PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: August 19, 2026
Last Updated: August 19, 2026

Courageous Conversations About Our Schools (“Courageous Conversations,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how personal information may be collected, used, disclosed, and otherwise processed when you visit schoolconversations.org (the “Website”), subscribe to communications, submit information through Website forms, submit an impact story or other material, access podcast or media content, participate in an event or program, or otherwise interact with Courageous Conversations.

The Website supports an educational podcast and media initiative founded and hosted by Ken Futernick. It includes podcast episodes, educational resources, transcripts, downloadable materials, events, mailing-list signup, contact information, and opportunities to submit stories and other information.

1. Information We May Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with Courageous Conversations.

Information You Provide Directly

We may receive information you voluntarily provide, including:

  • name;

  • email address;

  • telephone number, if provided;

  • organization, school, district, or professional affiliation;

  • job title or role;

  • communications, questions, or feedback;

  • mailing-list subscription information;

  • media or interview inquiries;

  • consulting or speaking inquiries;

  • event-related information;

  • impact stories;

  • testimonials;

  • photographs, recordings, or other materials you submit;

  • information supplied in connection with podcast participation, research, programs, or collaborations; and

  • other information you choose to provide.

Please do not submit highly sensitive personal information unless it is reasonably necessary for your interaction with Courageous Conversations.

2. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Website or interact with digital Content, Squarespace and other technology providers may automatically collect technical and usage information through cookies, server logs, and similar technologies.

This may include:

  • Internet Protocol (IP) address;

  • browser type;

  • device type;

  • operating system;

  • pages viewed;

  • links clicked;

  • referring website or page;

  • date and time of access;

  • approximate geographic information derived from an IP address; and

  • other Website interaction information.

3. Squarespace and Website Hosting

The Website is built and hosted using Squarespace infrastructure.

Squarespace and related technology providers may process information in connection with:

  • Website hosting;

  • security;

  • fraud prevention;

  • Website functionality;

  • forms;

  • analytics;

  • performance monitoring; and

  • troubleshooting.

Squarespace processes information according to its own privacy practices.

4. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Website may use cookies, server logs, and similar technologies.

Depending on the Website configuration, these technologies may be used to:

  • provide essential Website functionality;

  • maintain security;

  • remember preferences;

  • understand Website traffic;

  • measure Website performance;

  • identify technical problems; and

  • improve Website usability.

You may generally manage cookies through your browser settings.

Disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality.

If Courageous Conversations later adds advertising pixels or additional tracking technologies, this Privacy Policy should be updated to accurately reflect those practices and any applicable privacy choices.

5. Mailing List and Email Communications

The Website allows visitors to join a mailing list for episode alerts and other updates concerning education and the issues covered by Courageous Conversations.

When you subscribe, we or our email service providers may process information such as:

  • name, if requested;

  • email address;

  • subscription date;

  • delivery information;

  • email opens;

  • links clicked;

  • device or browser information; and

  • unsubscribe activity.

We may use this information to:

  • deliver requested communications;

  • announce new episodes or series;

  • share educational resources;

  • provide event or program updates;

  • understand engagement with our communications; and

  • administer our subscriber list.

You may unsubscribe from promotional or newsletter emails using the unsubscribe mechanism included in those communications.

6. Contact, Media, Consulting, and Speaking Inquiries

The Website provides contact information for media inquiries and also promotes consulting and speaking activities.

When you contact Courageous Conversations, Ken Futernick, or another team member regarding an interview, consulting engagement, speaking opportunity, collaboration, event, or other matter, we may use the information you provide to:

  • respond to your inquiry;

  • determine availability;

  • discuss potential services or collaborations;

  • coordinate an interview or event;

  • prepare proposals or agreements;

  • communicate regarding logistics;

  • maintain appropriate professional records; and

  • follow up regarding your request.

7. Impact Stories and Other Submissions

The Website may invite users to submit impact stories, testimonials, recommendations, feedback, or other materials. The Reading series, for example, invites visitors to share stories about how the project has sparked change in schools or communities.

Information submitted may include:

  • your name;

  • email address;

  • organization or location;

  • information about a school or community;

  • personal experiences;

  • quotations;

  • photographs;

  • stories about other individuals; and

  • other information included in the submission.

