The Good Life EDU Podcast

Recorded on-site at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast explores our evolving understanding of dyslexia and what that means for identifying and supporting students in Nebraska classrooms. Joining the conversation are Theresa Nicholls, an education consultant and former school psychologist, and Pamela Bazis, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and co-director of the Kit and Dick Schmoker Reading Center. Together, they unpack the newly updated definition of dyslexia, challenge common misconceptions, and explore why reading difficulties can look different from one student to the next. They also discuss how students can mask their st...

Recorded on-site at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast explores our evolving understanding of dyslexia and what that means for identifying and supporting students in Nebraska classrooms. Joining the conversation are Theresa Nicholls, an education consultant and former school psychologist, and Pamela Bazis, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and co-director of the Kit and Dick Schmoker Reading Center. Together, they unpack the newly updated definition of dyslexia, challenge common misconceptions, and explore why reading difficulties can look different from one student to the next. They also discuss how students can mask their st...

Recorded live from the main stage at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit in Kearney, Nebraska, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast brings together educational leaders and practitioners to explore one important question: What can all educators do for literacy? Joining host Andrew Easton for this special conversation are Dr. Jane Stavem, Deputy Commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE); Jamie Cook, NDE Literacy Officer; Sara Renken, Principal of Hamlow Elementary in Waverly; and David Lowe, Managing Director of Implementation and Scale at SPED Strategies. Together, the panelists offer perspectives on Nebraska's collective efforts to advance literacy outcomes for all...

What makes a school leader credible? It isn’t simply the title they hold or the expertise they bring to the role. Leadership credibility is built through the everyday ways leaders earn trust, connect with others, communicate what they value, and contribute to the culture of their schools. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew welcomes Tara Gossman of ESU 4 and Ernie Valentine of ESU 7 for a conversation centered on the five domains of leadership credibility: trustworthiness, competence, dynamism, immediacy, and forward thinking. Together, they explore what each of these areas can look like in practice—from foll...

Literacy development doesn’t end when students learn to read, and supporting adolescent readers requires attention not only to skills, but also to identity, confidence, and dignity. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes Dr. Naomi Watkins, Secondary English Language Arts Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, for a conversation about what adolescent literacy truly requires. Drawing from her experiences as a middle school English teacher, literacy researcher, instructional coach, and statewide leader, Naomi explores why literacy development must continue well beyond the elementary years. She unpacks the differences among foundational literacy, content-area li...

What are educators actually learning about AI in the classroom after several years of experimentation? In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Matt Mervis, Director of Skills21 and AI Strategy at EdAdvance and co-host of the ChatEDU podcast, for a grounded look at the classroom practices beginning to emerge around artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing on predictions about what AI might do for education, Matt shares what teachers and students are already doing and what appears to be working. The conversation explores examples ranging from AI-supported tutoring and multimodal learning to flipped classroom...

In this installment of The Good Life EDU Podcast’s NeMTSS Summit preview series, Andrew Easton is joined by Jonathan Mooney, advocate for those who learn differently and founder and CEO of the Divergent Impact Fund. Jonathan shares his own experience growing up as a neurodivergent learner—struggling to read, spending much of his school experience feeling like the proverbial square peg in a round hole, and internalizing messages about what he could not do. He also explores the shift from viewing dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence primarily through a deficit lens toward recognizing them as naturally occu...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Bill Bass, an award-winning educator, author, and national leader in instructional technology and literacy, for a conversation about how school and district leaders can thoughtfully navigate AI implementation. Bill serves as Innovation Coordinator for Parkway School District in St. Louis and has held leadership roles with ISTE and the National Council of Teachers of English. Rather than framing AI as something schools either fully embrace or completely avoid, Bill encourages leaders to begin by understanding their local context. He shares the importance of gathering input from teachers, students, families...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Ben Hartranft, along with his mother, Sandy, and brother, Dan, for a conversation ahead of Ben’s upcoming keynote at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit. Diagnosed with autism at age two, Ben’s journey has been shaped by family members, educators, therapists, and others who saw his potential and helped him take the next step. Ben, Sandy, and Dan reflect on those early experiences and the importance of being the person who creates opportunity, builds confidence, and helps someone discover what may be possible. Ben also shares how his...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes Otis Pierce of ESU 7 back to the show for a summer learning recap and a some fun back-to-school conversation. Together, they reflect on ideas and experiences that shaped their thinking heading into the 2026–2027 school year, including takeaways from the Future Ready Nebraska Conference, the evolving conversation around digital citizenship, and the need for thoughtful local decision-making around screen time, AI, and technology use in schools. Otis shares insights from Kristen Mattson’s framing of digital citizenship as preparing young people for full participation in an ever-evolving digital world, whil...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by members of the NEMTSS leadership team: Amy Rhone, Scott Eckman, and Brooke Kahl for a preview of the 2026 NEMTSS Summit. Together, they discuss the history and evolution of Nebraska’s MTSS work, including its roots in supporting improved outcomes for students with disabilities and its growth into a statewide system of support focused on all learners. This year’s Summit's theme, Destination Impact: Turning MTSS Systems Into Literacy-Driven Student Outcomes, reflects Nebraska’s continued emphasis on strengthening literacy instruction and using multi-tiered systems of support to improv...

