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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveWe live in an increasingly weird world, where the weirdness is facilitated and accelerated by the Internet. We live in a world full of instantly-available bizarre pornography and terrorist attacks inspired by misanthropic ideologies whose manifestos are published online. Katherine Dee, an Internet ethnographer, writer and friend of Wisdom of Crowds, joins Christine Emba and Shadi Hamid to talk about the recent terrorist attack on an IVF clinic in California and Christine's recent New York Times article about the social damage wrought by porn.Shadi shakes things up by posing a blunt question at the very beginning: Should we ban porn? It hurts men as well as women. Why not? Can we reconcile the ideals of liberalism with a state effort to suppress pornographic content? This question inspires Christine and Katherine to reflect about the ethics of sex work, the perils of reporting on dangerous and soul-crushing topics, as well as signs of hope in American culture.Throughout, Katherine applies her trusty reporter's eye toward making an accurate, non-judgmental and perceptive account of what's really going on with sex and ideology on the Internet. Christine, for her part, makes the case of norms and shame as useful tools for making society better. Shadi, in Socratic fashion, tests the strength of his interlocutors' arguments.In the bonus section for paid subscribers, Katherine explains the nuances of “efilism” and “promortalism”; Shadi reflects on the meaning of suffering and how belief in God changes one's approach to suffering; and Christine reflects on “cold, rational logical measure — suffering v. pleasure. Pleasure v. nothing.”Required Reading and Listening:* Christine Emba, “The Delusion of Porn's Harmlessness” (New York Times). * Katherine Dee, “An Efilist Just Bombed a Fertility Clinic. Was This Bound To Happen?” (default.blog).* Katherine Dee, “The Nihilism of the Mass Shooter” (default.blog).* Katherine Dee, “The Trouble with Being Born” (default.blog).* Sophie Gilbert, Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves (Amazon). * Dan Savage on kinks (AV Club).* Andrea Dworkin, Pornography (Amazon). * XO Jane (Wikipedia). * “Supreme Court case on age limits for porn sites could affect 19 states” (Axios).* “Palm Springs IVF clinic bomber ID'd as Guy Edward Bartkus, a ‘pro-mortalist' who opposed people being born ‘without their consent'” (New York Post).* Last week's podcast: “How to Think about Power and Morality” (WoC).* Sin-eaters (Wikipedia).Free preview video:Full video for paid subscribers below:
Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day. And a big shout-out today to Jared Gatti from Prinsburg, MN. Jared, thank you for being a part of our family through Project23. You are making a difference for the Gospel. This one's for you. Today, we're looking at Mark 3:31-25: And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” — Mark 3:31-35 Jesus was teaching inside a packed house. People are all tuned in. Then word came that his mother and brothers were outside looking for him. But, remember—his family had just tried to stop him earlier in the chapter. Some of his family even said he was out of his mind. It seems here they were trying to intervene again. So someone interrupts the moment and says his family's outside. But Jesus doesn't rush out. Instead, using good Socratic method, he interjects a question that reframes spiritual family: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And then he looks at the crowd sitting at his feet—the learners, the listeners, the faithful—and says: “Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is my family.” When Jesus says this, he isn't rejecting his earthly family. He's expanding the definition of family altogether. He is declaring that the deepest connection in the kingdom isn't physical family—it's spiritual family. It's not shared DNA—it's shared devotion. Thus he reframes family around the Father and thus reframes family. The ones closest to Jesus aren't always the ones with blood ties—but those who listen to God and do his will. In the kingdom of God, Christ's blood is thicker than biological blood. His blood paid the price for our sins and brought us into a spiritual family that takes precedence over our biological family. And here's the beauty of it—Jesus isn't just stating a fact. He's offering an invitation to you. You don't have to be born into the right family, earn the right status, or carry the perfect spiritual record. Jesus invites you into his family. Right now. Through faith in him—his life, death, and resurrection—you can be forgiven, adopted, and called his own. If you've never said "yes" to that invitation, say it today. Just write the words "I choose Jesus" in the comments below. Trust in Jesus. Follow him. Be called brother... sister... family. And if you already belong to him—live like it. Keep walking in obedience to your Father. Because family doesn't just hear his Word—we do his will. #FamilyInChrist, #KingdomConnections, #Mark335 ASK THIS:
We're wrapping up our Hero's Journey series with a fresh twist—this time through the lens of fantasy in eleventh-grade American Literature. Marie shares how she took a bold leap by introducing a fantasy choice novel unit, transforming student engagement and challenging traditional ideas of what counts as “American Lit.” This episode ties together our vertical alignment approach from earlier grades and emphasizes how thoughtfully crafted essential questions and genre expansion can deepen student connection and critical thinking.We also dive into the power of student choice, sharing how Socratic seminars, rhetorical analysis, and multimedia pairings help students explore themes like escape, identity, and morality. You'll hear our favorite supplemental texts and movies, a suggested summative assessment, and four key features to focus on throughout the unit. And if you're a Happy Hour member, you'll get access to this entire unit! Join us next week as we kick off another summer of Camp BNT!Resources:Jib Fowles' “Advertising's 15 Basic Appeals”Legendborn, by Tracy DeonnHouse in the Cerulean Sea, by Tj KlunePercy Jackson, by Rick Riordan Throne of Glass, Sarah J. MaasRelated Episodes: Episode 63, Choice Reading 101Episode 96, How to Select Choice Reading + Our 20 Favorite Classroom BooksEpisode 256, Teaching the Hero's Journey: Dos and Don'ts of Unit DesignEpisode 257, Teaching the Hero's Journey: Studying The Hobbit for Middle School ELAEpisode 258, Teaching the Hero's Journey: Studying the Odyssey for 9-10 Grade ELASHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode259 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"Ready to make your summer reading program awesome? Head to bravenewteaching.com/summerreadingSupport the show
Episode Summary What if AI isn't a threat but the biggest business opportunity we've seen in decades? In this game-changing episode, we reframe the fear of artificial intelligence into one of the biggest business opportunities freelance writers and solo marketers have ever seen. If you've been worried about how AI will affect your work, this conversation will help you step into a new mindset. The kind of mindset where you become more valuable, more strategic, and more productive than ever before. We're diving into how to reinvent your business model, amplify your impact, and create a competitive advantage that's nearly impossible to replicate — all by embracing a Human+AI approach that plays to your greatest strengths. What You'll Learn How to shift from an execution-focused freelancer to a strategic conductor The mindset required to make AI your most powerful creative and business partner Techniques for using AI as your intellectual sparring partner How to multiply your output (and quality!) without burning out A 30-day action plan to start reinventing your business with AI Key Takeaways The Writing Market Is Splitting. Which Side Are You On? AI is rapidly commoditizing low-value content creation. But high-value strategic thinking, creative leadership, and judgment are more valuable than ever. The opportunity lies in evolving from order-taker to advisor and conductor. From someone who orchestrates both human and AI resources to deliver better business outcomes. Using AI as Your Intellectual Sparring Partner Don't just ask AI to write; use it to challenge, debate, and refine your thinking. Set up “Socratic dialogues” with AI to pressure-test your ideas and sharpen your message. This collaborative thinking accelerates originality and gives you a massive edge in producing world-class content and strategy. Become a 10X Writer Without Working 10X Harder AI can help you eliminate bottlenecks in idea generation, drafting, editing, and repurposing. Build workflows that multiply your content from one core idea into email series, blog posts, videos, and tools. Done right, this creates a virtuous cycle of authority, visibility, and client opportunities—all at scale. Build a Competitive Moat AI Can't Cross Three elements make you irreplaceable in the age of AI: Domain Expertise – Lived experience and niche insights AI can't replicate. Relationship Capital – The trust, empathy, and collaboration clients crave. Strategic Judgment – The ability to see the big picture, make smart calls, and tie everything together. Leverage these with AI to create proprietary workflows and systems that clients can't easily replace. Your 30-Day Action Plan Audit Your Role – Are you mostly executing, or adding unique value that AI can't? Run These Experiments: Idea Validation – Use AI to stress-test a concept you're working on. Content Multiplication – Take a single piece of content and repurpose it 5 ways. Custom AI System – Create a lightweight AI prompt system tailored to one client or use case. Communicate the Evolution – Help your clients understand that you're not just using AI—you're delivering stronger outcomes, faster and more strategically. Listener Challenge Pick one of the three AI experiments above and commit to testing it this week. Then reflect: What did you learn? What new opportunities did this unlock? How could this change how you deliver value to your clients? Want to Go Deeper? If this episode sparked something in you and you're ready to turn AI into your strategic advantage, join me for my upcoming AI Advantage Bootcamp for Writers and Solo Marketers. This is a hands-on, 4-week program designed to help you harness AI in your creative and business workflows. Whether you're just getting started or already using AI but want to sharpen your edge, you'll walk away with systems and results, not just theory. . Spots are limited, and this program sells out fast. If it feels like the right next step for you, don't wait. Final Thought The future doesn't belong to those who fear change. It belongs to those who harness it with purpose. AI can be the start of your next-level impact. What are you going to do with that opportunity?
