Best Wanders With Wit Podcasts (2025)

Hey everyone! In today's episode we connect with LeiLani Scott from Mesa Public Schools. I've had the honor of working with her for several years now and am alway so impressed by her leadership and ability to push the system forward. In this episode she highlights the importance of building a true culturally relevant PBIS system, supporting our edu…

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Wander to Wonder 35:41

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1+ y ago35:41

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In this episode we connect with Christine Corr Kiewra, an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Christine reflects on lessons learned from her 20 years of experience in early childhood education and how that impacts the way she now supports adult learners. She dives into the importance of wandering and its connection to creatin…

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Equality vs. Equity 55:51

1+ y ago55:51

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Hello Everyone! Thank you for your patience as we make some changes to our episode releasing schedule. We are back with such a good interview! In today’s episode we sit down with Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. This interview is so motivating! Rodney shares his story with us and teaches us about the difference between equali…

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Lessons from Prague 38:37

1+ y ago38:37

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Hello wonderful listeners! Yes, this is one week late. We apologize. Covid got us, and it threw off the release of this episode last week, but we are back up and running. In today's episode we connect with Veronika Bačová, an educator in Prague, Czech Republic. We have a wonderful time exploring the similarities and differences in our educational s…

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Bearing Witness 35:47

1+ y ago35:47

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Happy New Year, wonderful listeners! I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better episode to bring us into this new year together. I needed more than I knew! In today’s episode we connect and learn from Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, who is the founder and director of The Trauma Stewardship Institute. Laura’s book, Trauma Stewardship, is one that truly c…

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Thinking Slowly and Wisely 43:56

1+ y ago43:56

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Welcome to the last episode of 2023! I hope you all have a wonderful Winter Break. In this episode we sit down with Coach Shawn Sorsby, the Founder and Executive Director of A Step Ahead Chess. What a fantastic way to close out 2023. Coach Sorsby is so inspiring and the way he is changing student’s lives through chess is amazing. He highlights that…

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Push To Heal 43:32

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In today's episode we sit down with Joel Pippus, the Project Lead for Push to Heal, which uses skateboarding as a component for treatment and education with high needs students. Joel highlights different ways skateboarding can be used as an education tool and mental health strategy to support growth with students. He shares different ways it promot…

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Reflective Dissociation 28:14

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Join us for as we spend time reflecting on some of our big takeaways from the previous four episodes.

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Body, Voice, Imagination 47:44

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In today’s new episode we talk with Becky Arndt, who is a Drama Teacher in the Racine, Wisconsin Public School System. Becky shares with us her Actors Tool Box and connects ways we can utilize those tools in other areas of education. She highlights the importance of environments that foster student strengths and belonging. Becky also talks about th…

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There Are No Disconnected Histories 55:19

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In today’s episode of Education Suspended we connect with Dr. Mark Gooden, PhD., who is the Christian Johnson Endeavor Professor in Education Leadership and Chair of the Department of Organization and Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Gooden talks about the barriers that exist in our ability in education to retain strong teac…

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Not Just Teachers 44:05

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Today we connect with Micaela DeSimone, who works in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Boston University. Micaela shares with us her experience as an educator and the impact burnout had on her. Her story is powerful, shedding light on the experience of so many in education. Micaela highlights steps needed to begin repairing the relationship betwe…

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Unlearning to Learn 45:43

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Welcome back to Education Suspended! Today we kick off Season 4 with a wonderful interview with Joe Mailander of the Okee Dokee Brothers. The Okee Dokee Brothers’ music focuses on community and harmony; we explore the importance of those two elements in our schools. Joe highlights the need for exploration, curiosity, and slowness in education. He r…

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Windmills 43:32

2+ y ago43:32

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In this episode we sit down and talk with Dr. Jackie Joseph-Buzek and Lorin Terrell, M.Ed. They share with us their experiences as being parents of neurodiverse students. Jackie and Lorin highlight the joys and struggles that come with navigating the school systems that surround their children. They also talk with us about how those experiences hav…

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Moving Towards Movement 44:54

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In today’s episode we have a great conversation with Tracey DeMaria. Tracey helps define sensory integration and regulation, words that are being used more mainstream in education these days. She talks about the need for our system to become more developmentally respectful in regard to the self-regulation expectations we set on students, and remind…

