Best Charter School Growth Fund Podcasts (2024)

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Vol 17 - At the Edge of Seventeen with Lynne Graziano 53:21

3M ago53:21

53:21

In this thought-provoking episode, Andy Rotherham and Jed Wallace are joined by Lynne Graziano from Bellwether Education Partners to dive deep into the complexities and inconsistencies of adolescent laws across the United States. Using Bellwether's new "Edge of Seventeen" report as a cornerstone, this discussion covers a wide range of topics from t…

1
Vol 16 - Hoodies, the Need to Buck Up, and Getting Crisp 49:50

4M ago49:50

49:50

This week Andy and I start out debriefing the ASU-GSV conference and explore why the open and optimistic spirit of that gathering feels so at odds with the vibe that prevails across much of ed reform these days. That leads to a discussion about Andy’s widely read article about ed reformers needing to buck up and realize the progress that has been m…

1
Vol 15 - Live at the Charter Growth Fund 1:08:17

5M ago1:08:17

1:08:17

Jed and Andy record WonkyFolk's first live session as they keynote at the Charter Growth Fund. WonkyFolk's first live episode discusses the vital role of charter schools and civic engagement in advocating for education reform, particularly within African American and Hispanic communities. Jed and Andy delve into policy-making dynamics, the influenc…

1
Vol 14 - Jed and Andy Tackle the Hairiest Education Problems 1:00:28

7M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

This week, Andy and I are talking about the furries, a fiscal cliff, higher education, and trade schools. You can also watch it on YouTube. Show Notes: https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/theyre-furious-in-oklahoma-plus-baesler https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/17/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-improv…

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Vol 13 – The American Dream Lives at WonkyFolk 51:31

8M ago51:31

51:31

Greetings, CharterFolk! This week, Andy and I are talking with Nina Rees, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, regarding charter schools and the American Dream. For those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube. This week some of the topics include: Introductions (00:01) One of the g…

1
Vol 12 - A Rising Tide Lifts All Wonks 43:35

8M ago43:35

43:35

Greetings, CharterFolk! This week, Andy and I are talking with David Griffith, Associate Director of Research at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, regarding The Education Competition Index: Quantifying competitive pressure in America’s 125 largest school districts, which indicates the death of traditional public schools has been greatly exaggerated.…

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Vol 11 – Two Turkeys Together Again: The Thanksgiving Episode 49:27

9M ago49:27

49:27

Greetings, CharterFolk! This week, Andy and I are focused on a Thanksgiving theme. We are talking about what we are thankful for over the last year, personally and professionally, as well as traditions and new results. For those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well. This week some of the topics include: We…

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Vol 10 – The Death of Public School… It Sounds Serious! (Guest: Cara Fitzpatrick) 56:49

10M ago56:49

56:49

Greetings, CharterFolk! Greetings, CharterFolk! This is the second WonkyFolk where Andy is talking while Jed is walking the Camino Trail with his wife, Amy. Andy and Cara Fitzpatrick, an editor at Chalkbeat and a Pulitzer Prize winner for Local Reporting in 2016 for a series about school segregation, talk school choice history and school choice tod…

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Vol 9 - Morgan Polikoff is Reading Polls So You Don't Have To 46:18

10M ago46:18

46:18

This week Andy is talking while Jed is walking…hiking the Camino Trail with his wife, Amy. Andy is talking with Morgan Polikoff, Associate Professor of Education at the University of Southern California(USC)’s Rossier School of Education. Their conversation focuses on public opinion on education, particularly parent opinion, and the similarities an…

1
Vol 8 – The Home Base Episode 1:11:44

12M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

This week, Andy and I are talking with Lakisha Young, the Founder and CEO of The Oakland REACH, and Heather Harding, Ed.D, the Executive Director of the Campaign for a Shared Future. Our conversation focuses on the difficult judgment calls parents and advocates are having to make as they attempt to retain focus on the learning needs of students ami…

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Vol 7 – Learning From a Place That is Not a Hot Steaming Mess 45:23

12M ago45:23

45:23

Andy and Jed are talking about traveling and the fun of summer, their two mystery guests for the next WonkyFolk, and finding educational common ground via the juxtaposition of partisan politics and genuine educational accomplishments in Virginia. And for those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well. This wee…

1
Vol 6 – Jed and Andy Are Fragile Vessels 51:35

1y ago51:35

51:35

This week, Andy and I are talking about the Supreme Court denial to hear Charter Day School, Inc. v. Peltier “(wherein the plaintiffs justified their restrictive dress code by asserting that girls are ‘fragile vessels)”, other Supreme Court cases, the science of reading, and Moms for Liberty. This week some of the topics we discuss include the foll…

1
Vol 5 – Special CREDO Episode with Macke Raymond 43:10

1y ago43:10

43:10

This week, Andy and I are talking with Macke Raymond, the director of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) regarding CREDO’s As a Matter of Fact: National Charter School Study III, which is the third installment of a multi-decade study examining the academic progress of students enrolled in charter schools compared with those enrol…

