Shows
What do we do next?Earning the Right to be Heard with Shaka MitchellThis episode started with a simple question and turned into something much bigger: how do we actually stay connected to each other when everything around us feels fractured?I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard it has become to talk to people we love—family, friends, coworkers—without politics, resentment, or fear blowing the whole thing up. This conversation sits right in that tension. It’s about education, yes, but more than that, it’s about listening, belonging, and finding ways back to one another when the ground feels unstable.We talk about music as a...
2026-01-2741 min
Culture Encounters’ PodcastCulture Encounters Podcast: Special Episode, Shaka Mitchell Part OneSend us a textHappy new year and welcome back to the Culture Encounters Podcast!!! This week, we bring you part one of our conversation with Shaka Mitchell, the founder of the Come Together Music Project. Shaka has worked for years in music advocacy and has even given Ted talks on the subject. Here we discuss how music can bring people of all walks of life together!!Website: Culture Encounters. Org
2026-01-0725 min
This Is NashvilleThe best of...The RoundaboutEvery week This is Nashville presents The Roundabout where we bring together a panel of guests spanning the political spectrum to unpack the week’s biggest news and hear directly from listeners across Middle Tennessee. For this special “Best of…” episode we revisit some of the most timely conversations, surprising moments of agreement, and thoughtful opinions.Featuring
How will Vanderbilt answer Trump? with Marianna Bacallao, state legislative reporter, WPLN; Rep. Jody Barrett, state house representative; Bruce Barry, Vanderbilt professor; Tennessee Lookout contributor
Vouchers with Maryam Abolfazli, founder of Rise & Shine TN; Shaka Mitchell, Sr. Fellow for the Ameri...
2025-12-3049 min
Crossing Faiths190 - Shaka MitchellIn this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Shaka Mitchell, founder of the Come Together Music Project, about utilizing music as a tool to deepen relationships and foster vulnerability across cultural and political divides. They discuss the origins of Mitchell's podcast, which invites guests to share songs based on specific prompts, leading to unexpected and humanizing conversations—such as a dialogue between strangers regarding their differing perspectives on safety and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair also explores the intersection of faith and community, touching on the nuances of celebrating Christmas in diverse households, the communal na...
2025-12-2246 min
The Learning CurveFlorida's Erika Donalds on School Choice, Edu Federalism, & K-12 ReformIn this week’s episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Ark. Professor Albert Cheng and American Federation for Children’s Shaka Mitchell speak with Erika Donalds, America First Policy Institute’s Chair of Education Opportunity and Chair of the AFPI-Florida State Chapter. A nationally recognized education policy expert, Ms. Donalds shares the formative educational experiences that shaped her passion for school reform. With experience founding or working with multiple classical charter public schools over her career, she offers insight on how the U.S. can address its declining reading and math scores throug...
2025-12-1037 min
MUSIC is not a GENREShaka Mitchell - Interview #45 | MxG - Season 8 Episode 9I spend an hour with Shaka Mitchell - father, education advocate, and creator of the Come Together Music ProjectCome Together Music Project WebsiteConnect even more with Shaka:YouTubeiTunesSpotifyInstagramShaka's Substack BONUS MxTRA: Shaka & Nick Come Together Through Music~~~SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!Join PatreonGet some merch~~~*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"
2025-12-011h 05
floating questionsShaka Mitchell: Civil Discourse Through Music, School Choice & the Rise of AI in LearningToday on Floating Questions, we sat down with Shaka Mitchell - Aspen Institute Civil Society Fellow, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, constitutional law lecturer, long-distance runner, creator of the Come Together Music Project, and father of three. Shaka has spent decades building bipartisan coalitions in education and civil discourse, guided by humility, principled thinking, and a deep commitment to humanizing others. In this conversation, we explore:Music as a bridge: why “every memory has a soundtrack” and how sharing a song helps people humanize each other...
2025-11-261h 07
Knocked Conscious with Mark Puls11/20/2025: If by Come Together, you mean... w/ Shaka MitchellToday on If By Whiskey, Mark welcomes the one and only Shaka Mitchell—education reformer, Substack sage, and the only man who can make school choice sound both noble and mildly dangerous. They dive into Shaka’s latest writings, his behind-the-scenes stories from the world of education policy, and the strange phenomenon of adults who panic at the sight of empowered parents.
Mark and Shaka also take a whiskey-soaked detour into politics, culture, and the many ways the world insists on being absurd. Come for the insights, stay for the banter, and leave with a newfound appreciation for...
