Q-Ed Up With Ziz & Pam

In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about innovation in education with Peter Hostrawser. He shares his outlook as an educator and entrepreneur on the changing landscape of education. The world today demands more from our younger generation and we need to allow them to step up and become design thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Parents and educators can pave the way by helping less and empowering more. HallPass Education's Level Up Gap Year Program is an example of a program actively working with kids to help them discover their interests and purpose. Peter describes the critical role of mentorship and networking for career preparation. Our communities must also take a more active role in defining what education looks like as we change with the times. Peter Hostrawser is the host of the podcast, Disrupt Education, highlighting journeys outside the traditional education system and educational reformers. He is also the co-founder of HallPass Education, an education think tank specializing in innovative educational solutions designed to guide people through their hallway of life. RESOURCES: Find Peter at PeterHostrawser.com and Disrupteducation.co, YouTube: HallPass Education with Peter Hostrawser, Audrey Boyle, and Dr. Peter James

In this episode, Ziz and Pam are discussing the connection between academia and reality with an innovative education specialist, Peter Hostrawser. On his podcast, Disrupt Education, Peter features educational reformers and their innovative approaches to education. He's also the co-founder of HallPass Education, an educational think tank specializing in innovative educational solutions designed to guide people through their hallway of life. As an educator, Peter's passion is to transform people to become energetic learners through personal interest discovery. He says students in the 21st century need to learn focus management and be creative problem solvers who are adaptable to change. We need to make it okay for them to fail because that is how we learn. Enlightened teachers like Peter Hostrawser are making a difference inside and outside of the classroom! Resources: Peter Hostrawser Sir Ken Robinson Jo Boaler Viktor Frankl Quotes: Peter: “We are going to be uncomfortable and we need to be uncomfortable. You're going to need to pivot and learn some things…this is the place where we can start to shake things up.” Pam: “What COVID did do is it highlighted the rigidity of the structure we have and how inflexible it is to adapt to the changes in the world.” Peter: “You're either on board with this, or you're fighting. You can fight all you want, it's just a lot of things that you can't control.” Peter: “People are starting to learn the agile way of doing things…I like to think of us not as teachers anymore. We are now becoming accountability partners. We're becoming people who are really there for the student individually.” Peter: “We got away from really giving students an opportunity to show what they're pursuing, their purpose, and trying to have them figure out what their ‘why' is and we got into checking boxes. The college realm, the AP realm… I don't think those work for a large percentage of our kids.” Peter: “I think people are realizing this whole thing isn't a race. It's really, let's try to figure out where kids are right now and let's try to move them.” Peter: “I'm super excited about this year because we are forced to pivot. We have to look at things differently and we can learn more from our students.” Peter: “You do see a lot of teachers who are the owner of knowledge starting to realize that a real win in a classroom isn't a grade or an ACT/SAT score…So when you make it safe to fail and then you teach the learning beyond it, that's really what makes an educator a true educator.”

In this conversation with Ai Addyson-Zhang, Ziz and Pam explore the changing landscape of education. Dr. Ai, an entrepreneur and self- described 'disruptive educator,' shares what she's learned in her transition out of the classroom to 'real world' education: Start with the heart. Listen to what students are passionate about because pursuing their interests will make learning more engaging. Start with meaning. Ask, 'who are you and what are your strengths?' It requires interest, relationship and safely. If you don't have those three components, it's not learning. It is just absorbing content. Project based learning is the best model based on the 70-20-10 rule, which suggests that 70% of what we learn is experiential, 20% is social learning, while only 10% is formal learning. For transformation to happen, people need to practice, fail and learn from their mistakes. With the skills of collaboration, adaptability, and communication, we can innovate and create the job we want. According to Dr. Ai, the higher the GPA, the more obsessed children are with their academic performance, the less likely they are to innovate. Disruptive students own their opinions and feel good about who they are. Today, more than ever, we are seeing the need to disrupt education and redefine what it means to be educated in the 21st century. Resources: Viktor Frankl Jo Boaler Duncan Wardle Gary Vaynerchuk Why Happiness Should Not be the Goal for our Children Ikigai Seth Godin Ivy Untold About Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang: Dr. Ai is a professor turned entrepreneur. She taught in the classroom for 10+ years and has helped more than 2K students achieve career success. She produces live content multiple times a week to interview leading industry professionals and teach beyond the walls. Watch her interview with Seth Godin who encouraged her to explore the purpose of education and what we can do to help our children become future-ready, creating successful and fulfilling lives. FOLLOW Dr. Ai ON SOCIAL: LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Join her WhatsApp Group to stay informed.

