Episode 327: Learning & Development, Instructional Design, and AI Talk with Holly Owens In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with Holly Owens , host of EdUp EdTech , Director of Growth Marketing at Yellowdig , and all-around L&D powerhouse. We talk about everything from instructional design to AI in learning, what "proficiency" really means, and how educators can pivot into the world of L&D with confidence. If you're an educator, learning designer, or someone navigating the f...
Jun 25, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 327
What Does It Mean to Be Digitally Well? | with Teodora Pavkovic In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Teodora Pavkovic , psychologist, speaker, and digital wellness expert at Linewize , to unpack how technology shapes our emotions, identity, and relationships. From AI companions and algorithmic influence to parenting in the age of chatbots, Teodora offers practical wisdom and actionable strategies for families and schools seeking healthy digital habits. We dive into why digital pla...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 326
Digital Dangers Facing Our Kids with Andy Murphy In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sat down with Andy Murphy , also known as The Secure Dad, to talk about the uncomfortable truth: kids are being targeted online, and it’s not a fair fight. We unpack how predators use everyday platforms like games and social media to groom and manipulate children, often right under their parents' noses. Andy drops powerful insights that every parent, educator, and EdTech leader needs to hear. Whether you’re a ...
May 30, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 325
Episode 324 – Charlie Meyer: The AI Hype, EdTech Snake Oil & What Teachers Actually Want In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Charlie Meyer , small business owner and creator of Pickcode , to unpack the growing wave of AI solutionism in education. From being shouted at over not using AI to asking hard questions like, “Would you trust a vibe-coded site with your bank info?” , Charlie brings the heat, the honesty, and the humor. If you’re an educator, policymaker, EdTech builder...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 324
AI Ethics, Overreliance & Honest Talk with Jen Manly In this episode of My EdTech Life , Fonz sits down with returning guest Jen Manly , a computer science educator, TikTok powerhouse , and advocate for ethical tech use, to unpack the complex relationship between AI, teaching, and critical thinking. From data privacy concerns to AI detectors that fail our students, this conversation gets real about what’s hype, what’s helpful, and what needs more scrutiny. Whether you're cautiously curious o...
May 09, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 323
Episode 322: ¿Instrucciones o experiencias? El nuevo rol del educador en tiempos de IA | Dr. José R. Ferrer ¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo episodio de My EdTech Life ! Hoy tengo el honor de conversar con el Dr. José R. Ferrer López sobre su libro Cómo Diseñar Experiencias de Aprendizaje en la Era de la Inteligencia Artificial . Hablamos de pensamiento crítico, diseño centrado en el estudiante, el verdadero rol de la IA en educación, y la importancia de diseñar vivencias reales de aprendizaje. Prepárate...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 322
Episode 321: 2059 and the Future of Education with Micah Shippee What if we stopped reacting to every new tech tool and started preparing with intention? In this bold conversation, I sit down with educator, futurist, and Samsung’s Director of Education Solutions, Micah Shippee , to explore his new book 2059: The Future of Education . We dive deep into what the future could look like across AI, classroom models, access, agency, and everything in between. If you're an educator, leader, or just cur...
Apr 19, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 321
Episode 320: Creativity in Young Children: What Science Tells Us and Our Hearts Know with Dr. Zachary Stier & Tom Rendon In this episode of My EdTech Life , I’m joined by returning guest Dr. Zachary Stier and first-time guest Tom Rendon to explore their new book Creativity in Young Children: What Science Tells Us and Our Hearts Know . We dive deep into the intersection of creativity, child development, advocacy, and play—discussing what it means to truly nurture creativity in early learning ...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 320
Episode 319: AI, Education, and Moving at Human Speed with Rob Nelson In this powerful episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with educator, writer, and higher ed tech veteran Rob Nelson to explore the real story behind AI in education. Rob challenges the “move fast and break things” mentality and calls for a more human-paced, thoughtful approach to integrating AI in classrooms. We explore what it really means to Tinker Toward Utopia , how large language models are reshaping student learning (wh...
Apr 04, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 319
Artificial Intelligence, Real Literacy – Evidence-Based Practices in Action Join me on this engaging episode of My EdTech Life as I sit down with Paul Matthews and Jason Gulya to dive into their book titled Artificial Intelligence, Real Literacy: A Practical Guide to Using AI For Evidence-Based Literacy Practices in Education and explore how AI is transforming literacy instruction through evidence-based practices. We discuss everything from integrating AI in the classroom to verifying its output...
