Disrupt Education Podcast

Sometimes disruption isn’t about big programs or sweeping reforms—it’s about moments. In this Disrupt Education episode, Peter and Alli reflect on their powerful conversation with Dr. Karen Baptiste (Preschool to Prison documentary) and unpack why teacher efficacy and collective efficacy are the true game-changers for students. From a little girl inspired by a female skydiver, to educators choosin...

What turns a school into a pipeline—or a community? Dr. Karen “Dr. K” Baptiste (producer/director of the Emmy-nominated Preschool to Prison) joins Disrupt Education to unpack the mindsets, policies, and daily practices that quietly push students—especially students of color and students with disabilities—toward exclusion. We get specific: why “parental involvement” isn’t the silver bullet, how tea...

Passionate district leaders change everything. In this Jeff Stenroos debrief, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Dahl unpack why Beloit’s academy model works—and how admin who build (not just talk) create talent pipelines with community, industry, and teachers fully aligned. We dig into:The power of vertical alignment (district → building → classroom → community)Why placing the right people in the right se...

What happens when a district actually builds career pathways students can feel? In this episode, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Dahl sit down with Jeff Stenroos (Director of Secondary Ed, School District of Beloit, WI) to unpack a builder’s blueprint: Ford NGL-aligned academies, freshman seminar + mock interviews, tight industry partnerships, and a K–12 pipeline that makes work-based learning real. Jef...

What happens when you stop following the playbook and start creating your own? In this episode, Peter Hostrawser & Alli Dahl build on last week’s conversation with Scott Carr (Ep. 400) and dive into what it really takes to scale classroom innovation into full system change . Using football field analogies, real classroom stories, and community connections, they explore how to move from small e...

What happens when students stop buying what school is selling? In this milestone episode, we sit down with Scott Carr (CESA 2, WI) to explore how schools can move from “best practice” to next practice —building systems that prioritize purpose, durable skills, and authentic community partnerships. Scott shares his journey from a disengaged student to a leader in education transformation, offering a...

How do you truly disrupt education—not just tweak it? In this episode, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Dahl dive deep into their conversation with Dr. Gary Skeen, who’s leading a bold education transformation in Virginia. From statewide flexibility for schools to reimagining teacher preparation and building 193+ workforce partnerships, Gary’s model proves change is possible at scale. Hear powerful stori...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Gary Skeen, Associate Director of the ODU Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity. He’s leading the charge in Virginia’s College Partnership Lab School Network—a statewide movement that’s actually transforming public education by designing what he calls “next practices.”We dig deep into how Virginia is building a full...

In this episode, Peter and Alli reflect on the powerful insights shared by Kristy Volesky in last week’s Disrupt Education conversation. We break down the most impactful takeaways—from rethinking the role of schools in community growth to why true transformation can’t happen without bold local partnerships. This isn’t about checking boxes or chasing test scores—it’s about designing learning experi...

Kristy Volesky returns to the Disrupt Education Podcast to drop powerful insights on how education and community development must evolve together. Kristy unpacks her newest initiative, Edu Vitality, and why strategic collaboration—not checkbox programs—is the key to sustainable learning and local economic growth. We talk about empowering students through real-world projects, placemaking, entrepren...

In this powerful episode, Peter and Alli reflect on lessons from Derrick Griffin (DG Sax), diving into the themes of lifelong learning, embracing chaos, mentorship, and finding alignment with your values. From skydiving to music to building intentional communities, they explore how personal growth is a journey—not a destination. Learn why documenting your path, surrounding yourself with growth-min...

Derrick Griffin—aka DG Sax—returns to the podcast with powerful insight on life, learning, and building a purpose-driven path. From music to business, Derrick shares how embracing both structure and creativity helped shape his journey. He dives into the value of durable skills, the myth of instant success, and why college served as a healthy middle ground—not a destination. This episode offers rea...

