Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer

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Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer episodes

October 03, 2025Innovate Public Schools AI-EP | Harnessing AI for Advocacy with Michelle Vilchez and Sean Michael Hardy
Welcome to a compelling conversation on Trending in Education, where we explore how innovative thinking and technology can transform public education. In this episode, Mike Palmer talks with Michelle Vilchez, CEO, and Sean Michael Hardy, Vice President of National Organizing and Advocacy, from Innovate Public Schools. They discuss their groundbreaking work in empowering parents and leveraging artificial intelligence to create a new tool called AI-EP, a project developed in collaboration with Northeastern University's Burnes Center for Social Change.
Why You Should Listen:
Empowering Parents: This episode highlights how a nonprofit organization is shifting power to parents, particularly those from marginalized communities, by giving them the tools and platforms to advocate for their children's education.

AI for Good: You'll hear about a practical and inspiring use of AI that addresses a real-world problem and closes equity gaps, rather than exacerbating them.

Community-Led Innovation: The conversation showcases a powerful model of "co-design," where tech developers, educators, and community members work together to create solutions that are both effective and sustainable.
Key Takeaways:
Innovate Public Schools is a movement, not a network. Michelle and Sean clarify that their organization's mission is to mobilize families to demand high-quality schools for their children, not to operate charter schools. They focus on campaigns for black literacy, special education, and high-impact tutoring.

AI-EP addresses a critical need. The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is often a dense, 50-page legal document that can be intimidating for parents, especially those who don't speak English or have low reading comprehension. The AI-EP tool translates the IEP into a parent's native language and allows them to ask questions, effectively serving as a chatbot to help them understand and engage with the plan.

Collaboration is key to innovation. The AI-EP project was a collaborative effort involving Innovate Public Schools, Northeastern University, and the Learning Tapestry. By bringing together tech developers and parents, they created a tool that has had a transformational impact on users.

Parent advocacy drives policy change. Innovate's parent leaders have not only influenced local policy but also co-authored legislation. Their advocacy led to the passage of California's Senate Bill 445, which mandates that IEP documents be translated into the 10 most common languages across the state, benefiting over 800,000 students.

The model is replicable. Michelle and Sean stress that their goal is not to be "gatekeepers" of this innovation, but to share the model so it can be replicated across the nation to address a variety of educational challenges. They believe that organizing around education is crucial because it is the "building block" for everything else in life, from economic stability to generational wealth.
Don't miss this conversation. Listen in to learn how Innovate Public Schools is harnessing the power of community and technology to create a more equitable and participatory education system.
Subscribe to Trending in Education so you never miss a conversation like this one.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:47 Michelle's Journey with Innovate Public Schools
04:39 Sean's Background and Path to Innovate
10:40 Challenges and Innovations in Education
12:14 Parent Advocacy and Policy Change
15:12 Impact of the Pandemic and AI on Education
17:47 Public Trust and Equity in Education
19:01 Innovate Public Schools' Focus on Equity
19:22 AI Collaboration with Northeastern University
19:51 Campaigns and AI Integration
20:25 Understanding IEPs and Their Challenges
21:55 AI's Role in Special Education
26:52 Legislative Efforts for IEP Translation
28:01 Co-Designing AI Tools with the Community
31:03 Future Prospects and Community Engagement
33:41 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
40 min
September 30, 2025Getting Innovation-ish with Authors Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw
Mike Palmer is joined on this episode of Trending in Ed by Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw, co-authors of the new book, Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. They talk about the core concepts of their book, including the "creativity gap," "innovation mythology," and "cognitive caution". We discuss how these ideas apply not only in business but also in education, and why creativity is not a magical quality but a skill that can be taught and cultivated. We also explore the role of AI in the creative process and how it can be used to augment human abilities.

Key Takeaways:
Creativity is for everyone. The authors challenge the myth that creativity is an innate quality held only by a few "media darlings" like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. This "creativity gap" is a result of wrong mental models that can be changed.

