You Can Measure ANYTHING ® - The Podcast
If you lead a school, district, or organization and you have ever struggled to measure what actually matters, this show is for you. You Can Measure Anything!® is hosted by Dr. Nicole Alioto, education researcher, strategic planning consultant, and author of You Can Measure Anything! An Educator's Guide to Measuring What is Hard to Define. Each episode gives K-12 leaders, district administrators, and education researchers a practical framework for turning intangible goals into measurable outcomes that drive real school improvement. New episodes drop weekly. Follow the show on Spotify so you never miss one. For workshops, resources, the book, and b...
Equity in School Leadership and How It Impacts Outcomes for All Students with Dr. L. Oliver Robinson | S4E7
What does it mean to have equity in leadership practices? What impact does it have on our schools and our students? In this episode, Dr. L. Oliver Robinson talks about his experiences from over 30 years serving in public education. He helps clarify what equity means and looks like as well as how school leaders can ensure "all students are well."
In this episode, you'll hear about:
From Idea to Impact: Measuring Adoption in Early Childhood Systems with Dr. Sondra Stegenga | S4E6
Introducing a new program, process, or practice does not guarantee that people will actually use it.
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto and Dr. Sondra Stegenga talk about how to define adoption and the importance it plays in determining whether or not your program has an impact. If you are implementing a program or service in your organization or school and you want to know if it made a difference or not, don't skip this episode!
Listen to this episode to hear:
• How to define adoption beyond initial sign on,
• What is t...
How We Can Use the Building Blocks of Life to Find and Measure Our Own Potential with Scott Fossler | S4E5
Potential describes what someone may be capable of achieving—but how can you measure something that has not happened yet?
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto speaks with Scott Fossler about defining potential, recognizing indicators of future growth, and avoiding assumptions that may limit how we evaluate our abilities.
Scott Fossler, founder of Carbon-Based Leadership, discusses his framework for unlocking human potential, inspired by the structure of carbon, emphasizes the importance of both outcome-focused and process-focused metrics, and highlights the significance of connection.
Listen to this episode to hear:
How organic chemistry co...Can You Measure Empathy? Supporting Our Youngest Learners with Icle Freeland and Kristin Woodward-Vaassen | S4E4
Empathy is often described as the ability to understand another person’s perspective or experience—but what does empathy look like in practice and can it be measured?
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto speaks with Icle Freeland and Kristin Vaassen from Two by Two Character Development about defining empathy and supporting our youngest learners in developing it so that they can build strong relationships and positive futures!
Listen to this episode to hear:
• How to distinguish kindness from empathy in clear and observable terms,
• Where empathy connects to other outcomes, and
<...The Episode that Talks about Measuring Trust in Schools with Dr. Jen Schwanke | S4E3
Trust me. Two words that are sure to destroy school culture.
How can you build a culture of trust when there have been so many challenges? Did you inherit a culture of mistrust? Are there emerging concerns that you want to work through to avoid an impact on morale? Join Dr. Nicole Alioto as she sits down with Dr. Jen Schwanke, author, speaker, and educator to talk about this important topic. How do you identify the trust killers so you can make a measurable impact on them?
Listen to this episode to hear:
what...Measuring Soft Skills that Make a Difference in the Workplace with Yadi Caro | S4E2
In schools and workplaces across the US, there is a growing recognition of the need for "soft skills." While the name for these critical skills often changes, what they represent does not - key elements for a successful career. Join Dr. Alioto and her guest, Yadi Caro, and they discuss the framework from Yadi Caro's new book, "Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work with Humans."
Listen to this episode to hear:
the 5Cs of hardcore soft skills,how teams and schools can measure and improve them, andwhy context is important.If your district or...
How to Measure and Improve Student Engagement with Dr. Amy Berry | S4E1
In this Season 4 premiere, Dr. Nicole Alioto and Dr. Amy Berry discuss how to turn engagement from an abstract concept into something you can observe and measure.
Listen to this episode to hear:
How to clearly define what engagement looks like,What the engagement continuum is, and How students are the drivers of engagement.This episode is longer than our typical interviews, but settle in because this episode is packed with GEMS! If your district is looking to improve student engagement, then you don't want to miss this conversation.
