Living Lovett

S10E7 Head of School Meredyth Cole returns to the Living Lovett podcast for the Season 10 finale. Associate Head of School Jessica Sant and Meredyth Cole reflect on the school's evolution during its Centennial year. After becoming Lovett's Head of School in 2018, Meredyth discusses the intentional work of clarifying the school's identity and strengthening its organizational systems while staying true to founder Eva Edwards Lovett's vision of whole child education.

The conversation explores how Lovett has remained committed to its Episcopal roots, prioritized relationships between students and faculty, and made decisions that serve students over societal pressure. Meredyth paints a beautiful picture of how Lovett is charting its course for the next hundred years.

Learn more about Lovett's Centennial celebration here: https://www.lovett100.org/

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S10E6 Heads of School Week continues on the Living Lovett podcast. Billy Peebles sits down to reflect on his 15-year tenure as head of school at the Lovett School from 2003 to 2018. Billy was at the helm when Living Lovett host and Associate Head of School Jessica Sant first joined Lovett, making this conversation particularly poignant. Peebles describes inheriting a strong foundation from his predecessor and adapting his leadership style to serve a much larger institution than he had previously led. Billy discusses the importance of staying connected to teaching throughout his administrative role, particularly his ninth-grade religion elective, People of the Book, which allowed him to know students across their high school years.

This conversation offers insight into the leadership philosophy and collaborative approach that shaped Lovett during a period of significant growth and transformation, and how stewardship works in practice in a community like the Lovett community.

Learn more about Lovett's Centennial celebration here: https://www.lovett100.org/

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S10E5 Some of the most essential experiences of Lovett started under the tenure Jim Hendrix (Head of School, 1991-2003.) The four days in the Pisgah wilderness at the end of junior year (fondly known as JOE); the distinctive American Studies program; Siempre Verde; and what's now known as the Learning Lab all had their start during these years.

It's Heads of School Week on the Living Lovett podcast. Dr. Hendrix joins Jessica Sant, Associate Head of School at The Lovett School to talk about his 50 years in education, and to learn about Dr. Hendrix's experience at Lovett. Generous with credit and quick with a story, Jim reminds us that a school's best traditions often start with a bold idea and someone willing to support it.

Learn more about Lovett's Centennial celebration here: https://www.lovett100.org/

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S10E4 When Christina Dahabreh arrived on the riverbank as a sixth grader, she had to adjust: harder classes, new expectations, and new classmates who were not yet friends. But then, just seven years later, Christina received the Eva Edwards Lovett Founder's Medal, our highest honor for a senior. She also left behind a legacy of clubs that hadn't existed before, a class that felt like family, and a clearer path for the girls coming behind her.

This season of the Living Lovett podcast is celebrating Lovett's Centennial. Christina Dahabreh, a member of the Class of 2026, joins Jessica Sant, Associate Head at The Lovett School, to talk about what life was like at Lovett, and what it means to graduate in Lovett's Centennial year. Christina has firsthand experience in the power of a whole child education, and shares her insights on resiliency, success, and creating opportunity. Today, Christina is a first-year student at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Listen to Christina's graduation speech here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZp7kPni1it/

Learn more about Lovett's Centennial celebration here: https://www.lovett100.org/

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S10E3 A new building is taking shape in the heart of Lovett's campus, named for one of our own. Rita Anne Rollins, the eldest child of Randall and Peggy Rollins, was a member of the Class of 1972, whose years at Lovett were cut short. Her brother and sisters, Pam, Tim, and Amy, all went on to graduate from Lovett, and through their generosity, Rita Anne's name will rest at the center of our campus in the place where generations of students will gather, learn, and grow.

Lovett's Chief Advancement Officer Matt Gould joins Jessica Sant, Associate Head of School and host of Living Lovett, to discuss how a transformational gift makes Rita Anne Rollins Hall possible. Matt and Jessica also talk about what philanthropy does for a school like Lovett, and how families can get involved.

• Reach out to Matt Gould: matt.gould@lovett.org
• Learn more about Lovett's Centennial celebration here: https://www.lovett100.org/
• Make a gift to Lovett here: https://www.lovett.org/support

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S10E2 Some friendships start on a playground. The Little Lovett friendship of Fontaine Draper and Alan Elsas began on a first-grade stage, with one classmate in rabbit ears and the other playing the rabbit's mother. Now, just over 70 years later, Fontaine and Alan join Associate Head of School Jessica Sant on the Living Lovett podcast to offer a tour of what Lovett was like when it was under the leadership of Eva Edwards Lovett.

As Lovett celebrates 100 years, this conversation will revisit the days of the long, low white schoolhouse on West Westley; flower walks and birdwatching; strict student government meetings; and a picture of Eva Edwards Lovett from the perspective of young students.

With a lifelong friendship full of warmth and affection, Fontaine and Alan are fantastic tour guides of Lovett's early days.

