The Purple Zone

Send us Fan Mail A year in the making, I was fortunate to sit down with Tami Pyfer , co-creator of the Dignity Index , for a conversation that could truly change the way we engage with the world around us. The Dignity Index is more than a measurement—it’s a movement . It’s a tool for self-reflection and public dialogue that helps us recognize the tone and impact of how we communicate—especially wh...

Send us Fan Mail Explore how Troomi is helping parents stay connected while setting healthy boundaries—because safer tech leads to stronger families. " Troomi is the kids safe phone for digital wellness and positive mental health ."           --Bill Brady In this episode, I sat down with Bill Brady, co-founder and CEO of Troomi —a kid-safe smartphone alternative designed with both connec...

Send us Fan Mail What’s it really like to be an elementary school teacher in Idaho? In this episode, I chat with Teri Smith, a dedicated educator from the Middleton School District, about the joy, heart, challenges, and everyday realities of teaching. We talk about what it feels like walking into the classroom on the first day of school versus the last, how much goes into prepping for class, what...

Send us Fan Mail Join Alexis as she sits down with Jeff Simmons, Superintendent of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) , to explore the incredible opportunities this online school provides to students across Idaho. From elementary to high school, IDLA offers courses for students at every level, including summertime classes designed to combat the "summer slide." Not sure what the s...

Send us Fan Mail BONUS EPISODE! We welcome Jake Dempsey, a dedicated school board trustee for the Middleton School District. Jake joins us to discuss Middleton's efforts to pass a critical school bond in the upcoming May election — a feat that requires a supermajority of 66.67% voter approval , a notably high threshold to meet in Idaho. This won't be Middleton’s first attempt, but this t...

Send us Fan Mail Alexis sat down with Lance Hansen, the Superintendent of the Year, from Lewiston School District #1 . Lewiston is a community known for its collaborative spirit, and the school district plays a key role in this dynamic. Recently, Lance and the Vice President of the Lewiston School Board presented to the Senate Education Committee during the Idaho School Boards Association Day on t...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Marc Gee, Superintendent of Middleton School District, sits down with Alexis to dive into the important role of a superintendent and how Middleton is working to support its school community. In this conversation, Dr. Gee provides an in-depth look at the district’s upcoming bond request on the May 20th, 2025 ballot . He breaks down the details of the proposal, explaining what’s...

Send us Fan Mail Have you heard of PLCs? These Professional Learning Communities are transforming education by improving student outcomes, enhancing teaching experiences, and fostering stronger school cultures. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Emalee Merrell, Coordinator of Professional Learning Community and Tiered System of Supports from the Idaho Department of Education, to explore how Id...

Send us Fan Mail Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast , to discuss three critical topics impacting education in Idaho . First , they dive into the upcoming More Social Less Media Event —an opportunity for teenagers, parents, teachers, district administration, lawmakers, and school community members to come together on Saturday, April 26th, from 12PM - 4pm at Eagle High School...

Send us Fan Mail Alexis is joined by Audra Talley, board member of Homeschool Idaho , a homeschool parent, and a passionate advocate for educational choice. Together, they dive into the rich history of homeschooling in Idaho, the good and the ugly, exploring the state's unique approach to this educational model. DID You Know? Idaho has 9 school choice options ...and homeschooling is one of th...

Send us Fan Mail  Alexis welcomes Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff for Superintendent Debbie Critchfield of the Idaho Department of Education, to discuss the proposed changes to high school graduation requirements in Idaho . The conversation revolves around the process and rationale for these updates, which include replacing the speech credit with a digital literacy requirement. Greg outlines the proce...

