Catalysts for Change

In today's episode of Deep Dives, we're excited to explore an educational program making a significant impact in Boston: the Alexander Twilight Academy. Named after the first African American college graduate in the U.S., this academy is designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds in Boston achieve their full potential. Ross is joined by Annie Weinberg, the founder and school leader of Twilight Academy, and two of her remarkable students, who share the history and impact of Twilight Academy, their personal journeys, and how ATA has supported their academic and leadership growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

**We want to hear from you! Please fill out this quick survey to provide feedback about our podcasts** As we head into a new school year, schools and families across the country are grappling with significant challenges, from teacher shortages to enrollment fluctuations and the integration of new technologies. Today, we're focusing on these key issues by taking a close look at the largest school district in the nation: New York City. In today's episode, Jill and Ross are joined by Dan Weisberg, the First Deputy Chancellor for the NYC Department of Education. Dan plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategies under Chancellor David Banks' leadership, overseeing areas like postsecondary readiness, human resources, policy, and enrollment. With his extensive background in labor policy, talent management, and academic strategy, Dan brings a unique perspective to the pressing issues facing schools today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode, Jill is joined by Dr. Jill Walsh. She is a sociologist and researcher at Boston University, and specializes in the impact of technology and social media on adolescent development. Dr. Walsh is also the founder of Digital Aged, through which she works with schools and families to give them the tools to help young people navigate the online world.  Jill and Dr. Walsh discuss how schools are addressing student relationships with social media and technology and how parents can help students establish healthy relationships with the digital world and set healthy boundaries. If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Walsh's work, check out the resources below. Dr. Jill Walsh's Bio Dr. Jill Walsh's Research Digital Aged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Standardized testing has long been a cornerstone in educational systems, serving as a tool for measuring student achievement and influencing decisions at every level of schooling. Supporters see standardized tests as essential for maintaining accountability and providing clear metrics for comparison across educational landscapes. However, many have called for moving away from standardized tests, with critics arguing that these tests can reinforce inequality, pressure teachers to "teach to the test," and fail to capture the full scope of student potential.  In today's episode, Jill and Ross are joined by two experts to explore this topic. Harry Feder is the Executive Director of Fair Test, a national organization that advocates for fair and equitable testing practices. Harry brings a wealth of experience in challenging the way tests are used and proposing alternatives.  Dr. Martin West is a professor and academic dean at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a board member of the National Assessment Governing Board. Dr. West offers a unique perspective with his extensive research on education policy and his involvement in shaping how assessments are created and implemented.  To learn more about Dr West's research and Harry's work with Fair Test, check out the resources below. Harry Feder Bio Dr. Martin West Bio Fair Test Research on MCAS in Massachusetts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week, Jill and Ross hosted a live podcast recording at the University Club in Boston, MA, with College Uncovered co-hosts Jon Marcus and Kirk Carapezza. Jon is a higher education editor for The Hechinger Report, and Kirk is the managing editor and correspondent for higher education at GBH News. Their podcast, College Uncovered, helps families and students navigate higher education and understand the problems and risks in higher education. In this live recording, Jill and Ross talk to Jon and Kirk about the state of higher education and what families need to know in helping their kids get into college. To listen to College Uncovered and read more of Jon and Kirk's work, check out the resources below. College Uncovered Jon Marcus's Bio Kirk Carapezza's Bio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are over 50,000 teacher vacancies in classrooms across the country, with certain parts of the country seeing large numbers. As the number of individuals enrolled in teacher prep programs has dropped off and more and more teachers are leaving the profession, schools are struggling to keep teachers in the classroom. In today's episode, Jill and Ross dive into the teaching shortage issue and how to keep teachers in the classroom with two experts: Dr. Tequilla Brownie and Dr. Carole Basile. Dr Tequilla Brownie is the CEO of TNTP, a national organization that works with schools and teachers across the country to advance high quality education for all students by ensuring an effective teacher in every classroom. Dr. Carole Basile is the Dean of the Arizona State Mary Lou Fulton Teachers' College. Dr Basile is leading efforts at Arizona State focused on redesigning the education workforce and changing practices in teacher and leadership preparation.  To learn more about Dr. Brownie's work with TNTP and Dr. Basile's work at ASU, check out the resources below. Dr. Tequilla Brownie's Bio Dr. Carole Basile's Bio About ASU Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College About TNTP The Widget Effect: Our National Failure to Acknowledge and Act on Differences in Teacher Effectiveness The Irreplaceables: Understanding The Real Retention Crisis in America's Urban Schools A Broken Pipeline: Teacher Preparation's Diversity Problem One Million Teachers of Color (1MToC) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to the National Center for Bilingual Education, by 2030, over 40% of K-12 students in the US will be native language speakers of a language other than english. As this population continues to grow, education experts say that the needs of these students continue to go unmet, with schools struggling to help students learn English while also facilitating learning in their native language.   