Latest

The EDU-niverse: Meet the Team Behind the Mic

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we’re flipping the mic to spotlight the trio that brings the EDU-niverse to life: Marisa Bluestone, Host and Resident “Why?” Asker LaShawn Springer, Host and Champion of Inclusive Pedagogy Derek Lambke, Producer and French New Wave film fan (we had to). Together, we talk about what brought us to education, how podcasting reshaped our approach to storytelling, and what we’ve learned from the incredible educators we’ve featured. Expect laughter, reflection, shoutouts to students and librarians, and maybe a Gator reference or two. Plus, we share our dream segments (confession cams? classrooms in the field? students on the mic?) and what we’re hoping to explore in future episodes.

Episode 16 · September 10, 2025

Recent Episodes

10 Ways to Create Accessible Classrooms that Lower the Barriers (Not the Standards)

In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we’re talking accessibility. Not just ramps and captions (though those matter), but the small shifts, the flexible paths, and the “you can sit with us” energy that make learning possible for every student. We’re counting down 10 ways real instructors are making their classrooms more accessible: strategies you can borrow, adapt, and make your own.

Episode 15 · August 27, 2025

AI Tutors: Friend, Foe, or Faculty Ally? Here’s What the Data Says

What happens when students turn to AI instead of instructors for help? In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we unpack the rise of AI tutors in higher ed and explore the promise, the pitfalls, and everything in between. From a history lesson that starts in the 1960s (yep, really) to fresh 2025 data from Macmillan Learning, this episode breaks down what AI tutoring tools can actually do for student learning. Along the way, you’ll hear how these tools help or hinder student persistence, academic honesty, their grades, and even the environment.

Episode 14 · August 13, 2025

10 Things Successful Students Do Differently, According to the People Who Grade Them

You know the ones. By Week 3, these students have already emailed you. They show up, take notes, ask smart questions, and somehow still smile during group work. They’re not working harder, they’ve just unlocked the cheat code. (And no, not the kind that lands them in front of the Dean.) In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we asked instructors: what are the habits that actually set students apart? From growth mindset to academic risk-taking, these are the real-world patterns that quietly predict success, straight from the people who grade the work.

Episode 13 · July 30, 2025

Advice New Teachers Actually Need: 10 Tips From Educators Who’ve Been There

Remember your first semester teaching? The syllabus was hot off the printer, you weren't sure how to curve grades, and someone just called you “professor” for the first time. The next generation of instructors is now feeling all of that, hardcore. This episode brings real talk from educators who've been there, survived that, and even enjoyed office hours. Maybe… In this episode: Surviving flop assignments, balancing feedback, and remembering that even Slytherins need support.

Episode 12 · July 16, 2025

Listen to More Episodes

About Us

Welcome to The What and Who of EDU. Join us as we talk with thought leaders, educators, and experts to explore the latest trends, innovations, and best practices shaping education today. Whether in the classroom or beyond, we equip educators with the tools and insights to support student learning anytime, anywhere. The What and Who of EDU is a podcast by Macmillan Learning.

Your Hosts

Marisa Bluestone Headshot

Marisa Bluestone (she/her)

With more than 20 years of experience shaping conversations and telling brand stories, Marisa Bluestone is an award-winning communications leader passionate about the power of education, learning, and publishing. As Senior Director of Communications at Macmillan Learning, she helps elevate voices that inspire learning and spark change. When she’s not crafting compelling narratives, you’ll find her attempting Pilates, traveling, or getting lost in the Cosmere and other literary worlds. In The What and Who of EDU, Marisa brings her storytelling expertise to the mic—leading insightful conversations with thought leaders, educators, and innovators shaping the future of learning.

LaShawn Springer Headshot

LaShawn Springer (she/her)

LaShawn Springer is the Director of Inclusive Pedagogy at Macmillan Learning, sitting on the newly formed Pedagogical Design Group Team (PDG). PDG aims to shape a future where education is transformative, equitable, and accessible for all, a thru thread in LaShawn's career. With over 15 years of experience in higher education and secondary schools (and a brief stint in the tech space), she has served in a variety of administrative roles, organizing, leading and facilitating workshops, training and symposia for students, faculty and staff. A central question for LaShawn has always been what kind of young person are we graduating into the world, making it imperative that we think about not just the content we endeavor to teach but also what type of learning environments we're cultivating for our students. She's excited to bring these conversations to listeners as she digs into a range of pedagogical practices educators are employing to support their students' development. LaShawn is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Host Image

Host Firstname Lastname

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo.

Host Four Image

Host Firstname Lastname

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo.

Your Producer

Derek Lambke

Derek Lambke (he/him)

While you may not hear Derek Lambke’s voice in every episode, he is present in every one. As our podcast’s producer, Derek weaves each episode together from start to finish, creating cohesive and compelling narratives for our listeners. As Senior Communications Specialist at Macmillan Learning, he is passionate about ensuring that all voices are heard because he believes that the best stories are the ones that haven’t yet been told. Derek earned his master’s degree from Yale University with an emphasis in Film and Media Studies.

Producer 2 Image

Producer Firstname Lastname

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo.

Producer 1 Image

Producer Firstname Lastname

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo.

Producer 2 Image

Producer Firstname Lastname

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec vel ligula id libero pharetra tincidunt. Sed ut dui ut lorem euismod commodo.

Contact