Shows
Educating to Be Human PodcastRural Education and the Power of Community with Kassi Talbot In the season finale of Educating to Be Human, we turn our attention to rural education and the transformative power of community-centered learning. Host Lisa Petrides is joined by Kassi Talbot, educator, social justice advocate, and principal of Pescadero Elementary School, a small rural school on California's coastside. Born and raised in the same community she now leads, Kassi shares how participatory and community-based education, and a deep commitment to equitable, open education can drive lasting positive outcomes — not just in remote or non-urban schools, but across all systems of learning. This episode explores what it means to...
2025-11-0432 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastRERUN: The Power of Place with Ruth MosternToday, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations from Educating to Be Human — and much has changed since we first recorded it. Back in September 2024, Lisa sat down with Ruth Mostern, Professor of History and founder of the World Historical Gazetteer, to explore how our sense of place influences the way we understand our past and our identities. Through her groundbreaking project, the World Historical Gazetteer, Ruth enables historians and the public alike to visualize and contextualize historical events and relationships geographically, transforming static history into dynamic, place-based storytelling. Since that conversation, we've seen how plac...
2025-10-1436 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastOn Faith, Community Organizing and Belonging with Fr. Jon Pedigo In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa is joined by Jon Pedigo, known by some as Father Jon. He is a longtime social justice advocate and activist, faith leader within the Catholic diocese of San Jose, and the new executive director of People Acting in Community Together, or PACT. In conversation, they explore what it means to rebuild connection in a time of deep division, how faith communities can act as ancient technologies for compassion and healing, and the power of grassroots organizing to help people claim their own agency and voice, particularly in difficult...
2025-09-3040 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastThe Promise of Public Diplomacy with Paul Kruchoski In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa Petrides is joined by Paul Kruchoski, a former senior diplomat at the U.S. State Department and often described as a changemaker within the institution, about the human side of public diplomacy and its deep ties to education. Far from being abstract negotiations behind closed doors, public diplomacy is about learning across borders, listening across cultures, and building the kinds of relationships that make peace possible. Paul shares insights from his work leading initiatives like the Open Book project, which brought openly licensed educational materials to...
2025-09-1638 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastRERUN: Monsters with Erin O'ConnellWe're bringing back the show that started it all - Monsters! In this rerun of our premiere episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa Petrides speaks with Erin O'Connell, a university classics professor, who has used her expertise over the years as a teacher of Ancient Greek and Ancient Greek culture to delve into the world of Monsters, how we define them, where we can find them, not just under our beds, and the perspective they bring us in thinking about being human in today's world. Erin O'Connell's academic background is in Classics and Comparative Literature, teaching Greek and...
2025-09-0225 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastAI in the Classroom: Power, Bias and Opportunity with Maha Bali In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa Petrides is joined by Maha Bali, a leading voice in digital pedagogy and open education. Maha invites us to see digital literacy not just as learning how to use tools, but as something deeply tied to identity, power, and relationships. As AI increasingly becomes part of the fabric of our daily lives, Maha challenges us to ask: what values are built into the tools we use, and how do they shape the way we connect with one another? Maha Bali is a professor of practice at...
2025-08-1945 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastWhy Community Colleges Matter More Than Ever with Keith Curry In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa dives into education that is truly rooted in the community, with Dr. Keith Curry, President of Compton College. His efforts to address the real-life challenges that students face at community college are remarkable: meeting basic needs (such as food, housing, textbooks), achieving academic success, and finding job opportunities after completion of certificates and degrees. Lisa and Keith also talk about leadership in times of uncertainty—how to lead in an environment of fluctuating budgets, and federal and state policy shifts, and in a terrain that is shifting before ou...
2025-08-0535 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastLibraries at Risk: Access, Preservation, and Cultural Memory with Chris Freeland In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Chris Freeland, Director of Library Services at the Internet Archive, about the evolving role of libraries in society and their critical function in preserving equitable access to knowledge and serving as a memory institution. They explore the challenges libraries face today—from book bans and cyber threats to restrictive digital licensing—and how these issues affect our collective memory, democracy, and ability to learn. Chris shares how the Internet Archive has been protecting public access to digital content, government data, and cultural heritage, especially in a...