In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about disrupting education with Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang. Dr. Ai shares some best practices to help future-proof the next generation. In Classroom Without Walls, Dr. Ai offers programs for students and their parents to discover how to become engaged learners. With the right knowledge, skills, and mindset, they can create career success, regardless of the path they take. Dr. Ai also helps educators to understand social media and learn how to incorporate social media and creative technologies in the classroom to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. The best education happens outside the classroom! QUOTES Dr. Ai: "I knew there were important life skills, emotional intelligence, lots of important links that students are not necessarily learning." Dr. Ai: "I made two decisions. I became a practitioner and that's why I launched my live streaming show to really bridge the gap between academia and industry. I think students need to learn not only from academics but from people who are in real life, actually doing this... I became a practitioner and I became a student." Dr. Ai: "I think the biggest part is really getting to know who I am...I feel like the struggle is more internal...I discovered the deeper we go within, the more we transform the outside. Our external environment is a mirror reflecting what is inside." Dr. Ai: "Children don't need to wait until they have a mid-life crisis to start going within. They should start this journey much, much earlier." Pam: "This goes back to the work of Viktor Frankl, which starts with a unique person and their contributions and you go within. But you can only go within by being challenged without, reaching out to the world. So really, self-transcendence beyond yourself is the movement. It is a movement to better the world, better humanity, which you're doing. But you have to be quiet enough to hear your conscience to tap into your higher self, your human spirit, to be able to understand where to decide." About Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang: Dr. Ai is a professor turned entrepreneur. She taught in the classroom for 10+ years and has helped more than 2K students achieve career success. She produces LIVE content multiple times a week to interview leading industry professionals and teach beyond the walls. Watch her interview with Seth Godin who encouraged her to explore the purpose of education and what we can do to help our children become future-ready, creating successful and fulfilling lives. FOLLOW Dr. Ai ON SOCIAL: LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Join her WhatsApp Group to stay informed.

In this episode, Ziz and Pam get to discuss the future of work with Tim Salau, the CEO and founder of Guide. His mission is to "strengthen the bonds people share through compassionate action." Tim hosts Unleashing the Future of Work (UTFOW), a live online series available on LinkedIn Live, Spotify, and Apple Podcast. Guide is a B2B learning and talent development platform that helps people to learn the skills they need to advance their careers. Quotes: Tim: "The future of work is constantly being molded and shaped." Tim: "Everything a high schooler needs to develop that career they want they can do in high school. You don't have to wait until you get to college nowadays and you don't have to wait until you get into corporate America." Tim: "There is so much access to information, the tools, and even mentorship, online." Tim: "My biggest advice to highschooler is, don't take this opportunity in your youth for granted." Tim: "Colleges and universities need to stop acting as if they are the premier solution for education because the reality is that they are not anymore. They do offer value in the sense of the experience of college. I believe it's really important because you get to build relationships, you get to build a network, and professors can as act mentors, kind of a guiding light. But you also have to think about what the consumer experience is for early-career, college students. Do you think it's fair for them to be paying $50K tuition but that isn't actually leading to a longterm career path?" Tim: "Colleges have to work with private sector leaders and businesses to create new models that actually value the customer which in this case is the student." Tim: "The community component to learning is just as crucial as the self-directed motivation." Ziz: "At the middle of it all is relationships. That's the intersection and that might be the rub with a lot of different people." Resources: Big Picture Learning: It is our vision that all students live lives of their own design, supported by caring mentors and equitable opportunities to achieve their greatest potential. We move forward prepared to activate the power of schools, systems & education through student-directed, real-world learning. We are activists. Imblaze: ImBlaze allows students to experience the power of internships, apprenticeships, community service, CTE Training Programs, Shadow Days, and College Dual Enrollment. Esther Wojcicki: Global Moonshots in Education works to enable every child to reach their fullest potential by being fully engaged and inspired in their learning. The 21st century demands a fundamental shift in the mindset and culture of teaching today. The fundamental shift is to give students more control and agency in the classroom. To achieve this, the role of the teacher needs to change from the lecture model to the mentor/coach on the side model. That is the teacher needs to change from the “sage on the stage” to “the guide on the side.” The more a teacher does for a student in the learning process, the less empowered the student is. Find GUIDE here: https://www.guideapp.co/ Mentors & Mentees Find Tim Salau here: https://www.timsalau.com/ http://mrfutureofwork.com https://www.utfow.com/

