Getting Smart Podcast

In today’s episode, the Getting Smart team is exploring why environment matters — more specifically, why your learning environment matters. Joining the podcast today is Randy Fielding, the founding Chairman of Fielding Nair International — a global leader in designing learning communities. He is also the founder of DesignShare, a facilitator of ideas and resources about best practices and innovation in schools from early childhood through the university level.   Recently, Randy and Tom found a quiet corner on the Microsoft campus to talk about agency and how spaces and experiences can help learners cultivate and develop their own agency. They discussed why vistas are important to school architecture, the rise of flexible spaces and learning community concepts, variables and principles that are important in Randy’s architecture work (especially when designing school buildings), and more.   Listen in to hear more about how Randy and Fielding Nair are transforming education through design!   Key Takeaways: [:15] About today’s episode with Randy Fielding. [1:15] Tom welcomes Randy to the podcast. [1:46] Randy talks about his education experience and what led him to become an architect. [4:10] How did Randy come to focus his architecture practice on schools? [5:38] Randy asks Tom how he originally became interested in poetry and what made him include poetry in his talks. [7:59] Randy reads a small piece of poetry by Kipling and explains why it particularly strikes him and relates to architecture. [9:38] Why are vistas important to school architecture? [10:38] Randy’s favorite school building vista. [12:29] The most important principles for Randy’s work when designing school buildings. [15:25] What variables are important in Randy’s architecture work? [16:39] Randy speaks about their contribution in helping Albemarle County Public Schools. [17:33] The rise in flexible spaces and learning community concepts. [19:46] Where did the idea of Pathfinder Spaces come from and how does Randy see communities using them going forward? [23:52] Randy speaks about the importance of seating for students’ physical wellbeing. [26:52] Why student agency is so important to Randy and to our future as a culture.   Mentioned in This Episode: Fielding Nair Microsoft Flagship Schools The Death and Life of Great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs William Stafford Early Morning: Remembering My Father, William Stafford, by Kim Stafford Rudyard Kipling Strathcona Tweedsmuir School Design 39 Campus High School for Recording Arts (“Hip Hop High”) Larry Rosenstock Albemarle County Public Schools “Designing for Student-Centered Learning” (Video of Canadian space) Singapore American School Pathfinder Spaces: An Action Research Project At Singapore American School   For More on Learning Spaces, Check Out: Episode 163 where the Getting Smart team talked with Pam Moran about her book, Timeless Learning: How Imagination, Observation, and Zero-Based Thinking Change Schools.   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

