
Headagogy, with Steve Pearlman
Brought to you by The Critical Thinking Institute (theCTInstitute.com), Headagogy disrupts the soft-spoken, NPR-mold for education discussion and does justice to the vibrant, challenging, meaningful, frustrating, empowering, complicated, fulfilling thing that is education, as well as the hardworking, dedicated, heartfelt, and (too often) pissed-off people who are educators. Ferociously serious, chronically sardonic, intolerant of anti-intellectualism, and fed up with disrespect for education and educators, Headagogy is hosted by Steve Pearlman, Ph.D., founder of The Critical Thinking Institute, author of America’s Critical Thinking Crisis, and educator of 30+ years.
Latest episodes

May 16, 2018 • 38min
When Trump Supporters and West Coast Liberals Meet
What happens when someone creates a dialogue between west coast liberals and southern Trump supporters? Find out in this episode! Steve and Dave are joined by Spaceship Media founders and journalism activists, Eve Pearlman and Jeremy Hay. Spaceship Media's "dialogue journalism" is fostering constructive discourse between people who hold conflicting viewpoints, and striving to restore the populace's faith in journalists. This reinforces the pressing need for education to create thinking citizens.

Mar 26, 2018 • 1h
Problem-Based Learning: Myths, Realities, and Critical Thinking Connections
Dave and Steve tackle one of the more over- and misused terms in education, Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Learn the research behind PBL, what it is, for what it works well and for what it doesn't work well. In news of the week: How Artificial Intelligence is going to force educational change, and how critical thinking might just offer hope for the world in terms of climate change. Maybe. (This episode contains minor technical difficulties that were out of our control. Apologies in advance.)

Jan 23, 2018 • 54min
Never read a 5-paragraph essay again! Three alternatives for any class.
Having blamed all the world's problems on the 5-paragraph essay in the previous episode, Steve and Dave offer three alternatives to the 5-paragraph form. These are tested, easily implemented essay structures that emphasize critical thinking and foster stronger content acquisition. News of the week explains why critical thinking can't be taught (but it can) and covers a letter to educators from subject matter itself!

Jan 8, 2018 • 1h 4min
Why the 5-Paragraph Essay is from Hell
Warning: This episode may provoke strong reactions from 5-paragraph-essay devotees. Not for the faint of heart! Listen in as Steve and Dave unfairly blame all of the world's problems on the 5-paragraph essay format frequently used in secondary and higher education. Also news of the week: Why even young children possess strong critical thinking skills, and how the Air Force explores "forecasting" as a critical thinking goal.

10 snips
Dec 13, 2017 • 1h 18min
Critical Thinking & Reading with Dan Willingham
Dan Willingham, critical thinking pioneer, discusses the relationship between critical thinking, reading, and teaching. They explore the role of existing knowledge in decoding thinking and whether reading for evaluation enhances outcomes. Dave also talks about attention in thinking, like when listening to a podcast.

Nov 16, 2017 • 1h 1min
Fostering Metacognition, Growth Mindset, and Grit, with Dr. Peter Arthur
TCTI welcomes Peter Arthur, Ph.D. Peter is a frequent keynote speaker and sought-after workshop facilitator on “Enhancing Metacognition, Growth Mindset and Grit for Student Success.” He speaks with Steve and Dave about the intersects between his work and critical thinking. Plus, Steve has some depressing news of the week, and we learn why critical thinking isn't the same thing as being smart.

Oct 11, 2017 • 47min
Three Critical Thinking Exercises
Struggling to find ways to integrate direct critical thinking instruction into your courses? In this week's episode, Steve and Dave offer some modified versions of three exercises straight from The Critical Thinking Initiative handbook, exercises you can easily adapt into your coursework regardless of subject, discipline, or even grade level. Also, learn about a mysterious "mental gremlin"!