In this episode of From the Playground to the Foreground, Jon Altschuler and Scott Bennett catch up with former classmate and ex-RISD Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone for a smart and lively conversation about what makes a great brand—whether it’s a truck stop or a school. Hint: Top pay is an important ingredient. And when the conversation turns to teacher pay in HPISD, Jeannie’s reaction to where the district ranks is somewhat unexpected.

From teacher pay, to private school vouchers, school safety, and why HPISD must invest in excellence to stay on top—they cover a lot of ground. And of course, some good laughs about their school days together!

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#FromPlaygroundToForeground #JeannieStone #EducationMatters #TeacherPay #HPISD #DallasPodcast #BuildingGreatBrands

In this episode of From the Playground to the Foreground, Jon Altschuler and Scott Bennett are joined by former classmate and current Richardson ISD school board member Megan Timme—and it’s a reunion packed with laughs, memories, and meaningful conversation.

They swap stories from their own school days, shout out favorite teachers, and talk about why top teacher pay is more important than ever—especially as Jon campaigns for the HPISD board.

It’s also Day 711 since Scott’s heart transplant, and of course he brings a “prop” to commemorate the milestone (because of course he does).

Plus, Megan shares proud mom moments from watching her son Drew Timme rise through college hoops and into the NBA—yes, that Drew Timme.

Heartfelt, hilarious, and a little nostalgic—this one’s got it all.

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#FromPlaygroundToForeground #TeacherPayMatters #MeganTimme #DrewTimme #SchoolBoardVoices #ScottBennett #JonAltschuler #DallasPodcast #HPISD #EducationMatters #ReunionVibes

In this episode of From the Playground to the Foreground, Jon Altschuler and Scott Bennett welcome longtime friend and former classmate Tyler Herbst—a Dallas native, world traveler, and now a high school geometry teacher back in his hometown.

Their conversation spans continents and classrooms, as Tyler shares how his global experiences have shaped his perspective on life, learning, and the role of educators today. From the rise of AI in schools to the constant battle over phones in the classroom, they tackle the big questions facing education—just as Jon announces his run for the Highland Park ISD Board of Trustees.

It’s a thoughtful, timely, and often funny conversation about where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and where we’re headed next.

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#FromPlaygroundToForeground #TylerHerbst #DallasPodcast #EducationMatters #PhonesInClass #HPISD #WorldTraveler #Teacher #FullCircleMoments

Mazel Tov! 🎉 It’s Episode 13 of From the Playground to the Foreground, and in honor of this podcast milestone, we’re calling it our Bar Mitzvah Episode. But instead of reading from the Torah, we’re talking with Jimmy Elliott—the guy who took on a Bryson DeChambeau challenge and won big!

But while his golf game is impressive, Jimmy’s biggest victories happen off the course. He opens up about what truly matters most—his family—and the perspective he’s gained after his child faced a life-threatening medical condition.

It’s a conversation about resilience, gratitude, and the moments that define us. Plus, of course, some great golf stories. ⛳️🎧

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#FromPlaygroundToForeground #GolfStories #JimmyElliott #FamilyFirst #GolfWins #DallasPodcast

In this episode of From the Playground to the Foreground, Jon Altschuler and Scott Bennett chat with Golf Roots co-founders Ben Stromberg and Jake Hoffman about how their Dallas-based startup is making golf more accessible—one used club at a time. From heartfelt stories about building lasting relationships through golf (looking at you, grandpa) to Larry David donating his clubs, it’s a conversation that proves golf can unite generations, break barriers, and even bring a little celebrity flair to the game. Tune in for laughs, inspiration, and a deep dive into how these young entrepreneurs are changing the game—literally.

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#GolfForEveryone #LarryDavidClubs #DallasPodcast #MakingGolfAccessible #GolfRoots

From the Playground to the Foreground
EP 11: Jon and Scott Talk Basketball, Education, and Too-High Socks with Rolando Blackman

This week, Jon and Scott are joined by Rolando Blackman—a legendary Maverick and four-time NBA All-Star.

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Buzzsprout

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From the Playground to the Foreground
EP 10: Jon and Scott Talk Mascots, Mega Millions, and Southwest Airlines with Chris Priebe

This week, Jon and Scott are joined by Chris Priebe—Managing Director of Finance at Southwest Airlines and Scott's Pre-K classmate. The trio discuss a range of topics—from the College Football Playoffs to high school mascots to Smokey Robinson.

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From the Playground to the Foreground
EP9: Jon and Scott Review the Front 9 with Ron Corning

We moved playgrounds—the week our guest decided not to show! Luckily for Jon and Scott, our producer Ron Corning knows a thing or two about podcasting (and moving to Texas and Zsa Zsa Gabor). The trio touches on a wide range of topics—from bar mitzvahs to handwriting to what it is, exactly, that makes a Texan a Texan.

To keep up with Ron Corning, follow him on Instagram.

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