Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning is the podcast for globally-minded educators seeking thoughtful conversations about how education can adapt to an ever-changing world. Your host is Seth Fleischauer, former classroom teacher turned founder of an international learning company specializing in the teaching of global learning. Each episode features educational changemakers whose insights lead to practical solutions as we explore the interconnectedness of people, cultures, and system ...
…
continue reading
The Why Distance Learning? Podcast explores the transformative power of live virtual learning and its role in shaping the future of education. Hosted by three seasoned distance learning experts, this podcast delivers insights, promising practices, and inspiration for educators, content providers, and education leaders integrating live virtual experiences into teaching and learning. Each episode features interviews with content creators, industry professionals, field experts, and innovative e ...
…
continue reading
EduTechGuys is a high-intensity rollercoaster ride of super fun which takes mortal form in the two distinct entities which are David Henderson and Jeff Madlock. Crafted in the fires of Mt. Wannahockaluggie, these two self-proclaimed high priests of edtech first started navigating the world of educational technology on the web through a podcast, over a ravine in a rainstorm in 2015 (Sharkbait, ooh ha ha). Since then the two have traveled the nation bringing their joy for silly puns and more i ...
…
continue reading

1
#63 What If Middle School Didn’t Suck? Rethinking Adolescence with Chris Balme
33:02
33:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:02In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Chris Balme, educator, author, and founder of Hakuba International School and Millennium School, to explore how middle school can be redesigned to better support adolescent development. They discuss how current structures often fail kids during this crucial time—and how identity, social …
…
continue reading

1
#56 How We Got Here: Three Stories That Fuel This Podcast
48:43
48:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:43In this special episode of Why Distance Learning, the hosts become the guests. Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring step out from behind the mic to share their personal journeys into distance learning, their current work in the field, and why this podcast exists. From museum basements to prairie dresses to viral Mets fandom, this e…
…
continue reading

1
#62 Peer-Based Mental Health with Dr. Hayley Watson
43:06
43:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:06In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Dr. Hayley Watson, clinical psychologist and founder of Open Parachute, to explore how schools can meaningfully address student mental health without overburdening teachers. They unpack the developmental science behind peer-based mental health education and discuss how a preventative, sk…
…
continue reading

1
#55 Distance Learning as a Lifeline for Ukrainian Students with Yuliya Kosko
37:03
37:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:03In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Yuliya Kosko, founder of Svitlo Education, to explore how live virtual learning becomes a lifeline in the darkest of times. They discuss the founding of Svitlo School during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how distance learning has supported …
…
continue reading

1
#61 Why Most PLCs Don’t Work—and How to Fix Them with Steve Ventura
33:45
33:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:45In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Steve Ventura, educator, author, and founder of the Achievement Teams model. They explore how reflective teaching, collective efficacy, and purposeful collaboration can transform both teacher culture and student outcomes. Ventura shares why traditional PLCs often fall short—and how his f…
…
continue reading

1
#54 Online Education That Outperforms Traditional Schools—Here’s How with Heather Rhodes
38:14
38:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:14This is a special crosspost episode of host Seth Fleischauer's other podcast, Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning. In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, host Seth Fleischauer welcomes Heather Rhodes, founder of Highgrove Education and former leader of Harrow School Online. Together, they explore how international online schools can f…
…
continue reading

1
#60 Why This Online Model Outperforms Traditional Education with Highgrove's Heather Rhodes
35:29
35:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:29Many educators assume online education is inherently inferior to in-person learning—especially when it comes to student agency, academic rigor, and building a real sense of community. Teachers worry students will fall behind, become socially isolated, or struggle to self-motivate in virtual settings. Heather Rhodes, founder of Highgrove Education a…
…
continue reading

1
#53 Online School for Neurodivergent Kids: Insights from Gaia Learning with Kate Longworth
38:01
38:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:01Traditional classrooms can be overwhelming for neurodivergent students. Rigid schedules, sensory overload, and one-size-fits-all approaches leave many feeling anxious, disconnected, and unable to thrive. Parents often ask: Is online education a viable alternative? In this episode, we sit down with Kate Longworth, CEO and founder of Gaia Learning, a…
…
continue reading

