Be a Better Ally: Critical Conversations for K12 Educators

Tricia Friedman

What does real allyship look like in a classroom, a staff room, a school community?

Be a Better Ally helps K-12 teachers and school leaders build inclusive classrooms where every student feels they belong — without slogans, scripts, or shame. Host Tricia Friedman (Director of Shifting Schools) sits down with the authors, researchers, and educators shaping these conversations to explore student identity, belonging, school culture, media literacy, and the digital lives of young people.

Each episode leaves you with something to try, question, or read next. 280+ episodes of critical conversations for anyone who believes schools should be places where everyone gets to become themselves.

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#362
Wednesday · 13 min
Be Bold, Be Humble: Rethinking Assessment with AI
What does it look like to be bold about AI in education while remaining humble enough to revise what does not work? In this episode, Tricia Friedman responds to recent guidance from MIT by sharing a practical way to experiment with AI, assessment, and curriculum design. The challenge invites students to research a topic, develop the concept for a board game, select mechanics that support its theme, and pitch their idea. Along the way, students must make five deliberate choices: three moments when AI could assist their work and two when the task should remain human. They then explain what each choice contributed, complicated, or diminished. Tricia introduces a shorter version of her free GAMES Framework for educators who want to explore game design without committing to a complete game-development unit. Her example draws inspiration from the history of the Spokane River, but the structure can be adapted to almost any subject or local context. The episode also considers: Why AI literacy requires judgment, not simply tool proficiency How game design can bring together research, writing, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration Why the relationship between a game's theme and mechanics matters How playtesting gives students useful feedback about difficulty, clarity, and engagement What board-game boxes, reviews, playthrough videos, and Kickstarter campaigns can teach us as contemporary texts How the challenge could extend into mathematics, economics, visual art, media literacy, or local history Why alternative forms of assessment can help students make their thinking more visible The goal is not to use AI throughout the assignment. It is to give students genuine practice deciding when AI adds value, when it distracts from the work, and what evidence supports that judgment. Explore the free GAMES Framework: https://shifting-schools-games.netlify.app/salmon-challenge Read the MIT report referenced in the episode: https://aiandeducation.mit.edu/ Have a unit that does not seem to connect naturally with game design or AI literacy? Send Tricia the topic and challenge her to find the connection. Contact Tricia: tricia@shiftingschools.com
#388
August 27 · 32 min
What Young People Notice: Tiffany D. Jackson on Grief, Ghosts, and Trust
What do young people understand that adults mistakenly believe they have hidden from them? Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson returns to the podcast to discuss Ghost in the Night, her haunting middle-grade novel set against the ghost tours, buried histories, and complicated beauty of Savannah, Georgia. Tiffany invites educators to take young readers—and their capacity to confront difficult subjects—seriously. We explore why children sometimes attach themselves intensely to a particular interest while processing grief, and what educators might discover if they look beyond the fascination and ask what need it may be meeting. We also discuss the importance of grief literacy, the trust created when adults acknowledge what children already know, and the difference between protecting young people and underestimating them. The conversation moves beyond the ghosts of Savannah to examine whose histories become tourist attractions, whose stories remain untold, and how literature can inspire students to investigate the overlooked histories of their own communities. Tiffany also shares why young characters need opportunities to form friendships without constant adult choreography, how she calibrates horror for middle-grade readers, and the deceptively simple practice she recommends to every aspiring writer: read closely enough to notice how a story works. This episode explores: Why educators need to take children's inner lives seriously How intense interests can sometimes help young people process grief The role of grief literacy in schools and classrooms How honest conversations can build trust between adults and children Why young people need agency in friendship and problem-solving Whose histories are preserved, promoted, ignored, or buried How place can function as a character in a novel What horror offers middle-grade readers How students can learn the craft of writing by reading like writers At its heart, this conversation asks educators to consider what becomes possible when we stop assuming young people cannot handle the truth—and begin giving them stories that honour their intelligence, curiosity, and humanity.
#387
August 20 · 13 min
Our Voices Are Our Power | Dr. Camille Busette
What happens when we stop treating unaffordable healthcare as an individual problem—and recognize it as a shared crisis? In this episode of Be a Better Ally, Tricia Friedman speaks with Dr. Camille Busette about One Nation, Overcharged, a people-powered movement demanding a healthcare system that puts people over profits. Dr. Busette explains why so many people experience the rising cost of healthcare privately, even as families across the United States face the same impossible choices: medication or groceries, an inhaler or gas, necessary care or financial security. When these struggles remain isolated, it is easy to mistake a broken system for a personal failure. But sharing our stories can change that. Together, Tricia and Dr. Busette explore how personal experiences can build collective understanding—and how conversations in book clubs, faith communities, community gatherings, and even art spaces can help transform that understanding into action. They also discuss: Why asking "Whose perspectives are missing?" can change how we define a problem How healthcare costs affect people far beyond the person receiving care Why storytelling is essential to building people-powered solutions What those with greater financial privilege need to understand about healthcare affordability How seemingly small necessities, such as access to an inhaler, can prevent medical and financial trauma Why we are all responsible for one another How listeners can speak up, share their experiences, and organize within their communities As Dr. Busette reminds us, when one person cannot afford the care they need, the consequences reach their family, neighbors, community, and all of us. Healthcare affordability is not someone else's issue. It is a social and economic responsibility we share. Learn more, share your story, or find and organize a local event through the One Nation, Overcharged campaign.
