Best State Support Team 11 Podcasts (2026)

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13. Updating your dreams and motivations 21:20

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1M ago21:20

21:20

Are you following an outdated dream? I did and it got pretty bad! In rough times like these it's even more important to be conscious of what drives and inspires you. In this episode I talk about what happened when I followed a 10 year old dream, and what you can do to figure out if you are on the right track or if your dream needs some updating. Mu…

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12. The state of the industry - Background 31:13

4M ago31:13

31:13

Why are so many VFX artists out of work at the moment? And why are VFX studios going bankrupt left and right? In this episode I go into the history of the industry to better illustrate the landscape and try to explain why we are where we are today. Music by amazing Marcus Olsson of Kungen & Hertigen

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11. Struggles! 25:47

4M ago25:47

25:47

I know many of you are struggling at the moment. In this more personal, less scripted episode I'm sharing what I'm struggling with at the moment. My hope is that it can help you feel a bit less alone and maybe make it a little easier to reach out for support. Take care out there! You are not alone! 💓 Music by amazing Marcus Olsson of Kungen & Herti…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 30 | Student Powered Improvement 20:58

1y ago20:58

20:58

Join host Eric Neal as he learns about Student Powered Improvement with Kari Nelsestuen from Community Design Partners. Kari shares information about the program and powerful strategies to engage students and improve ownership and belonging in your school community.By State Support Team 11

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10. Cristian Spagnuolo - The state of the industry, AI, "NO CGI" and why modern movies suck! 2:04:39

1+ y ago2:04:39

2:04:39

Cristian is a CG and VFX supervisor with 20 years of experience in film and commercials with titles like Star Trek Discovery, Cats, Noelle and X-men Dark Phoenix on his CV. He is also a trainer and mentor at PXL Mentor with a passion for helping artists make it in VFX. This interview is all about the state of the industry. We talk about what brough…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 29 | How to Plan and Evaluate Effective Professional Development with Dr. Thomas Guskey 42:31

2y ago42:31

42:31

Host Eric Neal interviews Dr. Thomas Guskey about his signature method for planning and evaluating effective professional development. They discuss the factors that trustworthy evidence show contribute to the effectiveness of professional learning experiences, explain the five levels of evidence that are essential in evaluating professional learnin…

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SST11 Podcast | Ep 28 | Universal Design for Learning with Aaron Lanou 41:59

2y ago41:59

41:59

Host Eric Neal is joined by Inclusive Education Consultant and Speaker Aaron Lanou. They discuss Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Aaron's upcoming workshop for teachers to implement UDL in the classroom.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 27 | Networked Improvement Communities. What makes a NIC a NIC? 30:02

2y ago30:02

30:02

Collaboration is a cornerstone of educational improvement, but structured collaboration is the key to making a real impact. Host Eric Neal is joined by Barbara Shreve from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to discuss Networked Improvement Communities (NICs), their relationship to Improvement Science, and the components that di…

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9. Carlos Caballero Valdés - VFX Supervisor: The role of the VFX supervisor and how to get the most out of your team 1:53:03

2y ago1:53:03

1:53:03

Carlos is a VFX Supervisor at MPC in Montreal, most recently on Transformers - Rise of the Beast. He started out as a compositor in London 2010 and has since worked on movies like Captain America, Prometheus, Terminator Genisys, Fantastic Four, Maleficent, Ghostbusters Afterlife and so on. In this interview we dissect the supervisor role and go dee…

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8. Communication can make you a better artist 26:16

2y ago26:16

26:16

How well you communicate can dictate how far you will get in your career in VFX and how quickly you get there. But most artist don't think about communication as part of their skill set and are therefore holding themselves back. The good thing is that it's not rocket science and that you can learn to communicate better! In this episode I give advic…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 26 | Preventing Teacher Burnout Through Emotional Connections 36:25

2+ y ago36:25

36:25

When burnout in the classroom continues to be a factor in teacher resignations, what do we do to change the course? Host Eric Neal discusses prevention strategies and examples with Mandy Froehlich, a seasoned educator turned author, consultant, and keynote speaker. Mandy shares her insights on tackling this topic through meaningful conversations an…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 25 | Redesigning Using Empathy Interviews 26:51

2+ y ago26:51

26:51

How do you find the root cause of an issue? Host Eric Neal sits down with the co-founders of Community Design Partners, Kari Nelsestuen and Julie Smith, to talk about understanding the perspectives of others and the design that is causing the problem in a system. Empathy interviews are 1-on-1 interviews grounded in asking for stories, and they are …

