PrincipalED: Conversations with Grace McCallum

In the Season 3 premiere of PrincipalED, Principal Grace McCallum sits down with Elizabeth DIAS’04—national religion correspondent for The New York Times and co-author of The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America. Recorded on campus on the same day as Branksome Hall’s Installation ceremony, where Elizabeth served as keynote speaker, this captivating conversation explores her journey from student writer to award-winning journalist and the foundational role her Branksome education played in shaping her career.

Grace and Elizabeth dive deep into the complexities of reporting on faith, power and politics in an increasingly polarized world. Elizabeth shares her approach to impartial storytelling, offering key insights on how to foster constructive dialogue across deep divides through active listening and intellectual curiosity. She reflects on the courage needed to navigate frontline journalism, reporting from challenging environments where she has confronted perpetrators of atrocities, endured political hostility and covered high-stakes national events.

Elizabeth discusses her latest reporting on the intersection of artificial intelligence and faith, reflecting on how religious leaders are prompting us to re-examine what it means to be human in an era of rapid technological change. She also pays tribute to the women who shaped her perspective and speaks to the vital power of solidarity and support among the ‘sisterhood’ of women journalists.

Tune in for an inspiring exploration of truth, journalism and the enduring strength of community.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca



Episode keywords: Journalism, faith, religion, AI, politics, constructive dialogue, New York Times, women in journalism, women journalists, female leadership in media, Elizabeth Dias

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

What does it take to shape decades of young minds, redefine a math curriculum and still have enough energy for a Friday dance party with students? In the unforgettable Season 2 finale of PrincipalED, host Grace McCallum sits down with the veteran math educator Edith Louie for a deeply personal, full-circle conversation. Edith looks back on her remarkable 28-year journey as a teacher, Instructional Leader and Admissions Associate at Branksome Hall.

From her early childhood days teaching her stuffed animals after school to leading the Branksome Math Department for a decade, Edith’s impact on her students and colleagues has been profound. In this episode, Edith shares insights on:

• Restructuring the math curriculum to align with Branksome’s social-emotional learning strategy,
• Her influential work outside of Branksome with the International Baccalaureate Educator Network and the Independent Schools of Mathematics Association,
• The impact of community engagement and the initiatives Edith started, including a partnership with the Rose Avenue Public School,
• Why mentorship is important as she prepares to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders, and 
• Her next chapter, as she prepares to transition into an expanded Admissions role, reflects on the lifelong impact of a Branksome education and shares her joy in being an ambassador for the school (and why she is committed to giving back as a legacy gift donor). 

Stay tuned until the end for a delightful rapid-fire round featuring space-travel dreams, timeless maternal advice and a groovy look at the song that fuels Edith's morning commute!

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Curriculum development, instructional leader, global citizenship, community service, JUMP Math, growth mindset, teacher spotlight, Edith Louie, math mentorship, STEM education, International Baccalaureate, school admissions

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

As we kick off Reunion Week, we’re delighted to bring you a special conversation with two trailblazers from the Class of 2011: Bertilia Trieu and Jie Ying Wu.

Fifteen years ago, they were classmates in Higher Level Math and leaders in the Branksome community. Today, they are both pioneers in the medical field—but neither took the traditional path of a clinician. Instead, they are driving healthcare forward through innovation, research and data—Bertilia as Manager of Outcomes and Data Analytics at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and Jie Ying as Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville—proving that the "Branksome way" is about far more than just following a script; it’s about writing a new one.

Join us for this special Reunion episode as we discuss:

• The Non-Linear Path: How the IB curriculum gave Bertilia and Jie Ying the courage to pursue "unconventional" STEM careers in data analytics and machine learning.
• From the Orchestra to the Lab: Memories of Residence life, the World Affairs Conference and orchestra rehearsals, and how those early leadership roles translated to the professional world.
• Surgical Innovations: A look at how Jie Ying is turning robots into "intelligent assistants" and how Bertilia uses data to redefine patient outcomes.
• Coming Home: What "Keeping Well the Road" means to them 15 years later as they prepare to reconnect with classmates at Reunion.