#386
August 14 · 30 min
Competence, Compassion, and Supporting Families in Crisis
Renata Castro on Supporting Immigrant Families, Choosing Competent Counsel, and Staying Resilient My guest today is immigration attorney Renata Castro,ESQ. founder of USA4All, a law firm focused on helping immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, and victims of human trafficking. We talk about the role educators can play when families are facing immigration stress, how to recognize real professional competence, and why empathy matters most when it is paired with expertise. Renata also shares the personal story behind her work, the emotional toll of immigration law, and the habits that help her keep going through difficult cases. The conversation widens into a bigger lesson about learning, resilience, and refusing to let other people define your potential. Key topics In this episode, Renata shares how her own experience as an immigrant and survivor of abuse shaped the creation of USA for All. She explains that the firm has 5 working attorneys and a total staff of 90 across several countries, with about 3,200 active cases and roughly 2,000 new calls each month. We discuss why educators are often the first people families turn to, and how the best support is to listen, show empathy, and avoid giving legal advice. Renata suggests educators can help by referring families to more than one attorney when possible and by offering practical handouts from trusted nonprofit or pro bono sources. She makes a strong case that empathy alone is not enough in legal work - clients should prioritize competence, clear strategy, and honest communication over chemistry. We talk about why immigration law is demanding, multidisciplinary, and often emotionally draining, yet also deeply rewarding. Renata describes the importance of resilience, detachment from personal criticism, and not letting one loss define a whole mission. She shares the routines and supports that keep her grounded, including family, a partner who helps her stay objective, exercise, mentors, therapists, and a mindset of not spiraling. She encourages young people to stay intellectually curious, read widely, and treat learning as a privilege rather than a chore. The conversation closes with a reminder that success takes time, effort, and a willingness to sit with adversity. Timestamps 00:00 - Why educators are often the first support line for immigrant families 00:34 - Renata's personal immigrant story and the origin of USA for All 01:58 - Serving survivors of domestic violence and trafficking 03:31 - What educators should do instead of giving legal advice 04:27 - Why listening and school counseling matter in crisis situations 07:25 - Competence versus empathy when choosing a lawyer 11:24 - Why the best legal work comes from challenge, not cookie-cutter cases 13:45 - Not taking client or public criticism personally 15:07 - Active caseloads, new inquiries, and the reality of immigration practice 18:16 - How family, exercise, mentors, and therapy help Renata stay grounded 21:49 - Why immigration law stays intellectually exciting 23:16 - Learning as a privilege, not a chore 26:01 - Kim Kardashian, persistence, and the myth of instant success 28:48 - A final reminder to keep going and trust your own path Action items If you work with immigrant families, listen first and avoid offering legal advice. Refer people to qualified attorneys instead of trying to solve the legal issue yourself. Encourage access to school counselors or psychological support when families are overwhelmed. When choosing professional help, look for competence, clarity, and honesty. For your own resilience, build support outside of work and protect time for recovery.
#385
August 13 · 26 min
What Suspense Novels Teach Us About Empathy, Curiosity, and Creativity with Lisa Gardner
What can a suspense novelist teach educators about empathy, creativity, and the danger of reducing people to simple labels? In this episode of Be a Better Ally, Tricia Friedman speaks with bestselling author Lisa Gardner about the psychology behind her novels and her enduring fascination with the nature of evil. After 35 years of researching crime and human behaviour, Lisa no longer sees good and evil as an either-or question. People are layered, shaped by experience, relationships, choices, and generational trauma. That understanding guides her approach to character development. Lisa begins writing without knowing who the villain will be. Instead, she allows each character to reveal more of themselves as the story develops. Even a villain, she argues, needs a moral code. Their conversation moves beyond writing to consider the conditions that make creative thinking possible. Lisa discusses hiking with her dogs, letting her mind wander, cold-calling experts, learning through games and puzzles, and giving characters enough room to surprise her. She also explains why publishing is a team sport and why accomplished writers benefit from supporting one another rather than treating creativity as a competition. For educators, this conversation raises questions about the space students are given to wonder, investigate, revise their assumptions, and create without already knowing the answer. In this episode: Why suspense helps readers explore fear and human behaviour What fiction can teach us about empathy and moral complexity Why Lisa does not decide who the villain is before she begins writing How walking and unstructured time support creative thought What careful research adds to imaginative work Why games, puzzles, and reading mattered during Lisa's childhood How collaboration supports even highly accomplished artists What educators can learn from Lisa's distinction between individual craft and collective support The real-life research and creative process behind You'll Be Sorry Lisa Gardner's latest novel, You'll Be Sorry, brings together a missing family, a decades-old mystery, small-town secrets, a witchy rhyme, complicated characters, and one especially important dog. Learn more: https://www.lisagardner.com/