2025-11-211h 29This Is NashvilleThe Roundabout: political pardons, school voucher update, the tightening TN-7 race and moreIt’s Thursday and time for another episode of The Roundabout.The Roundabout is the news of the week, analyzed by our panelists from points of view that span left, right and center. Joining us today are Maryam Abolfazli, Shaka Mitchell and Pat Nolan.Today we talk about a tightening 7th congressional district race, political pardons, school voucher expansion, plus a smile story or two and more.And The Roundabout also welcomes your voice on the big stories of the week. Give us a call at 615-760-2000 to weigh in — or join us l...
2025-11-2050 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 28, Part II: Shaka Mitchell's Path to ConnectionThis is Part II of our conversation with Shaka Mitchell of the Come Together Music Project. If you haven’t listened to Part I, go listen there first and the come back here. In this episode we talk to Shaka about the genesis and journey of the Come Together Music project. Inspired during the height of COVID-19, this initiative leverages music to foster connection and understanding in a divided world. From intimate song swap sessions to large public events, Shaka explains how music can be a powerful tool for building relationships and bridging divides. The conversation also delves into pe...
2025-11-1929 minThe Learning CurveHouston Supt. Mike Miles on Urban School District ReformIn this week’s episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts Great Heart Academies’ Dr. Helen Baxendale and American Federation for Children’s Shaka Mitchell speak with Mike Miles, superintendent of the Houston Independent School District. Miles has devoted his life to public service, starting as a soldier, then as a diplomat in Poland and Russia during the Cold War before moving into K-12 education reform. He discussed how his family background and early educational experiences shaped his commitment to service. Reflecting on his years as an officer in the Army Ranger Battalion and a...
2025-11-1939 min
The Danny and Park Novels Good News PodcastShaka Mitchell and The Come Together Music ProjectWelcome back to the podcast, I’m Jamie Baynes. So a few weeks ago, I get an email from a guy named Shaka Mitchell who said in the first sentence, “ Hey James, I wanted to circle back in case my earlier email slipped through the cracks…..” He went on to say, “My greatest privilege has been creating settings where people from all walks of life can come together and truly hear one another.” What the heck? I thought. What did I miss and where’s the email? Turns out the original one went to my Spam folder. Holy cow! I had to have t...
2025-11-1931 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 28, Part I: Shaka Mitchell on Music and CommunityThis episode of We Made This Political is cross-posted with the Come Together Music Project, co-hosted with Shaka Mitchell. Together we explore the intersection of politics, parenting, and personal stories through music. We dive into songs that remind us of friends, parenting theme songs, and classic protest anthems, revealing surprising connections and deep insights along the way.00:00 Introduction to the Hosts and Podcast00:52 Welcome to the Come Together Music Project02:33 Musical Memories: Songs That Remind Us of Friends15:24 Parenting Theme Songs: Music That Defines Our Parenting Journey28:12 Parenting Reflections...
2025-11-171h 01
The Hangout with David Sciarretta#109: Shaka Mitchell on School ChoiceSend us a textIf you’ve ever wondered who should decide where a child learns, this conversation gets straight to the heart of that question. We sit down with Shaka Mitchell—education leader, attorney, and school choice advocate—to trace a journey from a working-class Long Island childhood and a small Catholic school to law school, DC policy work, and leading charter school growth in Tennessee. Along the way, we unpack what “school choice” actually means, how it functions across charters, magnets, vouchers, ESAs, and homeschooling, and why a clean framework—who pays, who provides, and who decides—...
2025-11-1653 min
The DissidentsFSF Ep. 40: Every Memory Has a Soundtrack: Music, Listening, and Free Speech | Shaka Mitchel"The other side of the free speech coin is listening well." Shaka Mitchell, senior fellow at the American Federation for Children and creator of the Come Together Music Project, believes we've "forgotten how to listen"—and music is his solution. A Nashville-based lawyer and education reform leader, Shaka uses songs to bridge political divides by asking simple questions: What song reminds you of being 21? What song reminds you of your dad? "Every memory has a soundtrack all its own," and when strangers share their musical stories—from Led Zeppelin's eight-minute "Cashmere" to whatever gets you through hard times—something remark...
