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The need for human-centered learning does not stop after high school. For many students, post-secondary learning revolves around a traditional four-year college program. But what about the students who don’t want or fit in the traditional paradigm? Where do they find the program and support needed to develop their own potential? This week’s guest is revolutionizing higher education with her creation of a two-year, nonprofit community college that seeks to support students in living a life of purpose, through a focus on practical life skills, mentorship programs, and paid internships. Listen in as we explore what’s not working in the higher education system and how to evolve education beyond a traditional four-year college. About Michelle Jones: Dr. Michelle D. Jones, founder and Chief Academic Officer of Wayfinding Academy, is on a mission to revolutionize higher education. After years of volunteering with groups and nonprofits to organize for social impact (SuperThank, TEDxMtHood, World Domination Summit) Michelle took a huge leap and founded Wayfinding Academy in June 2014 with a group of like-minded friends and colleagues. With continual progress being made, Michelle and her team are starting to see some ripple effects of change throughout higher education and their community. When not ruffling the feathers of traditional higher education, Michelle can be found walking the Camino de Santiago with fellow Wayfinders (this summer will be her seventh time!) or relaxing at her tiny home in Portland, Oregon. To learn more about Michelle or the higher education revolution, visit her website or follow her on LinkedIn. Jump in the Conversation: [5:16] Defining the Wayfinding Academy experience [6:16] The Self and Society Degree: Resilience and identity-based coursework [8:12] Self-knowledge and accountability through mentorship [10:42] Personalizing the post-graduate journey [16:12] Education through life skills and community focus [17:15] Wayfinding’s commitment to anti-racist action [21:39] Free college tuition initiative [27:54] Get to know Michelle: rapid-fire questions [31:36] Michelle’s Magic Wand: creating the space for students to make informed, intentional choices about life’s next step [33:01] My reflections on anti-racism, mentoring, and the value of a “pause” Links and Resources: Wayfinding Academy Wayfinding Academy's Free Tuition Initiative Program How to Be An Antiracist by Ibrham X. Kendi Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity? Gregory McKelvey: Why We Protest Follow Michelle on Medium Email Maureen Facebook: Follow Education Evolution Twitter: Follow Education Evolution LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids Micro-school feature on Good Morning America The Micro-School Coalition Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition LEADPrep
During her 15 years of teaching Leadership and Organizational Behavior courses in a traditional college system, Michelle Jones got a front row seat as to what is broken in that system. That’s when she decided to gather a group of like-minded badasses around a vision of what a revolution in higher education could look like.After years of helping groups and non-profits organize for social impact as a volunteer (SuperThank, TEDxMtHood, World Domination Summit), Michelle started her legacy project and the Wayfinding Academy was born.Join us as Michelle discusses her vision, what she’s doing with the academy, and why she feels it will not only impact students but help the world as well!
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
The Returning Veterans Project's mission is to provide free health and wellness services to post 9/11 veterans and their families. Listen in as Eddie, Kelly, and Jordan share their stories of gratitude for the amazing folks at the Returning Veterans Project and the incredible work they do. Hosted by XRAY.FM Executive Director Jefferson Smith. This episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience, at EastBurn in east Portland.
The Superthank Community gathered in August, 2016, to thank this fair city we call home: Portland. This podcast features Charley Gilkey giving thanks to finding community within community, Jeni Wren Stottrup showing her gratitude for the folks of PDX Pop Now!, and Caitlin Weierhauser credit therapy and ugly-crying for a path in comedy. Jefferson Smith hosts.
