Just Thinking...

• Just Thinking… about Reimagining Education for the AI Era with the Human Intelligence Movement

  As artificial intelligence reshapes education, work, and daily life, educators are grappling with how to prepare students for a future where human skills—not just knowledge—will be paramount. In fact, a growing number of reports highlight that employers increasingly value collaboration, communication, and emotional intelligence over memorized content. Amid this transformation, the Human Intelligence Movement is gaining traction as a grassroots call for reimagining how we teach and learn.So, what does it really mean to equip students with “human intelligence” in an AI-driven world—and how can our schools rise to meet the moment?In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty speaks with Dr. Michelle Ament, Co-President of the Human Intelligence Movement. Together, they explore why now is the time for bold change in education—and how we move from theory to action.Main topics of conversation…Outdated education models: Dr. Ament argues that schools are still stuck in a “knowledge era” mindset, preparing students for a world that no longer exists. Instead, she advocates for realigning education around application, critical thinking, and adaptability.Redefining assessment and success: Traditional assessments focus on knowledge acquisition, but the Human Intelligence Movement calls for measuring skills like emotional intelligence, adaptability, and collaboration—key competencies for future-ready learners.Learning through doing: Dr. Ament champions experiential, student-driven learning. Whether it’s student-run banks or real-world problem-solving, she shares how hands-on, relevant learning inspires deeper engagement and skill-building.Dr. Michelle Ament, EdD, is an education leader with deep expertise in experiential learning, human-centered curriculum design, and systems-level transformation. As Chief Academic Officer at ProSolve, she pioneered a K–8 human skills curriculum and developed the Learning, Experienced (LXP) model to embed real-world problem solving and social-emotional learning into schools. In her role as Co-President of the Human Intelligence Movement, she is leading a national effort to shift education away from standardized assessments toward a future that prioritizes adaptability, critical thinking, and collaboration in an AI-driven world.

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  30:45
• Just Thinking… About the Role of Marketing, Advocacy & Storytelling in Holistic Education

  As schools increasingly prioritize holistic education, the conversation around whole-child development is gaining momentum. A national survey by the American Institutes for Research reveals that while a large majority of teachers support whole-child approaches, many still need additional guidance and resources to implement them effectively. This gap between belief and practice raises important questions about how best to support educators in nurturing every aspect of student growth.So, what happens when someone outside of the classroom—yet deeply embedded in education—starts asking questions from a completely different angle? What fresh insights can marketing, advocacy, and storytelling bring to the conversation about holistic learning?In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty, the Chief Strategy Officer, sits down with Kennedy Kilpatrick, Marketing Director at 806 Technologies. What begins as a look at her unconventional education journey turns into a thoughtful exploration of student advocacy, educator adaptability, and the role of empathy in holistic education and learning design.Key takeaways from the conversation...Missing the Basics: Kennedy reflects on how being fast-tracked into gifted programs led her to master advanced concepts while never fully grasping foundational skills—a common yet often overlooked gap in specialized education.The Power of Listening: Whether in classrooms or marketing meetings, Kennedy champions the value of asking questions over giving answers—and how honest conversations unlock meaningful engagement.Plan, Pivot, Progress: Drawing on her marketing background, Kennedy emphasizes the importance of reverse engineering goals and staying flexible when plans don’t pan out—a lesson with huge implications for educators developing student learning strategies.Kennedy Kilpatrick is a results-driven Marketing Director at 806 Technologies with expertise in strategy development, team leadership, and digital marketing. She has led successful multi-channel campaigns, increasing summit attendance by 29% and LinkedIn engagement by 23%, while producing over 40 high-impact collateral pieces. With a strong background in SEO, video production, event planning, and performance analysis, Kennedy excels at crafting data-driven campaigns that enhance brand visibility and drive organizational growth.

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  28:00
• Just Thinking… About Why Self-Work Is the Foundation of Great Leadership

