On Balance

On Balance with Anthony Salcito explores the views of a man synonymous with global education. Berger and Salcito discuss the impacts of the pandemic on thinking across the industry and the difference between wants and needs to support an ever-evolving sector.  

On Balance with Guillermo Elizondo

On Balance with Yvonne Yancy

On Balance with Dr. Michael Duncan

On Balance with Dr. Karen Beerer

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Zach Posner , Co-Founder & Managing Director at The LegalTech Fund about the shifting culture of entrepreneurs and investor relationships. Any entrepreneur faces risk when starting out, but Zach and the LegalTech Fund look for those devoid of that expression, those who know a 'little secret' about the world that nobody else has realized. That confidence comes from su...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Keith Oelrich , CEO of learning.com , a K-12 digital skills education platform, yet one looking to expand to 'skills for life'. Digital skills are a critical component of any student's learning journey, now more than ever. As we move to digital content and digital instructional we're presented with the opportunity to test and assess program efficacy, something not possib...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Daniel Diermeier, Chancellor of Vanderbilt University about the American education system, and his belief in its benefits over other nations' systems, including his homeland Germany. With the unique perspective offered by the head of one of the leading educational institutes in the U.S., the Chancellor gives his opinion on the current benefit of 4 year degree courses, an...

On Balance with Dr. L. Gregory Jones President of Belmont University . Dr. Berger explores the relationship Belmont has with the ever-growing city of Nashville and the role the university wants to play in the growth of the metropolitan area. To read up on Dr. Jones' thoughts, in tandem, with neighboring Vanderbilt University read Dr. Berger's latest piece in Forbes, Education Underscores Nash...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Mark Hammons , co-founder and VP of Operations at Breakout EDU about the concept of the 'Breakout EDU box' and how the successes seen raises questions for the education sector as a whole. Breakout EDU is based on a total rethink of how to spend student time. Replicating the real world where collaborative problem solving and cooperation are highly valued stills, students...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Richard Gephardt , former congressman and current CEO of Gephardt Group , and Abby Brody , CEO of MYX about the need to evoke change in our education system. We are at a time of great optimism in education, both nationally and globally, but also of great division. Covid’s silver lining was the rapid adoption of new technology to close fissures exposed, but does this...

In this special client profile episode of On Balance, Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Bob Yayac , CEO and president of the Council for Aid to Education, Inc. Employers are increasingly looking for graduates with more than just industry knowledge, demanding skills which they identify themselves as crucial for their own success. From critical thinking and problem solving to great communication, the expec...

Dr. Rod Berger sits down with Alan Pesky , director and founder of the Lee Pesky Learning Center and author of the passionate personal tribute, More to Life than More: A Memoir of Misunderstanding, Loss, and Learning . A moving conversation gleaning insight from Alan's challenging relationship with his deceased son Lee, for whom the restrictions placed on him by his father were mimicked by those w...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Melissa Corto , CEO at Education Modified about her transition from educator to entrepreneur and the pressures which come with developing a new company in EdTech. Investigating Melissa's meaning and motivations this episode dives into the mind of the EdTech entrepreneur and how Melissa keeps the spark of passion through the tough times, manages her fear of failure, and m...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Richard Culatta , CEO of ISTE and author of Digital for Good - Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World about fostering a healthy digital culture. Our world has shifted where the physical space we interacted and communicated has been hybridized with an entire digital ecosystem where our youth are eager to engage.  'Screen time' has often been regarded as life lost,...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Mark Angel , CEO of Amira Learning , about the importance of AI and machine learning in advancing education. Mark cut his teeth on Wall Street, building AI systems where the risk-to-reward was low. Transferring his expertise into the education space Mark now sees the opportunity for machine learning to have a wider ranging impact on the future development of our students...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Mika Kasanen , CEO and co-founder of School Day about how the education system in Finland benefits from the innovative and empathetic culture of the country. Dr. Berger delves into the experience of Mika, including his path towards founding School Day and their expansion into the US, including their impressive partnership with Microsoft. The conversation highlights the i...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Sari Hurme-Mehtälä , CEO and founder of Kide Science about the beginnings of her business and the expansion into the US. Dr. Berger investigates the culture within Finland and how it relates to encouraging female entrepreneurs and nurturing positive relationships within the Finnish education system. Exploring the experience Sari has garnered as an emerging entrepreneur a...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with  Kaisa Vuorinen, CEO and co-founder of Positive Thinking, Finland, and the importance of helping students understand who they are, what they are capable of, and what they excel at, not just academically, but holistically within the 'soft' skills they can develop. Continuing the Finnish focus of On Balance this week, Dr. Berger explores the drive behind Kai...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Olli Vallo , CEO at Education Alliance Finland about the need to evaluate new edtech solutions and provide standardized certification aligning with quality and outcome objectives. Exploring Olli's insights into Finnish education, Dr. Berger inquiries as to the need for resilience in leaders and the balance entrepreneurs must navigate between the drive for immediate...

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Sal Khan , founder of the Khan Academy with the mission of providing free world-class education to anyone, anywhere. This inaugural episode of On Balance explores a different side of Sal and his take on the important skills to instill in our children. Focus on the hugely successful and impressionable Khan Academy can be found elsewhere - here Rod investigates t...

Welcome to On Balance, a part of SPN. I’m your host, Dr. Rod Berger, and we’ll be talking to the names you know and those you should know. We’ll dive beyond the ‘what’ and focus on the ‘why’ with guests from around the world of education. If you’ve got a story suggestion, let’s connect! In the meantime, check out our first episodes, read my work in Forbes and Entrepreneur, and connect with me on L...