Point of Learning

Shayfer James discusses his songwriting process. And, you know, lots of other things.

On 5 March 2024, Peggy McIntosh was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. In honor of this momentous occasion, I’m re-sharing our 2019 conversation.

One hundred and eighty years ago, on 19 December 1843, the first edition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was published. To celebrate, I’m releasing a special version of the story produced in 2001 with William R. Mathews and The Westfield Chorale.

The heart of this special episode is the Back-to-School Address to Oakland, CA faculty and staff by Superintendent Dr. Marcus A. Foster, given in the fall of 1973. You will hear a singular voice in U.S. education urging teachers, administrators, and support staff to keep students at the center of their work—while also honoring the complexity of the challenge.

Capt. John Havlik knows a thing or two about stress. He retired in 2014 after more than 30 years of distinguished military service, nearly all of them as a Navy SEAL. He graduated from West Virginia University as the first swimmer in school history to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. He served as tri-captain of the first undefeated men’s swim team in WVU history his senior year. Just this spring, he defended his doctoral dissertation at the University of Pennsylvania, a study comparing stress-management strategies of U.S. National Team swimmers and Navy SEALs. Today’s conversation focuses on four key commonalities: 1. Absolute trust in their training 2. Adherence to a strict routine 3. Focusing only on what they could control 4. Utilizing healthy and adaptive distractions

My remarks from the Winter Institute of the New York State Council of School Superintendents in March 2023.

Rinde Eckert is a celebrated writer, composer, librettist, musician, performer and director, but I'm not sure even this list of roles captures his extraordinary versatility. This episode focuses on his recent project of rebuilding his piano technique from the ground up.

For nearly 60 years Jonathan Kozol has been one of the most widely read and highly honored education writers in the nation. Ready for a sneak preview of his next book?

My dad’s last—and maybe best—sermon, preached the day he died, 25 years ago this week.

Created in 2020 as a benefit for the Graycliff Conservancy, this very condensed performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was filmed in various locations on the spectacular Graycliff Estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.