Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer
Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer explores the future of education at the intersection of learning, media, and the future of work. Host Mike Palmer, founder of Palmer Media, interviews thought leaders and entrepreneurs pushing the boundaries of learning. Each episode offers insights into emerging trends and innovative approaches in education.
Episodes
Framing the Teacher Shortage as a Workforce Design Problem | Dr. James Lane | Universal Instruction (UI)
What if the teacher shortage isn’t really a shortage of teachers?
Host Mike Palmer welcomes Dr. James Lane, CEO of Unlimited Instruction (UI), formerly University Instructors. James started as a middle school band director and went on to be a principal, a superintendent in three Virginia districts, Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the leader of the U.S. Department of Education
Sal Khan on AI Tutors, Durable Skills, and the Khan TED Institute | Trending in Ed w Mike Palmer
What happens when the original edtech pioneer gets an early look at GPT-4? Host Mike Palmer welcomes Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, for a conversation spanning two decades of edtech. Sal traces his path from hedge fund analyst tutoring his cousin Nadia over Yahoo Messenger to YouTube videos his cousins liked better than him in person, to a nonprofit serving learners in 50+ languages. H
Trust, Tech Bans, and Centering the Rising Generations | Dr. Janice Jackson | Aspen Institute
Are screen bans solving the right problem, or just creating new ones? Host Mike Palmer welcomes Dr. Janice Jackson, Executive Director of the Education & Society Program at the Aspen Institute and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, for a conversation that trades hyperbole for nuance. Janice traces her path from CPS history teacher and debate coach to superintendent, then to founder of Hope Chic
Howard Gardner on AI, Ethics, & 2050 | Trending in Ed S11 Kickoff
Trending in Ed kicks off Season 11 with the return of Harvard's Howard Gardner, the developmental psychologist behind the theory of multiple intelligences. Picking up where their first conversation left off, Howard and host Mike Palmer look past next year's syllabus to ask what education should be in 2050 and beyond.
Howard revisits Five Minds for the Future with a provocative claim: AI will incr
Advancing Public Trust in Higher Education | Jeremy C. Young | AAC&U | Trending in Higher Ed
How can higher education rebuild its relationship with the public in an era of heightened political polarization, shifting financial models, and rapid technological disruption? In this episode of Trending in Ed, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Jeremy C. Young, Senior Advisor at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), to discuss the foundational new report: Advancing Public Tr
The Emergent Leader with Author Don Gregori COO @ First Factory
Mike Palmer reconnects with old colleague Don Gregori, COO of First Factory, to unpack core insights from Don’s book, The Emergent Leader: A Guide to Brand Building, Leadership, and Self-Mastery. Drawing from a non-linear career path—ranging from theater major and aerial stunt coordinator to an 18-year tenure at Kaplan and scaling tech teams—Don shares practical strategies for authentic leadership
Lessons in Literacy from a 62-year-old Learner | David Chalk | Neurodiversity and Dyslexia Advocate
What if everything we know about teaching reading is upside down?
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with tech entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and innovator David Chalk to unpack a remarkable story of literacy, neurodiversity, trauma, and redemption.
Key Highlights & Discussion Points:
🧠 Trauma and the Literacy Crisis: David recounts his early school trauma s
Bringing an AI Fluency Program to Kids Globally with Dr. Taniya Mishra, CEO @ SureStart
How do we move beyond baseline AI literacy to true AI fluency, agency, and self-efficacy for the next generation? In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Dr. Taniya Mishra, Founder and CEO of SureStart, to explore how hands-on, mentor-led AI education is empowering youth globally to shift from passive users to confident creators.
