EP345 The brain isn't separate from the body–here's what that means for learning (with Caroline Williams)

We've been taught to think of the brain as the control center, the part of us that really matters for learning. But the body isn't just along for the ride, carrying our brains from place to place. Caroline Williams, science journalist and three-time author (including of the book Inner Sense) has spent years digging into the research on how our brains and bodies actually work together. Turns out they're in constant conversation, sending signals back and forth in ways that shape how we think, feel, learn, and remember. And that means the brain isn't calling all the shots from up there in your head: your body has a lot more to say than we've been giving it credit for. Caroline and I talk about why we've been trained to override our body's signals, what happens when kids learn to tune in instead of push through, and how this changes what it means to teach the whole child. This conversation might shift how you see everything from behavior issues to why certain kids struggle to focus. You'll learn: Why emotions don't actually start in your brain How body awareness connects to emotional intelligence and self-regulation What's really happening when we say "trust your gut" Why teaching kids to tune into their bodies might be one of the most important things we can do How understanding this changes the way we think about learning If our bodies are constantly feeding information to our brains, then a lot of what we do in classrooms starts to make less sense...and there are easy, small shifts that can help. Article/Transcript for this episode: https://truthforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/the-brain-isnt-separate-from-the-body-heres-what-that-means-for-learning/

After 20+ years of creating exclusively for educators, I'm expanding into some new creative spaces. In this podcast episode, I share the "why" behind my new YouTube channel ("So What Are We Doing Here?"), my Substack publication, my free guided meditations on Insight Timer, and some other fun new places to find me. I also talk about how my own work has shifted more toward adults, and why so much of what I've always talked about on this podcast (productivity, mindset, burnout, boundaries) goes way beyond the classroom. Then I get into something I've been wanting to demystify for a while: the restorative practices that are at the heart of my retreats. I break down what forest bathing, sound baths, and restorative yoga actually are, what the research says about why they work, and what it felt like to lead these sessions at my Books in the Wild retreat last month. I also make a case for planning your year around restorative practices instead of around work, and using the concept of "due season" to build intentional periods of rest into your calendar before the busyness fills it up. Truth for Teachers isn't going anywhere. But you're not JUST a teacher, and I want to create for ALL of you, not just the part of you standing in front of a classroom. Article/Transcript for this epsiode: https://truthforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/so-what-are-we-doing-here-expanding-into-retreats-video-essays-mindfulness-and-more/ Retreats: https://dueseasonpress.com/ Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/AngelaWatson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sowhatarewedoinghere Substack: https://angelaswatson.substack.com/ Motivation Lab: https://studio.com/apps/angela/motivationlab

Is AI using a bottle of water every time you make a query? Are you a bad person if you use it in your classroom? Should schools ban it entirely—or go all-in? If you've felt confused or conflicted about AI ethics, this conversation is for you. I sit down with Dr. Karen Boyd, an AI ethics consultant who works with schools and nonprofits, to get real answers about the environmental impact of AI—and to talk through the much bigger ethical questions educators are wrestling with. In this episode, we cover: The truth about AI's water and energy use (spoiler: Netflix is way worse) Why "just don't use it" isn't realistic anymore in 2026 The spectrum from AI enthusiasts to conscientious objectors—and why most of us are somewhere in the middle 6 strategic stances beyond refusing: wait and see, constrain, compensate, rethink the work, and shape the ecosystem How to identify which specific values feel threatened to you (intellectual property? authenticity? effort and craft?) Practical ways schools can build ethical AI policies through knowledge sharing instead of top-down rules Different ways to use AI beyond shortcuts: as a thought partner, adversary, assistant, or accessibility tool Why understanding how AI works matters even if you choose not to use it Karen offers a nuanced, inclusive approach that validates different perspectives while helping educators move from "this feels icky" to "here's exactly what bothers me and what I can do about it." This isn't about convincing you AI is good or bad. It's about having the informed, thoughtful conversation we all need to be having. Resources mentioned:' Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here. Dr. Karen Boyd's Mission First AI Starter Kit (free vendor rubric for schools): https://drkarenboyd.com/blog/introducing-the-free-mission-first-ai-starter-kit Get the sustainability chapter of Karen's book for free at ddrkarenboyd.com/freechapter No sign up is required, but you can get updates on AI in mission-driven work in your email about once per week if you select "sign up for news and updates" there. My "Stay Human: Protect Your Brain Power in an AI World" curriculum (mentioned in this conversation)  https://shop.truthforteachers.com/products/ai-literacy-lessons-teaching-students-why-writing-and-thinking-matter