2025-07-2232 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastTaking the Mystery Out of Menopause: Educating for Better Care with Joanna Strober In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Joanna Strober, seasoned entrepreneur and founder of MidiHealth—a virtual clinic providing personalized care for women navigating midlife changes like perimenopause and menopause. Together, Lisa and Joanna discuss why this stage of life remains one of the most under-researched, underfunded, and underserved areas in medicine, and what can and is being done about it. Digging into the success of MidiHealth, this conversation is a powerful reminder that we need new models of healthcare—ones that not only provide care but also empower women with the knowledge they...
2025-07-0824 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastFood Justice Begins in the Classroom with Stephen Ritz In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa speaks with Stephen Ritz, founder of the Green Bronx Machine, about how we can transform education by returning to the most essential teacher of all: food. What if learning began not with a textbook, but with a seed? Stephen's journey - from a South Bronx classroom to a global network of edible education- reveals how growing food in schools can ignite curiosity, connect students to nature, and make learning deeply tangible. His work in communities facing food deserts underscores the urgency of teaching nutrition, science, and w...
2025-06-2437 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastWhen Meditation Replaces Detention, with Atman Smith In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Atman Smith, founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, about the transformative power of bringing mindfulness, yoga, and meditation into not just schools, but also rehab centers and senior living centers. What began as a personal journey in search of deeper meaning evolved into a community-led program in West Baltimore—one of the most underserved and over-policed neighborhoods in the U.S.—focused on healing and self-regulation. Atman shares how early interventions with students frequently sent to detention led to the creation of the Mindful Mome...
2025-06-1036 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastA Thousand Pounds of Learning with Wendy Millet Welcome to Season 2 of Educating to Be Human! In this premiere episode, host Lisa Petrides speaks with Wendy Millet— co-founder of Gallop Ventures, and Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation. Together, Lisa and Wendy explore what it means to learn in a way that engages both body and mind, restores connection with nature, and builds the kind of presence that can't be faked. Informed by a deep connection with the natural world, Wendy seeks to share nature's insights about complexity, interconnectedness, humility, and power. These lessons are central to the teamwork and leadership programs she off...
2025-05-2738 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastReflecting on Season 1: Lessons in Community, Creativity, and ChangeIn Season 1 of Educating to Be Human, we asked questions—about creativity and curiosity, change and adaptation, empathy and self-worth. We spoke with changemakers in classrooms, communities, and prisons, all committed to reimagining education as a powerful lever for transformation. In this special bonus episode, host Lisa Petrides looks back at the voices and ideas that shaped our first season—and shares a glimpse of what's ahead in Season 2. New stories, deeper questions, and continued exploration of what it means to educate—and live together as humans. This special episode features clips from interviews with:
2025-04-1509 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastBeyond Recidivism, Higher Education in Prison with Jody Lewen Welcome to Episode 10, the Season 1 finale of Educating to Be Human. Host Lisa Petrides sits down with Jody Lewen, President of Mt. Tamalpais College at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (formerly San Quentin Prison), the first accredited independent 2-year liberal arts college dedicated to incarcerated students. A visionary leader and tireless advocate for equitable access to education, Jody has spent over 20 years expanding higher education opportunities for incarcerated students. Her work at San Quentin challenges traditional ideas of who education is for and envisons learning as a tool for empowerment and purpose. In this episode, Lisa...
2024-12-1036 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastAnswering the Call: Young Men in the Pre-K Classroom with Julius Cave In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa is joined by Julius Cave, Regional Director of the Leading Men Fellowship, a program of The Literacy Lab. In a field where Black men make up only 1.3% of the teaching workforce, the Leading Men Fellowship is tackling this disparity head-on by recruiting young men of color to serve as pre-K educators. This initiative not only reimagines representation in early education but also transforms the classroom experience for students in historically marginalized communities. Julius and his team have developed a curriculum rooted in evidence-based literacy instruction while emphasizing cultural...
