What do we owe each other in an age of artificial intimacy? This episode dives into Tricia Friedman's interactive ethics exercise, Table for One?, which uses the metaphor of an AI companion restaurant — a venue where diners are paired with a conversational AI — to surface hard questions about safety, manipulation, dependency, privacy, and shifting social norms.

What the Resource Is: An interactive tool that walks participants through 5 ethical dilemmas. For each, you choose one of four stances (allow with disclosures, pilot with evaluation, allow with safeguards, or do not allow), rate your confidence, and reflect using the D.I.N.E. framework:

• D – Direct impact: who is affected now?
• I – Indirect effects and unintended consequences
• N – Next-generation norms and long-run drift
• E – Evidence gaps and what data is missing

Why It Matters: AI companions are already here. This exercise moves the conversation beyond "is this cool or creepy?" into structured ethical reasoning — ideal for educators, leaders, and families trying to navigate companion AI thoughtfully.

Check out the resource:

https://triciafriedman.com/table-for-one-ethics-of-ai-companionship/

Join Tricia this March with AAIE:

https://www.aaie.org/leadership-learning/future-foresight-community

In this conversation, Sandra Magsamen discusses her approach to creating children's literature that emphasizes connection, love, and emotional intelligence. She shares insights into her creative process, the importance of feedback from readers, and how her work aims to foster self-love and connection between caregivers and children. Magsamen also reflects on her artistic journey, the role of perseverance, and the significance of storytelling in shaping lives.

SANDRA MAGSAMEN is the author and illustrator of many books for young children, including the picture book When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me, as well as a number of bestselling novelty titles, including Everybody Goes Nighty-Night, named a Best Board Book of 2018 by The Children's Book Review; Baby Love; I Love You, Little Pumpkin; and Peek-a-Boo, I Love You. As an artist, an art therapist, and a mom, she uses her creativity to remind people to express themselves and connect with others. Her lifestyle brands, products, and books are sold worldwide. Visit her at sandramagsamen.com

Chapters

00:00 The Heart of Connection in Children's Literature
02:48 Love as an Action: The Role of Caregivers
05:34 Impactful Feedback: Stories from Readers
08:31 The Power of Objects and Books in Shaping Lives
11:06 Curiosity and Creativity: Fueling the Artistic Journey

Join Tricia Friedman to learn more about Companion AI this Sunday with TRC:

https://technologyreadiness.org/workshops/

Use special promo code 'ShiftingSchool' to get 20% off registration

This week, Tricia speaks with Julie Menanno about her new book, Secure Love, and what it actually takes to build emotionally safe, lasting relationships in a hyperconnected world.

The conversation begins with an unexpected cultural lens: Jim and Pam from The Office. What makes their dynamic feel healthy? Friendship first. Slower pacing. Emotional safety before performance. From there, the episode moves into deeper territory.

Julie challenges the fast, simplified narratives about relationships that dominate social media. Instead of labeling partners as villains or diagnosing from afar, she argues for a more nuanced frame. Most relational breakdowns are rooted in blocked needs. Fear. Shame. Unresolved grief. When emotional safety collapses, behavior follows.

Julie Menanno is a trailblazing therapist, author, educator, a masterful interpreter of Attachment Theory, and an Architect of Emotional Connection who is continually working to bridge the gap between complex psychological concepts and everyday struggles. As a revolutionary force in the world of relationships, Julie's work has transformed the way we understand emotional intimacy and human connection. Julie is the creator of The Secure Relationship. This platform has reached millions worldwide, with a mission to dismantle the barriers that keep people from experiencing the joy of deeply connected, secure relationships. In a world increasingly disconnected by technology and societal pressures, Julie stands as a guiding light, reminding us that love and connection are not just desires but essential human needs and with every conversation, every session, and every word, Julie transforms lives, one secure relationship at a time. Follow Julie on IG @thesecurerelationship or her website

Key themes explored:

• Why "friendship first" can reduce pressure in dating
• How social media rewards oversimplified explanations of relational pain
• The appeal of labeling versus the work of nuance
• Naming fear before walking into a room
• Why conflict is not a failure but a developmental process
• How repeated safe conversations reshape nervous systems
• Emotional literacy as leadership
• Self-connection as the prerequisite for connection with others

Learn with Tricia and the TRC this Sunday:

https://technologyreadiness.org/workshops/

In a bold anthem, Rise, Girl, Rise, feminist organizer Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee share their parallel journeys as activists. This picture book for children is told through alternating points of view and culminating in a powerful collective "we," celebrating resilience and empowerment to inspire readers everywhere to raise their voices, stand together, and rise up for themselves and others.