  As conversations around workplace wellness, mental health, and burnout intensify across industries, many professionals are waking up to the reality that productivity and personal growth must go hand-in-hand. The rise of holistic health coaching, combined with a renewed focus on emotional intelligence in leadership, reflects a larger cultural shift: As conversations around workplace wellness, mental health, and burnout intensify across industries, many professionals are waking up to the reality that productivity and personal growth must go hand-in-hand. The rise of holistic health coaching, combined with a renewed focus on emotional intelligence in leadership, reflects a larger cultural shift: we’re not just working anymore—we’re doing the self-work it takes to grow, lead, and live with purpose.. According to a report, 44% of workers globally experience daily stress, and leaders who emphasize well-being report higher engagement across their teams.So how do we bridge personal healing with professional development—and what happens when we actually start to look inward to lead outward?In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty welcomes Michael David, a Holistic Health Coach and Sales Leader, to unpack how his unique journey through physical fitness, emotional self-awareness, and professional leadership led to a more holistic life—and how he now helps others do the same. Together, they explore the evolving meaning of leadership, why movement and mindfulness matter in every context from classrooms to boardrooms, and how radical self-work and reflection are the keys to sustainable success.The key topics of discussion...From gym rat to grounded guide: How early motivations rooted in recognition evolved into a more grounded and others-focused approach to leadership.Leading by looking inward: Michael discusses how healing his own inner narrative transformed the way he mentors others in sales and life.The new markers of health and success: Why the gym mirror can lie, and how redefining movement and self-care is key to long-term performance.Michael David is a seasoned sales leader and holistic health coach with over five years of experience managing and mentoring SDR teams, directly leading 25+ reps and influencing over 100 across his career. As Senior Manager of Business Development at Axiom, he has twice been named BDR Manager of the Year for his contributions to North American revenue growth. Passionate about people development, Michael also hosts the Men in the Arena podcast, where he explores mental health, wellness, and leadership through thoughtful conversation.we’re not just working anymore—we’re working on ourselves. According to a report, 44% of workers globally experience daily stress, and leaders who emphasize well-being report higher engagement across their teams.So how do we bridge personal healing with professional development—and what happens when we actually start to look inward to lead outward?In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty welcomes Michael David, a Holistic Health Coach and Sales Leader, to unpack how his unique journey through physical fitness, emotional self-awareness, and professional leadership led to a more holistic life—and how he now helps others do the same. Together, they explore the evolving meaning of leadership, why movement and mindfulness matter in every context from classrooms to boardrooms, and how radical self-reflection is the key to sustainable success.The key topics of discussion…From gym rat to grounded guide: How early motivations rooted in recognition evolved into a more grounded and others-focused approach to leadership.Leading by looking inward: Michael discusses how healing his own inner narrative transformed the way he mentors others in sales and life.The new markers of health and success: Why the gym mirror can lie, and how redefining movement and self-care is key to long-term performance.Michael David is a seasoned sales leader and holistic health coach with over five years of experience managing and mentoring SDR teams, directly leading 25+ reps and influencing over 100 across his career. As Senior Manager of Business Development at Axiom, he has twice been named BDR Manager of the Year for his contributions to North American revenue growth. Passionate about people development, Michael also hosts the Men in the Arena podcast, where he explores mental health, wellness, and leadership through thoughtful conversation.

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  30:25
• Funding Crisis Hits California’s Rural Schools: Advocates Call for Action Now!

  As federal funding hangs in the balance, California’s rural school districts face a stark challenge: how to maintain essential services amid the uncertain future of the Secure Rural Schools Act. Originally established to offset declines in timber revenue from federal lands, the Act has become a lifeline for hundreds of districts. But after failing to gain reauthorization in 2024, many schools now confront steep budget cuts—some losing up to 20% of their funding.What happens to rural education when vital federal dollars suddenly vanish—and what can educators do to make their voices heard?In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty, Chief Strategy Officer at 806 Technologies, welcomes back Yuri Calderon, Executive Director of the Small School Districts Association (SSDA). Together, they unpack the historical importance and current jeopardy of the Secure Rural Schools Act, explore how legislative advocacy plays a critical role in sustaining small school systems, and share practical strategies for engaging lawmakers.Key discussion points from the episode:The Secure Rural Schools Act’s impact: How the loss of this critical funding—up to $700,000 for some districts—threatens staffing, services, and student outcomes.Why legislative engagement matters: Calderon shares his recent efforts lobbying all 51 California congressional offices and explains how educators can effectively advocate for their communities.SSDA’s on-the-ground support: From the E3 Forums (Engage, Empower, Elevate) to statewide initiatives focused on school culture and attendance, SSDA is bringing resources and relationships to the most remote parts of California.Yuri Calderon is the Executive Director of the Small School Districts Association, representing over 600 school districts across California, many of which serve rural and isolated communities. With a background in education leadership and a reputation for passionate, hands-on advocacy, Calderon works tirelessly to secure funding, support leadership development, and elevate the voices of small district educators statewide.

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  25:54
• The Future of Education Technology Relies on Responsible Technology Use

  Dr. Karla Burkholder, talks about education technology facing concerns of removal in schools, or revamping for responsible student use.

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  35:16

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