This week, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Hanna Skandera, the former Secretary of Education for the state of New Mexico. Prior to moving to New Mexico, Hanna served as the Deputy Education Commissioner for Florida as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education.   Hanna learned a lot about agency and initiative from an early age. She began homeschooling at the sixth grade, continuing on through grade twelve. Hanna also began taking courses at her local community college at the age of just fourteen. She speculates that these experiences are likely what helped her accelerate through expansive career; teaching her how to be a self-learner, provided her with the curiosity needed, and helped her find a drive for what matters. Join her and Tom today to discuss student agency, new education pathways, employability, as well as her new initiative: Pathway 2 Tomorrow, which is focused on transforming the current education system.   Key Takeaways: [:15] About today’s episode. [1:07] Tom welcomes Hanna to the podcast. [1:12] Hanna talks about her early childhood experiences in education. [6:10] Hanna speaks about why and how she got into education policy, as well as her various career experiences and opportunities. [9:36] Local education issues in New Mexico and what Hanna tried to accomplish while she was the Secretary of Education there. [11:55] Hanna’s take on education policy in the U.S. [14:36] The challenges of getting education policy right. [17:54] About Hanna’s initiative, Pathway 2 Tomorrow. [22:29] What the winners’ proposals were for Pathway 2 Tomorrow. [23:36] What’s Hanna’s ideas for post-secondary solutions? [25:05] Hanna’s ideas about how to get young people to get the benefits of both post-secondary liberal arts education and employability. [27:26] What Hanna is seeing on the horizon for transformation in higher education. [28:32] Hanna asks an important question: “How do we … think about the role of social capital in the stewardship of our education and employability opportunities?” [29:36] Why does Hanna think it’s important that we set a discourse on this subject today?   Mentioned in This Episode: Hanna Skandera No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) Gates Foundation Tim Taylor Pathway 2 Tomorrow (P2T) A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, by Ryan Craig In Defense of a Liberal Education, by Fareed Zakaria America Succeeds   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today, the Getting Smart team is bringing you a conversation with David Platt and a group of students on tech tips, podcasting, and computer science — live, from Covina High School.   So who is David Platt? David started out as a German teacher at Covina High School in Southern California. After a few sections of German were canceled, Platt scrambled to reinvent his teaching career. David started teaching keyboarding and then moved on to computer applications in the early 2000s. The rising prevalence of computer science led him into coding and he began to view Java as a third language. He earned a certificate for teaching Computer Science and is in his second year teaching Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles.   Soon after that, Platt recruited the Tech Squad — a group of students that provide tech support across the school. Two of Platt’s students, Gabriel and Kayla, launched a podcast — Tech Tips With Tech Squad. A podcast recorded in Covina High School focused on discussing tech, events, and tech tips, from a student’s point of view.   In today’s conversation, Tom talks with David, Gabe, and Kayla to learn more about this cool way for kids to learn about technology and share it with the world.   Key Takeaways: [:15] About today’s episode. [1:19] Tom welcomes David onto the podcast. [1:49] David introduces the students he has with him today, Gabriel and Kayla. [2:14] How long has Covina High School had a podcast? How did it come to fruition? [3:37] What does David teach at Covina? [6:13] What year are Gabe and Kayla in? [6:33] What computer classes have Gabe and Kayla taken? And how did they meet? [7:44] Why Kayla originally wanted to do a podcast focused on technology. What has she learned since working on it? [8:34] Gabe talks about his interest in technology, background in computer science, and dreams for the future. [10:25] Who of the three first spotted the rise of artificial intelligence? [12:21] Gabe’s sense of what artificial intelligence could mean for his life. [13:05] Gabe speaks about his interest in hardware rather than software. [14:13] Tom, David, Kayla, and Gabe shed some light on their favorite ed-tech podcasts. [16:17] David speaks more about how his teaching career and how it has evolved over the years. [17:28] Learning tools and tips David recommends for teachers. [19:31] What’s next for Kayla after she graduates. [21:13] Where to find Tech Tips with Tech Squad online.   Mentioned in This Episode: Covina High School Covina High School’s Tech Tips With Tech Squad Podcast @CovinaHTechTips on Twitter Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles Check This Out Podcast, with Ryan O’Donnell and Brian Briggs Detroit: Become Human (Videogame) Command Line Heroes Podcast Future of Life Institute Podcast Linear Digressions Podcast TOSAs Talking Tech Podcast The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast, with Vicki Davis (CoolCatTeacher) Google Teacher Tribe Podcast, with Matt Miller and Kasey Bell   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

On today’s podcast, Tom speaks with Hank Stratton and Ted Kraus from the University of Arizona. Hank teaches acting and Ted Kraus is the Technical Director at the School of Theatre, Film, and Television. Together, they represent performance and production.   Tom and Hank both see the theater as a place for problem-based learning, where students learn soft skills that translate into every profession. They believe that theatre teaches self-awareness and empathy, as well as project management skills, and would like to see all young people participate in the performing arts, from elementary school through college.   Listen to today’s conversation to hear their stories, experiences, and collaborations in the theatre that illustrate how performing arts experiences are a great example of deep learning.   Key Takeaways: [:15] About today’s episode. [1:02] Tom welcomes Hank and Ted to the podcast! [1:09] Hank speaks about when he first began acting and his experiences in high school theatre. [2:20] Did Hank participate in other arts outside of acting? [2:43] The similarities in theatre and music performance. [4:17] Ted speaks about his path to the theatre. [5:55] What originally drew Ted to the “back to the house” (AKA production). [7:14] Would Ted consider himself a capable project manager? [8:07] About the High Quality Project Based Learning project. [9:01] Ted and Hank discuss the parallels between production and performance, as well as self-assessment and soft skills. [12:05] How does Hank make the case for theatre for visiting students? [14:47] What young people learn about empathy from both acting and behind-the-scenes production. [17:05] What kind of participation would Hank see in K-12 education for the performing arts if he could just wave a magic wand? [21:35] Does Ted believe that every student should participate in at least two performing arts in every grade span? [23:52] Do Hank and Ted agree with the sentiment that teenagers who do world-class work are a result of really tough feedback in a safe space. [25:24] How Hank and Ted help students develop a picture of “good.” [31:26] Hank and Tom’s recommendations to where listeners should follow-up on to learn more!   For More on the Global Momentum for Deep Learning, Listen to: Episode 151 with Michael Fullan on GettingSmart.com!   Mentioned in This Episode: University of Arizona Project Management Institute (PMI) High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL.org) Buck Institute for Education The Man Who Came to Dinner TFTV.Arizona.edu   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