1
Vol 4 – Can’t Take YES For An Answer 40:57

1y ago40:57

40:57

Can't take yes for an answer: what the teachers' unions and DeSantis have in common. This week some of the topics we discuss include the following: Can’t say yes to equity and excellence (00:01:10) Can’t say yes to providing parents with timely access to results or resources and tools to support their kids in mitigating pandemic learning losses (00…

1
Vol 3 – The Amnesia Episode 41:24

1+ y ago41:24

41:24

Amnesia about A Nation at Risk. Amnesia about Covid responses. And Jed wishing he could have amnesia about the King’s game on April 30, 2023. ---------- This week some of the topics we discuss include the following: The 40th Anniversary of report, “A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform” (00:01:59) Why the American economy has been…

1
Vol 2 - Urban elections, Title IX, and Religious Charters 41:17

1+ y ago41:17

41:17

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following: We introduce ourselves (00:00:00) Reactions to the 2023 Chicago mayoral election results (00:02:39) Thoughts regarding the 2023 Denver mayoral election, which has two strong charter candidates in a June runoff (00:12:35) Gutsy mental health moves (00.20.50) The Biden Administration’s nu…

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Vol 1 - Introducing WonkyFolk 34:22

1+ y ago34:22

34:22

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following: Why are we making WonkyFolk Reactions to Nashville and trends we often miss at tragic moments like this The commonalities and differences facing public education in Los Angeles and Chicago Andy’s recommendation of the best read to prepare educators The changes that ChatGPT may or may no…

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EPISODE 27 – THE SOAR FUND: SPURRING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH IN THE SOUTH 35:45

3y ago35:45

35:45

CDFIs are coming together at an unprecedented pace to work collaboratively and solve problems at scale. One example is the Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund.By Impact Lenders Podcast

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EPISODE 26 – LEVERAGING THE POWER OF CDFIS AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES TO CATALYZE SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH 40:58

3y ago40:58

40:58

High Impact President Peter Schaeffing has a candid conversation with Leah Fremouw, SVP & Director of Community Innovation at Virginia Community Capital (VCC) and Andrea Longton, C.F.A., Founder and Author-Administrator of The Social Justice Investor™By Impact Lenders Podcast

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EPISODE 25 – CDFIS BRIDGE FINANCIAL GAPS FOR VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS 35:52

3+ y ago35:52

35:52

Veterans have unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to entrepreneurship and securing business loans. On the one hand, the military provides leadership and strategic training, but deployment and frequent relocations can interfere.By Impact Lenders Podcast

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EPISODE 24 – BUILDING A HIGH GROWTH CDFI 44:28

4y ago44:28

44:28

Impact lenders tackle huge problems–the affordable housing crisis, structural racism, predatory lending, and many more. Yet impact lenders are typically locked out of the kinds of growth capital that allow for-profit ventures to quickly scale. Capital Good Fund, a nonprofit loan fund that provides ethical payday loans, energy efficiency loans, and …

1
Episode 23 – Recovery Lending at Scale with Connect2Capital 26:19

4y ago26:19

26:19

The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet known, but one thing is certain: PPP loans and other short-term emergency loan programs will not be enough to save many small businesses. Community Reinvestment Fund is mobilizing its one-stop-shop business lending platform, Connect2Capital, in order to ensure the survival and long-term success of…

1
Episode 22 – Foundations’ Role in Resilience and Recovery 40:49

4+ y ago40:49

40:49

As the economic damage of COVID-19 becomes clear, foundations are looking for new ways to support their communities. For many foundations, mission-focused lending to nonprofits is not in their standard playbook, let alone funding small businesses directly. In today’s episode, Deb Markley of LOCUS Impact Investing encourages foundations to find new …

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EPISODE 21 – STARTING AN EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM 37:26

4+ y ago37:26

37:26

As we begin to deal with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, many impact lenders are leaping into action to offer forbearance to existing borrowers and low-interest loans to new borrowers. This is new territory for a lot of lenders, so on today’s episode we talk with two experts from New Jersey Community Capital, […]…

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Episode 20 – Tapping Corporate Treasury to Capitalize CDFIs 35:32

4+ y ago35:32

35:32

CDFIs have long relied on a few mainstays for capitalization–banks, foundations, and the CDFI Fund. Recently, though, we have started to see increased investment interest from non-bank corporations. Today’s episode profiles one of the CDFIs that has been doing this the longest and with the most success, as demonstrated by a high-profile $50 million…

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Episode 19 – Coming to a City Near You: CDFI Friendly America 45:12

4+ y ago45:12

45:12

CDFIs strive to deploy capital where it is most needed. Nevertheless, a lot of smaller and midsize cities are left without a CDFI to serve them, even as larger CDFIs seek to continue to grow their markets. After observing this gap, Mark Pinsky, former CEO of the Opportunity Finance Network, decided to develop a solution. […]…

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Episode 18 – Bringing Energy Efficiency to Community Development 16:57

