The Raider Ramble

Emmy-winning television writer, producer and showrunner Rich Appel ’81 joins The Raider Ramble for the Season 4 premiere, sharing the story of a career that has taken him from North Shore Country Day to Harvard, to a federal courtroom, to some of television’s most celebrated writers’ rooms.

Hosted by students Ruby W. ’28 and Aiden D. ’27, the conversation explores Appel’s time at North Shore, his unexpected path from law to comedy, what it was like to begin his television career at “The Simpsons” and how an episode comes together inside a writers’ room. He also shares what it takes to lead a creative team, the lessons he has carried with him from NSCD and advice for young people figuring out where their own interests might lead.

Appel, the 2026 recipient of North Shore’s Francis R. Stanton ’27 Alumni Recognition, also reflects on more than 30 years in television and what continues to excite him about comedy, storytelling and the work ahead.

On this episode of The Raider Ramble, senior Lexie Smith sits down with Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña during his visit to North Shore Country Day. From his journey as a reluctant reader to the stories and experiences that inspire his award-winning books, Matt shares thoughtful insights on writing, identity, creativity and the power of representation in children’s literature. Plus, Lexie puts him through a fun round of rapid-fire book questions and asks for advice for aspiring young writers.

In this episode of Raider Ramble, host Drea Gallaga welcomes back North Shore Country Day alum James Robinson ’15, an Emmy-winning filmmaker and author of Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen. James reflects on his time at NSCD and shares how his early experiences here helped shape his path into documentary filmmaking and storytelling.

The conversation explores the inspiration behind Whale Eyes, an illustrated memoir about living with strabismus that invites readers to experience the world through James’s perspective. Drea and James discuss how the project evolved from a viral short film into an award-winning book, the creative collaboration behind it, and the power of storytelling to build empathy and understanding.

James also reflects on the connections between film and writing, his work as a video producer with The New York Times Opinion, and offers thoughtful advice for students interested in pursuing creative careers with purpose.

Tune in for a meaningful conversation about perception, narrative and the impact of sharing our stories.

Links:
Whale Eyes
https://www.whaleeyes.org/

How Life Looks Through My ‘Whale Eyes’
https://www.whaleeyes.org/watch

In this episode of Raider Ramble, host Lisa Doi ’09 welcomes back NSCD alum and acclaimed actor Joel de la Fuente ’87, joined by award-winning writer Jeanne Sakata, for a powerful conversation about storytelling, history, and purpose.

Joel reflects on returning to North Shore Country Day and the role NSCD played in shaping his creative path. Together, Joel and Jeanne dive into Hold These Truths, the moving solo performance centered on the true story of Gordon Hirabayashi, exploring themes of courage, patriotism, and standing up for constitutional values.

This episode offers an inspiring look at the power of art to spark reflection, dialogue, and change—along with thoughtful advice for students interested in the arts and storytelling. Tune in for a meaningful conversation that connects past, present, and purpose.

Links:
Hold These Truths
https://www.holdthesetruths.info/

In this new episode of The Raider Ramble, Head of School Tom Flemma sits down with Jeff Selingo, New York Times bestselling author and one of the nation’s most trusted voices on higher education, college admissions and the changing job market. For more than 25 years, Selingo’s reporting has helped families, educators and leaders make sense of an ever-shifting landscape — and today’s conversation is no exception.

Together, Tom and Jeff explore the ideas behind Selingo’s latest bestseller, “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right For You,” a book born from two decades of questions about what college really offers students and how families can approach the admissions journey with more clarity, confidence and agency.

