The college journey is often sold as rankings, prestige, and eye-watering tuition fees. But what if it could be different? In this episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we talk with Shellee Howard, Founder & CEO of College Ready, about how to help students pursue higher education without losing themselves or their financial future.

Shellee shares:

We also hear about Shellee’s experience in Uganda and how that shaped her non-profit, Empower Education, and her belief in education as a global force for change. Perfect for teachers, counsellors, school leaders and parents who want honest, unfiltered insight into the modern admissions landscape.

Podcast Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

04:30 – Why Families Feel Overwhelmed About College

11:00 – What Colleges Really Look For in Students

18:30 – Passion, Purpose & Student Identity

25:45 – Global Perspective on Education Access

32:45 – Handling Rejection & Finding the Right Fit

37:50 – Are Schools Preparing Students for the Future?

42:10 – Scholarships, Financial Strategy & Hidden Costs

46:10 – AI in College Admissions

50:05 – Final Reflections & Key Takeaways

Resources Mentioned

College Ready Planning Website

Podcast: Parents, is Your Teen College Ready? 

Book: How to Send Your Child to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money

Book: The College Admissions Plan Simplified

Shellee’s Contact Details:

College Ready’s Instagram

Shellee’s Linkedin

For more updates, follow EmpowerED: 

How personal loss shapes student life, identity, and support systems on campus.

In this raw and powerful episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we’re joined by an extraordinary guest who shares her personal journey of navigating grief as a student—and how those early experiences of loss, silence, and resilience sparked the creation of The Student Grief Network. We discuss what it means to grieve at university, the unique challenges faced by students, the gaps in institutional support, and how grief can become a quiet but powerful catalyst for growth, empathy, and change.

Podcast Chapters:

01:53 – Introduction & Anna’s Journey into Grief Work

02:29 – Losing Her Brother and the Hidden Impact of Childhood Grief

08:25 – Founding the Student Grief Network at University

10:50 – Coping with the Loss of Her Father and Finding Purpose

17:00 – Why Grief Is Still Invisible in Higher Education

31:08 – Creating a Framework for Compassionate Universities

43:00 – Supporting Staff Well-Being & Building a Culture of Care

53:50 – Lessons, Hope & Anna’s Final Message

Resources Mentioned: 

SGN main website

My creative page: Anna May

Anna's Contact Details:

Linkedin

Email: [email protected]

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This episode takes you inside the design and philosophy of the MA in Artificial Intelligence and Technology-Enhanced Learning (AITEL) — a bold new programme helping teachers and technologists co-create the future of learning. We discuss how students develop their own “classrooms of the future,” use AI tools critically, and engage with themes like social justice and digital literacy. You’ll hear practical examples, reflections on pedagogical change, and how higher education can remain deeply human — even in a world shaped by automation.

Podcast Chapters:

02:15 – Zoe’s Journey into Education & Technology

06:52 – Why the MA in AI & Technology Enhanced Learning Was Created

09:13 – Closing the Gap Between Research & Classroom Practice

13:45 – Letting Students Use AI to Write Their Essays

19:00 – Designing Curriculum for the Classroom of the Future

25:56 – Peer Collaboration Between Educators & Technologists

33:22 – Ethics, AI Literacy & Data Protection

46:25 – Zoe’s Vision for Education in the Age of AI

Resources Mentioned: 

Zoe's Contact Details:

Linkedin

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Can automation support teaching without sacrificing quality or care? In this insightful conversation, we explore how Microsoft Power Automate and other tools are being used to tackle academic workload, improve feedback systems, and support earlier student interventions. We also touch on the creative use of technology in content design and how educators can navigate the digital shift while keeping pedagogy at the centre. A must-listen for anyone seeking scalable, humane, and effective solutions for assessment and feedback.

Podcast Chapters:

03:22 – Tech Curiosity & Problem Solving

10:26 – The Pain Point that Sparked Automation

15:01 – Using Power Automate to Reclaim Teaching Time

18:25 – Student Reactions to Automated Feedback

21:19 – Saving Time Without Compromising Quality

27:17 – Scaling the Approach Across Departments

32:12 – Reducing Mental Load for Educators

53:37 – The Future of Automation in Teaching & Assessment

Resources Mentioned: 

Rebekah's Contact Details:

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In this episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we explore how playfulness can be a powerful force in cultivating psychological safety and deeper collaboration in the workplace. Our guest, Mark Childs, brings a unique perspective from the world of academic development and learning design, reflecting on how playful approaches can help people feel more engaged, included, and creative at work. Tune in to hear real stories, practical strategies, and why play should be taken seriously.

Podcast Chapters:

01:36 – Meet Mark & His Playful Journey

05:45 – The Physics Class That Changed Everything

10:05 – What Makes a Space Truly Playful?

14:50 – Response to Skeptical Voice

17:43 – Psychological Safety & Fear of Failure

28:11 – Playfulness in Teaching

34:17 – Playfulness vs. Professionalism

39:44 – Designing Meaningful Play

54:58 – The Future of Play at Work

Resources Mentioned:

Pedagodzilla Podcast

Pedagodzilla The Book

Playful Learning Association

Mark's Contact Details:

Email: [email protected]

Bluesky

For more updates, follow EmpowerED: 

What does it really mean to work in digital education? In this episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we sit down with Adele and Pip from Birkbeck, University of London, to hear their stories of moving into and thriving in the evolving world of edtech.

