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Expand your brain space with important insights and strategies from leading educators and researchers.

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Brain Science Behind Coaching with

Kathryn Markloff

EPISODE 17 | OCTOBER 2026

Coaching isn’t about fixing "broken" practice—it’s about leveraging how the human brain naturally learns, adapts, and grows. In this episode, we sit down with instructional coach Kathryn Markloff from Perkiomen Valley School District to unpack the inner workings of instructional coaching that meaningfully impact teachers and students, through the lens of brain science. Kathryn explains shifting from a deficit model to continuous growth, the power of non-evaluative trust between coaches and teachers, bridging top-down and bottom-up needs, and why leaders can benefit from coaching support too. This one transforms all grades, disciplines, and roles—enjoy the conversation!
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How Trust Rewires Student Engagement (Part 1) with Dr. Paul Zak

EPISODE 18 | NOVEMBER 2026 (coming soon!)

What if the secret to deep student engagement isn't a better lesson plan, but a safer environment to take risks with trusting relationships between teachers and students? In this episode, Julia sits down with Dr. Paul Zak, the incredible neuroscience researcher and author of the books The Trust Factor and Immersion. We explore the neuroscience of trust, learning, and human engagement in classrooms and professional settings. He breaks down how neurochemicals like oxytocin and dopamine signal our brain and body to tune in, collaborate, remember, and thrive. Paul's research is a core element of our frameworks - this is a must-listen! Check out Paul's books ⁠⁠Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness⁠⁠, as well as his free resources at ⁠⁠www.your6.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠www.ofactor.com⁠⁠.
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Small Habits that Build Deep Trust (Part 2) with Dr. Paul Zak

EPISODE 19 | NOVEMBER 2026 (coming soon!)

If trust is the key to psychological safety and performance, why is it still so hard to establish in classrooms, schools, and districts? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Paul Zak, we dive deeper into the science and practice of how trust and care transform classrooms and organizational cultures. From simple 60-second leadership habits like noticing and checking in, to balancing tech-heavy learning with face-to-face connection, Paul shares actionable ways to build environments where people feel safe, valued, and ready to thrive.
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Coming Full Circle: Becoming the Teacher You Needed with Zac Taylor

EPISODE 16 | SEPTEMBER 2026

What if the key to unlocking a student's potential isn't better instruction, but a deeper connection? In this episode, we sit down with one of our longest-lasting partners Zac Taylor from Bensalem Township School District, to explore the profound way that using brain science humanizes teaching and learning. Zac explains how experiencing the Six Gears as a middle school student (a teacher cultivating a strong sense of trust and agency, yielding passion and motivation, to build memorable and meaningful experiences) helped school click for him and has shaped his approach as a sixth grade teacher today. We dive into how emotional safety provides the foundation for successful academic learning, how sharing adverse personal experiences cultivates trust and vulnerability, and how fostering student agency helps build lasting confidence and self-advocacy. Whether you are a teacher, a leader in education, or someone who remembers what it felt like to be misunderstood as a student in school, this conversation will change the way you think about classroom culture and leadership.
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Portrait of a Classroom with Dr. Teri Ricci

EPISODE 15 | AUGUST 2026

You've probably heard of a Portrait of a Graduate, but have you ever heard of a Portrait of a Classroom? Pennsbury School District in Bucks County, PA is blazing a new trail by using brain science to develop their unique "Portrait of a Classroom". This shared vision identifies six key pillars that shape effective learning environments, culture, curriculum, and instruction across all K-12 schools and professional learning. Hear Dr. Teri Ricci, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction at Pennsbury SD, explain how this framework was developed collaboratively across the district and key stakeholders, and where they are now in the process of implementation. Get ready to be inspired!
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Full Portrait Framework

What Does it Mean to be Future-Ready? with Stephanie Malia Krauss

EPISODE 14 | JULY 2026

We hear the term "future-ready" constantly, but what does it actually mean? Are our schools truly preparing young people to be ready to embrace their futures? Author and researcher Stephanie Malia Krauss breaks down her perception of what's really necessary to have a "livable lovable life", which goes so much farther than content knowledge and skills. Listen in to hear what it takes for people of all ages to thrive now and into the future.
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The Value of Productive Failure with Dr. Manu Kapur

EPISODE 13 | JUNE 2026

Get ready to rethink how you teach! Dr. Manu Kapur's surprising research shows how productive failure actually leads to longer lasting understanding and memory than direct instruction! How is it possible that failing can help us learn better than getting something right? Listen to find out!
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The Power of Mattering with Dr. Zach Mercurio

EPISODE 12 | FEBRUARY 2026

What is one of the highest leverage strategies we can use to improve engagement and performance for both staff and students? Showing people they MATTER. Dr. Zach Mercurio has uncovered the power behind this concept, and shares actionable strategies for how to create mattering that simultaneously accelerate connection and achievement.
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Why Our Brains Resist Change (Part 1) with Dr. Britt Andreatta

EPISODE 11 | JANUARY 2026

Do changes at work or home instill an instant sense of panic? Turns out there is a scientific (and evolutionary) explanation for this. Dr. Britt Andreatta, author of Wired to Resist, explains how and why our brains are actually wired to resist change. In Part 1 of our conversation with her, we dive into why change is perceived as threatening and how leaders can strategically approach this human response with more realism and empathy.
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EPISODE 12 | JANUARY 2026

We know people's brains are wired to resist change. So what do we do next? Whether you are responsible for leading change in your job, or you are receiving changes from above, what are healthy ways to navigate these uncomfortable experiences? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Britt Andreatta, author of the book Wired to Resist, she uncovers several actionable strategies that allow us to have a healthier experience through change. From identifying a "Air Traffic Control" monitor for the numerous impacts of change, to distinguishing the difference between normal resistance and toxic negativity, Britt gets into it all. Listen for concrete strategies to ways to use the science of change to have a more balanced experience through these inevitable phases in work and life.

A Healthier Path Through Change (Part 2) with Dr. Britt Andreatta

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How a School Transformed Learning with Sticky Lessons with Fred Backhaus

EPISODE 9 | DECEMBER 2025

What actually makes learning stick? Hear the story of motivated leader Fred Backhaus, who guided his elementary school teachers to design lessons with impact using one or more of the gears from our Six Gears (R) Framework - trust, agency, passion, memorable, meaningful, or motivational. The experience was transformational. Learn key leadership and instructional strategies that facilitate lasting learning for students and teachers alike.
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Why Less is More with Dr. Leidy Klotz

EPISODE 8 | NOVEMBER 2025

We are all feeling the effects of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. Are there ways to do less that we might be missing? Dr. Leidy Klotz, author of Subtract, explains why our brains default to adding when faced with problems and how the less obvious options to subtract can save us time and energy. He also gives us a preview of his next book soon to be released called In a Good Place, exploring how space shapes our ability to think, learn, and thrive, featuring PLP and Pennsbury School District's partnership project called Portrait of a Classroom.
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How to Design Purposeful Use of Technology in K-12 Education with Dr. Jason Kotch

EPISODE 7 | OCTOBER 2025

Deciding how and when to use technology in K-12 classrooms is a daunting challenge. It's hard to know how to balance the benefits and tradeoffs in a sustainable and manageable way. Dr. Jason Kotch, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Avon Grove School District in West Grove, PA, shares with us how he and his team have designed a district-wide technology plan based upon current brain science and input from stakeholders across their community. Learn key strategies for how to scaffold purposeful use of technology, in classrooms as well as at home.
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Secrets to Building Confidence and Culture with LaVonna Roth

EPISODE 6 | SEPTEMBER 2025

How do we change cultures of burnout and disconnection to purposeful and collaborative? How do we feel confident about our value through inevitable ups and downs? LaVonna Roth, Founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E. has important knowledge, experience, and strategies that shine (😉) a light on this important and necessary topic. Her S.H.I.N.E. Framework has guided numerous teams through self-discovery and culture-building that allows them to communicate and collaborate more effectively, at a time where this is essential.
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Three Teaching Strategies that Need to Go with 11th Grader Isha Patel

EPISODE 5 | AUGUST 2025

What do students think about effective their teachers' strategies are for their own learning? Meet PLP Intern Isha Patel! Isha is an 11th grade student who has been doing a passion project with PLP to uncover the science behind memorable teaching strategies. In this episode she shares her top 3 strategies to STOP, in efforts to help teachers cut out some practices that are no longer supported by research and also resonate with her personal experience as a student. Hear her fascinating thoughts that can help us all become stronger educators who put students' needs at the center of our focus.
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What We Get Wrong about Young People and Growth Mindset (Part 1) with Dr. David Yeager

EPISODE 3 | JUNE 2025

Motivating young people feels like a struggle! But does it have to be? Dr. David Yeager is the author of the powerful book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People. He shares groundbreaking research which shows we may be misunderstanding young people in fundamental ways, which is contributing to their perceived lack of motivation. If we re-examine our beliefs about young people, and meet their underlying needs of respect, status, and feeling valued, motivation may come quicker than we think. He also provides a helpful reset on what growth mindset is and is NOT, so the objective is centered on meaningful growth.
Part 1 Listen

What Works to Motivate Young People (Part 2) with Dr. David Yeager

EPISODE 4 | JUNE 2025

Jump in to part 2 of our conversation with Dr. David Yeager, author of the powerful book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People! How do we meet students' needs for respect and status in the classroom? What does he think about the role of cell phones in schools? Go deeper into the science of motivation to understand how to make a long-lasting difference for young people in schools and at home.
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The Power of Connection with Erin Landy

EPISODE 2 | MAY 2025

How do we enable students and staff to grow in meaningful ways? Instructional coach Erin Landy believes it all starts with creating an authentic connection to show you care about the person you're supporting. Hear how Erin uses the science of trust, agency, passion to design memorable, meaningful, and motivational experiences with students and staff. Forming connections allows people to be vulnerable and stretch beyond their comfort zone, which may be the key we need to achieve sustainable change in schools.
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Welcome to the Brain Space Podcast with Julia Skolnik

EPISODE 1 | APRIL 2025

Are you ready to get more brain space in your work and life? Join us as we introduce our brand new podcast about ways to improve the ways we teach, lead, and live, using brain science.
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