• The Authority: A Guide to Psychological Safety with Ricky Robertson
    Jan 27 2025

    Today we're bringing you a recent episode recorded on The Authority Podcast.

    Ross Romano speaks with educator, author, and consultant Ricky Robertson, who works with schools, school districts, education service districts, and state departments of education across the country to develop systems of support that foster achievement, well-being, and resilience among staff and students. Much of Ricky's recent work focuses on creating workplace conditions that allow educators to thrive, including his new book The Other Teachers: A Guide to Psychological Safety Among Educators.


    Hear about:

    • Defining psychological safety
    • Its relevance to schools and what inspired Ricky to write a book about it
    • Factors that create psychologically unsafe schools
    • Workplace bullying, cliques, fear-based leadership, and collective burnout
    • Who can take charge of identifying the challenges?
    • Guidelines or protocols for having productive discussions that respect psychological safety
    • How a psychologically safe work environment for educators benefits students

    Find The Other Teachers from Corwin or wherever you get your books.


    About today’s guest

    Ricky Robertson is an educator, author, and consultant. He has had the privilege to work with students from pre-K to 12th grade who have persevered in the face of adversity and trauma. Ricky is the co-author, along with Victoria Romero and Amber Warner, of the Corwin bestselling book, Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Whole Staff Approach. The model that he and his co-authors developed in their book was included in the Roadmap for Resilience: The California Surgeon General’s Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences, Toxic Stress, & Health as an example of best practices for schools to support children and families impacted by toxic stress and trauma. Connect with him @Teach4Trust and https://teachfortrust.com.


    About the host

    Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on LinkedIn or Bluesky.


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

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    50 mins
  • The Authority: Empowering Struggling Students Through Guided Conversations with Hayley Watson
    Jan 20 2025

    Today we're happy to bring you an episode originally recorded for The Authority Podcast. Host Ross Romano speaks with Dr. Hayley Watson, a Clinical Psychologist who holds a PhD in school bullying interventions, along with four further degrees in the field of mental health. She has been creating and delivering programs for youth and practitioners across the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia for the past 20 years.


    Hayley is the founder and CEO of Open Parachute, a Tier 1 K-12 curriculum program that supports the mental health of students, teachers, and parents. She is author of the book Finding the Words: Empowering Struggling Students Through Guided Conversations.


    The episode covers:

    • Hayley’s perspective on the job of an educator
    • Biggest mental health factors to be aware of with students
    • Internal hurdles for educators to overcome
    • Why should teachers be dealing with the mental health of students, when they are not experts in this area?
    • Why should mental health be discussed in schools? Doesn't it take away time from core teaching subjects?
    • Protecting the mental health of teachers

    Learn more at the website https://openparachuteschools.com/ or connect with Hayley on LinkedIn.


    About the host

    Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or LinkedIn


    Ross also hosts Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

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    48 mins
  • Make It Mindful: Innovation, Identity, and Adolescent Psychology with Dr. Adriana Galván
    Jul 25 2024

    Today we're pleased to bring you an episode of Make It Mindful, one of the newest shows on the Be Podcast Network. Make It Mindful peels back the layers on today's educational challenges with mindfulness and compassion. Listen to more episodes and subscribe here: https://makeitmindful.transistor.fm

    Dr. Adriana Galván is the Dean of Undergraduate Affairs at UCLA and the former head of an adolescent psychology research lab. Through a lens of mindfulness, hosts Seth and Lauren join Dr. Galván in exploring lván the persistence of outdated teaching methods, the innovative potential of Galván's leadership role, and her remarkable journey as a female POC to a major position of influence. Woven throughout are her insights about adolescent psychology - especially on peer influence and risk taking - which offer a fresh perspective for educators.

    Guest links:
    1. Dr. Galván's Wikipedia Bio
    2. Dr. Galván's First TED Talk and Second TED Talk on the adolescent brain

    Co-Host Links:

    Seth Fleischauer

    Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/

    Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/


    Lauren Pinto

    Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist

    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/

    Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/


    Komal Shah

    Speaker, Author, & Entrepreneur

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/consultkomal

    Website: https://thekomalshah.com

    Book: https://www.amazon.com/Raise-Your-Hand-Consciousness-Education-ebook/dp/B09FNT6B45/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

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    42 mins
  • Make It Mindful: Filling the Mental Health Support Gap in Schools with Alongside, An AI-Empowered App (with Scott Freschet and Brenda Peña)
    Jul 18 2024

    Today we're pleased to bring you an episode of Make It Mindful, a podcast that peels back the layers on today's educational challenges with mindfulness and compassion. Subscribe to Make It Mindful here: https://makeitmindful.transistor.fm

    Brenda, as Director of Social Work at Chelsea Public Schools in Massachusetts, shares how Alongside has made mental health resources accessible to students who might shy away from traditional counseling due to stigma or discomfort. This episode explores how Alongside not only supplements existing mental health services by filling gaps but also empowers students by providing immediate, judgment-free support in a format they are comfortable with.

