The Learning Future Podcast with Louka Parry

In this episode, Louka Parry speaks with architect, urban designer and author Danish Kurani about the powerful but often overlooked role of physical space in shaping how we think, feel and learn. From classrooms and homes to supermarkets and cities, Danish argues that design is never neutral. It influences behaviour, wellbeing, creativity and connection in ways we rarely notice until we learn to s...

In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast, Louka Parry speaks with Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, about the changing purpose of education in an age of AI, uncertainty and rapid technological change. Together, they explore how technology is shifting from being merely a tool to something that challenges what it means to be human. Andreas reflects on both the...

In this episode, Louka Parry is joined by Justin Reich, Associate Professor of Digital Media at MIT and Director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, for a thoughtful conversation about AI, schooling and the future of learning. Together, they explore how generative AI is disrupting familiar classroom practices, why friction and productive struggle still matter deeply for learning, and how schools can...

In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast, Louka Parry speaks with David Rogier, CEO and co-founder of MasterClass, about how technology, AI, and changing workforce demands are reshaping the future of learning. David shares the origin of MasterClass, why great education should also be engaging, and how personalized, AI-supported learning could dramatically accelerate skill development. Togeth...

In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast, Louka Parry speaks with Professor Pascale Quester, Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology, about what higher education must become in an age of AI, rapid change and growing complexity. Pascale challenges the deep conservatism that still shapes education, arguing that universities must move beyond inherited models like lec...

In this episode of the Learning Future podcast, Louka Parry interviews Dr. Anne Knock, a leading figure in educational strategy and design. They discuss the importance of strategic design in education, the role of complexity theory, and the need for schools to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Dr. Knock shares insights from her book, 'School by Design,' emphasizing the shift from traditional clas...

In this episode of the Learning Future Podcast, host Louka Parry engages with two Year 11 students, Flynn Thomas and Chelsea Cox, from Hunter Valley Grammar School. They discuss their experiences in education, focusing on themes such as adaptability, time management, the importance of wellbeing, and the role of relational connections in teaching. The conversation also explores student agency, the...

In this episode, Louka Parry sits down with Dr Annalies Corbin, founder and CEO of the PAST Foundation, for a powerful conversation about reimagining the purpose and practice of education. Together they explore how schools can evolve from isolated, subject-bound institutions into dynamic learning ecosystems that connect curiosity, community and real-world problem-solving. Dr Corbin shares insights...

In this episode of the Learning Future podcast, host Louka Parry engages with futurists Jamais Cascio and Bob Johansen to explore the complexities of navigating the current chaotic landscape, framed by the BANI model. They discuss their personal learning experiences, the implications of technology on human development, and the importance of mentorship across generations. The conversation emphasize...

In this engaging conversation, Louka Parry, Tessa Forshaw, and Rich Braden explore the intersection of education, innovation, and cognitive science. They discuss the importance of mindsets in fostering creativity, the role of AI in learning, and the necessity of navigating ambiguity in educational environments. The speakers emphasize that innovation is not merely a process but a mindset that can b...

In this episode of the Learning Future Podcast, Louka Parry speaks with Kevin Stoller, co-founder and CEO of K12, about the evolving landscape of education. They discuss the need for a shift from traditional educational models to more student-centered approaches that prioritize authentic learning experiences. Kevin shares insights on the importance of creating engaging learning environments, the r...

In this conversation, Louka Parry and Dr Amie Fabry explore the critical themes of hope, agency, and the holistic development of children in education. They discuss the importance of play, emotional intelligence, and the need for collaboration among educators, families, and communities to create a nurturing environment for children. The conversation emphasizes the need to focus on the whole child...

In this enlightening conversation, Louka Parry and Peter Hayward explore the realms of foresight and future studies, emphasizing the importance of personal transformation, the role of Stoicism, and the evolving landscape of education. They discuss how engaging with the future involves understanding our fears and hopes, the significance of endings, and the need for new institutions that prioritize...

In this episode of the Learning Future podcast, Louka Parry speaks with Michelle Culver, founder of the Rhythm Project, about the intersection of education, AI, and human connection. They discuss the importance of learning from young people, the role of relationships in education, and how AI can both enhance and challenge human connections. Michelle shares insights on creating conditions for alive...

In this deeply moving and expansive episode, Louka Parry is joined by Luis Alberto Camargo, founder of OpEPA and leading voice in nature-based education, to explore what it means to learn as nature, not just about it. Together, they delve into how education systems can move from knowledge transmission to relational, regenerative learning that reawakens our connection to self, others, and the livin...

In this powerful and timely conversation, Louka Parry is joined by Sarah Davies, CEO of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and Dolly’s Dream, to explore how technology, power, and purpose intersect in the lives of young people. Together, they confront the hidden harms of data extraction, dark patterns, and wellbeing bots, while also spotlighting the enduring resilience of childhood. From the da...

In this rich and expansive conversation, Professor Martin Westwell, Chief Executive of the South Australian Department for Education, joins Louka Parry to explore the deep shifts required in education to truly prepare young people for the complexity of today’s world. From the role of dispositions and student agency to the transformational potential of generative AI in classrooms, the dialogue chal...

If the goal of education is to prepare students for the future, why are we not teaching them explicitly about the future? In an age of rapid change and uncertainty, what might education look like if imagination was treated as essential as literacy or numeracy? 🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast , host Louka Parry speaks with Dr. Peter C. Bishop, executive director of...

What if peaceful system transformation isn’t led from the top, but from within — through the everyday choices of those embedded in the system? In a world craving certainty, how might we learn to embrace dissonance and cracks as the starting points of meaningful change? Episode Summary In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast , Louka Parry speaks with renowned systems thinker and facilitator...

What are we at risk of losing in our pursuit of efficiency, innovation, and AI-driven transformation in education? Are we designing systems for resilience—or are we unintentionally reinforcing inequality through the paths of least resistance? In this insightful conversation, Louka Parry is joined by Tracey Burns—Chief of Global Strategy and Research at the National Center on Education and the Econ...

What if the key to transformative leadership lies not in having answers, but in asking the right questions? How can embracing curiosity over certainty revolutionize our approach to education and organizational growth? In this episode, Jeff Wetzler delves into the transformative power of asking questions and how it can unlock hidden wisdom within organizations and educational systems. He introduces...

📘 Episode Summary: In this deeply thoughtful episode of The Learning Future Podcast , Louka Parry is joined by Dr. Katrin Kaeufer—author, educator, and co-founder of the Presencing Institute at MIT. Together, they explore how the emerging future can shape our present actions through the practice of presencing , a method that integrates mindfulness, leadership, and systems change. Katrin shares pe...

How might we design AI not just to personalize learning, but to truly make it personal, enabling each learner to discover and design their own purpose? What would professional development look like if it mirrored the learning experiences we aspire to give young people—human-centered, delightful, and deeply relevant? In this rich and forward-looking conversation on The Learning Future Podcast, host...

What if we designed our education systems around relationships instead of outcomes—what would change in how we measure success? As AI rapidly integrates into learning environments, how do we safeguard and elevate the irreplaceable value of human connection in a child’s development? In this thought-provoking episode of The Learning Future Podcast , host Louka Parry is joined by Isabelle Hau, Execut...

What if Emotional Intelligence Was as Essential as Math? Are We Truly Preparing our peers to Lead with Emotional Intelligence? In this special episode of The Learning Future Podcast, host Louka Parry welcomes back the podcast’s inaugural guest, Professor Marc Brackett, a global authority on emotional intelligence and founder of Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence. They dive deep in...