Change Starts Here

Latest Episodes:

Atomic Habits in Review: Making Changes that Stick Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

In a world where quick fixes are often sought after, it becomes essential to examine the foundations of our habits and how they affect our lives. Why now? Because amidst the fast-paced modern lifestyle, taking the time to refine and better ourselves can have profound impacts on our overall wellbeing. According to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes on average 66 days to form a habit. But what if we could accelerate this process and make our habits more effective?

What if we could find ways to make our habits stick and truly foster lasting changes? This is the core question we're exploring in this episode of "Change Starts Here."

In this podcast episode, hosted by Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education, we delve into the insights from one of the most recommended books by guests of our show, "Atomic Habits." Odham shares his personal journey of using the principles from the book and two key takeaways that made a significant impact on his life.

Here are the key points of conversation from the episode:

The inside-out philosophy: The idea of working on your identity and how it impacts the formation and sustainability of your habits.

The concept of getting 1% better every day: A perspective that suggests focusing on small, consistent improvements can lead to significant changes over time.

The role of systems in achieving goals: A shift from setting lofty goals to focusing on creating effective systems that bring about the desired outcomes.

Our host, Dustin Odham, has a rich background in education and leadership. He's the Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education and the host of the "Change Starts Here" podcast. Known for his engaging and thoughtful conversations, Odham uses his platform to explore the many ways individuals can instigate positive change.

Finding Your Identity with Dustin Odham Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

In an era where screens dominate our time, finding your personal identity becomes a challenge. Our generation is shaping itself based on an increasingly virtual world, often losing touch with the inner self. In fact, a recent study suggests that we could end up spending at least ten years of our life in front of a screen. But how does this shape who we become?

This episode of "Change Starts Here" with host Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education, tackles this very question. Odham probes into the subject of identity and its significance in our lives. He underscores the idea that your focus shapes who you become, and encourages listeners to introspect on who they want to be, rather than who they currently are.

Throughout the episode, Odham shares:

How the process of finding your identity can lead to creating systems that yield expected results from the desired identity.
The role that personal focus plays in shaping one's identity.
The importance of self-reflection in aligning actions with the person one aspires to be.

Dustin Odham, is the Managing Director at FranklinCovey Education. Known for his thought-provoking discussions, he brings in-depth insights to his listeners, guiding them towards personal and professional development.

Preparing Students for Life, Not Just College with Stephanie Malia Krauss May 30, 2023

Show notes

In an era where students are grappling with uncertainties and challenges presented by the pandemic, the question arises: how do we prepare students for life, not just college? The stakes are high and the need for reimagining education is urgent. Now more than ever, the discussion must shift towards a comprehensive approach that caters not just to academic growth but overall wellbeing.

The core question being answered here is: how can educators equip students with the tools they need to not just survive but thrive in life? What does holistic student development look like?

In this week's episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham invites Stephanie Malia Krauss, a strategist, author, and speaker who passionately delves into this essential topic. The conversation dives into the three parts of Stephanie's new book, Whole Child, Whole Life: 10 Ways to Help Kids Live, Learn, and Thrive.

Key topics discussed in the episode:

1. A deep dive into understanding the child’s brain, body, age, and stage.

2. An exploration of the ten whole life practices, ranging from meeting basic needs to acting with a hundred-year mindset.

3. A discussion on what it looks like for a child to be safe, supported, learning and growing, living with joy and purpose, rooted and connected, and healthy.

Stephanie Malia Krauss is a seasoned strategist, author, and speaker. She has spent her career working from the schoolhouse to the White House, with an impressive background in education and youth development, higher education, and workforce development.

Learning that Lasts with Janell Blunt, PhD May 23, 2023

Show notes

With the ever-increasing pressure to perform on standardized tests, many educators are looking for ways to help their students learn more effectively. Dr. Janell Blunt, an associate professor of psychology and learning at a Midwestern university, is on a mission to do just that. In this episode, Dr. Blunt discusses her research on the science of learning and memory and shares strategies for improving student performance.

What is retrieval practice and why is it so effective? How can educators shift their approach from focusing solely on getting information into students' heads to helping them retrieve that information when they need it? And how can low-stakes practice help students learn and grow without the fear of failure? Dr. Blunt offers practical tips and insights for educators at all levels.

Retrieval practice is a powerful learning strategy that is often overlooked in traditional classroom settings.
Encouraging students to actively engage in retrieving information through low-stakes practice can lead to better long-term learning outcomes.
"Don't just stop at encoding. Yes, read the text, but now let's do something with it. Actually practice recalling it," says Dr. Blunt.

"As an educator, I believe in paying attention to what works, not just what we think works," says Dr. Blunt. With her focus on the science of learning and memory, she offers valuable insights for educators who want to help their students succeed.

