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The Purple Zone
Welcome to The Purple Zone (formerly Our Kids Our Schools).
Bridging the Gap between Public Policy, Practice & People.
The Purple Zone explores what it really means to align how we govern, how we educate, and how we show up for our communities.
Hosted by Alexis — a PhD student in public policy and administration, and longtime educator and advocate for kids, communities, and the systems that shape our lives. This podcast connects the dots between policy and practice, without the politics or platitudes.
It’s about naming what often goes unsaid — and making space for a more honest, human approach to systems that impact all of us.
How systems shape our communities, from policy on paper to action in practice. + Thinking Out Loud as a PhD Student
Podcasting since 2023 • 46 episodes
The Purple Zone
Latest Episodes
AI in Education & Why Teens Are Disengaged with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop
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 Se...
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Episode 46
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52:51
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Policy Happens. Here’s How to See It
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 s...
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Episode 45
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36:22
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When Meta Meets PTA: Partnerships, Policies, & Student Safety
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 t...
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Episode 44
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33:35
Vouchers, Tax Credits, and the Fight for Idaho’s Public Schools
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 th...
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Episode 43
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44:02
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The Culture Keeper: Building Schools Everyone Believes In
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 Le...
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Episode 42
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1:59:39
