Shows
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesFrom Players to Creators: How Student Game-Making Builds AI-Era Skills | Matt DalioSend us a textPlay isn’t just fun—it’s a blueprint for learning. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Hassler and Matt Dalio (Endless Studios/Foundation) explore how student game-making builds creativity, collaboration, and resilience while scaffolding real tools—from no-code building to Unity and Blender.We unpack the research on learning by making, connect Jane McGonigal’s mechanics of motivation to classroom practice, and trace a big-picture story from the printing press to software literacy. Matt lays out why the next divide is n...
2025-10-2326 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesSupporting Students with ADHD: Executive Function Strategies for Teachers and Parents | Ann DolinSend us a textNearly 1 in 10 children are diagnosed with ADHD, yet most educators receive no formal training in supporting executive function deficits. This gap creates challenges for teachers, frustration for parents, and academic struggles for students who are often mislabeled as unmotivated or lazy.In this episode, Dr. Lisa Hassler speaks with Ann Dolin M.Ed., founder of Educational Connections and author of "Homework Made Simple," about the critical role of executive function in student success and practical strategies for supporting ADHD learners.Topics Covered:Executive function skills and...
2025-10-0922 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesAI Education for Kids: Expert Guide for Teachers & Parents | Mike TodascoSend us a textThe digital revolution in education is happening right now, and AI literacy has surged to become the #1 skill employers demand. With 70% of job skills projected to change by 2030, our conversation with Mike Todasco couldn't be more timely or crucial for parents and educators navigating this shifting landscape.Mike brings a rare dual perspective as both a visiting fellow at San Diego State University's AI Center and father of two school-aged children. His insights bridge the technical sophistication of artificial intelligence with the practical realities of raising children in a world where...
2025-09-2529 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesHandwriting Instruction: How it Boosts Literacy & Brain Development| Holly BrittonSend us a textDiscover why handwriting instruction is disappearing from classrooms and how this impacts your child's literacy development. In this research-backed episode, handwriting specialist Holly Britton reveals the neuroscience behind why forming letters by hand activates crucial brain pathways that typing cannot replicate.What You'll Learn:Why explicit handwriting instruction is missing from most schools and its impact on reading comprehensionThe kinesthetic connection between hand movement and language acquisition in the brainEvidence-based strategies for teaching proper letter formation and pencil gripHow to support children struggling with handwriting difficulties and learning...
2025-09-1124 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesA Gen Z Guide to Success: After College Insights| Annat ShrabsteinSend us a textThe transition from college to adulthood has dramatically transformed over recent decades, with financial independence, full-time employment, and independent living occurring much later for today's graduates than their 1980s counterparts. Yet despite these shifting timelines, Sallie Mae's latest research reveals that higher education continues to deliver tremendous value for Gen Z.According to Annat Shrabstein, Senior Director of Consumer Insights & Brand Strategy at Sallie Mae, their "How America Succeeds After College 2025" report uncovers interesting insights about what success truly means for recent graduates. Research reveals a significant shift in how Gen...
2025-08-2830 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesWho’s Behind the Curriculum? Missing Voices in Academic Publishing|Dr. Cassidy SugimotoSend us a textCurriculum doesn’t start in the classroom—it starts in the knowledge system: the people, institutions, and practices that produce and disseminate research. Dr. Cassidy Sugimoto, a Tom and Marie Patton Professor and School Chair from the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech, explains how publishing and citation practices flow into standards and textbooks.Dr. Sugimoto highlights the systemic barriers faced by women and underrepresented minorities in academia and how these barriers affect what is taught in classrooms. The discussion also covers the need to redefine success in academia and the...
2025-08-1419 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesQuality Child Care Creates the Foundation for Lifelong LearningSend us a textQuality childcare creates the foundation for lifelong learning and development, but finding the right program often leaves parents confused, frustrated, and uncertain. What should you actually look for beyond a clean facility and friendly staff? How do you know if a program will nurture your child's development in ways that matter?In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Lisa Hassler welcomes Judith Sikora, a respected voice in early childhood education with over three decades of leadership at national organizations like Child Care Aware of America. Sikora cuts through the confusion with practical wisdom...