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7. Paul Wilkes - VFX Talent and Recruitment consultant: How to get a job in VFX and take the next step in your career 1:28:06

3y ago1:28:06

1:28:06

Paul Wilkes has been recruiting for top VFX studios for many years. He used to be the Global Head of Talent Management at MPC Advertising, had a similarly prominent title at Technicolor and is now a Talent Consultant with PXL Talent. In this episode Paul helps to demystify what goes on behind the scenes when you submit your showreel to a studio, he…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 24 | Leading with Curiosity in Neuro-Diverse Communication 38:28

3y ago38:28

38:28

What exactly do you know about the realm of neuro-diverse communication? We’re here today with Aaron Lanou and Colin Ozeki to talk about rethinking your mindset, sharing perspectives without judgment, and hearing from their own experiences. This duo connected during Ozeki’s 5th grade year when Lanou worked as a teacher in the school’s inclusion pro…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 23 | Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio 24:41

3y ago24:41

24:41

Host Eric Neal is joined by guest Jessica Weithman, Pre-apprenticeship Coordinator at the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio.By State Support Team 11

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6. Debra Coleman - VFX Coach: Career development, leadership and how to thrive in VFX 1:21:27

3y ago1:21:27

1:21:27

Debra Coleman is a real titan in VFX. She has worked in the industry for over 25 years, going from runner to compositor to artist manager to global head of compositing at Dneg. She is now an accredited career coach working with VFX companies and professionals through her company Open Frame Coaching. In this conversation we talk about career develop…

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5. Pietro Ponti - VFX Supervisor: Leadership, vulnerability and support structures 1:29:34

3y ago1:29:34

1:29:34

Pietro Ponti is a VFX Supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic with credits on shows like Lovecraft Country, Star Wars, Jurassic World, Harry Potter and The Dark Knight. This conversation is mainly about leadership but is packed with great insights and advice that everyone can benefit from. We talk about vulnerability, advice for new leads, his most …

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4. Big vs small studios - what's right for you? 18:05

3+ y ago18:05

18:05

What is the difference between working in big and small VFX studios? Is bigger always better? Should you always strive for cooler projects? And how do you know what's right for you? In this episode I share my experience from working in different studios and give some advice to help you figure out where you belong. Music by Marcus Olsson of Kungen &…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 22 | Equity-Centered, Trauma-Informed Practices 19:14

3+ y ago19:14

19:14

Host Eric Neal interviews Dr. Gabrielle Hicks. Dr. Hicks is a Translational Researcher at the Center for Education and Training for Employment at The Ohio State University. She discusses her work at the center, and previews her upcoming professional development opportunity with SST 11 focused on Foundations for Schoolwide Implementation of Equity-C…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 21 | School-Based Mental Health 16:08

3+ y ago16:08

16:08

Host Eric Neal is joined by Nicole Kahler, School-Based Mental Health Consultant at the Ohio Department of Education.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 20 | ApprenticeOhio 14:39

3+ y ago14:39

14:39

Host Eric Neal is joined by Matthew Longfellow, Apprenticeship Service Provider at ApprenticeOhio.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 19 | Work-Based Learning 39:21

3+ y ago39:21

39:21

Host Eric Neal is joined by John Hambrick, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the ESC of Central Ohio.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 18 | Middle School Family Engagement 28:11

3+ y ago28:11

28:11

Host Eric Neal is joined by Hadley Bachman, Program Manager of Community Development at the Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University. She specializes in middle school family engagement.By State Support Team 11

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3. Eduardo Parra - Compositing supervisor: Supporting your team and showing gratitude as a leader 1:08:25

4y ago1:08:25

1:08:25

Eduardo Parra is a compositing supervisor at Ingenuity Studios in Vancouver. He has worked on films and TV series like The meg, Away, Fantastic Beasts and where to find them, The man in the high castle, Vikings and True Blood. In this conversation we talk about the role of a supervisor, leadership, communication and much more. Music by Marcus Olsso…

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2. Bad behavior and difficult conversations 14:52

4y ago14:52

14:52

In this episode I share my ideas on how you as a leader can deal with bad behavior or poor performance and how to tackle the difficult conversations that can come with that. Music by Marcus Olsson of Kungen & HertigenBy Alfred Lindahl

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1. Josh Park - Senior compositor: How to learn compositing the right way and kickstart your career in VFX 1:28:12

4y ago1:28:12

1:28:12

Josh Parks is senior compositor who has worked on shows like Shang-Chi, Ready Player One and Transformers. He is also a compositing teacher and coach at compositingpro.com. He has been working in the industry since 2011, done writing for 3D World magazine and taught at a bunch of different VFX schools. In this conversation we talk about how to lear…

