The Idea Spark Wed, 13 May 2026 04:09:19 -0400 https://www.edsurge.com en-us © 2026 The Idea Spark yes d8efa4c8-4996-5246-ab2c-bf4c5147237e Carl Hooker episodic false The Idea Spark is a podcast series from EdSurge Solutions Studio. Igniting innovative ideas to energize education. EdSurge Solutions Studio collaborates with organizations in the edtech sector, crafting custom content that illuminates new paths in learning and explores the evolving landscape of education. 

Host - Carl Hooker

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) edsurge, carl hooker, innovation, idea, spark, education, technology, ideas, K12, learning, creativity Carl Hooker https://storage.buzzsprout.com/11h2wszxg56rzeg6nxnxtfybg235?.jpg The Idea Spark https://www.edsurge.com Career Readiness in the Real World Career Readiness in the Real World Helping Students Find Work They'll Love: Career Readiness in the Real World

As industries evolve and the skills gap widens, the question remains: How can we better connect education to employment? 

In this episode of The Idea Spark, host Carl Hooker welcomes Jennifer Wilkerson, VP of Innovations and Advancements at NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), and Andy Dunaway, Product Manager, Career Connected Learning at Pearson. Together, they explore how credentialing, industry alignment, and strong partnerships help students move from the classroom to meaningful careers. Using construction as a lens, this conversation highlights scalable strategies for building career-ready pathways across CTE programs and beyond.

This week's episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by Pearson, NCCER, and the EdSurge Solutions Studio team.

]]> Helping Students Find Work They'll Love: Career Readiness in the Real World

As industries evolve and the skills gap widens, the question remains: How can we better connect education to employment? 

In this episode of The Idea Spark, host Carl Hooker welcomes Jennifer Wilkerson, VP of Innovations and Advancements at NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), and Andy Dunaway, Product Manager, Career Connected Learning at Pearson. Together, they explore how credentialing, industry alignment, and strong partnerships help students move from the classroom to meaningful careers. Using construction as a lens, this conversation highlights scalable strategies for building career-ready pathways across CTE programs and beyond.

This week's episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by Pearson, NCCER, and the EdSurge Solutions Studio team.

]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17940344 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1706 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Heather Brantley Live from ISTE+ASCD with Heather Brantley Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."

In this episode, Carl sits down with Heather Brantley, Events and Community Specialist at Curipod. Listen to find out how Curipod replaces an expected AI bot with a human!

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."

In this episode, Carl sits down with Heather Brantley, Events and Community Specialist at Curipod. Listen to find out how Curipod replaces an expected AI bot with a human!

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17866626 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500 282 1 14 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Lexi Daly Live from ISTE+ASCD with Lexi Daly Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."

Carl sits down with Lexi Daly, Learning Innovation Coordinator and Reading Teacher at Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans. Find out how this self-proclaimed non-coder creates her own mini-games using AI.

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."

Carl sits down with Lexi Daly, Learning Innovation Coordinator and Reading Teacher at Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans. Find out how this self-proclaimed non-coder creates her own mini-games using AI.

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17866618 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500 362 1 13 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Victoria Andrews Live from ISTE+ASCD with Victoria Andrews Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


Carl sits down with Victoria Andrews. She’s Partner, Professional Learning at Getting Smart, focusing on closing the gap in AI media literacy. Next time you’re in Texas, find out what this San Antonio native considers her don’t-miss-place-to-eat!


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


Carl sits down with Victoria Andrews. She’s Partner, Professional Learning at Getting Smart, focusing on closing the gap in AI media literacy. Next time you’re in Texas, find out what this San Antonio native considers her don’t-miss-place-to-eat!


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17737353 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0500 431 1 12 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Leonardo Ortiz Villacorta Live from ISTE+ASCD with Leonardo Ortiz Villacorta Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


Carl sits down with Leonardo Ortiz Villacorta (aka Leo). Leo is a leader in communications, global social impact, and public affairs at Pokemon. Find out which Pokemon character Leo would choose to be!


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


Carl sits down with Leonardo Ortiz Villacorta (aka Leo). Leo is a leader in communications, global social impact, and public affairs at Pokemon. Find out which Pokemon character Leo would choose to be!


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17737348 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0500 451 1 11 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Bria Jones Live from ISTE+ASCD with Bria Jones Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


Carl sits down with Bria Jones. Her title is Customer Success, Wakelet & bulb, and in this role she is focusing on the curation space for both educators and learners. Find out how Bria defines an “unexpected idea spark."

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


Carl sits down with Bria Jones. Her title is Customer Success, Wakelet & bulb, and in this role she is focusing on the curation space for both educators and learners. Find out how Bria defines an “unexpected idea spark."

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17737344 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:00:00 -0500 353 1 10 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Peggy Hammond Live from ISTE+ASCD with Peggy Hammond Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


In this episode, Carl sits down with Peggy Hammond. She teaches technical theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.She has an innovative idea for a live podcast of her own! 


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


In this episode, Carl sits down with Peggy Hammond. She teaches technical theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.She has an innovative idea for a live podcast of her own! 