2025-07-3123 min
WelcomingLNK RadioYour Story Matters: Part 1WelcomingLNK Radio talks with Matthew Bokovoy and Michelle Hassler who are part of a team leading the Your Story Matters book project. The effort will result in a published book of first person essays from New Americans who call Lincoln home.
2025-07-3021 min
The CPD Group PodcastCPD for Teachers: Dr. Lisa Hassler on Leadership, Online Learning, and AccreditationIn This Episode: Dr. Lisa Hassler on CPD for Teachers, Leadership, and Literacy Welcome to The CPD Group Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of CPD for teachers with Dr. Lisa Hassler, an educational leadership expert, literacy consultant, and host of The Brighter Side of Education podcast. With over 20 years of experience across public, private, and alternative education settings, Lisa shares valuable insights on why CPD for teachers is essential for ongoing growth and success. She discusses her research in virtual learning and how effective professional development helps educators adapt to changing classrooms. 💡 What You'll Lea...
2025-07-2834 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesSecond Chances: How Prison Education Programs Are Reducing Violence and Rebuilding LivesSend us a textBehind the concrete walls and steel bars of America's prisons, something remarkable is happening. Education—once considered an afterthought in correctional settings—is proving to be one of the most powerful tools for transformation, not just for individuals but for entire institutions.Our conversation with Joshua Gilliam, who brings a unique dual perspective as both a former correctional officer and current university instructor, reveals the profound impact of educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Drawing on over a decade of experience and his ongoing doctoral research, Joshua shares compelling evidence that participation in h...
2025-07-1726 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesJazzing Up Your Music Program: Reignite Teen Engagement With Unison-Based ContentSend us a textSecondary music classrooms are increasingly challenged by student disengagement—especially when traditional models fail to resonate with today’s learners. In this compelling episode, professional bassist and music educator Richard Frank introduces his Unison-Based Content (UBC) approach, a student-centered framework designed to revitalize music programs and re-engage learners of all skill levels.UBC shifts away from the conventional jazz band structure, offering a more inclusive model that welcomes diverse instrumentation—including non-traditional instruments—and varying skill levels from the start. By blending formal (notation and theory) and informal (playing by ear) learning...
2025-07-0328 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesThe Healing Power of Wild Mustangs: Biophilia & Equine Therapy with Erin CainSend us a textDiscover the power of equine therapy through the eyes of specialist Erin Cain, founder of Grace Reins Equine Therapy in Colorado. When words fall short in traditional therapy settings, horses step in as powerful healers for children struggling with anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation.The science behind this approach is fascinating. Horses, with heart rates half that of humans despite their massive size, naturally help children downregulate their nervous systems through a mirroring effect. This physiological connection creates a safe space for emotional processing that bypasses the need for verbal expression...
2025-06-1924 min
Life Coaching with Christine HasslerHow to Regulate Your Nervous System in Ways You Probably Haven’t Thought Of with LisaIn this insightful and milestone 500th episode, Christine coaches Lisa, a woman actively working to recalibrate her nervous system after decades of living in survival mode. Through their work in Christine’s Be the Queen program, Lisa has become increasingly aware of how her high productivity and people-pleasing patterns were actually rooted in hypervigilance developed from childhood emotional abandonment and a toxic past relationship. Christine helps Lisa move beyond traditional nervous system tools like breathwork by exploring one of the most overlooked regulators: the mind. They discuss how belief systems, people-pleasing masks, and unconscious behaviors can keep th...
2025-06-1836 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesWhy Outdoor Play Is Essential for Kids' Growth | Susie Spikol on Nature, Learning & ImaginationSend us a textWhat if the solution to many childhood developmental challenges was literally right outside our windows? Naturalist and author Susie Spiegel reveals how unstructured nature play creates the perfect environment for children to develop crucial life skills that structured indoor activities simply can't replicate.Drawing from her book "Forest Magic for Kids: How to Find Fairies, Make a Secret Fort, and Cook Up an Elfin Picnic," Spiegel shares how simple outdoor activities like mixing "potions" from natural materials or creating miniature fairy villages foster imagination while simultaneously developing communication skills, risk assessment...
