Getting Smart Podcast

On this episode of Catching Up, hosts Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia dive into key topics shaping education in 2026. From the rise of AI in classrooms and concerns about its regulation to a deep dive into the potential of scholastic journalism as a tool for real-world learning, they explore how education can foster connection, critical thinking, and creativity. The duo also shares their top 10 pr...

In the latest episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with education leader Richard Carranza, Chief Strategy and Global Development Officer at IXL. Together, they explore transformative topics like the growing role of AI in education, the enduring importance of arts in identity development, and how personalized learning tools are shaping classrooms of the future. Carranza em...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen engages with Wangchuck Wangchuck and Tashi Dendup to explore Bhutan's innovative approach to learner-centered practices. Learn how Bhutan connects education with its community, culture, and environment to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and sustainability. Through a whole-school approach, Bhutan is not only enhancing student eng...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast,  Tom Vander Ark  sits down with  Diane Tavenner , founder and CEO of Futre, and  Marshawn Brown , a student user of the platform. Together, they discuss how Futre empowers students to explore diverse career pathways with transparency and dignity. From personalized career exploration and work-based learning integration to long-term tools for student suc...

In this dual-episode podcast,  Tom Vander Ark  of Getting Smart and  Ben Kornell  of EdTech Insiders dive into the transformative year of 2025 in education and share bold predictions for 2026. They explore how AI-driven innovations, work-based learning, and personalized education models are reshaping teaching and learning. From the rise of AI-forward schools to the impact of generative AI on tradi...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Nate McClennen is joined by Dr. Brent Maddin of the Next Education Workforce Initiative at ASU Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and Dr. Rebecca Hutchinson, superintendent at Concord Community Schools in Michigan. Together, they explore the transformative potential of team-based teaching models that reimagine the traditional "one teacher, one class...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Dr. Kenny Rodriguez, Superintendent of Grandview School District in Kansas City, shares how his district has embraced real-world learning and innovative pathways to drive student success. From his early work with Big Picture Learning in Tulsa to leading regional collaborations with neighboring districts, Dr. Rodriguez discusses the importance of breaki...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Mason Pashia sits down with Amara Nwuneli, the Africa 2025 Earth Prize regional winner, to discuss her inspiring work tackling urban climate challenges in Lagos, Nigeria. Amara shares how her project, The Green Sustainability Hub, integrates sustainable infrastructure into underserved communities by transforming waste into green spaces. From her e...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen sits down with Fernande Raine, founder of the History CoLab, to explore the critical role of civics and humanities in shaping the future of education and empowering young people. They discuss the intersection of crises—disconnection, democracy challenges, and AI disruption—and how these challenges demand a reinvention of civic education....

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we sit down with Elliot Haspel, a nationally recognized child and family policy expert and author of Crawling Behind: America's Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It  and  Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Why Every American Has a Stake in Childcare for All . Together, we explore why universal childcare is not just a family issue but a societal one, rooted in...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia dives into the critical importance of elevating  youth voice and agency in shaping the future of education. Joined by Izumi Vasquez, a recent Harvard graduate and UNICEF Youth Foresight Fellow, alongside Caitlyn McCurn and Shai Naides of UNICEF, the conversation explores how young leaders are reimagining educational systems to be more equi...

In the latest episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia dive into a dynamic mix of topics shaping the future of learning and beyond. From exploring early reading development and its ties to brain pathways, to addressing the ethical concerns around AI and student surveillance, this episode balances critical education insights with thought-provoking discussions. The hosts...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers sits down with Jen Chow, co-founder and COO of Polygence, Rahul Patel, founder of Hypothesis to Hardware, and Zohra Khawaja, founder of Hearts Against Homelessness, to explore how equitable mentorship and personalized learning systems can empower students to thrive. The conversation delves into the transformative power of mentorship w...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with Dr. Doug Fisher to discuss the new book,  Teaching Students to Use AI Ethically and Responsibly . Together, they explore the critical need for AI literacy in schools and how educators can teach  about ,  for , and  with  AI to prepare students for a computational future. Dr. Fisher emphasizes the importance of fostering cu...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Rebecca Midles sits down with Pam Moran, Ira David Socol, and Liz Calvert to explore how educational leaders are transforming traditional teaching and assessment into meaningful, student-centered learning experiences. Drawing from their new book,  Real Learning, Real Accomplishment , the conversation dives into the power of mastery learning, systemic c...

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with Dr. Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden, authors of  Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World . They explore how innovation mindsets, creative problem-solving, and AI as a co-intelligence tool can empower anyone to tackle complex challenges. Drawing from their experiences at...

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Jenny Curtin, Director of Education at the Barr Foundation, shares her insights on reimagining high schools to create equitable, future-ready opportunities for all students. Jenny discusses her work leading transformative education initiatives across New England, including designing new high school models, investing in educators, and building public wi...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark speaks with Paul Benedict, associate professor and executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Ohio University, about their groundbreaking AI initiative. In just two years, the College of Business transformed how students think about AI, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem-solving. From rapid prototyping workshops to AI...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark sits down with Dr. Ronald Dahl, a distinguished pediatrician and developmental scientist from UC Berkeley, to explore the transformative potential of adolescence. Together, they discuss why adolescence is not just a period of vulnerability but also a dynamic window of opportunity for learning, growth, and authentic contribution. Dr. Dahl...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Rebecca Midles sits down with Jon Alfuth and Julianna Charles Brown from KnowledgeWorks to explore the "how" behind transforming education systems. The conversation dives deep into the importance of state policy frameworks, personalized learning, and competency-based education to create future-ready systems. They discuss the role of a shared vision, li...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Jeanine Collins, co-founder and Chief Impact Officer of the Center for the Future of Learning joins to share how Nevada is transforming its education system through bold partnerships, learner-centered design, and the arts. This episode dives into her journey from classroom teaching to leading statewide initiatives that redefine success for students thr...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Tony Wagner and Dr. Ulrik Christensen to dive into their new book,  Mastery: Why Deeper Learning is Essential in the Age of Distraction.  Together, they unpack the concept of mastery learning, why it matters in today's rapidly changing world, and how it connects to deeper learning and student agency. The conversation hig...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen sits down with Matt Bowman, co-founder of Open Ed, to explore how unbundled learning and personalized education are transforming the future of learning. They discuss Open Ed's innovative approach to blending public and private education systems, the role of competency-based learning, and how families can become education designers for th...

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark speaks with Dr. Isaac Agbeshie-Noye, Program Director for Widening Pathways at the SHRM Foundation. They discuss the concept of a skills-first future and how it can unlock potential and economic mobility through inclusive hiring practices. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning skills with workforce needs, the role of AI...

In this episode of Catching Up, Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia dive into the latest innovations shaping the future of learning. From Alpha School's groundbreaking two-hour AI-driven learning model to the rise of ambient AI that integrates seamlessly into our everyday lives, this conversation explores the intersection of technology, education, and human connection. They also reflect on the importa...