In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Elijah Craft, a Computer Science and Psychology student at Furman University and Student Fellow for Emerging Technologies, to hear what the AI conversation actually looks like from the student perspective. Elijah describes an interesting “convenience paradox” emerging among students. While some enthusiastically embrace AI and others strongly oppose it, there is a growing group that distrusts or even dislikes AI while continuing to use it because of the convenience it provides under demanding academic workloads. The conversation also explores one of the biggest sources of tension on campuses: unclear AI policies. Elijah explains why blanket bans can create confusing gray areas and how greater transparency around what is—and isn’t—acceptable can help students make better decisions. He also shares examples of faculty using AI as a study partner rather than simply a shortcut or replacement for learning. For educators trying to understand how students are navigating this moment, Elijah offers simple advice: be specific about expectations and actually spend time using the technology yourself. Bridging the AI divide between students and faculty may start with more open conversations about what students are already doing.

What happens when the leader who teaches emotional intelligence struggles to manage his own emotions? In this deeply personal episode of The Humility Advantage, J. Alexander shares a recent professional experience that challenged his confidence, tested his emotional resilience, and reminded him that even experienced leaders can struggle to remain centered. Through honest reflection and real-world healthcare leadership examples, J. explores why centered leadership isn't about never losing your composure. It's about learning to regain it without allowing self-criticism, disappointment, or fear to define your worth. In this episode, you'll discover: Why even emotionally intelligent leaders struggle under pressure. The three anchors of centered leadership: Clarity, Courage, and Consistency. How to distinguish constructive self-reflection from destructive self-criticism. Why humility requires accountability AND self-compassion. Two practical strategies for turning painful experiences into leadership wisdom. How to maintain confidence without becoming defensive, cynical, or arrogant. One powerful reminder: "You don't have to keep punishing yourself to prove that you've learned the lesson." Whether you're a healthcare executive, physician, manager, or emerging leader, this episode offers an important lesson: Your mistakes and disappointments are experiences you can learn from, not identities you must carry. You can keep the wisdom without carrying the wound. Ready to develop the person behind the leader? Explore leadership coaching, speaking engagements, and organizational culture development at: https://excelerateyoucoaching.com Discover J. Alexander's book, The Humility Advantage: Revealing the Leader Within. Subscribe to The Humility Advantage on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a leader who needs encouragement. Less Ego. More Impact. Develop the person first, then the leader.

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth and Allyson speak with Rebecca Petrone, the educator/technologist at Central Michigan University's Museum of Cultural and Natural History, and Kayli Adams, a graduate assistant at the museum. They talk about how a museum with a full-time staff of three trains undergraduates to design and deliver live virtual programs for real classrooms, and what students and audiences get out of letting novices present. Together, Seth, Allyson, Rebecca, and Kayli explore how the museum moved its distance learning from a green screen and webcam to a campus lightboard studio, how Rebecca builds programs around the objects in the collection, and how she uses the chat, open-ended questions, and a co-designed Valentine to make up for what students can't touch through a screen. Rebecca describes her shadow-then-present training model and her plan for a free virtual series that audiences book knowing the presenter is a student. Kayli talks about leading her first program before she felt ready and about the coloring pages she now keeps on hand for shy kids. The episode closes with Kayli, who was homeschooled, remembering what a thirty-minute virtual session meant to a kid who couldn't go on field trips, and Rebecca on how a single comment in the chat can make an older learner feel like they made a friend. Key topics Training undergraduates to deliver live virtual museum programs Shadow, practice, present: a scaffolded model for new presenters Object-based learning when the audience can't touch the objects Using chat, open-ended questions, and gamification to drive engagement Student-built exhibits and programs, including the international New Year Traditions program Building leadership and confidence through real stakes Distance learning as connection for rural, homeschooled, and lifelong learners Links & Resources CMU Museum of Cultural & Natural History — programs on CILC https://www.cilc.org/ContentProvider/ViewContentProvider.aspx?id=733 CMU Museum of Cultural & Natural History https://cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/museum-cultural-natural-history "From CMU to the World: Lightboard Studio Helps Deliver Interactive Museum Studies Training" — CMU Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support blog (2025). https://blogs.cmich.edu/cis/?p=953 CMU Lightboard Studio reservations — Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support. [LINK — confirm cis.cmich.edu/lightboard] "Museum earns third Pinnacle Award for virtual programs" — CMU News, by Rebecca Petrone. https://www.cmich.edu/news/details/museum-earns-third-pinnacle-award-for-virtual-programs Guest Bio: Rebecca Petrone Rebecca Petrone is the Museum Educator/Technologist at Central Michigan University's Museum of Cultural and Natural History, where she develops and delivers the museum's in-person and live virtual programs and teaches museum studies courses on public programming and museum work. She previously managed science labs at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, leading school groups both virtually and in person, and has also worked at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the National Museum of Ireland, and as an associate teacher in a Chicago elementary school. She holds a BA in History from Central Michigan University and an MA in World Heritage Management and Conservation from University College Dublin. Guest Bio: Kayli Adams Kayli Adams is a graduate assistant at the CMU Museum of Cultural and Natural History, where she works mainly in collections and presents the museum's virtual programs. She started at the museum as a student assistant in education and led its Curious Curators summer program in her first year there. She previously worked in early childhood care. About the Hosts Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and a host of Why Distance Learning, a podcast for education leaders and practitioners making real decisions about how virtual learning gets designed, adopted, and sustained. Through Banyan, he designs live virtual programs that connect K-12 classrooms to global peers and expert facilitators. See https://www.banyangloballearning.com/programs/global-cohorts Allyson Mitchell and Tami Moehring are co-hosts of Why Distance Learning and members of the team at CILC — the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration — which connects students to real experts through live virtual field trips and experiences. See https://cilc.org

Transformation for your child starts with structure1 Meet John Geyston! John is an Author, Public Speaker and Martial Artist. His Martial Arts Academy has been operating in Springfield, Illinois since 1982. He is a dynamic professional speaker and performance coach with more than 44 years of experience empowering individuals, families, and business owners to unlock their potential and lead with confidence, discipline, and purpose. His book, Embrace Your Awesome, is all about reflecting, practicing, and building the skills you need to feel amazing about yourself. From mindfulness to handling challenging relationships, each section will guide you on an exciting journey towards realizing your strengths, setting goals, and valuing your own worth. On this episode, John shares the powerful story of his upbringing and why he chose martial arts as a career especially focusing on the next generation. Connect with John: Website: https://www.johngeyston.com/ Additional Resources: "Embrace Your Awesome" by John Geyston on Amazon Listen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review: Apple:  Spotify:  YouTube: 

Jethro Jones shares why Project Paideia is helping teens build useful things with AI, take ownership of their learning, and solve problems they care about. We discuss the difference between expanding learning and shortcutting it, and why parents need to let kids struggle without taking over.