Change Starts Here
Episodes
Buried, Busy, and Breaking Through: Sean Covey on Schoolwide Change
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, Dustin sits down with Sean Covey, President of FranklinCovey Education, for a candid conversation about why so many schools ...
Buried, Busy, and Breaking Through: Sean Covey on Schoolwide Change
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, Dustin sits down with Sean Covey, President of FranklinCovey Education, for a candid conversation about why so many schools ...
Finding Joy in the Gap
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
December has a way of highlighting the gap between the year we envisioned and the one we’re actually living. In this reflective episode, Dustin Odha...
Finding Joy in the Gap
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
December has a way of highlighting the gap between the year we envisioned and the one we’re actually living. In this reflective episode, Dustin Odha...
Retrain Your Brain: Finding the Good in Busy Times
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this energizing episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris explores how you can retrain your brain to move from constant stress to noticing daily bri...
Retrain Your Brain: Finding the Good in Busy Times
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this energizing episode of Change Starts Here, Kim Yaris explores how you can retrain your brain to move from constant stress to noticing daily bri...
Four Moves to Tackle Tough Talks
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Difficult conversations shape culture. In this episode, host Dustin Odham sits down with Todd Davis to unpack why relationships are the operating syst...
Four Moves to Tackle Tough Talks
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Difficult conversations shape culture. In this episode, host Dustin Odham sits down with Todd Davis to unpack why relationships are the operating syst...
Behavior Is Communication: What Teachers Can Influence
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Behavior isn’t who a student is–it’s what they’re trying to say.In this compelling episode of Change Starts Here, host Kim Yarris, M.Ed. chall...
Behavior Is Communication: What Teachers Can Influence
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Behavior isn’t who a student is–it’s what they’re trying to say.In this compelling episode of Change Starts Here, host Kim Yarris, M.Ed. chall...
The Link Between Relationships & Learning
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Change Starts Here: Research Conversations is back for a brand-new season! In this first episode, hosts Dr. Eve Miller Ph.D. and Kim Yaris, M.Ed explo...
The Leadership Skill Hiding in Plain Sight
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode makes the case for gratitude as a real leadership skill, not a seasonal sentiment. Dustin Odham explains how appreciation fuels human con...
The Leadership Skill Hiding in Plain Sight
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode makes the case for gratitude as a real leadership skill, not a seasonal sentiment. Dustin Odham explains how appreciation fuels human con...
Burnout: The High Cost of Misaligned Wants & Needs
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores a research informed lens for educator wellbeing, separating the brain’s wanting and needing systems and showing how chronic st...
Burnout: The High Cost of Misaligned Wants & Needs
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores a research informed lens for educator wellbeing, separating the brain’s wanting and needing systems and showing how chronic st...
Building a PEOPLE FIRST Culture—One Tiny Moment at a Time
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores how culture actually grows in schools, not through one big initiative, but through tiny moments that build trust, belonging, and...
Building a PEOPLE FIRST Culture—One Tiny Moment at a Time
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores how culture actually grows in schools, not through one big initiative, but through tiny moments that build trust, belonging, and...
Interrupting the Cycles of Stress
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode invites educators to rethink how they relate to themselves in the work, treating self compassion as a practical leadership stance rather ...
Interrupting the Cycles of Stress
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode invites educators to rethink how they relate to themselves in the work, treating self compassion as a practical leadership stance rather ...
Letting Students Lead: A Practical Path to Higher Achievement
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Across the country, proficiency is sliding and absenteeism is climbing, yet there is a practical path that moves the needle. In this episode of Change...
Letting Students Lead: A Practical Path to Higher Achievement
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Across the country, proficiency is sliding and absenteeism is climbing, yet there is a practical path that moves the needle. In this episode of Change...
Common Missteps on the Road to Funding
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Funding challenges often feel like the biggest barrier in education, but with the right strategy, leaders can avoid common pitfalls and unlock new opp...
Common Missteps on the Road to Funding
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Funding challenges often feel like the biggest barrier in education, but with the right strategy, leaders can avoid common pitfalls and unlock new opp...
Cracking the Code on Chronic Absenteeism
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chronic absenteeism has become one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. Nationally, nearly one in four students misses more than 10% of the...
Cracking the Code on Chronic Absenteeism
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chronic absenteeism has become one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. Nationally, nearly one in four students misses more than 10% of the...
The Heart of School Transformation
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really take to build a school culture where every student can thrive? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down ...
The Heart of School Transformation
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really take to build a school culture where every student can thrive? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down ...
