Experiential Learning – Teaching Empathy

David (DJ) Begbie is a Director and senior spokesman for the Crossroads Foundation, a humanitarian aid and development organization headquartered in Hong Kong. This agency provides direct assistance to those in need, and an online humanitarian platform

connecting corporates and NGOs globally. They currently operate out of an 8-acre former army base, and impact almost 1 million people, across 50 nations, per year.

DJ is also the Director of Crossroads’ experiential programs which have seen over 250,000 participants engage in simulations, including attendees at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. DJ holds a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies and a Master of Arts in Leadership.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.

Links:

David (DJ) Begbie:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dj-begbie-248359252/

Crossroads Foundation:

https://www.crossroads.org.hk/

The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742

The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3

The Human Intelligence movement:

https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/

This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.

You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com

Designing Different

Adrian Ireland is an international educator, systems thinker, and author dedicated to reimagining the architecture of learning. With extensive experience teaching and leading across Asia and Europe, Adrian has spent his career challenging the traditional, standardized models of education by championing learner-centered approaches that value individuality, curiosity, and creativity. His entrepreneurial mindset drives him to experiment with bold ideas, test innovative systems, and design frameworks that empower both students and educators to thrive.

He wears a mix of hats that have shaped his perspectives on education: Watching the development and natural learning progressions of his two boys as father. Coaching Volleyball at both high and low levels. Teaching in the classroom in both middle and high school. Leading full school change efforts around interdisciplinary learning and project-based learning. Redesigning time and scheduling to allow space for change and most recently Coordinating the MYP (Middle Years Program).

Rooted in both practical classroom experience and a deep understanding of educational theory, Adrian believes that the future of learning lies not in small improvements, but in daring to create something fundamentally different. His work blends systems thinking with human-centered design principles, helping schools and organizations shift toward environments that foster authentic engagement and personal growth.

In "Designing Different", Adrian shares the lessons, insights, and strategies gathered from years of navigating the complexity of educational reform, inspiring others to move beyond "better" and design the future of learning.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.

Links:

Adrian Ireland

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-ireland-413191278/

Book “Designing Different: A New Architecture for Learning”:

https://designingdifferent.carrd.co/

The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742

The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3

The Human Intelligence movement:

https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/

This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.

You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com

Creators and Destroyers of Worlds

Iuri Melo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience and the proud father of five. He’s the co-founder of SchoolPulse, a nationwide student support service that delivers positivity, optimism, and growth mindset tools to students, parents, and faculty via text and email. After several teen suicides in his community, Iuri co-created SchoolPulse in 2017 to proactively support student well-being. He’s also the author of Mind Over Grey Matter and the teen best-seller Know Thy Selfie, and the developer of “Adventure Based Therapy.” With over 300 schools in 25+ states, Iuri’s mission to “bless the human family” is inspiring students every day through kindness, psychology, and powerful weekly videos.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.

Links:

Iuri Melo:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iuri-melo-1b41482/

SchoolPulse:

https://schoolpulse.org/schools/schoolpulse/

The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742

The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3

The Human Intelligence movement:

https://www.humanintelligencemovement.org/

This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.

You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com