Reach. Teach. Talk. With Nat Damon

Roots & Reach: From Connecticut College to Leading Schools

How does one’s liberal arts college experience impact how they lead schools today? In this inspiring episode of Reach. Teach. Talk., Nat Damon gathers fellow Connecticut College Class of ’93 alumni—all current heads of independent schools—for a lively conversation on how liberal arts education, relational teaching, and shared values have shaped their leadership. Recorded live at the NAIS Conference in Nashville, this episode is a celebration of connection, purpose, and educational impact.

Suzanne Buck is the Head of School at Western Reserve Academy (OH), where she fosters strategic innovation, community building, and student-centered learning. A Connecticut College graduate, she earned degrees from Columbia (Social Work) and Harvard (Education). Suzanne has held leadership roles at Westminster, Fay, New Hampton, and Chatham Hall. She serves as Co-Chair of TABS and President of CCIS. Suzanne, her husband Johnny, and their family enjoy sports, puzzles, Maine summers, and their Labrador, River.

Sharon Howell is in her 5th year as the Headmaster of St. Johnsbury Academy, an independent school with a public mission in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Earlier in her career she was the Head of School at Indian Springs School in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Associate Head of Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA.  Before beginning secondary school leadership, she spent 15 years at Harvard University in various roles—PhD student in English and American Literature, curriculum developer for the Harvardx course Poetry in America, a Lecturer in History and Literature, and Dean of Adams House. She’s also a poet.  

Derek Krein is the Head of Tilton School, a co-ed boarding and day school in New Hampshire. His career spans roles as a teacher, coach, advisor, and administrator, including positions in residential life, college counseling, and faculty leadership. A Connecticut College graduate, he credits Dr. Helen Regan for inspiring his path in education. Krein also serves as a Trustee at Indian Creek School and remains active with Kent School. He and his wife, Bobbi, have two college-age children.

Booth Kyle has been Head of School at Indian Creek School (MD) since 2019, bringing over 30 years of experience in education. He previously served as Associate Head at Lakeside School (WA) and worked in admission and financial aid at Deerfield Academy (MA). A Connecticut College graduate, he earned his M.Ed. from Boston University. Booth has served on the boards of Brooks School, The Enrollment Management Association, and the George Pocock Rowing Foundation. He and his wife, Colleen, enjoy gardening, dogs, and Boston sports.

Carson Smith has been Head of School at The Rumson Country Day School (NJ) since 2020, following 11 years as Middle School Director at Thayer Academy (MA). He previously served as Dean of Students at The Derryfield School (NH) and a teacher and department head at Cardigan Mountain School (NH). A Connecticut College graduate, he holds an M.A. from Columbia and an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt. Carson serves on the boards of Horizons at the Jersey Shore and Portsmouth’s School Board.

Of Boys and Men with Richard Reeves

In this special episode of Critical Conversations brought to you by Reach Teach Talk, Nat Damon and Luthern Williams interview Richard V. Reeves, author of Of Boys and Men, in a conversation that explores the deep challenges facing boys and young men today. Using compelling data and heartfelt stories, Reeves discusses educational struggles, emotional health, masculinity, and the urgent need for societal change. Educators, parents, and mentors will be moved and inspired to rethink how we support boys in a world striving for gender equity—without leaving anyone behind. A must-listen for changemakers worldwide.

Richard V. Reeves is a best-selling author, public intellectual, and social commentator focused on inequality, class, and gender issues. He is the author of Dream Hoarders and Of Boys and Men, the latter praised by The New York Times and President Obama. A senior fellow at Brookings and President of the American Institute for Boys and Men, he has advised policymakers, led think tanks, and spoken at major global events. His TED Talk on modern masculinity earned wide acclaim. British-born, he lives in Tennessee with his wife and dogs and is the father of three sons.

Strong. Demanding. Loving: Rethinking Great Leadership with Drew Kugler

In this powerful episode of Reach Teach Talk, renowned leadership coach Drew Kugler returns to Reach Teach Talk to share his transformative revelation: that leading through love—specifically strong and demanding love—is essential to great leadership. Reflecting on 26 years of coaching, Drew uncovers a red thread of love at the core of effective human connection. Educators, business leaders, and coaches alike will be inspired to lead more meaningfully, listen deeply, and elevate others by embracing love as a daily, intentional practice.

