Erin Lewellen is the CEO of Global Citizen Year, a non-profit that is addressing our current global challenges by changing the composition, operating system, and impact of the next generation of changemakers. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how transformative experiences abroad can shape the pathways and perspectives of rising leaders.Erin tells of her origins in the logging culture of rural Oregon that led to her time as an undergraduate at the University of Oregon where she studied abroad for a year in Capetown, South Africa. From there, we hear what's happening at Global Citizen Year coming off a successful pivot to a virtual program during the pandemic years. We learn how she's come full circle with the launch of the Take Action Lab program Global Citizen Year is running in Capetown this year. Erin describes how surprising insights from recent research have led to new directions for the program and how much of that has been driven by student voice. We hear why she is inspired working with the rising generation and how important it is to both challenge students and provide the right supports to ensure we are truly developing global citizens. It's a thought-provoking exploration of what it takes to foster a meaningful passage into adult life through global awareness, a sense of purpose, and local connections with the community. Don't miss it!Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Aaron Hillegass is an author, the Founder of Big Nerd Ranch, and Director of Applied Data Science at New College of Florida. He’s also the Executive Director of the Kontinua Foundation. He joins host and fellow New College alum Mike Palmer in a wide-ranging conversation about the blend of skills and digital competencies in machine learning, data, and AI that are becoming increasingly essential for professional success and career growth.We begin by hearing of Aaron’s roots including his experiences at New College before learning what it was like to work with Steve Jobs in the 90s before finding huge success teaching developers and leaders at Big Nerd Ranch. From there we explore what Aaron aims to do leading the recently launched Data Science Masters program at New College. We muse about what Jobs called “bicycles for the mind” and how new breakthroughs in AI are massively transforming how we think about the future of work. It's a thought-provoking conversation about the massive transformations taking place in technology and education. Don’t miss it!Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

James Nottingham and Dr. Carmen Bergmann from The Learning Pit join host Mike Palmer to explore how understanding the "pit" of the struggle ultimately helps us learn how to learn better. James shares his origin story of struggling in school before finding his way as an education. After years of teaching this ultimately resulted in him founding The Learning Pit. We delve into the importance of embracing uncertainty and setbacks in the learning process and explain how this helps students develop a growth mindset and resilience. It's a dynamic conversation filled with practical tips, real-world examples, and insights on the future of education. Don't miss it.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more fresh perspectives on the future of learning.

Sabari Raja is the Cofounder of Nepris which is now part of Pathful, the college and career readiness platform. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about building career pathways into K12 education.We begin by hearing Sabari's origin story which starts on a coconut farm in India and has culminated with her recent successes in EdTech and Career Readiness. We explore the value of exposing students to career paths as early as possible and throughout their educational journeys. Sabari provides perspective on emerging EdTEch trends including AI, AR/VR, and more. We also dig into the power of durable skills as we contemplate the role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in preparing students for the future of work. Don't miss it!Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on what's emerging in learning.

Dana Gastich French is the founder and lead consultant for UpRiver Education, a company focused on multilingual learners and the educators who teach them. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how an asset-based, inclusive understanding of English language learning is the key to overcoming the challenges that ESL continues to face in the US and beyond.We hear Dana’s origin story which begins with studying abroad in Chile where she learned how it felt to not be comfortable with the language of record. From there, she connects her experiences as an ESL and bilingual teacher, instructional coach and school and district-level administrator to what’s emerging in the field today. We conclude with Dana’s thoughts on the role of technology and the importance of building trust through culturally sensitive practices. It’s a free-wheeling survey of what’s new in the English Language Learning ecosystem you don’t want to missSubscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp perspective on what's emerging in learning.

Dr. Patricia Okker is the President of New College of Florida, the innovative honor’s college in the Florida system. She joins host and New College alum Mike Palmer to talk about what makes a New College education unique and how a liberal arts education can prepare you for the world of work and community engagement. Note: this episode was recorded in December prior to the recent appointments to the Board of Trustees.We hear Pat’s origin story, beginning in New Jersey before spending many years at the University of Missouri where she was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences before joining New College as President a year and a half ago. We learn how folks are reimagining New College through The Challenge before digging in on career pathways and entrepreneurship among other topics.It’s a thought-provoking conversation about the future of higher education that you don’t want to miss. Look for more from us on the New College story as it develops.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

Dr. Jennifer Forristal is a Naturopathic Doctor and school wellness specialist who is focused on pediatric well-being. Founder of the Umbrella Project and author of The Umbrella Effect, she is creating a profound paradigm shift in the understanding of our personal well-being and that of our children. Jen joins host Mike Palmer in a discussion of developing coping skills in children, parents, and schools so that we're better equipped to endure trauma and ideally grow in the process.Beginning with the premise that all kids will encounter rain in their lives, how do we help them develop the skills they need to cope? We explore how parents and educators can help kids recognize and appreciate umbrella skills like cognitive flexibility, empathy, and grit as we aim to be sensitive to trauma while also open to opportunities for growth through it. It's a thought-provoking conversation about developing practical SEL skills that you won't want to miss.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more enlightening takes on the future of education.

Beth Rudden is the CEO and Chairwoman of Bast.ai, a company that leverages emerging technology to build custom conversational AI tools or CATs for clients. Prior to founding Bast, Beth worked at IBM for 20 years, founding their Data Science practice and working with numerous clients to design and implement large scale solutions leveraging machine learning and training folks in data science.We hear Beth's origin story and draw from her experience at IBM and beyond to paint the picture of a new era of accessible AI for all that is just emerging. This conversation was recorded just before the release of ChatGPT and foreshadows Mike's second conversation with Beth which was also just released in the feed. Check them both out for a deep dive into the promise and the danger of the new wave of generative AI that is emerging these days.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

Beth Rudden, the Chairwoman and CEO of Bast.ai, rejoins host Mike Palmer for a conversation about ChatGPT and other large language models as we enter a new phase of readily accessible generative AI tools. Why is ChatGPT prone to mansplaining? How might this relate to the Dunning Kruger effect? And how might a more ecological understanding of an "honorable harvest" as described in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer help us rethink our relationship with data and its harvesting?We tackle all of this and more in a free-wheeling conversation with a Data Science and AI thought leader who draws from 20+ years of experience at IBM and beyond to help us make sense of emerging technology that is making AI accessible to all.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on learning and emerging technology.

Esther Lee has over 14 years of experience in learning, culture building, DEIB, and leadership development across different industries. She returns to the podcast to join host Mike Palmer to share her wisdom around how to navigate layoffs in the current market on both sides of the impact. You can check out her recent LinkedIn article to get more from her on this topic.We learn how Esther is telling her story while building community and relying on her network to get through the challenges of reductions in force. She's taken great risks throughout her career to impact different types of companies from matrixed organizations to hyper-growth global startups, which have led to multiple layoffs and RIFs. We appreciate her courage to put herself out there as someone who is managing through all of this and emerging stronger in the process.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on learning and the future of work.