In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Dr. Lindsay Whorton, President of the Holdsworth Center and author of A New School Leadership Architecture, about why the future of school leadership depends less on superheroes and more on sustainable systems. Drawing on her work with districts across Texas, Lindsay shares how schools can rethink leadership roles to better support teachers, develop future leaders, and create conditions where both educators and students can flourish.

From building cultures of ownership instead of buy-in to creating leadership structures that distribute responsibility rather than concentrate it, this conversation explores how schools can meet growing challenges without burning out the people doing the work.

Mentioned:

A New School Leadership Architecture: A Four-Level Framework for Reimagining Roles by Lindsay Whorton

Middlemarch by George Eliot

Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better by David Epstein

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In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert has a conversation with Bryan Goodwin, Deputy Executive Director, McREL Institute at Region 13, about what joyful learning actually looks like in classrooms. Bryan explores why joy isn't the absence of struggle but often found in the process of learning, growing, and overcoming challenges.

From the power of curiosity and collaborative inquiry to the value of storytelling, boredom, and meaningful questions, Bryan shares how educators can create conditions where students and teachers experience genuine engagement.

This conversation is a reminder that joyful learning isn't about making everything easy. It's about creating opportunities for people to discover, persevere, and find meaning in the work of becoming better.

Mentioned:

The Happiness Crisis by Jon Eckert

The Meaning of Your Life by Arthur Brooks

The Flourishing Factor by Chris Egan Teaching

Reaching Kids Who Don't Fit Inside the Box by Pete Hall

Charlie Hustle by Keith O'Brien

Never Work Harder Than Your Students by Robyn Jackson

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In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Rev. Dr. David Kim, CEO and co-founder of Goldenwood, about AI and vocation. David's passion is to help people and organizations see the unseen realities that give rise to the world we create.

David shares why the future will belong not just to efficiency, but to people who can cultivate curiosity, connection, and creativity in a rapidly changing world.

Mentioned:

Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

“The Tune of Things” by Christian Wiman

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In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Darren Spyksma about what it really means to humanize education in a world that keeps pushing toward efficiency and shortcuts.

Darren shares how the real work in schools isn’t fixing kids, it’s helping adults grow in how they show up for them. From turning conflict into an opportunity for deeper relationships to helping teachers and parents stay present instead of outsourcing responsibility to technology, this conversation is a grounded look at what “humazing” education actually looks like. It’s a reminder that the best learning still happens through real relationships, honest conversations, and choosing to do the slower, harder work of being human together.

Mentioned:

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David Yeager

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

JOMO: Joy of Missing Out

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In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Sean Riley, who’s spent nearly two decades at The Stony Brook School and is now a leading AI expert, about what it looks like to navigate AI in education with wisdom and purpose.

Sean shares his journey from a blue-collar upbringing into education and leadership, and how that formation shapes the way he approaches technology today. From helping schools move beyond fear and policy toward thoughtful, mission-aligned strategy, to reminding educators that AI should serve human relationships, not replace them. This conversation is a reminder that even in the middle of disruption, joy is found in meaningful work, wise decisions, and staying rooted in what matters most.

Mentioned:

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

Edified Strategies

AI Daily Brief

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In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Alison Sweeney, actress, director, and host known for her work on Days of Our Lives, The Biggest Loser, and Hallmark films, about how she has learned to pursue joy both in Hollywood and at home.

Alison shares what it’s looked like to grow up in the spotlight while building a family and staying grounded in what matters most. From finding joy in everyday moments as a parent to navigating the pressures of a public career, this conversation explores how joy is not found in achievement alone, but in relationships.

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In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Elaine Howard Ecklund, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, about what it means to stay human in a world increasingly shaped by AI. Drawing on her research and conversations with students, Elaine shares why many young people are less worried about cheating and more concerned about relationships, identity, and what it means to be human.

From slowing down in the classroom to resisting a culture obsessed with efficiency, this conversation explores how educators can create spaces for deep learning, connection, and belonging. It’s a reminder that joy isn’t found in speed or productivity, but in the relationships, practices, and shared struggle that help us grow.

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