What a year. 🎙

In this special New Year’s episode of the Disrupt Education Podcast, Peter Hostrawser and Alli Dahl look back on 2025 – the year disrupting education stopped being “spicy” and started becoming the norm.

They unpack:

How the podcast crossed 400+ episodes and over half a million downloads, and why it still feels like a movement more than a show

Why 2025 felt like education finally catching fire – with more CTE leaders, WBL innovators, and classroom “doers” stepping up and sharing what actually works

The impact of the student summer series (Liam, Isaac, Abby, Lindsay, and Derek) and how their honest stories exposed where the system drops learners

The global-to-local arc:

EduVitality with Kristy Volesky

State-level transformation with Dr. Gary Skeen in Virginia

District and academy models with Scott Carr and Jeff Stenroos

Human-centered change with Dr. Karen Baptiste (Dr. K) and teacher efficacy

How partnering with YouScience and running a 6-part series on aptitudes, exposure gaps, and economic development reframed everything from “pipelines” to pathways with on- and off-ramps

Why language, mindset, and individual aptitudes matter more than ever for students and educators

Stories from Peter’s own internship students and his kids that show how young people are already thinking differently about college, cost, and career

Peter and Alli close the year with gratitude for the Disrupt Education community – teachers, parents, students, leaders – and a promise: 2026 is going to be bolder, messier, and even more real.

If you care about where school is going next, this recap sets the stage.Check out www.disrupteducationpodcast.com for more!