DisruptED

When the US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing launched in June, Cynthia Hutchison, the Head of the Centre, met up with me and Kevin Czinger, CEO of Divergent3D & Czinger Vehicles.Czinger is simply a phenomenon.  He comes from a proud family of mechanics and drag racers in Cleveland who influenced his interests at an early age, and encouraged him to become a voracious reader. Kevin burst onto the scene from there.  A lifelong learner at Yale, he received undergraduate and advanced degrees in biophysics, biochemistry, and electrical engineering at Yale and Arizona State.  Afterward, Czinger cofounded a successful EV battery manufacturing company in California. “When first researching how to transform an internal combustion engine vehicle into an EV, Czinger realized, “I spent more on the conversion of that car than all the capital that we spent on technology development for that car.” Although uni-body construction systems were automated, they were also analog and not optimized. Czinger points out, “It’s still the architecture of a fundamental analog system and here we have an industry being digitized everywhere except at its core.”Czinger knew he needed to figure out digital assembly to create an entirely new factory model and digital manufacturing system. So he did! Inspired by Kelly Johnson’s pioneering work as the first team leader at Lockheed Skunkworks, Czinger shares his own gripping story. A blank slate, seven years, over 500+ distinct patents, and over $400M in invested capital, his 3D printed high performance C21 HyperCar just beat the McLaren P1 at the Laguna Seca Roadway by 6 seconds/ As Hutchison insightfully suggests during their multi-episode podcast, the two common ways people respond to this kind of massive disruption are through the lens of fear or opportunity. Czinger is clearly one of the latter-- a generational visionary who is leveraging his voracious American-born competitiveness to bring innovative technologies to scale. And Hutchison is equally passionate about bringing thought leaders together as she launches programming for the Centre.  The US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing is a proud sponsor of DisruptED Advanced Manufacturing.  As Hutchison shares, “We want to shine a light on advanced manufacturing here in the US.”  It is electrifying listening to these two firsthand as Kevin’s digital manufacturing system launches, as the world watches and takes notice. 

When the US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing launched in June, Cynthia Hutchison, the Head of the Centre, met up with me and Kevin Czinger, CEO of Divergent3D/Czinger Vehicles. Czinger is simply a phenomenon. He comes from a proud family of mechanics and drag racers in Cleveland who influenced his interests at an early age, and encouraged him to become a voracious reader. Kevin burst onto the scene from there. A lifelong learner at Yale, he received undergraduate and advanced degrees in biophysics, biochemistry, and electrical engineering at Yale and Arizona State. Afterward, Czinger cofounded a successful EV battery manufacturing company in California. “When first researching how to transform an internal combustion engine vehicle into an EV, Czinger realized, “I spent more on the conversion of that car than all the capital that we spent on technology development for that car.” Although uni-body construction systems were automated, they were also analog and not optimized. Czinger points out, “It’s still the architecture of a fundamental analog system and here we have an industry being digitized everywhere except at its core.”Czinger knew he needed to figure out digital assembly to create an entirely new factory model and digital manufacturing system. So he did! Inspired by Kelly Johnson’s pioneering work as the first team leader at Lockheed Skunkworks, Czinger shares his own gripping story. A blank slate, seven years, over 500+ distinct patents, and over $400M in invested capital, his 3D printed high performance C21 HyperCar just beat the McLaren P1 at the Laguna Seca Roadway by 6 seconds/ As Hutchison insightfully suggests during their multi-episode podcast, the two common ways people respond to this kind of massive disruption are through the lens of fear or opportunity. Czinger is clearly one of the latter-- a generational visionary who is leveraging his voracious American-born competitiveness to bring innovative technologies to scale. And Hutchison is equally passionate about bringing thought leaders together as she launches programming for the Centre. The US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing is a proud sponsor of DisruptED Advanced Manufacturing. As Hutchison shares, “We want to shine a light on advanced manufacturing here in the US.” It is electrifying listening to these two firsthand as Kevin’s digital manufacturing system launches, as the world watches and takes notice.

