Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer

Palmer Media

At the intersection of learning, media, and the future of work, join us each week as we sense and discover where the future of education is heading. Join host Mike Palmer, the Founder of Palmer Media, as he engages with thought leaders, pioneers, and entrepreneurs exploring the cutting edge of learning in these tumultuous times.

  1. Unpacking Student Success in Higher Ed with Ruth Bauer, President InsideTrack

    HACE 22 H

    Unpacking Student Success in Higher Ed with Ruth Bauer, President InsideTrack

    Mike Palmer catches up with Ruth Bauer, President of InsideTrack, amidst the sun and high-stakes energy of San Diego for the ASU+GSV conference. Ruth shares her transition from a first-generation college student and mall-employed English major to an e-learning "OG" (like Mike) to leading a powerhouse in student success at InsideTrack. The conversation dives into the "secret sauce" of Inside Track: a potent mix of technology and deep human connection. Ruth explains how coaching supports the entire student journey, from first-time enrollment to the critical "some college, no degree" population. With more than 40 million Americans in that category, the stakes for economic mobility never felt higher. They tackle the AI elephant in the room with a grounded perspective. While AI handles midnight brainstorming and routine "nudges," humans remain the essential partners for navigating the mountains of the student experience. Ruth argues that coaching doesn't just get a student through a semester—it teaches them to coach themselves through a shifting, tumultuous job market 🌊. The episode wraps with a look at student parents and the generational impact of quality childcare and flexible scheduling. Ruth and Mike trade thoughts on the "60-year curriculum" and why critical thinking remains the ultimate durable skill in an era of rapid automation. It is a refreshing, optimistic take on how education can still deliver on the promise of social mobility 🤖. Subscribe to Trending in Ed to never miss an episode like this one. Want to record pods at a conference? Contact Mike to learn more. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to San Diego and ASU+GSV 01:00 Ruth’s journey from English major to President 03:15 The mission and "secret sauce" of Inside Track 04:00 Re-enrolling the 40 million Americans with no degree 07:00 The evolution of coaching and academic advising 08:30 AI as a complementary tool for student success 11:00 The "invisible infrastructure" of community colleges 13:30 Helping Gen Z convert internships into careers 16:30 Why critical thinking beats specific job training 18:30 Supporting student parents for generational change 20:30 Final thoughts on hope and innovation in education

    22 min
  2. Talking Outcomes-Based Literacy with Really Great Reading CEO Karl Rectanus

    HACE 1 DÍA

    Talking Outcomes-Based Literacy with Really Great Reading CEO Karl Rectanus

    Coming to you live from the harbor terrace in sunny San Diego, Mike Palmer sits down with Karl Rectanus, the new CEO of Really Great Reading, amidst the buzz of the ASU+GSV Summit. Between views of sailboats and silver-lined clouds, the duo digs into why literacy remains the fundamental building block of the educational system and how we might finally be cracking the code on systemic improvement. Karl shares his unique path to leadership, which began with chasing a girl to Australia and starting a digital Q&A service for children museums during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This early taste of working through the system to help students sparked an entrepreneurial journey that led him to found LearnPlatform in 2014, where he pioneered rapid cycle evaluation to determine if EdTech tools actually work. Now, after LearnPlatform’s acquisition by Instructure, Karl is focusing his energy on a 20-year-old organization dedicated to the science of reading. The conversation highlights the "Mississippi Marathon," a state-level commitment to literacy that saw improvements in reading lead to even higher gains in math and science. Karl points out that while many schools of education have historically failed to teach the science of reading, organizations like RGR are filling that gap by giving teachers the confidence and tools to deliver results. A major theme of this live session is the shift toward outcomes-based contracting. Karl argues that instead of just selling books or assessments, providers should be held accountable for whether students actually learn to read. He also addresses the role of AI in the classroom, drawing on his experience chairing the Industry Council for EdSafe AI to discuss how technology can provide universal screeners and personalization without succumbing to "cognitive offloading". With the goal of taking schools from low proficiency to 75% in just two years, this episode is a call to action for the industry to prioritize literacy outcomes over mere tools. Stay tuned to the feed as we continue to ship more episodes from San Diego all week! Episode Time Stamps [00:00] Introduction to Karl Rectanus live at the harbor terrace [01:00] Chasing a girl to Australia and the origin of the entrepreneurial bug [02:00] Answering Olympic questions for kids museums at a fourth-grade level [03:00] Building LearnPlatform for rapid cycle evaluation of EdTech [04:00] Stepping into the CEO role at Really Great Reading [05:00] The "last infinite mile" of implementation and practice [06:00] Foundational skills building for pre-K through adolescence [07:00] Moving from the "Mississippi Miracle" to the "Mississippi Marathon" [08:00] Why many schools of education don't teach the Science of Reading [09:00] Literacy as the enabling factor for math and science success [10:00] Transitioning to a dedicated literacy outcomes organization [11:00] The "plumbing" of the system and procurement challenges [12:00] Playful learning and why students love RGR more than field trips [13:00] Safe and effective AI with the EdSafe AI Industry Council [14:00] Leveraging AI for operational efficiency and better execution [15:00] Using AI for universal screeners and real-time personalization [16:00] Addressing the crisis where two-thirds of students are below grade level [17:00] The boldness of holding providers accountable for reading results [18:00] Why the real work happens after the curriculum adoption [19:00] Managing complicated schools with high poverty and teacher shortages [20:00] Rapidly scaling reading proficiency in turnaround school districts [21:00] Prioritizing literacy to improve every facet of the system

