What if puzzles were about more than finding answers?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jeff Wanko, Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences at Bradley University, about how puzzles create opportunities for both community and reasoning. While puzzles are often viewed as individual challenges, Jeff shares how they can become powerful experiences that bring people together around curiosity, conversation, and shared problem solving.

We explore how puzzles encourage learners to explain their thinking, test ideas, listen to others, and make sense of complex situations. Along the way, we discuss why productive struggle can strengthen both understanding and relationships, and how puzzles help create spaces where everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

Whether you're a teacher, leader, or simply someone who enjoys a good challenge, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what happens when people think together. Plus, the Physical Media of the Episode, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.

Show notes can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode145.

Cynicism can feel like protection—especially for educators, leaders, and anyone who has experienced disappointment or burnout. But what if cynicism slowly distances us from the very relationships and possibilities we need most?

In this episode, Dr. Gary Williams interviews Joel Amidon about the book Hope for Cynics by Jamil Zaki and the challenge of remaining hopeful in a world that often rewards skepticism and distrust. Together, they explore how cynicism shapes the way we interpret people and institutions, why hope is not the same as naïveté, and what it looks like to stay relational and open without ignoring reality.

The conversation reflects on teaching, leadership, community, and the everyday practices that help people resist isolation and remain connected to others.

If you’ve ever found yourself becoming more cynical than you want to be, this conversation offers a thoughtful and grounded invitation toward hope. Plus, the Physical Media of the Episode, Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa.

Show notes can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode144

Students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties often struggle with multisyllabic words—but explicit instruction in morphology can make a meaningful difference.

In this episode, I talk with Amy Jackson and Kristi Livingston about their article DE+CON+STRUCT+ED: A Guide to Explicit Morphology Intervention and the role morphology plays in helping students both decode and understand complex words. By learning to identify, spell, and define prefixes, suffixes, and roots, students strengthen both word recognition and language comprehension.

This kind of work is part of a broader story often referred to as the “Mississippi Miracle”, where sustained, research-informed literacy practices across the state have contributed to significant gains in student reading outcomes. The approaches discussed in this episode reflect the kind of intentional, structured instruction that has helped move that work forward.

We explore why morphology should be a central part of word study, walk through a structured approach to introducing new morphemes, and discuss how this supports students with language-based learning differences.

If you’re an upper elementary teacher or interventionist looking for practical strategies to support struggling readers, this conversation offers clear guidance and actionable ideas. If you are novice, like I am, you will still learn a lot about learning to read.

Plus the Physical Media of the Episode, Revenge of the Sith.

Jackson, A. S., & Livingston, K. D. (2025). DE+CON+STRUCT+ED: A Guide to Explicit Morphology Intervention. Intervention in School and Clinic, 61(2), 66-73.

Show notes for the episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode143

Many educators and leaders carry powerful ideas, but sharing those ideas clearly and meaningfully can be challenging.

In this episode, Dr. Marvin King, Associate Professor of Political Science & African American Studies at the University of Mississippi, and I talk about the book TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson and what it reveals about communicating ideas in ways that resonate with audiences. We explore how clarity, storytelling, and thoughtful preparation help ideas come to life, whether in classrooms, presentations, or conversations.

We also reflect on what it means to honor the audience, shape a message thoughtfully, and share ideas with confidence and purpose.

If you’re working to communicate ideas more clearly, whether as a teacher, presenter, or leader, this conversation offers insight and practical encouragement.

Show notes for the episode can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode142/

How can mathematics connect meaningfully to the culture and communities students live in?

In this episode we are learning to teach better with Dr. Siddhi Soni and Alyssa Harbin as we discuss their article, Barn Quilts Ethnomodeling Task, found in Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12. The task is a mathematics experience that connects geometric thinking with cultural traditions found in communities across the United States. Through this work, they show how mathematics can be rooted in local contexts, helping students see mathematical ideas as part of the world around them.

We explore how ethnomodeling supports culturally responsive teaching, what teachers can learn from community artifacts like barn quilts, and how authentic mathematical tasks can deepen student engagement and understanding.

If you’re looking for ways to make mathematics more meaningful and connected to students’ lived experiences, this conversation offers inspiration and practical ideas.

Plus, the Physical Media of the Epsisode, How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur.

Show notes can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode141/

It’s easy to feel like we have to manage everything - our students, our colleagues, our classrooms, our kids, and sometimes even how others think or respond. But what if some of that weight isn’t actually ours to carry?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Gary Williams about The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and the simple but powerful idea behind it: letting people be who they are, while focusing on what we can control. We explore what this looks like in teaching, leadership, and everyday relationships, and how this shift can reduce stress while increasing clarity and presence.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or over-responsible, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on boundaries, agency, and showing up with intention.

Show notes can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode140/

What if mathematics education were about more than solving problems or passing tests? What if it were part of helping people live fuller, richer lives?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Francis Su about his book Mathematics for Human Flourishing and the deeper purposes of learning (and teaching) mathematics. Drawing on philosophy, lived experience, and years of teaching mathematics, Francis invites us to see math as a discipline that cultivates curiosity, creativity, perseverance, hope, and ultimately love.

We explore how mathematics can nurture these virtues that support human growth, why belonging matters in mathematics classrooms, and how teachers can help students experience math as meaningful rather than merely procedural.

If you care about the teaching and learning of mathematics in ways that honor both intellectual rigor and human dignity, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. Plus, the Physical Media of the episode, Fargo.

Show notes can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode139/

AI tools are showing up everywhere in education, but most teachers don’t have the time to experiment with every new platform that promises transformation.

In this episode, I talk with Ken Rafanan about his work co-hosting TERC Tech Talks, a video podcast series that tests AI tools so educators don’t have to. We explore what happens when you move from reacting to AI hype to actually putting tools through their paces. Ken shares what he’s learned about discernment, practical implementation, and how hosting these conversations has shaped his own thinking about teaching and learning.

If you’re trying to make wise decisions about technology without chasing every new trend, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and grounded insight. Plus, the Physical Media of the Episode, the movie, Swingers.

Show notes for the episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode138.

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