Data scientists can often find themselves in a frustrating cycle - meticulously executing stakeholder requests only to discover what they delivered isn't what was actually needed. The disconnect between what stakeholders ask for and what truly solves their problems can derail projects and limit advancement of your career.In this episode, Bill Shander joins Dr. Genevieve Hayes to reveal the "Stakeholder Whispering" approach from his new book - a methodology that transforms technical experts from order-takers into strategic partners who uncover and address true business needs.This conversation reveals:Why stakeholders struggle to articulate what they truly need (and often don't even know themselves) [06:32]How the "Socratic method" creates breakthrough moments that help stakeholders discover their own requirements [11:00]The six-question framework that strategically alternates between divergent and convergent thinking to reveal hidden needs [14:54]Why approaching stakeholder conversations like a curious investigator rather than a cross-examiner builds trust and uncovers deeper insights [13:28]Guest BioBill Shander is the founder of Beehive Media, a data visualisation and information design consultancy. He is also a keynote speaker; teaches workshops on data storytelling, information design, data visualisation and data analytics; and is the author of Stakeholder Whispering.LinksBill's WebsiteConnect with Bill on LinkedInConnect with Genevieve on LinkedInBe among the first to hear about the release of each new podcast episode by signing up HERE
Well, what a to-do. The image of Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters slumped in the House, head in his hands, summed it up really. Brooke van Velden dropped the C-bomb in the house, quoting a Stuff article whose author used the word in criticising the government's decision to amend the pay equity legislation. The coalition's female MPs are angry that Labour MPs, particularly the female MPs, have not condemned the journalist's use of the word, which was used as a derogatory in the article. Judith Collins, head of the Privileges Committee, was on with Mike Hosking this morning, ostensibly to talk about the suspension of three Te Pati Māori MPs for their haka in the House, but during the chat she deplored the decline of standards in the House. “There's a lack of civility now and it's not acceptable, and I feel that the comments of the print journalist in the Sunday Star Times this last Sunday was one of the lowest points I think I've seen in 23 years. That and what happened on the 14th of November in Parliament. It's just the sort of behaviour towards each other that is despicable. So I'd say to Brooke, you know I wouldn't use the word myself, but I did feel that she at least stood up for herself and for all the rest of us, and I am waiting for someone of the left persuasion in our Parliament, one MP, just one, to come out and say it's not okay to attack people just because you don't agree with what they do.” I think she'll be waiting a while. Karen Chhour has been consistently attacked by Labour MPs and Te Pati Māori MPs, really for just for being a Māori woman who has the temerity to be an ACT Party MP. And to be fair, when Jacinda Ardern and her preschool daughter were receiving violent threats —violent sexual threats, some of them very real and credible threats— there wasn't a universal condemnation of the abuse from National and ACT. Certainly Judith Collins, when she was the opposition leader, said she did not want to see Jacinda Ardern threatened when she visited Auckland in 2021 after the three-month lockdown. She said I don't want to see anything happen to the Prime Minister or have her threatened in any way. I think it's not good for our democracy and also it is not right for people to do that to each other, which is true, and good on her for saying that. But at the same time, it's hardly a universal, strident condemnation of the threats that the Prime Minister of the time was getting. We were discussing this before the show, one of our colleagues said politicians need to be better otherwise people will just give up. They'll look at the carry on, they'll read the stories and think I'm not going to vote. I argued that there are House of Representatives – they are us, to borrow a phrase. Abuse of MPs on every level increased in 2022, 98% of them reported receiving some kind of harassment. Women were considerably more likely to face abuse on most counts than male politicians. Abuse increased across 11 of the 12 different mediums, with social media overtaking emails, faxes and letters as the most prominent. That came from us. That's men and women, normally erstwhile, law-abiding, God-fearing people who suddenly became more strident. It was a result of societal factors, of lockdowns, of decisions made that had an enormous impact on people's lives and livelihoods and families. And there will be people who will never forget what happened. It can't be undone. But that all resulted in extremes, in the use of language and the vehemence of our opinions and our tribalism. I had a public Facebook page for years. I think in the in the seven or eight years I had it before Covid, I blocked two people. Once Covid started, I just got rid of it because it's why would you be a sitting duck? When I first heard about the death threats against Jacinda Ardern, I thought, well, who hasn't had them? You know that is not normal. That's not a normal response. The days of Socratic discourse are long gone. So does that mean we have to give up, my colleague asked, that we have no expectations of our MPs? No. But I think before we ask anything of our MPs, we look at ourselves. I was thinking about that this morning. Can I call out the Principles Federation representative and say before you start looking at the government, how about you call out the poor parents who send their kids to school unable to hold a pen and not toilet trained? Whose fault is that? That is the parents. Can I say that? Absolutely I can. Should I mimic her voice while I'm saying that? No, I shouldn't. Talkback's a robust forum. It's a bit like Parliament, people get heat up. We're allowed to have opinions. We should have differing opinions, but before I'm going to ask anything of our MPs, before I ask anything of my fellow journalists, I'll have a look in the mirror and check myself out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's episode, I'm joined by Evan Jonigkeit, the star and producer of Henry Johnson. Based on the play of the same name by David Mamet, Henry Johnson is Mamet's first film in a dozen years and a beguiling provocation; I greatly enjoyed discussing not only the meaning of the movie with Jonigkeit but also how difficult it is to get a picture like this—a series of Socratic dialogues, a movie of complex ideas made for adults—in front of audiences. Henry Johnson is available to rent now from the film's website and is playing in a handful of locations (including a one-night stop at the Aero in Los Angeles and a residency at Bryn Mawr). I hope you check it out. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!
In this mind-bending episode of Badlands Story Hour, Chris Paul and Burning Bright dissect the 1998 cult classic Dark City, unpacking its layers of metaphysical allegory, postmodern reality construction, and infowar symbolism. The hosts explore the film's eerie parallels to our own false-reality existence, where truth is hidden behind collective memory and controlled narratives. They contrast the movie's portrayal of manipulated realities with today's psyops, election fraud, and the COVID narrative, warning against “limited hangouts” and half-truths that keep people trapped in intellectual loops. From postmodernism and nihilism to the cathedral and control systems beyond it, they tie the film's themes to everything from cloud seeding to Tartaria to the Q drops. They highlight how questioning, rather than asserting, leads to awakening, and how breaking through cognitive dissonance is key to escaping the maze. With nods to Socratic dialogue, mind mapping, and parallel systems, the episode ends with a call to build new realities from first principles and spiritual truth. It's a dense, philosophical, and at times darkly comedic exploration of one of the most underrated red-pill movies ever made.
A Socratic seminar is not a lecture where the teacher imparts information to students, nor is it some sort of a debate. Instead, it is a meaningful dialogue with teachers and students and the authors of the great ideas they are examining together. Join veteran educators Chelsea Wagenaar, Chris and Kellie Scripter, and Winston Brady and hear their best practices for leading engaging, rigorous, and joyful seminars for students.Dr. Chelsea Wagenaar received a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Texas. She teaches Literature and Trivium.Chris Scripter received a B.A. in History and Religion from Hillsdale College and an M.A. in European History at the State University of New York. Mr. Scripter teaches History. Chris Scripter received a B.A. in History and Religion from Hillsdale College and an M.A. in European History at the State University of New York. Mr. Scripter teaches History.Kellie Scripter received a B.A. in History and French from the University of Rochester and an M.A. in American History from Binghamton University. She teaches History and Humane Letters.Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Check out: https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers
What does it truly look like to empower students as citizens? Justin Glodowski, a 14-year veteran teacher from Wisconsin, reveals practical strategies that transform students from passive learners into active civic participants.Justin's approach begins with a foundational belief: if we want students to become engaged citizens, we must first teach them how to discuss difficult topics productively. Drawing from his experience teaching AP Government to freshmen, he shares how establishing clear discussion norms creates a classroom environment where students can tackle controversial issues more effectively than many adults on social media.The magic happens when students take ownership of their learning. Through congressional simulations where students draft legislation on issues from corn mazes to taxation reform, they experience the complexity of governance firsthand. Justin's Socratic seminars—complete with peer evaluation scorecards—develop crucial skills for democratic participation while making abstract concepts tangible.Perhaps most valuable is Justin's framework for discussing controversial topics through the lens of constitutionality rather than personal opinion. By encouraging students to think like constitutional scholars rather than simply sharing feelings, he elevates classroom discourse and builds critical thinking skills essential for citizenship.Beyond specific activities, Justin emphasizes the importance of teacher collaboration and professional development. His podcast "Engage" exemplifies his commitment to sharing resources that make civics education interactive and meaningful. When asked what gives him hope, his answer is simple yet profound: students genuinely want to understand their world, and when given the opportunity, they demonstrate remarkable capacity for thoughtful civic dialogue.Ready to transform your approach to civics education? Listen now to discover specific strategies you can implement immediately to create your own laboratory for democracy. The Arizona Constitution ProjectCheck Out Our Free Lessons on Arizona History and Government!Follow us on:TwitterLinked InInstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteInterested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership
Dr. Thaddeus Kozinski discusses his book "Covid 19 and the War Against Reality". He explores the spiritual dimensions of the global totalitarianism that befell the world in the 2020s. We compare 9/11 to COVID9/11. The Powers That Be are attempting to get the world population to willingly reject reality and accept unreality. We ponder why one section of society chooses to live in unreality. He gives this thoughts on the road ahead. Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube Geopolitics & Empire · Thaddeus Kozinski: Covid 19 & the War Against Reality #546 *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics easyDNS (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://easydns.com Escape Technocracy course (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis (CitizenHR, CitizenIT, CitizenPL) https://societates-civis.com Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites Covid 19 and the War Against Reality https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/covid19 Substack https://childrenbewareofidols.substack.com X https://x.com/ThaddeusJKoz About Dr. Thaddeus Kozinski Dr. Thaddeus Kozinski is an advocate of Catholic liberal education and the Socratic method of teaching, and has authored a number of articles and books, including The Political Problem of Religious Pluralism: And Why Philosophers Cannot Solve It and Modernity as Apocalypse: Sacred Nihilism and the Counterfeits of Logos. At present, he teaches philosophy for Memoria College and John Adams Academy. He is the author of Modernity as Apocalypse: Sacred Nihilism and the Counterfeits of Logos (Angelico Press) and Words, Concepts, Reality: Aristotelian Logic for Teenagers (En Route). *Podcast intro music is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)
In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, guest host Kerry Baldwin interviews Andrew Kern, founder of the Circe Institute, to explore classical education from a Christian perspective. They discuss how classical education cultivates wisdom and virtue, contrasting it with conventional education's focus on job training and economic utility. Kern emphasizes the Socratic and mimetic teaching methods, which foster critical thinking and mental harmony, and critiques the fragmented, age-segregated conventional model for neglecting the soul and Christ as the logos. The conversation highlights the healing power of reflective thought, the importance of Christian classical education in fulfilling cultural traditions, and its role in preparing individuals for meaningful vocations by prioritizing wisdom over mere activism or economic fit.Additional Resources:- https://circeinstitute.org- https://classicalu.com/andrew-kern- https://amzn.to/4jBawKmAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★
Interested in more content from RENEW? Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Today's episode will help us rethink how we approach ministry by trading a factory mindset for a more organic, relational, and patient way of cultivating spiritual growth. Farm vs. Factory: Embracing Gospel Principles in Ministry In this insightful session, Matt Reagan explores the concept of 'Farm vs. Factory' in the context of ministry. Focusing on the differences between organic, life-giving ministry and the high-demand, high-output factory model, Matt aims to guide attendees toward practices that are nourishing for the soul and effective for the kingdom of God. Drawing parallels between farming principles and gospel teachings, Matt emphasizes the importance of deep, transformational relationships, the power of seed-growing, and the commitment to kingdom values. Through a Socratic method, prayer, and interactive discussion, attendees are encouraged to reflect on their ministry experiences and realign with life-giving practices. The session also delves into the challenges of modern church structure and offers practical advice for maintaining spiritual health and focus amidst complexity. https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/ Key Takeaways 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 04:32 The Power of Seeds and the Kingdom of God 09:05 Challenges of Ministry: Feeling Like a Factory 14:28 Brainstorming Session: Factory-Like Aspects of Ministry 33:03 Mass Production and Church Concerns 35:16 Church Policies and Discipleship 36:04 Job Comparisons: Church vs. Farm 40:48 Farm Life and Ministry 42:48 Challenges and Rewards of Farming 47:42 Farm Life Lessons and Spiritual Growth 56:25 Final Reflections and Encouragement "Farming vs. Factory Work in Ministry" In this episode, Matt Raegan draws a sharp contrast between two approaches to ministry: farming and factory work. Using humor, personal stories, and scripture, he challenges church leaders to embrace a slower, more organic model of spiritual growth. He opens with a light moment—encouraging people to connect with those around them, even if it's awkward—before diving into a deeper reflection on how the Gospel grows like a seed. Drawing from a Chipotle ad romanticizing farming, Matt uses it as a metaphor for how ministry should look: relational, patient, and rooted in care. He shares his son's journey into ministry as a living example of how faith takes time to develop. Like Jesus' farming parables, Matt emphasizes that the Kingdom of God isn't built on production lines but through nurturing environments where people can truly grow. He contrasts this with the "factory" model—rigid, impersonal, and driven by output—which can lead to burnout and disconnection. Ministry, he argues, should be more like tending a farm: slow, intentional, and deeply personal. Throughout, Matt invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences—acknowledging the emotional weight of ministry and the fulfillment that comes from doing the hard, faithful work of cultivating people's hearts. He closes with a powerful call to action: commit to the farming model. Plant seeds. Nurture the soil. Trust God with the growth. A final prayer ties it all together, asking for the strength to lead with patience, love, and a long-term vision rooted in the Kingdom. This episode is a call to return to ministry that feels less mechanical—and more alive.