In this episode, Ziz and Pam, revisit the subject of our ever-changing economy and the need for a shift in higher education. Students entering the workforce in the shrinking corporate world will also need to look for opportunities in the gig or sharing economy. This is the future of work. Most companies are outsourcing and relying on freelance workers to meet their needs. Technology is changing so fast that many degrees are being rendered obsolete. Instead, certificate programs through MOOCs or corporations are available to get people up to speed. What can schools and families do to support our children in this environment? Teach kids to be agile. Focus on soft skills and building networks. According to LinkedIn, 85% of jobs are found through networking. Teach kids how to get a job but also how to create a job. By allowing our children the opportunity to explore, experience, and find their way, we are creating the best possible environment for them to flourish. RESOURCES Fiverr Upwork Scott Galloway, NYU 60-year curriculum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRlo-K7WQYk David Deming STEM majors Jim Goodnight, CEO of SAS Western Governors University QUOTES Pam: "The college degree is not preparing (students) for the literal agility they need to be able to move between the different economies at different times." Pam: "Somehow we've associated education with the school building. And that's a new construct, an industrialized construct when we were preparing for compliance and conformity, to work in factories, and to work in institutions where you had to fit in. That is no longer the case." Pam: "This whole idea of being agile in an uncertain environment, having to figure out, having to navigate, we need to prepare our kids for that." Pam: "That's the hindrance of a system that was built for the 20th-century institutional economy. We've shifted to this entrepreneurial networking economy and the skill sets are different. So in fact, the way we're teaching devalues the human being and their worthiness and the individual by standardizing them based on their age." Pam: "In the past when we've gone through shifts in arrows, from agriculture to industrial and industrial to the information age, it's been a kind of a longer spread, a hundred years. Now in 20 to 30 years, boom, complete shift. It's because technology builds on technology. This whole idea of machine learning, where they can all connect and learn from each other on a greater level, completely reshaping what's happening, what we do, but also creating tremendous opportunity." Ziz: "What we're saying is a major paradigm shift is underway. As you already know, if not: attention, attention, the paradigm shift is happening. It's happening in higher education. We have clearly identified the full-time/corporate job, gig, and sharing economy." Ziz: "Our jobs will be found through another human being through a network. Open up your networks, figure out who's in your network. Understand who's in your network, which also means you have to understand who you are and what you have to offer." Pam: "As community members, as parents reaching out with other parents with businesses to say, it's all our jobs to create the environments that allow these kids to explore, experience, et cetera. That is critical. We have a big job ahead of us in this next century, not in defining them, but in creating the environments that allow them to flourish."

In this episode, Ziz and Pam discuss the shift that is happening in higher education as our economy changes and technology evolves. As the corporate economy gives way to the gig and sharing economy, we need to better prepare our children for the future of work. The four-year degree is no longer the "golden ticket" when you consider the debt load and job outcomes upon graduation for most students. Instead, alternative education and training models have emerged, providing students with real-world experience and lifelong learning. Our current education system is not designed to teach collaboration, creativity, agility and the soft skills employers require above all else. The result of our schools' emphasis on compliance, conformity, and rote memorization, is a generation of students who are discouraged, frustrated, and ill-equipped to handle the demands of the fourth industrial revolution. RESOURCES Daniel Pink, Drive R.E.A.D. Framework Viktor Frankl Napoleon Hill Modern Parenting: The Downside of a One-sided Balance Sheet Ep. 15: Why Soft Skills are Critical in the 21st Century QUOTES Pam: "We're seeing the diminishing value of the (college) degree, especially with the cost of not only money but time and emotional energy that we've taken away from these kids. But we say because it worked for us, it's going to work for our kids." Pam: "The economy has changed. We've entered a new era. It operates globally, in smaller bites of change, so agility is required." Pam: "In order to have meaning and discover meaning in life, you need to have freedom of choice. You need to have responsibility and agency. You need to be propelled towards something that is bigger than you and know that it's not just about you." Pam: "The entire fundamental structures of our education system is exactly the opposite of collaboration, agility, problem-solving, critical thinking." Pam: "We need to help less, empower more. Allow students to go and figure it out. Embrace the uncertainty." Ziz: "As a mentor and parent, one thing I started to do better is listen and stay curious. They are discovering themselves and it is important for me to allow that to happen." Ziz: "If we talk about the benefits of inclusivity, it means I'm aware of the different skills and talents of individuals inside my network, outside my network, and I can bring them in to benefit my small corporation. So being racists or prejudiced isn't going to help me. It's going to hurt me in the long run." Pam: "You can't program soft skill into somebody's brain. It is who they are and how they connect with the outside world. We are parents, educators, and communities cannot mold, shape, paint the canvas of them. We have to empower them to discover it." Pam: "Now we have a multitude of pathways. We want our children to think, to be agile, to have soft skills. College is an 'if' and 'when' proposition. They have to know who they are and what they're interested in before we spend that kind of time and money."