Tia McIntosh, FranklinCovey Coaching Director, On How to Create a Culture of Belonging May 16, 2023

Show notes

Students and teachers are trying to achieve a “new normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic. And it seems like they’re on track to reaching this goal. According to a July 2022 report from The Collaborative for Student Growth, students in K to 8th grades are showing signs of rebounding in key areas like math and science. However, students in high-poverty areas are behind. This report asks everyone to “sustain a need for urgency” to meet the needs of our students.

How can educators reach the students who need them the most?

Today’s episode of FranklinCovey’s Change Starts Here attempts to answer this question. Host Dustin Odham chats with his long-time colleague, Coaching Director and Coach, Tia McIntosh on the relationship between building a culture of belonging and student achievement. The pair passionately discusses a teacher's impact on young lives and why building relationships is critical for success.

Join the conversation where McIntosh tells us:

1. Why the foundations of teaching matter

2. What brought her to FranklinCovey

3. How to build authentic relationships with kids

“The biggest part of [educating] kids is teaching them how to be people. Our biggest part of being a teacher is showing them how to function in society,” said McIntosh. She is a “lifelong educator” who is intimately aware of our schools' challenges, especially in the inner cities. She knows firsthand the value of teaching children facing tough circumstances and the key to finding success is creating authentic relationships. To do so, she offers educators and stakeholders strategies to build real relationships with their students.

Tia McIntosh earned her B. A. in English at the University of Delaware and later earned her Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University. She fell in love with teaching in 2011 while working at the Camden City School District. During her tenure there, McIntosh worked at the elementary, middle, and high school levels until she became a school administrator. McIntosh is a champion for students and educators who understand the value of showing up as your full self.

Embracing Crazy Ideas with Kobi Yamada May 09, 2023

Show notes

From digital health services in healthcare, and drone delivery services in technology, to creating a biliteracy instructional framework in education, innovators, change-makers, disruptors, and idea people create the solutions that make a difference in the world today.

Is there ever an idea that’s too crazy? Not in Kobi Yamada’s book, it’s not. Embracing crazy ideas is what Yamada is all about. He is a New York Times Best Selling Author and the CEO of Compendium, Inc. Yamada started Compendium thirty years ago to bring thoughtful and inspiring gifts to the masses. And then he had a crazy idea to write a picture book. That book, What Do You Do with an Idea, led to others.

Because Yamada’s books talk about creativity, courage, and persistence, they are often referenced, discussed, and taught in college and business settings.

Dustin Odham, host of Change Starts Here, spoke with Yamada about his career, the concept of embracing crazy ideas, and how he uses his books to foster that idea growth within people.

Odham and Yamada discuss:

• The nature and value of ideas

• Putting action into inspiration

• Yamada’s company, Compendium

“Compendium, at its heart, wants to make gifts,” Yamada said. “And they want to make gifts for people to share, connect, appreciate, and celebrate. We make journals, gift books, greeting cards, pop-open cards, and children’s books. We love the power of words. We love inspiration, and that inspiration is sort of in the DNA of the company. It’s something that ties and threads each product together.”

About Kobi

Kobi Yamada is a multiple New York Times bestselling author, including the award-winning picture books: What Do You Do with An Idea?, What Do You Do With A Problem?, What Do You Do With A Chance?, Maybe, Trying and Because I Had A Teacher, Because of You, Mom, Because of You, Dad, Finding Muchness and The Candy Dish. His books have sold millions of copies and inspired a dance performance, a symphony performance, a musical theater performance, and an upcoming animated film. His books appear in over thirty languages. Kobi also serves as the President/CEO of Compendium, Incorporated, an inspiring gift and publishing company.

Get a discount on all of Kobi's books!

Compendium: https://www.live-inspired.com/

Discount: 20% off, expires 6/30/23

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Finish Strong May 02, 2023

Show notes

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis.

It’s hard to believe, but another school year is approaching the finish line. There’s always a desire amongst teachers and students alike to coast to the final school bell. A word of advice: don’t. Those who finish strong could find those last days of the school year the most rewarding. Early June could quickly become a time to slip into the comfort zone, but maybe it’s the best time to step outside of it.

To finish strong, it’s not always about a great start. It often is recognizing the need to change it up, make a stand, and focus on bringing things to a successful conclusion. Change starts here; it doesn’t mean the starting gun; it means the moment one realizes that change will bring success.

Dustin Odham, Managing Director at FranklinCovey and host of the Change Starts Here podcast, shared some inspiration from his nine-year-old son, Luke Taylor Odham, who recently reminded his dad of this lesson. Dustin admits that he finds it challenging, at times, to get into the kids’ zone and teach his children wisdom that can benefit them in their daily lives.

“Often I wonder if he hears the things I’m trying to help build in him,” Odham said. “A quote we talked about in February was from Dr. Martin Luther King. ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.’”