Drew Kugler (www.drewkugler.com) is a leadership and communication coach with over 30 years of experience guiding executives and teams across industries—from law and media to non-profits and consumer brands. Raised in San Diego by a city judge who believed deeply in integrity and respect, Drew learned early on the power of influence and the importance of listening. Over the past 30 years, he’s coached leaders across industries—law, media, nonprofits, and more—helping them navigate tough conversations and lead with what he calls Constructive Candor. He’s held leadership roles at Nordstrom and Marriott, taught communication at San Diego State, and spoken at institutions like Stanford, NYU, and UCLA. Drew is especially proud to work with all communities nationwide and to serve as faculty at Hebrew Union College and the Board of Directors at Reach Academy for Young Men.

A Relational Rescue Plan for Boys with Dr. Michael Gurian

In this episode of Reach, Teach, Talk, Dr. Michael Gurian, a leading expert in gender studies and neurobiology, explores why boys need a "rescue plan" in today's world. He breaks down how brain science, school structures, and social isolation impact boys' learning, behavior, and emotional health. Discussing depression, aggression, and technology’s role in disconnecting boys, Dr. Gurian shares practical strategies for parents and educators to better support them. This powerful conversation challenges common misconceptions and highlights how relationships and school culture can help boys thrive. Tune in for game-changing insights into raising and educating boys today! 

Dr. Michael Gurian is a marriage and family counselor, New York Times bestselling author of 32 books, and a leading expert on gender and brain science. He co-founded The Gurian Institute, which conducts global research and professional training. Michael has spoken at the United Nations, advised the White House, and briefed Congress on the boy crisis in America. His books, including The Wonder of Boys and Boys and Girls Learn Differently!, have sparked national debate. A dynamic speaker, he uses case studies and brain scans to help educators, parents, and organizations better support learning, development, and human connection.

The Relational Power of Purpose with Ross Wehner

"What’s the point?" "Why does this matter?" "How does this impact my future?"

 

Students ask these questions all the time—but how often do we truly consider the role of purpose in education?

In this episode, I sit down with Ross Wehner, founder of World Leadership School, a visionary in experiential learning, a former journalist, and an inspiring thought leader. Together, we explore how purpose fuels motivation, engagement, and collaboration—and why cultivating a purpose-driven school culture is essential for students' mental, emotional, and academic well-being.

Because in schools that prioritize purpose, no one walks alone—and in today’s world, that truth has never been more important.

Join us for this powerful conversation!

Ross Wehner is a writer, social entrepreneur, and Founder of World Leadership School, which “partners with K12 schools to reimagine learning and create next-generation leaders.” Ross also co-founded the nonprofit TeachUNITED, which works to transform learning at rural schools around the world. Ross is guided by the question: How can K12 school become the ultimate platform for launching students into lives of purpose? 

Ross is an author who is working on a book that explores Purpose Learning at schools around the globe. He facilitates the Salmon River Program for School Heads, a leadership development program that begins with a rafting adventure on the Salmon River in Idaho. Ross is a frequent keynote speaker on the future of K12 learning. His Tedx talk “What if the Purpose of School Were Purpose?” was recently selected for the TED platform and has received over 275k views. 

Ross began his career as a journalist in Chile and Peru in the 1990s. He received a Master’s in Latin American literature and worked as a wilderness educator for the National Outdoor Leadership School and as a classroom teacher at two independent schools. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife and two children.

World Leadership School

K12 Change Lab — a cost-effective program to help K12 schools make strategic change

 

Tedx talk: What if the Purpose of School Were Purpose?

The Power of Relational Creativity

What happens when creativity is seamlessly woven into every aspect of a classroom and school day? The possibilities are endless. In this episode, Nat sits down with Peter Nilsson—educator, thought-leader, musician, and advocate for AI as a creative partner. Peter is also the mastermind behind A Boarding School Musical and is currently developing his second production, Schooled. Join us for a fast-paced, inspiring hour as we explore how creativity lies at the heart of great teaching. Prepare to be inspired and “tricked” into learning through Peter’s unique take on relational creativity.