Embrace ambiguity. Innovation involves a natural aversion to ambiguity, which the authors call "cognitive caution". Acknowledging this and understanding that it is a necessary part of creating novel ideas can help us change our relationship with it.

Focus on the individual. Braden and Forshaw's approach to teaching creativity centers on the learner's mind and how it works, rather than a rigid, external process. This includes using "mindsets" to intentionally change what you pay attention to, "moves" or small, actionable tasks that are less intimidating, and "metacognition" to determine what is needed.

It's not "innovation," it's "innovation-ish." The word "innovation" can cause "hesitation" and a "physical reaction" in people. By setting the bar lower and asking people to be "a little bit innovation-ish," the authors make the concept more approachable and less intimidating.

AI is a tool, not a replacement for human creativity. The authors discuss a study where students who used ChatGPT in a design class produced "mid" work that lacked originality and was capped in its potential. AI can be useful for things like varying text in brainstorming, but it cannot replicate the unique connections and perspectives that make human creativity so powerful.
Don't miss this chance to learn how to innovate from two experts in the field who love education and provide sharp takes on how this applies to the future of learning. Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a conversation like this one!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:11 Rich Braden's Professional Journey
03:25 Tessa Forshaw's Professional Journey
06:10 The Creativity Gap and Innovation Myths
10:32 Teaching Creativity and Innovation
17:44 Centering Student Minds in Design Education
18:03 Scoping and Agile Trends in Design
18:58 Effortful Learning and Innovation
19:58 Applying Design Thinking in Education
21:09 AI in Education and the Future of Work
22:09 Human Creativity vs. AI
25:32 Brainstorming with AI
28:00 Innovation-ish: Embracing Flexibility
33:44 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
36 min
September 26, 2025Learning from 5 Billion Kids on Earth with Howard Blumenthal and Dr. Bob Pianta
On this episode of Trending in Ed, Mike Palmer is joined by Howard Blumenthal and Dr. Bob Pianta, co-authors of the new book, Kids on Earth: The Learning Potential of 5 Billion Minds. We discuss the research and ideas behind their book, which explores how learning takes place for kids in real life and how that can be better translated into schools. We also delve into the distinction between "old school," "not school," and "new school" models of education.
Key Takeaways
Reinventing Education: We need to recognize that the traditional "old school" model, which relies on an industrial approach and is often disconnected from students' interests, is not working well. The vast majority of our lives' learning takes place in the unstructured "not school" environment, which includes things like the internet, play, and music. The "new school" model seeks to bridge these two ideas by freeing up teachers and resources to allow students to pursue their interests, which increases motivation and engagement.
Three Elements of "New School": The new school model is built on three key elements: personal, relational, and active learning. Learning is personal when it is relevant and meaningful to the individual. It is relational because it involves a connection with others, like teachers and peers. Finally, learning is active when kids are deeply and authentically engaged.
The Role of AI: We discuss how artificial intelligence will impact education by absorbing tasks that have little to do with teaching and learning, thereby freeing up teachers' time. For students, AI can personalize education in a way that traditional schooling cannot. We argue that instead of banning technology like phones in schools, adults should focus on creating safe learning environments and using these tools effectively.

Why You Should Listen
> This episode offers a hopeful perspective on the future of education, providing a roadmap for thinking about how we can reinvent our schools to better serve the next generation of learners.
> We provide a framework for understanding and discussing the challenges in education today, including the disconnect between traditional teaching methods and how kids actually learn.
> We offer insights into how to involve kids in conversations about what matters to them, which is a crucial step in creating a more relevant and engaging learning experience.

