The P3 Begins: Stephen Hurley's Personal Playlist Podcast

This post was originally published on July 4th, 2017. It has since been reflected upon and edited.

When Stephen Hurley wanted to know if I was ready to propose a show for VoiceEd Radio, I was. He had asked me that question several times before, and I had declined thinking that I was just not a podcaster. This particular day was the first time we met in person and, through a convergence of time and place, it resulted in not only a yes, but a sudden clarity of the show's purpose and format. While I was explaining the project that inspired the show, Stephen was already thinking through his songs. It was the first podcast idea that ever came to me. I was almost as excited as he was and, after lunch that day, Stephen Hurley would be my first guest on The Personal Playlist Podcast.

Stephen is a kind person and a true visionary. He has not only helped me make this show happen, but he patiently taught me how to edit it and add music in such a way to lead in and out of the songs. Through Stephen's support and encouragement, my podcasting skills have improved significantly since the beginning last summer. At a time where I needed it most, Stephen saw my offerings and showed me that I had some important things to contribute. He has given me and so many other educators a platform to have a voice and he nurtures so many and so much in and beyond this space. I am deeply grateful and bettered knowing this man.

Stephen's Personal Playlist Podcast, like all of the P3's, is built around three songs. Although we discussed them at that first lunch, he sent me the MP3's, and not a single song choice had changed. Many of my guests deeply deliberate with their selections only to come back to their first instincts. The first choice is a nostalgic song that reflects the past. The second is one that reflects your identity and sense of self. The final song is one that motivates/inspires/picks you up. Each one of Stephens’s choices told a piece of his story.

Stephen always dreamed of being in radio. While he actualized a life-long vision by creating and developing the first 24/7 internet-based radio station dedicated to all things education in Canada, in many ways, he has come full circle. Since the first time he called in to a radio station to request a song, Stephen has been building ways for people to have their voices heard both literally and figuratively. He joyfully recalled calling in to CHIC Radio whose tag line was: Where the girls are. His name was Steve at the time. When listening to his nostalgic song, I could imagine the radio playing like an anthem of empowerment to a young boy, fuelling his passion and beginning to deepen his life-long interest in radio. Here’s Hitchin’ a Ride by Vanity Fair:

When Stephen began introducing his identity song, he shared that he knew exactly what it would be when I first pitched the show it. It was a song that he shared with friends over the years as reflective of his journey. Having married later in life, he had been out ridin’ fences for so long and was lucky to liberate himself from the prison of walking through this world all alone. Stephen spoke about how this song was the one that his band allowed him to sing and play, with the piano in the foreground. I look forward to seeing this happen again one day soon. This song also reflects a turning point in his life when Stephen stopped walking away from the good things and embraced love. Here’s Desperado by The Eagles:

When Stephen began to introduce his pick-me-up song, he painted a picture of spring, with warm weather flying through the open windows of his car and hope on the breeze. The opening riff is a classic. Stephen explained that when this song came on the radio, “There was something about it that captured my imagination.” That unique Dire Straight guitar, as he referred to it, tells the story of a hard working band, and that was their first single. Stephen added, “ I needed that today.” That is something we can all relate to and why it’s good to have a song like that in your back pocket. Music has so much power, and it can really help us when we need it. Here is Sultan’s of Swing by Dire Straights:

When we were finished going through Stephen’s personal playlist, we could both see that this could really work as a show format. Since then, I have invited a lot of different educators, new and seasoned, from across North America to be my guests. My timetable fills faster now, and more people come to me to ask to come on the show. It is one of my favourite parts of my week, and blogging about my guests makes me feel like I can give them a spotlight and a different way to share themselves with my ever-growing audience. All of this began with Stephen Hurley.

Stephen is an amazing man with an eclectic background. He has been a classroom teacher, a teacher educator and is a consultant and the main man at VoicEd Radio. What he began at VoicEd has turned into a family of educators and innovators sharing space and using their voices to make an impact. This station has become a hub where all educators can listen and learn from each other in this open space forum with possibilities that are just beginning to unfold. As the Founder and Chief catalyst at VoicEd, Stephen has made it, "Our mission is to change the way you talk about education—in Canada and around the world—by opening up a multi-media space for vibrant, provocative conversation about the issues, challenges and opportunities that are coming to define us in the 21st century." I have learned, over the last year, that his OUR is a truly inclusive and welcoming refection of this space. In the 30 years that Stephen has been contributing to the field of education, he continues to be mindful of “powerful learning opportunities… for people of all ages”.

That is what the P3 is about. It is a opportunity for educators to tell stories about themselves through their three song choices. While the show is dedicated to celebrating educators, it is a project that began in my grade 7 classroom. The spark that this experience ignited in Stephen is a window into the possibility of the impact of personalizing projects like BOBs on learners of any age.The Personal Soundtrack is where the P3 originated, and it really touched my students. I was privileged to hear from a group of them through a video that was being filmed in the classroom next door. They explain why the PS 2, the second in a Tri-BOB referred to as the PS Series, was so impactful. This project, like all my Building Outside the Blocks projects, is an invitation for students to connect to themselves and have their lives and interests be a conduit for learning skills. Here is what my students had to say about this a few years ago. (Their testimonials begin at 1:47).

When I first wrote this post, I had only just begun. Now reflecting back on the July release of Stephen's P3 , I have a smile from ear to ear. I trepidatiously started podcasting for the love of the format and to highlight teachers. There is something so special about music, and I am excited to keep exploring people's playlists with them. You can listen to all of the podcasts on the on demand page for The Personal Playlist Podcast or on my website.

If you are interested in being a guest on the P3, please email noa@buildingoutsidetheblocks.com or dm me on Twitter @noasbobs. I am booking for this summer and beyond.