Here are the key takeaways we have for you:

• Families often place too much emphasis on college rankings, when true indicators of quality come from student experience — strong first-year support, faculty mentorship, internships and hands-on learning.
• Students have more agency than they realize; the college search should empower them, not turn high school into a checklist or performance arena.
• “Dream School” was written as a roadmap to help families look beyond selectivity and toward fit, value and long-term outcomes.
• College is a major consumer decision — families should ask questions, compare options and evaluate cost and value just as they would with any significant investment.
• Career outcomes matter: the transition to the workforce is increasingly shaped by what students do in college — research, internships, campus engagement — not just where they attend.
• High school is a time for exploration; reducing it to a series of hoops for admissions undermines student growth and well-being.
• Counselors are essential partners — they understand your student, your school and how to align college choices with academic, social and financial fit.
• Families should feel empowered, informed and curious — approaching the process with questions, flexibility and an open mind.

Links:
Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You
https://jeffselingo.com/books/dream-school

NSCD College Counseling
https://www.nscds.org/academics/college-counseling

FAN (Family Action Network)
https://www.familyactionnetwork.net

What makes North Shore, North Shore? In this reflective episode of The Raider Ramble, host and lifelong Raider Mullery Doar ’06 explores the stories, rituals and rhythms that bind generations of students together. From the joy of buddy day to Morning Ex, these traditions form the heartbeat of our community.

We hear from current students about the moments that make them feel like they truly belong, then travel back in time with one of our oldest living alums, Louise Noll ’40, who reminds us why these traditions began in the first place. Finally, we turn to longtime lower school teacher David Green, who reflects on how traditions evolve while keeping our shared values alive.

Tradition isn’t just something we do — it’s something we feel. A connection to the past. A celebration of the present. A promise to the future.

We’re kicking off Season 3 of the Raider Ramble with a very special guest: Patricia Ostrom Kohnen ’60, this year’s Francis R. Stanton ’27 Alumni Recognition award recipient.

A pioneer in STEM at a time when few women pursued such careers, Pat built a remarkable 25-year career with Chevron after early work at Procter & Gamble and in education. Alongside her professional achievements, she has dedicated her life to service — leading in organizations like the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and her local school board — while continuing to embody North Shore’s motto, “Live and Serve.”

In this conversation with host Dr. Collins, Pat reflects on her North Shore Country Day experience, the changing landscape for women in STEM, and the lessons of resilience, adaptability, and community that have guided her throughout her life.

Join us for an inspiring episode that celebrates Pat’s legacy of curiosity, leadership, and service — qualities that continue to strengthen the North Shore community and beyond.

In this episode of The Raider Ramble, hosts Diana Flemma and Sarah Levi offer insightful guidance for parents navigating the summer months with their teenage and college-aged children. As licensed mental health professionals and seasoned parents themselves, Diana and Sarah explore how summer can be a powerful season for reflection, independence-building, and emotional resilience. They break the season into three key phases — the beginning, middle, and end — and walk parents through practical tools for helping teens decompress, grow, and transition with greater confidence.

Top Takeaways for Parents:

• Decompression is crucial: Teens need time to rest and recalibrate after a demanding school year — this isn't laziness, it's recovery.
• Set expectations collaboratively: Hold a family meeting after a short decompression period to discuss curfews, chores, and summer plans.
• Break the summer into phases: Tackle expectations and goals in smaller time chunks, revisiting and adjusting as needed.
• Use the driver’s license analogy: Building life skills requires guidance, practice, and gradually increasing independence.
• Prioritize communication and feedback: Encourage your teen’s voice in decision-making to foster ownership and self-confidence.
• Support real-world skill-building: Summer is ideal for practicing budgeting, healthcare management, and other adult responsibilities.
• Focus on strengths, not just struggles: Highlight what your teen does well to build motivation and resilience.
• Practice emotional regulation: Expect emotional ups and downs, especially near summer’s end — your calm presence matters.
• Reinforce self-care routines: Help teens keep sleep, exercise, and emotional regulation strategies consistent as school approaches.
• Plan for continued connection: Work with your teen to develop a communication and support plan for when they return to school or college.

