PODCAST · history
The Purple Zone
by Alexis Morgan
Hosted by Alexis Morgan, The Purple Zone explores how governance, public institutions, community, and history shape the places we call home. Through conversations, storytelling, and policy analysis, the podcast connects local experiences to larger civic and political currents--from education, healthcare, and governance to culture, identity, and institutional change. Rooted in Idaho but reaching far beyond it, The Purple Zone is less about hot takes and more about understanding how communities evolve, how decisions shape everyday life, and what it means to participate in civic life together. Alexis Morgan is a PhD candidate in public policy and administration, longtime community participant, advocate, and civic storyteller.
Episodes
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AI, Data Centers, Nuclear & Water: Turning Issues into Legislation with Senator Kevin Cook
Send us Fan Mail What does it take to turn an issue into legislation? Time? Relationships? Listening? The AI in Education workgroup is highlighted in turning an issue into public policy. In this episode, Alexis Morgan sits down with Idaho Senator Kevin Cook to talk about what goes into making...
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The Dignity Index: A Deep Dive on The Ranch Podcast (Dual Release)
Send us Fan Mail Have you noticed that division in the United States feels higher than ever? What if conflict isn't the cause of our division, but rather the normalization of contempt within conflict? In this dual release, Matt Todd of The Ranch podcast invites Alexis on to talk all things…
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Leading with Curiosity Over Contempt: Transparency vs. Targeting in the Ballot Measure process
Send us Fan Mail Have you thought about the difference between transparency and targeting in our election process? Do you know what it means to choose curiosity instead of falling into contempt? And what does contempt actually look like when it comes to a ballot initiative? In this episode…
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An Idaho Lawmaker Walks Into a Book Club: A Conversation on Learning with Britt Raybould
Send us Fan Mail This episode marks an exciting first for The Purple Zone: a brand-new experiment in bringing people together around ideas, not just single books. Alexis is joined by Representative Dr. Britt Raybould to pilot a new kind of book club, one that lives right here on the podcast and...
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The Naming of The Purple Zone: What It Really Means
Send us Fan Mail It's a solo episode this week and Alexis is pulling back the curtain. Most people hear "The Purple Zone" and think politics: red meets blue, somewhere in the middle. But that's not where the name came from, and it's not what it means. Alexis takes you back to where the podcast...
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Idaho’s AI in Education Journey: Guardrails, Implementation, and the “Now What?”
Send us Fan Mail Alexis Morgan welcomes Will Goodman, Director of People and Organizational Services for Boise School District, to unpack the Idaho journey of AI in Education legislation and why Idaho is leading the nation on guardrails and implementation. They talk candidly about the question…
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My Date with Dignity
Send us Fan Mail In this opening episode of the season, I’m stepping in solo to share a quick recap of my summer with my kids as they head into a new chapter: college town life and off-to-school mornings that feel like both a goodbye and a beginning. But the heart of this episode is my “date with...
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Community Schools, Shared Power: Mountain Home's “One Town, One Team”
Send us Fan Mail In this season opener, Alexis Morgan sits down with guest Stehvn Tesar, principal at Bennett High School, to explore how the community school strategy at Bennett High helps meet students’ needs and strengthens the surrounding community. We start by defining what a community…
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Rethinking Tech in the Classroom with Joey Palmer
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Joey Palmer, a school administrator in the Treasure Valley (larger Boise area in Idaho), who’s taking a different approach to technology in the classroom. This isn’t about being anti-tech—it’s about asking better questions: When does...
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1 in 5 Rural Idaho Students Rely on IDLA: And It Just Lost Half Its Funding
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sat down with Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) Superintendent Dr. Jeff Simmons to unpack what really happened with HB 940 and related legislation and why this moment is about far more than online classes. We break down the full policy landscape and…
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Anti-Teacher Union Bill Breakdown (HB 516) & The System Impact
Send us Fan Mail This episode breaks down a new Idaho law impacting teachers unions, but more importantly, what it reveals about how policy actually works in practice. This isn’t just about unions. It’s about systems, processes, and what happens when infrastructure quietly shifts underneath...
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The Stories that Shaped Us and Built our Communities
Send us Fan Mail Lately I’ve been asking myself a question. Have we forgotten the stories that built the communities we live in today… or were many of us never really taught them in the first place? In this reflective solo episode, Alexis explores the stories that shaped her understanding of...