If you like what you heard, be sure to subscribe and tell your friends. You can find us on all the major podcast platforms. Video episodes are on Youtube and Spotify.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:45 Bob Pianta's Career Journey
01:58 Howard Blumenthal's Media Career and Global Education
03:19 The Genesis of 'Kids on Earth
'08:00 Old School, New School, and Not School Framework
20:05 The Role of AI in Education
27:23 Global Perspectives and Future of Education
27:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
30 min
September 24, 2025Trending in Ed Season 10 Kickoff | 8 Trends for Fall 2025 | Gartner Hype Cycle with Nancy
Trending in Ed is back for its 10th season! Mike Palmer is kicking things off by reflecting on the past nine seasons and sharing what's in store for the Fall. We're excited to announce that the podcast will be offering dedicated feeds for listeners who want to go deep on specific topics like AI, K-12, higher education / the future of work, and author interviews about books.
In this kickoff episode, Mike shares his eight trends for Fall 2025:
Independent Media & Free Speech: Highlighting the importance of independent media and calling out the "chilling effects" on free speech in mainstream and broadcast media.

Discernment: The ability to find "the signal in the noise" and filter out misinformation in a world of information overload.

AI Dexterity: A focus on what people can do with AI rather than what AI can do for them, a phrase coined by Mike Yates.

Golden Age of Educational Media: The rise of generative AI tools is revolutionizing the development of educational content and instructional design.

Co-Design & Co-Creation: The importance of listening to and co-creating with students, families, and parents to foster a sense of connection and ownership.

Human Agency: The idea that purpose and goals are a "super skill" that allows individuals to engage with new capabilities more productively.

Cognitive Neuroscience: Applying the science of how our brains are structured and how we learn to develop more effective learning systems.

Tutors & Mentors: The crucial role of human coaches, tutors, and mentors in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
We also bring back OG virtual co-host, Nancy, to discuss the Gartner Hype Cycle for 2025. We discuss how generative AI is now moving into the "Trough of Disillusionment" and that things like Model Ops and AI Engineering are quietly gaining momentum on the "Slope of Enlightenment". We also touch upon what's next, including AI agents and AI-native software engineering, and how AI is becoming a utility rather than a differentiator.
Listeners can look forward to upcoming interviews with an incredible lineup of guests, including:
Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw, authors of Innovation-ish.

Howard Blumenthal and Bob Pianta, authors of Kids on Earth.

Michael Ioffe the Co-Founder and CEO of Arist.

AJ Gutierrez from Equal Opportunity Schools.

Michelle Vilchez and Sean Michael Hardy from Innovate Public Schools.

Jeff Young hosts Learning Curve.

Liz City and Rachel Curtis, authors of Leading Strategically.
We are delighted to have you with us for Season 10! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Video versions are now available on YouTube and Spotify. Visit TrendinginEd.com for more.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Season 10 of Trending in Education
01:24 New Dedicated Feeds for Focused Content
02:42 Upcoming Trends and Sneak Peeks
07:05 Trend 1: Free Speech and Independent Media
10:44 Trend 2: Discernment in the Attention Economy
12:28 Trend 3: AI Dexterity
13:50 Trend 4: Golden Age of Educational Media
16:09 Trend 5: Co-Design and Co-Creation
19:22 Trend 6: Human Agency
26:07 Trend 7: Cognitive Neuroscience
27:26 Trend 8: Tutors/Coaches and Mentors
29:21 Recap of the Eight Trends in Education
31:43 Gartner Hype Cycle for 2025
34:21 Generative AI and the Trough of Disillusionment
37:22 Future Technologies and AI Agents
41:37 Conclusion and Future Episodes
44 min
August 05, 2025 Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math with Author Shalinee Sharma
Shalinee Sharma is the CoFounder and CEO of Zearn and the author of Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about what it takes to instill a genuine love of math in all kids.
We begin by hearing Shalinee's origins in consulting at Bain before she jumped into the opportunity to cofound Zearn and lead its growth to where it is today. She demonstrates ways to make math resonate with Mike as a sample pupil. Of course, there is talk of AI and how a love of math fits into the future of work and human life. And through it all, Shalinee grounds the conversation in the practical tips and surprising insights she's gleaned from students using an online math program to solve over one billion problems.
Don't miss this chance to dive deep into the future of math instruction with a renowned expert in the field who imparts unique wisdom about how math instruction needs to evolve for students, teachers, and parents.
Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.
00:00 Introduction to Trending in Education
01:10 Meet Shalinee Sharma: From Bain to Zearn
02:52 The Mission of Zearn: Loving Math
06:35 Understanding Math Through Axiomatic Proofs
11:29 The Importance of Numeracy
18:48 Zearn's Approach to Math Education
22:08 Building Competence and Confidence
23:04 Engagement Strategies in Education
26:50 The Role of AI in Education
32:33 Conceptual Understanding in Math
36:11 Practical Tips for Parents and Teachers
42:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
44 min
July 29, 2025Demystifying the Science of Reading with Doug Lemov, Founder of Teach Like a Champion
Mike Palmer welcomes Doug Lemov, founder of Teach Like a Champion, to the podcast. Lemov discusses his journey from teacher to education innovator and the evolution of Teach Like a Champion. He highlights the importance of the new book, The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading, co-authored with Colleen Driggs and Erica Woolway. The conversation delves into the critical role of attention in reading, the impact of technology on cognition, and the power of shared reading experiences in the classroom. Lemov also explains the significance of close reading and knowledge-based comprehension, advocating for bringing complex texts, whole books, and writing back into the classroom.
Key Takeaways:
The Science of Reading: The importance of understanding the research behind reading acquisition and applying it to teaching practices beyond early elementary grades.
Attention in the Digital Age: How screens and social media fragment attention, and the need to rebuild students' capacity for sustained concentration through practices like reading physical books and extended reading periods.

