Future of Work

The State of Workforce Development in 2026 with Paul Fain

Paul Fain, the founder of ⁠Work Shif⁠t and author of ⁠The Job ⁠newsletter, returns to ⁠Trending in Education ⁠ for a look at the state of workforce development in 2026. He describes a challenging environment for early-career professionals where emerging technologies are driving significant shifts in hiring and job stability. While four-year degree holders often dominate the media discourse, Paul emphasizes the critical need to report on non-degree workers, particularly those in clerical and administrative roles who face high risks from automation.

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Future of Work

Career Exploration in the Age of AI with Gina Worthey, Steve Jurch, and Shalin Jyotishi

How do we prepare Gen Z for a workforce being reshaped by Artificial Intelligence? Recorded live from the National Youth Apprenticeship Summit in Alexandria, Virginia, this episode explores the “Wild West” of the modern innovation economy and the vital role of youth apprenticeships in building future-ready career pathways.

Host Mike Palmer is joined by three experts to discuss the intersection of emerging technology, educational equity, and early career development.

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Higher Education

Adapting to AI in Higher Education with Dr. C. Edward Watson | Teaching with AI

In this episode, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Dr. Eddie Watson to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in higher education. Following the release of the second edition of his book, ⁠Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning⁠, Eddie shares insights from working with nearly 200 campus teams on transitioning from AI-resistant assignments to AI-integrated pedagogy. ⁠Here’s the link to Eddie’s first appearance⁠.

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EdTech

Reimagining Teaching, Learning, and Talent with Sunanna Chand ED of the Reinvention Lab at TFA

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Sunanna Chand, Executive Director of the ⁠Reinvention Lab at Teach For America (TFA⁠). As the leader of TFA’s future-of-learning R&D engine, Chand is tasked with a formidable challenge: bridging the gap between a 19th-century education system and the demands of the 21st-century world.

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AI

Skills, AI, and the Transformation of Education with Josh Jones, CEO of QuantHub

Host Mike Palmer interviews Joshua Jones, CEO and Founder of ⁠QuantHub⁠, an AI company focused on education and skills development. Jones, who previously co-founded the data science consulting firm StrategyWise, explains that QuantHub originated as an internal tool before spinning out to focus on delivering micro-learning chunks that target individual learners’ specific needs.

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AI

Understanding Critical AI in K12 Classroms with Stephanie Smith Budhai and Marie K. Heath

AI permeates K-12 education, but the rush to adopt new tools often bypasses critical questions about equity, bias, and human connection. On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Stephanie Smith Budhai and Marie K. Heath, co-authors of the new book ⁠Critical AI in K-12 Classrooms: A Practical Guide for Cultivating Justice and Joy⁠.

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AI

Seeing AI Through an Anthropological Lens with Dr. Adam Gamwell the Founder of Anthrocurious

Dr. Adam Gamwell returns to Trending in Education to explore the evolving collision of anthropology, artificial intelligence, and the human experience. Since ⁠his last appearance in 2019⁠, the technological landscape has seen seismic transformations—from the pandemic to the explosion of generative AI. Host Mike Palmer and Adam discuss why the anthropological imagination is more critical than ever for navigating these changes.

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Learning Science

The Neuroscience of Gratitude: Brain Chemistry, The Gap and The Gain, and the Perfect Nap

Mike Palmer returns to the Thanksgiving table to serve up a side of applied neuroscience. Powered by the recently released Gemini 3, he examines the “gratitude cocktail,” a potent neurochemical mix of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin that mimics the effects of antidepressants and strengthens social bonds. Beyond the chemistry, Mike explores the psychological framework of⁠ The Gap and the Gain⁠ by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. He explains how measuring progress against an ideal future creates unhappiness, while measuring against the past generates resilience and satisfaction.

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K12 Education

Defining A New School Leadership Architecture with Lindsay Whorton President at The Holdsworth Center

In this special episode, we welcome back Lindsay Whorton, President of the Holdsworth Center, to discuss her new book, A New School Leadership Architecture: A Four-Level Framework for Reimagining Roles. We dive into why the current model for school leadership is unsustainable and explore a new framework for building capacity and driving results in Texas public schools and beyond.

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Future of Work

🎮 Endless Possibilities: Game Design, AI, and the Future of Education with Matt Dalio

Matt Dalio, founder and CEO of ⁠Endless Studios⁠, joins host Mike Palmer to explore the profound connection between games, technology, and workforce development. Matt, who grew up with an early global perspective—including a transformative year in China at age 11—brings his philanthropic drive to the world of scalable tech solutions .

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