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The Empathic Connection 42:46

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In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Dr. Jon Conte. Jon shares his expertise on the impacts of trauma as it pertains to “trauma-informed” and what a truly trauma-informed environment means for those in education. He shares with us that the power of the empathic connection is so strong for students in schools, yet can also create the vuln…

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The Land of Transformation 54:28

2+ y ago54:28

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In today’s episode we connect with Zaretta Hammond. She shares her story of true lived learning partnerships and why they are so important in the educational setting. Zaretta stands shoulder to shoulder with teachers and students to build their capacity to engage in the productive struggle. She highlights why the focus needs increasing our students…

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Reflective Dissociation 30:35

2+ y ago30:35

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Join us as we spend time reflecting on some of our big takeaways from the previous four episodes. Intro song: Poet's Row, Young Bones

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Harnessing Student Strengths 42:15

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In this episode we sit down and connect with Dr. Monica McHale-Small. Monica shares with us her experience as a Superintendent and how that has impacted her lens on the larger educational system. She highlights the importance of supporting the whole child; especially when thinking about students with specific learning disabilities. Monica also talk…

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Fail Forward 42:43

2+ y ago42:43

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In this episode we are joined by Chris Barfield. Chris is such a great story teller and shares with us how using sports helps the students he and his team work with at their school. He highlights the importance of dosing the stress appropriately to match the developmental level of the students; knowing students show up in different places. Chris al…

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More Than Just Free Lunch 44:04

2+ y ago44:04

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In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Tu David Phu. Chef Tu shares his personal story about why understanding the connection between schools and food matters. When you have consistent access to food that provides nourishment it’s easy to minimize just how important it is for learning. Chef Tu reminds us that the playing field is not equal…

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A Banner Year 47:00

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Welcome to season three of Education Suspended! We kick off the season with Justin Toomer. Justin dives into the role curriculum should play in opening doors and uncovering new content. He highlights the reality that the better school experience students have, the more likely they are to consider becoming educators. And, Justin reminds us to use da…

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Why Do We Educate? 39:03

2+ y ago39:03

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In our last episode of Season Two we connect with William Tucker, who challenges all of us to stop, and ask ourselves, why do we educate? William focuses on shifting our archaic system away from memorization and aims to provide students an educational system that promotes understanding. He specifically specializes in literacy and shares why equippi…

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Windows and Mirrors 38:06

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In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Malika Ali, the Chief Innovation Officer at the Highlander Institute. Malika’s transgenerational story is rooted in the pursuit of education, and she shares with us how the passion of past generations drives her own desire to empower students. She connects that curriculums need to provide both, window…

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Reflective Dissociation 27:46

2+ y ago27:46

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Join us as we spend time reflecting on some of our big takeaways from the previous four episodes. Intro song: Poet's Row, Young Bones

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A United Front 36:04

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In this episode we sit down and dialog with Tiffani Lennon, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida. Tiffani highlights how important it is to stand together to change systems and fight for equality. She also shares the impact that living in areas that do not emulate belonging and safety have on our students. …

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Lessons From Oma 22:58

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In today’s episode we connect with my favorite guest, ever. My mom. (Yes, I’m biased). Oma, began teaching in 1958 and she sits down with us and shares some of her biggest lessons learned as an educator. She talks about the importance of having a holistic lens and reflects on how she leaned into her teaching community for creativity and inspiration…

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Flying Pigs 35:10

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In this episode we have an amazing conversation with Barak Ben-Amots, the Educational Director at Flying Pig Farm. Barak highlights the importance of helping our students and educators reconnect with the land in an attempt to help them reconnect with themselves. He shares some phenomenal examples of how getting students outside promotes learning an…

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Healing and Justice Through Sport 37:46

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Today we connect with our friend Megan Bartlett, who is truly trying to change the game for our student athletes. Megan highlights why sports are so important and the power that comes when our students are given the opportunity to play. Sports can bring a strong sense of belonging and promote regulation and learning in so many ways. Megan also emph…

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Reflective Dissociation 29:21

3y ago29:21

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Join us as we spend time reflecting on some of our big takeaways from the previous four episodes. Intro song: Poet's Row, Young Bones