The Social Nature of Reading: The value of shared reading experiences in fostering connection, meaning-making, and enjoyment, contrasting with individual, choice-based reading that can isolate students.

Knowledge-Driven Comprehension: The understanding that reading comprehension is primarily driven by background knowledge, not just transferable skills, emphasizing the need to build students' knowledge base to improve their understanding of complex texts.

The Power of Writing: The benefits of slow, durable, and difficult writing in the classroom for deep thinking, memory encoding, and improved discussion, especially in contrast to the shortcuts offered by AI.
Why You Should Listen:
Discover how to reignite joy and meaning in the classroom by understanding the science of reading and practical strategies for improving student comprehension and engagement. Doug shares insights on combating the challenges of modern attention spans and leveraging the power of shared experiences and knowledge-building to cultivate lifelong readers.
Subscribe to Trending in Education so you never miss a conversation like this one!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:01 Doug Lemov's Professional Journey
02:05 Founding a Charter School
03:02 Teach Like A Champion: Origins and Impact
07:36 The Science of Reading: New Book Insights
09:46 Challenges in Reading Education
13:49 The Importance of Attention in Reading
19:22 Social Aspects of Reading and Meaning Making
20:31 The Social Power of Books in the Classroom
21:09 The Debate on Book Choice in Education
22:06 The Importance of Shared Reading Experiences
23:22 Understanding the Role of Complex Texts in Education
26:38 The Cognitive Science Behind Close Reading
31:13 The Impact of Writing on Learning and Memory
36:37 The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension
42:38 Concluding Thoughts and the Importance of Whole Book
44 min
July 22, 2025The Connected College with Author Elliot Felix
On this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Elliot Felix, a returning guest, to discuss his new book, The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success. The book, releasing July 22nd, focuses on how higher education can become more agile, connected, and break down silos.
Elliot Felix shares his mission of student success, drawing on his experience consulting with over 120 colleges and universities to improve student experiences through transformations in physical spaces, support services, and technology systems. He explains that his new book aims to provide an evidence-based playbook for higher education professionals to collaborate better for student success.
Key Takeaways:
Addressing Disconnections in Higher Ed: Felix identifies five key disconnections the book addresses, including a lack of belonging among students (only 65% feel they belong), the disconnect between courses and careers, and the prevalence of siloed structures within institutions. He illustrates this with an example of a university having both a "writing lab" and a "writing center" performing similar functions due to historical and structural reasons.

