• Yeronga Celebrates: A Student-led Event Celebrating Cultural Diversity
    Dec 11 2025

    Guiding Question:

    • How might we give students a voice in how we celebrate cultural diversity in our school communities?

    Key Takeaways:

    • The importance of student voice and agency in designing whole school events
    • Celebrating culture through learning, perspective taking, and shared experiences
    • Unexpected sources of inspiration
    • A student perspective on the New Metrics from Melbourne University

    If you have enjoyed this podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also we’d appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

    • Learn more about how Inspire Citizens co-designs customized student leadership and changemakers programs
    • Connect with more stories from the Inspire Citizens network in our vignettes
    • Measuring the IMPACT of Service Learning projects and initiatives
    • Access free resources for global citizenship education
    • Share on social media using #EmpathytoImpact

    Episode Summary


    On this episode, I meet Alejandra from Yeronga State High School in Queensland, Australia. Alejandra, who, along with her classmate, Tony, are in Year 9 and junior school captains at their school. They played an integral role in a community celebration of culture at their school, Yeronga Celebrates, that takes place every other year. Join us as we talk about this exciting event, the role that she played, and how all of this connects with the New Metrics.

    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.


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    28 m
  • A Student-led Carbon Audit to Quantify Sustainability and Measure Impact at SJII
    Nov 23 2025

    Guiding Question:

    • How might we empower students to take the lead on sustainability initiatives within our school community?

    Key Takeaways:

    • Climate action in our own school communities starting with becoming more deeply aware by quantifying our carbon footprint
    • Measuring impact: 6 important data points for schools to consider
    • The importance of direct service opportunities for students
    • Approaching challenges like the climate crisis with a growth mindset

    If you have enjoyed this podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also we’d appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

    • Learn more about how Inspire Citizens co-designs customized student leadership and changemakers programs
    • Connect with more stories from the Inspire Citizens network in our vignettes
    • Measuring the IMPACT of Service Learning projects and initiatives
    • Access free resources for global citizenship education
    • Share on social media using #EmpathytoImpact

    Episode Summary


    On this episode, I meet Huy, Leia, & David, high school students at St. Joseph’s Institution International. These students are part of a CCA at their school called Sustainability Squad. Sustainability Squad is a well-established CCA that works to lead sustainability initiatives within their school community. In our conversation, learn how these students, and other members of their squad, have done something quick remarkable. They have quantified their carbon footprint by gathering data and worked with the WWF to build skills to effectively lead initiatives in an effort to achieve quantifiable, measurable impact on reducing their school community’s carbon footprint. How might this work be integrated into teaching and learning in our schools and how might your students become actively involved with this work in your school community? Listen to learn more.

    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.



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    46 m
  • ENCORE: What Sparks a Changemaker Journey?
    Nov 1 2025

    If you have enjoyed the podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

    • Considering professional development? Inspire Citizens Global Citizenship Certificate courses launch November 30! Click to learn more and register for these impactful programs.
    • Connect sustainability, service learning, economics, mathematics and data science in Sriya’s interactive simulation Grow All Wealth
    • Check out Mia‘s book, A Blueprint for Saving the Planet, and Sriya’s book, Being the One
    • Empower students to pursue their ideas with the UAE Changemakers Collaborative and listen to their podcast
    • Involve your school or host your own conference as part of the Global Issues Network
    • Share using #EmpathytoImpact

    Episode Summary

    I first connected with Mia and Sriya when they were keynote speakers at the Toddle Service Learning Summit last fall, and was very inspired by all they have accomplished as changemakers. Sriya is currently a senior at ASD in Dubai and Mia is a senior at the International School of Amsterdam. Listen to hear what sparked their changemaker journey and what advice they have for leading projects and empowering global citizens at your school.

    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.


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    39 m
  • Embodying Earth: Leadership for a Regenerative Future
    Oct 2 2025

    Inspire Citizens would like to dedicate this episode to the memory of Dr. Jane Goodall. May her passion for the world we live in continue to inspire us all. I think she would’ve liked this one…

    Guiding Question:

    • How might we take a regenerative approach to leadership?

    Key Takeaways:

    • Explore what it means to take a regenerative approach to leadership.
    • Regenerative versus sustainable, what’s the difference?
    • Applying regenerative strategies in our school communities.

    If design you have for the global good. enjoyed the podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

    • Video link: https://youtu.be/ftt2EvO5Q3g?si=jRkiZiDs104pnEz-
    • Learn more about how Inspire Citizens co-designs customized student leadership and changemakers programs
    • Connect with more stories from the Inspire Citizens network in our vignettes
    • Measuring the IMPACT of Service Learning projects and initiatives
    • Access free resources for global citizenship education
    • Share on social media using #EmpathytoImpact

    Episode Summary


    On this episode, I am joined by guest host Ivy Yan from Inspire Citizens and 3 of her students, Anandi, Diana, and Huy, to talk about a very special learning experience that took place in an eco-village in Vietnam this past summer. These students had the opportunity to learn about regenerative leadership, build deeper connections to nature and to each other, while spending time slowing down, being mindful and embracing interbeing. Join us for an inspiring conversation to, to quote John Lennon, “Imagine all the people sharing all the world”.

