Future of Education Podcast

As children grow into teens, it can be difficult for parents to keep lines of communication open with them. At times, even simple conversations can feel like navigating a minefield.   For this episode, we’re talking with Austin Scholar, a writer and teenager who has taken to social media to help parents and teens improve their communication and relationships. She shares her insight into how people in her age group think, and offers tips for making deep and meaningful connections with them.  Listen now to hear: Where communication issues between adults and teens come from [04:15]; Tips for talking with your kids and building trust [07:13]; How to use non-verbal tools to deepen your connection [09:46]; and How something as simple as ice cream can improve your relationship [13:58]. Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips on how to help your children excel in their learning.  Links and Resources  Subscribe to Austin Scholar on substack and follow her on Twitter. Watch the video version of this episode on our Future of Education YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and follow!  Explore Alpha, a unique school that uses adaptive software and motivational strategies to help students to learn in the style that works best for them. Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics. Be part of something special Stay connected to the Gifted Minds community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About Austin Scholar Austin Scholar is an author and thinker who writes about education in the 21st Century from a teen’s perspective. She helps parents understand what their teens are thinking so they can help them thrive.    Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell, The Krewe Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson 

Most parents will go to great lengths to ensure their children succeed. From tutoring sessions to extracurricular activities, they explore every avenue to help their kids thrive in the classroom and in life.  For this episode, we talk with Ice Dancing Olympian and World Medalist Andrew Poje. He has achieved remarkable feats in his athletic career, and now works as an academic coach for children. He shares his thoughts on the intriguing connection between sports and education, and how students can apply the valuable lessons learned through playing sports to academic success.  Listen now to hear: How having an athlete’s mindset can help with academics [05:52]; Strategies to help kids take ownership of their dreams and ambitions [07:25]; The value of setting big, scary goals [09:52]; Developing a healthy response to pressure in kids [14:56]; and The importance of building a network of success for your child [15:28]. Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips on how to help your children excel in their learning.    Links and Resources  Check out Andrew’s website and follow him on Instagram. Watch Andrew and ice dancing partner Kaitlyn Weaver perform at a Canadian ice skating exhibition in early 2023. Watch the video version of this episode on the Future of Education YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and follow!  Explore Alpha, a unique school that uses adaptive software and motivational strategies to help students to learn in the style that works best for them. Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.    Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About Andrew Poje Many in the world strive to become world-class at something. However, it takes purpose and perspective to achieve success in life. My athletic experience has been integral in helping me succeed daily. Being a two-time Olympian, a three-time World Medalist, a three-time National Champion in the sport of Figure Skating taught me valuable skills, including the importance of grit, resilience, and the daily perspective required to achieve goals. Leaning into my curious nature, I constantly dove into the world of personal development. Pushing my curiosity further by studying Biomedical Science, Master's of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and working for multinational companies, I found ways to unleash my inner why and the why's of my clients—helping to empower them through strategic design-thinking.    Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell, The Krewe Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson 

It’s no secret that many parents struggle with exactly how much screen time is healthy for their kids. Some wage daily battles to manage their children’s time with devices, and others feel powerless to do anything to control the siege. But the digital world is here to stay, so it’s more important than ever for caregivers to understand and embrace technology in their kids' lives.  For this episode in our Life Skills series, we talk with Keith Schacht, CEO and co-founder of The Explanation Company. He offers a new perspective on the role that technology plays in growing up today. He shares his vision for a world where using it becomes a skill that young people tap to open doors, explore new ideas, and develop their interests.  Listen now to hear about: The danger of focusing solely on the duration of screen time [03:43]; The benefits kids gain from their time on devices (and not just when they’re playing Mindcraft) [04:48]; How to encourage children to use screen time to explore interests, passions, and potential careers [07:49]; The value of proactively parenting in the digital age to help kids develop a healthy relationship with technology [15:10]; How technology can be a tool that builds independence [18:20]. Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips on how to help your children excel in their learning.    Links and Resources  Follow Keith Schacht on Twitter and LinkedIn.  Learn more about The Explanation Company. Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe! Explore Alpha, a unique school that uses adaptive software and motivational strategies to help students to learn in the style that works best for them. Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.    Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About Keith Schacht Keith Schacht is an entrepreneur, engineer, and investor focused on building products for children. He was previously the CEO and co-founder of Mystery Science, the most widely used science curriculum in U.S. elementary schools. He’s now the CEO and co-founder of The Explanation Company, building internet tools for children. He’s an active angel investor and a board member of Higher Ground.   Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell, The Krewe Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson 

Emmy Award-winning journalist and talk show host Anna Davlantes interviews host MacKenzie Price about adaptive apps in education. They discuss how adaptive apps work and the learning science behind them. They also share students' experiences with adaptive apps and the importance of embracing learning technology. The episode concludes with tips on how to help children excel in their learning.