Gloria Steinem is a political activist, feminist organizer, and the author of many acclaimed books, including the national bestseller Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem. She is a contributor to the classic children's book Free to Be You and Me, which became a children's entertainment project, conceived, created, and executive-produced by actress and author Marlo Thomas, produced in collaboration with the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Free to Be Foundation, both cofounded by Ms. Steinem, and most recently illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Ms. Steinem is also the co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus and the Women's Media Center. In keeping with her deep commitment to establishing equality throughout the world, Ms. Steinem helped found Equality Now, Donor Direct Action, and Direct Impact Africa. To learn more, visit gloriasteinem.com.

Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, social worker, and women's rights advocate. She is Founder and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, based in Monrovia. As a writer, Ms. Gbowee is the author of the inspirational memoir Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War, and author of the children's book A Community of Sisters, illustrated by Coleen Baik. Ms. Gbowee is perhaps best known for leading a nonviolent movement that brought together Christian and Muslim women to play a pivotal role in ending Liberia's devastating, 14-year civil war in 2003.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Picture Books
02:43 Friendship Across Cultures
05:15 Legacy and Call to Action

Takeaways

The book aims to change expectations for children and adults alike.
Friendship across cultures is possible and essential.
The book serves as a legacy and call to action for young girls.
Storytelling connects us and highlights our shared humanity.
Collaboration enriches the creative process and strengthens friendships.
The authors intentionally targeted the next generation with their message.
Books can be powerful tools for empowerment and understanding.
Cultural exchange enhances our perspectives and experiences.
The book is not just for children but for all ages.
The authors believe in the importance of accessible messages of hope.

What do puzzles teach us about being human? In this episode, Tricia talks with Allison Kane, Head of Puzzle Innovation at Highlights, about why puzzling matters far beyond entertainment. From Hidden Pictures and Wordle to classroom design and family learning, this conversation explores how puzzles build confidence, perseverance, and joyful learning across ages.

Learn more:

https://parents.highlights.com/printable-puzzles-and-mazes-puzzle-day-challenge

Allison shares her origin story as a lifelong puzzler, explains the idea of the satisfaction of the solve, and offers practical advice for educators and families who want to integrate puzzles into learning spaces. The conversation also looks at puzzle design, community building, and what adults model for young people when they choose curiosity over avoidance.

Topics covered
Allison Kane's path from Highlights intern to Head of Puzzle Innovation
Why puzzles support perseverance, confidence, and joyful learning
The satisfaction of the solve and why payoff matters
Puzzles as community builders in classrooms and families
Designing puzzles that challenge without frustrating
How educators can bring puzzles into classrooms easily
What adults model for kids through playful intellectual challenge
National Puzzle Day and the rise of puzzle communities

Puzzles are not just activities. They are invitations to practice thinking, persistence, and joy. When adults model engagement with challenge, they show young people that learning can feel good.

In this conversation, Tricia and Charlotte Jones Voiklis explore the enduring impact of 'A Wrinkle in Time,' discussing its timeless themes, the significance of adaptations, and the cultural context surrounding the book. They delve into the personal connections to literature, the challenges of immersive storytelling in the digital age, and the implications of AI in the literary world. Charlotte reflects on her family's legacy and the responsibility of carrying forward her grandmother's work while navigating the evolving landscape of storytelling.

Takeaways

Stories are timeless and resonate across generations.
Adaptations can breathe new life into classic texts.
The essence of a story remains intact despite adaptations.
Cultural context enriches the understanding of literature.
Personal connections to stories shape our experiences.
Immersive storytelling presents both opportunities and challenges.
Legacy plays a crucial role in literature and storytelling.
AI's role in literature raises important ethical questions.
The richness of a story invites diverse interpretations.
Engaging with literature fosters imagination and curiosity.

