{"podcast":{"title":"Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators","slug":"shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439","podcast_index_feed_id":721439,"rss_url":"https://shiftingourschools.libsyn.com/rss","website_url":"http://www.shiftingschools.com","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/1/2/2/b/122be1b60ba51c69d959afa2a1bf1c87/shifting.png","author":"Jeff Utecht","episode_count":300,"summary":"Shifting Schools is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education. Hosted by educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, the podcast provides a platform for teachers, administrators, and education thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on how to improve teaching and learning. From innovative approaches in classroom management to leveraging technology for personalized learning, Shifting Schools tackles the most pressing issues facing K12 educators today. Whether you are a seasoned teacher or a new educator, this podcast will inspire you to think outside the box and shift your educational approach. Tune in to Shifting Schools to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and join a community of passionate educators who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of their students. Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok","last_synced_at":"2026-07-19T14:21:10.479438+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439"},"episode":{"title":"How to Turn Real History into Fiction: Lessons from Steve Berry","slug":"how-to-turn-real-history-into-fiction-lessons-from-steve-berry","published_at":"2026-02-23T01:26:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439/how-to-turn-real-history-into-fiction-lessons-from-steve-berry","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439","url":"https://pod.shiftingschools.com/","audio_url":"https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/Feb_23_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226","summary":"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:…","meta_description":"In this conversation, author Steve Berry discusses his deep-rooted love for history, the intricate process of crafting thrillers that intertwine historica…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":915,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439/episodes/how-to-turn-real-history-into-fiction-lessons-from-steve-berry/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439/how-to-turn-real-history-into-fiction-lessons-from-steve-berry.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}