August 5 · 24 min
From Catching Passes to Turning Pages with Malcolm Mitchell
What if readers and writers received the same attention, celebration, and investment as star athletes? In this episode, Tricia speaks with Super Bowl champion, children's author, and literacy advocate Malcolm Mitchell about his new picture book, My Super Duper Me. They discuss the lasting effect of a few encouraging words, the role librarians can play in helping children see their own possibilities, and why adults should never underestimate the power of simply showing up with a positive message. Malcolm shares his own journey from struggling reader to member of the Silverleaf Book Club, published author, and founder of Share the Magic Foundation. He explains why reading is not only an academic skill, but also a source of confidence, community, opportunity, and belonging. The conversation also considers what schools and communities could learn from the cultural power of sports. If young people see athletes celebrated everywhere, how might their aspirations change if readers, writers, books, and libraries were made just as visible? Malcolm also offers a candid look at his writing practice and the connection between athletic and creative training: show up, make the most of each repetition, and be willing to try again tomorrow. In this episode: • Why brief words of encouragement can stay with a young person • The librarian at the heart of My Super Duper Me • Malcolm's journey from struggling reader to passionate literacy advocate • How a welcoming book club helped change his life • Why reading can build confidence, connection, and belonging • What it would mean to celebrate literacy as loudly as sports • How educators can participate in free Share the Magic reading challenges • What football taught Malcolm about writing, practice, and persistence Learn more about Malcolm Mitchell, Share the Magic Foundation, and its free reading programs at readwithmalcolm.com.
#383
July 30 · 24 min
The First Story We Tell a Child: You Belong | SANDRA MAGSAMEN
What can a book offer a child before they understand its words? For bestselling author, artist, and art therapist Sandra Magsamen, the answer begins with connection. Her new board book, Hello, Baby, was created for children from birth to age three as a bright, playful welcome into reading—and into the family awaiting them. Sandra joins Tricia to discuss how large illustrations, expressive faces, melodic language, and an embedded mirror help babies engage with a book. They explore why reading with a young child is about much more than building vocabulary. It is also a chance to snuggle, play, bond, and communicate one of the earliest messages a child can receive: you are loved, you are seen, and you belong here. The conversation also makes room for chewed books, spilled milk, crowded bookshelves, and the occasional "uh-oh." Sandra explains why children need permission to touch, explore, and make mistakes—and why treating books as untouchable objects can get in the way of curiosity. Sandra also reflects on collaborating with her daughter, preparing to become a grandmother, and continuing to experiment after decades as a successful artist. She shares why creative growth requires us to loosen our grip on what has worked before and remain open to who we are becoming. In this episode: How early reading supports connection and belonging Designing words and illustrations for babies Making books playful, sensory, and inviting Allowing children to explore without demanding perfection How stories become part of a family's shared language Why artists—and people—need to keep changing SANDRA MAGSAMEN is the author and illustrator of many books for young children, including the picture book When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me, as well as a number of bestselling novelty titles, including Everybody Goes Nighty-Night, named a Best Board Book of 2018 by The Children's Book Review; Baby Love; I Love You, Little Pumpkin; and Peek-a-Boo, I Love You. As an artist, an art therapist, and a mom, she uses her creativity to remind people to express themselves and connect with others. Her lifestyle brands, products, and books are sold worldwide. Visit her at sandramagsamen.com
#382
July 23 · 22 min
Can Horror Teach Emotional Literacy? with Ryan La Sala
Horror is where some of today's boldest, most creative storytelling is happening — and author Ryan La Sala has a theory about why. In this conversation, the author of The Dead of Summer (now in paperback) unpacks how horror reveals what we value: who's worth saving, how we survive together, and why the queer community keeps showing up in stories of resilience. You'll hear how Ryan writes multi-dimensional queer characters "beyond the closet," why friendship — not romance — sits at the heart of his zombie story, and how grief, from anticipatory dread to long-term loss, threads through all of his horror novels. Plus: what it's like to watch The Honeys head toward the big screen as an executive producer. Whether you teach teens, love YA horror, or are simply curious about emotional literacy through fiction, this one will stay with you — in the best way. About the Guest Ryan La Sala is the author of queer YA horror and fantasy novels including Reverie, Be Dazzled, The Honeys, Beholder, and The Dead of Summer, now out in paperback. The Honeys is in development as a major motion picture, with Ryan attached as executive producer. His work passes familiar horror tropes "through the prism of the queer experience" — and somehow makes grief, survival, and friendship feel luminous. Resources Mentioned Ryan La Sala's website: https://ryanlasala.com — all books, news, and film updates The Dead of Summer: https://ryanlasala.com/the-dead-of-summer — now in paperback, with purchase links The Honeys: https://ryanlasala.com/the-honeys — soon to be a major motion picture Chapters: 00:00 Welcome back, Ryan 00:55 Why horror is where creativity thrives 03:24 Friendship through horror 05:55 Queer characters beyond the closet 08:53 How Ryan's writing process evolves 10:52 Horror writer, joyful human 13:20 Grief and emotional literacy 17:29 The Honeys heads to film 19:41 The Dead of Summer in paperback
