Change Starts Here, presented by FranklinCovey Education, is the podcast for K–12 school and district leaders who are shaping—or ready to lead—meaningful change in their schools and communities. Through interviews with innovative educators and research-backed insights, each episode explores how to build leadership at all levels, foster high-trust school cultures, and achieve breakthrough results around what matters most. This podcast offers practical ideas and bold thinking to help you create lasting impact in your school community. Explore the episodes and dive into real stories, proven strategies, and the leadership mindset that transforms schools. This is your space for inspiration, clarity, and action. Real change starts here.

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Episode Description:Are you truly sharing leadership—or just delegating responsibility?In part one of this two-part Change Starts Here: Research Conversations series, hosts Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller challenge common assumptions about distributed leadership. Drawing on research into trust, teacher motivation, and student achievement, they explore why well-intentioned efforts to maintain control can unintentionally diminish motivation—and why teacher influence over decisions like discipline policies and school improvement plans matters more than you might think.Discover why effective distributed leadership isn&#39;t about choosing between autonomy and accountability. It&#39;s about building trust, sharing meaningful decision-making, and creating the conditions for educators to do their best work.Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for part two!Are your teams just carrying out decisions, or are they helping make them? Download from your preferred platform the free Distributed Leadership Audit to find out:<a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e11-handout?utm_source=podcast&x=BaUe_e" rel="nofollow"> </a><a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e11-handout?utm_medium=CSH&utm_source=Spotify&x=BaUe_e" rel="nofollow">Spotify:</a> <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e11-handout?utm_medium=CSH&utm_source=Spotify&x=BaUe_e" rel="nofollow"> https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e11-handout?x=BaUe_e&amp;utm_source=Spotify&amp;utm_medium=CSH</a> <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e11-handout?utm_medium=CSH&utm_source=Apple&x=BaUe_e" rel="nofollow">Apple: </a> <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e11-handout?utm_medium=CSH&utm_source=Apple&x=BaUe_e" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e11-handout?x=BaUe_e&amp;utm_source=Apple&amp;utm_medium=CSH</a>  Host(s): Kim Yaris, Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education &amp; Dr. Eve Miller, Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education  Time Stamps &amp; Show Notes: 00:00 The Minimum Expectation Trap02:02 Defining Distributed Leadership Realities03:10 Two Contrasting School Climates05:22 Control Versus Real Judgment06:15 The Falk and Kosfeld Experiment07:43 The Cost of Setting Minimums09:45 Shared Influence in 90 Schools11:10 Which Decisions Move Achievement12:39 The Influence of School-Wide Decisions13:46 Autonomy Is Not Abandonment14:49 Conducting the Leadership Audit16:41 Reflecting on Genuine Influence <h1>Resources and References</h1>Falk, A., &amp; Kosfeld, M. (2006). The hidden costs of control. American Economic Review, 96(5), 1611–1630.Ingersoll, R. M., Sirinides, P., &amp; Dougherty, P. (2017). School leadership, teachers&#39; roles in school decision making, and student achievement (CPRE Working Paper). Consortium for Policy Research in Education, University of Pennsylvania.Ingersoll, R. M., Sirinides, P., &amp; Dougherty, P. (2018). Leadership matters: Teachers&#39; roles in school decision making and school performance. American Educator, 42(1), 13–17, 39.Leithwood, K., &amp; Mascall, B. (2008). Collective leadership effects on student achievement. Educational Administration Quarterly, 44(4), 529–561.Ziegelmeyer, A., Schmelz, K., &amp; Ploner, M. (2012). Hidden costs of control: Four repetitions and an extension. Experimental Economics, 15(2), 323–340.

