The Whole Student

Join Kal Balaven and Mo Pritzker on The Whole Student for a timely discussion with Kate Sheppard and Maya Sullivan of See Change Consulting, focusing on the essential elements of community, belonging, and purpose in education. This episode tackles the challenges of fostering genuine connection in an era of digital interaction and explores how educators can support students in their search for meaning.
Kal, Mo, Kate, and Maya delve into the ways technology shapes young people's understanding of community and friendship, examining both the benefits and drawbacks of online engagement. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and provides practical strategies for cultivating belonging within school environments. Insights from students who participated in See Change Consulting's brain circuit types workshops add a powerful layer to the discussion, highlighting the real-world impact of this work.
Key themes include:
Defining community in a modern context
The influence of technology on connection and relationships
The evolving meaning of "friendship"
Actionable steps for schools to promote belonging
Guiding young people in the exploration of purpose
The value of understanding diverse perspectives through brain circuit types
This episode provides educators and parents with valuable tools and perspectives for fostering a stronger sense of community and purpose among young people.

In this compelling episode of The Whole Student, hosts Kal Balaven and Mo Pritzker welcome Irshad Manji, New York Times Bestselling Author and founder of the Moral Courage College, for a transformative conversation. Kal begins by sharing a candid and somewhat "embarrassing" story: in 2008, based on secondhand information, he attempted to "cancel" Irshad, believing her to be an "Islamophobe." This episode documents Kal's journey from that misperception to a deep appreciation for Irshad's work.
A returning guest from Season 1, Irshad shares her insights on the crucial difference between belonging and groupthink, emphasizing the importance of voluntary affiliation over community ownership. She delves into practical strategies for cultivating moral courage, navigating today's cancel culture, and building trust in a divided society. Key themes include:
The power of listening: Irshad stresses the importance of meeting people where they are, asking genuine questions, and building trust through active listening.
Navigating the "Anger Highway": The conversation explores how to move beyond reactive emotions and engage in constructive dialogue.
Confident humility: Irshad highlights the paradox of standing your ground while creating common ground, and trusting the validity of your own experiences without being threatened by others.
The role of education: The episode underscores the need to equip students with the skills to engage in healthy conversations and build bridges across differences.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of open dialogue, critical thinking, and the courage to challenge our own assumptions. Join Kal, Mo, and Irshad as they explore how we can foster a more inclusive and understanding world.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Whole Student, hosts Kal Balaven and Mo Pritzker sit down with Jane Metcalfe, a visionary leader and co-founder of Wired Magazine, to delve into the dynamic intersection of technology, education, and human connection. Jane shares her inspiring journey, from the early challenges of launching Wired to the driving forces behind its groundbreaking success. She also reflects on the profound influence of teachers and mentors throughout her life, underscoring their vital role in shaping her thinking and career.
The conversation tackles critical questions surrounding the integration of AI and advanced technologies in education. How can we empower students to navigate the complexities of a tech-driven world? What role do educators play in guiding students through these advancements, fostering media literacy, and ensuring responsible use of AI? Jane, Kal, and Mo explore the potential of AI as a supportive tool for learning, emphasizing its ability to enhance, rather than replace, human interaction in the classroom.
This episode offers valuable insights for parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the future of education. Tune in to discover how we can prepare students not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but for a life of purpose, connection, and continuous learning in the age of AI.

In this powerful episode of The Whole Student, NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas shares his journey from the West Side of Chicago to basketball greatness—and the mentors, teachers, and life lessons that shaped him along the way. Hosted by Dunn School’s Head of School Kalyan Balaven and entrepreneur Mo Pritzker, this conversation dives deep into the themes of belonging, trust, and the transformative power of education.
Thomas reflects on pivotal moments from his upbringing, his mother’s unwavering support, and the importance of building communities where everyone feels valued. This episode offers timely insights for educators, parents, and leaders looking to foster trust, connection, and purpose in their communities.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a sports icon who continues to champion education and mentorship.
🎧 Subscribe to The Whole Student and join us as we explore the stories that shape leaders and communities.

In this insightful episode of The Whole Student Podcast, hosts Kal Balaven and Mo Pritzker dive into the complex relationship between technology, community, and education with special guest Prakash Janakiraman, co-founder of Nextdoor. Prakash shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Hayward to creating one of the world’s leading platforms for building local connections. Together, they explore the dual role of technology as both a bridge and a barrier to meaningful relationships in schools and neighborhoods.
The conversation examines how tools like Nextdoor foster authentic community ties through initiatives like the “good neighbor pledge” and innovative AI content moderation. Kal and Mo also discuss the challenges educators face with technology’s impact on student connection and focus, offering thoughtful insights on guiding young people toward intentional, purposeful tech use.
This episode offers a fascinating blend of personal stories, practical advice, and thought-provoking ideas on harnessing technology to strengthen communities. Tune in to discover how we can all become better digital citizens!

In this powerful episode of The Whole Student Podcast, hosts Kal Balaven and Mo Pritzker tackle the critical issues of identity, belonging, and mental health in today’s students. Joined by renowned actress and mental health advocate Glenn Close, the conversation offers an intimate look into her personal journey and the inspiration behind her advocacy work. Glenn opens up about her family’s experience with mental illness, leading to the creation of Bring Change to Mind, an organization dedicated to ending the stigma through student-led peer support programs. Together, they explore the pressures students face from social media, the transformative power of empathy, and actionable ways to build more supportive, connected communities in schools. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how we can all make a difference in student wellness and mental health.
Don’t miss this heartfelt and timely conversation!

Building Foundations: Governor JB Pritzker on Community, Belonging, and Purpose
In this episode of the Whole Student Podcast, hosts Mo Pritzker and Kal Balaven delve into the themes of community, belonging, and purpose with special guest, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Governor Pritzker shares insights from his political and philanthropic work, emphasizing the importance of early childhood development, mental health, and the evolving role of educators. The discussion offers a candid look at the Governor's personal journey and the impacts of policies on fostering a sense of belonging and stability for young people in Illinois and around the country. The episode explores the critical role of teachers, the challenges posed by technology, and the importance of breaking stigmas tied to mental health.

Dunn alumnus, alumni parent, and current chair of the Dunn Board of Trustees, Guy Walker ’76 has dedicated himself in service to his alma mater. This year, we celebrate 65 years of Dunn School, and perhaps the most striking fact of all is that, come Saturday, Guy will have been in attendance at Dunn’s graduation ceremony for 50 of those years.
He attended his first Dunn commencement at the end of his sophomore year in 1974 after transferring from Dominguez High School in Compton. After he graduated, he returned to celebrate the younger classmates he had bonded with — and in that act, Guy began to build community with students he hadn’t attended school with. Then he returned to attend their graduations.
The cycle continues, and this school year, Guy sat down to talk about his run of consecutive commencements, as well as his educational background and the teachers who inspired him, for the final episode of The Whole Student podcast with Head of School Kal Balaven. Please join us in recognizing Guy for his commitment to Dunn School and congratulate him on his 50-year string of sharing his presence with our graduates.

Pioneering advertising executive Mark Hurst joined Dunn Head of School Kal Balaven for The Whole Student's first ever live podcast! Filmed on campus at Dunn School during the inaugural Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program's shareholder summit, Mark talks about his secrets to success, how to deal with failure, and his journey starting as a student through an advertising career recognized by Ad Age for creating the campaign of the decade for Federal Express in the 1980s. Mark takes questions from our audience of students and families in this must-listen episode. Don't miss it!

In the longest episode of The Whole Student to date, Kal welcomes author, journalist, activist, public speaker, entrepreneur (and much more) Kevin Powell to discuss Kevin's educational journey as a student growing up in New Jersey all the way through his college career at Rutgers. The episode itself turns into a history lesson of sorts as the impact of rap music across generations is explored by one of the most acclaimed political, cultural, literary and hip-hop voices in America today. Do not miss it.