For more than 120 years, Boston-based Northeastern University has been known for experiential education. A third of the 26,000 enrollments are graduate students served by a network of campuses around the country and a thriving online program. Building on this tradition and footprint, The Northeastern Graduate School of Education has been rethinking educator preparation. In this week’s episode, Tom speaks with two STEM graduates that became teacher educators and — with the backing of Northeastern University — are reinventing preparation. They are Professor Kelly Conn and Professor Cherese Childers-McKee. Professor Kelly Conn has been with Northeastern University for the last eight years. She leads professional development pathways, including a cool program called NExT, which is a global platform of educators connecting practice to more innovative workplace-based learning. Professor Cherese Childers-McKee leads the new Doctor of Education curriculum (which results in a Dissertation in Practice at Northeastern University). The program is for practitioners that want to tackle real problems. It has a strong social justice component that encourages budding leaders to become change agents.   The two professors talk with Tom today and discuss their careers in education; their areas of focus; their ideas and thoughts around experiential learning; project-based learning, and student-centered learning; what and how they teach at Northeastern University; and much more!   Key Takeaways: [:15] About today’s episode. [1:33] Tom welcomes Kelly Conn to the podcast. [1:37] Where Kelly’s love for science came from. [2:26] How and when Kelly made the pivot to becoming a teacher educator. [4:40] Cherese talks about what her early education was like. [5:22] When did Cherese know that she’d be a teacher? [6:28] What was Cherese’s area of focus at UNC Greensboro? [7:36] What drew Cherese to the topic of race relations. [8:40] Kelly explains where Northeastern’s long history of experiential education came from and what it means today. [10:06] Kelly describes the framework for experiential learning and the design principles that are important to her and her colleagues. [11:14] Kelly highlights some of the ideas that are well-aligned with the philosophy at Northeastern. [12:44] Why project-based learning is so important. [14:17] Useful design principles and approaches to project-based learning. [15:18] About NExT — Northeastern University’s Network for Experiential Teaching and Learning. [17:50] Will a certificate be available for Experiential Teaching and Learning? [20:16] Could a school district or network turn this into a series of micro-credentials that could earn a certificate from Northeastern? And could these credentials stack into a Master’s Degree? [22:27] How and why Northeastern is updating its approach to their EdD. program. [24:55] With this program, will it be possible that several people will be able to work simultaneously on a problem, but take a different approach? [26:26] What makes Northeastern University’s education degree programs so unique? [29:52] What attracted Cherese to Northeastern University? [31:26] How online learning with experiential learning work together. [33:44] How this new dissertation and practice are different from how the program used to be. [35:53] Cherese responds to a critique of Doctoral programs and explains how their program is different — allowing students to focus on important and relevant problems. [38:24] Cherese talks about the potential of a team-based EdD., and the collaboration that happens currently at Northeastern. [40:18] Is Cherese making an effort to encourage her Doctoral students to communicate their work earlier and in different ways than just a dissertation? [42:02] Having come to Northeastern with interests in race relations and social justice, has Cherese been able to maintain a focus on these subjects and encourage other people to take up these issues? [43:30] Tom and Jessica close out this week’s podcast.   For More on Reinventing Educator Preparation, Check Out: Episode 188 with Jim Tracy of the Woodrow Wilson Academy at MIT!   Mentioned in This Episode: Northeastern University NExT | Northeastern University Kelly Conn Cherese Childers-McKee UNC Greensboro   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

In this week’s episode, Tom joins Dr. Amon Millner at the Olin College of Engineering campus to discuss the importance of accessibility relating to computing.   Dr. Millner is an Assistant Professor of Computing and Innovation at the Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA (which was recently recognized as the most well-regarded school of engineering in the world.) He also has earned his Ph.D. at the famous MIT Media Lab, studied and taught Computer Science at USC, and earned a Master in Human-Computer Interaction at Georgia Tech.   With the rise of artificial intelligence, Millner thinks it’s critical to engage diverse voices to ensure equitable treatment. He also believes to get more underrepresented groups into engineering schools, it is better to start early, like Kindergarten, with coding and problem-solving.   Amon Millner’s insights are timely and important in the fields of Computer Science and machine learning. In this episode, he addresses the issues of access and empowerment and talks about why teaching at Olin is so important in his mission to expose to engineering groups that have been historically underrepresented.   Key Takeaways: [:15] About today’s episode. [1:09] Tom welcomes Dr. Millner to the podcast. [1:11] About Millner’s education. [5:18] Why Human-Computer Interaction, empowerment, and teaching at the Olin College of Engineering is so important to Millner. [8:53] Millner talks about the future of machine learning and asks some important questions. [15:15] Millner describes the approach to education in Olin and some of the key elements. [17:28] How Millner would describe the approach to Computer Science at Olin. [19:55] How they prepare students at Olin to go past the introductory experience. [21:33] The importance of accessibility and how Millner thinks we can do better in American high schools and colleges to expose groups that have been historically underrepresented to engineering. [26:00] What is an experience at school that Millner would like to see all kids have? [29:03] Millner expresses his optimism and excitement by the work happening at Olin.   Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Amon Millner Olin College of Engineering University of Southern California (USC) MIT Media Lab Georgia Tech Lifelong Kindergarten The University of Texas at El Paso   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