Returning guest Pete Hall, executive director of educationhall.com and author of YA novel Chasing the Show, joins hosts Ron Stefanski and Dr. Ceasar Mickens to talk about his new book and the valuable lessons of communication and empathy between parents, coaches, and kids.While Hall’s other books focus on lessons of self-reflection, this story takes on a new approach: “How do I navigate what my life is going to be?,” said Hall. To create an audience receptive to learning while also engaged in the story, Hall focused on figuring out what people wanted most, “Part of the motivation beyond writing it was to build connections,” he said.Schools today are trying to figure out the metric for success and part of that equation needs to be building connections. The human need for interaction was reflected sharply in the pandemic-era remoteness and isolating digital aspect, taking a toll on many people’s mental health. When Hall’s friend returned to the office, one of the reasons he stated was, “‘I miss interacting with human beings,’” said Hall.The book is reflective of those human connections, “It’s a young adult novel…It follows the rises and falls of that dream [of an athlete],” explained Hall, “As the story unfolds, it also follows the interactions between the kid and his parents, the kid and his classmates and teammates, the kid and one of his teachers in particular, the parents and their friends who are school psychologists.” The book is aimed at explaining the importance of providing and nurturing support for his goals while also communicating effectively and developing a “Plan B” in case Plan A does not pan out.Not only does Chasing the Show help facilitate conversations between parents and kids, but it’s an important tool for learning how to communicate effectively. A lot of kids “don’t have the skills and knowledge to go and talk to their coach…” said Hall, this book aims to disrupt that.

Returning guest Pete Hall, executive director of educationhall.com and author of YA novel Chasing the Show, joins hosts Dr. Caesar Mickens and Ron Stefanski to talk about his new book and the valuable lessons of communication and empathy between parents, coaches, and kids.While Hall’s other books focus on lessons of self-reflection, this story takes on a new approach: “How do I navigate what my life is going to be?,” said Hall. To create an audience receptive to learning while also engaged in the story, Hall focused on figuring out what people wanted most, “Part of the motivation beyond writing it was to build connections,” he said.Schools today are trying to figure out the metric for success and part of that equation needs to be building connections. The human need for interaction was reflected sharply in the pandemic-era remoteness and isolating digital aspect, taking a toll on many people’s mental health. When Hall’s friend returned to the office, one of the reasons he stated was, “‘I miss interacting with human beings,’” said Hall. The book is reflective of those human connections, “It’s a young adult novel…It follows the rises and falls of that dream [of an athlete],” explained Hall, “As the story unfolds, it also follows the interactions between the kid and his parents, the kid and his classmates and teammates, the kid and one of his teachers in particular, the parents and their friends who are school psychologists.” The book is aimed at explaining the importance of providing and nurturing support for his goals while also communicating effectively and developing a “Plan B” in case Plan A does not pan out.Not only does Chasing the Show help facilitate conversations between parents and kids, but it’s an important tool for learning how to communicate effectively. A lot of kids “don’t have the skills and knowledge to go and talk to their coach…” said Hall, this book aims to disrupt that.

“Getting Shit Done” is the outstanding theme highlighted in DisruptED. Hosts Ron Stefanski and Dr. Ceasar Mickens  sit down with two extraordinary women, Kristin Harrington and Elizabeth Hofreuter, both with high GSD index scores to talk about their impact on fearless learning in the education space.Hofreuter originally began her journey in the education space when her dyslexic daughter struggled to adapt to classroom learning. Now, as the Head of the Wheeling Country Day School, Hofreuter noted the importance of providing a flexible learning opportunity to all.“On a national level 20% of children have…dyslexia,” said Hofreuter. Combined with the widespread learning loss due to covid, kids need structured literacy to catch up.After a phone call sparked a shared passion between Hofreuter and Harrington, a founding partner for a nonprofit leadership consultancy, they teamed up to create a program aimed at building fearless learning.“So, we used the pandemic as an acclerant. We learned over the pandemic that our kids who needed tutoring could be tutored remotely and, out of necessity…So we took our program online and once we were online we realized it could go anywhere,” said Hofreuter.To branch out to kids who need to the most help, Hofreuter and Harrington work through out of school network programs, such as the Boys and Girls Club, which provides mentors for each kid and help them learn during their “power hour.”Hofreuter explained, “So, we’re providing life changing literacy work within a life-changing program.”Hofreuter and Harrington’s program teaches to the edges, so that no one is excluded. Their goal is to help kids learn that school shouldn’t be about survival - it should be about being fearless. For many kids with learning challenges, learning how to be fearless in education will transform their lives.“We are happy to talk to anyone who wants to work collaboratively on this effort to bring fearless learning to students across Appalachia,” said Harrington, noting that their efforts don’t have to just be about dyslexic students, but rather can be applicable to all, “...Every intervention we are offering is just as applicable to students who are experiencing learning loss or interrupted learning as a result of the pandemic…Students are just struggling coming out of the pandemic.”

