Mr. Clarke After Dark
Welcome to the “Mr. Clarke After Dark” podcast with host Lucas Clarke, an educator determined to move away from recycled professional development and engage in more nuanced, personable, and relevant conversations for learning.
Each week, Mr. Clarke unpacks the inner workings of the classroom and learns out loud with educators, politicians, comedians, and other field experts of all shapes, sizes, and burnout levels. Whether they have been in the trenches of their profession for five months or fifty years, we are here to share everything from classroom hacks, our worst mistakes, and the occasional profound musing (from the guests). From conversations about race with Daryl Davis, education reform with Jennifer Gonzalez, global educational development with professors from the World Bank, to stories about students farting in class, there will always be something you can take away from the show, for better or worse.
So, come on over and join the dark side ... unless you’re scared.
Mr. Clarke After Dark
#075 - Jerry Kolber | Who Smarted, Sex & The City, and Creating Valuable Edutainment
Jerry Kolber is a Film Producer and the co-founder of Atomic Entertainment Group.
In this conversation, Jerry and I discuss his experiences working on iconic shows, including a memorable story about collaborating with Sarah Jessica Parker on Sex and the City and with Pharrell on the Netflix series Brainchild. We also explore his work in edutainment, including Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Brainchild, Brain Games with National Geographic, and the hugely popular bite-sized science podcast Who Smarted. Jerry and I dive deep into how these experiences shaped his approach to creating educational content and engaging audiences. He also highlights the challenges of television production while emphasizing a growing audience demand for unscripted learning experiences. To wrap up, Jerry shares some eye-opening stories from his time leading theater in post-communist Czechoslovakia. Thank you for tuning in and hope you enjoy the show!
Chapters
00:00 The Journey from Entertainment to Education
05:52 The Grind of Television Production
12:01 The Evolution of Brain Games
18:04 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Education
27:58 Navigating Sensitive Topics in Education
35:05 Finding the Right Episode Length
43:11 Creating Impactful Educational Content
49:45 Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Takeaways
Television production is a demanding and lengthy process.
Audio learning can significantly enhance comprehension in students.
AI has the potential to streamline educational content creation.
Understanding educators' needs is crucial for effective marketing.
Providing ad-free content is essential for classroom use.
Every project, successful or not, offers valuable lessons.
Creativity thrives when the burdens of logistics are minimized.
Homeschool families appreciate science shows that present facts without bias.
Podcasting allows for quick impact without the need for permission.
The ideal length for educational content is around 20 minutes.
Encouraging unscripted learning can lead to deeper engagement in classrooms.
Creating educational content should focus on representation and inclusivity.
Theater experiences can provide valuable lessons in creativity and adaptability.
Curiosity is essential for lifelong learning and critical thinking.
Extracurricular activities can enhance skills not taught in traditional classrooms.
The transition from traditional media to podcasting offers new opportunities for creators.
You can follow Jerry here: https://www.atomicentertainment.com/jerry-kolber
Who Smarted: https://whosmarted.com/
Brain Games: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLivjPDlt6ApQhuYe9r7EVeWMGXJWAZsNw
Download the Luxy App here: https://www.onluxy.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorQE6gOpRh5iTLYhBH2zLFzKX0WGhAc_oLC3EETPegghQkvcVUg
Thoughts shared on the podcast are purely our own and do not represent the views of the Anglophone South School District or the relevant jurisdictions associated with my guests.