2024-11-2634 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastPaying the Price with Sara Goldrick-Rab In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Sara Goldrick-Rab, author of Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream, joins us to explore the critical issues of housing and food insecurity faced by young people in college. A senior fellow at Education Northwest and adjunct professor at the Community College of Philadelphia, Sara brings insight into how students are being underserved by the very system meant to support their educational journey. We delve into the impact of these financial challenges on students' academic success, well-being, and future aspirations, illuminating the u...
2024-11-1250 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastLanguage Matters with Mihalis Eleftheriou In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa is joined by Mihalis Eleftheriou, the creator of Language Transfer and the Thinking Method —a free, online language learning platform with a radical approach to language acquisition. Language Transfer challenges conventional methods of language learning, aiming not only to teach but to transform how we think and make connections. In this conversation, Mihalis shares his journey, beginning with his own multicultural upbringing and early language encounters. Together, Lisa and Mihalis explore the power of language to deepen cultural understanding, break down mental barriers, and even transform ou...
2024-10-2936 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastYes, And; Improv with Chris Miller In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa is joined by Chris Miller, the co-founder of Life Plays, an organization that uses improvisation as a tool to cultivate leadership, creativity, and innovation. Together, they dive into the power of improv, not just as a performance technique but as a valuable life skill that can enhance how we work, lead, and connect with others. By tapping into our natural creativity and learning to embrace uncertainty, improv unlocks a mindset of openness and possibility, ultimately driving more meaningful change in both our personal and professional lives. Through this...
2024-10-1524 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastBuilding Creative Spaces with Nina Barbuto In this episode of Educating to Be Human, we begin the second arc of our inaugural season by exploring one of the most essential aspects of being human—our boundless curiosity and extraordinary creativity. Lisa talks with Nina Barbuto, founder and executive director of Assemble, a nonprofit organization in Pittsburgh that serves as a community space for arts and technology education. More than just a makerspace, Assemble is a place where education and community intersect, fostering innovation and confidence through making. Lisa and Nina discuss how creation, curiosity and innovation are enhanced through hands-on learning ex...
2024-10-0129 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastTeaching Democracy with Joel Westheimer In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Joel Westheimer, a professor of education at the University of Ottawa, author of "What Kind of Citizen? Educating Our Children for the Common Good", and a leading voice on democracy and civic education. As democratic societies face increasing global challenges as well as radically diminishing commitments to the notion of democracy internally, this episode explores how schools can play a pivotal role in fostering democratic values, civic engagement, and critical thinking among students. The role of education in democratic societies is unique, requiring more...
2024-09-1743 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastThe Power of Place with Ruth Mostern Lisa speaks with Ruth Mostern, Professor of History and Director of the World History Center at the University of Pittsburgh, to talk about the significance of place and space in the historical understanding of ourselves and our environments. Through her groundbreaking project, the World Historical Gazetteer, Ruth enables historians and the public alike to visualize and contextualize historical events and relationships geographically, transforming static history into dynamic, place-based storytelling. Sitting at the intersection of history, geography and technology, this episode is a must-listen for those who believe in the power of place to...
2024-09-0336 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastTaking off the Mask with Ashanti Branch "There's more to me than you can see" It is only human to hide behind a mask. In this episode, Lisa speaks with Ashanti Branch, Educator, Mentor and Founder of the Ever Forward Club, who has spent decades mentoring young men of color, building trust, and bringing confidence and empathy into their lives to help them achieve their true potential. Through his more recent project, the Million Mask Movement, we learn how sharing "our masks" help us to gather a deeper understanding of ourselves, others, and how connected we really are when it comes to...
2024-08-2036 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastMonsters with Erin O'Connell In our premiere episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa Petrides speaks with Erin O'Connell, a university classics professor, who has used her expertise over the years as a teacher of Ancient Greek and Ancient Greek culture to delve into the world of Monsters, how we define them, where we can find them, not just under our beds, and the perspective they bring us in thinking about being human in today's world. Erin O'Connell's academic background is in Classics and Comparative Literature, teaching Greek and Latin languages and literature as well as a broad range of Humanities...
