The International Schools Podcast

A conversation with Samuel Holston and Kirun Goy of BrainTools Lab and Podcast on simple brain tools for focus, learning, and better decisions at school and at work.

About Kirun Goy

Kirun works at the intersection of leadership, cognitive science, and intentional living. He helps people think more clearly, lead more effectively, and move out of autopilot.

Over the past 14 years, Kirun has delivered more than 1,600 workshops and keynotes for leaders around the world. His work focuses on practical leadership skills such as staying clear under pressure, building emotional intelligence, and learning how to learn.

He is the host of the BrainTools Podcast, which has reached more than 62,000 people in 100 countries. He is also a Senior Leadership Facilitator for Harvard Business Impact, where he supports leaders in large organisations to navigate change with more clarity and intention. He’s also the author of “The Imperfect Learner”.

Whether speaking to a large audience or leading a smaller workshop, Kirun’s style is practical, relatable, and focused on giving people tools they can use straight away.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirungoy/
Website: https://www.kirungoy.com/ 

About Samuel Holston

Samuel Holston works at the intersection of education, technology, and learning.

Sam has worked at the intersection of technology, AI, cognitive science, education and learning for the last decade. He’s run SEL camps reaching thousands of students, delivered cognitive-science based workshops to schools and built learning products used by over 100,000 students and teachers. 

He’s co-host of the BrainTools podcast, where he shares practical neuroscience and helps people understand how their brain works. He is also the co-founder of BrainTools Labs, who created science-backed resources, products and tools to help schools teach the human skill skills AI can’t replace. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-holston/?skipRedirect=true

About BrainTools Lab

BrainTools Lab is a science-backed educational tools company founded by Kirun Goy and Samuel Holston. Its flagship product, ATL Lab, is designed for IB (International Baccalaureate) schools and helps students develop the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills - thinking, communication, research, self-management, and social skills - that underpin deep, transferable learning.

What We Do

ATL Skills Lab — A curriculum-aligned programme for MYP schools that teaches, tracks, and develops ATL skills using neuroscience-informed tools and workshops. Designed to give MYP coordinators and teachers a structured, evidence-based way to embed skill development across subjects.

BrainTools at School Podcast — Hosted by Samuel, the podcast explores how cognitive science, AI, and practical pedagogy intersect, with a focus on what this means for teachers, coordinators, and school leaders. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Key Numbers

80,000+ students reached

5,000+ teachers trained

300+ schools served

1,600+ workshops and keynotes delivered (Kirun)

62,000+ podcast listeners in 100 countries

Links

BrainTools Lab: https://www.braintoolslab.com

Kirun Goy: https://www.kirungoy.com

BrainTools at School Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/braintools-at-schools/id1815817672

Samuel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-holston/

Kirun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirungoy/

BrainTools Lab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/braintools-lab/posts/?feedView=all

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsedu.com 

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

A conversation with Brooke Fezler, M.A. in Counseling, Co-Founder and Co-Director of ISCA, on how schools can move from separate wellbeing efforts to a clear, connected system of support.

About Brooke Fezler

Brooke Fezler is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of International School Counselor Association (ISCA) and has spent more than twenty years supporting student well-being in international schools across the world. She has worked at international schools in Indonesia, Argentina, France, Brazil, and Spain. Her work at ISCA focuses on building preventative, schoolwide counseling programs, with a strong emphasis on SEL, life skills, and support systems for students, teachers, and families. Brooke is also the co-developer and co-researcher of the International Model for School Counseling Programs, published in 2011 and 2022.

Based in Barcelona, Brooke continues to support international school counselors and educators through training, consulting, teaching, writing, and speaking.

