Future of Education Podcast

MacKenzie Price
  • 4.9 (56)
  • Education for Kids
  • Updated Daily

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.

  1. 2d ago

    The Harvard Business Approach to Raising Critical Thinkers

    Many kids today are struggling to think independently, handle high-pressure moments, and make strategic choices on their own. Terrence McMullen—a Harvard MBA graduate and Dean of Parents at Alpha—is on a mission to fix that. Having spent 15 years teaching advanced business acumen and negotiation to K-12 students, Terrence has built programs alongside Goldman Sachs and partnered with over 20 top independent schools across New York. In this conversation, Terrence shares how adapting the Harvard Business School case method equips parents to build deep critical thinking, refine real-world communication, and raise adaptable children who know how to analyze complex situations on the fly. In this episode, we discuss: The Harvard Business School Case Method: How Socratic questioning and real-world business scenarios encourage kids to think on their feet and question their own assumptions. Teaching Strategy Through Scenarios: An inside look at how a Steve Jobs iPhone launch case teaches 10-year-olds pricing, positioning, and market trade-offs. Real-World Application: How student-led projects give kids direct experience. Practical At-Home Exercises: Simple strategies parents can use during daily routines. Recognizing Critical Thinking Gaps: Behavioral signs that indicate a child needs practice in evaluating alternatives. Strategic Communication & Empathy: How teaching kids to read non-verbal cues improves social competence and negotiation skills. Episode Timestamps: 01:28 - The Socratic case method at Harvard Business School 02:37 - Adapting business challenges for young students 04:13 - Example: Using the Steve Jobs iPhone launch to teach marketing and pricing 07:16 - Real-world simulations: Student-run operations and financial accountability 08:58 - The limitations of test-focused traditional classrooms 11:32 - Why business topics serve as an engaging medium for critical thinking 12:50 - Step-by-step guide for parents to run case discussions at home 19:49 - Behavioral indicators that a child lacks problem-solving flexibility 22:26 - Resist the "easy button": Supporting children without solving every issue 27:50 - Using post-mortem discussions to reflect on decisions without judgment 33:20 - Developing strategic communication, empathy, and active listening 38:52 - How parental mindfulness and reflection support child development Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school

    The Harvard Business Approach to Raising Critical Thinkers

  2. Oct 2

    A Stanford ER Doctor’s Blueprint for Raising Healthy Kids— With Dr. Viveta Lobo

    What does it actually take to keep kids healthy, active, and out of the emergency room? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Dr. Viveta Lobo—a Stanford ER physician, professor, Alpha parent, and mother of three—to unpack a practical, preventive approach to childhood health, physical fitness, and nutrition. In this conversation, Dr. Lobo breaks down commonly asked questions in a compilation of essential, doctor-approved best practices for parents. In this episode, we cover: Movement as Brain Fuel: How physical activity releases BDNF ("Miracle-Gro for the brain") to improve executive function, memory, and classroom focus. Strength Training for Kids: Dispelling myths around weightlifting, and why resistance training helps kids—especially those carrying extra weight—build physical competence over humiliation. Building Child Agency: Why letting kids handle age-appropriate responsibilities (from setting alarms to planning family meals) builds real-world judgment that AI cannot replace. Practical Family Nutrition: The 80/20 approach to snacks, hitting daily protein targets (~1.5g/kg), and enforcing the "three-bite rule" for picky eaters. Preventive Healthcare: Moving away from reactive ER visits to establish core lifestyle habits (movement, nutrition, mental health, community) early in life. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Meeting Dr. Viveta Lobo 00:56 - Shifting from Reactive ER Care to Preventive Health 03:38 - Relocating to Austin & Choosing Texas Sports Academy 05:00 - Why Physical Activity is "Miracle-Gro" for the Brain (BDNF) 09:33 - Debunking Myths: Strength & Resistance Training for Children 13:17 - Reframing Exercise for Overweight & Non-Athletic Kids 22:52 - Building Agency & Independence in Children at Home 25:07 - Food Formulas: Pantry Management, the 80/20 Rule & Gas Station Treats 30:22 - Child Nutrition: Protein Targets & Complete Amino Acids 39:22 - Overcoming Picky Eaters & The "Three-Bite Rule" 43:38 - Maximizing Growth Potential & Childhood Height 45:53 - Changing the Paradigm: Lifestyle Medicine Over Emergency Rooms 49:26 - Early Warning Signs of Mental Health Struggles in Teens 55:05 - Dr. Lobo’s Personal Journey: Micro-Preemies & Unlocking Limitless Potential Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school

