

Math Academy
Math Academy
Stories, challenges, and discoveries from the front lines of building the ultimate math learning system.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 22min
#4, Part 1 – The Unreasonable Effectiveness of the Knowledge Graph
Explore the intricacies of problem solving as a trackable skill set shaped by a knowledge graph. Hear about a PhD journey filled with re-derivations and the balance of intuition versus foundational mastery. Dive into the development of an SAT prep course that uncovers significant gaps in traditional curriculums. Discover the fascinating 'missing middle' topics identified through rigorous analysis and learn how mapping questions hierarchically can transform understanding and mastery in math.

16 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 2h 29min
#3 – Waging War on Mediocrity: Tales From the Trenches
The hosts dive into the power of 'willing' projects into existence, using their own journey as a case study. They tackle the challenges of resisting systemic inertia in education and share strategies for navigating institutional bureaucracy. With passion, they discuss how relentless enthusiasm can drive change. Justin recounts his self-study adventures, mastering calculus and more using innovative methods. The conversation also highlights the pitfalls of a completion-focused culture and the importance of foundational skills for true mastery.

27 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 2h 43min
#2 – Teach Like Your Life Depends On It
What if a tutor's life depended on their teaching? The hosts dive into this intriguing thought experiment, exploring high-stakes accountability in education. Justin shares his leap from tech to full-time math tutoring, emphasizing the importance of mastering tutoring patterns. They draw parallels between efficient math learning and sports coaching, highlighting how enjoyment should come after optimizing learning rates. The conversation also tackles the challenges of overhelping and promoting student independence, while envisioning a rigorous yet supportive learning environment.

27 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 2h 36min
#1 – The Long Game: Building Minds and Machines
Dive into the fascinating world of machine learning and coding! Discover the journey of developing bite-sized coding projects that reinforce math foundations. Hear about the importance of integrating computer science into the curriculum to enhance Python skills. Uncover the story behind the Urisco advanced math and CS track, designed to create real-world coding experiences. Plus, explore innovative teaching strategies like spaced repetition and automaticity drills to supercharge learning. Get ready to think about education in a whole new way!


