Best Higher Ed Humor Podcasts (2026)

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S3 E14 - Legacy of Learning: Reflecting on a Career in Education with Linda Jolly 54:47

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1d ago54:47

54:47

Send us a text What does it look like to lead with purpose for more than five decades—and still be growing? In this powerful Season 3 finale of School on a Mission, we sit down with Linda Jolly, a lifelong educator whose 55-year career spans classrooms, coaching, counseling, campus leadership, district administration, and regional service. From her…

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S3 E13 - First Year, Big Lessons: A New Teacher’s Reflection with Caroline Hall 38:39

8d ago38:39

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Send us a text In this heartwarming and honest episode of School on a Mission, we sit down with Caroline Hall, a first-year fourth-grade teacher in Georgia who just wrapped up her first year in the classroom. With vulnerability, humor, and a whole lot of heart, Caroline reflects on what it means to step into education, build resilience, and keep sh…

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S3 E12 - Navigating the Pressure Cooker: Building Emotional Resilience in Higher Ed with RD Saunders 50:20

15d ago50:20

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Send us a text In this episode of School on a Mission, we step into the world of higher education with Dr. R.D. Saunders, President of Ohio Christian University. With a leadership journey rooted in faith, humility, and decades of experience, Dr. Saunders shares what it means to lead in today’s pressure-packed higher ed landscape. From faculty burno…

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Surviving Crisis: Lessons from Higher Ed's Financial Storm 1:03:38

17d ago1:03:38

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In this episode, we welcome back Andrew Millar from the University of Dundee to discuss the current state of higher education, vibe coding platforms for non-developers, and the importance of community-driven conferences like Scottish Web Folk. App of the Week: Bolt.new This week we're looking at Bolt.new, a vibe coding platform designed specificall…

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S3 E11: Generations and Mental Health: How Growing Up Gen Z Influences Mental Well Being with Dr. Tim Elmore 53:26

22d ago53:26

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Send us a text What’s really going on with Gen Z—and how can we support them without lowering the bar? In this eye-opening episode, Andrew McPeak sits down with Dr. Tim Elmore—renowned author, founder of Growing Leaders, and generational expert—to unpack the unique mental health challenges facing Gen Z today. From relentless academic pressure to th…

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S3 E10: “School with a Smile: Infusing Humor and Joy into Education” with Sheila Peterson 56:19

29d ago56:19

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Send us a text In a world of standardized tests and high-stakes pressure, veteran educator Sheila Peterson offers a refreshing reminder: school can still be joyful. In this energizing episode, Sheila shares how humor, play, and honest relationships can reignite passion—for students and teachers alike. From grape-catching contests to classroom dance…

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S3 E8: From Vision to Action: Turning Ideas into Impactful Leadership Moves with Dr. Neil Gupta 51:12

1M ago51:12

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Send us a text Vision without action is just a dream—but action without vision? That’s a recipe for burnout. In this episode of School on a Mission, Dr. Neil Gupta, Superintendent of Oakwood City Schools and a nationally recognized leadership voice, joins Andrew and Gina for an inspiring and deeply practical conversation about what it takes to turn…

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S3 E9: Lonely in a Room Full of People: Why Relationships at School Matter with Tyree Rivers 39:35

1M ago39:35

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Send us a text In this moving and deeply practical conversation, Tyree Rivers—Climate & Culture Systems Consultant for Columbus City Schools—joins Andrew and Gina to explore the quiet crisis affecting so many schools: relational disconnection. From student loneliness to teacher burnout, Tyree unpacks how emotionally rich, relationally safe environm…

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S3 E7 - Listening as a Superpower: Strengthening Trust and Leadership Through Active Listening 36:50

2M ago36:50

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Send us a text What if the most powerful thing you can do as a leader… is say nothing at all? In this powerful two-host episode, Andrew and Gina explore how listening—truly listening—is one of the most overlooked and underutilized tools in a leader’s toolkit. With no guest this time, it’s a heart-to-heart conversation filled with relatable stories,…

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E-commerce UX Secrets: What 200,000 Hours of Research Reveals About Conversion 58:04

