What does it take to write a story that faces darkness without surrendering to it?

In this episode, Tricia speaks with acclaimed screenwriter Billy Ray about his move into YA fiction with Burn the Water, a future-set story shaped by Shakespeare, political urgency, and a deep belief in young people's capacity to lead us forward. Their conversation explores community, imagination, hope, and the discipline of creating when the world feels bleak. Billy also offers a sharp look at his writing process, including what changed when he moved from screenwriting to novel writing, and why he sees writing less as inspiration and more as problem-solving.

In this conversation, you'll hear:

• Why Billy Ray believes community is at the core of everything he writes
• How Romeo and Juliet and The Hunger Games helped shape Burn the Water
• Why setting a story 400 years in the future opened up new creative possibilities
• What it means to write for teens living through uncertainty and disenfranchisement
• Why hope is not passive, but something we practice
• How writing can help us process emotion, perspective, and possibility
• What surprised Billy most about shifting from screenwriting to novel writing
• Why he approaches writing like a mechanic, not a mystic
• How structure, routine, and problem-solving power his creative process

Memorable ideas from the episode:
Billy Ray reflects on the role of story in helping us imagine better futures, even when the present feels unstable. He talks about art as a way to tell the truth through invention, and about the importance of refusing hopelessness. He also shares a compelling view of young people, not as passive inheritors of crisis, but as the very people who may lead us through it.

Episode takeaway
This is a conversation about craft, courage, and the necessity of hope. For writers, readers, and anyone thinking seriously about the futures we are building, this episode offers both creative insight and moral clarity.

Join Tricia for a free Futures Literacy session:

https://triciafriedman.com/futureoffun/

What can a cheetah and a rescue dog teach us about trust, friendship, and belonging?

In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Jasmine Warga to talk about her newest book and the powerful themes at its heart: vulnerability, unlikely friendships, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you.

Inspired by a real program in zoos where rescue dogs are paired with anxious cheetahs, Warga's story explores how connection can help both animals—and humans—feel less alone. Through the voices of a cheetah and a dog, the book opens up conversations about anxiety, trust, identity, and the universal desire to belong.

Together, Tricia and Jasmine explore how storytelling helps young readers navigate big emotions, why animals can sometimes say things humans cannot, and how asking questions—rather than providing answers—is often the most powerful way to write for young people.

They also go behind the scenes of Warga's writing process, from messy notebooks and long walks to the surprising freedom of writing a "zero draft."

This conversation is a powerful reminder that the stories we share with young readers can help build empathy, connection, and community.

00:00 — Welcome + Why This Story Matters Right Now
Tricia introduces Jasmine Warga and shares why the new book immediately resonated with her.

01:20 — Why Trust and Vulnerability Sit at the Heart of the Story
Jasmine explains how the book explores the courage it takes to let someone see your "soft parts."

02:00 — Why the Story Is Told Through a Cheetah and a Dog
How animal characters help young readers open their hearts to difficult conversations.

03:30 — The Real Zoo Program Behind the Book
The fascinating practice of pairing rescue dogs with anxious cheetahs.

05:00 — How Jasmine Built the Two Main Characters
Finding the emotional core of Chase the cheetah and Finnegan the dog.

07:10 — Why Everyone Needs to Hear "You're Good"
A powerful moment about reassurance, belonging, and emotional validation.

07:45 — Jasmine Warga's Writing Process
Walking, daydreaming, music, and asking questions instead of chasing answers.

09:15 — The Music That Soundtracked the Book
Why The National and "You've Got a Friend in Me" became part of the creative process.

10:00 — Why Unlikely Friendships Matter for Kids
How stories can help young readers connect with people who seem different from them.

12:10 — Experimenting as a Writer
From A Rover's Story to a cheetah and a dog—why Jasmine loves exploring new storytelling lenses.

14:00 — Why Jasmine Starts Every Book with Questions
How curiosity drives the themes of belonging and identity.

15:30 — The Power of the "Zero Draft"
A strategy for overcoming perfectionism and writer's block.

17:10 — Which Character Is Jasmine Most Like?
A fun reflection on perfectionism, identity, and the author's personal connection to the story.

Jasmine Warga is a bestselling and award-winning author of books for young readers. Her stories explore themes of belonging, identity, friendship, and emotional courage, helping young people ask big questions about the world and their place in it.

In this episode, we sit down with Tui T. Sutherland, bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series, for a rich conversation about creativity, writing, world-building, empathy, and storytelling for young readers.

Tui shares how play, curiosity, and even dogs can support focus and imagination, why world-building starts with better questions, and how writers can balance community feedback with their own creative vision. She also reflects on the role of empathy, diversity, and self-exploration in storytelling, offering practical insights for aspiring writers, educators, and anyone interested in how stories shape young minds.

This conversation explores the creative process behind building immersive fictional worlds, developing memorable characters, and staying grounded in joy and curiosity while writing. Whether you are a fan of children's literature, interested in the craft of writing, or looking for inspiration around imagination and creative confidence, this episode offers plenty to take away.