In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about the value of mentorship for today's youth. Formal or informal, mentorship is the future. As educations shifts away from the "sage on the stage" model, new pathways for experiential learning are emerging. They provide opportunities for child-directed, interest-based development. Instead of telling kids what to think, we need to teach them how to think and show them what it looks like to be creative, innovative, and collaborative. Modeling is an important part of mentorship. Helping kids understand that uncertainty is a reality prepares them for a future where their worthiness is not based on outcomes. Fulfillment comes from discovering your meaning and answering life's call. How to #mentorup? Volunteer, job shadow, interview people, take a part-time job. RESOURCES: Pam Roy Blog, What Now? David Brooks, The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake Jo Boaler, Youcubed.org Steven Leavitt, Freakonomics Season 9, Ep. 12: America's Math Curriculum Doesn't Add Up Tim Salau, Guide Viktor Frankl, The Tragic Triad: guilt, suffering, and death. Tim Bilyeu, Impact Theory David Brooks, commencement address, "The theory of maximum taste says that each person's mind is defined by its upper limit—the best that it habitually consumes and is capable of consuming." Jim Rohn: "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, including yourself!" Lenore Skenazy

Show notes here. In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about the importance of soft skills in the new economy, not just for getting a job, but for navigating a successful life. These are human, interpersonal, relationship skills. How are these skills developed? It's about creating experiences, relationship and mentorship opportunities, and embracing our humanness. The rise of automation means job candidates will need these uniquely human skills. Employers are looking for agile, critical thinkers. One study found that 51% of human resource managers said that education systems have done little to help address the soft skills shortage in the workplace. As we shift from teacher/institution directed learning to learner-centered engagement, we will provide the type of environment that fosters creativity, communication, and innovation. Parents can advocate for their children, protect their time and space, and co-own the process with teachers and students. But it starts with the learner, honoring their individuality and humanness. QUOTES Ziz: "The top missing soft skills are problem-solving, critical thinking, innovation, creativity, the ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity, and--the big one--communication." Pam: "Innovation requires so much diversity of perspective, thought culture, to be able to break out of that river of thinking. So diversity is innovation and we are not allowing that in our school system." Ziz: "Diversity isn't necessarily about a gender or a color. It's perspective." Pam: "Diversity is the human complexity that each of us brings to the table, based on our experiences." Pam: "Allow kids the time to play, to be bored, to pursue things that are of interest...Encourage them to look at themselves and what they can give to the world, not what the world is going to give to them." Pam: "We start with the human being. When you hear 'learner-centered', think 'human being centered'. That is the future of education." Pam: "There's not one school that fits all children, or all family circumstances and needs." Pam: "Human beings are open systems. We need to engage with others in different environments. So when we put ourselves in these closed silos, it leads to a lot of distress. We have to break down the school walls and give experiences, expand the multigenerational relationships, mentor-up as businesses and parents. We have to inspire each other to co-own the learning and education that can happen in museums, libraries, businesses, and different types of collaborative, online learning." RESOURCES Duncan Wardle - Diversity is Innovation Viktor Frankl Emerson Collectives QX Super school Getting Smart with Tom Vander Ark Place-Based Education No Time to Lose: We Must Broaden Our Children's Exposure to the Real World Education Re-imagined - LEARNERS AT THE CENTER. #BuiltForThis FinTech (financial technology) Nexus Degrees In An Automated World, Our Humanness Is The Advantage The Five C's to Success in the New World of Work

