The What & Who of Edu

Recent Episodes

AI in the Classroom: What's Working, What's Not, and What Instructors Are Still Figuring Out

AI in education is no longer a future-tense conversation. It is already in the classroom, in the syllabus, in student workflows, and increasingly in the questions instructors are asking about assessment, academic integrity, and what teaching strategies they’re supposed to use now. From moving past fantasy bans to redesigning assignments that still hold up, this episode offers practical teaching strategies, real classroom stories, and a calmer way to think about AI without the hype or panic.

S2 Episode 11 · June 17, 2026

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Why Students Go Quiet and 10 Instructor-Approved Class Discussion Strategies That Actually Work

If class discussion has ever felt like blank stares, dead air, and one brave student doing all the heavy lifting, this episode is for you. We unpack 10 teaching strategies educators can use to spark better class discussions, increase student participation, and build stronger classroom engagement. From small groups and low-stakes writing to current events, icebreakers, and prompts that feel more like life than homework, these instructor-approved classroom strategies are practical, thoughtful, and easy to picture in real teaching.

S2 Episode 10 · June 5, 2026

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College Is Hard. Life Is Harder. 10 Ways Instructors Help Students Survive Both.

What happens when “college should be hard” collides with “students are barely holding it together”? We’re unpacking how instructors balance academic rigor with student mental health. Because challenge builds growth but unmanaged stress can just shut learning down. From reset days and scaffolded assignments to flexible deadlines and second chances, we’re counting down 10 practical strategies instructors are using to keep expectations high without burning students out.

S2 Episode 9 · May 20, 2026

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The Algorithm vs the Classroom: Where Students Are Actually Learning

Students aren't waiting for class to start learning science. They're getting it from their feeds first. In this episode, we sit down with journalist and Newsreel founder Jack Brewster to discuss how algorithms, influencers AI-generated content, and viral misinformation are shaping what students think they know before they ever walk into the classroom. This conversation explores why more access to information hasn't translated into better understanding, and what educators can do about it.

S2 Episode 8 · May 6, 2026

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About Us

The What & Who of EDU is a podcast built for educators who are navigating the real challenges of teaching today. Each episode features practical strategies, research-backed insights, and candid conversations with instructors, authors, and education experts. From classroom confidence and AI in education to critical thinking, assessment, and belonging, we focus on what’s actually working across subjects, levels, and learning environments.

Produced by Macmillan Learning, the podcast highlights our continued focus on sharing useful, research-informed strategies that help educators support student learning, wherever and however it happens.

Your Hosts

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 (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.

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The What & Who of EDU

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10 Ways to Build Student Trust Early On. No Trust Falls Required.

Recent Episodes

AI in the Classroom: What's Working, What's Not, and What Instructors Are Still Figuring Out

Why Students Go Quiet and 10 Instructor-Approved Class Discussion Strategies That Actually Work

College Is Hard. Life Is Harder. 10 Ways Instructors Help Students Survive Both.

The Algorithm vs the Classroom: Where Students Are Actually Learning

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About Us

Your Hosts

Marisa Bluestone (she/her)

LaShawn Springer (she/her)

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