Advertise on podcast: UnDisrupted with Adam & Carl

Remember that snack you loved as a kid… but tried as an adult and immediately questioned your life choices? Yeah… that’s where this episode kicks off. But don’t get it twisted… what starts as Kool-Aid and Twinkies quickly turns into a real conversation about something way bigger: how we’re showing up for AI in schools right now. Joining the crew is Winston Roberts, and he doesn’t just talk about AI… he puts people in it. From turning hesitant educators into songwriters in 15 minutes to breaking down the “AI = cheating” mindset, this episode challenges what we think learning should look like in this moment. Because here’s the real question: Are we preparing students for the world they’re walking into… or holding them back because we’re still trying to figure it out ourselves? It’s funny. It’s real. And it might just shift how you think about teaching in the age of AI. Connect with us:  Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

This episode opens the only way Undisrupted knows how… with a story that somehow involves losing the tip of a tongue and immediately spirals into a full-blown, life-or-death condiment debate. (Yes, desert island rules apply. Choose wisely.) But once the laughs settle in, the conversation with Suzan Brandt takes a turn into something deeper and way more meaningful. This episode is about leadership that actually connects. The kind that doesn’t just check boxes but shows up, builds trust, and moves people forward. Suzan brings a perspective that feels equal parts practical and real, the kind of insight you can take back to your team tomorrow and actually use. It’s one of those episodes where you come for the laughs… and leave with something that sticks. And fair warning… you might rethink your condiment strategy for life Connect with us:  Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

What do The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, Above the Rim, virtual learning, and AI have in common? Apparently... this episode. This conversation starts with a soundtrack showdown and quickly turns into something bigger: a sharp, honest look at what it means to lead learning when “school” no longer has to mean four walls, fluorescent lights, and somebody sprinting down a hallway with one shoe half on. In this episode, Ahoba Arthur of Georgia Cyber Academy brings a real-world perspective on virtual education, student engagement, family connection, and the messy, necessary evolution of teaching in a digital world. From on-camera policies and family engagement liaisons to AI, career pathways, and building human connections through screens, this conversation goes way beyond the usual talking points. It’s thoughtful. It’s practical. It’s real. And yes, it also confirms that some soundtracks were, in fact, elite. This one is for the educators, leaders, and big-picture thinkers trying to build learning environments that actually fit the world students are living in now. Connect with us:  Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

What do airline loyalty points, bungee-corded airplane seats, MetaRay-Bans, Target therapy walks, and AI governance have in common? Absolutely everything. And somehow… it all makes sense. In this episode, we’re live in DeKalb County, Georgia, with Terri Webb, a former parent volunteer turned instructional tech leader supporting 89,000 students. Yes. Eighty-nine thousand. With a team of thirteen. Let that sink in. Terri shares how DeKalb’s “Digital Dreamers” program is empowering students to lead the AI conversation instead of being labeled as cheaters in it. From second graders asking “Are you recording me?” to high schoolers calling out misinformation, this episode dives into what digital literacy actually looks like in 2026. If you’ve ever wondered how to move from AI panic to AI purpose, this one’s for you. Hit play. Learn to earn. Stay undisrupted. Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

What if we stopped pretending there is only one “right” path after high school? This episode leans into a bold, overdue conversation about the space between K–12 and higher education and what happens when those worlds finally start talking to each other. Sam Brooks joins Adam and Carl to unpack why community colleges, technical programs, and non-traditional pathways are not a backup plan. They are often the smartest plan. The conversation moves fast and stays honest. From rethinking what readiness really means to why hands-on experiences can change a student’s entire trajectory, this episode challenges long-held assumptions about success, prestige, and preparation. It’s not about lowering expectations. It’s about widening the runway. Thoughtful. Candid. Forward-thinking. This is Undisrupted doing what it does best. Connect with us:  Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Split pants. Karaoke trauma. Lip sync battles as a serious professional learning proposal. And then it goes somewhere important. Ainsley Hill joins the conversation to talk about the thing educators are craving most right now. Humanity. Not louder tools. Not longer app lists. Real connection. This episode dives into why AI should amplify your voice, not erase it. Why coaching starts with listening, not fixing. Why relationships matter more than workflows. And why sometimes the most powerful response to doom scrolling is a needle, thread, and an analog bag. It’s funny. It’s honest. It’s deeply human. And it’s a reminder that the best tech decisions always start with people. Connect with us:  Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Dr. Matthew Friedman joins the conversation to break down how schools can stop “playing school” and start helping students actually understand who they are, what they are good at, and where their passions can take them. From career awareness in kindergarten to voice and choice in high school, this is about making learning matter now, not someday. It’s a conversation about relevance. About student voice. About moving from memorization to mastery. And about what happens when schools speak a common language that students, families, and communities all understand. There’s humor. There’s honesty. There’s Pearl Jam. And there’s a powerful reminder that education works best when students see themselves in it. Connect with us:  Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Dr. Andrew Taylor, Director of Technology and Innovation, joins Adam and Carl for one of the most important discussions of the season. Not about devices. Not about dashboards. About student mental wellness and why schools can no longer afford to treat it as an “add-on.” This episode explores: Why student mental health is the most urgent issue facing schools todayHow AI can be used to support emotional regulation rather than replace human connectionWhat an “emotional management system” could look like in K-12How teachers can get meaningful, usable insight without drowning in dataWhy emotional regulation, resilience, and kindness may matter more than another test scoreThere is humor. There are moments that hit hard. And there is a powerful reframe of AI not as a time-saver, but as a tool to help educators know where their time matters most. If you care about student wellness, responsible AI, or keeping school human in a rapidly changing world, this episode is a must-listen. Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

In this episode, Adam and Carl are joined by Dr. Amy Del Corvo, Executive Director of NYSCATE, for a real talk conversation from the conference floor. They unpack what educators are actually wrestling with right now. AI without the hype. Policy versus practice. Why conferences still matter. And how the community keeps leaders sane when everything feels loud. You’ll hear: Why AI should be embedded, not shouted from the rooftopsWhat conference organizers never say out loud but always text each otherHow leadership stays human in an era of constant disruptionThe surprising wellness strategy involving pickleball and an 80-year-old named BettyIt’s funny. It’s honest. It’s the kind of conversation that only happens when the mic is hot and the clock is ticking. Additional Links: https://www.nyscate.org/ Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Future Ready Schools Website: https://all4ed.org/future-ready-schools/  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Bluesky: @askadam3.bsky.social , @hookertech.bsky.social  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FutureReadySchools  Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Future Ready Schools Website: https://all4ed.org/future-ready-schools/  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Bluesky: @askadam3.bsky.social , @hookertech.bsky.social  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FutureReadySchools  Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady

Guest: Joseph “Joey” Wender  Guest Social Media Handle(s): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-wender-076b8515b/  Future Ready Schools Website: https://all4ed.org/future-ready-schools/  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Bluesky: @askadam3.bsky.social , @hookertech.bsky.social Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FutureReadySchools  Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady Connect with us: Future Ready Schools Website: futureready.org  Twitter: @FutureReady, @AskAdam3, @MrHooker, @The_UnDisruptED  Instagram: @FutureReadySchools, @APhyall, @HookerTech, @The_UnDisruptED  Facebook: @FutureReadySchools    Future Ready Schools is a registered trademark of All4Ed, located in Washington, D.C. #FutureReady