1
#59 How to Have Enough Time for What Matters with Miles Madison
43:48
43:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:48In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Miles Madison, an expert in literacy, SEL, and character education, to tackle a universal teacher struggle: the feeling of never having enough time. Pain Point: Teachers everywhere say, “There’s just not enough time.” But what if the issue isn’t time itself, but how it’s structured, prio…
…
continue reading

1
#52 Can You Really Learn Music Online? Debunking the Myths of Virtual Music Education with Caleb Smith
31:45
31:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:45🎵 Can Music Be Taught Effectively Online? Exploring Distance Learning in the Arts Pain Point: Many believe that subjects like music require in-person instruction to be truly effective. Can students really learn to play an instrument, develop musicality, and experience meaningful arts education online? Solution: In this episode, Why Distance Learnin…
…
continue reading

1
#58 You Don’t Have to Love AI—But You Do Need to Engage With It - Special Crosspost Episode with AI Portland
45:31
45:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:31Bridging AI & Education: Insights from a Live Panel Discussion This week on Make It Mindful, we’re bringing you a special crossover episode with AI Portland, diving into one of the most pressing conversations in education today: How should AI be integrated into teaching and learning? At a packed AI Portland event, host Seth Fleischauer moderated a …
…
continue reading

1
#57 Turning Global Learning into Global Impact with Jennifer Williams (Special Crosspost Episode of Why Distance Learning? Podcast)
42:26
42:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:26🎙 SPECIAL EPISODE! This week, we’re crossposting a must-hear episode from Why Distance Learning?, featuring a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Williams, a global leader in educational technology, climate action, and social impact. Virtual learning has the power to connect classrooms across continents—but how do we ensure these connections lead to mea…
…
continue reading

1
#51 From Stopgap to Standard: The Rise of Virtual Learning with DLAC's John Watson
46:05
46:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:05Is distance learning just a pandemic-era stopgap, or does it have lasting potential in education? Virtual learning skeptics often assume that online education was a temporary fix—an emergency response rather than a viable long-term model. Many educators and policymakers still equate today’s online learning with the chaotic transition of 2020, faili…
…
continue reading

1
#56 Wide Walls, Not Narrow Hallways: How to Build Agency in a World of AI with Eric Hudson
31:00
31:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:00AI is reshaping education—but how do we ensure it enhances learning without eroding foundational skills, student agency, or global competence? Pain Points: • “How do we balance AI-assisted learning with essential human skills?” • “What’s the role of teachers in an AI-driven future?” • “How do we ensure AI is a tool for agency, not a crutch?” 🔥 Our …
…
continue reading

1
#55 The Secrets to Creating Authentic Global Connections Online with Shared Studios' Virtual Portals (Special Crosspost of Why Distance Learning? Podcast)
47:11
47:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:11🎙 SPECIAL EPISODE! This week, we’re crossposting a must-hear episode from Why Distance Learning? where we explore how immersive global connections can transform education. Virtual learning can open the world to students—but how do we ensure these experiences feel real, engaging, and deeply impactful? 👉 Today’s Big Question: Can Virtual Learning Bui…
…
continue reading

1
#50 Virtual Students Feel Disconnected? Fix It with These Strategies from Dr. Breauna Wall
37:56
37:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:56🚨 “Distance learning isn’t the problem—bad implementation is.” 🚨 Too many virtual students feel disconnected and unseen, struggling in a system that wasn’t designed with them in mind. Educators want to create engaging, inclusive online spaces—but without the right tools, distance learning can feel like a barrier rather than a bridge. 🎧 In this epis…
…
continue reading

