Podcast Series
The “What I Want to Know” Podcast
Education is undergoing a dramatic shift, creating an opportunity to transform how we serve learners of all ages. Kevin P. Chavous turns to innovators across education, workforce development, and more to ask: “How can we do better?”

LATEST EPISODE

NOVEMBER 27, 2024
EP. 169: The Future of Learning: AI, Online Classrooms, and Education’s Next Era

In this episode, Niyoka McCoy joins Kevin to walk us through how education is evolving and what this transformation means for students, teachers, and families everywhere.
Listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Episode 166
How to Celebrate Cultures in Your Online Classroom: Insights from Paola Stauffer
A conversation with Paola Stauffer

Episode 165
Empowering Hispanic & Latino Students: A Hispanic Heritage Month Special
A conversation with Thomas A. Saenz and Amalia Chamorro

Episode 154
What can teachers and school leaders do to combat the school-to-prison pipeline?
A conversation with Dr. Tammy Hughes

Episode 143
How can we best support students with ADHD?
A conversation with Dr. Sharon Saline

Episode 133
How can we create a sense of belonging for all students?
A conversation with Ramon Stephens

Episode 124
How can we better support students with disabilities?
A conversation with Lauren Rhim

Episode 121
Are we doing enough to support linguistically diverse students?
A conversation with Dr. Robert Scott

Episode 109
How can educators support multilingual students?
A conversation with Donna Neary

Episode 103
How can we enhance student learning through cultural exposure?
A conversation with Megan Helberg

Episode 91
How can educators shift narratives impacting Black students?
A conversation with Jon-Thomas Royston

Episode 80
How can schools best support students on the autism spectrum?
A conversation with Eric Garcia

Episode 65
How can we raise the next generation of inspired and confident girls?
A conversation with Jes Wolfe

Episode 55
Are our schools doing enough to support autistic students?
A conversation with Dr. Connie Kasari

Episode 38
How can we empower young women to achieve their dreams?
A conversation with Dr. Sian Proctor

Episode 26
What is the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools?
A conversation with Dr. Rydell Harrison

Episode 25
What does critical race theory mean for our students?
A conversation with Rep. Chris Mathias

Episode 23
How can we support veterans transitioning into the workforce?
A conversation with Brian Niswander

Episode 19
Are we doing enough to support Hispanic and Latino students?
A conversation with Thomas A. Saenz

Episode 18
What can schools do to support the needs of Hispanic and Latino students?
A conversation with Amalia Chamorro
Mental Health

Episode 153
How can we incorporate mindfulness into the classroom?
A conversation with Linda Ryden

Episode 122
What role do parents play in promoting mental health?
A conversation with Anne Brown

Episode 85
How can we support students’ emotional and mental wellness?
A conversation with Mike Veny

Episode 84
How can schools support students struggling with addiction?
A conversation with Tony Hoffman


Episode 51
What is our schools’ role in promoting mental health?
A conversation with Alison Malmon

Episode 4
Are we prepared to pay the mental health bill for our nation’s students?
A conversation with Esther Wojcicki and Dr. Tammy Pawloski
Health & Safety


Episode 142
How should we talk to our kids about social media?
A conversation with Linda Charmaraman


Episode 135
How can we help students feel safe at school?
A conversation with Kristi Krings

Episode 123
How can sex education keep our children safe?
A conversation with Christine Soyong Harley



Episode 88
How can we keep students out of the criminal justice system?
A conversation with Tony Lowden

Episode 77
How can schools bridge the nutrition gap for students?
A conversation with Curt Ellis

Episode 72
How can we protect kids against cyberbullying?
A conversation with Dr. Jay Greene

Episode 71
How can police best serve and protect schools?
A conversation with Dr. Justin Patchin


Episode 63
How do schools protect their sensitive data from cyberattacks?
A conversation with Doug Levin

Episode 48
What can we do to break the school-to-prison pipeline?
A conversation with Jonathan Cabrera

Episode 21
How can schools and families better address bullying?
A conversation with Conway Brooks and his daughter Dorthy

Episode 20
What can we do to ensure all children feel safe at school?
A conversation with Julie Hertzog
College & Career

Episode 164
Preparing Gen Z for Online School and Future Careers
A conversation with Laura Massey

Episode 164
How K12 Online School Shaped Alexa Curtis’ Entrepreneurial Success
A conversation with Alexa Curtis

Episode 141
How can we best support the future workforce?
A conversation with Dr. Kathleen St. Louis Caliento


Episode 127
Can job training programs better prepare our students for the future?
A conversation with Chuck Goodrich

Episode 114
Could a skilled trade career be a better path for more students?
A conversation with Brian Hughes

Episode 110
How can we best prepare students for college?
A conversation with Mitch Daniels

Episode 67
What is the future of standardized testing for college admissions?
A conversation with David Coleman

Episode 66
How can we reform education to better prepare students for the future?
A conversation with Dr. Bill Daggett

