When sixth graders in Shari Glidden’s class at Ponderosa Middle School logged into a Zoom call earlier this afternoon, they were eager to meet Flip Flippen, founder of Capturing Kids’ Hearts. Flippen is a New York Times best-selling author, social entrepreneur, psychotherapist, and the founder and chairman of Capturing Kids' Hearts.
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Though the Ponderosa students had never spoken with him before, Flippen was no stranger to them as his name, lessons, and positive messages have echoed throughout their classroom all year. Finally seeing the person behind the program that has shaped so many of their daily interactions brought excitement and curiosity to every student in the classroom who had various questions prepared for Flippen.
The call quickly became more than a simple question and answer and turned into an inspiring conversation about leadership, courage, forgiveness, and finding strength in challenges, all themes that have connected deeply with students and staff alike.
Flippen, who has worked with educators and leaders around the world, shared personal stories and lessons that encouraged students to look inward, value kindness and never underestimate the power of believing in themselves.
“I don’t care what your story is, or where you come from, you matter,” Flippen said. “You have the power to change someone’s day, or even someone’s life, just by the way you treat them.”
Throughout the video call, students leaned forward in their seats, asked thoughtful questions, and reflected on what leadership means at their age. Flippen explained leadership isn’t about being in charge, but about showing respect, courage and empathy.
“Carrying anger doesn’t hurt the person who hurt you,” Flippen said. “It hurts you. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay but it means you’re strong enough to move forward.”
For Mrs. Glidden’s class, the session wasn’t only about hearing from the founder of a company, it was about learning how to live out the same principles Capturing Kids’ Hearts emphasizes every day at Ponderosa: connection, responsibility, and character.
Flippen’s heartfelt words struck a chord with many students, including one student who shared how a lesson and story through CKH left him and many of his classmates in tears.
“Your story left a lot of us in tears and is something we remember every day when we are in class,” the Ponderosa student said.
Flippen was not shy to share his personal life and how he was raised in a home setting which was not pleasant.
Flippen has dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects his ability to understand and work with numbers. He struggled with it throughout his entire education because he was not diagnosed until he was 42 years old.
Ponderosa students left the video call with Flippen in awe but remembered the embrace they have for Glidden and their time this school year learning through CKH.
Capturing Kids' Hearts #KFCS #capturingkidshearts Flip Flippen
