Start with Questions

In this episode of Start With Questions, Kristy Lundstrom is joined by Vriti Saraf, co-founder and CEO of Ed3, and Jared Colley, Chief Innovation Officer at Mount Vernon, to explore the skill shifts reshaping education in the age of agentic AI. Together, they unpack what happens when AI can execute, produce, and iterate — and human value moves upstream toward framing, judgment, and question design. From Vriti's Portrait of an Educator project to Jared's research on cognitive debt and question architecture, this conversation cuts through the hype to ask the questions that matter most: What kinds of minds must we form when execution is abundant and framing is scarce? Whether you're a school leader, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode will challenge your assumptions and inspire your next move.

Curiosity isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s the skill that makes learning, leadership, and decision-making work in a world that moves at lightning speed. In this episode, Kristy Lundstrom is joined by Nicole Martin, Mount Vernon Ventures, and Trevor MacKenzie, global inquiry guru and educator extraordinaire, to unpack why inquiry-based learning is more vital than ever.In just 30 minutes, you’ll hear real stories, explore practical tools, and discover how inquiry transforms classrooms, organizations, and leadership itself. Whether you’re an educator, a leader, or anyone passionate about learning, this conversation will give you actionable insights to start asking better questions, modeling curiosity, and designing learning that matters.Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink how you learn, lead, and engage with the world. Click on the button and hear what inquiry looks like in action.

In this thought-provoking episode of Start With Questions, Kristy Lundstrom, CEO of The Mount Vernon Organization, is joined by Jared Colley of Mount Vernon Ventures, Meera Shah of Trey Education, and Patrick Schuermann from Strategic Compensation and Coaching Partners to unpack Mount Vernon Ventures’ latest R&D Report: The Flow of Perpetual Learning.Together, they explore how organizations can cultivate a mindset of ongoing growth, experimentation, and renewal—where learning never stops. The report is anchored by the driving question: How might we design and deploy performance management systems that promote and reinforce both individual growth and organizational progress such that personalized goals and institutional strategic initiatives remain coherently aligned?It’s about collective commitments that meet the mission.It’s about alignment through relationships.And it’s about leadership through learning.From “inherited habits” to intentionally designing cultures that listen for and act on feedback and signals, the conversation blends real-world insights with bold, human-centered ideas drawn from research across the education ecosystem.Whether you’re a school leader, innovator, or lifelong learner, this episode will challenge your assumptions, spark your curiosity, and inspire your next step toward Perpetual Learning at your learning organization.Listen, reflect, and design for what’s next.

In the first episode of the new season of Start With Questions, Kristy Lundstrom, CEO of the Mount Vernon Organization in Atlanta, and Sandra Nagy, Managing Director of the Future Design School in Canada, kick things off with a thought-provoking conversation about the bold ideas shaping the future of learning.Together, they connect insights from two groundbreaking reports:Imagine Then, Act Now: Futures Literacy for Learning Organizations — by Mount Vernon VenturesThe Future of Education 2025 — by Future Design School Tune in as they explore futures literacy, design-based learning, and the importance of human-centered education in an AI-driven world. Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, or innovator, this episode will spark your imagination — and inspire your next move.Key Themes:Futures LiteracyStudent AgencySchool as R&D LabAI — Content, Context, and Care

In this episode of Start With Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge welcomes Peter Baron, founder of Moonshot OS, to discuss how schools can move from strategic planning to strategic execution. Together, they unpack the concept of a "school operating system," a framework that helps schools align people, processes, and tools to bring ambitious goals to life. From building strong meeting rhythms to tracking meaningful data, this conversation explores into how thoughtful systems can empower educators, break down silos, and ultimately drive transformational change across an entire school community.Bonus: The Business Competency Self-Assessment for Independent School Leaders can be found here: https://www.moonshotos.com/independent-school-business-competency-self-assessment

In this episode of Start With Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge sits down with Nicole Wortham, a Maker Design teacher at The Mount Vernon School, to explore how schools can be more intentional about shaping the future of their maker programs. From fostering student agency to building sustainable innovation practices, this conversation dives deep into what it means to empower learners now for the challenges of tomorrow.

In this episode of Start with Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge welcomes Chris Pryor, founder of Lead Team Partners, to discuss the critical role of external partnerships in supporting and empowering school leaders. The conversation delves into Lead Team Partners' origin, its mission to bridge the gap between school leaders and external consultants, and the innovative ways it fosters community and collaboration within the education sector.

In this episode of Start with Questions, host Ann Marsh Rutledge interviews Lily Catano, a teacher at The Mount Vernon School, about her transformative use of design thinking in language education. Lily shares how she integrates "Pequeños Aprendices con Grandes Ideas," the Spanish version of the "Little Learners with Big Ideas" field guide, to enhance her Spanish classes for young learners. This guide was inspired by the Compass Field Guide and adapted using age-appropriate language and images for our littlest learners. Through culturally rich expeditions, such as trips to Hispanic markets and virtual tours of Colombian wildlife, Lily Catano encourages her students to apply language skills in real-world contexts. She emphasizes that design thinking fosters empathy, creativity, and a love for learning, preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged global citizens.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we explore how Mackintosh Academy Littleton, a small independent school in Colorado for gifted learners, is using futures thinking and scenario planning to shape its strategic vision. Annie Slothower, Director of Enrollment Management, shares how the school’s strengths—small class sizes, a strengths-based approach, and an International Baccalaureate curriculum—inform its mission to serve gifted students. Through collaboration with Mount Vernon Ventures consulting team, Mackintosh Academy Littleton explored future scenarios such as becoming a gifted research hub, adopting a nature-technology fusion model, and enhancing personalized learning pathways.Annie Slothower reflects on the process of stepping away from daily demands to focus on long-term goals, emphasizing how the work fostered diverse perspectives and reaffirmed Mackintosh's commitment to its mission. The discussion highlights the value of integrating futures planning into strategic initiatives, offering insights for educators on preparing for opportunities and challenges while staying true to their core purpose.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we dive into the long-standing partnership between The Mount Vernon School and Dewey Schools in Vietnam. Vũ Phương Nhi, Executive Director of English Programs at the Dewey Schools, and Trish Bogdanchik, Head of Upper School at The Mount Vernon School, share insights on their collaboration and recent visits. They discuss the shared mission of empowering students through innovative programs like the integrated curriculum and professional development workshops. Reflecting on the cultural exchange and professional growth during the visit, they highlight the importance of teacher collaboration, primarily through the impact of design thinking and differentiated learning for both students and faculty. The episode wraps up with future opportunities for deeper collaboration, including potential teacher exchanges.

In this episode of Start with Questions, we welcome Christian Long,  an expert in design thinking and education. The discussion centers around the importance of nurturing a sense of belonging and wholeness for both educators and students. Emphasizing the value of curiosity and empathy, and fostering strong relationships among colleagues, we learn how this creates a more supportive and effective educational environment.  We ask the question, "How can these practices help retain faculty and improve the overall school experience by focusing on the well-being of adults as well as students?

In this episode of Start with Questions, hosted by Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of School Mount Vernon Ventures, we're joined by Michele Koch, the Chief Brand Officer at the Mount Vernon School. Together, we explore how brand and communication play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the school year. Sharing insights into the intentionality behind Mount Vernon School's branding, she emphasizes the importance of consistency and how it reflects the school's mission of inquiry, innovation, and impact. We discuss the concept of brand as a promise and the strategic process of creating a cohesive brand experience, from the first impression to fostering long-term advocacy. Whether you're a school leader or someone interested in organizational brand strategy, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how to align your branding efforts with your institution’s mission and goals.

Tune in to "Start with Questions," a transformational leadership podcast by Mount Vernon Ventures. In this episode, host Ann Marsh Rutledge welcomes two inspiring leaders: Denise Musselwhite, CEO and founder of Tech and Thrive and executive board chair for ATLIS, and Kristy Lundstrom, Head of School for the Mount Vernon School. Together, they delve into the question, How might we support personalized leadership development, especially for women in schools?