Drawing from her 12+ years as an
The Reward Trap: Why External Rewards Backfire with Dr. Ozgur Bolat
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer is joined by Dr. Ozgur Bolat, associate professor of educational science and author of The Reward Trap: Why Rewards Backfire and the Real Science of Motivating Kids. Dr. Bolat shares his journey from seeking external validation to decoding the science of intrinsic motivation, offering practical strategies for parents and educators looking
The Education Investment Landscape with Mike Peng, Weatherstone Capital Partners
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Mike Peng, Founder and Managing Partner of Weatherstone Capital Partners, to explore the evolving intersection of education, technology, and capital markets. After missing a meeting at ASU+GSV in San Diego, Mike and Mike reconnect to unpack what it takes to scale educational ventures past the startup phase and navigate the b
Building Constructive Dialogue Habits in Higher Ed with Francesca Schuler ED @ Dialogue Vanderbilt
How can higher education equip Gen Z to navigate rapid AI disruption, political polarization, and shifting workplace expectations? In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer connects with Francesca Schuler, Executive Director of Dialogue Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt University. Drawing from her executive career as a COO and CEO in private-sector consumer and fitness industries, Frances
Reaching The Mission Generation with Author Arun Gupta, CEO at NobleReach
What if the safest career path in an era of rapid AI disruption is actually doing something entrepreneurial or mission-driven?
In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Arun Gupta, CEO of NobleReach Foundation and author of The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future. Drawing from his background as a venture capitalist, Georgetown a
Helping the Workforce Lean into AI with Monica Marquez, Co-Founder of FlipWork
Host Mike Palmer connects with Monica Marquez, founder of FlipWork and founding director of the TIDE Center at UNT Dallas, to explore how humans can navigate the rapid disruption of AI in the workplace. Drawing from her deep background in human capital, diversity, and leadership development at industry giants like Goldman Sachs, Google, and Bank of America, Monica brings a deeply human-centere
Leading from the Heart | Dr. D Ivan Young on Self-Empathy and the Neuroscience of Leadership
Host Mike Palmer connects with behavioral neuroscience expert and executive coach Dr. D. Ivan Young to discuss his book, Leading from the Heart. They analyze the balance between artificial intelligence and human emotion, detailing how self-empathy, compassion, and psychological safety impact leadership. Dr. Young also shares practical insights on managing emotional signals, navigating media-driven
Educators As Designers with Author Jim Gaona Ellis
How do we shift the role of teachers from passive curriculum implementers to active classroom architects?
This week on Trending in Ed, host Mike Palmer is joined by K-12 math teacher and author Jim Gaona Ellis on the day his new book drops: Educators as Designers: The Hidden Architecture of Learning. Drawing from his unique background transitioning from an architecture student to a global educa
Building Explainable AI with Beth Rudden - CEO at Bast AI
This week on Trending in Ed, host Mike Palmer is joined by Trending in Ed all-star Beth Rudden, CEO of Bast AI. From her roots digging in the dirt as an archaeologist to managing a $34 billion division as the Chief Data Officer of IBM Managed Services, Beth brings a deeply grounded, technical perspective to the artificial intelligence conversation.
In this wide-ranging and insightful conversati
Episode 750: Live from the HGSE Next Level Lab Spring Summit
In this milestone 750th episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer takes the podcast on the road to the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) for the Next Level Lab Spring Learning Summit. Centered on the future of work, workforce learning, and instructional design, this episode features a dynamic series of conversations with emerging researchers and educational innovators who are re
Summer 2026 Preview Trailer: Reinventing the Future of Learning
Big changes are coming to Trending in Ed. Next Tuesday, June 9th, we are hitting a historic milestone: Episode 750. To celebrate our upcoming 10th-anniversary season, we are completely reinventing the show's structure for a massive Summer 2026 Sprint.