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Idaho Lawmaking 101: The Budget, Medicaid, and a Rare Senate Rejection
Send us Fan Mail Budgets aren’t flashy and they’re usually not the most fun thing to talk about. But when the Idaho Senate rejected the state’s largest budget bill the $5.7 billion Health and Welfare budget it revealed deeper tensions inside the Legislature over fiscal responsibility, Medicaid...
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All about Charter Schools and the Missing Innovation Pipeline with Duncan Robb
Send us Fan Mail Idaho has had charter schools for nearly three decades. They were created to innovate, and the question today is: are they doing that? In this episode, I’m joined by Duncan Robb, education policy expert and the writer behind the Substack K–12 Education in Idaho...
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Idaho’s Doctor Shortage, WWAMI, & the $1 Billion Rural Health Grant with Rep. Dustin Manwaring
Send us Fan Mail Idaho ranks 50th in physicians per capita and 44th in primary care access. So what’s the real plan to fix it? In this episode, I sit down with Representative Dustin Manwaring to break down Idaho’s Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) strategy, the proposed 36-month rollout, and...
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Federalism, Elections, and the Constitution: Who Actually Has the Power?
Send us Fan Mail Who actually has the power over elections in the United States — the federal government, the states, or the president? Alexis takes you go back to the Constitution itself. Because here’s the truth: many adults have never been taught (or have near forgotten) how the Constitution…
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The Real Cost of Underfunded Special Education
Send us Fan Mail When special education isn’t fully funded, the cost doesn’t disappear...it gets absorbed by families, classrooms, and educators. In this solo episode of The Purple Zone, I unpack what underfunded special education actually looks like on the ground: for students whose needs go...
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Efficiency Meets Reality: Hard Math, Hard Choices 2026 Legislative Session
Send us Fan Mail The math ain’t mathing...and that’s not about blame, it’s about reality. Yes this podcast has the words BUDGET, LEGISLATURE, DOGE, and GOVERNANCE...but I promise it's NOT boring--but rather something that is intended to help ALL Idahoans (and my friends in other states)…
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The Room Where it Happens: Getting Access to Where Idaho Policy Decisions are Made
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the first Purple Zone episode of 2026. As the new year begins and the legislative session ramps up (start date is January 12) ... I’m sharing three important opportunities and announcements for Idahoans who care about kids, families, schools, and the policies that…
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A Five-Year Grant Promise Cut Short: What’s Happening to Idaho’s Community Schools
Send us Fan Mail Last Friday, Idaho school and community leaders were notified that a major federal education grant already awarded and already supporting students is being cut short. The Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) State Scaling Grant, awarded to Idaho through the United Way of…
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When Policy Meets a Viral Moment: Inside Idaho’s HB 41 (Flags & Schools Bill)
Send us Fan Mail How does a bill actually move through a legislature — not in textbooks, but in real life? In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis takes a deep dive into House Bill 41, Idaho’s 2025 “flags and schools” law, a bill that unexpectedly became tied to the now-viral West Ada…
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The Assassination That Rewired American Government
Send us Fan Mail What do a disappointed office-seeker, a presidential assassination, a reform act from the 1880s, and an academic essay from Woodrow Wilson have to do with your life today? More than you think. In this episode, Alexis traces the surprising story of how the U.S. moved from a...
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Human → AI → Human: Navigating AI with Integrity, Clarity & Curiosity
Send us Fan Mail Alexis sits down with Will Goodman, Chief Technology Officer for the Boise School District and a central voice in Idaho’s statewide conversations on AI in K–12 education. Will and Alexis serve together on an AI in K-12 Education Workgroup in Idaho, and in this episode, they dig...
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Who Runs This Town? Local Government & the Art of Folding in the Cheese
Send us Fan Mail Most people can name the President—but not their local city council members. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, to unpack what local government actually does and why it matters. From who really decides where roads go...
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Beyond the Buzzwords of AI + Education: Transparency, Privacy Rights, and What Comes Next...
Send us Fan Mail Do you know that AI is already integrated into nearly everything we do online? From the devices in our kids’ classrooms to the apps on our phones—artificial intelligence is part of daily life. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson to unpack what AI in education...
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School Boards 101: The Role, The Questions, The Elections
Send us Fan Mail Can you answer the following questions? What is the number one responsibility of every school board? What are the Five Big Governance Questions EVERY school board member should be able to answer? It’s election season for school board candidates…listen to learn what their real...
