Are We Failing the Future? What Students Really Need to Succeed Today

What if the biggest barrier to preparing future leaders isn’t the students—but the systems trying to serve them? In this episode of The Disruption Lab, host Kevin McGinnis sits down with Megan Sturges, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, to explore how we can reimagine education to actually prepare students for the real world—not just standardized tests. Megan shares powerful, personal stories of impact—including how a pair of 8th-grade twins used Junior Achievement to launch lifelong dreams—and breaks down the six must-have competencies every student needs in today’s economy, from critical thinking to cultural agility. You’ll hear why collaboration is the most underrated skill in entrepreneurship, how real-world learning is reshaping confidence in the classroom, and why we can’t keep relying on passionate individuals to hold broken systems together. Whether you’re a founder, educator, policymaker, or parent, this episode will challenge how you think about workforce development, youth empowerment, and the future of learning. Listen in to discover: Why “soft skills” are now power skills—and the real currency of the future How Junior Achievement is turning simulation into transformation What most education systems get wrong about scale and sustainability The overlooked connection between instant gratification and generational debt Why giving students a platform is the key to unlocking hidden leadership Recorded live at Keystone Sessions. Brought to you by the Keystone Innovation District.