Mr. Peter Nilsson is the founder of Athena Lab and the editor of the weekly education newsletter The Educator’s Notebook.  He has served as head of school, administrator, teacher, tutor, and coach in schools for over 20 years.  Most recently, he returned in the summer of 2023 from overseas as Head of School at King’s Academy, a coeducational boarding school in the Middle East founded by King Abdullah II of Jordan.  Before that, he taught, coached, and served in a variety of administrative capacities at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts.

Also a musician, Peter practiced in New York City for four years, where he composed and performed with a jazz trio, funk band, hip-hop performers, classical ensembles, off broadway theater, and musical theater. At Deerfield, he produced A Boarding School Musical, in which 25 faculty and staff members surprised the student body with a one act, Hamilton-style performance at a school meeting. This production is the source inspiration for Schooled: the Musical, presently in development.

Peter serves on the advisory boards for SXSWedu and the Center for Curriculum Redesign, both of which drive innovation in education across the United States and around the world. He also serves on the advisory team for the Middle States Association Responsible AI in Learning endorsement. He is a trustee at the Canterbury School. To learn more about Peter’s work, you can subscribe to the Educator’s Notebook, in which he circulates education and learning related news from around the web for the purpose of promoting innovation in education, or visit www.peternilsson.us.

He lives in Fort Wayne with his wife Crystal and their two children.

The Relational Need for Reading and Writing

Shaila Kapoor has spent two decades launching tech products and leading marketing in software, cellular, and biotech. Her true passion, however, lies in education. She has co-founded a charter school in underserved California, created education software during COVID, and advanced girls’ education in northern Pakistan and Afghanistan.

This year, she launched Boys Who Write, a global nonprofit fostering boys' communication skills to enhance emotional well-being, build meaningful relationships, and thrive as community leaders. The program combines male mentorship, a love for reading and writing, and relationship-building skills in a virtual format, connecting boys across diverse boundaries.

Unlike traditional online learning, Boys Who Write uses a dynamic broadcast style inspired by gaming streams and travel shows, paired with custom games and tools. This immersive approach nurtures academic, social, and emotional growth, addressing the critical communication challenges boys face today.

Boys Who Write website:  www.boyswhowrite.org

Contact at: shaila@boyswhowrite.org

Our Relational Rites of Passage

Rites of passage honor the transition from boyhood to manhood. But what is a rite of passage? How are they effective at raising self-aware young men? Learn from engaging and deeply thoughtful educator, Dr. Mark Dowley, whose life work is centered around these themes—in schools and in greater society.  

Dr. Mark Dowley is the co-author of the Classroom Management Handbook and Director of Programs at the Foundation for Positive Masculinity. For over 15 years, Mark has taught and presented in schools from Papua New Guinea to New York and has received multiple teaching awards. He facilitates rites of passage programs as part of his role at Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia with the goal of increasing the engagement and learning of boys and young men.

Foundation website: www.positivemasculinity.org.au

Check out the book on Amazon: The Classroom Management Handbook

Contact at: mdowley@positivemasculinity.org.au

 

 

Pedagogy of the Hopeful

The day after 9/11, Noah Bopp created the foundation for what would become the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (Washington, DC). As a semester-long institute for diverse high school juniors from all over the US, SEGL is highly regarded as an exemplar for the essentialness of a hope-driven school culture (so very needed during these modern times). In this episode, I speak with Noah and his Academic Dean, Ms. Colleen Kyle, on the topic of hope and how it presents in genuinely intentional—and integral—learning communities. A fascinating discussion for anyone who cares about the role of hope in schools and how every member of the community plays an essential part in fostering it.

Noah Bopp is the Founder and Head of The School for Ethics and Global Leadership, which has campuses in Washington, DC, London, United Kingdom, and Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a graduate of Oberlin College, Duke University, and the Klingenstein Private School Leadership program at Teachers College, Columbia University. The Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington awarded him its 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award. He is also a trustee of the Mithil Prasad Foundation (co-founded by SEGL graduate Rachna Prasad) and on the Advisory Council at the Andi Leadership Institute. Noah has nearly 30 years of school leadership and teaching experience. Prior to SEGL, he worked at the Mountain School of Milton Academy, the Duke University TIP program, and St. George's School. Noah and his wife Sydney live several blocks from the SEGL Residence. They have a six year-old daughter, Daisy, and a Havanese puppy, Pericles.

Colleen Kyle is the Academic Dean and English teacher at SEGL in DC. She has an MA from Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English and a BA from Connecticut College, where she served as president of the student government. Before starting her career in education, she worked in publishing for eight years, including four years as an acquisitions editor at Houghton Mifflin. Colleen later worked as a teacher, dorm parent, coach and newspaper advisor at Deerfield Academy. She taught at Lakeside School in Seattle for a decade, leading the history department and its new faculty mentor program; she also taught part time at Rainier Scholars’ leadership retreats. Before coming to SEGL, Colleen was the Upper School Head at Roland Park Country School in Baltimore. She lives in Annapolis and loves kayaking and bird watching on and along the Severn River.

 

 

Helping Boys Flourish in the Modern World

Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D., is a renowned psychologist, author, and consultant specializing in children and families. Supervising psychologist at Belmont Hill School, he has worked with over 700 schools worldwide. Dr. Thompson co-authored the New York Times bestseller Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys and authored several acclaimed books, including Homesick and Happy and The Pressured Child. A frequent media guest, he has appeared on The Today Show and NPR, and hosted PBS's Raising Cain. Based in Arlington, MA, he is married to Dr. Theresa McNally, with two children and three grandchildren.

A Case for Love with Brian Ide

Reach Teach Talk focuses its 42nd  podcast episode on the upcoming film, “A Case for Love”, and explores how it brings school and family communities together.

What is "unselfish love"?  During the darkest days of the Global Pandemic, filmmaker Brian Ide (President, Grace-Based Films) set off on a nationwide quest for the answer to that question. The result is the brilliant documentary film, "A Case for Love"; a collection of 14 stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and with a throughline focused on the teachings of Bishop Michael Curry. Nat talks with Brian about how this is a perfect film to screen for middle school and high school students, parent groups, and communities of all types. Because the world needs more unselfish love...and "A Case for Love" is a perfect place to find it.

www.acaseforlovemovie.com

Director Brian Ide has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, initially as a paid actor, then producer, and eventually journeyed in to the world of directing. “A Case for Love” is his fifth film, and premier feature-length documentary.  

After producing and directing the feature film “This Day Forward,” Brian traveled the U.S. presenting the film in churches, theaters, and community centers while discussing the film’s message and experiencing its impact on audiences. Following that tour, the Lutheran Church of Australia called him to their communities to do the same. 50 pages of responses to that tour are available on the film’s website.

Prior to founding Grace-Based Films, Brian directed “Clear Lake, WI” and the recent faith-based short film, “Reconcile”, which has been viewed and used in 47 different countries.

A three-time national judge for the Polly Bond Awards, he has spoken to colleges, faith centers, and film programs nationwide about the intersection of film and faith.

Brian is the son of an ELCA Lutheran pastor-father and devout Catholic mother. He is the husband to a lifelong Episcopalian who is drawn to stories that focus on what unites us rather than what divides.

The mission of Grace-Based Films is to tell compelling stories, through film, that meet 21st Century audiences exactly where they are in the messiness of life, emboldening them and reminding them that none of us are alone.

ChatGPT in the classroom: Savior of Education or the Worst Thing Ever? with Spencer Burrows

Three years after the great pivot into remote teaching due to the Pandemic, teachers are now facing a technology revolution in the classroom once more. ChatGPT is changing the way students write, research, study and think. The AI technology impacts the way teachers are designing, assigning, and grading assessments. Yet the advent of ChatGPT has created in many situations a cat and mouse game that no one wants to play - particularly as we still struggle to form trusting bonds in the classroom. Join us for a deep look into the impact of AI in the classroom as it stands today, and learn strategies to help integrate ChatGPT smoothly into you classroom.