The Myth of Distributed Leadership

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On this episode of Change Starts Here, our host Dustin Odham sits down with Maria Fleming and Betsy Wierda, co-authors of the newest edition of The 4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators. While school leaders rarely struggle to write comprehensive improvement plans, turning those high-minded goals into day-to-day results amid the daily &#34;whirlwind&#34; remains a persistent challenge.Maria and Betsy break down how K–12 leaders can move beyond endless initiatives to build real momentum. They share practical strategies for establishing a tight focus, acting on lead measures, keeping compelling scoreboards, and maintaining a weekly cadence of accountability. From empowering custodial staff to celebrating growth milestones with five-year-olds, this episode provides an actionable roadmap for aligning entire school communities around what matters most.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! Join the authors of The 4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators, district leaders, and superintendents for an exclusive live webcast featuring a virtual school walkthrough and live Q&amp;A. Learn how to build alignment, shared ownership, and lasting focus across your district.🗓 Date: November 13 at 12:00 PM EDT<a href="https://www.fcevents.com/website/98987/?utm_campaign=4DX_Fall_Campaign&utm_content=webinar&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_term=4DX_fall" rel="nofollow">Claim Your Spot for the Live 4DX Event Here</a> : https://www.fcevents.com/website/98987/?utm_campaign=4DX_Fall_Campaign&amp;utm_content=webinar&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_term=4DX_fall Host: Dustin OdhamGuest(s): Maria Fleming, Leader in Me Coach/Consultant, and Betsy Wierda, Leader in Me Coach/Consultant <h2>Time Stamps &amp; Show Notes:</h2>00:00 The Day-to-Day Disconnect00:53 From Great Intentions to Results03:18 Meet Betsy Wierda and Maria Fleming06:42 Why Executing Priorities Is Hard08:36 Escaping the Whirlwind of School10:23 Aligning Wildly Important Goals12:59 Activity Versus True Progress14:32 Building Scoreboards and Alignment16:49 Unifying Staff Around Mission18:36 Falling to Systems Over Goals20:34 Turning Around College Park Elementary24:06 Talking With Students About Data25:25 Hope and Student Agency Research27:28 The 4 Disciplines Explained30:59 The Power of Celebrating Wins32:10 Practicing Selective Abandonment34:19 4DX Educator Learning Opportunities36:28 Shifting Paradigms to See Outcomes

Turn Your District Goals Into Progress

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In this Change Starts Here research conversation, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller pick up where their last episode on hope left off: you&#39;ve named the goal and the obstacle in your way, so what do you actually do when that obstacle shows up? They dig into why following through has less to do with willpower than most of us were taught, starting with a study on distractible kindergartners and a confession from Kim about an exercise routine she abandoned on day ten.From there, Kim and Eve walk through decades of research on implementation intentions, the psychologist Peter Gollwitzer&#39;s work showing that a simple “if this happens, then I&#39;ll do that” plan outperforms a plan with no trigger attached to it by a wide margin. They close with a practical way for school leaders, teachers, and anyone managing a team to write a plan that actually survives a busy day.Download the Handout:<a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e8-handout?x=BaUe_e" rel="nofollow">Handout:</a> https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e8-handout?x=BaUe_eHosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:14 The cartoon distraction study02:04 Welcome to Change Starts Here Research Conversations03:47 Kim&#39;s confession: the exercise plan that didn&#39;t stick04:33 It&#39;s not about self-discipline05:22 The principal who meant to get into classrooms06:56 Getting practical with if-then plans08:09 The winter break essay study10:00 Eve&#39;s own dissertation story11:06 642 studies and the real effect size12:53 Building the principal&#39;s if-then plan14:42 Writing your own if-then plan16:18 Using this with teachers and with your team18:24 This week&#39;s assignment and closing thoughts

If-Then Beats Willpower

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In education, there’s always more to do. Competing priorities, urgent requests, new initiatives, and everyday demands can keep us constantly moving—but being busy and making progress aren’t the same thing. When everything feels important, how do we decide what deserves our focus?In this episode, Change Starts Here host Dustin Odham explores how educators can move beyond activity and create meaningful progress by focusing on what matters most. Drawing from the FranklinCovey Education report Overwhelmed and Overcommitted, Dustin challenges us to define what progress looks like, make it visible, and stay focused long enough to see the work make a difference.Download the report now to go deeper and help your team focus on what matters most: <a href="https://content.franklincovey.com/execution-report?utm_campaign=4DX_Fall_Campaign&utm_content=report&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_term=4DX_fall" rel="nofollow">https://content.franklincovey.com/execution-report?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=4DX_Fall_Campaign&amp;utm_term=4DX_fall&amp;utm_content=report</a> Host: Dustin Odham Time Stamps &amp; Show Notes:00:00 October Tells the Truth 00:43 The Fading August Energy 01:13 Culture Is What You Repeat 02:05 Activity Versus Actual Progress 02:58 The Trap of False Urgency 03:30 Overwhelmed and Overcommitted Report Insights 04:00 The Air Traffic Controller Analogy 04:40 Doing Less to Achieve Better 05:08 Leveraging October Evidence for Wins 06:05 Becoming Intentional About What Repeats 06:33 The Power of Visible Progress 07:25 Saying We Are Not There Yet 08:00 Three Questions for Leadership Teams 08:48 Your Progress Determinant Final Thought