“Getting Shit Done” is the outstanding theme highlighted in DisruptED. Hosts Ron J Stefanski and Dr. Ceasar sit down with two extraordinary women, Kristin Harrington and Elizabeth Hofreuter, both with high GSD index scores to talk about their impact on fearless learning in the education space.Hofreuter originally began her journey in the education space when her dyslexic daughter struggled to adapt to classroom learning. Now, as the Head of the Wheeling Country Day School, Hofreuter noted the importance of providing a flexible learning opportunity to all.“On a national level 20% of children have…dyslexia,” said Hofreuter. Combined with the widespread learning loss due to covid, kids need structured literacy to catch up.After a phone call sparked a shared passion between Hofreuter and Harrington, a founding partner for a nonprofit leadership consultancy, they teamed up to create a program aimed at building fearless learning.“So, we used the pandemic as an acclerant. We learned over the pandemic that our kids who needed tutoring could be tutored remotely and, out of necessity…So we took our program online and once we were online we realized it could go anywhere,” said Hofreuter.To branch out to kids who need to the most help, Hofreuter and Harrington work through out of school network programs, such as the Boys and Girls Club, which provides mentors for each kid and help them learn during their “power hour.”Hofreuter explained, “So, we’re providing life changing literacy work within a life-changing program.”Hofreuter and Harrington’s program teaches to the edges, so that no one is excluded. Their goal is to help kids learn that school shouldn’t be about survival – it should be about being fearless. For many kids with learning challenges, learning how to be fearless in education will transform their lives.“We are happy to talk to anyone who wants to work collaboratively on this effort to bring fearless learning to students across Appalachia,” said Harrington, noting that their efforts don’t have to just be about dyslexic students, but rather can be applicable to all, “…Every intervention we are offering is just as applicable to students who are experiencing learning loss or interrupted learning as a result of the pandemic…Students are just struggling coming out of the pandemic.”

Life is full of challenges. Often, it can take a while to learn how to overcome and succeed in the challenges presented to us. For Dr. Howard Liebman, CEO of Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE) and Kari Greenfield, VP - Academic Partnerships, accomplishments coincide with a high GSD index - get stuff done. DisruptED hosts Ron Stefanski and Dr. Caesar Mickens invited Dr. Liebman and Greenfield to share how their mindsets help them overcome stifled progress along the education spectrum.“I think, you know, passion is important because if you’re going to try mindsets and you’re going to change schemas of thinking you really have to be passionate about what you’re trying to do,” stated Dr. Liebman.Disruption along the traditional education system can be extremely positive. For Dr. Liebman and Greenfield, this meant building a program that helps to re-engage adults back into the educational system to complete their high school diploma.Dr. Liebman noted, “There’s 40 million adults in the country who don’t have a high school diploma. If we’re going to reengage that we’ve got to take a very tactical and strategic approach to how we’re going to do that moving forward.”To do this, SHCOE designs their program around mitigating the traditional flight stimula presented in students' brains, “We want to eliminate that stimula in the brain to activate the flight [response],” Dr. Liebman said, and to do this, “Our students declare a major upon point of enrollment.” In addition to taking just their major over the first four months, SHCOE also provides a relatable academic coach to help students re-engage.Greenfield noted that many SHCOE students lead busy lives, “Our average age student is mid-30s, 70% are women…63% of our students are parents…these are busy individuals…”Through SHCOE, students are able to learn occupational skills and obtain their GED to provide a better life for themselves and their families.

