“Education Insight,” an award-winning weekly public radio program and podcast produced by the nonprofit Growing Inland Achievement, is expanding its reach through national distribution by PRX, the Public Radio Exchange.

The program’s 2026-2027 season begins in September with new broadcast affiliates, new sponsors and an expanded national approach to examining what America is learning — and how education is changing across the country.

Behind that national growth is a production team with deep ties to California State University, San Bernardino. Every member of the “Education Insight” team is a CSUSB graduate, a current university employee or both.

Host Lacey Kendall earned her master of arts in education from CSUSB in 2012 and currently serves as a lecturer at the university. Executive producer Jacob Poore earned a bachelor of arts in communication studies in 2008 and a master of arts in integrated marketing communication in 2018. Associate producer Alyssa Silva, a graduate of CSUSB’s Palm Desert Campus, earned her bachelor of arts in communication in 2020. Production engineer Matt Shaw earned a bachelor of arts in communication in 2011 and a master of arts in education in 2014 and currently serves as a technology support specialist at the Palm Desert Campus.

“Each of the four of us developed the skills and relationships that made producing a national program possible," Poore said. "That journey started with a CSUSB education.”

The program’s connection to CSUSB extends beyond its production team. Episodes of “Education Insight” have been incorporated into the curriculum of two CSUSB liberal studies courses, giving students an opportunity to engage with contemporary education issues through interviews with educators, researchers, policymakers and community leaders.

Founded by Growing Inland Achievement seven years ago, “Education Insight” was created to elevate important conversations about education and to connect listeners with the educators, researchers, policymakers, students and community leaders shaping its future.

“Its purpose has always been to tell the stories of education that affect our region, our state and our country,” Kendall said. “We were thrilled to create this program for one station. Watching it grow into a nationally distributed show is a dream we did not know we would have the opportunity to experience.”

Through thoughtful, accessible conversations, “Education Insight” examines subjects including artificial intelligence, educational equity, student mental health, college affordability, workforce preparation, teacher retention and innovative approaches to learning. Programs have also explored mathematics education, direct college admission, homeschooling, student disengagement, twice-exceptional learners, educational technology and the effects of screen use on children.

“We look at the show as one way all of us can give something back to education,” Silva said.

“Putting every episode together takes a great deal of work, but it is incredibly rewarding to do that work with this team,” Shaw said.

The program has been honored twice as the Best of the West Locally Produced Radio or Television Program of the Year, receiving the honor in 2022 and again in 2025. “Education Insight” is also a finalist for a 2026-2027 Best of the West Media Award and has received recognition through the American Advertising Awards.

PRX is a leading public media organization and distribution marketplace connecting independent audio producers with public radio stations, digital platforms and audiences throughout the United States. Among the shows in its lineup are “This American Life,” “Reveal” and “The New Yorker.” Through PRX, stations across the country can discover, license and broadcast “Education Insight” as a free weekly, half-hour public affairs program.

"National distribution gives us the opportunity to bring the experiences and ideas of educators from many different communities into one conversation," Poore said. "The show began in the Inland Empire, but the challenges and successes we explore resonate with communities across the country."

Growing Inland Achievement has produced and sponsored “Education Insight” since the program’s inception. The nonprofit works to improve educational achievement and economic mobility by bringing together education, business, government and community partners throughout the Inland Empire.

“Education Insight” is available through participating radio stations and major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. Local listeners can hear the program on KCAA 1050 AM and 106.5 FM, Coyote Radio at CSUSB and Paws Radio at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus.

About “Education Insight”
“Education Insight” is a nationally distributed, award-winning weekly radio program and podcast produced by Growing Inland Achievement. Hosted by veteran broadcaster and CSUSB lecturer Lacey Kendall, the program features conversations with the people shaping education from early learning through college, careers and lifelong learning. The show is distributed to public radio stations through PRX and is available internationally through major podcast platforms.

About Growing Inland Achievement
Growing Inland Achievement is the Inland Empire's regional coordinating intermediary for cradle-to-career attainment and economic mobility. GIA aligns educational institutions, employers, government agencies, and community organizations around a shared goal of expanding educational opportunity and economic mobility throughout the region.