00:00 How Dogs Support Creativity and Focus
02:40 World-Building That Makes Stories Feel Real
05:23 Balancing Reader Feedback and Creative Vision
07:56 Community, Empathy, and Representation in Storytelling
10:58 Writing as Therapy and Self-Exploration
14:30 Advice for Aspiring Writers
17:11 Imagining Worlds Through Play and Curiosity

• Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland — https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/tui-t-sutherland/

• Scholastic — https://www.scholastic.com/

• Tui T. Sutherland on Twitter / X — https://twitter.com/tuitweets

In this episode, we sit down with beloved children's book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds to explore how educators can ignite creativity and self-discovery in young learners. Peter shares why a single question can transform how we teach, and why imagination and dreaming big aren't luxuries but essentials.

What We Cover:

• How teachers activate creativity through authentic, feeling-driven questions
• Encouraging kids to explore many interests instead of choosing just one path
• The vital role of imagination and dreaming big in personal growth

Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Educators on Creativity
05:33 Dreaming Big: Navigating Identity and Aspirations

What to win your copy of this book?

Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to enter the give-away.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/shifting-schools/

Deborah Goodrich Royce, author of literary psychological thrillers and a former actor, unpacks how she builds tension without forcing the outline. You will hear how sensory observation from her New York Botanical Garden work feeds scene-level detail, why she prefers a "reveal" that feels earned over a twist that feels gimmicky, and how an actor's training translates into characters with layered motives and believable self-deception.

What you will learn

• How to pace a psychological thriller so the reader feels pulled forward, not pushed.

• Character-first plotting: letting voice, backstory, and contradictions shape the turns.

• Designing "good reveals" and planting signals that pay off cleanly later.

Key topics

• Botanical observation as a storytelling skill (attention, pattern, detail).

• Character development through lived experience and emotional memory.

• Organic plot development: earning twists through setup, not shock value.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Deborah's background
01:00 Why the New York Botanical Garden matters to her creative life
01:57 Creative growth through lived experience
03:09 The Lincoln quote and what it signals in the book
03:37 Identity, deception, and what thrillers let us examine
04:55 Using "signals" from real life to build believable turns
05:46 The actor's lens on role, emotion, and subtext
07:10 Writing thrillers in a fast-paced media environment
07:48 "Organic" plotting: how reveals get earned
09:18 Creative community and collaboration
12:31 Openings, pacing, and keeping readers in the scene
14:59 Starting a new project: practical tools and habits
17:30 Visualizing the story with notes and systems
18:09 Readers, book clubs, and what she learns from conversations

Want to learn with Tricia this April?

Learn more:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empathy-as-interface-rethinking-ai-in-education-tickets-1630138009669?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this conversation, author Steve Berry discusses his deep-rooted love for history, the intricate process of crafting thrillers that intertwine historical facts with modern narratives, and the importance of research in his writing. He also shares insights into his philanthropic efforts through the History Matters initiative, which focuses on preserving local history, and hints at future adventures for his protagonist, Cotton Malone, in unexplored regions of the world.

Takeaways

Steve Berry's love for history began in childhood.
His writing combines action, history, and conspiracies.
The formula for his books is 'the same but different.'
Research is crucial for creating engaging narratives.
The 'ooh factor' is essential in selecting historical elements.
History Matters has raised nearly $3 million for preservation.
Berry's research trips are meticulously planned.
He seeks unique insights during his travels.
Cotton Malone will explore new regions in future novels.
Berry aims to continue writing for many more years.

Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty Cotton Malone novels, six stand-alone thrillers, two Luke Daniels adventures, and several works of short fiction. He has over twenty-six million books in print, translated into forty-one languages. With his wife, Elizabeth, he is the founder of History Matters, an organization dedicated to historical preservation. He serves as an emeritus member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board and was a founding member of International Thriller Writers, formerly serving as co-president. Check Steve out on Facebook or his website

Chapters

00:00 The Roots of a Historian
02:58 Crafting Thrillers with Historical Depth
05:49 Researching History for Modern Thrillers
08:45 Giving Back: The History Matters Initiative
11:41 Future Adventures in Historical Fiction

Learn more about the brand new book from Jeff Utecht

https://humanstillrequired.com/

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.

Takeaways

Connection is at the heart of children's literature.
Love is an action that caregivers can demonstrate.
Books can provide comfort and emotional support to children.
Feedback from readers is validating and inspires future work.
Objects like books and blankets can hold deep emotional significance.
Stories can change lives and shape worldviews.
Curiosity fuels creativity and artistic expression.
Perseverance is essential in the creative process.
Every project is an opportunity to connect hearts.
The act of reading together fosters intimacy and connection.

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

Learn more about our special guest:

https://www.sandramagsamen.com/

Learn more with Jeff and Tricia

https://www.shiftingschools.com/

Our show is produced by Sagheer M.

Learn more:

https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01a20f0c0c32996d55

In this conversation, we explore the new collaborative picture book 'Rise Girl Rise', which explores themes of empowerment, friendship, and the importance of storytelling across cultures. They emphasize the book's role in inspiring the next generation and fostering a sense of shared humanity.

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

The Shifting Schools podcast is produced and edited by Sagheer M.