In this recap episode, Peter and Alli reflect on the powerful insights shared by recent grads Abby Caudill and Lindsay McDonald in Episode 392. They dive deep into the real-world implications of college, why Gen Z is pulling back the curtain on traditional education, and how educators can better connect learning to purpose. From career counselors who never show up to the real reason students feel...

In this powerful episode of Disrupt Education, we reconnect with former students Abby Caudill and Lindsay McDonald—now college grads—to unpack what four years of higher ed really teach you. From changing majors and failing classes to chasing dreams and confronting burnout, Abby and Lindsay open up about the highs, lows, and everything in between. We explore the pressure to "figure it all out," why...

In this reflective Disrupt Education episode, Alli and Peter revisit their recent conversation with Liam Sundling, highlighting the raw realities of post-high school life in your mid-20s. They explore the pressures young adults face—from career uncertainty and the influence of social media to shifting interests and changing dreams. Liam’s honesty about pivoting careers, questioning his “why,” and...

Seven years after his first appearance on Disrupt Education as a college sophomore, Liam Sundling returns to reflect on the winding road from confident environmental engineering student to navigating the real-world messiness of early career shifts, getting fired, pivoting paths, and finding his groove in environmental consulting. Liam shares honest insights about the transition from "college plus"...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, Peter and Alli revisit the powerful story of Isaac Palmer, a young creative who left traditional high school after ninth grade and charted his own path—earning his education through real-world experience, mentors, and what he calls “YouTube University.” Isaac’s journey underscores the life-changing impact a single piano class had on his life and ch...

Seven years after first appearing on Disrupt Education as a driven 17-year-old music producer, Isaac Palmer returns to share his journey from teen DJ to Billboard-charting artist. In this full-circle episode, Peter and Alli reconnect with Isaac to unpack how his nontraditional education, online learning path, and early passion for music shaped his thriving career. Isaac dives into the importance o...

In this reflective episode of the Disrupt Education podcast, Peter and Alli wrap up their recent series on gamification and agile learning in education. They dive into insights from guests like Dan, Kathleen, Simon, and Jeff, who challenge traditional methods by promoting hands-on, student-centered learning—often without relying on tech. The duo emphasizes the importance of user experience in educ...

In this episode of Disrupt Education, we continue our deep dive into the heart of educational transformation with Simon Holtzapfel and Jeff Burstein. Together, we explore how schools can break free from outdated systems and embrace agility, adaptability, and authentic learning. Simon shares insights from the LEAF Lab’s work in Denmark and around the world, where education becomes a living, breathi...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Dahl dive into a bold conversation with Simon and Jeff, the minds behind the Learning Educational Agile Framework (LEAF). From Jeff’s dramatic exit from a traditional master’s program to Simon’s deep roots as a teacher and head of school, this episode explores how Agile thinking can revolutionize education. Alli brings rea...

In this episode, Peter and Alli unpack their conversation with Kathleen deLaski and dive deep into the shifting landscape of postsecondary education. From skill shakeups and the college enrollment cliff to the rise of microcredentials and AI-driven career paths, this one’s packed with bold ideas and real talk. Why do we pressure students to pick a rigid path at 18? What if we embraced agility, des...

In this episode of Disrupt Education, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Dahl sit down with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab, to explore how the future of education is being reshaped through learner-centric models and skills-based learning. Kathleen dives deep into the Lab’s mission to bridge equity gaps by co-designing with colleges and employers, unlocking opportunity through micro-pathw...

In Episode 382, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Dahl dive into why traditional education keeps missing the mark in preparing students for the real world. From disengaged learners to outdated compliance-based models, they unpack the growing gap between school and life. They explore the urgent need for durable skills, student-owned portfolios, and real community partnerships to bring relevance back to lea...

In this episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, we sit down with Dan Thomas, a 30+ year STEM educator on a mission to transform learning through project-based education, LEGO integration, and AI-powered teaching. Dan shares his journey, the power of hands-on learning, and how durable skills like creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration come alive in his classroom. We dive into the balance...