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What Does the Future of Learning Tell Us About the Future of Work?
What if the biggest clues to fixing the future of work are sitting in today’s classrooms? And what if agency—not just intelligence—is the factor that matters most?
In this episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider sits down with Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart and one of the nation’s leading voices on learning innovation. Drawing on visits to more than 2,500 schools, Tom explores how AI, authenticity, and new models of learning are reshaping expectations for both education and the workplace.
From forest schools in Michigan to biotech labs in California, Tom shares stories that reveal how space, curriculum, and culture must evolve to engage the next generation—and how lessons from education can help solve today’s workplace challenges.
After listening, you will be able to:
Design Nerds Anonymous is a proud member of the SURROUND Podcast Network. Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode of Design Nerds Anonymous was produced and edited by SANDOW DESIGN GROUP, with music from Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to the podcast production team: Hannah Viti, Rob Schulte, and Rachel Senatore.
Special thanks to our podcast season sponsors, Kimball International and Mannington Commercial– companies doing big things to move the design industry forward.
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Design Nerds Anonymous is the only podcast of its kind – holding an engaged audience of architects, designers, CRE leaders, and end users – and delivering the most insights per minute on the forces shaping the built environment. With over 100K+ downloads, the show features industry powerhouses from brands like Chik-fil-A, Hilton, and StoryBrand, having bold conversations on what’s next in business and design—market shifts, process innovation, and the hidden dynamics driving change.
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