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Conflict Isn’t the Enemy: But Do You Know What Is?
Send us Fan Mail Conflict doesn’t have to divide us; it can be the wrestle that leads to deeper understanding and stronger communities. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis reflects on her experiences moderating at voucher town halls across Idaho, where dignity has proven essential for...
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AI in Education: Golden Ticket or Pandora’s Box?
Send us Fan Mail Is AI the golden ticket for education—or a fast track to unintended consequences? In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis Morgan sits down with Dr. Jeff Carlson, Head of National Education Partnership for Clever, who spends his days at the center of national and state...
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AI in Education & Why Teens Are Disengaged with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop
Send us Fan Mail This episode has been a long time coming—and one I’m beyond thrilled to share. I sit down with Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, co-author of The Disengaged Teen (with Jenny Anderson) and Director of Universal Education and Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development at the Brookings...
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Policy Happens. Here’s How to See It
Send us Fan Mail Have you ever thought about your origin story—the moment that sparked your why in your community? And have you noticed we’re living in the future? Listen in to hear what I mean, and how your story connects to the policies shaping our schools, neighborhoods, and everyday lives.…
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When Meta Meets PTA: Partnerships, Policies, & Student Safety
Send us Fan Mail Meta—the company behind Instagram and Facebook—is under fire for the harm its platforms cause kids. But instead of fixing the problem, Meta has launched a sophisticated campaign to protect its image and slow down regulation. In this episode of The Purple Zone, Alexis unpacks: How...
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Vouchers, Tax Credits, and the Fight for Idaho’s Public Schools
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back! In this season premiere, Alexis takes you on a quick journey of one of Idaho’s long-running education funding battles—stretching from the 1960s fight for a sales tax to today’s heated debates over vouchers. She'll revisit the Save Our Schools campaign that united...
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The Culture Keeper: Building Schools Everyone Believes In
Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build a school culture that kids, teachers, and families all want to be part of? In this episode, I sit down with Tim Sperber, longtime educator, self-described Culture Keeper, and incoming superintendent of the Lewiston School District. With experience as an...
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What If We Talked Like Everyone Mattered?--The Dignity Index with Tami Pyfer
Send us Fan Mail A year in the making, I was fortunate to sit down with Tami Pyfer, co-creator of the Dignity Index, for a conversation that could truly change the way we engage with the world around us. The Dignity Index is more than a measurement—it’s a movement. It’s a tool for self-reflection...
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Tech That Helps Parents Protect & Connect: Rethinking Digital Parenting with the Smartphone Alternative Troomi
Send us Fan Mail Explore how Troomi is helping parents stay connected while setting healthy boundaries—because safer tech leads to stronger families. "Troomi is the kids safe phone for digital wellness and positive mental health." --Bill Brady In this episode, I sat down with Bill Brady…
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Crowded Classrooms, Cheerful Chalkboards, and a Case for a New Elementary School
Send us Fan Mail What’s it really like to be an elementary school teacher in Idaho? In this episode, I chat with Teri Smith, a dedicated educator from the Middleton School District, about the joy, heart, challenges, and everyday realities of teaching. We talk about what it feels like walking into...
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Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA): Exciting Opportunities for Your K-12 Journey
Send us Fan Mail Join Alexis as she sits down with Jeff Simmons, Superintendent of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), to explore the incredible opportunities this online school provides to students across Idaho. From elementary to high school, IDLA offers courses for students at every...
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The Anatomy of a School Bond Proposal
Send us Fan Mail BONUS EPISODE! We welcome Jake Dempsey, a dedicated school board trustee for the Middleton School District. Jake joins us to discuss Middleton's efforts to pass a critical school bond in the upcoming May election — a feat that requires a supermajority of 66.67% voter approval, a...
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Building Community Through Education: Insights from Lewiston Superintendent Lance Hansen
Send us Fan Mail Alexis sat down with Lance Hansen, the Superintendent of the Year, from Lewiston School District #1. Lewiston is a community known for its collaborative spirit, and the school district plays a key role in this dynamic. Recently, Lance and the Vice President of the Lewiston School...
