Best Robyn Gobbel Podcasts (2025)

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EP 246: Helping Kids Tolerate Shame and Talk about Mistakes 37:05

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3d ago37:05

37:05

Ever notice how some kids just cannot talk about hard things- especially if it’s about their own mistakes or ‘bad’ behavior? Maybe they melt down the second you bring it up… or shut down completely. Let’s unpack what’s really going on when kids refuse to talk about mistakes or anything that feels “bad.” You’ll learn why their brain might be protect…

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#151: What to do when your class is bringing the 'checked out, apathetic, can't be bothered' vibes at the end of the year 23:33

3d ago23:33

23:33

We’ve officially entered the end-of-year zone... You know, the part where students are either bouncing off the walls or slumping over their desks like they’ve pulled three all-nighters in a row. And let’s be honest, we’re right there with them. In this week’s episode, I’m unpacking a common (and deeply exhausting) classroom vibe: student apathy. Th…

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EP 245: Can't Wait!!! Frustration Tolerance and Delayed Gratification 34:29

10d ago34:29

34:29

Does your child get stuck in “buy me, buy me, buy me!” mode? Or maybe they melt down when they can’t have what they want right now? I know it seems selfish, manipulative, or even bratty- but we want to put on our x-ray vision goggles and get curious about WHY. In this episode, we’ll unpack why delayed gratification and frustration tolerance are Owl…

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#150: Students pushing your buttons? These 6 one-liners will save you! 25:58

11d ago25:58

25:58

This episode is a big warm hug and a practical roadmap for every teacher who’s ever thought: “How the heck am I supposed to stay calm when they’re pushing ALL my buttons?!” I’m diving into a juicy listener Q&A all about what to do in those real-deal, fight-flight-freeze moments in the classroom. And spoiler alert: it’s not about becoming a Zen monk…

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EP 244: When Watchdogs are Volcanoes: Activation below the Surface 36:27

17d ago36:27

36:27

Is your child suddenly quiet… but you can feel something bubbling under the surface? They aren’t yelling, running, or arguing like usual- but you can tell their system is still fired up and on high alert. Today, we’re talking about that “quiet volcano” version of watchdog energy. It looks calm. Still. Almost possum-like. But inside? Their nervous s…

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#149: 3 Thanksgiving activities to beat the November behaviour wobbles 17:31

18d ago17:31

17:31

Whether you're wrapping up the year in Australia (hi, me too!) or heading into Thanksgiving mode, this one's for the teachers out there who want to keep the vibe high, the connection strong, and the behaviour smooth as the term winds down. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to the actual gratitude-based activities I use with my own studen…

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{REPLAY} All Behavior Makes Sense- Decoding the Neurobiology of Baffling Behavior 50:09

24d ago50:09

50:09

This episode originally aired in October 2024. All behavior makes sense and no behavior is maladaptive- in the moment that behavior emerges. Of course, the IMPACT of the behavior might be maladaptive and absolutely many behaviors need to change. But understanding that all behavior makes perfect sense at the moment it emerges is the lynchpin in offe…

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#148: If I had a totally unmanageable class, I'd do these 4 things immediately. 28:10

25d ago28:10

28:10

This episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most common questions I get from Behaviour Clubbers, and honestly, it’s one we’ve ALL asked at some point: “What do I do with a class that is just... chaotic?” We’re talking cultural chaos. The kind of class that leaves you emotionally wrung out, standing at the board yelling instructions to a…

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{REPLAY} Grief in Parenting a Child with a VNS 43:40

1M ago43:40

43:40

If you're parenting a child with a vulnerable nervous system, grief is an ever-present companion, whether we acknowledge grief or not. The holiday season often stirs that grief up a bit more. Our kids need more accomodations, they don't find the same things fun that other kids do, and sometimes it feels like special events aren't even worth it. As …

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#147: Why your classroom transitions are chaotic (and how to fix them) 20:53

1M ago20:53

20:53

The messy middle of a lesson can make or break your classroom calm. You’ve nailed your entry routines. Your exits are solid. But those in-between moments, like shifting from group work to silent writing, that’s where chaos sneaks in. If transitions have ever left you saying: “I had them… and then I lost them.” This one’s for you. In this episode, I…

