Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

What can a collapsible water bottle, a portable washing bag, and a multi-iteration laptop stand teach students about the future of work? In this episode, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman reconnect in person to break down their favorite travel and remote-work gear—and explain how educators can use these everyday innovations to inspire authentic student entrepreneurship, design thinking, and marketing lessons. From analyzing packaging design and social listening to projecting the gear needed for emerging careers like drone pilots, Jeff and Tricia share practical ways to bridge the gap between classroom inquiry and real-world innovation. Want to check out the special page for our Business/Entrepreneurship learning? https://www.shiftingschools.com/pack-for-a-job   What We Discuss in This Episode: Real-World Innovation in a Bag: How the Scrubba wash bag and Matador flat-pack bottles demonstrate sustainable design and solve modern traveler pain points. The Iteration Journey: What students can learn from the Roost Laptop Stand's evolution from a Kickstarter project to version 3. Branding & Consumer Signals: Why packaging, hidden messages (like Bellroy's internal tags), and temperature retention (Fellow Carter Move Mug) create loyal brand fans. Classroom Challenge: How to challenge students to identify niches, reverse-engineer viral products (like Dutch Bros or Takis), and price their own solutions. Future Literacy & Emerging Jobs: Anticipating the travel and productivity tools required for the next generation of careers.   Products Featured in This Episode & Exclusive Discounts HYDAWAY Collapsible Water Bottle (25oz) Link: https://shop.myhydaway.com/discount/POD15?redirect=/products/collapsible-water-bottle-25oz Promo Code: POD15 (15% off) Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottles Link: https://www.matadorequipment.com/products/flatpak-toiletry-bottle Offer: 30% off sitewide (Nov 25–30, no code needed) Scrubba Wash Bag Link: https://thescrubba.com/products/scrubba-wash-bag Fellow Carter Move Mug Link: https://fellowproducts.com/products/carter-move-mug Roost Laptop Stand (V3) Link: https://www.therooststand.com/products/roost-v3-roost-laptop-stand Bellroy Tokyo Totepack Link: https://bellroy.com/products/tokyo-totepack Bellroy Tech Kit Link: https://bellroy.com/products/tech-kit

What will it actually take—mentally, physically, and socially—to send humans to Mars and bring them back? In this episode, host Tricia sits down with Dr. Mark Shelhamer, former Chief Scientist of NASA's Human Research Program, Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and author of Are We Ready for Mars?. Dr. Shelhamer shares his journey from biomedical engineering to astronaut healthcare, diving deep into the unexpected psychological and behavioral hurdles of long-duration space travel. Together, they explore why technical engineering is only half the battle, what the "Earth out of view" effect does to the human mind, how crew autonomy is forged under intense isolation, and why learning to deal with the unexpected in deep space holds profound lessons for human resilience right here on Earth. In this episode, we discuss: The path to space healthcare: Moving from pacemakers and vestibular balance research into NASA human spaceflight . The commercial space era: Why private and government collaboration has shifted Mars from science fiction into serious mission planning . Expanding the human experience: The philosophical and scientific incentives behind tackling a multi-year planetary mission . The "Earth out of view" effect: How profound isolation, communication delays, and total autonomy reshape astronaut psychology . Resilience & the unexpected: Why preparing for what you cannot predict is the single biggest operational lesson of spaceflight . Generalists in extreme environments: How music, calculated risk-taking, and interdisciplinary thinking foster adaptive teams . About the Guest: Dr. Mark Shelhamer is a Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the former Chief Scientist of NASA's Human Research Program . His upcoming book, Are We Ready for Mars?, examines the critical biomedical and psychological challenges standing between humanity and the Red Planet .

