In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia talks with Chris McNutt of Human Restoration Project about how empathy interviews can help schools move beyond traditional surveys and toward more meaningful, student-centered change. The conversation explores Polaris, a platform designed to gather and analyze qualitative student voice data at scale, and highlights how districts are using these insights to strengthen belonging, improve inclusion, and redesign learning experiences. From student agency and Portrait of a Graduate work to ethical questions around AI and data privacy, this episode offers a compelling look at how schools can listen better—and act with greater clarity and trust.

• (00:00) Introduction
• (07:11) Introducing Polaris
• (18:10) Student Agency & Action
• (30:02) AI Ethics & Data Privacy
• (35:33) Building a Broader Movement

• Read the full blog
• Chris McNutt's LinkedIn
• Human Restoration Project Podcast
• Human Restoration Project Website
• Organization Overview

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia is joined by Michael Crawford of America Succeeds and Chris Unger of Northeastern University to explore what it really takes to help young people build durable skills. Drawing on a 16-month study of 12 innovative high schools, they discuss how schools can make skills like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking explicit, visible, and measurable through authentic learning, reflection, advising, and real-world experiences. The conversation highlights the 3-4-3 framework for durable skills development and offers a compelling look at how student agency, professional identity, and informed career pathways are shaped when learning extends beyond the classroom.

• (0:00) Introductions & Origin Stories
• (5:08) The 16-Month Research Study
• (32:59) Surfacing Evidence of Durable Skills
• (33:00) Communicating the Value of Innovative Schools
• (48:02) The 3-4-3 Framework

• Watch the full video here
• LinkedIn | Michael Crawford
• Linked In | Chris Unger
• Igniting the Flame: How Motivation Catalyzes Student Potential in Horizon 3 Education
• What Happens when you Launch Students' Interests into the World?
• Q&A with Michael Crawford (Youth Today)
• Chris Unger - A Revolution in Education Podcast
• America Succeeds
• Northeastern University Graduate School of Education

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Shawnee Caruthers sits down with Dr. Whitney Oakley, superintendent of Guilford County Schools, to explore the Guilford Guarantee—a bold district commitment that every graduate leaves high school with college credit, an industry-recognized credential, or a meaningful work-based learning experience. The conversation highlights what it takes to build real-world learning at scale, from family and student listening to employer partnerships, advising systems, and cross-sector alignment. Dr. Oakley shares how Guilford County is turning a promise into a sustainable strategy for equity, access, and future-ready pathways for all learners.

• (00:00) Introduction
• (04:45) The Guilford Guarantee
• (12:29) Aligning the System
• (19:05) Community Listening & Industry Partners
• (22:53) Sustaining the Promise

• Read the full blog here
• Watch the full video here
• LinkedIn
• Guilford County Schools
• Whitney Oakley - Chiefs for Change
• GCS Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley talks vision

• (0:00) Introduction & Ancient Grains
• (6:45) Teaching Across Contexts
• (11:39) The Stimulation Gap
• (17:36) The Hook, Pitch, Awakening & Strengthening Framework
• (28:14) Civics, Democracy & the Classroom
• (37:19) Civic Virtues & the Role of Schools

• Read the full blog here
• Watch the full video here
• Dr. Douglas Yacek
• LinkedIn

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia sits down with Keri Rodrigues, founder and president of the National Parents Union, to explore the power of parent voice in education. From school safety and special education to report cards, trust, AI readiness, and student data privacy, Keri shares why families must be treated as true partners in shaping better learning experiences. This conversation is a powerful reminder that meaningful school change starts by listening to the people closest to students.

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:32) Keri's Origin Story
• (07:26) What Parents Are Frustrated About
• (12:20) School-Parent Communication & Engagement
• (24:03) Report Cards, Outcomes & Transparency
• (31:26) Technology, Data Privacy & Duty of Care

• Watch the full video here
• Read the full blog here
• LinkedIn
• National Parents Union

In this episode of Catching Up, Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia explore the ideas shaping the future of learning and work—from the link between school innovation and enrollment demand to the rise of student influencers as a new form of district storytelling. They also dig into AI's growing role in education, including bias in feedback systems, the homogenizing effect of generative tools, and how AI may free teachers to spend more time on uniquely human work. The conversation also highlights the importance of agency, internships, and real-world learning, while ending with reflections on poetry, humility, and the power of noticing the world around us.