1
#54 Why Most AI-Powered Teaching Misses the Mark (and How to Do It Right) with Vriti Saraf
40:29
40:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:29🚨 “AI won’t replace teachers, but it will change what great teaching looks like.” 🚨 Educators are being pushed to adopt AI—but is it actually making teaching better? Too often, AI in education is used for efficiency rather than transformation, leaving teachers feeling like they’re just automating tasks instead of improving learning. 🎧 In this episo…
…
continue reading

1
#53 Building Cultural Competence with Gen Alpha Digital Nomads (with Noam Gerstein - Special Crosspost of Why Distance Learning? Podcast)
45:27
45:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:27SPECIAL EPISODE! In this episode of Make It Mindful, we are crossposting a stellar episode from host Seth Fleischauer's other podcast, Why Distance Learning? In this episode, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Noam Gerstein, CEO of the Bina School and a leading expert in precision education. Noam shares her journey …
…
continue reading

1
#49 From Isolation to Connection: The Key to Virtual School Success with Alicia Hughes
36:52
36:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:52🚨 “We don’t care about grades or completion right now. We want every student to feel a connection.” 🚨 Too many virtual schools struggle with student disengagement, teacher burnout, and the overwhelming challenge of building culture in an online environment. Leaders and educators are left wondering—Can we really create a strong, connected school com…
…
continue reading

1
#52 Cyberpsychology: Bringing Mindfulness to Digital Life with Michael Davis
35:34
35:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:34In this episode of Make It Mindful: Insights for Global Learning, host Seth Fleischauer welcomes Michael Davis, founder of Mindful Bytes and Merek Security Solutions, to explore how mindfulness and cybersecurity intersect in education. They dive into the transformative potential of teaching digital citizenship through mindfulness practices to young…
…
continue reading

1
#48 Why Distance Learning Works for Environmental Education with Kasey Galylord-Opalewski
42:13
42:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:13In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome environmental science educator and distance learning pioneer, Kasey Gaylord-Opalewski, to explore the intersection of marine science, education, and the transformative potential of live virtual learning. Kasey shares her journey from North …
…
continue reading

1
#51 Learnership: How Mindsets and Habits Drive Student Success with James Anderson
45:49
45:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:49In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes James Anderson, author of Learnership, to explore how educators can cultivate a mindset of continuous growth in students. Anderson introduces the concept of learnership, a framework that emphasizes teaching students how to learn, not just what to learn. The episode unpacks strategies to …
…
continue reading

1
#47 Virtual School for Gen Alpha Digital Nomads with Noam Gerstein
40:38
40:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:38In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Noam Gerstein, CEO of the Bina School and a leading expert in precision education. Noam shares her journey of creating a global, digitally native school that reimagines how education serves young learners, blending emotional connection, cu…
…
continue reading

1
#50 Executive Functioning (Part 2) with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan
43:08
43:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:08In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer welcomes Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, a speech pathologist and educational consultant, to delve into supporting executive functioning in students who require Tier 2 and 3 interventions. Building on the previous conversation with Mitch Weathers in episode #49, this episode explores how executive …
…
continue reading

1
#46 Making Music Education Fun, Accessible, and Personalized with Patrick Boylan
39:26
39:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:26In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Patrick Boylan, co-founder of Museflow, a groundbreaking music education platform described as the "Duolingo of music education." Patrick shares his journey of rethinking traditional music lessons, combining gamification, flow state learnin…
…
continue reading

1
#49 Executive Functioning (Part 1) with Mitch Weathers of Organized Binder
50:31
50:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:31In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer kicks off the first in a two-part series on executive functioning by welcoming Mitch Weathers, founder of Organized Binder and author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom. They explore how routines, modeling, and accountability can help students develop critical executive functioning skills…
…
continue reading

1
#45 Student Engagement and Other Best Practices with DL Veteran Liz Huson of Erie 2 BOCES
42:10
42:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:10In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Liz Huson, Distance Learning Specialist at Erie 2 BOCES, for a dynamic discussion on the transformative power of virtual education. Liz shares how her passion for student engagement, differentiated instruction, and equity informs her role i…
…
continue reading
Gobble, gobble and all that gravy! On this episode, the guys catch back up after a brief departure and chat about, well, everything! It’s a Thanksgiving extravaganza of talk and laughs. 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 achie…
…
continue reading

