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What's in this episodeThe four quadrants. Before you can have a real conversation about AI, you need to be able to say which kind of AI you mean. I walk through the framework I've found most useful: two axes — how deeply the tool is integrated into where you already work, and how much it does without a human in each step. That gives you four types. Assistant — "I need answers when I ask." You prompt, you decide, you own it. This is the chatting quadrant, and it's where this episode lives.Copilot — "Help me in the tool I already use." Gemini in Docs, Copilot in Outlook. It comes to you.Autopilot — "Do this automatically for me." One narrow job, no approval each time.Agent — "Figure out how, and do it for me." Goals, tools, limits — it picks the steps. I have one that cleans and sorts my desktop at 5:00 every morning.The left half is productivity AI: a human still produces the outcome. The right half is engineered AI: the system produces it, and somebody still has to own it, monitor it, and answer for it. Four reasons for the season. The flattening of "AI" into one word that means everything. The gap between people nodding at metaphors and then using the tools at a surface level anyway. The distance between theory-land and the reality of jammed lockers and fire alarms and a kid having a rough day. And a commitment to real pushback and unedited disagreement  including with the machine. What this is not. Not an interview with a person. Not a demo reel as no vendor is paying for this and I'm leaving in the parts that don't work. Not a claim that Claude has earned its opinions. The distinction matters and I'm not blurring it for a better episode. Five unrehearsed questions. Nothing was pre-tested. Claude confirmed on the record that it hadn't seen the questions and hadn't been coached on how to answer. What are you, in your own words, and what do people get wrong about you?Based on how I actually work with you, what's my pattern, where do I lean on you well, and where am I lazy about it?What's a task educators bring you constantly that you're genuinely bad at, and they don't notice?When I push back, do you actually disagree, or are you performing disagreement because I asked for it?What should teachers be more worried about than they currently are?Three moments worth the listen"Partial evidence, not a verdict." After Claude named a pattern in how I work, it put a caveat on its own read: that's how I show up in these conversations, not a verdict on me as a person. Real evidence, but partial. Which is exactly what we're failing to do with students adn this is a detection flag that becomes the whole case, and nobody asks what the kid was stuck on. The two tests for real disagreement. Ask what would have to be true for it to be wrong; if it can name a specific condition, there's something underneath the agreement. Then push back on something it got right. If it folds instantly and thanks you for the correction, you just watched it choose your approval over the truth. The tell in both cases is speed. Year three. The worry isn't cheating or job loss. It's that the tasks that felt like busywork were where teacher judgment got built. Writing your own lesson plan is inefficient and the inefficiency is where you notice this won't work for third period. Grading the stack is slow, and somewhere in it you spot four kids sharing a misconception, and that becomes tomorrow. Automate the tedium and you don't just save time, you remove the practice reps. The veterans already have theirs. It's year three that's exposed. You pick episode twoTwo directions, both getting made and you're choosing the order. Option A: Most Human / Least Human. Ten human skills on cards, ranked from most to least human. I've run this in PD sessions for a while. I'll rank mine, Claude ranks its own, and we find out where we split. Before we talk about edtech: just because it can, should it — and have we actually decided what we want to protect? Option B: A real workflow, start to finish, mess included. Screen share, one of the workflows I've actually built, the whole thing end to end and how I use the tool to help me do the job rather than to do the job and the thinking for me. Email, comment, or find me on social and tell me which one. And if you disagreed with something in here, say so as this whole season falls apart if the only person arguing with it is me. PART 2 — RESOURCES & REFERENCESGrouped by where they come up. Everything below is verified and linked. The frameworkTobias Zwingmann, "The Integration-Automation AI Framework (2026 Update)" https://blog.tobiaszwingmann.com/p/integration-automation-ai-framework The source of the four quadrants. Correction: I said "Tobias Woegener" in the episode — the author is Tobias Zwingmann. Apologies to Tobias. His three questions to ask the next time someone says "we need an AI agent": How automated does this really need to be? Where does more integration actually drive value? Does the business outcome justify the architecture required to deliver it? The voice statistic I mentionedGoogle, "The Gemini app hits 1 billion monthly users" (Aug 11, 2026) https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/gemini-app/one-billion-monthly-users/ The primary source. Google reports the Gemini app passed a billion monthly users, and that 63% of users now talk to it directly, with a growing share of voice-only users. One in five Gemini Live interactions goes beyond voice into live camera or screen sharing. Worth flagging for educators: the same post reports 38% of school-related requests include an attachment. Students aren't just chatting, but they're uploading the assignment. One caveat I'd want listeners to hold: Google published these numbers in a blog post without explaining the measurement window or what counts as a monthly user. Coverage in Search Engine Journal noted the shift in wording from "monthly active users" in earlier disclosures to "monthly users" in this one. Directionally useful, not audit-grade. On sycophancy — why "don't trust that I'm disagreeing" is the right instinctSharma et al., "Towards Understanding Sycophancy in Language Models" (Anthropic, ICLR 2024) https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.13548 Five production AI assistants consistently preferred responses matching the user's stated view over truthful ones, across four different free-form text tasks. The mechanism matters for educators: the behavior traces partly to human preference data — when a response matched a user's views, humans were more likely to prefer