Putman Podcast Pops

In this episode live from NSTA, Tanya, a staff member at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, CA, shares what makes the museum special — from Wright Model B replicas and a real 747 cockpit to drones, simulators, and VR. She talks about their field trips and summer camps for kids K–8, the excitement around the Artemis launch, and the museum's popular "Biggest Little Air Show" featuring a drone...

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Mercy Johnson, Marketing Director for VLab Education, to explore how virtual reality is transforming science education. Mercy shares how VLab offers immersive, entry-level chemistry labs — from safety training and glassware basics to flame tests, precipitation reactions, heat capacity experiments, and even an explosion lab — all designed to let students lear...

Host Shannon welcomes back Dave Dolan — immersive learning veteran and VR-in-education advocate — for a wide-ranging conversation about the real challenges and possibilities of bringing VR into classrooms worldwide. Topics covered: The "just" problem — Dave's framework for why ed tech vendors consistently underestimate the burden they place on teachers, and why most educators see VR's value but wo...

In this live interview recorded at the NSTA conference, host Shannon chats with Peggy, a high school science teacher with 16+ years of experience, about her innovative and student-centered approach to education.

Shannon welcomes Tracy Scott, a second-grade instructional assistant with 23 years of experience in Jefferson County Public Schools, to discuss the often-overlooked role of classified school staff. Tracy shares what instructional assistants actually do—far beyond the common misconception of just "taking kids to the bathroom"—including leading intervention groups, providing emotional support, manag...

Shannon welcomes Benjamin Albaum (CEO/Founder) and John Mina (CIO/Founder) of VIZQ to discuss their revolutionary speech therapy technology. Key Topics: The Generalization Problem : John explains how students master skills in therapy but struggle to transfer them to real-world settings—the core problem Viscu aims to solve. What is VIZQ? : A VR-based digital extension of speech therapy that collect...

Returning guest Dmitry Goldfinch from GW Pro discusses their VR training platform's latest developments: 25 modules with multiplayer capability, new non-VR options for Chromebooks and basic laptops, and a teacher-focused educator guide aligned with national CTE standards. He spotlights their partnership with Kentucky Virtual Academy's 250-headset remote learning program and preview upcoming soft s...

In this epsiode, Shannon welcomes Caroline Sanchez Crozier, a pioneering entrepreneur celebrating 38 years of leadership with CSC Consulting Group. Caroline shares her journey from corporate CPA to tech entrepreneur, including her groundbreaking work with Apple Computer bringing technology to Chicago Public Schools in the 1990s. She discusses the persistent challenges of equitable tech access—from...

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Heather Cain, an educational collaborative specialist with 25 years of experience in education. Heather shares her journey from teaching grades K-8 to finding her true calling in kindergarten, where she spent 13 transformative years. The conversation explores the realities of modern kindergarten education—from the shift toward more rigorous academic standard...

Shannon Putman welcomes Stephanie Breedlove, District Early Childhood Principal for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, to kick off 2026. Stephanie shares her extensive educational journey—from classroom teacher in North Carolina to principal in Nelson County, and now leading early childhood programs in JCPS. The conversation explores the unique challenges of early childhood e...

In this episode, host Shannon Putman welcomes technology entrepreneur Paul Epp to discuss his journey from music education to founding Foster Care Technologies and his current work with voiss.org, a platform designed to help children develop social skills through customizable, research-backed virtual scenarios. The conversation explores the importance of social skill training, the role of AI in ed...

Shannon Putman interviews Carmine Provenzano, founder of Safe Kitchen VR, about using virtual reality and AI to revolutionize kitchen safety training. They discuss Carmine’s journey, the importance of immersive learning, and how Safe Kitchen is making safety accessible for everyone from students to professionals. Guest Links: LinkedIn Safe Kitchen VR Safe Kitchen VR Promo Video Shannon's Links: Pu...

