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Pitch PlaygroundHow could 50,000 transform learning. Author: 4.0
How could 50,000 transform learning? On Pitch Playground, we invite education innovators and social entrepreneurs to throw their best ideas at us. From technologies that build empathy to providing affordable childcare and reimagining the way we learnthis is a place for pitches from visionaries. Each episode features an intrepid edupreneur workshopping a 50,000 project to solve a critical problem in education. With support from mentors, funders, and fellow entrepreneurs we'll explore what it takes to turn dreams into reality. At the end of the season, we award 50,000 to the best pitch we've heard on the show. We're inviting educators and social entrepreneurs to play in the sandbox with us and share their vision for the future of education. We encourage these visionaries to be BOLDdon't just think outside the box; reshape the box itself. Draw outside the lines. It's about making good ideas last longer and go further. About the Host, Nicole Jarbo: Nicole Jarbo is the host of Pitch Playground and the CEO of 4.0. A serial entrepreneur, former educator, and proud 4.0 alum, Nicole has a track record of building impactful ventures across a variety of industries, including education, financial technology, and media. Passionate about storytelling and innovation. Shes passionate about sharing the inspiring stories of the 4.0 community and believes in work that makes the world more livable, creative, sustainable, and fun. About 4.0: 4.0 is a hub for education innovators and social entrepreneurs reimagining the future of learning. Through mentorship, funding, and community support, we empower bold thinkers to turn their dreams into reality. To date, 4.0 has helped spark and invest in over 1,600 ideas, and our alumni have impacted millions of students and families. We envision a future where our education system meets the needs of every family and improves life outcomes for all. Have a Pitch to Transform the World? Wed love to hear from you! Whether you're an educator, entreprene Language: en Genres: Business, Education, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Hard Hats, Soft Skills: How Aaron Frumin's unCommon Construction Prepares Students for College and Career Success
Episode 6
Tuesday, 1 April, 2025
What if students could earn school credit, get paid, and build a house—all in one semester? Aaron Frumin, founder of unCommon Construction, is making that a reality. Based in New Orleans, unCommon Construction is a nonprofit apprenticeship program that places high school students on job sites, where they learn hands-on construction skills while developing the soft skills they need to succeed in life and work. From teamwork and communication to resilience and professional attitude, students walk away with much more than a paycheck—they leave equipped to take on life’s challenges and seize new opportunities.Aaron’s journey started far from the job site. After dropping out of college and joining the Red Cross post-Katrina, he discovered a calling to serve. That calling eventually led him from the classroom to the construction site, and finally to founding unCommon. The organization blends education with real-world experience. Aaron shares how a need to leave a positive “thumbprint” on the world drives his work.He pitches unCommon to Spencer Sherman, principal consultant at Education First, and together they explore the ins and outs of how unCommon’s new community center can serve as an innovation hub and expand the organization’s reach. They dig into the importance of user-centered design, creating sustainable funding models, and what it takes to truly prepare young people for college, careers, and life.Episode Highlights:01:57 Aaron's Journey: Volunteering After Hurricane Katrina 07:25 The Birth of unCommon Construction10:11 A Day in the Life of a UCC Student14:29 Impact Stories: Transforming Lives Through Construction18:50 Expanding the Vision: The unCommon Community Center20:01 Mentorship and Pitch Improvement27:19 Key Takeaways Links & Resources:Aaron Frumin unCommon Construction Spencer Sherman Education First About the Host, Nicole Jarbo:Nicole Jarbo is the host of Pitch Playground and the CEO of 4.0. An entrepreneur and 4.0 alumni herself, Nicole took a side hustle from $0 to $500k per year and founded a fintech startup that empowered Gen Z with their finances. She's passionate about sharing the inspiring stories of the 4.0 community and believes in work that makes the world more livable, creative, sustainable, and fun.About 4.0:4.0 is a hub for education innovators and social entrepreneurs reimagining the future of learning. Through mentorship, funding, and community support, we empower bold thinkers to turn their dreams into reality. To date, 4.0 has helped spark and invest in over 1,800 ideas, and our alumni have impacted over 10M students and families. We envision a future where our education system meets the needs of every family and improves life outcomes for all.We Want to Hear From You!Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur, or just passionate about changing education, reach out to share your story, ideas, or feedback. Visit us at pitchplayground.com, leave us a review and subscribe to Pitch Playground wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to Vote! At the end of this season one of these entrepreneurs will receive $50,000 towards their idea. We want to hear from you, yes YOU, to cast your vote for the idea you think should receive the cash. Sign up for our newsletter at 4pt0.org to stay tuned on when voting will open.
