The Purple Zone

Send us Fan Mail Do you know that AI is already integrated into nearly everything we do online? From the devices in our kids’ classrooms to the apps on our phones—artificial intelligence is part of daily life. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson to unpack what AI in education really means and where Idaho can go from here. Together, they trace the timeline of technology, social...

Send us Fan Mail Can you answer the following questions?  What is the number one responsibility of every school board?  What are the Five Big Governance Questions EVERY school board member should be able to answer? It’s election season for school board candidates…listen to learn what their real responsibilities are, what to look for as a voter, and why these local races matter so much. Listen to t...

Send us Fan Mail Conflict doesn’t have to divide us; it can be the wrestle that leads to deeper understanding and stronger communities. In this episode of The Purple Zone , Alexis reflects on her experiences moderating at voucher town halls across Idaho, where dignity has proven essential for meaningful dialogue. (This isn't a convo about vouchers, it's the takeaway from interacting with...

Send us Fan Mail Is AI the golden ticket for education—or a fast track to unintended consequences? In this episode of The Purple Zone , Alexis Morgan sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson, Head of National Education Partnership for Clever, who spends his days at the center of national and state conversations on AI and edtech. Together, they unpack the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in...

Send us Fan Mail This episode has been a long time coming—and one I’m beyond thrilled to share. I sit down with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, co-author of The Disengaged Teen (with Jenny Anderson) and Director of Universal Education and Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Winthrop’s work has shaped my own research in education policy, and this new book stopped...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever thought about your origin story—the moment that sparked your why in your community? And have you noticed we’re living in the future? Listen in to hear what I mean, and how your story connects to the policies shaping our schools, neighborhoods, and everyday lives. From school board decisions in a crowded convention hall to the hidden rules shaping our cities and schoo...

Send us Fan Mail Meta—the company behind Instagram and Facebook—is under fire for the harm its platforms cause kids. But instead of fixing the problem, Meta has launched a sophisticated campaign to protect its image and slow down regulation. In this episode of The Purple Zone , Alexis unpacks: How Meta funds parent and child safety groups —including the National PTA—to build trust with families. W...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back! In this season premiere, Alexis takes you on a quick journey of one of Idaho’s long-running education funding battles—stretching from the 1960s fight for a sales tax to today’s heated debates over vouchers. She'll revisit the Save Our Schools campaign that united teachers, parents, and school board trustees more than 55 years ago, and connect it to the 2025 town...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build a school culture that kids, teachers, and families all want to be part of? In this episode, I sit down with Tim Sperber, longtime educator, self-described Culture Keeper , and incoming superintendent of the Lewiston School District. With experience as an administrator at every level: elementary, middle, high school, and alternative. Tim shares what he&ap...

Send us Fan Mail A year in the making, I was fortunate to sit down with Tami Pyfer , co-creator of the Dignity Index , for a conversation that could truly change the way we engage with the world around us. The Dignity Index is more than a measurement—it’s a movement . It’s a tool for self-reflection and public dialogue that helps us recognize the tone and impact of how we communicate—especially wh...

Send us Fan Mail Explore how Troomi is helping parents stay connected while setting healthy boundaries—because safer tech leads to stronger families. " Troomi is the kids safe phone for digital wellness and positive mental health ."           --Bill Brady In this episode, I sat down with Bill Brady, co-founder and CEO of Troomi —a kid-safe smartphone alternative designed with both connec...

Send us Fan Mail What’s it really like to be an elementary school teacher in Idaho? In this episode, I chat with Teri Smith, a dedicated educator from the Middleton School District, about the joy, heart, challenges, and everyday realities of teaching. We talk about what it feels like walking into the classroom on the first day of school versus the last, how much goes into prepping for class, what...

Send us Fan Mail Join Alexis as she sits down with Jeff Simmons, Superintendent of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) , to explore the incredible opportunities this online school provides to students across Idaho. From elementary to high school, IDLA offers courses for students at every level, including summertime classes designed to combat the "summer slide." Not sure what the s...