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EP 243: Cool, Calculated- But Still in Protection Mode 38:06

1M ago38:06

38:06

Sometimes our kids look completely calm- even smug — while doing something that definitely isn’t a behavior of connection. But…they’re not melting down. They’re not screaming. They seem totally in control. Seems kinda like owl brain, yeah? But- it’s not. It’s protection mode, even if the behavior seems calm. In this episode, we’ll talk about how ki…

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#146: Why classroom compliance isn’t the win you might think it is 22:32

1M ago22:32

22:32

Ever found yourself sitting at your desk mid-lesson, staring at the wall while chaos erupts around you… thinking “I cannot teach like this”? Same. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most eye-opening classroom experiences I had as a baby teacher—and how it accidentally dropped me straight into something called the pedagogy of…

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EP 242: Why It's Hard for Your Kid to Take Responsibility 37:54

2M ago37:54

37:54

You ask your child what happened, and before you can finish the sentence, they’re already saying, “It wasn’t my fault!” Sound familiar? I know this is SO frustrating! But there’s a reason this is so hard, and it has everything to do with (of course!) the brain and nervous system. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why taking responsibility is an Owl br…

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#145: The Halloween classroom management mistakes that turn your class into a horror movie (and what to do instead) 19:27

2M ago19:27

19:27

Ah yes, spooky season. The sugar. The chaos. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to exactly how to lean into the festive vibes of Halloween (and any holiday season) without your classroom descending into a full-blown free-for-all. This episode is packed with practical ways to keep your routines, keep your calm, all while adding just the ri…

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EP 241: Why Some People Resist Relational Neuroscience 37:01

2M ago37:01

37:01

Sometimes you share something about the brain—like how all behavior makes sense—and people push back hard. Maybe they dismiss it. Maybe they even get mad. It can feel confusing, because once you see the truth of relational neuroscience, it feels like such a relief. So why are some folks so resistant? In this episode, you’ll learn: Why resistance is…

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#144: How to actually support students with additional needs... in a mainstream classroom... with zero support... 22:38

2M ago22:38

22:38

How do you actually manage special needs in a mainstream classroom (when you’re not getting the support you need)? Ever looked around your classroom mid-lesson and thought: “How the heck am I supposed to meet 30 different needs all at once?” Yeah. Me too. This week, I’m kicking off a new mini-series answering your most-asked questions, starting wit…

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EP 240: Window of Tolerance- What it Is and How to Grow It 33:46

2M ago33:46

33:46

Sometimes, your kids can handle frustration or disappointment with ease, and other times the exact same challenge sends them into meltdown mode. This can feel really baffling! Why are they so inconsistent? Well, part of that difference comes down to their window of stress tolerance. In this episode, you’ll learn What the window of stress tolerance …

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#143: 5 powerful (and doable) ways to support ADHD students. October is ADHD Awareness Month! 21:09

2M ago21:09

21:09

By Claire English

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EP 239: When Your Words and Feelings Don’t Match 45:53

2M ago45:53

45:53

Have you ever smiled while you were seething inside? Or told your child “it’s fine” when it absolutely wasn’t? That mismatch (incongruent affect, we’re gonna talk psychology mumbo jumbo) isn’t just confusing. It’s a cue of danger- to your child’s nervous system AND to yours! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why kids are biologically wired to trust th…

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#142: My English teacher saved my life (and she will never know it). The episode you need to hear if you've ever doubted your impact. 25:23

2M ago25:23

25:23

This episode is personal. Raw. Vulnerable. And honestly… one of the most important stories I’ve ever shared. So if you’re a teacher who’s ever doubted the impact you’re having, especially with those students who seem like they couldn’t care less? This one’s for you. Today, I’m taking you back to my own high school days. Not the shiny, well-behaved …

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EP 238: Happy Birthday RKBBB- and a gift for you! 43:31