2025-06-0529 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesPeer Mentorship in Action: How a 9-Year-Old Podcaster Is Opening Doors to Literacy and ScienceSend us a text"Books are the key to unlocking your soul's true potential." These aren't the words of a veteran educator or bestselling author – they come from nine-year-old Ishara, host of Ishara's Reading Podcast, literacy advocate, and aspiring astronaut who dreams of leading a mission to Mars.In this inspiring episode, Ishara is at her skating rink (YouTube video of this episode!) She shares how her reading podcast is helping children around the world access literature, explore big ideas, and discover the joy of learning. From environmental stewardship to space exploration, Ishara connects storytelling wi...
2025-05-2224 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesSpeech & Language Help for Kids: Expert SLP Tips for Parents and TeachersSend us a textDinalynn Rosenbush, certified speech-language pathologist and host of the Language of Play podcast, shares research-backed approaches for supporting children's communication skills through play when speech therapy services are delayed or unavailable.• Nearly 8% of children ages 3-17 have communication disorders with speech problems being most common• Children need to hear a word approximately 400 times before they begin using it themselves• Understanding the difference between speech (sound production) and language (meaning, vocabulary, sentences)• Simple strategies include having sensory-rich conversations about everyday activities• Expand vocabulary by providing multiple words for common con...
2025-05-0829 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesGen Z College & Career Readiness | Helping Students Plan Their Future with LoperSend us a textPost-secondary planning doesn't need to be overwhelming for students, parents, or educators. Sam Bernstein shares how his app Loper is transforming this crucial process into a personalized, engaging experience that meets Gen Z where they are.• Only 74% of Gen Z teens plan to attend college, down from previous generations• Students increasingly interested in staying at home or exploring alternatives to four-year colleges• College rankings create unnecessary stress and don't account for individual fit• Traditional planning tools rely on outdated checklists that don't engage today's students• Average school counselor...
2025-04-2429 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesScreen-Free Learning That Works: Why Teachers & Parents Love the "Who Smarted" PodcastSend us a textWorried about too much screen time for your kids or students? Discover how the Who Smarted podcast is helping parents and teachers bring back curiosity, focus, and fun — without a screen in sight.In this episode, Jerry Kolber, co-founder of Atomic Entertainment and creator of Who Smarted, shares how his wildly popular educational podcast (with over 3 million downloads!) is changing the game. Learn how short, engaging, screen-free episodes are being used in classrooms and homes to spark learning, boost retention, and cut down on screen addiction.🎧 Why kids engage more...
2025-04-1022 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesMaking Teaching Sustainable in a Blended, Self-Paced Learning Environment: The Modern Classrooms ProjectSend us a textRobert Barnett, co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project, explains how their innovative teaching model helps teachers effectively reach students with diverse learning needs through blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning. Traditional teaching methods struggling with different learning paces, gaps in knowledge, and absent students can be transformed with this approach that empowers both teachers and students.• Traditional teaching models fail when teaching to the middle leaves advanced students bored and struggling students lost• Modern Classrooms Project combines blended instruction, self-pacing, and mastery-based learning• Teachers create short instructional videos that students can pause...
2025-03-2724 min
Stylist Soul Tribe ConversationsAfton Hassler on Websites That Work: 10 Must-Haves for Stylists in 2025Have a topic request or someone you think we should have on the pod?! Send us a text and let us know!In this episode, Lisa sits down with Afton Hassler—Soul Tribe member, full-time hairstylist, and founder of AM Web Designs—to talk all things websites. Afton shares her inspiring journey of balancing life behind the chair while building a thriving side business creating custom websites for salons and spas.Together, they explore why having a beautiful, functional website is essential for stylists in 2025 and walk through Afton’s free guide: 10 Featur...
2025-03-2620 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & Resources406,000 Teacher Vacancies: The Solution Schools Are Using to Keep Classrooms StaffedSend us a textThe education landscape is in turmoil as schools cope with a teacher shortage that leaves over 400,000 positions unfilled. This episode tackles the pressing issue head-on, exploring how innovative education leaders are transforming staffing challenges into pathways for continuity and excellence in learning. We welcome Nicola Soares, the president of Kelly Education, to share her insights from her frontline experience in education. Discover how Kelly Education addresses staffing shortages through a commitment to training, competitive compensation, and strategic partnerships focused on enhancing the quality of substitute teaching. Throughout the episode, we delve i...
