This week, the Getting Smart team is speaking with Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski about their new book, When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids.
Gregg Behr is the Executive Director of The Grable Foundation, a father, and a children’s advocate whose work is inspired by the legacy of his hero, Fred Rogers. His co-author, Ryan Rydzewski, is an award-winning author, reporter, and speechwriter whose science and education stories span everything from schools to space travel to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Listen in as they discuss their new book and the themes of community, collaboration, and the enduring lessons of Mister Rogers.
“Not only was [Mister Rogers] that loving grandfatherly figure who made us feel loved and capable of loving, but he was also a remarkable learning scientist.” — Gregg Behr
Key Takeaways:
[:10] About today’s episode with Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski.
[:46] Tom welcomes Gregg and Ryan to the podcast.
[1:08] Gregg speaks about his educational background and the thread of ethics and character formation that run through his work.
[1:57] How and when did Gregg discover the power of active learning that is behind Remake Learning? What is the origin story of Remake Learning?
[5:44] Ryan shares why he decided to teach at East Baton Rouge Parish School System back in 2009 after receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing at the University of Pittsburgh.
[6:23] Did Ryan have any classes in the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh?
[7:01] Gregg shares when and how Mister Rogers entered the picture in his world.
[8:28] Ryan speaks about his connection to Mister Rogers growing up and why he found him so inspiring.
[9:21] Gregg shares about Fred Rogers’ presence across the Pittsburgh community.
[10:39] Ryan elaborates on how the environment of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was highly engineered to enrich lives and future growth and how every script, song, and story was created in alignment with proven research that benefited children.
[12:13] Why warmth and safety are so important in creating space for curiosity, and the ways in which Fred Rogers embodied warmth and safety that unlocked learning for children.
[14:19] Gregg highlights other points of intentionality in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood that they uncovered while writing their book, When You Wonder, You're Learning.
[15:04] Why they incorporated many song lyrics into their book.
[16:22] Gregg shares what he believes Mister Roger was trying to evoke when he asked, “What might you do?” on his show.
[17:54] Mister Roger has said, “Listening is where love begins.” What did Ryan learn about listening in writing the book?
[19:33] Gregg shares what he thinks Fred Rogers’ advice would be today about working together and collaboration.
[21:35] As a writer, did Ryan find this book easy or hard to write?
[22:51] Gregg shares the main mission of their book, who they tried to address, and what they hoped to accomplish by writing it.
[24:58] About a powerful new tool that every teacher should be using with their students: The Well-Being Index by Turnaround for Children.
[25:50] Ryan shared what he learned about himself from working on this project and how he continues to learn going forward.
[27:44] What Ryan is doing to make himself a better writer and his advice for young writers.
[28:48] Gregg shared what he learned about himself from working on the book and how he continues to learn about the practice of philanthropy.
[30:50] Tom and Jessica thank Ryan and Gregg for joining the podcast!
Mentioned in This Episode:
When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids, by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski
Remake Learning
Teach for America
The Well-Being Index by Turnaround for Children
Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 208: “How to Raise Successful People with Esther Wojcicki”
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