Education is about growth. Growth of skills, learning, and communicating. When Pete Hall, founder of educationhall.com was an educational leader, growth was his priority. The problem was, no one else seemed to know where to start. Hosts Ron Stefanski and Ceasar Mickens  sit down with Hall to discuss his role in education as a disruptor and what he learned along the way.Hall was shocked when he transitioned from teaching into an administrative role. Some teachers had brilliant methods of course design and concepts, others were decades behind. To challenge this, Hall recongized the need for growth in educational faculty. A school of great teachers comprises of positive self-reflection, “It’s how we oriente energy towards what we’re doing that makes the greatest impact,” said Hall.Though, finding the time to implement and reflect as a teacher is hard-pressed, Hall said that it’s pertinent others learn to look at it like a necessary exercise for growth, afterall, you can’t build muscle if you’re not in the gym. He said, “We need to take our teachers to the reflective gym.” In this, administrators must make it explicitly clear how self-reflection is a great learning tool. Using methods like free-journalling or assigning specific reflective writing prompts helps create strong and empowered teachers. In utilizing these methods, Hall learned that educators threw away words of doubt like “but” or “should” and replaced them with action, which, in turn, created a positive learning environment for the students. These methods can be actioned individually, but to really transform an education, schools and districts must work together and make self-reflection a cultural habit. To learn more about Hall’s work, check out his authored and co-authored educational titles: “Creating a Culture of Reflective Practice”  and “Building Teacher’s Capacity for Success” as he continues to disrupt education in a positive way.

Education is top of mind for Jeffrey J Mimms, Jr., Mayor of Dayton, OH, and Dr.  David Lawrence, Education Advisor for Dayton, OH. Mimms, a longtime educator himself with over forty years in education, is a pioneer in establishing equitable funding for public schools across Ohio. DisruptED’s Ron Stefanski and Ceasar Mickens spoke to Mimms and Lawrence about an extraordinary concept they’re championing: creating a city of learners in Dayton. Mimms said the challenge in education today, especially in underserved areas, is getting kids engaged and excited to come to school and learn every day. Mimms listed the four A’s essential for education success: attendance, attitude, activities, and achievement. When schools provide the programs that allow students to hit the four A’s, those lessons carry through beyond school and into life. The City of Learners concept design will make education equitable and expansive throughout Dayton and allow children to achieve their goals.“The City of Learners rests on five core principles,” Lawrence said. “Every child must attend a high-quality K-12 school. Every child must have expanded access to preschool for all children. We must grow our partnerships with businesses, recruit mentors for young children, and increase the number of high-quality summer and after-school programs.” And Lawrence knows the power of mentorship because Mimms served as his mentor, and the lessons he imparted were invaluable. Mimms has ambitious goals for education, but they are all connected with the mission to build a better, more sustainable community. “Those communities experiencing a high quality of life have three major pillars,” Mimms said. “One is high-quality education. Two is safety. We are involved in a very strong police reform effort that we started about twelve months ago. The other thing that is a key issue is recreation. We are in the process of how we can improve the quality of recreation.” Local businesses that recognize the benefits when everyone works together for the common good bolster these efforts.

For years now, a lot of discussion surrounding the STEM field has mostly focused on the lack of students pursuing the academic fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Although the shortage remains true, there’s also been a lot of work done to improve the numbers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In an episode of DisruptED, hosts Ron J Stefanski and Dr. Caesar Mickenstalked to two Croatian nationals dedicated to changing the current landscape of what education looks like, the gaps that exist, and how they are emphasizing STEM. Guests Marin Troselj, the CEO of STEMI, and Slobodan Velikic, a Chief Business Officer and Partner with STEMI, talked about their platform’s mission and their thoughts and solutions to what needs reorganizing.Mickens stated that STEM numbers are concerning and there needs to be some kind of reinvigoration of the field to get the youth more readily interested and involved. While the U.S. once was No. 1 in STEM graduates, they are seeing lower numbers, and they are not alone. Globally, there’s been a drop in STEM graduates and professionals, said Mickens. But getting students to seek out STEM isn’t the only issue; it starts with going up against an increasingly outdated structure and teaching methods.“In my opinion education around the world is going in the wrong direction,” said Troselj. “We are teaching kids to be experts in tests and not how to build meaningful stuff. We teach kids that the right answer is always in textbooks and don’t prepare them for the real world.”Troselj stated that much of education was built to support the educational needs to produce a workforce for factories. Despite it evolving since, it still maintained its industrial roots.With STEMI, Troselj and Slobodan Velikic are reshaping that landscape by making the testing and textbooks schools take a backseat. But more so, by turning education into something students can use outside of schools to solve real-life issues in their communities.