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Welcome to VFX Talks 3:43

4y ago3:43

3:43

An introduction to the show, what you can expect from the coming episodes as well as what motivated me to start it in the first place. Music by Marcus Olsson of Kungen & HertigenBy Alfred Lindahl

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 17 | Jill Kramer 28:52

4y ago28:52

28:52

Host Eric Neal is joined by Jill Kramer, English Language Coordinator at the ESC of Central Ohio.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 16 | Dr. Gholdy Muhammad 31:18

4y ago31:18

31:18

Host Eric Neal is joined by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, Associate Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture at the University of Illinois at Chicago.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 15 | Columbus City Schools Family Engagement 23:11

4y ago23:11

23:11

Host Eric Neal is joined by Scott Varner, Executive Director of Family Engagement at Columbus City Schools.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 14 | Grandparents Raising Grandkids 30:47

4+ y ago30:47

30:47

Host Eric Neal is joined by guests Barbara Boone and Angela Provenzano. In this episode they discuss the trend of grandparents raising grandkids, the unique supports required to make it successful and how educators can use family engagement strategies to meet these families’ needs.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 13 | Jonathan Martinis 42:18

4+ y ago42:18

42:18

Host Eric Neal is joined by Jonathan Martinis. Jonathan is the Senior Director for Law and Policy for the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, leading its efforts to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities have access to the services and supports they need to lead independent, inclusive lives.…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 12 | LeDerick Horne 53:33

4+ y ago53:33

53:33

SST 11 Podcast | Ep 12 | LeDerick Horne by State Support Team 11By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 11 | Culturally Responsive Practices 40:34

4+ y ago40:34

40:34

SST 11 Podcast | Ep 11 | Culturally Responsive Practices by State Support Team 11By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 10 | Race in Education 43:27

5y ago43:27

43:27

This episode is a roundtable discussion on Race in education: A historical perspective. Our panel includes SST 11 consultants Ugochi Akoi and Kimberly Brown as well as their special guest, Dr. Kenyona Walker. Dr. Walker has a background as a licensed school psychologist. She is currently a lecturer on Urban Issues in Education at The Ohio State Uni…

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 09 | OCALI 18:10

5y ago18:10

18:10

Host Eric Neal is joined by Shawna Benson of the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI).By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 08 | Cultural Competency 27:28

5y ago27:28

27:28

Host Eric Neal is joined by Dr. Antoinette Miranda to discuss cultural competency. Dr. Miranda is the Interim Chair of Teaching and Learning at the Ohio State University. She is also a member of the Ohio Board of Education (District 6).By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 07 | Adult SEL 20:43

5y ago20:43

20:43

Host Eric Neal is joined by Jo Salazar, author of the new book "Better Together" to discuss the importance of Adult Social-Emotional Learning.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 06 | Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center 31:07

5y ago31:07

31:07

Host Eric Neal is joined by Barbara Boone, Ph.D., principal investigator and director of the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University's Center on Education and Training for Employment. They discuss what the center is, the work it is focused on, and more.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 05 | Secondary Reading Tiered Fidelity Inventory (RTFI) 12:20

5+ y ago12:20

12:20

Kimberly Brown discusses the importance of utilizing a tool such as the RTFI to self-assess, plan, implement, and progress monitor a system for literacy improvement. During this session Kimberly focuses on the secondary level tool designed for educators serving adolescent learners.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 04 | HB318: What Is It? 11:24

5+ y ago11:24

11:24

Join Eric Neal and Tara Finton as they discuss HB318 and its implications for districts and schools. Requirements, timelines and implementing positive behavioral interventions and supports are highlighted.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 03 | Disciplinary Literacy 12:41

6y ago12:41

12:41

Host Eric Neal is joined by SST 11 Adolescent Literacy Specialist Rachel Lang-Daniels to discuss what disciplinary literacy is and what it means for Ohio's educators.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 02 | Transition 10:15

6y ago10:15

10:15

This week Eric Neal interviews SST consultant Steve Moran. They discuss secondary transition, the implications under the law, what it means for students and families and how the State Support Team supports this work in Central Ohio.By State Support Team 11

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SST 11 Podcast | Ep 01 | INFOhio 9:37

6y ago9:37

9:37

In this episode, Eric is speaking with SST 11 Early Literacy Specialist and ICoach Adrian Stevens about INFOhio—Ohio’s PreK-12 Digital Library. Hear more about this robust digital resource including how teachers and parents can access it, ways to use it in and out of the classroom and why it’s a professional development resource teachers won’t want…