Episode:
38
guest episode
July 10, 2025
Sunil Singh: The Mathematics of the Good Life
Mental Health Education
Human Flourishing & Education
Math Education
Listen or watch on your favourite platform
In this engaging conversation, Sunil discusses his journey from a traditional math teacher to an advocate for a more humanistic approach to mathematics education. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling, curiosity, and play in learning, and how these elements can transform the way mathematics is taught. Sunil also highlights the need to reintroduce the history of mathematics and its connection to the humanities, arguing that math education should prioritize human flourishing. He shares insights from his experiences and introduces the Global Math Summit, aimed at fostering a collaborative environment for educators to reimagine math instruction.
book recommendations
- Mathematics for Human Flourishing by Francis Su
- A deeply philosophical and accessible book that explores how math can support human virtues like curiosity, play, and justice.
podcast recommendations
- Make Math Moments with Kyle Pierce and Jon Orr
- A Canadian podcast focused on math education strategies, pedagogy, and innovation. Sunil has been a guest multiple times.
- Debate Math with Chris Luzniak and Rob Baier
- A podcast where math educators debate current issues in math education, encouraging critical thinking and dialogue.
About The Guest
Sunil Singh
Sunil Singh is an author, storyteller, and a porous mathematics educator. His passion lies in championing rich mathematics with historical narratives that span all cultures, races, and civilizations.
In this over 100 keynotes, presentations, and workshops throughout the world, his mission has been for teachers, students, and parents to see that mathematics is a humanizing endeavor which has been responsible for nurturing and sustaining curiosity in all of us.
Some of the unique places he has presented include The Museum of Mathematics, The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and The Italian Cultural Institute in New York. In 2021, he was invited by the United States National Commission on Mathematics Instruction to give a webinar on Culturally Responsive Mathematics. His fourth book, Sonic Seducer: Lust for Life With Our Heaviest Moments, Magic, and Memories of Rock and Roll, was a needed update of the history of rock and roll through a mathematical lens.
He is currently involved in co-authoring two books. Amoret in Wonderland: A Child’s Imaginative Journey Towards The Land of Algebra(Amoret Lyon) and The Curious Case of Mathematics, Mental Health and Curiosity(Dr. Gina Cherkowski). Both books will be out in 2026.
And finally, he is one of the co-organizers of a Global Math Summit in Sardinia, Italy in Fall 2025.
In this over 100 keynotes, presentations, and workshops throughout the world, his mission has been for teachers, students, and parents to see that mathematics is a humanizing endeavor which has been responsible for nurturing and sustaining curiosity in all of us.
Some of the unique places he has presented include The Museum of Mathematics, The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and The Italian Cultural Institute in New York. In 2021, he was invited by the United States National Commission on Mathematics Instruction to give a webinar on Culturally Responsive Mathematics. His fourth book, Sonic Seducer: Lust for Life With Our Heaviest Moments, Magic, and Memories of Rock and Roll, was a needed update of the history of rock and roll through a mathematical lens.
He is currently involved in co-authoring two books. Amoret in Wonderland: A Child’s Imaginative Journey Towards The Land of Algebra(Amoret Lyon) and The Curious Case of Mathematics, Mental Health and Curiosity(Dr. Gina Cherkowski). Both books will be out in 2026.
And finally, he is one of the co-organizers of a Global Math Summit in Sardinia, Italy in Fall 2025.
additional information
Choosing a New North Star for Mathematics
Episode Introduction and Guest Overview
Sunil Joins from Pickering, Ontario
Growing Up: From Tasmania to North York
Leaving Teaching at the Peak
Finding Voice Through Storytelling
The Magic of Free Childhood Play
The Mystery and Romance of Mathematics
Curiosity as a Measure of Student Well-Being
Math for Human Flourishing
Rediscovering the Roots of Math in the Humanities
The False Fluency of High Marks in Math
What a Flourishing Math Classroom Looks Like
Wonder, Curiosity, and Student Voice
The Hidden History of Math Education
Losing Wisdom and the Boring Curriculum Trap
Fluency Reimagined: Adding Historic and Contemporary
Jodie Foster’s French and the True Meaning of Fluency
Rethinking the Math Credentials Debate
Mutual Learning and Honesty in the Classroom
Redefining Play in Mathematics
The Etymology of “School” and “Silly”
Mental Health and Mathematical Wellness
Curiosity as a Proxy for Mental Health
The Spirituality of Mathematics
The Story of Sophie Germain
Humanizing Math Through Storytelling
Discovering the History of Zero
Negative Numbers and the Power of Early Conceptual Play
Preventing the Collapse of Mathematical Understanding
Introducing the Global Math Summit in Sardinia
Pietro Cataldi and Teaching Math in Italian
Changing the Vector of Mathematics
A New North Star for Math Education
Media Recommendations from Sunil Singh
Closing Reflections and Gratitude
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