Create an Empowering Environment with Playlists E. 41

December 6, 2023 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Create an Empowering Environment with Playlists S. 3 Ep. 41

Listen to this episode to learn how you can use the power of music playlists to change your environment to create the mood you want to establish in your home or school life.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

Do you create music playlists? You can use music playlists to find inspiration, to create calm and relaxing spaces, or to create more energy. Today we’re talking about empowering ways to use playlists in your life.

In this episode:

Do you create music playlists?

What’s great about playlists is that you can create them for any reason.

If you are like us, you have probably created a few playlists. Michele has a work-out playlist with high energy music for Zumba. She also listens to a playlist called French Baking Music, which is calming but not dull. A lot of coffee shop playlists are like that also. Soft jazz playlists and different kinds of Christmas playlists such as traditional Christmas or instrumental Christmas music are great during the holidays. Paula’s family even has a playlist for when they are on their boat!

Last week, in episode 40, we talked about creating positive environments, and the idea that you can control more parts of your environment than you probably think you can. Playlists are another great way that you can control your environment both at home and at school.

How conferences use music to control the environment:

We attend and present at a lot of conferences, and we’ve noticed that conferences often have playlists. Conferences use music to energize the audience or to help them connect to a particular message or theme of the conference.

For example, conferences use playlists as an empowerment muse, reminding you of your strengths, power, and potential. It’s a way to make the audience enjoy themselves and feel good and it works. At in-person events, people dance, sing along, and feel connected. Music is a shared joy and passion. We may not know the people sitting near us, but we can all sing along with Alicia Keys as she belts out “this girl is on fire…”.

When we attended a week long conference with trainer Brendon Burchard, you couldn’t help but notice his music. It is probably the first time we realized the power of music to control an environment. Before he appeared on stage a few upbeat songs played and then when Macklemore’s song Can’t Hold Us blasted through the event center Brendon came out jumping to the music while the crowd was singing and jumping along. The energy was electric.

The Massachusetts Conference for Women gave us another example of how to use music playlists effectively. This was a virtual conference where they were very effective at using a playlist to fill the void between speakers. When you attend conferences in a virtual platform, the default mode is to turn off attendee’s cameras so the focus is on the presenter. You never know who is in the room with you.

Without the small talk that is present in a live event, attendees feel alone and isolated and the silence feels awkward. Listening to a carefully curated musical selection before each different speaker can inspire the audience and set the tone before the speaker begins.

The Massachusetts Conference for Women’s playlist included songs like:
Kings and Queens by Ava Max
Let’s Get Loud-Jennifer Lopez
Halo- Beyonce
Rise Up- Andra Day
A Beautiful Noise- Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlisle

The music was a shared moment that made it easy and fun for attendees to interact with each other. When they changed the screen so that the audience could see the other attendees, you could see people singing along and dancing to the music. There were lots of lively comments in the chat as people commented about the music. The conference organizers figured out how to use effectively use music to connect people. The women attending felt collectively inspired and empowered by the playlist of music written and sung by strong females, as noted by the many positive comments in the chat.

Brene Brown on the power of shared moments of connection:

Author Brene Brown shares an even deeper reason for these kinds of common bonding moments. In her book Braving the Wilderness, Brown says that we are all looking for moments of joy and connection so that we can bear witness to the human connection. “It’s like lightening in a bottle,” she says, “We have to catch enough glimpses of people connecting to one another and having fun together that we believe it’s true and possible for all of us.”

This is why we rally around our school songs, even long after we’re been students. It’s why at a concert, we all sway together, linking arms and singing along with strangers. The power of our collective joy helps us to transcend our divisions. In today’s divisive world, we need those connections now more than ever. Music can be that connector.

Isn’t this what we all want more of? Don’t we all want to feel connected to others?

Using music playlists in your life:

Think about the ways that music inspires and motivates you. We all need a boost from time-to time. We want and need to feel uplifted and music is a great way to change how we are feeling at any given time.

You’ve probably had the experience of using music to change your mood. You come home from work tired and a few songs into your favorite album your mood has improved.

For our live workshops, we have a playlist of music we play before the workshop begins as well as at breaks. It fills awkward silences and sets a positive tone. Music also helps if you get nervous when speaking in front of groups, the music takes you out of your head and can build your confidence.

Here are a few songs that inspire and motivate from our playlist:

I Gotta Feeling- The Black Eyed Peas
Defying Gravity- Wicked, Idina Menzel
Some Days You Gotta Dance- The Chicks
Girl on Fire- Alicia Keys
I Won’t Back Down- Tom Petty
A Million Dreams- Pink
I Lived- One Republic
Beautiful Day-U2
Walking on Sunshine- Katrina and the Waves

These songs might be a little all over the place, but that is kind of the point, you get to choose songs that inspire and motivate you.

Another example is from Paula who chooses her Peloton walking music playlist. She wants high energy, fun songs to keep her walking at a good speed.

What about you? Do you ever wish you had more confidence? What would be on your empowering playlist? Why not create it for yourself and then play it as a pick-me-up?

Using music play lists at school:

Many of you probably already use music playlists at school. We know teachers of young children often use playlists for clean-up time, or for transition times. Some teachers use playlists of soft, instrumental music for quiet work time. Teachers might create playlists that connect to their area of content and use them to engage students- think of School House Rock’s grammar songs or history and government songs.

Do you use playlists as students enter the classroom, either to calm them down or pump them up? Some teachers have playlists of music to help students with self-regulation. You could also use playlists to energize a sleepy first hour class as they start their day.

Does your school play music in the lunch room to set a calm tone? It can be a powerful tool to regulate the volume in a crowded space. One school plays music, and continues to play music as long as the student voices aren’t louder than the music. It works well to keep the noise down, because the students like the music.

Think about ways you could use music at your school and in your classroom to create the environment you wish to have. Or create different playlists for different environments that you want to create throughout the day.

