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Alexis sits down with Will Goodman, Chief Technology Officer for the Boise School District and a central voice in Idaho’s statewide conversations on AI in K–12 education. Will and Alexis serve together on an AI in K-12 Education Workgroup in Idaho, and in this episode, they dig into the real questions Idaho is navigating right now.

Together they explore:

• With 94% of Idaho students in public schools, what does “getting AI right” actually mean for an entire system?
• How schools can maintain academic integrity while using AI as a learning partner.
• What “Human → AI → Human” looks like in a real classroom?
• How to communicate clearly with parents about what AI is, and isn’t, doing in Idaho classrooms.
• What conversations parents should be having at home?
• How AI fits alongside Digital Literacy and digital citizenship.
• How Idaho’s approach compares to states like Colorado, Utah, and Georgia.
• How we’ll measure success: learning outcomes, efficiency, and equity.
• The cultural challenge of moving from fear to curiosity.
• Safeguarding human dignity and agency in an AI-driven world.
• What responsible AI in Idaho education could look like in 3–5 years.

If this conversation sparks a thought, concern, or idea—reach out. Idaho’s framework is a living document, and community voices matter.

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

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Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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Most people can name the President—but not their local city council members. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, to unpack what local government actually does and why it matters. From who really decides where roads go (hint: it’s not your Eagle City Council members) to how citizens can get involved at every level, this episode gets you started with Local Gov 101.

Matt shares insights from his conversations with elected officials, candidates, and civic leaders—offering real Idaho examples that bring policy to life. Along the way,  a parallel to that unforgettable Schitt’s Creek scene: when Moira tells David to “fold in the cheese,” but never explains how. That’s how local government can feel...knowing it's there, but not knowing how to describe who does what and how.

Whether you’re a newcomer or a lifelong Idahoan, this conversation breaks down structures, responsibilities, and the small steps we can all take to keep democracy strong from the bottom up.

 Because nothing changes unless we change it.

🎙️ A must-listen for every citizen who believes their vote...and their voice...matters.

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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Do you know that AI is already integrated into nearly everything we do online?
From the devices in our kids’ classrooms to the apps on our phones—artificial intelligence is part of daily life. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson to unpack what AI in education really means and where Idaho can go from here.

Together, they trace the timeline of technology, social media, and now AI—three distinct but connected “buckets” that shape how students learn, how parents engage, and how schools make decisions.

Key themes include:

• How to inform and empower parents about AI in schools—without assuming support or opposition.
• What data privacy and transparency should look like for kids under 18.
• The limits of opting out—and whether it’s even possible in today’s digital learning environment.
• How AI intersects with mental health, student well-being, and policy design.
• Practical questions every parent should be able to ask about their child’s tech use.

Dr. Carlson challenges us to look beyond the fear and lean into understanding—because ignoring AI may be riskier than engaging with it thoughtfully.
 This is a conversation about shared responsibility, transparency, and what it means to prepare our kids (and ourselves) for an AI-shaped future.

👉 Take a listen, then email or message @the_idaho_lady to share your thoughts.
 Because when it comes to policy, the best solutions come from the table we build together.

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

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Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
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Can you answer the following questions? 

1. What is the number one responsibility of every school board? 
2. What are the Five Big Governance Questions EVERY school board member should be able to answer?

It’s election season for school board candidates…listen to learn what their real responsibilities are, what to look for as a voter, and why these local races matter so much.

Listen to this episode to learn the most important job of a school board member, hear the Five Governance Questions, understand what school boards actually do, why their role matters, and how you as a voter can evaluate candidates. Plus, things to think about in the upcoming school board elections.

👉 A MUST-listen for EVERY voter.

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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Conflict doesn’t have to divide us; it can be the wrestle that leads to deeper understanding and stronger communities. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis reflects on her experiences moderating at voucher town halls across Idaho, where dignity has proven essential for meaningful dialogue. (This isn't a convo about vouchers, it's the takeaway from interacting with communities all over Idaho).

Drawing from the Dignity Index, personal stories, and even her daughter’s raw reflections after the recent tragedy in Michigan, Alexis explores why conflict is not the problem...contempt is. She shares how offering dignity, even in disagreement, opens the door for learning and connection, whether in public policy debates like HB 93 or in everyday conversations, in person or on social media.

The Purple Zone isn’t about compromise. It’s about coming to the table with honesty, good intentions, and the courage to work through conflict together.

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
[email protected]

Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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Is AI the golden ticket for education—or a fast track to unintended consequences? In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis Morgan sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson, Head of National Education Partnership for Clever, who spends his days at the center of national and state conversations on AI and edtech. Together, they unpack the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in classrooms: from personalized learning and teacher support to hard questions about what kids must still learn on their own to develop critical thinking.

Drawing on research, student voices, and Idaho’s own evolving approach, Alexis and Jeff wrestle with the big questions facing parents, educators, neighbors, and lawmakers alike:

• What must change in how we educate students in the age of AI?
• What must never change?
• And how do we protect both opportunity and accountability when the tools are moving faster than policy?