    22 min
  3. LIVE from ASU+GSV with Jeremy Singer, President of the College Board

    15 ABR

    LIVE from ASU+GSV with Jeremy Singer, President of the College Board

    LIVE! from the ASU+GSV Summit, Mike Palmer catches up with College Board President Jeremy Singer against the backdrop of the San Diego marina to dive into the launch of Jeremy's new podcast, The Education Equation. Produced by Mike, this new series aims to bring a much-needed level of scientific rigor to the education space, drawing inspiration from data-heavy health and fitness media to identify scalable, evidence-based practices that actually move the needle for students. Jeremy shares candid insights from his 13-year tenure, detailing how the College Board moved from a culture of slow stability to one of lean, COVID-tested responsiveness and agility. The two discuss the "seismic impact" of generative AI on assessment integrity, the dangers of AI slop in professional work, and highlights from Jeremy’s early conversations with heavy hitters like Sal Khan and Daniel Willingham. From the "last infinite mile" of implementation to the necessity of statistical literacy, this live conversation captures the high-stakes evolution of modern learning. 🔔 Subscribe to The Education Equation to hear Jeremy break down the data behind educational success with researchers and global leaders. 🎧 Subscribe to Trending in Education for more high-energy, on-the-ground insights from the biggest stages in edtech and the future of learning. 📩 Connect with Mike Palmer on LinkedIn if you want to harness this kind of live energy for your own professional podcast or media program. Timestamps: 🕙 00:00:00 — Introduction: Live energy from the Harbor Terrace at ASU+GSV. 🕙 00:01:13 — Jeremy Singer’s journey: 25 years at the intersection of tech and learning. 🕙 00:02:40 — Cultural Shift: How the College Board built a "muscle of speed" during the pandemic. 🕙 00:05:54 — The AI Seismic Impact: Navigating the future of content, teaching, and assessment. 🕙 00:09:05 — Organizational Innovation: Deploying LLMs to 2,000 employees to raise the floor. 🕙 00:11:55 — The Education Equation: Bringing scientific rigor to the "what works" database. 🕙 00:15:30 — Implementation Fidelity: Why the "last infinite mile" is where progress happens. 🕙 00:18:50 — Lightning Round: Ditching "learning styles" and the power of AP Statistics. 🕙 00:22:00 — Looking Ahead: Fighting for authenticity in the age of social media and AI.

