Play Ball: Roney Eford and the Unifying Power of Lovett Sports
Release Date: 02/13/2025
Finding Higher Ground: Dr. Donna Hicks on Dignity, Conflict, and Compassion
Living Lovett
S8E9 One value, dignity, has the capacity to build bridges during disputes, build stronger communities, and honor other human beings. The power of dignity is what brings Donna Hicks, PhD to this season finale of Living Lovett. Dr. Hicks is an expert in international conflict resolution, and discusses with host Jessica Sant the profound role of dignity in resolving conflicts and building stronger communities. Drawing from her global experience and her influential books, Dr. Hicks explains how dignity is an inherent human value that, when upheld, can heal divisions and foster growth, especially...
info_outline
Beyond the Data: How Lovett Parents Are Championing Whole Child Success
Living Lovett
S8E8 How does the parent perspective fit in with partnership with Challenge Success? Three parent leaders join Living Lovett host and Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant to discuss their experience volunteering for the Challenge Success initiative, and the importance of community, intentionality, and partnership between families and the school. Christopher Cooper, Bliss Stone, and Aimee Connolly have a variety of relationships with Lovett: they are parents of grads, and current students; one is even an alumnae and trustee. Regardless of how many ties they have to Lovett, each parent is...
info_outline
Our Students are Known at Lovett
Living Lovett
S8E7 Students don’t just attend Lovett, they are known by teachers and staff; they are appreciated for who they are and who they are growing to be. Meredyth Cole, Head of School, joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant for a reflective conversation on Lovett’s core values and educational approach. Together, they discuss the importance of clarity and intentionality in defining who is as a community, emphasizing the school’s commitment to nurturing the whole child: intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Meredyth shares insights on what it means to be an independent...
info_outline
Handling Digital Devices in Healthy Ways for Students and Families
Living Lovett
S8E6 The challenges and opportunities of parenting and educating children in a technology-saturated world are significant. Family counselor Teddi Bair joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant to talk about the impact of screen time on children's development, the importance of modeling healthy technology habits, and the need for emotional connection between parents, educators, and kids. Drawing on research, personal experience, and professional practice, Teddi and Jessica highlight the value of community, open dialogue, and supportive parenting approaches. The discussion emphasizes that...
info_outline
Data Driven Engagement: How Clifton Strengths is Impacting Lovett's Culture
Living Lovett
S8E5 Janet Gibbon, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Gallup, joins Jessica Sant, Chief Engagement Officer at the Lovett School, discuss our multi-year partnership focused on enhancing engagement and well-being across the Lovett community. Using Gallup’s data-driven tools, including the Q12 employee engagement survey and the Clifton Strengths assessment, the experiences of students, staff, and parents have been assessed to identify areas of improvement and spotlight successes. The episode highlights the school’s journey from post-pandemic challenges to building a culture of...
info_outline
How Teen Gambling Addiction Starts and Why Parents Miss It
Living Lovett
S8E4 In this episode, recovering gambling addict and speaker Saul Malek shares his personal experience with gambling addiction, describing how a casual bet in college escalated into a serious problem that affected his finances, relationships, and academic life. Saul discusses the increasing accessibility and normalization of online gambling among young people, the role of social media and peer influence, and the unique vulnerabilities of adolescents. He offers insights for parents and educators on recognizing early warning signs, fostering open conversations, and creating supportive...
info_outline
Raising Confident Eaters: Expert Advice on Food, Family, and Development
Living Lovett
S8E3 Colleen Dieselhurst a registered dietician with extensive experience in both acute and primary care joins Chief Engagement Officer and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant to talk about eating and nutrition for our kids. The discussion spans the challenges of feeding children and teens, from toddler food fears to the nutritional demands of puberty. Colleen shares practical strategies for involving kids in meal preparation, managing busy schedules, and recognizing signs of disordered eating. The conversation also covers the impact of social media on body image, the importance of family...
info_outline
Substance Use Among Students: What Do Parents Need to Know?
Living Lovett
S8E2 While the landscape of adolescent substance use continues to evolve, parents who stay informed and engaged have more power than they realize to guide their children toward healthy choices. Dr. Brian J. Dew, Department Chair of Counseling and Psychological Services at Georgia State University, joins Living Lovett host and Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant to discuss substance use trends, risk factors, and the importance of education and parent involvement at . In addition to offering practical information for parents navigating challenges, the conversation covers Dr. Dew’s unique...
info_outline
Faith and Flourishing at Lovett
Living Lovett
S8E1 At , we believe that when students are seen, supported, and valued for who they are, remarkable things happen. This kind of thriving requires more than excellent teaching: it requires intentional collaboration across every aspect of student life. Lovett's newly formed Faith and Flourishing Team embodies those values, and the members of this team are our guests on the Season 8 premiere of Living Lovett. Rev. Colin Brown, Lovett head chaplain; Sarah Friedman, Director of School Counseling; and Dr. Allison Wynn, Lovett’s new Director of Belonging share with Lovett Chief Engagement Officer...
info_outline
Season 8 of Living Lovett Starts Next Week
Living Lovett
S8E0 Kicking off next week: it’s Season 8 of Living Lovett! For seven seasons, we’ve brought you stories from the Riverbank. Now, in Season 8, Lovett’s Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant brings together inspiring experts to tackle the topics that matter most: substance awareness, digital wellness, healthy relationships with food, and creating environments where every child can thrive. Through reliable information, practical tools, and trusted perspectives, Season 8 seeks to connect the community with reliable information and perspectives that will leave you feeling energized and...
info_outlineS7E5 Sports and athletics can play a critical role in student life, from skill development, learning resilience, to unifying friends, family, and the entire community. Roney Eford Director of Athletics and Physical Education at The Lovett School joins Chief Engagement Officer Jessica Sant to discuss Roney’s first months at the school and to share his vision for the future.
Highlighting the excitement and interpersonal bonds formed during various athletic contests, the discussion touches on the engagement of families and the shared experiences of students. The sense of community and unity fostered through sports is celebrated as a significant aspect of school life, whether on the field or cheering from the stands. Roney even shares his thoughts on club sports plus the real story about college athletics (and criteria for families to consider.)
Living Lovett is an award nominated podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website Lovett.org for more information. Lovett is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.