Get the inside scoop on SXSW EDU 2026 as Mike Palmer sits down with Kayla Meyers from SXSW EDU to preview what’s heading to Austin this March. From a reimagined city-wide footprint to the biggest podcast stage lineup yet, we’re breaking down why this year is a must-attend for anyone in the education ecosystem.
Kayla shares her journey from museum curator to the mastermind behind the conference’s “impeccable vibes,” offering a deep dive into the trends shaping the 2026 program.
What we covered:
🌵 The Great Austin Reset: How the Convention Center renovation forced a move to a more grassroots, decentralized footprint that puts the city of Austin front and center.
🎙️ Podcast Stage Expansion: We’re growing to 16 podcasts this year—come catch Trending in Ed live to kick things off on Monday morning.
🎓 Elevating Student Voices: From student-led journalism to the “Student Changemakers Hub,” the next generation is finally getting the mic.
🤖 Wading Through the AI Slop: A candid look at “AI fatigue,” the impact of LLMs on human neurology, and why human curation matters more than ever.
🤝 Crossover Day: Everything you need to know about the historic convergence of SXSW EDU and the main SXSW conference on March 12th.
Join us live at the podcast stage in Austin on March 9th at 9:00 AM Central to start the week right!
Keep Trending with Us: If you want to stay ahead of the curve in the world of learning, make sure to subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Follow our YouTube channel for weekly deep dives into the future of education.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 🎙️ Kicking off the SXSW EDU 2026 Preview
- 02:14 🏛️ From Museum Curator to Programming Manager
- 07:44 📻 The Evolution of the SXSW EDU Podcast Stage
- 12:51 🏙️ What’s New: A Decentralized Austin Footprint
- 17:45 ☕ Designing for Serendipity and “Clubhouses”
- 20:00 🗣️ Spotlighting Student Voice and Agency
- 22:38 🧠 AI Slop, Brain Rot, and Human-Centered Literacy
- 33:50 🛠️ Workforce Readiness and AI Implementation
- 43:24 🎸 Crossover Day: Where Education and Tech Meet
- 45:00 👋 See You in Austin on March 9th!
Palmer Media 2026-02-06 16:04:00
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