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The solution is in the circle 36:33

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In today’s episode we have a great conversation with Alicia García, the Founder of Circle Corps. Alicia talks openly about the collective healing that needs to take place systemically for our adults in education and encourages all of us to disrupt the patterns that continue to exist. As a restorative justice practitioner, she highlights how utilizi…

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Changing the System from Outside the Box 39:36

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Today we connect with Jase Williams, the Principal of Henry Hill School in New Zealand. Jase begins the episode by honoring his Māori culture and acknowledging his ancestors that are a part of him and his journey. He highlights four specific things he did to change his classrooms and school and says that for us to change this archaic system of educ…

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The Paper Plate Award 36:42

3y ago36:42

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In today’s episode we connect with Jen Jackson, the Principal at AUL Denver. Jen brings so much insightfulness to our discussion and provides concrete examples of what it looks like to change the system to support our teachers. She reminds us how important joy is for learning and why we must have a deep well of grace to be successful. Jen also chal…

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You are the Strategy 31:58

3y ago31:58

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In today’s episode we sit down and connect with Stephanie Brown. She sets us up with great takeaways as we move into a new school year. Stephanie talks about why focusing on teachers matters and how that in turn impacts our students. As a counselor, turned principal, turned district leader, she comes from a strong relational lens, and uses strategi…

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Going North 40:26

3y ago40:26

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Today we sit down with Jack Ludlam, an amazing photographer who shares his story with us. Jack’s experience as a student is one that is so familiar for so many students, they want to go North when the system is trying to push them in a different direction. He reminds us that imagery is part of learning, we’ve been using it for millenia to show our …

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Creating Good Trouble 33:57

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We are back!! In today’s episode we sit down with Pi'ikea Kalakau-Baarde, who is the Program Manager for a community facing, grant funded program focusing on getting public school students in Hawai’i college and community ready. At the time of the interview she was a non-classroom inclusive practices resource teacher who served schools along O'ahu'…

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Rise Above 41:14

3+ y ago41:14

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In today’s episode we sit down with Jaci McCormack, the Chief Executive Officer of Rise Above. Jaci shares with us her own personal story as a student and how it inspired her to create a non-profit that gives Native youth the opportunity to write their own futures. She identifies that it’s so hard to teach students when we don’t know where they com…

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The "Mental Health" Work of Teachers 44:49

3+ y ago44:49

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In this episode we connect with Rachel Parker, an Assistant Principal from Colorado. She dives into the vulnerabilities that exist for students and teachers by working within a system that has siloed the SEL and academic world. Rachel reminds us that the inequity that exists in education is trauma, and so many families have been without a voice for…

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Reflective Dissociation 20:27

3+ y ago20:27

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Join us as we spend time reflecting on some of our big takeaways from the previous four episodes. Intro Song: Poet's Row, Young Bones

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The Future of Smart 48:33

3+ y ago48:33

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In this episode we connect with Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen. Ulcca reminds us that if we want to look forward and change this system, we must start by first looking back and understanding how we got here. She shares her knowledge about the history of our educational system and we explore how that history has left so many students with the belief that th…

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The Power of Inclusion 38:59

3+ y ago38:59

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In today’s episode we connect with Carrie Mueller, the State Director for Best Buddies Iowa, as well as Gavin and Natasha, a Best Buddies pair. Carrie highlights why inclusion matters in schools and reminds us that everyone needs a friend. Gavin and Natasha share how Best Buddies has changed their lives and how focusing on fostering relationships h…

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Developing Appropriate Expectations 41:45

3+ y ago41:45

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In today’s episode we sit down with Dr. Stuart Ablon. Dr. Ablon highlights the importance of empathy when trying to understand where behaviors are coming from. When the system is exhausted and stressed, a vulnerability exists to shift into highly punitive and compliant based consequences. Dr. Ablon teaches us that the issue many of us are facing wi…

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Student Voices 35:02

3+ y ago35:02

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Welcome to Season 2 of Education Suspended! In our first episode of the new season we sit down and talk with the students of AUL Denver. They share their experiences and stories as students and highlight how important a personalized approach is to education. The students address what they would change about our educational system to make it truly e…