Rephonic
Artwork for MI SoundBoard
Public Education
Michigan
School Board Elections
Education
Michigan Association Of School Boards
Michigan Education System
Education Turnover
School Boards
School Safety
Succession Planning
Launch Michigan
Professional Development
Superintendency
Vouchers
Public School System
Teacher Shortage
MASB
Election Law
Bottom Line
School Culture

An ongoing conversation on the current state of public education in Michigan and nationwide. Listen along as MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE invites prominent education voices from across the nation to speak about what's happening and the possible impact on students.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes186Founded9 years ago
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EducationGovernment

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Artwork for MI SoundBoard

Latest Episodes

For many Michigan families, access to nutritious food is a challenge that doesn't end when the school day does. In this episode of MI SoundBoard, Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE, speaks with Katlyn Cardoso, Director of Communications and Brand St... more

In this episode, Executive Director Don Wotruba sits down with new MASB Board President Pam Dickinson to explore her personal journey and motivations for joining her local school board. Pam shares her core goals for the year ahead alongside key refle... more

Get a sneak peek at what's in store for this year's Annual Leadership Conference on this episode of MISoundboard! We're joined by Mimi Brown, CSP, one of the 2026 ALC keynote speakers, for a preview of her general session on establishing and using yo... more

Back-to-school season means the return of Brad's Legal Tips for every school district!

Brad Banasik, J.D., Legal Counsel and Director of Labor Relations/Policy, is back with timely legal insights and practical advice to help school districts naviga... more

In this episode of MISoundBoard, we sit down with Venessa Keesler, Ph.D., President and CEO of Launch Michigan, to explore the Michigan Education Guarantee—what it promises for students and how its vision can become a reality in classrooms across the... more

In this episode of MISoundBoard, we sit down with Jen Saylor, Ph.D., NBCT-R, Director, and DeNesha Rawls‑Smith, M.A.Ed., Literacy Unit Manager at the Michigan Department of Education, to unpack Michigan's newest student literacy law. They break down ... more

What's happening in Washington, D.C., that could shape the future of Michigan public schools? Don Wotruba talks with Dr. Phelton Moss, Ph.D., Managing Director of Government Relations from the National School Boards Association, about the advocacy wo... more

It's MISoundBoard's 200th episode—and we're flipping the script! In this special milestone edition, MASB Board Liaison Brooke Wooley, Ed.S., steps in as host to interview Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE. Tune in as Don reflects on 200 episodes of... more

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Recent Guests

Katlyn Cardoso
Director of Communications, Greater Lansing Food Bank
Greater Lansing Food Bank
Episode: Beyond the Cafeteria
Pam Dickinson
MASB's newest president, from Comstock Public Schools
Comstock Public Schools / MASB
Episode: Leading the Way
Mimi Brown
ALC speaker, motivational speaker, leadership coach
ALC keynote speaker
Episode: Own Your Swag
Brad Banasik
Legal counsel at MASB
Michigan Association of School Boards
Episode: The Legal Horizon
Venessa Keesler
President and CEO of Launch Michigan
Launch Michigan
Episode: A Promise for Education
Jen Saylor
Director of the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Michigan Department of Education
Michigan Department of Education
Episode: Literacy Meets Law
DeNesha Rawls‑Smith
Literacy Unit Manager, Michigan Department of Education
Michigan Department of Education
Episode: Literacy Meets Law
Phelton Moss
Managing Director of Government Relations and Legal Advocacy for the National School Boards Association; Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University
National School Boards Association
Episode: National Advocacy
Jennifer Smith
Director of Government Relations at MASB
Michigan Association of School Boards
Episode: Budget Battle

Host

Don Wotruba
Host of MI SoundBoard

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Literacy Meets Law
Q: What does the professional learning requirement look like for districts?
Districts must provide targeted professional learning to reading teachers, embed it in scheduling, and ensure instructors have training across core components outlined in PA 146/147, with ongoing access to guidance and resources from MDE.
Literacy Meets Law
Q: What prompted Michigan to put a renewed focus on literacy now?
The department emphasizes a broad, cohesive literacy system grounded in the science of reading, driven by evidence, teacher feedback, and the need to address persistent gaps highlighted by recent research and the pandemic's impact on literacy.
National Advocacy
Q: What are the prospects for reauthorizing WIOA and how could current policy shifts affect CTE programs?
WIOA reauthorization is planned but could be delayed; bipartisan support exists for CTE, yet administration proposals and inter-agency arrangements threaten to reframe how programs like Job Corps operate, making public schools' role in CTE more challenging unless advocates push back effectively.
National Advocacy
Q: What is the role of Policy Hour and the new policy councils in NSBA's strategy going forward?
Policy Hour has broadened access to major federal priorities like teacher workforce; policy councils will train members across states to become advocates in two key policy areas, IDEA and educator workforce, culminating in direct congressional engagement.
National Advocacy
Q: How does NSBA view the voucher/tax-credit approach and its potential impact on public schools?
NSBA sees voucher-like programs as a complex policy space that could divert private dollars away from public schools; while there is legislative activity, the administration and some lawmakers favor careful, public-education-friendly rules to avoid undermining public schools.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About MI SoundBoard

What is MI SoundBoard about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful examination of public education policy and practice with a steady stream of education leaders and policy experts. Episodes frequently explore state-level policy developments (notably in Michigan) and national education priorities, with attention to funding, literacy, governance, teacher shortages, and implementation challenges. The show often invites educators, researchers, and administrators to translate policy into district-level impact, and emphasizes collaboration among state departments, associations, and universities. A standout aspect is its cross-sector approach, bringing together school boards, districts, and policy institutes to discuss actionable implications for students and schools.

Where can I find podcast stats for MI SoundBoard?

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Which podcasts are similar to MI SoundBoard?

These podcasts share a similar audience with MI SoundBoard:

1. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
2. SmartLess
3. The Ramsey Show
4. Pod Save America
5. Good Hang with Amy Poehler

How many episodes of MI SoundBoard are there?

MI SoundBoard launched 9 years ago and published 186 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact MI SoundBoard?

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What guests have appeared on MI SoundBoard?

Recent guests on MI SoundBoard include:

1. Katlyn Cardoso
2. Pam Dickinson
3. Mimi Brown
4. Brad Banasik
5. Venessa Keesler
6. Jen Saylor
7. DeNesha Rawls‑Smith
8. Phelton Moss

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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