Claim OwnershipEvolution Stories
Subscribed: 3Played: 2
Subscribe
© 2026 Evolution Stories
Description
Evolution Stories is a biweekly podcast that delves deep into the heart and soul of change leadership and school transformation.
21 Episodes
Reverse
What really motivates people to change? In this season finale episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot sits down with bestselling author Dan Pink to unpack decades of research on motivation, leadership, timing, regret, and the future of human skills. Drawing from his work in Drive, When, To Sell Is Human, and The Power of Regret, Dan explains why traditional reward systems often fail in schools and organizations, why autonomy and purpose outperform control, and how leaders can avoid the...
In this episode of Evolution Stories, Middle States President Christian Talbot sits down with Elinor Scully, Head of School at National Cathedral School, for a candid and deeply reflective conversation about leadership, change, and the realities of decision-making in schools. Drawing from her journey as a classroom teacher, division head, and head of school, Elinor explores what happens when leaders pursue the right outcomes but underestimate the human dynamics of change. She reflects on an e...
In this episode of Evolution Stories, MSA President Christian Talbot speaks with Maria Vogelei, Head of School and founding team member at the Village School in Arlington, Virginia, a learner-driven microschool built around agency, purpose, and self-directed learning. Maria shares her unconventional path into school leadership, moving from brand building and tech entrepreneurship into education after searching for a school that aligned with her daughter’s needs. She reflects on the difference...
In this episode of Evolution Stories, Jeff Selingo joins the conversation to unpack how education systems are being reshaped by shifting student needs, changing labor markets, and growing skepticism about traditional college pathways. Drawing from decades of reporting and his latest book, Dream School, Jeff explores what meaningful learning looks like today, how institutions can better align with real-world outcomes, and why students need clearer signals about value, purpose, and possibility....
In this episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot sits down with Laura Light, Executive Director of AAIE and one of the most trusted conveners in international education. Laura has a unique view into the complexities facing school leaders around the globe, from geopolitical conflict to enrollment volatility to the rapid emergence of AI. She reflects on her own journey as a third culture kid turned educator and describes how international schools embrace risk, change, and innovation with ...
In this episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot talks with Dr. Timothy S. Stuart, a global education leader whose career has spanned more than 30 years across schools, systems, and continents. Tim currently serves as Director of Leadership Recruitment and Global Partnerships at Search Associates and previously worked as a Regional Education Officer for the U.S. Department of State, supporting American-style international schools around the world. Before that, he spent five years as Hea...
In this episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot sits down with Catarina Song Chen, a true third culture kid whose leadership journey spans South Korea, Paraguay, the United States, and Brazil. Catarina shares how she stumbled into teaching after a career in fashion and ultimately became head of an international school facing severe challenges, including losing accreditation, unstable leadership, low enrollment, and community mistrust. She discusses what it took to rebuild the school fr...
In this episode of Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot speaks with Liz Perry, Assistant Head of School for Academics at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, Connecticut. Perry brings a remarkable breadth of experience, having taught and led in schools from Brooklyn to Brazil to Pine Ridge, South Dakota. She reflects on how her diverse teaching and leadership roles—including at Berkeley Carroll, the American School of São Paulo, Brimmer and May, and Red Cloud Indian School—have shaped her und...
“Microschools are giving families agency, educators freedom, and students a chance to thrive outside of one-size-fits-all systems.” – Don Soifer In this episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot sits down with Don Soifer, CEO of the National Microschooling Center. A national leader in the microschooling movement, Soifer has played a key role in transforming education through innovation and policy. He co-created the first public-private partnership microschool in Las Vegas and served thre...
In this second episode of Season II Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot sits down with Suzanna Jemsby, Head of School at Washington International School and a Commissioner with the Middle States Association. A lifelong educator fluent in four languages, Suzanna’s global journey has taken her from classrooms in England and Syria to leadership roles in Atlanta and Washington, DC. She candidly reflects on early career decisions, lessons from a failed campus expansion project, and how ...
In this Season II opening episode of Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot welcomes back Michael Horn, renowned author, speaker, and leading thinker in education innovation. Horn was the very first guest in Middle States’ live conversations nearly three years ago, and he returns to discuss his influential work on school reinvention and systemic change. He shares insights from his book From Reopen to Reinvent and beyond, highlighting why schools often get stuck in outdated practices a...
In this episode, Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy and author of "Alchemy," shares his perspective on leading change, particularly in schools. Sutherland argues for the importance of incorporating psychology into change initiatives, suggesting that an over-reliance on numerical metrics can be detrimental. Drawing from his experience in advertising, he emphasizes the need to understand human behavior and motivations to drive effective transformation. The conversation explores how...
This episode features leaders from Beyond 8, a pioneering learning studio in India, who share how their model disrupts traditional ideas of school. Rooted in student agency and human connection, Beyond 8 empowers young people to co-design their learning journey through real-world projects, interest-based exploration, and authentic assessments. The conversation explores the limitations of standardized systems and celebrates the creativity, confidence, and critical thinking that emerge when stu...
In this episode, Homa Tavangar, co-founder of the Big Questions Institute (BQI), discusses her work in education and international development. BQI engages schools worldwide in inquiry to prepare children for an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. Tavangar, author of "Growing Up Global," shares her insights on how to prepare children to succeed as happy and informed global citizens 1 . The discussion explores her personal journey and the evolution of her focus towards educ...
In this episode, Dr. Renée Rattray, Lead Education Advisor for the XQ Institute, shares her origin story in education. Rattray's journey began in Jamaica, where she worked as a special education teacher and later became a school principal. The conversation reveals the profound influence of Rattray's family, whom she describes as "givers" with a strong commitment to social justice and service. This upbringing shaped Rattray's own dedication to serving others and ensuring that her work benefits...
In this episode, Jalaj Desai, Head of School at Saddle River Day School, NJ, discusses his experiences in leading change within an independent school setting. He recounts taking on the headship during a period of instability and shares his strategies for building a strong team and fostering a positive school culture. The conversation explores Desai's emphasis on simple yet creative solutions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his focus on innovation, including the establishment o...
In this episode, Dr. Kapono Ciotti, CEO of the Pacific American Foundation, discusses his views on education as a powerful tool for social justice. Ciotti credits his upbringing by two educators and his early schooling experiences for shaping his perspective. He fondly recalls his time at a progressive school in Hawaii, where the emphasis was on integrated thematic units and project-based learning, fostering a sense of "student protagonism." Ciotti believes this approach allowed him to...
In this episode, Joel Thompson, principal of Mt. Lebanon High School, shares his insights on leadership and change in schools. The conversation emphasizes Thompson's fifteen years as an educator and his commitment to leveraging innovative practices to enhance learning and create impactful experiences for students. Thompson's leadership has earned him a nomination for the Public School Works Champion Showcase, which recognizes K-12 leaders driving change and championing their schools.
In this episode, Amanda Bickerstaff, founder of AI for Education, shares her evolution from a public school educator in the South Bronx to a leader in the ed-tech space. Bickerstaff discusses her experience as the founding CEO of an Australian data analytics company and her subsequent founding of AI for Education in November 2022, following the release of ChatGPT 3.5. The conversation highlights AI for Education's focus on helping schools adopt AI in a responsible, safe, literate, and ...
In this episode, Tom Arnett, Senior Fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, discusses the barriers to change in schools and systems. Arnett's interest in this topic stems from his experience as a middle school math teacher, where he observed the limitations of a system designed to standardize interactions. The conversation explores the need to move away from a "batch processing" approach and towards student-centered models of learning. Arnett highlights the challenges teachers fac...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States