In this fourth bite-sized episode of PodBites, Adam Barger talks with Heather Keith from Radford University about navigating controversial topics in classrooms and beyond. In just a few minutes, Heather offers five grounded and practical insights, beginning with determining whether a topic is truly relevant and moving through the pre-work of building community, modeling humility, and preparing students for productive engagement. She also shares strategies for structuring difficult discussions so they stay productive and highlights the importance of closing with intentional reflection to help students process concerns and recognize moments of growth.

This episode was edited and produced by Roy W. Petersen.

Transcript