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This episode has been a long time coming—and one I’m beyond thrilled to share. I sit down with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, co-author of The Disengaged Teen (with Jenny Anderson) and Director of Universal Education and Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Winthrop’s work has shaped my own research in education policy, and this new book stopped me in my tracks with its insights.

So often, when we talk about teens struggling in school, we blame technology, social media, or even parenting boundaries. But as Dr. Winthrop explains, the real challenge is engagement. Together, we dive into the four learning modes that shape how students connect with their education—and what parents, educators, and policymakers can do to reimagine classrooms where teens feel connected, curious, and capable.

We also talk about the role of AI in education. One of my biggest takeaways? When we view AI through the lens of these learning modes, it can be a powerful tool for enhancing—not replacing—learning.

If you care about the future of education, you’ll want to listen to this one. Then, grab the book, share your thoughts, and join the conversation.

📖 The Disengaged Teen – https://www.brookings.edu/books/the-disengaged-teen/
🔗 Connect with Dr. Winthrop – https://www.brookings.edu/people/rebecca-winthrop/

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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
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Have you ever thought about your origin story—the moment that sparked your why in your community? And have you noticed we’re living in the future? Listen in to hear what I mean, and how your story connects to the policies shaping our schools, neighborhoods, and everyday lives.

From school board decisions in a crowded convention hall to the hidden rules shaping our cities and schools, policy is all around us—even when we don’t notice it. In this solo episode of The Purple Zone, I share my personal origin story and explore how public policy affects everything from school funding and city growth to immigration and workforce challenges. We’ll reflect on how much life has changed—from 80s classrooms and stirrup pants to 3D ultrasounds, anti-aging technology, and education in 2025—reminding us that we truly are living in the future. Using examples from Disney, Marvel, and even Bridgerton, we’ll see how origin stories—yours and mine—can help us spot the policies that shape our communities and inspire us to show up and speak out.

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JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com

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Meta—the company behind Instagram and Facebook—is under fire for the harm its platforms cause kids. But instead of fixing the problem, Meta has launched a sophisticated campaign to protect its image and slow down regulation.

In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis unpacks:

• How Meta funds parent and child safety groups—including the National PTA—to build trust with families.
• Why National PTA has recently come under fire in outside reporting, and what’s fact vs. assumption. I share my own perspective as a past state PTA president—what’s true, what’s been asked, and what’s at stake.
• The rollout of Meta’s Instagram School Partnership Program, which offers schools “better customer service” only if they partner with the company.
• The role of the Tech Transparency Project, a nonprofit watchdog exposing how companies like Meta shape public perception, policy, and research.
  • Check out the "Inside Meta's Spine Machine on Kids & Social Media" https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/inside-metas-spin-machine-on-kids-and-social-media
• My personal experience at the Idaho Capitol in 2024, where Big Tech lobbyists helped defeat a bill designed to protect kids online.
• How Idaho school districts are adopting bell-to-bell no cell phone policies, and what that reveals about local efforts to protect student well-being.

👉 The big questions:

• Does taking Big Tech money amount to endorsement?
• Should schools partner with Instagram to fix harms Instagram itself created?
• Who should decide what’s best for kids: corporations or parents/communities/lawmakers?

Because in the end, this is bigger than social media. It’s about transparency, accountability, and whether we let Big Tech write the rules for our children’s future.

**I mention some accounts to follow. One is Protect Young Eyes, by Chris McKenna (I say his last name is Young, I spoke incorrectly).

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
email@thealexismorgan.com

Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
https://www.thealexismorgan.com