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Middleton Superintendent's Take: School Bond, Community Collaboration, & Highlights of the Year
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Marc Gee, Superintendent of Middleton School District, sits down with Alexis to dive into the important role of a superintendent and how Middleton is working to support its school community. In this conversation, Dr. Gee provides an in-depth look at the district’s upcoming…
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Professional Learning Communities: Boosting Student Success & Teacher Collaboration
Send us Fan Mail Have you heard of PLCs? These Professional Learning Communities are transforming education by improving student outcomes, enhancing teaching experiences, and fostering stronger school cultures. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Emalee Merrell, Coordinator of Professional...
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MORE Talk, Measured Action: Social Media Event, Vouchers, & Ed Policy
Send us Fan Mail Alexis sits down with Matt Todd, host of The Ranch Podcast, to discuss three critical topics impacting education in Idaho. First, they dive into the upcoming More Social Less Media Event—an opportunity for teenagers, parents, teachers, district administration, lawmakers, and…
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Homeschooling in Idaho: Audra Talley on the Benefits, Challenges, and What’s Next
Send us Fan Mail Alexis is joined by Audra Talley, board member of Homeschool Idaho, a homeschool parent, and a passionate advocate for educational choice. Together, they dive into the rich history of homeschooling in Idaho, the good and the ugly, exploring the state's unique approach to this...
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Revamping Idaho's Grad Requirements: Digital Literacy & Future-Ready Students
Send us Fan Mail Alexis welcomes Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff for Superintendent Debbie Critchfield of the Idaho Department of Education, to discuss the proposed changes to high school graduation requirements in Idaho. The conversation revolves around the process and rationale for these updates,...
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Youth Mental Health in Idaho: Creating Upstream Prevention with Dr. Megan Smith
Send us Fan Mail Join Alexis as she sits down with Dr. Megan Smith, Associate Professor in the School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University and Executive Director for Communities for Youth. Together, they explore the mission of Communities for Youth, which is to empower...
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Investing in Idaho's School Communities with Jackie Yarbrough
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Jackie Yarbrough, Senior Program Officer of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, to explore how this unique foundation is transforming school communities across Idaho. While it may not seem typical for a health insurance company...
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Principal Power: How Middleton High is getting a BOOST in School Culture
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alexis sits down with Johnny Hullinger, the dynamic principal at Middleton High School, who is now embarking on his second year of leadership. Born and raised in Weiser, Idaho, Johnny embodies the Idaho ethos of strong community connection from the very start of...
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Idaho TECH Bill to Protect Kids and the More Social Less Media Movement
Send us Fan Mail Special BONUS Episode: Alexis dives into two pivotal concepts that are shaping the future of education in Idaho. First, she discusses the groundbreaking Tech Bill that has been gaining robust support statewide. Guest Matt Todd, known for hosting The Ranch podcast, authored this...
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When Tragedy Sparks Change: A Conversation with YouMeWeAll Parents
Send us Fan Mail In this eye-opening conversation, Alexis is joined by Tara Coffland and Kim Washington, founding members of the YouMeWeAll Boise (Youth Mental Wellness Alliance). This inspiring group was established after the heart-wrenching loss of four students to suicide within just one month...
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Marsing’s Community School Revolution: Bold Moves by School Leaders for Their Community
Send us Fan Mail Join me for an inspiring conversation with Norm Stewart, the superintendent of the Marsing School District, as he discusses the successful implementation of the Community School Strategy in his district. Collaborating closely with the school board, Norm has witnessed firsthand…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosted by Alexis Morgan, The Purple Zone explores how governance, public institutions, community, and history shape the places we call home.
Through conversations, storytelling, and policy analysis, the podcast connects local experiences to larger civic and political currents--from education, healthcare, and governance to culture, identity, and institutional change.
Rooted in Idaho but reaching far beyond it, The Purple Zone is less about hot takes and more about understanding how communities evolve, how decisions shape everyday life, and what it means to participate in civic life together.
Alexis Morgan is a PhD candidate in public policy and administration, longtime community participant, advocate, and civic storyteller.
HOSTED BY
Alexis Morgan
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Purple Zone have?
The Purple Zone currently has 74 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Purple Zone about?
Hosted by Alexis Morgan, The Purple Zone explores how governance, public institutions, community, and history shape the places we call home. Through conversations, storytelling, and policy analysis, the podcast connects local experiences to larger civic and political currents--from education,...
How often does The Purple Zone release new episodes?
The Purple Zone has 74 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Purple Zone?
You can listen to The Purple Zone on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Purple Zone?
The Purple Zone is created and hosted by Alexis Morgan.
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