Episode 64
What are the benefits of dual enrollment, and how can schools implement it?
A conversation with Douglas Rodriguez

Episode 43
How can we better prepare students for college and careers?
A conversation with John Thrasher

Episode 35
Can apprenticeships solve the manufacturing skills gap?
A conversation with Tony Davis


Episode 11
How can we prepare students for the careers of the future?
A conversation with Stedman Graham and Jeff Selingo

Episode 8
How can we develop the next generation of problem solvers?
A conversation with John Hunter and Jaime Casap

Episode 7
How do employers value skills vs. degrees?
A conversation with Cheryl DeSantis and Marc Morial

Episode 3
Does the United States economy still have room for students’ dreams?
A conversation with Heather McGowan and Karl Rectanus
Teachers

Episode 156
How can we combat the shortage of special education teachers?
A conversation with Kimber Wilkerson

Episode 131
How can teachers maintain their passion for the profession?
A conversation with Rebecka Peterson

Episode 129
Can apprenticeship programs alleviate teacher shortages?
A conversation with David Donaldson


Episode 113
How can we better train and support our teachers?
A conversation with Kevin Bross

Episode 81
How can we better resource teachers and their students?
A conversation with Alix Guerrier

Episode 59
Are we doing enough to support our teachers?
A conversation with Elisa Villanueva Beard

Episode 50
Is it time to rethink teacher training and certification?
A conversation with Dave Saba

Episode 2
Has the pandemic changed skill requirements of our nation’s teachers?
A conversation with Dr. Rick Hess and Talia Milgrom
Curriculum

Episode 163
Back to School 2024: Empowering Students Through Storytelling, Mindfulness, Science, and Future Skills
A conversation with Dr. Sherri Wilson, Linda Ryden, Dr. Kathleen St. Louis Caliento and Jesse Byrd

Episode 162
How your teen can join the medical field?
A conversation with Dr. Sherri Wilson


Episode 158
Can summer learning programs combat the summer slide?
A conversation with Aaron Dworkin

Episode 157
How can we ensure all students have access to effective tutoring?
A conversation with Dr. Susanna Loeb

Episode 130
How can we better support gifted students?
A conversation with Dr. Brian Housand

Episode 128
Why is history still important and needed today?
A conversation with Jessica Lander

Episode 96
Can games like Dungeons & Dragons encourage student engagement?
A conversation with Stefan McNinch

Episode 74
How can innovative models get students excited about learning?
A conversation with Dr. Buddy Berry



Episode 46
What should schools teach about climate science?
A conversation with Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd

Episode 44
Should K–12 assessment change with online and hybrid learning?
A conversation with Dr. Malbert Smith

Episode 33
What can we do to improve financial literacy in underserved communities?
A conversation with John Hope Bryant

Episode 32
How do we improve the financial literacy of our youth?
A conversation with Tanya Van Court

Episode 24
What do preschoolers need from their teachers and schools?
A conversation with Kai-lee Berke

Episode 22
Is early childhood education a springboard for academic success?
A conversation with Dr. Michael Troy

Episode 1
How do we encourage engaging learning environments?
A conversation with Sugata Mitra and Rachael Mann
Parents & Families

Episode 138
What is the state of the school choice movement?
A conversation with Andrew Campanella

Episode 137
Should we rethink the college admissions process?
A conversation with Melanie Heath


Episode 118
Is homeschooling the right fit for your child?
A conversation with Onnikah Randolph

Episode 117
How can parents make the right choice for their child’s education?
A conversation with Jon Deane

Episode 116
How can we empower parents to find the best education for their children?
A conversation with Shree Recasner

Episode 86
Why is parent autonomy over school choice important?
A conversation with Kayla Svedin

Episode 75
What role should parents play in shaping K12 education?
A conversation with Robert Pondiscio

Episode 73
What is the role of parent choice in school quality?
A conversation with Dr. Jay Greene

Episode 54
How can schools better support military families?
A conversation with Jennifer Thompson

Episode 53
What impact is parent empowerment having on our schools?
A conversation with Jason Riley

Episode 34
What’s next for the school choice movement?
A conversation with Dr. Howard Fuller

Episode 17
How can parents be empowered to make their voices heard?
A conversation with Colleen Dippel

Education & Technology

Episode 150
Should video games be used as tools for learning?
A conversation with Stanley Pierre-Louis


Episode 108
How can social media get students excited about learning?
A conversation with Sara Day

Episode 107
How can we equip kids for the world of artificial intelligence?
A conversation with Jason Hurd

Episode 90
How can technology bring arts and culture to the classroom?
A conversation with Suhair Khan


Episode 28
What role does e-sports play in our schools?
A conversation with Dr. Robert Rippee
STEM


Episode 149
How can we encourage young girls to take an interest in science?
A conversation with Melissa Alderete