2025-11-1525 min
Music Life SocialShaka Mitchell Joins The Panel To Talk "RBX Takes on Spotify + Where’s This Generation’s 'Self Destruction' Record?"Shaka Mitchell Joins The Panel To Talk "RBX Takes on Spotify + Where’s This Generation’s 'Self Destruction' Record and Education"
2025-11-121h 19
The Hopeful Majority with Manu Meel#111 How Music can Build Bridges, Shaka Mitchell Shares Music's power to Humanize!Is the Power of music the missing key to effective bridge building?Is the Power of music the missing key to effective bridge building? Manu sits down with Shaka Mitchell to find out! Shaka Mitchell is the founder of The Come Together Music Project a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that uses music to deepen existing relationships, create new ones, and bridge ideological, generational, and socio-economic divides. You can find episodes of their podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.Come Together Music Project:https://www.cometogetherpodcast.com/PODCAST INFO:
2025-11-1146 min
Square PizzaShaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow, American Federation for ChildrenGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!In this episode of the Square Pizza Pod, Greg welcomes Shaka Mitchell, educator, policy leader, and advocate for school choice, for an engaging and candid conversation about education, leadership, and civic engagement.From his early days in Nashville to his current work shaping education policy across Tennessee, Shaka reflects on what’s changed—and what hasn’t—about how we prepare students...
2025-11-0741 min
The Delvin Cox ExperienceThe Come Together Music Project With Shaka MitchellThis episode, my guest is Shaka Mitchell on to discuss Shaka's recent congressional appearance and his work with the Come Together Music Project, which focuses on music education and community building. They explored how music can transcend political and cultural divides, sharing personal anecdotes and examples of how music brings people together despite their differences. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the importance of engaging in open dialogue across diverse perspectives to foster understanding and unity in addressing societal issues.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cometogethermusicproject/?hl=enSubStack: https://shakamitchell.substack...
2025-10-3047 min
Lions of Liberty NetworkApricot Seeds vs. Cancer: The Natural Power Big Pharma Fears with John A. Richardson Jr.In this episode of Finding Freedom, John Odermatt interviews Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, about the intersection of school choice, civil rights, and the future of education in America. They discuss how education reform can expand opportunity and strengthen communities, with a focus on empowering parents to choose the best educational path for their children. Shaka shares insights on the bipartisan history of school choice, the challenges families face in the current system, and the impact of funding and administration on educational outcomes. The conversation covers the competitive effects of school choice, recent legislative...
2025-10-2048 min
Lions of Liberty NetworkEducation, Civil Rights and the Future of School Choice with Shaka MitchellIn this episode of Finding Freedom, John Odermatt interviews Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, about the intersection of school choice, civil rights, and the future of education in America. They discuss how education reform can expand opportunity and strengthen communities, with a focus on empowering parents to choose the best educational path for their children. Shaka shares insights on the bipartisan history of school choice, the challenges families face in the current system, and the impact of funding and administration on educational outcomes. The conversation covers the competitive effects of school choice, recent legislative...
2025-10-1345 min
Finding FreedomEducation, Civil Rights and the Future of School Choice with Shaka MitchellIn this episode of Finding Freedom, John Odermatt interviews Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, about the intersection of school choice, civil rights, and the future of education in America. They discuss how education reform can expand opportunity and strengthen communities, with a focus on empowering parents to choose the best educational path for their children. Shaka shares insights on the bipartisan history of school choice, the challenges families face in the current system, and the impact of funding and administration on educational outcomes. The conversation covers the competitive effects of school choice, recent legislative...
2025-10-1345 min
Wild Life Unschooling#83: Freedom of education in the US! - w/Shaka MitchellThis episode is all about changing things bottom up: Shaka Mitchell, a Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, champions school choice and child-led education. With experience at Rocketship Education and LEAD Public Schools, he previously worked at the Center for Education Reform and the Institute for Justice. A Belmont University graduate, he teaches American Government and Constitutional Law there and holds a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University. Mitchell is a TEDx Nashville speaker, hosts the Come Together Music Project podcast, and co-founded MoreMarrowDonors.org. He chairs the Tennessee State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission...
2025-10-121h 04
An Educated GuestS3E14 | Education Freedom: Shaka Mitchell on School Choice, Opportunity, and the American DreamIn this deeply personal and timely episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children. Shaka shares his compelling journey from the classroom and the courtroom into the heart of the school choice movement. He explains why his advocacy is driven by his core belief that education is the "surest way to access Whatever your version of the American dream is," and why the current system fails to deliver that promise for too many children.The conversation delves into the necessity of educational...
2025-10-0855 min
People, Politics and PorkBeyond the Classroom: Shaka Mitchell on School Choice, Policy, and PurposeThis week on People, Politics and Pork, Newell Clark and Greg Webb welcome Shaka Mitchell, a respected advocate for school choice and Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children. With a background in education policy, law, and leadership, Shaka brings a thoughtful, principled voice to the conversation around education reform and equity. The discussion dives deep into the challenges and opportunities in public education—from funding disparities and parent empowerment to the philosophical roots of school choice. Shaka shares personal insights from his own upbringing, his transition from law to education, and why he believes access to...