Show notes here. In this episode, Ziz and Pam discuss what it means to be a lifelong learner. Given the rapid pace of technological change in our world, students need to R.E.A.D. The 'R' stands for responsibility. It is the student's responsibility to upskill and continually learn new ways of doing things so that they can adapt to changing environments. The role of parents and teachers is to step back and facilitate their learning. We no longer follow the 3-part model of school, work, retire. Lifelong learning is about teaching students how to learn, not what to learn. Students need to be agile and gain the employable skills needed to withstand the test of time. RESOURCES: Our Children Need to R.E.A.D to Succeed in the 21st Century R.E.A.D. Framework David Deming - Harvard study of STEM majors and the importance of upskilling. Jim Link, Randstad's chief human resources officer, Hiring and Developing Digital Leaders whitepaper.pdf Skills required by employers: adaptability, problem, solving creativity, influence drive, empathy, and collaboration. Viktor Frankl: Freedom Dr. Ai, Iceberg model - knowledge, life skills, mindset What If No Summer Job or Internship is an Opportunity? To Gap or Not to Gap Tim Salau and Mike Gates GUIDES QUOTES: Pam: "The struggle is growth. We only grow during times when we're really struggling, struggling to push forward. And it's what propels us forward." Pam: "You can do college in many ways now. In different places, parents, educators, and businesses are creating these environments where kids can go and explore while they're in high school and begin to get those experiences so that they don't have to take a gap year. They figure this out during their teenage years by working part-time jobs by doing internships. Particularly with disadvantaged students, we've got to mentor up, create the umbrella of mentorship and guides that they can tap into." Pam: "I just believe so strongly in honoring the unique individual, honoring their ability to do R.E.A.D. and discover their meaning. Our job is to create diverse, multigenerational, and experiential environments that allow them to do that."

SHOW NOTES HERE. In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about giving grace to students, parents, and teachers in the learning process. For the last several decades, we have perpetuated a culture of sameness and moved our children through an antiquated system that no longer works for all. But now we know better! As we examine some updated approaches to education, we are inspired by those models of learning that value individuality and promote collaboration and exploration. Let's give each other grace because we are all in this together! RESOURCES: New York Times, Parenting During the Coronavirus: 'I Have Given Up' Daniel Pink The 7-20-10 Rule for Leadership Development Dr. Ai, Classroom Without Walls Pam Roy's Changing the Culture of Sameness: A Track for Everyone A New Way Forward Education Summit #anewwayforward Maya Green https://youtu.be/X5ZSwqxTD5E?t=212 EDUCATION REIMAGINED https://youtu.be/NSVKVTEuqgU

Read the show notes. In this episode, Ziz and Pam share their thoughts on racism, education, and opportunity in the 21st century. Ziz talks about how he learned the importance of positivity and a supportive environment in his early life. They discuss the state of education in relation to society's inequities, how existing frameworks impede progress and do not allow for opportunity. In the education system, for example, factors such as under-resourced schools and the cost burden of test prep and extracurricular activities, make the playing field unequal. The good news is that new opportunities are emerging that do not rely on this antiquated framework. We see more organizations empowering opportunity and valuing the student's individuality. RESOURCES: Privilege/Class/Social Inequalities Explained in a $100 Race Jane Elliot Big Picture Learning Design 39 Duncan Wardle: Diversity Is Innovation Viktor Frankl - Monoanthropism The Great Realization by Probably Tomfoolery QUOTES: Ziz: "It's very interesting how this pandemic put a spotlight on the inequities of the system...the things that weren't working very well already." Pam: "How do we create environments that allow them to discover, allow them to explore, versus 'we have to shape them, mold them, frame them in our image of what we say they going to be in order to be successful.'" Pam: "We not only missed an entire era shift into new opportunities, we also created a huge epidemic of mental illness...because kids were so focused on their performance, so focused on how they were judged, that they couldn't see anything else except that they didn't measure up. And they thought life was worthless." Ziz: "You can not be successful by yourself. You need a coach, a mentor, you need others around you, your teammates to understand the role and help you, to practice, and do all those things." Ziz: "We need to be together to solve this because it affects all of us...We're all created differently so that we can learn from one another." Pam: "The health and wellbeing of any one child reflects the health and wellbeing of our entire society. That is why it's our responsibility to create environments that allow every child to flourish."

SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE HERE In this episode, Ziz & Pam talk about the gap year trend that is gaining popularity, especially now. They discuss why it is a good option for some students and suggest some productive ways to spend the time. When considering a gap year, start with the individual and their interests, motivations, and relationships. It may be the perfect opportunity for kids to broaden their horizons and discover the best course for their individual journeys. By having focused so narrowly on the blue-collar, white-collar track, many people have completely missed the new-collar world that's exploding. RESOURCES: Class of 2020, college can wait. It's time to take a gap year. Abby Falik CEO global citizen year Big Picture Learning https://youtu.be/MIxHRpshCvg Summit Learning Dr. Ai's Classroom Without Walls Future Ready Program The Passion Planner Viktor Frankl Duncan Wardle says, Diversity Is Innovation "We don't allow the diversity of thought of emotion, of ethnicities or of perspective. We narrow so everybody has to be trained to think the same way and we're seeing the ramifications of that in our society." High Desert Center - Gap year program AmeriCorps Online Learning: EdX Learning Western Governors University Coursera Udacity

In this episode, Ziz and Pam discuss the role of parents in preparing kids for life in the 21st century. Our students are caught between two worlds; one is the antiquated, one-track-for-all school system and the other is the rapidly changing workplace, advancing with technology at hyperspeed. We've entered the fourth industrial revolution and unfortunately, schools are late to the game. Institutions are slow to change but parents can pivot and become co-learners with their students. First, we need to recognize that we don't know what the jobs of tomorrow look like. Instead of preparing our children for today's job market, we can help them gain the skills to adapt, discover their interests, and expose them to a broad range of ideas. The future of education is self-directed learning. Parents can support their children best by encouraging their discovery, mentoring them on their journey, and modeling a fulfilling life. RESOURCES R.E.A.D. Framework A Generation Caught Between Two Worlds Viktor Frankl Ziz: "It does start with interest. And I think sometimes this is where a good mentor or a great teacher it comes in." Fast Company article on Karlie Kloss Kode with Klossy: Coding camps for girls Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Gary Vaynerchuk Lenore Skenazy, Free-Range Kids Susan David, The Gift of Emotional Courage "We need to not only be the learner, but we also need to be the change-makers. We need to be role models. We need to be mentors. And in so many ways, it's a relief because we don't have to know everything to teach them because we can't. We can honor who they are and learn with them." -- Pam Roy DOWNLOAD A TRANSCRIPT OF THIS EPISODE.

Show Notes & More Info Here As technology advances, we need to adapt, learn the new way, or risk being left behind. As our homes and workplaces continue to transform, updated skill sets are required for work in the new economy. In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about redefining the role schools play in preparing our students for the future. Their discussion offers educators 7 ways to inspire engaged learning to help students succeed in the transforming job market. True Learning Requires: 1. Interest 2. Relationship 3. Safety What can teachers do in the classroom to inspire engaged learning? 1. Validate each student's individuality. They are valuable as they are. 2. Create collaborative experiences. 3. Challenge the curriculum. 4. Consider mistakes as a valued part of the learning process 5. Allow students to approach assignments according to their interests 6. Limit the role of school in the lives of students 7. Build an educational ecosystem involving the entire community RESOURCES: A Generation of Students Caught Between Two Worlds Thomas Friedman's Thank You for Being Late "Well-meaning is the opposite of meaning." Alex Vesely Vicki Abeles' The Gatekeeper: Math in America Modern Parenting: The Downside of a One-sided Balance Sheet Duncan Wardle Michael Epstein's Range IDEO Labs Kelly Notaras' The Book You Were Born to Write What Now? We Need to Build an Educational Ecosystem Viktor Frankl – https://viktorfranklamerica.com/ Dr. Shefali's The Conscious Parent WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/EQXQvB1o98Y

Show Notes & More Info Here In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about how parents can create the conditions for children to rise, simply by letting them be who they are. We can learn a lot from our children if we give them the freedom to explore and discover for themselves what makes them unique. When parents stop trying to 'fix' children and instead, empower them on their journey, children will flourish. Also discussed: Dr. Shefali's The Conscious Parent Pam's Changing the Culture of Sameness blog David Brooks' piece in The Atlantic, The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake Daniel Pink's Drive Duncan Wardle Viktor Frankl - https://viktorfranklamerica.com/ Frankl predicted that dealing with human beings as if they are a mere thing would take its toll. He wholeheartedly agreed with sociologist, William Irwin Thompson when he said “Humans are not objects that exist as tables and chairs. They live–and if they find that their lives are reduced to the mere existence of chairs or tables, then they commit suicide.” The Real Cost of a Meaningless Education Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/LsCTBiz8fl0

