On this episode of Trending in Education , Mike Palmer is joined by Elliot Felix, a returning guest, to discuss his new book, The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success . The book, releasing July 22nd, focuses on how higher education can become more agile, connected, and break down silos. Elliot Felix shares his mission of student success, drawing on his experience consulting with over 120 colleges and universities to improve student experiences through transformations in p...
Jul 22, 2025•39 min•Season 9Ep. 707
Join us as Mike Palmer reveals Trending in Ed's Summer Reading List 2025! Mike shares the books that resonate most with the learning zeitgeist based on conversations with folks like Isabelle Hau , Horacio Sanchez , Kathleen DeLaski, and Eddie Watson . Plus get sneak peaks at upcoming book episodes with Elliot Felix , Doug Lemov, and Shalinee Sharma up next in the Trending in Ed feed. Don't miss this high-quality list of books that change your perspective and help move the needle in the world of ...
Jul 18, 2025•33 min•Season 9Ep. 706
Join us on this episode of Trending in Education as Mike Palmer talks with Dr. Margaret Honey , President and CEO of the Scratch Foundation . We dive into the world of Scratch, the visual programming language that's empowering a new generation of creative thinkers and makers. Dr. Honey shares her unique career path, starting from her high school days reading about experimental schools to her impactful work at Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) and the New York Hall of Science. ...
Jul 07, 2025•39 min•Season 9Ep. 705
On this episode of Trending in Education , host Mike Palmer sits down with Dr. Keith Sawyer, a renowned creativity researcher and professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Dr. Sawyer, author of the book Learning to See: Inside the World's Leading Art and Design Schools , shares insights from his career journey and extensive research into creativity and learning. Key Takeaways: The Power of Constraints: Dr. Sawyer reveals that in leading art and design schools, creativity is ofte...
Jun 30, 2025•43 min•Season 9Ep. 704
On this episode of Trending in Education , Mike Palmer is joined by Margaret Wang-Aghania , co-founder and executive director of Subject to Climate , to discuss the integration of climate education into K-12 schooling. We explore how Subject to Climate empowers educators to teach about climate change, action, and justice across all grade levels and subjects. Key Takeaways: Margaret shares her origin story as a high school social studies teacher and how her experiences led to the founding of Subj...
Jun 26, 2025•33 min•Season 9Ep. 703
In this episode of Trending in Education , Mike Palmer hosts Charles Beyrouthy, Managing Partner at Forma Prime , a venture capital firm, to explore the exciting intersection of deep technology and the future of education. We dive into the profound shifts happening in our world, from the cutting-edge advancements in quantum computing, new sensor technologies, and cybersecurity, as well as the impact of generative AI on all of this. Key Takeaways: Charles Beyrouthy's Journey : Charles shares his ...
Jun 23, 2025•53 min•Season 9Ep. 702
Dr. Terri Givens is a regular "Friend of the Show" on Trending in Ed and a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia and author of Radical Empathy . She joins host Mike Palmer to discuss the current challenges facing higher education and academic associations, the importance of collaboration, and how individuals can take action in a chaotic world. Key Takeaways: Higher education faces significant disruptions, including declining enrollment, reduced research funding, an...
Jun 19, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 701
In the 700th episode of Trending in Ed , host Mike Palmer welcomes back Nancy, our virtual co-host, to delve into the latest and most significant developments in the world of Artificial Intelligence, viewed through the crucial lens of education. This milestone episode marks the launch of a new sub-feed, Trending in Ed - AI , which will focus specifically on the intersection of education and artificial intelligence. The discussion covers a range of thought-provoking topics, including: Canny Centa...
Jun 17, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 700
On this episode of Trending in Education , Mike Palmer sits down with Scott Cheney, CEO of Credential Engine , to discuss the evolving landscape of credentials and their vital role in shaping our future workforce. They delve into the complexities of a skills-based economy, the challenges of translating diverse experiences into recognized credentials, and the crucial need for transparency and common standards in education and employment data. The Problem of a Confusing Marketplace: With nearly a ...
Jun 02, 2025•33 min•Season 9Ep. 699
On this episode of Trending in Education , host Mike Palmer is joined by educator, speaker, and author Mitch Weisburgh to discuss the concept of "mindshifting" and its profound implications for education, personal development, and navigating a rapidly changing world. Mitch shares his journey from teaching computer skills in the early days of personal computing to developing frameworks for resilience, resourcefulness, and collaboration that he now calls mindshifting. Check out Mitch's book on the...
