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What the World Needs Now
What the World Needs Now
Author: Josh Monroe & Tom Whisinnand
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© 2026 What the World Needs Now
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Tom Whisinnand and Josh Monroe, two award winning educators are on a mission to discover, learn with and interview THE BEST educators from around the world!
On this journey, Tom and Josh find out what these amazing teachers do to stay inspired and become re-inspired, if they ever feel the "flame" of passion start to dwindle.
Each and every episode is ended by asking the incredible educators, "What does the World Need Now?"
HUGE THANKS to Harmony Academy from National University for sponsoring Tom and Josh on their journey to find out what the best teachers in the world do to inspire their learning communities!
51 Episodes
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In this episode of 'What the World Needs Now', Dr. Christina Cipriano shares her journey from being a first-generation high school graduate to becoming an Associate Professor at Yale. She emphasizes the importance of social emotional learning in education, advocating for a shift in how educators and parents communicate and collaborate. Dr. Cipriano discusses the need for systemic change in education, particularly in supporting neurodivergent students and their families. She introduces the con...
In this episode of 'What the World Needs Now', hosts Tom Whisinnand and Josh Monroe engage with Dr. Catherine Zeisner, an educational leadership professor, discussing her extensive journey in education, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the role of kindness and support in teaching. Dr. Zeisner shares her experiences transitioning from teaching to administration, her embrace of social media to connect with students, and the critical need for emotional support in educational leaders...
In this episode of 'What the World Needs Now', Tom and Josh engage with Lindsey Wilson, Nebraska's Teacher of the Year. Lindsey shares her unconventional journey into education, emphasizing the importance of belonging, innovative teaching methods, and community partnerships. She discusses the significance of teaching like a rebel, challenging the status quo, and fostering curiosity among students. The conversation also touches on the importance of reflection, overcoming burnout, and the value...
In this episode of 'What the World Needs Now', Tom and Josh speak with Whitney Green (Rice), a passionate educator and school counselor. Whitney shares her journey into education, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of emotional vocabulary in empowering students. The conversation delves into the need for empathy in the classroom, the challenges educators face today, and the significance of maintaining teacher well-being. Whitney emphasizes the shift towards a...
In the latest episode of "What the World Needs Now," we delve into the transformative journey of Val Alves, a passionate English teacher from São Paulo, Brazil. Val shares her insights on teaching, the challenges of English education in Brazil, and her experiences as a cancer survivor, offering a powerful narrative about perseverance and hope in the educational landscape. If you like what you hear on "What the World Needs Now," please subscribe, so you never miss an episode. Also,...
In this episode of 'What the World Needs Now', Tom and Josh talk with Lynn Porter, a dedicated physical education teacher from Vermont. Lynn shares her journey into education, the challenges she has faced, and her innovative approaches to teaching, particularly in social and emotional well being. The conversation highlights the importance of humor, creativity, and kindness in education, as well as the pressing issues educators face today. Lynn's passion for teaching and her commitment to insp...
In this episode, Tom and Josh talk with Sarah Frayer, an award winning educator from the Washington DC area. Sarah shares the critical role of social and emotional learning in education. Sarah also talks about her journey in education, emphasizing the importance of building community and empathy within classrooms. They explore the concept of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and how data-driven decision-making can enhance student success. The conversation highlights the need for humanizin...
***This Interview was first recorded and published in 2021) *** What the World Needs Now interviews, Sarah Frayer, an Interventionist and Success Coach at Friendship Public Charter School in Washington DC about how her school has gone and how she brings her HIGH ENERGY every single day!!! If you need an injection of energy to make it to the end of the year, Sarah is it!! Huge thanks to Harmony Academy, from National University, for empowering Tom and Josh to continue sharing the inspira...
In this episode, Tom and Josh explore the inspiring journey of Sharyn Kang, a dedicated educator with over 36 years of experience. She shares her passion for teaching, the importance of curiosity in education, and the challenges of supporting students with diverse needs. Sharyn emphasizes the significance of building relationships, creating memorable experiences, and the role of mentorship in fostering a positive learning environment. The conversation highlights the impact educators can have ...