We may use submissions to:

  • review and evaluate stories;

  • contact you for additional information;

  • consider submissions for publication;

  • develop educational or promotional Content;

  • document project impact; and

  • communicate about related initiatives.

Submitting information does not guarantee that it will be published or used.

Where a submission may be publicly attributed to you or another identifiable person, separate permission may be obtained where appropriate or legally required.

8. Information About Other People

Some submissions may contain information concerning students, educators, public officials, colleagues, community members, or other individuals.

When submitting information about another person, please provide only information that you have a legitimate reason and appropriate authority to provide.

Do not submit:

  • Social Security numbers;

  • financial-account information;

  • passwords or access credentials;

  • confidential student records;

  • private medical records;

  • sensitive personal contact information intended to remain private; or

  • information you are legally prohibited from disclosing.

9. Students and Minors

Courageous Conversations addresses issues involving schools and may feature students, including minors. The Website also identifies a high-school student among its advisory-board perspectives and publishes conversations involving students.

The Website is not directed to children under 13 for the purpose of collecting their personal information without appropriate adult involvement.

Where a minor participates in an interview, recording, event, submission, or other identifiable Content, parental, guardian, school, or other appropriate authorization may be obtained where required.

If you believe personal information from a child under 13 has been submitted inappropriately, please contact us so the matter can be reviewed.

10. Podcast, Video, and Media Platforms

Courageous Conversations distributes Content through third-party services including podcast and media platforms.

The Website currently links listeners to platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, TuneIn, and other services.

When you access Content through one of these platforms, the platform may independently collect information such as:

  • account information;

  • IP address;

  • device information;

  • listening or viewing activity;

  • search and interaction information;

  • approximate location;

  • advertising identifiers; and

  • other usage information.

Those providers process information according to their own privacy policies and account settings.

Courageous Conversations does not control information independently collected by third-party platforms.

11. Analytics

Courageous Conversations and its service providers may use Website, podcast, email, and engagement analytics to understand matters such as:

  • Website traffic;

  • episode downloads or plays;

  • general audience geography;

  • device or platform usage;

  • email engagement;

  • Content performance; and

  • audience interaction.

We may use this information to understand our audience and improve future programming, educational resources, communications, and Website functionality.

12. Events, Programs, and Collaborations

Courageous Conversations may organize, participate in, or promote events, educational initiatives, community programs, research projects, consulting engagements, or collaborations.

When you participate in one of these activities, additional information may be collected, such as:

  • registration information;

  • professional affiliation;

  • attendance information;

  • accessibility needs;

  • event communications;

  • photographs or recordings where appropriate; and

  • other information necessary to administer the activity.

Specific events may have additional registration notices, consent forms, media releases, or privacy disclosures.

13. Photographs, Audio, and Video

Courageous Conversations may produce photographs, podcast recordings, video recordings, interviews, event recordings, or other audiovisual Content.

Where legally required or appropriate, participants may be asked to provide separate consent or sign a media or appearance release.

Private submission of a photograph, recording, or personal communication does not automatically mean it will be publicly published where additional permission is required.

14. Downloadable Resources and Media Kits

The Website makes resources available for download, including study guides and media kits.

Depending on how these resources are delivered, the Website or service provider may collect general technical information relating to downloads, such as IP address, browser type, or page interaction.

If a resource requires registration or an email address before access, information submitted at that point will be used as described at the time of collection and under this Policy.

15. How We May Use Personal Information

We may use personal information to:

  • operate and maintain the Website;

  • produce and distribute Courageous Conversations Content;

  • respond to inquiries;

  • administer mailing-list subscriptions;

  • send episode announcements and updates;

  • review impact stories and other submissions;

  • coordinate interviews;

  • administer events and programs;

  • provide consulting or speaking information;

  • manage collaborations and partnerships;

  • understand audience engagement;

  • improve Content, programs, and Website functionality;

  • maintain security;

  • prevent fraud or misuse;

  • maintain appropriate organizational and professional records;

  • comply with legal obligations;

  • enforce applicable agreements or policies; and

  • establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

We may also use aggregated or deidentified information that does not reasonably identify an individual.

16. How Information May Be Disclosed

We may disclose information to providers and professionals that support Courageous Conversations, including providers of:

  • Website hosting;

  • forms;

  • email communications;

  • podcast hosting and distribution;

  • analytics;

  • cloud storage;

  • event technology;

  • media production;

  • communications;

  • information technology; and

  • professional services.