#381
July 20 · 17 min
Years of Rejection to 39 Books: Jerry Spinelli's Long Game
Jerry Spinelli wrote four novels nobody wanted and spent twenty-five years getting rejected before his first book was published — he's now on book thirty-nine. The Newbery Medal-winning author joins Tricia Friedman to talk about perseverance, why kids never really change from one generation to the next, and the writing advice he gives every young person who asks: pay attention. He opens up his actual process, from pages of brainstormed notes to the "miserable middles" that make up the real work of writing, and shares why a letter from a teacher whose students begged to skip recess to keep reading means as much to him as the Newbery. His newest book, Fifth Grade Top Dogs, brings back Suds from Fourth Grade Rats — and yes, with six kids and forty-one grandkids and great-grandkids, Spinelli knows a thing or two about sibling dynamics. A conversation for every teacher who has ever put one of his books in a kid's hands. Chapters 00:00 – Twenty-five years of rejection: what perseverance meant 02:37 – What keeps his passion for storytelling alive 04:15 – Sibling dynamics, six kids, and forty-one grandkids 05:13 – Why kids don't change from generation to generation 06:16 – Memory vs. wish: writing Suds and his parents 08:07 – Inside his process: pay attention, brainstorm, survive the "miserable middles" 13:00 – Celebrating the Newbery at a 24-hour diner 13:52 – The letters that matter more than medals About the Guest Jerry Spinelli is the Newbery Medal-winning author of thirty-nine books for young readers, published over a forty-five-year career. His newest, Fifth Grade Top Dogs (Scholastic, June 2026), continues the story of Suds from Fourth Grade Rats. He and his wife have six children and forty-one grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Resources Mentioned Fifth Grade Top Dogs by Jerry Spinelli — https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/fifth-grade-top-dogs-9798225028237.html Kirkus review of Fifth Grade Top Dogs — https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jerry-spinelli/fifth-grade-top-dogs/ Jerry Spinelli's website — https://jerryspinelliauthor.com/
#380
July 17 · 36 min
Alex Campbell on the Students Behind Murder 101
What happens when a teacher replaces textbook exercises with a real, unsolved problem? In this episode, Tricia speaks with Alex Campbell, the Tennessee high school teacher featured in Prime Video's limited documentary series Murder 101. The series follows Campbell and his sociology students at Elizabethton High School as they investigate the Redhead Murders, a series of killings involving unidentified women whose cases had received limited public attention. Alex explains why true crime became a powerful way to teach sociology, media literacy, civics, research, collaboration, and critical thinking. He describes how students learned to submit public-records requests, work with law-enforcement professionals and family members, examine the institutions surrounding a criminal investigation, and keep the victims rather than the offenders at the center of their work. The conversation also examines project-based learning, student agency, community-connected education, and what changes when young people know their work matters to someone beyond their teacher. Alex shares practical advice for educators who want to introduce authentic learning without beginning with a project of this scale: start small, find collaborators, know your students, and allow the direction of the work to develop through inquiry. Alex and Tricia also discuss the way Murder 101 portrays teenagers and Appalachia, the ethical responsibilities involved in bringing true crime into a classroom, and why real-world projects can reveal abilities that conventional academic labels often miss. As Alex argues, students who may not be motivated by grades can become deeply committed when they understand that another person genuinely needs their help. This episode is for educators, school leaders, documentary viewers, true-crime listeners, and anyone interested in project-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching, student engagement, civic education, media literacy, cold-case investigations, and the possibilities that emerge when schools trust young people with meaningful work.
#379
July 15 · 23 min
What Happens When Kids Stop Inheriting Adult Assumptions?
Award-winning author Christina Diaz Gonzalez joins Tricia to discuss her new middle-grade graphic novel, Offside, a bilingual story about soccer, friendship, ambition, identity, and the power young people have to create change. Christina explains why she wanted the young characters in Offside to question the assumptions, gender stereotypes, and ambitions they may have inherited from adults. Their lives are more complex than they first appear, and as they begin to understand one another, they also discover their own voices, values, and capacity to influence the people around them. The conversation also explores the need for bilingual books written for middle-grade readers, rather than stories that treat one language as a translation of the other. Christina shares how school visits inspired her to create stories in which English and Spanish appear naturally beside one another, reflecting how many students actually communicate and experience the world. Tricia and Christina also discuss the literary depth of graphic novels, identity beyond athletics, writing and journalism as tools for change, and Christina's unusual "pantser" writing process. Christina describes beginning with something like a movie trailer in her imagination and allowing curiosity, surprise, and the question "What if?" to guide the rest of the story. The episode begins with a brief introduction to Christina's most committed publicist: her fifteen-year-old dog, Lucy.