The Progress Trap: When Doing More Isn’t Moving Us Forward

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What does it take to keep improving when nothing is technically broken?In this episode of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham sits down with Dr. Monica Schroeder, Superintendent of North Shore School District 112, to explore how a high-performing district creates urgency, focus, and shared ownership around continuous improvement. Monica shares how years of intentional work around culture, leadership, data, and student outcomes have helped North Shore 112 keep moving forward—and how tools like the 4 Disciplines of Execution® are helping the district sharpen its focus around a few wildly important goals.Their conversation gets into the leadership behind that progress: building collective efficacy, creating alignment without adding more noise, giving students a stronger voice, and continuing to raise the bar even when the district is already performing well. It’s a practical look at what sustained improvement requires when the goal isn’t to fix what’s broken, but to keep getting better.Want to learn more about North Shore School District 112? Visit their website to check out their progress and WIGs:<a href="https://www.nssd112.org/" rel="nofollow"> https://www.nssd112.org/</a> Host: Dustin OdhamGuest: Dr. Monica Schroeder, Superintendent of North Shore School District 112 <h2>Time Stamps &amp; Show Notes:</h2>00:00 Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast00:41 Introducing Dr. Monica Schroeder02:15 Embracing Technical Pivots and Patience03:09 First-Generation Roots and Work Ethic03:55 Two Decades at North Shore 11205:56 Measuring Staff Culture and Engagement07:48 Rejecting the &#34;Good Enough&#34; Mindset08:39 Setting Wildly Important Goals for Kids10:29 Creating Urgency Without a Crisis11:59 Personal Literacy Story and Student Agency13:29 Moving Data from Compliance to Ownership15:02 The 4 Disciplines of Execution Framework18:18 Cutting the Noise with Focus19:31 Applying 4DX to Personal Wellness Goals21:33 Addressing the Student Engagement Disconnect25:08 Putting Eighth Graders on School Board27:37 Merging Championship Culture with Academics29:46 Leading with an Abundance Mindset33:15 Avoiding Internal Competition Across Schools35:10 Transparent Dashboards and Systemic Growth

The Head and Heart of Continuous School Improvement

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On this episode of Change Starts Here: Research Conversations, hosts Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller dive into a two-part research series on why setting big goals and visualizing success often falls short. Dr. Miller breaks down C.R. Snyder’s science-backed definition of hope, which hinges on having both actionable pathways and a sense of personal agency, and explains why relying solely on positive thinking can actually backfire.Drawing on Gabriele Oettingen’s research, the episode highlights a surprising twist: daydreaming about success without addressing reality can lower your blood pressure and drain the physiological motivation needed to get things done. To bridge that gap, Kim and Eve walk through the WOOP framework (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan). You&#39;ll learn how to use &#34;mental contrasting&#34; to spot the internal hurdles holding you back and pair them with simple &#34;if-then&#34; plans to make your school-year goals actually stick.If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments!Download the free handout here: <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e6-handout?utm_medium=shownotes&utm_source=podcast&x=BaUe_e" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh-s7e6-handout?x=BaUe_e&amp;utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=shownotes</a> Hosts: Kim Yaris, Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education Dr. Eve Miller, Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education  <h2>Time Stamps &amp; Show Notes:</h2>00:00 Visualizing Success Delays Offers00:46 Setting vs Achieving Goals01:51 C.R. Snyder&#39;s Two-Part Hope03:23 Identifying the Goal Execution Gap04:19 Hope Predicts Academic Performance05:22 Why Vision Boards Backfire06:20 The Pitfalls of Positive Fantasies07:06 Blood Pressure and Motivation Drops08:38 Mental Contrasting Strategy Revealed09:24 Explaining WOOP Acronym Framework09:38 Urban Middle School WOOP Study10:06 Defining Wish and Expected Outcome11:06 Identifying Internal Personal Obstacles12:30 Creating If-Then Execution Plans13:27 Applying WOOP in School Leadership14:35 Action Steps for the Week