2025-09-2947 min
What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. ChavousShaka Mitchell on How Federal Legislation Could Transform EducationIn this episode of What I Want to Know, host Kevin P. Chavous sits down with Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children and a national leader in education reform. From classrooms to courtrooms, Shaka has been at the center of the fight for school choice, charter schools, and equitable education policy. Together, they explore whether choice truly expands opportunity, how legislation is reshaping access, and what the future of education innovation might look like. Chapters [00:00] Introduction & framing the debate [01:10] Shaka Mitchell's personal education story [03:50] How inequities sparked the school...
2025-09-2429 min
The White PillBoxMy interview with leading educational choice expert Shaka MitchellClick here for the video link on YouTubeI thoroughly enjoyed my in-depth conversation with Shaka Mitchell. Shaka is a Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children.Based in Nashville, he is a lawyer, facilitator, and national leader in education reform policy. Shaka is a member of the Civil Society Fellowship (a project of the Aspen Institute).He serves as co-host of the “Quality Matters” podcast (linked below).His work has been featured in print, TV, radio, and online outlets and he is a SXSW EDU and TEDx Nashville speaker.
2025-09-1955 min
I BelieveShould We Fund Education At All? With Shaka MitchellJoel Douglas (00:03) My guest today is Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow for the American Federation for Children, a Nashville-based attorney, a Belmont adjunct teaching constitutional law, and a leader dedicated to transforming education for underserved families. He’s a featured guest on TEDx Nashville and podcasts like The Learning Curve and Charterfolk. The charter schools Shaka has worked with drive real growth for Nashville’s underserved kids, often doubling district test scores in math and reading. While high-poverty public schools rank in Tennessee’s bottom 30%, Shaka’s schools rank in the top 20% to 25% serving the same communities. Shaka, thanks for bein...
2025-09-1646 min
The Truth Files with Jane Velez-MitchellDay 1 of Chicken Rescue TrialThe long-anticipated trial of animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg is finally starting in Sonoma County, California, and UnchainedTV is the only news organization providing live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of this historic criminal case. With the potential to reshape how animal rescues are viewed under the law, this case has galvanized activists, legal scholars, and the general public alike. And now, all eyes are on the courtroom. At the heart of the case are 4 rescued chickens named Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea. Zoe Rosenberg, an animal cruelty investigator affiliated with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), faces one felony conspiracy charge...
2025-09-161h 28
Vice Principal Unofficed - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Tapping Motivation: The Key to Lasting Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellOn this final episode of our week-long series, Your Morning Boost host and guest Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children, bring it all together. After exploring "the goal of the goal," "studying the bright spots," and "starting with a burst," Shaka introduces the final, crucial step: "tapping motivation." Using the classic story of Tom Sawyer, he illustrates how making parent engagement desirable rather than a burden is the key to creating a powerful and lasting partnership. Shaka encourages school leaders to reframe engagement as a service, not a chore, by considering what parents and students...
2025-09-1207 minYour Morning Boost - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Tapping Motivation: The Key to Lasting Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellOn this final episode of our week-long series, Your Morning Boost host and guest Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children, bring it all together. After exploring "the goal of the goal," "studying the bright spots," and "starting with a burst," Shaka introduces the final, crucial step: "tapping motivation." Using the classic story of Tom Sawyer, he illustrates how making parent engagement desirable rather than a burden is the key to creating a powerful and lasting partnership. Shaka encourages school leaders to reframe engagement as a service, not a chore, by considering what parents and students...
2025-09-1207 minYour Morning Boost - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Starting with a Burst: Kickstarting Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellWelcome back to Your Morning Boost! Our guest, Shaka Mitchell, returns today to share a powerful concept for school leaders: "starting with a burst." Building on the previous days' discussions on identifying goals, studying bright spots, and targeting constraints, Shaka now advocates for an intense period of focused work at the beginning of the school year. He draws an analogy from the tech world's "design sprint" and applies it to education, suggesting a dramatic action like home visits. Shaka explains that by taking the initiative to meet parents on their own turf, schools can establish a strong, trusting relationship that...
2025-09-1105 minVice Principal Unofficed - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Starting with a Burst: Kickstarting Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellWelcome back to Your Morning Boost! Our guest, Shaka Mitchell, returns today to share a powerful concept for school leaders: "starting with a burst." Building on the previous days' discussions on identifying goals, studying bright spots, and targeting constraints, Shaka now advocates for an intense period of focused work at the beginning of the school year. He draws an analogy from the tech world's "design sprint" and applies it to education, suggesting a dramatic action like home visits. Shaka explains that by taking the initiative to meet parents on their own turf, schools can establish a strong, trusting relationship that...
