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The Better Learning Podcast is about improving education at all levels - Schools (public, charter, private, independent), Higher Education, & Corporate/Adult Learning. The major theme is to break down the silos and learn from others doing innovative things in education. We highlight innovative programs & initiatives, lessons learned, improvements to educational space, and real-world tactics while getting a deeper understanding of the people behind the innovation. Our guests include Heads of Schools, Superintendents, Principals, Entrepreneurs, Non-profit leaders and other innovators. Kevin Stoller, CEO of Kay-Twelve.com & author of Creating Better Learning Environments, is the host.

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  2. Learning by Region at A4LE Midwest Great Lakes

Learning by Region at A4LE Midwest Great Lakes

Jul 22, 2026

This episode, hosted by Matt Rogers and Katie Jubenville, features conversations from the A4LE Midwest Great Lakes Regional Conference in St. Louis. Guests compare favorite landmarks to the Gateway Arch, then dig into what "radically student-centered" design means, sharing stories about maximizing impact beyond simple building replacement, engaging students and communities in the design process, and what separates schools that merely function from those that truly transform their communities.

Our guests, in order of appearance:

Josh Chism, PE, CEM:

Capital AE

President

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshchism/

Nicole Esser Dryden:

Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP

Senior Associate

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-esser/

Philip Riedel, AIA:

NAC Architecture

Principal, PK-12 Sector Leader

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-riedel-aia-a72b3522/

Brad Erwin:

Paragon Architecture

President

https://www.linkedin.com/in/braderwin/

Jeff Vandel:

North Kansas City Schools

Executive Director of Facilities

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-vandel-8b8a1ab/

Roger Bearup:

Grandville Public Schools

Superintendent

https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-bearup-1432b8112/

Nicholas Kent:

Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP

Partner 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-kent-a3604211/

Dr. Stephanie Loane:

CSO Architects

Senior Associate

Brenton C. Hite, AIA:

CSO Architects

Principal (Brenton) & Senior Associate (Stephanie)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenton-c-hite-aia-70704838/

 

Episode 342 of the Better Learning Podcast

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/


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