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Catching Up: Grey Goo, News Deserts, and Our Predictions for 2026

Getting Smart Podcast

Release Date: 01/16/2026

How Can We Rethink Math Education When Computers and AI Do the Calculations? | Ted Dintersmith show art How Can We Rethink Math Education When Computers and AI Do the Calculations? | Ted Dintersmith

Getting Smart Podcast

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen sits down with author and education advocate Ted Dintersmith to rethink what math should look like in a changing world—especially as AI makes rote procedures less relevant. Together they unpack the limits of test-driven instruction, the consequences of low math and data literacy for civic life, and why classrooms should prioritize estimation, statistics, probability, modeling, and real-world problem solving that builds confidence and curiosity. If we want future-ready learners, math has to move from gatekeeping to empowerment. ...

info_outline How Do We Thrive and Rehumanize School for Kids and Adults? | Stephanie Malia Krauss show art How Do We Thrive and Rehumanize School for Kids and Adults? | Stephanie Malia Krauss

Getting Smart Podcast

Stephanie Malia Krauss returns to the Getting Smart Podcast for a conversation with Tom Vander Ark about her new book, How We Thrive: Caring for Kids and Ourselves in a Changing World. Together they explore why so many adults and young people feel overwhelmed and depleted—and what it looks like to “rehumanize” school and home by protecting the essentials that help humans thrive. The discussion walks through body, mind, heart, and spirit essentials—from food, sleep, movement, and nervous system regulation to play, wonder, flow, connection, belonging, and contribution—offering...

info_outline How Can We Design Learning Spaces That Transform Education? | Kevin Stoller show art How Can We Design Learning Spaces That Transform Education? | Kevin Stoller

Getting Smart Podcast

Learning doesn’t happen “in rows,” and Kevin Stoller has seen firsthand how the right environment can change everything. In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia talks with Stoller—author of Creating Better Learning Environments and host of the Better Learning podcast—about designing learner-centered spaces that support movement, choice, collaboration, and community connection. They explore why the term “classroom” can limit our thinking, how districts can better align facilities with instructional vision through a “learning space...

info_outline What Happens When Students Bring a Portrait of a Graduate to Life? | NEAAAT Students show art What Happens When Students Bring a Portrait of a Graduate to Life? | NEAAAT Students

Getting Smart Podcast

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Victoria Andrews sits down with student leaders from Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technology (NEAT) to explore what happens when a Portrait of a Graduate becomes more than a poster on the wall. Kaylyn Rosado, Connor Mawhiney, and Anna Montero share how student voice shaped their school’s learning model—from a student ambassador program and community interviews to classroom practices that build collaboration, empathy, and confidence. The conversation also highlights NEAT’s flexible STEM-focused pathways...

info_outline Catching Up: School Choice, AI & Humanity, and Bottom-Up Innovation show art Catching Up: School Choice, AI & Humanity, and Bottom-Up Innovation

Getting Smart Podcast

In this episode of Catching Up, Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia explore what’s changing in education—and what should change next—through the lenses of infrastructure, accountability, and emerging technology. They discuss a “smart city” view of transportation and connectivity, unpack new research on how parents respond to grades vs. standardized test data, and examine a Florida study on how school choice competition impacts performance. The conversation then shifts to the Future of Tech and Work, including AI agents and the incentive structures shaping...

info_outline How Do You Build a Team That Builds, Instead of Building It All Yourself? | Kelly Coffin show art How Do You Build a Team That Builds, Instead of Building It All Yourself? | Kelly Coffin

Getting Smart Podcast

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Rebecca Midles talks with Kelly Coffin, superintendent in Farmington Hills, Michigan, about what it really means to “go slow to go fast” in district transformation. Coffin shares how leaders can build trust and capacity through co-design with educators closest to students, stay connected through daily visibility and listening routines, and “test the system” for readiness without defaulting to top-down control. The conversation centers on authentic leadership—grounded in clarity of vision, coherence, and the...

info_outline What Makes Parents Choose Alternative Schools? | Eric Wearne show art What Makes Parents Choose Alternative Schools? | Eric Wearne

Getting Smart Podcast

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Victoria Andrews sits down with Eric Wearne of Kennesaw State University and the National Hybrid Schools Project to explore what research is revealing about hybrid models (often 2–3 days on campus and 2–3 days at home), including facilities and regulatory challenges, who teaches in these settings, and why learner-centered culture matters. They also dig into trust, access, and equity—highlighting creative solutions like support-day staffing and community partnerships—plus how expanded options could reduce conflict and better match learners...

info_outline Are Framing and Storytelling Our Next Steps in Education Reform? | Nat Kendall-Taylor show art Are Framing and Storytelling Our Next Steps in Education Reform? | Nat Kendall-Taylor

Getting Smart Podcast

In the latest episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia sits down with Nat Kendall-Taylor, CEO of Frameworks Institute, to explore the critical role of narrative in education reform. They discuss how framing and storytelling can combat fatalism, foster engagement, and create systemic change in education. Together, they dive into the challenges of building cohesive education narratives, the importance of youth-led movements, and the potential of shifting education's focus from future preparation to fostering community and well-being in the present. Tune in to learn how innovative...

info_outline How Can Schools Become Community Centers? | Dr. Justin Terry show art How Can Schools Become Community Centers? | Dr. Justin Terry

Getting Smart Podcast

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Victoria Andrews sits down with Dr. Justin Terry, Superintendent of Forney ISD, to discuss the groundbreaking Opportunity Center (OC) in Forney, Texas. Dr. Terry shares the vision behind this 350,000-square-foot, future-ready facility that integrates career, college, and community into one dynamic space. From entrepreneurial opportunities for students and community members to creating a vibrant third space that serves all ages, this conversation highlights how innovative design and collaboration can transform education and community engagement....

info_outline How Can Mentorship and Innovation Empower the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs? | Clay Banks and EIC show art How Can Mentorship and Innovation Empower the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs? | Clay Banks and EIC

Getting Smart Podcast

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, host Mason Pashia dives into the incredible work happening at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EIC) in Williamson County, Nashville. Joined by mentor Clay Banks and three inspiring student entrepreneurs—Abby, Samuel, and Adam—the discussion highlights how mentorship, hands-on learning, and community support are transforming education. From tackling real-world problems to developing innovative solutions like drink safety tools and AI-powered learning platforms, this conversation showcases the power of empowering students to think big...

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More Episodes

On this episode of Catching Up, hosts Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia dive into key topics shaping education in 2026. From the rise of AI in classrooms and concerns about its regulation to a deep dive into the potential of scholastic journalism as a tool for real-world learning, they explore how education can foster connection, critical thinking, and creativity. The duo also shares their top 10 predictions for 2026, including insights on media literacy, work-based learning, and the future of education funding. Tune in for thought-provoking ideas, actionable insights, and even a little inspiration on building forts as adults!

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