2025-09-1105 min
The Report Card with Nat MalkusEducation and the Second Trump Administration, 233 Days InA lot has happened in education over the last couple of months. A new school year started for students across the country. State governors began announcing whether they would be opting in to the new federal tax credit scholarship program. Penny Schwinn, former Education Commissioner of Tennessee, withdrew her nomination to be Linda McMahon’s number two at the Department of Education. A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s shutdown of the Comprehensive Centers and Regional Educational Laboratories was unlawful. And the Trump administration continued waging its battles with elite universities.On this episode of The...
2025-09-101h 11Vice Principal Unofficed - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Targeting the Constraint: Overcoming Obstacles to Parent EngagementOn this Wednesday's episode of Your Morning Boost, we continue our conversation with special guest Shaka Mitchell. Following his previous insights on finding the "goal of the goal" and "studying the bright spots," Shaka introduces another powerful strategy: "targeting the constraint." He explains that successful parent engagement is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather requires identifying and addressing the unique obstacles within a school community. He provides practical examples of common constraints, such as transportation, work schedules, and childcare, and suggests tangible ways to overcome them. Tune in to learn how to pinpoint and tackle the specific challenges holding back...
2025-09-1006 minYour Morning Boost - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Targeting the Constraint: Overcoming Obstacles to Parent EngagementOn this Wednesday's episode of Your Morning Boost, we continue our conversation with special guest Shaka Mitchell. Following his previous insights on finding the "goal of the goal" and "studying the bright spots," Shaka introduces another powerful strategy: "targeting the constraint." He explains that successful parent engagement is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather requires identifying and addressing the unique obstacles within a school community. He provides practical examples of common constraints, such as transportation, work schedules, and childcare, and suggests tangible ways to overcome them. Tune in to learn how to pinpoint and tackle the specific challenges holding back...
2025-09-1006 min
A Gentlemen’s DisagreementEpisode 183 - Back to school choice with Shaka MitchellTucked inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was a first-of-its-kind provision establishing a federal tax credit scholarship program that has the chance to greatly expand school choice for families across the country. Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow for the American Federation for Children, joins us to analyze the implications of this provision and discuss the school choice movement writ large.
2025-09-101h 07Vice Principal Unofficed - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Studying the Bright Spots: A New Approach to Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellOn today's episode of Your Morning Boost, we welcome back special guest, Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children. Following up on yesterday's discussion about "the goal of the goal," Shaka now introduces a new leverage point for school leaders: "studying the bright spots." He challenges the common educational practice of focusing on what isn't working and instead encourages listeners to identify and analyze areas where parent engagement is already thriving. Shaka provides actionable advice, such as looking at successful community organizations like the YMCA and connecting with other schools that excel at family engagement. He...
2025-09-0906 minYour Morning Boost - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - Studying the Bright Spots: A New Approach to Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellOn today's episode of Your Morning Boost, we welcome back special guest, Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children. Following up on yesterday's discussion about "the goal of the goal," Shaka now introduces a new leverage point for school leaders: "studying the bright spots." He challenges the common educational practice of focusing on what isn't working and instead encourages listeners to identify and analyze areas where parent engagement is already thriving. Shaka provides actionable advice, such as looking at successful community organizations like the YMCA and connecting with other schools that excel at family engagement. He...
2025-09-0906 min
I BelieveShould Public Money for Schools Guarantee More Than Learning?Should Public Money for Schools Guarantee More Than Learning?This week, the National School Lunch Program, born out of national defense, and the rise of homeschooling vouchers, where freedom meets responsibility.And next week, we’ll dig even deeper with our guest, Shaka Mitchell! But for now … the lights are dimming. Look! There's the curtain!Scene One. Frontier America, 1809 Education, even without public funds, can serve national goals like Union and Liberty.A father and mother have their second child! A boy named Abraham, born in a...
2025-09-0917 minVice Principal Unofficed - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - The Goal of the Goal: Unlocking True Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellThis week on Your Morning Boost, we are joined by special guest, Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children. Shaka will be sharing his insights on one of the most important relationships in a student's education: the partnership between parents and schools. He kicks off the week by discussing the concept of "the goal of the goal," a framework for improving parent engagement by looking beyond vanity metrics like event attendance and focusing on what truly matters—building strong, lasting relationships. Shaka shares a powerful framework from the book Reset by Dan Heath, explaining how a sm...
