Episode Description
How do we prepare young people for a complex and ever-changing world?
What makes up solutionary work to produce solutionaries?
Why is education the single greatest determining factor in creating a thriving global community?
Let’s dive into solutionary synergy!
Welcome to our first episode of the second season!
We create synergy with Julie Meltzer, speaking about solutionary work and the essence of education in the modern day.
Julie Meltzer, PhD, is the Director of K-12 and Teacher Education for the Institute for Humane Education, a nonprofit organization based in the US. Julie leads a team that works with teachers and administrators across the United States and around the world to teach their students how to become changemakers. She brings experience as a teacher, higher education faculty member, district administrator, consultant, researcher, program evaluator, and leadership coach to this role. Julie believes that education is the system that can change all other systems and that redesigning schools to educate a generation of solutionaries is the single best investment we can make for our collective future.
Notable mentions from the episode:
Institute for Humane Education (IHE) - http://humaneeducation.org
Zoe Weil (Co-founder and President of IHE): https://humaneeducation.org/about-ihe/meet-zoe-weil/
Solutionary Framework: https://humaneeducation.org/teach-the-solutionary-framework/
Solutionary Tools: https://humaneeducation.org/solutionary-toolkit/
New York Times article - Throwaway Plastic Has Corrupted Us: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/opinion/plastic-trash-disposable.html
You can find Julie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-meltzer-b20b3a1b/)
You can also find some links to important Solutionary work here:
Maine Solutionaries Project Impact Report 2025: https://humaneeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Maine-Solutionaries-Project-Impact-Report-2025.pdf
Student Reflections on Solutionary Projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aKGTAFlATI
2024-5 IHE Impact Report: https://humaneeducation.org/2024-2025-impact-report/
Upcoming Solutionary Microcredential Programs: https://humaneeducation.org/micro-credentialing-course/
Your hosts:
Kathryn Berkman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-berkman
Dom Verwey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/domverwey
If you are interested in joining us as a guest on this podcast, please fill in our quick Synergy In Education Podcast interest form: https://forms.gle/PM5LMs863oEsSdEZ8
Similarly, if you would like to join the tribe of educators, leaders, and change agents during our regular Synergy Building online calls, please submit our quick Synergy Building interest form: https://forms.gle/NVhBUYzoN2WCyffR6
The information provided in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Synergy In Education podcast or its hosts. Similarly, the views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of their own and do not reflect those of any individuals, organizations, or institutions mentioned or referenced. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information shared.
Music: Skywalking New Mix (Instrumental) - Sam Beebe _ Night Falls
What makes up solutionary work to produce solutionaries?
Why is education the single greatest determining factor in creating a thriving global community?
Let’s dive into solutionary synergy!
Welcome to our first episode of the second season!
We create synergy with Julie Meltzer, speaking about solutionary work and the essence of education in the modern day.
Julie Meltzer, PhD, is the Director of K-12 and Teacher Education for the Institute for Humane Education, a nonprofit organization based in the US. Julie leads a team that works with teachers and administrators across the United States and around the world to teach their students how to become changemakers. She brings experience as a teacher, higher education faculty member, district administrator, consultant, researcher, program evaluator, and leadership coach to this role. Julie believes that education is the system that can change all other systems and that redesigning schools to educate a generation of solutionaries is the single best investment we can make for our collective future.
Notable mentions from the episode:
Institute for Humane Education (IHE) - http://humaneeducation.org
Zoe Weil (Co-founder and President of IHE): https://humaneeducation.org/about-ihe/meet-zoe-weil/
Solutionary Framework: https://humaneeducation.org/teach-the-solutionary-framework/
Solutionary Tools: https://humaneeducation.org/solutionary-toolkit/
New York Times article - Throwaway Plastic Has Corrupted Us: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/opinion/plastic-trash-disposable.html
You can find Julie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-meltzer-b20b3a1b/)
You can also find some links to important Solutionary work here:
Maine Solutionaries Project Impact Report 2025: https://humaneeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Maine-Solutionaries-Project-Impact-Report-2025.pdf
Student Reflections on Solutionary Projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aKGTAFlATI
2024-5 IHE Impact Report: https://humaneeducation.org/2024-2025-impact-report/
Upcoming Solutionary Microcredential Programs: https://humaneeducation.org/micro-credentialing-course/
Your hosts:
Kathryn Berkman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-berkman
Dom Verwey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/domverwey
If you are interested in joining us as a guest on this podcast, please fill in our quick Synergy In Education Podcast interest form: https://forms.gle/PM5LMs863oEsSdEZ8
Similarly, if you would like to join the tribe of educators, leaders, and change agents during our regular Synergy Building online calls, please submit our quick Synergy Building interest form: https://forms.gle/NVhBUYzoN2WCyffR6
The information provided in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Synergy In Education podcast or its hosts. Similarly, the views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of their own and do not reflect those of any individuals, organizations, or institutions mentioned or referenced. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information shared.
Music: Skywalking New Mix (Instrumental) - Sam Beebe _ Night Falls