Future of Education Podcast

In part two of this two-part series, MacKenzie and producer Jay continue to unpack something we don’t often talk about publicly: Parent Tenets. These are the core beliefs we ask every Alpha parent to buy into- and shape everything we do. From “change is constant” to “high standards are the key to your child’s happiness,” these tenets can be both inspiring and a little uncomfortable. If you’re curi...

This week, MacKenzie and producer Jay are diving into something we don’t often talk about publicly: Parent Tenets. These are the core beliefs we ask every Alpha parent to buy into- and shape everything we do. From “change is constant” to “high standards are the key to your child’s happiness,” these tenets can be both inspiring and a little uncomfortable. In part one of this two-part series, we unp...

In part two of this series on developing the skill of confidence, MacKenzie is joined by Alpha Guide Shaas. Together, they break down exactly how confidence is taught at Alpha, and how the same strategies and principles can be used by anyone listening. From implementing subtle nonverbal techniques to developing and referencing “confidence anchors”, you’ll walk away with tangible tools to help your...

Confidence is one of the most powerful skills a young person can develop- it shapes how they speak, lead, take risks, and show up in the world. And the good news? Confidence can be taught! In this episode, MacKenzie is joined by Shaas, one of Alpha’s talented Guides, to break down practical, proven strategies any parent or educator can use to help kids build lasting confidence. From subtle nonverb...

In this episode, we return to our two-part series with Rhett Jones, an Alpha graduate and entrepreneur who launched his first business while still in high school. Through Alpha’s Masterpiece Program, Rhett set out to build a professional bike park during his senior year- a project that pushed him to raise $350K in just eight weeks, hire a crew of 10 full-time builders, and spend months managing th...

This episode kicks off a two-part series with Rhett Jones, an Alpha graduate and entrepreneur who launched his first business while still in high school. Through Alpha’s Masterpiece Program, Rhett set out to build a professional bike park during his senior year- a project that pushed him to raise $350K in just eight weeks, hire a crew of 10 full-time builders, and spend months managing the on-site...

In part 2 of this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Stacy Hock, Vice Chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to discuss the current landscape of K-12 education reform. Drawing on her experience as an education leader and mom of four with kids in public, private, and Alpha schools, Stacy shares her perspective on tailoring education to each child’s unique needs and path. She also di...

In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Stacy Hock, Vice Chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to discuss the current landscape of K-12 education reform. Drawing on her experience as an education leader and mom of four with kids in public, private, and Alpha schools, Stacy shares her perspective on tailoring education to each child’s unique needs and path. She also digs into th...

Traditional report cards are not effective anymore...so we've replaced them with Check Charts! In part 3 of this Check Chart series, MacKenzie and producer Jay sit down to outline Alpha’s non-traditional alternative to report cards for 7th grade. Listen in to find out the exact life skills and academic metrics we expect- many of which you can implement at home with your own kids!

Traditional report cards are not effective anymore...so we've replaced them with Check Charts! In part 2 of this Check Chart series, MacKenzie and producer Jay sit down to outline Alpha’s non-traditional alternative to report cards for 5th and 6th grade. Listen in to find out the exact life skills and academic metrics we expect- many of which you can implement at home with your own kids! If you mi...

What happens when a student’s niche curiosity is given the time, space, and support to grow? For Austin, it means building a neuroscience-backed gaming algorithm during the school day at Alpha. This episode showcases how Alpha’s model empowers students to chase their passions and create real-world projects that reflect their unique interests.

In the final part of this special 3-part series, Chloe, Lead Guide at Alpha High, pulls back the curtain on her exact step-by-step process for guiding students through setting and achieving big goals. A Harvard graduate, former attorney, and lifelong educator, Chloe brings a wealth of experience to her role mentoring students. From uncovering what truly excites each student, to unlocking motivatio...

Have you ever wondered how to help your child or student figure out what lights them up? In part 2 of this 3-part series, Chloe, Lead Guide at Alpha High, pulls back the curtain on her exact step-by-step process for guiding students through setting and achieving big goals. A Harvard graduate, former attorney, and lifelong educator, Chloe brings a wealth of experience to her role mentoring students...

This episode kicks off a very special 3-part series with Chloe, Lead Guide at Alpha High, who pulls back the curtain on her exact step-by-step process for guiding students through their years-long masterpiece projects. A Harvard graduate, former attorney, and lifelong educator, Chloe brings a wealth of experience to her role mentoring students and helping them set and achieve big goals. From uncov...

As one of Alpha’s most veteran students, Maddie is living proof of our unique learning model's efficacy. For the past three years, she’s dedicated her afternoons to her “masterpiece project”- an original musical written and performed entirely by teens. In this episode, Maddie and MacKenzie dive into the creative journey, what it takes to stick with a big idea, and how Alpha makes room for students...

In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Dr. Dalian Caraballo, a board-certified family medicine physician and Alpha parent, to explore the surprising parallels between healthcare and education. Together, they unpack why one-size-fits-all models fail in both fields and how personalized approaches can transform outcomes for kids.

What does it look like when school doesn’t get in the way of your passion, but powers it? Elle has been at Alpha since elementary school, and now she's a teen CEO. In this episode, MacKenzie and Elle talk about how Alpha's unique learning model has enabled her to build her business during school hours: an AI-powered app that gives safe dating advice to teens. If you’ve ever wondered what your chil...

Traditional report cards are not effective anymore...so we've replaced them with Check Charts! In this episode, MacKenzie and producer Jay sit down to outline Alpha’s non-traditional alternative to report cards called Check Charts. Listen in to find out the exact life skills and academic metrics we expect of our elementary schoolers- many of which you can implement at home with your own kids!

In Part Two of this special live-recorded episode, Alpha parents pose their biggest questions about AI and education to Dan Schwartz, Dean of Stanford’s Graduate School of Education. If you missed it, be sure to check out Part One for the full conversation with MacKenzie and Dean Schwartz.

In Part One of this special live-recorded episode, we share MacKenzie's conversation with Dan Schwartz, Dean of Stanford's Graduate School of Education. Speaking to a live audience of Alpha parents, they explore how AI makes true one-to-one personalized learning possible, empowers students to become creators instead of passive consumers, and delivers real-time insights into student progress. In Pa...

Returning for Part 2 of their conversation, MacKenzie and Jay continue unpacking the well-meaning but unrealistic assumptions parents often have about education. Expect more honest takes, a few uncomfortable truths, and practical insights into how Alpha is flipping the script.

In this episode, MacKenzie and producer Jay unpack some of the biggest myths parents hold onto, from the perceived necessity of reading the classics to the belief that kids can be motivated without rewards. They also dissect screen time norms in traditional school and explain how Alpha’s approach challenges some of the most deeply held assumptions about education.

MacKenzie sits down with her producer, Juliana, for a special behind-the-scenes episode- recorded live from her hotel room in West Palm Beach! They dive into the multi-city summer tour where MacKenzie’s been meeting prospective students and families, unpack her fight to make this education model free through Charter School status, and examine why Alpha requires tuition.

In Part 2, Alpha Guide Bryan and student Eddy return to dive deeper into what makes learning at Alpha so different. They talk about the power of student-led workshops, how Alpha builds confidence through real-world challenges, and what it looks like when students take charge of their own growth.

In Part 2 of this conversation, MacKenzie returns with Daniel Puder, retired professional wrestler and fellow education pioneer. Daniel shares how his school model focuses on life skills, emotional development, and real-world readiness. The two also explore what the future might look like for kids who grow up learning with A.I. versus those who don’t, and how Daniel approaches parenting in a fast-...