For nearly three decades, the E-rate program has helped schools and libraries across the country afford the connectivity and internal networks essential to their work. Now, as federal officials reconsider the program’s purpose and future, education leaders are being called upon to explain why dependable connectivity remains vital to America’s schools. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew welcomes Keith Krueger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), for a timely conversation about the history of E-rate, the questions now surrounding it, and what could be at stake for students, educators, and communities. Learn More...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew welcomes Cynthia Curry, Project Director, and Jena Fahlbush, Technical Assistance Specialist, from the National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials & Instruction, known as NCADEMI. Together, they unpack what digital accessibility means for K–12 schools and why this work is about much more than compliance. The conversation explores accessibility as a civil right, the relationship between ADA Title II and IDEA, and the importance of designing digital materials, websites, communications, and instructional resources to be accessible from the beginning rather than retrofitted later. Cynthia and Jena also explain the role of WC...

Across her previous visits to The Good Life EDU Podcast, Dr. Katie Novak has helped listeners understand the foundations of Universal Design for Learning, its role within MTSS, and the possibilities created when educators bring UDL and artificial intelligence together. In this return conversation, Katie and Andrew take the next step by examining what educators must understand themselves before they can use AI to design learning responsibly and effectively. Drawing from her latest book, The UDL Shift, Katie explains why strong instructional design begins with firm goals and flexible means. Through a live example, she demonstrates how an AI-generated “UDL le...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes back Amanda Bickerstaff, CEO and Co-Founder of AI for Education, for a timely conversation about where schools are in their generative AI journey and what practical next steps can help educators, leaders, and students move forward with greater clarity. Amanda shares the thinking behind AI for Education’s new SEE Framework, which defines generative AI literacy as the knowledge, mindsets, and practices that allow individuals to use GenAI safely, ethically, and effectively. The conversation explores why AI literacy cannot be limited to teachers or leaders alone, why schools sh...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome author, coach, and educator Elena Aguilar, along with Jeremy Stoll and Ted Dondlinger from Westside High School, for a conversation about emotional resilience, educator well-being, and the power of teachers supporting teachers. The episode highlights Westside High School’s ongoing use of Elena Aguilar’s book Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators and its accompanying workbook. Ted shares how the work began during a difficult post-COVID season, when he was searching for something that could help him and his colleagues process the weight of the work and reconnect with hope...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes Dr. Kanyon Chism, Chief of Staff and Administrator at ESU 19/Omaha Public Schools (OPS), for a thoughtful conversation about de-implementation and the importance of creating space for the work that matters most in education. Dr. Chism shares how OPS began exploring de-implementation as part of its broader strategic work connected to the district’s moonshot goal of having all students reading on grade level by 2030. Inspired in part by Leidy Klotz’s book Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less, Dr. Chism explains how the district began thinking not only...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Jill Pancoast, President of The Breakthrough Coach, for a conversation about how school leaders can reclaim time, strengthen office systems, and focus more fully on the instructional leadership work they were hired to do. Jill shares the history of The Breakthrough Coach, a management training and coaching firm that has supported school administrators and their secretaries since 1998. The conversation explores how principals, superintendents, and central office leaders can shift away from the “administrivia” of the front office and toward the work that most directly impacts teaching and learning. Throughout the...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Kristen Mattson—author, educator, and co-creator of the Edvolve Framework—returns for a deep and timely conversation on digital citizenship in today’s rapidly evolving, AI-driven world. Together, Kristen and Andrew explore how Nebraska is moving from fragmented, siloed efforts toward a coherent, statewide approach to digital citizenship, grounded in shared language and practical application. Kristen breaks down the four strands of the Edvolve Framework—Digital Safety, Media & Information Literacy, Digital Wellbeing, and Social Responsibility—and explains how these elements overlap in real-world learning experiences. This episode challenges the idea that digital ci...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we sit down with Nebraska ESU regional literacy coaches (RLCs) Claudine Kennicutt (ESU 10) and Caryn Ziettlow (ESU 2) to explore the evolving work of Nebraska’s statewide literacy initiative. Together, they unpack the foundation of the Nebraska Literacy Project, including the role of high-quality instructional materials, the science of reading, and the intentional development of a statewide coaching system designed to support educators and leaders alike. Claudine and Caryn share insights from the first year of implementation—highlighting the roadshow approach to building leadership capacity, aligning with systems like Nebraska MTSS, and crea...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton reconnects with educator, author, and speaker Tisha Richmond to explore her unexpected return to the classroom and the powerful insights that have come with it. After years of supporting educators at a systems level and working globally, Tisha shares what it’s been like to step back into a Career & Technical Education (CTE) classroom, rediscover the intensity and joy of teaching, and reconnect with students in deeply meaningful ways. Tisha also shares insights from her new book, The Magical CTE Classroom, offering actionable ideas for both new and experienced te...

Artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a pace that challenges educators and leaders to think not only about what AI means today, but where it may take us in the years ahead. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton sits down with Matt Winters, Artificial Intelligence Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education, to explore how futures thinking can help education systems prepare for the opportunities and risks emerging alongside AI. Their conversation spans everything from the rapid evolution of generative AI tools to the deeper questions about learning, assessment, and the balance between...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome back Nebraska native Trevor Goertzen, Regional Vice President at SchoolAI and former teacher and principal, for an honest and practical conversation about artificial intelligence in schools. Two years after our first discussion, Andrew and Trevor reconnect to explore how the national conversation around screen time, technology rollback, and AI integration has evolved and what that means for educators today. Rather than chasing headlines or hype, this conversation focuses on: What intentional technology use actually looks like in classrooms Why AI should be viewed as a tool to get to...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Tony Frontier, author of AI With Intention and director of the AI Center for Effective Teaching and Learning. Rather than approaching artificial intelligence as a technical problem to solve, this conversation grounds AI in what educators already know to be true about effective teaching and learning. Tony shares why AI represents an inflection point for the profession—and why this moment demands greater intentionality, not abandonment of core instructional practices. Together, Andrew and Tony explore how AI can either undermine or strengthen learning depending on how it...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Nick Ziegler for a conversation on the current state of language education in Nebraska and the power of intentional collaboration across the state. Dr. Ziegler shares updates on the Seal of Biliteracy, competency-based credit, and how districts can leverage Title III funds to expand opportunities for English learners and world language students. We also explore the evolving role of the Nebraska Languages Association (NEBLA), upcoming World Language Week activities, and a preview of a statewide, hybrid language education conference planned for October 2026. The episode highlights how high-quality...

Inclusive education doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional systems, shared mindsets, and sustained collaboration. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton is joined by Allison Kelberlau (Assistant Director of Student Services, ESU 3), Eileen Heller (Education Consultant, Professional Learning, ESU 3), and Jill Guenther (Nebraska MTSS Regional Support Lead, Region 2) to unpack the story and impact of ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy (IPA). The conversation traces the origins of the IPA from statewide coherence efforts led by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, through its design and implementation, and into what the work...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we explore Nebraska 250—the state’s effort to commemorate the nation’s upcoming semi-quincentennial through learning, creativity, and community connection.We're joined by Bre Wilton, Social Studies Content Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education; Cody Talarico, Arts Education Specialist at NDE; and Anne Alston, Arts Education Program Specialist at the Nebraska Arts Council. Together, they unpack how a cross-agency collaboration led to the My Nebraska, Our America Public Art Design Challenge, a statewide opportunity for students to explore history, civic identity, and sense of place through public art. The conversation highli...

Nebraska is exploring a new approach to addressing teacher shortages—one that invites experienced professionals to bring their real-world expertise directly into the classroom. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we’re joined by State Senator Kathleen Kauth, who shares the story behind Nebraska’s new Pathway to Educator (P2E) program. Senator Kauth unpacks how this initiative came to life, why the timing and collaboration were right for this effort, and how school districts and ESUs across the state may choose to implement flexible, locally designed pathways into teaching. From workforce development to mentorship models—and from pol...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Kris Hagel, Chief Information Officer of Peninsula School District. Peninsula has been thoughtfully implementing artificial intelligence in K–12 education since early 2023. Now in their fourth year of AI work, Peninsula offers an honest look at what it takes to move beyond one-off trainings and instead build a sustainable, values-driven approach to AI adoption. Chris shares how early collaboration between instructional leaders and technology teams shaped the district’s direction, why universal design for learning (UDL) remained non-negotiable, and how teachers—especially in English and social studies—have rei...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we are joined by Becky Keene, CEO of Phygital Labs and author of AI Optimism: A Guide to Redefining Artificial Intelligence in Education. Drawing from 25 years in public education and a decade of global consulting work, Becky shares why she chooses to lead with possibility over fear in the age of generative AI. Together, Andrew and Becky explore what AI optimism really means for K–12 systems, how educators can move beyond simple substitution toward meaningful redefinition and transformation, and why human-centered practices like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking matter more than ev...

