The Teach Different Podcast

How do you stay happy in a cruel world? When bad things happen, students have to make choices about how they'll protect themselves. Some choose to fight back against the people or events which caused them pain, thinking that they have the power to change the world into something better. Others recoil and focus on changing their internal attitude, hoping that by doing that they can maintain happiness no matter what happens. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Adrienne Borders, a high school social studies teacher, for a conversation about happiness using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikimedia Commons © Marie-Lan Nguyen

Do humble people make good leaders? To most students leadership is about confidence and being in front of the crowd, setting the example, showing the way. The assumption is that to be good leader you have to act the part and maintain that confident edge and undying belief in your own abilities. But another way to secure that edge is to be humble and convince yourself that you haven't succeeded yet and that there is more work to do. That humble attitude can also be the fuel for success. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guests, Stephanie Wager and Nadia Moreno, for a conversation about humility using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image: Wikimedia | Creative Commons

Should we worry about our future? It’s no secret that most kids tend to ‘live for the moment’ rather than planning for their futures. Living in the now has its benefits; instant gratification, less anxiety, and a sense of freedom. Worrying about what happens tomorrow ruins the present. But, maybe a little worry over the future is a good thing and makes people carefully consider their options in the moment to make sure the right choices are made and long-term happiness is secured. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guests, Suzy Dean and Shannon Renshaw, for a conversation about goal setting using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Needpix

What is the purpose of school? Most teachers agree that skills and content are important components for a quality education. Debate erupts over which is more important. Some argue that teaching a person how to think should be the primary focus. Others argue that teaching content knowledge is more worthwhile. In the middle of this debate are the students who have very passionate ideas of what the purpose of school should be. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Michael Strong, author and school innovator, for a conversation about education using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com   Image source: Wikipedia Images / Creative Commons

When is going against the crowd the right thing to do? Peer pressure is real. Many students choose to follow the crowd to avoid the repercussions of not following. They feel safer, less alone. It doesn’t mean the followers fully "buy in" to the crowd beliefs or actions, but the act of standing outside the crowd feels scary. Is there a good time to face that fear and go against the crowd? How does one do it and avoid being ostracized or humiliated by the crowd? Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guests, Jim Plaza, Jason Janczak, and Paul Solarz, for a conversation about peer pressure using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com   Image source: Pixabay

Are role models healthy for us? The old adage "Just be yourself" looks good on paper, but gets pretty scary in the real world when we must rely on our own instincts to make decisions. Dangers abound. What if we make a mistake and hurt somebody? These fears - fueled by lack of confidence - cause us to look to other people to do the thinking and acting for us. Our role models inspire us to be better, but sometimes they become convenient ways to escape the responsibility we have to be the best version of ourselves. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guests, Mary Ellen Wessels and Elizabeth Burgos, for a conversation about self-efficacy using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Pixabay | Flybynight

What in life is actually in our control? The power of self-awareness isn't obvious to us. We may feel ourselves at the mercy of life, that life just happens to us. When things don't go our way, we may throw our energies into changing other people and events to make things right. But, maybe our efforts to change the world are futile. Maybe what we need to do is change our attitude about what happens, and that is the grandest expression of strength. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guests, Herb Baker and Carol Kravetz, for a conversation about self-awareness using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image: Pixabay | Serghei Topor

What makes somebody a hero? Everybody respects heroes because they rise above and do extraordinary things. Common wisdom sees heroism as something you attain from serving others. Think of the firefighter who saves lives, or the patient who fights off illness. But, maybe heroism doesn’t require such remarkable effort. Maybe if we put trust in who we are and emanate confidence, then that will make us a hero. Join Dan and Steve Fouts with guests, Joanna Wassillie and Josh Flug, for an unforgettable conversation about self-trust. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Library of Congress

What is the best way to overcome our fears? Fear is a force that can be debilitating for kids and adults alike. Fear obstructs clear thinking and fuels anxiety in a way that makes it hard to work and be successful at anything. Uncertainty is often behind our fears. When we don’t know what to do, we become afraid of what the future has in store for us. Yet, sometimes knowing what to do actually inspires our fear. Successful management of our fears is a life-long challenge. Join Dan and Steve Fouts with Shaun Moriarty for a memorable conversation about fear. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikimedia

Can we really make a difference in the world. When students are told they can change the world, many don't believe it. They think making the world a better place is for the people who are in power, not the average person, but doing small things can make a big difference.  What a person does in the classroom at his/her school, or in the community, can provide the soil for real change. It's hard work and it requires patience, hope, and faith in the future - virtues that can be difficult to cultivate. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with Karina Isley and Danielle Durbin for a memorable discussion about Anne Frank and civic engagement. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Flickr | Greger Ravik

Should we strive for perfection? So many of our students feel pressure to be the perfect athlete, student, or friend. This feeling is accompanied by a pervasive fear of failure and the possibility that they might let others down. When we fall short of perfection, students have important decisions to make about whether to keep pursuing it or be okay with something less. The decisions they make shape their sense of self-worth and draw the contours of their relationships. Join Dan and Steve Fouts for a conversation about perfection using the 3-Step Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Do you have to go through bad experiences to be a strong person? Everybody experiences struggle. Sometimes the struggle ends up making the person more self-confident, stronger and better able to move forward to the next challenge. But other times adversity breeds fear and inaction. Every struggle is an opportunity for students to make an ethical choice on how to respond in a way that helps them cope with the challenges they will face. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about education using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Pixabay