Edutainment Done Right with Jerry Kolber

In this episode I talk with Jerry Kolber, the creative mind behind hit edutainment shows like Brain Games and Brainchild. With a background in reality TV and a passion for making learning interactive, Jerry shares how he transformed passive viewing experiences into engaging, educational content. We discuss everything from his early days producing Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to partnering with Pharrell Williams on a Netflix show and launching the educational podcast Who Smarted?. Jerry also offers practical tips for teachers on using multimedia resources to enhance classroom engagement without adding extra workload. I Takeaways: Edutainment is the Future: Jerry Kolbert’s shows like Brain Games and Brainchild prove that education can be both engaging and fun through interactive, multimedia experiences. Making Learning Relatable: Jerry emphasizes the importance of making educational content relatable to students’ lives, whether through storytelling or personalized teaching methods. Lessons from Reality TV: Jerry’s experience in reality TV taught him how to create compelling narratives, a skill he now applies to educational content. Support for Teachers: His Who Smarted? podcast and Brainchild show come with free resources and curriculum support, making it easier for teachers to bring new ideas into the classroom. Navigating Tough Topics: Jerry shares how his team reframed sensitive topics, like sex education, into more classroom-friendly discussions about attraction, making learning accessible to all ages. — Want to Learn more about Jerry Kobler? https://www.atomicentertainment.com/jerry-kolber https://whosmarted.com/ — Don’t be shy come say hi: andrea@human-content.com and podcasterandrea.com Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — A Human Content Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Welcome to “Those Who Can’t Do" with host Andrea Forcum (aka Educator Andrea on TikTok), a former high school teacher and now professor at Indiana State University. Each week, hang out in our podcast faculty lounge as Andrea trades notes with teachers, professors, students, politicians, and maybe even some celebrities as we explore what makes a great educator. Along the way, we’ll spotlight heroes, trade resources, share hilarious classroom war stories, and, most importantly, encourage one another as we shape the leaders, innovators, and future of our world. Teaching may be hard, but it’s as rewarding as it is challenging. The one thing it’s not… is driven by those who can’t do!