    25 min
  4. MARCH MADNESS OF LEARNING LIVE FROM SXSW EDU with AJ Gutierrez, Jasmine Maze, and Justin Serrano

    8 ABR

    MARCH MADNESS OF LEARNING LIVE FROM SXSW EDU with AJ Gutierrez, Jasmine Maze, and Justin Serrano

    We’re back in Austin for the 2026 SXSW EDU "March Madness of Learning Trends" LIVE panel. Host Mike Palmer is joined by AJ Gutierrez (CEO of Equal Opportunity Schools), Jasmine Maze (Senior Managing Director at Teach for America’s Reinvention Lab), and Justin Serrano (CEO of Littera Education) to reveal a bracket of 16 trends shaping the future of education. The conversation moves past the usual AI hype to focus on human capital and accountability. Justin Serrano introduces the "outcomes economy," describing a shift in procurement where school districts move away from buying software and toward outcomes-based contracting that holds providers accountable for student results. AJ Gutierrez highlights the continued efficacy of high-impact tutoring, noting that regular personalization within the school day remains one of the most rigorously evaluated and successful approaches to K-12 recovery. Jasmine Maze provides a necessary critique of AI as a simple productivity engine. She argues for a focus on "teacher efficiency," which means using technology to remove administrative friction and "buy back" time for the relational, human work of mentoring and master design. Mike Palmer rounds out the discussion with a call for "strategic optimism" and the importance of "unplugging" to maintain internal dialogue in an age of digital distraction. Key Takeaways: The Outcomes Economy: State departments are increasingly adopting contracts where up to 40% of payment is tied to intended student outcomes. Redefining Efficiency: Efficiency in education should mean making more time for the masterwork of human connection rather than just pressuring teachers to do more with less. Productive Distrust: As "AI slop" and mediocre content become ubiquitous, learners must develop "productive distrust," a form of critical media literacy that uses skepticism to verify sources and cross-reference information. Interoperability Standards: Initiatives like Project Unicorn and the EdSafe Alliance are essential for creating ethical, secure, and evidence-based standards for AI implementation in schools. Why Listen?This episode offers a front-row seat to the debate over the purpose of K-12 education in an automated world. The panel discusses why "play" is a critical sandbox for solving complex problems and how global perspectives—from France to Ukraine—can help educators scale best practices across different contexts. Subscribe to Trending in Education to stay ahead of the curve for the future of learning. Time Stamps: [00:00] Intro: SXSW EDU 2026 and podcast history [03:11] Meet the Panelists: Littera, Reinvention Lab, and EOS [07:09] Justin's Trends: The Outcomes Economy and SaaS Disruption [10:04] Defining High-Impact Tutoring with AJ Gutierrez [15:54] Jasmine on AI: Teacher Efficiency vs. Automation Culture [18:48] Mike's Trends: Strategic Optimism and the Vibe of 2026 [25:56] Navigating "Productive Distrust" and AI Slop [32:41] Audience Q&A: Teaching AI Literacy and the Role of Play [43:08] Global Perspectives and the Importance of Manual Work [44:42] Closing: AI as a "Fifth Element" and Thinking Partner

    49 min
  5. Crisis and Issues Management in Higher Ed with Jeff Hunt, Founder of Legend Labs

    1 ABR

    Crisis and Issues Management in Higher Ed with Jeff Hunt, Founder of Legend Labs

    When the house is on fire, you don't want to be reading the manual for the first time. On this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Jeff Hunt, the founder of Legend Labs and a professor at the University of Texas, to discuss the high-stakes world of crisis communication in higher education . Jeff brings a unique perspective shaped by 18 years at a global firm and a career spent managing issues across the world, from Seoul to London . His deep dive into higher education began with the reputational recovery of Penn State after the Jerry Sandusky crisis, a "trial by fire" that revealed how techniques from global world crises could be adapted to the university setting . In an era of hyper-connectivity and a "nanosecond news cycle," Jeff argues that the old ways of managing a narrative are gone . He breaks down his book, Brand Under Fire, and a new playbook centered on five core principles: Authenticity, Transparency, Speed, Agility, and Creativity . We explore how leaders can move from a reactive stance to a "culture of readiness" . Jeff explains the mechanics of modern crisis prep, including "issues heat maps" to track percolating risks like labor strikes or political protests and high-intensity simulations that use AI to recreate the pressure of a breaking news story . Beyond the technicalities, this conversation touches on the human element of leadership. Jeff shares why university presidents must sometimes step out of their administrative roles to communicate with the empathy of a parent, especially during campus tragedies . Using a "cockpit analogy" regarding flight delays, he illustrates how proactive, honest communication can build loyalty even when the news is bad . Finally, Jeff discusses his work in the classroom, where he brings the "boardroom into the classroom" to help students navigate an AI-reshaped landscape and combat the "chilling effect" on open dialogue . If you found this episode helpful, please like, follow, and share it wherever you get your podcasts to help us keep these critical conversations going. 📢🛡️🎓 Timestamps 🕰️ 00:00 — Welcome and Jeff Hunt's global origin story 🕰️ 02:03 — Lessons from the Penn State recovery 🕰️ 04:36 — How digital media changed the game 🕰️ 06:05 — The Five Principles: Authenticity and Transparency 🕰️ 07:45 — Speed, Agility, and filling the narrative vacuum 🕰️ 11:10 — The role of Creativity in crisis management 🕰️ 13:30 — Communicating during tragedy: The power of video and voice 🕰️ 16:20 — Vulnerability assessments and issues heat maps 🕰️ 20:10 — Simulations and Tabletops: Testing the team under pressure 🕰️ 24:10 — The Cockpit Analogy: Building loyalty through transparency 🕰️ 27:30 — AI and the future of open debate in the classroom

