In this conversation, Josh Druhan shares his journey into the world of tutoring and education, discussing the impact of technology and AI on the tutoring landscape. He reflects on the evolution of standardized testing, the importance of building relationships with students, and the vision for his company, Franklin Yard, in the coming years. Josh emphasizes the value of community among tutors and the need to adapt to changing educational trends while maintaining a focus on student success.
May 30, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 248
In this conversation, Megan shares her journey into education, highlighting her passion for teaching and the creation of effective test prep solutions. She emphasizes the importance of building rapport with students, engaging curriculum design, and fostering trust and authenticity in tutoring.
May 30, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 247
In this conversation, Daniel Ryave shares his journey into test prep education, detailing his experiences as a teacher and tutor, including his impactful time in the Peace Corps. He discusses the transition to virtual tutoring, the importance of social media in building his client base, and the challenges of content creation.
May 30, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 246
In this conversation, Aaron Abernathy shares his journey from a part-time tutor to a full-time entrepreneur in the tutoring space. He discusses the importance of networking, student acquisition strategies, and the impact of pricing on his business. Aaron emphasizes the role of personalized tutoring and the use of technology, particularly Zoom, in enhancing the learning experience.
May 30, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 245
In this conversation, Dr. Saira Baker discusses her extensive experience in education and how she helps individuals and businesses create impactful online courses. She emphasizes the importance of emotional connections in learning, the role of AI in education, and the necessity of personalization and effective scripting in course creation. Dr. Baker also addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the job market and the importance of structuring courses to ensure meaningful lea...
May 30, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 244
In this episode, Brett Ethridge shares his journey of founding Dominate Test Prep, starting with GMAT preparation and expanding into other standardized tests. He discusses the challenges faced during the pandemic, the impact of education policies on test prep demand, and his marketing strategies that emphasize value over price.
May 30, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 243
In this episode, William York discusses the transition to digital testing for the SAT and ACT, sharing his experiences as a test prep tutor. He highlights the challenges faced by students during this transition, the changes in test structure, and the adaptations he has made in his teaching methods. The discussion also covers the impact of technology on testing, student engagement, and the future of standardized testing.
May 30, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 242
In this conversation, Tim Hall discusses the inception of Velocity ACT, the differences between SAT and ACT preferences among students, and the impact of digital testing formats. He shares insights on student performance trends, the challenges of test anxiety, and the business side of running a test prep company.
May 20, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 241
In this conversation, Elizabeth Breau discusses the transition to digital testing for the ACT and SAT, expressing concerns about the impact on critical thinking and reading comprehension. She highlights the challenges students face with shorter passages and formulaic questions, and shares her teaching strategies to adapt to the new format. The discussion also touches on the importance of fostering reading habits in students and the future of standardized testing.
May 20, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 240
In this conversation, Steve Odabashian discusses the transition from traditional paper-based testing to digital formats for the SAT and ACT. He shares his initial concerns about the changes, the challenges faced with adaptive scoring, and the impact of recent glitches on students' testing experiences.
May 20, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 239
In this conversation, David discuss the transition from paper to digital testing for the SAT and ACT, exploring the challenges and surprises faced by students and tutors alike. They delve into the differences in scoring systems, the importance of mastering math skills, and the role of technology in test preparation.
May 20, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 238
In this conversation, Jeff Eisenberg discusses the transition to digital testing for the SAT and ACT, sharing his insights on the changes in format, the importance of the Desmos calculator, and the adaptation required for both students and educators. He reflects on the smooth rollout of the digital SAT, the challenges posed by new reading passages, and the implications of adaptive scoring.
May 20, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 237
In this conversation, Jag and David Blobaum delve into the complexities of merit-based financial aid, the implications of standardized testing, and the decision-making process for students choosing between prestigious Ivy League schools and other institutions. He discusses how test scores can impact scholarship opportunities, the financial realities of attending different types of colleges, and the role of standardized tests in levelling the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds....
May 20, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 236
In this conversation, David Blobaum shares his transformative journey through education, emphasizing the importance of reading and classical languages. He discusses the lessons learned from early work experiences and how they shaped his resilience. The conversation delves into the evolution of standardized testing, the mindset required for effective test-taking, and the common mistakes students make in preparation.
May 20, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 235
In this conversation, Courtney Muse discusses the transition to digital SAT testing, its impact on test preparation, and the comparative analysis between SAT and ACT. Corey shares insights on the effectiveness of digital tools in tutoring, the importance of data-driven decisions, and the future of standardized testing in education.