If you've ever blamed yourself for “not having enough willpower”… this episode is going to change your life. Ruby sits down with behavior change researcher Dr. Gary Mendoza to blow up the outdated narratives that keep women stuck in toxic cycles of over-dieting, under-eating, and chasing perfection.if you've ever said “i know what to do, i just don't do it”—this is for you.if you've ever stepped on the scale, felt like sh*t, and questioned your whole life—this is for you.if you've ever thought “i've always been this way, i can't change”—this is 100% for you.Inside this episode, we unpack:Why willpower isn't your issue—it's your biology, stress, and blood sugarHow habits are wired into your brain (and why they never really “die”)The REAL reason the scale ruins your mood (and how to take your power back)What small changes actually rewire your brain for long-term resultsHow self-talk creates your reality—and how to use Socratic questioning to change itsmall changes don't feel sexy—but they're the ones that lastyour old behaviors are wired in. new ones need repetition to grow.you're not “slipping”—you're reverting to the brain's path of least resistance.and if you've been trying to change your body without changing your mindset first…you're just running in circles. let's change that.tag us @transformxruby & @100realwithrubypodcast if this cracked something open for you.we love hearing what landed.Next step?what if instead of shame, you used curiosity?try that
Have you wondered if the education system is actually preparing the next generation to lead? Do you question whether *real* learning happens within the confines of a classroom? What if the very foundation of how we've been taught to think is broken?Matt Beaudreau is on a mission to rebuild the way we raise young people into impactful adults. Through his educational program, Apogee Strong, he's empowering young people to break free from the limits of the traditional school system and become true leaders—starting with responsibility, character, and action. In this episode, we explore why real education isn't taught in classrooms and how Matt's approach is redefining what it means to be “ready for the real world.” KEY TOPICSHow to break free from the conformity of the education system to create effective leaders.What we all need to unlearn from the broken school system we grew up in.The value of questioning authority, and what that looks like when done effectively.Why real-world experiences educate to a higher degree of success than a classroom ever will. CHAPTERS00:00 Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life and Business03:15 Lessons from "Wasting" Time08:45 Freedom Within Structure12:30 Introducing Matt Beaudreau17:50 From Public School to Revolution: Building New Education Systems23:10 Education Failures: More Than Just Bad Grades30:00 Meta Skills: The Missing Link in Education35:45 Why Academia Isn't the Answer: Real Education Starts Here42:00 Leadership by Example: Matt's Approach to Raising Strong Men48:30 How to Foster Responsibility in Students54:15 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Education1:00:00 The Power of Mentorship in Youth Programs1:05:20 Empowering Students Through Choice and Consequence1:10:45 The Future of Education: Matt's Vision1:16:30 Final Thoughts: How to Rebuild Education Systems That Work CONNECT WITH USwww.decidedlypodcast.comWatch this episode on YouTubeSubscribe on YouTubeInstagram: @decidedlypodcastFacebookShawn's Instagram: @shawn_d_smithSanger's Instagram: @sangersmith Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast. SANGER'S BOOK: A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact SHAWN'S BOOK: Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?At Decidedly Wealth Management, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. LEARN MORE: www.decidedlywealth.com FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001aeU_pPBHJPNJWJBdVbaci6bjGIuEJurH12xHBWDEVT_NxyCadMd7wLSZjcEZglkSjDjehuIbTHD8nABOIdV69ctfYpSzg24RCIytetBUrlIPPKgaGzjGZ8DkM0Wp1LMjbErcYUur7PbZGjeVo4gyXlz821AoJGZR CONNECT WITH MATT BEAUDREAUWebsites: https://apogeestrong.com // https://apogeepays.comInstagram: @mattbeaudreau // @apogeeprogramThe Essential 11 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hh0o1PvIC8c4fE2Wv6LiF Matt founded Acton Academy Placer Schools, using the Socratic method to foster self-directed, independent young leaders. He also co-founded Apogee Strong, a mentorship program for young men, and launched the Apogee Strong Dads Program in 2023. His podcast, The Essential 11, provides leadership insights from global experts. Additionally, Matt founded the Apogee Strong Foundation, offering scholarships to young men for educational and leadership opportunities.Matt Beaudreau is a renowned keynote speaker, consultant, and coach, working with clients like Wells Fargo, Honeywell, and the U.S. Air Force. A two-time TEDx speaker and former Corporate Trainer of the Year at Stanford University, he has spoken to over 250,000 people worldwide.
Buckle up. In this episode, we get real about what it's like to raise kids between the ages of 10 to 18 in a world that looks nothing like the one we grew up in. From the emotional rollercoaster of middle school years to navigating social media, anxiety, and the constant pressure to be “on,” we break down the mental load parents are carrying—and what actually helps. Spoiler: It's not control, and it's definitely not panic.Join us as we unpack what long-leash parenting really looks like, why emotional regulation (yours and theirs) is key, and how to create that solid, secure attachment your kids need—without micromanaging them into dysfunction. Whether you're dealing with defiance, withdrawal, or just trying to keep your cool through the chaos, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and maybe even a little more sane. Episode Highlights:[0:03] - Why parenting tweens and teens feels harder than ever. [1:43] - Understanding adolescent brain development and modern challenges. [4:35] - Colette shares her anxious “blue dot” tracking phase and why it's so relatable. [6:13] - The “long leash, large corral” approach to parenting. [10:29] - Replacing lectures with Socratic conversations to foster trust and independence. [13:49] - Colette's unforgettable car ride convo and why staying calm matters. [16:50] - How to view misbehavior as a lack of skills—not a reason to punish. [17:33] - Why regulating your emotions is the parenting superpower. [19:50] - The horse whisperer metaphor that'll change how you parent forever. [24:32] - Parenting the “Polaroid” child: Navigating confusing or unclear behavior. [26:35] - Laura's Life360 obsession and the new realities of teen safety. [30:18] - Why social kids might actually fare better than isolated ones. [33:41] - The dangerous rise of incel ideology and digital radicalization. [34:50] - The case for no phones in schools and delayed access to social media. [36:13] - Rejection in the age of Instagram: why it hits harder now. [38:59] - Talking to your teen about the long game and giving them vision. [40:50] - The crushing pressure of college admissions and why it's unsustainable. [41:41] - Final takeaways: connection over control, collaboration over lecturing. [44:32] - Letting go: Adolescence as labor and the importance of separation. [44:57] - One last reminder: regulate your emotions and help them learn to do the same. Resources:
https://youtu.be/RKtLU6ntECU Podcast audio: “Socratic Wisdom” — knowing our own ignorance — is the ability to differentiate what we do not know from what we do. This is a key component of objectivity, vital for properly weighing and implementing the knowledge we possess and directing ongoing investigation and inquiry. In this talk, Jason Rheins discusses the nature and importance of this introspective clarity and how it is achieved. He covers practical methods and specific tips for identifying our ignorance and differentiating it from our knowledge. Recorded live on June 18 in Anaheim, CA as part of OCON 2024.