Hope Is A Plan

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In this episode, Dustin sits down with Adam Welcome, a former teacher, principal, and district leader who has spent his career challenging educators to rethink what kids are actually capable of. Adam has worked with over 500 school districts in 49 states, and he brings that same high energy into a conversation about the gap between the world schools are preparing kids for and the world they&#39;re actually walking into.Adam and Dustin dig into why adults do too much for kids instead of with them, what it actually takes to let go of control in a classroom or at home, and how small shifts like starting a student podcast or a coding club can build real ownership without adding another initiative to an already full plate.Learn more about Adam and his work:<a href="https://www.adamwelcome.com" rel="nofollow">https://www.adamwelcome.com</a>Symposium: <a href="https://www.leaderinme.org/symposiums/?utm_source=shownotes" rel="nofollow">https://www.leaderinme.org/symposiums/?utm_source=shownotes</a> Host: Dustin OdhamGuest: Adam Welcome, Speaker, Bestselling Author, Former PrincipalTimestamps: 00:00 Cold open: everything is contagious00:32 Meet Adam Welcome02:34 Welcome to the show03:30 Who are you and what do you love05:12 What&#39;s changed for kids in five years07:50 The skills schools aren&#39;t teaching09:10 What adults hold onto for comfort12:54 Get kids ready for the world they&#39;re growing up in14:41 Letting go and giving it to students17:00 Learning through trying, failing, and following curiosity22:41 Getting over the fear of trusting kids25:21 What changes when kids stop just complying29:25 All kids can achieve30:13 One small shift, and what principals should stop doing36:14 Everything is contagious39:08 What to make contagious in kids40:21 Closing message, where to find Adam, and final thoughts

Are You Getting In The Way of Student Leadership?

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller dig into what happens in the first few weeks of school, when attention quietly starts to slide toward the schedule, the mandate, or the situation you have no say over. They unpack Stephen Covey&#39;s Circle of Influence and revisit decades of research on learned helplessness, including newer work from psychologists Steven Maier and Martin Seligman that offers a different way of thinking about control and agency.Kim and Eve also explore the Whitehall studies on job control and health, why repeated venting can sometimes keep us stuck in frustration, and what all of this means for leaders working in the real-world pressures of schools and districts.Most importantly, they turn the research into three practical moves you can use when your attention starts drifting toward what you can’t change: catch the drift, find the edge, and act. Listen now &amp; download the episode handout for a deeper look at the research and practical ways to use Catch the Drift, Find the Edge, and Act with yourself or your team:<a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh_s7e4_handout?utm_source=show-notes&x=aD_z_A" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh_s7e4_handout?x=aD_z_A&amp;utm_source=show-notes</a>  Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps: 00:00 Podcast intro00:15 Welcome back and the September feeling02:21 The circle of influence03:38 Download the handout04:29 The research on learned helplessness06:14 From learned helplessness to learned agency08:25 Our natural response to what we can&#39;t control09:36 When there&#39;s just too much to do10:40 A Monday morning example11:54 The trouble with venting14:59 Three practical moves: catch the drift, find the edge, act17:54 Closing thoughts

