
Teaching Learning Leading K-12
Providing ideas and resources for K-12 teachers and school-based administrators.
Latest episodes

Jun 27, 2025 • 1h
Theresa M. Callaghan, PhD - Help! I'm Covered in Adjectives - Cosmetic Claims & the Consumer: Navigating Science, Regulations, and Myths in the Beauty Industry, 2nd Ed. - 769
Theresa M. Callaghan, PhD - Help! I'm Covered in Adjectives - Cosmetic Claims & the Consumer: Navigating Science, Regulations, and Myths in the Beauty Industry, 2nd Ed. This is episode 769 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Theresa M. Callaghan, Ph.D. is a leading biochemist and skincare scientist with over 35 years of experience in international corporate skincare research. She is the author of Help! I’m Covered in Adjectives: Cosmetic Claims & The Consumer – Navigating Science, Regulations, and myths in the Beauty Industry, 2nd Edition. She has also had more than 150 scientific and technical articles published.
She sits on the scientific editorial review board of the International Journal of Cosmetic Science and is an active member of a number of professional societies including the British Herbal Medical Association, & the Scandinavian Society of Cosmetic Scientists. She is also an advisor to TKS Science Publisher; (HPC Today Journal) is Scientific Editor at EuroCosmetics Magazine, as well as writing a monthly column on Claims Insights for them. She contributes a monthly article to BEAUTYSTREAMS on ingredient technologies.
Callaghan is a graduate biochemist from the University of Bath, with a doctorate (PhD) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel). Following her PhD, she then moved to Paris, France as a post-doctoral research fellow at the Pasteur Institute. While she was working there, she was invited to support LVMH-Dior with their Capture project, and this is how she entered the world of cosmetic science, and the skin care industry in particular.
Over 15 years ago, she set up a cosmetics scientific development consulting business, working with ingredient suppliers, brands, and also service providers in clinical and pre-clinical testing and research.
Born and raised in Wales, she now resides in Germany.
Amazing information!
Great conversation!
So much to learn and understand.
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
Connect with Theresa M. Callaghan
Contact: https://www.ccintl.eu
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tmcallaghan
Newsletter/Blog: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/tmcallaghan
Claims Insights Monthly Column - EuroCosmetics Magazine: https://www.eurocosmetics-mag.com/cosmetic-claims/
Monthly Ingredient Technology Articles: https://beautystreams.com/
The book is available from Amazon, and the link to the article on Ai in cosmetics can be found here: https://www.personalcaremagazine.com/story/47067/ai-and-cosmetics-a-new-era-of-claims-washing
Rules & Regulations:
https://www.personalcarecouncil.org/ (used to be the CTFA in the USA)
https://www.ctpa.org.uk/rules-and-regulations
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics_en
https://cosmetic.chemlinked.com/
Early beauty culture (this is a fun one too):
https://www.cosmeticsandskin.com/index.php
Science Communication and Formulations (industry colleagues):
The EcoWell: https://www.theecowell.com/about
Lab Muffin: https://labmuffin.com/about-michelle/
All about Ingredients and Safety App:
https://cosmileeurope.eu/de/home/ (readers will need to click on the appropriate language flag). Very informative site!
Length - 01:00:27

Jun 23, 2025 • 56min
Ryan Gottfredson - Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation - 768
Ryan Gottfredson - Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation. This is episode 768 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets, The Elevated Leader, and Becoming Better. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton.
Our focus today is Ryan’s latest book - Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation
So much to learn and understand.
Great conversation!
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
ryan@ryangottfredson.com
https://ryangottfredson.com/
https://twitter.com/RyanGottfredson
https://www.instagram.com/ryangottfredson/
https://www.facebook.com/RyanGottfredsonPhD/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangottfredson/
Length - 55:39

Jun 20, 2025 • 18min
Madelyn Simon - Writer & Artist: Poppy's Sweet Sibling Story - 767
Madelyn Simon - Writer & Artist: Poppy's Sweet Sibling Story. This is episode 767 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Madelyn Simon is a proud native New Yorker who grew up with a love of nature… especially plants and animals. She loved it so much that in 1979 she started Madelyn Simon & Associates Inc. where they designed, installed, and maintained live plants both indoors and out. The company grew (forgive the pun) and serviced 700 corporate clients weekly until she retired in 2006.
When her daughter was young, she would ask Madelyn to dream up stories to share each night before bed. Not one, not two, but three stories every night before they could turn off the light. Now, Madelyn wants to share these stories with the world.
In 2006, after retirement, watercolor painting and oil painting became her passions, as well as a rekindling of her love of storytelling.
When her daughter was young, she would ask Madelyn to dream up stories to share each night before bed. Not one, not two, but three stories every night before they could turn off the light. Now, Madelyn wants to share these stories with the world.
Our focus today is Madelyn’s book - Poppy’s Sweet Sibling Story. The 7th story in her series.
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
https://www.madelynsimon.com/
Amazon link for Poppy’s Sweet Sibling Story
Amazon Author Link
Length - 18:09

