On Balance

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Richard Gephardt, former congressman and current CEO of Gephardt Group, and Abby Brody, CEO of MYX about the need to evoke change in our education system.

We are at a time of great optimism in education, both nationally and globally, but also of great division. Covid’s silver lining was the rapid adoption of new technology to close fissures exposed, but does this unique time in our history also allow the opportunity to rethink our entire approach?

Higher education should prepare you for the next life step, but when 73 percent of graduates never use their degree, and only 11 percent of employers say graduates are ready for work, questions arise. This podcast explores these questions.

Abby Brody, CEO of MYX, a combined online and experiential learning platform that provides flexible choice to students looking to ready themselves for life, shares her insight into the importance of experience and how MYX helps people find more meaningful paths.

Former majority and minority leader and former democratic congressman Dick Gephardt gives his expert insight from the side of government and policy. He also shares his story of being impacted by a teacher who noticed and encouraged to follow his passion.

In this special client profile episode of On Balance, Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Bob Yayac, CEO and president of the Council for Aid to Education, Inc.

Employers are increasingly looking for graduates with more than just industry knowledge, demanding skills which they identify themselves as crucial for their own success. From critical thinking and problem solving to great communication, the expectations laid at student's feet ever increase.

Dr. Berger and Bob Yayac discuss how assessments are changing with the ever shifting landscape of education and how CAE is personalizing the experience. The conversation highlights the need to include all stakeholders in the development of each student, including the parents and educators, but also the role corporate America can have in helping identify and train the skills which they see as pivotal for the America economy in the 21st century.

Dr. Rod Berger sits down with Alan Pesky, director and founder of the Lee Pesky Learning Center and author of the passionate personal tribute, More to Life than More: A Memoir of Misunderstanding, Loss, and Learning.

A moving conversation gleaning insight from Alan's challenging relationship with his deceased son Lee, for whom the restrictions placed on him by his father were mimicked by those which ultimately ostracised him from the education system.

A solemn reminder that as guardians, and educators, we need to be open, receptive, and encouraging to the potential within our successors. We all have a gift to share and to stifle leads only to suffering. With this great burden of responsibility, however, we all have the chance to create a better world.

Hindsight colors a new perspective for Pesky, one with greater scope that clarifies the importance of valuing children’s voices and encouraging them to speak boldly and self-assuredly.

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Melissa Corto, CEO at Education Modified about her transition from educator to entrepreneur and the pressures which come with developing a new company in EdTech.

Investigating Melissa's meaning and motivations this episode dives into the mind of the EdTech entrepreneur and how Melissa keeps the spark of passion through the tough times, manages her fear of failure, and mitigates the ever present risks inherent in EdTech and business today. In this age of data and analytics 'EdMod' aims to bring the story of each student to life, enabling the educator to better serve. In this episode, the story of Melissa shines through.

Discussing the dedication that drives Melissa and the personal stories behind the origins of Education Modified, we see behind the curtain of one of EdTech's most promising newcomers. 

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE and author of Digital for Good - Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World about fostering a healthy digital culture.

Our world has shifted where the physical space we interacted and communicated has been hybridized with an entire digital ecosystem where our youth are eager to engage. 

'Screen time' has often been regarded as life lost, however some digital activities nurture creativity and problem solving. As we move further into the unknown of our digital future, we need to be willing to separate the wheat from the chaff, encouraging the digital engagement that enhances experience and educates for the future, while being aware of the lure of non-creative, repetitive digital interaction.

This episode covers everything from accelerating innovation to the ubiquity of data and the opportunity this brings to hone and enhance our relationship with the digital world. 

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Mark Angel, CEO of Amira Learning, about the importance of AI and machine learning in advancing education.

Mark cut his teeth on Wall Street, building AI systems where the risk-to-reward was low. Transferring his expertise into the education space Mark now sees the opportunity for machine learning to have a wider ranging impact on the future development of our students as we move from an AI influenced to an AI dominated world.

Our educators have been forced to adopt new techniques and are becoming ever more accustomed to incorporating technology into their teaching. These new technologies can lead us towards a new landscape of personalized learning, yet the important personal interactions between educator and student still needs to be balanced with the promise and power of these AI systems.

Head over to Forbes for my article on how Amira Learning is bringing tangible AI applications into the day-to-day of teaching and learning.

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Mika Kasanen, CEO and co-founder of School Day about how the education system in Finland benefits from the innovative and empathetic culture of the country.

Dr. Berger delves into the experience of Mika, including his path towards founding School Day and their expansion into the US, including their impressive partnership with Microsoft.

The conversation highlights the importance of SEL, both from a perspective of the School Day platform, and more generally within the Finnish education system, and how the wellness of students remains the focus of education within Finland.

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Sari Hurme-Mehtälä, CEO and founder of Kide Science about the beginnings of her business and the expansion into the US.

Dr. Berger investigates the culture within Finland and how it relates to encouraging female entrepreneurs and nurturing positive relationships within the Finnish education system. Exploring the experience Sari has garnered as an emerging entrepreneur and the skills important for success, Dr. Berger explores the importance of ongoing personal development and positive collaboration and celebration between colleagues.

Look out tomorrow for the final episode within our series of Finnish-focused On Balance interviews where we highlight key emerging leaders from the gold standard in education.

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Kaisa Vuorinen, CEO and co-founder of Positive Thinking, Finland, and the importance of helping students understand who they are, what they are capable of, and what they excel at, not just academically, but holistically within the 'soft' skills they can develop.

Continuing the Finnish focus of On Balance this week, Dr. Berger explores the drive behind Kaisa's success and how the Finnish education system supports student entrepreneurial spirit and teacher personal development.

Look out for more episodes of On Balance every day this week as we keep our focus on Finland and key emerging leaders from the gold standard in education.

Dr. Rod Berger speaks with Olli Vallo, CEO at Education Alliance Finland about the need to evaluate new edtech solutions and provide standardized certification aligning with quality and outcome objectives.

Exploring Olli's insights into Finnish education, Dr. Berger inquiries as to the need for resilience in leaders and the balance entrepreneurs must navigate between the drive for immediate success and providing exceptional quality.

Look out for more episodes of On Balance every day this week as we keep our focus on Finland and key emerging leaders from the gold standard in education.