Here’s a fun idea, find your “Walk-On Song”:

An extension to the idea of using a playlist is to choose a song as your personal theme song or walk on song. A walk on song is the song that they play when you are presenting at a conference after they introduce you and while you are walking on stage. It helps you to create the tone you want to set.

We were introduced to this concept at a conference where the keynote speaker shared that she loved the idea of having a walk on-song. Hers was Dolly Parton’s Nine to Five which she said she loved because it was upbeat and made her happy. When she came out dancing, everyone was interested and engaged with her before she even began talking.

This of course led all of us to think about our walk on song. It is important to note here that you don’t have to be speaking on a stage to have a walk on song. Consider it your personal theme song, a song that reminds you who you are and who you want to be. It is a fun activity to think about and decide!

In case you are wondering, Paula’s walk on song is Happy by Pharrell Williams and Michele’s walk on song is Sia’s Unstoppable.

This idea also works for a classroom. Think about a theme song that you and your class would like to have and to use to remind everyone of their potential and possibility. You might even ask the students for suggestions, and then listen to the songs and vote.

We’re sure you can find many times to play your class theme song throughout the year. Just as with sports teams or other groups, it is a bonding experience and something students will likely remember fondly for many years.

Have fun with this! It’s fun to think about and fun to create your playlists.

We’ll leave you today with the words of Plato, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”

Recap:

We say it often- you are more powerful than you think. Rather than accept the energy in any given space, you have the power to alter it. Using music playlists or a special theme song is a way to change the mood, and the energy of a room as well as remind students of their power and potential.

Quote:

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”

Plato

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown.

Connect with the Inspired Together Teachers Community:

Download our FREE resource: The Inspired Teachers Guide to Taking Back Your Life.

Website: https:www.inspiredtogetherteachers.com

Instagram: Inspired-Together-Teachers

Facebook: Inspired Together Teachers

Facebook Teacher Warriors Group: Teacher Warriors Facebook Group

Linked In: Inspired Together Teachers

More About Inspired Together Teachers:

Are you a teacher struggling to balance your best work with your best life?

If you are dedicated and caring but often overwhelmed and exhausted, join us at Inspired Together Teachers. We’ll give you inspiration, strategies and tips that help you navigate life’s challenges as a stronger, more confident, and more joy filled person, both in and out of the classroom.

Inspired Together Teachers will give you practical tools to experience more of what matters most in your life.

Co-hosts Paula Schmidt and Michele Vosberg are award winning educators with the experience and skills to help teachers thrive in life and work. They’ve taught at all levels, worked with thousands of teachers, and conducted workshops around the world. They are also the authors of the #1 best-selling book The Inspired Teachers Journal: A Weekly Guide to Becoming Your Best Self.

Paula and Michele would love to have you to join them on their quest to lived inspired lives.

Spark Up Your Space and Energize your Environment Ep.40

November 29, 2023 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Spark Up Your Space and Energize your Environment S.3 E. 40

Listen to this episode to learn more about how you can create environments that are charged and energetic, in your work and home life, by following a few basic ideas about harnessing the power of paradoxes.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

Do you ever sit in a meeting and struggle to stay awake? Do you ever find yourself at a family gathering and cringe because the atmosphere is so toxic you are afraid to say anything? Do you look around your classroom and wonder what you could do to “spark it up” just a bit? Today we’re talking about how you can energize your environment, at work and at home, by looking at them through the lens of six paradoxes. Don’t worry, it is much easier than it sounds. All you need are a few guidelines about holding the tension of opposites and we are glad to share them with you!

In this episode:

Introduction:

We have long believed in the power of environment to shape the mood of all who enter that space. We believe so strongly in it, that one of the first podcast episodes we created was #9 You Set the Tone. We talked passionately about how teachers have more power than they may know to set the tone for their classroom and life.

Today, we would like to expand on that topic and speak directly about the power you have to improve the places and spaces where you live and work but looking at them through the lens of six different paradoxes.

What is a paradox?

First, let’s get the meaning of paradox out of the way. A paradox is something that has seemingly contradictory qualities. For example, when we say “less is more” or “the beginning of the end.”

For our purposes today, we are going to talk about paradox as that creative and charged tension between two opposites. Think of it as that space that lighting shoots through between the chaos in the clouds where it starts and the solid ground where it hits. That space in between is electric, powerful and beautiful when we can see it in action. It is not so astonishing in the clouds or on the ground as it is in that charged space in between.

Your daily living and working spaces can be the same way, if you can find or create that spot between two poles where the charge and exciting energy can live. You can think of it as the tension between opposites.

Before we get into what those paradoxes might be, we want to give credit for this idea where credit is due.

Parker Palmer, a writer and teacher who has helped millions of people around the world live more courageously and authentically through his writing and speaking, was the inspiration for this podcast episode.

In his book, The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life, he gives us six paradoxes we should consider when designing our ideal classroom environments. When Palmer wrote this he was talking about classroom environments specifically, but we think this applies to our work and home lives so we expanded on his idea a bit.

Here is how Parker Palmer introduces the idea of paradoxes in the book:

“Teaching and learning require a higher degree of awareness than we ordinarily possess- and awareness is always heightened when we are caught in a creative tension. Paradox is another name for that tension, a way of holding opposites together that creates an electric charge that keeps us awake. Not all good teachers use the same technique, but whatever technique they use, good teachers always find ways to induce this creative tension. When I design a classroom session, I am aware of six paradoxical tensions that I want to build into the teaching and learning space.”

We are going to share the six paradoxical tensions that Palmer suggests using to create your spaces, then we will explore each as they relate to your work and home life.

The six ideas are:

The space should be bounded and open.
The space should be hospitable and “charged.”
The spaces should invite the voice of the individual and the voice of the group.
The space should honor the “little” stories of the student and the “big” stories of the disciplines and tradition.
The space should support solitude and surround it with the resources of community.
The space should welcome both silence and speech.