In today's episode of “Deep Dives,” Jill and Ross are joined by two experts to explore this topic: Maria Brisk and Angélica Infante-Green. Professor Maria Brisk is a renowned expert in bilingual education and language development. Professor Brisk's research and work have been instrumental in understanding how bilingual students acquire language and how educators can best support a student's learning journey. Angélica Infante-Green is the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of Rhode Island. Commissioner Infante-Green has spent her career supporting English Language Learners by implementing nationally recognized programs and initiatives to support bilingual learning in New York and Rhode Island.  If you'd like to learn more about Professor Brisk and Commissioner Infante-Green's work, check out the resources below: Commissioner Infante-Green's Bio Professor Brisk's Bio Professor Brisk's Research Rhode Island Blueprint for Multilingual Learners' Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's parents and caregivers face the unique challenge of guiding kids through the complexities of social media, trying to ensure a safe and positive experience in the digital landscape. Over the past two decades, social media usage has skyrocketed among kids and teens, and right alongside it, we have seen mental health issues increase at an alarming rate. While legal action against social media companies aims to hold them accountable for their platforms' effects on kids and teens, and research continues to highlight these correlations, there has yet to be a great solution to protect children from the vulnerability they experience on these platforms. It doesn't feel like parents should wait for someone else to solve a problem that exists in so many households across the country. In today's special episode, Jill talks with Dr. Stuart Ablon, award-winning psychologist, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Founder and Director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital. Jill talks to Dr. Ablon about his approach and how it can be used to have a productive conversation with your kids to talk about social media. Your Brain on Social Media is partnering with Dr. Ablon and Think:Kids to provide resources and support on how to have productive conversations with your kids about social media. Visit yourbrainonsocialmedia.org/thinkkids to access these resources and learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are more than 7 million students with disabilities in the United States, representing a variety of needs and abilities. Schools across the country continue to struggle to meet the needs of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment possible, and gaps have only grown over the past decade. In today's episode, Jill and Ross are joined by two leading experts to explore this topic: Valerie Williams and Bill Henderson. Valerie Williams serves as the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education. With an extensive background in policy and advocacy for children with disabilities, Valerie brings a wealth of experience in supporting states and districts across the country to help students with disabilities. Bill Henderson is a former school leader in Boston who led one of the most successful inclusive schools in the country, the O'Hearn School. His work in inclusion is nationally recognized. Valerie and Bill join Jill and Ross to discuss the state of special education across the country and how schools can better support students of all abilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Across the country, public schools are seeing big declines in enrollment, with more than one million fewer students enrolled in public schools over just the past four years and the steepest drops in the highest-need districts. With declining birth rates, increasing alternative school options, and the looming cut-off of federal relief funds all creating a perfect storm for public schools, districts are faced with a choice: stay the course, or adapt to the new reality? In today's episode, Jill and Ross dig into this topic with two leading experts: John Papay and Brian Eschbacher. Professor John Papay, Director of the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, has conducted extensive research on the trends leading to declining enrollment and where students are going. Brian Eschbacher, currently an enrollment consultant for school districts across the country, oversaw enrollment for Denver Public Schools during a period of record growth. John and Brian discuss what's driving this issue and how school districts can pivot in the face of declining enrollment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Massachusetts, there are 9,000 young people in the foster care system, and 50,000 engaged with the Department of Children and Families. These students face a unique set of challenges, and in today's episode, Jill and Ross are joined by the leaders of two organizations at the forefront of helping them succeed. Lauren Baker, Former First Lady of Massachusetts, is the Founder and CEO of the Wonderfund, a nonprofit that supports youth engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Shaheer Mustafa is the President and CEO of Hopewell, the Commonwealth's largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive foster care and wraparound support. Lauren and Shaheer join us to discuss the challenges these students face and how schools and communities can best support their most vulnerable students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chronic absenteeism rates in every state are skyrocketing – continuing a trend that started before the pandemic and leading the White House to double down on efforts to get kids back in school. In Massachusetts alone, 23% of all students were chronically absent last year – meaning they missed more than 10% of school days – with rates among high schoolers as high as 30%. There are many factors that have led to this increase, from disengagement with content, to new responsibilities at home, to a pandemic-era shift in perceptions of in-person education. Because school attendance is a key predictor of student performance, this rise in chronic absenteeism has led to a decline in test scores nationwide, bringing increased urgency to the issue. Today, in the second episode of “Deep Dives,” Jill and Ross dive into this topic with two leaders at the forefront of understanding and addressing it: Tim Daly and Alison Hramiec. Tim Daly is the CEO of EdNavigator, a national organization that empowers families to access high-quality education. Tim recently authored a brilliant three-part series on what's behind the rise in absenteeism and how to address it. Alison Hramiec is the Head of School at the Boston Day and Evening Academy, which supports chronically absent students across Boston and helps them re-engage through competency-based learning, mentorship, and support. We discuss the driving forces behind rising absenteeism, the trends in Boston and around the country, and how school leaders and policymakers can help get kids back in school. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

School districts across the country are facing similar challenges, and “Deep Dives” aims to unpack why things are the way they are and what it will take to create change. In each episode, Jill Shah and Ross Wilson bring together national experts for a roundtable discussion about a key issue in our schools - diving deep into root causes and innovative solutions. Today, in the first episode of “Deep Dives,” Jill and Ross are joined by John Deasy, President of the Bezos Family Foundation and a former superintendent of several large school districts - including Los Angeles and Prince George's County. John has spent four decades as an educator, school leader, superintendent, and education policy expert, and we talk with John about the current state of public education, the biggest issues facing school districts, and what it will take to reimagine the status quo and improve public schools nationwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Deep Dives,” a new ongoing podcast series from the Shah Family Foundation, explores the biggest issues impacting America's schools, bringing together local and national experts to discuss why things are the way they are and what it takes to create change. Listen to the first episode in your podcast feed on Thursday, October 26. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every decision we make is guided by incentives. From financial incentives to social and political incentives – how we are rewarded shapes how we behave and the choices we make. Have you ever thought about why you do what you do, or why decisions get made a certain way? We're digging into these questions in this special three-part podcast series that we're calling, “What Drives Us?” In the first two episodes of this series, we spoke with academics and education advocates to explore how incentives in education and government impact the lives of kids and the adults who serve them - from educators and health care providers, to social workers, to guidance counselors and coaches. Today, in the final episode of this special series, Jill is joined by Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation and former White House Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, to talk about Valerie's extraordinary career and how government leaders can use incentives to drive change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every decision we make is guided by incentives. From financial incentives to social and political incentives – how we are rewarded shapes how we behave and the choices we make. Have you ever thought about why you do what you do, or why decisions get made a certain way? We're digging into these questions in this special three-part podcast series that we're calling, “What Drives Us?” In this series, we explore how incentives in education and government impact the lives of kids and the adults who serve them - from educators and health care providers, to social workers, to guidance counselors and coaches. We speak with academics and industry leaders to understand how incentives work and the barriers they often pose to reform and innovation in these fields. In the first episode, Jill was joined by Professor Uri Gneezy, Epstein/Atkinson Chair in Management Leadership at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and author of “Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work.” Today, in the second episode of this special series, Jill is joined again by Michael Horn and Jeff Selingo, education advocates and hosts of the “Future U” podcast, to talk about how incentives are structured in education and how we can change those incentives to better prepare students for the workforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began, the city of Chelsea, Massachusetts faced record economic and food insecurity, with thousands of residents lining up at city-run food distribution centers. To meet the need, the Shah Family Foundation joined city leaders in a simple idea: give people cash and let them spend it however they want. The initiative, known as Chelsea Eats, became the largest Guaranteed Income program in the country, and the results demonstrate what happens when public policy programs are centered on trusting and empowering those they serve. Recently, Jill had the opportunity to speak with Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung about Chelsea Eats on her new podcast, “Say More.” In this special episode of “Catalysts for Change,” we share their conversation about the Chelsea Eats initiative, covering everything from the project's initial inspiration and conception, to the impact it had on the community, to the award-winning documentary the Shah Family Foundation produced about this work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every decision we make is guided by incentives. From financial incentives to social and political incentives – how we are rewarded shapes how we behave and the choices we make. Have you ever thought about why you do what you do, or why decisions get made a certain way? We're digging into these questions in this special three-part podcast series that we're calling, “What Drives Us?” Over the next few weeks, we'll explore how incentives in education and government impact the lives of kids and the adults who serve them - from educators and health care providers, to social workers, to guidance counselors and coaches. We'll be speaking with academics and industry leaders to understand how incentives work and the barriers they often pose to reform and innovation in these fields. Today, in the first episode of this three-part special series, Jill is joined by Professor Uri Gneezy, Epstein/Atkinson Chair in Management Leadership at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and author of “Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work,” to talk about what incentives are, how they work, and how to recognize and understand their impact on every aspect of our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year, the CDC's annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey offered a grim outlook for the wellbeing of young people. Over the last two months, we've brought together experts, advocates, and school leaders to better understand the impact of social media on teen mental health in this special five-part podcast series that we're calling, “Can Teens Survive the Digital World?” In our last episode, we were joined by Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. Today, in the fifth and final episode of this series, Jill is joined by Richard Louv, bestselling author and speaker, to talk about the role of the great outdoors in healthy development and why spending more time outside is key to our physical and mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year, the CDC's annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey offered a grim outlook for the wellbeing of young people. Over the next few weeks, we're bringing together experts, advocates, and school leaders to better understand the impact of social media on teen mental health in this special five-part podcast series that we're calling, “Can Teens Survive the Digital World?” In our last episode, we spoke with clinical psychologist Dr. Jaqueline Nesi about parenting in the social media age. Today, in the fourth episode of this series, Jill is joined by Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper, along with Chief of Student Support Jillian Kelton, to talk about how social media impacts kids in and out of school. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year, the CDC's annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey offered a grim outlook for the wellbeing of young people. Over the next few weeks, we're bringing together experts, advocates, and school leaders to better understand the impact of social media on mental health, discuss how best to support young people in the social media age, and explore the role of regulations and restrictions in this special podcast series that we're calling, “Can Teens Survive the Digital World?” In our last episode, we spoke with Dr. Jill Walsh, professor of sociology at Boston University, about how teens are navigating their physical and digital worlds. Today, in the third episode of this special series, Jill is joined by Dr. Jacqueline Nesi, clinical psychologist, Assistant Professor at Brown University, and founder of Tech Without Stress, to discuss her research on the effects of social media on teen behavior and to better understand how parents think about their children's use of social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year, the CDC's annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey offered a grim outlook for the wellbeing of young people. Over the next few weeks, we're bringing together experts, advocates, and school leaders to better understand the impact of social media on mental health, discuss how best to support young people in the social media age, and explore the role of regulations and restrictions in this special series, “Catalysts for Change: Can Teens Survive the Digital World?” In our first episode, we spoke with researcher Jonathan Haidt about how the advent of smartphones created a social media-dependent generation. Today, in the second episode of this series, Jill is joined by Dr. Jill Walsh, professor of Sociology at Boston University, whose research is focused on the digital space and its impact on adolescent development. Dr. Walsh is also the founder of Digital Aged, through which she works with parents and counselors to give them the tools to help young people navigate the online world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year, the CDC's annual Youth Risk Behavior Survey offered a grim outlook for the wellbeing of young people. 42% of young people experienced persistent feelings of hopelessness or sadness, and nearly 25% had suicidal thoughts. As these trends have grown over the past decade, many point to the impact of social media, with numerous studies showing a correlation between social media and bullying, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Over the next few weeks, we're bringing together experts, advocates, along with political and school leaders to better understand the impact of social media on mental health, discuss how best to support young people in the social media age, and explore the role of regulations and restrictions in this special series of “Catalysts for Change" we're calling, "Can Teens Survive the Digital World?" In this first episode, Jill is joined by Jonathan Haidt, professor at NYU's Stern School of Business and one of the most acclaimed social psychologists in the U.S. Jonathan's research on the impact of social media on teenagers is helping inform policymakers across the country, and he joins to discuss his findings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode of “Catalysts for Change,” Jill is joined by Dr. David Hamilton, researcher and author of a number of books on healing, including “How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body” and “Why Woo Woo Works.” Dr. Hamilton's research was originally inspired by his early work in the pharmaceutical industry, where he was an organic chemist working on heart disease and cancer drugs. He was mesmerized by the placebo effect that occurred during drug trials, and after a few years he decided to switch gears and focus his research on how and why a placebo has the power to heal. His research has delivered answers tied to our neurons, neural transmitters, and neural pathways - effectively our internal pharmacy. Dr. Hamilton has since spent his career sharing research on tools that we can all use to help our bodies get and stay well.  If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Hamilton's work, check out the links below. Dr. David Hamilton's Website Dr. David Hamilton's Twitter Dr. David Hamilton's Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode of “Catalysts for Change,” Jill is joined by Dr. Mark Hyman to talk about his new book, “Young Forever.” Dr. Hyman is a functional medicine doctor, a prolific writer on health and wellness, and a vocal advocate for changes in our food system. He is the founder of “Food Fix Campaign,” an organization working hard in Washington, D.C. to help shape policies that are pro-wellness for ourselves and our environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In March 2020, students across the country shifted to an unprecedented learning model as they logged onto their computers to attend classes on Zoom, forcing educators to quickly rethink how to effectively teach students in this new paradigm. As our education institutions worked to shift their models, the longstanding flaws and inequities in our system were put on full display. Now, more than two years later, we're working to fully understand the impacts of this disruption to student learning. What has happened to our students over the past two years? What have we learned from this experience? And what changes are necessary in order to prepare today's students to succeed in this fast-changing world? Over the past few weeks, we have spoken with researchers and change agents who are working to rethink our education system and provide better opportunities and outcomes for all students in a special series called, “Catalysts for Change: What Is World Class Education?” In the previous two episodes, Jill was joined by Professor Tom Kane and Sal Khan. In