Elevate Empathy's Share Chair Podcast

When you listen to Kyle, you can't escape his joy and enthusiasm--specifically, about the arts. As a matter of fact, in an effort to give himself a challenge and something just plain old fun, Kyle decided, in his very last year of high school, to join the marching band. Why something seemingly out of left field? Why not?! Don't miss the opportunity to listen and learn from this infectiously wonderful person!

The Share Chair Podcast will continue to release episodes captured while abroad in early 2019. In this episode, we speak with Elisa and Helena, friends formed in social media until their recent face-to-face connection. Listen to the story of the girls from Finland and Germany and their ability to find real friendship.

Welcome to The Share Chair Podcast's 5th Year! Let's learn from listening. With our first episode this year, we talked to Emma immediately after her first day in high school. You'll hear that it wasn't so bad--and the reasons and ways she calms herself down when it DOES get challenging. Emma is energetic, smart, and fun. She's ready for a great high school career! Don't forget to listen on SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes Podcasts OR even on www.thesharechairpodcast.com. Also, follow us on social media through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In the last episode of the 2018-2019 school year, we introduce you to a beginning teacher. Unlike many teachers starting their careers, Eva has years in educational experience: policy, project management, and professional development. Each of those, however, didn't fill a hole, a hole that has been filled by being in front of students. Eva is passionate and thoughtful and student-focused: all traits which will lead to an outstanding career. Enjoy the listening, share the pod, and see you again in late August with more Dutch and American stories.

This week is the final week in Deb's 26-year teaching career. But it's not a move to sitting on the beach. No, Deb has her law degree and is going to use it. Listen to this week's episode (the last of the year from Michigan) to hear a passionate teacher passionately changing her career.

Sofie's mother passed of bone cancer when Sofie was just two years old. But, Sofie's mother left a gift to her: a published book. Listen to Sofie's reactions to that book in this week's episode. This is a powerful discussion on the value of a mother-daughter relationship.

Let's face it, getting accepted to college is challenging. That said, it's even more challenging to get into West Point. Janna just celebrated her high school graduation and a bigger challenge awaits--one of the most elite universities in America. She will be pushed physically and academically which is what she discusses in this episode of The Share Chair Podcast.

I'm entirely grateful for my ability to travel to Finland and capture a variety of voices which will be shared over the coming months on The Share Chair Podcast. This is the story of Sara, a missionary kid. She has traveled around the globe, following her parents' passionate efforts and, in so doing, she has learned passion herself. Listen to this story of a young woman who calls the world her home.

If you've ever been to the Netherlands, you know the power of a good baker. Big street windows are filled with breads and sweets. Of course, those items don't just end up there. No, those items are the product of skilled and dedicated students who put their time in--just like these five. In this interview, we get a good glimpse of what it is to be educated in a vocation in the Netherlands and how, when these students graduate, they're ready to work.

Mr. Sabo has had a storied career as an educator, in Spring Lake, Michigan. He's ready to be active--but on his own terms. Listen to him discuss the history and the future in this end-of-career discussion.

Alannah hasn't spoken to her mother in a long time. Sure, it hurts. But, she has used music--music SHE makes--to find calm and a new energy. At the end of the podcast, listen to a complete song written and sung by Alannah herself.

Tim is a strong young voice promoting practical education in the Netherlands. He suggests life is too short to do anything but what you love--and there is a very personal reason for his belief. By the end of listening to this episode, Tim will inspire you live your best life.

On March 18, 2019, Utrecht, Netherlands had an incredibly rare public shooting--so rare, the ripples of it are felt throughout the entire country. Those ripples bring thoughts, prayers, fear, anxiety, questions. In this powerful discussion held just two days after the attack and on election day (March 20), I discuss the value of culture and the fear of the shooting with Yasmine and Kendra.

When we asked the staff who would be a good, self-assured, passionate freshman to have on the podcast, Calvin's name came up quite quickly. We were happy to talk to him about his varied experiences and passions.

I caught up with Susan Leurs in Maastricht, Netherlands where she had on exhibit 100 black and white photographs of people in the world of bullying: the bullied AND the bully. Through her photography, she captures the pain and the triumph. Listen to her tell the experience of her art in her own words. Also, please share her work at susanleurs.com.

Dominik, a senior in West Michigan, discusses his excitement for his final year of high school lacrosse. This, however, won't be the last time he competes on the field; he has signed with Ithaca College in New York. Listen to this hardworking student-athlete as he reflects upon his experiences.

These two young women, Farah and Wiktoria, have distinctly different paths. But those paths have taken them to the exact same course of study. Listen to the joys and challenges that have led these unique people to be in the same class. In the Netherlands, one of the educational paths encourages students to be thinking about the theory and the practice of--well--practical jobs. That's the program in which these young women attend.

When Charlotte and Sophie were in their early childhoods, they were in England. Then, they had a major switch to living in America. Though it's been ten years, some of their earliest memories are from England. Listen to them discuss the transition at such a young age--and discuss some major differences in the educational systems.

Ghina and Chante tell us the important story of what it means to feel at home. Neither young woman is from the Netherlands, but both have Dutch passports. They discuss the value of structure as they come from more "chill" environments. This is quite the story in understanding what "home" means to these young women. Keep sharing The Share Chair Podcast with people who could grow from these episodes. Truth be told--we can all grow from listening to these stories.

In this episode, Vera, with the hosting help of Kiana, opens up about the internship she had through her school. But something makes the internship particularly special--her personal connection to autism. In our second episode from the Netherlands, we're happy to share these stories so others can learn from listening. Share the movement by sharing the episode.