Learn more about Lovett's Centennial celebration here: https://www.lovett100.org/

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S10E1 Who is Eva Edwards Lovett? When we talk about whole child education, we are describing her approach to teaching. Every day on this campus, in classrooms, on the fields, and along the river, we live out ideas she set in motion a century ago. And yet for many of us, Eva Edwards Lovett remains a name we know far better than the woman behind it. Season 10 of Living Lovett is here, and as we celebrate the Lovett Centennial, Dr. Wade Morris (Chair, Upper School History Department) joins Associate Head of School Jessica Sant to answer the critical question, who is Eva Edwards Lovett?

This episode explores Mrs. Lovett's life; her beliefs about how children learn and grow; the story of the school's founding; and the ways her influence still shapes daily life at Lovett one hundred years later. You will leave this episode with a greater understanding of our founder and our school, and with a deeper understanding of how we became distinctly Lovett.

Learn more about Lovett at 100 here: https://www.lovett100.org/

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S9E6 What does meaningful parent partnership look like when it's working? In the Season 9 finale of Living Lovett, host Jessica Sant sits down with Lovett Parent Association (LPA) co-presidents Alice Sheets and Malvika Jhangiani: two busy parents who will tell you that saying yes before you're ready turned out to be one of the best decisions they made.

Alice and Malvika reflect on what surprised them most about leading the LPA, how CliftonStrengths gave them a common language before they'd spent a single hour working together, and how practicing difficult conversations shaped the way they showed up all year long. They talk about what it meant to put their names on Lovett's first-ever parent engagement survey, the listening sessions happening across campus this spring, and why they believe the most powerful thing a parent can do is both make their voice heard and trust the process.

They also have a message for every Lovett parent who's been on the fence about getting involved but maybe thought they were too busy or weren't sure their skills could be useful.

More about Lovett Parent Engagement here: https://www.lovett.org/community/parent-engagement

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-lovett/id1615890178Apple Podcasts, https://open.spotify.com/show/0G8b5SaOxXBYdJE7pyy8yZSpotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.lovett.org/https://www.lovett.org/ for more information. Lovett is on https://www.facebook.com/TheLovettSchoolFacebook, https://www.instagram.com/thelovettschool/Instagram, and https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-lovett-school/LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S9E5 What would it mean for every person on a school campus—the teacher, the department chair, the custodian, the grounds crew—to end the year knowing that someone truly saw them? Not through a trinket or a mass email, but something personal, specific, and lasting. It turns out the answer might be as simple as a handwritten note—and at Lovett, a team of colleagues decided to find out.

In this episode of Living Lovett, host Jessica Sant sits down with Vanessa Boone, K–5 Design and Engineering teacher in the Lower School Innovation Lab, and Dr. Lindsay Samson, Middle School Department Chair for World Languages, who together co-chair Lovett's 26-person Employee Engagement Working Team. This year, that team set out to answer a question many organizations never think to ask: How do our people actually want to be recognized? They surveyed the community, dug into the data, and built something real around what they found.

You'll hear Vanessa and Lindsay unpack the meaningful difference between recognition and reward, what surprised them in the pulse survey results, and how a brainstormed idea became a schoolwide campaign connecting parents, faculty, and staff. This episode brings home how recognition and engagement help make Lovett the place that it is.

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-lovett/id1615890178Apple Podcasts, https://open.spotify.com/show/0G8b5SaOxXBYdJE7pyy8yZSpotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.lovett.org/https://www.lovett.org/ for more information. Lovett is on https://www.facebook.com/TheLovettSchoolFacebook, https://www.instagram.com/thelovettschool/Instagram, and https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-lovett-school/LinkedIn. Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email host Jessica Sant.

S9E4 What does it look like when a leader pours herself fully into a place — and leaves it fundamentally better than she found it? In this episode of Living Lovett, Jessica Sant sits down with Associate Head of School Chelle Wabrek to celebrate seven years of growth, impact, and deep investment in The Lovett School community.

Chelle reflects on what drew her to Lovett, what she learned about herself through unexpected leadership roles, and why she believes the most important thing a leader can do is slow down and have more conversations. She shares how working alongside Head of School Meredyth Cole shaped her approach to leadership, what it has meant to teach seniors in the Ethical Leadership class, and how her time here has prepared her to step into her new role as Head of School at Mary Institute and Country Day School in St. Louis.

Listen to Ethical Leadership students Will and Ford on Living Lovett here: https://sites.libsyn.com/401270/site/finding-their-voices-two-lovett-seniors-on-trust-freedom-and-leading-with-integrity

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S9E3 What does it take to lead when the path forward isn't what you planned? In this episode of Living Lovett, Josh Moore '15 shares his journey from Lovett student to serving as President of the Black Alumni Council and being an Account Manager at Lockton Companies—a path shaped by unexpected setbacks, bold choices, and the confidence to say yes even when he wasn't sure he was ready.

Host Jessica Sant sits down with Josh to explore how his Lovett experience prepared him not just academically, but with the mindset that helped him navigate new communities, lead teams, and ultimately find his way back to serve the school that shaped him. Josh also reflects on his decision to attend Hampton University, an HBCU, and how that experience deepened his understanding of himself and what it means to lead.

This episode not only contains lessons for current Lovett students about finding and fulfilling opportunities to lead, but what it's like to stay connected to the Lovett community a decade on and how a Lovett education can impact a person throughout their life.

