Podcasts
The Impossible Questions Podcast
Mission & Data Co-Founder and Partner Ari Betof co-hosts this podcast produced by the Enrollment Management Association. This podcast is all about impossible questions. What are impossible questions? If you’ve ever been in a meeting and been asked, “Will we be full next year,” or “How will COVID-19 impact us,” then you know what an impossible question is. It’s not that impossible questions don’t have answers, it’s just that they are very difficult to answer and each answer will be different for each school. On this show, we’ll unpack those impossible questions, think about some ways to address them, and talk with some of the most interesting, knowledgeable, and thoughtful voices in our industry.
The Trustee Table
Mission & Data Senior Governance Strategist Anne-Marie Balzano hosted this podcast produced by the National Association of Independent Schools. The Trustee Table provides insights and information for trustees, board chairs, and school administrators on critical governance and leadership issues. Each episode will include a discussion with an expert in the field on a specific topic or challenge facing independent schools.
Podcast Features
Catch up on various episodes of podcasts featuring Mission & Data colleagues and collaborators.
Independent School MoonshotOS Podcast: Why Your Compensation System Keeps Drifting (And How to Stop It)
What would it mean for your school to actually have a compensation system rather than just a collection of decisions made under pressure? Cliff Kling explores what the answer to that question looks like, as he walks through why faculty compensation keeps breaking down in independent schools, why the basic laws of supply and demand do not apply here the way leaders often assume, and what it actually takes to build a system that is fair, transparent, and sustainable over time.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S5 E1: A Deep Dive Into EMA's 2025 Special Report: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability
Here at Mission & Data, we take pride in being at the forefront of discussions taking place in the realm of independent schools. One recent example was the special live recording of E3n's "The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast" with special guest Raj Raghunathan, PhD! Take a listen to our very own Ari Betof, EdD, MBA and E3n's VP of Member Relations, Christina Dotchin, MPA discuss how Dr. Raghunathan's research connects to E3n's recent special report: An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. We‘re happy to share this resource on the importance of informing enrollment management strategy with data and discussions surrounding family perceptions of independent school value.
Talking Technology with ATLIS: Mission-Driven, Data-Informed Leadership with Ari Betof
Ari Betof, co-founder of Mission and Data, joins the ATLIS Talking Technology podcast to discuss the critical importance of making mission-driven, data-informed decisions. He explores the common challenges schools face with data governance and system migrations, emphasizing the need for longitudinal consistency and strong leadership partnerships to turn raw data into a compelling strategic story.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S4 E9: Behavioral Economics and Tuition: Signals that Shape Perceived Value
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Manoj Thomas, Cornell University’s Sabanci Professor of Management and Marketing and Associate Dean of New York City Initiatives. A leading behavioral scientist, Manoj explores how unconscious mental processes shape consumer decisions, from pricing psychology to the subtle cues that influence how we perceive value.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S4 E8: Paying for Independent School: Insights from the 2023 NAIS Financial Aid Parent Survey
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Mitchell, Vice President of Access and Affordability at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and Amada Torres, Vice President for Studies, Insights, and Research at NAIS. Together, Amada and Mark bring deep expertise on various factors influencing independent schools today, and they are both authors of How Parents Pay School Costs: 2023 NAIS Financial Aid Parent Survey.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S4 E7: A Deep Dive Into EMA's 2025 Special Report: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability
EMA's 2025 report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, offers a large-scale analysis of how families across the socioeconomic spectrum perceive the value and affordability of independent school education. The report provides critical insights into the complex factors shaping families' decisions to enroll their children in independent schools. This report was a collaboration between EMA and Mission & Data, so listen in as Dr. Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data, and Sarah Enterline Roch, Research and Data Practice Lead explore the highlights of this valuable report!
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S3 E1: Live from AC23: EMA Podcast Hosts All in One Room!