We are officially launching four dedicated summer tracks to follow the changing talent and learning landscape:
K-12 Classroom Design
AI
Scaling a Commencement Platform with Chase Rigby, CEO of Tassel
Commencement season is here, and while we all love the tradition, let’s be honest: a lot of graduation ceremonies are still operationally stuck in the 18th century. This week, Chase Rigby, CEO of Tassel, joins Mike Palmer to talk about what it actually takes to modernize the final milestone of the student lifecycle. Chase shares his path from teaching seventh-grade math and science with Teach For
How One Public High School Transformed First-Gen College Success with Dr. Erika Kitzmiller
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes Erika Kitzmiller, a research associate professor at the University of Chicago and author of the new book, Unchartered: How One Public High School Transformed First Generation College Success. Drawing on her own background as a former middle school teacher and a proud first-generation college graduate, Kitzmiller shares the insight
Smarter Decision-Making in the Age of AI with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, Author of The Human Edge
Cheryl Strauss Einhorn joins Mike Palmer to discuss her latest book, The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI. As the founder of Decisive and a former investigative journalist for Barron's, Cheryl brings a unique perspective to the world of problem solving. Her career shift from reporting on corporate scandals to teaching at Columbia University stems from a desire to move beyond simple a
Exploring American Educational Excellence with Author and Founder Kenan Sahin
Host Mike Palmer welcomes Kenan Sahin, the Founder and President of CAMX Power and author of American Educational Excellence: The Foundation of Our Values, Democracy, and Market Capitalism, to the podcast. We explore his educational roots as a product of California public schools and early career as an MIT professor, as well as his time leading Bell Labs as a Vice President of Technology. Kenan sh
Big If True Thinking, AI and Early Literacy with Kumar Garg, President Renaissance Philanthropy
Kumar Garg, President of Renaissance Philanthropy, rejoins host Mike Palmer for his third appearance on Trending in Ed, earning his highly coveted refrigerator magnet. Kumar discusses RenPhil's growth and its mission to help donors invest effectively in science and technology research areas like AI, climate, and education.
Big If True:
The conversation explores the concept of "Big If True" and
AI Literacy, Storytelling, and the Magic of Moby with BrainPOP CEO Lorin Thomas-Tavel
In this special edition of Trending in Education, former colleagues reunite as Mike Palmer interviews Lorin Thomas-Tavel, the CEO of BrainPOP. We explore the evolution of a major brand in EdTech and discuss how it continues to simplify complex topics for students and teachers alike.
We dive into the 27-year history of BrainPOP, which began when a doctor created animated content to help young pa
Building Education Programs with Iconic Brands with Edconic's Victoria Weinfeld
LIVE! from the Harbor Terrace at ASU+GSV 2026 in San Diego, Mike Palmer sits down with Victoria Weinfeld, Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Sales at Edconic. In this fast-paced environment of "drinking from a fire hose," Victoria shares the evolution of Edconic (formerly known as BrandED) and its unique mission to bridge the gap between traditional education and the future of work.
Edc
The Future of Work, AI, and Economic Mobility with Dr. Steve Taylor, Stand Together Trust
Recorded LIVE! on the Harbor Terrace at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, Mike Palmer is joined by Dr. Steven Taylor, Policy Director and Senior Fellow for Economic Mobility at Stand Together Trust. Steve brings a unique perspective to the table, combining a national philanthropic lens with his roles on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the National Advisory Committee for Insti
Unpacking Student Success in Higher Ed with Ruth Bauer, President InsideTrack
Mike Palmer catches up with Ruth Bauer, President of InsideTrack, amidst the sun and high-stakes energy of San Diego for the ASU+GSV conference. Ruth shares her transition from a first-generation college student and mall-employed English major to an e-learning "OG" (like Mike) to leading a powerhouse in student success at InsideTrack.
The conversation dives into the "secret sauce" of Inside Track
Talking Outcomes-Based Literacy with Really Great Reading CEO Karl Rectanus
Coming to you live from the harbor terrace in sunny San Diego, Mike Palmer sits down with Karl Rectanus, the new CEO of Really Great Reading, amidst the buzz of the ASU+GSV Summit. Between views of sailboats and silver-lined clouds, the duo digs into why literacy remains the fundamental building block of the educational system and how we might finally be cracking the code on systemic improvement.
LIVE from ASU+GSV with Jeremy Singer, President of the College Board
LIVE! from the ASU+GSV Summit, Mike Palmer catches up with College Board President Jeremy Singer against the backdrop of the San Diego marina to dive into the launch of Jeremy's new podcast, The Education Equation. Produced by Mike, this new series aims to bring a much-needed level of scientific rigor to the education space, drawing inspiration from data-heavy health and fitness media to identify
MARCH MADNESS OF LEARNING LIVE FROM SXSW EDU with AJ Gutierrez, Jasmine Maze, and Justin Serrano
We’re back in Austin for the 2026 SXSW EDU "March Madness of Learning Trends" LIVE panel. Host Mike Palmer is joined by AJ Gutierrez (CEO of Equal Opportunity Schools), Jasmine Maze (Senior Managing Director at Teach for America’s Reinvention Lab), and Justin Serrano (CEO of Littera Education) to reveal a bracket of 16 trends shaping the future of education.