5y ago16:57

16:57

Many impact lenders struggle with energy efficiency financing–sure, we all support the idea, but without technical expertise in the area it can be hard to get credit committees comfortable with utility cost savings that justify added upfront costs. Inclusive Prosperity Capital, a spin-off of the Connecticut Green Bank, aims to solve this problem. B…

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EPISODE 17 – OPPORTUNITY ZONES: GETTING CDFIs IN THE GAME 31:16

5y ago31:16

31:16

Opportunity zones have been a hot topic in the impact finance industry since their announcement, but do CDFIs and other impact lenders have a role to play? Michael Swack and Charles Tansey think so. They join us on this episode to discuss their recent white paper, “The Potential Role for CDFIs in Opportunity Zones,” which […]…

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Episode 16 – An Entrepreneur’s Take on CDFIs 39:45

5+ y ago39:45

39:45

Sometimes it seems like everyone in the CDFI industry knows each other, and that many of us have been committed to the industry for our whole careers. Our guest on this episode is not one of those familiar faces. Jim McSherry is a career entrepreneur and, for two years, took over lending operations at the […]…

1
Episode 15 – Lending to Small Developers for Small Buildings 27:04

5+ y ago27:04

27:04

Small buildings make up more of America’s housing stock than the large multifamily developments we often think about in the finance world. That means that to serve all the needs of a community, addressing the small building stock is essential. In this episode, two of the leading CDFIs in this space offer the lessons they’ve […]…

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Episode 14 – CNote’s Answer to the Retail Investor Opportunity 24:31

5+ y ago24:31

24:31

Does heightened interest in impact investing present a real opportunity to diversify capital sources, or is it a mirage? Yuliya Tarasava, one of the founders of CNote, believes CDFIs and other community lenders can seize the moment and expand their capital bases. She joins us in this episode to offer her company’s approach to helping […]…

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Episode 13 – Inside the CDFI Movement 28:40

5+ y ago28:40

28:40

The grassroots movement that resulted in the creation of CDFIs as we know them today has a deep history. In today’s episode we explore that history with one of the luminaries of the industry, Cliff Rosenthal. Cliff was there when it all started, and he shares his insights and anecdotes as he takes us through […]…

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Episode 12 – Changes in the Small Business Lending Landscape 19:12

6y ago19:12

19:12

Mark Barbash joins the impact lenders podcast to talk about the changing landscape of the small business lending sector, and how impact lenders can best respond to it. The declining number of community banks and the proliferation of online lenders has shifted the small business lending environment dramatically. Impact lenders need to understand the…

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Episode 11 – Reforming CRA 34:17

6y ago34:17

34:17

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) motivates a substantial portion of bank investments into CDFIs, and as budgets for community development programs shrink, its importance continues to grow. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency recently released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment on reforms to CRA, highlighting the …

1
Episode 10 – The Next Generation of Impact Investors 29:16

6y ago29:16

29:16

The political climate has made diversifying capital sources a priority for many CDFIs. At the same time, younger investors are increasingly focused on impact. How can your loan fund capitalize on that trend? In this episode, Johan Matthews discusses the insights he and his colleagues have gleaned from interviews with dozens of millenial investors a…

1
Episode 09 – Journeying toward Racial Equity 27:38

6y ago27:38

27:38

Impact lenders serving low-income communities are often working to mitigate the consequences of structural racism–but race is rarely brought to the forefront of discussions in the industry. Living Cities decided that it wanted to change that, and has embarked on a years long journey to get things right internally as they simultaneously seek to expl…

1
Episode 08 – Innovations in Impact Measurement 29:30

6y ago29:30

29:30

Measuring and tracking impact is one of the persistent challenges of impact lending. We all want to know what our work is really accomplishing, both to improve our programs and to effectively report out to investors and donors. Community Housing Capital is innovating how they measure impact by adopting the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals as [……

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Episode 07 – Topics in Underwriting 18:44

6y ago18:44

18:44

Peter Schaeffing, President of High Impact Financial Analysis, discusses topics in underwriting in this week’s podcast. The episode offers lessons to newer underwriters and reminders that will help more experienced underwriters stay sharp. Specific topics include leasehold mortgages (starting at the 1:25 mark), financial analysis of consolidated or…

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Episode 06 – Discussions on Charter School Lending 22:06

6y ago22:06

22:06

The Impact Lenders Podcast goes live at the National Charter Schools Conference in Austin, Texas in this episode. We speak with some of the leaders of the charter school financing sector to get their take on the trends and risks shaping the industry today. Tune into this episode to learn from the people who work […]…

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Episode 05: Inclusion in Impact Lending 26:00

6y ago26:00

26:00

Ami Pascual Spear joins the Impact Lenders Podcast to discuss inclusion in the impact lending industry. As a past founder, employee, and current board member of various impact lending institutions, Ami has broad experience in the field that she draws on as she discusses the importance of inclusion and how the industry could improve. Ami’s […]…

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