About Amy Berry, Ph.D...
You Can Measure Anything® Best of Season 3
As we count down to Season 4 coming on August 14, 2026, join us for this special episode where we countdown the top 3 most listened to episodes of Season 3 with brief excerpts from these amazing shows. Is your favorite episode here?
Listen to the full episode of the third most listened to episode here.
Listen to the full episode of the second most listened to episode here.
Listen to the full episode of the most listened to episode here.
SEASON 4 DROPS AUGUST 14 with an interview with Dr. Amy Berry talking about measuring student engagement...
You Can Measure Anything!® Best of Season 2
As we count down to Season 4 coming on August 14, 2026, join us for this special episode where we countdown the top 3 most listened to episodes of Season 2 with brief excerpts from these amazing shows. Is your favorite episode here?
Listen to the full episode of the third most listened to episode here.
Listen to the full episode of the second most listened to episode here.
Listen to the full episode of the most listened to episode here.
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it...
You Can Measure Anything!® Best of Season 1
As we count down to Season 4 coming on August 14, 2026, join us for this special episode where we countdown the top 3 most listened to episodes of Season 1 with a brief excerpt highlighting some amazing interviews. Is your favorite episode here?
Listen to the full episode of the third most listened to episode here
Listen to the full episode of the second most listened to episode here
Listen to the full episode of the most listened to episode here
If you can defin...
Let's Talk About Sex: A You Can Measure Anything Origin Story (Season 3 Final Episode)
In this final episode of Season 3, Dr. Nicole Alioto shares one of the origin stories behind You Can Measure Anything!
Listen to this brief episode to hear:
• How measuring attitudes about sex helped form step 1 of the Diamond Definition™ process,
• How you can use the Diamond Definition™ to reduce bias in measurement practices, and
• What is ahead for Season 4 of the podcast!
If you have a hard-to-define construct you'd like us to address next season or you'd like to be a guest, nicole@nicolealioto.com with the subject line P...
You Can Measure Anything!® The Podcast Season 3 - The Diamond Definition™ Process for Measuring Anything Explained
Most education leaders know what a thriving school feels like. Very few know how to measure it.
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto introduces the Diamond Definition™ process for measuring anything: her proprietary framework for turning your school's most intangible goals into clear, measurable outcomes.
This is a focused 5-minute episode built for busy K-12 leaders, district administrators, and education researchers who want a practical starting point for measuring what matters most in their school or organization.
You will learn:
• Why your current measurement approach is likely missing your most important schoo...
Special Episode: What is a Frankensurvey? (An Excerpt From You Can Measure Anything!)
If you know the process to measure something you can measure anything, and in You Can Measure Anything! An Educator's Guide to Measuring What is Hard to Define, Dr. Nicole Alioto shares her Diamond Definition™ process for measuring anything so you can get the best data for the best insights. In this episode, you will hear what the four Cs of the Diamond Definition™ process are and what a Frankensurvey is all about in a snippet from the audiobook!
When you work through the Diamond Definition™ process to make intangible concepts tangible so you can define them and mea...
Is It Possible to Measure Energy? Get to the Core of the Subject with Charlyn Huss of CoreSpring
Do you feel like your energy is low? Body stiff and sore? What if the way you are standing right now is the reason why, and you could change it in minutes?
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto is joined by Charlyn Huss, creator of the patented CoreSpring® Method, a direct spring resistance system built to recalibrate posture, reduce pain, and restore intelligent movement from the inside out. With over 30 years in movement education, Charlyn brings both the science and the lived experience of refusing to accept chronic pain as inevitable.
This episode is for a...
Can You Measure Identity? What Happens When There is Identity Friction and What You Can Do About It with Ivo Knoll
Do you feel exhausted, stressed, or frustrated, but cannot quite put your finger on why? The answer might be identity friction.
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto interviews Ivo Knoll, Identity Architect and founder of Knoll Coaching, who works with high achievers whose lives already work on paper but no longer fit. Ivo introduces his Identity Friction Syndrome framework and walks through how to recognize when friction is building before it burns you out completely.
