Episodes
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Accessibility Is Tier 1: Designing Learning for Every Student
Recorded live at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast explores why accessibility should be a foundational part of every student's learning experience, rather than an accommodation addressed only when a need arises. Host Andrew Easton welcomes Dorean Avey from the...
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When the Whole School Shows Up: Cambridge Public Schools' MTSS Journey
What happens when an entire school commits to learning and growing together? Recorded live at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit in Kearney, Nebraska, this episode features an inspiring conversation with educators from Cambridge Public Schools, a small rural district that made the remarkable decision to…
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A Deeper Understanding of Dyslexia: What Every Educator Needs to Know
Recorded on-site at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast explores our evolving understanding of dyslexia and what that means for identifying and supporting students in Nebraska classrooms. Joining the conversation are Theresa Nicholls, an education consultant and…
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A Deeper Understanding of Dyslexia: What Every Educator Needs to Know
Recorded on-site at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast explores our evolving understanding of dyslexia and what that means for identifying and supporting students in Nebraska classrooms. Joining the conversation are Theresa Nicholls, an education consultant and…
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LIVE from the 2026 NeMTSS Summit: What Can All Educators Do for Literacy?
Recorded live from the main stage at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit in Kearney, Nebraska, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast brings together educational leaders and practitioners to explore one important question: What can all educators do for literacy? Joining host Andrew Easton for this special...
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Leadership Credibility: Five Ways to Build Trust, Connection, and Culture
What makes a school leader credible? It isn’t simply the title they hold or the expertise they bring to the role. Leadership credibility is built through the everyday ways leaders earn trust, connect with others, communicate what they value, and contribute to the culture of their schools. In this...
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Reading, Identity, and Student Dignity: What Adolescent Literacy Requires
Literacy development doesn’t end when students learn to read, and supporting adolescent readers requires attention not only to skills, but also to identity, confidence, and dignity. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes Dr. Naomi Watkins, Secondary English Language...
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Beyond the AI Hype: What’s Actually Working in Classrooms
What are educators actually learning about AI in the classroom after several years of experimentation? In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Matt Mervis, Director of Skills21 and AI Strategy at EdAdvance and co-host of the ChatEDU podcast, for a grounded look at...
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Different, Not Deficient: Neurodivergence, Student Strengths, and the Power of a Teacher | NeMTSS Summit Preview
In this installment of The Good Life EDU Podcast’s NeMTSS Summit preview series, Andrew Easton is joined by Jonathan Mooney, advocate for those who learn differently and founder and CEO of the Divergent Impact Fund. Jonathan shares his own experience growing up as a neurodivergent...
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Leading with Intention: Policy, Guidance, and Local Decision-Making Around AI in Schools
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Bill Bass, an award-winning educator, author, and national leader in instructional technology and literacy, for a conversation about how school and district leaders can thoughtfully navigate AI implementation. Bill serves as Innovation...
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Benergy: Autism, Advocacy, and the Power of One Kind Person | NeMTSS Summit Preview
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Ben Hartranft, along with his mother, Sandy, and brother, Dan, for a conversation ahead of Ben’s upcoming keynote at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit. Diagnosed with autism at age two, Ben’s journey has been shaped by family members,...
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Summer Learning, Digital Citizenship, and Back-to-School Joy with Otis Pierce
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes Otis Pierce of ESU 7 back to the show for a summer learning recap and a some fun back-to-school conversation. Together, they reflect on ideas and experiences that shaped their thinking heading into the 2026–2027 school year,...
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Turning Systems Into Literacy Outcomes: What to Expect at the 2026 NEMTSS Summit
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by members of the NEMTSS leadership team: Amy Rhone, Scott Eckman, and Brooke Kahl for a preview of the 2026 NEMTSS Summit. Together, they discuss the history and evolution of Nebraska’s MTSS work, including its roots in...
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E-Rate at a Crossroads: Keith Krueger on What’s at Stake for America’s Schools
For nearly three decades, the E-rate program has helped schools and libraries across the country afford the connectivity and internal networks essential to their work. Now, as federal officials reconsider the program’s purpose and future, education leaders are being called upon to explain why...
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Accessibility from the Start: Practical Steps for K–12 Schools
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew welcomes Cynthia Curry, Project Director, and Jena Fahlbush, Technical Assistance Specialist, from the National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials & Instruction, known as NCADEMI. Together, they unpack what digital accessibility...
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The UDL Shift with Katie Novak: Designing Learning in the Age of AI
Across her previous visits to The Good Life EDU Podcast, Dr. Katie Novak has helped listeners understand the foundations of Universal Design for Learning, its role within MTSS, and the possibilities created when educators bring UDL and artificial intelligence together. In this return…
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AI Literacy in Action: Amanda Bickerstaff on the SEE Framework
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes back Amanda Bickerstaff, CEO and Co-Founder of AI for Education, for a timely conversation about where schools are in their generative AI journey and what practical next steps can help educators, leaders, and students move…
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Onward Together: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome author, coach, and educator Elena Aguilar, along with Jeremy Stoll and Ted Dondlinger from Westside High School, for a conversation about emotional resilience, educator well-being, and the power of teachers supporting teachers. The episode...
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What to Stop Doing to Move Forward: De-Implementation in Education
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes Dr. Kanyon Chism, Chief of Staff and Administrator at ESU 19/Omaha Public Schools (OPS), for a thoughtful conversation about de-implementation and the importance of creating space for the work that matters most in education. Dr....
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The Breakthrough Coach: Reclaiming Time for Instructional Leadership
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Jill Pancoast, President of The Breakthrough Coach, for a conversation about how school leaders can reclaim time, strengthen office systems, and focus more fully on the instructional leadership work they were hired to do. Jill shares the...
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From Siloed to Systemic: Elevating Digital Citizenship in the AI Era
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Kristen Mattson—author, educator, and co-creator of the Edvolve Framework—returns for a deep and timely conversation on digital citizenship in today’s rapidly evolving, AI-driven world. Together, Kristen and Andrew explore how Nebraska is moving from...
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Inside the Work with Nebraska’s Regional Literacy Coaches (RLCs)
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we sit down with Nebraska ESU regional literacy coaches (RLCs) Claudine Kennicutt (ESU 10) and Caryn Ziettlow (ESU 2) to explore the evolving work of Nebraska’s statewide literacy initiative. Together, they unpack the foundation of the Nebraska…
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Back to the Classroom: Tisha Richmond on Rediscovering Joy, Authenticity, and AI-Powered Creativity in CTE
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton reconnects with educator, author, and speaker Tisha Richmond to explore her unexpected return to the classroom and the powerful insights that have come with it. After years of supporting educators at a systems level and working globally,...
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Beyond the AI Inflection Point: Preparing Education for What Comes Next
Artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a pace that challenges educators and leaders to think not only about what AI means today, but where it may take us in the years ahead. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton sits down with Matt Winters, Artificial…
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Differentiation at Scale: How AI Can Strengthen MTSS and Student Engagement
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome back Nebraska native Trevor Goertzen, Regional Vice President at SchoolAI and former teacher and principal, for an honest and practical conversation about artificial intelligence in schools. Two years after our first discussion, Andrew and...
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AI With Intention: What Teaching, Learning, and Integrity Require Next
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Tony Frontier, author of AI With Intention and director of the AI Center for Effective Teaching and Learning. Rather than approaching artificial intelligence as a technical problem to solve, this conversation grounds AI in...
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The State of Language Education in Nebraska: Collaboration, Bilingualism, and Opportunity
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Nick Ziegler for a conversation on the current state of language education in Nebraska and the power of intentional collaboration across the state. Dr. Ziegler shares updates on the Seal of Biliteracy, competency-based credit, and...
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Coherence in Action: Building Inclusive Systems Through ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy
Inclusive education doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional systems, shared mindsets, and sustained collaboration. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton is joined by Allison Kelberlau (Assistant Director of Student Services, ESU 3), Eileen Heller (Education...
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My Nebraska, Our America: Students, Public Art, and the Story of Nebraska 250
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we explore Nebraska 250—the state’s effort to commemorate the nation’s upcoming semi-quincentennial through learning, creativity, and community connection.We're joined by Bre Wilton, Social Studies Content Specialist at the Nebraska Department of...
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A New Avenue to Impact: How Nebraska Is Opening Pathways for Professionals to Become Educators
Nebraska is exploring a new approach to addressing teacher shortages—one that invites experienced professionals to bring their real-world expertise directly into the classroom. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we’re joined by State Senator Kathleen Kauth, who shares the story behind...
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Four Years In: What One District Learned by Treating AI as an Instructional Shift, Not a Tech Trend
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Kris Hagel, Chief Information Officer of Peninsula School District. Peninsula has been thoughtfully implementing artificial intelligence in K–12 education since early 2023. Now in their fourth year of AI work, Peninsula…
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Moving Past the Hype: Becky Keene on What AI Can Really Do for Teaching & Learning
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we are joined by Becky Keene, CEO of Phygital Labs and author of AI Optimism: A Guide to Redefining Artificial Intelligence in Education. Drawing from 25 years in public education and a decade of global consulting work, Becky shares why she chooses to...
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Reimagining EdTech: Why Brisk's Arman Jaffer Says AI Should Follow the Teacher
How can AI truly transform teaching without adding another fragmented tool to an educator's already overflowing plate? In this thought-provoking episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Arman Jaffer, CEO and Founder of Brisk Teaching, to share his journey with working to solve the problem...
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Balancing Literacy and AI: A Radical Centrist’s Take with Short Answer Co-Founder Adam Spark
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, welcomes Adam Spark, Nebraska native and co-founder of Short Answer, to discuss his journey from teaching at Louisville and Milford Public Schools to studying learning design and technology at Stanford University, where his idea for Short Answer was...
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Building Better Digital Citizens: How Hershey Public Schools Is Leading by Example
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we sit down with Jane Davis, Superintendent of Hershey Public Schools, and Anna Weber, Owner of A-Plum Creative, to explore how Hershey Public Schools turned a community concern into a model initiative for digital citizenship education. After...
