Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

What happens when you stop talking about students and start talking with them?

In this episode, Jeff Utecht sits down with high schoolers and asks a question most adults skip: what do you actually need from school right now? Not what teachers think they need. Not what the policy documents say. What the students themselves would name if someone gave them the mic.

What they share is honest, specific, and worth slowing down for. Some of it will confirm what you already suspected. Some of it will catch you off guard. All of it is a reminder that the people closest to the experience of learning have been telling us things we haven't always made room to hear.

If you're a school leader, classroom teacher, or anyone shaping the conditions students learn inside, this is a conversation worth bringing into your next team meeting.

What would shift in your school if student perspective wasn't a survey question, but the starting point?

This week Jeff talks with Nick and Marnie about why we want to help students stop waiting for permission and start building a bridge to a career on your their own terms.

In this episode, Jeff Utecht is joined by Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, authors of The Business of You, a book that reframes career growth, personal branding, and leadership through a simple but demanding idea: you are already running a business, and that business is you.

Using the story of Sydney, a young professional trying to stand out in a crowded job market, Marnie and Nick explore what it means to move from passive applicant to active architect of your future. We talk about why so many people do everything "right" and still feel invisible, and what it looks like to become more intentional about the way you tell your story, build relationships, and create opportunities.

This conversation will be useful for college students, early-career professionals, career changers, and anyone who has ever felt stuck between doing what's expected and figuring out how to actually get noticed.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What it means to think like a CEO of your own life and work
• How to tell your story in a way people remember
• The difference between networking and building real relationships
• Why personal branding is really about clarity, not self-promotion
• How to stay visible, strategic, and ready for what comes next

A few questions at the center of this episode:

• Why do so many capable people struggle to stand out?
• What makes someone memorable in a crowded field?
• How can students and professionals build a network that actually matters?
• What does "personal branding" look like when it's done with honesty and substance?
• How do you stop chasing the next role and start attracting the right fit?

About the book: The Business of You follows Sydney as she begins to see that career success is not just about credentials or checking the right boxes. It is about ownership. Through her story, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio offer a practical framework for building a career with more intention, more confidence, and more agency.

Why listen: This is a conversation about career strategy, but it is also about identity, voice, and self-direction. If you have ever wondered how to make your experience matter more, how to build a network without feeling transactional, or how to stop blending into the pile, this episode gives you a strong place to start.

Find the BAKE eBook: https://www.shiftingschools.com/

Learn more about our guests:

https://blueapp.ai

https://thebusinessofyou.ai

social media: @bluethebusinessofyou

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sFfpWI

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marniestockman/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-coniglio-5b62153/

What can a graphic novel teach educators about belonging, friendship, and the inner lives of young people?

Sara Amini is an actor and author whose semi-autobiographical middle grade graphic novel Mixed Feelings started as a collection of essays before finding its real form. In this conversation, she and Tricia dig into why the graphic novel gave her a sharper way to tell a story about not fitting neatly into any one category, and what that means for the kids (and adults) who read it.

They talk about humor as a way into hard topics like racism, xenophobia, puberty, and loneliness. Sara explains how she thinks like a director when writing visually, and why graphic novels open up something different in classrooms that text alone doesn't reach. The conversation keeps circling back to a question worth sitting with: what are students carrying that we're not seeing, and what kinds of stories help us notice?

Want a free copy of Mixed Feelings? Email [email protected] a screenshot of your podcast rating by April 15th to enter.

Alyson Gerber joins Tricia Friedman to talk about The Liar Society, why friendship is serious business, and what mystery stories can teach young readers and adults about belonging, trust, competition, and connection. In this conversation, Alyson shares why friendship sits at the center of her work, how middle grade fiction can help readers think more deeply about loneliness and identity, and why the best friends are the ones who cheer for your growth.

They also go behind the scenes of writing a mystery series. Alyson explains how she outlines her novels, why she uses the Save the Cat beat sheet, how she thinks about first scenes, pacing, chapter length, and twists, and what it takes to build a story that keeps readers turning pages. For teachers, librarians, and student writers, this episode also includes a practical prompt for helping young people start thinking like mystery writers.

This episode is a strong listen for anyone interested in middle grade books, children's literature, YA-adjacent reading culture, literacy, creative writing, mystery writing, friendship skills, belonging, and how stories help readers take themselves more seriously. Alyson also reflects on the people who encouraged her early in life, the role creativity can play in self-restoration, and why books can help readers step outside the boxes they have been placed in.