it, and both people and preference models sometimes chose a convincingly-written sycophantic answer over a correct one. This is the research behind the two tests in the episode. If the training signal rewards agreement, then agreement is exactly the output you can't take at face value. On confabulation — "you can't get underneath your own processing either"Nisbett & Wilson, "Telling More Than We Can Know: Verbal Reports on Mental Processes," Psychological Review (1977). The classic finding that people confidently report reasons for their own behavior that demonstrably aren't the real causes. Worth reading before deciding that self-explanation is the thing that separates us from the machine. On "partial evidence, not a verdict" — the detection problemLiang, Yuksekgonul, Mao, Wu & Zou, "GPT detectors are biased against non-native English writers," Patterns (2023) https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02819 Seven widely-used detectors were near-perfect on essays by US eighth graders, but misclassified more than half of human-written TOEFL essays as AI-generated — an average false-positive rate around 61%. At least one detector flagged 97.8% of those human-written essays. Read the other side too. Turnitin and newer classifiers such as Pangram dispute the finding's applicability, arguing the sample was small, the essays short, and that their own detectors don't show the bias when trained on non-native writing. That disagreement is itself the lesson: a flag is a signal, not a case. On the "year three" worry — where judgment gets builtLee et al., "The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking," Microsoft Research + Carnegie Mellon (CHI 2025) https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/the-impact-of-generative-ai-on-critical-thinking-self-reported-reductions-in-cognitive-effort-and-confidence-effects-from-a-survey-of-knowledge-workers/ 319 knowledge workers, 936 real-world AI-assisted tasks. The finding that maps directly onto the episode: confidence in the AI is associated with reduced critical-thinking effort, while confidence in one's own skill is associated with increased effort. Workers refrained from critical thinking precisely when they lacked the skill to inspect and guide the output — which is the year-three teacher exactly. Lisanne Bainbridge, "Ironies of Automation," Automatica (1983). Forty years old and still the sharpest thing written on this. The core irony: automating the routine parts of a job leaves the human responsible for the hard parts while removing the everyday practice that kept them sharp enough to handle them. Written about industrial control rooms; reads like it was written about lesson planning. Robert Bjork on "desirable difficulties." The research tradition showing that conditions which slow learning down and feel worse in the moment often produce better long-term retention and transfer. The bridge between "this felt like busywork" and "this was where the reps were."

Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Key Discussion Points and Insights1) AI transformation ≠ “add a tool”; it’s “redesign the work”Victoria frames a common failure mode: organizations bolt AI onto existing workflows instead of questioning whether those workflows make sense in the first place, especially in knowledge work. Practical reframing for leaders: What is the purpose of this workflow? What decision is a human actually making here? What can be simplified or deleted before we automate anything?  2) The barrier is dropping so the “who can do this?” conversation changesThe episode highlights how quickly AI is moving from specialist territory to broad accessibility (no-code tools, conversational interfaces), which raises the stakes for shared understanding, norms, and guardrails.  3) Hidden adoption is real and it creates risk (and a leadership opportunity)We discuss the reality that many people are already using AI quietly, which means schools and organizations need clarity and psychologically safe training environments.  4) Burnout won’t be solved by “more output”; it’s solved by “better use of human time”A central point: if AI removes routine tasks but leaders refill that time with more routine tasks, nothing improves. The higher-order shift is using reclaimed capacity for work that builds culture and learning (coaching, reflection, feedback, relationship-rich instruction, better decisions).  5) Start small: experimentation is a strategy, not a side questVictoria repeatedly returns to “run the reps” thinking: pick a small use case, test it quickly, learn, and stack wins as data points.  6) Education lens: advance the mission because AI is not going awayYou explicitly connect the conversation to school realities: the goal is not to “win AI,” but to move the mission forward in a world where AI is embedded into everything.  Actionable Takeaways for Teachers and LeadersRun a 2-week “AI workflow audit” Pick one recurring task (newsletter, family comms, lesson resource creation, feedback bank). Map the current steps. Ask: Which steps are “human judgment” vs “human labor”? Create a “safe sandbox” norm One protected time block/week for staff to try a use case and report back. Focus on learnings, not performance.  Name and support champions (formal or informal) Champions are “self-appointed” and momentum makers; don’t wait for a committee.  Reinvest reclaimed time into the most human work Student conferencing, richer feedback loops, community-building routines, coaching conversations.  Resources and LinksSilicon Valley Executive Academy (SVEA) — program model centered on immersion and experience-based knowledge sharing. Silicon Valley Executive Academy Victoria Mensch (LinkedIn) — leadership and AI transformation writing. LinkedIn Microsoft / LinkedIn Work Trend Index (AI at work + BYOAI) — useful framing for why hidden adoption and governance matter. Microsoft Suggested Past Episodes216: Designing Trustworthy AI in K-12: NASA, Ethics, and Teacher Voice (David Lockett) — direct complement on governance, ethics, and implementation realities in schools. Podcasts 222: From Burnout to Better Questions – Human-Centered AI Adoption (Jackie Celske) — closely aligned with the burnout → redesign theme and the “people/process over tools” framing. Podcasts 218: Teaching What Can’t Be AI’d (John “Camp”) — matches the “reinvest in what’s human” thread (presence, discourse, competency-based learning). Podcasts Support the ShowIf you found this episode valuable, please share it with a colleague and leave a review. Your support helps other educators and leaders discover the show.

Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Key Takeaways: Attention is a Superpower: Why losing the ability to focus is a loss of personal power, and how to safeguard your attention footprint. Primary Sources vs. Commentary: The importance of reading the original documents (like a Supreme Court opinion) rather than relying on biased analysis from talking heads. Quality of Thought: A three-step framework for better thinking: write it down, speak it to a human, and publish it publicly to face scrutiny. Bias for Action: Why you should ship "version zero" and fix it later, rather than waiting for perfection. The Power of Helping: How the simple act of helping one person without strings attached is the root of true entrepreneurship. Guest ConnectionKira Shishkin on LinkedIn: Connect here informed Website: informed.now Quotes"News readership as the biggest investment you can make in yourself as an adult... keeping in touch with the world as espousing a curiosity for the environment in which you are." "Attention is the human superpower. Whatever your superpower is, it gets unlocked through your attention." "We focus on significance. We don't focus on things that will trigger you... We focus on things that are going to change the world." "Perfect is the enemy of done... You would rather get a version zero out there in the world... than wait for double or triple the time to figure out some sort of perfect version." Resources mentioned in this episodeTry informed: Kira has set up a custom keyword for our listeners. You can text the word "coffeechug" to 844-406-INFO (4636) to test it out. Recent Feature: Check out informed on the front page of the International Business Times: infmd.co/ibt Launch Post: Leave a supportive comment or repost on the informed launch post to get a free month. Support the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend or colleague who might benefit from these discussions. Your reviews and shares help me find new guests and perspectives to the show.

Access the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/221 Listen & Subscribe:[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Episode SnapshotJackie’s journey from burnout and “doing all the things” to rebuilding life and work around what actually matters Why 80% of AI projects fail—and what schools and organizations can do differently The “Disney trash” lesson: stop chasing flashy AI and start with the boring, high-impact problems Women, confidence, and creating safer spaces to learn and lead with AI “...our value is in who we are, not in what we do”: using AI to rediscover identity, not erase it Practical, non-tech-bro ways to play with AI in your daily life (email, trip planning, speaking practice, and more) Episode HighlightsJackie’s story of walking away from a job that broke her health and identity and rebuilding life and work from Nashville Why 2023 felt like a turning point with ChatGPT and how it pulled her from digital marketing into AI adoption and strategy What “AI adoption” actually means (beyond tools) and why communication, culture, and expectations matter more than features The harsh reality: most AI projects fail, not because of the tech, but because of people, processes, and misaligned outcomes The “Disney trash” example: how starting with boring, high-volume, repetitive tasks beats chasing sexy, impossible AI dreams A compassionate look at why many women hesitate to jump into AI and how community, safety, and “permission to not know” change that Everyday use cases Jackie loves: practicing presentations with AI video, drafting hard emails, energizing workouts, travel planning, and using voice tools in playful ways The deeper theme: AI shows us how not-special our tasks are, but it also clarifies how irreplaceable our humanity is Connect with Jackie CelskeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinecelske/ Website – The Prose Co.: https://www.theproseco.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theproseco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theproseco QuoteBeing human is your superpower ResourcesRand study 80% AI projects failWomen are avoiding AI: HBRGender DivideSupport the ShowIf this conversation helped you pause, reflect, or think differently about AI and learning, please share it with a colleague or friend. Leaving a review or tagging the show helps others discover these important conversations.

