Capital Class

About Capital Class

Capital Class invites audiences into the c-suite of market-leading businesses to share candid conversations that explore complex business challenges while humanizing the journey of constructing an enterprise. Through storytelling and humor, Capital Class provides insights to support a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Publisher

Adam Giery

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Apr 2021

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

45 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Building Discovery Education: Brian Shaw Shares Lessons from Scaling a Global EdTech Powerhouse

   In this episode of Capital Class, host and Strategos Partner Adam Giery sits down with Brian Shaw, CEO of Discovery Education, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, scale, and the future of K–12 education. Brian offers a rare CEO-level perspective on an industry at a critical inflection point. Post-pandemic, technology has shifted from optional to essential, removing long-standing barriers around access, connectivity, and adoption. With Discovery Education now serving 4.5 million educators and more than 45 million students worldwide, Brian reflects on what it takes to move beyond building tools and instead prove measurable impact at scale. The conversation explores the consolidation and rationalization underway in edtech, as districts seek fewer, more effective partners who integrate seamlessly into instruction. Brian shares how Discovery Education has evolved from its early roots in classroom video to a comprehensive digital learning platform, while preserving its core commitment to engagement, curiosity, and real-world learning. Adam and Brian also dive into leadership lessons from spinning Discovery Education out of a major media company, navigating acquisitions, and building a mission-driven culture in a complex and highly scrutinized market. From the promise and responsibility of AI to the realities superintendents face running systems the size of Fortune 500 companies, this episode delivers an honest and optimistic view of where education is headed. Timestamps 05:00 "Streamlining EdTech Tools" 07:14 Navigating Challenges with Technology 12:40 "Leading Discovery Education's Transformation" 14:51 "Journey of Discovery’s Legacy" 18:46 "Turning Tough Moments Into Success" 20:37 "Expanding Horizons in EdTech" 23:54 "Falling in Love with EdTech" 28:01 Beyond Financial Metrics 30:24 "Authentic and Interwoven Life" Connect with Brian Shaw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangshaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangshaw) Website: https://www.discoveryeducation.com/ (https://www.discoveryeducation.com/)

2. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Resilience, Legacy, and Learning: Lessons From Highlights CEO Kent Johnson

   In this episode of Capital Class, host and Strategos Partner Adam Giery sits down with Kent Johnson, the fourth generation CEO of Highlights for Children, to explore how an 80-year-old education brand stays timeless in a world defined by screens, speed, and constant change. Adam opens with the origin story of a magazine born in 1946 in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, created by educators who believed children become their best selves through stories, puzzles, poetry, and play. Kent shares how Highlights has remained relevant by focusing less on format and more on what matters most, creating emotional connection. How do children feel heard, validated, and safe enough to take risks, build confidence, and grow? The conversation moves through defining moments in the company’s history, including periods when Highlights nearly did not survive, the innovation that helped it scale through teachers and waiting rooms, and the tragedy that reshaped the organization’s leadership and resilience. Kent reflects on stewardship, purpose-driven decision making, and the responsibility of leading a legacy business without being trapped by tradition. Adam and Kent also dive into the future, from modern design expectations to new ways Highlights is expanding its reach. Kent discusses the launch of Brainplay, the company’s commitment to puzzles and critical thinking, and a major partnership with Google focused on helping kids navigate the internet safely and responsibly. Along the way, Kent shares the belief system that guides Highlights across every product and age group, from early childhood through elementary years. Timestamps: 06:49 "Print's Enduring Appeal for Kids" 10:12 Empowering Kids for Digital Success 14:04 "Children are the Most Important" 15:07 "Shaping Futures Through Education" 19:22 "Balanced Parenting in Digital Age" 23:13 "Survival and Growth Against Odds" 24:53 "Rebuilding Amidst Tragedy" 29:17 "Purpose-Driven Leadership and Growth" 31:14 "Focused on Impacting Kids" 34:49 "Transforming Education and Early Development" Connect with Kent Johnson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentjohnsonhighlights (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentjohnsonhighlights) Website: https://shop.highlights.com/ (https://shop.highlights.com/)

3. 

   27 Aug 2026

   The Human Side of Education Venture: Risk, Reflection, and Relationships with Steve Kupfer

   In this episode of Capital Class, Adam Giery sits down with Steve Kupfer, Partner at Reach Capital, for a candid look at how education technology has evolved and why the current moment feels like a full reset. Steve unpacks the convergence shaping the edtech landscape today, including political and regulatory uncertainty, shifting parent expectations, and the rapid acceleration of large language models. He explains why traditional startup playbooks no longer apply and how building, selling, and raising capital in education has changed dramatically in the last two to three years. A major focus is the rising speed of company creation. Steve breaks down “vibe coding” and how tools like Replit and Cursor are lowering barriers so dramatically that non-technical builders can launch real products in hours. That speed brings opportunity, but also introduces new risks, especially around privacy, security, and defensibility. Steve also shares what he sees as the most common challenges founders face, including emotional volatility, loneliness, and the difficult shift from control to delegation. Adam and Steve explore what investors are really evaluating beyond the numbers, why “team quality” remains the foundation, and how service, empathy, and long-term relationships define the work of early-stage venture. The conversation closes with Steve’s Fast Four, including the consumerization of learning, Byron Bay as a must-visit destination, and the personal growth challenge of balancing time as Reach expands into New York. Timestamps: 03:35 "Shifting Perspectives on Change" 06:36 "Complexities of Emerging Tech Tools" 11:54 "Ambition, Vision, and Impact" 16:13 "No Regrets in Venture Investing" 17:17 "Reverse-Engineering Venture Investing" 22:24 "Illuminating Experiences Shaping Impact" 24:58 "Belonging Without a Mold" 28:44 "Growth, Loss, and New Beginnings" 33:10 "Reality of Supporting Founders" 35:22 Supporting Founders Through Uncertainty Connect with Steve Kupfer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kupfer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kupfer) Website: https://www.reachcapital.com/ (https://www.reachcapital.com/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

41

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.