Podcasts about Middle school

Send a textIn this week's episode 342 of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast, I'm exploring why adult friendships can sometimes feel surprisingly similar to middle school dynamics.Many people stay in friendships where they feel like they have to stay quiet, avoid conflict, or shrink themselves just to remain included. In this episode, I talk about the deeper reasons we tolerate these patterns and how developing internal boundaries changes the way we show up in friendships.Some of the talking points I go over in this episode include:Why adults sometimes recreate the same social dynamics they experienced growing up.How the belief that connection requires self-abandonment keeps people stuck in unhealthy friendships.The difference between external boundaries (what you say to others) and internal boundaries (what you stop doing to yourself).How over-functioning in friendships leads to resentment and emotional exhaustion.Why real belonging never requires you to betray yourself.3 Steps to Strengthen Internal BoundariesStep 1: Name the price you're payingAsk yourself what it costs you to stay connected in a particular relationship. For example: I have to stay quiet even when something bothers me.Step 2: Tell the truth about the tradeNotice how you abandon yourself when you pay that price. For example: When I stay quiet, I ignore my own needs to keep the peace.Step 3: Set the internal boundary firstDecide what you will no longer do to yourself. When that internal boundary becomes clear, the external boundary becomes much simpler.You don't have to keep “paying” for connection with your dignity. Healthy friendships allow you to show up honestly without shrinking yourself to belong.Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on living a more whole life and to hear even more about the points outlined above.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don't forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!Learn more about Fragmented to Whole at https://higherpowercc.com/podcast/Feeling drained? Take my free Boundaries Drain Quiz to find out where your energy is leaking and how to reclaim it. Start your quiz here: https://higherpowercc.com/drain/CONNECT WITH BARB NANGLE:Subscribe to “Friday Fragments” weekly newsletterLinkedinWork with Barb! Book a “Say No Without Guilt” Session

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor | March 8, 2026 Referenced Scripture: Hebrews 3:7,15; 4:7, Luke 9:57-62, Philippians 3:12-14 Reflection Questions: Read: Luke 9:57-621. What has been the most challenging thing you have experienced in trying to be an ALL IN follower of Jesus? 2. What are some examples from Scripture where people had to make difficult choices to be obedient and follow God/Jesus? What difficulties did they face? What made the choices challenging? Why do you think they were able to make the decisions that they did? Explain. 3. What have been some of the difficult decisions you have made in your life in order to say “yes” to following Jesus? What was the outcome of saying “yes”? Have you ever said “no” to some decisions to obey and follow Jesus? Share those stories. What was the cost of saying “no”? 4. Does Jesus promise that following him will always be comfortable and require no risk? Explain your answer. What does He promise if we are willing to follow Him and obey? 5. What are the places in your life where you find it most difficult to follow Jesus in obedience? Why do you think that is? 6. Why is it easy to say, “Yes, but first…” and put off obedience to someday in the future? How have you justified disobedience by putting off something you know that you should do or stop doing? Explain. 7. What might be potential areas of your life that you prioritize above Jesus? What are the costs to these misplaced priorities? What costs have you experienced in your life by not putting obedience to Jesus first? Hebrews 3:7,15; 4:7So, as the Holy Spirit says:“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts…"8. What is one thing that you need to say “yes” to the Spirit TODAY, so that your heart does not become hard? What's your next step? Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcardConnect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/childrenConnect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/studentsGive: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/giveGather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozemanGather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman

In this episode, Emily sits down with education leader, school founder, and author Chris Balme to completely reframe how we view the middle school years. Rather than treating early adolescence as a miserable phase to simply muddle through, it's a period of profound neurological transformation and peak human potential. Redesigning educational environments for neurodivergent students, by prioritizing smaller, consistent advisory cohorts and scaffolding executive function, creates a safer, more engaging culture for everyone. Other topics include the activation of the "social brain," why a baseline of belonging must be established before academic achievement can occur, and how traditional middle school structures often inadvertently fight against a student's natural developmental drives. TAKEAWAYS Middle school is a period of rapid cognitive and social development that requires specific developmental maps, not lowered expectations. A balanced and healthy social brain provides a secure sense of belonging, which is a biological imperative. Structuring middle schools to support neurodivergent learners enhances psychological safety and improves the educational baseline for the entire student body. Middle schoolers possess a highly attuned radar for authenticity and are skeptical of artificial relevance, like busywork. Objective, real-world responsibilities massively boost a middle schooler's maturity and self-efficacy. Mental health professionals, join us for our next live 90-minute CE training, Inherited Neurodivergence: Supporting Parents' Identity Journeys, featuring presenter, Dr. Amy Marschall. The event is Friday, March 6 at 2:00 pm Eastern/11:00 am Pacific. It's approved for continuing education through the American Psychological Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors. If you can't make it live, you can still register for the self-study version. Chris Balme is an education leader, writer, and school founder dedicated to helping young people unlock their human potential. He currently serves as Co-Principal at Hakuba International School and is the Founder and Director of Argonaut, an online advisory program supporting middle schoolers around the world. Chris is an Ashoka Fellow, recognized for his leadership as a changemaker in education. He is the author of two books: Finding the Magic in Middle School, written for parents and teachers, and Challenge Accepted, written directly for middle school students. Through his work, writing, and international speaking and training, Chris continues to inspire more human-centered, transformative approaches to education. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children. BACKGROUND READING Chris's website, Instagram The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com. If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.

This week, the boys discuss their dream jobs as children, and how to get back to living those dreams today. Join us on Patreon! No filter. No notes. No pants (optional). New episodes drop Thursdays at 8PM EST: https://www.patreon.com/goodchildrenpod HOSTS: Joe Hegyes & Andrew Muscarella EDITOR: Kenzie Edmondson LISTEN: https://linktr.ee/goodchildren FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/goodchildrenpod instagram.com/joehegyes instagram.com/andrewmuscarella FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: tiktok.com/goodchildrenpod tiktok.com/andrewmusky tiktok.com/bequietjoe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A former Green Bay alderman filed a lawsuit against the city and its mayor on Monday, saying the now-removed surveillance microphones in city hall were an invasion of privacy and Fourth Amendment rights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260304fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 4:1-5,13-17 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:4-5 Salvation Is Not a Chore In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Would you rather earn $5 by taking out the trash, or just be handed $5 as a gift? Most of us would rather get the gift! If you earn it, you have to grab the smelly garbage, tie the bag, carry it outside, and put in a new bag. You worked for that money. You earned it. But if someone gives you $5 as a gift, you don't have to do anything at all. You didn't earn it. They just gave it to you because they care about you. Now think about something even bigger—salvation. Would you rather earn your way to heaven, or receive heaven as a gift? We might say “gift,” but sometimes we act like we have to earn it. “If I'm good enough, God will love me more.” But that's not true. The Bible says even our best good deeds are like dirty rags because we still sin. No matter how many good things we do, we can't earn heaven. Your sin makes your good deeds look like rotten trash. Here's something that is worth praising God! You don't have to earn salvation at all. Jesus already did the work for you. He died on the cross and rose again, so your sins are forgiven. Heaven is a gift. God gives it to you because he loves you—not because you earned it. And now, when you obey God or help others, you're not trying to earn anything. You're simply saying, “thank you.” Serving God isn't a chore. It's a joyful way to show love back to him. Prayer: Lord, I praise you for giving me your salvation without expecting anything in return. Inspire me to live for you and others, not out of obligation, but out of thanksgiving for all you have done for me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How has God shown his love to you? Does Jesus ask us to pay him back? Why or why not? Questions for Elementary Age Children “All our righteous acts like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Why can't our good deeds earn us heaven? What makes salvation different from earning money for chores? Questions for Middle School and Above When does obeying or helping feel like a chore? How does knowing heaven is a gift make you want to live for God and others? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

John sits down with Micah Burdett, Pastor of Middle School at Calvary and a father of three, to discuss the role of humility in parenting and the importance of spiritual teaching and modeling at home as well as at church

Northfield Middle School Art Teacher Molly Otte discusses their Artist in Residence program featuring photographer Wing Huie, what the students are working on, and more. 

What does it look like when biology leaps off the page and into the MakerSpace? Join 7/8 Grade Science teacher Carli Rivers as she discusses one of Harley's Middle School projects: building 10-foot-tall oversized plant and animal cells.   Instead of just labeling a diagram, Carli's students took to the MakerSpace to engineer life-sized models. Working in pairs to tackle specific parts of a cell, students had to collaborate, problem-solve, and build.   In this video, Carli shares: Why the process of building is as vital as the biological facts themselves. How the MakerSpace became an extension of the science lab. The impact of scale: Why exploring a 10-foot cell creates a memory that lasts longer than a textbook chapter.