When Palmer talks about these, he is talking specifically about how he designs learning spaces. If we follow these same rules in our spaces outside the classroom the same kind of positive energy can flow there as well. Think of this as applying to our family get togethers, our lunches with friends, our committee meetings, our family dinners…any environment where we find ourselves.

Let’s take a look at each of these paradoxes individually and what embracing them might look like in your work and home life.

1.The space should be bounded and open.

Palmer describes a space that is bounded and open as an environment where there are boundaries that keep topics from wandering all over, but that are still open to the many paths that the learning or conversation may lead. This means having an idea of a journey that you want to take, “the bounded part”, yet embracing the surprises along the way, “the open part.”

For example, this might mean having a solid lesson plan, but being open to taking it in a new direction when student interests are high.

Palmer suggests framing a discussion around a text this way. The teacher presents the text to be discussed (bounded) and then opens up the space by asking students to discuss the text based on information they have learned from their own lives. We do this all the time as teachers, though we may not see it as playing with the tensions of bounded and open.

This works in your personal life as well. An example in your personal life might be travel. Paula shared an example of going to Washington, DC with friends. It was one of the most amazing trips ever and it was in large part because it followed this rule. The bounded part was having a hotel booked for all seven days of the trip. The open part was driving to a location, asking the waitress or others they met along the way where they should go next. They ended up in DC on time but along the way ate chocolate in Hershey Pennsylvania, saw the lighthouses in Cape May New Jersey, and walked the boardwalk in Atlantic City. None of these were in the original plans.

2.The space should be hospitable and “charged.”

Palmer describes hospitable as inviting, open, safe, free, and trustworthy. Of course we all want this in a classroom. However, the space should also be somewhat “charged” in that students don’t fall asleep in the comfort. The participants in the space shouldn’t be so safe that they are bored. This is that space where people are exploring real, deep topics of the world or their soul. They know it is a safe place (hospitable) but also full of deep exploration possibilities which makes the environment charged.

Palmer’s classroom example is making sure the students feel safe and then asking them to focus on hot button issues that really cause them to do some real exploration of themselves or their world.

This might also look like shaking things up- building in comfortable routines, but using different strategies that keep things interesting and alive and keep students engaged.

Paula attended a Parker Palmer retreat several years ago in Seattle. It was a beautiful setting, people wore comfortable clothes and did yoga. It felt very safe and loving. Then they asked the attendees to dig deep into their goals and lives and ask themselves about deep issues. It was both uncomfortable and profound. People were crying as they journaled. It was both hospitable and warm as well as “charged.” We all want to have those kinds of experiences that are meaningful and deep and involve topics that we are really invested in. We want our students to have those kinds of experiences as well.

3. The spaces should invite the voice of the individual and the voice of the group.

What Palmer means by this is that all participants in the conversation need to have a chance to express their authentic voice. That’s inviting the individual voice. However, in order to be a place of learning, there must also be a chance for the group’s voice to be gathered an amplified. Having this group voice provides a necessary point of comparison to affirm, challenge or correct the voice of the individual. This is the place where learning can happen.

Parker is talking about a classroom where students have to reach a group consensus. The students are invited to share their individual perspectives. The teacher can listen for what the group is saying and pull that together and play that back to the students from time to time so the group can hear what they are saying together.

Another example is that teachers need to be able to ask questions and accept that they don’t always get the answers they were expecting. It is about allowing students to voice their ideas and opinions. If we want to create people who know how to think, we need to let them express their thoughts.

As an example in your home life, Paula shared what happens when her family is trying to decide where to go out to dinner. Individuals share their ideas. Paula gathers the voice of the group. “Ok, so no fast food. And I didn’t hear any Chinese so Chinese is out. It appears that most of us want Mexican. So now let’s narrow down which Mexican restaurant we want to go to.” This is a better than arguing or fighting and allows everyone to have a voice while still coming to a group decision. We often do this in the classroom and it works at home too.

4. The space should honor the “little” stories of the student and the “big” stories of the disciplines and tradition.

Palmer suggests this so that everyone can share their personal “little stories” to add to the conversation without narcissism becoming a problem. Value the little stories but don’t let them take over the big stories that are universal or overriding.

We do this on this podcast all the time. We have a topic, but we sprinkle in our own little stories and examples.

Palmer suggests that in a class discussion, we need to help students learn to listen to the big stories with the same respect they give the little stories they tell about their own lives. We, as the teachers, need to stand at the intersection of the stories that individuals bring to the classroom, and help them connect to bigger stories about the world that they may not have been exposed to or understand yet.

Paula shared an example of sitting in meetings where one person comes in with how a situation, maybe a new curriculum or new way of doing something, impacts them. The first time they tell the story, everyone listens. The next time, in the same meeting when they share their experience, and it is only a sliver of the whole picture, people tolerate it. However, when the conversation becomes all about them and their experience, everyone hopes the leader of the meeting will step in and remind everyone of the bigger picture. When that doesn’t happen, the meeting goes too far toward the little stories and not close enough to the big stories, which is frustrating. As a leader, you can help maintain the big picture while honoring little stories.

5.The space should support solitude and surround it with the resources of community.

This particular paradoxical tension recognizes that people need time alone to absorb information and to meaningfully reflect on it. However, we also need that authentic community to be our best.

Palmer says, “I tell my students that much as I value dialogue, I affirm their right not to participate overtly in the conversation- as long as I have the sense, and occasional verbal reassurance, that they are participating inwardly. This permission not to speak seems to evoke speech from people who are normally silent; we are more likely to choose participation when we are granted the freedom to do so.”

Think about this as a teacher in a classroom. There are introverts who listen and engage with whatever is happening in the classroom. Often, they are penalized because they do not always speak up or contribute a certain number of times. Be aware of who is really engaged and who is not engaged. Talking is only one form of engagement.

The “Think, Pair, Share” strategy is a good one because it allows everyone to engage in a safe way. The think portion allows for self-reflection, the pairing is a safe place to discuss, and the sharing is often done by the people who are most comfortable in the group sharing. It supports the solitude of individuals while still surrounding people with the combined resources of the community.

