Change the Narrative artwork

Change the Narrative

49 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago - ★★★★★ - 22 ratings

Travel with award-winning educator, author, and international speaker, Michael Hernandez, as he interviews innovation leaders and searches for answers about how to innovate in work, life, and culture.

Find out more about Producer and Host Michael Hernandez: https://bit.ly/MichaelHernandezLinkedIn

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Episodes

The Responsibility Of Noticing: How Beauty Can Save Us (S4 E5)

October 06, 2023 10:30 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB

Facts and statistics have so far failed to get humans to change our behavior to address the climate crisis. But can beauty? In this episode, host Michael Hernandez talks with marine biologist Jonny Reid about the importance of noticing, and how the beauty of the world may just save us–if we make time and space to do so. This episode was produced as part of Michael's Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship.

The Possibility Of Perspective (S4 E4)

September 29, 2023 10:30 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB

Maybe you’ve tried (and failed) to take photos–of a concert, a skyscraper, or the Grand Canyon–that truly captures the immensity of the object or experience. In this episode, host Michael Hernandez talks with National Geographic photographer Susan Seubert about the limits of photography, especially when trying to convey something as vast as Antarctica, yet at the same time, emphasizing the importance of the photographic record of the impact on animals and the continent brought about by clima...

Job At The Bottom Of The World

September 23, 2023 17:49 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MB

While we often assume that Antarctica is an untouched, pristine continent, there is actually a long history of exploration and research–and yes, exploitation–of Antarctica. On an expedition to the Great White Continent, host Michael Hernandez visits the British research station at Port Lockroy, now operated by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, which the busiest tourist attraction on the continent, visited by over 18,000 people each year. Michael talks with Base Leader Lucy Bruzzone, who led...

Job At The Bottom Of The World (S4 E3)

September 23, 2023 17:49 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MB

While we often assume that Antarctica is an untouched, pristine continent, there is actually a long history of exploration and research–and yes, exploitation–of Antarctica. On an expedition to the Great White Continent, host Michael Hernandez visits the British research station at Port Lockroy, now operated by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, which the busiest tourist attraction on the continent, visited by over 18,000 people each year. Michael talks with Base Leader Lucy Bruzzone, who led...

The Climate For Change (S4 E2)

September 23, 2023 17:29 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

Wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts caused by climate change are finally starting to get our attention in mainstream media and the public consciousness. But these changes in climate are even more extreme in Antarctica, a fragile and diverse ecosystem that the entire planet relies upon, even more than the Amazon rainforests. But what can we DO about it? While in Antarctica, host Michael Hernandez talks with climate scientist and naturalist Zachary Brown about what–and WHO–is behind the clima...

The Right War (S4 E1)

September 23, 2023 17:07 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MB

Each of us has to decide which battles are worth fighting. After speaking with Chilean journalist and naturalist while on expedition to Antarctica, host Michael Hernandez discovers what it means to defend--rather than "protect"--Antarctica, and by extension, the rest of the planet. This episode was produced as part of Michael's Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship.

Season 4 Trailer: The Great White Continent

September 04, 2023 15:00 - 2 minutes - 2.63 MB

Join host Michael Hernandez as he kicks off Season 4 to get a glimpse of life at the bottom of the world, and insights about his expedition to Antarctica as part of his Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship. See episode notes and resources at www.changethenarrative.net

Shook: Satire, Illustrations, And The Power Of Editorial Cartooning Feat. Lalo Alcaraz (S3 E6)

May 26, 2022 10:00 - 47 minutes - 36.3 MB

Sometimes words just don't cut it—especially when you’re making fun of the president. That’s where Lalo Alcaraz comes in. I sat down with the Pulitzer recognized, Herb Block-winning editorial cartoonist about visual storytelling, taking on corrupt politicians, taking heat from haters, and how working with Pixar got him accused of selling out. And: What happens when you call BS in a world of extremists and replacement theory nuts?