The Connected College Vision: Felix envisions a future where colleges and universities are better connected, leading to students feeling a stronger connection to their institution, their coursework linking to careers, and increased collaboration both internally and with external partners like corporations and community groups.

Defining Student Success: The conversation delves into the multifaceted definition of student success, acknowledging that it can be viewed through metrics like retention and graduation rates, student engagement and belonging, or the individual student's perspective of success. Felix suggests common ground for student success includes students finding their community, their academic and career path, their place, and a sense of purpose.

Silo Busting Strategies: Felix highlights that silos are common in organizations, particularly in higher education, which is designed for durability. He attributes this to a lack of clear strategy beyond broad, anodyne statements, and legacy structures that simply have new functions "bolted on" rather than integrated. Tactics for breaking down silos include sharing data to create a common understanding of students.

Forward-Thinking Universities: Examples of innovative approaches include university-industry partnerships driving economic and workforce development, such as Carnegie Mellon's robotics innovation center and Rowan University's expansion into health and wellness and advanced manufacturing. Other examples include Imperial College London's enterprise lab, the University of South Florida's focus on entrepreneurship, and Arizona State's "Work Plus Learn" program.
Don't miss Elliot's new book, The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success, available July 22nd wherever you get your books.
Subscribe to Trending in Ed so you never miss a conversation about leading the future of education in these transformative times.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:07 Elliot Felix's Background and Mission
02:26 The Connected College: Themes and Issues
06:28 Book Structure and Innovator Profiles
07:54 Defining Student Success
13:23 Silo Busting in Higher Education
17:14 AI and Future Trends in Higher Ed
20:36 The Importance of Combining Skills in Higher Education
21:06 Collaborative Spirit in Developing AI Policies
22:26 Navigating Political and Technological Disruptions
31:15 The Role of Higher Education in Economic Development
31:43 Innovative University-Industry Partnerships
33:08 Spotlighting Success Stories in Higher Education
35:49 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions
40 min
July 18, 2025 Trending in Ed Summer Reading List 2025 - 10 Books To Read
Join us as Mike Palmer reveals Trending in Ed's Summer Reading List 2025! Mike shares the books that resonate most with the learning zeitgeist based on conversations with folks like Isabelle Hau, Horacio Sanchez, Kathleen DeLaski, and Eddie Watson. Plus get sneak peaks at upcoming book episodes with Elliot Felix, Doug Lemov, and Shalinee Sharma up next in the Trending in Ed feed.
Don't miss this high-quality list of books that change your perspective and help move the needle in the world of education. Mike also shares book recommendations featuring Ethan Mollick, Chris Hayes, and Kevin Roose to round out the show.
And keep your eyes out for the new dedicated Trending in Ed Books feed, coming to you shortly from your friends at Palmer Media.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.
33 min
July 07, 2025Scratch, Curiosity, and the Future of Learning with Dr. Margaret Honey
Join us on this episode of Trending in Education as Mike Palmer talks with Dr. Margaret Honey, President and CEO of the Scratch Foundation. We dive into the world of Scratch, the visual programming language that's empowering a new generation of creative thinkers and makers. Dr. Honey shares her unique career path, starting from her high school days reading about experimental schools to her impactful work at Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) and the New York Hall of Science.
We explore how Scratch, developed at the MIT Media Lab by Mitch Resnick, isn't just about teaching kids to code formally, but about providing an accessible, playful tool for creative expression. Discover how over 150 million young people have used the platform since 2007, creating more than a billion projects. We discuss the critical role of curiosity and imagination in a world increasingly shaped by AI, emphasizing how these distinctly human attributes help us remain in the driver's seat of technology.
Learn about the maker's mindset embedded in Scratch, where users actively engage with the platform to bring their ideas to life through games, stories, and animated environments. We also differentiate between Scratch Junior (for younger children) and Scratch, highlighting how the platform fosters durable skills like grit, resilience, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Dr. Honey explains Scratch's commitment to maintaining productive struggle and experimentation, ensuring AI serves as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity and problem-solving.
We also discuss the broader implications for K-12 education, the shift towards using technology as a generative tool for problem-solving and knowledge representation, and the importance of fostering a sense of agency in learners. Dr. Honey touches on the PISA assessment's new "Learning in the Digital World" component and how it aligns with Scratch's constructivist principles. Finally, we hear about the "Curiosity Convening" in October 2025, bringing together global researchers and practitioners to explore the most effective ways to nurture curious, hands-on learning.
Key Takeaways:
Cultivating Curiosity & Imagination: In an AI-driven world, human attributes like curiosity and imagination are crucial for staying in control of technology and fostering creative competencies.

