Future of Education Podcast

We often blame "broken" school systems for poor performance, but what if the real bottleneck is the human body? David Bidler, founder of Physiology First, joins the show to argue that we are running modern educational software on neglected biological hardware. In this episode, we dive into the science of the "limitless kid" and explore why the brain-body connection is the absolute prerequisite for...

In 2026, the power of education is shifting back to the family. With the expansion of School Choice and Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs), parents are no longer locked into a system that isn't working- they are finally getting the funds to anchor their children in a model that actually fits. Today, MacKenzie sits down with an incredible nurse and mom of 5 who was frustrated with the traditional...

Our approach to music, art, and theater is a little different than traditional schools. It's a common question: How do kids get enriched in the arts without the "bread and butter" classics we all grew up with- like band, choir, orchestra, and theater club? Joining MacKenzie on the podcast today is Hannah, an Alpha guide with a background in acting who is spearheading some incredible music workshop...

Most educational innovations "flash up" and then disappear after only a few years. Why do some fail while others lead to a decade of success? After 300 interviews with educators, education founder Dr. Annalies Corbin found the answer: five core strategies that anchor a school’s longevity. Dr. Corbin is an anthropologist, archaeologist, and the author of Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Lear...

The K-12 system isn't failing; it’s functioning exactly as it was designed to. In this episode, Dr. Annalies Corbin- anthropologist, archaeologist, education founder and author of Hacking School- joins the podcast to discuss why we must move beyond the 19th-century classroom model to solve the "wicked problems" of today's education system. Dr. Corbin and MacKenzie explore what it really means to p...

If you want your kid to have an "I Can Do Hard Things" attitude, this episode is for you. In Part 2 of this series on motivation, co-hosted by Alpha Guide Jacob, we pull back the curtain on Motivation Architecture. We explore how our Guides design bespoke reward systems that meet every child exactly where they are. Our goal is to show how extrinsic rewards serve as the essential training wheels th...

Stickers and grades might get compliance, but they don't spark passion. In this episode, cohosted by Alpha Guide Jacob, we explore how our Guides act as motivation architects- designing bespoke reward systems that meet every child exactly where they are. Our ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between 'doing it for the prize' and 'doing it for the pride,' showing how extrinsic rewards can actually...

If you think your local school is safe because the funding is high, this conversation is your wake-up call. In the second half of our explosive sit-down with Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Chris Papst, he exposes the internal mechanics of a system that has stopped serving children and started serving itself. In this shocking episode, Chris reveals: How administrators manually changed ov...

After eight years of relentlessly following the money, the paper trails, and the data, Chris Papst- the lead investigative reporter behind the Emmy Award-winning "Project Baltimore"- is pulling back the curtain on Baltimore's failing public school system. Frighteningly, the systemic failures in Baltimore are not an anomaly, but a preview of what’s happening in school districts across America. Chri...

MacKenzie sits down with Kelvin, Head of School at Texas Sports Academy, to continue their conversation on how the relationship between athletics and academics is being reimagined and rebuilt at TSA. They go beyond the physical drills to explore the "hidden" side of athletic development: mindset, biology, and character. The discussion pulls back the curtain on the potential toxicity of youth sport...

What if we approached academics the way we approach athletics? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Kelvin, Head of School at Texas Sports Academy, to explore how sports philosophy- coaching, deliberate practice, and mastery- can transform education. If you’ve ever wondered what school for athletes can truly look like, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the model in action a...

Former WNBA player, NY Knicks Coach, and UCLA Hall of Famer and Texas Sports Academy Coach Lisa Willis returns to give us the literal "scripts" for what to do when your kid fails, falls, or feels like they aren't enough- in academics, sports, and life. In Part 1, we identified the dangerous phrase to watch for that sabotages a child's resilience, so be sure to give that a listen if you missed it....

We are accidentally weakening our kids. In our effort to protect them from "the sting" of failure, we are taking away the very armor they need to survive in the real world. We say we want them to be resilient, but we’re terrified to let them fall. Today, MacKenzie is joined by Lisa Willis. Lisa is a former WNBA first-round pick, the first woman to coach for the New York Knicks, and now a Coach at...

In Part 2 of this episode, MacKenzie answers questions from parents, students, and educators navigating everything from boredom in elementary school to implementing AI in classrooms and starting microschools. She shares practical guidance on screen time, mindset shifts, school fit, and where to start, whether you have a toddler or a teen.

In this episode, MacKenzie answers questions from parents and students navigating everything from boredom in elementary school to implementing AI in classrooms and starting microschools. She shares practical guidance on screen time, mindset shifts, school fit, and where to start, whether you have a toddler or a teen.

After polling our Substack community, one request rose to the top: more real, concrete examples of what students and Guides are actually doing during the school day. In Part 2 of this audience-selected episode, MacKenzie is joined by Alpha Guide Cameron to walk through what a day at Alpha High truly looks like in practice. From the structure of the day to the “high standards, high support” culture...

After polling our Substack community, one request rose to the top: more real, concrete examples of what students and Guides are actually doing during the school day. In Part 1 of this audience-selected episode, MacKenzie is joined by Alpha Guide Cameron to walk through what a day at Alpha High truly looks like in practice. From the structure of the day to the “high standards, high support” culture...

In this episode, MacKenzie and Alpha High student Sloka continue their conversation on Alpha's Brain Lift. An ever-evolving compilation of research that students work on all year, the Brain Lift works to deepen expertise and form a strong grasp of knowledge. Parents and educators will get a behind the scenes look into how this type of exercise can be replicated at home or in any classroom.

In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Alpha High student Sloka to explore Alpha's Brain Lift- an ever-evolving compilation of research that students work on all year. Sloka breaks down how Alpha high schoolers build rigorous, structured expertise around their chosen topics, moving from facts to insights to their own bold "spiky POV." In this episode, parents and educators will get a behind the...

In Part 2 of this mini-series on Red Flags, MacKenzie and producer Jay explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a child’s school environment may no longer be serving them well. They cover what patterns to pay attention to, what questions parents should be asking, and how to evaluate whether a learning environment is truly supporting a child’s academic growth, emotional well-being, and long-...

How do you know if challenges at school are just part of growing up, or if they're signaling something deeper? In this episode, MacKenzie and producer Jay explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a child’s school environment may no longer be serving them well. They cover what patterns to pay attention to, what questions parents should be asking, and how to evaluate whether a learning enviro...

In Part 2 of this conversation, MacKenzie and Alpha’s Director of Admissions, Cara Wilkinson, turn their focus to the application and admissions process at Alpha. Cara walks through how families typically move from initial curiosity to enrollment, what the school looks for beyond traditional markers, and why some parents end up saying no to Alpha. The conversation also offers practical guidan...

After speaking with thousands of families over the years, certain patterns begin to emerge. In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Cara Wilkinson, Alpha Austin’s Director of Admissions, to explore the common threads she sees when families start questioning whether their current school environment is truly working for their child. Drawing on more than two decades of experience across higher educ...

What does the latest science reveal about motivating young people? In Part 2 of this special episode, MacKenzie is joined by psychologist and researcher David Yeager, Ph. D., to continue their exploration of what truly motivates kids and young adults. Drawing from decades of research and insights from David’s national bestselling book, they unpack why many traditional motivation strategies fall sh...

What does the latest science reveal about motivating young people? In this special episode, MacKenzie is joined by psychologist and researcher David Yeager, Ph. D., for a wide-ranging conversation recorded with a live audience. Drawing from decades of research and insights from David’s national bestselling book, they unpack why many traditional motivation strategies fall short and what actually he...