Working Within Your Circle of Influence

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Culture isn&#39;t built in a kickoff meeting or a mission statement, it&#39;s built in what leaders repeat when nobody&#39;s watching. In this solo episode, host Dustin Odham explores how the small behaviors leaders notice, encourage, or allow each day ultimately shape the culture their people experience. Drawing on the story of a broken thread on a 19th-century weaving loom, Dustin explores why excitement fades but repetition sticks.Dustin shares new research connecting school leadership to teacher retention, breaks down See, Do, Get through the lens of Leader in Me, and leaves school and district leaders with three questions to bring back to their own teams this month.Read the research Dustin references: Teacher Turnover in the United States: Who Moves, Who Leaves, and Why (Learning Policy Institute, 2026):https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teacher-turnover-united-states-reportHost: Dustin OdhamTimestamps: 00:00 The thing you&#39;ve stopped noticing02:16 Good intentions and matching t-shirts03:31 Where culture actually gets built04:29 What culture really is06:00 The story of a loom07:17 Every school has broken threads08:55 What the research says about leadership09:58 See, do, get12:49 Model it, notice it, repeat it15:29 Three questions for your team16:49 To the exhausted leader listening18:59 What are we repeating

Your Culture Is What You Repeat

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Today’s teens are growing up in a world that looks dramatically different than it did even a decade ago—but have the principles they need to thrive really changed?In this episode of Change Starts Here, Dustin sits down with Sean Covey, President of FranklinCovey Education and bestselling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, for a candid conversation about what today’s young people need most from the adults in their lives.Drawing from his experience raising eight children, Sean shares hard-won lessons about connection, confidence, and knowing when to step back and let kids find their own way. He also takes us behind the scenes of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens: A Graphic Novel, sharing how his own family experiences shaped the story, why timeless principles still resonate with today’s teens, and why the way we deliver those principles needs to evolve.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or school leader, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Get Sean’s newest book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens: A Graphic Novel:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-Teens-Graphic/dp/1668024926/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-Teens-Graphic/dp/1668024926/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0</a> Host: Dustin OdhamGuest: Sean Covey, President of FranklinCovey EducationTimestamps: 00:00 Cold open: hope for teens00:34 Welcome to Change Starts Here03:40 What humbled Sean as a parent06:47 Trust, discipline, and apology09:34 Why love is spelled time11:20 Making time for one-on-one moments15:48 Sharpening the saw in Moab18:06 Modeling honesty over teaching it21:07 How today&#39;s teens are different24:11 Screen time, comparison, and mental health26:09 What teens need most29:26 Bringing the habits to life in a graphic novel34:11 Victoria&#39;s story and the hope behind the habits39:21 Using the book with your family43:33 Raising free range chickens46:03 The Leader in Me and the power of affirmation48:26 Closing thoughts

Reaching Today's Teens Beyond the Screen

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In the season seven premiere of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham asks a critical question: &#34;What is the greatest threat to our leadership?&#34; While it’s easy to point to external factors like budgets, teacher shortages, or politics, Dustin argues that the real danger lies within the internal conversations leaders have with themselves. Drawing on his own experiences, including a moment of deep reflection in a hospital bed, Dustin explores how leaders often mistake performance for identity, carrying the weight of unnecessary pressure. Listeners will be challenged to evaluate their internal dialogue and consider whether they would allow someone to speak to their team the way they speak to themselves. This episode sets the tone for the upcoming season, emphasizing that healthy leadership begins from the inside out. By focusing on who they are becoming rather than just what they are accomplishing, leaders can build healthier cultures, achieve extraordinary results, and truly transform the lives of their students. Host: Dustin Odham (FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps: 00:00 Podcast intro 01:15 Building a community of leaders 02:10 Leadership is a privilege 03:38 The greatest threat to leadership 05:03 The inner critic 06:23 Carrying unnecessary pressure 07:21 The hypocrisy of educational leaders 08:21 Stephen Covey&#39;s Private Victory 09:26 Why Dustin wears black 11:34 A life-changing hospital stay 12:32 Performance vs identity 14:05 How do you speak to yourself? 15:01 Change starts inside

The Greatest Threat to Your Leadership

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In the season 6 finale of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham invites educators and leaders to rethink their summer break. While taking time off is crucial for physical recovery, Dustin challenges listeners to aim for true renewal and clarity. By applying Dr. Covey&#39;s 7th Habit, &#34;Sharpen the Saw,&#34; leaders can intentionally renew themselves mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Listeners are challenged to take one uninterrupted day alone this summer to pause and reflect. Dustin guides leaders through a powerful internal process: starting with gratitude rather than problem-solving, identifying personal &#34;genius&#34; to avoid disconnecting from their true selves, and defining a lasting leadership legacy. By crafting or refining a personal mission statement, educators can ensure they return in the fall not just rested, but deeply intentional.Download the Handout, Reflection and Mission Statement Guide: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/csh_summer-reflectio?x=bfYNCNHosts:Dustin Odham (FranklinCovey Education)Timestamps:00:00 Podcast intro01:06 Wrapping up the season02:28 The weight educators carry03:20 Habit 7 Sharpen the saw04:54 Start with gratitude05:51 Reflect on your genius06:52 Define your legacy08:11 Your personal mission statement09:19 Rest deeply and reflect10:39 Closing the season

