Best Jeff Utecht Podcasts (2025)

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Can we communicate with our pets? Leo Trottier on the Future of Interspecies Communication 40:10

Play Pause

1d ago40:10

40:10

What if our pets are communicating complex ideas—and technology is finally catching up? In this episode of the Shifting Schools Podcast, cognitive scientist and FluentPet founder Leo Trottier joins us to explore how breakthroughs in animal cognition, inter-species communication, and speech-button interfaces are reshaping the way humans understand p…

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290. Building Math Confidence Through Strategy and Sensemaking with Mike Kenny 27:35

24m ago27:35

27:35

transforms fluency and confidence. Inspired by the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, Mike reframed "flashcards" into visual, model-rich experiences that help students construct new facts from previously mastered ones. We dive into how MathFactLab shifts classroom culture—helping students rediscover joy, confidence, and agency in math through reasonin…

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Crossing the Line of Falling Behind: Where Is Your School on the AI Curve? 9:51

4d ago9:51

9:51

Summary In this episode, Jeff Utecht discusses the critical importance of understanding where schools stand on the AI adoption curve. He emphasizes the need for leadership to actively engage with AI and for educators to integrate AI into their teaching practices. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI in education, urging sc…

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How Generative AI Can Deepen Critical Thinking in K12, Not Replace It 20:32

3d ago20:32

20:32

Discover how educators are using generative AI not to automate, but to elevate critical thinking and collaboration in K-12 schools. In this episode of Shifting Schools, host Tricia Friedman shows how "disagreement by design" and intentional prompt-engineering transform student and leadership learning. What you'll learn: What disagreement by design …

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289. Opening College Doors for Free with Jefferson Pestronk 33:48

18d ago33:48

33:48

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Jefferson Pestronk, Executive Director at Modern States, to discuss how their free online courses and College Board’s CLEP exams make college credit accessible to everyone. Learners can take self-paced courses, earn vouchers, and bring passing CLEP scores to nearly 3,000 colleges—no tuition require…

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Parenting, Picture Books, and the Practice of Wonder: Leadership Lessons in Creativity 27:17

23d ago27:17

27:17

A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners.... In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christy Mandin to explore what school leaders can learn from the creative proces…

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Beyond Cheating: What AI Is Really Teaching Us About Students and Schools 46:38

25d ago46:38

46:38

The conversation about AI in education often starts—and stops—with cheating. But what if that's the least interesting part of the story? In this episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with the team behind the new show: The Homework Machine, MIT's Justin Reich and journalist Jesse Dukes. They unpack how generative AI is reshaping what we mean by integrity,…

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288. Ruckus Leadership with Danny Bauer 33:57

24d ago33:57

33:57

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Danny Bauer, host of the Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast and a champion for reimagining education through leadership. Danny shares how his journey from assistant principal to leading a global community of “ruckus makers” has been fueled by a belief that leadership is service and schools mu…

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Why vibe coding is such a vibe 13:31

1M ago13:31

13:31

In this episode Tricia Friedman talks listeners through an example of how she vibe coding an app from start to finish. Her vibe coding process of building an app blends AI literacy, digital humanities, and leadership design thinking. What does this tell us about the future of using generative AI for projects in K12? This episode is sponsored by our…

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The Future of Higher Education in America 33:41

1M ago33:41

33:41

Today, a college diploma is no guarantee that graduates have the competencies that businesses need, including using emerging technologies, communicating, working in teams, and other necessary skills. So, it's fair to ask, "Do students really need a college degree"? Brandeis University President, and nationally respected higher education leader and …

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287. Psychological Safety in Classrooms with Craig Randall 31:26

2M ago31:26

31:26

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, I’m joined by Craig Randall, author of Trust-Based Observations, to explore how great teaching thrives when educators feel psychologically safe. We look at why traditional evaluation systems—rubrics, ratings, and high-stakes observations—stifle innovation, and how Craig’s trust-first model creates space for teac…

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Collaboration: The Heart of Innovation 22:30

2M ago22:30

22:30

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with authors Dylan Thuras and Jennifer Swanson about their ambitious book that explores the evolution of invention and technology. They discuss the importance of collaboration in science, the interdisciplinary nature of learning, and how curiosity drives innovation. The conversation also highlights the r…

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I know what you did last summer: Jeff and Tricia edition 17:43

2M ago17:43

17:43

On this episode Jeff and Tricia catch up on all the learning they did last summer. Hear them talk about gardening...and of course generative AI Learn more about how to catch them this year: https://www.shiftingschools.com/By Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman

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286. Accelerating Reading Fluency with Tim Waldron 29:47

2M ago29:47

29:47

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we dive into reading skills development with Tim Waldron, CEO of Readable English. We explore why so many students—especially in upper elementary, middle, and high school—are still reading below grade level and what it takes to close that gap quickly. The stakes are high: student confidence, classroom participat…