this series finale, Jill is joined by prominent education advocates and hosts of the “Future U” podcast, Michael Horn and Jeff Selingo, to discuss the future of not only colleges and universities, but of the K-12 pipeline that delivers students to their doorstep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In March 2020, students across the country shifted to an unprecedented learning model as they logged onto their computers to attend classes on Zoom, forcing educators to quickly rethink how to effectively teach students in this new paradigm. As our education institutions worked to shift their models, the longstanding flaws and inequities in our system were put on full display. Now, more than two years later, we're grappling to fully understand the impacts of this disruption to student learning. What has happened to our students over the past few years? What have we learned from this experience? And what changes are necessary in order to prepare today's students to succeed in this fast-changing world? Over the next few weeks, we are talking with education advocates, researchers, and change agents working to rethink our education system and provide better opportunities and outcomes for all students in a special series called “Catalysts for Change: What Is World Class Education?” In the first episode, Jill was joined by Harvard Graduate School of Education Professor Tom Kane to discuss pandemic learning loss and recovery. Today, in the second episode of this special series, Jill is joined by Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy and one of the most well-known education innovators in the world, to talk about his groundbreaking work in providing a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In March 2020, students across the country shifted to an unprecedented learning model as they logged onto their computers to attend classes on Zoom, forcing educators to quickly rethink how to effectively teach students in this new paradigm. As our education institutions worked to shift their models, the longstanding flaws and inequities in our system were put on full display. Now, more than two years later, we're grappling to fully understand the impacts of this disruption to student learning. What has happened to our students over the past two years? What have we learned from this experience? And what changes are necessary in order to prepare today's students to succeed in this fast-changing world? Over the next few weeks, we will be talking with education advocates, researchers, and change agents working to rethink our education system and provide better opportunities and outcomes for all students in a special series called “Catalysts for Change: What Is World Class Education?” In this first episode, Jill is joined by Tom Kane, Walter H. Gale Professor of Education and Economics at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Tom was a guest on this podcast as the pandemic was just beginning and we're excited to have him on again, this time to talk about his new research on student learning loss across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 28, for the first time in 50 years, the White House held a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This year's conference comes as millions of families across the country struggle to access high-quality calories. In 2021 alone, 13.5 million households were food insecure, and in June of 2022, more than 24 million Americans reported they sometimes or often did not have enough to eat during the week. Over the past few weeks, we've spoken with food leaders of different types to understand America's relationship with food and the resulting impact on all of us, and particularly our most vulnerable communities, in a special series called “Catalysts for Change: Ingredients for Success.” In the previous two episodes, Jill was joined by U.S. Representative Jim McGovern and author Andy Fisher. In this series finale, Jill is joined by James Beard award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Ming Tsai. We talk about their amazing journeys as chefs, the way that they give back to their communities, as well as the tricks of the trade and their favorite meals and recipes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 28, for the first time in 50 years, the White House held a Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health. This year's conference comes as millions of families across the country struggle to access high-quality calories. In 2021 alone, 13.5 million households were food insecure, and in June of 2022, more than 24 million Americans reported they sometimes or often did not have enough to eat during the week. Over the next few weeks, we'll be speaking with food leaders of different types to understand America's relationship with food and the resulting impact on all of us, and particularly our most vulnerable communities, in a special series called “Catalysts for Change: Ingredients for Success.” In the last episode, Jill was joined by Representative Jim McGovern, who represents District 2 in Massachusetts and serves as Co-Chair of the House Hunger Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. In this second episode, Jill is joined by Andy Fisher, an anti-hunger activist and author of “Big Hunger,” to talk about the food industry, the anti-hunger movement, and the history of food access in the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yesterday, the people of Massachusetts elected Attorney General Maura Healey to be the next governor of Massachusetts. Governor-elect Healey was a guest on this podcast last year, where she talked about her views on health care, racial justice, education, food access, and other key issues. It was an engaging conversation that sheds a lot of light on how she'll approach the job of governor, and so today, direct from the vault, enjoy the re-release of this episode of “Catalysts for Change” featuring Attorney General, and now Governor-elect, Maura Healey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 28, for the first time in 50 years, the White House held a Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health. This year's conference comes as millions of families across the country struggle to access high-quality calories. In 2021 alone, 13.5 million households were food insecure, and in June of 2022, more than 24 million Americans reported they sometimes or often did not have enough to eat during the week. Why do so many families struggle with food insecurity? And, why, in the past 50 years, have we seen such a giant increase in chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer? Over the next few weeks, we'll be speaking with food leaders of different types to understand America's relationship with food and the resulting impact on all of us, and particularly our most vulnerable communities, in a special series called “Catalysts for Change: Ingredients for Success.” In this first episode, Jill is joined by Representative Jim McGovern, who represents District 2 in Massachusetts and serves as Co-Chair of the House Hunger Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, to talk about the recent White House conference and the role of government in solving food access and health issues that have largely stayed the same or worsened since the first conference on food was held in 1969. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of “Catalysts for Change,” Jill is joined by Rahn Dorsey, Chief Impact Officer at the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation and former Chief of Education for the City of Boston under Mayor Marty Walsh. Jill speaks with Rahn about how public and private partners can effectively work together to spark innovation in education and improve student outcomes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jill speaks with Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder and Chairman of Moderna, about the development and growth of novel mRNA technology, the growing role of biotechnology in our lives, and the behind-the-scenes decision-making that made Moderna a household name in the fight against COVID-19. To learn more about Noubar's work and about Moderna, check out the resources below: Noubar Afeyan's Biography Moderna Website Noubar Afeyan's Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boston is an incredible place to live and work – full of innovative leaders, brilliant researchers, institutions at the cutting edge of their fields, and wonderful and effective public and private partners. In many ways, the work that happens here in Boston serves as a model for the rest of the country. This summer, we're speaking with four local leaders in a special podcast series we're calling, “Catalysts for Change: In and Around Boston.” These four leaders share a deep commitment to building a stronger, healthier, and more livable city, and we hope you gain as much from their perspectives and insights as we did. In our fourth and final episode of this special series, Jill is joined by Dr. Robyn Riseberg, founder of Boston Community Pediatrics, which is piloting a new and innovative model for comprehensive medical care for our city's most vulnerable children. Jill talks with Robyn about why she started this practice and what opportunities this model presents for the future of pediatric care in our state and our country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boston is an incredible place to live and work – full of innovative leaders, brilliant researchers, institutions at the cutting edge of their fields, and wonderful and effective public and private partners. In many ways, the work that happens here in Boston serves as a model for the rest of the country. This summer, we're speaking with four local leaders in a special podcast series we're calling, “Catalysts for Change: In and Around Boston.” These four leaders share a deep commitment to building a stronger, healthier, and more livable city, and we hope you gain as much from their perspectives and insights as we did. In our third episode, Jill is joined by Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets, Transportation, and Sanitation for the City of Boston, to talk about how the pandemic impacted transit in Boston, what the Wu administration is doing to improve our outdoor quality-of-life, and how he weighs the tradeoffs between buses, bikes, and cars when reimagining our transportation system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boston is an incredible place to live and work – full of innovative leaders, brilliant researchers, institutions at the cutting edge of their fields, and wonderful and effective public and private partners. In many ways, the work that happens here in Boston serves as a model for the rest of the country. Over the next few weeks, we're speaking with four local leaders in a special podcast series we're calling, “Catalysts for Change: In and Around Boston.” These four leaders share a deep commitment to building a stronger, healthier, and more livable city, and we hope you gain as much from their perspectives and insights as we did. In our second episode, Jill is joined by Robert Lewis, Jr., President & CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, to talk about how his leadership was shaped by his childhood in the Boston Public Schools, the important life lessons learned from team sports, and how the language we use shapes the expectations we set for the next generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we get into the full swing of summer in Boston, we're excited to share a special series of "Catalysts for Change" that we're calling "In and Around Boston." Over the next few weeks, we're speaking with innovative local leaders about what they're doing to make Boston a stronger, healthier, and more livable city. In the first episode of this limited series, Jill speaks with Justin Pasquariello, Executive Director of the East Boston Social Centers, about growing up in Boston, the critical ways in which his organization creates joy for East Boston families, and how his life experiences help inform a more comprehensive approach to social services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jill is joined by Todd Rose, co-founder of the think-tank Populace and author of the new national bestseller, Collective Illusions. Jill speaks with Todd about how to understand what is happening in our country culturally, politically, and civically; how Populace's method of private opinion polling allows for a better understanding of people's true beliefs; how Americans are often closer aligned than it may appear; and how to confront these “collective illusions” in our day-to-day lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing a special episode from the Shah Family Foundation's other podcast, Last Night at School Committee: The City of Boston has a new mayor, and Mayor Wu and her appointed school committee have begun a search for a new Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. Boston has had 6 superintendents in 16 years - three of whom served Interim roles - and all who worked tirelessly on behalf of students, families and staff to improve aspects of BPS.    What type of leader does BPS need now? What are the city's priorities for our public school system? Who can be successful in the role? What can Bostonians do to make the next Superintendent's term impactful and successful?    In this special series of “Last Night at School Committee,” we bring together more than a dozen community leaders, as well as all 6 superintendents from the last 16 years, and ask them to weigh in on these questions.   