In this unique episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast, we have gathered all your favorite EMA podcast hosts under one roof. This includes Rebecca Malotke-Mmeslin and Lynne Macziewski from 'Confidently You,' John Gentile and Rohan Arjun from 'Different Perspectives,' and Ari Betof and Christian Donovan from 'Impossible Questions.' Join us as we share memorable moments from our last podcast season, dive into the latest trends shaping independent schools, and provide a sneak peek into exciting episodes awaiting you in the upcoming season.
Why Great Strategy Struggles Without Systems
Is your school's "system" running on intention or tradition? Jason Kern, Senior Innovation & Operations Strategist at Mission & Data, unpacks the role of systems in driving strategic execution across independent schools. Whether it's your strategic plan, enrollment, meetings, or sunset decisions, Jason shares why the path to progress starts with how we work, not just what we work on.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S4 E6: How to Leverage EMA Reports for Strategic Decision-Making
In this episode, we sit down with Carolyn Gorowski, Dean of Admission at Lake Forest Academy (IL); Laurel Baker Tew, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment at Viewpoint School (CA); and Victoria Muradi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Durham Academy (NC). Together, they share practical, actionable strategies for leveraging insights from EMA's reports to drive strategic decision-making in independent schools.
Tackling Institutional Challenges: When Do You Lay Down or Reinvest in a Longstanding Program?
Discover how strategic leadership, data-driven insights, and collaborative governance can reimagine longstanding programs in schools. Join Autumn Graves, Head of School at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, and Ari Betof, Co-Founder & Partner of Mission & Data, as they share actionable strategies to drive meaningful change.
Unlocking Educational Insights: Institutional Insight with Sarah Enterline Roch
In this episode, Sarah Enterline Roch discusses her professional journey and highlights the challenges elementary school students face with establishing their identities. She delves into strategies for enhancing the quantity and quality of hard-to-acquire personal data, emphasizing the need for collaboration among various roles within institutional research to achieve significant outcomes
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S3 E5: 2023-2024 The Ride to Independent Schools Report: 3,000+ Families Tell Us About Their Journey
Listen in as The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast explores some of the highlights from The Ride with Dr. Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data, and Sarah Enterline Roch, Research and Data Practice Lead!
Leadership Spotlight: A Journey with ATLIS Founders from Origins to Future Aspirations
Have you ever wondered how ATLIS came into existence? This special podcast episode takes listeners back to the beginning with ATLIS's three co-founders, one of which is M&D’s co-founder: Kelsey Vrooman! The conversation doesn't stay in the past, but also imagines the future trajectory of ATLIS and the role of technology leaders.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S4 E1: Live from AC24: The Evolution of Strategic Enrollment Management
Listen in to a special live episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast, recorded at EMA’s Annual Conference (AC24). This session features a dynamic lineup of EMA’s podcast hosts and a special appearance by Heather Hoerle, EMA’s Executive Director and CEO. Together, we explore the past decade’s evolution in strategic enrollment management and share insights into its future.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S2 E10: State of the Independent School
What can independent school leaders learn from EMA's 2023 State of the Independent School Enrollment Industry Report (SOTI)? Listen in as Ari Betof and Sarah Enterline Roch discuss the key findings.
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast S2 E11: Addressing Impossible Questions 2.0: An Enrollment Spectrum and Impossible Questions Crossover
What paradigm should you bring to your leadership when faced with an impossible question? Join us as we share highlights from season one of EMA's Impossible Questions podcast and dive into questions like this
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast Episode 95: Addressing Impossible Questions
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Ari Betof as we discuss how to address impossible questions. We are also very pleased to announce EMA’s Idea Factory Podcast!
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast Episode 87: Six Predictions for 2021
We asked our 2020 podcast guests to send us a short voicemail with their predictions for 2021 and the response was overwhelming! In fact, we have so much content we're doing a two-part episode on predictions for 2021. In this episode, you'll hear from Greg Martin, John Barrengos, Kevin Plummer, Kristen Mariotti, Ari Betof, and Kevin Folan!
The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast Episode 53: Steps to Financial Sustainability in a Time of COVID-19
Will we be back to normal in the fall? How should schools be thinking about their financial sustainability? This conversation with Dr. Ari Betof will help you get started. This podcast is a great one to share with your head of school or board!