Learn more about Alumni activities at Lovett: https://www.lovett.org/alumni

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S9E2 What happens when you remove the performance pressure and simply let two students explore each other's leadership journeys? In this episode of Living Lovett, you'll hear something different—seniors Will Byrne and Ford Tedder interview each other as part of their Ethical Leadership class, an assignment that asks them to reflect on their values, struggles, and growth as leaders.

Host Jessica Sant sets the stage by talking with both students about the Ethical Leadership class—a distinctive senior course facilitated by Lovett Head of School Meredyth Cole, Associate Head Chelle Wabrek, and Coach Orien Harris. Then the conversation shifts to Will and Ford as they take turns interviewing each other, unscripted and unpolished.

You'll hear Will and Ford explore what it means to lead by example rather than by volume, the power of improvisation in jazz and in life, and the profound lessons they both have learned across their time at Lovett. Will shares his journey of discovering faith at Lovett and becoming a section leader in the rhythm section of Ellington Jazz Ensemble. Ford reflects on his path from quiet presence to head swim captain and inaugural varsity water polo state champion.

Their honest conversation about struggle, growth, and whole child education offers a window into how Lovett develops young leaders—not through lectures, but through lived experience, meaningful dialogue, and the freedom to become their full selves. Stay until the end to hear both students answer the question we ask every guest: What does Living Lovett mean to you?

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S9E1 Curious about what really happens behind the scenes in Lovett's admission process? In this Season 9 premiere of Living Lovett, you'll hear directly from the people who welcome families into our community every day: Dr. Tim Pitchford (Senior Director of Admission and Financial Aid), Virginia French (Lower School Associate Director), Jack Parrish (Middle School Associate Director), and Carolina Clark (Admissions Associate).

As the application deadline approaches, host Jessica Sant sits down with the entire team to explore the questions families are asking—from what matters most in an application to how Lovett's whole child approach shows up from the very first interaction. They share what makes Lovett's process distinctive: a genuine commitment to knowing each child and family beyond test scores and transcripts, looking for consistency across every element of the application rather than isolated moments in time.

You'll hear about the professionals who choose to work with middle schoolers because they love that age, the power of having educators leading admission conversations, and what Virginia, a Lovett lifer, means when she says this place "shines brightest when things are hard." Regardless of where your Lovett journey may be starting, this conversation offers an honest look at how we welcome families—and why being seen, known, and loved from the moment you step on campus isn't just a tagline, but a lived experience.

Learn more about Admission at Lovett here: https://www.lovett.org/admission

Living Lovett is the award nominated podcast hosted by Jessica Sant. Find Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

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 in educational settings.

Dr. Hicks shares stories of teaching dignity to children, the importance of recognizing and addressing dignity violations, and the distinction between dignity and respect. The conversation highlights practical strategies for parents, educators, and leaders to create cultures of recognition and compassion, emphasizing that dignity work is a slow, ongoing process that requires presence, self-reflection, and a commitment to higher ground.

More about Donna Hicks, PhD: https://drdonnahicks.com/

Discover Dr. Hicks' books: https://drdonnahicks.com/#books

We thank you for the incredible feedback from this season of Living Lovett. Planning is already underway for our next season. Stay tuned! Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

S8E8 How does the parent perspective fit in with The Lovett School's 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 committed to Lovett serving students in the best way possible for generations to come.

If you are interested in how much impact parents have on how Lovett approaches whole child education and how Lovett is delivering on its values, this episode is for you.

Mentioned on the episode: Listen to some student participants of Challenge Success, including the "I Wish" exercise: https://sites.libsyn.com/401270/the-students-of-challenge-success-at-lovett

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

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 Lovett 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 Episcopal school, the significance of honoring dignity and diversity, and the value of fostering resilience and authentic self-knowledge in students. The conversation also explores the partnership between families and the school, the challenges and rewards of letting students experience "healthy failure," and the enduring impact of strong relationships and community connection.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

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 small, intentional changes with screens and other digital tools, such as being present, setting boundaries, and fostering resilience can make a significant difference in children's well-being.

Learn more about Teddi Bair and her counseling in Atlanta, GA: https://www.teddibair.com/

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

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 transparency, intentionality, and personal growth. By leveraging strengths-based development and comprehensive feedback from all stakeholders, Lovett has fostered a more engaged, self-aware, and collaborative environment, setting a model for holistic educational success.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

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 environments that prioritize wellness over punishment. His conversation with Lovett Chief Engagement Officer and Living Lovett host Jessica Sant emphasizes the importance of proactive education, community support, and providing healthy outlets for competitive energy, ultimately highlighting hope and resilience in recovery.

• Saul Malek will be speaking at Lovett in January 2026
• Learn more about Saul at his website: https://www.saulmalek.com/
• Watch Dr. Timothy Fong discuss Understanding the Gambling Brain on YouTube

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.

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 meals, and how parents can foster a positive food environment even if they lacked healthy models growing up.

Have more questions for Colleen? Colleen's profile on the Piedmont Pediatrics is here.

Listen to award nominated podcast Living Lovett on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Visit The Lovett School website https://www.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.