev. Colin Brown, Lovett head chaplain; Sarah Friedman, Director of School Counseling; and Dr. Allison Wynn, Lovett's new Director of Belonging share with Lovett Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant how their partnership creates a comprehensive support system rooted in our Episcopal identity and commitment to honoring the dignity of all of us.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S8E0 Kicking off next week: it's Season 8 of Living Lovett! For seven seasons, we've brought you stories from the Riverbank. Now, in Season 8, Lovett's Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant brings together inspiring experts to tackle the topics that matter most: substance awareness, digital wellness, healthy relationships with food, and creating environments where every child can thrive.

Through reliable information, practical tools, and trusted perspectives, Season 8 seeks to connect the Lovett community with reliable information and perspectives that will leave you feeling energized and equipped. Because while parenting isn't simple, you absolutely have what it takes, and you're not doing it alone! Season 8 starts next Thursday!

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S7E8 BONUS - Thousands audition... Millions vote... Could it be a Lovett senior who wins?? Lovett's own Slater Nalley is a current contestant on American Idol. He joins us on this bonus episode of Living Lovett with upper school English and American Studies teacher Michele Davis to recount their unique story of bringing the song Traces of You to the American Idol stage.

It all started in 10th grade with Michele's support for Slater's struggles and evolved into a touching collaboration after Michele shared the tragic story of her son Carter. Slater transformed Michele's poem about Carter into a heartfelt song, Traces of You, which led them to an unforgettable experience on American Idol in Nashville. They discuss the process, the emotional impact, and the invaluable lessons in empathy, character, and faith they have experienced at Lovett with Chief Engagement Officer and Living Lovett host, Jessica Sant.

Slater reflects on the importance of teacher support throughout his time at Lovett, while Michele emphasizes the significance of fostering creativity and empathy in education. Both share their deep gratitude and mutual respect, showcasing the powerful bond that has marked their journey.

è Click here to vote for Slater Nalley on American Idol: https://idolvote.abc.com/

è Read the article about Slater in the Lovett News: https://www.lovett.org/about-lovett/news/news-detail/~board/news/post/slater-nalley-25-is-headed-to-hollywood

Living Lovett is an award nominated podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.