Reclaiming Your Story: Why Representation In TV & Film Matters Feat. Erick Galindo (S3 E5)

May 19, 2022 10:30 - 49 minutes - 38.2 MB

Whose story gets told and how do the stories we hear affect our understanding of the world and other people? What if we reclaimed the stories of our families and culture, and used story as a way to build empathy? In this episode, I talk with James Beard and Telly award-winning writer, director and producer, Erick Galindo, about his work at the New York Times and LA Taco, his podcasts WILD, and Idolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sanchez, and his upcoming TV show for CBS, Mexican Beverly Hills. Eri...

S3 E4 Who Owns A Story? Creative Commons CEO Catherine Stihler

April 21, 2022 10:00 - 45 minutes - 34.6 MB

Throughout this season of the podcast I’ve been talking with storytellers about their craft, and the potential they have to make positive change in the world.  Now that we’re struggling to get access to reliable facts about COVID, climate change, and even our own history, it seems like it's time to change the narrative of how we develop knowledge, and ask ourselves: who owns a story and who gets access to them? In this episode, I talk with Catherine Stihler, CEO of Creative Commons, about th...

Crazy Good: Sonic Stories And The Art Of Curation Feat. LeRoy Downs (S3 E3)

December 10, 2021 13:00 - 51 minutes - 39.5 MB

Maybe you made mix tapes in high school. Or maybe you make Spotify playlists for your boo. But what goes into curating a good musical story, and can it actually help us to think of ourselves and the world differently? In this episode, jazz advocate and KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs (AKA The Jazz Cat) shares secrets about how he performs for radio audiences around the world, how to balance the avant garde with popular taste, and how he crafts sonic stories that vibrate through our bodies and minds.

Anime, Parasites and Cameras: The Incredible True Story of a National Geographic Explorer. (S3 E2)

December 10, 2021 12:00 - 39 minutes - 30.7 MB

It's an easy career change to go from being a biologist to becoming a National Geographic photographer, right? Only if it involves your dad's camera, some anime episodes, and a few insect parasites... On this episode of Change the Narrative, we talk with National Geographic photographer, Anand Varma, who works at the intersection of art and science. What role do art, storytelling, wonder, and passion play in the scientific process? Hear his origin story about how he became a renowned photog...

Finding Ourselves Through Story. Feat. Micaela Blei (S3 E1)

December 10, 2021 11:00 - 52 minutes - 39.8 MB

These days, everyone calls themselves a storyteller: CEOs, marketing experts, even roller coaster designers... But what makes for a truly good story, and how can we use story to build community, process the world, and find our identities? It's a good thing we spoke with the former Director of Education at The Moth, Micaela Blei, because she helped us wrap our heads around it, and shared a few tips about crafting stories that can move your audience. Season Three is dedicated to our namesake ...

Change The Narrative Season Three Trailer

December 03, 2021 11:00 - 1 minute - 1.22 MB

If there's anything the past two years have taught us, it's that story is everything. From disinformation campaigns to the freak out over CRT and mask-wearing, nothing matters more than who controls the narrative. I’m coming out of pandemic hibernation with a new season of Change the Narrative. This time, I’m excited to explore one of my favorite topics: storytelling. The stories we tell ourselves, the stories we tell others, and how we use narratives to make sense of the world, give us com...

Bonus: A Day In The Life Of Remote Teaching

September 25, 2020 11:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB

Host Michael Hernandez turns the mic around to record his entire day teaching remotely. Originally recorded for NPR's It's Been A Minute With Sam Sanders Podcast, listen to Michael's day in all its digital glory: What happens in a Zoom class? Michael's daughter drops the hammer on worksheets. And what it's like to teach in your underwear. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Student Confessions: Why Kids Lack Passion For Learning And How To Get It Back (S2 E18)

September 18, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 33.5 MB

Are kids wasting time and falling behind during remote learning? Turns out all this flex time has strengthened family bonds, and given them time to find new passions. In this interview, recorded in May 2020, I spoke with Arun Balaji and Nakul Nayak, high school juniors in Northern California who have used their windfall of non-academic time to start a non-profit business and a national journalism publication. Not too shabby for a pair of teenage boys who are motivated to learn and work witho...