Have you ever felt like your child's interest in something has become all-consuming? It’s not uncommon for gifted kids to develop intense interests that can leave them feeling isolated from their peers. As caregivers, how can we help and encourage them?   For this episode in our Life Skills series, we talk with David Perell, founder of Write of Passage, about how parents can help their children embrace their passions and find a community of like-minded individuals. David shares his personal experience of feeling alone in his interests as a child and the steps his family took to make him feel valued and inspired.  Listen now to hear our conversation about: The difference between what’s rewarded in academics and what’s rewarded in life [02:59]; How to help your child find a community of ambitious peers who make them feel validated and accepted [12:10]; How the internet can help gifted kids who feel isolated [13:41]; and What parents can do to embrace and support their child's interests [16:51].   Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips to help your child thrive with whatever they choose to do.    Links and Resources  Learn more about David Perell’s online writing program, Write of Passage. Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe! Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.   Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About David Perell David Perell is a writer, teacher, and podcaster. He believes writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. David seeks to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. David’s online course, Write of Passage, has been taken by more than 500 students from more than 40 countries and from companies like Intel, Google, and Twitter. The five-week course draws on David’s experience writing online, building an audience, and his interviews with more than 100 people on his North Star Podcast. Each interview explores the methods and principles of successful creators, artists, and entrepreneurs. His podcast guests include astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, author Seth Godin, and economist Tyler Cowen. As an Emergent Ventures fellow, David’s work is supported by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.   Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell, The Krewe Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson 

As parents, it’s natural to think our kids can do anything. But that mindset can also make it easy to unintentionally burden them with heavy expectations, which can ultimately hinder their growth and wellbeing.  For this episode in our Emotional Health series, we talk with Dr. William Stixrud, a clinical neuropsychologist, author, and faculty member at the Children's National Medical Center and George Washington University School of Medicine. He sheds light on how we can help our kids develop healthy motivation and stress management skills, and avoid the heavy weight of expectations.  Listen now to hear our conversation about: The two most important things to protect your kids from struggling with emotions [02:26]; How to recognize if your expectations could be toxic [04:29] … and if your children feel burdened by them [10:13];  Day-to-day tactics to help your kids build a healthy mindset [12:07]; and How to model and talk about healthy expectations and healthy thinking [15:41].   Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips for reducing the weight of expectations on your kids.    Links and Resources  Learn more about Dr. Stixrud’s books, co-authored with previous Gifted Minds’ guest, Ned Johnson, What Do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home and The Self-Driven Child. Listen to our episode with Ned Johnson, Consult, Don’t Manage: Achieving Academic Success. Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe!  Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.  Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About William Stixrud William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of The Stixrud Group, as well as a faculty member at Children’s National Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine.  He is also the co-author, with Ned Johnson, of the national best-selling book, The Self-Driven Child, which is published in 14 countries and 12 languages and has sold more than two million copies in China.  He and Mr. Johnson have also co-authored a critically-acclaimed second book, What Do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home.   Dr. Stixrud’s work has been featured in media outlets such as NPR, CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Times of London, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report, Time Magazine, Scientific American, Business Week, Barron's, and, New York Magazine. He is a long-time practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, and he plays in the rock band Close Enough.     Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell, The Krewe Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson   

Failing is a natural part of life and essential to personal growth. But gifted and talented kids, who often excel in many areas, can find it especially hard to process setbacks. As parents and caregivers, how can we help them cope with failure, build resilience, and develop a positive attitude about challenges?  For this episode in our Life Skills series, I’m talking with Legend’s head of program and curriculum, Fish Stark. He’s a child development researcher and program designer who specializes in helping kids learn core life skills they often don't get in schools. Hit play to hear our conversation about: When confidence gaps usually start to develop in children [05:26]; How praise can undermine your kid’s success [06:22]; How to talk about failure when it happens [09:59]; and How to help your child process discomfort and learn from their experiences [12:42]. Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips to help your gifted kids get comfortable with failure and build resilience.  Links and Resources  Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe! Learn more about Legend Labs. Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.   Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About Fish Stark Fish Stark is a child development researcher and program designer who specializes in helping kids learn the core life skills they often don't get in schools. He is the head of program and curriculum at Legends Lab, where he leads a team of researchers and educators to develop learning experiences that help kids build the skills they need to be confident. Before Legends Lab, Fish was director of programs at Peace First, an edtech nonprofit that provided tools for teens to launch their own self-directed service projects. Fish has worked with the Red Cross, the Aspen Institute, Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation, and other organizations to build programs that help young people grow up strong and kind, and develop the leadership skills they need to change the world. He holds a Master's in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor's from Yale University with a certificate in Education Studies, and the title of Funniest Person in Huntington, West Virginia from his side gig as a stand-up comic.   Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell, The Krewe Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson 