If you’ve ever wondered whether AI is education’s golden ticket—or just another distraction—you won’t want to miss this deep, timely conversation.

Links to Articles:

What Do Kids Actually Think About AI?

What's Really Going on in AI in Schools? A High School Student's POV. (Forbes)

Parents, Your Job Has Changed in the A.I. Era

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

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Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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This episode has been a long time coming—and one I’m beyond thrilled to share. I sit down with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, co-author of The Disengaged Teen (with Jenny Anderson) and Director of Universal Education and Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Winthrop’s work has shaped my own research in education policy, and this new book stopped me in my tracks with its insights.

So often, when we talk about teens struggling in school, we blame technology, social media, or even parenting boundaries. But as Dr. Winthrop explains, the real challenge is engagement. Together, we dive into the four learning modes that shape how students connect with their education—and what parents, educators, and policymakers can do to reimagine classrooms where teens feel connected, curious, and capable.

We also talk about the role of AI in education. One of my biggest takeaways? When we view AI through the lens of these learning modes, it can be a powerful tool for enhancing—not replacing—learning.

If you care about the future of education, you’ll want to listen to this one. Then, grab the book, share your thoughts, and join the conversation.

📖 The Disengaged Teen – https://www.brookings.edu/books/the-disengaged-teen/
🔗 Connect with Dr. Winthrop – https://www.brookings.edu/people/rebecca-winthrop/

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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Have you ever thought about your origin story—the moment that sparked your why in your community? And have you noticed we’re living in the future? Listen in to hear what I mean, and how your story connects to the policies shaping our schools, neighborhoods, and everyday lives.

From school board decisions in a crowded convention hall to the hidden rules shaping our cities and schools, policy is all around us—even when we don’t notice it. In this solo episode of The Purple Zone, I share my personal origin story and explore how public policy affects everything from school funding and city growth to immigration and workforce challenges. We’ll reflect on how much life has changed—from 80s classrooms and stirrup pants to 3D ultrasounds, anti-aging technology, and education in 2025—reminding us that we truly are living in the future. Using examples from Disney, Marvel, and even Bridgerton, we’ll see how origin stories—yours and mine—can help us spot the policies that shape our communities and inspire us to show up and speak out.

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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Meta—the company behind Instagram and Facebook—is under fire for the harm its platforms cause kids. But instead of fixing the problem, Meta has launched a sophisticated campaign to protect its image and slow down regulation.

In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis unpacks:

• How Meta funds parent and child safety groups—including the National PTA—to build trust with families.
• Why National PTA has recently come under fire in outside reporting, and what’s fact vs. assumption. I share my own perspective as a past state PTA president—what’s true, what’s been asked, and what’s at stake.
• The rollout of Meta’s Instagram School Partnership Program, which offers schools “better customer service” only if they partner with the company.
• The role of the Tech Transparency Project, a nonprofit watchdog exposing how companies like Meta shape public perception, policy, and research.
  • Check out the "Inside Meta's Spine Machine on Kids & Social Media" https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/inside-metas-spin-machine-on-kids-and-social-media
• My personal experience at the Idaho Capitol in 2024, where Big Tech lobbyists helped defeat a bill designed to protect kids online.
• How Idaho school districts are adopting bell-to-bell no cell phone policies, and what that reveals about local efforts to protect student well-being.

👉 The big questions:

• Does taking Big Tech money amount to endorsement?
• Should schools partner with Instagram to fix harms Instagram itself created?
• Who should decide what’s best for kids: corporations or parents/communities/lawmakers?

Because in the end, this is bigger than social media. It’s about transparency, accountability, and whether we let Big Tech write the rules for our children’s future.

**I mention some accounts to follow. One is Protect Young Eyes, by Chris McKenna (I say his last name is Young, I spoke incorrectly). 

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

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Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
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Welcome back! In this season premiere, Alexis takes you on a quick journey of one of Idaho’s long-running education funding battles—stretching from the 1960s fight for a sales tax to today’s heated debates over vouchers.

She'll revisit the Save Our Schools campaign that united teachers, parents, and school board trustees more than 55 years ago, and connect it to the 2025 town halls carrying the same spirit of protecting public education. Then, she'll dig into today’s voucher fight: what vouchers really are, why they matter, and how they shape the future of Idaho schools and communities.

This episode blends history, policy, and personal experience to uncover the fiscal and moral questions at the heart of education funding: Who benefits? Who pays? And what does real choice in education look like?

In This Episode:

• The origin of The Purple Zone and what’s new this season
• Idaho’s 1960s education funding and the creation of the sales tax
• The original Save Our Schools campaign—and its echoes today
• Breaking down school vouchers: history, myths, and modern-day impacts
• Fiscal and moral questions Idaho families need to consider
• How you can get involved and protect public education in 2026 and beyond

The Purple Zone is about bridging policy, practice, and people—because community is where policy comes to life.

Cheers, everyone!

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
[email protected]

Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com