May 19, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 234
In this conversation, Megan Padden discusses the shift to digital SAT and ACT testing, examining the challenges and innovations influencing students’ experiences. Also, Megan covers the adaptive format of the exams, the difficulties students face with digital annotation, and the adjustments in test preparation. Megan highlights the significance of building strong foundational skills in math and reading, particularly in light of the learning gaps caused by COVID. She also shares her insights on t...
May 19, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 233
In this conversation, Jason, a college counselor, shares insights into the college admissions process, emphasizing the importance of understanding student pressures, the role of curiosity in education, and the significance of intrinsic motivation. He discusses strategies for navigating college admissions, including the benefits of early decision applications and the importance of accountability in student success.
May 19, 2025•49 min
In this conversation, Gus Elmashni discusses the transition of standardized testing to digital formats, particularly focusing on the SAT and ACT. He shares insights on how the pandemic has accelerated this shift and the implications for students and tutors. Gus also reflects on the changes in his tutoring business, emphasizing the importance of adapting to technology and the evolving needs of students. He highlights the challenges of scoring in adaptive tests and the necessity for transparency....
May 19, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 231
In this conversation, Mike discusses the upcoming changes to the ACT, emphasizing that while the test will remain fundamentally the same, there will be enhancements aimed at improving accessibility and the overall test-taking experience. Key changes include a shorter exam format, optional science section, and adjustments to reading comprehension passages.
Mar 23, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 230
In this conversation, Nikki Porcaro discusses the transition to digital testing for the SAT and ACT, exploring the benefits and drawbacks of digital formats, the challenges faced during the rollout, and the implications for test preparation businesses. She emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies for digital tests, the role of technology and AI in test prep, and the current trends in student performance and scoring. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape between the S...
Mar 23, 2025•52 min
In this conversation, Lisa Poliak shares her journey in founding Inner Genius Prep, a company dedicated to helping students excel in college admissions through personalized coaching. She discusses her unique approach to connecting with teenagers, the importance of interview coaching, and the lessons learned from her business mistakes.
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 30 min
In this conversation, Debbie Cavalier discusses the evolution of online music education at Berklee Online, highlighting its pioneering role in the field since 2001. She explains the diverse target audience, including hobbyists and professional musicians, and the structured yet flexible course offerings designed for adult learners. The discussion covers the integration of technology, including AI, in enhancing the learning experience and the importance of instructor feedback.
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In this conversation, Tina Wiles discusses the transition of the ACT to a digital format, highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with this change. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the new testing strategies, the impact of shorter tests, and the significance of digital tools in enhancing student performance.
Mar 23, 2025•47 min
In this conversation, Rob Pollak shares his journey into the education sector, detailing his transition from a solo tutor to leading a team at Polak Tutors. He discusses the impact of the pandemic on tutoring methods, the importance of building a referral network with college counselors, and the balance between in-person and online tutoring.
Mar 23, 2025•49 min
In this conversation, Sarfraz shares his unexpected journey into the education sector, detailing how he transitioned from various entrepreneurial ventures to founding Aristotle Prep. He discusses the evolution of his tutoring company, the introduction of new standardized tests like GRE and SAT, and the challenges faced in scaling the business.
Mar 23, 2025•52 min
In this conversation, Jennifer Post Drager shares her journey from a career in arts management to becoming a coach in standardized test preparation and admissions consulting. She discusses how cultural influences affect exam preparation.
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 24 min
In this conversation, Heather Olson shares her extensive journey in education, highlighting her experiences from teaching in various educational settings to her current role in online teaching and learning. She discusses the concept of open access colleges, the importance of technology in education, and the need for humanizing online learning.
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 9 min
In this conversation, Dr. Amy discusses her journey from criminal justice and sociology to working with juvenile offenders and eventually transitioning into teaching. She shares insights on the challenges faced while working with juvenile offenders, the impact of her experiences on her teaching methods, and the importance of bridging theory and reality in criminal justice education.
Mar 23, 2025•49 min
In this conversation, Harish shares his journey from software testing to becoming a dedicated educator in GRE and other standardized tests. He discusses his teaching methodologies, emphasizing the importance of foundational knowledge and student-centric learning. Harish also reflects on the transition from SAT to GRE, the challenges of online versus in-person teaching, and the tools he uses to enhance the learning experience.
Mar 23, 2025•32 min
In this conversation, Abhinav Tiku shares his journey into LMS consultancy, highlighting the importance of diverse skills, common misconceptions, and the value of continuous learning. He discusses the challenges faced by consultants, the significance of agile methodologies, and strategies for staying updated in a rapidly evolving field.
Mar 23, 2025•41 min