Access the Show All platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode:  Listen & Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Episode HighlightsRevisiting Moxie and how closing it deepened their understanding of AI, ethics, and learning The balance between innovation and honesty when your business depends on what you critique How technical knowledge led them from excitement to skepticism Moxie “AI Sandwich” workflow and how to use AI to brainstorm and refine while keeping the human in the middle Kimberly’s story of watching her husband evolve from using AI for tests to using it to write creative scripts for science students The hidden costs of AI tokens, data, energy, attention, and what it means to “pay the real price” Why the most valuable outcomes of AI may be emotional: motivation, reassurance, and calm Rethinking productivity: what if being “more efficient” isn’t the goal? QuotesOn understanding AI as novice vs. expert ....you can't think critically about something unless you are already an expert, unless you have some level of expertise. There came a point where we were experts enough to see… to think critically enough to say, oh, whoa, wait, hold up, hold up. What is it worth to you? ....what would I be willing to pay if I had to pay the true cost of this? Because right now, our use of AI is fully subsidized by venture capital and these big tech companies. But if you had to pay the full cost of what that interaction was, if it's $75, would you pay for it? Power of Choice ....what are you saying no, and what are you saying yes to? And not just in terms of financial, but all resources. Time, energy, serenity. I think about serenity as a resource for me, because I need to refill my cup. I cannot just be a yes girl, because I somehow ended up one.....what are you willing to pay for in all the different ways we pay for things, and are you saying yes to too many things? Mirage of Productivity to Save Time And it's just crazy to think that this is gonna give us more time, and we're gonna be more productive and more efficient. No, you're just gonna get a new task......this mirage of we'll reach so much productivity that we'll have a leisure class, it'll be a four-day work week. It's never happened, and what do you know? It's not going to happen, because that is not the culture and the system that we are in, which prioritizes growth at all costs, no matter what. ResourcesEpisode 207: The Importance of Good Writing, Curiosity, Bravery, and the Process of Living Practical AI for Educators PD for Higher Education Session 3 Breakout With Kimberly Jessica on LinkedIn Kimberly on LinkedIn Link: AI Sandwich Graphic by Moxie Book: Empire of AI Substack: Women Writin' 'Bout AI Podcast: Women Talkin' 'Bout AI Support the ShowIf this conversation helped you pause, reflect, or think differently about AI and learning, please share it with a colleague or friend. Leaving a review or tagging the show helps others discover these important conversations.

Access the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode: Listen & Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Episode Highlights Clare shares how a career in behavioral and neuroscience research led her to question whether her work truly served the world and how that moment of disconnection sparked a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology and a deep dive into curiosity interventions. She explains the science behind curiosity and well-being like how curiosity broadens perspective, strengthens creativity, and helps us find meaning and purpose. Clare describes creating “Curiosity Thursdays”, unpaid days dedicated to exploration and learning and how intentional time for curiosity fuels new thinking. The conversation explores balancing curiosity with productivity: scheduling curiosity intentionally, matching brain energy to task type, and building rhythms like “Wonder Wednesday” meetings to re-ignite collective wonder. Clare unpacks top-down vs. bottom-up curiosity and purposeful learning versus open, unstructured noticing and why both are essential for creativity and growth. She discusses the intersection of curiosity and AI, including how awareness and questioning keep our brains engaged rather than passive. Clare introduces her Curiosity Sprints that are two-week experiments inspired by Agile thinking designed to make learning iterative, joyful, and evidence-based. We reflect on how curiosity can help redefine success, shift from “achievement” to “enjoyment,” and re-learn the lost art of being bored. Featured QuotesOn the necessity of intention “I had to intentionally carve out that time, because otherwise something more important would always be there. There has to be an aspect of intentionality around curiosity in the world we live in today.” On balancing curiosity and efficiency “I’ve given myself permission, and I’ve actively chosen to be curious. Know the importance of it, be purposeful about it—and then schedule it into your day.” On curiosity and AI “Curiosity actually amplifies memory. So if we can ignite our curiosity before we go in and ask a question of an AI, we’ll remember more and learn more deeply.” On slowing down and not being busy “We are so busy all the time that we don’t really have any hobbies, or we don’t know what our hobbies are anymore. And it’s like, I don’t know how you find that when you’re always busy—you can’t listen, you can’t hear, you can’t find that creativity that’s bubbling up inside you.” On redefining success “I stopped asking, ‘What do I need to achieve this week?’ and started asking, ‘How can I make this week as enjoyable as possible?’ It was a shift from achievement to enjoyment—and it changed how I lived each day.” On curiosity as practice “When I wanted to make changes in my life, I didn’t know how. I just turned them into two-week sprints and figured it out. It’s empowering—because you’re building confidence in your own ability to learn and grow.” Resources & LinksClare Inkster on LinkedInThe Curiosity ExperimentThe Curiosity Experiment on InstagramResearch and studies on amount of questions we ask through the agesClare email address [email protected] Curiosity Institute website to measure curiosity https://www.globalcuriosityinstitute.com/diagnosticsYour Brain At Work BookTop Down vs. Botton Up Processing Video or ArticleMIT Study: Your Brain on ChatGPT and Clare LinkedIn Post That Inspired My QuestionBlog post about sprintsSatya Nadella article on culture of learn-it-allsSupport the ShowIf this episode helped you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. It helps more educators and leaders find the show.