This episode is for high achievers, leaders, and professionals who are performing at a high level but running o...
You Can Measure Anything® Podcast | Book Launch and Workshop Announcement!
You Can Measure Anything! An Educator's Guide to Measuring What is Hard to Define will be out in late May 2026!
One of the book launch events planned is an in person workshop this June based off of the recent podcast episode about fulfillment (S3E5), and it is called REDISCOVERING JOY AT WORK HOW TO MEASURE AND RECLAIM YOUR ZONE OF GENIUS. Attendees will receive a copy of my new book too.
If you are in western NY on June 16, check out the flyer here. Space is limited!
As part of the book la...
The Fulfillment Continuum: Measuring Your Placement Between Burnout and Well-Being | S3E5
Have you ever felt like you have a very rewarding career but maybe something was missing? Not necessarily burnout, just a lack of fulfillment? How can we assess and organize these feelings into observables so we can increase our fulfillment and reduce the number of hours, days, or years feeling like something is incomplete or out of balance? Join Dr. Nicole Alioto for this solo episode to talk about the construct of fulfillment and how we can measure it - and even improve it!
Resources referenced in this episode:
Season 3 Episode 3 How to Measure Educator Well-Being ...School Safety Metrics: How to Measure What Works | S3E4
Providing a safe and secure environment for learning in schools is important. So how so we know what to look for, what to prioritize, and what is making a difference? Join Dr. Alioto this week as she interviews Don Hough of COSECURE to distinguish safety vs. security initiatives, how to measure the impact of those efforts in schools, and what school leaders can do to engages students, staff, and the community in this important work.
About Don Hough
Don Hough is the Vice President of Public Sector at COSECURE and a nationally recognized leader in K...
How to Measure Educator Well-Being in K-12: Beyond Burnout | S3E3
Schools across the country are spending time and resources on improving student well-being, but what about the educators? If educators are experiencing well-being, the students will see more success. But, how can we define educator well-being so we can measure it and pinpoint educator needs effectively?
In this episode, Dr. Nicole Alioto interviews Dr. Hallie Fox, Co-Founder and Head of Research at Educators Thriving to find out what well-being means for K12 staff and how their team has developed a way to measure well-being (and its multiple domains) so school districts can see the impact on culture...
The Book is Coming! The Book is Coming!
We have an exciting announcement about Dr. Nicole Alioto's next book, coming March 2026! If you would like to be a Book Insider and get information about launch events, book resources, and even a free copy upon release, email hello@allabreveconsulting.com with "Book Insider" in the subject line.
Subscribe to You Can Measure Anything - The Podcast so you don't miss an episode!
To contact Dr. Nicole Alioto, reach out via email at hello@allabreveconsulting.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @measureanything.
Provider Burnout in Early Childhood Education: How to Measure Stress & Improve Well-Being | S3E2
We all have felt some burnout at some point, haven't we? But what happens when it impacts our work? What if our work is with the most vulnerable populations - like infants and toddlers? Today we talk with Dr. Erin Kinavey Wennerstrom, Executive Director of the Oregon Infant Mental Health Association, about burnout, well-being, and other topics that are hard to measure but so critical if we want to support those who support our children. Join us for this important discussion!
About Dr. Wennerstrom
Erin Kinavey Wennerstrom, Ph.D., NCC, LPC, IMH-E® has over 25 years of...
Measuring Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of AI | S3E1
You Can Measure Anything is back for Season 3 and we kick off with a discussion with Alana Winnick, Founder of Students for Innovation, about what innovation means, what it looks like, and how we might measure it in our schools, especially as it becomes a requirement for graduation in New York State.
About Alana Winnick:
Alana Winnick is a visionary leader and the creative force behind The Generative Age, a book and podcast that explores how generative AI is transforming education. As Educational Technology Director and Data Protection Officer for Pocantico Hills CSD and Director f...
You Can Measure Anything S3 Promo
Welcome to Season 3 of You Can Measure Anything™️!
This season we will continue to interview a variety of amazing individuals who will share their experiences measuring challenging constructs such as burnout, social emotional learning, sustainability, trust, and more. We know that if we can’t define something clearly, we can’t measure it accurately, so this season, we will continue to bring you strategies to apply to your work so you can get the best data for the best insights.