Jun 16, 2025 • 36min
Clement Townsend - VideoPro Learning: Helping Educators Turn Classwork into Dynamic Multimedia Assignments - 766
Clement Townsend - VideoPro Learning: Helping Educators Turn Classwork into Dynamic Multimedia Assignments. This is episode 766 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Clement Townsend lives in Chicago and is the founder of the innovative Video Pro Learning platform. This platform boosts student engagement, increases motivation, and develops creativity so students can be future ready. Clement spent the last 7 years teaching more than 800 students digital media in Chicago. This experience led him to create Video Pro Learning allowing teachers to seamlessly integrate video assignments in core subjects. Clement is the author of the book How to Become a Broadcasting Star.
Before working in education, Clement spent nearly 20 years as a Sports Broadcaster. He worked on local news, cable, and internet platforms in cities like San Angelo, Texas; Mobile, Alabama; Lynchburg, Virginia; and Chicago, Illinois. He covered major events like the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, and several college football National Championships.
Clement brings deep expertise at the intersection of media, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Our focus today is … Helping educators turn mundane classwork into dynamic multimedia assignments through Video Pro Learning Online.
Cool conversation!
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
https://videoprolearning.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ctownsendtv
https://www.youtube.com/@ClementTownsendMedia
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clement-townsend/
https://www.tiktok.com/@clement.edtech
videoprolearning@gmail.com
Length - 35:55

Jun 13, 2025 • 38min
Mitch Weisburgh - Mindshifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success - 765
Mitch Weisburgh - Mindshifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success. This is episode 765 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Mitch Weisburgh’s goal is to grow a critical mass of people who live happy, productive lives, who are resilient and resourceful in the face of obstacles, adversaries, and unintended outcomes.
From 1981 through 2000, Mitch founded and ran Personal Computer Learning Centers of America, training adults in the use of computers, growing the company to over 130 employees.
Mitch Weisburgh co-founded Academic Business Advisors in 2005, which helped organizations make a difference to reach more students in US schools and has started various nonprofit organizations in education such as Games4Ed and Edchat Interactive.
Mitch’s book, MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success came out in December 2024 and focuses on techniques to change from mindsets that hold us back to ones that propel us forward.
Since 2018, Mitch has been creating content and teaching MindShifting and Sensemaking and has started a Mindshifting Community for educators.
Mitch writes a newsletter on substack about ways to inspire the mind to learn.
Our focus is his book Mindshifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success.
Cool talk!
So much to learn and think about!
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
https://www.mindshiftingwithmitch.com/
mitch.weisburgh@gmail.com
https://mweisburgh.substack.com/
https://x.com/weisburghm
https://www.instagram.com/weisburghm/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mweisburgh?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BjYy%2FlzfZTVWraqQJnGRd2g%3D%3D
https://www.amazon.com/MindShifting-Brain-Sabotaging-Happiness-Success/dp/1952281814/ref=asc_df_1952281814
Length - 37:40

Jun 9, 2025 • 46min
Larry Ainsworth - Integrating Teaching and Learning: Timeless Essentials for Creating Integrated Units of Study - 764
Larry Ainsworth - Integrating Teaching and Learning: Timeless Essentials for Creating Integrated Units of Study. This is episode 764 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Larry Ainsworth is the author or co-author of more than 20 books, including his most popular titles: Rigorous Curriculum Design; Common Formative Assessments 2.0; Prioritizing Common Core State Standards; Power Standards; “Unwrapping” Common Core State Standards, and “Unwrapping” the Standards.
Larry’s comprehensive new book series, Integrating Teaching and Learning: “Timeless Essentials” for Creating Integrated Units of Study (2024), explains and illustrates in detail how PK-12 educators can develop quality units of study that intentionally align standards, assessments, instruction, and data analysis to positively impact student learning.
Currently an independent author-consultant, Larry served as the Executive Director of Professional Development at The Leadership and Learning Center in Englewood, Colorado, from 1999 to 2013. He traveled nationally and internationally to assist school systems in implementing best practices related to standards, assessment, curriculum, and instruction across all grades and content areas. Throughout his career as an education consultant, Larry has delivered keynote addresses and breakout sessions across North America and in Argentina and Switzerland and regularly worked on-site and virtually to assist leaders and educators in understanding and implementing “timeless” education practices in all content areas, pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
Drawing upon 24 years of experience as an upper elementary and middle school classroom teacher in demographically diverse schools in several U.S. states, Larry brings a varied background and wide range of professional experiences to each of his presentations.
Our focus is Larry's new series Integrating Teaching and Learning: Timeless Essentials for Creating Integrated Units of Study.
So much to learn and think about!
Great conversation!
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
https://www.larryainsworth.com/
larry@larryainsworth.com
https://www.instagram.com/larry.ainsworth.509/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Larry-Ainsworth/100068965433167/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-ainsworth-799572a1/
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Larry+Ainsworth&crid=1E6H9V808CFPC&sprefix=larry+ainsworth%2Caps%2C269&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Length - 46:07