In this episode, Tom Whisinnand and Josh Monroe reflect on their inspiring conversations with educators from the 2025 fall season. They discuss the importance of curiosity, technology's impact on learning, and the need for student ownership in education. Tom and Josh also emphasize the significance of building empathy in classrooms, supporting first-generation educators, and the necessity of self-care for teachers. This episode concludes with a look forward to the upcoming break and future pl...
In this episode, Tom Whisinnand and Josh Monroe talk with Dr. Melody Hawkins, who shares her journey as an educator and advocate for Black girls in education. She discusses the challenges faced by middle school students, particularly Black girls, and the impact of adultification bias on their experiences. Dr. Hawkins emphasizes the importance of creating supportive environments, confronting biases, and encouraging future educators to enter the profession. The conversation highlights the need ...
In this episode, hosts Tom Whisinnand and Josh Monroe speak with Dr. Esther Deth. She shares her journey from teacher to school-wellness and college preparation coordinator in the Long Beach Unified School District. She also discusses the importance of reimagining wellness policies post-pandemic, the significance of relationships in education, and the integration of social emotional learning throughout the school day. Huge thanks to Harmony Academy, from National University, for empowering To...
In this episode, Tom and Josh talk with Rebekah Poe (aka @lessons_and_lattes - on Insta and TikTok), a special education teacher from Alabama. Ms. Poe shares the impact social media has had on being a student and how she validates student emotions so that she can teach coping skills. If you like "What the World Needs Now," please share it with your friends. Your support helps us get inspirational educators' stories out! Huge thanks to Harmony Academy, from National University, for empo...
In this episode, hosts Tom Whisinnand and Josh Monroe speak with Stephanie Johnson, an educator with over 21 years of experience. They discuss Stephanie's journey from a first-generation college graduate to a passionate advocate for equity in education. Stephanie shares her insights on the importance of community connections, the role of empathy in teaching, and how educators can bridge the gap in resources and opportunities for their students. Huge thanks to Harmony Academy, from Natio...
In this episode, Tom and Josh talk with Dr. Jodi Miller, the creator of WellCheq, about how important student well being is in the learning process. WellCheq is a web based app that allows students to tell adults how they are feeling and also allows them to ask a caring adult to check in with them. If you would like to learn more about Well Cheq, here is a link to their website: https://wellcheq.com/ In our interview, Ms. Miller mentions a study of London Taxi Drivers. Here is...
On this episode of What the World Needs Now, Deborah Goodman tells Tom and Josh about her extensive experience in education, emphasizing the importance of counseling and building relationships with students. She also discusses the challenges educators face and offers valuable advice for new teachers. Huge thanks to Harmony Academy, from National University, for empowering Tom and Josh to continue sharing the inspirational stories from educators all around the world. https://harmo...
In this episode, we talk with Trevor Todd, a 3rd grade teacher from Wilmington, North Carolina about his AMAZING collection of Bow Ties. We also talk about why teaching with your hair on fire is important, but also how you need to have a fire extinguisher on What the World Needs Now!! Huge thanks to Harmony Academy, from National University, for empowering Tom and Josh to continue sharing the inspirational stories from educators all around the world. https://harmony-academy.org/
In this episode of 'What the World Needs Now', hosts Tom Whisinnand and Josh Monroe speak with Allie Robb, a two-time Teacher of the Year and current Dean of Academics at Sonoran Science Academy. Allie shares her journey into education, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and empathy in teaching. She discusses her teaching philosophy, the significance of empowering students, and the role of data in education. The conversation also touches on the challenges educators face and the importanc...
In this episode of "What the World Needs Now", Josh and Tom talk with Dr. Joe Mtika, founder of Norfolk Schools in Malawi, about how he persevered through MANY difficult trials and tribulations while trying to create his vision of an American Education in Africa. Dr. Joe shares how he established, and then leveraged community relationships to establish a college prep school for students in Malawi, Africa. This episode of "What the World Needs Now" will leave you inspired and thinking ...
In this episode of "What the World Needs Now" sponsored by Harmony Academy from National University, Tom and Josh talk with Anderson Manuel, about his journey in education, emphasizing the importance of finding one's purpose, building relationships with students, and the need for compassion in teaching as well as how AI can enhance the teaching experience.This episode highlights the importance of creating a joyful learning environment and the impact of educators on students' lives. Huge thank...



