Future of Education Podcast
MacKenzie Price
The Future of Education Podcast is the place to find out what's happening in schools. Our guests are wide and varied, from educators, entrepreneurs, athletes, celebrities, influencers and most importantly-our students! They all have one thing in common- they are passionate about reinventing education to make it relevant and efficient. Our host, MacKenzie Price, is the Co-Founder of 2hr Learning (2hourlearning.com) and some of the top-performing schools in the country. 2 Hour Learning is a groundbreaking school model that is reshaping the landscape of K-12 education. It's powered by AI technology, enabling schools to provide personalized curriculum to students. Our K-12 schools perform in the top 2% nationwide by leveraging this personalize model to help students love school, learn twice as much, and build life skills. MacKenzie is at the forefront of educational transformation, striving for a balanced and enriching learning experience for every child. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from Stanford University and resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband and two daughters. The Future of Education podcast is produced by 7 Lyons Media (7LyonsMedia.com). Please send press inquiries to mkp@2hourlearning.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 12, 2026 • 20min
S2E331: Why We Don't Say the Pledge: Keeping Politics Out of Education
They debate keeping politics out of classrooms and making education nonpartisan. Core school values like love of learning, accelerated academics, and life skills get highlighted. They explain opting out of daily Pledge recitation in favor of active civics education. They discuss designing new school models, expanding into public systems, and policy ideas for unused district buildings.
May 8, 2026 • 24min
S2E330: The Secret to Solving Behavioral Issues at School
Alyssa Blask Campbell, co-author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions and expert in nervous-system-informed strategies, joins to explore why behaviors reflect biology. They cover the four nervous system reactions and the power of adult regulation. Practical shifts at school and home, plus building kids' self-awareness, are highlighted in short, actionable conversations.
May 5, 2026 • 46min
S2E329: The 9 Senses: Interpreting Your Child’s Unique Nervous System
Alyssa Blass Campbell, founder of Seed & Sew and co-author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions, shares the 9 Senses framework for understanding kids' nervous systems. Short, practical conversations cover interoception, proprioception, vestibular differences, movement as regulation, tailoring supports rather than one-size-fits-all, and teaching self-assessment to prevent meltdowns.
May 1, 2026 • 28min
S2E328: I Hate Reading: Dealing with Reading Resistance
If you’ve ever heard the words "I hate reading" come out of your child’s mouth, you aren’t alone. In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with author and "Wonder of Parenting" co-host Tim Wright to unpack the growing literacy crisis and why traditional school often turns reading into a chore rather than an adventure.They dive into the brain science of reading resistance, the specific hurdles boys face in early development, and why the "industrial" approach to books often fails to spark genuine interest. From the power of graphic novels to using AI as a tool for personalized storytelling, this conversation explores how to build mental stamina and momentum without the power struggles.
Apr 29, 2026 • 28min
S2E327: When Grit Looks Like Crying
A candid look at teaching grit to five-year-olds through tears, tiny wins, and big goals. They explore step-by-step strategies like starting small, confidence anchors, and running alongside learners. A biking challenge and community support show how tough tasks become joyful growth. Practical tips for setting high bars, breaking goals into daily steps, and celebrating progress.
Apr 24, 2026 • 16min
S2E326: The End of "Because I Said So": An Unfiltered Look at Student Self-Governance In Action
A deep look at student-led town halls and how kids create and enforce their own safety rules. Stories show how communities self-correct and standards become a source of status. Practical steps for running family or classroom governance are shared. Young children demonstrate thoughtful participation and real ownership of school culture.
Apr 22, 2026 • 14min
S2E325: What Happens When You Let Kids Decide Their Own Rules, Rewards, and Punishments...
Students run a Town Hall democracy where they propose, debate, and vote on community rules. Elected student officers manage agendas, votes, and recordkeeping. Private voting protects independent choices. Real examples include banning and unbanning social trends and trialing video game policies. Students often raise their own academic expectations above adult-set standards.
Apr 17, 2026 • 15min
S2E324: The Wealthy Student Myth, Our 'iPhone-Style' Updates, and Screen Time Truths
Braden Pomerantz, Head of Alpha Austin and leader in scaling personalized school models, shares firsthand experience. He tackles whether Alpha only suits wealthy students, explains their rapid 'iPhone-style' six-week updates, and breaks down productive versus unproductive screen time. He also describes using student data to tailor motivation and how guide-led innovations spread across campuses.
Apr 15, 2026 • 15min
S2E323: Why We Treat Every Student Like They Have an IEP
They explore treating every learner as if they have an IEP, with individualized plans and environment tweaks. Stories from opening campuses and pivoting roles show real-world implementation. Discussion covers adapting systems for gifted and diverse students and the central role of guides in motivation and connection.
Apr 9, 2026 • 24min
S2E322: Challenging the ADHD Epidemic: The Tragedy of Mislabeling Movement-Starved Students
David Bidler, founder of Physiology First who champions movement, sleep, and nature-based health for kids. He reframes the ADHD surge as movement starvation. They explore brain breaks, three dopamine metabolizer types, and how embodied practices like play, sauna, and cold plunge support attention and autonomy.
