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The Purple Zone

Alexis Morgan

51 episodes

1 week ago

Send us a text Most people can name the President—but not their local city council members. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, to unpack what local government actually does and why it matters. From who really decides where roads go (hint: it’s not your Eagle City Council members) to how citizens can get involved at every level, this episode gets you started with Local Gov 101. Matt shares insights from his conversations with elected...

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Social Sciences

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Send us a text Most people can name the President—but not their local city council members. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, to unpack what local government actually does and why it matters. From who really decides where roads go (hint: it’s not your Eagle City Council members) to how citizens can get involved at every level, this episode gets you started with Local Gov 101. Matt shares insights from his conversations with elected...

Show more...

Social Sciences

Episodes (20/51)

The Purple Zone

Who Runs This Town? Local Government & the Art of Folding in the Cheese

Send us a text Most people can name the President—but not their local city council members. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, to unpack what local government actually does and why it matters. From who really decides where roads go (hint: it’s not your Eagle City Council members) to how citizens can get involved at every level, this episode gets you started with Local Gov 101. Matt shares insights from his conversations with elected...

1 week ago

1 hour 10 minutes

The Purple Zone

Beyond the Buzzwords of AI + Education: Transparency, Privacy Rights, and What Comes Next...

Send us a text Do you know that AI is already integrated into nearly everything we do online? From the devices in our kids’ classrooms to the apps on our phones—artificial intelligence is part of daily life. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson to unpack what AI in education really means and where Idaho can go from here. Together, they trace the timeline of technology, social media, and now AI—three distinct but connected “buckets” that shape how students learn, how parent...

2 weeks ago

42 minutes

The Purple Zone

School Boards 101: The Role, The Questions, The Elections

Send us a text Can you answer the following questions? What is the number one responsibility of every school board? What are the Five Big Governance Questions EVERY school board member should be able to answer?It’s election season for school board candidates…listen to learn what their real responsibilities are, what to look for as a voter, and why these local races matter so much. Listen to this episode to learn the most important job of a school board member, hear the Five Governa...

1 month ago

21 minutes

The Purple Zone

Conflict Isn’t the Enemy: But Do You Know What Is?

Send us a text Conflict doesn’t have to divide us; it can be the wrestle that leads to deeper understanding and stronger communities. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis reflects on her experiences moderating at voucher town halls across Idaho, where dignity has proven essential for meaningful dialogue. (This isn't a convo about vouchers, it's the takeaway from interacting with communities all over Idaho). Drawing from the Dignity Index, personal stories, and even her daughter’s raw re...

1 month ago

21 minutes

The Purple Zone

AI in Education: Golden Ticket or Pandora’s Box?

Send us a text Is AI the golden ticket for education—or a fast track to unintended consequences? In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis Morgan sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson, Head of National Education Partnership for Clever, who spends his days at the center of national and state conversations on AI and edtech. Together, they unpack the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in classrooms: from personalized learning and teacher support to hard questions about what kids must st...

2 months ago

1 hour 52 minutes

The Purple Zone

AI in Education & Why Teens Are Disengaged with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop

Send us a text 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 blam...

2 months ago

52 minutes

The Purple Zone

Policy Happens. Here’s How to See It

Send us a text 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, ...

2 months ago

36 minutes

The Purple Zone

When Meta Meets PTA: Partnerships, Policies, & Student Safety

Send us a text 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 s...

2 months ago

33 minutes

The Purple Zone

Vouchers, Tax Credits, and the Fight for Idaho’s Public Schools

Send us a text 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 fi...

2 months ago

44 minutes

The Purple Zone

The Culture Keeper: Building Schools Everyone Believes In

Send us a text 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. ...

5 months ago

1 hour 59 minutes

The Purple Zone

What If We Talked Like Everyone Mattered?--The Dignity Index with Tami Pyfer

Send us a text 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...

