Disrupt Education Podcast

In this recap episode of Disrupt Education, Alli Dahl and Peter Hostrawser reflect on their inspiring conversation with Dr. Sandra Adams. Sandra, a powerhouse educator and administrator at the Career Academy in Fort Wayne Community Schools, shared how a single “yes” from an administrator transformed her vision into an expansive program connecting students to businesses. Peter and Alli dive into ke...

Dr. Sandra Adams joins Alli and Peter to explore innovative strategies in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Sandra shares how shifting mindsets, embracing failures, and fostering student engagement can transform traditional learning. From her "figure it out" approach to collaborative problem-solving, to embedding technical vocabulary in meaningful contexts, Sandra highlights how her Career Aca...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, Peter and Alli dive into the transformative power of reimagining education. Inspired by Marc Isseks' insights from his book Captivate, they explore the “blank page” exercise—a strategy for educators to reset and innovate when feeling stuck. They discuss building grassroots movements by fostering small, creative tribes within schools and the importa...

Alli Dahl and Peter Hostrawser kick off 2025 with The Ultimate Educators series, featuring Marc Isseks, an administrator redefining education from within. In this episode, Marc shares his approach to captivating classrooms by embracing novelty, creativity, and a "get messy" mindset. From creating AI-driven lessons in real time to blending trebuchets and cultural competency, Marc’s anecdotes highli...

In this special year-end episode of Disrupt Education, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt reflect on an incredible 2024! From series like How to Disrupt Education, The Mindset of an Educational Disruptor, and The Why of a Disruptor, they revisit powerful conversations with innovative guests who challenged the status quo in education. Peter and Alli also share key lessons learned and how they’ve app...

In this episode, we recap an incredible series featuring thought leaders disrupting education. Mark Perna emphasized understanding and adapting to Gen Z's values, while Christine Cruzvergara highlighted the urgency of evolving career services to match today’s fast-paced world. Brooke Rice from NAF shared the transformative power of work-based learning and how to start small with strong community p...

In this episode, Peter and Alli explore how educators can transform their approach by embracing vulnerability, staying present, and bringing play into learning. Drawing from guest Jen’s skydiving experiences, they discuss how facing fear and being “in the moment” can lead to personal and educational growth. Key takeaways include the importance of self-awareness, allowing students to take ownership...

In this episode of Disrupt Education, we dive deep into embracing simplicity, letting go, and the surprising impact of skydiving on educational perspectives. Jen Sharp, a seasoned skydiving instructor and former drop zone owner, shares how “being lazy” isn’t about disengagement, but about efficient action and focusing on what truly matters. She challenges the fixation on solving every problem imme...

In this Disrupt Education episode, we explore how authentic, experience-based learning transforms students' academic journeys. We discuss how collaboration across different subjects and with real-world organizations can lead to meaningful, memorable education that moves beyond "checking boxes" and truly prepares students for the workforce. We highlight the role of school culture, the importance of...

In this episode, co-hosts Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt sit down with Dan Gonzalez, CEO and co-founder of District C, to discuss how his “Teamship” model is transforming education. Dan shares how District C connects high school students with real-world business challenges, equipping them with durable skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and effective communication. A former high schoo...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, co-hosts Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt dive deep into how community partnerships can transform educational experiences. They discuss the importance of work-based learning, highlighting how real-world exposure and internships can guide students toward career pathways. With guest insights from Brooke, they explore strategies for connecting studen...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, Brooke Rice from NAF discusses the power of work-based learning in helping students build aspirations, gain durable skills, and form critical social connections. She shares how NAF’s data-driven approach tracks student progress, encouraging intentional growth through exposure to real-world experiences. Brooke also highlights impactful stories of st...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, Peter and Alli dive deep into a conversation with Mark C. Perna about how small, meaningful changes can revolutionize education. They discuss the importance of understanding Gen Z, building relationships with students, and making learning relevant by always answering the "why." Mark emphasizes that disrupting education doesn't require massive uphea...

In this episode, we dive into the power of trusted networks in education with Christine Cruzvergara from Handshake. We explore how educators can disrupt traditional education models by leveraging relationships, technology, and real-world challenges. Christine shares how Handshake is leveling the playing field for students seeking career opportunities and how institutions can partner with tech comp...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, we sit down with Christine Cruzvergara, Chief Strategy Officer at Handshake. Christine shares her journey from higher education to leading in the tech space, emphasizing how change management and mentorship shaped her career. We dive into the evolving role of work-based learning and how platforms like Handshake and Riipen are transforming how stude...

In this episode of Disrupt Education, Peter and Alli recap their insightful conversation with Kevin Fleming. They discuss the dual approach to education reform, focusing on both grassroots and top-down efforts. Kevin emphasizes the need for internal champions and external agitators to drive meaningful change. The episode highlights the growing network of organizations like Catapult working to crea...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt dive into the importance of work-based learning and how it can transform education. Inspired by guest Kristy Volesky’s insights, they explore the pivotal role of middle school in allowing students to explore career pathways early, planting the seeds for future success. The conversation emphasizes how businesses can...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, co-hosts Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt sit down with Kristy Volesky, an esteemed expert in work-based learning and author of Transformational Work-Based Learning: Leading Exceptional Internship Programs. Kristy shares her journey from being a business teacher in rural Iowa to becoming a national leader in work-based learning. She discusses the...

In the latest episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, co-hosts Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt dive into a recap of their previous conversation with Scott Carr, exploring the deep and often challenging process of driving transformational change in education. They discuss the importance of being emotionally invested in change, moving beyond the "why" to the "what" and "...

Guest: Scott Carr, Career, Community, and Life Readiness Consultant at CESA 2 Key Takeaways: Career and Community Readiness: Scott Carr is working with school districts to shift their focus towards a K-12 approach that prepares students for careers and community involvement. Redefining Student Success: The goal is to revise, reimagine, and redefine the educational system to prioritize relevance fo...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, Peter and Alli discuss the importance of finding purpose and investing in change within education. Peter shares his excitement about innovative projects in his district, highlighting efforts to connect schools with community leaders and businesses to build practical, skill-based curriculums. The conversation explores the dynamic relationship betwee...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt delve into the transformative potential of student-centered learning. They explore how schools can better prepare students by focusing on individual skills and interests rather than standardized test scores. Through conversations with Moe and Samanta, they highlight the importance of practical experiences and real-...

In this episode of Disrupt Education, Peter and Alli sit down with Moe to explore his journey through high school and how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped his educational experience. Moe highlights the challenges of adjusting to post-pandemic schooling, emphasizing the need for better mental health resources and more flexible schedules. He discusses the importance of acknowledging the pandemic's i...

In this episode of Disrupt Education, we dive into the importance of reimagining the school model to foster creativity, networking, and real-world experiences. Discussing insights from a recent graduate, we explore the benefits of individualized education, the impact of being surrounded by passionate individuals, and the power of integrating technology in learning. We emphasize staying open to inn...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt interview recent high school graduate Samanta Kavaliauskaite. Samanta shares insights about her transition from aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon to a career in advertising and marketing. She discusses the importance of exposure to real-life experiences and the impact of social media on her education. Samanta emphasi...