In this episode, Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of MV Ventures, and Jared Colley, Head of Learning and Innovation at Mount Vernon Upper Campus and Editor for Ventures R&D Reports, discuss the concept of "futures literacy." Emphasizing the importance of preparing for multiple plausible future scenarios rather than predicting a single future, Jared shares insights on scenario-based planning, a method used to build strategic resilience and adaptability in organizations.As a bonus, this episode complements our Spring R&D Report (available at MVVentures.org) by providing practical steps for integrating futures thinking into organizational culture.

Mount Vernon Upper School eSports A team joins us on the podcast to discuss their experiences in competitive gaming. They highlight the strategic depth they use, including data analysis and team strategy, particularly in playing Super Smash Bros. They also share personal stories on how eSports facilitated significant social connections and personal growth, underscoring the community and inclusiveness of their program. The conversation reveals how the skills acquired through eSports, like strategic thinking, handling pressure, and finding friendships, are valuable beyond gaming and applicable in real-world situations.

In this episode, host Ann Marsh Rutledge and guest Krista Fancher from Mount Vernon School delve into the Innovation Diploma program's "Future of" course, revealing how it instills a future-ready mindset in students. Students tackle ambitious, real-world, industry projects and surpass expectations, fueled by intrinsic motivation. The Innovation Diploma program champions experiential learning and forward-thinking skills, employing tools like design matrices to navigate future trends.

In this episode of "Start with Questions," host Ann Marsh Rutledge and guests Jared Colley from The Mount Vernon School and Josh Clark from The Landmark School discuss changes in the conversation around AI in schools. Listen as they discuss trends, pressing issues, exciting opportunities, and practical advice for leaders for implementing AI in schools.

In this episode of "Start with Questions," host Ann Marsh Rutledge and guest Bo Adams from the Mount Vernon School highlight "Collider," a professional learning event at Mount Vernon School. It brings external conference benefits in-house, fostering collaboration among faculty and staff. Themes like purpose-based learning and artificial intelligence emerge. The event encourages idea-sharing and innovation. Listen and learn how your school can explore similar models for internal professional development.

In this episode of "Start with Questions,"  host Ann Marsh Rutledge and guest Matt Nealon from the Mount Vernon School discuss their winter R&D report, "A New Kind of Leader: Managing Talent and Experience for a New World of Work." They discuss the evolving workplace and the importance of managing talent post-COVID. They highlight strategies for nurturing a regenerative work culture, emphasizing the need for a compelling vision, agility, and effective storytelling in leadership. 

In this episode of "Start with Questions," we're sharing curated episodes of our most popular and enlightening conversations from 2023. Join Ann Marsh Rutledge, the Executive Director of MV Ventures, as we take you on a journey through the standout episodes of the year that are sure to ignite your excitement, inspire new ideas, and help you anticipate the opportunities in 2024!

During this episode of Start with Questions, the Ventures team answers the question, “How can schools leverage their communities to fuel innovation?” and discusses their recent Council on Innovation event. Listen as Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of MV Ventures, interviews Brad Droke, Dean of Students for the Upper Campus at The Mount Vernon School, and Herris Fentress, Innovation Diploma student class of 2025 at The Mount Vernon School, about the impact of Council on Innovation and ways that schools can leverage their own communities to spark innovation.

During this episode of Start with Questions the Ventures team answers the question “How do we foster total health within our organization?” and discusses their new R&D Report, Total Health: The Wholeness of People in an Age of Technology, which was just released in early October. Listen as Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of MV Ventures, interviews Jared Colley, Head of Learning and Innovation for the Upper Campus at The Mount Vernon School and editor of the Ventures R&D reports, Ben Potter, Dean of Students for Mount Vernon Online and lead write for this fall R&D report, and Hiro Kariya, Head Athletic Trainer at The Mount Vernon School, about this new research, its importance for organizations, and how to leverage new technologies for total health within your organization.

During this episode of Start with Questions the Ventures team answers the question “How does maker education benefit students and schools in today’s context?” and discusses their new book, Leveling Up Maker Education, scheduled to be released in late September. Listen as Brett Jacobsen, CEO of The Mount Vernon Organization, interviews Bo Adams, Chief Learning and Innovation Officer at The Mount Vernon School, and Ann Marsh Rutledge, Executive Director of Ventures, about the evolution of the maker program at The Mount Vernon School and benefits for students, the why behind releasing a maker book now, and advice for schools considering implementing or leveling up their maker programs. 

