Real Life Lessons for Humanizing Education and AI: Darren Spyksma

Beyond Superheroes: Lindsay Whorton

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 [https://a.co/d/02fdxGr7] by Lindsay Whorton Middlemarch [https://a.co/d/03BF3RIW] by George Eliot Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better [https://a.co/d/0e8N5Oiw] by David Epstein Connect with us: Center for School Leadership at Baylor University [https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/] Baylor MA in School Leadership [https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/]

Joyful Learning: Bryan Goodwin

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 [https://a.co/d/07hZK9xI] by Jon Eckert The Meaning of Your Life [https://a.co/d/08tYyEt1] by Arthur Brooks The Flourishing Factor [https://a.co/d/03jf0VYE] by Chris Egan Teaching Reaching Kids Who Don't Fit Inside the Box [https://a.co/d/00awqaXz]by Pete Hall Charlie Hustle [https://a.co/d/0gyHVkMe] by Keith O'Brien Never Work Harder Than Your Students [https://a.co/d/0hLDopR1] by Robyn Jackson Connect with us: Center for School Leadership at Baylor University [https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/] Baylor MA in School Leadership [https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/]

Work is Making the Unseen Seen: David Kim

In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Rev. Dr. David Kim, CEO and co-founder of Goldenwood, [https://goldenwoodnyc.org/] 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 [https://a.co/d/0hsXhVGM] by Tim Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf Unreasonable Hospitality [https://a.co/d/04hdpki6] by Will Guidara “The Tune of Things” [https://harpers.org/archive/2025/12/the-tune-of-things-christian-wiman-consciousness-god/] by Christian Wiman Connect with us: Center for School Leadership at Baylor University [https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/] Baylor MA in School Leadership [https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/]

Real Life Lessons for Humanizing Education and AI: Darren Spyksma

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 [https://www.amazon.com/10-25-Groundbreaking-Approach-Generation/dp/B0CWMSFSXG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VJ1INSODUF40&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2NxDdoMCYTNb9f1uMcbaqA08VCWr_FJd6yVCVKlcbBKXy6v3u-8fEa5JU2lOXuErf56hVdmbN6K8oroLU590g8BiOodUTBR2QKVIsABeWARUgockPOOSyjs-gEiXAxjBkK11g6lqpLi0PQXSbK66TMdwqu9U-ahwGZriHqa0IwOKX_NNqUkE0q3DqMpP9Tj73U8xG6N1Oa_h50opemffK6ciIowku4lCPC4XJ79fJXI.4KKtlWtXzRttBg31WdreFHn7IBJZAPY0y0RlsqRpE70&dib_tag=se&keywords=10+to+25&qid=1777931228&s=books&sprefix=10+to+25%2Cstripbooks%2C239&sr=1-1] by David Yeager  The Anxious Generation [https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036] by Jonathan Haidt JOMO: Joy of Missing Out [https://www.experiencejomo.com/] Connect with us: Center for School Leadership at Baylor University [https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/] Baylor MA in School Leadership [https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/]

A Blacksmith's Son Turned AI Education Expert: Sean Riley

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 [https://www.amazon.com/That-Hideous-Strength-Space-Trilogy/dp/0743234928/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KSV0PR94EHJ0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OyLFiX9ovIzIS2uMTan_GhBwWDrmYD0JeKczCdTozDRnb0cJ6hVmPYvLVwMQ6L7G_QezIQWfm4J-wI_vCIoTkPydz4fmKtOCq5zVFAVOMkT78zvrsao47m4dYe2wBmoR3Zk9jQCYe0pDhwazGspYKOtpjM3XaSaBKZ1aqKuZ0bGhhHxLR5XbEAYHSneYQLXUIjKfEWb8te32sGgYIUCgoDWHGSeN9QRTxWAlhsTywEk.q-bXmmTuU0ct1H3NMdTRmAimh-rfpCrdCbeCM_emLD4&dib_tag=se&keywords=that+hideous+strength&qid=1776737595&sprefix=that+hideous+strength%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1] by C.S. Lewis Edified Strategies [https://edifiedstrategies.com/] AI Daily Brief [https://aidailybrief.ai/] Connect with us: Center for School Leadership at Baylor University [https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/] Baylor MA in School Leadership [https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/]