#378
July 8 · 21 min
Be Curious, Not Judgmental: Cristo Fernández on Joy, Teamwork, and Trying Again
You may know Cristo Fernandez as Danny Rojas from Ted Lasso, but this conversation reaches far beyond one beloved role. In this episode, Cristo talks with Tricia about dreaming big, trying again after failure, staying generous, and remembering that we all have something powerful to bring to the table. From his early life in Guadalajara to his years in football, acting, storytelling, and now children's books, Cristo reflects on the people, setbacks, and second chances that shaped his path. For educators and school leaders, this conversation is a reminder that culture is built in small choices: choosing curiosity over judgment, teamwork over ego, and generosity over individual shine. Cristo speaks with care about the lessons he learned from family, sport, collaboration, and Ted Lasso, including the simple but demanding idea that being kind is cool. He also shares why failure does not have to mean the end of a dream. Injuries shifted his path away from professional football, but storytelling brought him back to the game in a new way. His story invites listeners to think differently about what success looks like, especially for young people who may be navigating setbacks, uncertainty, or pressure to choose only one version of themselves. This episode is for anyone working to build school communities where people feel seen, encouraged, and brave enough to try again. In this episode, we explore: How Cristo's family shaped his belief in generosity and giving back Why "being kind is cool" still matters in schools, teams, and creative work What football taught him about humility, teamwork, and resilience How failure, injury, and rejection can become part of a larger story Why Danny Rojas remains a reminder to return to joy How collaboration asks us to stay open, curious, and willing to learn What children can teach adults about imagination, courage, and possibility Why embracing who you are may be one of the strongest "superpowers" we have For educators, this conversation offers a useful question to carry into the school year: how do we help young people dream big without making them feel like failure closes the door? Cristo's answer is generous and practical. Stay curious. Keep learning. Help others shine. Try again. Learn more about his new book: https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/futbol-is-life-futbol-es-vida-9798225012274.html
#377
July 2 · 23 min
A better understanding of who we are with Katie Kennedy
What does it mean to teach the Declaration of Independence as more than a document students memorize? In this episode, Tricia speaks with historian and author Katie Kennedy about her new book on the Declaration of Independence, the world that produced it, and why young people need more than dates, vocabulary, and simplified civic narratives. Kennedy invites readers to see the Declaration as a living historical text: political, philosophical, literary, flawed, hopeful, and deeply human. Together, Tricia and Katie discuss how educators can help students slow down with primary sources, ask better questions about evidence, and understand history as something made by real people under pressure. From Thomas Jefferson's nervous drafting process to Caesar Rodney's dangerous ride for independence, Kennedy reminds us that history becomes more meaningful when students can see the people, stakes, contradictions, and choices behind the documents.This conversation is especially relevant for educators thinking about civics, U.S. history, media literacy, historical inquiry, and the upcoming U.S. 250th anniversary. In This Episode: Tricia and Katie explore: How the Declaration of Independence differs from the Constitution, and why students often confuse the two. Why civic education needs to move beyond memorizing branches of government or repeating patriotic slogans.How primary sources help students understand "how we know what we know."Why historians begin with people, names, ages, letters, objects, and material traces.How teachers can invite students to read the Declaration as both a political document and a work of language, argument, philosophy, and art. Why the Declaration can be taught honestly, including its contradictions around slavery, rights, and equality.What it means to help students examine claims rather than cherry-pick evidence. Why historical complexity is not a problem to avoid, but a classroom opportunity. Why Educators Will Want to Listen: This episode offers a strong reminder that civics education is not only about government structures. It is also about evidence, responsibility, interpretation, and belonging.Katie Kennedy makes the case for helping students read foundational documents with care. Not as sacred artifacts beyond critique, and not as dead texts with fixed meanings, but as historical documents created by people living through uncertainty.For teachers, this conversation offers practical ways to make history more vivid: start with the human story, return to primary sources, ask what evidence supports a claim, and give students room to notice both ideals and contradictions.Classroom Connections: Educators might use this episode to think about:How to introduce the Declaration of Independence before asking students to analyze it.How to help students compare the Declaration and the Constitution.How to use objects, letters, diaries, menus, or artifacts as primary sources.How to teach civic ideals while also naming historical exclusions and contradictions.How to design inquiry questions around founding documents.How to prepare students for U.S. 250 conversations in ways that are honest, humane, and intellectually serious. Questions for Reflection: What do students need to understand about the world that produced the Declaration?How can we help students distinguish between a historical claim, an opinion, and evidence?What happens when we teach founding documents as arguments rather than answers?How might students respond differently if they first encounter the people, risks, and conflicts behind the text?What primary sources from students' own lives could help them understand how historians work?A Quote to Carry Into Your Planning: "History is people."That line sits at the center of this conversation. For educators, it is a useful design principle. Before the worksheet, before the vocabulary list, before the assessment, there are people making decisions, taking risks, disagreeing, revising, resisting, and trying to imagine a different future. Mentioned in the Episode: Katie Kennedy's new