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17672697 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0500 379 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Jerod Wright Live from ISTE+ASCD with Jerod Wright Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


In this episode, Carl sits down with Jerod Wright, a teacher and former coach who now teaches business and technology in the Frenship Independent School District in Lubbock, Texas. Find out Jerod’s secret to getting kids to go from “ugh!” to “yes!”.


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


In this episode, Carl sits down with Jerod Wright, a teacher and former coach who now teaches business and technology in the Frenship Independent School District in Lubbock, Texas. Find out Jerod’s secret to getting kids to go from “ugh!” to “yes!”.


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17672692 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0500 453 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Barbara Bray Live from ISTE+ASCD with Barbara Bray Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


In this episode, Carl sits down with Barbara Bray, an author, speaker, podcaster, coach, story weaver, and difference-maker who is passionate about transforming teaching and learning. 


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees, friends old and new, asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world — or, as Carl puts it: “Tell me your idea spark."


In this episode, Carl sits down with Barbara Bray, an author, speaker, podcaster, coach, story weaver, and difference-maker who is passionate about transforming teaching and learning. 


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17672685 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0500 261 1 7 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Erika Sandstrom Live from ISTE+ASCD with Erika Sandstrom Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new —  asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"


In this episode, Carl sits down with Erika Sandstrӧm (aka Green Screen Gal), a Digital Learning Coach and Digital Media Teacher specializing in Green Screen and Video Production. Tune in to find out if Erika is wearing her signature green!


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new —  asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"


In this episode, Carl sits down with Erika Sandstrӧm (aka Green Screen Gal), a Digital Learning Coach and Digital Media Teacher specializing in Green Screen and Video Production. Tune in to find out if Erika is wearing her signature green!


This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17637971 Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:00:00 -0500 387 1 6 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Crystal Yang Live from ISTE+ASCD with Crystal Yang Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new —  asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"

In this episode, Carl speaks with Crystal Yang, a college student and entrepreneur, CEO + founder of Audemy Games. (https://audemy.org/) Crystal is famous for being the youngest guest on this show, ever!

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new —  asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"

In this episode, Carl speaks with Crystal Yang, a college student and entrepreneur, CEO + founder of Audemy Games. (https://audemy.org/) Crystal is famous for being the youngest guest on this show, ever!

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17637952 Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:00:00 -0500 264 1 5 full false Live from ISTE+ASCD with Tony Vincent Live from ISTE+ASCD with Tony Vincent Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new —  asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"

In this episode, Carl speaks withTony Vincent, an independent consultant, speaker, and AI Coordinator at Council Bluffs Community School District. Tony’s claim to fame is that he was the first keynote speaker at iPadpalooza!

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker brings us a live podcast from the ISTE+ASCD conference in San Antonio, Texas. He connects with conference attendees — friends old and new —  asking each to share a problem they're working to solve in their corner of the education world. In other words: "What is your idea spark?"

In this episode, Carl speaks withTony Vincent, an independent consultant, speaker, and AI Coordinator at Council Bluffs Community School District. Tony’s claim to fame is that he was the first keynote speaker at iPadpalooza!

This episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by EdSurge Solutions Studio.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17636923 Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0500 331 1 4 full false Dual Enrollment Unpacked Dual Enrollment Unpacked Carl sits down with Laura Weiss, senior director of commercial strategy and growth initiatives at Pearson, to explore how dual enrollment and early career pathways are helping students move more efficiently and affordably toward their professional goals. Discussion focuses on high-quality, virtual asynchronous courses that support a wide range of learners, and how these models are reshaping the journey from high school to career.


This week’s episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by Pearson and the Solutions Studio team. 

]]> Carl sits down with Laura Weiss, senior director of commercial strategy and growth initiatives at Pearson, to explore how dual enrollment and early career pathways are helping students move more efficiently and affordably toward their professional goals. Discussion focuses on high-quality, virtual asynchronous courses that support a wide range of learners, and how these models are reshaping the journey from high school to career.


This week’s episode of The Idea Spark is brought to you by Pearson and the Solutions Studio team. 

]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17307748 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500 1273 1 3 full false The Evolving Landscape of CTE The Evolving Landscape of CTE In this episode, Carl speaks with Elyse Monahan, a former educator and current National Product Sales Specialist at Pearson, to explore the future of Career and Technical Education (CTE). Once considered peripheral to academic planning, CTE programs have emerged as central topics in national discussions surrounding workforce development, education equity, and student well-being.

This week’s episode of The Idea Spark was sponsored by Pearson and produced by the Solutions Studio team.


]]> In this episode, Carl speaks with Elyse Monahan, a former educator and current National Product Sales Specialist at Pearson, to explore the future of Career and Technical Education (CTE). Once considered peripheral to academic planning, CTE programs have emerged as central topics in national discussions surrounding workforce development, education equity, and student well-being.

This week’s episode of The Idea Spark was sponsored by Pearson and produced by the Solutions Studio team.


]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17059190 Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500 1312 1 2 full false What is The Idea Spark? What is The Idea Spark? In this episode, host Carl Hooker gives a preview for the podcasts to come in this series hosted by EdSurge Solutions Studio. 

]]> In this episode, host Carl Hooker gives a preview for the podcasts to come in this series hosted by EdSurge Solutions Studio. 

]]> Carl Hooker Buzzsprout-17020578 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500 147 1 1 trailer false