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Where is the current taking K12? 31:06

2M ago31:06

31:06

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their upcoming training sessions focused on integrating AI into education. They emphasize the importance of understanding AI's impact on the job market, the necessity of prompt engineering as a new skill for educators, and the need for AI literacy among students. The conve…

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Step up for Second Chance for Students around the world 39:42

2M ago39:42

39:42

On April 13th, 2018, Nepali New Year's Eve, the University of Texas at Tyler revoked full-ride scholarships it had previously awarded to 60 Nepali students. The university described it as "an administrative oversight." But the global education community knew that it was an unprecedented admissions crisis. The scholarships, which included tuition as…

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Data Literacy: The Key to Future Problem Solving 25:26

3M ago25:26

25:26

In this episode, Jeff Utecht, Tricia Friedman, and Dr. Curt Merlau discuss the transformative role of AI and data literacy in education and employment. They explore how Pivot, an AI-powered tool, helps unemployed individuals find better job opportunities and training. The conversation emphasizes the importance of data literacy for educators and the…

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285. Instructional Audio for Equitable Classrooms with David Solomon 29:50

2M ago29:50

29:50

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we welcome David Solomon, CEO of Lightspeed Technologies, to unpack “instructional audio”—low-volume, high-clarity sound that makes the teacher’s voice equally intelligible in every seat. We explore why clarity beats volume for attention, language development, and early learners, and how speaking in a natural to…

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284. Restorative Schools, Real Accountability with Nicholas Bradford 32:28

3M ago32:28

32:28

When it comes to student behavior, punishment often gets mistaken for progress. In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we sit down with Nicholas Bradford, founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice, to explore a better path: restorative practices that build relationships, invite accountability, and strengthen school communities. Nicholas …

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Future-proofing students through service learning 30:58

3M ago30:58

30:58

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and LeeAnne Lavendar discuss the evolving landscape of service learning and education. They explore the importance of experiential learning, community engagement, and the need for transformative teaching practices that resonate with students. LeeAnne shares practical examples and insights on how educators can a…

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283. The Early Childhood Promise with Dr. Aimee E. Ketchum & Dr. Crystal Corle Loose 31:03

3M ago31:03

31:03

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we welcome Dr. Aimee E. Ketchum and Dr. Crystal Corle Loose, co-authors of The Early Childhood Promise. With a wealth of experience in pediatrics, occupational therapy, early education, and community outreach, they guide us through the transformative power of early childhood through evidence-backed strategies an…

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Help students have a healthier relationship with the news 28:35

3M ago28:35

28:35

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Jack Brewster, CEO of Newsreel, discussing the importance of news literacy, the impact of misinformation, and how Newsreel aims to engage students with high-quality news. They explore the role of social media and AI in journalism, the skills needed for future journalists, and how educators can utilize Newsree…

Jeff Utecht Podcasts

1
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman

1
WSREIP: Your Gateway to Real Estate Success in Washington State

Jeff Utecht

1
Learning Unboxed

Annalies Corbin & NOVA Media

1
Can we communicate with our pets? Leo Trottier on the Future of Interspecies Communication 40:10

1
290. Building Math Confidence Through Strategy and Sensemaking with Mike Kenny 27:35

1
Crossing the Line of Falling Behind: Where Is Your School on the AI Curve? 9:51

1
How Generative AI Can Deepen Critical Thinking in K12, Not Replace It 20:32

1
289. Opening College Doors for Free with Jefferson Pestronk 33:48

1
Parenting, Picture Books, and the Practice of Wonder: Leadership Lessons in Creativity 27:17

1
Beyond Cheating: What AI Is Really Teaching Us About Students and Schools 46:38

1
288. Ruckus Leadership with Danny Bauer 33:57

1
Why vibe coding is such a vibe 13:31

1
The Future of Higher Education in America 33:41

1
287. Psychological Safety in Classrooms with Craig Randall 31:26

1
Collaboration: The Heart of Innovation 22:30

1
I know what you did last summer: Jeff and Tricia edition 17:43

1
286. Accelerating Reading Fluency with Tim Waldron 29:47

1
Where is the current taking K12? 31:06

1
Step up for Second Chance for Students around the world 39:42

1
Data Literacy: The Key to Future Problem Solving 25:26

1
285. Instructional Audio for Equitable Classrooms with David Solomon 29:50

1
284. Restorative Schools, Real Accountability with Nicholas Bradford 32:28

1
Future-proofing students through service learning 30:58

1
283. The Early Childhood Promise with Dr. Aimee E. Ketchum & Dr. Crystal Corle Loose 31:03

1
Help students have a healthier relationship with the news 28:35