1
#48 Building Resilience with Dr. Jordan B. Smith Jr.
44:37
44:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:37In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Dr. Jordan Smith, a retired Marine Corps Major, secondary math teacher, and author. They explore fostering resilience, addressing the belief gap in education, and creating personal connections to empower students. Dr. Smith shares strategies for engaging students through culturally respo…
…
continue reading

1
#44 The Science of Learning: How Fit Learning Drives Student Success with Kimberly Berens
55:50
55:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:50In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring are joined by Dr. Kimberly Berens, founder of Fit Learning and CEO of Fit Learning Online, to discuss the critical role of behavior science in education. Dr. Berens shares her journey from establishing Fit Learning in a small closet to growing it …
…
continue reading

1
#47 The AI Social Worker: Marina Badillo-Diaz
34:46
34:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:46In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer sits down with Marina Badillo-Diaz, known as the "AI Social Worker," to discuss how artificial intelligence can support social work within schools. They explore the ethical concerns and transformative potential of AI tools in enhancing efficiency for social workers and educators alike, especially…
…
continue reading

1
#43 Earwigs Are Very Good Mothers and the De-Ickification of Invertebrates with the Butterfly Pavilion's Jillian Luciow
33:14
33:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:14In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Jillian Luciow from the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver (Jillian from the Pavilion!). They explore how live virtual learning programs bring invertebrates like butterflies, tarantulas, and crabs into classrooms through engaging, curriculum-alig…
…
continue reading

1
If We Could Turn Back Time - Past Episode with Jenny Buccos & Kari Byron
38:33
38:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:33The guys take a breather and intro a wonderful past episode with Jenny Buccos and Kari Byron talking about the National Stem Festival and EXPLR Media. 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. sc…
…
continue reading

1
#46 How the Pandemic Changed Students' Brains with Nancy Weinstein
33:29
33:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:29In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Nancy Weinstein, founder of MindPrint Learning, to explore how cognitive science can transform education. They discuss how MindPrint’s unique cognitive assessments help schools understand students' learning profiles and adapt instruction to fit each student's strengths and weaknesses. Na…
…
continue reading
On today’s show, the guys discuss the challenges of math anxiety with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, founder of Elephant Learning. Dr. Nagrath explains that his company uses AI to help students overcome math anxiety by providing personalized learning paths and coaching. He emphasizes the importance of meeting students at their level of understanding and build…
…
continue reading

1
#42 Exploring WWII History in Real Time with Maddie Roach
30:37
30:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:37In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Maddie Roach, the Distance Learning Specialist at the National World War II Museum. Maddie shares her experiences building engaging virtual programs that connect learners to history in unique ways, discusses how the museum adapted post-Katr…
…
continue reading

1
#45 Metacognition: the First Step to Lifelong Learning with Kayla Morehead and Emily Murphy
39:51
39:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:51In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes two experts in metacognition: Kayla Morehead, a researcher at Denver Public Schools, and Emily Murphy, the Senior Professional Development Lead at Nord Anglia Education. Together, they discuss the role of metacognition in education and how it can empower both students and educators to ta…
…
continue reading

1
Seth Fleischauer - Banyan Global Learning
54:31
54:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:31On today’s episode, the guys chat with Seth Fleischauer, founder and president of Banyan Global Learning, discussing the evolution of his company, which started 16 years ago providing live video teaching in cultural and digital competencies. Initially focused on Asia, Banyan expanded to the US five years ago, emphasizing global citizenship and soci…
…
continue reading

1
Jessica Hull - Roseville City School District
44:33
44:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:33On today’s episode the guys talk with Jessica Hull, the Executive Director of Communication and Community Engagement for Roseville City School District. After the pandemic, the spike in chronic absenteeism is something that Roseville City School District, located in the Sacramento metropolitan area, has found success in addressing through positive …
…
continue reading