2M ago58:04

58:04

If you run an e-commerce site or work on digital products, this conversation is packed with research-backed insights that could transform your conversion rates. Apps of the Week Before we get into our main discussion, we want to highlight a couple of tools that caught our attention recently. UX-Ray 2.0 We talked about this last week, but it deserve…

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S3 E6 - Building Trust and Authenticity: Leading with Integrity to Strengthen Relationships with Patrick Erwin 44:18

2M ago44:18

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Send us a text What makes a great leader? According to Patrick Erwin, it’s not just vision or charisma—it’s trust. In this compelling live interview, School on a Mission co-hosts Andrew and Gina sit down with Patrick M. Erwin, Curriculum Director at the Maxwell Leadership Foundation and a nationally recognized speaker, to unpack how trust and authe…

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The Future of Work: Rapid Training, Real Jobs, and Transfr’s Bold Vision 23:45

2M ago23:45

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In this episode of Capital Class, host and Strategos Partner Adam Giery welcomes Bharani Rajakumar, founder and CEO of Transfr, for a conversation about reimagining the bridge between education and employment. Bharani’s story begins with a deeply personal mission. Raised in a family of four living on $35,000 a year, he saw how limited access to res…

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S3 E5 - Restoring Emotional Resilience: How to Bounce Back Stronger and Prevent Burnout with Chelsea Elliott 46:25

2M ago46:25

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Send us a text What if emotional resilience wasn’t about pushing through—but about tuning in? In this powerful episode of School on a Mission, emotional wellness advocate and Sōmōcom Lab founder Chelsea Elliott joins Andrew and Gina to explore how adults can model emotional intelligence in ways that prevent burnout and promote balance. Drawing from…

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S3 E4 - Learning When to Say No with Pam Bibik 58:41

2M ago58:41

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Send us a text In this deeply empowering episode, Principal Pam Bibik joins Andrew and Gina to share what every school leader needs to hear: boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re essential. With over two decades of transformational leadership experience, Pam opens up about the lessons she’s learned—from burnout to breakthrough—and how setting healthy b…

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S3 E3 - From Burnout to Balance: Addressing Anxiety and Burnout in Teaching with Lindsay Burnell Carson 57:49

2M ago57:49

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Send us a text Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the daily reality for countless educators. In this candid and empowering episode of School on a Mission, professional school counselor Lindsay Burnell Carson joins Andrew and Gina to explore what emotional resilience really looks like in today’s schools. From teacher fatigue to student anxiety, Lind…

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Freelancing for Small Businesses: Real World Budget Constraints and High Stakes 59:30

3M ago59:30

59:30

Welcome to Episode 27 of the Boagworld Show, where we dive into a side of web work that doesn't get nearly enough attention. This month, we're exploring life as a freelancer working with small businesses. We're joined by Paul Edwards, a fellow member of the Agency Academy who has spent two decades serving clients that don't have massive budgets or …

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S3 E2 - Making Mindful Moves with Dominie Dwyer 29:57

3M ago29:57

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Send us a text In this energizing and heartfelt episode, Andrew and Gina sit down with Coach Dominie Dwyer—educator, youth mentor, and founder of LIV3D Youth—to explore how mindfulness transforms classrooms, teams, and hearts. Coach Dwyer shares his journey from retail to the classroom to coaching, revealing how mindfulness and authenticity help st…

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Faculty Mentoring: what mentees need today - R. Todd Benson 46:41

3M ago46:41

46:41

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with R. Todd Benson from COACHE (Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education) to explore what makes faculty mentoring truly effective. Todd shares insights from COACHE's extensive research on faculty job satisfaction and workplace climate across hundreds of institutions. We discuss the data-driv…

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S3 E1 - Rediscovering Your Why: Igniting Your Passion for Purpose-Driven Leadership with Andrew McPeak 31:10

3M ago31:10

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Send us a text Season 3, Episode 1 In this powerful kickoff to Season 3, co-host Gina Watts flips the script and interviews Andrew McPeak about something every leader wrestles with—rediscovering their “why.” Whether you’re a classroom teacher, a district leader, or anyone guiding the next generation, this episode offers practical, heartfelt wisdom …

