The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation & Resources
Hosted by Dr. Lisa Hassler, The Brighter Side of Education: Research, Innovation, & Resources a podcast that offers innovative solutions for education challenges. We bring together research, expert insights, and practical resources to help teachers and parents tackle everything from classroom management to learning differences. Every episode focuses on turning common education challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether you're a teacher looking for fresh ideas or a parents wanting to better support your child's learning, we've got actionable strategies you can use right away.
The podcast's music was created by Brandon Picciolini, her son, from The Lonesome Family Band. You can explore more of his work on Instagram.
Episodes
64 episodes
Gen Z College & Career Readiness | Helping Students Plan Their Future with Loper
Post-secondary planning doesn't need to be overwhelming for students, parents, or educators. Sam Bernstein shares how his app Loper is transforming this crucial process into a personalize...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 63
•
28:54
Screen-Free Learning That Works: Why Teachers & Parents Love the "Who Smarted" Podcast
Worried about too much screen time for your kids or students? Discover how the Who Smarted podcast is helping parents and teachers bring back curiosity, focus, and fun — without a screen in sight.In this episode, Jerry Kolber, c...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 62
•
21:20
Making Teaching Sustainable in a Blended, Self-Paced Learning Environment: The Modern Classrooms Project
Robert Barnett, co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project, explains how their innovative teaching model helps teachers effectively rea...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 61
•
24:09
406,000 Teacher Vacancies: The Solution Schools Are Using to Keep Classrooms Staffed
The education landscape is in turmoil as schools cope with a teacher shortage that leaves over 400,000 positions unfilled. This episode tackles the pressing issue head-on, exploring how innovative education leaders are transforming staffing cha...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 60
•
23:43
Empowering Young Women Through Financial Literacy with Her Wealth Founder James Comblo
Are you aware of the gender gap in financial literacy? In this episode, James Comblo shares the impact of programs like Her Wealth, designed to empower girls aged 16-28 with the...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 59
•
27:36
School-Based Mental Health Initiatives with Counseling in Schools' Kevin DaHill-Fuchel
Can better mental health support in schools transform student success? Join us as we explore this critical question with Kevin DaHill-Fuchel, Executive Director of Counseling in Schools (CIS). ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 58
•
35:26
Data Driven Solutions for Chronic Absenteeism with Innovator Chris Hull
What if a simple tool could improve the way we address chronic absenteeism in schools? Join me, Dr. Lisa Hassler, as I explore this provocative question with Chris Hull, the visionary founder of Otus. In this ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 57
•
38:07
Students Overcome Math Anxiety with Mathematician Dr. Aditya Nagrath
The episode explores the science and psychology of math anxiety and features innovative educational approaches aimed at transforming math teaching. With a PhD in Mathematics & Computer Sciences,
•
Season 3
•
Episode 56
•
22:14
Joyful Learning: Practical Strategies for Navigating Holiday Havoc with Drs Hassler
Ever wonder how teachers and parents can navigate the festive frenzy of December without losing their minds? Join me and my husband, Dr. Gregg Hassler Jr., as we unlock the secrets to maintaining sanity and maximizing learning during one of the...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 55
•
21:06
The Golden Age of Nonfiction: Gateway to Literacy with Imagination Soup's Melissa Taylor
Open the gates to the golden age of nonfiction literature with Dr. Lisa Hassler and Melissa Taylor, founder of Imagination Soup, as they unrave...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 54
•
27:36
Stories as Tools for Anxiety Management with Former Sesame Street Director, Dr. Anna Housley-Juster
What if the key to managing childhood anxiety lies in the stories we tell? Discover how storytelling can transform anxiety from a daunting monster into a friendly guide, as Dr. Anna Housley-Juster, a...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 53
•
31:59
Music Education & Mental Well-Being: Making Better Humans with Music Workshop's Dr. Giuliana Conti
Unlock the powerful role of music in transforming education with insights from Dr. Lisa Hassler and guest, Dr. Giuliana Conti, Director of Education and Equity at
•
Season 3
•
Episode 52
•
27:21