6.The space should welcome both silence and speech.

Palmer says, “Words are not the sole medium of exchange in teaching and learning- we educate with silence as well. Silence gives us a chance to reflect on what we have said and heard, and silence itself can be a sort of speech, emerging from the deepest parts of ourselves, of others, of the world.”

Some of us struggle with silence, in fact a typical group handles about 15 seconds of silence before someone jumps in.

Palmer looks at this through the lens of the teacher, when teachers jump into silence. He goes so far as to wonder what chances for authentic learning don’t get to happen when teachers jump in and break the silence or when they allow students to quickly jump in and fill a silence without first giving everyone time to think and reflect.

In education, we often call this wait time, and waiting even a few seconds can feel difficult.

This is a great reminder to find that charged spot between silence and speech. How do you handle silence in your life, for example in a book club, or in discussions with family and friends? Do you allow people time to think or quickly jump in to fill the void?

Conclusion

As you can see, we think Parker Palmer is brilliant. We hope he wouldn’t mind that we expanded upon his six paradoxes idea to how it could be effective in our home and life spaces, not just in our classroom spaces. As you consider how finding that perfect paradoxical tension could change your environments, we end with the following quote.

Quote

“The place where paradoxes are held together is in the teacher’s heart.”

Parker Palmer

Our wish for you is that you hold these paradoxes in your heart in the coming days, weeks, months, and years in your work and home life.

Recap

You have the power to improve the places and spaces where you live and work by looking at them through the lens of six different paradoxes. You can make your classroom and home environments more enjoyable places by embracing that charged space between any of these paradoxes.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Inspired Together Teachers podcast Episode 9 You Set the Tone

Connect with the Inspired Together Teachers Community:

Download our FREE resource: The Inspired Teachers Guide to Taking Back Your Life.

Website: https:www.inspiredtogetherteachers.com

Instagram: Inspired-Together-Teachers

Facebook: Inspired Together Teachers

Facebook Teacher Warriors Group: Teacher Warriors Facebook Group

Linked In: Inspired Together Teachers

More About Inspired Together Teachers:

Are you a teacher struggling to balance your best work with your best life?

Inspired Together Teachers will give you practical tools to experience more of what matters most in your life.

Paula and Michele would love to have you to join them on their quest to lived inspired lives.

Enjoy Self-care and Build Empathy with Books that Transform Ep.39

November 22, 2023 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Enjoy Self-care and Build Empathy with Books that Transform E.39

Listen to this episode to learn more about how you can engage in guilt free self-care while reading books for pleasure that will help you grow in empathy for others.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

Do you struggle to find or take time for self-care? Do you love to read for pleasure, but usually feel a little guilty when you take the time to read? Today we’re talking about books that you can read for enjoyment that will also help you to build empathy. These are books that might impact how you see your students or how you view your job. Our book recommendations may also help you understand the power you have as an educator to change lives.

In this episode:

You may not have thought about it this way before, but one form of self-care is doing something that you love to do. For both of us, reading is a form of self-care. Maybe you are nodding your head because reading is self-care for you too. If not, when was the last time you gave reading a try? You may find it to be more relaxing than you remember! Reading is a great form of self-care because you can always fit it in. You can read for just a few minutes before bed, spend hours on a rainy Saturday curled up with a good book, or you could listen to an audio book while driving down the road or hiking through your local nature park.

We like reading because sometimes it is a way to do two things at once. We know that multitasking doesn’t work when you are trying to do multiple things that need all of your attention. Each time you shift to a different task, your brain has to readjust and get focused on the new thing- and those transitions waste a lot of time.

Where multitasking does work is when you are doing something physical, like walking the dog, running on the treadmill, folding laundry or even driving. If you listen to audio books you CAN multitask and get two things done at once.

The 10 books we are going to share today are books we choose because they have the power to transform you. You may learn to see students in a new light, or understand the lives of those who come from backgrounds different than your own.

We’ll share both novels and memoirs so we have a little bit of something for everyone.

Here are our books that will help you to build empathy and transform your world view:

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

We both loved this book, which is a modern retake on the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield. You don’t need to have read David Copperfield to enjoy this book. It won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize.

Kingsolver reimagines the story set in Appalachia in the 1990’s. Demon is born to a teenage drug addicted mother. We watch him grow through the years moving from foster home to foster home, being mistreated and slipping through the cracks. It is also a portrait of the opioid crisis and how people fall into drug use and become addicted and can’t get help.

Along with the negative portrayals there are people who enter Demon’s life and are good and helpful. Even the smallest acts of kindness make a difference in the life of this young boy. In particular, a pair of teachers become mentors to Demon and affect his life in positive ways. This is a modern coming of age story based on a historic writing that is sure to captive you and help you to understand a life that is likely different than your own. It is heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time. It is also expertly written by Kingsolver.

Paula: If you haven’t read David Copperfield before, I hadn’t, read this book and then go and find a summary of David Copperfield. You will be, like I was, shocked at how closely Demon Copperhead mirrors the original story, even using names that are almost the same as the original text….but not quite. This book is a great way to get engrossed in a some intriguing characters, build some empathy, and learn the storyline of some classic literature at the same time!

Finding Me by Viola Davis

Paula: I was the one begging to have this memoir added to the list so I can talk about this one.

Besides being an Oprah’s Book Club pick and Harpers Bazaar Best Book of 2022, this is on my list for one of the best audio books of all time. Viola Davis of the How to Get Away with Murder fame, reads this book herself on the audio version if you are an audio book reader. She is one of just a few people to have one an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony so as you can imagine, she is brilliant in reading her story.

The whole memoir is about Viola’s tough childhood and her life journey of finding her voice and her purpose when life was basically working against her. She talks in depth about teachers and mentors who brought her up and those who brought her down.

