Josh Newman

The Edumyseat Podcast

Education EN ↓ 30 episodes

A weekly discussion about all things education, with an emphasis on California's public education systems. Hosted by Josh Newman, former California Senator and prior Chair of the California State Senate's Committee on Education. Each week, Josh will welcome one or more experts on a particular issue affecting the quality of education for a wide-ranging, substantive, and always interesting conversation.

Author

Josh Newman

Episodes

Edumyseat Ep 5: The Power of Play in Education with Elizabeth Cushing of Playworks 02.10.2025 26:30

In this episode, Elizabeth Cushing, CEO of Playworks, discusses the critical role of unstructured play and recess in children's development and education. She emphasizes the benefits of play, including social skills, conflict resolution, and leadership development. The conversation also touches on legislative efforts to ensure recess is mandated in schools, highlighting the importance of creating...

LAUSD Trustee Nick Melvoin on Public Education, Governance, and the Urgency of Reform 24.09.2025 37:40

This week on The Edumyseat Podcast, Josh sits down with Nick Melvoin, a member of the Board of Education for the Los Angeles Unified School District. From his early days as a classroom teacher to his current role shaping policy for more than a half million students, Nick brings a reformer’s lens to the challenges of public education in LA. Nick and Josh discuss the complexities of district governa...

“AI in School Districts Large and Small: Amy Alzina on Education, Innovation, and Urgency" 17.09.2025 32:24

In this episode of The Edumyseat Podcast, host Josh Newman speaks with Dr. Amy Alzina, Superintendent/Principal of Cold Spring Elementary School District and 2024 ACSA Superintendent/Principal of the Year, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the possibilities for public education—even in California’s smallest districts. Dr. Alzina shares how she’s using AI-integrated planning tools to p...

“Presence Is Power” Hedy Chang of Attendance Works on Chronic Absenteeism and Student Success 10.09.2025 30:35

In this episode of The Edumyseat Podcast, Josh sits down with Hedy Chang, founder and executive director of Attendance Works, to explore the urgent issue of chronic absenteeism in America’s schools. With millions of students missing 10% or more of the school year, Hedy breaks down how attendance is more than just a roll call—it’s a reflection of systemic barriers, family challenges, and school cli...

“Game On with Renata Simril of the LA84 Foundation: Reimagining Education Through Movement” 25.08.2025 30:52

In this, the debut episode of The Edumyseat Podcast, host Josh Newman sits down with Renata Simril, President and CEO of the LA 84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund, to explore why play, sports, and movement are essential—not optional—for California’s kids. They dive into the Foundation’s mission, its impact on youth development, and their support for SB 291 (2023), a bill championing statewide...