In this episode:

• Alyson Gerber on why friendship is foundational
• The Liar Society and the appeal of mystery for middle grade readers
• Belonging, competition, and power dynamics in youth friendships
• The loneliness epidemic and what fiction can teach us about connection
• Why adults and kids are co-reading this series
• How Alyson Gerber plots a mystery novel
• Save the Cat, outlining, pacing, and suspense
• A simple exercise for teaching students to think like mystery writers
• Audiobooks, reading habits, and the creative life of a working author

Who this episode is for: Teachers, literacy leaders, school librarians, middle grade readers, parents, writers, and anyone thinking about friendship, belonging, and the kinds of stories that help young people feel seen.

What happens when we stop asking AI to do everything faster and start asking how it might help us understand people better?

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Andy Sitison, CTO of Share More Stories, for a conversation about empathetic AI, story collection, and why trust may be the real differentiator in the next phase of technology. Andy shares how his work uses AI not just as a productivity tool, but as a way to surface patterns in human experience by gathering and analyzing stories from real people.

Together, they explore what gets lost when efficiency becomes the main goal, why intent matters so much in AI use, and what educators can learn from the way thoughtful organizations listen to communities. Andy explains how story-based analysis can reveal not only answers, but better questions, helping leaders move beyond surveys and toward a deeper understanding of what people are actually feeling and needing.

The conversation also turns to schools. Jeff and Andy discuss why educators are often well positioned to use AI well, especially when the goal is support rather than replacement. From drafting difficult parent emails to making sense of complex data sets, Andy argues that AI works best when it helps humans communicate more clearly, think more creatively, and act with more care.

There is also a clear caution running through the episode: not every use of AI is a good one. Jeff and Andy push on the difference between meaningful application and empty automation, questioning whether some so-called AI advances are really just profit-driven systems wrapped in new language. It is a useful discussion for school leaders trying to separate signal from noise.

This episode is a thoughtful listen for anyone trying to hold onto human connection while navigating rapid technological change.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Andy means by "empathetic AI"
• How Share More Stories collects and analyzes human stories at scale
• Why stories can reveal questions leaders did not know to ask
• What gets lost when efficiency matters more than empathy
• Why trust and intent matter in AI adoption
• Skills educators may need to help students live well with emerging technology
• Practical, human-centered uses of AI in schools
• Why better questions may matter more than faster answers
• The difference between useful AI and AI added for its own sake

Memorable ideas from the episode:

• "Trust is the next big X factor."
• AI can help humans connect better when it is applied with care.
• Story collection can be therapeutic for the storyteller and revealing for the organization.
• The real power of AI may be in helping us handle complexity, then validate what matters most.
• Schools need more than tools. They need thoughtfulness, context, and purpose.

Jeff Utecht is back with a brand new book for schools looking to understand what to prioritize in the era of AI.

Human Still Required is available for purchase, and you can get chapter one free:

https://humanstillrequired.com/

Learn all about it in this special bonus episode.

What does it take to write a story that faces darkness without surrendering to it?

In this episode, Tricia speaks with acclaimed screenwriter Billy Ray about his move into YA fiction with Burn the Water, a future-set story shaped by Shakespeare, political urgency, and a deep belief in young people's capacity to lead us forward. Their conversation explores community, imagination, hope, and the discipline of creating when the world feels bleak. Billy also offers a sharp look at his writing process, including what changed when he moved from screenwriting to novel writing, and why he sees writing less as inspiration and more as problem-solving.

In this conversation, you'll hear:

• Why Billy Ray believes community is at the core of everything he writes
• How Romeo and Juliet and The Hunger Games helped shape Burn the Water
• Why setting a story 400 years in the future opened up new creative possibilities
• What it means to write for teens living through uncertainty and disenfranchisement
• Why hope is not passive, but something we practice
• How writing can help us process emotion, perspective, and possibility
• What surprised Billy most about shifting from screenwriting to novel writing
• Why he approaches writing like a mechanic, not a mystic
• How structure, routine, and problem-solving power his creative process

Memorable ideas from the episode: Billy Ray reflects on the role of story in helping us imagine better futures, even when the present feels unstable. He talks about art as a way to tell the truth through invention, and about the importance of refusing hopelessness. He also shares a compelling view of young people, not as passive inheritors of crisis, but as the very people who may lead us through it.

Episode takeaway This is a conversation about craft, courage, and the necessity of hope. For writers, readers, and anyone thinking seriously about the futures we are building, this episode offers both creative insight and moral clarity.