How can AI truly transform teaching without adding another fragmented tool to an educator's already overflowing plate? In this thought-provoking episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Arman Jaffer, CEO and Founder of Brisk Teaching, to share his journey with working to solve the problem of ever-increasing teacher workload and EdTech fragmentation. Arman explains how Brisk is fundamentally different from other AI tools. Instead of a separate dashboard, it functions as a Chrome extension/Edge add-on, delivering AI capabilities directly where the teacher is working, whether it's drafting feedback in Google comments or instantly changing a text's reading...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, welcomes Adam Spark, Nebraska native and co-founder of Short Answer, to discuss his journey from teaching at Louisville and Milford Public Schools to studying learning design and technology at Stanford University, where his idea for Short Answer was born. Adam shares how formative assessment research—particularly from Dr. Dylan Wiliam’s Embedded Formative Assessment—inspired the creation of Short Answer, a digital platform designed to make peer feedback, writing practice, and student engagement more meaningful and fun. The two explore: The Nebraska roots that shaped Adam’s journey—from the ESU 6 EdTech Lea...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we sit down with Jane Davis, Superintendent of Hershey Public Schools, and Anna Weber, Owner of A-Plum Creative, to explore how Hershey Public Schools turned a community concern into a model initiative for digital citizenship education. After recognizing the growing challenges of student cell phone use, social media, and online behavior, Hershey launched a campaign that has brought students, parents, and staff together around a shared goal: helping kids become thoughtful, kind, and safe digital citizens. With creative support from A-Plum Creative and in partnership with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Adam Vinter, Nebraska's regional outreach manager with Common Sense Media, joins the show to share about the significant updates to their digital citizenship curriculum. The conversation explores the reimagining of digital literacy and well-being education, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing technological landscape. Adam discusses the six core topics of the curriculum, the integration of AI literacy, and the engaging lesson formats designed to foster critical thinking and essential skills in students. The episode also highlights the developmental progression of digital literacy education from kindergarten through eighth grade...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Dr. Tricia Bertram Gallant, author, academic integrity expert, and Director of the Academic Integrity Office at UC San Diego, joins us to reframe how schools approach academic integrity in the age of AI. Rather than relying on surveillance or reactive discipline, Tricia invites educators to view integrity as a practice that can be cultivated through intentional school culture, character education, and authentic assessments. Drawing from her experience in higher education and adapting those insights for K–12 contexts, Dr. Bertram Gallant explores how AI technologies like ChatGPT are reshaping conversations around ch...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Jamie Cook, Literacy Officer at the Nebraska Department of Education, joins the pod to explore the future of literacy in Nebraska and the exciting opportunities ahead with the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant. Jamie shares her journey as a teacher, coach, and principal, and how those experiences ground her leadership in this new role. Together, we unpack why third grade is such a pivotal moment for reading, the role of the science of reading in shaping high-quality instruction, and how Nebraska’s literacy journey builds on years of strong statewide wo...

In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, longtime collaborator and Good Life EDU Podcast guest Otis Pierce of ESU 7 joins the pod to unpack some key takeaways from a summer of professional learning. From AI integration and academic integrity to distance learning innovations, digital citizenship initiatives, and math instruction practices, Otis and Andrew explore what’s new, what’s next, and what's front-of-mind as Nebraska educators head into a new school year. This episode highlights the spirit of statewide collaboration across Nebraska’s ESUs and the Department of Education, while also celebrating the continuous growth mindset educators embody year-round. Whether you're starti...

This week on The Good Life EDU Podcast, we close out the summer by welcoming internationally renowned education expert Dr. Dylan Wiliam to the show for a timely conversation at the intersection of formative assessment, teacher growth, and artificial intelligence in education. As AI tools become more accessible in schools, this discussion explores how educators can respond thoughtfully, leveraging technology to enhance instruction while staying grounded in proven practices that support deep learning. Dr. Wiliam shares insights from decades of research, addresses the limitations of AI in feedback and assessment, and offers practical ideas for how teachers and school leaders...

What happens when a school leader brings a coach’s mindset, a heart for people, and a relentless commitment to culture into their role as principal? In this episode, West Dodge Station Principal Benji Hoegh joins The Good Life EDU to reflect on the systems, habits, and heart behind building a thriving school culture. From his “TRAIN” acronym that powers the school’s values to his commitment to daily visibility and over 200 personal phone calls home, Benji shares practical strategies that promote connection, consistency, and care. Whether you're an aspiring leader or a veteran administrator, this episode offers energizing insights for crea...

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Phillip Alcock (CEO and Co-Founder) and Thom Markham (Creative Director) of PBL Future Labs join the show to share how they’re fusing the best of project-based learning (PBL) with the transformative possibilities of AI. With decades of experience in PBL design, coaching, and implementation, Phil and Tom reflect on PBL’s origins, the challenges that have limited its widespread adoption, and how AI can break down those barriers—saving teachers time, elevating student voice, and unlocking more authentic, community-connected learning. They share real examples of “learning missions” that help schools move beyon...