2M ago43:31

43:31

Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors turned TWO! 🥳 So, we’re having a party right here on the podcast. Parties have gifts, so I’m offering three “gifts” for you- a little help around three behaviors that are still SO BAFFLING! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why regression (aka “acting like a toddler”) is actually a sign of your child’s nervous …

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#141: Tired of blank stares and the same 5 hands up? Here's how to get whole-class engagement (WITHOUT relying on cold-calling) 23:41

2M ago23:41

23:41

This tiny tweak could change your whole classroom vibe. If you’ve ever found yourself gripping onto those five students who always put their hands up while the rest of the class stares blankly out the window—or worse, starts low-key mutinies—you are NOT alone. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to a game-changing shift I made in how I ask…

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{REPLAY} Is Understanding Behavior Just Excusing It? 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

Understanding behavior helps us actually solve the problem, leads to compassion, and actually helps behavior to change, but first we must understand why we are so afraid that understanding behaviors means we are excusing "bad" behaviors. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between understanding behavior and excusing behavior Why understan…

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EP 237: Connection: A Biological Imperative (for parents) 45:30

3M ago45:30

45:30

Parents aren’t the only ones providing co-regulation — we need it too. In fact, connection is a biological imperative for every nervous system, including yours. When you’re raising kids with big, baffling behaviors, the imbalance in reciprocity can be exhausting, isolating, and even grief-inducing. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to do this al…

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#140: If you've ever been told (or felt) you need to "be stricter" for classroom management success - listen to this. 20:02

3M ago20:02

20:02

We’re busting a big ol’ classroom management myth in this episode: that being kind, compassionate, and empathetic means you’re “too soft” to manage behaviour effectively. Because I’m seeing it everywhere right now - especially from all the beautiful new teachers joining me inside The Behaviour Club - this feeling of, “Am I doing it wrong?” “Am I to…

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EP 236: Rewriting the Nervous System Story 41:32

3M ago41:32

41:32

Your child’s behavior isn’t telling you the whole story. Their behavior is telling you just the story their nervous system is writing in that moment. This week, let’s continue my deep dive into my conversation with Deb Dana (episode 233), exploring how polyvagal theory offers us the hope of rewriting the nervous system story. We’re going to talk ab…

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#139: The exit routine your class [and you] desperately needs 15:26

3M ago15:26

15:26

Let’s talk about the part of the lesson where the wheels often fall off — the final five minutes. You know the one. The bell's about to go, some students are packing up early, others are zoning out, and you’re standing at the door doing your best nightclub bouncer impression. 🚪🕺 In this final episode of the Kickstart series, we're talking exit rout…

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EP 235: Parenting in Chronic Protection Mode 32:39

3M ago32:39

32:39

Parenting kids with vulnerable nervous systems often means that parents and caregivers are living in a state of chronic chaos and danger. Even if the behaviors aren’t ‘that bad,’ it’s dysregulating to live with someone in chronic protection mode. In this episode, I take a closer look at how polyvagal theory helps us understand the nervous system’s …

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#138: Brain breaks that secretly boost behaviour (and help us reclaim a bit of teaching joy in the classroom) 22:47

3M ago22:47

22:47

Ever feel like your class is one brain snap away from absolute chaos… or just asleep at the wheel? In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most powerful — and wildly underused — classroom management tools in your toolbox: brain breaks. But not just for the sake of fun. We’re talking strategic, rapport-building, energy-resetting m…

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EP 234: Polyvagal Theory, Hope, Dysregulation, and Repair 31:20

4M ago31:20

31:20

What if dysregulation isn’t the problem? I know I know- that’s really hard to wrap our brain around! At least, it was for me. In this episode, I continue the conversation from last week’s interview with Deb Dana and take a deeper dive into one of her most powerful insights: that dysregulation is simply part of being human—and it’s the absence of re…

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#137: Feel like you need to split into 30 trying to support the whole room? This tool changes everything. 19:54

4M ago19:54

19:54

The task strategy that will change your classroom (even if you’re running on fumes) Ever feel like the second you set your students off on a task, it’s like you’ve got to split into ten different versions of yourself? In this episode, I’m walking you through one of my favourite practical strategies of all time — the humble task card — and showing y…