Mar 29, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 318
Episode 317: Why Ethics Must Lead Our AI Conversations with Amber Ivey In this powerful episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Amber Ivey—data expert and host of the AI for Kids podcast —to unpack one of the most urgent topics in the world of AI: ethics . Amber shares how her journey in government data and policy led her to become a passionate advocate for AI literacy among kids. From her edutainment platform AiDigiTales to her bestselling children's book AI Meets AI , Amber is on a mission...
Mar 23, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 317
Why Transparency Matters Now More Than Ever with Ken Patterson In this hard-hitting episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Ken Patterson , a former principal turned AI consultant, who pulls no punches on how AI is really being used in schools. Ken saw firsthand how AI transformed a struggling school into a top performer, but the system pushed back hard instead of celebrating. 💡 Here’s what we dive into: ✅ How AI helped Ken’s school thrive—before the system shut it down. ✅ Why so many EdTec...
Mar 05, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 316
Unlock Creativity & Accessibility with Book Creator and Katie Fielding In this special episode of My EdTech Life , we celebrate 100,000 downloads with an incredible guest— Katie Fielding ! 🎉 Katie, an educator-turned-EdTech leader, joins us to dive into the power of Book Creator , the most inclusive tool for creativity and demonstrating learning in K-12. As My EdTech Life’s newest official partner , Book Creator is revolutionizing how students and teachers engage with learning. Katie showca...
Mar 01, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 315
Breaking Language Barriers in Education with Pocketalk with Arturo Guajardo 🎧 Welcome to another exciting episode of My EdTech Life ! This week, I'm joined by Arturo Guajardo from Pocketalk , where we explore how their groundbreaking translation device is helping break down language barriers in classrooms, school districts, and beyond! 🌍 Pocketalk is revolutionizing how educators, students, and parents communicate, especially in multicultural settings. Get ready to hear how this device empower...
Feb 21, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 314
AI Safety, Ethics, and the SHIELD Conference with Angeline Corvaglia The future of AI safety is unfolding fast—and we need to be ready. In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Angeline Corvaglia , a global leader in online safety, AI ethics, and digital literacy. We dive into some of the most pressing issues in AI today , including: 🛑 AI-powered predators and chatbots —are they automating child grooming? 🔍 The hidden dangers of AI relationships —a shocking story of a 13-year-old's ...
Feb 19, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 313
Episode 312: I Used My Boat Money to Start Tech My School with Robby Cobbs What would you do if you saw an entire generation of students being left behind? Robby Cobbs saw the need for better technology, teacher training, and modern resources in Puerto Rican schools—and he took action. Instead of buying a boat, he used his savings to launch Tech My School , a nonprofit dedicated to equipping underserved schools with technology and empowering teachers to bring 21st-century learning to their stude...
Feb 17, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 312
Episode 311: Transforming Audio with Adobe Podcast with Harmony Jiroudek What if creating professional-grade audio was just a few clicks away? In this episode, I sit down with Harmony Jiroudek , Customer Education and Success Lead at Adobe Podcast , to explore how this AI-powered platform is transforming the world of audio creation! 🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Adobe Podcast evolved from an enhanced speech tool to a full-suite podcasting powerhouse 🛠 ✅ AI-driven features like rem...
Feb 14, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 311
Episode 310: AI, Feedback, and Student Success with Caryn Sever In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Caryn Sever , a passionate instructional designer with a mission to revolutionize digital learning. Caryn shares her unique journey into instructional design, her experiences in higher education, and how Generative AI is reshaping the way students learn and engage with course materials. 💡 Topics Covered: ✅ Caryn’s journey from student to instructional design leader ✅ The evolving ...
Feb 07, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 310
Practical Insights on AI, Equity, and Education with Stacy Kratochvil In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Stacy Kratochvil to share actionable insights into using AI in education. Stacy discusses her journey from teaching PE and dance to becoming a leader in AI education and how her work is making a direct impact in classrooms. You’ll learn about Stacy’s professional growth through the Krause Center for Innovation and her experience launching an AI fellowship program to help educ...
Jan 27, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 309
Episode 308: Jim & Maurie Beasley AI Insights from an Engineer-Educator Duo In this exciting episode of My EdTech Life , we welcome Maurie and Jim Beasley , an incredible husband-and-wife team blazing trails in AI for K-12 education! Maurie, an experienced educator and counselor, and Jim, a former engineer turned CTO, share their journey of integrating AI tools into classrooms, balancing innovation with practicality, and bridging the digital divide for rural schools. 💡 What to Expect in Thi...