In this insightful episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu speak with Lev Gonick, CIO of Arizona State University, about how AI is reshaping higher education technology systems. Gonick shares ASU's innovative approach to AI implementation, discussing their transition from fragmented "Frankenstein" tech systems to a more integrated architecture using AI agents. He explains how ASU is already deploying orchestrated AI agents across campus operations - from parking to financial aid to classroom instruction - and offers a practical vision for how universities can adapt to this technological shift. This conversation is essential listening for higher education professionals looking to understand how AI can transform student experiences and institutional operations.The Current State of University Technology Systems (00:00:25)Discussion of universities as technology "Frankensteins" with disconnected systemsGonick explains ASU's dual approach to AI: both as additional tools and as potential unifiersThe challenge of balancing pragmatic immediate needs with long-term integration goalsASU's outlook on technology focuses on opportunity and abundance rather than scarcityThe Timeline for Technology Transformation in Higher Education (00:02:14)Gonick suggests the transition away from fragmented systems could take "a generation or two"ASU positions itself as an outlier and model for what a "new American university" can look likeThe importance of proving what's possible by implementing future-focused solutions todayASU's commitment to focusing on "the future today" rather than waiting for perfect solutionsASU's Leadership in AI Implementation (00:03:45)Reference to ASU's publication documenting their AI journey with 40+ implementation storiesDiscussion of ASU's mindset that emphasizes growth and innovationGonick quotes Alan Kay: "If you want to predict the future, invent it"ASU's philosophy: "If you want to invent the future, start" - emphasizing action over debateAI's Transformation of Higher Education (00:05:33)Gonick argues AI represents a "tectonic shift" that will redefine not just how we teach but what we teachMany universities are stuck in an academic debate rather than testing and experimentingASU's approach involves real-world testing while adhering to principles of innovationThe need for agile, iterative approaches to AI implementation similar to software developmentThe Evolution from Generative AI to AI Agents (00:08:57)Reflection on the past year's progress from classroom-focused generative AI to agent-based systemsGonick suggests current generative AI implementations will eventually be seen as "prehistory"Discussion of how voice and video AI experiences may create economic value in educationThe emergence of "agentic" AI systems where multiple specialized agents work togetherASU's Current Work with AI Agents (00:11:35)ASU has developed approximately a dozen purpose-built AI agents for different functionsThese agents are now being orchestrated to work together rather than operating independentlyExamples include agents for syllabus creation, assessment, skills development, and career opportunitiesDiscussion of the need for "Centurion" agents to ensure privacy, security and ethical useAI Applications in Campus Operations (00:14:52)ASU is implementing agentic AI experiences in back-office operations like parking managementPlans for teaching and learning agent implementations starting in August for the new school yearDevelopment of pedagogy agents that support different teaching methods (Socratic, case method, etc.)Financial aid navigation as another major area where AI agents are improving student and family experiencesThe Digital Workforce and Organizational Change (00:20:49)Discussion of AI agents functioning as a "digital workforce" that requires managementThe need to rearchitect how work is done in university settingsHuman resistance to change as a major challenge in AI implementationASU's approach to helping employees transition to new roles through upskilling and reskilling programsThe Near Future of AI in Higher Education (00:24:47)Discussion of the impact of politics and regulations on AI implementationASU's view of challenges as opportunities and their focus on adaptabilityThe concept of building "anti-fragile" institutions that not only survive disruption but thriveThe importance of planning with a longer horizon while remaining agile - - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
“He walked into the glitchy wilderness with a GORUCK bag, tritium watch, and nothing to lose but his cached identity.”In this genre-warping, filter-stripping conversation, Chris Abraham goes full analog soul in a digital world — decoding identity, memory, and authenticity in an age of surveillance, simulation, and semantic rot. From the ghostly AI of William Gibson's Agency to the aching sincerity of Love on the Spectrum, this episode is a postmodern pilgrimage for truth in a world where being “based” now outranks being “brilliant.”Chris explores what it means to live with aphantasia and SDAM, navigates the ethics of erasing your digital trail, and unpacks how meritocracy, identity politics, and liberalism lost the plot. With references flying from Foucault to A Fish Called Wanda, it's part sermon, part shitpost, part Socratic rave.Somewhere in the ruins of mass discourse, we meet the Low-Res Messiah: flawed, glitchy, possibly cringe, but still walking forward — one click, one stretch, one deletion at a time.Memory as Myth: Living with SDAM and aphantasia in a society built on nostalgia and vision boards.AI and Faith: When “Eunice” the AI mirrors both divine omniscience and autistic pattern recognition.Based Over Brilliant: The return of emotional honesty and lived authenticity as new currency.Virtue & Vice in Identity Politics: Why calling everyone a Nazi isn't just wrong — it's lazy.The Anchorite Reboot: Chris's call for digital minimalism, walking meditations, and gym-floor stretching rituals.“Mind palaces are a scam. Memory is a JPEG — and I'm running on 256 colors.”“There's no deer in the woods that survives being loud and proud.”“The boil does not make the plague — Trump is the symptom, not the cause.”“Being invisible doesn't mean you're hiding. Sometimes, it just means you're free.”Subscribe to The Chris Abraham Show for more episodes that walk the edge of techno-spiritual collapse.Leave a review if something in this episode reprogrammed your brain or cracked your shell.Share it with someone trying to be based, not brilliant.Tag it: #LowResMessiah | #ChrisAbrahamShow | #BasedIsNotABugQ: What's a “Low-Res Messiah”?A: A symbol for imperfect truth-seekers in a high-def world of lies. It's about being genuine in a world that rewards optics and simulation.Q: Did Chris really delete all his tweets and posts?A: Yes. Not out of shame — out of a desire to stop being a museum exhibit for people who don't read past the captions.Q: Why so much talk about IQ, autism, and memory?A: Because intelligence isn't just horsepower — it's how your RAM, hard drive, and operating system interact. And Chris runs on a forked distro of neurodivergence.Q: Is this podcast left-wing or right-wing?A: Yes.Q: Is Chris okay?A: Yeah. Just stretched out and swinging kettlebells again.Aphantasia: The inability to visualize images in one's mind. No mind's eye.SDAM (Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory): A rare condition where people can't vividly recall personal memories.Eunice: A hyper-capable AI assistant in Agency by William Gibson.Mind Palace: A mental visualization technique used to store and retrieve information — not available to the Low-Res Messiah.Based: Slang for being unapologetically true to yourself, often contra “woke” orthodoxy.Virtue Signaling: Expressing moral positions to boost social standing, rather than out of conviction.Panopticon: A prison design and metaphor by Foucault where surveillance becomes internalized.Drill Rap: A gritty, aggressive rap subgenre, often hyper-local and controversial.Sky Daddy: Internet slang for God, often used pejoratively in atheist or anti-religious contexts.Anchorite: A religious recluse who retreats into solitude for spiritual reasons — or to dodge the algorithm.
What are ‘untimely questions' and why do they become common blind spots in philosophy? Why is philosophy a team sport?? How does Moore's paradox highlight the differences between truth and belief?Agnes Callard is a professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago and the author of the books Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life, Aspiration: The Agency of Becoming, The Case Against Travel, and On Anger.Greg and Agnes discuss the essence of living a philosophical life through the Socratic method. Agnes emphasizes inquiry, human interaction, and rigorous thinking as processes that require effort and dialogue. Their discussion touches on the distinctions between problem-solving and questioning, the complexities of human preferences, and the societal tendency to convert deep philosophical questions into more manageable problems. Callard also reflects on philosophical engagement within various contexts, including education, relationships, and ethical frameworks. The episode highlights the value of philosophical inquiry not just as an academic pursuit but as a fundamental part of living a meaningful life.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:Philosophy concerns itself with problems not questions05:41: I think philosophy concerns itself not with problems, but with questions. Where the thing that you actually want is the answer to the question, and you're not trying to answer the question so that you can get on with something else that you were doing anyway. That's what you were doing—you were on a quest. And both problem-solving and question-answering are, kinesis, in Aristotle's sense? They're emotions; they're processes. So they're similar in that way, but t hey're different in that, with a question, there's a sense in which the process leads to a sort of self-culmination, where the answer to the question kind of is the culmination of the process of questioning. And it's—we can almost say—you really fully understand the question when you have the answer, so that there's a kind of internal relationship between the question and the answer. Whereas, with problem-solving, anything that gets the problem out of the way is fine. You don't need a deep understanding of the problem. Like, if you were trying to move the boulder and someone else is like, "Look, you could just go around it," then that'll be fine.Philosophical training means simulating an opponent29:27: What philosophical training is, is training in simulating an interlocutor who objects to you—right? That's what you do in philosophy.What gets you to the top won't always keep you there33:38: I think answering requires less training than asking; it requires less kind of experience in philosophical activity. And so Socrates had to relegate himself to the Socrates role because he was dealing with a bunch of people who didn't know how to do philosophy yet.Why the Socratic approach matters in philosophy39:54: Your philosophical, ethical system is going to constrain how you live your life. That's kind of the whole point of an ethical system. But I do think that the Socratic approach is one that can be inflected as a way of doing—a lot of what you were doing in your life. The Socratic approach says, do all that same stuff inquisitively. Now, there may be some things you can't do inquisitively—don't do those things. Or it may be that there are some things that you can't do inquisitively, but you simply have to do them to survive or something—like, as long as they're not unjust, that's fine. But the thought is like, well, let's take romance or something. Let's take politics. Let's take death, right? So those are the three areas I talk about. Can you be a philosopher and be doing those things? And Socrates, I think, goes out of his way to try to say, yes, that is, it's not just that those things can be done philosophically, but they're done best philosophically.Show Links:Recommended Resources:SocratesSocratic MethodAristotleTuring TestLarge Language ModelMoore's ParadoxParmenidesUtilitarianismKantianismJohn Stuart MillJeremy BenthamGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at The University of ChicagoProfile on WikipediaSocial Profile on XHer Work:Amazon Author PageOpen Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical LifeAspiration: The Agency of BecomingThe Case Against TravelOn Anger
In this episode of the We Have Hope podcast, host Kim Dully welcomes back Josiah Batten to discuss his new venture, Athanasius Academy, an online micro school launching in the fall of 2025. Josiah explains the innovative approach to classical Christian education, emphasizing the need for accessibility in rural areas of West Virginia. The conversation covers the unique structure of the curriculum, the ideal student profile, and the marketing strategies for the new academy. In this conversation, Josiah Batten discusses the enrollment process and educational philosophy of Athanasius Academy, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in education to meet diverse student needs. The dialogue explores the role of parents in making informed educational choices, the challenges faced by students in foster care, and the vision for the future of the academy. The conversation highlights the collaborative efforts needed to create a supportive educational environment for all students in West Virginia.Episode Highlights:Athanasius Academy is designed to make classical education accessible statewide.The program is structured as an online micro school under Emmanuel Christian School.Innovative methods are necessary to reach students in small towns.The curriculum includes independent activities with minimal live interaction.Live interactions focus on discussions rather than traditional lectures.Students will engage in Socratic-style seminars for deeper understanding.The ideal student is independent and self-motivated.Portfolio reviews will be maintained to support student progress.Electives may include practical career-oriented classes.Marketing efforts are just beginning for the upcoming school year. Students can enroll at Athanasius Academy through a simple application process.Tuition is kept low to accommodate families, especially those utilizing HOPE scholarships.The academy aims to provide educational options for families in remote areas.Education should not be a one-size-fits-all approach; flexibility is key.Parents must take responsibility for their child's education and explore options.Continuity in education is crucial for students in foster care.West Virginia offers a range of educational opportunities that families may not be aware of.It's important for families to understand their educational choices and advocate for their needs.Collaboration among educators and families is essential for student success.The future of education requires innovative solutions to meet diverse needs.More on Athanasius Academy: Emmanuel Christian Schoolhttps://www.emmanueleagles.com/athanasiusAcademyEmail: JBatten@EmmanuelEagles.comMore on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:Visit Our Show Notes Page HERE!Questions? Email Us! kim@loveyourschool.org www.loveyourschool.orgVisit our Facebook HERE!Visit our Instagram HERE!This show has been produced by Love Your School WV.
