Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators

Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators

A podcast for educators reimagining what allyship looks like in classrooms, staff rooms, and communities. Host Tricia Friedman, global educator, coach, and Director at Shifting Schools, guides dynamic conversations at the intersection of education, identity, and digital humanities. Each episode brings together practitioners, authors, and thought leaders exploring how schools can cultivate belonging, through curriculum, culture, and critical reflection. With an eye toward digital culture and justice, this show asks: How might we be better listeners, advocates, and co-creators in an interconnected world?

Episodes

January 7, 2026 22 mins

This week we give you a conversation from Tricia's other show: Shifting Schools.

In this episode, host Tricia Friedman sits down with Dr. Michael Greger, bestselling author and founder of NutritionFacts.org, to explore why non-commercial, evidence-based health guidance matters more than ever. They discuss lifestyle medicine, plant-based nutrition, scientific integrity, cannabis research, and how small, testable behavior changes can...

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Substance use prevention is often driven by fear-based messaging and one-off assemblies—but research and lived experience suggest these approaches fall short.

In this episode, Tricia Friedman is joined by ...

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What role can scientists play when politics reaches a standstill?

In this episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with Nobel Prize–winning scientist Peter Agre about his extraordinary second career in science diplomacy—a path that took him from the laboratory into conversations with...

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In this conversation, Sandra Magsamen discusses the importance of interactive storytelling in children's books, emphasizing how they foster emotional connections and self-esteem in young readers. She shares insights into her creative process, the significance of collaboration with publishers, and offers tips for e...
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    In this warm and curiosity-packed conversation, Tricia Friedman sits down with Brian "Uncle John" Boone, longtime contributor to the iconic Uncle John's Know It All Bathroom Reader series—now celebrating its 38th edition. Brian shares why trivia continues to captivate millions, how collaborative writing fuels the series' longevity, and why tiny bits of knowledge can strengthen community, curiosity, and even kindness.

    Together, Tric...

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    Tricia Friedman sits down with Scott and Mark Hoying to explore what it means to build a family rooted in love, creativity, and community. Together they talk about their new children's book, why representation in early storytelling matters, and how reimagining family through inclusive narratives can nurture belonging.

    They also share how their creative partner...

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    What happens when a children's book becomes a tool for unity, empathy, and allyship?

    In this conversation, Tami Charles—author, former teacher, and champion of diverse stories—opens up about the creative process behind her latest picture book,

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    Join host Tricia Friedman in conversation with Alan Gratz, the New York Times–bestselling author whose novels have captivated readers for over five years. Gratz shares how baseball shaped his storytelling, why creativity and curiosity bel...

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    What if the fight for climate justice began with the stories we tell?
    In this reflective episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with Shilpi Chhotray, host of A People's Climate, to unpack the concept of narr...

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    October 29, 2025 27 mins

    A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners....

    In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christ...

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    Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Ryan La Sala for a deep dive into the creative process behind his latest book. Together, they explore how queer horror, artistic design, and emotiona...

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    What can monsters, middle-grade fantasy, and community-centered storytelling teach us about the world we live in today?
    In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with New York Times bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega (

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    October 9, 2025 35 mins

     Today, a college diploma is no guarantee that graduates have the competencies that businesses need, including using emerging technologies, communicating, working in teams, and other necessary skills. So, it's fair to ask, "Do students really need a college degree"?

    Brandeis University President, and nationally respected higher education leader and researcher, Arthur Levine has been at the forefront of the changing role of higher e...

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    October 2, 2025 18 mins

    Raghad shares her remarkable journey from Syria to Canada through the Second Chance program. She discusses the challenges of being one of the few students applying to universities abroad from Syria, her initial rejections and waitlists from U.S. universities, and how Second Chance opened new doors for her education and future as a changemaker.

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    September 24, 2025 18 mins

    Karam Abboud shares their Second Chance story.

     

    If their story inspires you, consider exploring ways to make even more stories like this a possibility.

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    September 17, 2025 14 mins
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    September 12, 2025 41 mins

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    September 11, 2025 16 mins
    Ruchira Gupta is a writer, feminist campaigner, professor at New York University and founder of the anti-sex-trafficking organization, Apne Aap Women Worldwide. She won the Clinton Global Citizen award in 2009, the Sera Bangali Award in 2012 and an Emmy for outstanding investigative journalism in 1996. She has helped more than twenty thousand girls and women in India exit prostitution systems and her experiences with this work...
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    In this conversation, Leo Trottier discusses the interdisciplinary foundations of Fluent Pet, emphasizing the importance of cognitive science in understanding animal behavior and communication. He explores the emotional connections humans have with their pets and the implications of interspecies communication for animal rights and empathy. The conversation also touches on the future of technology in enhancing communication between ...

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    August 28, 2025 12 mins

    In this episode, Tricia Friedman discusses the intersection of AI, personal health, and community engagement through the lens of her experience with vibe coding. She shares a personal anecdote about tracking gut health and how she utilized AI to develop an app that promotes health awareness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of storytelling and empathy in technology, encouraging listeners to explore AI's potential for comm...

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