The conversation moves past the usual
Crisis and Issues Management in Higher Ed with Jeff Hunt, Founder of Legend Labs
When the house is on fire, you don't want to be reading the manual for the first time. On this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Jeff Hunt, the founder of Legend Labs and a professor at the University of Texas, to discuss the high-stakes world of crisis communication in higher education .
Jeff brings a unique perspective shaped by 18 years at a global firm and a career
March Madness of Learning Trends Sweet 16 and Final Four Revealed!
Mike Palmer and virtual co-host Nancy are back from the podcast stage at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas. In this special update, we break down the Sweet 16 of Learning Trends and announce which four have fought their way into the Final Four. This episode explores the collective zeitgeist of the education world, from the challenges of chronic absenteeism to the futuristic potential of vibe coding and ag
Parent Communication in the Age of AI with Anu Vaid, CoFounder of Parentsquare
How do we bridge the communication gap between schools and families in an increasingly fragmented digital world? In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Anu Vaid, the founder of ParentSquare, to explore the evolution of school-home partnerships over the last 15 years. Anu shares her journey as a computer engineer and immigrant parent who was overwhelmed by the disjointed
The Future of Math Education in the Age of AI with Ted Dintersmith, Author of Aftermath
What if everything we’ve been told about math education is backwards? In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Ted Dintersmith,venture capitalist, filmmaker, and author of the upcoming book Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won't Teach You to discuss why our schools are still teaching low-level math mechanics that phones and AI already do perfectly. You can l
Forecasting 2100 | Strategic Optimism with A Century of Plenty Author Chris Bradley
Is Abundance Inevitable? A 100-Year Vision with McKinsey’s Chris Bradley
What if the "Black Mirror" version of the future is wrong? In this episode, Mike Palmer talks with Chris Bradley, Senior Partner at McKinsey and Director of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), about his new book, A Century of Plenty: A Story of Progress for Generations to Come.
Chris breaks down the "Machine of Progress" a
Gearing Up for SXSW EDU with Kayla Meyers
Get the inside scoop on SXSW EDU 2026 as Mike Palmer sits down with Kayla Meyers from SXSW EDU to preview what’s heading to Austin this March. From a reimagined city-wide footprint to the biggest podcast stage lineup yet, we’re breaking down why this year is a must-attend for anyone in the education ecosystem.
Kayla shares her journey from museum curator to the mastermind behind the conference's
Inspiring Young AI and Tech Entrepreneurs with Tara Chklovski, Founder and CEO Technovation
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes Tara Chklovski, the founder and CEO of Technovation, a global nonprofit that has been at the intersection of AI and education since 2016. Tara shares her journey from growing up in India to pursuing a PhD in aerospace engineering and eventually launching a mobile entrepreneurship program just two years after the iPhone debuted.
T
Harnessing Flow: From Hollywood to Remote Work with Steven Puri Founder & CEO The Sukha Company
In a world of constant digital inundation, attention has become the new "scarce water in the desert". This episode explores how to reclaim that focus by looking at the intersection of high-stakes Hollywood storytelling and the science of optimal experience.
Host Mike Palmer is joined by Steven Puri, founder and CEO of The Sukha Company. Before building tools for deep work, Puri was a senior execu
Reimagining Leadership in K12 Education with Dr. Lisa Herring - New Leaders CEO
K-12 leadership is currently navigating a "perma-crisis". From the lingering disruptions of a global pandemic to the sudden integration of generative AI, the demands on school principals and superintendents have evolved far beyond the traditional focus on "books, butts, and buses". In this episode of Trending in Ed, Mike Palmer sits down with Dr. Lisa Herring, the CEO of New Leaders and a veteran
Bridging Early Literacy, Brain Research, and AI Innovation with Dr. Ola Ozernov-Palchik
On this episode of Trending in Ed with Mike Palmer, unlock the secrets of the reading brain and the future of educational technology in this deep dive with Dr. Ola Ozernov-Palchik. A researcher at Boston University's Wheelock College of Education and Human Development and MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Dr. Ola sits at the cutting edge of cognitive neuroscience and the science of read
Launching LEGO Education's Hands-On AI and CS Product with Andrew Sliwinski
In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer welcomes Andrew Sliwinski, Global Head of Product Experience for LEGO Education, on the day of a major product launch. Together, they explore the intersection of physical play and artificial intelligence, revealing how LEGO is redefining AI literacy for the next generation.