Return With Clarity: A Summer Leadership Challenge

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller explore how educators and leaders can effectively transition out of a demanding school year. Drawing on a Yale study, they discuss how a leader&#39;s ability to manage their own emotions directly impacts the well-being of their staff. Because of &#34;emotion contagion theory,&#34; the emotional residue leaders carry out of the spring can set the tone for the entire school environment in the fall.Listeners will discover why end-of-year recovery is an essential part of leadership, rather than optional self-care. The conversation highlights three research-backed practices: savoring positive moments to combat exhaustion , using narrative identity to make meaning of difficult experiences rather than ruminating on them , and engaging in the challenging but necessary practice of mentally disengaging from work. By leaning into self-compassion, educators can process the year, recover fully, and prepare a healthier emotional climate for the future.Download the Handout:<a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_s6e37?x=Z0wt6j" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_s6e37?x=Z0wt6j</a>Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey EducationDr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education)Timestamps:00:00 Podcast intro00:42 Transitions for adults01:30 The reality of exhaustion03:00 Yale wellbeing study03:47 Emotion contagion theory05:08 Recovery is leadership06:06 Practice one savoring08:52 When savoring matters most09:58 The savoring prompt11:06 Practice two narrative identity13:58 Meaning making versus rumination15:01 Three reflection questions16:51 Practice three mental disengagement18:36 Nervous system discomfort19:38 The power of self-compassion20:56 Closing thoughts

What To Do With The Year You Just Had

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham sits down with global leadership expert and executive coach Victoria Roos Olsson to discuss the importance of pausing at the end of a busy school year. While exhausted leaders often want to rush to the finish line or immediately tackle the next challenge, Victoria explains why using the end of a season for reflection is vital for sustainable success.Listeners will discover how to ask more effective questions and evaluate the past year through creative exercises, such as having their team draw their experiences. Victoria also shares practical strategies for re-energizing staff, from conducting walking meetings to providing reflective summer assignments. Ultimately, this conversation serves as a powerful reminder that leadership is a human endeavor, and slowing down is often the key to moving forward effectively.Get your copy of The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Deserves-Great-Manager-Practices/dp/1982112077" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Deserves-Great-Manager-Practices/dp/1982112077</a> Hosts:Dustin Odham (Host)Victoria Roos-Olssen. Global Leadership Expert, Executive Coach, &amp; Bestselling Author Timestamps:00:00 Podcast intro02:46 Victoria&#39;s leadership journey04:34 The power of reflection08:16 Finishing the race strong12:38 Questions as power tools14:21 Drawing the school year17:22 Re-energizing your team21:16 The extended mind24:44 Craving our own imbalances29:16 Creating leadership habits35:35 A healthy summer reset38:37 Human side of leadership42:03 Closing thoughts

The Gift of Pause When Leading What’s Next

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller discuss the final weeks of the school year, a time typically filled with tying up loose ends, cleaning up, and the temptation to just pop in a movie. However, research shows that how a year ends disproportionately shapes how students will remember the entire experience.Drawing on Daniel Kahneman&#39;s famous &#34;peak-end rule&#34; and Crystal Park&#39;s research on meaning-making, the hosts explain that it isn&#39;t enough for an ending to just be positive; it has to feel meaningful. Students who can articulate what they learned from turning points show higher well-being years later. To help educators end the year with intention, Kim and Eve offer two practical, research-backed moves: planning the last week backward from a final shared moment, and providing a structured reflection for students to make sense of their year.Download the HandoutHandout: <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_epis-35?x=whj9VQ" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_epis-35?x=whj9VQ</a>Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps: 00:00 Podcast intro 00:15 The end of year 01:22 Temptation to coast 02:29 Why endings matter 03:54 The peak end rule 06:02 Remembering school years 08:06 Meaning making research 09:26 Practice one plan backward 11:24 Practice two structured reflection 13:21 The impact of reflection 14:21 Closing thoughts