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Helen Goché told a story during the open mic portion of SuperThank's live storytelling event on July 21, 2015, at EastBurn in Portland, Oregon. The theme of the night was "Against the Odds." Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Patrick Griffin (@griffinsounds) is a native Oregonian, musician, songwriter and vintage-suit collector who works in label relations at the music company CD Baby. When playing music, he’s also known as LeRoy Jerome. He told his story July 21, 2015, at EastBurn in Portland, Oregon. The theme of the evening was "Against the Odds." Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Lauren Goché (@LaurenGoche) is a real estate broker, world traveler and self-described magnet for misadventure. She told her story at SuperThank's live storytelling event on July 21, 2015, when the theme of the night was "Against the Odds." The event took place at EastBurn in Portland, Oregon. Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
superthank.org Welcome to another episode of SuperThank. This week, The Mother of All Thanks told live at EastBurn in Portland, Oregon. Music by Podington Bear. Storytellers: Cory Huff, Krista VanVeen, and Tim Marcroft
In this episode, Michelle Jones discusses opening a new college, the Wayfinding Academy, and the related crowdfunding campaign plus how to find and follow your life purpose. “It's hard to feel like you can explore in college anymore. Every time you're exploring or taking a class that's interesting to you, you feel like it's a waste of money that will add additional time or debt.”– Michelle Jones About Michelle Jones Michelle D. Jones, Ph.D. Organizational Psychology & Leadership, Claremont Graduate University is a former traditional model college professor who is starting her own college, The Wayfinding Academy. Her 15 years teaching leadership and organizational behavior courses at colleges and universities across the country has prepared her well to re-imagine what higher education can be with this new endeavor. She is also drawing on her experience organizing events and communities with TEDxMtHood and the World Domination Summit and founding non-profit organizations such as SuperThank. ....In this show…. Michelle Jones' Life Purpose To make the world a better place by helping people find their way as early as possible in life. Life Purpose Ah-Ha Moments Around the end of her undergraduate career, Michelle Jones realized she wanted to be a teacher. As soon as she got into her role at the age of 24, Michelle Jones realized the teaching system was not what she thought it would be, therefore she committed herself to changing the educational institution. Major Life Events that Hinted at Your Life Purpose Meeting a mentor after finishing her undergraduate studies helped Michelle select the most efficient process of becoming a teacher. Being a professor at a traditional university allowed her to understand the institution and how she could build her own. Michelle Jones has collected people from her experiences working at the World Domination Summit, Ted Talks and more to build a community of minds that makes up the Wayfinding Academy. Spiritual Belief The energy of the Universe helps us accomplish what we are meant to be doing. Recommended Personal Growth Resource or Practice Walk Have a day with nothing scheduled at least once a week Michelle Jones' Wisdom on Igniting Life Purpose and Personal Growth "Finding courage to make difficult decisions. If that means quitting something to follow your purpose, it is always worth it and it always works out." Interview Links and Special Offers from this Episode Wayfinding Academy website Visit this website to donate to the crowd funding campaign and to sign up for the email list Wayfinding Academy Facebook page Recommended Reads and Movies "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coehlo 'The Way" directed by Emilio Estevez Subscribe to the Life Purpose Advisor Podcast To subscribe and review the Life Purpose Advisor podcast on iTunes. Click here. (Your reviews keep us growing so you'll hear more great stories from difference makers.)
For Life on Purpose Episode #28, my guest is Michelle Jones, a former traditional-model college professor who is starting her own college called the Wayfinding Academy in Portland, Oregon. Michelle joins me to discuss higher education re-imagined for the 21st Century, the importance of asking questions, passion-based leadership, and the crucial importance of real-world skills and experience. Many listeners also know Michelle as "Michelle the Magician", the behind-the-scenes guru at the annual World Domination Summit (WDS), that was the inspiration behind my first podcast Radio Enso. We talk about that experience and how she's applying what she learned there to her new venture. About: Michelle Jones is a former traditional model college professor who is starting her own college, the Wayfinding Academy. Her 15 years teaching leadership and organizational behavior courses at colleges and universities across the country has prepared her well to re-imagine what higher education can be with this new endeavor. She is also drawing on her experience organizing events and communities with TEDxMtHood and the World Domination Summit and founding non-profit organizations such as SuperThank. About the Wayfinding Academy: We're a group of professors, students, higher education professionals, non-profit and community leaders, and everyday citizens with over 100 years of experience in higher education who know college can be the incredible experience it promises to be. Right now too many students can't afford college, drop out, or even finish college without finding direction or purposes in their lives. We believe there is a better way. We are starting our own college. A new model for higher education. The Wayfinding Academy will be an affordable, 2-year college based in Portland, Oregon focused on what matters most in education: real world experience, community support and individual passion. Students won’t be asked to choose a major from a list, they’ll be supported in discovering their own personal mission. They’ll take core classes building skills that will serve them on any path. And they’ll work with advisors to create handcrafted experiences meaningful to them and build a portfolio through real experiences. To learn more about the Wayfinding Academy, visit: http://www.wayfindingacademy.org/.