2025-09-0805 minYour Morning Boost - ForwardEdYour Morning Boost - The Goal of the Goal: Unlocking True Parent Engagement with Shaka MitchellThis week on Your Morning Boost, we are joined by special guest, Shaka Mitchell, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children. Shaka will be sharing his insights on one of the most important relationships in a student's education: the partnership between parents and schools. He kicks off the week by discussing the concept of "the goal of the goal," a framework for improving parent engagement by looking beyond vanity metrics like event attendance and focusing on what truly matters—building strong, lasting relationships. Shaka shares a powerful framework from the book Reset by Dan Heath, explaining how a sm...
2025-09-0805 minThe Learning CurveFlorida's John Kirtley on School ChoiceIn this week’s episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and American Federation for Children Senior Fellow Shaka Mitchell interview John Kirtley, Managing Partner and co-founder of Keswick Partners, and founder and Chairman of Step Up For Students, a nonprofit that manages Florida’s state-funded K-12 scholarship programs serving over half a million students. Kirtley shares his journey from the private sector into education reform in the late 1990s, and why business leaders must actively engage in shaping K-12 policy. He reflects on Florida’s steady, incremental expansion of school ch...
2025-09-0353 min
WonkyFolkVol 28 - Breaking Down The New Federal School Choice Program With Shaka MitchellIs a massive federal tax credit about to transform American education? 🎓Join Jed Wallace and Andy Rotherham as they dive deep with Shaka Mitchell from the American Federation for Children into what could be the most significant school choice development in years. This isn't your typical education policy discussion – it's about a "seismic" shift that could reshape how families access educational options nationwide.🎙️ What You'll Discover:• The federal tax credit program that's flying under the radar• What this means for families nationwide• Why this policy could be a game-changer for low-income f...
2025-08-2159 min
Politics with PaulPolitics with Paul #53: Education Policy's Impact on Civic Engagement w/ Shaka MitchellShaka Mitchell joins the podcast today to discuss how we can change education policy to positively improve civic engagement among both students and parents. Shaka is a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children, a professor of constitutional law at Belmont University, and an attorney.
How does how we teach our kids (and adults) about the political process affect how invested people are in politics? Where are the areas most in need of improvement? How can parents better facilitate civic engagement in students? How do we use education to reconnect citizens to the political process. Tune in to hear...
2025-08-121h 03
Show-Me Institute PodcastThe One Big Education Opportunity with Shaka MitchellSusan Pendergrass speaks with Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, about how a new federal scholarship tax credit, created through the One Big Beautiful Bill, could transform K–12 education across the country. They discuss what this means for Missouri families, the legal threats facing the MOScholars program, how education policy is shifting nationally, and more.
Timestamps
00:00 The Evolution of School Choice in Missouri
02:59 Charter Schools and Teacher Innovation
05:40 The Impact of Lawsuits on Educational Freedom
08:35 Federal Tax Credit Programs and Their Implications
11:19 The Future of School Choice and Parental Empowerment
Produced by Show-Me Opportunity
2025-08-0626 min
The Education Gadfly Show#977: New law, new questions for school choice, with Brian JodiceOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show, Brian Jodice, National Press Secretary for the American Federation for Children joins us for a lively debate on the federal school choice provision embedded in the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill”—including its potential impact in blue states.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam reviews a new Education Next study showing that a low-cost college-planning course can boost success for high-achieving, low-income students.Recommended content: “Democrats’ School Choice Dilemma” —Michael J. Petrilli, for The Wall Street Journal“Federal school choice skeptics are tilting at windmills” —Shaka M...
2025-07-1635 minThe Learning CurveShaka Mitchell on the American Federation for Children & School Choice OptionsIn this week’s episode of The Learning Curve, co-host Alisha Searcy and guest co-host Walter Blanks interview Shaka Mitchell, senior fellow at the American Federation for Children. Mr. Mitchell shares about his compelling personal and professional journey in education reform. Shaka discusses how his formative experiences shaped his passion for expanding charter public schools, school choice, and empowering families. He reflects on his early work with the Center for Education Reform under Jeanne Allen, and how national leaders like Kevin Chavous influenced his thinking. Drawing on his leadership at charter school network...
2025-06-1837 minThe Education Gadfly Show#974: The Risks of the Educational Choice for Children Act, with Jon ValantOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jon Valant —director of the Brown Center on Education Policy and a senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings—joins Mike to discuss his recent analysis of the federal tax credit scholarship initiative included in the Republican budget bill and its potential to open the door to waste, fraud, and discriminatory practices. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a Belgian study comparing the cognitive and non-cognitive effects of work-based learning within different vocational education arrangements.Recommended content: “The Educational Choice for Children Act opens the door to w...
