Unboxing Social and Emotional Learning
We are a group of friends, educators, and scholars (but hopefully not the gate-keeping kind) who use podcasting to speak critically, honestly, and open-mindedly about the excitements and concerns we have about social and emotional learning (SEL). What happens when sociality and emotionality, two things that have always been a part of learning, become seen as measurable in a world of marketized and self-managed education? How can we bust SEL out of any boxed-in definitions, and how might we unpack its complexity? Join us in asking questions without easy answers and taking the time to peel back layers of education that are often left undisturbed.
Contact us at: unboxingselpodcast@gmail.com
Podcasting since 2025 • 16 episodes
Unboxing Social and Emotional Learning
Latest Episodes
Season 2 Finale: An End to a Beginning
In this final (for now) episode of Unboxing Social and Emotional Learning, we look back on the podcast project as a whole—sharing favorite moments, discussing recurrent themes, and imagining what may come next for the pod and for SEL. ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
56:51
Embodying Empathy: Performing Arts and SEL - With Sharmila Miller
In this conversation with Sharmila Miller, we learn about her experience as a drama teacher and anti-racism facilitator within education and performing arts. Sharmila shares how the process of teaching drama inherently involves engaging student...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
59:56
Interconnected: Bringing an Ecological Perspective to SEL - With Drs. Shannon Wanless and Renee Owen
In this episode of Unboxing SEL, Dr. Shannon Wanless and Dr. Renee Owen share insights from their article Evolving Transformative SEL with an Ecological Perspective. They trace their unique paths into SEL and explain why movin...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
51:14
In Conversation with the Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma - With Xavier Graves and Traci Gardner
Unboxing SEL dives into conversation with Traci Gardner and Xavier Graves from the Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma (RJIOK) to learn about their work and vision toward promoting more just and equitable futures. Restorative justice, say...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
55:09
Educational Support and SEL - With Michaela Brain
In this lively episode, Michaela Brain joins us to talk about her work as an educational assistant and support worker in British Columbia, Canada. Michaela shares her experiences with SEL instruction across a variety of educational settings inc...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
45:44