Compassionate Challenge with Sarah Rose Cavanagh

Today our guest is Dr. Sarah Rose Cavanagh, psychologist, educator, and author specializing in the science of emotion, motivation, and learning. As Senior Associate Director for Teaching and Learning at Simmons University in Boston, she blends empirical research with practical strategies to help teachers, leaders, and teams navigate the emotional dynamics of classrooms and workplaces. Her writing spans several widely praised books—including Mind Over Monsters, Hivemind, and The Spark of Learning, and essays for Psychology Today, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Literary Hub. A sought-after speaker, she delivers keynote addresses and workshops internationally on topics ranging from emotional engagement to compassionate approaches for supporting mental health and effective learning. Sara’s work challenges conventional pedagogy by foregrounding emotion as a driver of motivation and retention, urging educators to cultivate environments that balance compassion with challenge. And we are delighted to have Dr. Cavanagh on the show to discuss mental health days, the role of so-called negative emotion in learning, and we need joy in our teaching.