In this episode, Ziz and Pam relate their experiences in business, parenting, and working with youth to highlight the positive impact two people can have on their communities when they are united by their mutual interests and entrepreneurial spirits. It is not 'in spite of' but 'because of' our differences and individuality that we are able to create positive change and meaning-centered lives. Ziz and Pam talk about the importance of finding common ground. Instead of blaming, "othering" and competing, if kids--and all people--discover their shared interests and develop collaborative skillsets, our whole society will benefit. Show notes and more information here.

In this episode, Ziz and Pam talk about the importance of upskilling for success in today's job market. As technology advances, more workers are required to learn new skills which is why a growth mindset is critical for students today. Lifelong learning is the key, not only for keeping a job but also for discovering meaning and fulfillment. Join Ziz and Pam in their discussion about what it means to be educated--and employed--in the 21st century. For show notes and more information, go HERE.

In this episode, Ziz and Pam have another powerful conversation about what it means to be educated in the 21st century. As they've shared before, students need to 'R.E.A.D.' and the 'D' is for 'discover their meaning.' Pam shares some inspired wisdom from Viktor Frankl on the importance of allowing our children to be who they are and to find their unique motivation for living. This message applies not just to parents with children but to all of us. Our humanness requires us to do what matters to us and to discover meaning. We are beginning to see the much-needed collaboration between parents, educators, and businesses that are creating new ways to empower students to be in the world. Check out the show notes here!

In this BONUS episode, Ziz and Pam talk about how their mutual interests in education and the health and wellbeing of young people brought them together. Over the years, they've both raised kids, worked extensively with youth in their communities, and developed a passion for making a difference. Tune in to hear more about their journey, their discoveries, and what led them to start this podcast. Check out the show notes here!

In this episode, Ziz and Pam discuss ways we can create opportunities for our students to experience what's happening in the world today. Students can be empowered to own the learning process, to be free to choose, to discover their meaning. It's our job, as parents and educators, to support that endeavor. Communities and businesses are getting in on the action, too. In this conversation, we learn about the new economy and hiring trends. This involves upskilling, knowledge brokering, apprenticeship and last-mile training programs. More pathways are open that provide alternatives to the traditional college track. Ziz and Pam talk about when competition elevates play, and when it can prove to be a disadvantage. There's plenty of name dropping in this episode. You'll hear about Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi, Frank Reich, Tua Tagovailoa, Maya Angelou, Sara Blakely, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and of course, Viktor Frankl. Not to mention butterflies and Super Chickens. Don't miss this third installment of the Powerful Conversations Series on Q-Ed Up with Ziz and Pam.

In this episode, Ziz and Pam discuss the responsibility we share as a society to help our kids find their way. Learning is not limited to the classroom and homework. It occurs on the playground, in free play and when interacting with people of all different ages. We learn by teaching others. In recent years, kids have lost the freedom to spend time in exploratory play and experiential learning. Our school system has forced kids into a standard trajectory of learning. We must create community ecosystems that support student's individual journey and model for our children what a healthy, thriving life looks like. RESOURCES College Board CEO, David Coleman's article in The Atlantic, Stop the College Admissions Madness Ted Talk by Dixon Chibanda - Why I Train Grandmothers To Treat Depression David Brooks' article in The Atlantic, The Nuclear Family was a Mistake Brene Brown Dr. Shefali Conscious Parent For more details, go to Q-EdUp.com.

What Does It Mean To Be Educated in the 21st Century? Ziz and Pam tackle this, and many other important questions facing our youth as they prepare for a future that is rapidly changing. They discuss the role that parents, schools, our society, and students themselves must play as the definition of education broadens. Do our kids have the skill set required for success in the workplace of tomorrow? Will they create a meaningful life? Can they R.E.A.D? Don't miss the first discussion in a series of Powerful Conversations Q-Ed up with Ziz and Pam. For more details, go to Q-EdUp.com.