    29 min
  6. March Madness of Learning Trends Sweet 16 and Final Four Revealed!

    26 MAR

    March Madness of Learning Trends Sweet 16 and Final Four Revealed!

    Mike Palmer and virtual co-host Nancy are back from the podcast stage at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas. In this special update, we break down the Sweet 16 of Learning Trends and announce which four have fought their way into the Final Four. This episode explores the collective zeitgeist of the education world, from the challenges of chronic absenteeism to the futuristic potential of vibe coding and agentic intelligence. The conversation begins with a look at the trends submitted by AJ Gutierrez of Equal Opportunity Schools. AJ highlights the pressing issue of chronic absenteeism in K-12 and the need for work pathway alignment. He also makes a strong case for high-impact tutoring and the responsible integration of AI to keep humanity at the center of the classroom. Next, the duo dives into insights from Jasmine Maze and Sunanna Chand of Teach For America's Reinvention Lab. We discuss teacher efficiency not just as an operational goal, but as a relational unlock. This segment covers the rise of vibe coding, the creepy nature of the uncanny valley in AI slop, and why experimentation and play are essential for preparing learners for a rapidly changing future. Justin Serrano, CEO of Littera Education, contributes a clear-eyed look at the outcomes economy. He discusses the shift toward evidence-based contracting and the concept of human-AI interoperability, or the "Canny Centaur." Justin also warns of SaaS disruption in the EdTech space and advocates for a mindset of productive distrust. Finally, Mike shares his own trends, including strategic optimism and gentelligence. He warns of ensloppification across digital platforms and explains why unplugging is a vital restorative practice in an age of constant noise. The episode culminates in the big reveal of the Final Four trends that listeners can now vote on to determine the ultimate winner for 2026. TIME STAMPS 00:00 - Introduction and SXSW EDU history 03:00 - The future of knowledge work and human-AI collaboration 04:00 - AJ Gutierrez on absenteeism and high-impact tutoring 11:00 - Jasmine Maze and Sunanna Chand on vibe coding and teacher efficiency 21:00 - Justin Serrano on the outcomes economy and SaaS disruption 29:00 - Mike Palmer on strategic optimism, unplugging, and gentelligence 39:00 - The Big Reveal: Announcing the Final Four trends 45:00 - 750th episode milestone and closing remarks VOTE IN THE POLLS Help us name the winning trend for 2026! Follow Mike Palmer on LinkedIn to find the latest polls and cast your vote for the Final Four. https://www.linkedin.com/in/palmer-mike/ Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts or find us on YouTube to join the conversation and help us continue to make the future more evenly distributed.