The first 30 minutes or so of the audio is heavy. Listening to her tell her childhood stories in which her racial, socioeconomic, and family struggles impacted her self-worth and identity will touch you deep in your teacher heart. Don’t give up after those tough few beginning chapters. Though she faces darkness, she is an amazing light in this world and following her on that deeply personal journey is a profound experience.

You will come out of listening to this book, or reading it, as a better person and teacher.

Remarkable Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Michele: I’ll start by saying that I was sure I would hate this book.

This book is unusual. It features three very different characters. The first is an elderly widow named Tova, who works nights cleaning at an aquarium. The second is a young adult named Cameron, who is drifting through life and struggling to find a meaningful path. The third is an giant pacific octopus named Marcellus, who not only talks but who is witty and bright, and amazingly perceptive.

The three connect at the aquarium, and the story develops about how they learn to understand each other, and eventually, to help each other. I see this book as a book about not only friendship, but the power of small kindnesses. I loved that it is hopeful. In the end, I was won over and charmed by this book. The world changes when you understand that in some ways, we are all remarkable bright creatures.

Spare by Prince Harry

We both listened to this on audio, and it is worth hearing the Prince himself read this book. This is somewhat of an odd choice for us, because neither of us are big royal watchers, nor are we particularly captivated by the royal family.

Michele: What I liked about this book is how a person’s perspective frames their understanding of the world. Harry grew up extremely privileged, but in many ways, his childhood was lonely and isolated. Especially after the death of his Mother, Princess Diana, he felt isolated and alone and no one answered his questions or did anything to help him through his grief. I think that loss and that grief changed him in deep ways. I see him as a child who didn’t get the support he needed.

Paula: I also was drawn to the childhood and teen years in this memoir, honestly, much more than the adult years. It was not a story of pity, which I had feared, but instead gave us insight into a person who appears to keep it all together but who is struggling internally and also regularly within his family structure. I would guess we have many more students like Harry than meets the eye. Don’t go into this book hoping for a lot of royal dirt, because it isn’t there. What is there will captivate you if you are a teacher, or person, hoping to learn about what life is like behind the scenes that we often don’t get to see. Plus, I have to admit the British accent of Harry reading the book was lovely.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Michele: This was one of my favorite books in the past year. It takes place in the 1960’s where Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant chemist. She isn’t “allowed” to be a chemist because she is a female, and her Ph.D. does not help her to get into a role where she can use her skills. There is a lot of prejudice against women, who at the time it was thought should be the secretaries and getting the coffee. She is constantly fighting her way, trying to hold her own in a world that doesn’t respect her mind.

Eventually, Elizabeth gets a job as a television cooking show host. This is a more palatable role for a female in society in the 1960’s, but she undermines everyone by turning her cooking show into a series of chemistry lessons. She finds a way she can empower other women and young girls in a positive way.

This book is devastating, and funny, and ultimately helps you to understand how discrimination works. It is also about the power of being your true self. She held her own doing her chemistry experiments in the living room. I loved this character.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Paula: Since I seem to be on the audio memoir kick today, I would love to talk about this one.

Do not let the title scare you away – this book is heartbreaking and funny- sometimes both at once and is worth listening to or reading.

Jeannette McCurdy was a Nickelodeon child star on iCarly and then got her own spinoff called Sam and Cat. On the surface, everything looks amazing for Jennette, who reads this story herself if you listen to it on audio. However, she suffered behind the scenes with her mother’s mental and physical abuse and her father’s neglect. She first developed anorexia as an 11 year old at the urging of her mother and viewed her body as a commodity to earn money to support her family.

Personally, I knew of these Nickelodeon shows and of McCurdy but had never really watched them. I read the book on audio at the urging of a friend and have since bought it for my niece and recommended it to my daughters. I was amazed by her grit and determination and the honest sharing of her struggles was touching. As a teacher and a parent, I thought it was amazing.

A Prayer for Owen Meeney by John Irving

This is an older book, but one we both love. It’s the story of two boys, John and Owen, growing up together in New Hampshire in the 1950-1960s.

Owen is an amazing character, you will love him. He is a strange child with uncanny perspective.

This book grabs your attention from the moment when of the two 11 year old boys hits a foul ball in a Little League game and kills the other boys’ mother. This is a book about finding your purpose in life, about irony, about love, and about keeping the faith. The story is told by John, as an adult, and chronicles the depth that our childhood experiences have on the rest of our lives. There is a lot to the storyline, and we don’t want to spoil it for you, but trust us when we say that this is one of those books you will miss reading when it is over.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

We both read this book a couple of years ago, and it is one of those books that stays with you.

Tara lives with her family, which we could describe as survivalist or doomsday preppers. They are isolated from others and lead very restricted lives in terms of having any connection with the outside word.

Tara does not attend school, and her education is very incomplete. At 17 she attends school for the first time when she manages to enroll in college. There she is forced to grapple with her lack of education, her lack of knowledge of society, and the repercussions of her up bringing. Eventually she makes her way to Harvard and Cambridge and earns a Ph.D. This is a story of resilience and the power of education.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

What if you could change history? That is what this story, by Steven King is about.

Jake, the main character of this gripping story is a high school English teacher who makes extra cash by helping adult students prep for their GED. The story involves an essay from his of the students, a local diner and the chance for Jake to time travel back to try and prevent the assignation of John F. Kennedy.

If you want to learn a little history, for example the title of the book 11.22.63 is the date of JFK’s assassination, and get wrapped up in a great story at the same time, this book is for you. It also shows the power of a relationship between a teacher and student in a way I have never read before.

A little known fact about this- Stephan King was 3 months into his first teaching job in 1971 when someone in the teachers’ lounge asked “What would it be like if JFK had lived?” King stood right there in the teacher’s lounge and thought, “I’d like to write that story.” He started, but gave up after writing 14 single spaced pages because it was going to involve too much historical research. He picked it back up 36 years later and you will be glad he did after you read this book.