Be sure to download our free guide, How to Measure Anything, from our website (bottom of home pag...
How Authors Measure Success (Sales, Reach, Impact) | S2E11
To be a Book Insider for Nicole’s book, “Your School Sucks: Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It” - send an email with a book emoji to hello@allabreveconsulting.com
For “Autistic Everyday” https://www.autisticsanonymousllc.com/
About Daisy Montgomery: Daisy Montgomery is an autistic and ADHD multi-award-winning speaker, author, and business owner of Autistics Anonymous, a company dedicated to educating on what it’s like to be autistic everyday and working directly with the autistic community to provide opportunities for belonging and acceptance. Her ultimate goal is to increase aut...
How to Measure Happiness | S2E10
Can you really measure happiness? Of course, you can measure ANYTHING!
Join us for this episode where we chat with Coach Christy Holt, The Happiness Hussy, who helps us explore what can lead us to more happiness in our lives and identify characteristics that relate to happiness that can go into how we measure it.
To learn more about Coach Christy Holt and to access her amazing resources and "Create Your Happy" podcast, click here.
For help measuring happiness or any other challenging construct, contact Nicole and the Alla Breve team at hello@a...
Are You Measuring Your Mission Right? | S2E9
Does your mission statement help your school get closer to its vision? How do you know?
Join us for this episode where we clarify vision and mission and talk about how to start measuring the themes that matter most.
Click here to join our Measurement Mastermind.
For help measuring your mission, contact Alla Breve here.
If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a 5-star rating and review.
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you ca...
Poll vs Survey: When to Use Each | S2E8
Sometimes survey tools act more like polls and provide limited information. How can you tell? Join Dr. Kyla Garrett Wagner this week for some quick ways to distinguish polls from surveys.
To contact Dr. Kyla email her at kyla@allabreveconsulting.com.
For help with your survey research, book a consult with Alla Breve Consulting here.
And if you liked what you heard, be sure to leave us a 5-star rating so others can find us!
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you...
Don't Throw Good Money After Bad...Evaluate!
Don't throw good money after bad...evaluate!
Email nicole@allabreveconsulting.com if you need assistance in getting the evidence you need.
To book Dr. Nicole Alioto to speak at an upcoming event, complete this form.
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you can achieve it!
Subscribe to You Can Measure Anything® - The Podcast so you don't miss an episode!
Net Promoter Score (NPS): How Schools Measure Satisfaction | S2E7
Net Promoter Score (NPS) is widely used in business to measure customer satisfaction so how can it apply to education? Join us for an exploration of NPS where we hear from Dr. J.D. Mosley-Matchett for ideas of how NPS can be used at your institution.
For Dr. Mosley-Matchett's article, click here.
To work with Alla Breve Consulting, click here.
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you can achieve it!
Subscribe to You Can Measure Anything® - The Podcast so y...
Event Experience Metrics: Measuring Emotion with Semantic Differential | S2E6
Join us for this special episode - an except from Episode 19 where we interviewed Liz Lathan from the Community Factory. She shares about the emotions measured using semantic differential that inform what really make a difference in your event planning.
Missed Episode 19? Here is the link!
Please be sure to leave us a 5-star review. We would really appreciate it!
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you can achieve it!
Subscribe to You Can Measure Anything® - T...
Measuring Emotions: Semantic Differential Explained | S2E5
Measuring emotions and attitudes can be challenging. How can you get a well-rounded picture of someone's perceptions of an ideal candidate or other topic? Join us for this episode to find out!
If you need assistance with measuring attitudes or opinions or want to share your experience with semantic differential, message me on LinkedIn here or reach out on our website.
For more about the Measurement of Meaning click here.
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you can achieve it!
...
Measurement Theory Explained: Guttman & Advanced Models | S2E4
Join us this week to explore the contributions of Guttman and Rotter, and hear how they can be applied to your work in education and how locus of control lead to popular frameworks used today.
If you need assistance with measuring attitudes or opinions, message me on LinkedIn here or reach out on our website.
For a brief bio of Rotter, visit this site.