2025-03-1324 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesEmpowering Young Women Through Financial Literacy with Her Wealth Founder James CombloSend us a textAre you aware of the gender gap in financial literacy? In this episode, James Comblo shares the impact of programs like Her Wealth, designed to empower girls aged 16-28 with the tools for financial independence. Through candid discussions, relatable anecdotes, and actionable strategies, we explore how parents and educators can foster environments that prioritize vital financial conversations. We aim to dismantle the stigma surrounding money discussions and encourage open dialogues about spending, saving, and budgeting. From practical tips for managing credit to insights on developing a healthy relationship with finances, this e...
2025-02-2728 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesSchool-Based Mental Health Initiatives with Counseling in Schools' Kevin DaHill-FuchelSend us a textCan better mental health support in schools transform student success? Join us as we explore this critical question with Kevin DaHill-Fuchel, Executive Director of Counseling in Schools (CIS). With him, we uncover the profound impact of integrating mental health professionals into school environments, a strategy that has notably boosted attendance and graduation rates in New York City. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the challenges faced by schools, especially in accommodating the influx of asylum-seeking children in 2023. We discuss how CIS adapts its strategies to meet the unique cultural needs o...
2025-02-1336 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesData Driven Solutions for Chronic Absenteeism with Innovator Chris HullSend us a textWhat if a simple tool could improve the way we address chronic absenteeism in schools? Join me, Dr. Lisa Hassler, as I explore this provocative question with Chris Hull, the visionary founder of Otus. In this episode, we uncover how integrating various data points into a single platform can empower educators to swiftly identify at-risk students and create tailored interventions. Discover how technology not only simplifies the teaching process but also enhances a teacher's ability to meet each student's unique needs effectively.With Chris’s insights, we delve into the capabilities of...
2025-01-3038 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesStudents Overcome Math Anxiety with Mathematician Dr. Aditya NagrathSend us a textThe episode explores the science and psychology of math anxiety and features innovative educational approaches aimed at transforming math teaching. With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Dr. Aditya Nagrath shares insights on early intervention, preventive strategies to improve students' confidence, and the importance of viewing math as a language. As the creator and founder of Elephant Learning Mathematics Academy, he's on a mission to empower children with mathematics. • Discussion on the prevalence and impact of math anxiety • Early intervention strategies in mathematics education • Teaching math as a language to imp...
2025-01-1623 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesJoyful Learning: Practical Strategies for Navigating Holiday Havoc with Drs HasslerSend us a textEver wonder how teachers and parents can navigate the festive frenzy of December without losing their minds? Join me and my husband, Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., as we unlock the secrets to maintaining sanity and maximizing learning during one of the busiest times of the year. We promise you'll walk away with practical strategies like planning detailed calendars to juggle school events and holiday activities seamlessly. Discover how aligning lesson plans with holiday themes can transform classroom experiences into memorable family keepsakes, all while keeping the joy of the season alive....
2024-12-0521 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesThe Golden Age of Nonfiction: Gateway to Literacy with Imagination Soup's Melissa TaylorSend us a textOpen the gates to the golden age of nonfiction literature with Dr. Lisa Hassler and Melissa Taylor, founder of Imagination Soup, as they unravel the often-overlooked power of nonfiction books in education. Did you know that 84% of first graders show a preference for nonfiction, yet these books are not as prevalent as they should be in children's literature? Join us as we discuss the crucial role nonfiction plays in nurturing literacy skills in our information-laden world. Melissa shares her journey from teaching to becoming a curator of children's books, emphasizing the need for...
2024-11-2128 min
The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & ResourcesStories as Tools for Anxiety Management with Former Sesame Street Director, Dr. Anna Housley-JusterSend us a textWhat if the key to managing childhood anxiety lies in the stories we tell? Discover how storytelling can transform anxiety from a daunting monster into a friendly guide, as Dr. Anna Housley-Juster, a licensed mental health clinician and author of "How to Train Your Amygdala," joins us. With a blend of empathy and humor, Anna shares her insights on how understanding the brain's alarm system can empower children to see anxiety as a protective mechanism rather than a foe. She reveals her unique strategies for using storytelling to foster emotional resilience, making complex...
2024-11-0732 min