Send us Fan Mail Join Alexis as she sits down with Dr. Megan Smith, Associate Professor in the School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University and Executive Director for Communities for Youth. Together, they explore the mission of Communities for Youth, which is to empower communities in promoting youth well-being. By taking an upstream prevention approach to youth mental health,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Jackie Yarbrough, Senior Program Officer of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, to explore how this unique foundation is transforming school communities across Idaho. While it may not seem typical for a health insurance company foundation to be involved in education, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation is deeply committed to improvi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Johnny Hullinger, the dynamic principal at Middleton High School, who is now embarking on his second year of leadership. Born and raised in Weiser, Idaho, Johnny embodies the Idaho ethos of strong community connection from the very start of his tenure. With a focused mission to enhance school culture, he has brought together a diverse group o...

Send us Fan Mail Special BONUS Episode :  Alexis dives into two pivotal concepts that are shaping the future of education in Idaho. First, she discusses the groundbreaking Tech Bill that has been gaining robust support statewide. Guest Matt Todd, known for hosting The Ranch podcast, authored this impactful legislation aimed at revolutionizing tech education to parents across every district and sch...

Send us Fan Mail In this eye-opening conversation, Alexis is joined by Tara Coffland and Kim Washington, founding members of the YouMeWeAll Boise (Youth Mental Wellness Alliance). This inspiring group was established after the heart-wrenching loss of four students to suicide within just one month (in 2023) in the Boise School District. Driven by their deep concern for the wellbeing of their childr...

Send us Fan Mail Join me for an inspiring conversation with Norm Stewart, the superintendent of the Marsing School District, as he discusses the successful implementation of the Community School Strategy in his district. Collaborating closely with the school board, Norm has witnessed firsthand the positive effects of this model on the school community. In this episode, he opens up about his person...

Send us Fan Mail   Join Alexis as the interviews T.J. Eriksen, Band Director at Eagle High School, as they dive into the vibrant world of music education in Idaho! T.J. is an inspiring band teacher who has transformed the music program into one of the finest in the state. We'll explore the joys and challenges of being a music educator in 2024. Get ready to uncover the secrets behind building...

Send us Fan Mail Alexis sits down with Debbie Critchfield, the Superintendent of Public Instruction for Idaho, to explore what she is doing in her pivotal role in shaping the state’s education landscape. As the primary education leader, Debbie delves into her four key priorities which surround the ideas of: improving student literacy and math skills, expanding college and career readiness, improvi...

Send us Fan Mail In the exciting season opener, host Alexis Morgan sits down with Dr. Derek Bub, the superintendent of the West Ada School District, the largest district in Idaho, serving nearly 40,000 students. This engaging conversation covers essential topics relevant for parents and staff, providing behind-the-scenes insights into the district's goals for the upcoming year, significant da...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for the season finale as Alexis sits down with her friend and producer, Matt, to reflect on an incredible first season. In this episode, Alexis shares six profound takeaways from this journey, fittingly concluding the season with insights from the past year, echoing the takeaways presented at the end of each episode. Highlights include: The necessity of conversations that...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Marisela Pesina, the School Board Chairwoman for the Caldwell School District, to explore her journey from being the daughter of migrant workers to becoming a powerful advocate for her community. Marisela speaks about how she discovered her voice and turned it into a force for change, translating personal challenges into dedicated advocacy. T...

Send us Fan Mail Join Alexis in an enlightening conversation with Nicole Criner, the Director of External Relations and Development at the Idaho Association for Education of Young Children (ID AEYC), an organization that has been dedicated to supporting early childhood development for over 25 years. Founded by educators with a mission to help parents and families engage with children aged five and...

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Our Kids Our Schools podcast, you get a PART 1 and PART 2 , and you've made it to part 2 . This episode is jammed packed full of what parents, school teachers and administrators, tech companies, and lawmakers can do to help with combating the impacts of the social media and technology on Gen Z. ...and the acknowledgement that IF we don't address this now...

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Our Kids Our Schools podcast, you get a PART 1 and PART 2, so be sure to listen to both as they are both being released TODAY . For the episode, Alexis welcomes back Matt Todd, the host of The Ranch podcast, for an enlightening discussion on the recent New York Times Best Seller, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Drawing from their vast life experiences, i...