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Welcome to another episode of SuperThank. This week, Stories of Surprising Gratitude told live at EastBurn in Portland, Oregon. Music by Podington Bear. Storytellers: Christine Alexander, Brad Pendergraft, and Tina Hart
Eric is a fellow audio storyteller. You can hear his work at Crows Nest Radio. He is also involved with Superthank, another radio show/podcast/live event series, so he is a busy man. Fortunately, he has found time to write. Today's story is a job interview, but, it quickly becomes apparent that the candidate either doesn't care about the job, or there is no job at all. It is a movingly funny parody of the absurd process almost all of us have been forced to become familiar with. Conversation Topics: jobs, interview, Google, Louis Sachar, fiction, writing, kids, fatherhood, X-Ray Radio, podcasting, journalism, Portland, kids lit. Read todays story at Medium.com. Today's music by Lifeformed - twitter & facebook The intro & outro music by MUSH - twitter & facebook If you would like to submit writing to, and perhaps be on the show, send any fiction, narrative non-fiction, and poetry between 1,000 and 4,000 words to: unknownwordspodcast@gmail.com Follow the show on Facebook Twitter Instagram
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories told in front of a live studio audience at SuperThank's live storytelling event in Portland Oregon. Feb 10th at Eastburn in Portland, Oregon. Storytellers: Jefferson Smith David VanVeen Martha Grover Music by Poddington Bear.
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories told before a live audience at SuperThank’s Thanks A Lot: An Airing of Grievances – Dec. 9, 2014, at EastBurn in Portland. Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear Storytellers: Donald Rose Ryan Saari Dee Williams
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories of gratitude told before a live audience: This story was told during SuperThank's Nov. 11 show at EastBurn in Portland. Arthur Bradford is a camp counselor, writer and filmmaker known in part for his work with the creators of South Park and for “How’s Your News?” – both the movie and the TV series. www.superthank.org
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories of gratitude told before a live audience: This story was told during SuperThank's Nov. 11 show at EastBurn. Michelle Jones of TEDx is a SuperThank founder. She lives in a tiny house in Portland. www.superthank.org
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories of gratitude told before a live audience: These stories were told during SuperThank's storytelling event in Portland, Oregon. Radical community gratitude ... for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear On the latest episode of SuperThank radio, you can hear Dee Williams and how her underwear saved the day. Kashea Kilson-Anderson, Hug Dealer, shares his story of gratitude for the woman who changed the trajectory of his life by enrolling him in community college. BTW, he wants her to hear this, so let's make sure it gets to her. Storytellers: Dee Williams Kashea Kilson-Anderson
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories of gratitude told before a live audience: These stories were told during SuperThank's storytelling event on July 29, 2014, at EastBurn in Portland. Featuring Ashleigh Paschal, Hansell Bourdon and more. Radical community gratitude ... for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear Storytellers: Hansell Bourdon Ashleigh Paschal
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories of gratitude told before a live audience: These stories were told during SuperThank's storytelling event on July 29, 2014, at EastBurn in Portland. Featuring Lew Frederick, Kate Gray and Blue. Radical community gratitude ... for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear Storytellers: Lew Frederick Kate Gray Blue
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories of gratitude told before a live audience: These stories were told during SuperThank's storytelling event at EastBurn in Portland. Radical community gratitude ... for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear Storytellers: Gary Hirsch Joanna Rose
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
These stories were recorded at the second SuperThank live storytelling event at Beech Street Parlor in Portland on June 10, 2014. Radical community gratitude for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/ Storytellers: Brent Bellamy Cameron Whitten Jeremy Bircher Lakeitha Elliott Chad Paetznick
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories of gratitude told before a live audience: These stories were told during SuperThank's storytelling event in Portland, Oregon. Radical community gratitude ... for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear: freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear A young entrepreneur - whose company's about to go under - unloads his troubles onto a stranger who decides to step in and save him; a retired lefty academic, disillusioned and weary, meets the people she needs to rekindle her passion and her joy; and a stressed out grad student discovers the pleasure of giving her gifts away for free to people that really need it. Storytellers: Cameron Madill Simone Levine Kendall
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
Stories recorded at the live storytelling event at Beech Street Parlor on June 10, 2014. Radical community gratitude for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/ Storytellers: David VanVeen Yuvi Zalkow Kip Silverman David Jackson DJ OG ONE
SuperThank Podcast - Stories of Gratitude, Live Storytelling in Portland Oregon
First inaugural SuperThank live storytelling event along with other audio explorations. Stories of gratitude recorded Live at Beech Street Parlor in NE Portland on April 1st, 2014. Radical community gratitude for stuff that matters. Music by Podington Bear http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/ Storytellers: Kriten Forbes Samuel Thompson Juvie Hall Crystal Akins Stephanie Krasner Max, Hansel, Miko, Blue Anthony Deloney and more