Artificial intelligence is reshaping our workforce and our daily lives at a rapid pace.
In this period of technological change, there’s one bet we simply can’t afford to get wrong: the education of our children.
But the real question isn’t just how we teach them to use the tools, it’s how we teach them to remain deeply, authentically human in the process.
Today’s guest is Marlon Marshall, who has spent his career at the intersection of high-stakes strategy and social impact.
Marlon is the CEO at City Fund, an organization focused on transforming public education in American cities so every child can attend a high-quality school.
Before leading the fight for equity in education, Marlon served in the Obama White House and held senior leadership roles on two presidential campaigns.
In this conversation, Marlon shares why curiosity is the most valuable currency we have and we also dive into his own journey of mental resilience.
You’re going to walk away with a new framework for leadership, a deeper understanding of how to use AI to enhance rather than replace our thinking, and the tools to ensure you’re always moving your own story forward.
“There is a lot happening with artificial intelligence, but if you know what questions to ask, if you know how to think, how to interact with people, you can still be successful in the world in which we are moving towards.” — Marlon Marshall
In This Episode, You Will Learn
- Why the single biggest bet we can make as a society is investing in the education of our children.
- How to use curiosity as a strategic tool to bridge the gap between the known and the unknown.
- The critical difference between teaching kids how to get an answer and teaching them what questions to ask.
- A framework for leading teams through change by normalizing emotional reactions and prioritizing transparency.
- Why the human component of education and in person interaction will matter more as technology advances.
- How to build mental resilience by treating the mind like a muscle and maintaining high standards during setbacks.
- Plus much more…
What We Discuss:
- 00:00 – Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast – Marlon Marshall
- 00:46 – Podcast and Guest Intro
- 02:22 – Education As The Big Bet
- 05:10 – Curiosity Makes Better Questions
- 06:47 – Tone And True Curiosity
- 10:09 – Charter Schools Curiosity Story
- 13:29 – What City Fund Does
- 15:59 – Future Schools And AI
- 19:12 – Tech Without The Crutch
- 28:40 – Staying Human In Education
- 34:45 – Learning Together Squads Model
- 38:36 – Leadership And Communication Skills
- 42:05 – Respect Without Shared Goals
- 44:15 – Leading Change Through Listening
- 46:12 – Agreement Versus Understanding
- 51:37 – Evolving Without Overhauls
- 53:02 – Tweaks Versus Transformations
- 53:45 – Weekly Reflection Systems
- 56:15 – Protecting Your Standards
- 57:17 – Leading Teams Through Change
- 1:01:52 – Be Do Have Mindset
- 1:06:40 – Equity Urban and Rural
- 1:10:32 – Sharing Innovation at Scale
- 1:15:16 – Government as Connector
- 1:16:44 – Peak Mind Stories
- 1:22:41 – Human Skills in AI Era
- 1:30:14 – Rapid Fire Your Edge
- 1:35:33 – Where to Connect and Close
About Marlon
Marlon Marshall is the Chief Executive Officer of City Fund, where he leads the organization’s efforts to ensure all students have access to high-quality public schools. Before joining City Fund, Marlon was a founding partner at 270 Strategies, helping organizations build impactful campaigns to mobilize communities and achieve meaningful change. He previously served as Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Director in the Obama White House Office of Public Engagement, and held senior leadership roles in the 2016 Hillary for America campaign and the 2012 Obama reelection campaign, overseeing grassroots operations that engaged millions of volunteers. The son of a St. Louis public school teacher, Marlon earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and a master’s in Policy Management from Georgetown University. He lives in Denver with his wife, Stacy, and their two daughters.
Show Notes
Connect with Marlon Marshall:
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