The Maker's Mindset and Durable Skills: Scratch promotes an active "maker's mindset," encouraging children to build and create, thereby developing essential durable skills such as grit, resilience, logical thinking, and debugging.

AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement: The Scratch Foundation aims for AI to be a tool that aids problem-solving and sparks curiosity, rather than performing tasks for users, preserving the valuable "productive struggle" in learning.

Learning as Development: Emphasizing that learning is a foundational form of human development, fostering interaction, collaboration, and a sense of agency, rather than solely focusing on test outcomes.

Global Shift in Education: We are seeing a global movement, exemplified by the OECD's new assessment, towards using technology as a generative tool for problem-solving and building representations of knowledge, shifting beyond simply learning to code.
Don't miss this insightful conversation that illuminates the future of education, work, and how we can empower the next generation with the skills and mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video versions are up on Youtube and Spotify.
40 min
June 30, 2025Learning to See | Insights into Creativity with Dr. Keith Sawyer | Trending in Ed
On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Dr. Keith Sawyer, a renowned creativity researcher and professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Dr. Sawyer, author of the book Learning to See: Inside the World's Leading Art and Design Schools, shares insights from his career journey and extensive research into creativity and learning.
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Constraints: Dr. Sawyer reveals that in leading art and design schools, creativity is often enhanced by constraints, not hindered by them. Professors use "highly constrained project assignments" or "parameters" to guide students, even in fields like painting where one might expect complete freedom.

"Learning to See" Beyond the Obvious: The title of Dr. Sawyer's book, Learning to See, stems directly from his interviews with art and design professors who emphasize that their primary role is teaching students "how to see". This isn't about literal sight but a deeper, more abstract way of perceiving and engaging with the world.

Creativity as an Iterative Process: The common myth that creativity is about a single brilliant idea followed by linear execution is debunked. Instead, art and design education fosters an "iterative, wandering, and non-linear" creative process, where good ideas emerge through engagement with the materials and ongoing refinement.

The Role of Struggle and Ambiguity: Learning and creativity are inherently effortful. Effective creators learn to "welcome ambiguity" and "tolerate failure," recognizing these as opportunities for new directions and deeper understanding.

Collaboration in the Studio Classroom: While students in art and design programs are assessed individually, the studio classroom fosters a collaborative environment where students receive feedback from peers and professors on their interim work, influencing their next steps.

Lessons for the Future of Education: The project-based learning model prevalent in art and design aligns with cutting-edge research in learning sciences, particularly in STEM disciplines. This approach, which Dr. Sawyer calls "guided improvisation," offers valuable insights for cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills across all fields of study.
Why You Should Listen:
If you're interested in understanding the true nature of creativity, how expertise is cultivated, and what lessons traditional education can learn from art and design schools, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Sawyer challenges common misconceptions about creativity, highlighting the essential roles of structure, iteration, and even struggle in the creative process. He also offers a thought-provoking perspective on how generative AI differs from human creativity and what it means for the future of work and learning.
Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts!
43 min

About Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer

From the publisher's feed

At the intersection of learning, media, and the future of work, join us each week as we sense and discover where the future of education is heading. Join host Mike Palmer, the Founder of Palmer Media,…