    The conversation also touches on the broader implications of AI in education, discussing the potential risks and rewards of relying on technology for emotional support. Scott emphasizes the app's design, which encourages real-world application of coping strategies, ensuring that AI is a gateway to human interaction rather than a replacement. This episode offers a critical look at how technology is reshaping the approach to student wellness and educational support.

    Guest Links:
    Alongside.care


    Co-Host Links:
    Seth Fleischauer
    Founder and President of Banyan Global Learning
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-fleischauer/
    Website: https://banyangloballearning.com/

    Lauren Pinto
    Cofounder of Ambitious Ed, Educational Technology Specialist
    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-pinto/
    Website: https://www.ambitioused.com/


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

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    35 mins
  • Sideline Sessions: Samantha Arsenault Livingstone — Olympic Gold Medalist, Swim Coach, High-Performance Consultant, and Mental Health Advocate on Her Journey from World-Class Athlete to Whole Athlete Coach
    Jan 9 2024
    We’re thrilled to introduce Sideline Sessions, a new original series on the Be Podcast Network. Designed for coaches, parents and other stakeholders in the world of youth, scholastic, and amateur sports, this show brings you interviews with leaders at the highest levels of their respective sports. Hear about their motivations, philosophies, and strategies for success, and take away actionable insights to support the athletes in your life.The guest for this episode is Samantha Arsenault Livingstone, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer, high-performance consultant, speaker and mental health activist. Samantha is an active supporter of the #SameHere Global movement. If you’d like to subscribe to Sideline Sessions, use this link to find it on your preferred platform: https://sidelinesessions.transistor.fm/subscribe This episode features a discussion of Samantha’s positive and negative experiences with coaching beginning at a young age — including how it contributed to her complicated feelings toward the sport for many years after earning Olympic gold — as well as mental fitness for coaches and athletes, and much more:When Samantha got interested in coachingHer personal definition of what it means to be a coachThe challenges of coaching a sport at which she was a world-class athleteThe WHOLE Athlete Initiative and what motivated her to start itThe pillars of the Initiative and what they’re built aroundVulnerability in coachingSubscribe to Sideline Sessions to hear the rest of our fall-winter season. We’ll continue to bring you insights from diverse coaches across the sporting landscape. Subscribe here: https://sidelinesessions.transistor.fm/subscribe About today’s guestSamantha Arsenault Livingstone is an Olympic gold medalist, high-performance consultant, speaker and mental health activist. At home in the classroom, Samantha spent six years teaching high school science and coaching swimming. After a near-death experience with her then 12-month-old daughter, Samantha knew it was time to pay forward all she'd learned about achievement, emotional agility, rising through hard things and finding fulfillment in the striving.In 2016, Samantha founded Livingstone High Performance and the Whole Athlete Initiative (the WAI) in response to the mental health crisis impacting young people across the globe. LHP provides pillars of support to organizations, teams, and individuals to elevate mental health and improve performance - disrupting the old-school model of mental toughness as the path to high achievement. Samantha holds a master's in education and is a certified instructor of Mental Health First Aid and facilitator of Mindful Sports Performance Enhancement. She resides in Berkshire County, Massachusetts with her husband and four daughters. About the hostRoss Romano is co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and also hosts The Authority Podcast. He began his career in the pro sports industry before becoming a leading communications, marketing, and management expert working with education companies. He is founder and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. He also works directly with professionals at all levels, in all industries, coaching them in their pursuit of success.Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or LinkedIn. Listen to The Authority: https://authoritypodcast.net. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    51 mins
  • External Influences on Our Mental Health with Eric Kussin, Kristina MacBury, Karen Dudek-Brannan, Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman, and Eric Blankenship
    Jun 21 2023

    What surrounding influences impact our mental health on a daily basis? The panelists highlight these influences, how they affect us, and more.


    Speakers:


    Eric Kussin (@SameHere_Global)

    Eric is a 20-year pro sports executive who was fortunate enough to find a higher calling after an intense mental health battle. He launched a global alliance of athletes and celebrities, along with expert practitioners: We’re All A Little “Crazy,” and the #SameHere Global Mental Health Movement.