    A Stanford ER Doctor’s Blueprint for Raising Healthy Kids— With Dr. Viveta Lobo

  3. Sep 25

    The Reality of Building an Alternative School—With Infinity Academy Founders Gillian and Jenna

    What actually happens when you leave traditional careers to build an alternative school from scratch? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with fellow alternative school founders Gillian Berard (former public school teacher) and Jenna Baggott (former NICU nurse) to unpack the practical realities of launching Infinity Academy, a project-based microschool on 17 acres in Ontario. From navigating local zoning laws using yurt classrooms to balancing AI-powered personalized academics with outdoor life skills, it’s a candid, unfiltered look at the practical realities of launching an alternative school today. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Meeting the Founders of Infinity Academy 01:29 - Why Reforming Public Education Feels Like "Steering the Titanic" 03:22 - Leaving Nursing & Teaching to Build Something New 06:31 - Infinity Academy’s Vision: Self-Directed & Nature-Based 08:18 - Using AI & Adaptive Tools for Core Academics 12:45 - The Role of the Educator as a "Guide" 14:53 - Addressing Common Misconceptions About Alternative Schools 17:37 - Student Motivation & Real-World Application 19:09 - The Reality of Year 1: Zoning, Funding & Risk 24:09 - Yurt Classrooms & Bypassing Structural Permits 25:30 - Using Social Media to Prove What School Can Be 27:45 - Practical Advice for Launching Your Own Microschool Connect with Infinity Academy on Instagram: @infinity_education.inc Learn more about Infinity Academy: www.infinityacademyed.com/ Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about all our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

    The Reality of Building an Alternative School—With Infinity Academy Founders Gillian and Jenna

  4. Sep 18

    The Ambitious Parent Trap (& The Leadership Skill You Need to Escape It) with Heather Chauvin

    Leadership skills in the workplace don't always translate to leadership skills in the home. Often times, the well-intentioned efforts of ambitious parents can lead to surprising consequences for their kids. As it turns out, the secret to raising extraordinary, self-driven kids isn't just pushing harder and chasing optimization...and today's guest is here to unpack just that. In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Heather Chauvin—former social worker, stage 4 cancer survivor, host of the Emotionally Uncomfortable podcast, and advisor to high-achieving leaders—to talk about how ambitious parents can lead their families without burning out in the process. We're covering: Energy Management vs. Time Management: What happens when you fill your calendar without first seeking emotional alignment.Intentionality vs. Control: How to stop micromanaging and support your child's innate development.The Overparenting Trap: Why high achievers accidentally create a "comfort crisis" for their kids and how to break the cycle.Parenting as Quiet Leadership: How to shift out of being "the doer" who controls every task. Episode Timestamps: 02:42 – Performative Parenting: Trapped in the Comparison Game 05:14 – A Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis and a Burnout Crisis 07:47 – Energy Management vs. Time Management 09:53 – Why Reactive Living Drains Your Daily Capacity 14:43 – Intentionality vs. Control: Are You Supporting or Micromanaging? 15:43 – The "Time & Energy Audit": Making Invisible Stress Visible 18:44 – The #1 Mistake High-Achieving Parents Make With Their Kids 25:38 – Overparenting and the "Comfort Crisis" in Modern Childhood 27:28 – Why Emotional Regulation Beats Quick Fixes Every Time 31:44 – From "The Doer" to "The Be-er": Reframing Parenting as Quiet Leadership 34:56 – Simple Steps to Buy Back Your Time and Reclaim Vitality Learn more about Heather Chauvin: www.heatherchauvin.com Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school

    The Ambitious Parent Trap (& The Leadership Skill You Need to Escape It) with Heather Chauvin

  5. Sep 11

    The 15-Minute Weekly Habit That Turns Kids into Self-Starters

    What if one focused conversation each week could help your child identify roadblocks, set meaningful goals, and take ownership of what happens next? In this episode, MacKenzie speaks with Jackson—an Alpha Guide with a background in sports psychology—about Limitless Meetings: recurring, one-on-one coaching conversations that transform a student's ability to set and stick to goals. Jackson explains how to structure a quick, focused check-in, adapt the conversation to a child’s age and interests, and use motivational interviewing instead of defaulting to lectures or quick solutions. Parents and educators will leave with a practical framework for helping children articulate what they want, identify what is getting in the way, choose their own next step, and determine exactly how they want to be held accountable. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – An Introduction to Limitless Meetings 02:58 – Finding the Sweet Spot: Ideal Meeting Lengths for Every Age 05:06 – From Songwriting to Social Skills: Setting Clear, Actionable Goals 06:36 – The Paint-by-Numbers Trick: Keeping Kids Engaged During Deep Conversations 10:48 – Moving from Parent-Led Directives to Student-Owned Agendas 11:56 – The Two Golden Rules: Confidentiality and Tying Goals to Real Life Skills 16:58 – Motivational Interviewing: A Simple Questioning Framework for Parents 24:28 – Positive Reinforcement vs. Negative Punishment 27:28 – The "WTF" Framework 29:21 – How to Use AI to Grade Coaching Conversations 40:43 – The Perfect Closing Question: Establishing Meaningful Accountability Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