May 29, 2025•35 min•Season 9Ep. 698
Step into a very special episode of Trending in Ed , where host Mike Palmer reunites with fellow co-founders Brandon Jones and Dan Strafford! Since its inception in September 2016, Trending in Ed has been a consistent voice in education, and this reunion delivers a nostalgic yet forward-looking take on education trendspotting. Catch up with Brandon and Dan, discover what they've been doing, and hear their and Mike's reflections on the podcast's journey and the evolving landscape of education ove...
May 22, 2025•43 min•Season 9Ep. 697
What if AI could level the playing field in higher education? This episode of Trending in Education explores that very question with Cecilia Marshall, Chief Advancement Officer at Ed Advancement . Host Mike Palmer and Marshall delve into the complex and compelling potential of AI, focusing on its impact on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions serving under-resourced students. Marshall, whose journey winds from corporate advertising to the heart of education...
May 20, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 696
Forget everything you thought you knew about digital signage – it's not just for the front office anymore. In this episode recorded live at the ASU+GSV Summit , host Mike Palmer sits down with Juliana Finegan, VP of Educator Experience @ Vivi to explore the evolving landscape of education and the crucial factors that drive teacher success. Drawing from her experience as a former high school chemistry and 8th-grade science teacher and her work with organizations like the Learning Accelerator, Jul...
May 15, 2025•25 min•Season 9Ep. 695
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer interviews Desmond Stinnie and Addison Wiggin, the co-founders of Dealing with Debt, a platform focused on financial literacy and community support. Desmond shares his lifelong passion for financial education, tracing back to his childhood curiosity about money. Addison brings his 30 years of experience in financial publishing and macroeconomic analysis, highlighting the evolution of consumer culture and debt. Together, they discuss the ...
May 14, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 694
In this enlightening episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Dr. Mark Milliron, the President of National University , for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of higher education. Recorded live at the ASU+GSV Summit to the unique needs of non-traditional students and the impact of AI, Mark shares invaluable insights on the future of learning. Key Takeaways: The Changing Face of Higher Ed: Discover why the traditional image of a college student is outdated and how instituti...
May 12, 2025•22 min•Season 9Ep. 693
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Alvin Crawford, CEO of EdVice K12 and a seasoned expert in the field of education and technology. Alvin takes us on a journey through his career, from the early days of the internet, working with major players like Digitas and Ogilvy, to his pivotal role in the growth of Schoolnet, and his current work as a consultant with Edvice K12. Alvin dives into the critical topic of adolescent literacy and highlights innovative solutions like World Book ClassMat...
May 08, 2025•15 min•Season 9Ep. 692
Join Mike Palmer live from the ASU+GSV conference in San Diego for an illuminating conversation with Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera . In this dynamic episode, Marni shares her inspiring origin story, from her early days at UCSB during the dawn of web browsers to her time as Provost of Western Governors University to her pivotal role today at Coursera, shaping the future of online education. We dive deep into the evolving landscape of EdTech, discussing Coursera's impressive...
May 06, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 691
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer interviews Nate Eklund, founder and CEO of Vital Network , about the critical issues of teacher and administrative burnout in the U.S. Nate shares his journey from a high school teacher to an expert in education workforce development, driven by a passion for creating sustainable and engaging work environments in schools. We also touch on Nate's groundbreaking work: How Was Your Day at School: Improving Dialog About Teacher Job Satisfacti...
May 05, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 690
In this enlightening episode of Trending in Ed , host Mike Palmer engages in a dynamic conversation with Edson Barton, co-founder and CEO of YouScience , diving deep into the transformative power of career education and aptitude assessment. Edson shares his own compelling origin story, reflecting on how his early struggles in school ignited a passion for revolutionizing the way we approach education and career guidance. The discussion explores the shortcomings of traditional career guidance meth...
May 01, 2025•44 min•Season 9Ep. 689
Is it "absenteeism" or is there a "new absenteeism?" Join us as we dive into groundbreaking research from Teach for America's Reinvention Lab featuring Colleen Keating Crawford and Izzy Fitzgerald, who are at the forefront of exploring the evolving landscape of student engagement. Here's the link to Colleen's previous appearance on Trending in Ed where we talk about the Lab's Crossing the Canyon research . We tackle the pressing question: Why haven't post-COVID attendance rates rebounded? Collee...