*Special Episode* When Disaster Strikes: How Schools Build Resilience and Community Strength with Educators Mary Guarino and Beth Donofrio
What if schools could transform chaos into community strength during a natural distaster? Join me, Dr. Lisa Hassler, as we promise a deep dive into the critical topic of hurricane preparedness in American schools. In this episode, seasoned educ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 51
•
27:02
Going Beyond Numbers to Create a Math Symphony with MoMath's Cindy Lawrence
What if mathematics could be as captivating and enjoyable as a symphony concert? In our latest episode, we promise you'll discover innovative ways to make math not only accessible but genuinely fun for everyone. Join me, Dr. Lisa Hassler, along...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 50
•
37:40
Equity-Centered Teaching: A Path to Educational Justice with Director Dr. Emily Affolter
What if we could transform education to truly empower every student, regardless of their background? Join me, Dr. Lisa Hassler, and our inspiring guest, Dr. Emily Affolter, as we...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 49
•
32:11
Dual Language Programs: Cultural Identity and Equity with Ensemble Learning's Katherine Hamilton
Dual language programs are growing as the value of linguistic diversity is seen as a strength to be leveraged, not a challenge to be overcome. Peek into the inner workings of the dual language program with Katherine Hamilton, the Senior Vice Pr...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 48
•
29:47
Childhood Trauma: Need to Know Strategies with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Robyn Koslowitz
"Our traumas can either be our greatest problem or our greatest superpower," (Dr. Robyn Koslowitz). Which do you believe it is? Reflect on childhood trauma with Dr. Koslowitz, a nationally recogni...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 47
•
38:13
Social-Emotional Learning: Promoting Student Well-being with Scholar Dr. Maggie Broderick
How can understanding and integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) impact the way we educate and nurture young minds? Join us as we explore SEL with Dr. Maggie Broderick, Associate Professor in the Teacher Education Department of National Un...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 46
•
26:43
Teacher Crisis: Addressing Commodification and Mental Health with Leadership Consultant Dr. Roger Gerard
Ever wondered how the commodification of education affects our teachers' mental health and the quality of education? Join us as we explore this pressing issue with renowned healthcare executive and leadership consultant,
•
Season 2
•
Episode 45
•
29:13
Agile Classrooms: Student-Centered Learning with The Agile Mind's Jessica Cavallaro
Want to change your approach to teaching? Join us with Jessica Cavallaro, co-founder of The Agile Mind, as she uncovers the transformative power of Agile methodologies in the classroom. Discover how Jessica embraced Agile principles, reshaping ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 44
•
32:26
Social Learning: Peer Instruction and Assessment Insights with Harvard's Dr. Eric Mazur
Can questioning transform teaching more effectively than lecturing? Join us on The Brighter Side of Education as we welcome Dr. Eric Mazur, the Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard Un...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 43
•
31:51
ChatGPT: A Guide for Teachers with AI Consultant Jessica Lyons
Discover how AI can transform your classroom with insights from EdTech AI consultant Jessica Lyons. Learn how ChatGPT can simplify lesson planning and administrative tasks, drastically cutting down the time educators spend on preparation. Jessi...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 42
•
22:13
Sound-Based Teaching with Jazz Musician Hayes Greenfield
Tap into the symphony of learning with us as we explore sound-based teaching techniques in the classroom. Author, Hayes Greenfield, brings over three decades of experience to the table as a ja...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 41
•
36:34
Guiding Children to Financial Fluency with Financial Advisor-Author Anthony Delauney
Unlock the secrets to teaching your children the priceless skill of financial literacy, as we welcome Anthony Delauney to share his expertise and heartwarming journey as a Family Financial Planner and author of Owning the Dash children's book s...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 40
•
37:38
Empathy and Education: Hidden Barriers in Generational Poverty with Food Bank CEO Michael Coleman
Discover the untold challenges of generational poverty and how it shapes the educational journey of countless children. I'm Dr. Lisa Hassler, and in a heartfelt conversation with Michael Coleman, CEO of Heart of Alabama Food Bank, we peel back ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 39
•
40:39
