Hiding In Plain Sight Podcast

About Hiding In Plain Sight Podcast

The people, places, and ideas we overlook & what we can learn from them eoinbastable.substack.com (https://eoinbastable.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Eoin Bastable

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Nov 2020

Latest episode

10 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Dec 2025

   43. The myth of the digital natives

   An interview with Brian Baker on preparing students for the AI age Show Description: Episode 43 of “Hiding in Plain Sight” features an in-depth interview with Brian Baker, an educator and digital literacy expert. The episode explores the challenges and opportunities of teaching digital, media, and AI literacy in schools. The conversation covers the importance of explicit instruction, the risks of assuming students are “digital natives,” the impact of AI on education, and practical strategies for educators and parents. Drawing inspiration from Star Trek, Brian shares analogies, research, and actionable advice for building a more informed, empathetic, and future-ready generation. Show Highlights with Timestamps: * [0:05] Digital Literacy ≠ Tech Usage Brian debunks the myth that using technology means being literate in it. * [2:53] Star Trek’s Vision for Education Brian explains how Star Trek’s humanistic ideals inspire his approach to digital literacy. * [4:12] Driving a Car Analogy Teaching digital literacy is compared to teaching someone to drive—active, guided practice is essential. * [9:06] Media Literacy Gaps in Schools. Only 39% of teens receive media literacy education, despite 94% believing they need it. * [10:48] The Consequences of Low AI Literacy: Users with less AI literacy often use AI more, risking blind trust in biased or inaccurate outputs. * [12:17] Three Core Themes for AI in Schools Brian outlines his approach: balancing benefits/risks, aligning with district values, and involving the whole community. * [16:31] Teaching Metacognition Strategies for helping students reflect on how media and AI affect their thoughts and emotions. * [18:43] Inoculation Theory: Exposing students to misinformation in a controlled way helps them build resistance, like a vaccine. * [21:20] Parochial Empathy and Echo ChambersHow misinformation can foster division and why media literacy is key to countering it. * [23:52] Preparing Students for the Society of Tomorrow Schools should focus on equipping students to shape the future, not just participate in today’s economy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eoinbastable.substack.com (https://eoinbastable.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   22 Oct 2025

   40. Mind the gap!

   Dr. Clayton Cook is the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. He is also an implementation scientist, psychologist, and former paraprofessional and middle school math teacher. Dr. Cook has spent the past 15 years working in partnership with school systems across the country to support the implementation of effective practices that promote better and more equitable outcomes for students. He has been a professor and researcher at three universities (Louisiana State University, University of Washington, and University of Minnesota) studying topics such as implementation of evidence-based practices, educator well-being and resilience, character development, and youth mental health. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Times Magazine, NPR, Edutopia, and other outlets. His messages about mental health promotion, adult well-being, and evidence-based practices connect with educational audiences across all levels. He has been invited to the White House and served on expert panels with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Education. Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Cook, recorded on Friday, October 3. He can be reached at clay@characterstrong.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eoinbastable.substack.com (https://eoinbastable.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   15 Sept 2025

   39. The Marketplace

   Over the weekend, our family decided to replace our dining room table. Like most people these days, I turned to an online marketplace to sell our old table. I used Facebook Marketplace and priced the table low to attract interest. Lacking inspiration, I labelled it, “Dining room table with 2 leaves.” Within 30 minutes, I started to get messages from potential buyers seeking information on its dimensions and condition. I heard from Natalie, Scott, Lisa, Mia, and Zelija. I also got a thumbs up from Jill (my first marketplace follower), but no message. The table was suddenly in high demand, and I had to decide who to sell it to. Natalie, I discovered from her online profile, was from Redondo Beach, California. Should I sell the table to someone outside of Oregon? I own a shirt that says, “Oregon is above California,” which has gotten nice compliments and wry looks from residents of the state. Natalie’s profile picture looks joyful. I can imagine our table feeling happy in her home. It may even end up near a beach if she decides to move back to her hometown. On the other hand, Scott went to Brentwood High School (class of 2005) and seems to be highly social with over 1,100 friends. Instead of a photo, Scott’s profile features a quote: “You make mistakes, mistakes don’t make you.” Maybe he would accept all of the dings and coffee stains on our table with grace and ease? It made me happy to think of Scott adding a leaf or two to the table to share a tasty meal with a few of his thousand friends and perhaps relive memories from his days at Bentwood High. Lisa had half as many friends as Scott (only 559), but she posted a cute childhood picture of herself and recently updated her cover photo with a set of 4 fresh peaches in a box. I could see these peaches resting on our old table in Lisa’s dining room. Lisa seemed to have an artistic flair. As I scrolled down, I found a photo of a single flower silhouetted in a vase by a window and another of a beautiful sunset that attracted 5 hearts and a thumbs up. Then, I wondered, with all the changes Lisa made to her profile page, would our table get “updated” 3 months from now? Mia peppered me with questions: Can you tell me what type of wood it is, how heavy, and also what the measurements are without the leaves? Mia revealed little about herself. There was just one photo of a cactus in a small pot. She had not posted anything and only had 44 friends. And yet, she was asking me for more information than any of the other potential buyers. Mia made me think… How could I weigh our table? Could I place it on a weighing scale? It was heavy to me, but perhaps not to Mia? I think the table was made from oak, but I really have no idea what type of tree it came from. I imagined Mia arriving at our house with a tape measure, only to be disappointed if the table's dimensions didn't match her expectations. Maybe she’s a bit like the cactus, a bit prickly? I’ll proceed with caution. Zelija hit the mark with her message, tacked on to the auto-respond stem on the Facebook Marketplace app. Hi, is this available? I can pick up thus morning. I overlooked the typo and was delighted she had no questions and a concrete plan to pick up our table. Zelija was a pro. Unlike the others, Zelija had her own marketplace page to corral amateurs like me. Here, she displayed a passion for restoring old wooden tables and chairs — her listings included photos of a vintage dining room table, farmhouse table, pub table, and a TV tray dinner table (set of 2). Zelija only offered details on the TV dinner table’s dimensions, not its weight or wood type (a savvy move). Also, she was selling two tables for $30 to enjoy a meal with a loved one (a generous & well-priced package deal). Zelija's profile page included a sunlit family portrait of her husband and two small children, all beaming in unison. Unlike Scott, Zelija had attended a school abroad called Osonova Skola Stjepan Supanc Vukovar 53. Google revealed to me that Vukovar is a city in Croatia, located in eastern Slavonia. I also learned that Vukovar is the largest Croatian river port on the Danube. Zelija is from Croatia! I have no personal ties to Croatia, but Zelija's no-nonsense, straightforward approach, along with her adorable family, won me over in this virtual flea market. The following day, Zelija arrived at our house in her large, white Honda Pilot. I had disassembled our old table with two leaves and had it ready for her to add it to her growing table collection. I warned her, we have a friendly but excitable dog. Text when you arrive. Louie began shrieking and wagging his large tail as Zelija’s car pulled up to our home. I tried to squeeze by him to slip out the front door, but Louie knew this move well and barreled ahead of me toward Zelija. Oh God, I braced for the worst. Instead of backing away, Zelija leaned into our 85-pound golden doodle and shot a grin at me, the same one from her profile image. He’s smelling our big dog on me, Zelija chuckled as she groomed Louie’s side. Louie squealed with delight. I sighed in relief and then tried to greet Zelija, who was now fully reinforcing Louie’s erratic behaviors. So, this is the base, and these screws go here…I was eager to pass along a few tips to the next table’s owner. Zelija politely interrupted me. My husband will put it together when I get it home. Can you please help me load it in the car? Zelija shared she had recently left a stressful but high-paying job for a big fish company (I travelled to almost every state, but I didn’t love it). She is now substitute teaching a few days a week in local schools (“I love middle schoolers, they tell you exactly what they are thinking”) and refurbishes used furniture on the side (My mum in Croatia would be horrified if she knew what I was doing with all my degrees). Zelija told me she loves meeting people on all sides of the political and cultural spectrum. I'm making just enough money to cover our kids’ sports fees, and it helps that my husband works full time…I’ve spent too much time in my virtual bubble…this work reminds me how much I share in common with strangers. Zelija inquired about our family. I shared the ages of our kids and where they attend school in the city. We found common ground, even though I have never floated down the Danube or heard of Vukovar. We discussed the origins of our names, which are both hard to pronounce. She even complimented me as I caught myself repeating her name out loud on our front lawn in an effort to commit it to memory. Very good, she said. Even though I realize Zelija is probably not going to keep my table, it does sound like it will get a Croatian makeover and end up beside the TV tray dinner set on her marketplace page. Hopefully, she earns some decent money to pay for her children’s soccer registrations or at least breaks even. Ultimately, in Zelija, I found a buyer who was right for me (perhaps not for the table). I was inspired by her zeal to refurbish her life through her table trading and part-time teaching gigs. I just love the hustle, she glowed. Her newfound energy was infectious. I have faint memories of visiting flea markets growing up, and today I enjoy making trips to local farmers’ markets. The goods and services I find in these spaces are infused with personal stories and human interactions. They keep me grounded. It was nice to meet Zelija through the marketplace and to make a brief, unexpected, and genuine connection. Louie was sad to see her go. Thanks for reading this post. I love to hear from readers of HIPS. Please drop a comment below (if you have the Substack app) or reach out to me at eoinbastable@gmail.com. I added an AI-generated voice-over to this post. Let me know what you think? Until next time, be kind to yourself and others. Stay curious. P.S. I am not selling or buying any more tables. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit eoinbastable.substack.com (https://eoinbastable.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

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