Send us Fan Mail BONUS EPISODE! We welcome Jake Dempsey, a dedicated school board trustee for the Middleton School District. Jake joins us to discuss Middleton's efforts to pass a critical school bond in the upcoming May election — a feat that requires a supermajority of 66.67% voter approval , a notably high threshold to meet in Idaho. This won't be Middleton’s first attempt, but this t...

Send us Fan Mail Alexis sat down with Lance Hansen, the Superintendent of the Year, from Lewiston School District #1 . Lewiston is a community known for its collaborative spirit, and the school district plays a key role in this dynamic. Recently, Lance and the Vice President of the Lewiston School Board presented to the Senate Education Committee during the Idaho School Boards Association Day on t...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Marc Gee, Superintendent of Middleton School District, sits down with Alexis to dive into the important role of a superintendent and how Middleton is working to support its school community. In this conversation, Dr. Gee provides an in-depth look at the district’s upcoming bond request on the May 20th, 2025 ballot . He breaks down the details of the proposal, explaining what’s...

Send us Fan Mail Have you heard of PLCs? These Professional Learning Communities are transforming education by improving student outcomes, enhancing teaching experiences, and fostering stronger school cultures. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Emalee Merrell, Coordinator of Professional Learning Community and Tiered System of Supports from the Idaho Department of Education, to explore how Id...

Send us Fan Mail Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast , to discuss three critical topics impacting education in Idaho . First , they dive into the upcoming More Social Less Media Event —an opportunity for teenagers, parents, teachers, district administration, lawmakers, and school community members to come together on Saturday, April 26th, from 12PM - 4pm at Eagle High School...

Send us Fan Mail Alexis is joined by Audra Talley, board member of Homeschool Idaho , a homeschool parent, and a passionate advocate for educational choice. Together, they dive into the rich history of homeschooling in Idaho, the good and the ugly, exploring the state's unique approach to this educational model. DID You Know? Idaho has 9 school choice options ...and homeschooling is one of th...

Send us Fan Mail  Alexis welcomes Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff for Superintendent Debbie Critchfield of the Idaho Department of Education, to discuss the proposed changes to high school graduation requirements in Idaho . The conversation revolves around the process and rationale for these updates, which include replacing the speech credit with a digital literacy requirement. Greg outlines the proce...

Send us Fan Mail Join Alexis as she sits down with Dr. Megan Smith, Associate Professor in the School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University and Executive Director for Communities for Youth. Together, they explore the mission of Communities for Youth, which is to empower communities in promoting youth well-being. By taking an upstream prevention approach to youth mental health,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Jackie Yarbrough, Senior Program Officer of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, to explore how this unique foundation is transforming school communities across Idaho. While it may not seem typical for a health insurance company foundation to be involved in education, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation is deeply committed to improvi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Johnny Hullinger, the dynamic principal at Middleton High School, who is now embarking on his second year of leadership. Born and raised in Weiser, Idaho, Johnny embodies the Idaho ethos of strong community connection from the very start of his tenure. With a focused mission to enhance school culture, he has brought together a diverse group o...

Send us Fan Mail Special BONUS Episode :  Alexis dives into two pivotal concepts that are shaping the future of education in Idaho. First, she discusses the groundbreaking Tech Bill that has been gaining robust support statewide. Guest Matt Todd, known for hosting The Ranch podcast, authored this impactful legislation aimed at revolutionizing tech education to parents across every district and sch...

Send us Fan Mail In this eye-opening conversation, Alexis is joined by Tara Coffland and Kim Washington, founding members of the YouMeWeAll Boise (Youth Mental Wellness Alliance). This inspiring group was established after the heart-wrenching loss of four students to suicide within just one month (in 2023) in the Boise School District. Driven by their deep concern for the wellbeing of their childr...