Andrew shares his winding career path from tutoring in Detroit to dire
The State of Workforce Development in 2026 with Paul Fain
Paul Fain, the founder of Work Shift and author of The Job newsletter, returns to Trending in Education for a look at the state of workforce development in 2026. He describes a challenging environment for early-career professionals where emerging technologies are driving significant shifts in hiring and job stability. While four-year degree holders often dominate the media discourse, Paul emphasi
Trending in Ed LIVE | Career Exploration in the Age of AI
How do we prepare Gen Z for a workforce being reshaped by Artificial Intelligence? Recorded live from the National Youth Apprenticeship Summit in Alexandria, Virginia, this episode explores the "Wild West" of the modern innovation economy and the vital role of youth apprenticeships in building future-ready career pathways.
This special episode is made possible by our sponsors: CareerWise, a leade
Adapting to AI in Higher Education with Dr. C. Edward Watson | Teaching with AI
In this episode, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Dr. Eddie Watson to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in higher education. Following the release of the second edition of his book, Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning, Eddie shares insights from working with nearly 200 campus teams on transitioning from AI-resistant assignments to AI-integrated pedagogy. Her
Reimagining Teaching, Learning, and Talent with Sunanna Chand ED of the Reinvention Lab at TFA
In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Sunanna Chand, Executive Director of the Reinvention Lab at Teach For America (TFA). As the leader of TFA’s future-of-learning R&D engine, Chand is tasked with a formidable challenge: bridging the gap between a 19th-century education system and the demands of the 21st-century world.
The conversation explores the Lab’s "Radi
Skills, AI, and the Transformation of Education with Josh Jones, CEO of QuantHub
Host Mike Palmer interviews Joshua Jones, CEO and Founder of QuantHub, an AI company focused on education and skills development. Jones, who previously co-founded the data science consulting firm StrategyWise, explains that QuantHub originated as an internal tool before spinning out to focus on delivering micro-learning chunks that target individual learners' specific needs.
Jones offers sharp in
Understanding Critical AI in K12 Classroms with Stephanie Smith Budhai and Marie K. Heath
AI permeates K-12 education, but the rush to adopt new tools often bypasses critical questions about equity, bias, and human connection. On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Stephanie Smith Budhai and Marie K. Heath, co-authors of the new book Critical AI in K-12 Classrooms: A Practical Guide for Cultivating Justice and Joy.
Together, they dismantle the "myth
Seeing AI Through an Anthropological Lens with Dr. Adam Gamwell the Founder of Anthrocurious
Dr. Adam Gamwell returns to Trending in Education to explore the evolving collision of anthropology, artificial intelligence, and the human experience. Since his last appearance in 2019, the technological landscape has seen seismic transformations—from the pandemic to the explosion of generative AI. Host Mike Palmer and Adam discuss why the anthropological imagination is more critical than ever fo
Innovating in Public Education with David Adams, CEO of The Urban Assembly
In this special on-location episode, Mike Palmer visits the headquarters of The Urban Assembly (UA) in New York City’s Financial District to sit down with David Adams, CEO of The Urban Assembly and host of the Innovations in Education podcast.
We explore how David and his team have evolved from designing 22 high-performing schools in NYC to "designing tools" that solve critical constraints in pub
The Neuroscience of Gratitude: Brain Chemistry, The Gap and The Gain, and the Perfect Nap
Mike Palmer returns to the Thanksgiving table to serve up a side of applied neuroscience. Powered by the recently released Gemini 3, he examines the "gratitude cocktail," a potent neurochemical mix of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin that mimics the effects of antidepressants and strengthens social bonds. Beyond the chemistry, Mike explores the psychological framework of The Gap and the Gain by D
Defining A New School Leadership Architecture with Lindsay Whorton President at The Holdsworth Center
In this special episode, we welcome back Lindsay Whorton, President of the Holdsworth Center, to discuss her new book, A New School Leadership Architecture: A Four-Level Framework for Reimagining Roles. We dive into why the current model for school leadership is unsustainable and explore a new framework for building capacity and driving results in Texas public schools and beyond.