LINKS
Sarah H. Levi, PsyD
www.drsarahlevi.com

Diana Flemma, MA, LCPC
www.dianaflemmacounseling.com

LIVE EVENT
Launch With Confidence: Successfully Guide Your Teen Into the Post-High School Years

Feeling unsure about how to support your teen as they prepare for life after high school? You’re not alone. Join therapists and parents Diana Flemma, MA, and Sarah H. Levi, PsyD, who bring 45+ years of combined experience with high school and college students and their families, for a one-hour conversation to help you feel more confident, prepared, and connected during this major transition. You’ll leave with practical tools, new insights, and a sense of community with other parents navigating the same challenges.

Designed for parents of high schoolers—including rising 9th graders and recent grads.

Upcoming Dates
📍 Wednesday, June 11 | 1:30 p.m. — North Shore Country Day
📍 Wednesday, August 13 | 1:30 p.m. — Winnetka Public Library
📍 Wednesday, August 13 | 7:00 p.m. — Winnetka Public Library

In this episode of Raider Ramble, Montse Lusarreta, Lower School Counselor, and Courtney Wilson, Middle School Counselor, are joined by this year's Harold Hines Visiting Fellow, Dr. Ethan Kross. Renowned as a leading expert on emotional regulation, Dr. Kross delves into the science of emotions in his latest book, "Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don’t Manage You." Drawing from his international bestseller, "Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters, and How to Harness It," he offers practical strategies to empower us to manage our emotions effectively. Tune in as we explore the invaluable insights shared by Dr. Kross and learn how we can harness the power of our emotions to enhance our well-being.

Top Takeaways for Parents:

• Emotions and Proportions: All emotions are useful when experienced in the right proportions
• Emotional Regulation: Avoid letting negative emotions last too long or be triggered too intensely
• Personalized Tools: Different tools work for different people in different situations
• Self-Experimentation: Familiarize yourself with available tools and start self-experimenting to find what works for you
• Sharing Knowledge: Share the tools with others to help manage emotions effectively
• Accessible Tools: Utilize simple and accessible tools such as music, sensory experiences, and physical activities like pushups
• Simple vs. Complex: Learning about tools is simple, but mastering emotional regulation is a challenge
• Toolbox Approach: Reach for certain tools when emotions are triggered and experiment with new ways to manage emotions
• Adaptability: Use different tools in different situations, such as the ABC game for distraction in public and five senses for distraction at home
• Continuous Practice: Managing emotions is a continuous process that requires effort and practice, similar to physical fitness

LINKS
Shift: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don’t Manage You
www.ethankross.com

Family Action Network (FAN)
www.familyactionnetwork.net

In this episode of Raider Ramble, Robyn Schuster, President of the North Shore Country Day Parents’ Association, and Rachel Sun, Assistant Head of Middle School, discuss the importance of the parent-student-teacher partnership in supporting students through the challenges of middle school. They delve into the role of advisors, goal-setting, reflection, and navigating social dynamics to help students grow and become more independent.

Top Ten Takeaways for Parents:

• Collaborative relationship between parents, students, and teachers is key to supporting students socially, academically, and emotionally.
• Advisors serve as the main point of contact for students and parents, providing guidance and advocacy.
• Middle school advisors help students plan ahead, manage workload, and communicate with teachers effectively.
• Advisors play a role in supporting both students and parents through the challenges of middle school transitions.
• Middle school is a time for students to gain independence and self-sufficiency with the support of parents and advisors.
• Multi-year advisory groups benefit students by providing mentorship and guidance across different grade levels.
• Goal setting, reflection, and open sessions in advisory help students manage challenges and seek advice from peers.
• Parents can utilize their connection with advisors to address concerns and understand typical behavior from their middle schoolers.
• Advisors offer insights into social dynamics at school and help parents gain a fuller picture of their child's experiences.
• Effective communication and collaboration between parents and advisors are crucial for supporting students through middle school challenges.

LINKS
The Power of Advisory: Supporting Students Every Step of the Way
https://www.nscds.org/community/news/~board/nscd-news/post/the-power-of-advisory-supporting-students-every-step-of-the-way