Jackie hurls a fellatory insult at a woman standing in her parking spot, has a romantic encounter with her Uber driver, and reveals her idea for a shit talking Socratic seminar of a birthday party.Thanks for Supporting My Sponsors:VIIA: If you're 21 or older, try VIIA during their annual SPRING 420 SALE for Black Friday-level savings up to 35% off site wide at www.viia.co/BIBLEThis episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Your well-being is worth it. Get 10% off your first month at www.BetterHelp.com/BITCHBIBLEGDEFY: Use the code BITCH for 30% off orders over $120 at www.gdefy.comHome Chef: For a limited time, get 50% off and free shipping on your first box, plus free dessert for life at www.HomeChef.com/BIBLESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this information-packed episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu explore the revolutionary new ChatGPT image generation capabilities that have taken the internet by storm. They break down how this new native image generation differs from previous models, allowing users to create, modify and refine images through conversation. The hosts also cover significant recent AI developments including Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro, Anthropic's Model Context Protocol standard, and new educational initiatives from OpenAI and Claude. This episode gives higher education professionals critical insights into how these visual AI tools will transform marketing, teaching, and creative processes across campus. Recent AI Updates and Developments (00:00:06)Introduction to the episode and upcoming Element451 presence at ASU GSV conferenceBrief mention of new AI releases coming from Element451Overview of recent major AI developments that will be discussedMajor Model Drops and Advances (00:03:13)Google's release of Gemini 2.5 Pro, a powerful reasoning and thinking modelDiscussion of its 1,000,000 token context window and coding capabilitiesAnthropic's Model Context Protocol (MCP) as a new standard for AI model connectionsComparison to standardization moments like VHS/Betamax or USB connectivityHow MCP simplifies integration with external tools and APIsOpen Source Models and Coding Advancements (00:09:11)DeepSeek v3 launch continuing the open source momentumDiscussion of "vibe coding" and voice-based natural language programmingThe progression of open weights models (not fully open source)Google's Gemma 3, OpenAI's announced open weights model, and upcoming Llama 4How these models enable natural language "vibe coding" through better reasoningAI Education Initiatives (00:13:53)OpenAI Academy launch for teaching AI skills and prompting techniquesClaude for Education using Socratic methods to teach students how to learnFocus on pedagogy and learning rather than just providing answersImportance of AI literacy as models improveChatGPT Image Generation Revolution (00:18:06)Technical explanation of the new native image generation in GPT-4oHow it differs from previous DALL-E integration by generating images pixel by pixelThe ability to remember context and make incremental changes to imagesComparison to the creative sketch-to-masterpiece process in artImage Generation Examples and Capabilities (00:27:05)Transforming images into anime, Studio Ghibli style, or other artistic stylesImage restoration, sharpening, and enhancement capabilitiesConverting rough sketches into polished marketing materialsCreating consistent multi-panel comics or narrativesFashion coordination and outfit planning from wardrobe itemsInterior design applications by incorporating furniture pieces in roomsCreating travel journals and personalized visual memory booksPractical Applications in Education and Marketing (00:34:23)Educational uses for teachers creating customized visual aidsExplaining complex concepts through dynamic illustrations for different learning stylesMarketing prototyping and rapid campaign creationStoryboarding for entertainment and media productionProduct design acceleration and prototypingTransformative Impact Across Industries (00:37:51)Filters becoming experiences with style transformationsEasier creation of memes and visual communicationBooks and visual storytelling including children's booksImproved slide presentations with conceptual imagesPersonalizing stock photography with school colors and logosRemixing movie scenes in different stylesCreating personalized advertisements at scaleEnabling creatives to produce work faster and tell stories through visualsLearning at Scale Through Visual AI (00:41:46)How educators can use these tools to reach diverse learnersMaking complex concepts accessible through visual adaptationRemoving creative bottlenecks in educationFinal thoughts on the transformative potential of new vision models - - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Welcome to episode #978 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Dr. Christopher DiCarlo is a philosopher, educator, author, and ethicist whose work lives at the intersection of human values, science, and emerging technology. Over the years, Christopher has built a reputation as a Socratic nonconformist, equally at home lecturing at Harvard during his postdoctoral years as he is teaching critical thinking in correctional institutions or corporate boardrooms. He's the author of several important books on logic and rational discourse, including How To Become A Really Good Pain In The Ass - A Critical Thinker's Guide To Asking The Right Questions and So You Think You Can Think?, as well as the host of the podcast, All Thinks Considered. In this conversation, we dig into his latest book, Building A God - The Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence And The Race To Control It, which takes a sobering yet practical look at the ethical governance of AI as we accelerate toward the possibility of artificial general intelligence. Drawing on years of study in philosophy of science and ethics, Christopher lays out the risks - manipulation, misalignment, lack of transparency - and the urgent need for international cooperation to set safeguards now. We talk about everything from the potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare and sustainability to the darker realities of deepfakes, algorithmic control, and the erosion of democratic processes. His proposal? A kind of AI “Geneva Conventions,” or something akin to the IAEA - but for algorithms. In a world rushing toward techno-utopianism, Christopher is a clear-eyed voice asking: “What kind of Gods are we building… and can we still choose their values?” If you're thinking about the intersection of ethics and AI (and we should all be focused on this!), this is essential listening. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 58:55. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on X. Here is my conversation with Dr. Christopher DiCarlo. Building A God - The Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence And The Race To Control It. How To Become A Really Good Pain In The Ass - A Critical Thinker's Guide To Asking The Right Questions. So You Think You Can Think?. All Thinks Considered. Convergence Analysis. Follow Christopher on LinkedIn. Follow Christopher on X. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to AI Ethics and Philosophy. (03:14) - The Interconnectedness of Systems. (05:56) - The Race for AGI and Its Implications. (09:04) - Risks of Advanced AI: Misuse and Misalignment. (11:54) - The Need for Ethical Guidelines in AI Development. (15:05) - Global Cooperation and the AI Arms Race. (18:03) - Values and Ethics in AI Alignment. (20:51) - The Role of Government in AI Regulation. (24:14) - The Future of AI: Hope and Concerns. (31:02) - The Dichotomy of Regulation and Innovation. (34:57) - The Drive Behind AI Pioneers. (37:12) - Skepticism and the Tech Bubble Debate. (39:39) - The Potential of AI and Its Risks. (43:20) - Techno-Selection and Control Over AI. (48:53) - The Future of Medicine and AI's Role. (51:42) - Empowering the Public in AI Governance. (54:37) - Building a God: Ethical Considerations in AI.
Actress and conservative pundit Sam Sorbo joins us to share her transformative journey from skepticism to advocacy in the realm of homeschooling. Her story begins with a bold decision to homeschool her eldest child, driven by dissatisfaction with the conventional education system. Sam recounts the hurdles and triumphs she faced, including a stint at a private Christian school that reaffirmed her belief in personalized education. Her experiences underscore the importance of trusting parental instincts and the fulfillment that comes from crafting a child's learning environment.Our conversation takes a deeper look at education through the lens of virtue and family values. Rather than equating success with financial achievements, we explore how nurturing a child's character and soul stands as a pillar of true education. Sam and I discuss societal norms around early childcare and how these can sometimes erode family bonds, advocating instead for a focus on critical thinking over rote memorization. Insights from her book, "Parents Guide to Homeschool Making Education Fun and Easy," illustrate the joy and satisfaction that can be found in a homeschool setting.We also tackle the contentious topic of school choice, examining the implications of government funding on educational autonomy. With examples from states like Arizona and Florida, we highlight the challenges and potential pitfalls of accepting government assistance in private and homeschool settings. Our discussion encourages a reevaluation of conventional success paths, advocating for a return to family-centric values and understanding each child's unique potential. Engaging teenagers in meaningful conversations and Socratic circles is celebrated as a way to enhance their communication skills, ultimately preparing them for a fulfilling future.
A brief overview of Socrates, the classical Greek philosopher widely regarded as the founder of Western philosophy. Known for his Socratic method of questioning, he profoundly influenced ethical thought, epistemology, and later philosophical traditions.
Another AI-based project at SXSW this year was SWEET! by Dutch designer and artist René van Engelenburg of DROPSTUFF MEDIA. This is a projection-mapped physical installation designed to facilitate a very brief conversation with an OpenAI LLM-driven virtual being about the parallels between how sugar is added to all of our food and how AI is currently being added to all of our technologies. The virtual being uses a sort of Socratic method of questioning to solicit your opinion in four leading questions that are making an argument about the commonalities between sugar and AI. It's a short five-minute experience, and so I did the piece three different times to understand the underlying mechanics of how it's built. It never felt like a true conversation as there's a superficial acknowledgement of my responses, but always immediately progresses onto the pre-set monologue that is pre-written within the series of prompts without having what I see seemingly impact the substance of the conversation beyond some prompted images that are projected onto the white set of a candy store. So instead of a truly, open-ended Socratic dialogue, this experience feels more like a Socratic monologue where questions are only driving a superficial sentiment analysis before moving onto the delivery of the next random fact or story beat. We still have a long way to go before these LLM-based experiences can balance a convincing conversation while also telling a compelling story, but this feels like the type of XR immersive installation providing a holographic embodiment of the virtual being is a compelling form factor that I can see being further developed in the future. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality
Are you really in control of your life—or just reacting to chaos? What if the secret to happiness, resilience, and financial stability isn't about doing more… but doing less, with more intention? Studio Sponsor: Cardio Miracle - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": https://www.briannicholsshow.com/heart In this mind-expanding episode of The Brian Nichols Show, we pull back the curtain on why “controlling what you can control” is more than just a motivational quote—it's a life philosophy that could radically change how you approach stress, decision-making, and even political conversations. In a world filled with anxiety, economic uncertainty, and nonstop noise, guest Will Young—a certified financial planner, behavioral psychology expert, surfer, and stoic—shares how applying timeless Stoic wisdom and behavioral science can help you thrive in today's volatile world. Whether you're trying to manage your finances, have better conversations, or be a more present parent or partner, Will drops practical, real-life tools that actually work. From navigating heated political conversations without losing your mind (or your friends), to recognizing when you're consuming mental “junk food,” this episode is packed with memorable metaphors and mental models. Will explains how to use the Socratic method in conversations to reduce conflict, increase clarity, and create more productive dialog—even when discussing polarizing topics like taxes, pandemics, or elections. You'll also discover what we can learn from children about presence and joy, why true leadership starts with self-awareness, and how to train your mind the way athletes train their bodies. This isn't just an interview—it's a masterclass in recalibrating your life to operate from clarity, calm, and control. Plus, Brian gets real about the pressures of modern life—from being a political commentator to balancing work and fatherhood—offering a raw, relatable look at how even the most driven people need time to recharge, reflect, and realign. By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with a renewed mindset and a practical roadmap for being more intentional, grounded, and effective in every area of your life. ❤️ Order Cardio Miracle (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/heart) with code TBNS at checkout for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being!
Here's an idea: Around 2012, YouTube was undergoing a profound transformation from a novelty economy to a loyalty platform. This was largely driven by vlog culture, but another format was emerging: The video essay. But would Internet audiences (notorious for their ShOrT aTeNtIoN sPaNs!!!) watch longform, Socratic discussion of math, democracy, quantum mechanics, and Pokémon? Turns out: Yes. Through the power of public broadcasting, an extremely innovative YouTube show emerged called PBS Idea Channel. It was produced by a talented team of writers, researchers and producers, and its host – Mike Rugnetta – became the face of Internet curiosity during its 5 year and 400 video run. Today, you can't swing Schrödinger's dead cat without hitting a video essay with millions of views. Their popularity can be traced back to Mike and his colleagues, who in-turn credit the vloggers and comedians who inspired them in the early days of Web video. Mike joins Matt to discuss this rare time for Internet creativity, what it was like to build a large and intellectually curious community on YouTube, why he returned to his first love of audio design, how modern social media makes us so passive, and why he's thrilled that his many ongoing podcasts don't pay the bills. Connect with Mike: https://rugnetta.com/ Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikerugnetta/ Subscribe to Mike's excellent podcasts: Reasonably Sound: https://reasonablysound.com/ RIP Corp: https://ripcorp.biz/ Never Post: https://www.neverpo.st/ Fun City: https://funcity.ventures/ This show is made possible by listener support: https://www.patreon.com/influencepod Listen & subscribe wherever you get podcasts:
Heraclitus (c. 500 BC), a pre-Socratic philosopher from Ephesus, is renowned for his doctrine of perpetual change and the unity of opposites, encapsulated in the phrase “Everything flows” and “No man ever steps in the same river twice.” His concept of logos as the rational order of the universe influenced ancient and modern philosophy, including thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Hegel. Known as “the dark” philosopher for his cryptic style and paradoxical ideas, Heraclitus viewed strife as fundamental to justice and saw fire as the primal element of existence. His legacy endures in the study of cosmology, metaphysics, and dialectics.
Across the headlines, we appear to be falling into a post-truth world. But the questions that most resonate with humanity—on life, death, love, and leadership—remain as pertinent as they were in the age of Socrates. Now philosopher and University of Chicago Professor Agnes Callard joins us to examine how Socratic thought can continue to guide us and ground us, breathing new life into the rigour of inquiry and the importance of truth. Get an Exclusive Incogni deal here: https://incogni.com/howtoacademy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Philosophy has a way of intimidating or putting off people for being too ethereal, abstract, or impractical. But today, Dr. Peter Kreeft joins Ben Eriksen to challenge these judgments by discussing his new book “What Would Socrates Say? An Introduction to Philosophy by the Socratic Method.” This work is unlike every other introduction to philosophy; it is not only written in dialogue, but also teaches the reader how to think, not what to think. In this episode, Dr. Kreeft and Ben discuss the Socratic method, the importance of searching for the truth rather than winning arguments, skepticism, artificial intelligence, and so much more. This engaging conversation demonstrates the importance of philosophy in our everyday lives. Get your copies of “What Would Socrates Say?”: https://ignatius.com/what-would-socrates-say-wwssh/ SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast. You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Follow us on social media: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPress Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignatiuspress Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignatius_press/
The Ochelli Effect 3-7-2025 Open Mic Friday Night with B PeteWe offer you a constructive influence over the show. Call In 1(319) 527-5016 and use your voice to change what we have to work with. Message Chuck on X.Also send some email and TWITTER X messages to B Pete Goddamnit! HEW LOVES DEBATE AND ARGUMENT, Chuck wants more Socratic method!The Co-Host WEBSITEhttp://www.bpete1969.com/TWITTER Xhttps://x.com/bpete1969FEDBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/bpete1969Friday Night Open Mic NEEDS YOU! ALSOBe the EFFECT support OCHELLIhttps://ochelli.com/donate/Listen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://t.co/stHbqtgAc3
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly “Be the Church” theme with a discussion that compared the biblical learning style of discipleship with a didactic or Socratic learning style. A didactic learning style is acquiring information from a single source/teacher through a teaching method that delivers information in a direct and structured manner, such as lectures. On the other hand, Discipleship is more of a personable, interactive, and application-based learning style mirrored from Jesus’s actions. We turned to Mark 1:35-39 to analyze Jesus’s first choice of action before starting His day. We also had our special guest, Ricky Brown, join the conversation. Ricky is the President and Founder of Speak Life. He is also a luminary, storyteller, speaker, and author. He has written the book, “The Five Hazardous Attitudes: Ways to Win the War Within.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly “Be the Church” theme with a discussion that compared the biblical learning style of discipleship with a didactic or Socratic learning style. A didactic learning style is acquiring information from a single source/teacher through a teaching method that delivers information in a direct and structured manner, such as lectures. On the other hand, Discipleship is more of a personable, interactive, and application-based learning style mirrored from Jesus’s actions. We turned to Mark 1:35-39 to analyze Jesus’s first choice of action before starting His day. We also had our special guest, Ricky Brown, join the conversation. Ricky is the President and Founder of Speak Life. He is also a luminary, storyteller, speaker, and author. He has written the book, “The Five Hazardous Attitudes: Ways to Win the War Within.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Ochelli Effect 2-28-2025 Open Mic Friday NightWe offer you a constructive influence over the show. Call In 1(319) 527-5016 and use your voice to change what we have to work with. Message Chuck on X.Chuck alone hosted Friday.Also send some email and TWITTER X messages to B Pete Goddamnit! HEW LOVES DEBATE AND ARGUMENT, Chuck wants more Socratic method!The Co-Host WEBSITEhttp://www.bpete1969.com/TWITTER Xhttps://x.com/bpete1969FEDBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/bpete1969Friday Night Open Mic NEEDS YOU! ALSOBe the EFFECT support OCHELLIhttps://ochelli.com/donate/Listen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://t.co/stHbqtgAc3
=The Ochelli Effect 2-21-2025 Open Mic Friday Night with B PeteWe offer you a constructive influence over the show. Call In 1(319)527-5016 and use your voice to change what we have to work with. Message Chuck on X.Is Chuck wrong to think we should actively make efforts to avoid repeating the exact talking points already heard on MSM?Also send some email and TWITTER X messages to B Pete Goddamnit! HEW LOVES DEBATE AND ARGUMENT, Chuck wants more Socratic method!The Co-Host WEBSITEhttp://www.bpete1969.com/TWITTER Xhttps://x.com/bpete1969FEDBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/bpete1969Friday Night Open Mic NEEDS YOU! ALSOBe the EFFECT support OCHELLIhttps://ochelli.com/donate/Listen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://t.co/stHbqtgAc3=================
Episode 218 is chock-full of super practical ways to implement academic talk in your classroom tomorrow! Elementary science teacher Jami Witherell shares her insights on fostering academic discourse in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of giving students time to think before they speak. She discusses practical strategies for engaging students in conversation, including the 'read a little, think a little, chat a little' approach, and the implementation of Socratic seminars and fishbowl discussions. Jami highlights the significance of preparation and creating a safe space for all students, especially multilingual learners, to express their thoughts and ideas. Her personal experiences as a multilingual learner shape her passion for ensuring that every student feels their voice matters in the classroom.Fourth grade teacher Lauren Proffitt discusses the importance of oracy in education, detailing how her school has implemented a school-wide goal to enhance students' speaking skills. She explains the significance of structured routines and strategies that promote student engagement through talk, emphasizing the role of oracy in both academic and lifelong skills. The discussion also covers peer observations, collaborative learning, and effective management of classroom discussions, providing practical insights for educators.ResourcesFail-a-bration by Brad and Kristi Montague We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.Grab free resources and episode alerts! Sign up for our email list at literacypodcast.com.Join our community on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.
Machine learning, big data and AI are reshaping the human experience and forcing us to develop a new ethical intelligence. In Buddhism and Intelligent Technology: Toward a More Humane Future (Bloomsbury, 2021), Peter Hershock offers a new way to think about attention, personal presence, and ethics as intelligent technology shatters previously foundational certainties and opens entirely new spaces of opportunity. Rather than turning exclusively to cognitive science and contemporary ethical theories, Hershock shows how classical Confucian and Socratic philosophies help to make visible what a history of choices about remaking ourselves through control biased technology has rendered invisible. But it is in Buddhist thought and practice that Hershock finds the tools for valuing and training our attention, resisting the colonization of consciousness, and engendering a more equitable and diversity-enhancing human-technology-world relationship. Focusing on who we need to be present as to avoid a future in which machines prevent us from either making or learning from our own mistakes, Hershock offers a constructive response to the unprecedented perils of intelligent technology and seamlessly blends ancient and contemporary philosophies to envision how to realize its equally unprecedented promises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Athens stands as a cornerstone of Western civilization, philosophy, and church history. Today, Stephen Nichols takes us to this ancient city, exploring its legacy as the home of democracy, Socratic thought, and Paul's famous sermon on Mars Hill. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/athens-in-church-history/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert interviews James Blomfield from the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP). They discuss his work in inclusive education, the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and the global challenges and opportunities in creating truly inclusive schools. Blomfield shares insights from his visits to Texas schools, highlighting student engagement in career and technical education programs. The conversation also explores the role of artificial intelligence in education, the shift from inclusion to belonging, and the power of networks like IFIP in connecting educators worldwide. The Just Schools Podcast is brought to you by the Baylor Center for School Leadership. Be encouraged. Mentioned: The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to Coherence by Mary Myatt How Change Happens by Duncan Green The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco Connect with us: Baylor MA in School Leadership EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership Jon Eckert LinkedIn X: @eckertjon Center for School Leadership at Baylor University: @baylorcsl Jon Eckert: All right, so we are blessed to have James in our podcast studio. He flew all the way from the United Kingdom to Waco, Texas, to be on this podcast. So James, tell us a little bit about what you've been doing here in central Texas these last couple of days. James: Yeah, I've been spoiled. I've just had the best cheese and ham roll, ever. I can tell you a lot about Texan food now. And brisket. But the quality of the experiences, the visiting the schools, meeting you at Baylor has been a terrific privilege. I'm very grateful. Yeah, today, this morning, in fact, we visited three schools in Waco Independent School District. We were shown around by the loveliest people, Adam, Caroline, and Christie. I think Adam and Caroline are on from your doctoral program. Jon Eckert: Yes. James: But they're like institutional coaches. I gather. We would call them improvement offices where I come from, but they had such a light touch. They knew everyone. They were so friendly with people, and I gather that they are also about compliance, but with the coaching aspects. So they were great. And the three schools we went to, we were Midway yesterday, which was amazing. And then this morning, Bells Hill Elementary, Cesar Chavez, and then GWAMA, Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy earlier. And yeah, what impressed me was speaking honestly as an English person, it is shocking to see police in a school. Very quickly, I was unaware of them. But we have our own issues in the UK with knives and all sorts. But the staff were, despite that, throughout just so calm, friendly, loving, and attentive to the students. Asking them, talking to them in front of us. And some wonderful experienced people, trauma informed. There was someone who was training to be a social worker this morning who just came out of her office and gave us a short speech without any preparation, speaking from the heart, talking about what she was doing, how much the children matter. If you've got people like that, then you are going to be doing the right stuff. So yeah, I was impressed. But also from the type of education, obviously Texas is massive. The school footprint, I've never been into such big schools, even the elementary and yesterday with Midway, that was the biggest school I've ever been in. It took us a long time to walk around. And all of the stuff, like this morning at GWAMA, we saw robotics, drones, they have the construction academy, welding, forklift truck driving. Yesterday we saw them building an airplane. When I was doing metalwork at school, it was for like a baked potato holder. They were building an airplane. And I would love that as a student. I would be inspired by that even if I was building a small part of the airplane. Rebuilding tractors yesterday. So that's practical. That's 21st century teaching, but visible, practical, hands-on. Jon Eckert: And then the engagement that you see that's possible there through starting a cafe restaurant through the airplanes. Just to be clear to the audience, the students are not doing this on their own. It's a two-seat airplane that would be like a Cessna, and they have engineers coming in to help build. I still am not going to be the first person that volunteers to fly in that, but it was impressive to see. And I do feel like in central Texas, there are a number of schools doing a lot to try to meet the needs of the community by educating kids in ways that engage them, use the skills that they've been given, help them become more of who they're created to be in a way that benefits the community. And even the principal yesterday, Allison Smith, was sharing about the new factory that's coming in that's got a gigantic footprint, and it's going to be a huge benefit to the tax base. Before they came, they met with the high school to see if there were ways that they could integrate some of the needs they have with what the high school's developing in their students. Because at Midway, about half the students go on to a post-secondary education. And so there have to be opportunities for kids to step into things that allow them to be gainfully employed and meaningfully use the skills that they have. And many of the kids were doing things that I couldn't even fathom doing. And they're just leaning into it and gaining expertise, which is for 16, 17, 18 year olds is truly remarkable. James: Isn't that also a bit like a UDL mindset? If the manufacturer comes in and has