Podcast Episodes Archive

About the Getting Smart Podcast

The Getting Smart Podcast covers trends, innovations and insights in K-12, higher ed, lifelong learning, leadership, investing and more. You can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts. Every other Friday we publish an episode called “Catching Up” where Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia try to make sense of what’s going on in education, learning and human flourishing. Check it out.

If you’re on Spotify, we have built some great playlists to help you jump into some conversations we’ve been having over the last few years. You can go long on the following topics:

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Know of someone who would make a great guest on the podcast? Email Mason to pitch your suggestion or learn more about being on the podcast.

Leadership

Gersom de Koning on The Relationship Between Theater Education and Gamification

Mason Pashia

Jul 22, 2026

Difference Making

From Invited to Included: Student-Led Changemaking at the International School of Düsseldorf

Guest Author

Jul 16, 2026

Learning Design

Transformation Journey: Liberty Public Schools

Rebecca Midles

Jul 15, 2026

Leadership

Michael Crawford and Chris Unger on Building Durable Skills

Mason Pashia

Jul 8, 2026

Equity & Access

Chris McNutt on the Power of Empathy Interviews

Mason Pashia

Jul 1, 2026

Ed Policy

Dr. Whitney Oakley on the Guilford Guarantee

Shawnee Caruthers

Jun 24, 2026

How Guilford County Schools is guaranteeing every graduate college credit, a credential, or work-based learning experience.

Personalized Learning

Dr. Douglas Yacek on True Engagement in Learning

Mason Pashia

Jun 17, 2026

Douglas Yacek explores civic education, student engagement, and how authentic teaching can bridge the stimulation gap.

Equity & Access

Keri Rodrigues on Parent Power

Mason Pashia

Jun 10, 2026

Keri Rodrigues of National Parents Union on parent voice, school trust, report cards, safety, AI readiness, and family engagement.

Leadership

Catching Up: Student Influencers, AI’s Mirror Problem & The Power of Early Work Experience

Mason Pashia, Nate McClennen

Jun 5, 2026

Catching Up explores AI in education, student agency, internships, enrollment trends, and how schools can build stronger demand.

Leadership

Liza Garonzik on Teaching Conversation

Nate McClennen

Jun 3, 2026

How schools can teach and assess conversation, durable skills, and authentic interaction in an AI-driven world.

	Beginning	Piloting	Implementing
From Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery	BeginningFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Beginning	PilotingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Piloting	ImplementingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Implementing
From One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning	BeginningFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Implementing
From Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry	BeginningFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Beginning	PilotingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Piloting	ImplementingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Implementing
From Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning	BeginningFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Implementing
From Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities	BeginningFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Beginning	PilotingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Piloting	ImplementingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Implementing
From Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment	BeginningFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Beginning	PilotingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Piloting	ImplementingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Implementing
From Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets	BeginningFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Beginning	PilotingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Piloting	ImplementingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Implementing

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