The Holdsworth C
🎮 Endless Possibilities: Game Design, AI, and the Future of Education with Matt Dalio
Matt Dalio, founder and CEO of Endless Studios, joins host Mike Palmer to explore the profound connection between games, technology, and workforce development. Matt, who grew up with an early global perspective—including a transformative year in China at age 11—brings his philanthropic drive to the world of scalable tech solutions .
We dive into how Matt's company, Endless, initially focused on p
Reaching Multilingual Students Through Tutoring with Halley Bowman and Katherine Huete
On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer talks with Halley Bowman, who focuses on curriculum and tutor training at Saga Education, and Katherine Huete, founder of the consultancy Estelita and a leader in scaling language support at Saga. We explore the powerful resurgence of high-impact tutoring, especially its critical role in supporting emergent multilingual learners (EMLs) in
What Can I Get Out of This? A Writer's Guide to Teaching with Author Carlo Rotella
Mike Palmer welcomes Carlo Rotella, a professor at Boston College and author of the book What Can I Get Out of This? Teaching and Learning in a Classroom Full of Skeptics. Rotella, who has an academic specialty in the cultures of cities and also writes for magazines like The New York Times Magazine, approaches his classroom as a "scene" much like a boxing gym or a music club, where people practice
Exploring The Future of Tutoring with Author Liz Cohen
On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes Liz Cohen, Vice President of Policy at 50CAN and author of the new book, The Future of Tutoring: Lessons from 10,000 School District Tutoring Initiatives.
We explore the massive, rapid mobilization of tutoring efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated learning disruptions. We look at the key components of ef
AI and Agency: Navigating the Future of Academic Technology with Gerry White
Welcome back to Trending in Education! This week, we dive headfirst into the accelerating world of emerging technology with Gerry White, Dean of Academic Technology for ECPI University. Gerry, an English and Music major turned tech enthusiast, shares his fascinating career trajectory and the work he is doing to keep ECPI University at the forefront of the AI revolution.
We explore the current lan
Providing a Balanced Scorecard for GreatSchools Across the US with Jon Deane
On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools, for a deeply informed conversation about the choices—and complexities—facing modern parents. GreatSchools' mission is simple: to help every parent cut through the noise and truly understand their children's educational options. As a parent to a 6-year-old, Mike knows firsthand that the pressur
Reimagining Assessment for the Age of AI with Amit Sevak, CEO of ETS
The global landscape of education and work is changing at a pace that requires an entirely new approach to measurement. Trending in Education host Mike Palmer welcomes Amit Sevak, CEO of ETS (Educational Testing Service), the organization responsible for millions of assessments worldwide, to discuss the high-stakes transformation of how we identify talent.
We explore how the trillion-dollar educa
Why School Boards Matter with Author Scott R. Levy
On this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer welcomes author Scott R. Levy to discuss his new book, Why School Boards Matter: Reclaiming the Heart of American Education and Democracy. Scott shares his journey from Wall Street to serving on his local school board in 2015, driven by the unintended negative consequences he observed from federal programs like Race to the Top.
We dive into ho
Higher Ed DisruptED - Notes from Collegis and Google's Leadership Conference
In this special episode of Trending in Ed, host Mike Palmer is LIVE! at Google's Headquarters in Chicago for Collegis Education's DisruptED event, providing highlights from six in-depth interviews with nine leaders in higher ed, technology, data, market analysis, and research.