Join Tricia for a free Futures Literacy session:

https://triciafriedman.com/futureoffun/

What can a cheetah and a rescue dog teach us about trust, friendship, and belonging?

In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Jasmine Warga to talk about her newest book and the powerful themes at its heart: vulnerability, unlikely friendships, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you.

Inspired by a real program in zoos where rescue dogs are paired with anxious cheetahs, Warga's story explores how connection can help both animals—and humans—feel less alone. Through the voices of a cheetah and a dog, the book opens up conversations about anxiety, trust, identity, and the universal desire to belong.

Together, Tricia and Jasmine explore how storytelling helps young readers navigate big emotions, why animals can sometimes say things humans cannot, and how asking questions—rather than providing answers—is often the most powerful way to write for young people.

They also go behind the scenes of Warga's writing process, from messy notebooks and long walks to the surprising freedom of writing a "zero draft."

This conversation is a powerful reminder that the stories we share with young readers can help build empathy, connection, and community.

00:00 — Welcome + Why This Story Matters Right Now Tricia introduces Jasmine Warga and shares why the new book immediately resonated with her.

01:20 — Why Trust and Vulnerability Sit at the Heart of the Story Jasmine explains how the book explores the courage it takes to let someone see your "soft parts."

02:00 — Why the Story Is Told Through a Cheetah and a Dog How animal characters help young readers open their hearts to difficult conversations.

03:30 — The Real Zoo Program Behind the Book The fascinating practice of pairing rescue dogs with anxious cheetahs.

05:00 — How Jasmine Built the Two Main Characters Finding the emotional core of Chase the cheetah and Finnegan the dog.

07:10 — Why Everyone Needs to Hear "You're Good" A powerful moment about reassurance, belonging, and emotional validation.

07:45 — Jasmine Warga's Writing Process Walking, daydreaming, music, and asking questions instead of chasing answers.

09:15 — The Music That Soundtracked the Book Why The National and "You've Got a Friend in Me" became part of the creative process.

10:00 — Why Unlikely Friendships Matter for Kids How stories can help young readers connect with people who seem different from them.

12:10 — Experimenting as a Writer From A Rover's Story to a cheetah and a dog—why Jasmine loves exploring new storytelling lenses.

14:00 — Why Jasmine Starts Every Book with Questions How curiosity drives the themes of belonging and identity.

15:30 — The Power of the "Zero Draft" A strategy for overcoming perfectionism and writer's block.

17:10 — Which Character Is Jasmine Most Like? A fun reflection on perfectionism, identity, and the author's personal connection to the story.

Jasmine Warga is a bestselling and award-winning author of books for young readers. Her stories explore themes of belonging, identity, friendship, and emotional courage, helping young people ask big questions about the world and their place in it.

In this episode, we sit down with Tui T. Sutherland, bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series, for a rich conversation about creativity, writing, world-building, empathy, and storytelling for young readers.

Tui shares how play, curiosity, and even dogs can support focus and imagination, why world-building starts with better questions, and how writers can balance community feedback with their own creative vision. She also reflects on the role of empathy, diversity, and self-exploration in storytelling, offering practical insights for aspiring writers, educators, and anyone interested in how stories shape young minds.

This conversation explores the creative process behind building immersive fictional worlds, developing memorable characters, and staying grounded in joy and curiosity while writing. Whether you are a fan of children's literature, interested in the craft of writing, or looking for inspiration around imagination and creative confidence, this episode offers plenty to take away.

00:00 How Dogs Support Creativity and Focus 02:40 World-Building That Makes Stories Feel Real 05:23 Balancing Reader Feedback and Creative Vision 07:56 Community, Empathy, and Representation in Storytelling 10:58 Writing as Therapy and Self-Exploration 14:30 Advice for Aspiring Writers 17:11 Imagining Worlds Through Play and Curiosity

• Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland — https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/tui-t-sutherland/

• Scholastic — https://www.scholastic.com/

• Tui T. Sutherland on Twitter / X — https://twitter.com/tuitweets

In this episode, we sit down with beloved children's book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds to explore how educators can ignite creativity and self-discovery in young learners. Peter shares why a single question can transform how we teach, and why imagination and dreaming big aren't luxuries but essentials.

What We Cover:

• How teachers activate creativity through authentic, feeling-driven questions
• Encouraging kids to explore many interests instead of choosing just one path
• The vital role of imagination and dreaming big in personal growth

Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Educators on Creativity 05:33 Dreaming Big: Navigating Identity and Aspirations

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/shifting-schools/