• (0:00) Intro & Episode Preview
• (10:14) Student Influencers
• (12:51) AI Bias & Homogenization
• (27:01) Deep Dive: Agency & AI's Role in Education
• (50:17) What's That Song?

• Watch the full video here
• Read the full blog here
• Can Student Influencers Help This District Rebuild Enrollment?
• Personalized Bias in AI Writing Feedback
• Percentage of High School and College Students Ages 16 Through 24 Who Were Employed
• Shut Out: High School Students Learn About Careers but Can't Try One That Pays
• Student Agency Boosts Engagement and Readiness
• Agency in America
• We're About to Get Agency Wrong

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen talks with Liza Garoznik, founder and CEO of Real Discussion, about one of the biggest questions in education today: how do we teach and assess durable skills like communication, listening, and collaboration? Framed by the rise of AI and growing concern about a "conversation crisis," the discussion explores why authentic interaction must be developed alongside artificial intelligence. Liza shares the origin story behind Real Discussion, explains the REAL framework—Relate, Excerpt, Ask, Listen—and offers practical insight into how schools can embed conversation skills into core academics while also measuring student growth, belonging, and engagement.

• (0:00) Introduction & Durable Skills Framework
• (3:40) Liza's Story & Real Discussion Origins
• (11:23) The Conversation Crisis & Authentic Interaction
• (21:36) The REAL Framework & Teaching Discussion Skills
• (26:22) Assessment & Measuring Student Growth
• (34:19) Practical Tools & Future of Real Discussion

• Watch the full blog here
• Watch the full video here
• LinkedIn
• R.E.A.L. Discussion
• Liza Garonzik on Teaching Tomorrow's Human Skills
• Grade Discussion Skills, Not Discussions

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia sits down with Joana Ponce and Catherine Alves, featured in Roadtrip Nation's Explore Your Interests, for a thoughtful conversation about passion, purpose, and the messy reality of career exploration. Together, they reflect on how exposure to new people and possibilities helped them rethink the idea of a single "right" path, and why learning to navigate uncertainty may be one of the most important skills young people can build. From journalism and activism to climate work and community-based learning, this episode is a powerful reminder that fulfilling futures are rarely linear—and that sometimes the most important step is simply staying open to what comes next.

• (0:00) Introduction & Poetry
• (2:10) Non-Linear Career Paths
• (5:14) What Is Roadtrip Nation?
• (22:09) Passion, Purpose & Career Advice
• (29:11) What's Next

• Watch the full video here
• Read the full blog here
• Roadtrippers' Journeys
• Roadtrip Nation

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen sits down with Dr. Adel DiOrio to explore how school leaders can move from fragmented initiatives to real coherence through knowledge management, transformational leadership, and coaching. Drawing on her research in rural school systems and insights from The Coach's Playbook, Adel shares why documenting what works, building strong relationships, and leading with intention are essential to sustaining improvement over time. From the power of "if you think it, ink it" to the life-changing influence of coaches and leaders, this conversation offers practical wisdom for principals, superintendents, teachers, and anyone working to build stronger, more human-centered schools.

• (0:00) Introduction & Guest Welcome
• (5:56) Adel's Background & Career Path
• (12:05) Leadership & Building Cohesive Teams
• (19:07) Knowledge Management Research
• (24:08) Dissertation Findings & Practical Takeaways
• (37:51) The Coach's Playbook
• (47:06) Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways

• Watch the full video here
• Read the full blog here
• LinkedIn

Why do so many promising ideas in education stay stuck in individual classrooms? In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen talks with Rebecca Wolfe about what it takes to turn innovation into lasting system change. From teacher agency and school leadership to accountability and knowledge-sharing, they explore how schools can create the conditions for ideas to spread, scale, and ultimately support learner thriving.

• (00:00) Intro & The Problem
• (12:46) Learning From AVID
• (24:42) School Leadership & Culture
• (34:15) The Macro Challenge
• (41:40) Hope & A Bias Toward Action

• Read the full blog here
• Watch the full video here
• LinkedIn