Can America’s Public Schools Survive The Culture Wars?
Only if we have the COURAGE to listen to one another
America’s culture wars are taking a toll on our schools and students. Board meetings have become battle zones. Fear, confusion, and mistrust resulting from a wave of new school policies are driving dedicated educators out of the profession – a profession already beset by critical staffing shortages.
To help reverse this trend, our new podcast brings educators, parents, students, and public officials together for respectful conversations about today’s most controversial issues affecting our schools. We are creating space for stakeholders to speak from the heart, to listen to one another, and to engage in respectful conversations about their visions for public education. What’s at stake is nothing less than the survival of our public schools and the quality of education our children receive.
Quote of the Month
“Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
RECENT EPISODES
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The way forward in divided times.
TESTIMONIALS
“Ep. 11 ("Political opposites discuss a controversy") is a fantastic example of how powerful it can be to get underneath the usual talking points of a culture war and start to glimpse the personal fears and worries at the heart of these debates.
I love the way Ken very explicitly and transparently revealed his own opinions, promised to ask questions of all sides and then walked us through the techniques he was using to facilitate the conversation--right out in the open.
The two guests did a remarkably good job listening to each other and trying to understand each other---without pretending like they agreed. I felt "smarter" after listening to this podcast, and I don't say that everyday.”
Amanda Ripley, New York Times bestselling author, a Washington Post contributor and co-host of the Slate podcast How To!
“Ken Futernick's podcast Courageous Conversations About Schools is just what the times call for – a forum that turns down the heat but sheds lights through thoughtful dialogue on the hot-button issues that threaten to turn schools into ideological battlegrounds. Ken is a skillful moderator who strives for mutual understanding despite disagreements. His podcast could be just as easily titled Insightful and Hopeful Conversations.”
John Fensterwald, Reporter and Editor at EdSource
Meet the Founder & Podcast Host
Follow along with our host, Ken Futernick, as he discusses a broad range of controversial topics with students, educators, parents, and public officials across the country.