John sits down with Micah Burdett, Pastor of Middle School at Calvary and a father of three, to discuss the role of humility in parenting and the importance of spiritual teaching and modeling at home as well as at church

In this episode, we sit down with Head of School Dr. Ryan Kimmet to tackle a growing crisis in modern education: the disappearance of play. While many schools view play as a luxury for the early years, The Harley School treats it as a critical engine for learning from Nursery through Grade 12. Dr. Kimmet dives into the science and strategy behind "protecting the sandbox." We discuss: Why Harley maintains Middle School recess when most schools phase it out. How "playful" physics labs lead to deeper conceptual understanding than traditional lectures. How a culture of play builds the "competitive edge" Harley graduates need for the future of work. The psychological link between unstructured time and navigating the "growing pains" of adolescence. Join us for a deep dive into why "seat time" isn't the same as "learning time," and how protecting the art of play creates students who aren't just high achievers, but creative thinkers ready to iterate and innovate.

SHINING WITH ADHD#214: ADHD in Middle School: Why Everything Feels Harder (and What Helps)The Childhood Collective3/4/2026SUMMARYADHD in middle school can feel like the "perfect storm." If you're navigating this season and wondering why homework, organization, and the fight for independence suddenly feel harder, this episode is for you. We're joined by executive function expert Jessi Dall, former teacher and owner of Sophos Academics, to share practical, realistic strategies that actually help. You'll walk away with clearer expectations, doable tools, and reassurance that you're not behind, you're just parenting through a tough stage (and we are right there with you!).MEET JESSI DALLJessi Dall is a wife, mom of three, and founder of Sophos Speech and Academics in Phoenix, Arizona. After teaching in public and private schools, she launched Sophos in 2008 with a family-centered vision that has grown into a million-dollar business serving thousands of families. With over 20 years of experience, Jessi leads a compassionate team providing speech therapy, occupational therapy, dyslexia intervention, customized homeschooling, and executive function coaching.LINKS + RESOURCESEpisode #214 TranscriptSophos Speech & Academics - mention “Childhood Collective Podcast Discount” to receive 50% off their comprehensive Executive Function Diagnostic and Customized Consultation (that's a $400 value!)Sophos Speech & Academics InstagramThe Childhood Collective InstagramHave a question or want to share some thoughts? Shoot us an email at hello@thechildhoodcollective.comMentioned in this episode:Shining at SchoolShining at School is a video-based course that will teach you how to help your child with ADHD go from surviving to thriving at school for elementary and middle schoolers. On your own time. At your own pace. Use the code PODCAST for 10% off!Shining at School CourseTime TimerWe can't have your attention and not mention Time Timer. This amazing tool helps with activity transitions, independence, and building executive function skills. Head to and use the code TCC to get a site-wide discount.Time TimerHungryrootHungryroot offers “good-for-you groceries and simple recipes.” We have loved having one less thing to worry about when it comes to raising kids. For 40% off your first box, click the link below and use CHILDHOOD40 in all caps to get the discount.Hungryroot

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260302fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Genesis 12:1-8 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. Genesis 12:7 God's Best Gift Is Yet to Come In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The candles are blown out. You can still smell the cake. You've opened your presents, and it feels like the best birthday ever. Then your parents say, “Wait! There's one more gift.” You can hardly sit still. This must be the best one! But then they say, “You can't open this gift until you grow up and have a family of your own.” What? That doesn't make sense! If it's your gift, why can't you enjoy it now? God once gave a special gift to a man named Abram. But Abram had to wait for it. In fact, he would never live there himself. God promised that Abram's children and grandchildren would receive a special land called the Promised Land. The Bible says it was “flowing with milk and honey.” That means it was a wonderful land with plenty of food and good things. But Abram did not have a home of his own. He moved from place to place in tents. If Abram would never live in that land, why did the promise matter? But Abram did not complain. He did not get angry. Instead, he worshiped God. Abram knew who God was. God was his loving Father. And God always keeps his promises. If God said it would happen, Abram believed it would happen. Abram trusted that God had an even bigger plan. One day, one of Abram's great-great-great-grandchildren would be Jesus, the Savior, who would take away the sins of the world. God has given you an amazing gift too. Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. That means you belong to God right now. And God has another gift waiting for you—heaven. Heaven is already yours, but you are waiting for the day you get to live there forever with Jesus. That is a gift worth thanking God for every day. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving my sins because of Jesus. Thank you for keeping your promises. Help me trust you when I have to wait for good things. Thank you for the gift of heaven where I will live by your side forever. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What gift did God promise to Abram and his descendants? How did Abram show that he trusted God? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why is waiting sometimes hard for you? How could Abram trust God, even though he wouldn't live long enough to receive the promised gift? Questions for Middle School and Above Name at least two gifts God has blessed your life with this week? How can you thank God for these amazing gifts? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Kindergarten, elementary, or middle school… pick your fighter, because the chaos looks very different at every level.   PLUS get your tickets NOW! The New Tour "Is it Friday Yet" dates in 2026 are available NOW!  Don't miss out on the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour coming to a city near you! Tickets going fast: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT    PLUS book your hosts for a speaking event at your school: https://teacherspeakers.com/    Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com    Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod   Send us a voice message: https://bit.ly/3UPAT5a    Listen to the podcast anywhere you stream your favorite shows:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hHNybdOJb7BOwe0eNE7z6?si=840ced6459274f98  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-off-duty/id1602160612  _________________________________   Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:    Prolon | Go to ProlonLife.com/TOD and get 15% OFF your 5-Day nutrition Program TODAY!   Marley Spoon | Go to MarleySpoon.com/offer/TOD for 45% OFF your first order and FREE delivery   UPSIDE | Go to https://www.upside.com/ use CODE: TOD   IQ Bar | TEXT TOD to 64000 and GET 20% OFF ALL PRODUCTS TODAY! _________________________________ In this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty, Bri is joined by new comers Keldric Homes and Juan Cintron for a chaotic, hilarious teacher-to-teacher breakdown of what really changes when you go from kindergarten to elementary to middle school. From report cards and pencil grips to state testing stress, parent communication, and why some kids will finish a test in five minutes like it's a speed run, this one is packed with stories that'll have you laughing and nodding the whole time. They get into the reality of kindergarten being "the new first grade," the wild expectations placed on little kids, and how parents can accidentally turn a simple concern into an internet battle. Plus, you'll hear the differences in classroom management across grade levels, the never-ending debate of pencil-and-paper vs. everything on the computer, and why middle school is a special kind of chaos (with body odor to match). Also: teachers as content creators, student reactions when they find your TikTok, and the fine line between satire and admin panic. Listen now & don't forget to subscribe!  Follow your hosts:  Briana Richardson @HonestTeacherVibes  Keldric Homes @keldricholmes Juan Cintron @onthejuanhand Follow us on all platforms @TeachersOffDutyPodcast To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TeachersOffDuty   _________________________________ Teachers Off Duty - A Bored Teachers©️ Podcast

Logan Holloman | Next Gen Pastor | March 1, 2026 Referenced Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Luke 12:13-34, Exodus 16:16-20, Luke 11:2-4, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:13-15 Reflection Questions:1. In what ways am I choosing to depend on God's generosity for my felt need? And in what ways am I restricting God's generosity by my own self sufficiency? 2. Is the way I relate to money more reflective to the American economy or God's economy? What is one step, just one practical change, that I can make to live more generously in my relationship to money and possessions. 3. Stay committed to developing a personal rhythm of confession. Begin giving attention to what this practice of confession could look like in your everyday life, and let it lead you into greater freedom, honesty and forgiveness. 4. Choose generosity to counteract greed. Greed is taking more than we need for ourselves, regardless of how that affects others. This week consider where you can be generous. Ask yourself: What do I have more than enough of? And who could I share it with? What's your next step? * Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard * Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children * Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students * Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give * Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman * Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app * Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - God's Hope in an Uncertain World(00:02:15) - Greed in the Gospel(00:06:56) - Jesus on Worrying About Greed(00:11:03) - Don't Take Too Much Stuff From Your Home(00:16:23) - Jesus' Pro-Dad Move(00:20:59) - How to Be Dependent on Others(00:24:11) - What is Contentment?(00:28:54) - Paul's Advice on Money(00:34:54) - What is 1 inch, 1%, 1 decision this week to live(00:38:41) - A Prayer for Generous Hearts

A proposal from Dr. Opperman to close one of the PPS middle schools leaves Lincoln on the hot seat. 