2024-08-0625 min
Educating to Be Human PodcastTrailer, Season 1Listen to the trailer for our new bi-weekly podcast, Educating to Be Human, created by ISKME (Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education) and hosted by Lisa Petrides, CEO and Founder. "Educating to Be Human" explores what it means to be human at the intersection of education, technology and culture. In each episode, Lisa speaks with people who, through their passion and commitment, are creating transformative change in education. In Season 1, Lisa dives into the fundamental question of how we as humans might place front and center the critical need to adapt and change. We...
2024-08-0201 min
Our MBC LifeS01 E16 - Interview with Kate Petrides, Early-Stage & MBC AdvocateSend us a textIn honor of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Lisa Laudico is joined by special guest co-host Emily Veach, Host, and Producer of the new Happy Death podcast to interview Kate Petrides. Kate has been an MBC Advocate since her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis in 2012 at age 25. She speaks openly about this disease and how she is approaching her diagnosis, treatment, and a lifespan that is not what she expected it to be. Kate takes us from her early stage dx and her advocacy work for MBC through her own metastatic diagnosis and how th...
2020-10-1357 min
Vegan Business TalkVBT 100: 5 key lessons learned from 100 episodes and interviews with vegan entrepreneursSo, this is a special episode of Vegan Business Talk, as it’s episode number 100!
I’ve interviewed 100 brilliant vegan business owners for the show who have been so kind and generous in sharing their challenges and how they overcame them, along with providing practical strategies for success.
I love how this community of entrepreneurs on a shared vision are willing to share their intel and tips to help other vegan business owners to succeed.
I know I learn heaps from every single person I interview and I’m so grateful to everyone who contacts me personally or posts on social...
2018-04-1424 min
Designers for LearningDesigners for Learning #EdImpact16 with Lisa PetridesThis Designers for Learning webcast was part of our Education Impact Day, a 12-hour webcast-athon held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 featuring 12 featured speakers. This is a recording of our conversation with Lisa Petrides.
2016-11-1243 minDesigners for LearningDesigners for Learning #EdImpact16 with Lisa PetridesThis Designers for Learning webcast was part of our Education Impact Day, a 12-hour webcast-athon held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 featuring 12 featured speakers. This is a recording of our conversation with Lisa Petrides.
2016-11-1243 min
Aengus Anderson RadioThe Conversation - 48 - Chris CarterChris Carter is a self-taught electrical engineer and founder of MASS Collective, a workspace in Atlanta, Georgia that combines hands-on learning, apprenticeship, and traditional education for students and makers of all ages.<br/>
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We've talked about education with Mark Mykleby, Lawrence Torcello, and Andrew Keen, but our only conversation dedicated entirely to the subject was with Lisa Petrides back in the early days of The Conversation. Lisa's work leaned towards research and the development of new educational models, but Chris is coming at the problem from a very different perspective—as an autodidact who felt und...
2013-04-1800 min
The ConversationThe Conversation - 48 - Chris CarterChris Carter is a self-taught electrical engineer and founder of MASS Collective, a workspace in Atlanta, Georgia that combines hands-on learning, apprenticeship, and traditional education for students and makers of all ages.
We've talked about education with Mark Mykleby, Lawrence Torcello, and Andrew Keen, but our only conversation dedicated entirely to the subject was with Lisa Petrides back in the early days of The Conversation. Lisa's work leaned towards research and the development of new educational models, but Chris is coming at the problem from a very different perspective—as an autodidact who felt underserved by traditional education sys...
2013-04-1800 minThe ConversationThe Conversation - 11 - Lisa PetridesDr. Lisa Petrides is the founder of ISKME, the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education, a research institute dedicated to studying how educators and institutions use information to make decisions. She is a strong advocate for open education platforms and using information to improve policy. We discussed the state of the education system, some of the underlying goals of education, and the conversation between the worlds of education and business.
2012-06-1900 minAengus Anderson RadioThe Conversation - 11 - Dr. Lisa PetridesDr. Lisa Petrides is the founder of ISKME, the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education, a research institute dedicated to studying how educators and institutions use information to make decisions. She is a strong advocate for open education platforms and using information to improve policy. We discussed the state of the education system, some of the underlying goals of education, and the conversation between the worlds of education and business.
2012-06-1900 min