We begin by hearing from Kim Fahey, the CEO of Collegis, who provides some framing about the role her team plays providi
Leading Strategically in K12 with Authors Liz City and Rachel Curtis
In K-12 education, the urgency of children's needs often eclipses strategic thought, resulting in constant reaction and a "whack-a-mole" approach to problems. We talk with co-authors Elizabeth "Liz" City and Rachel Curtis about their new book, Leading Strategically: Achieving Ambitious Goals in Education, which offers a practical, accessible framework for leaders at all levels—from teachers to sup
Climbing the AI Learning Curve with Jeff Young
We are thrilled to welcome a fellow podcaster and longtime education journalist, Jeff Young, to the show. Many know Jeff's work from his time hosting the weekly EdSurge Podcast, where he was a consistent voice covering the intersection of technology and learning. Now, Jeff is out on his own and has launched a new project to tackle the biggest story in education: AI and the fundamental questions it
Building Equal Opportunity Schools with AJ Gutierrez
Mike Palmer welcomes back Friend of the Show, AJ Gutierrez, the pioneering co-founder of Saga Education, now CEO of Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS).
AJ shares his transition from direct service to a focus on systemic change, detailing the crucial, often overlooked, mission of EOS: identifying and accelerating equitable opportunity for high-potential students. Historically, education equity conver
AI-Powered Learning in the Flow of Work with Michael Ioffe, CoFounder and CEO of Arist
Welcome to an inspiring conversation on the future of learning with Michael Ioffe, founder of Arist, a company doing really interesting work in education. Michael is a Forbes 30 under 30 and a Thiel fellow. Michael joins host Mike Palmer to share his journey, beginning with his early obsession with education, influenced by his parents who were refugees. His experiences, including scaling free live
Innovate Public Schools AI-EP | Harnessing AI for Advocacy with Michelle Vilchez and Sean Michael Hardy
Welcome to a compelling conversation on Trending in Education, where we explore how innovative thinking and technology can transform public education. In this episode, Mike Palmer talks with Michelle Vilchez, CEO, and Sean Michael Hardy, Vice President of National Organizing and Advocacy, from Innovate Public Schools. They discuss their groundbreaking work in empowering parents and leveraging arti
Getting Innovation-ish with Authors Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw
Mike Palmer is joined on this episode of Trending in Ed by Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw, co-authors of the new book, Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. They talk about the core concepts of their book, including the "creativity gap," "innovation mythology," and "cognitive caution". We discuss how these ideas apply not only in business b
Learning from 5 Billion Kids on Earth with Howard Blumenthal and Dr. Bob Pianta
On this episode of Trending in Ed, Mike Palmer is joined by Howard Blumenthal and Dr. Bob Pianta, co-authors of the new book, Kids on Earth: The Learning Potential of 5 Billion Minds. We discuss the research and ideas behind their book, which explores how learning takes place for kids in real life and how that can be better translated into schools. We also delve into the distinction between "old s
Trending in Ed Season 10 Kickoff | 8 Trends for Fall 2025 | Gartner Hype Cycle with Nancy
Trending in Ed is back for its 10th season! Mike Palmer is kicking things off by reflecting on the past nine seasons and sharing what's in store for the Fall. We're excited to announce that the podcast will be offering dedicated feeds for listeners who want to go deep on specific topics like AI, K-12, higher education / the future of work, and author interviews about books.
In this kickoff episo
Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math with Author Shalinee Sharma
Shalinee Sharma is the CoFounder and CEO of Zearn and the author of Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about what it takes to instill a genuine love of math in all kids.
We begin by hearing Shalinee's origins in consulting at Bain before she jumped into the opportunity to cofound Zearn and lead its growth to where it is today. She demonstrates
Demystifying the Science of Reading with Doug Lemov, Founder of Teach Like a Champion
Mike Palmer welcomes Doug Lemov, founder of Teach Like a Champion, to the podcast. Lemov discusses his journey from teacher to education innovator and the evolution of Teach Like a Champion. He highlights the importance of the new book, The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading, co-authored with Colleen Driggs and Erica Woolway. The conversation delves into the critical role of att
The Connected College with Author Elliot Felix
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
Trending in Ed Summer Reading List 2025 - 10 Books To Read
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
Scratch, Curiosity, and the Future of Learning with Dr. Margaret Honey
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 impactf
Learning to See | Insights into Creativity with Dr. Keith Sawyer | Trending in Ed
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:
Empowering Teachers as Climate Leaders with Margaret Wang-Aghania from Subsc
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 or
Quantum Insights and the Future of Deep Tech with Charles Beyrouthy, Managing Partner at Forma Prime
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