Endings That Stick

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham challenges the &#34;spring fever&#34; mentality that sweeps through schools during the final stretch of the year. Rather than just counting down the days and winding down expectations, Dustin urges leaders and educators to finish with intention. Sharing a powerful story about &#34;legacy projects&#34; at Mechanics Grove Elementary, he illustrates how giving students ownership and purpose can completely transform the energy of a building.Reflect on what your students will truly remember about the school year and learn three simple, actionable moves to maximize the final 30 days: naming the moment to elevate its significance, creating ownership through contribution, and celebrating impact and effort over mere compliance. Make sure the end of the year feels meaningful, not just survived.Host: Dustin Odham (FranklinCovey Education)Timestamps:00:00 The final stretch00:37 The spring fever mindset01:27 Legacy projects in action01:59 What changed?03:14 Making the end meaningful03:45 What will they remember?05:01 The year in review06:12 Three actionable moves07:15 Change how the story ends08:42 Closing

3 Practices to Make the Last 30 Days Count

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller tackle a topic that leaves many educators feeling overwhelmed: Artificial Intelligence in schools. Looking past the sensational headlines, they dive deep into recent survey data from organizations like RAND, Pew, and Brookings to uncover the reality of how AI is actually showing up in classrooms.The research reveals a startling truth, ignoring AI or instituting complete bans doesn&#39;t stop students from using these tools, it simply removes adult guidance. Kim and Eve discuss the phenomenon of &#34;covert AI use,&#34; where both teachers and students are utilizing AI in secret due to a lack of clear policies and training. To help leaders navigate this massive shift, the hosts share three practical strategies that require no district mandate to implement: starting with student thinking before introducing the tool, visibly modeling imperfect AI use, and fiercely protecting the irreplaceable human skills of relationships and coaching.Download the Handouts:Handout: <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_ep33?x=Dw_9TF" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_ep33?x=Dw_9TF</a>Staff Booster: <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/fy26_csh-rc_lim_staff-e33?x=Dw_9TF" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/fy26_csh-rc_lim_staff-e33?x=Dw_9TF</a> Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps: (00:00 - 01:15) The AI conversation (01:15 - 02:53) Looking at the data (02:53 - 04:56) The AI policy landscape (04:56 - 07:37) Climbing student usage (07:37 - 10:27) Why schools stay silent (10:27 - 13:44) Covert AI use (13:44 - 15:53) The stakes of inaction (15:53 - 18:38) Practice 1: Thinking first (18:38 - 20:33) Practice 2: Visible use (20:33 - 21:53) Practice 3: Human skills (21:53 - 23:08) Closing thoughts

What's Really Happening With AI in Schools?

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham sits down with Todd Nesloney, Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). Todd shares his insights on what a thriving school culture actually looks and feels like, going beyond test scores and bulletin boards to the fundamental human experiences of feeling seen, heard, and valued.Todd gets real about his own transition from the classroom to school administration, challenging the &#34;martyr complex&#34; that leads so many passionate educators to burnout. He encourages leaders to embrace their authentic selves, treat adults with the same grace and connection they offer students, and to stop overcomplicating their roles. Listeners will walk away with practical advice on how to empower their teams, the importance of expanding their professional networks outside their own district, and the courage to take risks—and own the failures that follow.Interested in the TEPSA Summer Conference? Learn more &amp; register:<a href="https://www.tepsa.org/summer-conference/summer-conference/" rel="nofollow">https://www.tepsa.org/summer-conference/summer-conference/</a>  Connect with Todd: <a href="https://www.toddnesloney.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.toddnesloney.com/</a> Host: Dustin Odham (FranklinCovey Education)Guest: Todd Nesloney (Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership, TEPSA)Timestamps: (00:00 - 02:46) Intro and welcome (02:46 - 05:01) Meet Todd Nesloney (05:01 - 08:16) Assessing school culture (08:16 - 12:45) Seen, heard, and valued (12:45 - 18:04) Finding the time for connection (18:04 - 23:14) The educator martyr complex (23:14 - 27:36) Redefining leadership meetings (27:36 - 32:29) Patterns of high performance (32:29 - 36:55) Teaching adults like kids (36:55 - 44:06) Empowering your team (44:06 - 47:35) Expand your network (47:35 - 51:56) Walk up songs (51:56 - 54:42) You are meant to be here