Today, the Getting Smart team explores tips on talent development with Iveta Brigis. Iveta is a Commissioner for California’s Little Hoover Commission, but previous to that, she worked nearly a dozen years for Google as their lead Human Resources business partner.   In this episode, Tom chats with Iveta and learns more about talent development and Google’s efforts to share lessons learned with educators. She also talks about what talent development looks like at Google, the important skills that are required to be successful at Google, HR best practices for schools and networks, and how machine learning is being incorporated into HR. Later on in the episode, Iveta also describes her work as Commissioner on the Little Hoover Commission where she co-authored a recent report on how California should respond to the rise of artificial intelligence.   Listen in to hear Iveta’s lessons on talent development and policy advice on A.I.!   Key Takeaways: [:15] About today’s episode. [1:20] Iveta talks about her early education. [2:21] How Iveta began to work for Google. [3:55] As Iveta looks back at her career in Human Resources at Google, she shares what she has learned about hiring great people. [7:50] During Iveta’s time at Google, did their standards of hiring move away from pedigree? [9:31] What Iveta learned about the skills that are required to be successful at Google. [12:36] What talent development looks like at Google. [15:07] The importance of being self-directed while working at Google. [16:26] Iveta’s take on working remotely. [18:40] HR best practices for schools and networks. [21:22] The surprising finding Iveta made when Google was conducting research on what makes a great team. [24:22] How machine learning is being incorporated into HR. [26:06] What are the implications from an HR perspective with using machine learning and A.I.? [27:33] Iveta gives a recap of the recent Little Hoover Commission report that gave advice to the State of California. [31:48] Some of the challenges of attracting talent skilled in machine learning. [33:21] What’s next for Iveta?   Mentioned in This Episode: “Promoting Psychological Safety in Classrooms for Student Success,” by Getting Smart Little Hoover Commission “Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California,” by Little Hoover Commission America Succeeds “The Age of Agility,” by America Succeeds   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

In today’s episode, the Getting Smart team takes a look at Woodrow Wilson Academy of Teaching and Learning to learn more about the up-and-coming competency-based academy. The mission of the academy is to reinvent American teacher preparation. Formed in 2015 at MIT, the Academy offers a competency-based Master’s in education in secondary-school STEM. Other programs will be added later, as well.   In today’s episode, Tom will be interviewing James Tracy, the President of the new teacher preparation program (since 2018). This Stanford Ph.D. is a leading voice on innovation, a board member at Boston’s LearnLauch, and former Head of a respected Rhode Island prep school. They discuss the distinctive design features of the teacher preparation program at Woodrow Wilson Academy, what Jim hopes to accomplish in his role as the President of the new teacher prep program, and the importance of making changes in education scalable and adaptable at zero cost to even the least-resourced school.   Listen in to hear Jim’s unlikely path to education leadership and why he is as passionate about empowerment as innovation!   Key Takeaways: [:16] About today’s episode. [1:02] Tom welcomes Jim to the podcast. [2:05] About Jim’s early education growing up and how he went from high school drop-out to Stanford History Ph.D. [7:07] Jim’s experience as a white male studying African American struggles for progress. [10:53] How did someone, such as Jim, with a passion for individual and collective empowerment and appreciation for social justice, end up as a leader in private schools? [12:42] Jim talks about some of the innovative programs he launched at Rocky Hill. [20:17] Does Jim remember when Arthur Levine published “Educating School Teachers” in 2006? Jim also speaks about the key driver Arthur’s work has been for him. [23:33] Jim talks about the importance of making these changes scalable and adaptable at zero cost to even the least resourced school on the planet and why he feels so driven to work in education and help make these changes possible. [26:23] Jim talks about what he hopes to accomplish in his role as the President of the new teacher preparation program at the Woodrow Wilson Academy. [28:34] What Jim thinks are the distinctive design features of the teacher preparation program at Woodrow Wilson Academy. [33:30] Jim talks about his stance on teacher prep and his challenge right now as the President of the new teacher prep program at Woodrow Wilson Academy. [37:35] Where to learn more about Jim and Woodrow Wilson Academy online.   Mentioned in This Episode: James Tracy (LinkedIn) Woodrow Wilson Academy of Teaching and Learning Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MIT Rocky Hill Private School Cushing Academy Arthur Levine The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation “Educating School Teachers,” by Arthur Levine @WoodrowAcademy on Twitter   Want to Learn More About Competency-Based Education? Listen in to Episode 177 — “Scaling Competency-Based Education: Equity-Focused Strategies for Policy and Practice” where Tom and Mary Ryerse dive into the show-what-you-know landscape!   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

