Future of Education Podcast
- Épisodes
- 342
- Parution
- hebdomadaire
- Dernier épisode
- 13 Nov 2026
À propos du podcast
The Future of Education Podcast is the place to find out what's happening in schools. Our guests are wide and varied, from educators, entrepreneurs, athletes, celebrities, influencers and most importantly-our students! They all have one thing in common- they are passionate about reinventing education to make it relevant and efficient.
Our host, MacKenzie Price, is the Co-Founder of 2hr Learning (2hourlearning.com) and some of the top-performing schools in the country. 2 Hour Learning is a groundbreaking school model that is reshaping the landscape of K-12 education. It's powered by AI technology, enabling schools to provide personalized curriculum to students. Our K-12 schools perform in the top 2% nationwide by leveraging this personalize model to help students love school, learn twice as much, and build life skills. MacKenzie is at the forefront of educational transformation, striving for a balanced and enriching learning experience for every child. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from Stanford University and resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and two daughters.
The Future of Education podcast is produced by 7 Lyons Media (7LyonsMedia.com). Please send press inquiries to [email protected].
Épisodes 342
S2E366: Live Episode: What Your Child’s Behavior Says About You, with Dr. Shefali Tsabary
What if parenting is less about raising your child and more about raising yourself? It’s the big idea behind conscious parenting, and in this special live episode recorded in New York in front of a room of …
Notes de l’épisode
What if parenting is less about raising your child and more about raising yourself? It’s the big idea behind conscious parenting, and in this special live episode recorded in New York in front of a room of Alpha parents, Mackenzie and leading clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali explore how a parent’s fears, ego, and expectations shape the way kids grow up.
Dr. Shefali Tsabary is a clinical psychologist with a doctorate from Columbia University and the New York Times bestselling author of The Conscious Parent. And in this special talk, she explains why your most defiant child may be your greatest teacher, the difference between achievement and performance, what a child’s worst behavior is really trying to tell you, and one simple thing you can do tonight to help your child feel truly known.
The conversation gets personal, and Mackenzie ends up in the hot seat a few times herself, so tune in and enjoy this exclusive live discussion.
Episode Big Ideas
- Parenting Is About Raising Yourself: Why every parent starts with a fantasy of who their child will become, and how kids act as a mirror for what we haven’t yet healed.
- Where to Begin: Why your biggest pain point (the yelling, the anxiety, the C grade that sets you off) is the doorway in, and how to peel back the fear underneath your reaction.
- Mackenzie’s Mirror Moment: How a question from her husband about her daughter’s choices led Mackenzie to realize she was chasing her own ego, and what changed once she let go.
- Your Defiant Child Is Your Awakener: Why the “difficult” child pushes parents to grow, and why the “good” child can keep parents stuck in control.
- Achievement vs. Performance: How achievement that doesn’t come from the child turns into performance, and how Alpha tries to pair high standards with real ownership and autonomy.
- “I Want My Child To...”: Why this sentence is one of the most dangerous a parent can say, and how curiosity about a child’s interests (like video games) can open a better path.
- What Behavior Is Really Saying: The three reasons kids act out, why a “scratched lens” explains most parent frustration, and how to see the child beneath the behavior.
- Connection Without an Agenda: Why presence matters more than busyness, and a 15-minute practice for being with your child with nothing to teach or fix.
- Feeling Known: Why seeing your child in their ordinariness is one of the most powerful things a parent can do.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: chasing what’s best for our kids vs. what they actually need
01:01 - Dr. Shefali’s opening talk: why we need to reclaim childhood
03:25 - Why every parent was “perfect” until they had a child
08:14 - Your child as a mirror: parenting is about raising you
10:41 - The fantasy every parent brings to parenthood
15:34 - From fixing the child to getting out of the way: the shared mission of Alpha and conscious parenting
18:22 - Ara Katz, a founding Alpha parent, on his son feeling “seen” and the idea of conscious educating
23:01 - Where to begin: start with your biggest pain point
27:36 - Mackenzie’s story: letting her daughters choose their own path
33:15 - Why your defiant child is your greatest teacher
36:26 - High standards with support, and the bagel dough story
38:58 - Achievement vs. performance
45:18 - “I want my child to...”: the most dangerous sentence parents say
47:12 - What a child’s behavior is really saying
48:11 - The three reasons kids act out
50:30 - The “scratched lens” that makes normal kids look like problems
52:12 - When your child breaks the rules: seeing the child beneath the behavior
57:29 - Mackenzie’s dining room table moment
1:02:17 - A 15-minute practice: being with your child with no agenda
1:04:39 - What we inherit from our parents, and what we pass on
1:05:14 - “Hello, ego”: why you can’t out-conscious yourself
1:10:52 - One small thing to help your child feel known
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie’s Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
S2E365: Is AI Good for Classrooms? 6 Learning Science Principles It Can Help Deliver (A Former Teacher Explains)
Is AI going to help students learn better, or is it the worst thing we could put in a classroom? It’s one of the biggest debates in education right now, and Mackenzie makes the case that decades of learning …
Notes de l’épisode
Is AI going to help students learn better, or is it the worst thing we could put in a classroom? It’s one of the biggest debates in education right now, and Mackenzie makes the case that decades of learning science research point to practices a single teacher in front of a classroom simply can’t deliver at scale.
To dig into it, Mackenzie sits down with Sam DePalo, a former traditional teacher and Alpha guide with over 10 years of classroom experience. A Fulbright scholar with degrees in linguistics, literature, and mathematics, plus a postgraduate focus on neurodiversity and executive function, Sam taught high school math through Teach For America in a Title I public school (with a class of 47 students), then worked in private schools with much smaller class sizes. She saw the same limits in both.