Student Confessions About Remote Learning: Trusting Students To Learn At Their Own Pace (S2 E17)

September 16, 2020 15:38 - 18 minutes - 14.1 MB

How are students managing classes during remote learning, and how have teachers helped or hindered that learning? What expectations do teachers or school administrators have of students, and is that realistic or healthy? My conversation with Lily Bessler was recorded in May, at the beginning of the pandemic and the end of her Freshman year of High School, but her insights are just as poignant today.

Student Confessions About Remote Learning: How To Let Go Of The Past (S2 E16)

August 03, 2020 12:00 - 23 minutes - 17.3 MB

What do students REALLY think about remote learning? A high school freshman from Los Angeles talks about the advantages of flexible schedules, the time she's had to learn about herself, and her advice about how to move forward.

Student Confessions About Remote Learning: Rediscovering Your Humanity (S2 E15)

August 03, 2020 09:00 - 47 minutes - 36.4 MB

What's missing from all conversations about remote learning and school re-openings is the main stakeholder--students. In this episode, I talk with two  Silicon Valley HS students about what academic pressure looks like in the age of remote school, what happens when they see their teachers in the wild, the rediscovery of self-care, and how their perceived privilege keeps them from talking about depression. And they have some choice advice for teachers...

Student Confessions About Remote Learning: Trust, Ownership, and Responsibility (S2 E14)

August 03, 2020 04:35 - 32 minutes - 24.9 MB

All the conversations about remote learning and school re-openings has left out the most important stakeholders--students. In this episode, I talk with a high school Junior in North Carolina about what remote learning has meant for her independence, owning her learning, and the flexibility she has to spend time with her family.

How to Adapt To Remote Learning (S2 E13)

July 28, 2020 11:00 - 40 minutes - 31 MB

How do you keep a kindergartener engaged in remote learning? How does technology and a calendar change help social emotional learning?  Jill Maza, Director of Libraries and Research at Montclair-Kimberly Academy, reveals the secrets to innovation in the time of COVID, story time playlists, and more.

Identity Crisis: How Remote Learning Can Break You Or Make You Whole (S2 E12)

May 28, 2020 22:22 - 40 minutes - 30 MB

Tampa, Florida science educator Jaraux Washington has found many silver linings in remote teaching, even while teaching at a Title I school. Also: How students are more successful than we think, and why the old education system may just be a way to keep kids in poverty.

Rip Off The Band Aid: Why Do We Rely On Schools To Solve Social Problems? (S2 E11)

May 21, 2020 15:19 - 42 minutes - 32.7 MB

Alaska State Teacher of The Year and National Geographic Teacher Advisory Council member Ben Walker talks about the intersection of society, schools, and the Education Industrial Complex. He talks about how our system of  'surveillance pedagogy' has led to so many problems, shares his ideas about the future of schools, and his secrets for surviving remote learning (Spoiler: It involves Legos).

Who Gave You Permission To Learn? (S2 E10)

May 19, 2020 11:00 - 30 minutes - 23 MB

Remote teaching has forced teachers to learn a lot in a short span of time. But with standardized tests taken off their backs, and flexible schedules, Middle school science teacher Therese Arsenault has found time to rekindle her excitement for learning. Also in this episode: Bison in San Francisco?

"Why Don't They Tell Me To Go To Hell?" (S2 E9)

May 15, 2020 11:00 - 33 minutes - 25.4 MB

How can we rekindle curiosity in our students so that they actually care about learning? Veteran journalism and AP English teacher Mitch Ziegler talks about project-based learning, and how remote learning has helped us make time and space for student passion. Also: Are standardized tests a form of class warfare?

How To Free Education: The End of Standardized Testing and Corporate Internet (S2 E8)

May 12, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 19.1 MB

Remote teaching has made many things clear to Elementary Principal Beth Schwartz. Freeing up time to build relationships with our students and creating truly personalized learning means the end of standardized tests, and more flexible schedules. 

School's Out... Forever? Why The 5-Day School Week Should Be A Thing Of The Past (S2 E7)

May 08, 2020 11:00 - 33 minutes - 25.5 MB

Veteran high school English teacher, Christopher Bronke, has high hopes for school once the pandemic is over: to have high hopes for our students. He shares ideas about why we should allow our students more flexibility and time to complete work, and how this can lead to more honesty and respect. But this idea isn't new--his school has been using this model for two years.

