This episode reflects on the Apollo 8 mission's iconic "Earthrise" image in late December 1968 and the turbulent year that preceded it. It highlights the enduring challenges of inequality, collective problem-solving, and environmental stewardship we still face today.

A young artist’s business sparks a full youth-entrepreneurship program teaching kids financial literacy, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability—while challenging assumptions about what children can create when adults let them “do it now.” Executive Director of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs, Leah Ellis, and Assistant Board Director, Melody Ellis, give us the details.

Jon Gluck reflects on living with incurable cancer, the strain it places on relationships, the challenge of uncertainty, and the healing power of fly fishing, offering wisdom on resilience, empathy, and intentional living.

Hunter Seim discusses three decades of managing public lands for the Bureau of Land Management, balancing wilderness preservation with resource extraction, livestock grazing with wildlife protection, and navigating conflicts that inevitably leave one interest group disappointed.

Fly-fishing guide Spencer Seim reflects on nature, adaptability, and stewardship, revealing how rivers teach quiet lessons about humility, curiosity, and connection—to self, others, and the living world.

Dr. Karen Sobel-Lojeski cautions that technology and AI deepen “virtual distance,” the measurable sense of separation people feel despite being physically close, a phenomenon driven by technology-mediated communication. Virtual distance has the strong potential to erode human connection; therefore, she urges educators to prioritize relational, emotional, and social learning as the core of education.

Jodi Scott shares Green Goo’s story—its plant-based mission, family foundation, near collapse, and rebirth—revealing how true resilience means slowing down, staying present, and leading with purpose and compassion.

Dennis and Ali Pitocco recount how walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago became a transformative act of reflection, silence, and reconnection—revealing what truly matters: simplicity, authenticity, relationships, and wonder.

Christopher Schaberg PhD. discusses embracing confusion and mystery as elements of uncertainty, valuing the small and overlooked, and making academic work publicly meaningful—connecting fly fishing, airports, and writing as practices of attention and wonder.

Brew Moscarello, founder of Trico Unlimited, a Vermont-based fly fishing guiding and instruction service, shares how his fly fishing practice blends teaching, conservation, and presence—helping clients connect with nature, learn patience, and find meaning beyond simply catching fish.

Former high school principal Sam Sochet shares lessons from turning around a struggling school, emphasizing the importance of community, teacher empowerment, and preparing students for adaptable futures—while reflecting on the evolving purpose of education and his new role in public service.

Jeff and Rebecca Winthrop, a leading global authority on education, explore how schools’ outdated designs hinder student agency and engagement. They unpack the four “disengagement modes,” highlight practices that foster curiosity and autonomy, and stress the role of families, teachers, and systemic reform in helping students become lifelong, self-directed learners.

Reflecting on the film adaptation of Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It, I see my own challenge as a writer as one of pushing beyond surface details to dig deeper and uncover the true “aboutness”—the emotional core—of my stories.

Superintendent Constantino “Costa” Aguilar discusses his vision for educational reform, including social-emotional learning, AI integration, and community engagement, all while moving away from an antiquated national school system.

In this episode, podcast host Jeff Ikler discusses the three types of "No" responses from desired guests, acknowledging that while rejection stings, it's a fact of podcast life.