In this conversation, Sam explains six learning science principles and why she believes an AI tutor (not a chatbot) can help deliver them, while freeing teachers to focus on motivating and connecting with kids.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why the Traditional Model Falls Short: How the industrial-era classroom was built to educate the masses, and why Sam saw the same limits in a 47-student Title I class and in small private-school classrooms.
- One-to-One Instruction: Why individualized learning is the most powerful principle, and how an AI tutor can assess what a student knows and meet them at the right pace and level.
- Mastery-Based Learning: Why moving on before a student has mastered a concept leaves gaps, what a 90% mastery bar looks like, and how grade inflation and the bell curve blur what an “A” really means.
- Spaced Repetition and Retrieval Practice: How constantly revisiting past material, and being quizzed on it, beats cramming, and why a teacher with 25+ students can’t realistically build this in for every kid.
- The Zone of Proximal Development: How kids shut down when work is too hard or too easy, and why productive struggle (not gamified, easy learning) is the goal.
- Cognitive Load Theory: Sam’s “working memory whiteboard” explanation of why shaky math facts get in the way of learning algebra.
- The Teacher’s Role: What changes when AI takes on grading, data analysis, and differentiation, so adults can focus on motivation and connection.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - The great debate: Is AI good for classrooms or the worst thing for them?
01:37 - Sam’s background: from Fulbright scholar to Teach For America
04:16 - Why learning science doesn’t support the one-teacher model, even in small private schools
07:54 - Learning Science Principle 1: One-to-one instruction
09:08 - How an AI tutor (not a chatbot) makes individualized learning possible
12:36 - Learning Science Principle 2: Mastery-based learning
13:30 - Why Alpha sets the mastery bar at 90%
16:31 - Grade inflation, the bell curve, and the paper that got a 95% without being read
19:06 - Learning Science Principle 3: Spaced repetition and distributed practice
22:49 - Why cramming fails: the accounting class story
24:18 - Learning Science Principle 4: Retrieval practice
28:03 - Standardized assessments as feedback, not high-stakes judgment
30:00 - Hole-filling in action: how a student went from a 720 to a 790 on SAT math
32:12 - Learning Science Principle 5: The zone of proximal development
36:02 - Productive struggle vs. gamified learning
37:21 - Learning Science Principle 6: Cognitive load theory
41:19 - Why a motivated student matters most
43:13 - What AI frees teachers to do
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie’s Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
S2E364: Are You Coddling Your Kid? Signs and Fixes From a Veteran Educator
Overprotectiveness often stems from good intentions, but it can unintentionally strip children of the confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience they need to thrive. In this episode of The Future of …
Notes de l’épisode
Overprotectiveness often stems from good intentions, but it can unintentionally strip children of the confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience they need to thrive. In this episode of The Future of Education, Mackenzie speaks with Eric Salgado—an educator with over two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, school-system director, and Alpha School guide—about how to spot overprotection and replace it with high-support frameworks.
Eric details the subtle classroom signs of overparenting, explains how to implement the "1% better every day" mindset at home, and breaks down why holding firm boundaries with natural consequences builds genuine independence.
Key Topics Covered
- Spotting Coddling in Real Time: Telltale behavioral signs of overprotection in school.
- High Standards, High Support: Balancing firm boundaries with empathetic mentorship.
- The "1% Better Every Day" Mindset: Helping children replace perfectionism with positive micro-habits.
- Tactical Routines for Independence: Practical strategies for fixing stressful morning wake-ups, handling forgotten sports gear, and using pre-departure checklists.
- Building Teacher-Parent Partnerships: How parents and educators can collaborate as a unified team to mentor the whole child.
Episode Timestamps
- 00:00 - Defining Coddling: Overprotection & Telltale Signs
- 01:56 - Helicopter Parenting & Classroom Behavioral Cues
- 04:27 - High Standards + High Support: The Mentor Model
- 06:38 - Outsourcing High Standards & Partnering with Educators
- 08:39 - The "1% Better Every Day" Mindset Explained
- 11:21 - Case Study: How Small Wins Unlocked a Struggling Student
- 16:26 - Setting Boundaries: Morning Routines & No Empty Threats
- 19:20 - Building Daily Independence in Young Children
- 21:07 - The Forgotten Sports Gear Test: Letting Kids Face Consequences
- 22:33 - Building a Unified Parent-Teacher Partnership
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
S2E363: How to Be a Mentor to Your Kid (Not Just a Parent)
Many parents worry about whether their kids are developing the character, resilience, and adaptability needed for a fast-changing world. In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Chauncey—a former Teach for …
Notes de l’épisode
Many parents worry about whether their kids are developing the character, resilience, and adaptability needed for a fast-changing world. In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Chauncey—a former Teach for America core member, NYC Department of Education leader, Goldman Sachs talent executive, and current Alpha School guide. Chauncey shares how combining high standards with high support creates the ultimate mentor mindset, and how parents can bring these exact frameworks into their homes.
Chauncey breaks down why most life lessons are "caught, not taught," how to decouple age from learning stage so kids master concepts without shame, and practical ways parents can step into their child’s world to unlock quiet or anxious kids.