Each time we decide which history gets a full unit and which gets a mini-lesson… Each time we choose whose stories to showcase in classroom libraries while others gather dust on shelves … Each time we select which family structures and cultures to represent in class and which we quietly pretend don't exist … We're teaching whose voices matter, what counts as normal, and how power works. That's the hidden curriculum. And it's been operating in classrooms since the first schools were founded. This episode is about uncovering the hidden curriculum in your own teaching, so you can make conscious choices about the values you're reinforcing. And, it's about empowering public schools to be unapologetic in their stance about a core piece of the hidden curriculum that should be underlying our work: Every child who walks into our classrooms deserves to see themselves reflected there, to have their existence treated as welcome, and to leave knowing their life has inherent value.  This episode is a call to remain steadfast in your commitment to care for (and be actively inclusive of) all families in your school community. We need to proudly own our commitment to teaching kids empathy, curiosity, and the ability to understand–and collaborate with–people who are different from them. This episode is a rebuke of a coordinated attempt to paint these values as controversial, "political" or "a radical left wing agenda." They are not.  They are educational best practices, backed by long-standing research, that teachers have implemented for decades in schools across the country. It's time to stop playing defense and speak plainly about how we do what's best for kids. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

When he got his ADHD diagnosis at age 30, the first thought Andrew Gardner (https://www.agardner.com/about) had was, "Okay, now what? I'm still an idiot." That negative voice had been with him his entire teaching career, driving him to work 80-90 hour weeks trying to prove he wasn't failing at the basics everyone else seemed to handle easily. In this conversation, Andrew walks us through what it's actually like to teach with ADHD. He shares the invisible struggles no one could see from the outside, the white-knuckling through administrative tasks, the depression that came from years of that critical inner voice telling him he couldn't do basic things that weren't actually that hard … and eventually, the reframing that changed everything. Andrew now has over 25 years experience innovating in teaching, learning, facilitation, technology and management. He's taught students from preschool through post-graduate at Yale, Columbia, NYU, and Harvard, advising on and evangelizing the use of technology to help students and teachers become future-ready. He spent over a decade building and leading a professional learning department, certification program, and teacher community at BrainPOP (where he and I were coworkers!)  Since then, Andrew has combined his passion for organizational alignment with his foundation in constructivist teaching and learning into coaching leaders, professionals, and parents. As an ADHD coach, Andrew is especially attentive to supporting the needs and strengths of neurodiverse clientele. Andrew shares how ADHD shows up differently in the classroom (spoiler: "attending to everything all at once" has some serious superpowers), the link between undiagnosed ADHD and depression in adults, and what it takes to start seeing neurodivergence as a strength rather than something to overcome. Andrew also shares practical insights on what schools could do differently, how to help students with ADHD build metacognitive awareness, and why getting on the balcony to observe your own thoughts might be the most important skill for managing ADHD as an adult. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

"If AI can write my essay in 30 seconds, why should I spend 30 minutes doing it myself?" I believe students asking this question deserve a thoughtful response ... or even better, an invitation to think critically about their own values and personal philosophy around artificial intelligence. In this episode, I'm offering some tools to help you facilitate these conversations with students, breaking down the neuroscience of why writing matters in ways AI can't replicate. We'll explore three core principles: 1) Writing is brain-building: When students write, they create neural pathways through neuroplasticity. Every time they struggle to find the right word or rewrite a sentence, they're strengthening cognitive infrastructure they'll use for life. When AI does the writing, those pathways never form. 2) Writing is thinking: Writing isn't just a way to show your thinking—it IS the thinking itself. The act of translating thoughts into words forces a level of clarity that thinking alone doesn't require. 3) Writing is uniquely human: Students are still discovering who they are as thinkers and writers. They haven't written enough to find their unique voice yet. When they default to AI, they skip the process of discovering their authentic perspective. I also address the question teachers hear constantly: "Why can adults use AI but students can't?" The answer lies in understanding the critical window of adolescent brain development and why students need to build these skills before they can effectively use AI as a tool. If you're looking for language to help students understand what they're losing when they default to AI—and a framework for teaching them why their thinking and voice matter—this episode is for you. Resources mentioned: "Stay Human: Protect Your Brain Power in an AI World" 3 lesson mini unit  https://shop.truthforteachers.com/products/ai-literacy-lessons-teaching-students-why-writing-and-thinking-matter Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

Growing up, every report card comment and parent conference involved my teachers expressing some version of the following: "Angela is smart, but not working to her potential." "Angela needs to focus and apply herself." "Angela is a capable student but does not put forth effort." "Angela could do the work if she wanted to but she appears lazy and unmotivated." I shared a little of this story a few years back, and how I was labeled as gifted at first, and then diagnosed with a learning disability in math: EP163: I was a disengaged student who nearly failed high school For years, I believed something was fundamentally wrong with the wiring in my brain. Despite everything I'd accomplished, I felt inconsistent, unfocused, and unable to just ... do the thing like everyone else seemed to. Normal adulting tasks felt like they required herculean effort. It took decades to understand: I'm not lazy. I'm neurodivergent. And that changes everything. In this episode, I'm sharing my journey of understanding my brain, from my bipolar diagnosis in my early 20s to discovering CBT and mindset work, to finally creating the resource I wish I'd had all along.  I'll tell you about Motivation Lab, a new coaching app I've built that translates the neuroscience principles from my Finding Flow curriculum into a format for teens, young adults, and anyone who's ever felt like traditional productivity systems just don't work for their brain. This is the story of why I created Motivation Lab, who it's really for (hint: maybe not you, but possibly someone you care about), and why I'm asking for your help in getting it to the people who need it most. If you've ever wondered why consistency is so hard, why motivation feels unpredictable, or why no single productivity system works for everyone, I think you'll relate to what I'm sharing. Check out Motivation Lab here: studio.com/motivationlab/ Read or share the blog post. The first official podcast ep of 2026 will be out on January 11th. Thank you for listening to this interlude / announcement!

It's the final episode of the 2025 season, and I want to leave you with something meaningful. I'm sharing some personal thoughts as I prepare to step away for my December internet sabbatical. I'm thinking deeply about alignment, presence, and what it means to move forward with clarity and purpose. If you've been feeling the tension between what you have to do and what you're called to do … this episode might resonate. Key highlights: Why I'm shifting directions in 2026 to focus on deeper connections with educators (and serving more than just folks in K-12) How my personal life has come into greater alignment after moving and establishing new daily practices My launch of teacher retreats after years of dreaming and planning (you're invited!) An introduction to Due Season Press, my new website showcasing retreats, retreat/event planning services, editing and publishing support for authors, and more Opportunities for schools and districts to host custom retreat experiences Reflective questions to help you find your own alignment and mission heading into 2026 Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here. This episode is brought to you by MiaTiagoBooks.com. P.S. If you'll miss having new episodes to listen to from now until January, here's a way to work back through the archives without having to scroll endlessly through episode titles. I have a set of recommended Truth for Teachers playlists you can access. They're a careful curation of the episodes I'm most proud of—and that I think will help you most—from my ten years of podcasting. I've organized the playlists around four topics: The Encouragement Playlist, if you need a boost of inspiration and motivation The Productivity Playlist, if you want practical strategies for time management and getting things done The Student Engagement Playlist, if you want tools for building relationships with students and enhancing your lessons The Greatest Hits Playlist, which covers a wide variety of topics that have been really popular over the years but aren't necessarily connected to any larger theme. The Greatest Hits playlist offers a really nice variety of episodes. If you're a longtime listener and accessed one of these playlists a while back, know that I updated them this month so they include newer episodes, too. Go to TruthforTeachers.com/playlists and enter your email address to receive the playlist you want. I'll send you a PDF with a description of each episode, a link to its blog post/transcript, and a link to the MP3 file for listening. It also shares some special bonuses and other related resources I think you might like.    

"The adults in the building need healing just as much as the kids do. Self-compassion isn't soft. It's the most radical act of self-preservation an educator can practice."  That's a quote from my guest in this episode, Marisol Quevedo Rerucha. She's the author of Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices and the CEO of Heartset Consulting Group. A former teacher, principal, and district leader, she now supports individuals, communities, and systems in building high-trust, equity-centered spaces. Together, Marisol and I explore what a restorative way of being looks like, how to build a classroom culture rooted in belonging and accountability, and why self-compassion is a foundational part of this work. Marisol also shares her personal story of healing, offers real classroom examples, and closes with an unforgettable metaphor about facing life's hardest moments with courage and community. In this powerful conversation, Marisol Revucha shares why so many educators feel disillusioned with restorative practices and what needs to shift for true transformation to occur. Whether your school is fully immersed in restorative practices or you're just starting to explore what it means, this conversation offers both heart and strategy. You'll walk away with a clearer vision for what's possible—not just for your students, but for yourself. Topics include: Why restorative justice often fails in schools How to build a culture of repair and accountability The role of self-compassion in restorative work Real-time responses when students act out Restorative practices for staff—not just students "Being the buffalo": facing the storm together Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here. This episode is brought to you by MiaTiagoBooks.com.

Metacognition — "thinking about your thinking" — is one of the most powerful skills we can teach students, and it doesn't require adding anything new to your already packed schedule. In this episode, you'll learn four simple, one-minute routines you can weave into your daily classroom flow to help students notice, analyze, and adjust their own thinking. We'll explore: How to use attention checks so students can redirect focus in the moment Why brain break signals teach learners to connect physical energy with mental clarity (and how to manage them without chaos) How mistake moments reframe errors as valuable information A fresh take on end-of-day brain checks that builds awareness of learning strategies, not just content recall Whether you teach kindergarteners or high school seniors, you'll walk away with concrete ideas for creating a classroom culture where students take ownership of their learning process. Plus, I'll share how my Finding Flow Solutions K–12 curriculum can give you ready-made, no-prep lessons to teach these skills — and where to grab your free downloadable sample lesson. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here. This episide is brought to you by Listenwise and MiaTiagoBooks.com.