Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer

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.

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

Ted Dintersmith, venture capitalist, filmmaker, and education reformer, argues school math is outdated. He spotlights how AI makes routine computation obsolete and champions applied math: probability, estimation, decision frameworks, and modeling. The conversation jumps from healthcare misreads to Moneyball-style stats and practical ways families and schools can make math empowering and relevant.

Is Abundance Inevitable? A 100-Year Vision with McKinsey’s Chris Bradley What if the "Black Mirror" version of the future is wrong? In this episode, Mike Palmer talks with Chris Bradley, Senior Partner at McKinsey and Director of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), about his new book, A Century of Plenty: A Story of Progress for Generations to Come. Chris breaks down the "Machine of Progress" and explains why a "strategic optimism" mindset is essential for navigating the next century. We explore a future where global prosperity could reach Swiss standards, the radical shifts in our demographics, and why AI might actually make us more human. Key Takeaways: 🌟 The Power of Strategic Optimism: Why historical data shows that humanity’s "fingerprint" is progress, not scarcity. 🇨🇭 The Swiss Benchmark: A thought experiment on whether the global economy can grow 8.5x to ensure every person on Earth lives as well as the Swiss do today. 📉 The Demographic Cliff: How shrinking birth rates in countries like China and South Korea are making productivity growth a "do or die" necessity for our social systems. 🤖 AI as an Augmentation Tool: Why the highest employment growth is happening in the most AI-exposed fields and how "The O-Ring Theory" explains the rising value of human judgment. 🎓 Reimagining Education: A provocative look at why the education sector has seen high inflation but low innovation, and how AI tutors could ensure "no child is left behind". 🍎 The Non-Zero-Sum World: Moving past the "Petri dish" mindset to understand how resources like energy and capital can expand to meet global needs. Key Resources: 📘 Book: A Century of Plenty: A Story of Progress for Generations to Come. 📊 MGI Report: Agents, Robots, and Us. 🏒 Chris’s Previous Bestseller: Strategy Beyond the Hockey Stick. Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Don't miss insightful conversations like this one.

Get the inside scoop on SXSW EDU 2026 as Mike Palmer sits down with Kayla Meyers from SXSW EDU to preview what’s heading to Austin this March. From a reimagined city-wide footprint to the biggest podcast stage lineup yet, we’re breaking down why this year is a must-attend for anyone in the education ecosystem. Kayla shares her journey from museum curator to the mastermind behind the conference's "impeccable vibes," offering a deep dive into the trends shaping the 2026 program. What we covered: 🌵 The Great Austin Reset: How the Convention Center renovation forced a move to a more grassroots, decentralized footprint that puts the city of Austin front and center. 🎙️ Podcast Stage Expansion: We’re growing to 16 podcasts this year—come catch Trending in Ed live to kick things off on Monday morning. 🎓 Elevating Student Voices: From student-led journalism to the "Student Changemakers Hub," the next generation is finally getting the mic. 🤖 Wading Through the AI Slop: A candid look at "AI fatigue," the impact of LLMs on human neurology, and why human curation matters more than ever. 🤝 Crossover Day: Everything you need to know about the historic convergence of SXSW EDU and the main SXSW conference on March 12th. Join us live at the podcast stage in Austin on March 9th at 9:00 AM Central to start the week right! Keep Trending with Us: If you want to stay ahead of the curve in the world of learning, make sure to subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Follow our YouTube channel for weekly deep dives into the future of education. Timestamps: 00:00 🎙️ Kicking off the SXSW EDU 2026 Preview 02:14 🏛️ From Museum Curator to Programming Manager 07:44 📻 The Evolution of the SXSW EDU Podcast Stage 12:51 🏙️ What’s New: A Decentralized Austin Footprint 17:45 ☕ Designing for Serendipity and "Clubhouses" 20:00 🗣️ Spotlighting Student Voice and Agency 22:38 🧠 AI Slop, Brain Rot, and Human-Centered Literacy 33:50 🛠️ Workforce Readiness and AI Implementation 43:24 🎸 Crossover Day: Where Education and Tech Meet 45:00 👋 See You in Austin on March 9th!

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes Tara Chklovski, the founder and CEO of Technovation, a global nonprofit that has been at the intersection of AI and education since 2016. Tara shares her journey from growing up in India to pursuing a PhD in aerospace engineering and eventually launching a mobile entrepreneurship program just two years after the iPhone debuted. The conversation dives into the Technovation accelerator model, a three-month program for girls and young women ages 8 to 24. Tara explains how the program empowers students to identify real-world problems in their communities and build tech-based startups to solve them. We discuss the importance of fostering a problem-solving mindset, the critical role of human mentorship in an AI-driven world, and why the "personalized learning" trend might be too narrow a lens for the future of education. Key Insights: 💡 Early Intervention: Why we shouldn’t underestimate children's ability to tackle complex community problems as early as age eight. 🤖 AI as a Teammate: How Technovation’s "AI in Action" curriculum uses artificial intelligence as a brainstorming partner and subject matter expert for student teams. 🌍 Global Innovation: Stories of impact from 120 countries, including an alumna whose AI startup was acquired at age 19 and a student in India tracking environmental health through bird songs. 🏗️ Resilient Skills: Shifting the focus from simple AI literacy to building durable skills like user research, business planning, and civic responsibility. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Tara Chklovski and Technovation 01:00 - Tara’s origin story: From India to aerospace engineering 03:15 - The mission to unlock human potential through STEM 04:20 - Breaking down the Technovation accelerator model 07:15 - Why educators should be early adopters of new tech 10:45 - Addressing the gender gap in technical careers 15:30 - The "AI in Action" curriculum and free resources 21:30 - How AI elevates project-based learning in classrooms 24:30 - The three functions of modern schools 31:00 - Concerns regarding "personalized learning" bandwagons 35:45 - A call to action for the current Technovation season Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts—you don’t want to miss conversations like this one. To learn more about the program or access the free curriculum, visit technovation.org.

In a world of constant digital inundation, attention has become the new "scarce water in the desert". This episode explores how to reclaim that focus by looking at the intersection of high-stakes Hollywood storytelling and the science of optimal experience. Host Mike Palmer is joined by Steven Puri, founder and CEO of The Sukha Company. Before building tools for deep work, Puri was a senior executive at major motion picture studios, overseeing production on blockbusters like Independence Day and Braveheart, and managing franchises like Die Hard and Wolverine. He shares how the same rigorous focus required to produce massive films can be applied to modern productivity through the concept of Flow—a state popularized by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The conversation delves into the "tug of war" for our attention, where trillion-dollar companies utilize behavioral psychology to keep us distracted. Puri breaks down actionable strategies to push past "human slop" and rote activity, moving instead toward meaningful "deep work" that survives the rise of generative AI. Key Insights: 🎬 The Fellowship of Work: Why creators like Roland Emmerich and Steven Spielberg intentionally utilize specific physical environments—from luxury villas to hotel rooms—to trigger the mental states necessary for creativity. 📈 The Chronotype Hack: A simple, free technique for mapping your energy levels using a grid and a pencil to align your most difficult tasks with your brain's peak performance times. 🌊 Flow Conditions: Understanding why meaningful feedback, clear goals, and a balance of challenge and skill are essential for reaching "the zone". 🤖 AI and the Human Domain: Identifying why rote, algorithmic jobs are at risk of being replaced and how to cultivate the high-level strategy and visionary creativity that remains uniquely human. Don't go to your grave with your best work still inside you. Join us for a deep dive into the habits of high performers and the future of human output. 🚀 Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome to Trending in Education 01:10 From Blockbusters to Startups: Steven Puri's Origin Story 05:15 The Digital Shift: When Hollywood Met Engineering 08:25 Lessons from the Studio: Managing Die Hard and Wolverine 11:00 The Sukha Company: Designing for Happiness and Focus 13:10 The War for Attention vs. Trillion-Dollar Companies 17:45 Defining the Flow State: The Legacy of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 22:50 Deep Work in the Age of Generative AI 28:45 Mental Hacks: The Relationship Between Place and Productivity 31:40 Chronotypes: Aligning Your Biological Clock with Your Career 36:00 Closing Thoughts: Getting the Greatness Out of You Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts to stay ahead of the curve.

K-12 leadership is currently navigating a "perma-crisis". From the lingering disruptions of a global pandemic to the sudden integration of generative AI, the demands on school principals and superintendents have evolved far beyond the traditional focus on "books, butts, and buses". In this episode of Trending in Ed, Mike Palmer sits down with Dr. Lisa Herring, the CEO of New Leaders and a veteran superintendent who led major districts like Atlanta Public Schools and Birmingham City Schools through some of the most turbulent years in recent memory. Dr. Herring shares her perspective on the "problem of practice" facing education today: the critical need for a leadership pipeline that can bridge the gap between traditional instruction and the rapidly shifting needs of the modern workforce. She discusses the "invisible culture" of leading remote districts, the importance of upskilling educators in the age of AI, and why she believes standardized testing is a relic of the past. This conversation is a call to action for "FIRE"—Fearless Innovation Reimagined Education—challenging leaders to stop being afraid of the future and start co-creating it alongside their students. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to leadership transformation in K-12 01:03 - Dr. Lisa Herring’s career journey from classroom teacher to CEO 03:52 - The mission and impact of New Leaders in developing school principals 06:17 - Addressing the leadership pipeline and teacher shortage crisis 08:50 - The evolution of the principalship: Moving beyond the "old school" model 10:48 - Leading Atlanta Public Schools through the 2020 pandemic 17:11 - Education as workforce development and the role of upskilling 22:24 - How generative AI is reshaping instruction and administrative work 26:47 - Rethinking school structures and mastery-based learning 28:38 - Rapid-fire takes on standardized testing and the four-day school week 30:37 - Closing thoughts on "FIRE": Fearless Innovation Reimagined Education Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a conversation like this one.

Dr. Ola Ozernov-Palchik, a cognitive neuroscience researcher at Boston University and MIT, studies how the brain learns to read and early markers of dyslexia. The conversation covers neuroimaging for early risk detection, scalable online and peer-tutoring interventions, speech-to-avatar AI tutors, and the push for rigorous, evidence-based AI in education.

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer welcomes Andrew Sliwinski, Global Head of Product Experience for LEGO Education, on the day of a major product launch. Together, they explore the intersection of physical play and artificial intelligence, revealing how LEGO is redefining AI literacy for the next generation. Andrew shares his winding career path from tutoring in Detroit to directing Scratch at MIT and serving on the board of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The conversation dives into LEGO Education’s new Computer Science and AI curriculum, a hands-on, privacy-first platform designed for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. 🧱 They discuss moving beyond screen-based learning to collaborative, physical experiences—like building a dancing robot owl to understand machine learning. Andrew explains why we should stop teaching kids to just tread water with AI tools and start helping them understand the "black box" through first principles like data, probability, and bias. 🤖 Whether you are an educator or a parent, this episode offers a unique look at how "learning through play" prepares children to be the architects of the future. 🎓 Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction: A Big Day for LEGO Education 1:15 - Andrew’s Journey: From Detroit Classrooms to MIT Scratch 2:55 - The Legacy of Mindstorms and the Genesis of AI at LEGO 4:45 - Launching the New K-8 Computer Science & AI Curriculum 6:10 - Learning Through Play: Only the Best is Good Enough 9:15 - Shifting AI Literacy from "Use" to "Understanding" 11:40 - Collaboration vs. "Maze Solvers": The Power of Hands-On Teams 14:30 - Children as Role Models: Learning from the Next Generation 17:30 - Vocational vs. Defensive Perspectives on AI Education 22:15 - Passing the "Substitute Teacher Test" 24:00 - Dancing Owls & Machine Learning: Cool Things You Can Build 25:50 - Screen-Free Tech: Starting AI Concepts in Kindergarten 29:20 - Solving the Privacy Puzzle: Local Data & No Accounts 36:30 - Durable Skills: Data, Statistics, and Probability 39:30 - Closing Thoughts: Handing Kids a Screwdriver for the Black Box Stay ahead of the curve in education! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode of Trending in Ed. 🔔