What role can scientists play when politics reaches a standstill?

In this episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with Nobel Prize–winning scientist Peter Agre about his extraordinary second career in science diplomacy—a path that took him from the laboratory into conversations with presidents, prime ministers, health ministers, and scientists in countries often at odds with the United States.

Agre, a physician, molecular biologist, and former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), shares how scientific collaboration can reduce tensions, build trust, and inform global policy on issues ranging from public health and malaria to climate change, sustainability, and food security.

Rather than portraying scientists as lone geniuses, Agre emphasizes humility, collaboration, and serendipity—arguing that scientific progress and diplomacy alike depend on relationships, listening, and shared human goals.

Peter Agre, MD, is an American physician, molecular biologist, and Nobel Laureate. He is a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, and former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

His book, Can Scientists Succeed Where Politicians Fail?, examines the history, challenges, and promise of science diplomacy in addressing global threats.

At a moment when global challenges demand cooperation—but trust in science is under strain—this conversation offers a powerful reminder: science is not just about discovery, but about connection.

Join Tricia on January 13th:

https://www.instituteforsel.net/sel-resources/teach-meets

Chapters

In this warm and curiosity-packed conversation, Tricia Friedman sits down with Brian "Uncle John" Boone, longtime contributor to the iconic Uncle John's Know It All Bathroom Reader series—now celebrating its 38th edition. Brian shares why trivia continues to captivate millions, how collaborative writing fuels the series' longevity, and why tiny bits of knowledge can strengthen community, curiosity, and even kindness.

Together, Tricia and Brian explore:

• Why trivia matters in a world overloaded with information

• How curiosity helps us build human connection

• The behind-the-scenes pitching and research process at the Bathroom Readers' Institute

• The multigenerational fandom behind the beloved series

• How educators, parents, and young writers can use trivia to inspire creativity and local storytelling

• Practical tips for idea-keeping, pitching, and overcoming rejection as a writer

This episode is perfect for educators, writers, trivia lovers, librarians, caretakers, and anyone needing a little delight at this busy time of year.

Brian Boone has spent more than two decades helping shape one of the world's most beloved trivia traditions: Uncle John's Bathroom Reader. With millions of copies sold and a fiercely loyal, multigenerational fandom, the "Know It All" series continues to turn everyday moments into delightful discoveries.

In this episode, Brian shares what keeps the series thriving after 38 editions:

• Humans are wired for curiosity. Trivia satisfies our desire to understand the world in quick, accessible ways.

• Trivia builds connection. Readers often share facts with friends, family, and even strangers—strengthening social bonds.

• Collaboration fuels creativity. The series is built by writers of different ages and backgrounds, each bringing unique lenses to history, science, pop culture, and everyday oddities.

• Research is an adventure. From public libraries to vintage magazines to listener letters, the team follows surprising threads that lead to new stories.

• Writing thrives on feedback. Brian offers honest, encouraging insight into pitching, rejection, and finding the right home for your ideas.

Tricia and Brian also discuss how educators can adapt this model for micro-projects in classrooms: school-based trivia books, local history prompts, research sprints, and collaborative student authorship.

If you're looking for a light, meaningful episode at the end of a hectic year, this conversation is a reminder that joyful learning still matters.

Join Tricia for a Futures Literacy conversation on December 12th through The Guardian Project:

m/t/taHBbURnELus?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Tricia Friedman sits down with Scott and Mark Hoying to explore what it means to build a family rooted in love, creativity, and community. Together they talk about their new children's book, why representation in early storytelling matters, and how reimagining family through inclusive narratives can nurture belonging.

They also share how their creative partnership strengthens their relationship, what they're learning as they prepare for parenthood, and why embracing multi-hyphenate creativity can open unexpected pathways in art, life, and love. This warm holiday-season conversation blends heart, humor, and practical wisdom for anyone curious about how family and creativity evolve together.

Get your copy of their brand new book:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250853349/falalafamily/

• Family is shaped by love, care, and chosen community—not limited by traditional definitions.

• Inclusive children's books expand how young readers understand belonging and representation.

• Creative collaboration can deepen trust, communication, and emotional connection.

• Multi-hyphenate creativity empowers people to work across genres and mediums.

• Preparing for parenthood often mirrors the creative process: patience, curiosity, and resilience.

• Innovation emerges when couples challenge routines and try new approaches together.

• A shared creative life can strengthen partnership and build strong foundations for future family life.

• The holiday season offers opportunities to celebrate joy, generosity, and chosen family.