book on the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence The U.S. Constitution Primary sources and material history Pauline Maier's phrase "American scripture" Lincoln's description of the Declaration as an "electric cord" Ron Chernow's biography of Ulysses S. Grant Fiona Hill's work on Russia and Vladimir Putin Heather Cox Richardson's public history writing Best For: U.S. history teachers Civics and government teachers Humanities educators School leaders planning for U.S. 250 Librarians and instructional coaches Educators interested in inquiry, primary sources, and civic reasoning Content type: Interview Primary goal: Educational / Inspirational Main topics: The importance of understanding foundational historical documents like the Declaration of Independence The role of storytelling and primary sources in historical education Civics education and civic responsibility Katie Kennedy once caught her then-nine-year-old daughter reading the Constitution under the covers with a flashlight. As an American history professor, Katie has never been more proud. She is the author of The Constitution Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation and The Presidents Decoded: A Guide to the Leaders Who Shaped Our Nation, as well as Did You Hear What Happened in Salem?, which Booklist called "irresistible" in a starred review. Katie lives in Iowa with her husband and son. Visit her online at katiekennedybooks.com. (00:01) - Introducing Katie Kennedy and the significance of understanding founding documents (00:29) - Why reading the Declaration of Independence matters for all ages (01:35) - Storytelling's role in engaging with history and Jefferson's drafting journey (02:15) - Jefferson's nervousness and the importance of primary sources (03:10) - Caesar Rodney's courageous ride for independence (04:56) - The human stories behind historical actions, like Rodney's cancer and sacrifice (06:10) - The modern role of the historian and the value of primary sources (07:45) - The importance of honoring individual stories to understand history (08:44) - How primary sources reveal truths about figures like Washington (09:42) - Lincoln's pocket watch as a primary source and the stories objects tell (11:24) - The role of civics education in fostering critical thinking about power (12:45) - The poetry and art in the Declaration, its cultural resonance (14:40) - The Declaration as a unifying "electric cord" connecting generations (15:56) - How the Declaration embodies hope and the importance of political engagement (17:27) - The complexity of historical figures like Jefferson and their legacy (20:01) - Recommended summer reads for aspiring historians (21:09) - The importance of understanding the people behind the headlines (22:30) - Closing thoughts on the importance of people in history
June 25 · 18 min
Beyond Polarization: Helping Students Make Sense of America with Colin Woodard
In this episode, we explore what it means to educate young people in a time of deep civic division. Students are growing up surrounded by polarization, yet schools remain one of the few places where people are still asked to learn and engage across differences. Joining the conversation is Colin Woodard, Director of Nationhood Lab at Salve Regina University's Pell Center and a New York Times best-selling author. Nationhood Lab examines the stories Americans tell about identity, belonging, and what holds the country together—and how those stories shape the health of our democracy. We discuss how historical settlement patterns continue to influence regional divides in the United States, affecting trust, community engagement, and perspectives on major issues. Woodard also highlights the importance of social capital—the relationships and shared spaces that help communities function and thrive. For educators, this conversation connects directly to the work happening in schools every day. Classrooms are not just places where history is taught, but where students learn how to listen, disagree, and build community. They are spaces where young people begin to understand their role in civic life. Despite the current climate, there is also reason for hope. Research shows that Americans still share strong agreement around core democratic ideals, including those found in the Declaration of Independence. This episode invites educators to reflect on the stories students are inheriting, the communities they are helping to shape, and the role schools can play in fostering a more connected and thoughtful civic future. Key Topics: Teaching during a time of polarization Nationhood Lab and the study of American identity Regional divides and their historical roots The role of social capital in community health Schools as spaces for civic learning and belonging Shared democratic values in a divided nation Guest:Colin WoodardDirector, Nationhood Lab at the Pell CenterNew York Times best-selling author https://www.nationhoodlab.org/
#375
June 18 · 21 min
Why Trivia Isn't Trivial: Brian Boone on Curiosity, Connection, and a Great Father's Day Gift
If creativity, curiosity, and connection matter to you, this episode is a good one to queue up for Father's Day weekend. This week, we welcome back writer and researcher Brian Boone for a conversation about trivia, fandom, and why the facts we collect are often connected to the people, places, stories, and memories we care about most. Brian writes across genres, but his work has a throughline: he knows how to make research feel playful, surprising, and deeply human. In this episode, he shares why "trivia is not trivial," how curiosity can become a bridge between generations, and why his latest book may be the kind of Father's Day gift that starts a conversation rather than simply fills a shelf. Listen in for a conversation about the joy of knowing odd things, the communities that form around shared interests, and the way small facts can carry big meaning. In this episode, we discuss: Why trivia can be a form of connection How research becomes storytelling The fandom surrounding Brian Boone's work Why curiosity matters across generations How a book of trivia can become a thoughtful Father's Day weekend gift Why the things we remember often say something about what we value Featured Guest: Brian Boone, writer, researcher, and author Learn more: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Brian-Boone/2137715445
#374
June 4 · 35 min
Aida Salazar on Stream, Story as Technology, and the Self Beyond the Feed