    Kristina MacBury (@MacburyKristina)

    Kristina is is a Nationally recognized Principal as one of the 2018 NASSP’s - Digital Principal of the Year and in 2017 was named a Top 30 Technologist, Transformer and Trailblazer at the Center for Digital Education. She is CEO of Educate4Hope.


    Karen Dudek-Brannan (@drkaren2014)

    Karen is a Professional Development and Product Specialist, speech-language pathologist (SLP), and founder/CEO of Dr. Karen, LLC. She is also host of the podcast De Facto Leaders, in which she shares evidence-based practices, her own experience, and guest interviews designed to help pediatric therapists, educators, and aspiring school leaders design services that support social, emotional, and academic growth and set kids up for success in adulthood. Subscribe here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/blog


    Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman (@PlanZPLS)

    Tammy is founder of Plan Z Professional Learning Services and co-author of The Minimalist Teacher (ASCD).


    Eric Blankenship (@mistabscience)

    Eric is a passionate educator and Principal of Stephens Elementary School in Burlington, KY.


    Make sure to subscribe to this series to hear all the panel discussions focused on mental health awareness.


    Visit https://bepodcast.network to learn about 20+ shows covering education and learning at all levels.


    Visit https://belouga.org to learn more about Belouga.


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Reduce student anxiety with frontloading - Karen Dudek-Brannan - Morning Motivation for Educators
    Jun 15 2023

    Thank you for participating in #SameHere Schools Month and engaging with conversations centered around mental health awareness and support in education.

    Today, we're bringing you a bonus episode from Morning Motivation for Educators, a daily podcast here on the Be Podcast Network. This message is shared by Karen Dudek-Brannan, a Professional Development and Product Specialist, speech-language pathologist (SLP), and founder/CEO of Dr. Karen, LLC, a company focused on empowering therapists and educators to design interventions that support language, literacy, and executive functioning.

    Karen is also host of the podcast De Facto Leaders, in which she shares evidence-based practices, her own experience, and guest interviews designed to help pediatric therapists, educators, and aspiring school leaders design services that support social, emotional, and academic growth and set kids up for success in adulthood.

    • Subscribe to Morning Motivation for Educators: https://morningmotivationedu.com
    • Contribute your voice to an upcoming episode: https://morningmotivationedu.com/contribute
    • Subscribe to De Facto Leaders: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/blog
    • Learn more about the Be Podcast Network: https://bepodcast.network
    • Learn more about Belouga: https://belouga.org

    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

    Show more Show less
    8 mins
  • Reigniting a Passion for Education with Erik Youngman, PJ Caposey, Rachel Tomlinson, Jeannie Armstrong, Derek Fialkiewicz, and Evin Schwartz
    Jun 13 2023

    With exhaustion, burnout, and mental health challenges further exacerbated by the pandemic, how do we reignite the passion for education? Panelists from around the world offer their insights.


    Speakers:


    Evin Schwartz (@EvinSchwartz)

    Evin is founder and CEO of Belouga. Learn more at https://belouga.org.


    Erik Youngman (@Erik_Youngman)

    Dr. Erik Youngman is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning for Libertyville District 70 in Libertyville, Illinois. He is passionate about topics such as homework, growth mindset, grading, and leadership.


    PJ Caposey (@MCUSDSupe)

    PJ Caposey is Superintendent of Meridian CUSD 223 in Illinois. He is a dynamic speaker and a transformational leader and educator who began his career as an award-winning teacher in the inner-city of Chicago and has subsequently led significant change in every administrative post he has held.


    Rachel Tomlinson (@BarrowfordHead)

    Rachel is head teacher at Barrowford School, an Ashoka Changemaker School in Barrowford, Lancashire, UK.


    Jeannie Armstrong (@JeannieArmstr20)

    Jeannie is Superintendent of Learning: Special Education Services, Faith & Equity for a Catholic school board in Ontario, Canada.


    Derek Fialkiewicz (@derwood73)

    Dr. Derek Fialkiewicz is Superintendent of the Corbett School District in Oregon and was a 2017 NASSP finalist for Assistant Principal of the Year.


    Make sure to subscribe to this series to hear more panel discussions focused on mental health awareness.


    Visit https://bepodcast.network to learn about 20+ shows covering education and learning at all levels.


    Visit https://belouga.org to learn more about Belouga.


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins