The What & Who of Edu

Recent Episodes

From Me to We: 10 Strategies to Build Belonging in Your Classroom

What does it mean to truly belong in a classroom? For many students, the feeling of belonging isn’t automatic—it’s something that has to be cultivated. In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we explore how educators are creating inclusive learning environments where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to take academic risks.

Episode 4 · April 2, 2025

Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify

Digging Into the Data: Why Metacognition is the New Meta in Learning

What if one of the biggest keys to student success isn’t what they’re learning, but how they’re thinking about their learning? In this episode, we’re diving into metacognition—the science of thinking about thinking—and its powerful impact on student learning.

Episode 3 · March 17, 2025

Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify

From Anxiety to A-Game: 10 Ways to Build Student Confidence

Academic anxiety is real—but the good news? Confidence can be built. In this episode of The What and Who of Edu, we’re diving into battle-tested strategies from real educators who have helped students push past their fears and develop the kind of self-assurance that transforms their learning experience.

Episode 2 · March 7, 2025

Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify

Pedagogy in Practice: What Every School Can Borrow from The Lab School of Washington D.C.

How can schools truly educate the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally? In this episode, Dr. Anthony Perry from The Lab School in Washington, D.C. shares his insights with LaShawn Springer on holistic education, inclusive learning environments, and the power of intentional school structures.

Episode 1 · March 7, 2025

Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify

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 (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.

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 Firstname Lastname

Your Producer

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.

The What & Who of EDU

Latest

From Me to We: 10 Strategies to Build Belonging in Your Classroom

Recent Episodes

From Me to We: 10 Strategies to Build Belonging in Your Classroom

Digging Into the Data: Why Metacognition is the New Meta in Learning

From Anxiety to A-Game: 10 Ways to Build Student Confidence

Pedagogy in Practice: What Every School Can Borrow from The Lab School of Washington D.C.

Listen to More Episodes

About Us

Your Hosts

Marisa Bluestone (she/her)

LaShawn Springer (she/her)

Host Firstname Lastname

Host Firstname Lastname

Your Producer

Derek Lambke (he/him)

Producer Firstname Lastname

Producer Firstname Lastname

Producer Firstname Lastname

Contact