ThinkCraft with Ali Shana

Ali Shana

ThinkCraft is a multimedia reporting project exploring the trends, policies, and research shaping U.S. education. Hosted by Ali Shana, the show blends solo education policy news/analysis with in-depth conversations featuring educators, researchers, and community leaders. From classroom innovation to policy reform, ThinkCraft highlights thoughtful on-the-ground perspectives for listeners who care about the future of learning. Follow for new episodes, expert insights, and stories that connect education policy with the people it impacts most. alireporting.substack.com

Episodes

  1. 08/09/2025

    ThinkCraft Podcast Episode 3: Nursing, Empathy & Policy Leadership w/ Robin Gates

    In this episode of ThinkCraft, I sit down with Robin Gates, a Milwaukee-based nursing educator and director with over 27 years of experience in the field. Recently named one of ATL Plus Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women, Robin has worn many hats—ER nurse, hospice worker, clinical trials coordinator, transplant team member, and now a professor and PhD student in education policy. Across all of it, she’s stayed grounded in what she calls the “caring core” of nursing. We talk about why so many nurses burn out within their first two years, how unions and professional associations can push back against unsafe workloads, and what it means to truly teach empathy. Robin also shares what it’s like to recruit and mentor the next generation of nurses—and why retiree nurses are an untapped resource. This is a powerful episode for anyone thinking about healthcare careers, the intersections of race and gender in nursing, or the systems-level changes needed to strengthen the workforce we all depend on. “Meet Robin Gates, ATL Plus Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women honoree! 🩺📚With over three decades in nursing, healthcare leadership, and education, Robin Gates is a transformational force in both classrooms and communities. As an Assistant Professor, nurse advocate, and Ph.D. candidate, she blends purpose, policy, and compassion to uplift the next generation of healthcare professionals. Rooted in faith, legacy, and lifelong learning, her impact extends far beyond the bedside—shaping lives, challenging systems, and championing equity in every space she enters.” - ATL Plus Magazine Listen now on our YouTube channel (embedded above) & consider subscribing to us here on Substack! Or enjoy as a podcast here, on Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Be an earlier follower of ThinkCraft Pod on Social Media, where we’ll begin to post clips regularly! https://x.com/thinkcraftpod https://www.instagram.com/thinkcraftpod https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkCraftPod https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkcraftpod Get full access to ThinkCraft at alireporting.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min
  2. 08/09/2025

    ThinkCraft Podcast Episode 2: Big Beautiful Bill Changes to Student Loans w/ Ali Shana

    On July 9th, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was signed into law. The presidential administration has praised it as a budget breakthrough that simplifies federal aid. But in practice, this bill fundamentally redraws who can afford to attend graduate school—and who can’t. In this solo episode of ThinkCraft, I break down what the bill actually does, who it affects, and why the name may be more distraction than direction. Here’s a summary of what I discussed: What’s changing? The law: * Eliminates existing income-driven repayment plans like SAVE, PAYE, and REPAYE for new borrowers. * Replaces them with a single “RAA” (Repayment Assistance Agreement) plan—longer in duration (30 years), but less forgiving, especially for low-income borrowers. * Caps federal borrowing for graduate and professional students, pushing them toward private loans. * Restricts deferment and forbearance options and restores aggressive debt collection powers. * Ends economic hardship and unemployment deferment for loans disbursed after July 2027. Who loses? * Graduate & professional students: Borrowing caps ($100k total for master’s, $200k for professional degrees) will force many into the private lending market. * Low-income borrowers: The RAP calculates payments off your full adjusted gross income with no poverty safeguard. Under SAVE, the first $35,000 of income wasn’t counted—now, every dollar is. * Future borrowers: They’ll face fewer protections, higher monthly payments, and limited flexibility. Who wins? * High-income professionals: Those who can afford the fixed Standard Plan get to avoid income scaling altogether. * Private lenders: With federal caps, their customer base grows. * Federal budget hawks: The bill promises to save $349 billion over time, per the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. What’s at stake? This isn’t just a fiscal maneuver. It’s a cultural shift. The law frames itself as simplifying aid, but it narrows the path to upward mobility. It restricts options for families—especially Black and Latino households—who’ve long used Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS loans to fill financial gaps and secure higher education for their children. The Big Beautiful Bill is budget reconciliation on paper—but in spirit, it’s a retraction of access. Listen to the full episode on Youtube (embedded above) or as a a podcast here, on Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Also, please consider connecting with me on LinkedIn. Later this week, I’ll be interviewing Robin Gates - an MSOE Nursing Professor and Director of Nursing at the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. Similar to the first episode with Irma Castaneda, I am hoping to learn more about the educational pathway that lead to her remarkable contributions in healthcare and caretaking education. In particular, I look forward to discussing her multidisciplinary approach to leadership, education, and how programs/policy frameworks might help reduce nursing burnout. Get full access to ThinkCraft at alireporting.substack.com/subscribe

    18 min

About

ThinkCraft is a multimedia reporting project exploring the trends, policies, and research shaping U.S. education. Hosted by Ali Shana, the show blends solo education policy news/analysis with in-depth conversations featuring educators, researchers, and community leaders. From classroom innovation to policy reform, ThinkCraft highlights thoughtful on-the-ground perspectives for listeners who care about the future of learning. Follow for new episodes, expert insights, and stories that connect education policy with the people it impacts most. alireporting.substack.com