Stedman Graham - Finding Your Unique Identity as a Leader
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You may not consider yourself a leader. Maybe you’ve tried but didn’t invest fully. Maybe you don’t think you have it in you at all.Noted author...
Erin Gruwell - "Freedom Writers" Inspiration on Her Journey in Education
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Change Starts Here host and Thought Leader for FranklinCovey Education Dustin Odham invites noted educator Erin Gruwell, on whom the 2007 film “Free...
Brad Montague - Living in Joy, Empathy and Imagination with the Co-Creator of Kid President
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 2013, a video swept through the internet, bringing joy to all who viewed it. It featured then-11-year-old Robby Novak, dressed to the nines in a su...
Change Starts Here with Julie Morgenstern, Time-Management Guru
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The debut of FranklinCovey’s Change Starts Here podcast brought out the big guns, bringing on organizing and productivity consultant, New York Times...
Coming Soon: Change Starts Here
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you are someone who knows that embracing failure is one of the keys to success, someone who is overwhelmed by the clutter and messiness of life and...
Eve Miller - Helping Students Find Their Way Out of the Post-COVID Slide
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The realm of education has been utterly transformed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – and it’s going to fall largely upon educators to do ...
Dr. Christine Rubie-Davies - Becoming a High-Expectation Teacher
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Change Starts Here and host Dustin Odham, Thought Leader for FranklinCovey Education, are back with another thought-provoking and inspiring episode –...
Jon Gordon - The Power of Genuine Positivity
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Not everyone is wired for natural positivity. In fact, one of the world’s foremost authors and keynote speakers on the topic doesn’t even find it ...
Stephanie Krauss - The Four Currencies Young People Need to Be Ready for Adulthood
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Graduating from high school is a huge accomplishment for young people – but it doesn’t always mean students are ready for what lies ahead. Stephan...
Adolph “Doc” Brown - Finding Your Calling, Even when You Don’t Want It
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adolph “Doc” Brown is a businessman, author, investor, educator, researcher, keynote speaker, and much more, and his bio advances his hope that he...
Pamela Fuller - Overcoming Unconscious Bias to Allow Inclusion to Flourish
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pamela Fuller is a wife, mother, author, speaker and FranklinCovey thought leader on bias and inclusion. When she was asked the Change Starts Here sta...
Elena Aguilar - Emotional Resilience and Equity in Education
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Self-described teacher, writer, coach, podcast host, mother, partner and daughter Elena Aguilar obviously wears many hats, including as a renowned aut...
Rachel Cruze - Knowing Yourself and Your Money
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Saving and budgeting are sticky subjects for spenders – and author Rachel Cruze knows that better than just about anyone. Her bio on her website tel...
Stephen M.R. Covey - Why Trust Is the ‘One Thing that Changes Everything’
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Change Starts Here podcast and host Dustin Odham, FranklinCovey Education thought leader, have already heard from one son of the esteemed Stephen ...
Principal El - Why Every Child Deserves Someone ‘Crazy about Them’
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There isn’t a child on the planet incapable of achieving their dreams, according to Salome Thomas-EL – they just need someone “crazy about them....
Dr. John Jungmann - The Superintendent’s Perspective on Creating a ‘Student-Focused, Future-Driven” Education System
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Change Starts Here podcast and host Dustin Odham went right to the source for this episode, the first to feature a superintendent, inviting Dr. Jo...
Sean Covey - The Evolution of FranklinCovey’s Mission to Transform Education
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of FranklinCovey Education’s Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham was joined by Franklin Covey Education President Sean Covey for a...
Dr. Britt Andreatta - Is Brain Science the Answer to Your Biggest Challenges?
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Britt Andreatta has a unique approach to personal growth, meeting your biggest challenges head on and more – and it involves your brain. A lengt...
Dr. Madeline Levine - Preparing Our Children, and Ourselves, for a Rapidly Changing World
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Madeline Levine has spent almost four decades working as a clinician, consultant, educator and author. But, for all that experience, she knows the...
Angela Maiers - The Importance of Mattering
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 2011, Angela Maiers gave a TED Talk that sparked a career. It derived its power and influence from two words – you matter. Now a self-described l...
Jody Carrington - The Power of Relationships with Those We Lead, Love and Teach
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Jody Carrington is a self-described “clinical psychologist, speaker, author and game changer,” as well as the author of “Kids These Days: A ...
Geoffrey Canada - Bringing the American Dream to Children through Powerful Opportunity
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Educators have the power to change the lives of the students they work with – but they also work within a system. That means there are also opportun...
