"Let's Talk Schools!" Podcast
Podcast Season 2 (2026-27)
Continuing the tradition started by Superintendent Mike Looney, who first introduced Let’s Talk Schools as a TV show, the new format brings the conversation to podcast listeners. Hosted by Chief Communications Officer Brian Noyes and Communications Director Samantha Maxey, Let’s Talk Schools explores the big-picture topics that shape student success, from family engagement and community partnerships to district strategies and everyday wins. Each episode features candid conversations with educators, parents, students, and community leaders, offering practical insights and inspiring stories from across Fulton County Schools. New episodes will premiere twice a month.
Episode 2: Modern Education
What happens when students turn classroom learning into solutions for real-world problems?
In this inspiring episode of Let's Talk Schools, host Brian Noyes and co-host Samantha Maxey sit down with two innovative school leaders, Johnathan Hall, Principal of Global Impact Academy, and Scott Kent, Principal of FCS Innovation Academy, to explore how students are designing solutions, tackling community challenges, collaborating with industry professionals, and gaining hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real careers. From project-based learning and STEM innovation to business partnerships and career exploration, discover how schools are preparing students for a world that's changing faster than ever.
It’s a bold look at what’s possible when learning is relevant, engaging, and connected to the real world.
Episode 1: Crisis Communications
In this episode of Let’s Talk Schools, Fulton County Schools leaders Dr. Ava Williams and Dr. Kibbey Crumbley pull back the curtain on how schools prepare for, respond to, and communicate during emergencies. From weather events and power outages to medical situations and safety concerns, they share real-world examples, explain the district’s crisis communication process, and highlight the critical role parents play in maintaining accurate contact information and staying connected to school updates. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the trust, transparency, preparation, and teamwork that help keep students safe every day, while learning what to expect in unexpected situations.