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you can achieve it!
Subscribe to You Can Measure Anything®...
Measurement Theory Explained: Likert & Thurstone Scales | S2E3
Join us as we talk about the contributions of Measurement OGs - Thurstone and Likert - to many of today's current survey practices.
For help with your scale development and survey design work, email us at hello@allabreveconsulting.com.
References:
Edwards, A. L., & Kenney, K. C. (1946). A comparison of the Thurstone and Likert techniques of attitude scale construction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 30(1), 72–83.
McIver, John P., and Edward G. Carmines Unidimensional Scaling. Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 1981.
If you can def...
Levels of Measurement Explained (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio) | S2E2
Welcome to Season 2 of You Can Measure Anything - The Podcast! In this episode, we share some tasty tips about levels of measurement so you can make your surveys even better!
Let us know what you thought about this week's topic or something you struggle to measure on LinkedIn here or IG at @measureanything
Sign up for our mini-course, An Educator's Guide to Measuring Anything here at Alla Breve Institute!
Like what you heard? Please be sure to leave us a 5-star review!
If you can define it, you can m...
Word of the Year 2024 | S2E1
Welcome to Season 2 of You Can Measure Anything - The Podcast! In this episode, we share our word of the year and how we can clearly define it so we can measure it!
What is your word for 2024? Let us know on LinkedIn here or IG at @measureanything
Want to get your word of the year clearly defined? Sign up for our mini-course, An Educator's Guide to Measuring Anything here at Alla Breve Institute!
Like what you heard? Please be sure to leave us a 5-star review!
If you can...
Bonus Episode - My Favorite Things 2023
These are a few of My Favorite Things for 2023. If you have some to share with me, message me on:
LinkedIn here
Instagram at @measureanything
My Favorite Things for 2023
Podcasts
Course Creators HQ with Julie Hood
Hello Seven Podcast with Rachel Rodgers
Books
The ONE Thing
The Big Leap
LinkedIn Profiles
Keith McCormick - data mining/data science
Armand Ruiz - AI
If you can define it, you can...
Bonus Episode - Christmas, It All Adds Up!
Did you hear about the time we helped Santa? No? Well tune it to hear how we helped make it a statistically significant holiday season in this bonus episode, Christmas - It All Adds Up!
If you need support like Santa did, reach out to us at hello@allabreveconsulting.com and use the subject line "Santa Sent Me"
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you can achieve it!
Subscribe to You Can Measure Anything® - The Podcast so you don't miss an ep...
Bonus Episode: XMZ Society Talk Excerpt
In this bonus episode, hear an excerpt from our recent conversation with Jenn Rivera and XMZ Society. The talk was titled, "Quantify to Thrive - How to Measure Data to Drive Business Results."
XMZ Society is a free education-focused virtual networking group designed to champion Gen X-ers, Millennials and Gen Z-ers passionate about their professional and personal development. XMZ hosts speakers from around the world that share best practices, give real-time feedback, provide long-term strategies and enhance brainstorming sessions.
Connect with XMZ Society here.
To book Dr. Alioto for a 2024 speaking engagement, please...
Indirect Impact: How to Measure What You Can’t See | S1E24
Measuring impact is important for any organization or business. But what if your work is in support of someone else's goals? How do you measure the indirect impact? Join our conversation with ghostwriter, Victoria Veldhoen, as we explore how we can measure various type of impact.
Victoria Veldhoen is the founder and primary writer behind the memoir ghostwriting company Questions Unasked. She ghostwrites memoirs for two audiences: (1) Seniors who've led exciting lives and want all of their adventures preserved forever in a keepsake book for their families and (2) CEOs who are changing the world for the better (i...
Surveys Explained: How to Collect Better Data | S1E23
Join us for a fun episode as we discuss how Family Feud can teach us about sampling!
Want to discuss your research approach or get insight into sampling? Sign up for 1:1 Mentoring here!
Be sure to leave us a review and we'll feature it on an upcoming podcast episode!
If you can define it, you can measure it. If you can measure it, you can achieve it!
Subscribe to You Can Measure Anything® - The Podcast so you don't miss an episode!
<
