Let's Talk Books - Controlled ChaosA Conversation with author Eric Hall What if the most memorable lessons in school weren't found in a worksheet, but in an experience students never forgot? In this episode, Thomas sits down with retired teacher and author Eric Hall to discuss his book, Controlled Chaos, a collection of stories and lessons from 27 years in the classroom. Eric shares how creativity, humor, and meaningful relationships transformed everyday lessons into unforgettable learning experiences—and why engagement is one of the most powerful teaching tools we have. Together they explore: How to create classrooms where students want to come to schoolBuilding strong classroom communities through trust and connectionPractical ways to make ordinary lessons extraordinaryHow small changes can create lasting memories and deeper learning Whether you're a classroom teacher, principal, or instructional leader, this conversation will inspire you to look at your school through your students' eyes and discover new ways to make learning meaningful, memorable, and full of joy. Eric Hall is an award-winning educator, writer, and storyteller who has spent more than 27 years inspiring students in the classroom. A fifth-grade teacher in Cheboygan, Michigan, Hall is a three-time Teacher of the Year recipient, a winner of the American Red Cross Everyday Hero Award, was named one of the Top Educators of America, and has received a special teaching tribute from the Governor of Michigan. Known for his humor, creativity, and heart, Eric has built a career helping students see learning as both meaningful and fun.Beyond the classroom, Hall is a contributing writer for Edutopia, We Are Teachers, TEACH Magazine, and The Educator's Room. His reflections on teaching blend practical insight with laugh-out-loud storytelling, reaching educators and parents alike. His unique approach to education has even been featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where his classroom adventures reached a national audience. If you want to see how the lessons of this book can influence your school, please schedule a time to talk with us today. https://bit.ly/Build-IT-Better-Together The In Search of Catholic School Excellence Podcast is brought to you by I Love My Tech Team. When technology doesn’t work, Catholic school leaders lose time, trust, and momentum. We partner with schools to restore reliable systems, empower teachers, and create the foundation for innovative learning centered on students. Lead Your School Into What’s Possible with I Love My Tech Team. Restoring What’s Broken. Advancing What’s Possible.Find out more at https://ilovemytechteam.com

Leadership isn’t just about making calls—it’s about clearing your head so you can make smarter ones. This episode of The Humility Advantage digs into what happens in your brain when you take just 5 to 12 minutes a day for mindfulness. Turns out, those few quiet minutes can sharpen your focus, steady your emotions, lower your stress, and give you an edge when it’s time to make tough decisions. We break down Dr. Amishi Jha’s research, showing that regular mental workouts don’t just shift your mood—they actually reshape your brain, making you more resilient in stressful situations. Humility starts with knowing when to stop, listen, and act from a place of clarity—not just pure reaction. Here’s what you’ll get: - How mindfulness rewires your brain - Why it’s showing up every day that matters, not meditating for hours - How humility links with emotional intelligence - Short, practical tips to build focus and bounce back faster—even on a busy schedule So if you’re leading a team, building something new, or just want to lead with more intention, this episode arms you with real, science-backed tools you can use right away.

In this episode Alison Rini, founder of Star Lab school in Sarasota, Florida, describes her journey in education and how her vision of a microschool became a reality. After 25 years of teaching and leading public, private, and charter schools, Alison Rini left the school system and designed a microschool called Star Lab. In order to bring the vision to reality, Alison received a fellowship from The Drexel Fund, providing support and training to design an outstanding educational program accessible to low-income families. Alison is passionate about brain science, learning principles, and human flourishing. She intentionally set Star Lab in a low-income zip code of Sarasota to test the assumption that 95% of children can learn to read given proper instruction. Star Lab is entering its third year of operation, growing from 5 students in its first year, to 20 students last year, to 50 students for the school year starting this August. Many of the students who come to Star Lab have had struggles in their previous placements, and Alison’s goal is to prove that children growing up in public housing can achieve at the highest levels when school is designed around how children actually learn. Alison has three degrees from Columbia University in Neuroscience, Curriculum, and Leadership, but she has learned the most in the past few years of her school design journey. X/Twitter: @Educ8Liber8 LinkedIn:  @AlisonRiniStarLab Facebook: @StarLabSRQ Instagram: @StarLabSRQ Star Lab donation page: https://www.starlab.world/donate.html

This episode is a part of a special series of interviews conducted at the INCH360 Cybersecurity Conference in Spokane, Washington. Visit their website to learn more about INCH360 and their mission.  Host Jethro D. Jones interviews Dr. James Alves-Foss, distinguished professor of computer science at the University of Idaho, about the evolution of technology and cybersecurity over the past several decades. James shares insights on the impact of AI, the importance of critical thinking and evaluation when using new tools, and the need for responsible innovation. The conversation highlights lessons from teaching, the risks of over-reliance on automation, and the value of foundational expertise in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

This episode is a part of a special series of interviews conducted at the INCH360 Cybersecurity Conference in Spokane, Washington. Visit their website to learn more about INCH360 and their mission.  Host Jethro D. Jones interviews Deb Wells of BECU. She discusses receiving a cyber achievement award and the importance of protecting members from cyber threats. Deb shares insights on balancing security, compliance, and efficiency, the human side of cybersecurity, and the value of thoughtful technology adoption. The conversation also explores the role of community, personal connection, and the importance of not losing the joy in meaningful work.