How do we help children navigate profound, often overwhelming emotions like grief, fear, and insecurity without overwhelming them? In this episode, host Tricia sits down with author Kara LaReau to discuss her newest book, Licorice—a captivating, seasonal mystery that doubles as a gentle vehicle for deep classroom and family discussions. Paying homage to Daphne du Maurier's classic Gothic novel Rebecca, Licorice uses a cast of imperfect, relatable animal characters to give young people the language and emotional distance they need to unpack heavy life experiences. Whether you are an educator designing a supportive literature unit, a parent guiding a child through loss, or simply looking for an engaging, atmospheric read-aloud, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the intersection of storytelling, empathy, and emotional growth. In this episode, we explore: How Gothic mystery conventions can create a safe framework for young readers exploring fear and grief. Translating adult literary homage (Rebecca) into an accessible, child-friendly animal allegory. Practical tips for teachers and caregivers using Licorice as a prompt for social-emotional learning (SEL). Why flawed, imperfect characters are critical for helping students build self-compassion and a sense of belonging. Connect with the Guest:  https://karalareau.com/ What We Discuss in This Episode: (00:41) The "Human and Cat" Dance of Editing: Why trust is essential when receiving an editorial letter, how Kara's background as an editor shapes her writing, and finding the magic "Option C." (04:56) Feedback as Emotional Intelligence: How learning to truly listen to critique builds empathy in writing and everyday life. (06:13) Anatomy of a Physical Book: Sprayed edges, Scholastic design collaboration, and working alongside neighbor and illustrator Kelly Murphy without exchanging a single email during production. (09:29) De-Weaponizing Big Emotions: Adapting Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca for middle-grade readers to talk honestly about loss, fear, and belonging without feeling pedantic. (12:13) From Manderley to Menagerie: Translating Mrs. Van Hopper into a haughty rabbit, Ben into an anxious house squirrel named Skur, and Mrs. Danvers into an imposing gray parrot. (15:32) The Unseen Drawer of Manuscripts: Why Kara lists unpublished books in her FAQ, recycling cut characters (like an old poodle named Ostie), and treating rejection as a learning curve. (20:14) "Winging It and Flinging It": Kara's drafting process, daily journaling habits, and sneak peek into her next Gothic-inspired animal mystery. (23:22) The Storytelling Power of True Crime & British TV: Exploring illogical choices, imperfect humans, and using imagination to cultivate compassion for difficult characters (and bad drivers).  

What happens when a young person starts to wonder, "Maybe I could make something?" In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory joins the show to discuss her debut young adult novel, It's Only Dancing (out October 6th), inspired by the classic film Dirty Dancing. Jasmine shares her personal journey pivoting from a career in law to becoming a successful novelist, detailing the encouragement she needed to start and the evolving routines that keep her writing. The conversation dives deep into the realities of pursuing creative work in a world increasingly shaped by AI, why struggling through the learning process is essential, and how friendships give us the courage to take meaningful risks. Key Takeaways Honoring Teenage Passions: Why educators and parents must take young people's creative curiosities seriously and foster environments that support exploration. The Role of Friendship: How peer support and collaboration provide the necessary safety net to take creative leaps. The Value of the Struggle: What we fundamentally gain by wrestling with something we don't yet know how to do, rather than skipping the hard parts. Navigating the AI Era: Fresh perspectives on human creativity, the joy of collaboration, and why the messy process of learning still matters deeply. Sustaining Creativity: Practical insights into Jasmine's transition from lawyer to author, and how she adapts her daily routines to maintain a full-time creative career. Resources Mentioned Book: It's Only Dancing by Jasmine Guillory (Available October 6th) Inspiration: Dirty Dancing (1987 film) About the Guest Jasmine Guillory is a New York Times bestselling author known for her beloved contemporary romances. A former lawyer, she successfully transitioned to a full-time career in writing. With It's Only Dancing, she brings her signature warmth and engaging storytelling to the young adult genre, exploring themes of creative courage, friendship, and self-discovery. https://www.jasmineguillory.com/  

What happens when a reader's first friends are characters in a book? Author Claribel A. Ortega joins Tricia to talk about the Witchlings series and the connections readers build through stories. She shares how gaming shaped her worldbuilding, why fantasy gives us room to explore frightening questions, and what young readers have taught her about loneliness, anger, and belonging. The conversation also explores the creative work that happens away from the page: making playlists, walking the dog, spending time in nature, and giving an idea space to grow. Claribel reflects on crediting illustrators, designing playful online spaces for readers, and practicing the kindness and community she writes about. In this episode: How The Sims helped Claribel develop as a storyteller. Why stories need room for difficult feelings and darker questions. How Witchlings readers find friendship and see their experiences reflected. What educators can notice about creativity, play, and reader communities. Why artists and illustrators deserve recognition. How Steven, Claribel's puppy and unofficial manager, keeps her writing life on schedule. Books discussed include Witchlings, Ghost Squad, and Frizzy, plus a preview of Claribel's forthcoming graphic novel, Thirty Ways to Kill Your Avatar. Learn more: https://www.claribelortega.com/ Learn more about the Shifting Schools cohort: https://www.shiftingschools.com/ai-for-curriculum-instruction-cohort