Evidence in the Wild

Dr Joshua M Stewart

Evidence in the Wild is a podcast about how data and research really get used in education. Hosted by researcher and former college professor Josh Stewart, this show features honest, engaging conversations with educators, administrators, and policy folks navigating the messy space between evidence and real-world practice. It’s about elevating what works, questioning what doesn’t, and democratizing how we use data to shape the future of education. Josh can be reached through his website at https://rockymountain-research.org/ or joshua@rockymountain-research.org

  1. MAR 4

    Art, Evidence, and Bonsai in Education with Ryan Neil

    In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, Josh sits down with internationally recognized bonsai artist Ryan Neil, founder of Bonsai Mirai and the nonprofit One Tree Project, to explore an unexpected but powerful intersection of bonsai, youth development, and the psychology of measurement. Bonsai is so much more than horticulture. It becomes a living metaphor for developmental science: slow growth, intentional shaping, environmental responsiveness, and the cultivation of potential over time. Curious to learn more? See how we are advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

    2h 34m

  2. FEB 16

    From Layoffs to Leadership: David Blumenthal on Building What Comes Next

    In this reflective and forward-looking conversation, Josh Stewart sits down with education researcher and entrepreneur David Blumenthal to unpack what 2025 meant for the research and evaluation community. Following mass federal layoffs and deep uncertainty across the education research sector, David shares how he navigated professional upheaval, transitioned into independent consulting, and ultimately founded a new AI-driven education technology company. Together, Josh and David explore personal and nationwide resilience, and the widening gap between research and classroom practice.  Explore David's project Eddie AI, a tool designed to assist educators in making better, evidence-based decisions. Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

    1h 19m

  3. JAN 26

    Little Bets for Big Impact with Michelle Miller and Matthew Callison

    In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, Superintendent Michelle Miller and Director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Matthew Callison from South Fayette Township School District unpack how meaningful research and development can thrive inside a public school system, without massive budgets or rigid frameworks. South Fayette’s “little bets” approach of small, low-risk micro-experiments led by teachers and school leaders to test new ideas before scaling them district-wide. Rather than relying solely on traditional metrics, the district looks to student engagement, enrollment choices, and participation as key indicators of success. Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

    54 min

  4. 12/18/2025

    Cultivating Math Identity: A Conversation with Adam Smith

    Adam Smith is a seasoned math education researcher and instructional leader. In this episode, he shares with us the roots of math anxiety and how identity, early experiences, and societal messages shape whether we see ourselves as “math people.” All humans are naturally wired for foundational mathematical thinking, yet math education often becomes abstract and disconnected from students’ lives in secondary education. This conversation highlights how representation, family messages, teacher attitudes, and school structures like tracking reinforce who is “expected” to excel. Adam encourages us to be intentional about the messages we send about math, to reflect on our own math stories, and to create environments where all students can see themselves as capable mathematical thinkers. Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

    1h 1m

  5. 10/28/2025

    Redefining Education with Real-World Learning in K–12 with Vernon Orndorff

    In this episode, Vernon Orndorff, superintendent of Park County School District 6 in Cody, Wyoming, shares how his district created the “Classroom to Careers” program. This K–12, district-led model of authentic, project-based learning is grounded in community partnerships and career pathways. The initiative blends state standards with real-world experiences like internships and outdoor projects, helping students see how their studies apply in practice. Through collaboration among teachers, businesses, and local government, districts can make learning meaningful and career-relevant without sacrificing accountability or academic rigor.   Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

    56 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Math for Every Mind with Aubrey Francisco

    This episode of Evidence in the Wild features a discussion with Aubrey Francisco, co-director of the Executive Function + Math (EF+Math) program, part of the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF). The discussion explores how EF+Math has pioneered a new, equity-centered model of research and development in education. A model that connects executive functioning (the mental skills that govern focus, working memory, and self-regulation) with mathematical learning, especially for Black, Latino, and students experiencing poverty. Curious to learn more? See how we’re advancing learning and research at rockymountain-research.org

    50 min

  7. 09/30/2025

    Starting Slow to Go Fast with Shelby Danks

    There is prevailing pressure in education to deliver quick, measurable results. But do results from 1-2 years of implementation reflect the true potential of meaningful change? In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I’m joined by Shelby Danks, founder and principal advisor at Arken Research. We discuss how real impact can often take years, not months. By emphasizing the value of detailed planning, logic models, shared vision, and upfront agreement on goals, we can avoid the cycle of “try, discard, repeat.” Schools are complex ecosystems where conditions vary widely, making one-size-fits-all studies inadequate. By celebrating small milestones and prioritizing long-term learning over immediate test gains, educators and researchers can foster sustainable improvement and avoid the trap of continuous, reactionary change.

    1h 5m

  8. 08/26/2025

    Locally Led R&D at Summit Public Schools: Lessons in Innovation

    In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I talk with Greg Ponikvar and Dan Effland from Summit Public Schools about their journey with locally led research and development (R&D). We explore how Summit designs, pilots, and scales new efforts, what’s changed in their approach over time, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. We also dive into some of the simple but powerful steps that support the process, like developing an R&D plan, creating protected time, and regularly reflecting on what went well and what could be improved, as well as how these practices show up in daily activities. Whether you’re a school or district leader, or simply curious about how R&D can drive meaningful change in education, this conversation offers practical insights into building sustainable, locally driven innovation.

    44 min
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About

Evidence in the Wild is a podcast about how data and research really get used in education. Hosted by researcher and former college professor Josh Stewart, this show features honest, engaging conversations with educators, administrators, and policy folks navigating the messy space between evidence and real-world practice. It’s about elevating what works, questioning what doesn’t, and democratizing how we use data to shape the future of education. Josh can be reached through his website at https://rockymountain-research.org/ or joshua@rockymountain-research.org

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Joshua M Stewart
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Evidence in the Wild