What's the secret to raising kids who are both happy and successful? Esther Wojcicki—"The Godmother of Silicon Valley"—has spent five decades figuring it out. As a legendary "teacher of the year” who built one of America's largest high school journalism programs and as the mother of three extraordinarily successful daughters (the CEOs of YouTube and 23andMe, plus a professor of pediatrics), Esther knows something most of us are eager to learn: how to help kids become independent, resilient, fearless creators. Her TRICK method [Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness] is the opposite of helicopter parenting. Today, Esther shares the principles that changed thousands of students' lives, how she raised her own daughters, and why her grandchildren help inspire the the "Parenting TRICK" app she’s launching to help parents implement these strategies daily.Why This Matters→ We're raising a generation of kids who can't function without us—and it's our fault. Helicopter parenting and doing everything for our children has created dependency, not capability. Esther's TRICK method proves that when we trust kids early, respect their ideas, and give them real independence, they develop the resilience and self-reliance they need to thrive in an uncertain world..→ In the age of AI, human agency becomes the differentiator. As AI handles routine tasks, the humans who thrive will be the ones who can: ask new questions, make judgment calls in ambiguous situations, collaborate across differences, and take ownership of their choices. → We have the knowledge—but we need the daily guidance. Esther's TRICK method works. Thousands of students and three extraordinarily successful daughters prove it. But most parents struggle to implement it consistently, especially when tired, stressed, or facing a meltdown. The Parenting TRICK app brings Esther into your pocket and offers on-demand coaching/support. 

In this episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, host Jeff Bradbury interviews Mike Cronley, co-founder and CEO of Class Composer and former third-grade teacher. Mike shares his journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship, sparked by a casual conversation with his school's music teacher about students being incorrectly placed together. This "aha moment" led him to develop Class Composer, a software solution that helps elementary schools create balanced, equitable classroom rosters. Over seven years, Mike transitioned from teaching while developing his idea as a side project to fully committing to his startup. The conversation explores the challenges of the traditional paper-based class placement process, the importance of listening to customers, and advice for educators considering entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Oberle and Mitch Weathers join the conversation to explore the critical role of executive functions in early learning — and why they matter so much for young students. We discuss how skills like self-regulation, organization, and cognitive flexibility lay the foundation for long-term academic success.We also dive into their new book, Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start and unpack practical strategies teachers can use immediately to support students in developing these essential skills.X/Twitter:  Sarah: Sarah Oberle, Ed.D. (@s_oberle) / XLinkedIn:Sarah:  www.linkedin.com/in/drsarahoberleMitch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchweathers/Facebook: Mitch: https://www.facebook.com/organizedbinderInstagram:Mitch: https://www.instagram.com/organizedbinder/Website:Sarah: http://sarahoberle.comMitch: http://organizedbinder.comBooks:Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong StartExecutive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments

In this episode of "Morning Motivation for Educators," host Danielle Neufer shares her journey from burnout to resilience, offering tips for educators to thrive. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and intentional changes, inspiring listeners to embrace their passion for teaching and positively impact their school communities.

What if the problem isn’t your content… it’s your influence?In today’s episode, Scott, Daniel, and Sam unpack one of the biggest shifts happening in Learning and Development right now: the move from content creator to strategic influencer.Because let’s be honest—most L&D teams are busy. Busy building decks. Busy editing videos. Busy launching courses. But busy doesn’t always mean impactful. And content alone doesn’t earn you a seat at the table.We dive into what actually drives impact: aligning with business KPIs, building executive empathy, earning trust through quick wins, and telling a data story that leadership can’t ignore. We also explore how AI can either trap you in order-taking mode—or free you up to think strategically and lead differently.If you’re ready to shift from being the person who “builds the training” to the partner who shapes performance and drives results, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways1️⃣ Content doesn’t earn influence — results do. Executives don’t measure success by how many courses you launch. They measure it by behavior change, KPI movement, and business outcomes. Tie everything you build to performance.2️⃣ Quick wins build trust — and trust builds a seat at the table. Influence isn’t declared, it’s earned. Deliver small, visible value aligned to leadership priorities and you’ll create momentum for bigger strategic conversations.3️⃣ AI should free you to think, not trap you in production mode. Use AI to save time on execution — then reinvest that time in strategy, executive empathy, and telling a compelling data story.