10% Happier by Dan Harris

Actually, the full title of this book describes it better: 10% Happier- How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works- A True Story

Dan Harris, a former news anchor on Good Morning America and Nightline, describes his unexpected journey from drug addiction and anxiety attacks on air, to becoming a public face for mindfulness and meditation. If you have ever wondered how people become more mindful and 10% happier in their lives, check out this entertaining book. If you listen on audio, Dan reads it himself. Who doesn’t want to be 10% happier, right?

Recap:

Don’t feel guilty if you want to spend some time with a good book. It is a form of self-care, and it might even help you understand the world in a new way. Reading can help you build empathy and understanding of people who have experienced life in a way that is different from your own.

Connect with the Inspired Together Teachers Community:

Download our FREE resource: The Inspired Teachers Guide to Taking Back Your Life.

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Are you a teacher struggling to balance your best work with your best life?

Inspired Together Teachers will give you practical tools to experience more of what matters most in your life.

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The Enneagram Harmony Triads Ep.38

November 15, 2023 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

The Enneagram Harmony Triads S.3 E.38

Listen to this episode to learn how the Enneagram Harmony Triads can help you find balance in your life.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

Have you been following our Enneagram for Educators series? In today’s episode, we’re going to wrap up the series and bring our knowledge and understanding full circle so that you can access the best of the Enneagram and use it for both personal development and to improve relationships with your family, friends and even your students. Ramp up your knowledge and learn more about how to apply the Enneagram in your life in today’s episode.

In this episode:

Please note that this is not a word-for-word transcript. If you would like to hear all of the discussion and the examples, listen to the podcast. The notes below are highlights of the information we share in this episode.

This is the fifth episode in our Enneagram series. In previous episodes, we’ve shared the three types of wisdom in our discussion of the head, heart, and gut instinct types. We’ve also discussed each of the nine Enneagram types including their basic fears and motivations. If you haven’t listened to those episodes, you will want to go back and listen to those. Today we are exciting to bring some of this information together as we discuss the harmony Triads.

What is the Enneagram Harmony Triad?

Even if you have studied the Enneagram, you’ve probably never heard of the Harmony Triads. This is part of the Enneagram model that we were trained to teach and that we think is very helpful in finding balance in our lives.

You may heard of the wings and arrows model of the Enneagram, or you have heard of people saying, “I am a 3 wing 4”, or something like that. Basically, the wings are the numbers on either side of your main type- so if you are a two, your wings would be one and three. Those types influence your main type and you may have characteristics of one of those types. This is one model of the Enneagram that is commonly taught.

We’re not going to go into wings and arrows, because we prefer the Harmony Triads model.

The Harmony Triads model gives you three types, your main type and two others. You can tap into the intelligences of each of the three types.

Most of us focus on one type of intelligence- we lead with our head, or heart or gut. Growth can come from accessing all types of intelligence. Who doesn’t want to be smarter?

If you want more about this- see episode 17 Get Out of Your Head about the three types of intelligence.

Think of the Enneagram types as a baseball team. We all have our own baseball team. You have nine players on your team (the 9 Enneagram types). The star of the team, your MVP, is your main Enneagram type. The key supporting players are your two other Harmony Triad numbers.

The three Harmony Triads are Types 8, 5, and 2, types 9, 3, and 6 and types I, 4, and 7. You can see them in the triangles connecting the numbers in the image below. Each triad has one head type, one gut type, and one heart type. Accessing all three types of wisdom helps you to be stronger and when you are balanced and in harmony, you can be the best version of your unique self. Your baseball team is using the best strengths of its players, which makes it a winning team!

Enneagram map — The Enneagram Harmony Triads

How the Harmony Triads work:

We’ve talked about the Enneagram as a tool for personal growth. This is where the Harmony Triads really come into play. This is one of the ways you can apply your knowledge of the Enneagram to improve things in your life.

We all talk about finding balance, and having harmony and being our unique selves in the best possible way. Isn’t that what we all want? The Harmony Triad helps with this.

Let’s look at examples of the 8, 5, 2 Triad.

Type 8

8s have great confidence and leadership. They lead with their gut instinct. On their edge, they can be demanding, controlling and act without thinking.
8s can access the heart intelligence of the 2. This can remind them that people matter- you can’t just bulldoze through everyone. The 2 energy also encourages them to work for the betterment of others in things that matter so they can use their strong sense of justice for good.
The type 5 energy comes into play when the 8 needs to think through things more carefully. Instinctual decisions can often be good, but sometimes you need to think through the consequences. 8s can benefit from accessing the knowledge and wisdom of others.

Type 5

Fives have great knowledge and wisdom. It is easy for 5s to overthink and get stuck in their head and struggle to make decisions. They can also be self-contained and very cautious with relationships.
The type 8 energy gives 5s the confidence to more forward and trust their knowledge. This increases their potential to bring the best of what they know into the world and act on it.
The 2 energy reminds fives to connect with their feelings. It can help 5s to improve personal relationships and become kinder and more caring to others.

Type 2

2s are heart centered and focused on helping others. They are kind and caring, and self-sacrificing which can be exhausting. On their edge, they can be resentful.
2s who tap into their type 8 energies can become effective leaders. They can use their helpful ways for the good of an organization. They can see a need and then fill it.
2s can use their type 5 to love learning and access information. The 5 energy helps 2s to analyze and systematize that information.

Examples of the 1, 4, 7 Harmony Triad:

Type 1

Type 1 is conscientious and good. 1s like to do things the right way. They may have perfectionist tendencies, and hold themselves to a high standard. They sometimes take that to extreme by demanding everyone else meet their impossible standards.
Tapping into their 4 energy reminds 1s to be connect with the heart, to build relationships and have empathy- not tear down those who don’t meet their high expectations.
Ones on their edge can overwork, becoming intense and overly serious. They need to tap into some of their 7 and bring the joy! They need to relax and have fun and be social and remember that the work will be there later. They can lose the harshness but still keep their strength of good work that is well done.

Type 4

4s are creative, tuned into emotions and have strong empathy.
On their edge, fours can be self-absorbed or overly intense. The 7 helps them to stay in positive, fun energy. 4s hold on tightly to emotions, and 7 energy relaxes them.
1 energy helps 4s to become more focused and productive. They aren’t wallowing in feelings and become effective workers and creative problem solvers. 4s at their best are unique and inspiring!

Type 7

7s bring joy and positivity to the world. They love to experience all life has to offer. On their edge they can become unproductive, unreliable, or undisciplined.
The type 1 energy helps 7s to be productive and visionary leaders. They have great ideas and can apply them.
7s are often very social, and tapping into their type 4 energy makes them sensitive and caring friends and colleagues. Rather than ignoring their negative emotions, tapping into the 4 energy helps 7s to face and feel all of their feelings. They can learn that it is okay to feel their feelings and that they are better for it.

Examples of the 3, 6, 9, Harmony Triad.

Type 3

Type 3s are super achievers with a strong control of their image. Threes get things done! At their edge they can be workaholics who strive to impress others.
Accessing the energy of the 9 reminds 3s to slow down and relax, a message they often need to hear.
Tapping into their 6 energy helps 3s to examine their actions and connect with their rationale side. When they do this, they can see why they are making the choices they make and decide if they are making choices that best serve them.

Type 6

6’s are loyal and faithful. They are excellent workers and great problem solvers. On their edge, they may become overly fearful and anxious.
Accessing the energy of the 3 or 9 will get 6s out of their head and out of over-thinking.
When 6s tap into 3 energy, they become very productive and accomplish a lot. Their sense of dedication makes them great leaders.
When 6s tap into their 9, they can relax and have fun. They can become very social and enjoy life, which relaxes their fears and anxiety.

Type 9

9s are friendly, social and relaxed. They are great mediators and want to avoid conflict at all cost. On their edge, they can become stubborn and passive, preferring to avoid interactions if there is the threat of conflict. They can numb themselves to avoid dealing with anything that causes disharmony.
Tapping into 3 energy helps 9s to be their best. They can become efficient, productive workers. The heart centered three also helps them to be warm and considerate to others.
Accessing their 6 energy helps 9s to become great problem solvers. Rather than ignoring problems, they can actively work to prevent them or deal with them in a positive manner.

All of these examples are typical of ways that the Harmony Triad can help us to be at our best. The more you get to know and understand the Enneagram, the more you can apply it in your own life.

We realize that we have barely scratched the surface of the Enneagram, and there is so much more to learn. We’re considering a weekend Enneagram retreat where we would take the time to explore and discuss the Enneagram with a group of educators. And of course we plan to have fun too! We haven’t made any specific plans, but we are looking at a northern Chicago suburb retreat center as a location. If you are at all interested, drop us a note and let us know if you would like more information.

Recap:

The Enneagram Harmony Triads helps us to find balance and harmony and be our unique selves in the best possible way. Accessing the best of your three Harmony numbers will help you to live your best work life, and home life so, you can live your best life.

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Inspired Together Teachers podcast:

Episode 17 Get Out of Your Head

Episode 34 The Enneagram for Educators

Episode 35 The Enneagram for Educators Types 8, 9, and 1

Episode 36 The Enneagram for Educators Types 2, 3, and 4

Episode 37 The Enneagram for Educators Types 5, 6, and 7

Connect with the Inspired Together Teachers Community:

Download our FREE resource: The Inspired Teachers Guide to Taking Back Your Life.

Website: https:www.inspiredtogetherteachers.com

Instagram: Inspired-Together-Teachers

Facebook: Inspired Together Teachers

Facebook Teacher Warriors Group: Teacher Warriors Facebook Group

Linked In: Inspired Together Teachers

More About Inspired Together Teachers:

Are you a teacher struggling to balance your best work with your best life?

Inspired Together Teachers will give you practical tools to experience more of what matters most in your life.

Paula and Michele would love to have you to join them on their quest to lived inspired lives.

The Enneagram for Educators Types 5, 6, and 7 Ep.37

November 8, 2023 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

The Enneagram for Educators Types 5, 6, and 7 S.3 E. 37

Listen to this episode to learn more about the Enneagram and understand the patterns of types 5, 6, and 7.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

If you want to learn more about the Enneagram and how Enneagram patterns play out in your life and in the lives of others around you, stay tuned. This is part four of our Enneagram series. Today we are going to talk about the head types- five, six and seven. What does it mean to be a head type and how does that show up in you or in your family, friends, and students? Let’s find out!

In this episode:

Introduction:

Welcome back to our special series on the Enneagram. The following show notes are a summary of the episode, not a complete transcript. To hear all of the discussion and personal examples, please listen to the episode.

This is part four of our Enneagram for Educators series. If you missed episode 34 which was an introduction to the Enneagram, episode 35 where we discussed types 8, 9, and 1, or episode 36 where we discussed types 2, 3, and 4, you may want to go back and listen to those episodes. In fact, we recommend going back and listening to them all because if you only have information about three of the types, you don’t have the big picture of the Enneagram. Today we are going to talk about the head or thinking types. These are types 5, 6 and 7.

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 5

If you remember our Wizard of Oz analogy from the episode 34, The Scarecrow sang, “If I only had a brain”. The Scarecrow represents the thinking types.

Type 5s are sometimes known by the labels The Wise Person, or The Observer. As always, we don’t focus on labels as much as on patterns of behavior.

As we talk about the types, remember that every type has both positive patterns and patterns that are potentially troublesome. You do not have to have all the patterns of your type, and in particular, a person who has done some growth and transformation work may have few if any of the more negative patterns. That said, those patterns are always in the background, ready to come into play if you are tired or stressed or going through a difficult time in your life.

What are some of the patterns of the type 5?

