Ron Ottinger, a pioneer in out-of-school STEM education and Executive Director of STEM Next Opportunity Fund, joins the hosts to discuss the untapped potential of afterschool programs and summer learning. From the success of the Million Girls Moonshot to the creation of community-driven ambassador programs like Flight Crew, Ron emphasizes the importance of creating environments where students can experiment, fail, and discover what makes them tick. With the launch of STEM Ready America, the conv...
Aug 20, 2025•37 min•Ep. 30
S5: E3 – Emily Ong on Equity, AI, and the Future of Girls Who Code Emily Ong, Director of Partner Development at Girls Who Code, joins us for a powerful conversation about community, culture, and coding. Rooted in her background in organizing and a deep belief in doing “good work with good people”, Emily shares how Girls Who Code is evolving its strategy to meet the moment and the importance of inclusion in building a future where technology works for everyone. It’s not just about teaching the e...
Aug 13, 2025•42 min•Ep. 29
What does it take to launch a professional sports team and embed purpose into every play? Veronne Clark, the first Director of Community for the Golden State Valkyries, joins our hosts to reflect on her path through the NFL, NBA, and more—and the question that’s guided her throughout it all: what am I good at? This episode dives into how sports and education can team up for real change. Check out the Valkyries at https://valkyries.wnba.com/
Aug 07, 2025•41 min•Ep. 28
In this season’s debut episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jordan Toma, motivational speaker and author of "I’m Just a Kid with an IEP,” for an inspiring conversation. Jordan shares his personal journey through school, what social-emotional learning (SEL) truly means for students, and why educators must meet students where they are. Jordan brings lived experience and heartfelt insight into building confidence, self-worth, and hope—especially for those who feel unseen. To learn more about Jord...
Jul 31, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 27
In our season finale, Nick and Calvin are joined by Rico Francis, the first Social Impact Director at the Pacers Foundation, the public charity founded by Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Rico shares his journey from attending after-school programs to leading them in college, ultimately shaping his career in youth services. The conversation dives deep into the realities of nonprofit work, strategies for creating sustainable programs, and the critical importance of mental health in supporting y...
Oct 29, 2024•49 min•Ep. 26
Nick and Calvin talk with Ebony Grace, CEO of New Jersey's Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Professional Network, to explore the significance of non-traditional educational spaces. Ebony shares the innovative tools her organization employs to uplift students and service providers alike, showcasing the power of building strong networks from the ground up. Through personal anecdotes, they discuss how their backgrounds led to their current roles in supporting students towards brighter futures. ...
Oct 22, 2024•53 min•Ep. 25
Join us for a special feature of the Mizzen Meets webinar hosted by Carlos Santini, CEO of Mizzen, a nonprofit providing free resources to educators across the country, featuring our host Nick Monzi. The two reflect on their professional journeys since first connecting in 2015, sharing insights on creating impactful learning experiences and the critical importance of STEM equity in education. As Carlos says, “Attention + Intention = Retention,” their discussion delves into strategies to engage a...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 24
In this episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save The Music, a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable music education across the U.S. through access to instruments and programs. Henry opens up about the life-changing power of music in the classroom and its role in shaping his own career. Together, they discuss how music empowers youth, fosters creativity, and strengthens communities, as well as the innovative J Dilla Music Tech Grant that bridges technology a...
Oct 08, 2024•57 min•Ep. 23
In this season premiere, Nick and Calvin talk with former NBA TV personality and podcaster, Leigh Ellis. He takes us through the moment he turned his career around, leaving the booth in search of pick-up games around the world and the stories in between – like the infamous shoot-out with Steph Curry. Tune in as they discuss career exploration, the life lessons travel teaches you, and the beauty of cross-cultural exchange from playing 3x3 pick-up basketball. To learn more about Leigh's work, visi...
Oct 02, 2024•59 min•Ep. 22
Oct 01, 2024•51 sec•Ep. 1
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Mariana Rivera, an educator from San Francisco, California. Mariana is a longtime NBA Math Hoops program educator at Bay Area Community Resources, and in 2017, her students Angela and Patricia Rodas attended and won the inaugural NBA Math Hoops National Championship. Throughout the conversation, the group recaps the memorable 2017 season and the experience of the first National Championship event.
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 21
Join Nick and Calvin in this week's episode as they sit down with Kayla Alexander, professional basketball player, author, and Learn Fresh board member. Kayla shares her passion for education and her inspiring journey as a division 1 athlete, and also speaks about her children's book, The Magic of Basketball . Tune in to gain insights into Kayla's multifaceted career and her dedication to achieving equity in education. To learn more about Learn Fresh, visit learnfresh.org . Email us at podcast@l...
May 05, 2023•23 min•Ep. 20
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with a group from Clevyr, an application and development firm from Oklahoma City, OK. Clevyr is the developer of the NBA Math Hoops apps and the NBA Math Hoops digital game, and we have worked closely with them to build out Learn Fresh digital tools for students and educators. Nick and Calvin are joined by Kelli Matthews, Strategic Account Manager, Tim Giddens, Senior Software Developer, and Nick Duttwyler, Senior Software Developer. All three hav...
Apr 10, 2023•48 min•Ep. 19
In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jesse Smith Thomas, Partnership Marketing Manager at the Los Angeles Rams and formerly at the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints. Jess shares her transition from a career in STEM to a career in professional sports in her late 20s, and how her STEM education benefited her in this career shift. The three discuss the role of partnership marketing within professional sports teams and how cross industry partnerships have the ability to ma...
Mar 08, 2023•36 min•Ep. 18
Meet Learn Fresh’s Chief Program Officer, Colleen Serafini! In this episode, Colleen sits down with Nick and Calvin to share discuss her career in education, her journey to joining Learn Fresh, and reflections on Learn Fresh's work and mission. Colleen was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended University of California Berkeley. Her first position after graduation was with AmeriCorps VISTA at a middle school in Berkeley, CA supporting youth as an Academic Coordinator. This be...
Feb 12, 2023•41 min•Ep. 17
In Episode 16, Nick and Calvin chop it up with Eric Woodyard, an award-winning journalist and author from Flint, Michigan. Eric is currently the NFL Nation reporter for the Detroit Lions at ESPN, where he also covers basketball and boxing. Eric has appeared on ESPN’s “The Jump,” “E:60”, and “Outside the Lines”, and was awarded first place for Best Sports Story and Best Sports Feature categories in 2012 and 2015 by the Michigan Associated Press. Throughout the conversation, Eric shares stories fr...
Jul 11, 2022•22 min•Ep. 16
In Episode 15, Nick and Calvin welcome Gemma Lenowitz , Program Officer, and Uchenna Ezibe , Program Analysts with the Overdeck Family Foundation’s Inspired Minds portfolio. The Inspired Minds portfolio supports direct impact and ecosystem organizations that expand access to high-quality out-of-school STEM learning experiences that deepen family engagement, build STEM mindsets, and inspire students with joyful and rigorous learning. Learn Fresh has been a grantee of the Inspired Minds portfolio ...
Jul 05, 2022•42 min•Ep. 15
Nick and Calvin speak with Calvin’s former student and NBA Math Hoops alumnus Daivion Smith. Daivion shares his experience participating in the first NBA Math Hoops National Championship, and how his journey through the program helped shape the student and person he is today. Daivion’s experience in the first annual NBA Math Hoops National Championship was featured in ‘An NBA Math Hoops Story ’, a mini-doc available to view on the Learn Fresh Youtube Channel. To learn more about Learn Fresh, vis...
Jun 06, 2022•40 min•Ep. 14
In this episode, Calvin shares his journey as an educator, from a young man with aspirations for the NBA to the ‘Game Changer of Education’. Calvin and Nick discuss the importance of identity representation in education, and how Calvin leveraged culture and fashion to position himself as a positive role model for his students. The discussion then turns to a critical look at the education system: how educators' enthusiasm and creativity are often stifled to the detriment of students, and the impo...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, Calvin and Nick are joined by David Gould, Chief Diversity and Impact Officer at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group of the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout the conversation, recorded in January of 2021, the group explores how the Sixers and HBSE think about engaging the community, and the specific programs that they’re using to achieve impact. David shares his background growing up in a poor part of Philadelphia, having the opportunity to attend an elit...
Aug 10, 2021•40 min•Ep. 12
Gender Equity in K-12 Education In this episode, Calvin and Nick are joined by Delphi Cleaveland, Special Assistant in the Office of Global Women's Issues at U.S. Department of State, for a conversation about gender equity within American education. Throughout the conversation, recorded in December of 2020, the group explores the international and domestic context for gender equity within K-12 education, including issues like gendering of academic topics and activities, representation in school ...