The Truth About School Culture

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In this episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris and Dr. Eve Miller dive into the critical topic of student well-being, especially relevant as climate survey data rolls in for the end of the year. While most schools measure happiness and meaningfulness, Dr. Miller highlights groundbreaking research by Erin Westgate and Shigehiro Oishi that introduces a third, often overlooked dimension: &#34;psychological richness&#34;.Listeners will discover what psychological richness is, experiences that fundamentally shift how you see the world, and why it is distinct from both happiness and meaning. The hosts explain how a school might score perfectly on happiness metrics while still leaving students feeling like they&#39;re just going through the motions. They offer three highly practical ways for educators to build psychological richness into their daily routines: asking the right reflective questions, making perspective shifts visible, and actively seeking out unfamiliar viewpoints. Handout: <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_epis-31?x=mRNVAO" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/podcast_handout_epis-31?x=mRNVAO</a> Staff Booster: <a href="https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/lim_staffbooster_epi31?x=mRNVAO" rel="nofollow">https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/lim_staffbooster_epi31?x=mRNVAO</a> Hosts: Kim Yaris, M.Ed. (Associate Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Dr. Eve Miller (Director of Research with FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps:(00:00 - 01:42) School Climate surveys(01:42 - 03:35) Psychological richness(03:35 - 05:04) Richness vs rigor(05:04 - 06:31) Tracking perspective change(06:31 - 08:31) Why richness matters(08:31 - 10:24) Missing wellbeing metrics(10:24 - 11:48) Purpose and richness(11:48 - 13:58) Practice 1: Add the third question(13:58 - 16:01) Practice 2: Make the shift visible(16:01 - 18:09) Practice 3: Unfamiliar perspectives(18:09 - 19:49) Designing deliberately

Are We Asking the Wrong Questions About Student Well-Being?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/6/22/76c5668d-7958-4a16-ab18-14c8a3d5af8b_april_monologue_-_audio_only.mp3

In this episode of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham addresses the unique challenge of the final stretch of the school year. When testing season arrives and the finish line is in sight, there&#39;s a natural temptation for educators to coast. But Dustin explains why the most critical moments for leadership, culture, and student impact happen right now, when everyone is tired.Drawing inspiration from sports psychology and the first modern Olympic marathon, Dustin challenges leaders and teachers to lean into the fatigue rather than drift through it. He re-frames testing not as a punishment, but as a responsibility to ensure every student is learning. This episode is a powerful reminder that people rarely remember how something started; they remember how it finished. Listeners will walk away inspired to recommit to their expectations and remind their teams that the work they are doing right now still matters.Host: Dustin Odham (FranklinCovey Education) Timestamps: (00:00 - 01:26) The quiet temptation (01:26 - 02:01) The hardest part (02:01 - 03:20) The 1896 Olympic marathon (03:20 - 04:20) The final stretch (04:20 - 05:07) Reframing state testing(05:07 - 05:58) The lie of April (05:58 - 07:22) Fatigue exposes character (07:22 - 08:06) Competitive greatness (08:06 - 09:39) A challenge for educators (09:39 - 11:10) Finish strong

Finishing the School Year Strong

Change Starts Here, presented by FranklinCovey Education, is the podcast for K–12 school and district leaders who are shaping—or ready to lead—meaningful change in their schools and communities.
Through interviews with innovative educators and research-backed insights, each episode explores how to build leadership at all levels, foster high-trust school cultures, and achieve breakthrough results around what matters most. This podcast offers practical ideas and bold thinking to help you create lasting impact in your school community.
Explore the episodes and dive into real stories, proven strategies, and the leadership mindset that transforms schools. This is your space for inspiration, clarity, and action. Real change starts here.
