142. Saying Yes to the Why Nots with Jon Acton

Life is full of surprises, and not all of them are good. But sometimes the challenges we go through are the catalyst for changing our lives and inspiring others to do the same.

That’s the case for Jon Acton, this week’s podcast guest. After a nearly 30-year career in education, Jon became a school superintendent in March 2020…just days before COVID hit and schools had to make a big left turn. Then a stage 3 cancer diagnosis changed the trajectory of everything for Jon.

Jon and two fellow educators received the same diagnosis within just 10 months of one another, and after one lost his battle, Jon and his cancer warrior friend decided to take action. They founded Broken Shells, which seeks to remind us all that we’re all “perfektly imperfekt” and that we should embrace the “why nots” in our lives.

Jon has created something out of adversity and I can see how it will inspire others to do the same. Listen in to this incredible story. 

Husband, dad, cancer fighter, author, creator of Broken Shells, former school superintendent, principal, teacher, coach.

• [1:40] - What has led Jon to be a beacon of inspiration
• [3:50] - What is Broken Shells
• [4:15] - Partners to Broken Shells
• [5:50] - Perfectly imperfect life stories - the idea behind broken shells
• [8:45] - We have invisible bubbles around us
• [9:40] - Our whys and our why nots
• [10:55] - When an opportunity arises, ask yourself why or why not
• [11:57] - Don’t let the “why not” sphere of time pass you by
• [13:25] - Table of influence
• [15:32] - Would you be at someone’s table of influence the way you’re living your life
• [16:14] - What’s next for Jon
• [18:59] - Turbo Time
• [19:59] - Your impact can influence others
• [21:22] - Jon’s Magic Wand
• [23:22] - Maureen’s Takeaways 

• Broken Shells
• Follow Broken Shells and Jon on Twitter
• Connect with Jon on LinkedIn
• Follow Broken Shells on Facebook
• Email Maureen

• Maureen’s TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

• The Education Evolution
• Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
• Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
• LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
• EdActive Collective
• Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids

• Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
• The Micro-School Coalition
• Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
• LEADPrep