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From Digital Citizenship to Digital Literacy and Well-Being: Common Sense Media Launches New Curriculum
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Adam Vinter, Nebraska's regional outreach manager with Common Sense Media, joins the show to share about the significant updates to their digital citizenship curriculum. The conversation explores the reimagining of digital literacy and well-being...
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How Do We Maintain Academic Integrity in the Age of AI?
In this thought-provoking episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Dr. Tricia Bertram Gallant, author, academic integrity expert, and Director of the Academic Integrity Office at UC San Diego, joins us to reframe how schools approach academic integrity in the age of AI. Rather than relying on...
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The Power of Partnership: Advancing Student Literacy Through Nebraska’s CLSD Grant
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Jamie Cook, Literacy Officer at the Nebraska Department of Education, joins the pod to explore the future of literacy in Nebraska and the exciting opportunities ahead with the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant. Jamie shares her...
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What We Learned This Summer: Recapping Growth, Grit, and Great Ideas with Otis Pierce
In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, longtime collaborator and Good Life EDU Podcast guest Otis Pierce of ESU 7 joins the pod to unpack some key takeaways from a summer of professional learning. From AI integration and academic integrity to distance learning innovations, digital...
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Formative Assessment, AI, and the Future of Teaching: A Conversation with Dr. Dylan Wiliam
This week on The Good Life EDU Podcast, we close out the summer by welcoming internationally renowned education expert Dr. Dylan Wiliam to the show for a timely conversation at the intersection of formative assessment, teacher growth, and artificial intelligence in education. As AI tools become...
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Conducting a Culture of Care: How One Principal Leads with Heart at West Dodge Station
What happens when a school leader brings a coach’s mindset, a heart for people, and a relentless commitment to culture into their role as principal? In this episode, West Dodge Station Principal Benji Hoegh joins The Good Life EDU to reflect on the systems, habits, and heart behind building a...
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Reinventing Project-Based Learning with AI: The PBL Future Labs Vision for Authentic, AI-Enhanced Learning
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Phillip Alcock (CEO and Co-Founder) and Thom Markham (Creative Director) of PBL Future Labs join the show to share how they’re fusing the best of project-based learning (PBL) with the transformative possibilities of AI. With decades of experience in…
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Am I Cut Out for This? Navigating Self-Doubt in School Leadership
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we sit down with Elizabeth Dampf, a school administrator in the Chicagoland are and author of the new book from ASCD, Am I Cut Out for This? An Educational Leader’s Guide to Navigating Self-Doubt. Together, they explore the often unspoken realities of...
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Navigating the Legal Landscape of AI in Education
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton reconnects with longtime friend (and podcast guest) Rachelle Dene Poth for a timely and insightful discussion about the legal implications of AI in education. Drawing from her experience as an educator, speaker, and attorney…
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Why Curriculum Matters More Than Ever: A Conversation with John White of Great Minds
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, John White, the CEO of Great Minds and former Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, joins the show for a timely conversation on why curriculum matters more than ever in today’s evolving educational landscape. Drawing from his national…
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Protecting Kids in the Digital Era: How Smart Gen Society Is Guiding Students and Families
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we’re joined by Suzie Fogarty and Theresa Hamer of Smart Gen Society, a Nebraska-based nonprofit working at the intersection of digital wellness, education, and youth empowerment. Together, Suzie and Theresa share the story behind Smart Gen’s founding...
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Designing for Access: How Stickity Makes Enhancing Learning Experiences Fun and Easy | A Future Ready Nebraska Conference Preview
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Lauren Heil, a passionate learning experience designer and the creator of the Stickity Add-On. Lauren shares her journey and insights on how thoughtful design enhances learning experiences and addresses crucial accessibility needs in…
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Buff Nuggets & Big Shifts: Empowering Educators in an AI-Powered Future | A Future Ready Nebraska Conference Preview
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, national edtech speaker, Brian Buffington, returns to the show to preview his upcoming session at the 2025 Future Ready Nebraska Conference. Known for his energetic style and practical insights, Brian shares timely encouragement for educators…
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What Nebraska Education Leaders Learned in South Korea and Singapore—and Why It Matters Here at Home
In this special follow-up episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Dr. Larianne Polk (CEO of the Nebraska ESU Coordinating Council) and Dr. Dan Schnoes (CEO of ESU 3) return to reflect on their recent educational exchange in Singapore and South Korea. Their journey, part of a national effort to…
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Teaching in Tandem with AI: Swivl’s M2 as a Real-Time Partner in the Learning Process | A Future Ready Nebraska Conference Preview
In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Brian Lamb, CEO of Swivl, joins the show to discuss the M2—an innovative AI-powered co-teacher that’s transforming instructional support. Designed to enhance—not replace—the work of educators and coaches, the M2 leverages AI to deliver in-the-moment...
About this show
The Good Life EDU Podcast
Hosted by
Andrew Easton
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