Chalk & Talk

Everyone wants to see children and young adults succeed in math, but it can be difficult to sort myths from facts in education. Join math professor, Anna Stokke, for conversations with leading educators and researchers about the importance of math, effective teaching methods, and debunking common myths about math and teaching. Chalk & Talk is a podcast for anyone interested in education, including educators, parents, and students.

From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb (Ep 49)
May 30, 2025 – 01:19:18
How we learn: Naive, purposeful, and deliberate practice with Stephen Chew (Ep 48)
May 16, 2025 – 57:13
Mailbag: Math facts vs calculators, a logic problem, the Southern surge (Ep 47)
May 7, 2025 – 14:49
Reclaiming learning time to boost literacy and numeracy with Ross Fox (Ep 46)
Apr 25, 2025 – 01:13:17
A decade of decline: Examining falling test scores with Mike Petrilli (Ep 45)
Apr 11, 2025 – 59:36
Mailbag: Building Thinking Classrooms, number talks & more with Zach Groshell (Ep 44)
Apr 2, 2025 – 49:03
How advocacy is changing reading instruction with Jamie Metsala (Ep 43)
Mar 21, 2025 – 01:15:17
Math Academy: Optimizing student learning with Alex Smith and Justin Skycak (Ep 42)
Feb 28, 2025 – 01:14:55
Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell (Ep 41)
Feb 7, 2025 – 58:53
From math to science: How weak math skills hurt students with Therese Markow (Ep 40)
Jan 24, 2025 – 54:23
Project Follow Through: Direct Instruction's overlooked success with Marcy Stein (Ep 39)
Jan 10, 2025 – 01:15:54
Boosting attention and learning with Blake Harvard (Ep 38)
Dec 20, 2024 – 55:16
Homework that works with Jo Castelino (Ep 37)
Nov 29, 2024 – 01:06:46
How to Build Automaticity with Math Facts: A Practical Guide (Ep 36)
Nov 8, 2024 – 27:15
Preparation for university math with Darja Barr and Dan Wolczuk (Ep 35)
Oct 25, 2024 – 01:04:04
Transforming education through behaviour science with Kimberly Berens (Ep 34)
Oct 4, 2024 – 01:11:16
Educational leadership: Improving math and literacy with Scott Hill (Ep 33)
Sep 13, 2024 – 01:10:02
Identifying and educating advanced students with Jonathan Plucker (Ep 32)
Aug 23, 2024 – 01:03:56
Exploring evidence for equitable education with Nidhi Sachdeva and Jim Hewitt (Ep 31)
Aug 1, 2024 – 01:03:08
Math fluency matters with Brian Poncy (Ep 30)
Jul 12, 2024 – 57:50
Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy (Ep 29)
Jul 5, 2024 – 01:03:21
Autism and evidence-based math instruction with Katharine Beals (Ep 28)
Jun 14, 2024 – 01:02:05
Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow (Ep 27)
May 24, 2024 – 01:10:51
Cognitive load theory in math class with David Morkunas (Ep 26)
May 3, 2024 – 56:25
Understanding math reform ideology with Tom Loveless (Ep 25)
Apr 12, 2024 – 01:09:54
Raising student achievement with Dylan Wiliam (Ep 24)
Mar 22, 2024 – 01:01:28
Red flags in education research with Ben Solomon (Ep 23)
Jan 26, 2024 – 01:08:20
Mindsets and educational misconceptions with Carl Hendrick (Ep 22)
Jan 12, 2024 – 59:01
Ep 21. The right to learn math with Daniel Ansari
Dec 15, 2023 – 57:34
Ep 20. Reading and math: parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns
Nov 24, 2023 – 58:18
Ep 19. The Calculus Project with Adrian Mims
Nov 3, 2023 – 57:24
Ep 18. Education myth-busting with Daisy Christodoulou
Oct 13, 2023 – 59:57
Ep 17. Do timed tests cause math anxiety? with Robin Codding
Sep 22, 2023 – 56:57
Ep 16. Applying cognitive science to education with Daniel Willingham
Sep 8, 2023 – 57:34
Ep 15. Modern relevance in the math curriculum with Brian Conrad
Aug 25, 2023 – 01:01:48
Ep 14. Stress and learning with Dan Rosen
Aug 11, 2023 – 54:54
Ep 13. Powerful teaching with Patrice Bain
Jul 28, 2023 – 57:49
Ep 12. California’s math controversy with Jelani Nelson Part II
Jul 9, 2023 – 46:54
Ep 11. California’s math controversy with Jelani Nelson Part I
Jul 8, 2023 – 01:11:11
Ep 10. Maximizing learning through explicit instruction with Zach Groshell
Jun 29, 2023 – 57:48
Ep 9. The tweet that roared with Tom Bennett
Jun 15, 2023 – 01:04:22
Ep 8. Lessons from around the world with Lucy Crehan
Jun 1, 2023 – 52:30
Ep 7. How to excel in math and other tough subjects with Barbara Oakley
May 18, 2023 – 58:57
Ep 6. Math teaching tips with Barry Garelick and JR Wilson
May 4, 2023 – 55:57
Ep 5. Critical issues in education with Matt Henderson
Apr 20, 2023 – 57:54
Ep 4. Cognitive load theory with Greg Ashman
Apr 6, 2023 – 01:01:02
Ep 3. The Science of Math with Amanda VanDerHeyden
Mar 25, 2023 – 59:21
Ep 2. Evidence-based teaching strategies with Paul Kirschner
Mar 11, 2023 – 52:20
Ep 1. Math and the Myth of Ability with John Mighton
Feb 24, 2023 – 49:45

Recent Reviews

Dr DeFeral

This podcast is perfection

I can’t emphasize how much I adore this show. If you’re looking for an honest conversation about what works and what doesn’t in math education, then look no further. Every episode is littered with high quality research explained in practical, heartfelt ways for both educators, parents, and researchers. The focus is on what we can do right now to help the most people possible. I encourage all of my fellow educators of all subjects to start listening. Please enjoy!
Prof Parent

Inspires hope

This podcast holds itself accountable by providing all of the references. (Not biased, just seeking meaningful/quantifiable evidence.) As an instructor, I was dismayed at how poorly informed I have been. As a parent, I am now armed with effective approaches and questions. I finally have some hope and direction in both arenas. Thanks for fighting the good fight!
ALR-SK

Like having a brilliant best friend

Anna Stokke is so smart, inquisitive, and well-informed and her guests are incredibly knowledgeable leaders in the field of education. This podcast is consistently fascinating and informative. Love it!
UpNorth7

Great insight!

If this podcast is biased, it is biased toward effective instructional practices. All educators could benefit from listening. I am gaining insight from the international perspective as well. Thank you!
Natcat13

Thoughtful dialogue on effective math instruction

Anna Stokke’s well produced and thoughtful podcast is a must for anyone who cares about math instruction. A must listen for teachers, parents, administrators, and policymakers.
Math parent 123

Great middle of the road perspective

I’m so happy to have found this podcast. I was looking for something more middle of the road in math education vs the 1-sided perspectives that dominate among the NCTM crowd. This podcast is a breath of fresh air.
OssumPossum

One-sided and obtuse

The bias of this podcast towards direct instruction and against student-focused classroom is instantly obvious. I came here to learn more about the science of math, and instead found a parade of similar-minded guests who only wanted to parrot the same lines and knock down straw-man arguments for the folks who might oppose them. Interesting if you want to hear what one-sided thinking sounds like, but not worth a listen otherwise.
agratefulteacher

Smart!

This is a very smart and informative podcast for not only teaching math, but sound educational practices in all areas! Well done!