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Home of the What School Could Be Podcast
Producer and Host: Josh Reppun
What inspired this podcast? In 2019 What School Could Be rocketed to the top of the best seller lists. I created this podcast as a way to continue the inspirations shared in the book.
What is the central question ever present on my mind as I produce this show? It is: What could be school? The depth and layers of this simple question are breathtaking. They drive me forward through each of my episodes and all of my conversations.
What will you hear? Episodes are long-form, deep dive interviews with educators, students, school and district leaders, education adjacent researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, and community partners.
What do we value in education? We value relationships over compliance; mastery over points; relevance over routines; equity over sorting; and learning that honors culture, identity, and the whole child.
What do we explore in these conversations? We dive deep into learner-centered design, real-world learning, competency-based and mastery-based systems, career-connected pathways, durable skill development, positive youth mental health, and leadership moves that make change stick.
Who is this podcast for? It’s for anyone who believes school should help every young person discover strengths, build skills that matter, develop an ethos of good ancestry and contribute to something bigger. It is also for those listeners who are curious about what school could be.
What will listeners leave with? We hope you leave with questions and a library of concrete examples, language, and next steps—so you can say, “Yes, this is possible,” and start making it real where you are. We also hope you will leave with…hope.
How might you use this show on your innovation journey? Start with an episode that matches your moment, share one insight with your team, and try one small experiment.
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Vision and Mission
Vision: A world where every young person experiences learning that is humane, relevant, and joyful; where schools are built around student voice, agency, advocacy, and a deep sense of purpose and belonging; and where communities treat learning as a co-created, living practice of becoming that evolves with learners and communities.
Mission: This podcast brings the vision to life by going where learning is happening, in classrooms and communities around the world, and capturing stories, field notes, and thoughtful conversations with the people doing the work. We listen closely, surface what is working and what is still taking shape, and examine what becomes possible as intentions take shape through thoughtful design. We craft these insights into concrete examples and shared language that educators, families, and communities can adapt and use in their own context.
About the Producer And Host
I am a former chef, hotel manager, history teacher (17 years), Apple retail sales specialist and executive director of What School Could Be. It has been a joy to produce and host the What School Could Be Podcast. My journey reimagining teaching and learning began in 2015 when I saw Ted Dintersmith’s acclaimed documentary, Most Likely to Succeed, and read his subsequent book, What School Could Be, which inspired this show. I am the founder of Josh Reppun Productions and I produced and co-directed two films: Ka Helena Aʻo: The Learning Walk and The Innovation Playlist. I strive to spotlight creative, imaginative and innovative educators and education leaders around the world. This show has now reached 135,000 downloads in 145 countries. I live in Honolulu with my wife, Cheryl and our shy cat, Penny.
About the Audio Engineer
Evan Kurohara, also known as SØZEN SOUND, is a dedicated and self-taught audio engineer based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. With a relentless passion for sound, Evan has spent the past seven years honing his craft, specializing in recording, mixing, and mastering across diverse music genres and podcasts. Collaborating with local podcasts such as The What School Could Be Podcast, Keep It Aloha, Aloha From Hawaii, Puka Pockets, and Punahou School’s Listen and Learn Podcast, Evan constantly refines his skills and expands his portfolio. Committed to delivering top-notch audio experiences with meticulous attention to detail and a collaborative approach, Evan’s creative vision shines through in every project he undertakes.
About the First Post Production Team
When I launched this podcast one of the essential questions on my mind was: Who is going to edit the episodes? One night, while working at the Apple Store, just before closing, I spied Mathieu Williams, the founder of Kealakehe MS’s Hawk Media Productions (near Kona), and a group of his students. I invited them into the store and made a pitch to these 7th and 8th graders and the rest is history. Mathieu’s team did all post production for season one of this show. The manager of that team, Mei Kanada, is pictured front and center. Mei is now at university in Japan – she is the voice that starts and ends every recent episode. Mathieu has since moved on to Kealakehe HS and is building a similar media program for young storytellers.
Accolades
In June of 2023 Getting Smart updated their list of the top 100 podcasts focused on education, and the What School Could Be Podcast landed near the top! This was an incredible honor and a reflection of the hard work of the show’s editor, Evan Kurohara, the magical theme music provided by Michael Sloan, and the innovative, creative and imaginative educators and education leaders showcased in these episodes. And a shout out to Mel Ching, who has served as co-producer on many of our episodes and is a major reason for the show’s success.
You have a real knack for storytelling-weaving-dialogue that invites sincere exchange. I find it inspiring to be in the company of someone who cares and listens as you do. I also learned so much about myself and my work from our conversation and your thoughtful questions and preparation. What a gift to have a conversation that sparks new ideas and connections, already shaping my work. ~ Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk, #158, the Christmas Day 2025 Episode
“If I taught a graduate course on education or ran a teacher prep program, The WSCB Podcast would be required listening – no question. With 160+ episodes featuring youth and adult leaders across independent and alternative schools, every conversation is a deep dive into the human stories of becoming within school systems. I always leave inspired, thinking more deeply about why schools are structured the way they are—and how they can be radically reimagined. This podcast helps me feel less alone and pushes me to believe public schools can be innovative, liberatory, and built for the betterment of humanity. segments hosted by Josh, he is a Innovative, deep thinker.”
“In a crowded podcast universe, Josh Reppun stands alone. No one prepares, researches, or plans with more precision, curiosity, or care. Every guest feels genuinely known, supported, and honored for their work. Each episode reflects exhaustive preparation and deep respect for ideas, people, and purpose. Josh does not just host conversations. He elevates them.”
“The WSCB Podcasts are centered in rich conversations with educational experts and students, providing a vast library of creative, inspiring, and necessary ideas for educators and the future of education.”
“The What School Could Be Podcast brings learners to the center by spotlighting people who are actually doing the work of transforming schools. Each episode offers authentic, practical ideas I can use right away, along with powerful connections to inspiring educators. It fills me with hope, joy, and courage to do the “heart” work of education. If you want motivation on your run or in your leadership, this podcast delivers every time.”
“Personable, relatable, accessible conversations with teachers on the front lines of a revolution in public, private, and charter school education. Josh’s mixes fun classroom anecdotes with big, powerful questions about what it means to foster thoughtful, creative, talented students. This podcast will give you hope for the next generation.”
“l’ve turned off a lot of news media (TV shows, podcasts, etc.) because of all the bad things happening in the world today. This podcast is one of the very few shows that gives me hope for the future in these uncertain times. It makes my work commutes a lot more enjoyable as well!”
“This podcast hits home for me as an educator who wants more out of the educational experience! I am already hooked after only listening to my first episode.”
“I adore this show and the bright spots it captures in education and learning!! It’s so easy to get caught up in what school isn’t… or how negative things are. But this show captures what school could be. AND what could be school. I love it.”
“In the first podcast, Josh mentioned a moment in time where he took learning to another level with online discussions and taking learning beyond the four walls of the classroom at LP. I was there, 18 years ago, when he had the courage to make a difference. Looking forward to listening to all the segments hosted by Josh, he is a Innovative, deep thinker.”