In this episode, host Shannon Putman sits down with Ryan Simio from ManageXR to discuss the evolution and real-world impact of XR (Extended Reality) technology, focusing on its transformative role in education and beyond. Ryan shares his personal journey into the XR industry, the mission and growth of ManageXR, and the challenges and opportunities of adopting XR in schools and enterprises. The con...

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Chris Gunby , Head of Commercial at VirtualSpeech , a company specializing in VR and AI-powered professional skills training. Chris shares the origin story of VirtualSpeech, which was founded to help co-founder Sophie Thompson overcome her fear of public speaking using VR technology. The platform has since evolved into a comprehensive tool for developing...

In this episode, Shannon is joined by Jethro Jones , a national award-winning former school leader, podcaster, and author known for his transformative approaches to educational leadership. Jethro discusses the concept of being a transformative principal, which involves designing unique school experiences tailored to the specific needs of the students and staff each year. He outlines the different...

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Marco Janmaat, the head of VR Experts US . They discuss the role of VR Experts in integrating virtual reality into educational and enterprise settings, and the benefits of VR in the classroom. Topics covered include the importance of proper VR setup, hygiene considerations, support services, and emerging VR technologies. Marco also shares his excitement a...

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Chris Madsen from EngageXR. They delve into Chris's extensive experience in behavioral science and how he transitioned into the world of virtual reality. They discuss the transformative potential of VR and XR in education, the advancements in technology, and the impact of AI in virtual experiences. Chris shares insights into the journey of Engage and high...

In this episode, Shannon Putman welcomes Dr. Laurent Da Dalto, CEO and founder of Mimbus. They discuss Dr. Laurent's journey in VR, the evolution of VR technology, its significant impact on vocational training, and the future trends in immersive learning. The conversation dives deep into the importance of ensuring VR is seen as a learning tool rather than a game, how Mimbus' Volcan platform operat...

In this episode, Shannon Putman hosts Dave Dolan , an educator with over 35 years of experience and a passionate advocate for VR in education. The discussion dives deep into the nuances of VR technology, comparing 3DoF and 6DoF systems, their educational value, cost efficiency, and privacy concerns. Dolan shares insights from his extensive international teaching experience and provides a nuanced p...

In this episode, host Shannon Putman converses with Zack Davenport, the Director of Production at Lobaki , about the transformative impact of virtual reality in education and training. They discuss Zack's journey into the VR industry, the importance of spatial learning, addressing educational equity with VR, and the Immersive Institute's diverse content offerings including STEM, history, and caree...

In this episode, Shannon Putman hosts Vijay Ravindran, CEO, and founder of Floreo . Vijay discusses his journey from software engineering at Amazon and being a technology executive at the Washington Post to creating Floreo, a virtual reality therapy system designed to assist neurodiverse individuals, particularly those with autism. The conversation covers the inspiration behind Floreo, its develop...

In this episode, Shannon talks with Lynne Henderson, CEO and co-founder of Certify-Ed . They discuss the innovative curriculum developed by Certify-Ed, which includes courses and simulations available on multiple platforms such as VR headsets, laptops, desktops, and tablets. Lynne shares insights into the increasing use of VR in education, the importance of credentialing, and the demand for variou...

In this episode, Shannon Putman sits down with Tim Ventura, an industry insider with extensive experience in visualization and AR/VR technologies. Together, they explore Tim's journey through the technology landscape, his contributions to the industry, and the innovative platform IQ3Connect , which aims to revolutionize collaboration and education in 3D environments. Guest Links: LinkedIn: @TimVen...

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Amber Rowland, an associate research professor at the University of Kansas, about technology integration and professional development in education. They discuss the use of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as the VOISS and iKNOW projects, to help students, especially those with disabilities, develop social skills. Amber sha...

In this episode, Shannon Putman interviews Amir Bozorgzadeh, co-founder and CEO of Virtuleap . They discuss his background, Virtuleap's purpose, the benefits and applications of VR in education and healthcare, and the challenges and innovations in the sector. The conversation also touches upon Amir's personal experiences and favorite fictional villains. Guest Links: LinkedIn: @AmirBoz Website: Xre...