Ron Stefanski and Caesar Mickens Jr talk with David Richards on this episode of DisruptED. The episode focuses on optimizing technology in education requires professional development for teachers. The educators consider the lack of technology infrastructure to factor into 2020’s learning loss. Richards and Michens share insight into how technology and education are vital cycle breakers of social inequality.Richards started as a tech director in the early nineties. He was motivated by his educators, who showed him that he could break the cycle of poverty. Initially, his school experience was for sports and socialization, but Richards learned that education was a path of opportunity. He believes that every child deserves more. To this day, Richards believes that education is the “most dramatic game-changer” in fighting the growing wealth disparity.As the tech director, Richard’s principal and mentor focused much of the school development budget on Richards. He traveled all over learning computers and leveraged technology for education in the school curriculum. Richards recognized the opportunity to leverage a resource that would level the playing field.A huge hurdle is the inequality of resources, especially when computers were first released. That technology was primarily accessible to upper-middle-class families and schools. Richards likens introducing technology to in-person teachers to the process of grief. There’s anger, denial, sometimes bartering, and acceptance. In training, Richard recommends approaching it from a place of empathy - understanding that these teachers have found success in the traditional model and shifting to the digital model is an entirely different science. Start with the reasoning for technology to relieve resistance. Traditional teachers need to understand that technology will provide a lot of ways to enhance the teaching process. The return on investment comes down to improving student achievement. The education system can move the needle significantly by using voice, video, or data. Listen to the entire episode for more recommendations.

Taking on a new and relevant topic in the education space, DisruptED, hosted by Dr. Caesar Mickens and Ron J Stefanski, is centered on the disruption seen in the confluence of education today and the agents of change. In this premier episode, Co-hosts Dr. Mickens and Stefanski sit down with Karin Norington-Reaves, CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to talk about their game-changing work in education development.Norington-Reaves emphasized the fact that there will be jobs in the future that do not exist today, “60% of 8-year olds are going to work in jobs that did not exist at the time.” Finding a way to build skills to perform those jobs starts with education.Public schools must start emphasizing career engagement and exposure early, Norington-Reaves highlighted. Education must begin early to identify talents, aptitude, and interests in order to build, “competent, knowledgeable, capable” adults to help beat down the racial wealth gap that exists.The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership has helped bridge the gap in public-private partnership. When talking about workforce development, Norington-Reaves said that flexibility is key, “Removing all of those responsibilities from government and putting them into non-profit which would create nimbleness.” Which then helps to provide, “a central space for policy creation” for people to make informed decisions about the industries they want to pursue.Norington-Reaves work within education, really in disrupting it in a positive, impactful way, has helped place more than 100k people since inception, “It’s not just about getting people hired, it’s getting them connected to career pathway opportunities that lead to economic self-sufficiency…and really advance in those careers.”Co-host Stefanski shared in this answer, “Agility is the answer to disruption.” Being adaptive in this space allows flexibility in the long-run.Norington-Reaves agreed and emphasized that bringing in partners and co-creators helps to create nimbleness and to have shared ownership in the outcomes of the progress, which is how to continue evolving with the times.

When pandemic restrictions shut down restaurants, paused travel, and compressed social lives, connection didn’t disappear; it moved closer to home. Backyards quietly emerged as important social spaces, offering a simple way to be together without screens, schedules, or spectacle. What began as a workaround evolved into a familiar rhythm of shared time. In that shift, outdoor products helped make gathering outdoors practical and repeatable. Against the backdrop of post-pandemic burnout, screen fatigue, and rising anxiety, this reframing continues to shape how we think about connection and the role brands play in supporting it.So what distinguishes the products that surged during lockdown from those that endured once life reopened? How does a company turn something functional into an emotional anchor for connection and belonging—and build a brand that lasts beyond the moment that made it popular?Welcome to DisruptED. In the latest episode, host Ron J Stefanski sits down with Liz Vanzura, Chief Marketing Officer of Solo Brands, for the first episode in a three-part series exploring how Solo Stove transformed a smokeless fire pit into a movement centered on connection, memory-making, and modern brand purpose. This episode traces Liz’s unconventional journey from engineering to iconic brand leadership—and unpacks how deep consumer insight, not surface-level data, fuels enduring brand loyalty.The key topics of discussion…How Solo Stove became closely associated with pandemic-era backyard gatherings—and evolved into a symbol of disconnection-to-connection living.Why the most powerful brand insights live beneath the data—and how marketers can uncover the “why” behind consumer behavior.How engineering-led innovation and emotional storytelling can coexist to scale a modern lifestyle brand.Liz Vanzura is a veteran CMO and board member with 25+ years of experience building iconic, high-growth consumer brands across automotive, CPG, retail, hospitality, and DTC. She has led award-winning global marketing and brand transformations at companies including Volkswagen, HUMMER, Cadillac, Wahlburgers, and Boston Beer, earning honors such as Ad Age Marketer of the Year and Automotive News All-Star. Currently CMO of Solo Brands and co-founder of GAI Insights, she is known for combining deep consumer insight, performance marketing, and emerging technologies like generative AI to drive cultural relevance and profitable growth.