Episode Timestamps
- 03:28 - Chauncey’s Journey: Teach for America, Penn, Dept of Ed & Goldman Sachs
- 08:08 - Why AI Education Is 90% Human Mentorship, 10% Technology
- 09:02 - The "Big Game" vs. "Little Games": Raising Kids with Character
- 11:57 - Transitioning from Traditional Teaching to the Mentor Model
- 13:59 - Lessons Are Caught, Not Taught: The Mirror Loop for Parents
- 15:33 - The "Glows, Grows & Everyone Should Know" Daily Framework
- 18:31 - How Taking Immediate Ownership Neutralizes Conflict
- 20:04 - "Love of School Is Love of Life": Making Daily Routines Joyful
- 22:50 - High Standards + High Support: Why Kids Crave Real Challenges
- 26:18 - Decoupling Age and Stage: Eliminating Academic Shame in Kids
- 31:20 - How to Step Into the World of a Quiet or Anxious Child
- 34:09 - Bringing World-Class Educational Innovation to a Billion Kids
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
S2E362: Is Your Kid's School Teaching Reading Wrong? 5 Non-Negotiables from a Curriculum Expert
National reading scores are plummeting, yet many schools are still using reading programs that completely ignore basic learning science. In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with curriculum expert and learning …
Notes de l’épisode
National reading scores are plummeting, yet many schools are still using reading programs that completely ignore basic learning science. In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with curriculum expert and learning scientist Karen Vaites to unpack the national literacy crisis and expose what most schools get wrong about teaching kids to read.
Karen unveils the 5 non-negotiables every parent must evaluate their child’s elementary reading curriculum for. She exposes why traditional classrooms are failing young readers and gives parents an actionable 5-step checklist—covering phonics, progress screening, knowledge-building, reading volume, and writing—to ensure their child gets the reading education they deserve.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - The National Literacy Crisis & Guest Introduction
01:12 - Why Early Reading Is the Tailwind for All Academic Success
02:51 - What’s Driving the Reading Decline? Screens & School Distractions
05:23 - Science of Reading vs. Faddish Classroom Methods
08:08 - The Cricket Passage Test: Why Background Knowledge Drives Comprehension
12:38 - The "Southern Surge": How Mississippi & Louisiana Turned Scores Around
15:37 - Phonics vs. Whole Language: How Kids Actually Learn the English Code
22:44 - Non-Negotiable 1: Phonics (What to Look For)
25:43 - Non-Negotiable 2: Third-Party Screening
27:38 - K–2 Milestones: When Should Parents Actually Worry?
30:14 - Non-Negotiable 3: Knowledge-Building Curricula
33:21 - Non-Negotiable 4: High Volume of Reading Full Books
34:00 - Non-Negotiable 5: Integrated Daily Writing
34:30 - What Parents Can Do at Home to Safeguard Literacy
37:08 - Next-Gen Tools: Alpha Phonics & Science-Backed Learning
38:34 - Decoding Irregular Words
41:39 - Debunking the Biggest Literacy Myth in American Education
Resources & Links Mentioned
- UFLY (University of Florida Literacy Institute): www.ufli.education.ufl.edu/
- Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: https://a.co/d/0j64tHNY
- The Knowledge Matters Campaign: https://knowledgematters.org/
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
S2E361: The Harvard Business Approach to Raising Critical Thinkers
Many kids today are struggling to think independently, handle high-pressure moments, and make strategic choices on their own. Terrence McMullen—a Harvard MBA graduate and Dean of Parents at Alpha—is on a …
Notes de l’épisode
Many kids today are struggling to think independently, handle high-pressure moments, and make strategic choices on their own. Terrence McMullen—a Harvard MBA graduate and Dean of Parents at Alpha—is on a mission to fix that. Having spent 15 years teaching advanced business acumen and negotiation to K-12 students, Terrence has built programs alongside Goldman Sachs and partnered with over 20 top independent schools across New York.
In this conversation, Terrence shares how adapting the Harvard Business School case method equips parents to build deep critical thinking, refine real-world communication, and raise adaptable children who know how to analyze complex situations on the fly.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The Harvard Business School Case Method: How Socratic questioning and real-world business scenarios encourage kids to think on their feet and question their own assumptions.
- Teaching Strategy Through Scenarios: An inside look at how a Steve Jobs iPhone launch case teaches 10-year-olds pricing, positioning, and market trade-offs.
- Real-World Application: How student-led projects give kids direct experience.
- Practical At-Home Exercises: Simple strategies parents can use during daily routines.
- Recognizing Critical Thinking Gaps: Behavioral signs that indicate a child needs practice in evaluating alternatives.
- Strategic Communication & Empathy: How teaching kids to read non-verbal cues improves social competence and negotiation skills.
Episode Timestamps:
- 01:28 - The Socratic case method at Harvard Business School
- 02:37 - Adapting business challenges for young students
- 04:13 - Example: Using the Steve Jobs iPhone launch to teach marketing and pricing
- 07:16 - Real-world simulations: Student-run operations and financial accountability
- 08:58 - The limitations of test-focused traditional classrooms
- 11:32 - Why business topics serve as an engaging medium for critical thinking
- 12:50 - Step-by-step guide for parents to run case discussions at home
- 19:49 - Behavioral indicators that a child lacks problem-solving flexibility
- 22:26 - Resist the "easy button": Supporting children without solving every issue
- 27:50 - Using post-mortem discussions to reflect on decisions without judgment
- 33:20 - Developing strategic communication, empathy, and active listening
- 38:52 - How parental mindfulness and reflection support child development
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
S2E360: A Stanford ER Doctor’s Blueprint for Raising Healthy Kids— With Dr. Viveta Lobo
What does it actually take to keep kids healthy, active, and out of the emergency room? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Dr. Viveta Lobo—a Stanford ER physician, professor, Alpha parent, and mother of …
Notes de l’épisode
What does it actually take to keep kids healthy, active, and out of the emergency room? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Dr. Viveta Lobo—a Stanford ER physician, professor, Alpha parent, and mother of three—to unpack a practical, preventive approach to childhood health, physical fitness, and nutrition. In this conversation, Dr. Lobo breaks down commonly asked questions in a compilation of essential, doctor-approved best practices for parents.
In this episode, we cover:
Movement as Brain Fuel: How physical activity releases BDNF ("Miracle-Gro for the brain") to improve executive function, memory, and classroom focus.
Strength Training for Kids: Dispelling myths around weightlifting, and why resistance training helps kids—especially those carrying extra weight—build physical competence over humiliation.
Building Child Agency: Why letting kids handle age-appropriate responsibilities (from setting alarms to planning family meals) builds real-world judgment that AI cannot replace.
Practical Family Nutrition: The 80/20 approach to snacks, hitting daily protein targets (~1.5g/kg), and enforcing the "three-bite rule" for picky eaters.
Preventive Healthcare: Moving away from reactive ER visits to establish core lifestyle habits (movement, nutrition, mental health, community) early in life.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Meeting Dr. Viveta Lobo
00:56 - Shifting from Reactive ER Care to Preventive Health
03:38 - Relocating to Austin & Choosing Texas Sports Academy
05:00 - Why Physical Activity is "Miracle-Gro" for the Brain (BDNF)
09:33 - Debunking Myths: Strength & Resistance Training for Children
13:17 - Reframing Exercise for Overweight & Non-Athletic Kids
22:52 - Building Agency & Independence in Children at Home
25:07 - Food Formulas: Pantry Management, the 80/20 Rule & Gas Station Treats
30:22 - Child Nutrition: Protein Targets & Complete Amino Acids
39:22 - Overcoming Picky Eaters & The "Three-Bite Rule"
43:38 - Maximizing Growth Potential & Childhood Height
45:53 - Changing the Paradigm: Lifestyle Medicine Over Emergency Rooms
49:26 - Early Warning Signs of Mental Health Struggles in Teens
55:05 - Dr. Lobo’s Personal Journey: Micro-Preemies & Unlocking Limitless Potential
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
S2E359: The Reality of Building an Alternative School—With Infinity Academy Founders Gillian and Jenna
What actually happens when you leave traditional careers to build an alternative school from scratch? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with fellow alternative school founders Gillian Berard (former public …
Notes de l’épisode
What actually happens when you leave traditional careers to build an alternative school from scratch? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with fellow alternative school founders Gillian Berard (former public school teacher) and Jenna Baggott (former NICU nurse) to unpack the practical realities of launching Infinity Academy, a project-based microschool on 17 acres in Ontario.
From navigating local zoning laws using yurt classrooms to balancing AI-powered personalized academics with outdoor life skills, it’s a candid, unfiltered look at the practical realities of launching an alternative school today.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: Meeting the Founders of Infinity Academy
01:29 - Why Reforming Public Education Feels Like "Steering the Titanic"
03:22 - Leaving Nursing & Teaching to Build Something New
06:31 - Infinity Academy’s Vision: Self-Directed & Nature-Based
08:18 - Using AI & Adaptive Tools for Core Academics
12:45 - The Role of the Educator as a "Guide"
14:53 - Addressing Common Misconceptions About Alternative Schools
17:37 - Student Motivation & Real-World Application
19:09 - The Reality of Year 1: Zoning, Funding & Risk
24:09 - Yurt Classrooms & Bypassing Structural Permits
25:30 - Using Social Media to Prove What School Can Be
27:45 - Practical Advice for Launching Your Own Microschool
Connect with Infinity Academy on Instagram: @infinity_education.inc
Learn more about Infinity Academy: www.infinityacademyed.com/
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about all our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school
S2E358: The Ambitious Parent Trap (& The Leadership Skill You Need to Escape It) with Heather Chauvin
Leadership skills in the workplace don't always translate to leadership skills in the home. Often times, the well-intentioned efforts of ambitious parents can lead to surprising consequences for their kids. As …
Notes de l’épisode
Leadership skills in the workplace don't always translate to leadership skills in the home. Often times, the well-intentioned efforts of ambitious parents can lead to surprising consequences for their kids. As it turns out, the secret to raising extraordinary, self-driven kids isn't just pushing harder and chasing optimization...and today's guest is here to unpack just that.
In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Heather Chauvin—former social worker, stage 4 cancer survivor, host of the Emotionally Uncomfortable podcast, and advisor to high-achieving leaders—to talk about how ambitious parents can lead their families without burning out in the process.
We're covering:
- Energy Management vs. Time Management: What happens when you fill your calendar without first seeking emotional alignment.
- Intentionality vs. Control: How to stop micromanaging and support your child's innate development.
- The Overparenting Trap: Why high achievers accidentally create a "comfort crisis" for their kids and how to break the cycle.
- Parenting as Quiet Leadership: How to shift out of being "the doer" who controls every task.
Episode Timestamps:
02:42 – Performative Parenting: Trapped in the Comparison Game
05:14 – A Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis and a Burnout Crisis
07:47 – Energy Management vs. Time Management
09:53 – Why Reactive Living Drains Your Daily Capacity
14:43 – Intentionality vs. Control: Are You Supporting or Micromanaging?
15:43 – The "Time & Energy Audit": Making Invisible Stress Visible
18:44 – The #1 Mistake High-Achieving Parents Make With Their Kids
25:38 – Overparenting and the "Comfort Crisis" in Modern Childhood
27:28 – Why Emotional Regulation Beats Quick Fixes Every Time
31:44 – From "The Doer" to "The Be-er": Reframing Parenting as Quiet Leadership
34:56 – Simple Steps to Buy Back Your Time and Reclaim Vitality
Learn more about Heather Chauvin: www.heatherchauvin.com
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
S2E357: The 15-Minute Weekly Habit That Turns Kids into Self-Starters
What if one focused conversation each week could help your child identify roadblocks, set meaningful goals, and take ownership of what happens next?In this episode, MacKenzie speaks with Jackson—an Alpha Guide …
Notes de l’épisode
What if one focused conversation each week could help your child identify roadblocks, set meaningful goals, and take ownership of what happens next?
In this episode, MacKenzie speaks with Jackson—an Alpha Guide with a background in sports psychology—about Limitless Meetings: recurring, one-on-one coaching conversations that transform a student's ability to set and stick to goals. Jackson explains how to structure a quick, focused check-in, adapt the conversation to a child’s age and interests, and use motivational interviewing instead of defaulting to lectures or quick solutions.
Parents and educators will leave with a practical framework for helping children articulate what they want, identify what is getting in the way, choose their own next step, and determine exactly how they want to be held accountable.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – An Introduction to Limitless Meetings
02:58 – Finding the Sweet Spot: Ideal Meeting Lengths for Every Age
05:06 – From Songwriting to Social Skills: Setting Clear, Actionable Goals
06:36 – The Paint-by-Numbers Trick: Keeping Kids Engaged During Deep Conversations
10:48 – Moving from Parent-Led Directives to Student-Owned Agendas
11:56 – The Two Golden Rules: Confidentiality and Tying Goals to Real Life Skills
16:58 – Motivational Interviewing: A Simple Questioning Framework for Parents
24:28 – Positive Reinforcement vs. Negative Punishment
27:28 – The "WTF" Framework
29:21 – How to Use AI to Grade Coaching Conversations
40:43 – The Perfect Closing Question: Establishing Meaningful Accountability
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school
S2E356: "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire": A Skeptical Educator Tested Our Learning Model in India
When Dr. Tasha Arnold came across Alpha's MAP test scores, she was in disbelief. As a lifelong lover of traditional schooling with two decades of experience teaching everywhere from Chicago public schools to …
Notes de l’épisode
When Dr. Tasha Arnold came across Alpha's MAP test scores, she was in disbelief. As a lifelong lover of traditional schooling with two decades of experience teaching everywhere from Chicago public schools to top private schools in London and Mumbai, Tasha decided to test the learning model out for herself.
In this episode, MacKenzie and Tasha (who is now the Head of School at Alpha!) dive deep into the massive paradigm shift required to accept AI in the classroom, why technology actually increases human interaction, and why giving kids the space to fail might be the most important thing we can do for their future.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: The Ultimate Skeptic
02:37 - Dr. Tasha’s Global Education Background
05:13 - The New Scarcity: Human Connection vs. Content
07:21 - The Reality of Traditional Classrooms & Lesson Plans
16:44 - Building Life Skills: "UN" Style Town Halls
21:12 - Protecting the Good Teachers (And Filtering the Rest)
25:44 - The "Failure Loop" & Practicing "Support, Not Solve"
30:53 - Building True Confidence Through Competence
34:42 - Data Privacy & Addressing AI Skepticism
38:05 - The Future of AI in Public Schools
41:50 - The Mumbai Experiment: From Skeptic to Believer
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school
Learn more about all of our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools
S2E355: Steal the Stock Market Simulation We Use to Build Young Investors
In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Alpha guide Chris Hays to break down the stock market simulation he uses to make investing, risk, and reward click for students. Using classroom currency, multiple …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Alpha guide Chris Hays to break down the stock market simulation he uses to make investing, risk, and reward click for students. Using classroom currency, multiple investment options, and fictional market news, Chris turns a complex topic into a 20-minute weekly game that parents and educators can recreate- even if they're new to investing themselves.
The conversation goes beyond investing and explores practical ways to teach kids how to earn, save, spend, and donate. From needs-versus-wants discussions to a student-run claw machine business, this episode is full of approachable ideas for building financial confidence, curiosity, and strong money habits early on.
Episode Timestamps:
01:20 - Caricaturizing Money: "Professor Dinero"
02:19 - Needs vs. Wants Explored
03:32 - Steal the "Alpha" Currency System We Use
07:12 - Exploring the Controversy of Paying Students
09:55 - The Student Stock Market Explained
18:50 - Elevating Ordinary Lemonade Stands: A Case Study
24:11 - Entrepreneurship Anecdotes
29:41 - Alternative Reward Systems
34:30 - The Five Buckets of Financial Literacy
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school
S2E354: Are You Passing Limiting Beliefs to Your Kid? (6 Simple Fixes)
How do you help a child who says "I'm bad at math," "I can't read," or "That's just not my thing"? In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Alexis Wilson, growth mindset and performance coach, to discuss how …
Notes de l’épisode
How do you help a child who says "I'm bad at math," "I can't read," or "That's just not my thing"? In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Alexis Wilson, growth mindset and performance coach, to discuss how parents and educators can help kids break out of fixed mindsets and build genuine self-confidence (hint: empty affirmations without evidence don't work). Plus, they confront the harsh fact that parents' hidden fears can cause more issues in kids than any lack of natural talent—and how small shifts at home can completely change a child's identity.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
03:40 - The Science: How Brains Change with Neuroplasticity
05:09 - Spotting a Fixed Mindset: "That's Just Not My Thing"
06:40 - How to Change a Child's Negative Self-Talk
10:37 - Why Confidence Requires Real Evidence & Reps
17:33 - How Kids Unconsciously Pick Up Their Parents' Fears
23:14 - Are You Secretly Sabotaging Your Child's Mindset?