Jun 6, 2025 • 51min
Kurt Baumeister - Twilight of the Gods: A Novel - 763
Kurt Baumeister - Twighlight of the Gods: A Novel. This is episode 763 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Kurt Baumeister’s writing has appeared in Salon, Guernica, Electric Literature, Rain Taxi, The Brooklyn Rail, The Rumpus, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, The Nervous Breakdown, The Weeklings, and other outlets. An acquisitions editor with 7.13 Books, Baumeister holds an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College, and is a member of The National Book Critics Circle and The Authors Guild. Twilight of the Gods is his second novel.
Our focus today is Kurt’s new novel - Twilight of the Gods.
Great conversation!
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
kurtbaumeister@gmail.com
https://kurtbaumeister.com
https://www.instagram.com/kurt.baumeister/
https://www.facebook.com/kurt.baumeister
https://bsky.app/profile/kurtbaumeister.bsky.social
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kurt-Baumeister/author/B01MR6A1JP?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1739384666&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Baumeister
Length - 50:42

Jun 2, 2025 • 48min
Gavin Grift - Emerge: The 5 Most Common Challenges Faced by Middle Leaders and How to Overcome Them - 762
Gavin Grift - Emerge: The 5 Most Common Challenges Faced by Middle Leaders and How to Overcome Them. This is episode 762 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Gavin Grift is a globally recognized thought leader in leadership development, renowned for his deep work on the ‘inner game’ of leadership. As the founder and CEO of Grift Education, Gavin has spent decades helping school leaders develop the thinking skills necessary to lead successfully - both individually and in collaborative environments.
He is a champion of strategic reflection, self-awareness, and thinking-based leadership, ensuring that leaders not only achieve success but sustain it in dynamic and complex educational landscapes.
He is the author of nine books, including Emerge, Five Ways of Being, and Collaborative Teams That Work, which have helped leaders worldwide navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. His research-informed approaches are highly sought after, making him one of the leading voices in professional learning and leadership coaching worldwide.
Our focus today is Gavin’s book -Emerge: The 5 Most Common Challenges Faced by Middle Leaders and How to Overcome Them.
Awesome information!
Incredible conversation!
So much to think about.
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
https://www.grifteducation.com/
https://www.instagram.com/grifteducation/
https://www.facebook.com/grifteducation
https://www.linkedin.com/company/grift-education/
support@grifteducation.com
Length - 47:36

May 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
Kevin Stoller - Better Learning Podcast - talks with Steve about the 1984 movie: Teachers - 761
Kevin Stoller - Better Learning Podcast - talks with Steve about the 1984 movie: Teachers. This is episode 761 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
The Better Learning Podcast combines education and entertainment in a fresh, engaging format where guests share their favorite school-related movies. Host Kevin Stoller leads dynamic conversations, exploring memorable scenes, iconic characters, and timeless lessons through award-style categories like “The John Keating Award” for standout teachers and “Realistic or Ridiculous?” to dissect school life portrayals.
With humor, analysis, and reflection, each episode celebrates the fun, flaws, and impact of these films while sparking nostalgia and insights. Whether you’re an educator, student, or movie buff, join us to relive the movies that shaped how we see school life, and share your favorites.
Teachers is one of my all-time favorite movies. I was in undergraduate school, working on my degree so that I could teach high school history. Mr. Gower is my favorite teacher.
Saw this movie numerous times at the theater.
Love this conversation!
Had fun catching up with Kevin.
Thanks for listening!
Please share.
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect and Learn More:
https://kay-twelve.com/
https://kay-twelve.com/podcast/
Length - 01:01:20

May 19, 2025 • 50min
Steve Haberlin - Calming Student Stress: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Other Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Learning in K-12 Classrooms - 760
Steve Haberlin - Calming Student Stress: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Other Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Learning in K-12 Classrooms. This is episode 760 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Steve Haberlin, PhD, is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida.
Dr. Haberlin’s research focuses on the implementation of mind-body practices, including mindfulness, meditation interventions to address mental health concerns in educational settings and help students unfold their potential.
His research involves studying the impact of brief meditation, including the use of technology-assisted devices, to improve focus and reduce stress and anxiety. A life-long meditator, with more than 25 years’ experience, his work involves facilitating meditation professional development training and workshops for faculty.
Dr. Haberlin is the author of Meditation in the College Classroom: A Pedagogical Tool to Help Students De-Stress, Focus, and Connect, Awakening to Educational Leadership: A Mindfulness-Based Approach to Supporting and Coaching Teachers, and Calming Student Stress: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Other Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Learning in K-12 Classrooms, which was released earlier this year.
Our focus today is Steve’s book - Calming Student Stress: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Other Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Learning K-12 Classrooms.
Excellent conversation!
Great read!
Please share.
Thanks for listening!
Before you go...
You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee.
This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.
Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you!
You are AWESOME!
Connect & Learn More:
http://facebook.com/steve.haberlin/
steve.haberlin@ucf.edu
https://www.amazon.com/Calming-Student-Stress-Mindfulness-Meditation/dp/147587300X
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475873016/Calming-Student-Stress-Mindfulness-Meditation-and-Other-Strategies-to-Reduce-Anxiety-and-Enhance-Learning-in-K-12-Classrooms
Length - 50:21