During this episode of Start with Questions the Ventures team celebrates the launch of a new toolkit, Little Learners with Big Ideas: A Field Guide for Design Thinking. Listen as Ann Marsh Rutledge, Ventures’ Head of Learning and Innovation, interviews Molly Hudson, Director of Lower School, and Kevin Day, Impact Design Lab Coordinator, about why Design Thinking, especially with young learners, how Design Thinking benefits students and schools, and strategies for how to implement Design Thinking.

Ventures welcomes Bradley James Davies to the pod to discuss his latest book. Bradley is a celebrated school leader and after a two-decade career in education that included teaching, coaching, and leading across all grade levels, he founded Falkor, a leadership and life consultancy dedicated to helping clients lead better and live better. In 2022 he fulfilled his long-held dream of writing a book. That book is School Leadership from A to Z: How to Lead Well Without Losing Your Way. It’s a book about the ups, downs, and all-arounds of school life and leadership.

We’re excited to kick-off Season 2 of the Start with Questions podcast with the celebration of Ventures’ launch of Activate Agency: Empower Your Students to Own Their Learning, a curriculum guide that takes a deep-dive into Mount Vernon’s Innovation Diploma, our school-within-a-school model. Listen as Ventures’ Executive Director, Kalen Curtis, interviews Brad Droke, Upper School Dean of Student Life and Experience, as he details the why behind the creation of the iD program and this book.

Are you AI ready? In this episode Jared Colley, Upper Campus Learning & Innovation, and Dr. Brett Jacobsen, CEO, at Mount Vernon sit down to discuss the recent acceleration of artificial intelligence and the profound implications for an organization’s people, protection, and programs. As leaders, how might we take inventory of the myriad implications we should anticipate in order to steward and support our schools in a moment when there are no prefigurative frameworks to fall back on?

Ventures is honored to welcome Will Richardson to the Start with Questions Podcast. Will is a former public school educator of 22 years. He has spent the last 15 years developing an international reputation as a leading thinker and writer about the intersection of social online learning networks, education, and systemic change. Most recently, Will is a co-founder of The Big Questions Institute which was created to help educators use "fearless inquiry" to make sense of this complex moment and an uncertain future.Dr. Brett Jacobsen, CEO, sits down with Will to discuss his article, Five Themes for Educators in 2023.

Ventures is honored to welcome Michael Horn to today’s podcast, discussing his latest book, From Reopen to Reinvent: (Re)Creating School for Every Child. In addition, Michael has authored Disrupting Class, Choosing College, and even a children’s story, Goodnight Box. Michael is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. He co-hosts his own podcast, Class Disrupted and Future U. He also serves as an executive editor at Education Next.Dr. Brett Jacobsen, CEO, sits down with Michael and discusses the progress we have made in education since his first book, Disrupting Class, the most urgent questions confronting education today, 6 domains every school should consider, signals we need to be paying attention to, and strategic next steps for school communities.

Any conversation about measuring learning usually starts with assessment. We’re all familiar with taking tests as students and most of us are also familiar with administering and grading tests as teachers. We have personal histories, emotions, and opinions all tied to these testing experiences. But what is the purpose of assessment? And is assessment synonymous with grading? Join Ann Marsh Rutledge and Jared Colley to explore more.

Workplace well-being has become a buzz-phrase but, at its core, it is a deeply personal and unique set of conditions, needs, preferences and values that differ for each individual. Kalen Curtis and Matt Neylon weigh-in on Episode 3!

What is your innovation intention? Is it to optimize, transform, or disrupt? Your answer likely depends upon your organization’s unique story. As such, leading change invites different approaches in a myriad of settings. And, innovation is accessible to you regardless of size or financial portfolio.Join CEO Brett Jacobsen and the Mount Vernon Ventures team to explore more.

On today’s episode, we will answer the questions, what is Mount Vernon Ventures and why does it exist? We will also introduce you to our incredible team and hear a little bit of their inspirational stories.