2025-06-1831 min
The DisagreementLive @ SXSW EDU: School ChoiceIn March, we recorded an episode live on stage at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas. This disagreement is all about ESAs, or Education Savings Accounts. You may have heard of ESAs under a different name, like vouchers or school choice programs. Right now, 18 states have some sort of ESA program in place.The programs are becoming more popular across the country, but should they be? What accounts for the increasing support for ESAs? What risks and benefits do they pose for students and families? Does the rise of ESAs inherently harm our public schools?When...
2025-04-1753 min
The Citizen Stewart ShowEp 123 | A Special Educational Status for Black Students (with Shaka Mitchell)This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sits down with Shaka Mitchell for a conversation about possible pathways to a special educational status for black students.Shaka Mitchell serves as a Senior Fellow for the American Federation for Children.We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
2025-04-1656 min
Quality MattersQuality Matters | Episode 7 | Erik Ellefsen & Ben BajarinUncovering the Real Drivers of Success in Education and Leadership In this episode of Quality Matters, we sat down with Erik Ellefsen and Ben Bajarin to explore what true educational quality looks like—beyond test scores and standardized assessments. Erik, a leader in school networks and improvement, emphasizes that the foundation of high-quality education lies in relationships, engagement, and empowerment, while Ben, a business and technology strategist, draws parallels between building effective teams in the corporate world and fostering strong educational environments.
2025-02-2147 min
Wear Who You AreRespect The Journey: Notes On Traveling Through AsiaIn the newest episode of Wear Who You Are, Natalie opens up about her month-long adventure through Asia, sharing some valuable lessons she picked up along the way. With stops in Thailand, Cambodia, and Japan, she reflects on the theme of respect. It can be strange, reconciling life in America with the incredible cleanliness and respect for public spaces she witnessed in places like Tokyo and Bangkok. Nat shares how the principle of loving-kindness influences interactions with both the environment and each other. There’s a refreshing take on shopping, too (of course!)—she noticed how shopping in these coun...
2025-02-1935 min
Freedom to LearnShaka Mitchell on Education Freedom, Teacher Bonuses & Rural Schools in TennesseeThis week on Freedom to Learn, we break down a major development in Tennessee’s education landscape—the passage of the Education Freedom Act of 2025. Passed during an emergency legislative session, this new statewide program expands school choice while making historic investments in public education. Governor Bill Lee, in his State of the State address, declared, “Tennessee will strive to have the best public schools in the nation and give parents choices in their child’s education, both at the same time.”But what does this mean for families, students, and schools? Shaka Mitchell joins us to unpack the...
2025-02-1334 minQuality MattersQuality Matters | Episode 6 | Dr. Patrick WolfWith insights from his groundbreaking research on school choice and civic outcomes, University of Arkansas professor, Dr. Patrick Wolf reveals how empowering parents to choose schools creates not just academic gains but stronger, more engaged citizens.
2025-01-1629 min
Phoenix Pod#023 | Shaka Mitchell | American Federation for ChildrenIn this episode of The Phoenix Pod, host Jovica Djurdjevic sits down with Shaka Mitchell, a legacy member of the Phoenix Club of Nashville and a passionate advocate for education reform and civic growth. With deep ties to the community, Shaka has been at the forefront of conversations about how cities like Nashville can evolve while maintaining opportunities for all.
Shaka and Jovica explore the transformation of Nashville—from its modest beginnings to its current status as a booming cultural and economic hub. They discuss the challenges that come with rapid growth, including rising ho...
2025-01-151h 02Quality MattersQuality Matters | Episode 5 | Superintendent Alberto CarvalhoJoin Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
2024-12-1917 minQuality MattersBREAKDOWN: Quality Matters Episode 4 | Dan HamlinJoin Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Dan Hamlin. Dan's perspective sheds light on the dynamic landscape of education and the factors fueling this transformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking breakdown conversation.
2024-12-0516 minQuality MattersQuality Matters | Episode 4 | Dan HamlinIn this episode of Quality Matters, we sit down with Dan Hamlin to explore the vision behind the Emerging School Models Conference, which he co-founded with Paul Peterson. Dan shares insights gained over the past three years as enrollment and interest in the conference continue to surge, reflecting an undeniable appetite for innovative educational approaches. Together, Shaka, Caitlin and Dan delve into why parents are increasingly prioritizing self-discipline, the social and civic outcomes offered by diverse school models, and whether these shifts are driven by people being pushed out of traditional systems or pulled into new ways of learning...