Whether you’re a current student curious about the future of healthcare or a fellow alum, this episode is a celebration of the shared roots and different paths that define our community.

Welcome home, Bertilia and Jie Ying, and the Class of 2011!

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Women in STEM, Surgical Robotics, Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Patient Outcomes, Healthcare Innovation, Vanderbilt University

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

What does it feel like to walk through the gates of Branksome Hall for the first time? For Hayden (Grade 6) and Maia (Grade 4), the transition from "the tour" to the classroom has been a whirlwind of new friendships, trying out co-curricular opportunities and learning how to put themselves out there.

In this episode of PrincipalED, Grace sits down with two of our newest Junior School students to discuss their first year on campus. From Hayden’s deep family roots at the school to Maia finding her best friends in Aftercare, they share the moments that turned nerves into excitement.

We dive into:

• The "feel" of Branksome: Why the welcoming atmosphere and world-class facilities—like the iHub and the art room’s kiln—make all the difference.
• The IB unpacked: Giving a student’s perspective on the International Baccalaureate, Hayden and Maia debunk misconceptions and explain why a "mix of disciplines" is simply how the real world works.
• Future ready: The girls share their excitement about the upcoming iCAST building, envisioning new heights for theatre performances and trying out the woodworking shop.
• Noodle Jr. and beyond: From track, volleyball and soccer to "Noodle" business goals (including a plan to take over the cosmetics industry!), Hayden and Maia agree that Branksome is truly a world of opportunities.

Their top advice for students starting at Branksome? Be open and have fun—the community is waiting to invite you in.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme, interdisciplinary learning, STEAM education, new students, elementary school, junior school

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

What does it take to stay three moves ahead when the world is watching? In the state-of-the-art setting of Branksome Hall’s Athletics and Wellness Centre, Grace sits down with NHL Hall of Famer and Branksome parent Eric Lindros. While known for his physical dominance on the ice, Eric speaks to the value of the "soft skills" that are often the hardest to master: handling public criticism, navigating failure and leading a franchise as the youngest captain in Flyers history.

In this episode, Eric shares candid reflections on:

• The Car Ride Home: His parents’ role in shaping his journey—from the extra hours on the backyard ice rink to the coaching and conversations in the car after the game, and why keeping it fun is the ultimate fuel for high performance.
• Multi-Sport Mindsets: Why being the best player on a team isn't always the best way to learn, and how playing sports you aren’t good at can help to build a winning mindset. 
• The Identity Shift: Navigating life after the game and his transition from the "Big E" to a champion for systemic change through concussion awareness and Rowan’s Law.
• Advice for the Next Generation: A compelling message to students and parents on balancing high-performance dreams with academics, and the importance of being honest about injury.

Whether you're a student-athlete, a parent or a leader, this is an essential masterclass in playing smart, building mental toughness and leading with purpose.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Eric Lindros, hockey, hockey hall of fame, National Hockey League, high performance, student-athletes, Branksome Hall athletics, soft skills, resilience, concussion awareness, Rowan’s Law

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

In this episode, Grace sits down with members of Branksome Hall's Arts faculty to explore why the ‘A’ in STEAM is the essential ingredient for true innovation. Recorded in the Senior & Middle School Theatre Lab, this conversation explores how the artistic process helps students develop the key qualities of empathy, resilience, collaboration and risk-taking.

Angela David, Arts Instructional Leader, Adam Despinic, Music Coordinator and Janeen Gilbert, Visual Arts Coordinator, share their journeys to Branksome, how they coach students to “listen louder than they play,” and the human qualities the arts foster that can never be replaced by AI. They also provide some teasers about Nocturne, the exciting student-led, cross-disciplinary performance created in partnership with Toronto’s Red Sky Performance that will open the new iCAST building at Branksome in fall 2026.

The episode concludes with a spotlight on Grade 12 student Carina, winner of our podcast theme song competition! Carina joins Grace to break down her creative process and share the inspiration behind the music you’ll hear in every episode. 

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Arts, theatre, visual arts, music, composition, arts education, STEAM education, human creativity, arts in innovation, transdisciplinary learning, empathy in education.

