"The adults in the building need healing just as much as the kids do. Self-compassion isn't soft. It's the most radical act of self-preservation an educator can practice."
That's a quote from my guest in this episode, Marisol Quevedo Rerucha. She's the author of Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices and the CEO of Heartset Consulting Group. A former teacher, principal, and district leader, she now supports individuals, communities, and systems in building high-trust, equity-centered spaces.

Together, Marisol and I explore what a restorative way of being looks like, how to build a classroom culture rooted in belonging and accountability, and why self-compassion is a foundational part of this work. Marisol also shares her personal story of healing, offers real classroom examples, and closes with an unforgettable metaphor about facing life's hardest moments with courage and community.

In this powerful conversation, Marisol Revucha shares why so many educators feel disillusioned with restorative practices and what needs to shift for true transformation to occur.
Whether your school is fully immersed in restorative practices or you're just starting to explore what it means, this conversation offers both heart and strategy. You'll walk away with a clearer vision for what's possible—not just for your students, but for yourself.

Topics include:

• Why restorative justice often fails in schools
• How to build a culture of repair and accountability
• The role of self-compassion in restorative work
• Real-time responses when students act out
• Restorative practices for staff—not just students
• "Being the buffalo": facing the storm together

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

This episode is brought to you by MiaTiagoBooks.com.

Metacognition — "thinking about your thinking" — is one of the most powerful skills we can teach students, and it doesn't require adding anything new to your already packed schedule. In this episode, you'll learn four simple, one-minute routines you can weave into your daily classroom flow to help students notice, analyze, and adjust their own thinking.

We'll explore:

How to use attention checks so students can redirect focus in the moment

Why brain break signals teach learners to connect physical energy with mental clarity (and how to manage them without chaos)

How mistake moments reframe errors as valuable information

A fresh take on end-of-day brain checks that builds awareness of learning strategies, not just content recall

Whether you teach kindergarteners or high school seniors, you'll walk away with concrete ideas for creating a classroom culture where students take ownership of their learning process.

Plus, I'll share how my Finding Flow Solutions K–12 curriculum can give you ready-made, no-prep lessons to teach these skills — and where to grab your free downloadable sample lesson.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

This episide is brought to you by Listenwise and MiaTiagoBooks.com.

"Giving kids, and yourself, language to wrap around the idea that we have an inner leader (our kindest, best self) is transformative."

Join me as I talk with Lily Howard Scott, a NYC-based parent, educator, and author, who shares insights from her book The Words That Shape Us: The Science-Based Power of Teacher Language.

We're exploring how our internal self-talk shapes our perceptions of students and ourselves, and how intentional language can transform classroom culture. Lily shares practical strategies for helping students of all ages:

• Notice and separate from their thoughts and feelings ("feelings as visitors")
• Understand they are always good inside, even when they make a bad choice
• Access their wisest self to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically

Lily also introduces tools like "outer shells and inner swirls" to help students notice assumptions and guide interactions in more mindful, empowering ways.

Whether you're looking to improve classroom culture, support student self-reflection, or strengthen your own teacher mindset, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiring reminders about the words we choose and the impact they have.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.