Information may also be disclosed:

  • when you direct or authorize us to do so;

  • where reasonably necessary to produce Content in which you agreed to participate;

  • where reasonably necessary to administer an event, program, collaboration, or professional engagement;

  • when required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process;

  • when reasonably necessary to protect Courageous Conversations, participants, Website users, or others;

  • to investigate suspected fraud, security incidents, or unlawful activity;

  • to enforce an agreement; or

  • to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

17. Sponsors, Funders, and Partner Organizations

Courageous Conversations may work with sponsors, funders, schools, nonprofit organizations, researchers, consultants, or other partners.

We do not automatically provide partners with unrestricted access to personal information merely because they support or collaborate with the project.

Information may be shared with a partner when:

  • necessary to administer a jointly operated project;

  • you have been informed of the disclosure;

  • you direct or consent to the disclosure;

  • information is aggregated or deidentified; or

  • another lawful basis applies.

Partner organizations maintain their own privacy practices when they independently process personal information.

18. Sale or Sharing of Personal Information

Based on the practices described in this Privacy Policy, Courageous Conversations does not sell personal information for monetary consideration.

The Website is not currently described in this Policy as using personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

If advertising technologies are introduced in the future that materially change these practices, this Privacy Policy and any legally required privacy mechanisms should be updated.

19. California Privacy Rights

Courageous Conversations is based in California.

California residents may have privacy rights under California law depending on the nature of the information, the entity processing it, and whether applicable statutory thresholds are met.

Where applicable, those rights may include the right to:

  • request information about certain personal information collected;

  • request access to certain personal information;

  • request correction of inaccurate information;

  • request deletion of certain information;

  • obtain information concerning certain disclosures;

  • opt out of certain sales or sharing where applicable; and

  • exercise applicable privacy rights without unlawful discrimination.

These rights are subject to applicable thresholds, verification requirements, limitations, and statutory exceptions.

The California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CCPA”), does not apply to every organization or business. Nothing in this Privacy Policy represents that Courageous Conversations is necessarily a covered business under the CCPA unless the applicable legal requirements are met.

20. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

Retention may reflect needs relating to:

  • mailing-list administration;

  • communication history;

  • podcast production;

  • submitted stories and editorial records;

  • event administration;

  • consulting and professional inquiries;

  • organizational records;

  • security;

  • dispute resolution;

  • legal compliance; and

  • establishing, exercising, or defending legal claims.

Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information.

21. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative and technical practices designed to protect information under our control.

However, no Website, email system, online form, podcast platform, electronic transmission, or information-storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Third-party providers are responsible for the security practices applicable to information they independently process.

22. Third-Party Websites and Resources

The Website contains links to news organizations, schools, research institutions, podcast platforms, social-media services, reports, books, educational resources, partner organizations, and other third-party websites.

Third parties operate independently and may collect information according to their own privacy policies.

Courageous Conversations does not control their independent privacy, security, or data-processing practices.

We encourage visitors to review third-party privacy policies before providing personal information.

23. Social Media

Courageous Conversations may distribute Content and interact with audiences through social-media platforms.

When you follow, comment on, share, message, or otherwise interact with Courageous Conversations through a social-media service, that platform may independently process information about you.

Your account settings and the platform's own privacy policy govern that processing.

24. International Visitors

The Website and Courageous Conversations are based in the United States.

If you access the Website from outside the United States, information may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in the United States or other jurisdictions where service providers operate.

Privacy laws in those jurisdictions may differ from the laws where you live.

25. Do Not Track and Privacy Preference Signals

Some browsers provide “Do Not Track” or other privacy preference mechanisms.

Because there is not a uniform technical or legal standard applicable to every browser signal, the Website may not respond to all such signals.

Where applicable law requires recognition of a legally valid privacy preference or opt-out signal, Courageous Conversations will endeavor to comply with that requirement.

26. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes to the Website, Content, technology, programs, service providers, submission practices, or applicable legal requirements.

The “Last Updated” date above identifies the most recent revision.

27. Contact

Questions, concerns, or privacy-related requests may be directed to:

Courageous Conversations About Our Schools
Ken Futernick, Founder & Host
Email: ken@courageousconversations.org
Website: schoolconversations.org