This first episode features the voices of 14 Boston leaders – teachers, principals, education advocates, nonprofit leaders, union leaders, political leaders, former School Committee members, and others – offering their perspectives on the role of the superintendent, key priorities for Boston Public Schools, and how the community can come together to support our school district and its new leader. Below is a list of all participants in this episode:   Will Austin, Founder and CEO, Boston Schools Fund Edith Bazile, BPS Parent and Grandparent, Former BPS Teacher, Special Education and Literacy Advocate Erik Berg, Vice President, Boston Teachers Union Ernani DeAraujo, Former Boston School Committee Member Fabienne Eliacin, BPS Parent and Former Member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SpEdPAC) Dr. Caren Walker Gregory, Head of School, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers Matt Holzer, Headmaster, Boston Green Academy Suzanne Lee, Former Principal of the Josiah Quincy Elementary School, Co-Chair of the English Language Learner (ELL) Task Force Cole Moran, Teacher, Charlestown High School James Morton, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Boston Alexandra Oliver-Dávila, Former Chair of the Boston School Committee and Executive Director of Sociedad Latina Elizabeth Pauley, Associate Vice President, Education to Career and Health and Wellness, The Boston Foundation Tanisha Sullivan, President, NAACP Boston Dave Sweeney, Former Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh   To learn more about the participants and see a video version of the episode highlighting each speaker, visit BostonSuperintendent.com. And be sure to subscribe to the Last Night at School Committee podcast for the rest of the episodes in this series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, we are still working to fully understand its impacts – from lost lives and livelihoods, to years of learning loss, to a complete rewiring of how we think. And during that time, we've seen the emergence of a new crisis in mental health, with record rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. How will we recover from all of this? How will we build back resilience?  We're diving into these questions with a special four-part series called “Catalysts for Change: How Are You Feeling?” In our last episode, Jill spoke with Kat Boit, student leader at Harvard University and co-president of Active Minds, a nationwide organization aiming to change the conversation about mental health and provide support and awareness for college students across the country. In the last episode of this series, Jill talks with Roz Picard, Director of the Affective Computing Research Group at the MIT Media Lab and founding faculty chair of MIT's Mind+Hand+Heart Initiative, to discuss how artificial intelligence and other technologies can be used as a scalable way to detect and treat mental health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, we are still working to fully understand its impacts – from lost lives and livelihoods, to years of learning loss in schools, to a complete rewiring of how we think about our interactions with others. And during that time, we have seen the emergence of a new crisis in mental health, with record rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. How will we recover from all of this? How will we build back resilience?  We're diving into these questions with a special four-part series called “Catalysts for Change: How Are You Feeling?” In our last episode, Jill spoke with John Crocker, founder and director of the Massachusetts Mental Health Consortium, and Director of School Mental Health & Behavioral Services for Methuen Public Schools. In this episode, Jill speaks with Kat Boit, student leader at Harvard University and co-president of Active Minds, a nationwide organization aiming to change the conversation about mental health and provide support and awareness for college students across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, we are still working to fully understand its impacts – from lost lives and livelihoods, to years of learning loss in schools, to a complete rewiring of how we think about our interactions with others. And during that time, we have seen the emergence of a new crisis in mental health, with record rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. How will we recover from all of this? How will we build back resilience? Over the next few weeks, we'll be diving into these questions with a special four-part series called “Catalysts for Change: How Are You Feeling?” In our first episode, Jill spoke with Dr. Maurizio Fava, Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this episode, Jill speaks with John Crocker, founder and director of the Massachusetts Mental Health Consortium, and Director of School Mental Health & Behavioral Services for Methuen Public Schools, about the ways in which young people are experiencing and coping with mental health right now, and the role of schools in prevention and treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, we are still working to fully understand its impacts – from lost lives and livelihoods, to years of learning loss in schools, to a complete rewiring of how we think about our interactions with others. And during that time, we have seen the emergence of a new crisis in mental health, with record rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. How will we recover from all of this? How will we build back resilience?  Over the next few weeks, we'll be diving into these questions with a special four-part series called, “Catalysts for Change: How Are You Feeling?” In our first episode, Jill speaks with Dr. Maurizio Fava, Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, about the science of mental health and the ways in which our experiences over the past two years have created a “pandemic within a pandemic.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through the American labor market. Millions of Americans lost or left their jobs, and employers are having a harder time than ever recruiting workers. From government officials, to academics, to business leaders and employees, everyone is asking the same questions: Where is our workforce, how has the pandemic impacted the way we work, and what does it mean for the future of work? Over the past few weeks, we've done a deep-dive into these questions with a special three-part series called “Catalysts for Change: The Changing Workforce.” In the third and final episode of this special series, Jill speaks with Corey Thomas, Chairman and CEO of the Boston-based cybersecurity company Rapid7, who discusses how business leaders are adapting to the new normal and what the future of work will bring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through the American labor market. Millions of Americans lost or left their jobs, and employers are having a harder time than ever recruiting workers. From government officials, to academics, to business leaders and employees, everyone is asking the same questions: Where is our workforce, how has the pandemic impacted the way we work, and what does it mean for the future of work? Over the next few weeks, we're diving into these questions with a special three-part series called “Catalysts for Change: The Changing Workforce.” In our second episode, Jill speaks with Dan Schneider, Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and Co-Director of the SHIFT project, which has the largest source of data on service sector workers in the United States. Having collected and studied data on workforce trends since long before the pandemic began, we talk with Dan about how the pandemic – and the government aid that came with it – altered ideas about work, and where we go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through the American labor market. Millions of Americans lost or left their jobs, and employers are having a harder time than ever recruiting workers. From government officials, to academics, to business leaders and employees, everyone is asking the same questions: Where is our workforce, how has the pandemic impacted the way we work, and what does it mean for the future of work? Over the next few weeks, we're diving into these questions with a special three-part series called “Catalysts for Change: The Changing Workforce.” In our first episode, Jill speaks with U.S. Secretary of Labor – and former Boston Mayor – Marty Walsh about how the makeup of the American workforce has changed, what the government is doing to help businesses and employees adapt, and how these changes impact daily life in our hometown of Boston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jill talks with Lisa Kashinsky, POLITICO reporter and author of the Massachusetts Playbook, about the state of politics in Boston, the historic nature of Boston's recent mayoral election, key issues facing Mayor Michelle Wu, and the implications of Governor Charlie Baker's announcement that he will not be seeking reelection. Prior to working at POLITICO, Lisa covered politics, state government and the 2020 presidential election for the Boston Herald. She is also an alum of The Eagle-Tribune, The Patriot Ledger and Wicked Local, and has won several regional awards for her work. Lisa graduated from Boston University with degrees in journalism and psychology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jill talks with David Simas, CEO of the Obama Foundation and former advisor to President Obama, about his upbringing in an immigrant family, his experience working in the White House, what he learned from traveling the country and speaking with Americans in every community, and how the Obama Foundation empowers local leaders from around the globe. A native of Taunton, Massachusetts, David spent his entire career in public service, getting his start as the Bristol County Register of Deeds and then Deputy Chief of Staff for Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. In 2009, David joined the Obama Administration as a Deputy Assistant to the President, working alongside senior advisors David Axelrod and David Plouffe. He then served as Director of Opinion Research for President Obama's re-election campaign, and later, David became Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach. After leaving the White House, David was named CEO of the newly-created Obama Foundation, which is based on the South Side of Chicago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jill speaks with Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education and current Managing Partner of Chicago CRED, about how to build more robust school systems, the impacts of gun violence and mental health on America's youth, and more. Arne served as President Obama's first U.S. Secretary of Education from 2009 to 2016, where his initiatives included increases in Pell Grants and reform efforts such as Race to the Top. Before joining the Obama administration, Arne was the CEO of Chicago Public Schools for seven years, where he earned praise for reforming the education system and overseeing the opening of more than 100 schools. He joined Chicago Public Schools after helping to found and run the I Have a Dream Foundation, which, among many things, helped fund education for vulnerable students who had no easy path to paying for college. Currently, Arne is Managing Partner of Chicago CRED (Create Real Economic Destiny), which he co-founded with Laurene Powell Jobs, and which works to radically reduce gun violence and bring hope to Chicago's vulnerable youth. Arne is a lifelong Chicagoan and a former professional basketball player, having played in college at Harvard University and in the Australian professional league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Jill talks with Rick Weissbourd, Faculty Director of Human Development and Psychology at Harvard Graduate School of Education. The director of the Making Caring Common Project, Rick's work focuses on children's moral development, on vulnerability and resilience in childhood, and on how to encourage and prioritize caring, compassion, and companionship among children in and out of school. Making Caring Common is ​​a national effort to make moral and social development priorities in child-raising and to provide strategies to schools and parents for promoting caring, a commitment to justice and other key moral, emotional and social capacities. As part of the Making Caring Common project, Rick leads Turning the Tide, a national effort to reform college admissions that has engaged almost 200 college admissions offices in promoting ethical engagement, reducing damaging achievement pressure in high school and increasing equity and access for economically disadvantaged students. Rick is a founder of several interventions for children, including ReadBoston and WriteBoston, citywide literacy initiatives led by Mayor Menino. He has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, CNN, The New Republic, NPR, and Psychology Today. He is the author of two books including The Parents We Mean to Be: How Well-Intentioned Adults Undermine Children's Moral and Emotional Development. We talk to Rick about perceptions of caring, achievement, and happiness for children and adults, the need for emphasizing care in our lives, and much more about his work with Making Caring Common. If you would like to learn more about Rick's work and about the Making Caring Common Project, check out the links below. Rick Weissbourd Biography The Making Caring Common Project Website Making Caring Common on Twitter