BE Podcast Network: Podcasts that help you go Beyond Education. 

Latest Episodes

Finding a Place for AI in Therapy and Product Development (with Natalie Yona)

In this episode of De Facto Leaders, I’m joined by speech-language therapist Natalie Yona from Cognishine to explore one of the most nuanced conversations happening in today: Where does AI actually belong in therapy?Cognishine is a multilingual, multidisciplinary digital intervention platform designed for therapists, educators, and care professionals—offering a rich library of evidence-based, culturally tailored activities and tools that streamline workflows, boost engagement, and support both in-person and remote therapy without replacing clinicians.Natalie Yona, M.A., is a Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) with over 16 years of extensive experience in pediatric and adult communication disorders, with specialization in neurological rehabilitation, early childhood development, fluency, and voice disorders. She currently holds the position of VP of Clinical Strategy, where she leads the development and integration of innovative digital tools designed to support cognitive and linguistic rehabilitation across hospitals, clinics, and community care settings. Her work emphasizes the creation of clinically grounded, accessible solutions that empower therapists and significantly enhance patient outcomes across age groups and medical conditions.As technology becomes more embedded in clinical work, therapists and educators are facing a delicate balancing act. On one hand, AI has the potential to streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden, and alleviate the decision fatigue so many clinicians experience. On the other hand, there's growing concern about over-reliance on AI in ways that could compromise clinical judgment or even try to replace the therapist entirely.We discuss:✅ Why AI shouldn’t be used to make clinical decisions—and what it can do instead.✅ How technology can serve as a delivery mechanism for interventions and parent engagement activities, rather than a substitute for human connection.✅ What it looks like to embed AI tools in to your product development cycle while preserving clinical expertise and quality assurance. ✅ The book desert challenge: Does AI have a place in ensuring our clients have access to high-quality reading passages? Whether you’re a therapist, supervisor, or administrator trying to make sense of AI’s role in mental health services, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful look at how we can harness technology with intention.You can learn more about Natalie’s work at Cognishine on their website here: https://www.cognishine.com/You can listen to my episode with Dr. Karen Rose (former VP of Research and Clinical Development from Cognishine) here: EP 204: Using Digital Resources to Combat Therapist Burnout (with Dr. Karen Rose): https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/ep-204-using-digital-resources-to-improve-team-collaboration-and-combat-therapist-burnout-with-dr-karen-rose/In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program for related service providers who want to take a leadership role in implementing executive functioning support. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/efleadership

From the Archives: Using Micro Data to Inform Teachers with Dr. Jana Lee

In this episode, Gene Tavernetti talks with Dr. Jana Lee, an expert in data-driven educational practices and inclusive teaching. The discussion delves into effective data utilization, the importance of microdata, and best practices for both general and special education. Learn how to enhance professional learning communities (PLCs) and the significance of responsive teaching.

A Great Workshop on Advancement...And It's Free!

Episode Title📢 Free Workshop: The Five Pillars of a Successful Catholic School Advancement ProgramHostHosted by John Mihalyo, Founder & CEO of Elementary Advancement SolutionsEpisode IntroductionIn this short episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast, John shares an exciting opportunity for Catholic school leaders and advancement professionals: a free, one-hour workshop designed to help you strengthen and grow your school’s advancement program.This is your chance to learn the Five Pillars of a Successful Catholic School Advancement Program—a proven framework to inspire generosity, engage your community, and create a foundation for long-term growth.Whether your school already has an advancement office or you’ve been considering starting one, this workshop will give you practical insights and tools you can apply right away.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy advancement is critical for the long-term health of Catholic schoolsThe five pillars that every successful advancement program needsHow this free workshop can help your school strengthen its advancement workWhat to expect during the session (sharing ideas, asking questions, and learning together with other Catholic school leaders)How to register and reserve your spot for this live trainingEvent Details🗓 Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2025⏰ Time: 1:00 PM EST (one hour only!)💻 Location: Online via Zoom💲 Cost: FREE👉 Register here for the free workshopRegister now using the link above and join Catholic school leaders from across the country for this practical and inspiring session. Don’t miss this opportunity to step back, evaluate your school’s advancement efforts, and gain clarity on how to move forward with confidence.Set Up a Time to Meet with John MihalyoIf you’d like to talk further about how John and Elementary Advancement Solutions can help your school grow, you can also set up a time to connect here. 

#28- Empowerment Through Education in Cambodia with Sichiv Sek

In episode 28 of the 'Designed for Greatness' podcast, host Candice Noss engages in a heartfelt conversation with Sichiv Sek, a remarkable woman from Cambodia. Sichiv delves into the harrowing history of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge genocide and its devastating impact on the country's educated population. Sichiv shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, supported by the nonprofit organization Sustainable Cambodia, which provided her with crucial educational opportunities. We discuss the pivotal role of Sustainable Cambodia in transforming lives by offering supplemental education and community support programs, including clean water, hygiene, and agricultural initiatives. Sichiv’s story highlights the profound difference education and community support can make, emphasizing the importance of hope, perseverance, and the power of kindness.If you are interested in sponsoring a child through Sustainable Cambodia, providing education and empowering entire families towards self-reliance: www.sustainablecambodia.orgsichiv@sustainablecambodia.orgIf you are interested in going on a humanitarian trip:www.youthlinc.orgwww.candicenoss.comnosscandice@gmail.com00:00 Welcome to the Designed for Greatness Podcast00:10 Introducing Sichiv Sek and Her Story01:38 The History of Cambodia and Its Impact07:27 Sichiv’s Journey with Sustainable Cambodia10:55 The Role of Sustainable Cambodia13:14 Challenges and Support for Education25:15 Community Development Initiatives27:41 Supporting Families with Clean Water and Agriculture29:10 Animal Pass-On Project: Cows and Chickens32:09 Personal Journey and Education Support34:17 Role and Responsibilities at Sustainable Cambodia36:58 Sponsorship Program and Its Impact40:46 Meeting Sponsors and Personal Reflections47:21 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Why PBIS Tier 2 Matters and Tips to Make it Simple and Sustainable

Is your PBIS Tier 2 system supporting students—or overwhelming your staff? In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, Barb Flowers shares why Tier 2 behavior systems are often the trickiest to implement and exactly how her team transformed theirs from a paperwork-heavy burden into a simple, sustainable support system for students and teachers.You’ll learn:Why Tier 2 matters and the common mistakes schools makeThe exact steps Barb’s team took—from team formation to intervention deliveryThe mindset shifts that helped staff embrace Tier 2 as support, not judgmentHow to start small, stay consistent, and avoid overwhelmListen to Episode 105: Why Tier 1 Behavior Systems Are a Game Changer (And What to Do If You Don’t Have One)If you're building your Tier 2 system (or need to fix a broken one), this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and practical next steps.Grab the PBIS Tier 2 Toolkit mentioned in the episode.Follow Barb on TikTok @the8to4principal for more leadership tips.

Hosts

Aaron Makelky

Aaron Makelky

Host of That’s Not Crazy, That’s History!
A Jethro Jones

A Jethro Jones

Host of Transformative Principal
Allyson Mitchell

Allyson Mitchell

Host of Why Distance Learning?
Barbara Flowers

Barbara Flowers

Host of Morning Motivation for Educators