that intelligence to ask about what would you need? What would be helpful? And then you're designing the education from the ground up. Jon Eckert: That's it. And I'm glad you brought up Universal Design for Learning, because that's something that we haven't really gotten into. Why you're here and what you do in the United Kingdom, because we actually, Eric Ellison, met you a while ago. But you were the reason why we were at a UNESCO conference in Paris where we got to work with educators from six continents that were all interested in UDL and what it means to educate each kid around the world. And there's 250 million kids that don't have access to a school. And then we're in these amazing schools where the biggest schools you've been in that are offering all these different opportunities. And so we're getting to see it, but what does it really look like from your perspective, from your organization as it relates to UDL? James: Yeah. So interesting, I am a teacher, head teacher, classroom teacher from some 25 years. And for me, it's all about practical teaching and talking to parents, making things work. But at a very practical level. And one thing that drew me to my organization, which is the IFIP, International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners, was that when I met Daniel, who's a fabulous person to work for, it's much more practitioner based. It's all about pedagogies. I felt at home straight away. But also, how do we train teachers? How do we bring them on into inclusive practice? And the IFIP is all about the voice of teachers. Daniel would say inclusionistas, all manner and range of people, teachers, specialists, therapists, but parents as well, who are committed to a more equitable and enriching education. So the majority of what we do is training. We have things like our GITI program, which is a global inclusive teaching initiative. But we do events. And that's something that Daniel, one of his strengths, he speaks all over the world. He's written many books. We were so, so grateful to have the event at UNESCO in Paris. So we were co-hosting. Daniel had been talking about that for two years beforehand. And we didn't believe him. He made it a reality. He dreamt about it, and it happened. And the same more recently in Brazil. We went to the G-20 ministerial meeting. He was talking about that. So he sees things and it falls to me to follow behind him and try and make some of the practicalities work. But yeah, the inclusion piece covers so many flavors. And I think what you mentioned just now, we talk about inclusion. Well, if the 250 million aren't in school, well, that's a level of inclusion that puts lots of other schools into a completely different context. Where does the inclusion start? And even in some of the schools I visited, I've been very lucky to visit schools around the world who would say they're inclusive and they may have a sensory room, or they may have, but they aren't necessarily inclusive. But for me, one of my favorite schools I've visited was in Rome, [foreign language 00:08:28], Our Lady of Good Counsel. It was run by Silesia nuns. And they said in the words of their founder, Don Bosco, "Young people need not only to be loved, but they need to know that they're loved." And it's very reassuring as a practitioner, a teacher, former head teacher, to come here to Texas and you see that. You see that palpably going on. And I feel at home. The elementary school this morning, because I was a primary school teacher, it was just like, I know this. I understand this. I could probably take a lesson. But they had some great ideas. And teachers, I'm a teacher, you love stealing good ideas. Jon Eckert: Well, and I think this is the beautiful thing about the jobs that we get to do. We get to see all the amazing things that are happening in schools. So much of what's in the news and what gets publicized are the things that aren't working. And the tragedy that there are 250 million kids who don't have access to schools, that is tragic. But in schools, there are amazing things happening all over the world. And getting to see them is this encouraging, oh, it gives you hope. And I wish more people could see that. I do think there are challenges though, because when we think about inclusion, we've moved as a country toward inclusive education, the least restrictive environment for students, and bringing students into a place where they can flourish. But we really, as Erik Carter, who runs our Baylor Center for Developmental Disability, you met with him yesterday. He talks about moving from inclusion to belonging. And I think we even need to think about belonging to mattering. So you keep hearing more and more about what does it means to matter and seeing your gifts being used with others. And that's what we saw yesterday. It wasn't individual students. It was teams of students doing this and each member of the team had a different role, whether it was robotics or it was the plane or the cafe. And the educators needed to step in. So the principal was talking about, I need an educator who's willing to step up and do this so that this can happen. And that's the thing that I think people that haven't been in schools for a while don't see what it means to really help kids belong. They have a sense of what inclusion was, maybe when they were in school, where there was a class down the way that was a Sensory room, which is a nice room for just, here's where we're going to put a kid who's out of control that we can't manage in so many places. It's like, no, there's so many schools that are doing so much more than that. So what are some other hopeful things you've seen through IFIP? James: Well, I think, yeah, you see a lot and on social media, and you must have found this, there's so much many aphorisms about inclusion and metaphors about what inclusion is. It's a mosaic. It's a banquet with many tastes. It's symphony orchestra with many sounds. Inclusion is a garden. That's quite a good one actually, the metaphor. And that's something that Sir Ken Robinson from the UK has talked a lot about. And there's lots of analogies with growing and flourishing, which that's a word you've taught me in my visit here. But I do feel sometimes that it is all good to talk about that. I don't disagree. But there's some recently inclusion makes every day feel special. Yeah, it does. Inclusion is the antidote to the division in the world. It is. But will that help the early career teacher struggle with their class? Will that give them the practical steps that they need? So I think all of those things are true, and we must love the students. But I would say that's just comes a standard with being a decent human being. I would expect that from you, from anyone. You treat people with a respect. But for me, I feel more inclined to say, what are the practical professional steps? What's the pedagogy? What are the teaching principles that will help me to, as we were saying yesterday, maybe to hesitate before ask another question in class and listen. And listen. That's inclusion, isn't it? Wait for someone to answer and maybe then not say anything. It's actually stepping back. So for me, I'm very impressed by... I mean, I was brought up on quality first teaching, we would call it in the UK, which is about high quality, inclusive teaching for every child. So you mustn't differentiate in a way that you've got the low table. No one wants to be on the low table. You want to have high challenge on every table. And we used to say, you want your best teacher on the lowest table. It's not like you just put a teaching assistant or some volunteer on the lowest table. It's got to be focus lesson design, involvement, interaction, metacognition. So responsibility for your own teaching, for your own learning. Sorry. And I love the dialogic approach. Someone said yesterday, Socratic circle that I've picked up. But it's like you would encourage a child to talk about what they understand because very quickly then you assess what they actually know. Sometimes you'd be surprised by what they know. But for the same reason, UDL appeals to me, to my sensibility, because it offers very practical steps. And crucially at the design stage, it's not like I'm going to apply this assistive technology to a lesson I created a year ago and will do the best we can, and that child will now be able to do more than they could. But if I design the lesson, and one of our colleagues, Helena Wallberg from Sweden, who was a co-author on the Global Inclusive Teaching Initiative, she talks about lesson design. It's a far sexier way than lesson planning. So teachers are professionals, they're artists. They need to use their profession. Jon Eckert: So when you start thinking about design, I use Paideia seminars because Socratic seminars are great, but Socrates taught one-on-one. We don't usually get the luxury of doing that. So how do you bring in the gifts of each student, not so that you're doing something kind or helpful for that individual, but so that the whole group benefits from the collective wisdom in the classroom? And so the inclusive education is not to benefit one single individual, it's to benefit all of us because of what you draw out. And that's where design, I think, is more helpful than planning. And so when we think about this in this state that we're in right now, we've never been in a better time to educate. We have more tools than we've ever had. We know more about how people learn than we have in the history of the world. James: Yeah. Jon Eckert: And yet sometimes that can make things feel overwhelming. So that beginning teacher that you mentioned. The only thing that beginning teacher knows is no one in the room learns exactly the way she does. That's all you know. And so then how do you use tools... And we've talked a little bit about this artificial intelligence. Amazing tool for adapting reading levels, for adapting basic feedback, for giving an educator a helpful boost on lesson design because it can synthesize from large language models. It can do work that would've taken us hours in five seconds. But it can't replace the human being. And so how do you see tools like artificial intelligence feeding into UDL so that it becomes more human, not less? James: So where I am, there's a shortage of specialist teachers, for example, and therapists. And Daniel's been doing a lot of work in India and parts of Asia where there isn't the expertise. So I think maybe AI can help in those places. But even he would say that will not replace a specialist. You can never replace a specialist who has the intuitive and curiosity to see what an AI system can't. But it may empower parents who have no kind of training as a teacher might have for neurodiverse situations of how do I deal with my child when they're like this? And similar for teachers and who are looking for... They've tried everything. What do I try now? So we've been working on one on an AI system that's based on all of the research that Daniel's done. It's not released yet. We've got a working title of 360 Assessment, which doesn't really mean anything, but it was meant to be assessing the whole child. And he's, through his work in many schools over many years, many thousands of hours, he's put all of this stuff into the data for the AI system coupled with his books. So when you ask a question, it will do a quick spin round and come back with some suggestions. And it's quite fun to use, I think, as a tool to empower parents to signpost them. And for teachers, it's a useful tool. I don't think it's the panacea, but I think you have to use these technologies sensibly. But my daughter, who's a nursery nurse, and she tried to break it by saying, oh... We tried it, the computer. My child is two years old, but can't pronounce S. should I be worried? And it came back with the correct answer, said no, there's nothing to worry about. Up to four years old, some children won't be able to pronounce the sound S properly. And then it gave her the advice that she would give, because a manager of a nursery nurse, the advice you'd give to her staff. Now all of her team have just started that. None of them have any experience. So that, I could see, could be useful for training numbers, the ratio of good advice to people. That's the way I see it working in the short term. Jon Eckert: No, and I think that's great because it enhances the human's ability to meet the need of the human right in front of them. Because I will always believe that teaching is one of the most human things that we do. James: It is. Jon Eckert: And so any way that we can enhance that with any tool, whether it's a pencil or an artificial intelligence tool that allows you to give feedback and synthesize things and help with design. I also believe we just need to give credit where credit's due. I don't love it when we don't give credit for tools that we use. So if you're using UDL, they're a great people cast. We're about to have a call with them later today. They do great work. And so the same thing. If you have a digital tool, share that so that we know here's what we did and here's how we can spread that collective expertise to others. And so what role does IFIP play in bringing networks of people together to do that? Because in your convenings, that's one of the main things you do. So can you talk a little bit about that? James: Yeah. Well, in the title if you like, in our forums, one of the things that Daniel is very keen on is sustainable growth. So we want to introduce people to each other. And it's surprising with head teachers and principals who struggle. I've just come back from Brazil from a UNESCO GEM, which is a global education meeting, where the focus was on the quality of the leadership. And we need to give, empower our leaders. They're often working on their own. One of the roles of the IFIP is to join them together. So we're launching in January at the BET Show, which is the biggest technology show in the world, apparently, in London Excel Center, our Global School Principals Forum. So we have a forum for them. We have a forum for specialists, forum for pastoral leads. And we've also got regional forums of South America, North America, Asia, just to try to bring people together. Because when you share the experience, and I've been really grateful this morning for the opportunity to walk through and see some American schools that you share the ideas, you see the similarities. That's the power and that's so