In the debut of the Big Ideas sub-series, host Jason Buccheri sits down with renowned author, poet, and scholar B.W. Powe for a wide-ranging conversation on education, media ecology, and the cultivation of the "poetic being."

B.W. Powe—a student of Marshall McLuhan and Northrop Frye—bridges the gap between deep academic tradition and the urgent challenges of our media-saturated present. A former high school dropout turned York University professor, Powe shares his unique journey and his philosophy of "awareness practice." He challenges the traditional, goal-oriented classroom, proposing instead that teaching should be an "alchemy" of mutual mentorship and "degrees in decoding."

In an era defined by what Powe calls "anti-information," this episode offers a blueprint for recovering depth, slowness, and attention. From the prophetic visions of McLuhan to the visionary tradition of Canadian culture, this conversation provides essential insights for educators, media ecologists, and anyone seeking to remain "live and aware" in the electronic cosmos.

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About: Each week, we bring you candid and personal interviews with educators and edtech leaders.

New episodes: Every Tuesday & Thursday—don’t miss next week’s conversation!

Join the convo: What’s your take on today’s discussion? Feedback is good! Comment below.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Navigating a Media Saturated Environment & Misinformation

[00:00:41] Introduction to the Big Ideas Series: Depth Over Hot Takes

[00:01:52] Rethinking Teaching: Education as a Revelation for the Now

[00:02:30] Awareness Practice: Transforming the Classroom Space

[00:03:06] Portrait of a Media Ecologist: Marshall McLuhan & Northrop Frye

[00:04:08] The Electronic Cosmos: Slowness vs. Digital Speed

[00:05:35] Starting In Medias Res: Why Beginnings are Difficult

[00:06:44] Navigating Non-Euclidean Space in the Electronic World

[00:08:09] Stream Elsewhere Press: New Directions in Independent Publishing

[00:09:33] The Via Negativa vs. Via Positiva in Creative Life

[00:10:12] Gatherings vs. Classes: Cultivating Poetic Aporia

[00:11:50] Mentorship in Education: Moving Beyond Hierarchy

[00:13:01] Defining Anti-Information: The Deluge of Virulent Data

[00:15:33] B.W. Powe’s Journey: From High School Dropout to Scholar

[00:18:34] Living Outside Institutions: The "Weed by the Wall" Philosophy

[00:19:43] The Influence of Music and Deep Listening on Thinking

[00:22:14] The Role of the Muse: How Great Teachers Open the Mind

[00:24:26] Entering the University as a Music Student

[00:28:11] Meeting the Giants: Marshall McLuhan & Northrop Frye

[00:29:40] The Prophetic Vision of McLuhan: The Medium is the Message

[00:33:52] Technology as an Environment: Altering Human Consciousness

[00:38:06] Encounters with Pierre Elliott Trudeau & Canadian Identity

[00:42:40] Toward a Canada of Light: A Visionary Cultural Tradition

[00:46:10] The Urgent Need for "Degrees in Decoding" Media

[00:52:18] Simplicity vs. Reductiveness in Modern Politics

[01:05:51] Literary Ecology: Restoring Alphabetic Awareness

[01:14:11] Transformation vs. Transportation: The Soul in the Electronic Age

[01:23:21] The Embodiment of Hope: Action Over Prescriptions

In this episode of the special series on Edtech, host Jason Buccheri sits down with Dr. Julian Reed, a professor at Furman University and founder of ActiveEd, the company behind Walkabouts. Dr. Reed’s journey bridges deep academic research with the startup world, offering a blueprint for building tools that truly serve the classroom.

A self-described hyperactive kid who struggled in school, Julian has dedicated his career to studying how physical activity improves cognition and academic performance. In this conversation, he shares the physiological science behind movement—including how it stimulates brain growth factors—and explains why traditional classrooms are often poorly designed for how children learn.

Julian discusses the founding of Walkabouts and offers critical advice for Edtech founders on team building and navigating the complex K-12 procurement market. This conversation provides essential insights into scaling a practice for maximum impact on student performance.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠educationmatters.media⁠⁠⁠⁠

About: Each week, we bring you candid and personal interviews with educators and edtech leaders.

New episodes: Every Tuesday & Thursday—don’t miss next week’s conversation!