In today’s episode, Emily sits down with Jemar Lee, a former student from the Iowa BIG School in Cedar Rapids. Iowa BIG is a place-based school in Cedar Rapids that is very learner-centered. It is a Next-Generation Learning Challenge and XQ Super School winner.   The power of hearing student stories of transformation is just incredible. If you don’t believe students can, meeting young men like Jemar can change that. Learner-centered education at Iowa BIG helped Jemar craft his own path and provided him incredible opportunities that have propelled him to where he is today (just wait until you listen, he is doing amazing things in his work and school life.   Tune in to this week’s episode to hear Jemar’s thoughts on why this type of learning has had an impact on him and what he is up to now!   Key Takeaways: [:16] Jemar’s experiences in school prior to Iowa BIG. [5:48] About Jemar’s transition from a regular public school to Iowa BIG. [7:17] Jemar’s first community-based project. [8:55] When Jemar first started out, could he see the parallels in learning through the community and addressing content standards? [11:13] How it felt for Jemar to be doing work that he knew was actually going to have a purpose. And how was it working with people in the community? Did Iowa BIG fully prepare him for this experience? [13:31] Other key elements that made Jemar’s experience so impactful at Iowa BIG. [14:50] The effect agency has on students and what Jemar is up to now. [19:42] Jemar describes the power of learning experiences outside of the four walls of a school.   Mentioned in This Episode: Iowa BIG Iowa State University Community Design Lab Education Reimagined Alliant Energy Jemar Lee (LinkedIn) Be sure to follow @Getting_Smart and #PlaceBasedEd for updates and details around Getting Smart’s new book coming in 2020!   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

In today’s episode, the conversation is all about being fearless. Recently, the Getting Smart team has had the opportunity to interview Jean Case about her new book, Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. Jean’s book weaves together stories about ordinary people who set out to change the world.   While reading her book and speaking with her today, Caroline learned that fearlessness is not just about quitting your job and taking a massive leap of faith; there are many ways to be fearless every day and make an impact, simply by deciding to do so. Through the five principles outlined in her book, readers are given a clear road map to ignite change at work, in life, and in their community.   Jean has not only researched being fearless but has lived a fearless life. She serves as the CEO of the Case Foundation — investing in people and ideas that can change the world. She is also the first female Chairman of the National Geographic Society and has had a successful career in the private sector.   Key Takeaways: [:16] About today’s podcast. [1:38] How Jean defines fearlessness. [2:41] Jean shares her thoughts on how we can all be more fearless in our everyday lives and some of the examples featured in her book. [3:55] Jean talks about one of her core principle about fearlessness: the idea of letting urgency conquer fear. [7:05] How Jean thinks both students and teachers can act on this principle (of letting urgency conquer fear). [9:39] How fearlessness can have an impact in a variety of ways and the main message of Jean’s book. [10:12] Jean speaks about her thankfulness regarding Jane Goodall writing the forward in her book. [11:32] Jean highlights another important message in her book: being a ‘sponge.’ [12:44] Why Jean decided to support National Geographic Society’s work and how their work has proven to be fearless. [14:39] Where Jean’s interest in difference-making came about. [16:02] How the Case Foundation is supporting change-makers and people being fearless. [17:36] Characteristics Jean has found that change-makers often have in common. [18:28] Jean’s advice for how we can all start being more fearless. [20:01] Share with the Getting Smart Podcast the ways you’re being fearless and making an impact in your community by sending them a note at Editor@GettingSmart.com to be featured in an upcoming blog post.   Mentioned in This Episode: Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose, by Jean Case UCLA — Swipe Out Hunger Case Foundation Jane Goodall of National GeographicThomas Edison on being more of a ‘sponge’ than an inventor National Geographic Society   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!