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260227fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 Use God's Tools for Success! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever wondered how Jesus beat Satan when Satan tried to trick him? You might think, “Well, Jesus is God—of course he won!” And that's true—Jesus is fully God. He could have stopped Satan right away. But listen to this: Jesus chose not to use his special God-power. Instead, he became fully human—just like us. He got tired. He got hungry. He depended completely on his heavenly Father. So how did Jesus fight Satan? Jesus didn't argue. He didn't show off. He didn't use superpowers. He used God's Word. Every time Satan tempted him, Jesus answered with words straight from the Bible. He trusted what his Father said more than what Satan promised. That's important for us too. We might know Bible verses—but doing what God says can still be hard. Satan isn't trying to make us forget Bible stories. He tries to trick us into thinking we can handle temptation all by ourselves. He whispers things like, “You don't need God's help.” But that's a lie. Jesus chose to be tempted on purpose—not because he might fail, but to show us how to win. He wanted to give us the right tools to fight temptation. Jesus understands what it's like to be tempted, because he was tempted too. And because he won, we can fight temptation the same way—by trusting God and using his Word. God's tools for success aren't muscles or willpower. They are every word and promise that comes from our heavenly Father's mouth. When we listen to God's Word, it gives us strength—every time. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving me your Word, which helps me fight temptation. When I feel weak or confused, help me trust you instead of myself. Use your Word to guide me and keep me strong. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who did Jesus trust when Satan tried to tempt him? What did Jesus use to defeat Satan—his power or God's Word? Questions for Elementary Age Children What can happen when we try to fight temptation all by ourselves? Why does it help to know that Jesus understands what it's like to be tempted? Questions for Middle School and Above What do you think Satan wants when he tempts people? Can you name a Bible truth or promise that could help you when you're tempted to do something wrong? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

You've committed to aiming high.You've accepted the hard work.So why does something still feel tense beneath the surface?In this final episode of the series, we uncover the third bottleneck to high performance: fear. Specifically, the three forms that shape how ambitious teens approach college admissions:Loss pain – What might I lose if I go all in?Process pain – What will this journey cost me emotionally?Outcome pain – What if I do everything right and it still isn't enough?You'll learn why attaching your identity to a single admissions decision creates unnecessary pressure — and how shifting your focus from “Where will I get in?” to “Who am I becoming?” removes desperation while making you more competitive.This episode ends with a powerful journaling exercise designed to help you confront fear and move forward with clarity and confidence.-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

Brian Priebe | Executive Pastor | February 22, 2026 Referenced Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4a, Luke 4:18-21, Luke 10:29b, Matthew 25:42-46 Reflection Questions:1. What's one thing that stood out to you from the sermon and why? 2. How would people close to you rate your protection of the vulnerable on a scale of 1-10? 3. What motivates you to protect the vulnerable? Can you share an experience of protecting the vulnerable that was meaningful to you? 4. What are Biblical examples of Jesus protecting the vulnerable? 5. Do you find that protecting the vulnerable comes to you naturally? Why or Why not? What things make it challenging for you? 6. Brian's focal point was that Jesus sought to bring justice to earth by protecting the vulnerable. Do you agree or disagree? Why? 7. Read Matthew 25:31-46. What differences do you see between how the sheep and the goats are described in the parable? 8. Are you naturally bent more like the sheep or the goats? What would it take in your life to serve more like the sheep than the goats? 9 What would the church look like if everyone took the sheeps posture of protecting the vulnerable or helping those in need? 10. Brian referenced the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) sacrificed his comfort, time and money to protect the vulnerable. Which of those is hardest for you to sacrifice and why? Which is easiest for you to sacrifice? What's your next step? * Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard * Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children * Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students * Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give * Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman * Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app * Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - What Do You Do About A Homeless Person's Sign?(00:02:04) - What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?(00:11:00) - The Parable of the Good Samaritan(00:17:44) - Jesus on Protecting the Vulnerable(00:21:15) - Examples of People Who Protect the Vulnerable(00:27:36) - Count the Cost of what it Takes to Protect the Vulnerable(00:33:55) - God's call to help the vulnerable(00:35:40) - All About It

Whether it was during her nearly two decades as a middle school humanities teacher or as diversity coordinator or grade-level team leader, my guest today kept returning to the same question: why does school so often feel like the opposite of learning?Lauren Porosoff's answer isn't a new program or a new curriculum, instead she offers a holistic way of thinking about how systems are connected to outcomes. And Lauren joins me today to talk about compensatory programs: the wellness kits, the diversity posters, the one-off professional development workshops that schools layer one on top of the other to signal that they value belonging, creativity, or student wellbeing, without ever changing the underlying framework for how students and teachers actually spend their time. In this episode, we talk about why schools reach for these fixes, why they backfire, and why they may be especially vulnerable to attack precisely because they're so superficial.Lauren's website is theteachernerd.com, and her book (one of many!), Teach for Authentic Engagement, is available from ASCD.Jailbreak Your PD The Trouble with Compensatory ProgramsThe Grammar of Inclusive Instructional DesignTeach for Authentic Engagement

The I Love CVille Show headlines: Henley Middle School ICE Truancy Student Protest Today Are We Accepting 12 Year Olds Skipping School? Elementary School Students Next Age Group To Protest? AlbCo Supe Pruitt Says Funding Not There For 4th HS VA Judge Blocks Democrats' Gerrymandering Efforts UVA BOV Names Dominion Energy Boss As Rector Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Merck: $12.5B + 1,750 New Jobs In Area The Most Important 3 Minutes Of News Today (2/20/26) Read Viewer & Listener Comments Live On-Air The I Love CVille Show airs live Monday – Friday from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on The I Love CVille Network. Watch and listen to The I Love CVille Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, iTunes, Apple Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, Fountain, Amazon Music, Audible, Rumble and iLoveCVille.com.

Camila explores Immigration stories with numbers and facts that show the powerful effect of the immigrant community.. Audio stories from Marwen's Middle School community. Young people interview, research, and collaborate to tell their story in a podcast format. students from the Podcast Program at Marwen engage in conversation with professionals that shape Chicago's vibrant life. Marwen exists to educate and inspire young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community. Rooted in the core values of creative youth development (youth voice, racial and social justice, collective action) our programs aim to cultivate youth-centered, supportive, and collaborative environments and communities to facilitate relevant visual arts programming with Chicago's young people since 1987. This episode is fully sponsored by Marwen's Young Voices: Podcast Stories (Pathways). Music Tracks by Beat by Beat.

Have you ever talked yourself out of something before you even tried? This might be why... Want to test yourself on how well you can recognize fallacies in real life? Take the Meme Fallacy Quiz! www.filteritthroughabraincell.com/quiz Learn more about Crazy Thinkers membership where you can practice critical thinking using real-life memes, articles & headlines: www.filteritthroughabraincell.com/crazy Here's how you can purchase the Logical Fallacies ebook: https://www.filteritthroughabraincell.com/offers/z6xbAcB2 Send me any questions, comments or even the fallacies you're seeing around you! think@filteritthroughabraincell.com Or, tag me on Instagram: @filteritthroughabraincell Sign up on my email list at: www.filteritthroughabraincell.com/contact Learn more about Summit ministries: www.summit.org/braincell use code: BRAINCELL26 Learn more about Classical Conversations: www.classicalconversations.com/filterit Thank you to our sponsor, CTC Math! Website: https://www.ctcmath.com/?tr_id=brain Homeschool page: https://www.ctcmath.com/how-it-works/home-school?tr_id=brain Free trail: https://www.ctcmath.com/trial?tr_id=brain Special offer! Get 1/2-off discounts plus bonus 6-months free! Critical Thinking for Teens Logical Fallacies for Teens Cognitive Biases for Teens Homeschool Logic Critical thinking for Middle schoolers

Guests - Carlos de Barros and Krystal MadanHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 255 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges and dance educators Carlos de Barros and Krystal Madan join us for a discussion about the junior and teen divisions. Without the right support and guidance, the transition from junior to teen can be challenging. Today, we chat about the best ways to guide young dancers through this journey!Topics Include: What separates the dancers in the junior division from the ones who evolve and grow from the ones who plateau Why consistency is key for this age group to progress How teachers and studio owners can support dancers in this age group both inside and outside the studioHelp support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:Monthly Q&A episodes released to members onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!Follow your Hosts & Guests!Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceCarlos de Barros - @carlosdebarros513Krystal Madan - @choreo_by_kThis episode is sponsored by:The DanceOne Summit The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACTJoin our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you! Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox! Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA-affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.comSupport the show

This week on DaBaddest Radio, we introduce our very own military baddie and take it all the way back — from chaotic middle school lore (yes, the fight videos) to active-duty leadership and reporting for duty in real life.We're talking glow-ups, growth, and what it actually means to evolve. From shaved-head menace energy to company commander confidence, this episode is giving transformation.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Carter opens the hour with Michael Rainville of the Minneapolis city council reacting to the council's vote today to renew liquor licenses for two hotels that were hosting ICE agents during the surge. Later, Adam discusses a controversy from Hermantown where a middle school teacher described ICE tactics as tricky and violent during a lesson to students. Plus, Jason DeRusha checks in for two segments from sunny Ft. Myers.

Ramona Middle School theater director Colin Campbell is joined by Ramona Drama Society Leadership members and eighth-graders Marlo P and Jayliana K, and Ramona Drama Society Parent Board President Jacqueline Pineda to discuss the Bonita Unified middle school's thriving theater program, which includes live musical performances, improv comedy nights, student plays, and their Spring field trip to New York City, where they will receive an opportunity to tour Manhattan and see live Broadway shows.

Big Transitions, Confident Steps: Supporting Students from Elementary to Middle School—and Middle to High Schoolفي هذه الحلقة، يتحدث المضيفون عن نصائح لإعداد الطلاب للانتقال من المدرسةالابتدائية إلى المدرسة المتوسطة ومن المدرسة المتوسطة إلى المدرسة الثانوية.لوكان لديكم موضوع تودون أن نقدم لكم معلومات عنه يمكنكم مراسلتنا علىIn this episode, hosts talk about tips for preparing your child for transitioning from elementary school to middle school and middle school to high school.Links: Curriculum Nights:https://www.fcps.edu/standard-school-year-calendar/middle-school-curriculum-nightsTrust Policy: https://www.fcps.edu/trustpolicyFood Resources:https://foodforothers.org/https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/food-council/sites/food-council/files/assets/documents/pdf/fairfax-food-resources.pdf

Middle school is often where confident, curious kids begin to disappear—academically, socially, emotionally, or all three. For many families, this stage becomes confusing, overwhelming, and full of uncertainty about whether their child is truly being prepared for what comes next. In this episode, we take an honest look at why traditional middle school models so often fail young adolescents—and what parents and educators should expect and demand from a middle school program instead. Drawing from personal experience as a teacher, a middle school mom, and a microschool leader, this conversation redefines what middle school can be when it's intentionally designed around ownership, purpose, belonging, and preparedness. You'll learn why grades 6–8 are a critical turning point for confidence and identity, what students actually need during early adolescence, and how to evaluate whether a middle school model is genuinely preparing students for high school—not just keeping them busy. This episode offers clarity, language, and practical insight for families and educators navigating one of the most important seasons of a child's educational journey. If you've ever wondered why middle school feels so hard—or how it could be done better—this episode will change the way you think about what's possible. ----more---- Microschool Masterminds: skool.com/microschool-masterminds Every Thursday from 12-1 pm (EST), join Makenzie Oliver, microschool founder, VELA connector, and instructional coach, along with other founders, parents, and dreamers, as we connect, inspire, and progress through the challenges and celebrations of starting, running, and growing a microschool! When you join Microschool Masterminds for just $107/month, you get: Live Weekly Collaborative Sessions to Maintain Your Momentum and Create Community Instant Access to Over 150+ Resources on Marketing, Finances, Organization, Hiring, and More! The Key to the Mastermind Vault, with ALL of Our Recorded Presentations since April 2024 EXCLUSIVE Access To Mastermind-Only Discounted Items Microschool Masterminds is about collaboration and transformation – about helping you become a confident, empowered entrepreneur, ready to take on the world with friends to guide you along the way. Join us on this remarkable journey from overwhelm to success.   Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/redreameducation If you're searching for a community because something in your life, your classroom, your family, your child, or your heart is asking for a new dream. A wiser dream. A ReDream. You belong in ReDream Education's Microschool Community (Facebook Group). We challenge the old models, rethink what learning can be, and build innovative pathways for children, families, and communities!   Blog: redreameducation.com/blog It's time to take the light that's been dimmed, due to the overwhelming pressures, and spark a flame! Whether it's starting a homeschooling business, designing a microschool, or even becoming a traveling tutor...teacher friend...the options are here for you to stay in the teaching profession and do what you love.

In this episode, Abby Cooper (Risely's Director of Coaching and a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes) sits down with Jessie Bennett, a mom of two in California whose 13-year-old son, Samuel, was diagnosed with T1D two years ago. Jessie opens up about what the first year really felt like: survival mode, numbness, and the constant, invisible fear of low blood sugar that can hijack your body and your mind.Together, Abby and Jessie talk about why this episode is intentionally different, because the goal is not to wait until everything feels “fixed” before you get support. Jessie shares what shifted through coaching: building a simple “order of operations” toolkit, learning to slow down the spiral, and redefining progress as being able to live even when fear still shows up.WHAT WE COVER:What the first 6 to 12 months after a child's diagnosis can feel like, and why it's normalHow fear of low blood sugar shows up physically, emotionally, and in decision-makingThe “invisible” anxiety parents carry, even when they look calm on the outsideWhy coaching is not about erasing fear, but changing how you live alongside itA practical toolkit for making decisions: insulin on board, trend, and “I have what I need to handle this”Redefining progress when you're still in the middle, without rushing yourself to a finish lineKEY TAKEAWAYS:1️⃣ Fear is protective, but it comes with a cost. The goal is not to shame it away. It is to stop letting it run the whole day (or night).2️⃣ Real change comes from experience, not explanation. Tools, repetition, and safety-building moments are what rewire confidence.3️⃣ Progress you can't measure still matters. Letting your child go play at 110, trusting the plan, and staying regulated, those wins change your whole family.WHAT'S NEXT:

Jackson Bumala, a 14-year-old middle school student from Vancouver, recently served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives with sponsorship from Rep. John Ley, attending Legislative Page School and assisting with daily duties during his week in Olympia. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-middle-school-student-joins-rep-john-ley-in-olympia-as-a-house-page/ #JohnLey #JacksonBumala #HousePageProgram #WashingtonLegislature #ClarkCounty #YouthInGovernment #18thLegislativeDistrict

Most teens don't need more hours in the day, they need to stop losing the hours they already have.In Part 2 of this 3-part series, we tackle the second bottleneck to high performance: time management.You'll discover:Why a checklist isn't a strategyHow most students spend ⅓ to ⅔ of their day on autopilotThe one-page system I teach that helps students reclaim time, sharpen focus, and reduce overwhelmWhy small daily reflections unlock massive long-term progress-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

Emma Friedman reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Logan Holloman | Next Gen Pastor | February 15, 2026 Referenced Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 4:17-19, 1 John 2:5-6, Luke 19:1-10, Acts 1:8, 1 John 1:3-4, 1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Peter 3:15, Colossians 4:5-6 Reflection Questions:1) Dallas Willard said a disciple lives “their life the way Jesus would live if he were them.”What part of your life feels hardest to imagine Jesus stepping into right now? 2) When you think of evangelism, what emotion shows up first—and why do you think that is? 3) Who feels like “the other” in your world right now? What would hospitality look like—not theoretically, but practically? 4) When was the last time you felt genuinely welcomed by someone? What did they do that made it feel safe? 5) How naturally does Jesus come up in your everyday conversations? What makes that easier—or harder? 6) What's one story from your life with Jesus that feels authentic and real (not polished)? 7) What does “living a beautiful life” look like in your current season—work, home, relationships? 8) How might excellence, kindness, or presence at work be part of your witness? 9) Is there one small step you sense God inviting you into this week—making room, telling your story, or simply paying closer attention? 10) How can this group support one another in living this out without pressure or shame? What's your next step? * Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard * Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children * Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students * Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give * Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman * Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app * Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:01) - The Greatest Tip Ever Gave(00:02:04) - Evangelism(00:07:12) - Wonders of Evangelism(00:12:16) - Jesus Calling Zacchaeus to Salvation(00:16:42) - Preaching the Gospel(00:20:57) - The Power of the Holy Spirit(00:25:54) - As you are going into all the world, what Matthew 28 almost(00:29:48) - Three Rules for Who You Are in Christ(00:32:20) - There's Someone in Your Life That Needs Jesus

Oh, where to start?  Setting boundaries is a skill that most adults are still trying to figure out.  For our kids it is a critical life skill that requires prompts, patience and a ton of empathy.  Our podcast touches on when to teach our kids to walk away from a bad situation and that boundaries are more than ok for the benefit of the long term friendship.  Friendship boundary red flags like aggressive teasing, unkind words, and non-stop bossiness can elevate to level ten so quick.  Simple goto phrases can be a foundational goto for our kids such as "I'm all done", "I'm going to play something else", and "That's not cool".  Setting boundaries = RESPECT.FM Reading List: Our Personal Bubble by Stephanie ChanI Can Say NO by Jenny SimmonsThe Not-So-Friendly Friend by Christina FurnivalSend a textfinding-moments.com or Etsy Shop

Zach, Al, Christian, and John Luke dig into why unanswered prayers can feel like personal rejection from God—and how faith survives that silence. Zach surprises everyone first with his unexpected knowledge of cosmic anomalies, then with an embarrassing middle school dance rejection story he's clearly still not over. The conversation turns to C.S. Lewis's struggle with loss, doubt, and the “sincerity spiral” that nearly drove him from faith. His journey becomes a hopeful illustration of how to move your prayer life beyond fear and into something both deeply sincere and thoughtfully rooted in Christ. In this episode: Romans 12, chapters 1–2; Romans 8, verses 18–27; Genesis 1, verse 28; John 1, verses 1–2; John 1, verse 14; John 5, verse 39; Luke 24, verses 13–35; Colossians 2, verses 20–23; 2 Peter 1, verse 4 Today's conversation is about Lesson 5 of C.S. Lewis on Christianity taught by visiting Hillsdale professor Michael Ward. Take the course with us at no cost to you! Sign up at http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/. More about C.S. Lewis on Christianity: Encounter the faith & wisdom of C.S. Lewis C.S. Lewis's writings bring the great questions of the Christian faith to life. Through his imaginative and invigorating style, Lewis answers these questions in ways that are compelling to those outside Christianity and energizing to those within the Christian faith. In this free, seven-lecture course, Professor Michael Ward—a leading scholar of C.S. Lewis—will explore Lewis's: argument for objective moral value in response to the rise of modern subjectivism; bittersweet path to conversion and the role of enjoyment in the Christian life; advice regarding the proper way to pray and read the Bible; teachings concerning the purpose of pain and how to confront suffering and loss; insights about the nature of heaven and hell. This course examines these fundamental topics not only through his classic works—including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Abolition of Man—but also through Lewis's personal experiences with doubt, conversion, suffering, grief, and joy. Through this course, students will discover Lewis's core lessons regarding the truth and goodness of the Christian faith and how to apply those lessons to one's life.  Join us today in discovering C.S. Lewis's enduring lessons about the meaning and practice of Christianity. Sign up at ⁠http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters: 00:00 Prayer Pushed Lewis to Atheism 03:02 Losing His Mom & Losing His Faith 07:48 The Sincerity Spiral 13:10 The Union of Wills 18:42 Romans 8 & Wordless Groans 24:08 Breaking the Self-Imposed Spell 30:05 Stop Standing in the Corner 36:20 The Word Made Flesh 41:15 Reading the Bible by Genre 45:12 Christ Unlocks Scripture 48:22 Hearts Set on Fire — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Shannon shares two quick, high-engagement writing activities you can use right away—even if winter weather has your schedule totally off track. You'll hear how "The Day the Rules Disappeared" works as a persuasive writing lesson and a classroom reset, plus a fun Valentine's option, "Break Up With Winter," that gets even reluctant writers to buy in. Both resources are FREE and include print-and-teach materials, with an optional interactive extension linked inside. Grab both freebies here! The Day the Rules Disappeared Break Up With Winter

Let's Think About "Immigrating in Middle School" With Special Guest Marina Raydun Marina shares her thoughts on immigrating in middle school, reminding people that life can seem difficult in the moment, but when you look back, you realize it was perfect. While learning about Marina, we discussed her book and the various ways she learned the language while experiencing many firsts in the U.S. This episode aims to prompt thought.  To stay in touch, please visit Marina's website at https://www.marinaraydun.com/ to learn more about her.

Wed, Feb 11 4:28 PM → 14 Sat 6:32 PM Search Warrant near ConstitutionYorktownSouthbound in DeForest that caused the middle school to go on lockdown. Radio Systems: - DANECOM

On this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Andrew Bishop is joined by four Middle School SGA members to discuss SGA's impact at Davidson Day and how they hope to make a difference at our school.

Nora and Bob discuss the algorithm, how it influences our behavior and elaborate on mindful ways to use the application. Audio stories from Marwen's Middle School community. Young people interview, research, and collaborate to tell their story in a podcast format. students from the Podcast Program at Marwen engage in conversation with professionals that shape Chicago's vibrant life. Marwen exists to educate and inspire young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community. Rooted in the core values of creative youth development (youth voice, racial and social justice, collective action) our programs aim to cultivate youth-centered, supportive, and collaborative environments and communities to facilitate relevant visual arts programming with Chicago's young people since 1987. This episode is fully sponsored by Marwen's Young Voices: Podcast Stories (Pathways). Music Tracks by Beat by Beat.

Dave talks about OVC Middle School basketball championships and the end of basketball season. 

Why do some teens seem to effortlessly rise to the top—winning scholarships, earning Ivy League acceptances, and excelling in everything they do—while others with similar stats struggle to stand out?In this first episode of a 3-part series, we uncover the real barriers to high performance—starting with the most overlooked: stamina.You'll learn:Why energy (not ambition!) is the true foundation of performanceHow chronic sleep deprivation sabotages productivity, decision-making, and emotional controlThe simple but powerful habits inside the Ivy League Health ChallengeHow one overcommitted student made a single change, and everything got better-----To register for the Ivy League Challenge, visit our websiteTo follow on Instagram:  @TheIvyLeagueChallengeTo join us on our Facebook group for parents

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor | February 8, 2026 Referenced Scripture: John 13:34-35, Ephesians 5:25, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 3:4-6 Reflection Questions:1. Mission Statement: Together, we lead people in becoming All In followers of Jesus. — Do you believe that an ALL IN follower of Jesus must live out their faith TOGETHER with other believers? Why or why not? 2. Read John 13:34-35 — How would you describe the way Jesus has loved us? What adjectives would you use? How is it even possible for us to love other people in that same way? 3. Jesus said the defining characteristic of an ALL IN follower is seen in our love for one another. How would you evaluate your love for other followers? How would you evaluate other followers' love for you? 4. Can we love Jesus while at the same time not be actively loving His church (other followers)? Why or why not? 5. What makes it difficult for you to love other followers this way? What barriers do you need to overcome? What are some practical ways you could seek to overcome those barriers? 6. For us to be known and loved (and to love and know others) requires vulnerability. What makes vulnerability difficult for people? Difficult for you? How can we create environments that foster greater vulnerability? 7. Shame → Shame isn't just feeling bad about yourself; it's a deep fear that you are unloveable; that if people knew who you really were, they would reject you. 8. How can shame create a barrier to authentic loving relationships? How can we overcome shame? How can we help others overcome shame? 9. How might Sunday Gatherings be different if everyone showed up with a mindset to know and love other people? What is something practical you can do this week to approach our gatherings differently? 10. How could your small group grow in the ability to know and love one another? What's your next step? Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/appGather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozeman  Chapters (00:00:00) - Imagine If Your Church Was Like a Family(00:03:26) - What Does It Mean to Be An All In Followers of Jesus(00:12:45) - You Are God's Temple(00:19:18) - What is the responsibility of the church(00:21:19) - The mystery of the early church(00:30:05) - The reasons Christians don't want to be in community(00:30:30) - Six Things That Keep Us From a Together Relationship(00:38:13) - The First Step of Together(00:42:45) - What's Your Next Step?(00:43:46) - Jesus' Love Prayer

In this special episode, host Manya Brachear Pashman welcomes a co-host: her 11-year-old son, Max. Together, they sit down with Emmy-winning CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga to discuss her new novel, Don't Feed the Lion. Co-written with Yonit Levy, the book tackles the viral contagion of antisemitism in schools.  From the pressure of being the only Jewish kid in class to the stress of Bar Mitzvah prep, this multi-generational conversation explores the void in modern education and the power of empathy. A rare, heartwarming, and urgent bridge between the newsroom and the classroom, this discussion is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone looking to understand the next generation's fight against hate. A Note to Our Listeners: As we head into 2026, People of the Pod will be taking a pause. After eight years of sharing your stories, we are contemplating our next chapter. Thank you for being part of this journey. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC. Key Resources: AJC's Center for Education Advocacy Confronting Antisemitism In Our Schools: A Toolkit for Parents of Jewish K-12 Students FAQs for Parents of K-12 Jewish Students Listen – AJC Podcasts: Architects of Peace The Forgotten Exodus People of the Pod Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman: Bianna Golodryga is an Emmy award winning news anchor for CNN, who has reported extensively on the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She is a mother and she is now a published novelist. Co-written with leading Israeli news anchor Yonit Levy, Don't Feed the Lion is about how the rise of antisemitism affects Theo, his sister Annie, and their friends Gabe and Connor, all students in a Chicago middle school,  and it was written with middle schoolers in mind.  Bianna is with us now to discuss the book, along with my co-anchor this week, my son Max, a middle schooler who read the book as well and has a few questions of his own. I will let Max do the honors. Max Pashman: Bianna, welcome to People of the Pod. Bianna Golodryga: Well, it is a joy to be with you Manya, and especially you, Max. We wrote the book for you, for you and your peers especially. So really excited to hear your thoughts on the book. Manya Brachear Pashman: Well, I want to know, Bianna, what prompted you to write this book? Was it the mother in you or the journalist or a little bit of both? Bianna Golodryga: It was definitely a little bit of both. It was the mother in me, initially, where the idea was first launched and the seed planted even before October 7. You know, sadly, antisemitism has been with us for millennia, but I never thought that I would be having these conversations with my own kids in the city, with the largest Jewish community and population outside of Israel. But you'll recall that there were a few high profile antisemitic social media posts and controversies surrounding Kanye West and then Kyrie Irving, who's a famous NBA player at the time, and my son, who was 10 at the time, a huge sports fan, and was very upset about the fact that not only were these comments made and these posts made, but there was really no accountability for them. There was no consequence. Ultimately, Kyrie Irving was suspended for a few games, but there was just a deluge of news surrounding this. People apologizing for him, but not him apologizing for himself. So my son asked as we were on our way to a basketball game to watch Kyrie play. Asked, why do they hate us? Can I not even go to the game? Does he not want me there? And I really was dumbfounded. I didn't know how to respond. And I said, you know, I don't have the answer for that, but I'm going to reach out to your school, because I'm sure this is something that they're addressing and dealing with and have the resources for.  This was after the murder of George Floyd, and so we had already witnessed all of the investments, thankfully, into resources for our kids, and conversations, both at schools and the workforce, about racism, how to deal with racism, how to spot and identify it, other forms of hate. And I just assumed that that would include antisemitism. But when I reached out to the school and asked, you know, what are they doing on antisemitism, the response stunned me. I mean, it's basically nothing. And so as I said, the seed was planted that we really need to do something about this. There's a real void here. And then, of course, when the attacks of October 7 happened, you know, Yonit and I were on the phone and messaging every single day right after.  And it was pretty quick, maybe two weeks later, when, you know, we'd already started seeing an uptick in antisemitism around the world and here in the US and New York as well, where we said, you know, we have to do something. And I said, I think we should write this book. We should write the book we couldn't find, that I couldn't find at the time. Because I did a bit of research, and there were really no books like this for this particular age group. Max Pashman: It was kind of answered in your other answer to the first question, but when I first read the book, I started wondering whether the incidents described in the book, were they taken from your experiences, or was it a realistic fiction book? Bianna Golodryga: I would say the inspiration for the athlete came from real life events. You know, I am a big sports fan as well, and I grew up watching basketball, and I have a lot of admiration for so many of these players, and I actually believe in redemption. And so people say things and they make mistakes, and I don't believe in purity tests. If people say things that are wrong, I think they have a right to apologize for it, make up for it. I don't like canceling people. We learn from our mistakes. We grow from our mistakes. No one's perfect. I think it's just more about accountability for all of us.  And so the idea came about, yes, from real life, but you know, this is a soccer player in our book. I don't feel that he's very remorseful, even though ultimately he does have a quasi-apology. But you know, it's the impact that it has on society and fans and those who support him, especially like your age and my son's age, I think those are really the ones who hurt the most. Manya Brachear Pashman: Yeah, the impressionable minds. I mean, I thought the book did a lovely job of illustrating just how impressionable these young minds were, and then also how viral this was. I mean, once the celebrity athlete said his comments, what it unleashed. And, you know, you don't get into any violence. There's one incident that is rough, but brief, but it's, you know, the swastika painted on the locker, a rock through a window, but it's just that viral spread. I mean, was that your intent, to kind of illustrate this slow contagion? Bianna Golodryga: Yes, I think our kids are subject to so much more information than we were as kids and teenagers their age as well. You know, every society has had to deal with their challenges, and every generation has as well. And as we've said, antisemitism has been with us for millennia, but when you compound that with social media and the dangers. There's so many great things about social media. We have access to so much information, but then when you throw in disinformation, misinformation, you know, things going viral, news spreading, how much time people spend on social media sites and the influence that they succumb to by sometimes bad actors. So the book is not for antisemites, but I think what the book relays is what we've noticed, and sort of our theory, is that antisemitism has been somewhat accepted as part of society for far too long, and it's never been elevated to the level of urgency that other forms of hate has been. So I mentioned racism and post-George Floyd.  I would think that if that much attention had been put into antisemitism as well, that people, especially children and those at school, would understand the gravity of antisemitism, and you know how much danger can be created from people who espouse antisemitic views and, you know, draw swastikas because they think it's funny, or they don't think it's such a big deal because they don't spend time talking about it, and they don't understand so much hate and so much pain that's behind these symbols. That's behind these words. And you know, we are such a small minority that so many times it's Jews that feel like they have to carry the weight and the burden of other people's actions, even if they don't mean to be as hurtful and as vile as some of this language is. So you said impressionable. That is why we are targeting this age group specifically, because it's such a magical age group. Kids Max's age, and my son's age, anywhere between nine and 15. They're very impressionable, but they still communicate with their families, their parents. They talk at dinner tables.  They may not have social media accounts, but they are very well aware of what's going on in the world, and are very curious, and have access to so much good and bad. And so by not having this conversation at that age, you know, we're doing them a disservice, and I think we're doing ourselves a disservice as adults by not addressing these problems in this particular issue of antisemitism head on. Manya Brachear Pashman: I'm curious, once you identified that void in the school's curriculum and strategies for addressing prejudice, did they do anything to address that and to repair that void? I know a lot of Jewish parents are finding that really the burden falls on them to address these things in a very reactive manner. Not proactive. And I'm just curious what the situation ended up being at your school. Bianna Golodryga: I think we're starting, you know, without focusing as much on my school, because I feel that it's pretty obvious that that was status quo for many schools, not just in New York, but across the country, that you would have books and resources and materials on Hanukkah and Jewish holidays for kindergartners. And then some of the older kids in high school are introduced to the Holocaust. And some of these more challenging topics in areas in Jewish history to cover, and then the story sort of ends there. I don't know if it's because people are worried about conflating the Middle East and the conflict there with antisemitism, but there's a huge void, and it's something again, if you're 2% of the population and you are the victim of 70% according to the FBI, of all religious based violence, then there's a big problem. And the fact that that's not identified or discussed in schools, to us was just not acceptable. And so I think it's sort of a cop out to say no, it's because of the war. It's because of this. Antisemitism morphs and comes in different waves, and fortunately, I didn't experience much of it growing up. But that doesn't mean that, you know, it's not going to rear its ugly head again, and it has, and that was before the attacks of October 7.  We obviously had the Tree of Life shooting. We had so many incidents around the world in the First Intifada, the Second Intifada, you know, dating before that, I don't remember growing up without security outside of my synagogue, or, you know, any Jewish institution. This is the best country in the world, but we've sort of come to accept that. And now, you know, we're at a place where I don't necessarily feel comfortable walking into a Jewish house of worship or institution without security. So we really, I think, wanted to send a message that these are conversations we should have been having for a long time now, and the best way to start it is with our kids, because, like Max, they have so many questions, and they also have so much empathy. Max Pashman: You mentioned your son being your main inspiration for it. Has he read the book? Bianna Golodryga: Oh, yes, I was the most nervous, and Yonit has three kids too, so we were the most nervous about appealing to them. It wasn't our editor or anybody else, our spouses, or even people in the industry that we cared about more than our kids, because we knew their reaction would really set the tone for you know kids like yourselves, and you're not a monolith.  I know some kids like a certain book and some kids don't, but we wanted to make sure to write this book so it didn't feel like homework, so it didn't feel like you were forced to read it at school. And we wanted you to be able to identify with the characters and the story and find it really interesting, and oh, by the way, it just so happens to deal with the subject that we haven't really touched upon yet. So yes, my son really liked it. Both my kids really liked it. Manya Brachear Pashman: Would you agree, Max, that it didn't feel like homework? Max Pashman: Yeah, it felt like, well, a good book feels like, kind of like watching a movie, because it gives you enough details to the point where you can visualize the characters and kind of see what's going on. And that's also one of the reasons I like books more than movies, because it allows you to use your imagination to build the characters a little bit.  But a good book doesn't just leave you with a general outline of what you want. It will give you the full picture, and then you can build most of the picture, and you can build off that with your mind. And I felt that it really did not feel like something that you were forced to read, because that's a lot less interesting. Bianna Golodryga: Well, that is the best review one could get, honestly, Max. And I can tell you you like a good book, and you're a voracious reader, and I agree with you 99.9% of the time, the book will always be better than the movie because of that detail, because of using your imagination. And so we wanted this to be a story that appealed to boys, girls, parents. You know, kids. It was very hard for us to say, Oh, here's our target audience, because we really wanted it to be an experience for every generation and for every position in life, from, you know, again, a kid, a parent, a teacher, a principal, a coach, grandparents. Manya Brachear Pashman: You know, it's interesting. You mentioned generations, and you mentioned being a Soviet refugee, and clearly you're outspoken about antisemitism. You're raising your children to be outspoken about antisemitism. What about your parents? How did they address antisemitism, or the form of antisemitism that they experienced?  Bianna Golodryga: Yeah, I mean, as I said, we were so, I was so fortunate. I was like a piece of luggage. It was my parents who were courageous enough to decide to move to this country as Jewish refugees from the Soviet Union, where antisemitism was institutionalized. I mean, it was from top down. I mean, that was a mandated policy. And so my parents knew they didn't have a future. I didn't have a future in the Soviet Union. And so, of course, their dream was to come to the United States, and it was still the best decision they've ever made, and the best, you know, place I could have been raised. As I said, I was very fortunate to not really experience antisemitism as a kid. And mind you, I was the only Jewish student for many years at my first school, and we were the only Jewish family in our neighborhood for many years.  Ultimately, my parents moved more into the center of the town and we always went to synagogue, so we were always around Jewish people and families, but the majority of my, especially early childhood friends, were not Jewish. And I have to say, for me, learning about antisemitism, it was more of a history lesson as to, like, why we left a certain country and why you can come to America and you're not identified as a Jew, by your race or religion. You're an American. I'm an American Jew.  And you know, that's just not how people were identified in the Soviet Union, that that was their race. I mean, my birth certificate said Jew. My parents' library card said Jew. There were quotas and getting into good schools.And the types of jobs they could get. So for me, it was sort of backward looking, even knowing that, yes, antisemitism still exists, but it's sort of controlled. You know, once in a while we would have a bomb threat at our synagogue, and again, there were always police officers out there. And I noticed that was a difference from my friends' churches, because what ended up being sort of a beautiful tradition that my parents didn't intend to do, it just so happened to be the case that when I would have friends spend the night at my house, or I would spend a night at their house, sometimes they would come to Shabbat services with us, and I would go to church with them.  And so for many of their congregants, I was the first Jewish person they'd ever seen. I was welcomed with open arms. But for you know, coming to my services, you know, it was the first time they'd been to a Jewish house of worship, and it was a very, very meaningful, I think, a great learning opportunity. But yeah, for me growing up, it wasn't a top priority. It wasn't top of mind just because I knew that I was an American Jew, and that was, that was who I was here. And it was only, you know, the last few years where I realized, you know, this is not something to be taken for granted. Max Pashman: I can definitely relate to being the only Jewish person in my class, because all through elementary school, there were no other Jewish kids in my grade. But as soon as I entered middle school, I met a few other kids who were Jewish. Who I've actually become very good friends with, and it's just like a lot more diversity. BIANNA; Yeah, that's great. I mean, I remember when I was in elementary school and it, you know, all the and we were trying to express this point too in the book, especially with Theo that, you know, so many kids at that age just want to be like everyone else. They don't want to stand out. And if you're the only Jewish kid you know on your soccer team, and all of a sudden you have practice or games right before Shabbat dinner, you know you're feeling the pressure, and you don't want to be excluded from your friends' activities after or have to keep reminding your coach, and it's incumbent on your coach and the adults in your life and who are not Jewish, to honor that, to respect that. To say, hey, we're going to move practice a little early, or, Hey, you know Theo, Max, I know you have Shabbat dinner, so we're going to, we're going to work on these, you know exercises 30 minutes before . . . you know, just to acknowledge that you are valued and you are respected. And that doesn't mean that everyone else's schedule needs to change because of yours, but it definitely doesn't mean that you have to walk on eggshells or feel like you're left out or stand out or different for all the wrong reasons because you have other responsibilities and plans. So for me, I remember as a kid, I was the only Jewish student in my elementary school, for the first elementary school I went to, and I remember leaving for winter break, and, you know, our principal getting on the intercom the loudspeaker, and wishing everyone, you know, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, Bianna. And I was like, Oh no, you know, I don't want to be excluded. And it wasn't out of malevolence, like it was just, I want to include. But at that point, I already had a funny last name. My parents had accents. I was from the Soviet Union, which was the enemy at the time, so I definitely stood out for a number of reasons. And on top of that, you know, I celebrate a different holiday. So yes, you know, we learn and grow from it, but we can remember, like I still remember it. Manya Brachear Pashman: The title of the book is, Don't Feed the Lion. And the book does get into that adage and what it means, don't take the bait, don't engage. That's how I interpreted it. But some would argue that it was not feeding the lion for a large portion of the book, you know, staying silent that really exacerbated the problem, or or you referring more to the more to the unproductive social media banter? Bianna Golodryga: Well, I think it's, you know, our message was that it shouldn't fall on the kids to do what's right, and that kids know what's right, and innately, I mean, in their gut, like I said that there's empathy. Most kids, you know when you've hurt someone else's feelings. You know when something makes you feel sad. But what we do, especially as children, as we're still learning, is we take cues from the adults in our lives, so if the adults aren't responding to what that initial reaction you have, that gut instinct is, then you start to question, well, maybe, maybe it wasn't a big deal. Or, you know, maybe the swastika isn't, you know, we'll just cover it up. Or, you know, why should we all suffer and have our team not play in the finals, just because of this one thing. And, oh, he didn't take it so personally. It's fine. And the principal then putting the pressure on Theo. Okay, I'm happy to write this report, but you know what it's going to generate and, and so ultimately, you know, you have the coach, and you have others who come around to, okay, no, we've got to step up and do the right thing.  But our biggest concern was for too long. And you know, we know of this in real life instances, for our from our own friends and family members, that the burden falls on the kids, on the students, who then have to deal with the ramifications, whether it's the victim of antisemitic attacks or slurs or those that are delivering them, because maybe they don't think it's that big of a deal, because they haven't had conversations like this, they don't know how much that hurts somebody's feelings. They don't know the backstory or the history behind what that symbol means.  So it was more on, yes, don't feed into your insecurity. Don't feed into the hate. You know, address it head on, but it's a two-way street, you know, as much as Theo should have, you know, and he realizes that he can learn from others around him, like his sister and Gabe, to do what's right and say what's right, it really is the adults that should have been the ones in the first place doing that. Max Pashman: Because in the book, you see Principal Connolly kind of pushing Theo to just like, say, oh, it's not a big deal, and to cover it up because of a sports team. And he wants the sports team to do well. Bianna Golodryga: Yes, and all the paperwork that this is going to involve now, and, you know, all of the sudden it's almost like it's Theo's fault, that he was victimized. Max Pashman: And he's kind of pushing, he's saying it's your choice Theo, and then kind of starting to make the decision for him. Bianna Golodryga: Right. So it really wasn't even Theo's choice, because he was playing mind games with Theo. And it took a lot of courage for Theo to even call for that meeting, right? So I'm so glad you picked up on that Max. But again, instances similar to that, you know, happen in real life that I know of, people close to me. And so we just want to, again, through fiction, through a really good story, make clear to people that this is not okay. Manya Brachear Pashman: So are you hoping that schools will pick up this book and use it as a resource, as a tool? Bianna Golodryga: For sure. I mean, that is our ultimate goal. I think it should be in every single school, library. You know, I see absolutely no reason why this would ever be deemed a controversial book or something. You know, we've had conversations with a number of Jewish organizations about maybe perhaps providing some supplementals for the book that can be added for class conversations around the book from teachers and others.  But Yonit and I went and we spoke at a couple of schools, and speaking to kids, it was just so eye opening to know that there is a need for this that they are so eager to have these conversations that, you know, it's as much for Jewish students as it is for non-Jewish students, if not even more so. You know, Jewish students feel that they can be finally heard, but non-Jewish students and allies can truly understand what it feels like, and can have conversations about what to do to avoid certain situations preemptively, you know, avoid or if they've seen certain situations, or know about, how to respond. Manya Brachear Pashman: And I do appreciate the statement that the book makes about allies. Those are, those are strong characters in the book. Bianna Golodryga: We can't do it alone. Yeah, we didn't want to throw away character. We didn't want just an ally. Everyone has their own stories and no one really knows what's truly going on in someone's home life and in their head and their heart and in their reality. So any day, anytime, any day, our favorite characters would change. You know, don't ask Yonit and me who our favorite characters are, because we love them all. Manya Brachear Pashman: And add Middle School hormones to the mix, and you've got, you've got quite the drama. Bianna Golodryga: Exactly, and crushes and Bar Mitzvah prep and a lot of stress. Manya Brachear Pashman: A lot of stress, a lot of stress, well, and that, he just heaved a heavy sigh, because he's just, you reminded him of his own bar mitzvah preparation. Bianna Golodryga: Well, you will see that it's a magical experience. Max, worth all the work, definitely. Manya Brachear Pashman: Well, Bianna, thank you so much for joining us. Bianna Golodryga: Thank you. I loved this conversation. I'm so glad that you liked the book, Max. Max Pashman: Thank you. Manya Brachear Pashman: So Max, you and I haven't really had a conversation since we both finished this book. We kind of went into the conversation with Bianna cold. I do want to know which character you identified with the most. Max Pashman:  I really related to Theo with his stress over his Bar Mitzvah and the stress of having a little sister, which I know very, very well. Manya Brachear Pashman:  And why Theo, besides having the annoying sister, why did you relate to him? Max Pashman:  Because, I guess the stress of having a Bar Mitzvah in middle school and kind of being the only kid in your, the only Jewish kid in your class,  Manya Brachear Pashman:  Well, you have a few. Max Pashman:  A few, but not a lot. Manya Brachear Pashman:  Did you realize before you read this book that the swastika, that spidery looking symbol, was as evil as it is? Max Pashman:  No. Well, yes, going into this book, I did know, but actually I figured it out in other books, allowing me to digress. I read Linked by Gordon Corman about this boy who finds a swastika in his school, and then figures out that he is Jewish, and then swastikas start showing up around town. He comes up with a plan with his friends to stop it, and it changes points of view, kind of like, Don't feed the Lion.  Manya Brachear Pashman: Okay. Max Pashman:  Very similar book. But what really helped me realize, I realized the meaning and terror of the the swastika was Prisoner B3087 by Alan Gratz, about this 10 year old boy who is alive right before the Holocaust, and he is taken to multiple, to 10 different prison camps throughout the course of the Holocaust before his camp is liberated by American soldiers. Manya Brachear Pashman:  Was that assigned reading? Or how did you come across that book? Max Pashman:  I was actually sitting in the library, just waiting for you to get to the library, because after school. Manya Brachear Pashman:  Alright, was there anything in particular that drew you to that book? Max Pashman:  I was just looking on the shelves because that was a summer reading book. So I was just like, Okay, I guess I'll read it, because we're supposed to read some. And I read, like most of them, and it was just there on the shelf. And I decided this looks really interesting, and I picked it up and I read it, and it really had a deeper meaning than I expected it to. Manya Brachear Pashman:  Excellent. You recommended Linked to me. I have not finished reading it yet. The Gordon Corman book. Would you recommend it to anyone else in your class? Or would you recommend Don't Feed the Lion? Max Pashman:  I would definitely recommend it. They're both great books. They're actually very similar. I'm not sure they would read it, though.  Manya Brachear Pashman:  Why not?  Max Pashman:  Not a lot of kids in my class are big readers. Manya Brachear Pashman:  Do you fear that they wouldn't be interested in the subject?  Max Pashman:  I mean, I don't really know, because I don't know what goes on in their heads, and I don't want to put words in their mouth, put thoughts in their head, or decide what they would like for them, so I don't know. Manya Brachear Pashman: That's fair. Okay. Well, good to talk with you.  Max Pashman:  It was great talking with you.  Manya Brachear Pashman: It was fun co-hosting. Happy 2026. We wish all of you a peaceful year ahead with time to pause and reflect. On behalf of the AJC podcast team. We thank you for listening over the past eight years, and we thank everyone who has joined us as a guest during that time as well. What a privilege to share your voices and your stories. People of the Pod will be taking our own peaceful pause in 2026 to contemplate how we can best serve our audience.  In the meantime, please continue to listen and share our limited series, The Forgotten Exodus and Architects of Peace, and we'd love to hear from you at podcasts@ajc.org. __ Thank you for listening. This episode is brought to you by AJC. Our producer is Atara Lakritz. Our sound engineer is TK Broderick. You can subscribe to People of the Pod on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts, or learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod.    