1
#41 BOLD Moves: How Virtual Schools Are Redefining Education in Florida with Mandy Perry
37:46
37:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:46In this episode of the Why Distance Learning? Podcast, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Mandy Perry, a virtual school principal and president of the Blended and Online Learning Discovery (BOLD) of Florida Executive Board. Mandy shares her journey in virtual education, her leadership role in BOLD, and how virtual s…
…
continue reading

1
#44 Leveraging Literature to Teach Cultural Competence with Sheetal Sheth
36:37
36:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:37In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer sits down with author, actress, and producer Sheetal Sheth. They explore the impact of Sheth's children's books, including her Anjali series and Raashi's Rakhis, and discuss how her stories highlight cultural competence and representation for young readers. Key Topics Discussed: Sheth’s jour…
…
continue reading
On this episode, the guys chat with Jon Gillham, Founder and CEO of Originality.ai, discussing the evolution of AI detection in content creation. Jon highlights the challenges of AI-generated content, particularly in publishing and academia, where tools like ChatGPT have become prevalent. Gillham emphasized the importance of detecting AI to maintai…
…
continue reading

1
#40 Podcasting Is Distance Learning with the EdSurge Podcast's Jeff Young
41:01
41:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:01In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Jeff Young, editor, reporter, and host of the EdSurge podcast, to discuss the intersection of technology, education, and podcasting. Jeff shares his experiences covering education for over 20 years and reflects on how podcasting has emerged…
…
continue reading
On today’s show the guys have Marcio Sequeira, an architect from Brazil, discussing his educational product, Mola, which simulates the behavior of real buildings and bridges using springs. Mola, which means "spring" in Portuguese, has been developed over 20 years and is used in structural engineering education. The product has been successful, with…
…
continue reading

1
#43 Leveraging Family and Cultural Insights to Enhance Literacy with Judy Paulick
42:34
42:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:34In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer dives into the intersection of literacy, family engagement, and cultural responsiveness with Judy Paulick, Associate Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Virginia. As part of the 2024 National Literacy Month and in partnership with Reading Is Fundamental, Judy shares how to cr…
…
continue reading

1
#39 Civics, Collaboration, and Ms. Opal Lee: A Constitution Day Special
42:35
42:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:35In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome three special guests: Julie Silverbrook from the National Constitution Center, Jocelyn Kho from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, and Andrea (Ang) Reidell from the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics. Together, they discuss an e…
…
continue reading
The guys are BACK! We know it’s been a while, but we are “back in the saddle again!” We figured we better start off our 10th season (10 years, WOW!) with a Back to School episode. A lot has happened in education and especially edtech over the past decade and you know us, we’re gonna talk about it! We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s compre…
…
continue reading

1
#42 Surviving Tech Turbulence with Leigh Anne Scherer
43:09
43:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:09Leigh Anne Scherer, Technology Director at North Clackamas School District, navigated the unprecedented challenges of transitioning to online learning during the pandemic, offering key insights into the role of technology in education. In this episode, Leigh Anne and Seth discuss: The rapid shift to virtual learning in 2020 and the lessons learned …
…
continue reading

1
#38 Global Collaboration for Social Good with Dr. Jennifer Williams of Take Action Global
39:48
39:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:48About today’s guest Dr. Jennifer Williams is the founder of Teach SDGs and co-founder of the nonprofit organization Take Action Global. She is a thought leader in using educational technology to promote global perspectives and social good. As an educator and author of Teach Boldly: Using EdTech for Social Good, Dr. Williams champions the role of te…
…
continue reading

1
#41 Lindy Hockenbary and Tech Integration Done Right
38:11
38:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:11Summary: In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer welcomes Lindy Hockenberry, a seasoned educator and technology integration specialist, to discuss the mindful adoption of technology in education. Lindy shares her journey from teaching in a rural Montana school to becoming a technology consultant, helping schools and educators effe…
…
continue reading