important. Jon Eckert: No, and that's been our experience. Whether we're just in the states or internationally, there's so much good work going on. We just need to have ways of connecting human beings who are doing it, so it doesn't feel like it's another thing to do, but it's a better way to do what we're already doing. And so I feel like that's what UDL does. I feel like that's what IFIP is about. And that the most meaningful part of our time in Paris at UNESCO was not in the panels, it was in the conversations that happened over lunch, in the hallways. The panel may have sparked a conversation, but it's hey, what are you doing here? And what are you doing there? And I walked away with multiple connections of people that we'll continue to talk to because, again, there's so much good work going on. Yeah, go ahead. James: My memory of the... Because it was a very stale affair, wasn't it? And the bureaucratic approach, UNESCO, because you feel like you're a United Nations and lots of people talking were sat down for hours and hours, was when you lifted your hand and actually ask a few questions. That's inclusion, isn't it? Eric was saying that people who were leaving the room walked back in to listen because that was interesting and someone was asking them how they feel and bringing it back into reality. That's so important. But I also think inclusion, there is an interesting power dynamic with inclusion. A guy called Michael Young who's a professor of education at UCL, talks about the right for all children and young people to be taught powerful knowledge. What knowledge are we giving them? How are we empowering them? So I think inclusion is all about discovering your power within, if you like. That's so important so that they begin to see. And some of the teachers are saying this morning, kids know what they see, what they've experienced. And if you introduce new ways of dealing with anger or with pain, they don't have to fight. They don't have to resort to what they've necessarily seen. Then give them new strategies. That's empowering those children. Jon Eckert: Well, and Adam and Caroline who were taking you around, they're behavioral interventionists. And they are always busy because there are kids that are struggling with how to manage the feelings that they have. And if they don't have people giving them those strategies, how do they grow? And again, that's very human teaching, and Adam and Caroline are great models of that. James: They were wonderful. So good, and it was the light touch that impressed me. Because I've worked with, as I say, school improvement offices. And the trick is not to push people down. It's to make them think twice about what they've done or how they could ask a question better. And their observations of the displays on the walls and just the language teachers and teaching assistants use has a profound effect. I do believe that inclusion is about the students look at the way their teachers behave. It's nothing to do with this pedagogy or the post. It's about how did they respond to me? How did they respond to the other person in the class? What's important to them? How do they talk? That's the inclusion that you teach. Empowering them to make the similar choices when they're older. Jon Eckert: That's well said. So our lightning round, I usually ask four or five questions that have relatively short answers. So first one, what's the worst advice you've ever received as an educator? James: Oh, as an educator? Worst advice. Jon Eckert: Oh, it could be as a human being if you want. James: Well, when I was young, my dad had many qualities and taught me many good things. But one of the worst things he said to me was, "Don't use your money, use theirs." So he would borrow money. And that got me off to a terrible start in life. And I learned through my own experience that it was better to use... Well, I was always using my own money. Jon Eckert: Yes. Yes, okay. James: But I could use it better. But bless him because he's no longer with us. But that was one piece. Jon Eckert: No, that's a tough start. James: Yeah. Jon Eckert: Thank you for that. What's the best advice you've received? James: The best advice, I think, was to go back to university. Jon Eckert: Okay. James: I dropped out of school to get engaged, because that's what you do when you're 19. And I was going to get married, but it didn't happen. And then I went to do a summer job, which lasted for 10 years. Jon Eckert: That's a long summer. James: But my blessed teacher, Michael Brampton, who gave me a love for painting, history of art, he kept on pestering me go back to university. I went back as a mature student and loved it. I think people should start degrees when they're near in the thirties because you appreciate it so much more. Jon Eckert: Yes. James: So that advice he gave me led to such a change in my life. Jon Eckert: Yes. Well, and then you went on to get a degree in art history, philosophy, then a master's in computer science. So you went all in. James: Yes. And that took me into education. And the time I went in, there weren't many teachers that were doing anything with computers. Jon Eckert: So as you get to see all this around the world, what's the biggest challenge that you see schools facing that you work with? James: I think it's manpower. Jon Eckert: Okay. James: I think there's a real manpower issue and belief that school can make a difference. I think one of the things that we believe in IFIP is that positive change is possible. And sometimes it's shocking going to schools. And if you do make people see that the positive change is possible, it transforms them. So advocacy, shared vision. And one of your colleagues was saying this morning, just changing the mantra can make a profound difference. Jon Eckert: Yeah. So what makes you the most optimistic as you get to see all the schools all around the world? James: Yeah. Well, I've just come back from Stockholm in Sweden, and I was really, really impressed by the school there. It was one of the best schools in Stockholm. It was a school that had in their entrance hall, you'd expect it to be very austere and you don't want to see any bad stuff in your entrance hall. But they had a table tennis table set up and they had a piece of found art or hanging above. And it was the whole sense of the school's about children started there, about young people. But in Sweden, it's all about sustainability. Everyone is expected to clear up after themselves, be mindful of other people, respectful. Even in the hotel where I stayed, I had to sort my rubbish in my room. It's that approach that starts from not just in school, across the board. Jon Eckert: Yeah. James: So that impressed me. Jon Eckert: Yeah, that's a beautiful example. One of my favorite schools outside of Nashville, Tennessee, they don't have custodians that clean up the building. They have 20 minutes at the end of the day where the students do all of the cleaning, including the bathrooms. Which you start to take care of stuff better when you're the one who has to clean it up. And the peer pressure to take care of it shifts a little bit. So it's a great word. All right, one other thing. Oh, best book that you've read last. James: Can I give you two books? Jon Eckert: Absolutely. James: I mean, I've got into fiction in a big way recently. So I use Audible, the app. Jon Eckert: Oh, yes. James: And I've been working through all kinds of classics that I never read properly. Just reread The Hobbit and Tom Sawyer. But I've gone through... The Name of the Rose stuck with me recently. I so enjoyed reading it. And I've just got into Robert Harris. He's written Conclave, which has just come out as a feature film. And a series of books called Imperium about Cicero and Oratory and how the Roman Empire was lost. But they aren't the books. Jon Eckert: I love that. Go ahead. James: But the two books, one is by an English specialist called Mary Myatt. And one of the really practical books that she wrote was The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to coherence. Gallimaufry is a word, I'm not sure if it's Gaelic, but it means a mess. So going from a mess to coherence. And that book is all about how it's important that children struggle. That learning only happens. We try to protect kids all the time that way. No, they should struggle. You imagine if everything's easy. And then she says this, if everything's easy, it's hard to learn. There's nothing to hold onto. There's no scratch marks. You need some of that. So Mary Myatt, that's a brilliant book. The other book is by Duncan Green called How Change Happens. And that's all about this idea of power. And he talks about power within, that's your self-confidence power with when you've got solidarity with people. Power to change things and then power over people. But it strikes me that as he shows in his book, where you've got instances where you've got the 'I Can' campaign in South Asia, all about women who were being violently treated by men, reclaiming their self-worth. It's like invisible power. Where does it come from? The change. You can't see any difference, but inside they've changed dramatically to stand up collectively against something. And that's what we need to do with students. Build that self-power inside. Jon Eckert: Great recommendations. And we talk a lot about struggling well and where that fuel comes from. And so, love that book by Mary Myatt. I'll have to get the spelling of that from you when we get off. My also favorite thing about that is I asked for one book recommendation and I wrote down at least seven. So, well done James. All right, well hey. We really appreciate you coming over. We look forward to potentially doing a convening where we get to bring great people together who want to work on serving each kid well in this way that benefits all of us. So hopefully that will happen sometime in the coming year. But really grateful for your partnership and a chance to go visit schools and have you on the podcast. James: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Thank you.
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Send us a textIn this lesson, I speak to Stoicism expert Donald Robertson about how to apply the Socratic method. Discover the timeless wisdom of Socrates and his groundbreaking two-column technique—a simple yet profound method for improving critical thinking, questioning assumptions, and making better decisions. This ancient approach to self-improvement has inspired philosophers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, and remains a powerful tool for modern personal growth.
I dig into my archives to unpack the one-on-one, immersive theatre piece that I saw online back in 2021 called TM that used a Socratic dialectic to interrogate you as you're going through a process of joining an imaginary cult. I spoke with Ontroerend Goed's artistic director Alexander Devriendt to get a lot more context for how he designs immersive theatre productions for folks who typically don't like immersive theatre. This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality
Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes. The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire 1 person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world have the hustle and grit to deliver. My Guest: Mike Maples Jr is a co-founding Partner at Floodgate. He has been on the Forbes Midas List eight times in the last decade and was recently profiled by Harvard Business School for his lifetime contributions to entrepreneurship. Some of his early investments include: Twitter, DemandForce, Twitch, and Applied Intuition. Mike is also the bestselling author of Pattern Breakers: Why Some Start-Ups Change the Future. Notes Chance favors the prepared mind. We are all visited by luck, but most of us don't answer the door. We need to become a professional noticer. That is Mike's favorite verb. Noticing. Most people don't have prepared minds. Be intentional about noticing the world around you and being prepared for when luck visits you. Mike's dad died 7 days before we recorded. “He was a mentor, a friend, and one of the greatest inspirations of my life.” His advice: Do your best. There's only one of you. Decide what to do with your gift of time, be intentional. Have gratitude for your time. Make the most of it. Don't waste it trying to be someone else. Focus - Fishing competition when Mike was 5 or 6. Let's find a good spot and stay there the entire time. While everyone else moved constantly, Mike and his dad stayed in their spot, caught a big carp, and won. Bill Gates begged Mike's dad to “be the adult in the room” at Microsoft. Mike Sr would say to the people he led at Microsoft, "I want to know that you're thinking about what you're doing." He used a Socratic method. He was not prescriptive. Be proactive. Have an intentional strategy. Be intentional. Jonathan Livingston Seagull - The biggest limits in the world are the limits of your mind, your imagination, and your actions– not the limits of the world itself. Have to get over that voice in your head that says, “You're not good enough.” We get told to be realistic or stay within the lines. Everybody is figuring it out as they go. Everyone is “winging it.” Only by being radically different can you make a radical difference. Great founders are like Patrick Mahomes and Steph Curry. You don't know how they're going to score, but you know they will. Practice Reckless Optimism – The world is built by Optimists. You need to be FOR something. Bet ON something, not against it. Mike sees himself as a co-conspirator more than an investor. There can't be a recipe for a breakthrough because by definition breakthroughs haven't happened yet. “Chance favors the prepared mind.” We are all visited by luck but most don't answer the door. Chris Rock - Forming unexpected connections. Sam Beskind (Stanford basketball player where he played for Rob Ehsan) - Time management strategy. Stanford coaches had a one-pager with 3 keys to winning. Not 20. 3. If you have 20 keys, you have none. Nobody can remember all that. Life/Career Advice: Internalize what it means to do your best. Gratitude for your time. Avoid the trap of mimetic desire. The “T” of knowledge. Charlie Munger. Try to know what the best ideas that have ever existed in a wide range of fields. Then choose one field to know about more than anyone else in the world. Have one area where you are fanatically obsessed. For Mike, that's startups.