Active Listener, a Lightspeed Podcast

In this episode of Active Listener, Dominique sits down with Dena McNeal, a middle school assistant principal with over 20 years of experience, to explore how relationships, routines, and consistency shape effective classroom management.Dena shares practical strategies for setting expectations, supporting teachers, and balancing accountability with care while emphasizing that respect is built through connection, not control.At its core, this conversation is a reminder that when students feel seen and supported, classrooms become spaces where both behavior and learning can thrive.

What does listening actually require, and what can music teach us about how the brain learns? In this episode of Active Listener, Dominique sits down with Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver, a music neuroscientist, speaker, and artistic creator whose work explores how rhythm shapes attention, regulation, and human connection.
Together, they unpack Jessica’s ARC framework of listening - attention, regulation, and connection - and explore why sound environment, movement, and music education are essential to learning. Jessica also shares how her Finding Rhythm project brings neuroscience, culture, and music into K–12 classrooms, reframing music as a powerful tool for learning, healing, and community.
Resources
Learn more about Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver
Learn more about the Finding Rhythm Project
Learn more about Lightspeed

In this episode of Active Listener, Dominique sits down with Dr. TJ Vari and Joe Jones, co-founders of TheSchoolHouse302 and experienced education leaders, to discuss how schools can rethink student success through skills, career and technical education (CTE), and real-world learning. Together, they explore why durable skills like communication, critical thinking, and adaptability are essential for preparing students for the future of work.
 
Resources:
TheSchoolHouse302
Maia Learning
Books by Dr. Joe Jones & Dr. TJ Vari
Lightspeed Classroom Audio

On this episode of Active Listener, Dominique sits down with Brittany Hebert, Director of Pupil Services at Provident Charter School, and Amy Salera, parent of a Provident student and Community Engagement Manager at Apraxia Kids. They explore how Provident supports students with dyslexia through UDL practices, targeted interventions, and strong family collaboration, plus how Lightspeed classroom audio helps reduce auditory barriers and improve access for all learners.
 
Resources
Provident Charter School
 
Apraxia Kids
International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
 
Orton-Gillingham Academy

What does it take to keep great teachers in the classroom, and what happens when we widen the lens beyond school walls? In this episode of Active Listener, Dominique sits down with Tiffany Jordan, a former recruitment and retention leader and Teach For America alumna whose work spans education, policy, and community empowerment. Tiffany unpacks what’s often misunderstood about the craft of teaching, why teachers leave, and what systems can do right now to improve retention. The conversation also explores how housing instability and students’ lived experiences show up in learning and focus, and how those experiences can sometimes be a point of connection between students, their teachers, and administrators.
Resources
Teach For America
Opportunity Insights ( the organization behind the Chetty Study)
Opportunity Atlas
Profound Gentlemen

What does student success really look like in today's classrooms? On this episode of Active Listener, Dominique Johnson-Lindsay sits down with Dr. Andrea Trotter, assistant principal at Monticello High School, to explore a new definition of student achievement.
Dr. Trotter makes the case for alternative education pathways and student-centered leadership that creates space for learners who don't thrive in traditional systems - and she doesn't shy away from the importance of soft skills and career readiness in getting them there. The conversation digs into post-COVID learning recovery and what it's revealed about the students we've been overlooking. Dr. Trotter also explores how classroom technology and instructional audio can support learning when used with intention—and why educators need to reconsider who we're really designing schools for.

Season 3 kicks off with host Dominique Johnson-Lindsay reflecting on why The Active Listener exists, what Season 2 taught us, and why communication and connection sit at the heart of education. From students feeling heard to leaders leading with compassion and understanding, the themes were clear across every conversation. This season is all about turning those insights into action and continuing Lightspeed’s mission of helping every student hear every word.
 
Find Dominique on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djohnsonlindsay 
See all the podcast episodes: https://active-listener.lightspeed-tek.com/ 
Visit Lightspeed at www.lightspeed-tek.com
 

In this episode of Active Listener, host Dominique Johnson-Lindsay sits down with Sharyn D'Eon, principal of Chesterfield Elementary School in rural New Hampshire. Sharyn shares how her community-driven K–8 school uses shared leadership, outdoor learning, and Lightspeed classroom audio to reduce vocal strain, minimize distractions, and create clearer, more equitable listening environments for every learner.
She also discusses the evolving role of technology, why flexible learning pathways matter, and how schools can start building strong culture with the resources they already have. This conversation offers practical, real-world insights for any educator looking to elevate engagement and ensure every student hears every word.

 In this episode of The Active Listener by Lightspeed, Dominique speaks with Dr. Matthew Woods - deputy superintendent, lifelong educator, and podcaster- about the powerful relationship between strong instructional strategy and the technology that supports it. Dr. Woods shares how his early experiences shaped his path into education, what he learned transitioning from teacher to administrator, and why the most effective instructional practices remain grounded in timeless fundamentals even as classrooms evolve.Together, they discuss how leaders can scale high-quality instruction, build genuine teacher buy-in, and use tools like instructional audio to amplify the strategies educators already rely on. Dr. Woods also reflects on the growth of his education podcast and the importance of preparing students to think critically in an increasingly tech-driven world. This episode is essential for educators and leaders who want to integrate technology thoughtfully to elevate teaching, learning, and student access.

Host Dominique Johnson-Lindsay sits down with Dr. Lisa Dailey, an Oregon middle school principal with 17 years in education, to explore what it really takes to support students during the most overlooked years in K–12. Dr. Dailey shares her path from math teacher to school leader, her doctoral research centering at-risk middle school youth, and why universal screeners, student voice, and family input must shape campus priorities. They dig into embedding SEL beyond a 20-minute lesson, building true belonging, and preparing brains to learn — especially when trauma walks in the door. Dr. Dailey also breaks down how she protects staff from initiative overload by anchoring every decision to a simple vision: keep students engaged and academically challenged. Finally, she looks ahead to a future where mental health is de-stigmatized, resources are equitable, and every student has doors open after graduation. Perfect for principals, teachers, and anyone passionate about student well-being and instructional excellence.