The Teach Different Podcast

How do you know what type of leadership style to use in any given situation? Leadership is hard work, due in large part to the fact that people are often resistant to doing work and following the lead of others. As Eisenhower himself must have known as a commander in World War II, sometimes people must be convinced to follow orders whether they like it or not. But leadership also entails artful persuasion of individuals to do what they want done, out of their own self-interest and genuine desire. Knowing just the right strategy to use in different situations holds the key to a leader's success. Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Fonda Held and Molly Naylor, school leaders from the Denver and Aurora, Colorado area - as they discuss the delicate art of leadership, enriched by the Teach Different 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: Dwight D. Eisenhower official photo portrait. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eisenhower_official.jpg Public Domain  

What does it mean to be “at home”? The concept of home is more nuanced than it appears. On the one hand, we can think of home as a physical place of comfort and safety where needs for protection are met. But we can also think about home as a place where we feel listened to and where our humanity is acknowledged. Our unique definition of 'home' may change throughout our lives depending on who we meet and what experiences we have. Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Ari Gerzon-Kessler - author, consultant and family partnerships coordinator for Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colorado, as they discuss the meaning and importance of home, enriched by the Teach Different 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:  https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/deed.no   Public Domain.

How do we prevent technology from controlling our lives? Today, Steve and Dan Fouts tackle an engaging quote about technology from Norwegian educator and Nobel Peace Prize winner Christian Lous Lange. Through connections to World War I, artificial intelligence, social media, and more, we contemplate the proper role technology should play in shaping our existence. 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: Store norske leksikon⁠⁠⁠ | Av Historia/REX/NTB. | Public Domain

How do we know when to give people a second chance? Join seasoned educators Steve and Dan Fouts as they delve into the profound wisdom of Maya Angelou's quote, "When somebody shows you who they are, believe them the first time." In this thought-provoking discussion, they explore the application of Angelou's thoughts on personal relationships and the difficult decisions teachers must make in the classroom. Steve recounts the captivating tale of Jarvis, the very inspiration that sparked the creation of Teach Different. Guest English/Philosophy teacher Laurie Grady from Haverford Township School District in Pennsylvania chats in her comments during the episode! 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: Flickr | Website | York College ISLG

How do I know when to be loyal to my government? Today, Steve and Dan Fouts confront a thought-provoking quote from Mark Twain that explores the philosophical theme of loyalty. Join them as they discuss the delicate interplay between unconditional national allegiance to country and conditional loyalty to government. This conversation introduces a host of timely issues that relate directly to our roles students, family members and citizens. 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: ⁠⁠Wikimedia⁠⁠ | The Guardian Newspaper | Public Domain

How should a society balance individual freedom with the need for stability and control? Tune in with Steve and Dan Fouts, the innovators behind Teach Different, as they delve into the complexities of liberties and rights, inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois's poignant statement: "The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression." In this insightful episode, they navigate the equilibrium between fostering a society that respects diverse rights, while at the same time, preserving order and maintaining social cohesion. With over 50 years of combined teaching expertise, the Fouts brothers use the Teach Different Method to create a lens to view issues like defamation, book banning, protests and basic civility required to function in a democracy. 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: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication  

How do I know when to be patient? Patience, often overlooked, is a virtue of immense importance. It plays a pivotal role in our quest for achievement and success. When we forfeit patience, we grant others the power to provoke frustration, leaving us feeling powerless. However, there are instances where impatience serves us well, such as during emergencies when swift action is imperative. The ongoing challenge in life lies in discerning when to exercise patience and when to act swiftly to attain our desires. Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with 2023 Nebraska Teacher of the Year Renee Jones, to discuss the importance of patience, enriched by the Teach Different Method.   Image source: Pixabay  

What is the best way to get respect? We find contentment in being our authentic selves when we stop comparing or competing with others. It gives us a sense of inner harmony. Though respect is not solely dependent on self-acceptance and non-comparison but also on achievements, social status, or power. People who excel in life tend to command more respect in society. Ultimately, the quest for respect is an interplay between embracing our authentic selves, fostering inner harmony, and acknowledging the importance of achievements, social status, and power. Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Illinois State Representative Michelle Mussman,  to discuss the importance of respect, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Image source: Wikimedia Commons