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School on a Mission Season 3 Trailer 3:06

3M ago3:06

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Send us a text Welcome to Season 3 of School on a Mission—the podcast for leaders shaping the next generation through education, innovation, and values that matter. Preview a powerful new season filled with authentic conversations, real-world impact, and the stories you won’t hear anywhere else. From coaches driving statewide change to teachers spa…

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From Searching to Solving: How Winnie Is Transforming Childcare for Parents and Providers 59:37

4M ago59:37

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In this Capital Class episode, Strategos Partner and host Adam Giery sits down with Sara Mauskopf, co-founder and CEO of Winnie, the national platform millions of parents use to discover and evaluate licensed child care. A mom of three and a vocal advocate for high-quality early education, Sara traces Winnie’s “messy first draft” from a local activ…

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Dark Patterns, Bright Ideas: Why Deceptive Design Belongs in Accessibility 54:48

4M ago54:48

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You know, those sneaky little tricks sites use to funnel you into doing things you never intended, like paying for insurance you didn’t want or scrolling until your thumb falls off. We talked about why this stuff isn’t just bad manners, but also an accessibility issue, and how to push back when your boss is shouting about conversion rates. We also …

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In crisis and calm: building an essential partnership with your institution's legal counsel - Guilherme Costa 44:47

4M ago44:47

44:47

Send us a text From navigating routine compliance challenges to managing full-blown institutional crises, discover how administrators cultivate strategic partnerships with their legal advisor that prove invaluable when the stakes are highest. Guilherne Costa shares candid insights on building trust during quiet periods, establishing clear communica…

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Why Your UX Needs a Trust Audit 58:51

5M ago58:51

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In this episode, we look at why trust is key to good UX, especially with scams, deepfakes, and AI blurring the line between helpful and deceptive. We also ask if emotion-reading apps are helpful or just unsettling, and explore the tricky process of turning services into products. Plus, we discuss a framework from Nielsen Norman Group, tackle a list…

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Beyond the application: the changing face of college admissions - Kent Barnds 34:50

5M ago34:50

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Send us a text With recent shifts in federal and state policies, legal rulings, and evolving demographics, how are institutions adapting their approaches to student recruitment and selection? This question is on the minds of educators, administrators, and families across the nation. W. Kent Barnds, executive vice president for strategy and innovati…

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Debt-Free Degrees? How ACE Is Rewriting Higher Ed 19:53

5M ago19:53

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In this episode of Capital Class, host Adam Giery sits down with Geordie Hyland, President and CEO of American College of Education (ACE), for a timely and thought-provoking conversation recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025. With higher education at a pivotal crossroads—confronting rising tuition, student debt, and questions of long-term value—Hyland shar…

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Scaling UX in a Decentralized World: Inside Oxford 56:15

6M ago56:15

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In this episode, we chat with Sarah Zama from the University of Oxford about how she's helping to influence UX across one of the most complex and decentralized organizations in the world. We explore how she built a UX center of excellence almost from scratch, how the team is transforming culture through coaching and community, and what it takes to …

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The Future Of UX With Jared Spool 55:28

7M ago55:28

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Joining me, Paul, are Marcus Lillington and Jared Spool, and together we explore how UX needs to reposition itself, what AI really means for designers, and how to navigate the current UX job landscape without losing hope. We also touch on some interesting new tools from Figma and an exciting AI-assisted prototyping app that could change how we work…

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From Chalkboards to Checkbooks: How Jess Gartner Is Rewriting EdTech 59:37

7M ago59:37

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In this episode of Capital Class, host Adam Giery sits down with Jess Gartner, founder of Allovue and current Vice President at PowerSchool, for an unfiltered conversation on the intersection of education, finance, and entrepreneurship. Jess shares her remarkable journey from classroom teacher to edtech trailblazer, driven by a relentless curiosity…

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Creating Personality-Driven Design Experiences 49:50

8M ago49:50

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Creating Personality-Driven Design Experiences In this week’s episode of the Boagworld Show, we’re joined by none other than Andy “The Pioneer” Clarke. We dig deep into the role of aesthetics in UX, explore how AI can conduct user interviews, and debate how to approach pricing conversations with clients. Alongside our usual banter, you’ll find insi…