Chapters

00:00 The Timelessness of A Wrinkle in Time
02:41 Adaptations and Their Impact
05:19 Cultural Resonance and Legacy
07:50 The Role of Technology in Storytelling
10:42 Personal Connections to the Story
13:08 Future of A Wrinkle in Time
15:34 AI and the Future of Literature

Charlotte Jones Voiklis manages her late grandmother Madeleine L'Engle's literary business. She lived with her grandmother during college and graduate school, co-hosting dinner parties, helping answer readers' letters, and earning a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. Charlotte has worked in academia, nonprofit communications and fundraising, and philanthropy. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

Tricia Friedman explores how AI can be used as a human-centered problem-solving partner rather than an automation shortcut.

Through two deeply grounded real-world examples — one personal, one professional — Tricia demonstrates how AI can:

Help people ask better questions, not just get faster answers

Reduce cognitive load during moments of stress or uncertainty

Support executive functioning, empathy, and ethical decision-making

Act as a bridge between humans, not a replacement for them

You'll hear:

✔ A personal story of using AI to support a family member navigating cancer treatment

✔ How a purpose-built chatbot helped parents strengthen children's executive function skills

✔ Why problem clarification matters more than prompt perfection

✔ What it means to stay human-centered while working with AI

📅 Join Tricia as she kicks off the CEESA five-session series on leadership in the era of AI.

Learn more: https://www.ceesa.org/pd-calendar/#!event/2026/1/14/strategic-problem-solving-with-ai-leadership-tools-for-a-complex-era

This week we give you a conversation from Tricia's other show: Shifting Schools.

In this episode, host Tricia Friedman sits down with Dr. Michael Greger, bestselling author and founder of NutritionFacts.org, to explore why non-commercial, evidence-based health guidance matters more than ever. They discuss lifestyle medicine, plant-based nutrition, scientific integrity, cannabis research, and how small, testable behavior changes can dramatically improve long-term health.

What This Conversation Is Really About

Health advice is everywhere — but trustworthy guidance is not. This conversation slows things down and examines how to make informed choices in a noisy, commercialized health landscape, without absolutism, hype, or fear-based messaging.

Dr. Greger shares:

• Why he donates 100% of book proceeds to charity

• How lifestyle medicine transformed his own family's health

• What the science actually says about cannabis — both risks and benefits

• Why updating guidance as evidence evolves is a strength, not a weakness

• How social support, not willpower, determines whether health changes last

Key Topics Covered

• Why non-commercial health information matters How financial incentives distort nutrition and medical guidance — and how to recognize bias.

• Lifestyle medicine in practice Diet, movement, and daily habits as powerful tools for disease prevention and reversal.

• Plant-based eating (defined clearly) What "plant-based" actually means — and what it doesn't.

• Cannabis: separating evidence from ideology What newer human studies reveal about cancer risk, pain management, and safer use.

• Scientific uncertainty and misinformation How peer-reviewed research works, where it fails, and how to interpret studies responsibly.

• Behavior change that sticks Why short-term "experiments," bodily feedback, and social support outperform rigid rules.

Who This Episode Is For

• Listeners overwhelmed by conflicting health advice

• Educators, parents, and caregivers navigating cannabis conversations

• Anyone curious about plant-based nutrition without extremism

• People interested in evidence-based, non-commercial wellness guidance

• Listeners looking for sustainable, realistic behavior change

About the Guest

Dr. Michael Greger is a physician, internationally recognized speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of How Not to Die. He is the founder of NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit providing free, evidence-based nutrition research, and a leading voice in lifestyle medicine.

Chapters

1. Introduction and Non-Commercial Guidance - 0:00
2. Dr. Greger's Personal Story and Motivation - 3:15
3. Importance of Repeated Guidance and Lifestyle Changes - 6:30
4. Updated Book Topics: COVID, Cannabis, and Misinformation - 10:45
5. Science Communication and Challenges - 15:00
6. Plant-Based Diet and Personal Health Experiments - 19:15
7. Social Support and Sustainable Lifestyle Changes - 23:30
8. Closing Thoughts and Positive Messages - 27:45