
The ThoughtStretchers Podcast
Heterodox conversations to stretch your thinking about important issues in education.
Latest episodes

Feb 26, 2025 • 56min
Centering Educational Progress
Drew Perkins talks with Jack Despain Zhou about his project to establish a new think tank called Center for Educational Progress. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 34min
How Should We Be Teaching History?
Drew Perkins talks with Jonathon Dallimore about his book, Teaching History: A Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 5min
The Essential Howard Gardner
Drew Perkins talks with Howard Gardner about his two new books, The Essential Howard Gardner On Education and On Mind, both reflections on his academic career and work. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 27min
Cognitive Load Theory: A Reflective Conversation
Dylan Wiliam, an expert in mathematics education, and cognitive load theory, joins Oliver Caviglioli, a visual learning advocate, along with educators Carl Hendrick and Christian Bokhove. They dive deep into the intricacies of cognitive load theory and its application in teaching. The conversation highlights the balance between structured learning and fostering curiosity. They discuss the complexities of effective communication in education and share strategies for blending research with practical classroom applications to enhance student engagement and retention.

Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 8min
School Choice Debate And Dialogue
This episode is the recording of a live discussion about school choice and vouchers, hosted by Drew Perkins, with Josh Cowen and Neal McCluskey as part of our ThoughtStretchers Community. It includes RSVP'd guests and their questions. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Jan 23, 2025 • 20min
Developing Curriculum for Deep Thinking: The Knowledge Revival
This episode is another experimentation in AI-generated podcast 'conversations', this time about the recent open-access publication Developing Curriculum for Deep Thinking: The Knowledge Revival. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Jan 10, 2025 • 59min
Katharine Birbalsingh On Multiculturalism And Quality Education
Drew Perkins talks with Katharine Birbalsingh, Headmistress of London's Michaela School about her approach to multiculturalism and the role of knowledge and inquiry in quality education. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Jan 1, 2025 • 1h 14min
Knowledge Doesn't Equal Understanding
Drew Perkins talks with Christian Moore-Anderson about his Knowledge Doesn't Equal Understanding blog piece. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Dec 13, 2024 • 41min
4 Ways School Leaders Can Navigate Polarizing Culture-War Issues
AI speakers engage in a thought-provoking discussion on navigating polarizing culture-war issues in education. They emphasize the importance of objective pluralism and Enlightenment liberalism to foster cooperation and understanding among diverse perspectives. Strategies for addressing toxic polarization in schools are explored, highlighting the need for open dialogue and emotional resilience. The conversation encourages embracing diverse experiences and nurturing respectful environments that promote critical thinking, ultimately advocating for the protection of free speech in educational settings.

Dec 6, 2024 • 1h 7min
Finding Enlightenment
Drew Perkins talks with Susan Kaiser Greenland about her latest book, Real-world Enlightenment: Discovering Ordinary Magic in Everyday Life. Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode