

DebateMath Podcast
Chris Luzniak & Rob Baier
Welcome to the DebateMath Podcast, the show where we’re redefining what it means to debate in mathematics & education, where multiple sides of ideas are explored, evidence matters, and we all grow and learn from hearing each other.We know the world–and our classrooms–are not binary. So we lean into the gray area in our discussions. We invite on guests with differing viewpoints on the way math is taught, and listen in as they debate with each other.Come dig into any debate, where we listen to learn, not to prove someone wrong, but to deepen our understanding.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 11, 2025 • 1h 10min
Debate 47 - How Can We Support Teachers?
Text us your thoughts!As we’ve done in the past, we wanted to end the year by bringing together a few of our guests from past debates for a roundtable to reflect on the past debates and also engage in a discussion around a central question.With all the stress put on teachers and all the content we have to teach (not to mention the greater political environment we are currently in), we want to hear from our past guests and discuss: How do we properly support math teachers?Learn more about Jodie Bailey on LinkedIn. Find Vanessa Vakharia on social media @themathguru, check out her website: MathTherapy.com, or listen to her podcast: Math Therapy. Follow Phonisha Hawkins on social media @HawksMathaMagic, on LinkedIn, and read her new blog: mathedefficacy.comCheck out Dan Kaufmann through his website scmath.org, or dan@scmath.orgFind Brittany Hege on social media @mixandmath and check out her website: mixandmath.com Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Nov 13, 2025 • 37min
Debate 46 - Should We Teach Analog Clocks?
Text us your thoughts!What are your thoughts about teaching how to read analog clocks? In this month’s debate we’re diving into a question that might seem small at first, but actually gets at some big ideas about education, tradition, and the skills we think are essential for the next generation, especially in light of all the technology available. Since digital clocks can be found all over (including in our pockets), should students still learn how to read an analog clock? (That’s a clock with the minute and hour hands moving in a circle.) As educators, we know that time is precious. There’s a lot of content we need to teach. So we wanted to explore this idea in more detail with our latest debate resolution: Should We Teach Students to Read an Analog Clock?You can learn more about both of our guests and their work on the Mix and Math website.Follow Christy Harper on Instagram: @mathwithmsharper Follow Brittany Hege on all social media: @mixandmath Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Oct 9, 2025 • 56min
Debate 45 - More Reading or More Math?
Text us your thoughts!Imagine you had a magic wand and could add an extra 30–40 minutes to the school day. How would you use it? Would you dedicate that time to Reading or to Math—and why? That’s the debate we dove into, with two teams facing off in this live debate, answering the big question: Should schools spend more time on Reading or on Math?*This is a recording of a LIVE debate from the Hamilton County ESC Explore Mathematics Conference*You read more about the work of Carolyn Turner and her colleagues at the ODE Literacy Website Feel free to reach out to Chris Irick via email: chris.irick@ohioctm.orgYou can find Dr. Lori Cargile at the Hamilton County ESCFollow Dr. Crystal Watson on all social media: @_CrystalMWatson, or email her at watsocr@cpsboe.k12.oh.us Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Sep 23, 2025 • 9min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #7
Text us your thoughts!This is the seventh (and final) episode with our guests demonstrating various classroom debate routines. In this episode, we put everything together: using a discourse routine, modeling listening skills, and preparing both sides of a debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into a final example with us! Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Sep 17, 2025 • 5min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #6
Text us your thoughts!This is the sixth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this episode, we see another example of the routine where students have to prepare both sides of an argument ahead of time: a Point-Counterpoint Debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Sep 11, 2025 • 6min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #5
Text us your thoughts!This is the fifth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we explore a routine where students have to prepare both sides of an argument ahead of time: a Point-Counterpoint Debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Sep 3, 2025 • 8min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #4
Text us your thoughts!This is the fourth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we dig further into the listening routine of Circle Debates. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 26, 2025 • 7min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #3
Text us your thoughts!This is the third of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we extend the routine from the previous episodes to really encourage listening. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 20, 2025 • 6min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #2
Text us your thoughts!This is the second of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. Tune in to this very brief example, where guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into a more mathy example!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 14, 2025 • 5min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #1
Text us your thoughts!This is the first of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. Tune in to this very brief debate on pizza, where guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Go to our BlueSky: @DebateMath to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!