Jul 21, 2021•35 min•Ep. 11
In the final episode of our “Meet the Learn Fresh Fellows” series, we hear from Learn Fresh Fellow Melanie Young. Melanie is the founder of Infinite Mind Tutors, a Black-owned tutoring agency with the mission to use the collective power of Black minds to transform America's educational landscape. Melanie's passion is to make high-quality education accessible to all children. Before launching Infinite Mind Tutors, Melanie was a teacher and tutor working in Philadelphia's public schools for over n...
Jul 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 10
In Part III of this series, we hear from Learn Fresh Fellow Dr. Francene Garrett. Francene holds a Bachelors of Arts degree with a specialization in Vocal Performance, a Masters of Science degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology, and an Educational Doctoral degree in Administrative Leadership for Teaching and Learning. Currently, Francene serves as an Instruction and Personalized Learning Lead in the metropolitan area of Atlanta. She is a mother of one, an avid reader, and enjoys trave...
Jul 15, 2021•23 min•Ep. 9
In Part II of this series, you will hear from Learn Fresh Fellow, Chris Robinson. Chris is a special education teacher and the athletic director at his neighborhood middle school, McAuliffe International School in Denver, Colorado. Growing up, his family put a high standard on education, but it’s something that he took for granted until he transferred to a private school in 8th grade. Immediately, he understood that education was not the same for everyone and as one of the only Black students at...
Jun 28, 2021•21 min•Ep. 8
Meet the inaugural class of Learn Fresh Fellows! Launched in Fall 2020, the Learn Fresh Fellowship for Culturally Inclusive Education invites educators and curriculum writers of color to create and broadly share standards-aligned curricula that authentically represent the cultural, ethnic, and racial identities of their communities. After a rigorous review process, four fellows from across the country were selected as a part of the inaugural class. Over the next four episodes, you will have the ...
Jun 25, 2021•25 min•Ep. 7
Calvin and Nick share reflections on the role and importance of education in the racial justice movement in a two-part episode recorded in December 2020. Throughout the conversation, they talk about how they’ve seen these themes play out in our own lives, in the classroom, and through our work with Learn Fresh. In Part 2, the pair talk about representation in the classroom, culture, and curricula, and what it means for building racial acceptance and the pursuit of social justice. To learn more a...
May 20, 2021•26 min•Ep. 6
Calvin and Nick share reflections on the role and importance of education in the racial justice movement in a two-part episode recorded in December 2020. Throughout the conversation, they talk about how they’ve seen these themes play out in our own lives, in the classroom, and through our work with Learn Fresh. In Part 1, Calvin and Nick explore how the American education system approaches Black history and U.S. history more generally, and how teaching, technology, and pedagogy can contribute to...
May 20, 2021•26 min•Ep. 6
Today we’re talking again with three long standing educators from the Learn Fresh community about their experiences with the NBA Math Hoops program. In Episode 2, we spoke with Denzel Smith, Robin Seelye, and Sean Patterson about teaching during the pandemic. In this episode, we’re sharing more from that conversation, with a focus on what NBA Math Hoops has meant to them, their students, and their teaching. To learn more about Learn Fresh, visit learnfresh.org , or email us at podcast@learnfresh...
May 12, 2021•26 min•Ep. 5
Continuing themes from last week around sport and community, this week’s episode explores the case study of The Huddle, an organization leveraging the power of sport to create positive outcomes for youth in Australia. Nick and Calvin are joined by Emma Kearney, captain and star player of the North Melbourne Football Club and Head of Education and Careers at The Huddle. Cam McLeod serves as CEO of The Huddle and also joins the conversation to discuss his vision for the organization’s scale. The g...
Apr 20, 2021•39 min•Ep. 4
Can professional sports inspire student learning and social impact? How can sports organizations leverage data to evaluate community outcomes? Do professional athletes and leagues have a responsibility to the community? In today’s episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Sacramento Kings star Harrison Barnes, a leading activist in the NBA community, and Kirk Walters, Director of Math Research at WestEd. The group discusses the links between sports and education, and explores the powerful platform athlet...
Apr 06, 2021•34 min•Ep. 3
