Claribel A. Ortega on Why Monsters Matter: Writing Hope and Friendship in Dark Times
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
Release Date: 10/16/2025
Tami Charles on Picture Books, Fear in Creativity, and Teaching Unity Through Stories
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
What happens when a children’s book becomes a tool for unity, empathy, and allyship? In this conversation, Tami Charles—author, former teacher, and champion of diverse stories—opens up about the creative process behind her latest picture book, Together United. She shares how her writing is shaped not only by ideas, but by her collaboration with illustrators, the ever-present feeling of fear, and her commitment to creating stories that help children see themselves and each other. We talk about: How collaboration between author and illustrator can lead to unexpected, beautiful outcomes...
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Teaching Creativity: Alan Gratz on Storytelling, Curiosity, and Collaboration
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
Join host Tricia Friedman in conversation with Alan Gratz, the New York Times–bestselling author whose novels have captivated readers for over five years. Gratz shares how baseball shaped his storytelling, why creativity and curiosity belong at the heart of every classroom, and how interdisciplinary learning strengthens student engagement. This episode explores the connections between empathy, character development, and allyship—inviting educators to think differently about how stories shape our understanding of one another. Discover how reading diverse perspectives, teaching creativity,...
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Narrative Justice: The Future of Climate Justice with Shilpi Chhotray
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
What if the fight for climate justice began with the stories we tell? In this reflective episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with Shilpi Chhotray, host of A People’s Climate, to unpack the concept of narrative justice — the belief that climate storytelling must center the communities most impacted by environmental change. Together, they explore how Indigenous knowledge, fiction, education, and intersectional media can reshape public understanding of the climate crisis. Shilpi shares her journey amplifying global majority voices — Indigenous, Black, and Brown storytellers — who are...
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Can we befriend the dark?
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners.... In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christy Mandin to explore what school leaders can learn from the creative process behind children’s literature. Together they unpack how curiosity fuels empathy, how messy iteration sparks innovation, and how embracing the dark and uncertain moments of creativity can make us more...
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The Creative Process of Ryan La Sala: Writing Fear, Joy, and Queer Resilience
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Ryan La Sala for a deep dive into the creative process behind his latest book. Together, they explore how queer horror, artistic design, and emotional literacy intersect to shape stories that resonate with today’s readers. La Sala reveals how multiple drafts, layered perspectives, and intentional design choices come together to build a reading experience that’s as visual as it is emotional. The conversation highlights how horror can be a vehicle for exploring complex emotions and how queer narratives give young readers language for...
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Claribel A. Ortega on Why Monsters Matter: Writing Hope and Friendship in Dark Times
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
What can monsters, middle-grade fantasy, and community-centered storytelling teach us about the world we live in today? In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with New York Times bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega (Witchlings) to explore how fantasy fiction helps young readers navigate identity, belonging, and hope in turbulent times. Ortega shares her creative process—from plotting complex magical worlds to writing on planes during book tours—and reflects on the power of friendship, grief, and imagination as tools for resilience. This episode is perfect for educators, librarians,...
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On the future of Higher Education
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
Today, a college diploma is no guarantee that graduates have the competencies that businesses need, including using emerging technologies, communicating, working in teams, and other necessary skills. So, it’s fair to ask, “Do students really need a college degree”? Brandeis University President, and nationally respected higher education leader and researcher, Arthur Levine has been at the forefront of the changing role of higher education. Co-author of THE GREAT UPHEAVAL, HIGHER EDUCATIONS PAST PRESENT AND UNCERTAIN...
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Raghad's Second Chance Story
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
Raghad shares her remarkable journey from Syria to Canada through the Second Chance program. She discusses the challenges of being one of the few students applying to universities abroad from Syria, her initial rejections and waitlists from U.S. universities, and how Second Chance opened new doors for her education and future as a changemaker. Key Topics Discussed The Application Journey from Syria Growing up in Syria with dreams of studying abroad Navigating an unfamiliar application process with no local precedent Working with Dawn Network, a program supporting Syrian women in higher...
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Karam's Second Chance Story
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
Karam Abboud shares their Second Chance story. If their story inspires you, consider exploring ways to make even more stories like this a possibility. Learn more: Every year, brilliant low-income students from around the world risk being left behind — not for lack of talent, but for lack of financial means to accept their college admission offers. Until Second Chance takes action. Each April, at the final hour of the admissions cycle, we identify a cohort of extraordinary students and connect them with full scholarships...
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242: Abraham's Second Chance Story
Be a Better Ally: critical conversations for K12 educators
Every year, brilliant low-income students from around the world risk being left behind — not for lack of talent, but for lack of financial means to accept their college admission offers. Until takes action. Each April, at the final hour of the admissions cycle, we identify a cohort of extraordinary students and connect them with full scholarships at leading universities worldwide. On the podcast you get to hear first hand from students who have experienced the mission of Second Chance. This September, we...
info_outlineWhat can monsters, middle-grade fantasy, and community-centered storytelling teach us about the world we live in today?
In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with New York Times bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega (Witchlings) to explore how fantasy fiction helps young readers navigate identity, belonging, and hope in turbulent times. Ortega shares her creative process—from plotting complex magical worlds to writing on planes during book tours—and reflects on the power of friendship, grief, and imagination as tools for resilience.
This episode is perfect for educators, librarians, creative writers, and fans of middle-grade fiction who want to learn how storytelling can mirror society and spark empathy.
⏰ Timestamped Highlights
00:02 – Monster Studies & Modern Mythmaking
Tricia introduces the idea of “monster studies” and how the creatures we imagine reflect the cultures that create them.
00:51 – Writing Through Chaos
Claribel discusses how writing became her way to channel frustration, community care, and activism during turbulent times.
03:27 – From Pantser to Plotter
How a tight outline and collaborative editing process transformed her creative flow — and how she wrote Witchlings: Scepter of Memories in just 38 days.
07:19 – Creativity in Airports and Coffee Shops
Claribel explains how she trained herself to write anywhere (even mid-flight) and why she resists being “precious” about her creative rituals.
10:03 – Fandom, Feedback, and Fanfiction
Balancing reader expectations while staying true to her creative North Star — and why fanfiction is a beautiful sign of connection.
13:43 – Imagination as a Muscle
Advice for aspiring writers: read current books, consume youth culture, live fully, and reconnect with your playful, curious side.
17:23 – Upcoming Projects
Claribel reveals her next graphic novel 30 Ways to Kill Your Avatar — an exploration of grief, gaming, and resilience.
Claribel A. Ortega, New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Squad and the Witchlings series, and Pura Belpre and Eisner Award-winning author of the graphic novel Frizzy, is a former reporter who writes middle grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she's co-hosting her podcast Bad Author Book Club and coaching authors on how to navigate publishing. Claribel has been featured on BuzzFeed, NPR, Good Morning America, and Deadline. You can find her on social media at @Claribel_Ortega and on her website at claribelortega.com.
About the Host
Tricia Friedman is an educator, podcaster, and digital humanities advocate exploring how creativity, community, and technology intersect. Her shows help educators and leaders reimagine how storytelling, AI literacy, and futures thinking shape learning today. triciafriedman.com