In this episode, Odham discusses:

• Odham’s son’s ability to overcome three straight walks while on the pitcher’s mound, regroup, finish strong, and strike out the next three batters

• Standing up to the challenge and having the courage to finish

• As educators, fighting through the desire to coast at the end of the school year and to finish strong

About Dustin

Dustin Odham is a highly experienced and accomplished leadership consultant and trainer who works at FranklinCovey, a renowned global organization specializing in leadership development and effectiveness. With over two decades of experience in the field of leadership and management, Odham has helped countless individuals and organizations to enhance their leadership skills, increase their productivity, and achieve their goals. Odham holds a BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University – Cox School of Business.

Life Between Summers with Shannon Olsen Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Being a teacher can be immensely rewarding just as much as it can be overwhelming. Some people who are inspired to teach later find other ways of utilizing the skills they learned in teaching to help out others outside just their classroom. So what kind of effect can children’s books aimed at classrooms have on a global scale?

On this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham speaks with teacher-turned-author Shannon Olsen, who has penned multiple children’s books for elementary classrooms (and anyone who wants to read them). "I think when I first became a teacher, I always thought about helping to make a positive contribution within my own classroom." says Olsen. “And what I really love now about what I do, since creating things for teachers and students, is I really love knowing that I’m now making a positive contribution beyond just the bubble of one classroom.”

The episode covers:

What inspired Olsen to create teaching materials for other classrooms

How Olsen was inspired to write her first children’s book

How her books are used by teachers in the classroom, from elementary to high school

“I feel like I get to now be in multiple classrooms, and I don’t always get to see it or hear about it, but it’s just great knowing that things that I’ve helped create are being used in classrooms all around the world” says Olsen. “It’s the coolest feeling.”

Shannon Olsen spent fifteen years as a second-grade elementary school teacher before authoring her first children’s book, Our Class is a Family. She has since published other books, including A Letter From Your Teacher and Our School is a Family. She also has teaching resources and her own website and LLC with Life Between Summers.

Trust Changes Everything with Kim Nelson Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

The word trust is synonymous with many things. For some, trust means having confidence in something, believing in something, or having faith. For others, trust means having responsibility and accountability. No matter how you define trust, it remains an integral part of our everyday lives. Not only does trust help build connections and deepen relationships, but it supports a level of unparalleled transparency and communication in many different situations. So, how can trust change your perspective?

In the latest episode of Change Starts Here brought to you by FranklinCovey, Dustin Odham hosts a discussion with guest Kim Nelson, Coach and Consultant with FranklinCovey Education, about the power of trust.

The two discuss:

How building trust is critical within the educational landscape

How trust plays a major role in everyday life

How leadership and trust pre and post-COVID has affected school and district performance

“I think it’s one of those things too, that when you walk into a school you can feel it. You feel a sense of trust in a building or the lack of - it’s the elephant in the room, and so, we have to be willing to confront things head on and, like I said, use those trust behaviors like being transparent, righting wrongs, some of those things and that’s hard,” said Nelson.

Kim Nelson is a long-time educator based in Alden, Iowa and has worked as a Coach and Consultant for FranklinCovey for the past six years. Her mission statement, “To encourage and inspire others to find their greatness” has helped her serve over 32 schools in Iowa and Minnesota. She earned her Master’s in Education Leadership from the University of Northern Iowa.

Leadership Cradle to Career with Tricia Valasek Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Preparing for the future has always been a main tenet of education. As the future of the workplace continues to change with advancements in technology, community workforce development initiatives are becoming a key part of local infrastructure in staying with the times and ahead of the curve. While these initiatives spark change in local communities, how is bringing back education helping to change lives?

In the latest episode of Change Starts Here brought to you by FranklinCovey, host Dustin Odham chats with guest Tricia Valasek, Executive Director at Raise the Bar, about the community workforce development initiative of “Raise the Bar” in Hancock County, Ohio.

The two discuss:

Why it’s important to continue learning at every age

How initiatives like Raise the Bar connect people with what they need

How partnerships with initiatives like Raise the Bar can spark other communities to make an impact

“We’re a heavy manufacturing community. One in four jobs in our community is manufacturing and…automation is coming, so how do we make sure that we are as progressive as we can be, as we bring in new types of products and materials to produce for our community and for the world? So, we started to diversify where we are heading and that brought in the adult workforce side as well,” said Valasek.

Tricia Valasek has had a diverse career in a variety of fields, with one common theme - always striving to help others. Valasek started off in the science field, even earning her B.S. in Biology and her M.P.H. in Epidemiology, both of which led her to a career with the National Association of Local Boards of Health as a Senior Project Director for six years. Following this, she worked for the University of Findlay as a Grants Manager and the Co-Founder for the Findlay-Hancock County Center for Civic Engagement before starting her role as Manager and now, Executive Director, for Raise the Bar Hancock County.

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