Podcast
Learning Can’t Wait
Hosted by Fullmind · EN
The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast is your view into how changemakers are driving innovation in the field of education. Each week we interview leaders who are challenging the status quo at a time when it is absolutely necessary to rebuild the system for our students.
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18episodes
Episodes
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Leadership, Resilience & Empathy | Wendell Sumter
5d ago00:30:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Learning Can't Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with retired education leader and author Wendell Sumter to discuss his new book, Dirt Road Destiny. Drawing from his upbringing in rural South Carolina and his 36-year career in education, Wendell shares how family, mentors, adversity, and resilience shaped his leadership journey. He reflects on pivotal experiences, including being told he was "not college material," overcoming educational misplacement, and learning the importance of empathy through difficult personal and professional moments. The conversation explores leadership, school culture, community engagement, and Wendell's "Win Them Over" framework, which emphasizes listening, collaboration, and winning hearts rather than arguments. Ultimately, the episode is a powerful reminder that challenges can become stepping stones toward purpose, impact, and lasting leadership.
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Chronic Absenteeism, Family Engagement & Relationships | Alex Meis & Dr. Anny Iacono
1w ago00:32:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Learning Can't Wait, Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Alex Meis, Vice President of Attendance Strategy at ParentSquare, and Dr. Anny Iacono, Director of Student Services and Special Education at Nuview. Together, they explore the growing challenge of chronic absenteeism and explain why improving attendance is fundamentally about building relationships rather than enforcing compliance. The discussion highlights how Nuview transformed attendance outcomes through empathetic communication, customized family support, community partnerships, and a person-first approach, resulting in district-wide attendance improvements and stronger engagement with families.
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Educational Justice, Holistic Education & Humanitarian Impact | Sri Madhusudan Sai
2w ago00:27:21Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Learning Can't Wait Podcast, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Sri Madhusudan Sai, founder of a global movement dedicated to providing free, values-based education, healthcare, and nutrition to underserved communities. Sai shares how a childhood desire to help marginalized populations led him to build 22 educational campuses, multiple universities, a free medical school, pediatric cardiac hospitals, and nutrition programs serving millions of children daily. He explains his philosophy that education is a fundamental human right and discusses how holistic education—addressing academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development—creates compassionate leaders who give back to society.
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Student Safety, Community Trust & Resilient Leadership
3w ago00:36:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Learning Can’t Wait, Dr. Brenda Lewis, Superintendent of Fridley Public Schools, shares her leadership journey from paraeducator to superintendent and discusses the challenges her district faced during ICE Metro Surge. She explains how immigration enforcement activities on and around school property disrupted student attendance, created fear among families, and threatened students' access to their constitutional right to education. Dr. Lewis reflects on leading through crisis, supporting staff and families, rebuilding trust within the community, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to student safety, belonging, and public education. She also offers valuable leadership lessons on communication, transparency, governance, and leading through core values.
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Future Readiness, Community Engagement & Student Opportunity | Rachael Tutwiler Fortune
Jul 1400:30:52Tap to summarizeIn Season 12 Episode 2, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, for an inspiring conversation about community-driven change, future readiness, and the power of believing in young people. Drawing from her personal journey as a young mother who benefited from mentors who invested in her potential, Rachael shares how Jacksonville has dramatically improved graduation rates through collective action while remaining focused on literacy, workforce preparation, and educational equity. She emphasizes that preparing students for the future requires more than workforce skills, it demands developing strong learners, confident creators, and caring citizens who can thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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Workforce Alignment, Rural Education Equity & Opportunity Access | Dr. Denise Reading
Jul 700:36:22Tap to summarizeIn Season 12 Episode 1, Hayley Spira-Bauer kicks off the new season with Dr. Denise Reading, CEO and Founder of Future Plans, in a powerful conversation on eradicating poverty through education and workforce alignment. Drawing from her upbringing in rural Arkansas, Dr. Reading shares how systemic bias and lack of access—not lack of talent—hold individuals back. She discusses Future Plans’ five-step model for helping individuals discover their strengths, connect them to real opportunities, and ultimately break cycles of generational poverty. The episode emphasizes that when people understand their value and where it is needed, entire communities can transform.
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Season 11 Wrap Up Episode
Jun 2300:04:51Tap to summarizeAnd that’s a wrap on Season 11 of the Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, a season filled with bold ideas, inspiring leaders, and meaningful conversations shaping the future of education. From leadership and workforce sustainability to teacher well-being and student-centered innovation, this season brought together voices across education to challenge the status quo and reimagine what learning can and should look like. Each episode reinforced one powerful truth: when we center people, students, educators, and communities, we create lasting impact.
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AI Leadership, Student Agency & Human-Centered Learning | Dr. Kim Glazer
Jun 1600:34:46Tap to summarizeIn Season 11 Episode 18, Hayley Spira-Bauer sits down with Dr. Kip Glazer, Silicon Valley principal and author of Ready to Lead with AI, to explore how school leaders can navigate rapid technological change while staying grounded in human-centered learning. Drawing from her unconventional journey into education and leadership, Dr. Glazer emphasizes that in an era of AI disruption, principals must model curiosity, innovation, and rigor. She highlights the importance of designing learning environments where students actively collaborate, teach one another, and apply knowledge through real-world experiences like CTE pathways and tech internships. The episode underscores that even in a tech-forward future, connection, purpose, and student agency remain at the heart of meaningful education.
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Leadership Visibility, Student Engagement & Systems Innovation | Dr. David Lawrence
Jun 900:44:48Tap to summarizeIn Season 11 Episode 17, Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with Dr. David Lawrence, Superintendent of Dayton Public Schools, about leading with visibility, urgency, and innovation to drive real system change. Drawing from his journey from teacher to superintendent, Dr. Lawrence highlights how hands-on leadership, real-time decision-making, and a shift from static strategic plans to dynamic “academic action plans” have improved outcomes such as reading proficiency and attendance. He emphasizes making school engaging through career pathways, experiential learning, and student-centered opportunities, while also championing strong culture through his “Five C’s” framework. The episode underscores the importance of adaptability, relationships, and bold thinking in strengthening public education systems.
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AI in Education, Writing Proficiency & Student Engagement | Perry Rosenstein
Jun 200:32:36Tap to summarizeIn Season 11 Episode 16, Hayley Spira‑Bauer speaks with Perry Rosenstein, Co‑founder and CEO of WriteOn, about the intersection of AI, writing instruction, and student-centered learning. Drawing from his journey as an entrepreneur and his experiences working closely with educators, Perry highlights writing as one of the most under-supported yet essential skills in schools. He shares how Write On was designed to provide real-time, individualized feedback, replicating one-on-one coaching at scale, while maintaining academic integrity. The conversation explores the broader edtech landscape, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful implementation, student engagement, and building tools that truly improve learning outcomes rather than simply adopting technology for its own sake.
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