2024-11-2218 minQuality MattersBREAKDOWN: Quality Matters Episode 3 | Chad AuerJoin Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Chad Auer. They explore Chad's insights on transparency as a crucial tool in shaping effective education policies and discuss the importance of getting the right people in the right roles to drive impactful change. Not everyone needs to lead or take the activist route, but every role matters in creating quality outcomes for students. Tune in as they uncover valuable lessons that lead to educational success!
2024-11-0718 minQuality MattersQuality Matters | Episode 3 | Chad AuerChad Auer is a Senior Policy Advisor for Wyoming Governor, Mark Gordon, and he is a true renaissance man. Chad is a father, lawyer, rancher, former-mayor, and even a stablecoin architect. He joins Caitlin and Shaka to discuss the relationships between good governance and transparency, personal relationships and good public policy – showing us that Wyoming is much more than “fly-over” country.
2024-10-3129 minQuality MattersBREAKDOWN: Quality Matters | Episode 2, Part 2 | Gerard RobinsonEach episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Gerard Robinson.
2024-10-1419 minQuality MattersQuality Matters | Episode 2 | Gerard RobinsonGerard Robinson is a distinguished professor at the University of Virginia, bringing a wealth of expertise in education policy, criminal justice, and economic mobility. Notably, he is one of the few individuals in the nation to have held cabinet-level positions in multiple states, serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Education and Virginia’s Secretary of Education. Recently, Robinson has shifted his focus toward prison reform, dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals and advocating for a more equitable justice system.
2024-10-0833 minQuality MattersBREAKDOWN: Quality Matters | Episode 1, Part 2 | Dr. Ashley BernerEach episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Dr. Ashley Berner of Johns Hopkins University.
2024-09-1719 minQuality MattersQuality Matters | Episode 1 | Dr. Ashley BernerOn this episode Caitlin and Shaka talk with Dr. Ashley Berner, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, about taking a two-pronged approach to quality: choice and common content.
2024-09-0329 min
Shaka StoriesThe Silver Sickness - A Monument Valley Story[Transcript]Merrick actually has a twin butte called Mitchell over by the park entrance. They happen to be two of my favorite features in the entire park. And speaking of these two rock formations, that reminds me of a story. Want to know how these two buttes got their names? Back in 1863, Mitchell and Merrick were U.S. soldiers. They were tasked with rounding up the Navajo people and relocating them to an internment camp in New Mexico. Why? Well, the Four Corners region had finally caught the eye of American settlers, and they wanted i...
2024-08-1703 min
The Rod & Greg ShowRod Arquette Show: "Weird" is New Word for Dems to Describe Republicans; Kamala's Extreme Policies on Electric VehiclesRod Arquette Show Daily Rundown – Monday, July 29, 20244:20 pm: Thomas Catenacci, a reporter with the Washington Free Beacon, joins Rod for a conversation about his coverage of Kamala Harris’ plan to be more aggressive than Biden when it comes to electric vehicle mandates.4:38 pm: Steven Greenhut, Western Region Director for the R Street Institute joins the show to discuss his piece on the roots of J.D. Vance’s odd political thinking.6:05 pm: Ilya Shapiro, Director of Constitutional Studies and a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute joins the program to discuss Joe Biden’s recently...
2024-07-301h 21
Digical EducationEducation Policy for the Students conversation with Shaka MitchellIn this conversation with Shaka Mitchell we talk about Education Policy and connect it with his blog and the Massai greeting, "How are the children?" As we see new policies created to empower parents and allow schools to become more distinctive we focus the conversation on the students and their opportunities and outcomes.
Shaka Mitchell is Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children and Political Science Professor at Belmont University.
2024-07-1129 min
ERLC PodcastBest practices for Christian political engagementPolitical chaos and noisy rhetoric are hard to escape during an election season. So, it’s no surprise that even well-meaning Christians get caught up in the fray. Some withdraw from political engagement, feeling as if their voices couldn’t possibly be loud enough to make a difference. Others give in to the temptation to vilify those with whom they disagree. Neither is the most constructive way to use whatever measure of influence the Lord has given us to seek the welfare of our earthly home. As Christians, the way for us to engage is with the hope...
2024-05-3024 min
The ThoughtStretchers PodcastHard Questions About School ChoiceDrew Perkins talks with Shaka Mitchell, a Senior Fellow with the American Federation for Children, about school choice issues and challenges, including recent legislation passed in Kentucky. Click To View Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode
2024-05-081h 21The ThoughtStretchers PodcastHard Questions About School ChoiceDrew Perkins talks with Shaka Mitchell, a Senior Fellow with the American Federation for Children, about school choice issues and challenges, including recent legislation passed in Kentucky. Click To View Links & Resources Mentioned In This Episode
2024-05-081h 21