A Work of Heart: Human Intelligence in Education

Teacher Burnout Recovery: How to Process and Integrate the Year You Just Had

As another school year comes to a close, many educators are carrying more than exhaustion. They are carrying the emotional weight of months spent supporting students, managing stress, navigating uncertainty, and showing up day after day with extraordinary care. In this deeply reflective episode, Dr. Ilana Nankin and Sam Levine create space for educators to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves after a demanding school year. Together, they guide listeners through powerful mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices designed to help educators process stress, release self-criticism, reflect on the stories they are carrying, and intentionally move into summer with greater compassion, clarity, and hope. Through honest conversation and practical tools, this episode reminds educators that they are enough, that their work matters deeply, and that rest is not a luxury. It is essential. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, depleted, proud, grateful, or all of the above, this conversation offers a meaningful opportunity to slow down, honor your experience, and reconnect with your hopes and dreams for the season ahead. Best Moments in This Episode - Why so many educators experience “collapse” at the end of the school year - Understanding hyperarousal, burnout, and nervous system overwhelm - A guided emotional reflection practice for processing the school year - How self-critical stories shape the way educators experience themselves - The THINK framework for reframing limiting beliefs - Why educators deserve rest, compassion, and renewal - A simple daily mindfulness practice for summer and beyond What You’ll Learn - How chronic stress impacts the nervous system - Why reflection is essential for healing and growth - Practical mindfulness practices to regulate emotions and reduce overwhelm - How to identify and reframe limiting self-beliefs - Why awareness is the first step toward transformation - The power of intention setting and embodied movement - How small daily practices can support long-term well-being Timestamps 00:00 Episode Introduction 00:55 Welcome & Reflecting on the School Year 02:04 Grounding Practice: The Body Scan 03:58 Grounding Practice: The Stress Test 04:54 Emotional Awareness & Teacher Burnout 11:38 Emotional Intelligence: The Emotion Visitor Practice 15:22 Processing the Weight of the Classroom 19:26 Unpacking the Stories We Tell Ourselves 24:52 Personal Shares: Overcoming Unexpected Challenges 28:38 Challenging Limiting Beliefs with "THINK" 33:36 Swapping Out Narratives with Self-Kindness 35:53 Vulnerability & Accountability Buddies 37:11 Embracing Your Extraordinary Worth 40:45 Visualizing Your Hopes & Dreams for Summer 43:52 Intentional Living: Shifting from Doing to Being 47:05 The Daily 3-Part Practice Secret Sauce 52:59 Final Summer Wishes & Closing Words About Breathe for Change Breathe for Change empowers educators, school leaders, and change makers with research-backed tools to enhance well-being, strengthen relationships, and transform teaching and learning. Through the accredited Master’s of Education in Human Intelligence, educators cultivate the skills needed to help students thrive while reconnecting with their own purpose and well-being. Learn More Learn more about the William Jewell College Master’s of Education in partnership with Breathe for Change and discover how to bring these practices into your classroom, career, and life. Connect With Us Website: https://breatheforchange.com/ [https://breatheforchange.com/] Instagram: @breathe4change [https://www.instagram.com/breathe4change]

Mindfulness, Meta-Awareness, and the Science of Paying Attention

What if one of the most important skills we can teach is the ability to notice where our attention is and intentionally bring it back?In this powerful conversation, Dr. Ilana Nankin sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Dr. Kris Evans to explore the science and practice of mindfulness and meta-awareness.Kris recently completed his PhD at Stanford University, where his research focused on attention, mindset, and human agency. Together, Ilana and Kris unpack how mindful awareness helps us recognize our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and gives us the power to choose how we respond. They also share research conducted with Breathe For Change educators during the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed remarkable improvements in stress, anxiety, well-being, mindfulness, and belonging during one of the most challenging periods in modern history. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, distraction, and constant stimulation, this conversation is a powerful reminder that our ability to pay attention may be one of the most important human capacities we can cultivate. Best Moments in This Episode - How Kris’s journey from Stanford football player to mindfulness researcher began - The difference between mindfulness and meta-awareness - Why attention is essential for learning and well-being - What Breathe For Change research revealed during the pandemic - How boredom can unlock creativity and insight - Why awareness is the foundation of human agency What You’ll Learn - What mindfulness actually means beyond meditation - How meta-awareness helps us observe our thoughts and emotions - Why attention shapes learning, relationships, and health - Practical ways to reduce phone distraction and protect focus - How educators can explicitly teach awareness to students - Why community and belonging are essential for well-being - How these practices help us respond more intentionally to life Episode Highlights 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:54 - How Kris Evans and Ilana First Connected 04:15 - Why Self-Awareness Changes Everything 08:42 - Understanding the Mind Behind Human Behavior 13:27 - The Difference Between Attention and Awareness 18:11 - Why Mindfulness Is More Than an Internal Practice 22:46 - The Power of Emotional Regulation 27:18 - How Awareness Shapes Relationships and Leadership 32:05 - Bringing Science and Evidence Into Mindfulness 37:41 - The Connection Between Nervous Systems and Human Performance 43:12 - Practical Mindfulness for Educators and Daily Life 48:36 - Building Better Habits Through Awareness 53:02 - Creating the Future Through Conscious Choice 57:10 - Final Reflections on Presence, Purpose, and Growth About Breathe For Change Breathe For Change empowers educators, school leaders, and community change makers with research-backed tools to enhance well-being, strengthen relationships, and transform teaching and learning. Through our accredited Master of Education in Human Intelligence, educators cultivate the skills needed to help students thrive while reconnecting with their own purpose and well-being. Learn More Learn more about Breathe For Change’s Master of Education in Human Intelligence and discover how to bring these practices into your classroom, career, and life. Connect With Us Website: Breathe For Change [https://breatheforchange.com/] Instagram: @breathe4change [https://instagram.com/breathe4change]