Most gifted and talented kids have super intense feelings. As parents and caregivers, how can we help them with this and stay tuned-in to what’s going on with them emotionally and socially? Paying attention to their emotional intensity is critical. For this episode in our emotional health series, I’m talking with Dr. Matt Zakreski, a psychologist and expert on giftedness and neurodiversity. He has a deep passion for helping gifted and talented kids manage their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Hit play to hear our conversation about:  What makes gifted and talented kids’ brains unique [02:17]; How we, as parents, can help them regulate their emotional intensity for healthy and positive growth [09:16]; Strategies for managing emotional disruptions that happen in public [10:54]; and Advice for helping gifted and talented teens manage their emotional development. [14:56] Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips to help ensure your gifted and talented kids survive and thrive in their emotional development.    Links and Resources  Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel. Visit Dr. Matt’s Facebook page for a dose of mental health advocacy and humor. Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.  Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About Dr. Matt Zakreski Matthew Zakreski, PsyD (Dr. Matt) is a high energy, creative clinician who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and their families to provide therapy and psychological evaluations. He is a researcher and author on giftedness, and thrives in supporting young people in understanding, developing, and celebrating their unique brains and ways of operating in their world. He received BAs in Psychology & Communications at Wake Forest University and assisted with research at Harvard Psychophysiology Lab at the Harvard University Business School before attending graduate school at Widener University, where he earned his Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) from the Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology.    Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell  Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson 

So much of what allows gifted and talented (GT) kids to excel is the development of life skills. These encompass the wide range of know-how that GT kids need to grow into capable and compassionate adults, from exercising self control, to setting goals and learning how to lead.  For this episode, I talk with Duke University Professor Sue Wasiolek about how to prepare our GT kids for the world outside the classroom. She has spent decades helping young people develop the skills they need for a successful and rewarding life. Listen to our conversation about:  Examples of life skills that many GT kids are lacking [05:22]; How to help your GT child manage and set priorities from an early age [14:20]; Why and how to let your GT kids fail [15:16]; and Ever Scouts, a program to help GT kids master life skills [16:40]. Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips to help ensure your GT kids thrive in academics and life.    Links and Resources Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel. Learn more about Ever Scouts. Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.  Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About Dean Sue Wasiolek Dean Sue Wasiolek (more commonly known as Dean Sue) is Adjunct Faculty at Duke University. She encourages students to study and base their careers around what they love. She thinks of her time with students not as a job, but as a way of life. In her free time, she can be found jogging around Durham or working out at the gym with students.   Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell  Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson 

Being the parent or caregiver of an academically gifted child is both an opportunity and a challenge. It can be incredibly rewarding to witness all they can achieve, and equally difficult to resist becoming overly invested in their success.  For our first Gifted Minds episode, I’m joined by Ned Johnson, author of The Self-Driven Child and founder of PrepMatters, a company that provides tutoring, college planning and test-prep services. He has years of experience working with gifted children and their families, and deep insight into how we can best help gifted kids when it comes to academics. Hit play to hear our conversation about:  His philosophy on how to approach academics with our kids [02:33]; How to keep your gifted child open to communication about academics [04:40]; How to support children with perfectionistic tendencies [09:32]; How to support gifted children who are under-performing, disengaged, or anxious [11:32]; How to inspire younger children’s love of learning and intrinsic motivation [15:22]; and How to approach academics as kids move into their teen years [18:51].  Don’t miss Today’s Takeaways!  Listen all the way to the end of the episode for three tips to help ensure your gifted and talented kids survive and thrive in academics.  Links and Resources Check out the video version of this episode on the Gifted Minds YouTube channel.  Visit the PrepMatters website. Join the Self-Driven Child facebook group. Order a copy of The Self-Driven Child. Follow Ned Johnson on Twitter. Learn more about GT School, an online program that helps gifted and talented kids supercharge their academics.  Be part of something special Stay connected with our community:  YouTube channel Facebook Instagram  Twitter  If you enjoy the Gifted Minds podcast, would you leave us a short review on your favorite podcast platform? We love reading your feedback and ideas.    About Ned Johnson Ned Johnson is an author, speaker, and the founder of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning and standardized test prep. A professional “tutor-geek” since 1993, Ned has spent more than 40,000 one-on-one hours helping students conquer an alphabet of standardized tests and honing his insights on communicating with students and parents. A battle-tested veteran in the fields of test preparation, anxiety management, and student performance, Ned coaches kids on how to manage their stress while simultaneously motivating and empowering them to reach their full potential. He has written for the New York Times, The Telegraph, U.S. News & World Report & The Washington Post and co-authored three books, including the national best-seller The Self-Driven Child.    Podcast Credits Executive Producer and Host: MacKenzie Price Executive Producer: Lindsay Grubb, TillCo Media  Senior Producer: Amanda Avery Senior Editor: Alisa Jenkins, Springboard Marketing Marketing: Patrick Harrell Video Production/Editing: Kevin Smith, Picturebox Productions Music Producer: Dyami Wilson