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#136: The entry routine that is magic for low-level disruption! The power of learning maps 18:33

4M ago18:33

18:33

Join the Kickstart: https://www.the-unteachables.com/kickstart If your lessons feel like a sprint uphill from the very first bell... kids trickling in, backpacks still on, everyone chatting while you’re already repeating yourself, then friend, you don’t have an entry routine problem. You have an entry routine opportunity. This is part two of the Be…

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EP 233: Polyvagal Theory as a Path to Hope: Regulation, Repair, and Connection with guest Deb Dana 59:17

4M ago59:17

59:17

Polyvagal theory isn’t just a theory- it’s a way of living that can transform how we show up for our kids, ourselves, and everyone around us. I’m SOOOO excited to introduce you to Deb Dana! Together, we explore how understanding our nervous systems brings hope, deepens connection, and makes repair possible even in the messiest moments. In this epis…

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EP 232: Swearing- What it Means and How to Respond 48:59

4M ago48:59

48:59

When kids swear, it often feels jarring, disrespectful, or even threatening. But swearing isn’t about defiance or being a bad kid- it’s a clue about the state of your child’s nervous system. Swearing might mean your child is overwhelmed, dysregulated, or struggling to find their real voice. Of course, understanding the behavior isn’t excusing the b…

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#135: Is your teaching presence undermining your classroom management? 21:11

4M ago21:11

21:11

Why Your Presence Might Be Undermining Your Classroom Management (And How to Fix It) Ever felt like you're being too nice... or not taken seriously enough in your classroom? Like you're walking a tightrope between being warm and relatable and being respected as the leader of the room? Whew—yeah. Been there. That’s exactly what today’s episode is al…

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EP 231: EMDR with Kids with Attachment Trauma with Deb Wesselmann 57:08

4M ago57:08

57:08

I’m so excited to introduce you to someone who has deeply influenced my work- Deb Wesselmann! Deb is a pioneer in integrating EMDR therapy with family therapy for children with early attachment trauma. In this episode, we chat about how Deb (and her colleagues) developed her attachment-focused EMDR model, why slow bilateral stimulation is so effect…

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#134: Bullying in the classroom?! 😖 How to talk to your students about it in a way that gets them listening, empathising, and creating change! 18:24

4M ago18:24

18:24

Ever had a student yell "I'M BEING BULLIED!" when their friend won’t let them borrow a pencil? Meanwhile, real, insidious bullying is flying under the radar? HEAD TO THE BLOG HERE FOR ACTIVITIES + MORE 😁 In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to the three-part framework I use to help students identify what actually counts as bullying, how to …

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EP 230: Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria 39:26

5M ago39:26

39:26

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) isn’t about being overly sensitive. It’s about a nervous system that experiences rejection as danger. In this episode, I explore RSD through the lens of relational neuroscience, attachment, memory, and regulation. Whether you see this in yourself or your child, this episode will help you understand why rejectio…

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#133: Flipping your lid! The concept that changed everything about the way I responded to students in the middle of a meltdown. 17:48

5M ago17:48

17:48

What’s actually happening when your student flips their lid? And more importantly… what should you be doing when it happens? HEAD TO THE BLOG HERE FOR VISUALS + MORE 😁 In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most game-changing concepts I've learned about behaviour and brain science: flipping your lid. You’ll hear me break down Dr…

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#132: The No-BS Back to School Breakdown! Exactly what I do lesson-by-lesson in Week 1 to build rapport, set expectations, and create routines that stick. 25:14

5M ago25:14

25:14

Back to school?! Whaaaaaaat?! If your first thought seeing this episode pop up was “Claire, I am still sipping margaritas and pretending I’ve never even heard of a seating plan,” I get it. 😅 But if you are gearing up for the next school year or term, this episode’s for you. I’m giving you a front seat to my no-BS, non-negotiables for the first week…

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EP 229: NeuroRelational Healing with Guest Sara Sherman 56:20

5M ago56:20

56:20

Healing comes in all forms, including on farms, with horses, and of course, in relationship. My guest this week, Sara Sherman, is a graduate of the Baffling Behavior Training Institute’s Professional Immersion Program and the founder of Dandelion NeuroRelational Family Services in Minnesota. Sara and I have a delightful chat about what it means to …

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{REPLAY} The Privilege of Parenting This Way (with safety) 41:00

5M ago41:00

41:00

{Replay of Episode 169 from March 2024} Parenting with co-regulating and seeing below our kids behaviors is actually a privilege we rarely talk about. It’s always a privilege, but especially when we consider different marginalized and oppressed identities that a lot of kids- and those of you listening- intersectionally hold. In this episode, you’ll…

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#131: 4 sobering statistics that prove that teaching is the hardest, and most important job in the world. 26:32

5M ago26:32

26:32

TW: Mention of self-harm and suicide Ever left school feeling completely wrung out, wondering if you’re even cut out for this job? Same. And in this episode, I’m opening the curtain on one of the most raw, real reflections I’ve ever shared—because I know I’m not the only one who’s felt that way. This one’s a mix of real talk, sobering stats, and a …

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#130: Dealing with defiance? You don't need to say a word - you just need these 3 game-changing non-verbal strategies! 14:45

5M ago14:45

14:45

When talking more makes things worse… try this. Ever felt like the more you say, the more defiant your students become? Yeah. Been there. This episode is all about the subtle magic of nonverbal strategies — those tiny, calm, game-changing tools that help you shift students out of defiance and into direction without saying a word. Whether you're dea…

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EP 228: Supporting Kids who Live Part Time in a Home without Regulation, Connection, or Felt Safety with guest Sybil Cummin 59:47

5M ago59:47

59:47

What do you do when your child lives part-time in a home where regulation, connection, and felt safety aren't present? In this episode, I talk with Sybil Cummin, a therapist specializing in working with families navigating coercive control. Sybil shares practical guidance for showing up as a steady, safe presence for your child, even when the other…

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EP 227: Nothing Works! Are you burned out on tools? 37:05

5M ago37:05

37:05

Part of why you keep listening to this podcast is for parenting tools and strategies, right?? So, what do we do when it feels like nothing is working?! What’s really going on when parenting tools feel useless and you want to shout “THIS ISN’T WORKING?! In this episode, you’ll learn: Why parenting tools “work” when they come from connection, not pro…

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#129: The exact one-liners I use in the classroom when responding to defiant or challenging behaviour (and why every teacher needs these!) 18:20

5M ago18:20

18:20

What to do when a student flat-out says NO [Get the FREE Calm Scripts Guide: https://www.the-unteachables.com/calmscripts] Let’s talk about the moment every teacher dreads: You’ve asked a student to follow an instruction… and they just say “No.” Or ignore you. Or crank the volume on their phone. Or knock the work off the table. Whether it’s passive…

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#128: 4 ways imposter syndrome shows up for teachers in the classroom (and what you needed to know YESTERDAY to overcome it) 20:12

6M ago20:12

20:12

The imposter syndrome episode every teacher needs. You’re in the classroom, trying your best, showing up with good intentions… but there it is. That sneaky voice that whispers: “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” Sound familiar? Yeah. Me too. In this episode, I’m walking you through four of the biggest ways imposter syndrome has crept into my teachin…

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EP 226: The Power of Delight in Parenting Kids with BBBs 34:01

6M ago34:01

34:01

I know- sometimes it feels impossible to feel delight toward your child. I get it! BUT! If you can find even micro-moments of delight, it can be very powerful for both you and your child. In this episode, you'll learn: How is delight related to secure attachment The science behind why it’s sometimes very hard to find delight in kids with vulnerable…

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#127: I met the King, and he asked me a question about the work I do with classroom management I was NOT expecting 17:21

6M ago17:21

17:21

Wait, did I just explain classroom management to the King?! Yep. That happened. In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most bizarre, surreal, and pinch-me experiences of my life — being invited to Buckingham Palace and getting to literally talk to King Charles about what we do as educators. But more importantly, I want to unpack…