Why were these podcasts made?

David Osher outlines why this podcast series was created and structured to translate the science of learning and development into practical, actionable knowledge for educators, policymakers, community leaders, families, and practitioners working with young people. Building on papers commissioned by the National Academy of Education in response to COVID, the series addresses long-standing equity challenges that have been intensified by pandemic disruption, political polarization around science and inclusion, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Rather than treating learning, wellbeing, and equity as separate issues, the series emphasizes their deep interconnection and the need to see the “whole system” shaping young people’s lives.

Across its episodes, the podcast focuses on how learning happens continuously—across schools, families, and communities—and why coherence among these environments is essential for deeper learning and human thriving. It distinguishes foundational wellbeing from thriving, which includes groundedness, agency, belonging, and the capacity to act individually and collectively over time. Drawing on robust evidence and lived experience, the series highlights the central role of relationships, culture, and development in learning, and argues for an approach to equity focused on optimization rather than minimum standards. Ultimately, the podcast aims to support both young people and the adults who serve them in thriving—intellectually, emotionally, and purposefully—in a rapidly changing world.