Award-winning author Aida Salazar joins us to discuss Stream, her new middle grade novel in verse featuring Celi and Elio, two teens sent to rural Mexico after a viral catfishing incident exposes how much of their lives has been shaped by screens. Salazar describes Stream as part of an unintended loose trilogy that began with The Moon Within and continued with Ultraviolet. In this new standalone story, she brings Celi and Elio together for a summer without internet, electricity, or running water. What begins as exile becomes something more complicated: a return to land, body, culture, family history, and the question of what young people are taking in through their digital streams. The conversation moves through the book's layered title, from the literal stream to the social media feed to the inner stream of consciousness. Salazar also talks about writing young people without condescension, why story can help teens make sense of mistakes, and how fiction can offer parents and educators a less preachy way into conversations about digital life. She opens up about the craft of writing in verse, including the "split screen" structure of the book, where Celi and Elio occupy different sides of the page. For Salazar, voice is built through word choice, rhythm, and punctuation. Verse gives her a way to access the inner life of young people with precision, music, humor, and white space. This episode also explores embodiment, attention, and creativity. Salazar reflects on visiting the land in Mexico where her mother and ancestors were born, describing a powerful moment of physical connection to place that helped shape the novel. She speaks about writing in service of children, working in artistic communities, and why creativity belongs to everyone, not only people who call themselves artists. About the Book: Stream follows newly graduated eighth graders Celi and Elio, who are sent from Oakland, California, to the same rancho in Mexico after their parents become alarmed by their screen use. In rural Mexico, Celi helps her tías in a healing clinic while Elio works to rehabilitate a river. Slowly, both characters begin to shed parts of their online selves and reconnect with nature, culture, family, and their own inner lives. The novel is a standalone story connected to Salazar's earlier verse novels The Moon Within and Ultraviolet. About Aida Salazar: Aida Salazar is an award-winning author and arts activist whose work explores identity, justice, culture, and belonging. Her books include Ultraviolet, an ALA Pura Belpré Honor Book; The Moon Within, winner of the International Latino Book Award; Land of the Cranes, winner of the Américas Award; and the Caldecott Honor picture book Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter. She lives in Oakland, California, with her family of artists. In This Conversation: Aida Salazar discusses: Why Stream became part of an unintended trilogy with The Moon Within and Ultraviolet How social media, puberty, crushes, shame, identity, and selfhood intersect for young people Why adults need compassion when talking with teens about digital life How story can help young readers think through mistakes without feeling lectured Why she writes in verse and how poetry gives access to the "interior landscape" of emotion The craft decision to place Celi and Elio on different sides of the page How a visit to ancestral land in Mexico shaped the book's attention to body, place, and healing Why creativity is not reserved for professional artists Her forthcoming picture book Sana Sana and a future verse novel connected to Ultraviolet that explores AI For Educators, Parents, and Caregivers: This conversation offers a useful way to think about screen life without panic or oversimplification. Salazar does not frame young people as careless or broken. Instead, she asks what they are absorbing, what they are performing, what they are longing for, and what kinds of stories might help them reclaim agency. For educators, Stream also makes a strong case for including middle grade and YA fiction in professional learning spaces. The book gives adults a way to re-enter the perspective of young people and talk about technology, embodiment, culture, and attention through story rather than lecture.
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May 28 · 20 min
Meredith Walker on Identity, Friendship, Comedy, and Becoming Yourself
What does it really mean to "be yourself"? In this episode, Tricia speaks with Meredith Walker about her new book and the deeper work of self-discovery. Meredith's motto, "get your hair wet," becomes the perfect entry point for a conversation about joining the moment instead of protecting the version of ourselves we think we need to present. Together, they explore why identity is not something we solve once, but something we keep returning to. Meredith shares how her work with young people, storytelling, comedy, friendship, and even dogs has shaped the way she thinks about confidence, connection, and becoming. This conversation is especially useful for educators, families, and anyone supporting adolescents as they ask bigger questions about who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to move through the world. In this episode, we discuss: Why "just be yourself" is not enough guidance for young people How self-discovery changes as we meet new people and gain new experiences Why rethinking success matters at every age What storytelling can offer young people who need to feel seen and heard How comedy helps us loosen shame and make room for play Why friendship can be a bridge to deeper self-understanding The role of face-to-face connection in a digital world What dogs can teach us about attention, love, and belonging Memorable moments: 00:01 — Meredith explains the story behind her motto, "get your hair wet" 01:13 — Why being yourself requires reflection, not just confidence 03:32 — Rethinking success beyond career ladders and external approval 04:13 — Meredith shares a powerful story from a storytelling workshop with girls living in a Syrian refugee camp 06:02 — What good listening makes possible 07:07 — How comedy helps us question the scripts we take too seriously 09:46 — Why trying something badly can still help us grow 12:00 — Meredith reflects on creating across TV, radio, podcasts, digital work, and books 13:11 — How the book can become a bridge for friendship 14:35 — Dog wisdom, connection, and the most loving version of ourselves Pull quotes: "Get your hair wet" is really an invitation to stop guarding your look and join the moment. Identity is not a one-time answer. It is a conversation we keep returning to. Sometimes success is not the next step on a ladder. Sometimes it is helping someone feel seen enough to tell their story. Comedy can help us loosen shame and make room for becoming. Friendship helps us find ourselves more interesting. Dogs remind us that connection does not always require perfect language. For educators and families: This episode offers a gentle but powerful way to talk with young people about identity. Instead of asking them to simply "be themselves," we can help them build the habits that make self-understanding possible: reflection, curiosity, humor, friendship, storytelling, and care. Meredith's work invites us to give young people better questions, not just better advice. Listen for this question: What would change if we treated "be yourself" not as a slogan, but as a practice? Learn more about the summit mentioned at the top of the episode: https://www.sidecarcounsel.com/ Connect with Bridget: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-mcnamer/
