Why Don't Teachers Value Themselves? Finding Your WHY with Barbara Bray
What did you get in trouble for the most as a kid? For Barbara Bray, it was always asking "why?" Seven decades on, she's built a whole life around that question. Rick and Tisha sit down with the author, empowerment coach, and host of the Grow Your WHY podcast to talk about finding your purpose, and finding it again when life changes the plan.
Barbara's path runs from dental hygienist to tech-loving professional development leader, online learning community founder, author, and coach, with a broken leg, a neck fusion, and a lifelong family friendship with George Foreman along the way. She explains why so many educators struggle to see their own value, how she reworked the Ikigai framework around what you're valued for rather than what you're paid for, and why the first step out of feeling stuck is to "flip it positive." The conversation also gets personal, as Barbara and Tisha share how a missed lung cancer diagnosis and Tisha's son's leukemia diagnosis taught them to advocate, push for second opinions, and really listen.
Warm, funny, and full of hard-won wisdom for any educator wondering what comes next.
00:00 Finding Your Why
03:03 The Journey of Self-Discovery
06:13 Embracing Change and Growth
08:49 The Power of Storytelling
12:12 Navigating Life's Challenges
15:01 Creating Impact Through Education
17:53 Legacy and Giving Back
24:43 The Power of Playfulness in Learning
27:01 The Importance of Coaching and Support
28:38 Unlearning and Finding Your Value
30:59 The Journey of Self-Discovery
36:10 Flipping the Script on Self-Doubt
39:49 The Role of Accountability in Growth
45:04 Navigating Systems and Advocacy
47:49 Transformative Life Lessons
49:57 Navigating Healthcare Challenges
51:58 The Importance of Advocacy
53:51 The Power of Listening
56:04 Juice Box Confessionals: Fun and Reflection
1:01:10 Childhood Memories and First Jobs
1:04:39 Future Endeavors and Empowerment Coaching
About Barbara Bray
Barbara Bray is an award-winning author, podcast host, international keynote speaker, entrepreneur and purpose-driven coach with more than 30 years of experience transforming education, technology, and learning.
A former educator and technology innovator, Barbara has spent her career helping educators, leaders, and learners make learning more authentic, meaningful, and relevant. She has worked with schools, districts, organizations, and thousands of educators worldwide, exploring how agency, advocacy, creativity, and human connection can shape more powerful learning experiences. Barbara is co-author of two books on personalized learning and author of "Define Your WHY" and "Grow Your WHY: One Story at a Time."
As the founder of Grow Your WHY and host of the Grow Your WHY Podcast, Barbara explores the stories behind transformational journeys and what happens when people discover and act on their purpose.
As a Story Weaver, Barbara combines her experience in education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and technology with deep listening and storytelling to uncover the stories behind the story. As an Empowerment Coach, she helps people navigate change, reclaim their voice, and turn lived experience into meaningful impact.
Her message is simple: Your story matters, and your WHY can become a catalyst for what comes next.
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