81: August is for Connection

Welcome back to school! In this episode, Thom explains how to combat the "epidemic of loneliness" by prioritizing meaningful human connection from day one. He shares practical, high-energy icebreakers—from name-learning games to "pair and share" activities—and demonstrates how to seamlessly integrate these social-emotional exercises directly into your academic content. Tune in to discover why true, in-person connection beats technology every time, and learn how to build a stronger support system for both your students and yourself this school year.