    The 15-Minute Weekly Habit That Turns Kids into Self-Starters

  6. Sep 4

    "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire": A Skeptical Educator Tested Our Learning Model in India

    When Dr. Tasha Arnold came across Alpha's MAP test scores, she was in disbelief. As a lifelong lover of traditional schooling with two decades of experience teaching everywhere from Chicago public schools to top private schools in London and Mumbai, Tasha decided to test the learning model out for herself. In this episode, MacKenzie and Tasha (who is now the Head of School at Alpha!) dive deep into the massive paradigm shift required to accept AI in the classroom, why technology actually increases human interaction, and why giving kids the space to fail might be the most important thing we can do for their future. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The Ultimate Skeptic 02:37 - Dr. Tasha’s Global Education Background 05:13 - The New Scarcity: Human Connection vs. Content 07:21 - The Reality of Traditional Classrooms & Lesson Plans 16:44 - Building Life Skills: "UN" Style Town Halls 21:12 - Protecting the Good Teachers (And Filtering the Rest) 25:44 - The "Failure Loop" & Practicing "Support, Not Solve" 30:53 - Building True Confidence Through Competence 34:42 - Data Privacy & Addressing AI Skepticism 38:05 - The Future of AI in Public Schools 41:50 - The Mumbai Experiment: From Skeptic to Believer Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school Learn more about all of our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools

    "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire": A Skeptical Educator Tested Our Learning Model in India

  7. Aug 28

    Steal the Stock Market Simulation We Use to Build Young Investors

    In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Alpha guide Chris Hays to break down the stock market simulation he uses to make investing, risk, and reward click for students. Using classroom currency, multiple investment options, and fictional market news, Chris turns a complex topic into a 20-minute weekly game that parents and educators can recreate- even if they're new to investing themselves. The conversation goes beyond investing and explores practical ways to teach kids how to earn, save, spend, and donate. From needs-versus-wants discussions to a student-run claw machine business, this episode is full of approachable ideas for building financial confidence, curiosity, and strong money habits early on. Episode Timestamps: 01:20 - Caricaturizing Money: "Professor Dinero" 02:19 - Needs vs. Wants Explored 03:32 - Steal the "Alpha" Currency System We Use 07:12 - Exploring the Controversy of Paying Students 09:55 - The Student Stock Market Explained 18:50 - Elevating Ordinary Lemonade Stands: A Case Study 24:11 - Entrepreneurship Anecdotes 29:41 - Alternative Reward Systems 34:30 - The Five Buckets of Financial Literacy Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

  8. Aug 21

    Are You Passing Limiting Beliefs to Your Kid? (6 Simple Fixes)

    How do you help a child who says "I'm bad at math," "I can't read," or "That's just not my thing"? In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Alexis Wilson, growth mindset and performance coach, to discuss how parents and educators can help kids break out of fixed mindsets and build genuine self-confidence (hint: empty affirmations without evidence don't work). Plus, they confront the harsh fact that parents' hidden fears can cause more issues in kids than any lack of natural talent—and how small shifts at home can completely change a child's identity. Episode Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset 03:40 - The Science: How Brains Change with Neuroplasticity 05:09 - Spotting a Fixed Mindset: "That's Just Not My Thing" 06:40 - How to Change a Child's Negative Self-Talk 10:37 - Why Confidence Requires Real Evidence & Reps 17:33 - How Kids Unconsciously Pick Up Their Parents' Fears 23:14 - Are You Secretly Sabotaging Your Child's Mindset? 29:08 - The Power of "Yet" & Normalizing Mistakes 33:55 - How Growth Mindset Transforms Family Dynamics at Home 39:24 - "Mom, I'm Not Dumb": A 7th Grader's Identity Shift 42:42 - Step-by-Step: How Parents Can Reframe Limiting Beliefs Today 44:42 - Knowing When to Pivot vs. When to Keep Pushing Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_education Read MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.com Learn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schools Learn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

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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.

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