29:08 - The Power of "Yet" & Normalizing Mistakes
33:55 - How Growth Mindset Transforms Family Dynamics at Home
39:24 - "Mom, I'm Not Dumb": A 7th Grader's Identity Shift
42:42 - Step-by-Step: How Parents Can Reframe Limiting Beliefs Today
44:42 - Knowing When to Pivot vs. When to Keep Pushing
Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education
Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com
Learn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools
Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school
S2E353: A Former Principal Reveals the Biggest School Red and Green Flags
How can you tell if your child’s school is thriving or failing? In this episode, former Florida Principal of the Year Christie Ray joins Mackenzie to break down the critical red, yellow, and green flags parents …
Notes de l’épisode
How can you tell if your child’s school is thriving or failing? In this episode, former Florida Principal of the Year Christie Ray joins Mackenzie to break down the critical red, yellow, and green flags parents often don't know to look for in their child's school. From invisible administrators and high teacher turnover to rigid policies and unexpected indicators of a toxic culture, Christie's decades of insider insight give parents a practical guide on how to evaluate any school—and, ultimately, relentlessly advocate for their kids.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: Meet Christy Ray (2020 Florida Principal of the Year)
02:59 - The Principal as a CEO: Evaluating Institutional Health
04:48 - Green Flag #1: Visible Leadership & Pickup/Drop-off Presence
07:28 - Green Flag #2: Low Teacher Turnover & "Coaching Up vs. Coaching Out"
08:29 - Addressing Bad Teachers: Unions, Contracts & Administrative Hurdles
13:17 - Professional Development: Does Teacher Training Actually Help?
14:22 - The "Silent Lunch" Controversy: Is It Good for Kids or Just Adults?
17:44 - Identifying Low Support: Bullying, Chaos, and Front Office Vibe
24:16 - How Parents Should Advocate: Being Relentless and Respectful
28:51 - How to Start Off on the Right Foot With Your Principal & Teachers
30:57 - Quick Breakdown: The Biggest School Red Flags to Watch For
31:31 - Gifting 101: Do Principals and Teachers Actually Want Mug Gifts?
S2E352: 40+ Cities, 9 Models: All of Our Schools Explained
When most people hear "Alpha," they think of our flagship campuses—but that’s only a small fraction of what we’ve built.Across 40+ cities, Alpha has expanded into a diverse ecosystem of specialized academies …
Notes de l’épisode
When most people hear "Alpha," they think of our flagship campuses—but that’s only a small fraction of what we’ve built.
Across 40+ cities, Alpha has expanded into a diverse ecosystem of specialized academies and accessible models designed to fit different interests, locations, and budgets. Whether parents are looking for elite sports training, hands-on outdoor survival, gifted and talented programs, or affordable local options, there’s a model built for them.
In this episode, MacKenzie breaks down all current Alpha school models, explaining how each operates, who they are built for, and how we’re bringing personalized learning to families everywhere.
02:15 - NextGen Academy: Gaming & Esports
Learn more at www.nextgenacademy.school
05:30 - Waypoint Academy: Outdoor Survival & Wilderness Skills
Learn more at www.waypointacademy.school
08:45 - Texas Sports Academy: Single and Multi-Sport Specialty Academies
Learn more at www.sportsacademy.school
Listen to other episodes about Texas Sports Academy: Episodes #309, #310, and #311
11:50 - Alpha World School: High School Study Abroad in Kenya & Ecuador
Learn more at www.world.alpha.school
14:20 - Founders School: Entrepreneurship & Business Building
Learn more at www.founders.school
17:00 - GT School: Gifted & Talented School
Learn more at www.gt.school
19:40 - Montessorium: Modernized, Tech-Enabled Montessori
Learn more at www.montessorium.school
Listen to other episodes about Montessorium: Episode #344
22:15 - Nova Academy: Affordable Access to Our Model
Learn more at www.novaacademy.school
25:30 - Alpha Schools: Our Flagship School, Now Expanded
Learn more at www.alpha.school
S2E351: Memory Palaces, Spaced Repetition, and Forced Recall: Memorization Tricks from an 11-Year-Old History Expert
How does an 11-year-old memorize every U.S. president in order, read at an 11th-grade level, and compete in national academic bees? In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Everest, a fifth-grade student who …
Notes de l’épisode
How does an 11-year-old memorize every U.S. president in order, read at an 11th-grade level, and compete in national academic bees? In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Everest, a fifth-grade student who has mastered the science of learning how to learn.
Everest breaks down the exact study techniques she uses to absorb information at lightning speed, including spaced repetition, forced recall, and how to build a "Memory Palace" using wild mental imagery. Beyond study hacks, she shares practical advice for parents on how to build genuine grit in kids, why it's crucial to let children follow their own interests rather than forcing subjects they hate, and how dealing with failure made her a stronger competitor.
S2E350: Philosophy is the New Computer Science (Why the AI Era Needs Deep Thinkers)
For the last decade, computer science was considered the undisputed king of college majors. But in the age of AI, that script is rapidly being flipped. Now that AI can write code in seconds, the ability to …
Notes de l’épisode
For the last decade, computer science was considered the undisputed king of college majors. But in the age of AI, that script is rapidly being flipped. Now that AI can write code in seconds, the ability to think deeply and critically has become more important than ever.
In this episode, Mackenzie is joined by Alpha graduate Maddie Price, who recently traveled to France for an exclusive philosophy conference at Alexis de Tocqueville’s historical chateau. Together, they break down the growing national reading crisis, the fear of "soft despotism" (and a WALL-E-style future), and why the humanities are emerging as the most crucial toolset for the next generation of leaders.
