Future of Education Podcast
MacKenzie Price
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 mkp@2hourlearning.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 30, 2026 • 15min
S2E302: Red Flags Parents Shouldn’t Ignore: Signs Your Child May Need Something Different (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this mini-series on Red Flags, MacKenzie and producer Jay explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a child’s school environment may no longer be serving them well. They cover what patterns to pay attention to, what questions parents should be asking, and how to evaluate whether a learning environment is truly supporting a child’s academic growth, emotional well-being, and long-term development.
Jan 27, 2026 • 22min
S2E301: Red Flags Parents Shouldn’t Ignore: Signs Your Child May Need Something Different
How do you know if challenges at school are just part of growing up, or if they're signaling something deeper? In this episode, MacKenzie and producer Jay explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs that a child’s school environment may no longer be serving them well. They cover what patterns to pay attention to, what questions parents should be asking, and how to evaluate whether a learning environment is truly supporting a child’s academic growth, emotional well-being, and long-term development.
5 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 19min
S2E300: Inside the Alpha Admissions Office (Part 2), With Admissions Director Cara Wilkinson
In Part 2 of this conversation, MacKenzie and Alpha’s Director of Admissions, Cara Wilkinson, turn their focus to the application and admissions process at Alpha. Cara walks through how families typically move from initial curiosity to enrollment, what the school looks for beyond traditional markers, and why some parents end up saying no to Alpha. The conversation also offers practical guidance for parents navigating school decisions more broadly, including questions to ask, tradeoffs to consider, and how to evaluate whether any learning environment is truly serving their child- whether or not Alpha is part of their path.
8 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 22min
S2E299: Inside the Admissions Office: What Thousands of Family Conversations Reveal, With Alpha Admissions Director Cara Wilkinson
After speaking with thousands of families over the years, certain patterns begin to emerge. In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Cara Wilkinson, Alpha Austin’s Director of Admissions, to explore the common threads she sees when families start questioning whether their current school environment is truly working for their child. Drawing on more than two decades of experience across higher education, admissions, and education technology, Cara shares the deeper concerns that often sit beneath surface-level frustrations- and what parents tend to prioritize once they move beyond simply wanting school to be “fine.” The conversation also offers a clear, practical look at how families can think more intentionally about fit, values, and long-term outcomes when navigating school decisions.
Jan 19, 2026 • 43min
S2E298: Live Episode: The Science of Motivating Young People with David Yeager, Ph.D. (Part 2)
What does the latest science reveal about motivating young people? In Part 2 of this special episode, MacKenzie is joined by psychologist and researcher David Yeager, Ph.D., to continue their exploration of what truly motivates kids and young adults. Drawing from decades of research and insights from David’s national bestselling book, they unpack why many traditional motivation strategies fall short and what actually helps young people thrive.
Jan 16, 2026 • 35min
S2E297: Live Episode: The Science of Motivating Young People with David Yeager, Ph.D. (Part 1)
What does the latest science reveal about motivating young people? In this special episode, MacKenzie is joined by psychologist and researcher David Yeager, Ph.D., for a wide-ranging conversation recorded with a live audience. Drawing from decades of research and insights from David’s national bestselling book, they unpack why many traditional motivation strategies fall short and what actually helps young people thrive.
Jan 13, 2026 • 41min
S2E296: What Parents Are Really Saying: Alpha’s End-of-Year Survey Results
In this episode, MacKenzie walks through the results of Alpha’s end-of-year parent survey, offering a transparent look at where the school is delivering on its commitments and where there’s still room to improve. Drawing directly from parent feedback across both new and established campuses, MacKenzie shares what the data reveals about academics, culture, and consistency- and why the results give her strong confidence heading into the second half of the school year and admissions season.
12 snips
Jan 11, 2026 • 15min
S2E295: Launching Into Adulthood: Alpha Student Alex’s Real-World Test (Part 2)
How do we actually prepare teens to launch into adulthood? In part two, MacKenzie continues the conversation with Alpha student Alex as they go deeper into the real-life skills teens need to thrive on their own. Building on Alex’s upcoming eight-week experience living independently in a new city, this episode zooms in on the practical and emotional skills required for adulthood- from decision-making and self-management to confidence, resilience, and ownership.
Jan 7, 2026 • 18min
S2E294: Why This Alpha High Schooler Is Living Alone in a New City for 8 Weeks
How do we actually prepare teens to launch into adulthood? In this episode, MacKenzie is joined by Alpha student Alex, who’s cohosting the conversation to provide an inside look into Alpha's philosophy around cultivating real-world readiness in teens.As a high schooler, Alex is taking on a challenge most adults would hesitate to try. He'll be spending eight weeks living on his own in a new city halfway across the country to gain real business experience before graduation. His experience will serve as a case study about what kids truly need before they leave home- and how parents can start building independence, confidence, and autonomy long before senior year.
6 snips
Jan 3, 2026 • 19min
S2E293: Fixing Education at the State Level, Part 2: From Policy to Practice
Join Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin, and Mary Cypress Metz from Tennessee's Collaborative on Reforming Education in a deep dive into state-level education reform. They explore the benefits of modular, parent-led education systems and the success of Swiss apprenticeship models. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning education with career pathways, modernizing outdated systems, and addressing literacy gaps in Tennessee. Don't miss insights on enhancing teacher recruitment and redefining student outcomes for a brighter future!