Relational Intelligence: The Human Skill AI Can’t Replace

In this episode of A Work of Heart, Dr. Ilana Nankin and Sam Levine dive into one of the most essential and uniquely human capacities we possess: our ability to build meaningful relationships. As part of Breathe For Change’s Human Intelligence Framework, they explore Relational Intelligence and the five competencies that help us create deeper connection in our classrooms, communities, and personal lives. At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping education and human interaction, this conversation reminds us that empathy, belonging, repair, and authentic connection are skills technology can never replace. Drawing on research from Harvard, Brené Brown, and Marshall Rosenberg, Ilana and Sam share practical strategies educators can use to reduce loneliness, navigate conflict, and foster classrooms where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. From the Peace Process that eliminated tattling in Ilana’s pre-K classroom to the powerful distinction between intention and impact, this episode offers both a compelling vision and concrete tools for strengthening relationships at every level. Best Moments 1. Why nearly 50% of Americans report feeling lonely and what the Harvard Study of Adult Development reveals about fulfillment. 2. How Relational Intelligence helps students and educators build empathy, belonging, and connection. 3. The four-step Peace Process that transformed Ilana’s classroom and empowered students to resolve conflict independently. 4. Why holding both intention and impact is essential for authentic repair. A live demonstration of the “Into Me I See” intimacy practice. What You’ll Learn - The 5 competencies of Relational Intelligence: Interpersonal Awareness, Empathy, Repair, Belonging, and Connection.- - Word Watcher and Cue Detective: Practical tools for mindful listening and reading nonverbal communication. - How to step into another person’s shoes while honoring your own boundaries. - The Peace Process: A simple framework for resolving conflict using observations, feelings, needs, and requests. - Intention & Impact: How to repair harm without sacrificing connection. - Equitable Sharing and Concentric Circles: Strategies to cultivate belonging in classrooms and communities. - Into Me I See: A practice for deepening intimacy and authentic human connection. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Loneliness, AI, and the Need for Human Connection 01:07 The Five Layers of Human Intelligence 05:03 Relational Intelligence and the Epidemic of Loneliness 09:40 What Relational Intelligence Actually Means 15:07 Interpersonal Awareness and Reading Social Cues 19:53 Empathy, Emotional Resonance, and Deep Listening 25:23 Vulnerability, Boundaries, and Authentic Connection 30:51 The Risks of AI Replacing Human Relationships 35:51 Teaching Conflict Resolution Through the “Peace Corner” 40:42 Intent vs. Impact in Relationships 45:52 Belonging, Psychological Safety, and Community 50:47 Practical Exercises for Building Connection 55:43 Modeling Emotional Honesty and Relational Skills 01:00:26 Final Reflections on Relational Intelligence About Breathe For Change We empower educators to unlock Human Intelligence through our accredited Master’s program. When educators deepen their capacity for connection, classrooms and communities are transformed. Connect With Us Subscribe to A Work of Heart on your favorite platform. Learn more about our Master’s of Education at BreatheForChange.com and follow our journey on social media.

Teacher Appreciation Week — 7 Gratitude Practices for You and Your Students (No Pizza Required)

In this special episode of A Work of Heart, Dr. Ilana Nankin and Michael Fenchel celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by moving beyond pizza parties to explore the radical impact of gratitude. Research shows only 25% of teachers feel recognized—we’re here to close that gap. Learn how shifting your mindset to an "Attitude of Gratitude" can enhance your well-being, rekindle your passion, and create a more connected classroom. We share three tangible practices from our Master’s program that you can use immediately to "fill your own cup" and support your students. Best Moments * Why gratitude is a functional tool for surviving the burnout crisis in education. * Ilana shares the "miracle" of her recovery after a 44ft climbing fall and how it changed her perspective on being alive. * The moving story of Susan Givens and how gratitude sustained her through her final days. * A live "Pure Cheer" exchange between Ilana and Michael that demonstrates the power of being truly seen. What You’ll Learn * The 3 Depths of Gratitude: How to apply appreciation to yourself, your relationships, and the world at large. * Grateful For Me: A simple 4-step practice to honor your own mind, body, and heart. * The Treasure Chest: A visualization tool to store and recall moments of joy during challenging times. * Pure Cheer: How to give and—more importantly—actually receive appreciation without brushing it off. Episode Timestamps  00:00 — Closing the Teacher Recognition Gap  02:33 — Collective Breaths of Gratitude  03:18 — The Science and Power of a Gratitude Mindset  11:04 — Practice #1: Grateful For Me  17:50 — Practice #2: The Treasure Chest (Attitude of Gratitude)  26:44 — Practice #3: Pure Cheer (Giving and Receiving)  30:55 — Live Practice: Michael and Ilana’s Exchange About Breathe For Change We empower educators to unlock Human Intelligence through our accredited Master’s program. When you learn to breathe, the whole system changes. Connect With Us Subscribe to A Work of Heart on your favorite platform. Learn more about our Master’s of Education at BreatheForChange.com and follow our community’s journey on social media.

How Trauma-Informed Teaching Transformed My Inclusive Classroom

In this episode of A Work of Heart, Dr. Ilana Nankin sits down with Dr. Salina Gray, a veteran educator whose career spans over three decades across middle, high, and elementary school settings, and now, special education. Salina’s story is a profound example of the "Transformation of Self." She shares her vulnerable journey from an unconsciously dysregulated teacher—who unintentionally caused harm while trying to "fix" her students—to becoming a trauma-informed educator who leads with presence, compassion, and mindful listening. If you have ever felt like you are carrying too much or wondered how your own state of being impacts your classroom, this conversation offers a powerful roadmap for healing and sustainable, heart-centered teaching. Best Moments from the Episode * Salina describes the pivotal shift from asking, "What is wrong with me/my students?" to "What happened to me?" and how that language change unlocked her ability to heal. * We discuss the courage required to face past pedagogical mistakes, apologize to former students, and accept responsibility for unintended harm. * Salina shares why "Mindful Listening"—witnessing without the urge to fix, judge, or advise—is the single most transformational practice in her classroom. * You will hear how rituals, play-based learning, and morning affirmations have created a classroom culture so regulated that students who struggle with attention are able to engage in rigorous academic work for 30–45 minutes at a time. * The conversation highlights how the same tools used for trauma-informed teaching are naturally aligned with supporting neurodiverse students in a Special Day Class (SDC) setting. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  You will learn why the most effective tool in your classroom is your own regulated nervous system. We explore the practice of mindful listening as a strategy for building deep social-emotional intelligence and how to implement it even with the youngest learners. You will gain insight into how to structure a classroom day—from morning tubs to affirmations—that builds agency and safety. Finally, you will hear how one educator’s commitment to her own internal "excavation work" led to a professional rebirth, allowing her to serve her students with more clarity and joy than ever before. Meet Your Guest  Dr. Salina Gray is a veteran educator with over 30 years of experience, having taught in middle, high, and elementary school settings. She holds a PhD in Education from Stanford University and currently works with neurodiverse students in a Special Day Class (SDC). A dedicated member of the Breathe For Change community, Dr. Gray is a passionate mentor, faculty member, and advocate for trauma-informed, somatic-based education that honors the wisdom of the body. Episode Timestamps * 00:00 — A 30-Year Career: From Middle School to Special Education * 02:19 — Healing the Self: "What Happened to Me" vs. "What is Wrong With Me" * 09:57 — The Mirror of the Past: Realizing Unintended Harm * 16:04 — The Breathe For Change Transformation * 25:57 — Mindful Listening: The Ultimate Game Changer * 33:46 — Inside Dr. Gray’s Classroom: Rituals, Play, and Regulation * 37:32 — How to Enable Academic Stamina Through Connection About Breathe For Change  We are on a mission to unlock the Human Intelligence in every educator and student through our accredited master's program and certification. When you learn to breathe again, the whole system begins to change. Connect With Us  Subscribe to A Work of Heart on your favorite platform. You can learn more about the Breathe For Change Masters of Education on our website and follow our community's journey of transformation on social media.