Mikayla interviews Violet about her favorite aspects from one of their favorite video games, Amazing Digital Circus. Audio stories from Marwen's Middle School community. Young people interview, research, and collaborate to tell their story in a podcast format. students from the Podcast Program at Marwen engage in conversation with professionals that shape Chicago's vibrant life. Marwen exists to educate and inspire young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community. Rooted in the core values of creative youth development (youth voice, racial and social justice, collective action) our programs aim to cultivate youth-centered, supportive, and collaborative environments and communities to facilitate relevant visual arts programming with Chicago's young people since 1987. This episode is fully sponsored by Marwen's Young Voices: Podcast Stories (Pathways). Music by Evan Alderete, Geocranium (online alias), or simply known as Evan, an American YouTuber, musician, and artist.

Bob Schwahn  |  Lead Pastor  |  February 1, 2026 Referenced Scripture:  Matthew 11:28-30, Ezekiel 36:25-28, John 16:7, Romans 8:10-11, Galatians 3:2-3, Galatians 5:25   Reflection Questions: 1. When you realize that the invitation to follow Jesus means we actually are expected to become like Him, how do you respond to that idea?  Why can that thought be overwhelming?  Does this seem impossible?  Why or why not? 2. Read Matthew 11:28-30 What were the two uses of the word “yoke” that Jesus is referring to here?  Describe the imagery of being “yoked” to Jesus like two oxen?  How does that imagery help us understand how we are to walk our life with Jesus?  How does this help us to become like Jesus?   3. If we are weary and burdened in our life, what does that say to us about our walk with Jesus and our connection to Him?  How can Jesus actually make our yoke easy and our burden light?  Does that mean that everything in life will be easy and light?  Why or why not?   4. True life in Jesus is found when we surrender our lives fully to Him.  What does it mean to surrender fully to Jesus?  Why can that word be difficult for us to deal with?  What makes actually surrendering difficult for you?   5. How does surrendering to Jesus actually bring freedom and life to our souls?  Explain.   What things in this life can we become free of through surrendering?  Explain.   6. The opposite of surrender is control?  How can trying to control everything in life be exhausting?  (making us weary and burdened)   7. Reflect on the illustration from the sermon of the clenched fist vs the open palm.  What did that experience show you?  Where in your life do you need to unclench your fist and open your hands?   8. Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  What wisdom do you see in this simple prayer?  How could this be helpful in your learning to surrender?   9. Describe Spiritual breathing… What is exhaling?  →  why is confession of sin important? What is inhaling?  →  how can we tangibly give control to the Spirit? 10. If peace in your soul is evidence of a surrendered life… How surrendered is your life today on a scale 1-10?  Explain. If anxiety in your soul is evidence of a need to surrender… How anxious is your life today on a scale 1-10?  Explain. 11. Where do you need to surrender control in your life to Jesus today?   What's your next step?  Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app  ••Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week:

Today our guest is Dr. Joe Sweeney, principal at Old Quarry Middle School and the 2025 Illinois Principals Association South Cook Region Middle School Principal of the Year. We talk about how Joe uses a schoolwide podcast to bring consistent lessons to life and elevate student voice. He shares how recording short episodes with students helps simplify implementation, increase engagement, and meet teachers where they are. He highlights how this approach builds consistency, reduces staff burden, and creates a culture where students look forward to the work. Learn More About CharacterStrong:  Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Learn more about CharacterStrong Implementation Support Visit the CharacterStrong Website Dr. Joe Sweeney is an accomplished educational leader, creator and host of the Principal Leadership Lounge Podcast, devoted husband, and proud father who has spent nearly two decades shaping the lives of young people. He currently serves as the principal of Old Quarry Middle School, a role he has held for seven years, where he is known for his student-centered leadership and his belief that exceptional schools are built upon three foundational pillars: strong academics, meaningful relationships, and a positive learning environment. As he often says, "Create a school environment where people want to be, and the rest will fall into place."

Hallie and Tricia Detig chat about high school speech therapy.In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Tricia Detig — creator of Thoughtful Talk and a high school SLP working with resource and life skills students. Tricia shares her journey from middle school to high school, getting real about the differences. She talks about building rapport with older students, ditching lectures for hands-on activities, and making therapy meaningful through real-world experiences like running a coffee cart and back-to-back drawing challenges. Plus, she dives into push-in services, student buy-in, and why working with secondary students is a "hidden gem." If you're in the high school world or thinking about it, this one's packed with practical tips and real talk.Bullet Points to Discuss: The vibe shift from middle to high school (and cracking that "too cool" shell) Building rapport and getting buy-in with older students Push-in vs. pull-out—how it's decided Why hands-on beats lectures (coffee carts > worksheets) Bringing job readiness into everyday therapy Getting students involved in their own IEP meetings Why secondary is a "hidden gem" worth exploringHere's what we learned: High schoolers aren't hard—they just need you to meet them where they are. Hands-on beats worksheets every time (especially for carryover). Functional skills like coffee carts teach more than homework help ever will. Progress looks different with older students—focus on life skills, not just data.Students in their IEP meetings changes everything (even if they just listen). Secondary isn't scary—it's a hidden gem once you adjust. Ask questions and lean on your team—secondary SLPs stay forever for a reason.Learn more about Tricia Detig: Website: https://www.thoughtfultalk.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoughtful.talk/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtfultalk.llc Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thoughtful-talk-llc-formerly-detig-dialect Speech Therapy Goal Bank for Middle School [grades 6-8]Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate: