About this episode

Nate McClennen discusses with Liza Garonzik how to teach and assess durable skills like communication and collaboration in the context of AI and the conversation crisis.

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen talks with Liza Garoznik, founder and CEO of Real Discussion, about one of the biggest questions in education today: how do we teach and assess durable skills like communication, listening, and collaboration? Framed by the rise of AI and growing concern about a "conversation crisis," the discussion explores why authentic interaction must be developed alongside artificial intelligence. Liza shares the origin story behind Real Discussion, explains the REAL framework—Relate, Excerpt, Ask, Listen—and offers practical insight into how schools can embed conversation skills into core academics while also measuring student growth, belonging, and engagement. Outline (0:00) Introduction & Durable Skills Framework (3:40) Liza's Story & Real Discussion Origins (11:23) The Conversation Crisis & Authentic Interaction (21:36) The REAL Framework & Teaching Discussion Skills (26:22) Assessment & Measuring Student Growth (34:19) Practical Tools & Future of Real Discussion Links Watch the full blog here Watch the full video here LinkedIn R.E.A.L. Discussion Liza Garonzik on Teaching Tomorrow's Human Skills Grade Discussion Skills, Not…

People in this episode

Host: Nate McClennen

Guest: Liza Garonzik

Topics covered

• communication skills
• education
• AI
• collaboration
• assessment
• student engagement

Keywords

• durable skills
• REAL framework
• conversation crisis
• student growth
• authentic interaction

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Real Discussion

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