As people seek relief from constant digital noise, the backyard has quietly become a modern “third space” in everyday life. Outdoor living, fire pits, and at-home hosting continue to grow as consumers prioritize connection, ease, and experiences that feel meaningful without requiring more complexity. Brands that understand this shift aren’t just selling products—they’re offering moments of escape, ritual, and togetherness.But how does a company move from selling a better product to creating a brand people feel emotionally attached to—and fiercely loyal toward?Welcome to DisruptED, hosted by Ron J Stefanski. Episode two of this special three-part series with Liz Vanzura explores how Solo Stove—best known for its smokeless, stainless-steel fire pits—evolved from a clever engineering solution into a movement built around community, ritual, and escape, revealing how innovation, storytelling, and consumer insight drive lasting brand loyalty.Key takeaways…Why Solo Stove’s proprietary smokeless technology became the foundation for emotional brand connection, not just functional differentiation.How listening closely to a passionate, vocal customer community has shaped product evolution.What it means for Solo Brands to expand beyond fire pits toward “owning the backyard” as a modern lifestyle category.Liz Vanzura is the Chief Marketing Officer of Solo Brands, where she leads brand strategy and innovation for Solo Stove and the company’s growing portfolio of outdoor products. With a background in engineering and experience guiding iconic consumer brands, Vanzura is known for blending technical excellence with lifestyle storytelling. She brings more than 25 years of experience building culturally relevant, category-defining brands, with a career focused on creating creative, multi-channel marketing that drives both emotional connection and strong business performance.

As audiences tune out polished ads and lean into trust, brands are being forced to rethink how they show up for the customer. Research consistently shows that consumers rate peer-created content as more credible than traditional brand messaging, and algorithmic discovery is increasingly rewarding authenticity over polish. With AI reshaping how people search and social platforms amplifying real voices, the stakes for marketers are clear: adapt, or disappear. In this environment, many brands are rethinking campaigns as a way to support participation and build a customer movement over time.So what does modern brand building look like when consumers no longer want to be sold to, but want to belong? How can companies use technology without losing the human spark that creates loyalty?In the final episode of this engaging three-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski sits down once again with Liz Vanzura, Chief Marketing Officer of Solo Brands, to unpack how Solo Stove transformed customers into a passionate community. Episode three explores how user-generated content, experiential marketing, and AI-forward thinking can work together to spark genuine connection at scale—and why this approach is redefining modern marketing strategy.Key takeaways...Authentic user-generated content now outperforms scripted campaigns, building trust through real experiences and real voices, often forming the foundation of a customer movement.AI is becoming a critical tool for insight, efficiency, and discoverability—but only when paired with human judgment and creativity.Intellectual curiosity and continuous learning are essential leadership traits in an era of constant technological change.Liz Vanzura is a veteran CMO and board member with 25+ years of experience building culturally relevant, revenue-driving brands across automotive, CPG, retail, food, and DTC, including leadership roles at Volkswagen, HUMMER, Cadillac, and Solo Brands. She is recognized for award-winning global marketing, go-to-market launches, experiential campaigns, and performance-driven brand strategy, earning honors such as Ad Age Marketer of the Year and multiple industry all-star awards. A co-founder of GAI Insights and an active educator, she is a leading voice on applying generative AI to modern marketing while championing creativity, consumer insight, and profitable growth.