Join the convo: What’s your take on today’s discussion? Feedback is good! Comment below.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] - Entrepreneurship Advice Risk-Taking and Learning From Failure

[00:00:54] - Episode Intro Bridging Classroom Research and Edtech Startups

[00:01:11] - Meet Dr Julian Reed ActiveEd and Walkabouts Founder

[00:02:12] - Edtech Blueprint How to Build Tools That Actually Help Teachers

[00:03:11] - Academic Background Health Sciences and Child Cognition Research

[00:04:33] - Early Education Struggles and the Impact of Boarding School

[00:06:10] - Academic Journey Transitioning From Physical Therapy to Sports Medicine

[00:07:50] - Researching Physical Activity Cognition and Child Kinesiology

[00:09:03] - Combating Childhood Obesity through Active School Days

[00:11:15] - Scaling Educational Impact Through Digital Business Models

[00:12:17] - Partnering With Experts Finding Complementary Skill Sets

[00:13:28] - Scientific Evidence The Empirical Link Between Movement and Learning

[00:14:51] - Case Study Improved Performance in Under-Resourced Schools

[00:16:43] - Leveraging Physical Activity for Better Classroom Management

[00:17:27] - Physiological Benefits Blood Flow Oxygen and Brain Development

[00:19:36] - Executive Function How Movement Stimulates Brain Control Centers

[00:21:27] - Professional Development Practical Movement Lessons for Teachers

[00:23:47] - Kinetic Pedagogy Reaching Different Types of Learners

[00:25:50] - Scaling Edtech Impact Using Cloud Based Platforms

[00:27:46] - Edtech Fundraising Friends Family and Angel Networks

[00:30:45] - The Challenges of Selling Into the Education Market

[00:33:19] - Founding Advice Skin In The Game and Team Building

[00:35:07] - Fixing Education Promoting Community Engagement and Parental Empowerment

[00:36:50] - Modern Literacy Rates and the Need for Entrepreneurial Education

[00:37:44] - Closing Remarks Final Lessons for Edtech Founders

In this inaugural episode of our new sub-series on Education Technology, host Jason Buccheri is joined by seasoned EdTech veteran Matt Monjan, founder of Infuse Ed. With decades of experience on the front lines—including 14 years at Discovery Education—Matt offers a rare, unvarnished look at the realities of the K-12 market.

This conversation is a must-listen for EdTech founders, startups, and investors who want to bridge the gap between building a great tool and achieving successful, long-term implementation in a school district. Matt emphasizes the importance of co-building with district leaders rather than trying to shoehorn finished products into existing systems. He shares critical insights on understanding the "family trees" of district leadership and the "lighthouse approach" for strategic, localized growth. Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran, Matt's practical advice provides a roadmap for navigating procurement and implementation effectively.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠educationmatters.media⁠⁠⁠

About: Each week, we bring you candid and personal interviews with educators and edtech leaders.

New episodes: Every Tuesday & Thursday—don’t miss next week’s conversation!

Join the convo: What’s your take on today’s discussion? Feedback is good! Comment below.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Advice For Co-Building With School Leaders

[00:00:38] Introduction To Education Matters New Tech Sub-Series

[00:01:21] Bridging The Gap Between Founders And Districts

[00:01:42] Introducing EdTech Seasoned Leader Matt Monjan

[00:02:44] Welcome To The Show From Maryland

[00:03:42] Matt Monjan’s Professional Background And EdTech Journey

[00:04:42] Starting At Discovery Education During The Streaming Media Shift

[00:06:16] Reflections On Educational Background And Early Learning

[00:08:43] Understanding Shifts In Learning And Digital Device Use

[00:10:04] Transitioning From Career Resistance To Education Calling

[00:11:48] Working With Administrators To Help Kids

[00:12:15] Inspiring Experiences From Miami-Dade Turnaround Schools

[00:14:15] The One Constant For Successful Educational Leaders

[00:15:45] Advice For Startups On Engaging With School Leaders

[00:16:53] Overview Of Infuse Ed And Scaling Outreach

[00:18:47] Common Traits Of The Best EdTech Companies

[00:20:23] Common Mistakes Founders Make With AI And Product Impact

[00:22:35] Why Building EdTech With Intent Is Key To Success

[00:24:19] Building Trust And Navigating District Procurement Realities

[00:25:23] The Lighthouse Approach For Early EdTech Growth

[00:27:52] Understanding The Family Trees Of District Leaders

[00:29:24] Challenges In School District Tech Adoption And Awareness

[00:30:50] Strategies For Successful Long-Term Product Implementation

[00:33:05] Future Trends In EdTech: Innovation In AI And Content

[00:39:51] Social Impact Lens: Focusing On What Is Good For Kids

[00:42:30] Podcast Credits