5 months ago

1 hour 24 minutes

The Purple Zone

Tech That Helps Parents Protect & Connect: Rethinking Digital Parenting with the Smartphone Alternative Troomi

Send us a text 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 ...

6 months ago

49 minutes

The Purple Zone

Crowded Classrooms, Cheerful Chalkboards, and a Case for a New Elementary School

Send us a text 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 bathr...

6 months ago

52 minutes

The Purple Zone

Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA): Exciting Opportunities for Your K-12 Journey

Send us a text Join Alexis as she sits down with Jeff Simmons, Superintendent of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), to explore the incredible opportunities this online school provides to students across Idaho. From elementary to high school, IDLA offers courses for students at every level, including summertime classes designed to combat the "summer slide." Not sure what the summer slide is? Tune in to find out! They also discuss how IDLA enables students to take dual credit courses, ...

7 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

The Purple Zone

The Anatomy of a School Bond Proposal

Send us a text BONUS EPISODE! We welcome Jake Dempsey, a dedicated school board trustee for the Middleton School District. Jake joins us to discuss Middleton's efforts to pass a critical school bond in the upcoming May election — a feat that requires a supermajority of 66.67% voter approval, a notably high threshold to meet in Idaho. This won't be Middleton’s first attempt, but this time the school board approached the proposal differently, revising it based on community feedback to ensure th...

7 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

The Purple Zone

Building Community Through Education: Insights from Lewiston Superintendent Lance Hansen

Send us a text Alexis sat down with Lance Hansen, the Superintendent of the Year, from Lewiston School District #1. Lewiston is a community known for its collaborative spirit, and the school district plays a key role in this dynamic. Recently, Lance and the Vice President of the Lewiston School Board presented to the Senate Education Committee during the Idaho School Boards Association Day on the Hill. In their presentation, Lance shared the unique features of the district and school board, h...

8 months ago

59 minutes

The Purple Zone

Middleton Superintendent's Take: School Bond, Community Collaboration, & Highlights of the Year

Send us a text Dr. Marc Gee, Superintendent of Middleton School District, sits down with Alexis to dive into the important role of a superintendent and how Middleton is working to support its school community. In this conversation, Dr. Gee provides an in-depth look at the district’s upcoming bond request on the May 20th, 2025 ballot. He breaks down the details of the proposal, explaining what’s at stake and how it will impact the future of Middleton schools. Learn how the district has engaged...

8 months ago

1 hour 29 minutes

The Purple Zone

Professional Learning Communities: Boosting Student Success & Teacher Collaboration

Send us a text Have you heard of PLCs? These Professional Learning Communities are transforming education by improving student outcomes, enhancing teaching experiences, and fostering stronger school cultures. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Emalee Merell, Coordinator of Professional Learning Community and Tiered System of Supports from the Idaho Department of Education, to explore how Idaho schools are successfully integrating the PLC model. Join us as we discuss the fundamentals...

9 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

The Purple Zone

MORE Talk, Measured Action: Social Media Event, Vouchers, & Ed Policy

Send us a text Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, to discuss three critical topics impacting education in Idaho. First, they dive into the upcoming More Social Less Media Event—an opportunity for teenagers, parents, teachers, district administration, lawmakers, and school community members to come together on Saturday, April 26th, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Eagle High School. Featuring a keynote from Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes, plus talks from Dr. Megan Smith of B...

9 months ago

1 hour 9 minutes

The Purple Zone

Homeschooling in Idaho: Audra Talley on the Benefits, Challenges, and What’s Next

Send us a text Alexis is joined by Audra Talley, board member of Homeschool Idaho, a homeschool parent, and a passionate advocate for educational choice. Together, they dive into the rich history of homeschooling in Idaho, the good and the ugly, exploring the state's unique approach to this educational model. DID You Know? Idaho has 9 school choice options...and homeschooling is one of those choices. Audra shares insights on the benefits and challenges of homeschooling, shedding light ...

9 months ago

1 hour 10 minutes