S2E349: The Harvard-Backed Strategy to Motivate Your Kids (Alpha's Secret to Success)
In this episode, Mackenzie breaks down a groundbreaking Harvard study on student outcomes—which she helped get off the ground—and reveals how Alpha turned those findings into a high-yield motivation model …
Notes de l’épisode
In this episode, Mackenzie breaks down a groundbreaking Harvard study on student outcomes—which she helped get off the ground—and reveals how Alpha turned those findings into a high-yield motivation model. Plus, she shares practical, real-world examples so you can steal Alpha's exact incentive strategies and apply them in your own living room tonight.
S2E348: Goodbye 3 R's, Hello 4 C's: The Skills Replacing Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic
For generations, traditional education has anchored itself in the "3 R’s": Reading, writing, and arithmetic. But in a world dominated by artificial intelligence, these foundational skills are no longer the …
Notes de l’épisode
For generations, traditional education has anchored itself in the "3 R’s": Reading, writing, and arithmetic. But in a world dominated by artificial intelligence, these foundational skills are no longer the ceiling—they are the floor. The skills that secured your career will not secure your child’s. The 3 R’s are still required, but relying on them alone leaves your kid vulnerable to automation.
In this episode, MacKenzie breaks down the "4 C’s"—the crucial, uniquely human soft skills that will give your kids an unshakeable edge against automated tech. Packed with micro-habits and practical games you can start playing at the dinner table tonight, this episode is a tactical guide to preparing your children for an unpredictable future landscape.
S2E347: How We Hire Top Talent to Lead Our Classrooms (Most Aren't Teachers!) – with Dr. Stef Baduria
Out of 40,000 applicants last year, only a fraction made the cut—and 80% of them have never taught in a traditional school before. We have former doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, consultants, veterans …
Notes de l’épisode
Out of 40,000 applicants last year, only a fraction made the cut—and 80% of them have never taught in a traditional school before. We have former doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, consultants, veterans, therapists, and, yes, some teachers, leading our classrooms across the country. Our Guide role breaks the traditional mold of a teacher, but the outcome has been groundbreaking. Joining us in this episode is Dr. Stef Baduria, Director of K-8 at Alpha, to pull back the curtain on how Alpha vets and hires its classroom Guides.
Whether you are a parent wondering about the elite rigor behind the people mentoring your child, or a high-performer looking to transition into a career with massive impact, this episode provides an amazing insight into the philosophy behind the glue that holds our school model together.
By the way, we're hiring! Want to see if you have what it takes? Apply to be an Alpha Guide here.
S2E346: She Was Our Guinea Pig. Did It Work?
Ten years ago, Elle became one of the very first students at Alpha—essentially acting as a long-term guinea pig for a brand-new school model. Today, she is graduating as valedictorian, heading to Stanford …
Notes de l’épisode
Ten years ago, Elle became one of the very first students at Alpha—essentially acting as a long-term guinea pig for a brand-new school model. Today, she is graduating as valedictorian, heading to Stanford University, and the youngest published female author in NATURE science journal. In Part 2 of this post-mortem, MacKenzie and Elle sit down for an honest debrief on how the experiment actually played out.
S2E345: "I'm Not Smart": How Identity Labels Trap Our Kids
What happens when a child decides by the first grade that they simply aren’t the "smart" one?When Elle brought home a family portrait labeling her sister as smart and herself as dumb, her teachers and parents …
Notes de l’épisode
What happens when a child decides by the first grade that they simply aren’t the "smart" one?
When Elle brought home a family portrait labeling her sister as smart and herself as dumb, her teachers and parents feared she had already been put in a box. But an unconventional school model and a tactical "confidence anchor" completely flipped her trajectory.
Now a graduating senior, Alpha Valedictorian Elle joins MacKenzie to share her incredible journey from struggling student to history-making researcher. She breaks down the exact psychological shifts that unlocked her potential, the reality of building a massive teen dating app with AI, and what happened when she hounded a top scientist to run a study that is now up for publication in the world's leading scientific journal.
S2E344: Does AI Belong in a Montessori Classroom?
Many Montessori apologists decry the use of AI in the classroom, claiming this type of technology is harmful to the learning experience. But our latest experiment actually proves the opposite. We just opened …
Notes de l’épisode
Many Montessori apologists decry the use of AI in the classroom, claiming this type of technology is harmful to the learning experience. But our latest experiment actually proves the opposite. We just opened Montessorium, a school that combines the learning technology of Alpha Schools with the classical Montessori method of teaching. Anna Smiley, Lead Guide at Montessorium, joins MacKenzie to break down the real-world results of this model so far—and how AI can actually enhance, not replace, child-led learning.
S2E343: The "Pay to Read" Method (+ 4 Other Unconventional Ways to Raise Bookworms)
In an era of instant dopamine hits like TikTok, YouTube, and ChatGPT summaries, getting a kid to crack open a book feels like a losing battle. But it doesn't have to be!In this episode, MacKenzie breaks down …
Notes de l’épisode
In an era of instant dopamine hits like TikTok, YouTube, and ChatGPT summaries, getting a kid to crack open a book feels like a losing battle. But it doesn't have to be!
In this episode, MacKenzie breaks down the exact strategies used to build high-agency, avid readers—including a highly controversial, hyper-effective, science-backed weapon: paying kids to read.
For parents who want to build a lifelong reading muscle in their kids, this episode's 5 easy strategies are a great way to get started this summer.
Austin Scholar’s Age-by-Age Book Recommendations
(For the full age-by-age list, including graphic novels, series, and magazines, head over to Austin Scholar’s original post.)
Kindergarten — 1st grade:
- The I Can Read! and Ready-to-Read leveled series.
- Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff.