Positive patterns of the 5:

Wise
Knowledable
Visionary
Comfortable with innovative and complex ideas
Observant- they are people watchers and notice things
Good at synthesizing ideas
May be reserved or very witty
Analytical
Often keep their feelings to themselves

Negative patterns of the type 5:

Protective of energy
Carefully guards privacy and space- they can isolate
Overthinking or over-analyzing
Intellectually arrogant
Negative
Controlled
Detached- from others, from emotions and from their bodies
Intense
Highly anxious

Basic fears and way of seeing the world:

Fives fear being seen as incompetent. They find security in watching, analyzing, learning, and understanding the world around them.

5’s are generally calm, wise and perceptive. They love to learn and are curious. They can go down deep rabbit holes when something interests them. They bring the gift of understanding complex ideas and bringing creative innovations to the world.

The challenge for fives is to not get stuck in their heads or detach from others in their relentless pursuit of knowing.

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 6

Sixes are known as The Loyal Person or The Loyalist.

Positive patterns of the Type 6:

Reliable and responsible
Hard -working
Trustworthy
Compassionate
Loyal
Sympathetic to the underdog
Warm and friendly
Vigilant
Fearful or worried
Careful
Good problem solvers

Challenging patterns of the Type 6:

Fixated on worse-case scenarios
Either withdraw to protect themselves or confront fearful situations head or seek them out and confront them
Relentless in getting what they want
Desperate to feel a sense of belonging
Overly cautious
Full of self-doubt
Highly anxious

Basic fears and way of seeing the world:

The six’s basic desire is to be secure in a world they may see as fraught with danger. They want to find a secure group and a secure place to fight against anxiety and insecurity. They anticipate danger and plan ahead to protect themselves as a way of controlling their fears. Sixes often like to organize and plan things, which is an effective way of helping them to reduce anxiety caused by not knowing.

Sixes have great instincts, but don’t always trust themselves because they are too busy over-thinking.

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 7

The type seven is known as The Joyful Person or the Enthusiast. 7s bring the joy!

Positive patterns of the Type 7:

Optimistic
Spontaneous
Playful, fun, humorous
High-spirited
Seek new and exciting experiences
Want to taste everything life has to offer
Visionaries
Highly accomplished
Full of gratitude, they love life
They are very social and good cheerleaders for others

Challenging patterns of the Type 7:

Addicted to being happy
FOMO
Like to keep all their options open, which can lead to indecision or lack of commitment
Overly extended or scattered
Undisciplined
Easily distracted
Easily bored
Must avoid the pain of life at all costs

Basic fears and way of seeing the world:

Seven’s do not want to miss out on any of life’s pleasures. They love freedom to explore and do fun, and interesting things.

Seven’s fear is feeling pain or being deprived of something joyful. They will do to great lengths to avoid feeling anything unpleasant, which means they often need to be “doing” to avoid feeling.

Before we recap, know that the next episode is the final episode in this series. We’re going to bring all of this together and talk about how you can use this information in your life and work.

Recap:

The thinking types of 5, 6 and 7, lead with their heads, constantly filtering the world through their mental faculties. The inner life of the mind gives them energy and inspiration. They tend to analyze and plan, which provides security. Under stress, they can overthink, over-plan or withdraw, which leads to isolation and anxiety which can get in the way of decision making or action.

Connect with the Inspired Together Teachers Community:

Download our FREE resource: The Inspired Teachers Guide to Taking Back Your Life.

Website: https:www.inspiredtogetherteachers.com

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Facebook: Inspired Together Teachers

Facebook Teacher Warriors Group: Teacher Warriors Facebook Group

Linked In: Inspired Together Teachers

More About Inspired Together Teachers:

Are you a teacher struggling to balance your best work with your best life?

Inspired Together Teachers will give you practical tools to experience more of what matters most in your life.

Paula and Michele would love to have you to join them on their quest to lived inspired lives.

Create an Empowering Environment with Playlists S. 3 Ep. 41

Listen to this episode to learn how you can use the power of music playlists to change your environment to create the mood you want to establish in your home or school life.

Show notes:

In this episode:

How conferences use music to control the environment:

Using music playlists in your life:

Using music play lists at school:

Recap:

Quote:

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”

Plato

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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Spark Up Your Space and Energize your Environment S.3 E. 40

Listen to this episode to learn more about how you can create environments that are charged and energetic, in your work and home life, by following a few basic ideas about harnessing the power of paradoxes.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

In this episode:

Introduction:

What is a paradox?

Here is how Parker Palmer introduces the idea of paradoxes in the book:

The six ideas are:

1.The space should be bounded and open.

2.The space should be hospitable and “charged.”

3. The spaces should invite the voice of the individual and the voice of the group.

5.The space should support solitude and surround it with the resources of community.

6.The space should welcome both silence and speech.

Conclusion

Quote

Recap

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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Enjoy Self-care and Build Empathy with Books that Transform E.39

Listen to this episode to learn more about how you can engage in guilt free self-care while reading books for pleasure that will help you grow in empathy for others.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

In this episode:

Here are our books that will help you to build empathy and transform your world view:

Recap:

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The Enneagram Harmony Triads S.3 E.38

Listen to this episode to learn how the Enneagram Harmony Triads can help you find balance in your life.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

In this episode:

What is the Enneagram Harmony Triad?

How the Harmony Triads work:

Let’s look at examples of the 8, 5, 2 Triad.

Examples of the 1, 4, 7 Harmony Triad:

Examples of the 3, 6, 9, Harmony Triad.

Recap:

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Connect with the Inspired Together Teachers Community:

More About Inspired Together Teachers:

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The Enneagram for Educators Types 5, 6, and 7 S.3 E. 37

Listen to this episode to learn more about the Enneagram and understand the patterns of types 5, 6, and 7.

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

In this episode:

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 5

What are some of the patterns of the type 5?

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 6

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 7

Recap:

Connect with the Inspired Together Teachers Community:

More About Inspired Together Teachers:

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