Education is at a crossroads. As AI, online learning, and workforce demands rapidly reshape how people gain skills, long-standing gaps in access and outcomes remain a major concern in Michigan. Recent reporting on the 2025 State of Education and Talent shows Michigan has fallen to its lowest ever ranking in per capita income, underscoring how educational attainment and workforce readiness must improve to support economic prosperity across the region. These pressures have intensified the conversation around not just how education is delivered, but how learning can serve as a real pathway to mobility, purpose, and long-term stability.So, what happens when the person usually asking the questions steps into the spotlight? What drives someone to dedicate a career to learning, equity, and disruption in education—and how can personal tragedy evolve into a mission for systemic change?In the second episode of this three-part series on DisruptED, Tim Maitland, Chief Revenue Officer at MarketScale, returns as guest host to interview the show’s usual voice, Ron J Stefanski. Together, they trace the deeply personal origins of DisruptED and examine how trauma, curiosity, and technology intersect to shape a lifelong commitment to education.The main topics of discussion…From tragedy to purpose: How a family tragedy shaped Ron’s conviction that education can interrupt cycles of inequality and expand opportunity.Technology as an equalizer: Why AI and digital learning—when paired with guardrails—represent a “moon-launch moment” for expanding access to quality education.Rethinking the system: The case for lifelong learning, liberal arts education, and alternative pathways that better prepare people for meaningful work and civic life.Ron J Stefanski is the creator and long-time host of DisruptED, where he has spent years interviewing educators, technologists, and leaders reshaping how people learn. He began his career in higher-education publishing, working closely with professors and academic institutions during the industry’s early digital transition. Known for his intellectual curiosity and human-centered interviewing style, Ron has become a prominent voice in conversations about education equity, technology, and lifelong learning, advocating for solutions that expand opportunity across communities.

Education doesn’t change in neat, predictable cycles—it shifts when people start asking better questions. Over the past several years, those questions have become louder and more urgent, driven by workforce disruption, new technologies, and a growing demand for learning that actually prepares people for real life. At the same time, media itself has evolved, favoring authentic, community-driven conversations over polished broadcasts. DisruptED was born at that intersection—not as just another podcast, but as a platform built to meet this moment head-on.So, what does it take to build a platform at that intersection—one that goes beyond information and drives real action?That question anchors episode one of an ambitious three-part DisruptED series, where the show turns the microphone inward. For this special run, Tim Maitland, Chief Revenue Officer at MarketScale, steps in as host to interview Ron J Stefanski, the longtime voice and visionary behind DisruptED. In this opening episode, Tim and Ron explore the foundational chapter of that journey: the leap from content creation to community building, and the philosophy that shaped DisruptED from the start.Top insights from the talk…From content to community: Why DisruptED was never meant to be “just a podcast,” and how authentic storytelling became a force multiplier for impact.The media shift: How user-generated, unscripted content reshaped the way education leaders connect with audiences in a post-broadcast world.Education with agency: Why modern learning systems must empower individuals to take ownership of what, how, and when they learn.Ron J Stefanski is the founder and longtime host of DisruptED, widely recognized for his passionate advocacy around education reform, workforce development, and urban transformation—particularly in Detroit. With a career spanning leadership roles in education innovation and corporate learning, Ron has worked on landmark initiatives such as online high school programs for adult learners and has collaborated with national thought leaders across K-12, higher education, and industry. Known for blending storytelling with systems thinking, he has built DisruptED into a trusted community for educators, policymakers, and innovators navigating a rapidly changing learning landscape.

Storytelling is changing fast, shaped by new platforms, shifting audiences, and a growing demand for authenticity. What started as traditional podcasting has evolved into community-driven ecosystems built on real voices and lived experience. In this landscape, storytelling isn’t just content—it’s a way to build connection, spark engagement, and drive meaningful change. When done well, it can turn audiences into communities and conversations into momentum.So, what does it actually take to build not just a show, but a movement—one that turns content into community and conversation into change?In the final episode of this three-part series, DisruptED features MarketScale Chief Revenue Officer Tim Maitland hosting a conversation with the show’s founder and usual voice, Ron J Stefanski. Together, they reflect on DisruptED’s journey—how the show grew from a simple podcast into a multi-platform universe centered on education reform, authentic media, and community impact, and what that evolution reveals about the future of learning and storytelling.Key highlights…From content to impact: How DisruptED evolved from a traditional podcast into a platform and community designed to move the needle on education.The rise of user-generated media: Why unscripted, authentic voices now outperform polished corporate narratives—and how short-form content fuels deeper engagement.Education, agency, and place: How Detroit’s resurgence mirrors the show’s philosophy on legacy, resilience, and empowering learners to take ownership of their education.Ron J Stefanski is an education and workforce innovation leader, EdTech evangelist, and host of DisruptED, a top-ranked education podcast delivered weekly to more than 100,000 executives. With senior leadership and advisory roles across MarketScale, Penn Foster, Cengage, Michigan Virtual, and global organizations including the World Economic Forum, he has spent over two decades scaling online learning, upskilling platforms, and public–private education partnerships. Recognized by the Obama White House and the Clinton Global Initiative, Ron now focuses on workforce development and adult education in Detroit, leveraging media, technology, and community leadership to expand access to learning for underserved populations.

