

EdSurge Podcast
EdSurge Podcast
A weekly podcast about the future of learning. Join EdSurge journalists as they sit down with educators, innovators and scholars for frank and in-depth conversations.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 22, 2025 • 5min
Live from ISTE+ASCD with Heather Brantley
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
In this episode, Carl sits down with Heather Brantley, Events and Community Specialist at Curipod. Listen to find out how Curipod replaces an expected AI bot with a human!
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Sep 22, 2025 • 6min
Live from ASCD + ISTE with Lexi Daly
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
Carl sits down with Lexi Daly, Learning Innovation Coordinator and Reading Teacher at Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans. Find out how this self-proclaimed non-coder creates her own mini-games using AI.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 29, 2025 • 7min
Live from ASCD + ISTE with Victoria Andrews
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
Carl sits down with Victoria Andrews. She’s Partner, Professional Learning at Getting Smart. In this role, Victoria is focusing on closing the gap in AI media literacy.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 29, 2025 • 8min
Live at ASCD + ISTE with Leo Ortiz Villacorta
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
Carl sits down with Leonardo Ortiz Villacorta (aka Leo). Leo is a leader in communications, global social impact, and public affairs at Pokemon.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 29, 2025 • 6min
Live at ASCD + ISTE with Bria Jones
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
Carl sits down with Bria Jones. Her title is Customer Success, Wakelet & bulb, and in this role she is focusing on the curation space for both educators and learners. Find out how Bria defines an “unexpected idea spark.”
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 25, 2025 • 8min
Live from ISTE + ASCD with Jerod Wright
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
In this episode, Carl sits down with Jerod Wright, a teacher and former coach who now teaches business and technology in the Frenship Independent School District in Lubbock, Texas.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 15, 2025 • 6min
Live from ISTE+ASCD with Peggy Hammond
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
In this episode, Carl sits down with Peggy Hammond. She teaches technical theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 15, 2025 • 4min
Live from ISTE+ASCD with Barbara Bray
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."
In this episode, Carl sits down with Barbara Bray, an author, speaker, podcaster, coach, story weaver, and difference-maker who is passionate about transforming teaching and learning.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 13, 2025 • 6min
Live from ISTE+ASCD with Erika Sandstrom
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new — asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"
In this episode, Carl sits down with Erika Sandstrӧm (aka Green Screen Gal), a Digital Learning Coach and Digital Media Teacher specializing in Green Screen and Video Production.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.

Aug 13, 2025 • 4min
Live from ISTE+ASCD with Crystal Yang
Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new — asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"
In this episode, Carl speaks with Crystal Yang, a college student and entrepreneur, CEO + founder of Audemy Games.
This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.