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May 21 · 29 min
Keala Kendall on Horror, Hawaiian History, and Teaching Students to Question "Paradise"
Tricia Friedman speaks with Keala Kendall, author of That Which Feeds Us, a gothic novel that begins with a missing sister and opens into a larger conversation about Hawaii, diaspora, colonialism, memory, and the stories we are taught to accept about place. Keala describes her writing process as a kind of "ingredient foraging." The novel began as the story of a diaspora girl returning to Hawaii for the first time to search for her missing twin sister. As Keala researched and followed the emotional truth of the story, she realized horror was not simply a genre choice. It was the form the story required. For K–12 educators, this conversation offers a powerful way to think about place-based learning, media literacy, Indigenous histories, and the role of fiction in helping students ask better questions. Keala challenges the postcard version of Hawaii often shown in films, tourism campaigns, and popular culture. She asks readers to look at what gets hidden when a place is sold only as paradise. Tricia and Keala also discuss horror as a serious literary form. Keala makes the case that horror can reveal what a society fears, what it refuses to confront, and what histories remain unresolved. Her description of history as "one big ghost story" offers a compelling frame for educators working with students on historical memory, colonialism, belonging, and power. This episode is especially useful for educators interested in how speculative fiction can help students engage with difficult truths without reducing literature to a lesson plan. Keala is clear that That Which Feeds Us is entertainment first. But the book also invites readers to think more carefully about whose stories are amplified, whose are flattened, and what it means to be haunted by history.
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May 14 · 18 min
What Mothers Teach Us: Dr. Brittney Cooper on Mama Says I'm Fine
This week, Tricia Friedman welcomes New York Times bestselling author Dr. Brittney Cooper to the podcast for a conversation about her new picture book, Mama Says I'm Fine. Based largely on Cooper's own childhood, Mama Says I'm Fine is a heartwarming story about family, resilience, and the powerful force of a mother-daughter bond. The book carries Cooper's well-known feminist sensibility, offering young readers a story rooted in love, care, and empowerment. In this conversation, Brittney shares the backstory behind the book and reflects on what it means to write from memory, to honor maternal love, and to create stories that speak to young girls with honesty and tenderness. Tricia and Brittney also discuss collaboration, including how picture books ask writers and illustrators to build meaning together. The episode explores how a simple phrase like "I'm fine" can hold courage, reassurance, protection, and love, especially in the relationship between a mother and daughter. In this episode Tricia and Brittney discuss: The childhood memories that helped shape Mama Says I'm Fine Why mother-daughter relationships can carry so much emotional meaning How stories for young readers can hold both sweetness and strength Writing girlhood through a feminist lens The role of resilience in family stories What it means to collaborate intentionally on a picture book How children's books can speak to adults, too Guest bio Dr. Brittney Cooper is a New York Times bestselling author, professor, cultural critic, and public thinker. She is the author of several books, including Eloquent Rage: A Black Woman Discovers Her Superpowers, Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood, and her debut picture book Stand Up! 10 Mighty Women Who Made a Change. She is a professor of Women's and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University and cofounder of the Crunk Feminist Collective. Her cultural commentary has appeared across major media outlets including MSNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, PBS, Essence, The Root, TED.com, and more. She has also been named four times to The Root 100. Her newest picture book, Mama Says I'm Fine, is a story of love, resilience, family, and maternal care.
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May 6 · 17 min
We will always need stories with Patricia Cornwell
Bestselling author Patricia Cornwell joins Tricia Friedman to discuss True Crime: A Memoir, her deeply personal account of the life behind the books. Cornwell is known around the world for the Kay Scarpetta series, which has sold millions of copies and helped shape the modern forensic thriller. Her memoir, published by Grand Central Publishing on May 5, 2026, turns that same investigative intensity toward her own story. In this conversation, Cornwell talks about why now was the moment to write a memoir, how difficult personal experiences shaped her career, and what it means to tell the truth on the page. She reflects on writing, survival, research, violence, and the kind of curiosity that keeps a creative life moving. In this episode Tricia and Patricia Cornwell discuss: The story behind True Crime: A Memoir Why Cornwell chose to write about her own life now How Kay Scarpetta changed the crime fiction landscape The relationship between lived experience and fiction Why curiosity matters to writers, investigators, and readers How Cornwell thinks about truth, memory, research, and resilience What readers may discover when they return to Scarpetta through the memoir Get your copy of True Crime: https://www.patriciacornwell.com/

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