Spencer Burrows is the 11th Grade Dean at Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, California, as well as Teach Plus of California policy fellow and Coro Lead LA alumnus. Burrows serves as education adjunct faculty at National University and on the Board of Directors of TEACH Public Schools in South Los Angeles. Two recent articles that Spencer has written appeared in Chalkbeat and Education Week.

Three years after the great pivot into remote teaching due to the Pandemic, teachers are now facing a technology revolution in the classroom once more. ChatGPT, released to the world in January of 2023, is changing the way students write, research, study and think.  The AI technology impacts the way teachers are designing, assigning, and grading assessments. Yet the advent of ChatGPT has created in many situations a cat and mouse game that no one wants to play — particularly as we still struggle to form trusting bonds in the classroom. Join us for a deep look into the impact of AI in the classroom as it stands today, and learn strategies to help integrate ChatGPT smoothly into your classroom. You may well decide that this new technology actually serves as a boost to your instructional delivery. Or not. Yet if one thing is certain, ChatGPT is here to stay.

The Cherishing Classroom with Father Gregory Boyle

We are thrilled to celebrate our 40th episode by hosting Father Gregory Boyle, Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, based in Los Angeles and influential around the world. In this teaching and mentor-focused conversation, Father Greg speaks with Nat about the transcendent power of relational wholeness at Homeboy and in our classrooms. Belief, Hope and Love are its mainstays.

Disconnecting to Connect with John Kalapos

France did this back in 2019…why can’t we? Buxton School, a co-ed boarding school in Williamstown, MA, introduced the 2022-23 academic year with a new smartphone policy: No smartphones allowed. After the Wall Street Journal spotlighted the impact of this policy on campus life, Nat sat down with Associate Head of School John Kalapos, to speak about the relational impact on all members of the Buxton community. What resulted is an instructive case study on the decision to eliminate the influence of smartphones in the classroom and on campus — 24/7 — at a boarding school.

The Art of Possibility with Benjamin Zander

Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and co-author of the book, “The Art of Possibility”, and an infamous TED Talk speaks about the essentialness of positivity in the classroom (and the classroom of life). Music is in all our hearts. Mr. Zander makes a beautiful case for it in this immersive conversation.

Cultivating Positive Masculinity with Craig Wilkinson

Join Nat and South African author, speaker and social entrepreneur Craig Wilkinson (www.fatheranation.co.za) as they discuss the crucial role men play in the lives of their youth and society. For anyone working with or raising boys in this day and age, their conversation will provide exploration and strategies on how to cultivate positive masculinity in today’s world.

Boys as Relational Beings with Judy Y. Chu

What happens to boys as they become young men in today’s culture? How has the pandemic impacted the way boys perceive the world, and their place in it? How can we best guide our boys to become the young men they truly wish to be? Find the answers to these questions and many more in this timely conversation with Dr. Judy Chu, renowned lecturer on boys’ psychosocial behavior and author of the book, “When Boys become Boys”.

Relational Positivity with Mike Erwin

Nat's conversation is with Mr. Mike Erwin, co-founder of The Positivity Project, a nationwide program designed to empower our youngest generation through hope and possibility. Drawing from his experience from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. Erwin applies themes of collaboration, community, and teamwork into his organization. We conclude with a focus on the status of young men today.

Finding our Selves through Sisu with Katja Pantzar

How does our relationship to the environment help or hinder our ability to flourish in school and in life? Finland-based author, journalist, and Helsinki’s greatest ambassador, Katja Pantzar, joins us for a fascinating (and ice-cold!) deep-dive into the Finnish concept of Sisu (pronounced “See-Sue”), which centers around self-reliance, determination, and harmony with one’s outside world.

Relational Trust with Parker Palmer

Season Two launches with this central question: What is relational trust? Why is it so important now, as we return to a Now Normal in K-12 schools? Join education thought-leader, author, and mentor Parker Palmer as he guides us down the path of trust, authenticity, and hope.