    47 min
  7. Parent Communication in the Age of AI with Anu Vaid, CoFounder of Parentsquare

    5 MAR

    Parent Communication in the Age of AI with Anu Vaid, CoFounder of Parentsquare

    How do we bridge the communication gap between schools and families in an increasingly fragmented digital world? In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Anu Vaid, the founder of ParentSquare, to explore the evolution of school-home partnerships over the last 15 years. Anu shares her journey as a computer engineer and immigrant parent who was overwhelmed by the disjointed tools of the K-12 system, from papers stuffed in backpacks to disparate robocalls and long emails . Today, ParentSquare serves over 22 million student families, providing a unified platform where everyone from the principal and teachers to the nurse and the librarian can speak with one voice . We dive into how technology can foster authentic human connection rather than just "checking a box," moving toward a positive school climate that supports every student. Key Takeaways: 🏫 The Unification of Stakeholders: Why it is essential for every department—from transportation to the school office—to come together on one trusted source for families . 📉 Addressing Chronic Absenteeism: Moving away from punitive compliance letters toward catching issues early and building a human-level sense of belonging . 🤖 AI as a Bridge, Not a Barrier: Leveraging AI for context-aware translation, gender-neutrality, and helping teachers craft messages that feel personal and authentic . 📱 Navigating Cell Phone Bans: How schools can use school-issued devices and ParentSquare to keep families coordinated without the negative impact of social media . Anu concludes by emphasizing the importance of building a "circle of love" around every child. When parents and schools work together effectively, the student knows it and feels it, which is when they truly begin to prosper. Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts to stay ahead of the curve in the world of learning. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Anu’s Origin Story 05:55 - The Evolution of School Communication Tools 10:52 - Addressing Chronic Absenteeism through Connection 17:35 - AI, Contextual Translation, and Authenticity 21:42 - Navigating Cell Phone Bans and Family Messaging 28:38 - The Future of AI and Human Connection

    32 min
  8. The Future of Math Education in the Age of AI with Ted Dintersmith, Author of Aftermath

    20 FEB

    The Future of Math Education in the Age of AI with Ted Dintersmith, Author of Aftermath

    What if everything we’ve been told about math education is backwards? In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Ted Dintersmith,venture capitalist, filmmaker, and author of the upcoming book Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won't Teach You to discuss why our schools are still teaching low-level math mechanics that phones and AI already do perfectly. You can learn more about Ted's work at What Schools Could Be. Ted shares his journey from the world of high-tech innovation to becoming a "code red" alarmed citizen advocate for radical school change. We dive into how high-stakes exams are inadvertently training students to compete with AI in areas where computers are unbeatable, while ignoring the creative and conceptual math, like probability, decision-making frameworks, and estimation, that actually shapes lives. From Moneyball statistics to the dangers of misinterpreting healthcare data, Ted explains why math should be a tool for empowerment rather than a metric for punishment. We also take a "lightning round" trip through Ted’s prolific career, including his work with the late Sir Ken Robinson and his influential documentaries Most Likely to Succeed and Multiple Choice. Whether you’re a parent trying to preserve your child’s curiosity or an educator looking for a more relevant curriculum, this conversation offers a refreshing and urgent blueprint for what school could be. 📉💡 Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts to stay ahead of the curve in the world of learning. 🔔 Time Stamps 00:00 - Introduction: Why Math Should Turn You On 🎙️ 00:41 - Ted’s Origin Story: From Carpentry to Venture Capital 02:18 - The Middle School Note That Changed Everything 04:02 - Making the Film "Most Likely to Succeed" 05:14 - Why AI Makes Most School Math Obsolete 07:03 - Previewing "Aftermath": Math for Decision Making 11:00 - The Dunning-Kruger Effect and Iraqi War Predictions 12:45 - Why 90% of Doctors Misunderstand Test Results 🏥 15:35 - Teaching High Schoolers Decision Frameworks 18:14 - The Art of Mathematical Modeling 21:30 - Math as a Tool for Ranking, Sorting, and Punishing 25:15 - Can We Trust Economic Numbers? (The Estimation Problem) 28:43 - Moneyball and the Power of Creative Statistics ⚾ 34:10 - Lightning Round: Sir Ken Robinson and New Documentaries 39:53 - Advice for Families: Preserving Curiosity and Audacity 41:43 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Ted’s Work

    43 min
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At the intersection of learning, media, and the future of work, join us each week as we sense and discover where the future of education is heading. Join host Mike Palmer, the Founder of Palmer Media, as he engages with thought leaders, pioneers, and entrepreneurs exploring the cutting edge of learning in these tumultuous times.

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  • Creador
    Palmer Media
  • Años de actividad
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodios
    734
  • Clasificación
    Apto
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    © Copyright Palmer Media 2025. All Rights Reserved.
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    Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer

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