Detroit is in the middle of a historic transformation—powered increasingly by technology, workforce innovation, and community-driven economic mobility. As industries shift and new tech corridors rise, cities like Detroit are asking a critical question: How do we ensure the future of innovation belongs to everyone who lives here? The upcoming launch of the University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) in 2027 puts that question squarely on the table, offering Detroit a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape an inclusive innovation ecosystem from the ground up.So, this special edition of DisruptED asks: What does it look like to build a world-class innovation hub with Detroit—not just for Detroit?Join host Ron J. Stefanski as he talks with Lutalo Sanifu, Director of Community Engagement at the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, about how UMCI is transforming education, workforce development, and community partnership across Detroit. From micro-credentials and youth STEAM programming to breaking down academic silos and building an innovation corridor between Detroit and Ann Arbor, this conversation covers the expansive vision now taking shape.Top insights from the talk…Designing learning with Detroiters: UMCI is co-creating programs through focus groups, community meetings, and collaborative curriculum design—ensuring the center is a welcoming public space shaped by the people it serves.Reinventing workforce development: From micro-credentials to stackable badges, to pathways starting at age 14, the center aims to build inclusive, intergenerational access to career mobility across fields like artificial intelligence, mobility, clean energy, and entrepreneurship.Cross-department innovation at scale: For the first time, multiple U-M colleges—from engineering to urban planning to sustainability—are co-creating applied, community-informed programs that flow between Detroit and Ann Arbor.Lutalo Sanifu is a lifelong Detroiter and the Director of Community Engagement at the University of Michigan Center for Innovation. Prior to joining UMCI, he served as Director of Resilience, Safety and Business District Services at Jefferson East Inc., overseeing sustainability, public safety, business support, real estate development, and extensive community outreach. His career reflects deep experience engaging residents across Detroit’s East Side, Southwest, and West Side neighborhoods. At UMCI, he leads the effort to design programs with community voice at the center—bridging university expertise, workforce needs, and local aspirations into a unified vision for Detroit’s innovation future.

Detroit is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation—one driven by innovation, community leadership, and an urgent demand for a new kind of workforce. As energy and tech sectors accelerate, organizations and employers are racing to prepare Detroit’s workforce for jobs that didn’t exist a decade ago. Workforce researchers note that tech-enabled roles across industries are growing faster than traditional pathways, raising the stakes for cities working to ensure residents have equitable access to these opportunities.How does Detroit build a workforce that is both future-ready and deeply rooted in community—one that reflects the city’s diversity, grit, and entrepreneurial spirit?In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron Stefanski sits down with Per Scholas’ Executive Vice President, Ken Walker, and Detroit Managing Director, Laura Chavez, during the PowerUp Detroit workforce conference. Together, they explore the innovations, partnerships, cultural dynamics, and opportunities reshaping tech education and career access in Detroit.Highlights from the Conversation…Detroit’s workforce momentum is real: From human-centered workforce strategies to deeper employer collaboration, leaders across the region are co-designing solutions that meet community needs—especially in the energy and tech sectors.Community movements like Black Tech Saturdays are rewriting the narrative: Grassroots innovation proves that when there’s no seat at the table, Detroiters build their own—and create pathways for underrepresented talent to enter and lead in tech.Per Scholas is reimagining tech training for the modern learner: With more than 25 career tracks and flexible delivery models, the organization is expanding training access while customizing programs to Detroit’s culture, employers, and industry needs.Ken Walker is the Executive Vice President at Per Scholas, where he has been a driving force in the organization’s national growth since joining in 2005. Under his leadership, Per Scholas has expanded from a $4 million nonprofit to an $80 million national powerhouse with 24 locations and over two dozen tech training pathways. A leading voice in workforce innovation, Ken specializes in aligning training to emerging technologies, employer demand, and equitable talent development.Laura Chavez is the Managing Director of Per Scholas Detroit, a lifelong educator, community leader, and advocate for equitable workforce development. With a background in bilingual and bicultural education and deep roots in Southwest Detroit, Lara has built a career around empowerment, authenticity, and relationship-driven community engagement. Her work focuses on dismantling barriers for learners, expanding tech access for underrepresented communities, and strengthening Detroit’s diverse talent ecosystem.