What happens when a children's book becomes a tool for unity, empathy, and allyship?

In this conversation, Tami Charles—author, former teacher, and champion of diverse stories—opens up about the creative process behind her latest picture book, Together United. She shares how her writing is shaped not only by ideas, but by her collaboration with illustrators, the ever-present feeling of fear, and her commitment to creating stories that help children see themselves and each other.

We talk about:

• How collaboration between author and illustrator can lead to unexpected, beautiful outcomes that neither could have created alone.

• Why fear is a constant companion in the creative process, and how Tami chooses to write anyway.

• What it means to center unity, understanding, and connection in children's literature at a time when division is loud and constant.

• How rich, poetic language in picture books can still be accessible—and deeply engaging—for young readers.

• The importance of reading aloud as a ritual that nurtures a love of language, builds empathy, and creates shared moments between children and caring adults.

Throughout the episode, Tami reflects on how every child has the potential to inspire others, and how stories can open doors to conversations about identity, justice, kindness, and community. We explore the idea that books can act as bridges, connecting diverse experiences and helping children see that they belong to something bigger than themselves.

If you're an educator, caregiver, librarian, school leader, or children's literature lover, this episode offers practical and heart-centered insight into:

• Choosing and using picture books that promote inclusion, empathy, and allyship.

• Talking with young readers about unity, difference, and shared humanity in age-appropriate ways.

• Encouraging children to see themselves as storytellers and changemakers, not just passive readers.

At its heart, this episode is a celebration of the way art and words together can create a kind of magic—the magic that happens when children feel seen, heard, and invited into stories that ask them to imagine a more united world.

Join host Tricia Friedman in conversation with Alan Gratz, the New York Times–bestselling author whose novels have captivated readers for over five years. Gratz shares how baseball shaped his storytelling, why creativity and curiosity belong at the heart of every classroom, and how interdisciplinary learning strengthens student engagement.

This episode explores the connections between empathy, character development, and allyship—inviting educators to think differently about how stories shape our understanding of one another. Discover how reading diverse perspectives, teaching creativity, and building collaboration among teachers can transform the learning experience.

Perfect for educators, writers, and anyone passionate about inclusive education, creative teaching, and storytelling as a tool for allyship.

ALAN GRATZ is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed books for young readers, including Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, Two Degrees, Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade, Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, Code of Honor, and Captain America: The Ghost Army, an original graphic novel. Alan lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest. Look for him online at alangratz.com.

What if the fight for climate justice began with the stories we tell?
In this reflective episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with Shilpi Chhotray, host of A People's Climate, to unpack the concept of narrative justice — the belief that climate storytelling must center the communities most impacted by environmental change.

Together, they explore how Indigenous knowledge, fiction, education, and intersectional media can reshape public understanding of the climate crisis. Shilpi shares her journey amplifying global majority voices — Indigenous, Black, and Brown storytellers — who are redefining what environmental leadership looks like.

Listeners will learn:

• Why narrative justice is foundational to climate and environmental justice

• How media storytelling can empower marginalized communities

• The role of fiction and art in reframing climate narratives

• How partnerships and community engagement create real environmental impact

• Ways to rethink consumer culture and center humanity in advocacy

Shilpi Chhotray previously hosted People Over Plastic. The podcast explored the global effort to fight plastic pollution, how waste moves through the world, and how industrial polluters are turning towns across the US into sacrifice zones, including the US Gulf South. Last year, the fifth season, achieved new heights in listener engagement and explored environmental justice through the lens of democracy right before the U.S. election. It was ranked in Spotify's Top 10 Podcasts for Society and Culture and listened to in 58 countries and was recently shortlisted for the International Women's Podcast Awards and named one of the 100 Best New Orleans Podcasts by Feedspot.

Learn more:

https://www.counterstream.org/apc-podcast

A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners....

In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christy Mandin to explore what school leaders can learn from the creative process behind children's literature. Together they unpack how curiosity fuels empathy, how messy iteration sparks innovation, and how embracing the dark and uncertain moments of creativity can make us more compassionate educators.

• Why boredom and unstructured time are essential ingredients for student creativity.

• How to help students (and ourselves) become friends with the dark—embracing uncertainty as a path to growth.

• Why modeling curiosity, reflection, and open-mindedness is one of the most powerful leadership moves.

Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books. She's grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles. She currently lives in Georgia with her husband and four children. Visit Christy online at christymandin.com or Instagram @christymandin

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