    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.


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    48 m
  • ENCORE: Media for Impact & Sustainable Development with ES Students from Malaysia
    Sep 19 2025

    Going way back in the archives this week to share one of our favorite episodes from the very beginning of the Empathy to Impact podcast. These students would just be starting high school now I think. I hope you enjoy the episode.
    ~Scott

    1. Here is a link to the podcasts that the students produced.
    2. Here are some samples of student videos.
    3. Here is the digital magazine produced by the class.

    These can be used as meta-models to inspire the learners in your classroom. If you would like help implementing a unit like this please reach out to Inspire Citizens by emailing scott@inspirecitizens.org

    Episode Summary:

    On this episode I meet Caroline, Fina and Neil who are living in Malaysia. We discuss a project that they did at the end of 3rd grade that involved becoming more aware of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, learning some new technology and research skills and producing media to have an impact.

    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.


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    21 m
  • ENCORE: Sustainability and… Chickens?
    Sep 7 2025

    If you have enjoyed the podcast please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

    • Considering professional development? Inspire Citizens Global Citizenship Certificate courses launch Sept. 20! Click to learn more and register for these impactful programs
    • Explore a collaboration with Inspire Citizens. You can book a discovery call at this link
    • Share using #EmpathytoImpact

    Episode Summary
    Yes…chickens! Jazlyn & Deniz are two changemakers from Frankfurt International School. They share a passion for animals and designed a project to help students learn about sustainability through having chickens in their outdoor learning area at school. This project involved so much cool learning from research skills, design skills and developing a pitch for school leaders to bring their idea to life. How might chickens impact learning and our understanding of sustainability? Listen to learn more.

    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.


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    22 m
  • Empowerment Through Student Agency: Storytelling for a Better World
    Aug 18 2025

    Guiding Question:

    • How might we empower our students, beyond personal projects, to have a greater say in their learning through increased student agency.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Student agency and the importance of learning experiences, like personal projects, to create opportunities for students to explore different interests outside of the curriculum.
    • Raising awareness of complex issues, like child labor, and child trafficking, that are difficult topics to navigate, but important to understand for even our youngest learners in school.
    • Turning learning, research, storytelling and navigating the publishing process into a children’s book to educate children in our community.

    If you have enjoyed our podcast, please take a moment to subscribe, and also please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

    • At the time of publishing I don’t have information on how to purchase Kweku’s Brave Choice: A Story of Courage and Hope, but I will update here when it’s available. Stay tuned.
    • Learn more about how Inspire Citizens co-designs customized student leadership and changemakers programs
    • Connect with more stories from the Inspire Citizens network in our vignettes
    • Measuring the IMPACT of Service Learning projects and initiatives
    • Access free resources for global citizenship education
    • You can book a discovery call with Inspire Citizens at this link
    • Share on social media using #EmpathytoImpact

    Episode Summary


    On this episode, I meet Maria Bella, a high school student from Lincoln Community School in Accra, Ghana. As part of her studies, Maria Bella learned about child trafficking, and child labor, a complex issue that impacts her local community. She is passionate about humanitarian work, and chose to dedicate her work for her personal project to creating a children’s book to educate local children about this important issue. Join me, as we explore her journey to becoming a published author and shall she use this opportunity to further her learning as a humanitarian and set her sites on a potential career path.

    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.


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    22 m
  • Creative Solutions for the Global Good
    Jul 30 2025

    Guiding Question:

    • How might we create a space for students to follow their passions and collaboratively design solutions for the global good?

    Key Takeaways:

    • A case study from Notre Dame Belmont High School and Serra High School in California, USA.
    • A class without grades where students can follow their passions without the constraint of academic pressure.
    • Being part of a global network where students can share ideas and design solutions for the global good.

    If design you have for the global good. enjoyed the podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support.

    • Learn more about how Inspire Citizens co-designs customized student leadership and changemakers programs
    • Connect with more stories from the Inspire Citizens network in our vignettes
    • Measuring the IMPACT of Service Learning projects and initiatives
    • Access free resources for global citizenship education
    • You can book a discovery call with Inspire Citizens at this link
    • Share on social media using #EmpathytoImpact

    Episode Summary


    On this episode, we explore a class taught by Rushton Hurley and Rita Lee at Junipero Serra High School and Notre Dame Belmont High School called Creative solutions for the Global Good and Advanced Solutions for the Global Good. This episode features students Rowan, Vicky, and Bella, who share their experiences from the course, the projects they were involved in, the international collaboration opportunities they had, and how this class impacted their high school experience in terms of creativity, leadership, perseverance, time management, collaboration, and impact. Listen to learn more and to see if the addition of this course, or something similar, might be an exciting next step for your school.


    Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.


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    35 m