Brooke Fezler on Social Media

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-fezler-235058a1/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-school-counselor-association 

Resources

Website: https://iscainfo.com/ 
ISCA Model: https://iscainfo.com/the-model/ 
ISCA Student Standards: https://iscainfo.com/student-standards/ 
Learning Progression: https://iscainfo.com/learning-progression/ 
SEL Toolkit: https://iscainfo.com/sel-toolkit/ 
ISCA Blogs: https://iscainfo.com/blogs/ 
https://iscainfo.com/professional-ethical-standards/ 

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsedu.com 

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

A conversation with Timothy Cook (Director, The Cognitive Privacy Project & Connected Classroom | Psychology Today Columnist, The Algorithmic Mind) on exploiting how AI may be changing the way children think, learn, and grow.

About Timothy Cook

Timothy Cook, M.Ed., is an international educator, AI researcher, and Director of the Cognitive Privacy Project. With more than a decade of teaching experience across four countries, he studies how AI and algorithmic systems are reshaping children’s thinking, learning, identity, and development. Timothy is also the founder of Connected Classroom and writes The Algorithmic Mind for Psychology Today, where he explores the impact of AI on cognition, creativity, student agency, and well-being. His current work focuses on cognitive privacy: the idea that children’s attention, judgment, reasoning, motivation, and developing sense of self need protection as AI becomes increasingly embedded in schools and society. In his recent writing, he argues that many young people are already sensing a contradiction: they are told AI may weaken learning, while also being told they must use it to prepare for the future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-cook-092713138/ 

Resources

connectedclassroom.org
cognitiveprivacyproject.org
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-algorithmic-mind 

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

A conversation with Aylin Erengul Gregg and Ana Arana on supporting multilingual learners without mistaking English fluency for ability.

About Aylin Erengul Gregg

Aylin Erengul Gregg is an English Language Acquisition specialist with a passion for supporting multilingual learners in accessing meaningful and equitable education. Having taught in diverse international school settings, she brings a global perspective to language acquisition, identity, and classroom practice. Her work with students from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds is grounded in the belief that language learning should affirm rather than assimilate. She is the creator of the LEAVES Approach, which focuses on language, exposure, acquisition, validation, engagement, and scaffolding as a way to support multilingual learners and help educators become more language-aware in their practice. Currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Aylin continues to work with multilingual learners, supporting them to feel seen, capable, and confident as they develop English.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylin-erengul-gregg-ma-tesol-w-app-ling-10b56915/ 

About Ana Arana

Ana Arana is an advocate for multilingual learners who challenges the assumption that language proficiency equals intelligence. With a Master's from the University of Exeter and over a decade of experience in IB schools, she builds classrooms where students' strengths are recognised, their voices are heard, and their academic potential isn't mistaken for their English fluency. Her approach is collaborative. She works alongside colleagues to ensure language learning is part of everyday learning, not a separate activity. This advocacy extends to every student conversation, team meeting, and classroom decision. Her driving motivation is simple: to help multilingual learners build confidence, fully access the curriculum, and thrive academically and personally.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msanaarana/ 

Resources

https://www.leaveseal.com/

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

From digital assessment to systems transformation, what's changing, and what it matters.

About Dr. Jenny Gillett

Dr. Jenny Gillett is a Senior Expert in the International Baccalaureate’s Education Innovation team, based in The Hague. She has worked with the IB for more than 15 years across curriculum and assessment, including leading reviews of the Diploma Programme philosophy, history, global politics and Theory of Knowledge. Her work has included curriculum development, assessment design, and supporting wider developments across IB programmes.

Before joining the IB, Jennifer taught at Oakham School and Bedford School in the UK. She brings a strong mix of classroom experience, curriculum leadership, and assessment expertise, making her well placed to discuss how assessment, curriculum, and international education are evolving.

Dr. Jenny Gillett on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-gillett-87a19b22/ 

Resources

https://ibo.org/
https://www.ibo.org/programmes/collaborative-review-of-the-dp-and-cp/systems-transformation/ 
https://www.ibo.org/programmes/collaborative-review-of-the-dp-and-cp/
https://www.mulgrave.com/senior-schoolgrades-10-12/ib-systems-transformation 

John Mikton on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial