

DebateMath Podcast
Chris Luzniak & Rob Baier
Welcome to the DebateMath Podcast, the show where we’re redefining what it means to debate in mathematics & education, where multiple sides of ideas are explored, evidence matters, and we all grow and learn from hearing each other.We know the world–and our classrooms–are not binary. So we lean into the gray area in our discussions. We invite on guests with differing viewpoints on the way math is taught, and listen in as they debate with each other.Come dig into any debate, where we listen to learn, not to prove someone wrong, but to deepen our understanding.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 17, 2025 • 5min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #6
Text us your thoughts!This is the sixth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this episode, we see another example of the routine where students have to prepare both sides of an argument ahead of time: a Point-Counterpoint Debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Sep 11, 2025 • 6min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #5
Text us your thoughts!This is the fifth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we explore a routine where students have to prepare both sides of an argument ahead of time: a Point-Counterpoint Debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Sep 3, 2025 • 8min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #4
Text us your thoughts!This is the fourth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we dig further into the listening routine of Circle Debates. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 26, 2025 • 7min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #3
Text us your thoughts!This is the third of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we extend the routine from the previous episodes to really encourage listening. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 20, 2025 • 6min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #2
Text us your thoughts!This is the second of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. Tune in to this very brief example, where guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into a more mathy example!Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @zakchampAnd check out the FlynnEducation website: flynneducation.comListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Aug 14, 2025 • 5min
Mini DebateMath Lesson #1
Mike Flynn, President and CEO of Flynn Education and a former elementary teacher, teams up with Zak Champagne, Chief Content Officer and longtime teacher, for a lively debate over pizza slice styles. Mike champions triangular slices for their fairness and preservation of ‘goodness’, while Zak defends grid cuts for their crust preference convenience and waste reduction. The duo also shares engaging tips on using fun prompts to introduce debate structures in the classroom, turning something as simple as pizza into a learning tool!

8 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 32min
Hot Seat #9 - Memorize or From Memory?
Graham Fletcher, a math specialist from Atlanta and co-author of Building Fact Fluency, dives into the heated debate of memorization versus understanding in math education. He shares his personal journey of struggling with math to becoming an inspiring educator. The discussion emphasizes the importance of meaningful learning and problem-solving strategies over rote memorization. Graham advocates for engaging methods that foster true fluency, encouraging educators to innovate and make math more enjoyable for students.

Jul 24, 2025 • 29min
Hot Seat #8 - Is Math a Gatekeeper?
Text us your thoughts!Mathematics has often been considered a gateway to opportunity—but some people argue that, too often, it acts instead as a gatekeeper. But why is that? Is it really a barrier for our students’ future successes? And how much of a problem is this? In this episode, we dive deep into this discussion with Pamela Burdman from Just Equations. She will debate our Hot Seat resolution: Math is a GatekeeperYou can follow Just Equations on LinkedIn, BlueSky, and Instagram.You can read more on the Just Equations website (justequations.org).Pam mentioned the movie Counted Out (countedoutfilm.com).Read more about the Just Equations report on Math and College AdmissionsExplore Pam’s blog on rigor Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Jul 15, 2025 • 31min
Hot Seat #7 - Intentional Sequencing?
Text us your thoughts!Do you ever find yourself happy with the lessons you are creating, only to have students forget everything a month later? Perhaps we need to slow down more? Or spiral? It’s the constant question in our teacher minds: How do we help students really learn this stuff? As our guest today will argue: We Need to Be Mindful in the Way We Sequence Learning Math!Follow Dan on BlueSky: @danielk.bsky.socialOr on Twitter: @KauDan721You can see Dan’s website at: scmath.orgListened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Jun 30, 2025 • 24min
Hot Seat #6 - Teach Listening?
Text us your thoughts!Discourse routines are a big part of many classrooms (and debates). However, what role does listening play and is there a way to teach it? Our “Hot Seat” guest today is here arguing for the statement: Schools Should Teach Listening SkillsYou can find out more about The Listening Path. You can contact Christine Miles on her website. And check out her book: What is It Costing You Not to Listen? Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn to share! Find us on Social Media: @DebateMath to share your thoughts.Don’t forget to check out the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel!Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMath or going to debatemath.com. Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak. And don’t forget to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!