Jan 22, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 308
Episode 307: AI in Education: Disruption, Challenges, and Opportunities In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Dagan Berenstein, an innovative educator and digital content expert, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on education and how it’s reshaping the learning landscape. Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT are empowering students and educators, the importance of thoughtful integration, and the challenges schools face when navigating this rapidly evolving technology. From f...
Dec 30, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 307
Episode 306: Unlocking Engagement in Education with Curipod In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Eirik Berre and Frikk Fossan , co-founders of Curipod , an innovative AI-powered platform transforming classrooms by fostering collaboration, engagement, and 100% participation. Discover how Curipod helps educators create dynamic lessons, spark classroom discussions, and lower participation barriers for all students. From STAAR test prep success to bilingual support and groundbreaking ...
Dec 27, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 306
In this episode of My EdTech Life , we dive into a crucial topic for parents and educators: creating safer digital spaces for kids. Fonz Mendoza sits down with Bill Brady , CEO of Troomi , to discuss how their innovative phone technology is empowering parents to navigate the challenges of screen time, social media, and digital safety. Tune in for valuable insights, actionable tips, and a look at how Troomi is revolutionizing the tech landscape for families. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: Welco...
Dec 23, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 305
Episode 304: Amplifying Student Voices with Bonnie Nieves In this episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with my great friend, Bonnie Nieves , to discuss the power of amplifying student voices, fostering engagement, and embracing new challenges in the classroom. Bonnie shares her experience transitioning from high school to 6th-grade science, creating meaningful learning opportunities, and her passion for student-led podcasting. This is an inspiring episode filled with actionable strategies for ...
Dec 19, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 304
Blending Creativity, Education, and Technology with Manuel Herrera Welcome to another inspiring episode of My EdTech Life ! Today, we sit down with the multi-talented Manuel Herrera , an illustrator, educator, and consultant, to discuss his journey through education, creativity, and EdTech. Manuel shares how his passion for drawing and creativity has shaped his career and inspired countless students and educators. Get ready for an engaging conversation full of actionable insights and inspiration...
Dec 12, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 303
Episode 302: A Practical Roadmap for AI in K-12 Education with Mike Kentz & Nick Potkalitsky, PhD In this episode of My EdTech Life , I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Kentz and Nick Potkalitsky, PhD , to discuss their new book, AI in Education: The K-12 Roadmap to Teacher-Led Transformation. We dive into the transformative power of AI in education, exploring its potential for personalization, its impact on traditional teaching practices, and the critical need for teacher-driven experi...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 302
Connect, Create, and Grow with The Art of Education In this episode of My EdTech Life, I reconnect with Jen Leban to discuss the vibrant and supportive Art of Education community. Jen shares her journey from being an art teacher to becoming the Online Community Manager for The Art of Education University. Learn how the community supports art educators worldwide, fosters creativity, and integrates technology like AI into art education. Whether you're an aspiring art teacher, a seasoned educator, ...
Nov 19, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 301
Episode 300: Navigating AI and Human Cognition In this special 300th episode of My EdTech Life , I sit down with Benjamin Riley , founder of Cognitive Resonance, to explore the intersection of AI and human cognition in education. We discuss everything from the hype surrounding AI, the challenges of automation in learning, and why understanding human cognition is crucial to navigating new educational technologies. Join us as we question the assumptions about AI’s role in schools, dig into the bia...
Nov 06, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 300
Episode 299: Guardrails for Growing Minds with Dr. Sonia Tiwari In this episode of My EdTech Life, I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Sonia Tiwari, an innovative researcher diving deep into the impact of AI and parasocial relationships on children. We discuss her unique career journey from character design in gaming to focusing on AI’s ethical design for young learners. Together, we explore essential guardrails, the concept of parasocial relationships with AI, and the implications of unregul...
Oct 29, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 299
Welcome to another amazing episode of My EdTech Life! Today, I’m super excited to bring you an insightful conversation with Dan Meyer , a thought leader in the EdTech space. If you’ve ever wondered how Generative AI fits into the classroom or whether it’s all just hype, this episode is for you! Dan has been an influential voice in mathematics education and EdTech for over a decade, and we dive deep into some burning questions: Is Generative AI truly helping teachers and students? How can EdTech ...
Oct 15, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 298