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

Join Grace as she welcomes the school's dynamic Innovation team for an engaging conversation about the future of learning. Meet Megan, the Director of Curriculum Innovation, Isabella and Coulter, the Innovation and Technology Coordinators for the Junior and Senior & Middle Schools, and Tibor, the school’s new Metal and Woodworking Shop Coordinator.

What happens when world-class performing arts meet the cutting edge of technology? Get ready for a masterclass in interdisciplinary learning. In this episode, we take an exclusive look inside the Karen L. Jurjevich Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST), launching in 2026. Join Branksome Hall’s Innovation team as they reveal how this landmark space will help to dismantle the walls between subjects. From the tactile power of "making" to the seamless K–12 innovation continuum, discover how Branksome’s iHubs and physical fabrication are equipping the next generation of leaders to design the future.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: future of learning, innovation, K-12 curriculum, interdisciplinary learning, curriculum innovation, STEAM, girls in STEM, women in STEM

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

Join us for an inspiring intergenerational discussion with two extraordinary Branksome Hall Head Prefects. Current Head Prefect Emmi Murphy Ives meets up with former Head Girl, acclaimed attorney and media legal analyst CK PURKS Hoffler’80, as they share what it means to be part of this legacy of leadership.

In this episode, we're debunking everything you think you know about girls’ schools. Hear how Branksome has fostered an unparalleled sense of empowerment for Emmi and CK, from tackling their biggest fears like public speaking to discovering they had the final say. Tune in for laughs, real talk and stories about finding your voice.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: CK Purks Hoffler, Emmi Murphy Ives, head prefect, public speaking, student leadership, boarding schools, girls' schools, girls’ empowerment 

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

Get ready for an engaging and intimate look at life within Branksome Hall's Boarding community! In this special PrincipalED episode, Grace sits down with Kaitlyn, Arham, Angel, Titoluwa and Yuning, five of our Branksome boarders, who offer a genuine glimpse into their world.

Hear their first impressions of boarding life and how their perspectives have evolved, the sisterhood that makes Branksome Boarding truly special and how having a roommate can really elevate your communication skills! 

Listen in as they discuss being role models for younger students, what they wish more people understood about boarding, and offer their best advice for students who might be interested in joining this unique community.

Thinking about boarding? They share how they knew they were ready and why you should consider it, making this episode a must-listen for prospective students, parents and educators alike.

Tune in for inspiration, insight and lots of laughs with this fun-loving group! 

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Boarding, Branksome Boarding, boarding students, boarding impressions, student experience, boarding misconceptions, student growth, boarding advice, prospective students

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

Welcome back to PrincipalED! We’re launching Season 2 with a powerful live episode, recorded at the University of Toronto’s stunning new Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus—and the second event in Branksome Hall’s Innovation in Action series.

In this episode, we explore how education must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world—and how Branksome Hall is boldly leading that change through its groundbreaking Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST) building, opening in 2026. 

We’re thrilled to share highlights from the panel discussion, expertly moderated by Shannon LEWIS’96, President of the Canadian Media Directors’ Council. Our guests discuss Canada’s growing digital and STEM skills gap, the gender divide in innovation sectors and how Branksome Hall is helping to close both—not just with talk, but with action.

Featured on the panel are:

• Shelby AUSTIN Cooper’99 – Co-founder and CEO of Arteria AI Inc.
• Eva Lau – Founding Partner of Two Small Fish Ventures
• Dr. Mara Lederman – COO and Co-Founder of Signal 1
• Megan McKellar – Associate Director, Curriculum Innovation, Branksome Hall
• Grace McCallum – Principal, Branksome Hall

Together, their expertise spans healthcare, law, HR, education, AI, media, advertising and retail, offering crucial insights into the future of work, innovation and leadership. This episode is a rallying call for the future of girls’ education, where girls and women don’t just participate in the future of tech, innovation and leadership. They define it.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: STEM, digital skills gap, future of work, leadership, women in tech, innovation gender gap, Shannon Lewis, Shelby Austin Cooper, Eva Lau, Dr. Mara Lederman, Megan McKellar, technology, artificial intelligence, AI, education innovation

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership