Welcome to a framing conversation, one that provides intellectual orientation and a cornerstone conversation in the architectural sense upon which the entire podcast series rests. John reminds us that the school at its best is not merely an academic institution. It is a sanctuary, a place of safety, a place of intellectual challenge, a place where a young person is known, and that knowing can change a life trajectory. His story is not abstract. It's grounded in his lived expe

Description This episode is in three parts that explore how to support social, emotional, and academic well-being and learning in connected ways. Listeners will learn and be able to think about practices that integrate SEL and academics, understand why whole-person approaches deepen engagement and achievement, and explore principles of application across classrooms and community settings. Organizations, tools, materials, and research will be identified that can support implem