The Struggle Is Real (Good): How Remote Teaching Makes Us Better Teachers and Students (S2 E6)

May 07, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 18 MB

High school English teacher, Marisa Thompson, shares her concerns about inequity in education and lack of access to the internet for so many learners. School closures have challenged us to reimagine school. Will we rise to that challenge?

So Far Away So Close: Distance Learning Means More Personalized Learning (S2 E5)

May 06, 2020 11:00 - 26 minutes - 20.4 MB

The flexible schedules of remote teaching have helped Ohio middle school science teacher, Leah LaCrosse,  tailor her instruction to meet the needs of her students in ways that face to face learning never could. Also, why is she so upset about standardized tests?

Stop Partying Like Its 1999. How The Pandemic Is Helping Teachers Make The Leap to The 21st Century (S2 E4)

May 04, 2020 11:00 - 19 minutes - 15.1 MB

6th Grade Humanities teacher, Sam Kary shares his secrets for  work-life balance, and talks about how remote teaching has forced teachers to move away from the 'sage on the stage' lecture-and-note-taking model of teaching, and toward one where teachers are facilitators of learning.

Lost And Found: Classtime vs FaceTime And Why Content Isn't King

April 30, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutes - 18.5 MB

The phrase "Distance Learning" strikes fear into the hearts of parents and teachers around the world. But maybe we just need to rethink our relationship between students and curriculum.  And what's a teacher really for, anyway? Veteran educator Christina Torres reminds us that instead of fearing what we've lost with school closures, we should think about what's been gained.

Two File Cabinets And A Microphone: An Old School AP Chem Teacher Gets Remote Schooled (S2 E1)

April 30, 2020 11:00 - 30 minutes - 23.6 MB

How do you pivot your class to distance learning when your teaching has relied on two file cabinets filled with worksheets for 20 years? Ask AP Chemistry teacher, Teresa Nielsen. Now her curriculum is filled with dynamic digital content, and she's built new relationships with her students and colleagues.

Corona Clarity: Why Are Schools Responsible For Society's Problems?

April 30, 2020 11:00 - 22 minutes - 17 MB

The burden of feeding poor children, providing structure, and ensuring access to internet often falls on the shoulders of the education system. But school closures have made delivering those services nearly impossible. What's next?

Season Two Trailer: Silver Linings

April 29, 2020 16:40 - 3 minutes - 2.89 MB

The pandemic has forced us to rethink our education system. This season we talk with teachers and students across the country to find the silver linings in our situation, the lessons we've learned to make school better as we reimagine the education system.

Innovation, Pandemically Speaking (S1 BONUS)

April 21, 2020 11:00 - 31 minutes - 24.4 MB

​With every system disrupted by COVID19, everyone is forced to become an innovator. We talk with Mary Jo Madda, named a Forbes “30 under 30” and now lead at Google on the Education Equity team, about the secrets to innovation, and how a diverse team can make all the difference.

Social Capital: The Role Of Mentorships For Diversifying The Tech Industry (S1 BONUS)

April 21, 2020 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.1 MB

In this extended bonus episode, we talk with Mary Jo Madda, named a Forbes “30 under 30” and now lead at Google on the Education Equity team, about why connections make the difference when diversifying the tech industry and the workplace.

Time Capsules: Remembering the Outside World (How Did We Forget?)

April 13, 2020 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.74 MB

Forgot what it's like to be outside, surrounded by people? I dig through my recordings to share some of the places I've been in the past 9 months. Speaking of quarantine, now that we're at home and free from standardized testing, we're forced to rethink how we teach, and what really matters in education. How did we forget?

3 Confessions and 4 Truths: What I Learned By Making This Podcast (S1 E11)

June 13, 2019 11:00 - 9 minutes - 8.17 MB

All season we’ve listened to ideas about how to find innovation and make our workspaces more dynamic and productive. In this episode I reflect on the making of this podcast, and the lessons I learned that will help you develop your own passion project. This episode is sponsored by Book Creator

What Are You Afraid Of? Why Fear Holds Us Back And What You Can Do About It. (S1 E10)

June 06, 2019 11:00 - 28 minutes - 24.3 MB

Fear of failure often prevents us from embracing change in our lives and workspaces. In this episode we talk with educator and USC Doctoral candidate Sabba Quidwai about how we can overcome fear to create a culture of empathy and a culture of innovation.

