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
Oct 1, 2025 • 18min
S2E266: He Built a $350K Bike Park in High School: Apha Graduate Rhett Jones’ Story (Part 1)
This episode kicks off a two-part series with Rhett Jones, an Alpha graduate and entrepreneur who launched his first business while still in high school. Through Alpha’s Masterpiece Program, Rhett set out to build a professional bike park during his senior year- a project that pushed him to raise $350K in just eight weeks, hire a crew of 10 full-time builders, and spend months managing the on-site construction. Today, that bike park is a thriving success, drawing media attention and becoming a popular destination in the community. Rhett’s story is a powerful example of how Alpha empowers students to set audacious goals, gain real-world experience, and graduate ready to run their own ventures. You won't want to miss this series!!
Sep 25, 2025 • 31min
S2E265: (Part 2) Unpacking School Choice and Harvard's "Deep Learning" Theory: A Conversation With Stacy Hock
Stacy Hock, Vice Chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a dedicated education leader, dives into K-12 education reform. She passionately advocates for school choice, detailing how it expands options for families. Stacy discusses the limitations of current policies on advanced students and the importance of tailoring education to individual needs. She shares insights on the innovative Alpha schools, emphasizing experiential learning and creativity. Finally, she envisions a future of personalized, lifelong learning, encouraging parents to embrace diverse educational paths.
Sep 22, 2025 • 28min
S2E264: K-12 Reform and Red Tape: A Conversation With Stacy Hock
In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Stacy Hock, Vice Chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to discuss the current landscape of K-12 education reform. Drawing on her experience as an education leader and mom of four with kids in public, private, and Alpha schools, Stacy shares her perspective on tailoring education to each child’s unique needs and path. She also digs into the red tape and regulations that often hold schools back, and how reform could open doors for more innovation in learning.
Sep 18, 2025 • 24min
S2E263: Part 3: Explaining Check Charts, Our Report Card Alternative
Traditional report cards are not effective anymore...so we've replaced them with Check Charts! In part 3 of this Check Chart series, MacKenzie and producer Jay sit down to outline Alpha’s non-traditional alternative to report cards for 7th grade. Listen in to find out the exact life skills and academic metrics we expect- many of which you can implement at home with your own kids!
Sep 15, 2025 • 21min
S2E262: (Part 2) Our Unconventional Report Card Alternative: Check Charts Explained
Traditional report cards are not effective anymore...so we've replaced them with Check Charts! In part 2 of this Check Chart series, MacKenzie and producer Jay sit down to outline Alpha’s non-traditional alternative to report cards for 5th and 6th grade. Listen in to find out the exact life skills and academic metrics we expect- many of which you can implement at home with your own kids! If you missed the previous Check Chart episode where we covered K-4th grade, be sure to listen to episode 254.
Sep 13, 2025 • 12min
S2E261: Alpha High Student Spotlight: Austin’s Neuroscience-Powered Gaming Algorithm
What happens when a student’s niche curiosity is given the time, space, and support to grow? For Austin, it means building a neuroscience-backed gaming algorithm during the school day at Alpha. This episode showcases how Alpha’s model empowers students to chase their passions and create real-world projects that reflect their unique interests.
Sep 9, 2025 • 21min
S2E260: Helping Kids Turn Goals Into Real Progress- With Alpha High Lead Guide Chloe (Part 3)
In the final part of this special 3-part series, Chloe, Lead Guide at Alpha High, pulls back the curtain on her exact step-by-step process for guiding students through setting and achieving big goals. A Harvard graduate, former attorney, and lifelong educator, Chloe brings a wealth of experience to her role mentoring students. From uncovering what truly excites each student, to unlocking motivation, setting ambitious goals, overcoming inevitable roadblocks, and ultimately bringing a big vision to life, Chloe shares the blueprint she uses to help teens turn passion into accomplishment.
Sep 6, 2025 • 28min
S2E259: How to Help Kids Set and Achieve BIG Goals- With Alpha High Lead Guide Chloe (Part 2)
Have you ever wondered how to help your child or student figure out what lights them up? In part 2 of this 3-part series, Chloe, Lead Guide at Alpha High, pulls back the curtain on her exact step-by-step process for guiding students through setting and achieving big goals. A Harvard graduate, former attorney, and lifelong educator, Chloe brings a wealth of experience to her role mentoring students. From uncovering what truly excites each student, to unlocking motivation, setting ambitious goals, overcoming inevitable roadblocks, and ultimately bringing a big vision to life, Chloe shares the blueprint she uses to help teens turn passion into accomplishment.
Sep 4, 2025 • 22min
S2E258: How to Unlock Kids’ Potential: Proven Strategies from Alpha High’s Lead Guide Chloe (Part 1)
This episode kicks off a very special 3-part series with Chloe, Lead Guide at Alpha High, who pulls back the curtain on her exact step-by-step process for guiding students through their years-long masterpiece projects. A Harvard graduate, former attorney, and lifelong educator, Chloe brings a wealth of experience to her role mentoring students and helping them set and achieve big goals. From uncovering what truly excites each student, to unlocking motivation, setting ambitious goals, overcoming inevitable roadblocks, and ultimately bringing a big vision to life, Chloe shares the blueprint she uses to help teens turn passion into accomplishment.
Aug 29, 2025 • 13min
S2E257: Alpha High Student Spotlight: Maddie's Musical, Written and Performed by Teens
As one of Alpha’s most veteran students, Maddie is living proof of our unique learning model's efficacy. For the past three years, she’s dedicated her afternoons to her “masterpiece project”- an original musical written and performed entirely by teens. In this episode, Maddie and MacKenzie dive into the creative journey, what it takes to stick with a big idea, and how Alpha makes room for students to find and focus on what they truly love.
