The Thriving School Podcast with Jenni Awesome is for K–12 principals and school leaders who know their schools are capable of more.
Each episode helps you build sustainable systems, strengthen school culture, improve discipline and accountability, and lead meaningful change without losing the humanity at the heart of education.
Jenni brings nearly two decades of experience in education and school leadership to practical conversations about the systems behind student behavior, staff alignment, belonging, MTSS, leadership, school improvement, and culture.
This is not about adding another initiative.
It is about identifying what is working, resetting what is not, and intentionally building the systems your students, staff, and community need to thrive.
Expect practical strategies, leadership tools, honest conversations, and ideas you can take back to your school and use.
Sustainable Systems. Connected Culture. Enduring Impact.
Because thriving schools do not happen by accident.
We build them.
The Power of Failure: Why Getting It Wrong Helps Us Grow
The podcast episode explores the concept of behavior as a form of communication and the importance of understanding belonging in addressing student behavior. It emphasizes relationship-centered discipline, fail-forward approach, and the impact of school culture on student behavior.
www.awesomeconsluting.org/subscribe (http://www.awesomeconsluting.org/subscribe)
Takeaways
Behavior is a form of communication
Understanding belonging is crucial in addressing student behavior
Chapters
00:00 Behavior as Communication
03:09 Relationship-Centered Discipline
12:20 Belonging and School Culture
16:17 Chronic Absenteeism and School Avoidance
18:22 Fail Forward Approach
6 Oct 2026
How Puppetry Helps Children Communicate: Safety, Connection & Relational Puppetry with Helen Meurs
Helen Meurs, the founder of Relational Puppetry, shares her journey of using hand puppets as a relational bridge between adults and children. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for children to communicate and express themselves. Helen's approach focuses on understanding and connecting with children through the use of puppets, allowing them to open up and share their thoughts and feelings. The conversation with Helen Meurs delves into the transformative impact of using puppets in education and child development. Helen shares insights on building emotional safety, creating a relationship with a puppet, and the profound influence it has on children. She emphasizes the importance of seeing children as unique individuals with their own needs and the power of consistent, small shifts in teaching and caregiving.
Takeaways
Relational Puppetry: Using hand puppets as a relational bridge between adults and children.
Creating a Safe Space: The importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children to communicate and express themselves. Emotional Safety
Relationship with Puppet
Impact of Small Shifts
https://www.helenmeurs.com/ (https://www.helenmeurs.com/)
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Relational Puppetry
02:32 The Journey of Relational Puppetry
04:39 The Role of Puppets in Creating Safety
06:15 Connecting with Children through Puppets
11:07 The Impact of Puppetry on Children
34:19 Choosing and Using Puppets
41:24 Embracing Imperfection in Puppetry
45:21 Building Emotional Safety
46:19 Creating a Relationship with a Puppet
01:20:20 The Power of Small Shifts
29 Sept 2026
Starting Over After Divorce: Reinvention, Self-Discovery, Finding Yourself Again: Jennifer Anderson
The conversation covers themes of navigating life transitions, parenting and transitioning roles, rediscovering self and setting boundaries, photography as a storytelling medium, the importance of printed memories, and embarking on life coaching. The discussion delves into personal growth, family dynamics, and the significance of capturing and preserving memories through photography. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern living, the impact of technology on human connection, and the importance of finding balance and reconnecting with oneself. It also highlights the need to shift focus from technology to being human and the nostalgia for a simpler, more connected way of life.
https://www.autumnlynn.photography/ (https://www.autumnlynn.photography/)
Takeaways
Navigating life transitions requires a positive attitude and a focus on rediscovering oneself.
Printed photographs hold sentimental value and serve as a tangible reminder of cherished memories. Finding balance in a fast-paced world
Reconnecting with oneself amidst technology
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Life Transitions
03:30 Parenting and Transitioning Roles
07:07 Rediscovering Self and Setting Boundaries
21:18 Photography as a Storytelling Medium
27:57 The Importance of Printed Memories
29:56 Embarking on Life Coaching
29:56 Unfolding of Life
30:21 Random Experiences and Connections
31:17 Finding Your Voice
32:28 Disconnecting from Technology
33:37 Reconnecting with Ourselves
34:31 Balancing Technology and Life
35:27 Impact of Technology on Human Connection
37:29 Routines and Accountability
38:45 Shifting Focus to Being Human
50:06 Nostalgia for 90s Life
Contact Jennifer Awesome
Guest appearances
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