The Benefits of Procrastination

May 30, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 23 MB

School and work expect us to crank out our best work under deadlines. But is that really the best way to get things done? Award-winning animation professor, Jose Garcia-Moreno, talks about managing time for innovative creative projects, and life.

Finding Time and Space For Innovation

May 15, 2019 12:51 - 31 minutes - 25 MB

Not many of us have the luxury of going on sabbatical to develop a passion project. So how can we find time to create when we’re always rushing between soccer practice, taking the car to the mechanic, and cooking dinner? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Monica Burns about the importance of carving out productive ‘Me Time.’  This episode is sponsored by Participate.

Innovation Incubator: Creating the Right Workspace (S1 E7)

May 08, 2019 11:00 - 28 minutes - 22 MB

Do you need a quiet space or lots of stimulation when you work? Is your desk decorated with figurines and family photos, or tools of the trade? In this episode, I talk with designer Rebecca Hare about how workspaces affect productivity, and how to find a space that will be an innovation incubator for your ideas. This episode is sponsored by Participate.

Tall Poppy Syndrome: How to Deal With Haters (S1 E6)

May 01, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 20.6 MB

You know the type: people who want to blow out your candle because they think it will make theirs brighter. But it turns out that how we frame our story of innovation is key to creating a culture that supports change. Hear from former Apple Senior Specialist and Learning Engineer Marco Torres about changing the narrative in the workplace, and the impact it can have on education.

How to Find Inspiration Part IV: Field trips for grownups. (S1 E5)

April 24, 2019 11:00 - 16 minutes - 13.2 MB

Get out from behind your desk and close your laptop. No matter how many figurines you have artfully arranged on your desk or great vacation photos you have taped to your cubicle, the best way to become inspired is to change your routine and put yourself in stimulating situations. This episode is all about finding experiences that inspire your thinking and change your mindset. I talk with design and technology teacher Keri-Lee Beasley about how she keeps her creative edge.

How to Find Inspiration Part III: Swipe Right for Professional Digital Networks!

April 17, 2019 11:00 - 15 minutes - 12.4 MB

We might not always have a great collaborator or resources for change nearby. But the good news is that they’re only as far as your laptop or phone. In this episode, we’ll talk with social media and marketing professor Ai Addyson-Zhang about out how to leverage the power of social media and other online channels to find your tribe and the resources you need to make change possible. This episode is sponsored by Participate.

How to Find Inspiration Part II: Stranger Things. And People.

April 09, 2019 03:05 - 15 minutes - 12.1 MB

When it comes to professional development, it’s easy to stick with what you know: the same people and organizations that we run with in our professional circles. But that method can keep us stuck in a creative rut that’s hard to get out of. In this episode, we talk with Columbia Professor and Explain Everything co-founder Reshan Richards and his writing partner Stephen J. Valentine to find out how to look for inspiration in people and industries different from your own. 

How to Find Inspiration Part I: Co-Conspirators

April 08, 2019 03:42 - 9 minutes - 7.78 MB

It takes more than one log to build a fire. In this episode, we talk with design thinking expert and award-winning educator Dan Ryder to see how working with the right collaborators can generate the creative heat you need to make change happen. This episode is sponsored by Book Creator.

Taking Care of Your Creative Self. According to Scientists.

April 07, 2019 22:31 - 10 minutes - 8.48 MB

Stop feeling guilty about nurturing your creative side.  But don’t take our word for it. We start our podcast adventure by talking with someone who knows all about creativity: Cornell engineering professor Christopher Hernandez. This episode is sponsored by Book Creator.

Season One Trailer

March 07, 2019 23:22 - 5 minutes - 10.7 MB

A recent trip to Guatemala finds Michael questioning what it means to be a teacher, and why school is so boring. Kick off the podcast series by hearing Michael's 'origin story.'

Twitter Mentions

@mjmadda 2 Episodes