You know Pentatonix – the multi-platinum selling acapella group is the number one most listened to musical acct of the holiday season. Co-founder and Grammy winner Scott Hoying is currently starring in Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars.

Scott Hoying and his husband Mark are now also authors of an innovative picture book which features text that doubles as lyrics to a new, original Christmas song. FA LA LA FAMILY celebrates the spirit of Christmas with a look at nontraditional families.

The reviews are loving their new book:

"A fun and festive dive into Christmas celebrations with diverse families."―School Library Journal

"Cozy and filled with love." ―Kirkus

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman sits down with Scott and Mark Hoying, creators and authors of a new children's book that challenges traditional definitions of family and centers love, creativity, and chosen community.

Together, they explore why representation in children's literature matters, how creative collaboration shapes healthy partnerships, and what their journey toward modern, inclusive parenthood has taught them about patience, communication, and imagination.

This conversation is especially relevant for educators, parents, and caregivers seeking stories that reflect diverse families—and for anyone curious about how creativity prepares us for life's biggest transitions.

Chapters

• 00:00 What Defines Family Today?

• 02:51 Creativity, Collaboration, and Partnership

• 05:46 Communication in Creative Relationships

• 08:51 Preparing for Parenthood Through Art

• 11:42 Why Representation in Children's Books Matters

• 14:27 Stories, Holidays, and Belonging

ABOUT: Scott Hoying is a GRAMMY award winning and Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, and arranger from the multi-platinum selling acapella group, Pentatonix. He co-founded the group in 2010 and has headlined hundreds of shows all around the world. He is currently starring in Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. He is very active in the LGBTQ+ community and works closely with The Trevor Project. How Lucky Am I? is his first picture book.

Mark Hoying is a writer and marketing professional from Seattle, Washington. After graduating from the University of Washington, he met and began developing projects with his husband, Scott Hoying. He co-wrote the original Christmas single "Thank You" on Pentatonix's holiday album and currently manages the girl group Citizen Queen.

Fa La La Family is published by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

In this episode of Shifting Schools, bestselling author Alan Gratz joins Tricia Friedman to explore the craft of storytelling, the role of creativity in education, and why curiosity is the engine behind both great writing and great learning. Gratz shares how baseball has quietly shaped the structure of many of his novels, how he approaches character development with authenticity, and why understanding a character's background is essential for emotional truth.

The conversation also digs into the need for interdisciplinary learning in today's classrooms and the value of teacher collaboration. Gratz argues that creativity isn't a mysterious talent—it's a skill that can be nurtured, practiced, and strengthened when schools design learning experiences that cross traditional subject boundaries.

Whether you're an educator, writer, or lifelong learner, this episode offers fresh insights into how storytelling helps us understand the human experience and how curiosity fuels both art and education.

• Alan Gratz's novel has stayed on the bestseller list for five years, a longevity he describes as "never taken for granted."

• He uses baseball as a metaphorical framework when structuring narratives.

• Creativity is a teachable practice—not an innate gift.

• Interdisciplinary learning increases student engagement and deepens understanding.

• Strong character development depends on knowing a character's background, motivations, and contradictions.

• Reading diverse perspectives cultivates empathy, curiosity, and creative thinking.

• Gratz encourages exploring multiple creative pathways in writing and education.

• Schools benefit when teachers collaborate across disciplines to build rich learning experiences.

00:00 – The Legacy of a Best-Selling Author
02:57 – Baseball as a Creative Influence
05:43 – The Teachability of Creativity
08:46 – Interdisciplinary Learning in Education
11:37 – Character Development and Authenticity
14:20 – Curiosity and the Human Condition

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.

Huge thanks to our show sponsor Poll Everywhere!

Learn more

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht reconnects with Marcus DiPaola, a successful content creator and documentary filmmaker. They discuss Marcus's journey from working in news to becoming a prominent influencer on platforms like TikTok, where he has amassed over 4 million followers. The conversation delves into the challenges of content creation, the importance of writing skills, and the role of AI in enhancing creative processes. Marcus shares insights on his documentary work, including a recent project on protests and his upcoming film about food insecurity. He emphasizes the value of internships for aspiring creators and the dedication required to succeed in the industry.

Connect with him:

https://www.tiktok.com/@marcus.dipaola?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/c/marcusdipaola

Takeaways

Content creation requires strong writing skills.
Consistency is key in content creation.
The journey to becoming an influencer is not instant.
Internships provide invaluable experience for aspiring creators.
AI can assist but cannot replace creativity.
Documentary filmmaking involves significant research and planning.
Understanding audience engagement is crucial for content success.
Passion is essential to avoid burnout in content creation.
Networking from internships can lead to lasting professional relationships.
The landscape of content creation is constantly evolving.

Sound bites

"You have to be super consistent."
"I make one 60 second video a day."
"You have to be better than that."

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting and Backgrounds
02:39 The Journey of Content Creation
05:29 Documentary Filmmaking and Its Challenges
08:23 The Role of AI in Content Creation
10:58 Advice for Aspiring Creators and Future Projects

Thank you to our Sponsor Poll Everywhere

Learn more about them:

https://www.polleverywhere.com/plans/education?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=shiftingschools&utm_campaign=shiftingschools