Apr 28, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 688
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer talks with Deb Mallin , the founder and CEO of Mighty Doodle Inc. , about the power of AI in transforming literacy education. Deb’s journey into education was inspired by her own experiences as a mother and educator, driving her to create Mighty Doodle, an AI-based literacy tutoring system. Mighty Doodle uses a series of engaging mini-games to help children develop essential reading, writing, and spelling skills. Mike and Deb discuss the...
Apr 24, 2025•20 min•Season 9Ep. 687
In this episode of Trending in Education, we sit down with Dacia Toll, Co-CEO of Coursemojo , to explore the intersection of education reform and AI's transformative potential in K12 settings. Dacia shares her 26-year journey in education, from her early days as a teacher and principal in New Haven, Connecticut, to her pivotal role in scaling Achievement First , a network of 41 schools. Dacia discusses the challenges of addressing student needs and teacher support after the disruptions of Covid-...
Apr 21, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 686
In this captivating episode of Trending in Ed, we reconnect with the dynamic filmmaking duo, Jaye and Adam Fenderson of Three Frame Media , to explore their latest impactful project: The Class . Stepping back into the world of education after their acclaimed film Unlikely ( here's the link to their prior appearance talking about it in 2019 ), the Fendersons' new docuseries, now airing on PBS, intimately chronicles the journey of six East Bay students and their dedicated advisor, Mr. Cam, during ...
Apr 17, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 685
In this episode of Trending in Education , host Mike Palmer interviews Emily Coleman, co-founder and CEO of HAI Analytics Inc , about the intersection of data science and higher education. Emily shares her journey from a PhD in Psychology and Statistics to founding HAI Analytics, highlighting her passion for using data to drive decision-making in higher education. They discuss the importance of predictive analytics, the challenges and opportunities for data implementation in higher education, an...
Apr 10, 2025•35 min•Season 9Ep. 684
In this episode of Trending in Education , host Mike Palmer welcomes Dana Bryson, Senior Vice President of Social Impact at Study.com , for an engaging discussion on the intersection of education, technology, and social impact. This follows almost exactly a year from Dana's first appearance on Trending in Ed with Paul Gollash from ETS . Dana shares her inspiring origin story, from her upbringing with activist parents who had the first legal interracial marriage in Virginia, to her work in public...
Apr 07, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 683
In this episode of Trending in Ed , host Mike Palmer catches up with serial entrepreneur Avi Yashchin, the Founder of Subconscious AI , about his professional journey from Wall Street to the cutting edge of AI. Yashchin, who started his career as a high-frequency equity trader, offers us a unique perspective on the 2008 financial crisis and how it sparked his interest in understanding the “why” behind market fluctuations. We delve into Yashchin's experience at IBM's Watson education business uni...
Apr 03, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 682
In this episode of Trending in Education , we welcome Auditi Chakravarty, CEO of the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF) , to explore the cutting edge of education R&D. We begin by tracing Auditi's journey from a high school English teacher to a leader in curriculum and assessment development, with stops at Kaplan and the College Board, where she helped shape major programs like AP and the redesigned SAT. Now, at the helm of AERDF, Auditi is driving a new approach to R&a...
Mar 31, 2025•32 min•Season 9Ep. 681
We're thrilled to bring you another engaging episode recorded live at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas! Join Trending in Ed host Mike Palmer as he sits down with Lindsay Whorton, President of the Holdsworth Center , to explore innovative approaches to educational leadership, innovation, and the future of K-12. Lindsay shares her inspiring journey from college hoops to teaching to leading a cutting-edge organization that's transforming how we develop and support educational leaders. We discuss the criti...
Mar 27, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 680
In this dynamic episode of Trending in Education , host Mike Palmer connects with Dana Stephenson, co-founder and CEO of Riipen , live from SXSW EDU in Austin. We dive into how Riipen is revolutionizing higher education and the workforce by tackling the critical experience gap head-on. Discover how their innovative platform seamlessly connects students and companies through impactful, skill-specific projects. Dana shares the compelling origin story behind Riipen, revealing the challenges that he...
Mar 24, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 679
In this episode of Trending in Education , we explore the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and resilience in education. We speak with Dr. Horacio Sanchez, the founder and CEO of Resiliency, Inc , about his groundbreaking work with K-12 systems. We dive into Dr. Sanchez's origin story and learn how his early work as the youngest director of mental health in North Carolina led him to develop a resiliency-based treatment model for at-risk kids. We discuss how increasing protective factors, ...
Mar 20, 2025•34 min•Season 9Ep. 678