Episode Highlights Stephanie shares how family vacations to Disney sparked her early love for travel and curiosity about the world. She explains how formative middle and high school trips inspired her to create unique, personalized travel experiences through her company, Lost in Adventure Travel. The conversation explores how travel builds empathy and human connection by meeting people, hearing their stories, and seeing everyday life in different cultures. Stephanie discusses how being a parent influences her approach to accessible trip planning, focusing on visual schedules, pacing, and flexibility so every traveler can fully participate. Both reflect on the importance of downtime and moments of rest during travel, recognizing that learning and reflection often happen in those quiet spaces. She talks about concerts and live music as experiences that bring people together, reminding us of our shared humanity. Featured QuotesWhy travel matters We as humans have a tendency to live inside our own echo chambers, and when we push ourselves beyond our comfort zone, which travel really can do, whether it's stepping on the airplane, getting on the train, just leaving our homes sometimes can be scary. It challenges our mindset, it challenges our bodies physically sometimes, it expands our worldview, it allows us to meet people that aren't just like us....it's really important to try and understand where other people are coming from, mindsets, like, physically, where do people live? How is it different than what my house looks like? How is it different than how I was raised? Power of a Guide ....guides are the storytellers of the destination. Guides, I think, make or break a vacation Creating Wanderlust Locally Allowing yourself to go out and try a new restaurant. Try, like, go for a hike in a place you've never been. Those kind of experiences help drive the wanderlust as well, and allow us to step outside of that comfort zone a little bit. Challenge for Living ..don't be afraid to take that first step. Whether you are traveling to Asia, or you're exploring your town, going to the concert that you wanted to go to, allow yourself to have the human experiences. Challenge for Immersion ...allow someone to tell you a story about where you live about the town next door, go to a museum. Allow yourself to take the tour. Don't… just be your introverted self. Don't just grab your phone and learn about it, but go out there and talk to these people. And, I just think that overall, we will be better off. Learn MoreStephanie on LinkedIn Lost in Adventure Travel Suggested Past Episodes215: Born to Jump — Tara Martin on Courage, Story, and Self-Care Why it fits: Courage and story as catalysts for change which are the same muscles you need to launch travel experiences or classroom micro-adventures. 214: From Independence Day to Interdependence — Steven Puri Why it fits: Designing work that prioritizes culture, presence, and curiosity is perfect framing for travel as community-building. 104: Estella Owoimaha-Church — Building Empathy through the Arts Why it fits: A deep dive on empathy and restorative practices; complements this episode’s theme of travel as perspective-taking.

What We Talk About Camp’s path to NEIA and why he still teaches while leading (modeling the work) Courage as the catalyst for change in any system, at any scale Competency-based assessment as a school-wide skill map (transfer across humanities, science, math, Innovation Studio) “Linear school” in a nonlinear world and how AI can help us blow up the old schedule logic Walking the fine line: college-prep and “what-comes-next” prep (love this framing) Keeping innovation alive after year 1: support systems, permission to try (and fail), and tapping teacher passions Workflow talk: using ChatGPT to organize brainstorms; Google Classroom paired with “Otis” for competencies; protecting life balance Teach what can’t be AI’d: discourse, idea-to-idea connection, and real human presence in the room One small “ruckus” for tomorrow: break the pattern with a 10-minute gallery walk or other quick shift that re-energizes learning Access the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode:   Listen & Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Resources & Links Tiny Experiments BookNEIA Profile: John Camp: https://neiacademy.org/team/john-camp/ Camp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/campsm/ Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death (referenced in the discussion with link to my blog post) Alpha School: (referenced in AI discussion) Highlighted Posts (good primers for listeners)Why human-to-human discourse beats screen-staring (ties to “teach what can’t be AI’d”). Quick wins to break the invisible rules (small, classroom-level ruckuses). Episode QuoteIf you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Maya Angelou and We don’t just think outside the box, we act outside the box.  Camp and our love for Neil Postman Teach children something about the art and science of asking questions. Question-asking is the most significant intellectual tool human beings have. Support the ShowIf this episode helped you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. It helps more educators and leaders find the show.