2nd — 3rd grade:
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
- The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne.
4th — 5th grade:
- Holes by Louis Sachar.
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.
- The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau.
- The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley.
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.
- Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan.
- Warrior Cats by Erin Hunter.
Middle School:
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.
- The Giver by Lois Lowry.
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.
- Animal Farm by George Orwell.
- Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
- Legend by Marie Lu.
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall.
- Project Hail Mary and The Martian by Andy Weir.
S2E342: Why Traditional Discipline Makes Kids Worse: The Behavioral Science You Need To Know
Traditional discipline punishes disruptive students by isolating them. But bad behavior is actually just a data point.In this episode, I sit down with Matt Shenker—a licensed therapist, the Lead Guide at Alpha …
Notes de l’épisode
Traditional discipline punishes disruptive students by isolating them. But bad behavior is actually just a data point.
In this episode, I sit down with Matt Shenker—a licensed therapist, the Lead Guide at Alpha Scottsdale, and a behavioral science expert with years of experience specializing in ADHD. Matt breaks down a massive systemic flaw: the education system doesn't have a knowledge gap when it comes to behavior management...it has an implementation gap.
This episode is a goldmine for any parent or educator who deals with challenging behavior (hint: it's all of us!), offering extremely practical shifts that truly change how we achieve positive growth.
S2E341: When Your Middle Schoolers Pitch You a Podcast Episode, You Say Yes
The story of how today’s episode came to be perfectly illustrates student agency in action: An email from one of our GT School students, Everest, popped up in my inbox asking to come on the show.She wanted to …
Notes de l’épisode
The story of how today’s episode came to be perfectly illustrates student agency in action: An email from one of our GT School students, Everest, popped up in my inbox asking to come on the show.
She wanted to teach our audience the exact tools and techniques her first-year team used to absolutely crush it at the National Quiz Bowl Championship—placing in the top 100 in the country despite having one of the youngest average ages in the entire competition.
Because we back student agency 100%, we headed straight to the studio. In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with the entire GT School Quiz Bowl team to break down how a group of rookies out-thought legacy teams that have been drilling for years.
S2E340: We Hired Our Student (From Video Game Obsession to Tech Founder)
Most schools expel students for hacking their network. We gave this one a job.In this episode, I sit down with Austin, an Alpha High junior who did the unthinkable: he successfully hacked into our academic …
Notes de l’épisode
Most schools expel students for hacking their network. We gave this one a job.
In this episode, I sit down with Austin, an Alpha High junior who did the unthinkable: he successfully hacked into our academic platform, completely redesigned it over a weekend, and now manages a team of six adult software developers to build a brand new AP exam EdTech tool.
Austin's journey began as a typical video game-obsessed kid. But following his passions, affinities, and talents led him to somewhere remarkable and unexpected. If you want to know what happens when you stop underestimating teenagers and start giving them real autonomy, this conversation is a must-watch.
S2E339: The Pygmalion Effect: 8 Rules for Raising Limitless Kids
Most parents love their kids, but far fewer truly believe in them.In this episode, Mackenzie breaks down the Pygmalion Effect, a powerful psychological phenomenon proving that children will quite literally grow …
Notes de l’épisode
Most parents love their kids, but far fewer truly believe in them.
In this episode, Mackenzie breaks down the Pygmalion Effect, a powerful psychological phenomenon proving that children will quite literally grow or shrink to fit the expectations we set for them.
If you want to intentionally raise the ceiling for your child, stop building comfortable cages around them. Tune in to learn the 8 core principles every parent needs to live by to unlock their child's true, self-driven potential.
What we cover:
- Why casual phrases like "he's just not a math kid" become permanent psychological shackles.
- The 1968 classroom experiment that proved belief alters academic reality.
- The 8 "rules to live by" for raising autonomous, motivated, and resilient children.
S2E338: Debt-Free Paths to Six-Figure Careers with Hannah Maruyama (Part 2)
What are we actually paying for when we write a check for higher education? Is it the elite network? The critical thinking skills? The chance for our kids to meet a future spouse?In Part 2 of this eye-opening …
Notes de l’épisode
What are we actually paying for when we write a check for higher education? Is it the elite network? The critical thinking skills? The chance for our kids to meet a future spouse?
In Part 2 of this eye-opening interview, Mackenzie continues her conversation with Hannah Maruyama, the founder of Degree Free, to completely dismantle the remaining nostalgic myths surrounding the college campus. Hannah drops a series of shocking industry statistics—from a critical thinking test that 45% of colleges failed, to the reality that 25% of college professors are on welfare benefits.
But it’s not all bad news. Hannah shifts the conversation to the incredible, high-paying blueprints available right now for young adults willing to skip the system. From tuition-free watchmaking at the Rolex Institute to remote tech paths that scale into $250k roles within five years, this episode provides the exact roadmap parents need to help their kids launch successfully into the real world.
S2E337: The $100K Mistake: The Case Against College (with Hannah Maruyama)
Higher education is an $848 billion industry, and families are falling into the default trap of buying degrees that don't match the modern job market.In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Hannah Maruyama …
Notes de l’épisode
Higher education is an $848 billion industry, and families are falling into the default trap of buying degrees that don't match the modern job market.
In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Hannah Maruyama, the founder of Degree Free. Hannah has helped over 18,000 families dismantle the "one-size-fits-all" approach to post-grad paths. She breaks down how only 6% to 10% of jobs in the U.S. actually legally require a degree, and why traditional K-12 schooling has turned into a marketing funnel for universities rather than a place for actual education.
Tune in to learn how to help your teenager reverse-engineer a successful career based on the life they actually want to live—without the unnecessary debt.
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