Episode 101
How can we train and retain America’s STEM educators?
A conversation with Cindy Marten and Talia Milgrom-Elcott

Episode 99
How can we encourage a love of math in students?
A conversation with Laura Overdeck


Episode 57
How can we expose more students to careers in data science?
A conversation with Robert Clayton

Episode 27
How can we get more kids interested in computer science?
A conversation with Jackie Smalls
Community

Episode 160
How can sports help kids heal, grow, and thrive?
A conversation with Megan Bartlett



Episode 112
How can we equip kids to thrive in an ever-changing world?
A conversation with Anya Kamenetz


Episode 98
How can we encourage students to engage in constructive political discourse?
A conversation with Manu Meel

Episode 97
How can we encourage students to be civically engaged?
A conversation with Mandy Zhang

Episode 82
How can we do a better job of keeping kids in school?
A conversation with Dr. Debra Duardo

Episode 78
How can we prevent brain drain in communities?
A conversation with Majora Carter

Episode 60
How have the last two years impacted social and emotional learning?
A conversation with Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel

Episode 45
How can we help students be more civic minded and socially conscious?
A conversation with Wes Moore

Episode 41
How do wraparound services impact at-risk youth?
A conversation with Dr. Heather Clawson

Episode 12
How can we build stronger school communities?
A conversation with Shantelle Wright and Andrew Hart

Episode 10
What can celebrity philanthropists teach us about education?
A conversation with Jalen Rose and Ted Dintersmith
Reading & Literacy


Episode 147
Why does representation matter in children’s literature?
A conversation with Alliah Agostini



Episode 144
How can books introduce kids to tough topics?
A conversation with Jelani Memory

Episode 95
How can school leaders’ development influence reading outcomes and student success?
A conversation with Erica Beal

Episode 94
How can comic books and visual media help kids enjoy reading?
A conversation with Ryan North

Episode 93
Can poetry help inspire a love of reading in students?
A conversation with Ada Limón

Episode 92
How can we close the reading gap in schools?
A conversation with David Kilpatrick

Episode 79
How can we be smarter about teaching students to read?
A conversation with Dr. Maria Murray

Episode 68
The controversy over books: what do parents and schools think?
A conversation with Jennifer Pippin, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, and Martha Hickson

Episode 52
What is the role of the library in the digital age?
A conversation with Tracie Hall


Episode 30
How do we encourage diversity in young adult literature?
A conversation with Caroline Richmond

Episode 29
How has young adult literature evolved over the years?
A conversation with Dr. James Blasingame

Episode 6
What does literacy education look like in a modern society?
A conversation with Earl Martin Phalen and Dr. Maryanne Wolf
Education Innovation

Episode 169
The Future of Learning: AI, Online Classrooms, and Education’s Next Era
A conversation with Michelle Rhee

Episode 168
Transforming American Schools – Michelle Rhee’s Vision for Education Reform
A conversation with Michelle Rhee

Episode 148
What is the role of philanthropy in education?
A conversation with Hanna Skandera

Episode 125
What are the makings of America’s best schools?
A conversation with Janine Yass and Jeanne Allen

Episode 100
How do we reshape education in the United States?
A conversation with David Banks

Episode 76
What should the school of the future look like?
A conversation with Michael Horn

Episode 69
What will the sustainable school of the future look like?
A conversation with Anisa Heming


Episode 87
How can project-based learning transform our public schools?
A conversation with Trish Millines Dziko

Episode 49
What should the modern school district look like?
A conversation with Dr. Ann Chavez

Episode 39
What can America’s schools learn from other countries?
A conversation with Pasi Sahlberg

Episode 36
Is personalized learning the future of education?
A conversation with Tom Rooney

Episode 13
How can we drive meaningful change in our school systems?
A conversation with Sonja Santelises and Shari Camhi
Education & Policy

Episode 159
How can charter schools create opportunities for students?
A conversation with Cheryl Stahle



Episode 105
What is the role of federal policy in education?
A conversation with Bobby Scott

Episode 47
Are student voices being heard by boards of education?
A conversation with Hana O’Looney, Raymond Adderly, and Zachary Patterson


Episode 37
How should schools be spending a windfall of federal aid?
A conversation with Dr. Marguerite Roza

Episode 15
How can school districts support undocumented students?
A conversation with Monica Goldson

Episode 14
How can we overcome partisan politics to support undocumented students?
A conversation with Senator Tom Daschle

Episode 9
How has the pandemic changed the politics of education?
A conversation with Ann Davis Duplessis and Andy Rotherham

Meet Your Host

Kevin P. Chavous is a noted education reform leader with a well-chronicled track record of empowering families with education choice. Kevin is dedicated to driving change for learners of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. As senior advisor to the CEO, Kevin leads initiatives to expand the company’s career learning offerings and increase access to the services Stride provides across the U.S.
Featured Resources
Discover more resources that address the topics impacting students, families, and educators today.