Muriel Summers - How to Build on Every Student’s Unique Gifts and Strengths
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It might be an understatement to call today’s guest for the latest episode of Change Starts Here’s You First Summer Series impactful. In fact, hos...
Richard Gerver - How Educators Can Pour into Students to Unlock Each One’s Potential
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Change Starts Here You First Summer Series rolls on, this time with a world-renowned speaker, thought leader and educator with a unique “skin on...
Valerie Alexander - How to Recharge and Refresh for an Unprecedented Fall Semester
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The past year brought an educational landscape and challenges the likes of which educators have never encountered. That means that, in addition to the...
Dr. Candace Singh - Inspiring Courageous Leaders
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leaders in the education space often have similar philosophies and strategies around connection. Without this, it’s hard to develop effective school...
Dan Pink - How Looking Back Moves Us Forward
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is the kickoff to the second season of Change Starts Here. In order to look forward, we’re going to take a look backward by talking to a guest ...
Debbie Michael - The Persistence to Create Change
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The duo dug into why Michael does what she does and the impact of residential schools on students in Canada. “It just comes down to the kids,” Mic...
Change Starts Here Season 2 Premieres August 25th!
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. AJ Lee - Creating a Culture of Self-Care and Wellness
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Lee places importance on setting boundaries and voicing personal needs to leaders. She explained, “You want that trust to be built in a way wher...
General Christine M. Burckle - How to Embrace Change
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“People don’t want to see you being super wishy-washy,” Burckle said. “When you’re a leader, they want to know you have the fortitude and st...
Dr. Dan Domenech - Becoming A Champion for Children
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Domenech is the Executive Director of AASA(The Superintendent’s Association). He also spent 27 years as a superintendent. “We were founded in ...
Erik Weihenmayer - Teams Don't Just Happen, Creating A Great Team
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“We help people break through barriers in their lives and tap into the human spirit,” Weihenmayer said, “and figuring out ways to reclaim their ...
JCPS: Summer Leadership Institute for Teens
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At JCPS, Eddleman finds creative and unique ways to use federal and state grant funds to positively impact students. She often looks for ways to impac...
Michael B. Horn - How to be the Change in Education
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Change and transformation at the K12 level are stalling, even though many see its flaws. So, how does real change happen in this public education that...
Bonus Episode - The 4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Check out this exclusive webinar where host, Dustin Odham talks to the three authors of our latest book, "The 4 Disciplines of Execution for Educators...
Dustin Odham - Taking Time to Refuel, Renew, & Reconnect
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Now let's all take some time to hit pause and reflect on this previous year. See you in 2022!
Maggie Kline - Learn How to Start Trauma-Proofing Your Schools
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Safety and trust are developed in a child at just 18 months old, which is derived from the somatic nervous system (or the sensory nerves that relay se...
JW Marshall - Creating the Future of Education
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In describing who he is and what he does, Marshall said, “I love helping people in new ways and inspiring the uninspired. EdTech is a great vehicle ...
Meg Thompson - Executing Through Change
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I love seeing growth and change in humans and organizations by an extension of that,” said Thompson. “There is a confidence that is kind of pal...
Dr. Eve Miller - Avoiding Toxic Gratitude
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In her role, Dr. Miller breaks down research to deliver practical ways to apply it to the classroom. Her journey with gratitude was no different. “I...
Dr. Lori Desautels - Rethinking School Discipline
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
7 years ago, Dr. Desautels left Marion University after feeling as though she had lost touch with teaching. “It was not enough for me to go in to ob...
Anne Chow - Great Leaders Empower People to be Their Most Authentic Self
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anne Chow describes herself as a mom, daughter, wife, second-generation American, servant leader and agent of change. She believes that everyone can b...
Dr. Daniel Amen - Your Listening Brain and Taming Your Hidden Dragons
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I’m really interested in changing the conversation from mental illness to brain health,” said Amen. “We want to end mental illness, and the o...
Farouk Dey - Exploring Curiosity
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Farouk Dey teaches life design for a living which he said is the opposite of career planning. “It’s trying to create a culture where we no longer ...
Molly Garcia - Empowering Teachers
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Garcia’s journey began unconventionally. Raised by a single grandmother who didn’t drive, Garcia grew up in an environment of love. Garcia’s Gra...
Britain Covey - The Soul of a Leader
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A wise old Jedi once said, ‘size matters not,’ and Covey takes that advice to heart. At 5'8" and 165-pounds, Covey’s size does not instantly scr...
Daniel De Los Reyes - Crisis Management and Adaptive Leadership
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Odham is clearly a fan of Reyes whom he refers to as Danny throughout the episode. Highlighting everything from his exceptional teaching skills that e...
Chip Heath - Making Numbers Count in Education
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Heath’s journey began with studies in engineering, then a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University. Today he teaches organizational behavior at ...
Out of the Mouths of High Schoolers
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
High school students Jenaya Wilder, Jorge Sanchez and Mary Katherine Archer joined host of Change Starts Here, Dustin Odham, to discuss how to overcom...
Khieem Jackson - The Choice to Serve
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“For me, education was something my mother always told me, ‘Once you have it, they can never take it away from you and that could be your golden t...
Mathew Portell - Shifting Paradigms in Education to be Trauma-Informed
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Portell wasn’t initially on the educator path. “I was into forestry, but people kept saying kids gravitate toward you. I didn’t receive my educa...
James "The Iron Cowboy" Lawrence - Redefining the Impossible
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finding this gift didn’t come quick to Lawrence, but that journey to self-discovery isn’t one he’d trade away. “I learned a lot of my lessons ...
M.J. Fievre - Writing Through Trauma
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fievre published her first book as a teenager, and she credited her aunt, a grammar and literature teacher, for introducing her to the understanding a...
Bill McIntyre - Going International
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Because of his experience in Japan, and his continued education in learning Japanese in college, McIntyre was offered a sales position with an interna...
Stephen M.R. Covey - Trust and Inspire
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Smiling nearly the entire podcast, Covey clearly loves what he calls his purpose, which is to increase trust and inspiration in the world today. Writi...
Special Moments on Change Starts Here
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Okay. Full disclosure: Odham was away on vacation this week, but he wanted to give folks a chance to catch up on some great moments and amazing conten...
Dr. Gabriel Cardenas - Creating a Leadership Legacy
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Cardenas has spent the past 13 years leading Janson Elementary. For eight of those years, the school enjoyed the status of being a Lighthouse scho...
Catherine DiGioia-Weinfeld - Creating a Culture of Belonging
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A culture of belonging includes diversity, the presence of differences in an environment, and inclusion, or making all community members feel included...
Dr. Christy Hild - Becoming an Innovative Leader
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hild found her education influenced by her parents, both educators. “My dad was a U.S. history teacher, and he really instilled values of learning,”...
Andrew Houlihan - Leading by Example
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Houlihan, Superintendent of Union County Public Schools, Monroe, NC, is a Doctor of Education. His formal education took him to New York and Te...
Chris McChesney - Creating Wildly Important Goals This Summer
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From a young age, Chris McChesney fell in love with Stephen Covey’s application of principles over best practices. He wanted to be a part of Frankli...
Phil Boyte - Transforming School Culture
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The culture within companies is widely accepted as a critical element to success, but what is the culture within a school? Dustin Odham and Phill Boyt...
Dr. Kelvin Adams - Superintendent Leadership
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, doesn’t have a magic formula for success, or why his leadership role within the St. Lo...
Lindsey Pollak - Recalculating Your Future
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pollak’s interest in public speaking dated to her K12 years when she won a prize for reading a Shell Silverstein book. Next, a Rotary Club college s...
Joel Vargas - Blurring the Line Between High School and College
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The report aligns with the mission of JFF, founded in 1983, to create a system that benefits all students and prepares them for work in a realistic wa...
Sally Amoruso - The Future of Higher Education
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Straight A’s are not always easy to come by, but often, earning them in a traditional setting means getting to the right answer, not learning why an...
David Edward Garcia - Building Superheroes
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Garcia speaks several languages, is a speaker, a teacher, a comedian, and a world traveler who has not yet made it to Antarctica, but he’s checked a...
Chase Mielke - Battling Burnout
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mielke encourages educators to be in a space of happiness and purpose. “Every time I speak on a topic, I get to not only apply it to myself but see ...
Juan Bendaña - Building Trust with Your Students
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Working within a positive culture creates optimal results in any setting, and that is especially true for those in K12 educational settings. Juan Bend...
Dr. Tina Boogren - Focusing on Your Wellbeing
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Who takes care of the teachers? In the “Change Starts Here” podcast, host Dustin Odham chatted with author and associate at Marzano Resources and ...
John "Push" Gaines - Leaning into the Present
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Facing adversity from a young age, Dr. John “Push” Gaines, a professional speaker and leadership consultant, was not sure where his life would end...
Dr. Catherine Quiroz Moore - Every Student has Potential
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cathy Quiroz Moore is the Superintendent of the Wake County Public School System, NC, the 15th largest school system in the United States. Moore came ...