From career pivots and pedagogy to curiosity, humour, and HyFlex learning, we explore how digital education roles are shaped by people—not just platforms. Adele brings two decades of rich experience in learning technology, while Pip offers insights from her fresh transition into the field. Together, they reflect on the skills that matter, the myths that persist, and the joy of building connections across disciplines.

Whether you're just starting out or deep into your digital learning career, this is a warm and candid conversation about what it takes to thrive—and why staying human in a tech-driven world might be our greatest asset.

Podcast Chapters:

01:50 – Meet Adele and Pip: Career Journeys into Digital Education

07:17 – What’s in a Job Title? The Evolving Roles in EdTech

13:31 – Designing HyFlex Learning

20:32 – The Digital Skills We Need—Now and in the Future

22:35 – Study, Qualifications, and the Pedagogy Behind Tech

35:42 – Building Confidence and Connection with Reluctant Users

40:53 – Collaborating with Academics and Students on Real Projects

46:01 – Supporting Early Careers: Mentors, Courses, and Networks

55:14 – Busting Myths: No, We’re Not IT Support

59:53 – Final Advice: Mindsets That Matter in Digital Education

Contact Details:

Adele's Linkedin

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Can kindness be taught? Can it be a form of activism? In this episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we explore how kindness is being used not just as a value, but as a radical educational tool to help students thrive in today’s fast-changing world.

Vic shares how Kaplan Pathways' Kindness Curriculum is supporting international students in liminal spaces—between home and study, college and university, education and employment. We explore the role of kindness in shaping resilient, confident and connected learners—and why these human skills matter more than ever in an AI-driven age.

A must-listen for anyone passionate about compassionate pedagogy, emotional intelligence, and the future of education.

Podcast Chapters:

01:51 – Meet Victoria: Commitment to Inclusive Education

07:05 – What Is Kindness in Education?

20:07 – Teaching Kindness: Can It Be Done?

26:50 – Student Response and Cultural Considerations

29:20 – Kindness, Leadership, and "Soft" Skills

30:50 – Staying Human in an AI World

Book Mentioned:

The Economy of Kindness

Vic's Contact Details:

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin

Website

Also, a big shout out to:

Kath Koshel

Kindness Factory

For more updates, follow EmpowerED: 

In this episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, Caroline talks with Kim and Patrick from Activate Learning about how they’re using AI to transform education. From creating custom AI tools like tutors and feedback assistants to ensuring ethical and secure practices, they share the steps they’ve taken to enhance both teaching and learning.

Kim and Patrick discuss striking the right balance between AI automation and human interaction, empowering students with digital skills, and fostering a growth mindset. They also highlight the importance of using AI to create equitable opportunities for learners, while keeping educators at the heart of the process.

Whether you’re an educator exploring AI’s potential or a student curious about its role in learning, this episode offers practical advice, inspiring examples, and a look at what’s next for AI in education.

Podcast Chapters:

Make sure you don't miss Kim and Patrick's presentation in our webinar! https://youtu.be/N7bJmFu-P8o

Kim and Patrick on Social Media:

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In this episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we speak with two dynamic alumni from the University of Dundee, Lily Meller and Hedda Scharffenberger. Together, they share their transformative experiences participating in a Human Rights Advocacy Internship module that combined academic rigour with real-world activism.

Lily and Hedda discuss the power of student activism as a pedagogical tool, offering insights into how the module not only deepened their understanding of human rights but also helped them discover their strengths and passions. They recount navigating challenges like group dynamics, measuring impact, and balancing academic and advocacy demands. From running impactful social media campaigns to organising events that spark meaningful dialogues, their journey demonstrates the profound value of experiential learning.

This episode is a must-listen for educators interested in integrating activism into the curriculum and for students seeking to channel their passions into actionable change. Gain inspiration, practical tips, and a renewed belief in the potential of collective action to make a difference.

00:08 - Meet Lily and Hedda: Passion for Advocacy and Activism

You might also like the below episodes:

Make sure you don't miss Lily and Edzia's presentation in our webinar and Edzia's podcast episode about student activism pedagogy.

Hedda and Lily on Social Media:

For more updates, follow EmpowerED: 

In this episode of Unfiltered by EmpowerED, we sit down with Daniel Pigou from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China. Daniel, a lecturer in English for Academic Purposes shares his innovative work with H5P interactive videos. Designed to engage students and improve learning outcomes, these videos are part of a blended learning model that allows students to interact with content through gamified, quiz-like features.

Daniel discusses his journey, starting with his experiences teaching in a hybrid environment, and now focusing on creating self-study resources to build autonomy in the classroom. A highlight of the episode is Daniel’s insights on enhancing digital literacy among students and supporting fellow educators in adopting new tech tools like H5P to meet curriculum goals. He also covers the value of regular feedback, making tech tools accessible, and the challenges of balancing digital content with classroom interaction.

This episode is packed with practical advice for educators on how to enrich their blended learning offerings. Tune in to hear about Daniel’s strategies for making learning both effective and enjoyable!

Podcast Chapters

0:47 - Daniel’s Background in Education and Research

33:54 - Emerging EdTech and Future Directions

35:22 - Balancing Digital and Classroom Interactions

• Follow Daniel on Linkedin for more information.

For more updates, follow EmpowerED: 

• Website: empoweredwebinars.com