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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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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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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).

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Welcome back! In this season premiere, Alexis takes you on a quick journey of one of Idaho’s long-running education funding battles—stretching from the 1960s fight for a sales tax to today’s heated debates over vouchers.

She'll revisit the Save Our Schools campaign that united teachers, parents, and school board trustees more than 55 years ago, and connect it to the 2025 town halls carrying the same spirit of protecting public education. Then, she'll dig into today’s voucher fight: what vouchers really are, why they matter, and how they shape the future of Idaho schools and communities.

This episode blends history, policy, and personal experience to uncover the fiscal and moral questions at the heart of education funding: Who benefits? Who pays? And what does real choice in education look like?

In This Episode:

• The origin of The Purple Zone and what’s new this season
• Idaho’s 1960s education funding and the creation of the sales tax
• The original Save Our Schools campaign—and its echoes today
• Breaking down school vouchers: history, myths, and modern-day impacts
• Fiscal and moral questions Idaho families need to consider
• How you can get involved and protect public education in 2026 and beyond

The Purple Zone is about bridging policy, practice, and people—because community is where policy comes to life.

Cheers, everyone!

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What does it take to build a school culture that kids, teachers, and families all want to be part of? In this episode, I sit down with Tim Sperber, longtime educator, self-described Culture Keeper, and incoming superintendent of the Lewiston School District. With experience as an administrator at every level: elementary, middle, high school, and alternative. Tim shares what he's learned about trust, connection, and the kind of leadership that brings a whole community together.

We talk about what it really means to lead from within, how to engage every corner of a school community, and why his next chapter as superintendent is rooted in decades of showing up.

On a personal note, Tim is the only principal who had all four of my kids in his building. What I saw, as a parent, changed my understanding of what’s possible. This conversation is a reminder: the right leadership can shape a child's entire journey, from kindergarten to graduation.

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A year in the making, I was fortunate to sit down with Tami Pyfer, co-creator of the Dignity Index, for a conversation that could truly change the way we engage with the world around us.

The Dignity Index is more than a measurement—it’s a movement. It’s a tool for self-reflection and public dialogue that helps us recognize the tone and impact of how we communicate—especially when we disagree.

And it’s not just for political debates or social media threads. The Dignity Index has powerful relevance in our school communities. At a time when:

• Politicians are reshaping how they talk about education,
• Parents are expressing evolving hopes and concerns, and
• Educators are navigating profound shifts in their profession—

...this tool can help us show up differently. More aware. Less reactive. More human.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How the Dignity Index began and why it matters now more than ever
• The difference between being "nice" and offering dignity
• Why contempt is so corrosive—and how we can move away from it
• What it looks like to hold strong views while still honoring others as human

I love to say: Respect is earned. Dignity is offered.

💬 Join the conversation. Be part of the dignity movement: dignity.us

🙌 Follow along and connect with me on social media—and please share this episode with someone you know. It takes courage to speak with dignity. Let’s lead the way.

Follow the Dignity Index on Instagram

Connect with Tami Pyfer on Instagram

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Explore how Troomi is helping parents stay connected while setting healthy boundaries—because safer tech leads to stronger families.

"Troomi is the kids safe phone for digital wellness and positive mental health." --Bill Brady

In this episode, I sat down with Bill Brady, co-founder and CEO of Troomi—a kid-safe smartphone alternative designed with both connection and protection in mind. We dive into the why behind Troomi, exploring how it aims to give parents peace of mind through powerful features like integrated upstream prevention tools and a uniquely intuitive parent dashboard that goes beyond what most of us knew was possible.

Bill shares inspiring and eye-opening stories that will both warm your heart and make you pause—because this is not just about tech; it’s about raising kids in a world that’s changing fast. As parents, we are in a defining moment where being informed isn’t optional—it’s essential. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to tech and teens, which is why knowing your options matters more than ever.

We also touch on themes from The Anxious Generation, especially the importance of encouraging real-life risk-taking and reducing screen dependency—at home and in our schools. This conversation took place just before the More Social, Less Media summit, so we also unpack the importance of creating more real-world, social experiences for kids and teens.

Whether you're curious about safer tech solutions or looking to understand how entrepreneurial thinking can shape a better future for our children—this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
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What’s it really like to be an elementary school teacher in Idaho? In this episode, I chat with Teri Smith, a dedicated educator from the Middleton School District, about the joy, heart, challenges, and everyday realities of teaching.

We talk about what it feels like walking into the classroom on the first day of school versus the last, how much goes into prepping for class, what caring for our students truly looks like—and yes, even the need to plan ahead just to use the bathroom!

Teri also shares what it’s like teaching in an overcrowded building, what overcapacity means for Idaho kids, and why she’s still all in on the work she loves. Plus, we explore the push for a new elementary school to meet the growing needs of the community.

🎧 Join us for stories, laughter, and real talk from inside the classroom.
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📲 Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more!

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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