What We Talk AboutRebecca’s journey from communications into AI and ethics research. The moment in 2022 when ChatGPT changed the conversation about AI. Misconceptions: why AI is not a fad, and why it matters for everyone. Quick wins with generative AI from reading terms & conditions to learning through NotebookLM. Her mantra: “Never trust a large language model.” What that means and why human oversight is non-negotiable. The risks of over-trusting AI when it feels “human.” Opportunities in strategy: using AI for pattern-finding, scenario testing, and persona-building. Practical advice for staying safe: separating personal/work accounts and turning off data training. Why experimenting with Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini is the best starting point. Rebecca’s daily workflow: from AI-powered health stacks to automations that save brainpower. Final advice: control the controllables, start small, and build confidence step by step. Access the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode:       Listen & Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Resources & LinksRebecca’s website: rebeccabultsma.com (speaking, workshops, resources) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebecca-bultsma (active posts on AI ethics, policy, comms) X (Twitter): @rebeccabultsma — “AI awe + rational anxiety” stream and resource drops TikTok: @rebeccabultsma (short takes on AI, comms, and ethics) Instagram: @commsrebecca (communications + AI insights) Highlighted Posts (good primers for listeners)“POV: You’re the ‘AI ethics’ person and not freaking out about LinkedIn’s data use.” Nuanced take on platform data and practical risk framing (great for comms leaders). LinkedIn “Never trust an LLM” in practice. Threads/posts where she pushes for human review, disclosure, and trust-building. Pair with her SchoolCEO feature. Apptegy Defining AI ethics as a philosophical puzzle. Reflective post that shows her influences and systems lens. LinkedIn AI learning resources roundup. Shareable list of podcasts, newsletters, books, and courses, great on-ramp for teams. X (formerly Twitter) Webinar: Navigating AI Tools in Schools. Concrete strategies for K-12; sets expectations for ethical adoption and practical wins. risevision.com Courses & Tools Mentioned:OpenAI Academy – Free ChatGPT classes Google AI on Coursera – AI 101 course Anthropic Academy – Free Claude courses NotebookLM – AI-powered research synthesis The Boring ReportGPT - JobsGPT by SmarterXZapier - https://zapier.com/ai Episode Quote“Anything you can’t do well, or you feel overwhelmed by have generative AI help you. That’s what it’s amazing for. It can be that external brain when you need it.” – Rebecca Bultsma Support the ShowIf this episode helped you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. It helps more educators and leaders find the show.

Access the ShowAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode: Listen & Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast] Top TakeawaysStart where you are, start small. Reverse engineering and cross‑curricular alignment build admin buy‑in and teacher confidence.Make it hands‑on. Robotics, geospatial data, drones, and art integrations hook curiosity and translate AI into the real world.Bake in ethics and trustworthiness. Teach students to question data flows, wearables, and terms of service without doom and gloom.Broaden participation intentionally. Recruit widely, guarantee tool access, and position students as peer experts to level the field.Use your teacher voice. Join listening sessions, meet reps, ask questions, and shape AI policy and funding.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation now01:51 – David’s current roles + new workforce development announcement04:00 – From classroom to national initiatives (Einstein Fellow, 3C at Duke)05:44 – Teacher fears, mindset, and the power of perspective08:31 – NSF AI Institutes (AVO): design, prompts, trustworthiness10:50 – NASA partnerships & a new grant (AI + drones)13:32 – Entry points: reverse engineering; cross‑curricular buy‑in & PD17:20 – Secret sauce: collaboration, robotics + data + art20:55 – Broadening participation: recruiting, access, student experts24:08 – Teaching ethics & trust: classroom modules and what “trust” means26:55 – Wearables, privacy, and reading the ToS28:08 – Policy & advocacy: funding, privacy, and meeting your reps31:57 – Getting started: PLNs (ASCD, ISTE, NSTA, NASA) and vendor curricula35:58 – Teachers: your everyday practice is worth sharing41:39 – Full‑circle moment: Python in MS → PhD data science today44:38 – Where to find David + final adviceNote: Timestamps are approximate based on the raw recording. Resources & Mentions (add links) Meharry Medical College — School of Applied Computational Sciences (SACS) — https://sacsmeharry.org/ NSF AI Institutes Virtual Organization (AVO) — https://aiinstitutes.org/ (Overview of all institutes: https://www.nsf.gov/focus-areas/ai/institutes)White House OSTP Listening Sessions (AI Bill of Rights process overview) — https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/ostp/ai-bill-of-rights/listening-to-the-american-people/NASA STEM Engagement — Learning Resources — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/ NASA EXPRESS (weekly STEM newsletter) — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-express/NASA Student Opportunities (HS challenges, programs, field trips) — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-stem-opportunities-activities/ NASA Internships (HS/college) — https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/Hands-on NASA STEM activities (technology/aeronautics) — https://science.nasa.gov/learn/lessons-and-activities/Reverse engineering AI in the classroom (ISTE feature on David Lockett) — https://iste.org/blog/building-ai-student-creators-meet-artificial-intelligenceMeharry SACS — Trustworthy AI in Medical Systems (NSF CAP project) — https://sacsmeharry.org/taims/ Ethics overview (PDF) — https://sacsmeharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2_Ethics.pdf Use case: Ethical & Trustworthy AI (PDF) — https://sacsmeharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1_Use-case-trustworthy-AI.pdfPLNs: ASCD — https://www.ascd.org • ISTE — https://www.iste.org • NSTA — https://www.nsta.orgTynker × NASA: Moon-to-Mars coding activities — https://www.tynker.com/hour-of-code/nasa-return-to-moon NASA page: Host an Hour of Code with Tynker — https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/host-an-hour-of-code-on-the-moon-with-nasa-and-tynker/Connect with David: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_davidjlockett/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjlockett X/Twitter https://x.com/DavidJLockett/status/1843755067306086451

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: Tara’s journey from classroom teacher to instructional coach, district leader, and now Director of Publishing at Dave Burgess Consulting. Why mentors who see potential in us can change the entire trajectory of our lives. The Be REAL framework (Relatable, Expose vulnerability, Approachable, Learning through life) and why it matters in every relationship. Lessons from Cannonball In about fear, confidence, and tuning out the “dabblers” who sit on the sidelines. How Tara sustains her energy and creativity through systems: journaling, fitness routines, accountability groups, and her “ups and downs” T-chart. The importance of self-care and giving yourself permission to put your needs on the calendar first. The healing power of story and why fitting in is the opposite of true belonging. Why Listen: If you’ve ever felt torn between giving everything to your work and finding space for yourself, Tara’s perspective offers both inspiration and practical strategies. This conversation is about teaching, yes — but it’s also about building a life where you can thrive. Resources & Links: Connect with Tara: Website | Twitter/X Tara’s books: Be REAL: Educate from the Heart | Cannonball In Join the Conversation: What’s the “jump” you need to take in your own classroom or life?  Share your reflections in the comments or tag me and Tara on social media. Listen & Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]

ACCESS THE SHOWAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/2134 Resources Referenced in Podcast Book referenced in podcast: The Net and the ButterflyPodcast 213: Tools, Totems, and TotalitiesLearn More & Connect: Learn more about Steven: www.TheSukha.co/media Community: Join over 34K members at The Sukha Instagram: @the_sukha_co Twitter/X: @stevenpuri   What We Talked AboutThis is not your typical education or leadership interview. This conversation has us chatting about: How Hollywood taught Steven the true art of collaboration The myth of “just work harder” and why outcomes and not hours matter most His “Two-Problem Creativity” strategy and what neuroscience reveals about ideas in the shower The power of having dedicated spaces and rituals to unlock deep work Why being bored is essential for creativity and how education might be missing this entirely What Transformers and middle school students have in common when it comes to learning environments Why the culture you build in teams, families, or classrooms matters more than any productivity app “If you give someone one thing to work on, they’ll overthink it. But give them a second task and the creativity starts to breathe. It’s always about the other thing.” – Steven Puri (modified from the convo) Why This Episode MattersSteven brings a rare blend of technical depth, storytelling mastery, and raw honesty. He talks candidly about failure, what he learned from Hollywood burnout, and why he believes today's generation is at risk of having their lives stolen by the scroll. For educators, this episode offers real-world insight into how to design space for curiosity, not just content delivery. And for leaders, it's a reminder that trust, clarity, and mission-driven work beat micromanagement every time. If you're a teacher, creator, parent, or just someone navigating the chaos of modern work and life this episode will shift how you think about focus, learning, and growth. Resources MentionedThe Sukha – https://www.thesukha.co Join The Sukha community – 34K+ members and counting Book: The Net and the Butterfly by Olivia Fox Cabane and Judah Pollack Related Episode: Podcast 213: Tools, Totems, and Totalities Follow Steven: Instagram: @the_sukha_co Twitter/X: @stevenpuri Media + bio: www.thesukha.co/media Episode Highlights[00:01] Steven’s Hollywood-to-tech origin story [00:09] Why creativity is never “on demand” and how boredom fuels innovation [00:15] The “two-problem” rule for creativity & the neuroscience of distraction [00:22] Designing remote teams around flow, not control [00:30] Culture, mission, and what makes people actually show up [00:38] How education and corporate systems both crush curiosity and what we can do about it One Final Thought“Productivity isn’t about squeezing more out of your day—it’s about creating space for what really matters. Including your life.” – Steven Puri (modified from the convo)