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S2 E15 - Bridging the Digital Divide With Cinthia Diaz of Oakland Undivided 47:17

8M ago47:17

47:17

Send us a text 🎉 Season 2 Finale! We couldn’t close out this season without tackling one of the biggest conversations in education today: digital equity. In this electrifying final episode of School on a Mission, we sit down with Cinthia Diaz, Director of Community Impact at Oakland Undivided, to unpack what it really means to close the digital div…

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From Startup to Sector Leader: Chris Curran on Education, M&A, and Impact 19:15

8M ago19:15

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In this episode of Capital Class, recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025, host Adam Giery sits down with Chris Curran, the Founder and CEO of Tyton Partners. A towering figure in education banking and consulting, Curran shares insights from a 25-year journey that spans public policy, entrepreneurship, and over $20 billion in transaction volume across global…

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Resilience Redefined: Leading in Turbulent Times - Ralph Gigliotti 33:49

8M ago33:49

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Send us a text When chaos strikes, how do leaders step up, steady the ship, and guide their organizations toward resilience and renewal? This is on the minds of leaders across higher ed and beyond. Dr. Ralph Gigliotti, whose work focuses on helping leaders transform moments of crisis into opportunities for growth and reinvention, shares his insight…

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S2 E14 - Putting Classroom Technology in Its Proper Place with Maisha Wilder 31:55

8M ago31:55

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Send us a text In today’s episode, we’re joined by the vibrant and insightful Maisha Wilder, an educator who’s spent her career helping students—of every age—find their voice and thrive. Maisha offers a fresh, grounded perspective on the role of technology in education, urging teachers to treat it not as the star of the show, but as the costume tha…

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S2 E13 - Reimagining Education and AI with Joe Fatheree 49:14

9M ago49:14

49:14

Send us a text In this forward-looking episode, we sit down with Joe Fatheree—Illinois Teacher of the Year, global educator, and AI researcher—to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of learning. With over 35 years of classroom experience and a deep understanding of emerging tech, Joe shares what schools need to know right no…

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The Job Title Train Wreck 48:08

9M ago48:08

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This week, we catch up on Paul’s latest adventures—from a memorable dinner with Todd “the accessibility guru” where we talked WCAG 3, to a deep dive into the shifting landscape of design job titles. We’ll share an app that brings real form fields into your Figma prototypes, unpack why “product designer” is suddenly on everyone’s profile, and wrap u…

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S2 E12 - “The Future of Learning: Cutting Edge Technologies Transforming Education with Dr. Sally Creel 42:58

9M ago42:58

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Send us a text What if kindergartners could design stop-motion films and high school students could learn coding through drones? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Sally Creel—known affectionately as “Agent STEM”—joins the School on a Mission podcast to reveal how emerging technologies are not just enhancing education but redefining it. Dr. Cre…

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S2 E11 - Transforming Communities through Project-Based Learning with Brian Copes 42:27

9M ago42:27

42:27

Send us a text Can students really change the world while still in high school? In this episode, we dive into the power of project-based learning with award-winning educator Brian Copes and two of his incredible students. From building prosthetic legs for amputees in developing countries to designing off-road utility vehicles and solar-powered back…

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Beyond Usability: Why Emotion and Delight Matter in UX 45:39

9M ago45:39

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This week’s episode takes a deeper look at how we define good user experience—and argues it’s time we move beyond the narrow focus of usability. We explore how friction can sometimes enhance an experience, and why emotional design is essential if we want to create interfaces that stick in users’ minds. We also review a new batch of AI-powered desig…

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S2: E10 - Tech-Savvy or Tech-Sorry? MLSA Students Weigh in on the Impacts of Emerging Tech 37:14

9M ago37:14

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Send us a text 🤖 Are Schools Using Tech the Right Way? Students Have the Answers! 🎧 In this episode of School on a Mission, hosts Gina Watts and Andrew McPeak turn to the real experts on classroom technology—students themselves! The Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassadors (MLSA) join the discussion to share their firsthand experiences with emerging …