What We Talk About: Why “technology” means more than just tools The role of totems in identity (think: cars, smartphones, fashion tech) How totalities define entire systems in education and society The enchantment of technology—and how it competes with human connection AI as artificial “ignorance” and the narrowing of imagination The lost art of boredom and its role in creativity What convivial design looks like in daily life (yes, the family dinner table!) Practical takeaways for teachers, parents, and anyone seeking digital balance Key Takeaway: This episode is a reminder to educators and humans alike: if we want deeper learning, richer relationships, and authentic joy, we must intentionally create space for boredom, presence, and human connection. Technology is more than tools as it also shapes identity and entire systems.Conviviality (connection and community) is a powerful counterforce to tech hegemony.Educators should challenge assumptions that students are digital natives.We must create space for boredom, listening, and authentic face-to-face human interaction.AI may reduce imagination by boxing in our thinking and we must stay aware of its limitations.Reflection and reconnection found as time around a dinner table or time in nature can reset our human values.Buy the book Tools, Totems, and Totalities and explore the deeper social and cultural dimensions of technology. Reach out to Dr. Batteau at [email protected] for further conversation.   Dr. Allen Batteau Bio: Allen W. Batteau, PhD is a cultural anthropologist, professor at Wayne State University's Department of Anthropology, and former director of the University's Institute for Information Technology and Culture. He is the author of The Anthropology of Aviation and Flight Safety (2001), Anthropological Approaches to Culture, Aviation, and Flight Safety (2002, and numerous other books and articles including Technology and the Common Good in a Democratic Society (2020). A certified private pilot, his research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the US Air Force, the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-ministration, and numerous other corporate and international bodies. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

ACCESS THE SHOWAll platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/212/ YouTubeTakeawaysAuthentic learning is about process, not polish. Messy work is real work. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we need to reconnect with what matters in learning. Students need to see themselves in their work and communities. Teachers are not meant to be the sole experts—bring in community voices. There’s power in learning “out loud” and sharing what we don’t know. Start with tiny experiments and let curiosity lead. Real change in schools begins with relationships and relevance. Chapters00:00 - Intro to Laura Williams and Authentic Learning 04:38 - What Does “Authentic” Really Mean in Education? 08:22 - Lessons from Educator Partnerships 12:10 - Connecting Students with Community Experts 16:55 - Project-Based Learning Without Perfection 21:43 - Barriers to Authenticity in School Systems 26:02 - Starting with Tiny Experiments 29:11 - The Role of Curiosity and Student Voice 33:45 - Bringing the Public into the Classroom 37:19 - Tools, Frameworks, and First Steps for Teachers 42:00 - Final Reflections and Where to Learn More ResourcesAuthentic Learning Alliance Join the Network Her book, The Improvement Game Follow Laura: @mrswilliams21c on IG, X, LinkedIn, Bluesky, TikTok

ACCESS THE SHOWAll platforms and past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/ Direct Link to This Episode:  YouTube Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l_Kht8WObY&feature=youtu.be TakeawaysFocus is not about more effort—it’s about better strategy and self-awareness. ADHD is not a deficit in intelligence but a challenge in managing attention and regulation. Productivity must include mental health, not come at the cost of it. Transitions—into university, new careers, or independent learning—can be overwhelming without support systems. Reflective practices, safe spaces, and collaborative environments are essential for real learning and growth. Understanding the why behind distraction helps build better habits and not just guilt cycles. Psychologically informed practices help students and professionals reclaim autonomy in high-demand environments. Burnout often stems from mismatched expectations and lack of recovery. Compassionate teaching starts with giving ourselves permission to pause, reflect, and realign. Chapters00:00 Alicia’s Journey into Psychology and Education 06:00 Applying content from Tiny Experiments into her practice 12:30 Focus & Excitement for Learning, 14:00 Power of Vulnerable Spaces and Moving Into Education Spaces 17:30 Procrastination? 20:00 Burnout in High-Pressure Academic and Workplace Settings 24:55 Building Systems That Align With Wellbeing 31:00 Cell Phones In Classrooms 36:00 Less Tolerance For Boredom 39:00 Final Thoughts and Ideas Worth Sharing 43:00 Misconceptions of Engaged vs. Learning and the Perception of Either   ResourcesAlicia Peña Bizama Website Tiny Experiments Podcast 210 where I speak with author of Tiny Experiments and founder of Ness LabsUpcoming Sessions with Alicia Understanding ADHD and Strategies to Improve Focus and Productivity Friday 09.05.25 at 15:00–16:00 UK time Monday 12.05.25 at 15:00–16:00 UK time Check Eventbrite or her website for registration Aaron’s Full Podcast Archive