Call Summary: Exploring Alpha Schools Event Opportunity

Overview

Gary reached out to Brooke upon returning to Austin to explore the possibility of re-engaging with Joe Liemandt/Alpha Schools to organize a major education summit. The conversation revealed strong mutual interest in collaboration and highlighted Brooke's view of Gary as a major positive influence on her professional growth.

Key Topics Discussed

Gary's Return to Austin and Alpha Schools Opportunity

• Duration in Austin: Gary indicated at least two weeks, though uncertain about longer-term plans
• Job Search Status: Actively looking at opportunities
• Alpha Schools Context: Gary left Alpha on "ideal terms" and is considering sending a "Hail Mary" pitch to Joe Liemandt
• Rome Conference Catalyst: Recently attended a faith-based AI conference in Rome where Alpha Schools was mentioned multiple times in education working groups
• Gary's Perspective: "There's issues with this organization, but he's kind of uniquely positioned to do a lot of things. And even if some of the things didn't go well, there's always a way to rectify and evolve. If you have enough capital, which is basically what he has."
• Worst Case Scenario: "He says, sorry, don't want to work with you again. And that's fine because I'm just going to explore other stuff."

Education Summit Vision

• Original Concept: Gary had pitched this to Brooke in April - a multi-day education summit
• Proposed Timeline: Mid-March 2026, during UT spring break, after SXSW
• Strategic Intent: Leveraging Joe's resources and position to create a major educational convening
• Brooke's Enthusiasm: "I would love to" - immediate positive response to potential collaboration
• Previous Context: Joe had originally hired Gary with enthusiasm ("Davos in America for education") but then got too busy to focus on it

Alpha Schools' Current Event Needs

• Hiring Activity: Brooke noticed they had posted an events position on LinkedIn recently
• Inside Information: Gary's friend Tim (still at Alpha) confirmed Joe is "begging for help" with events
• Personnel Changes: The manager who canceled Gary's event was fired, and another problematic manager was reassigned to a different project
• Timing Assessment: Gary sees this as potentially good timing for re-engagement

Brooke's Professional Growth and Gary's Impact

• "Biggest Expander of 2025": Brooke credited Gary with expanding her vision of what's possible
• Proposal Scale: Her proposal for Gary was the largest she'd ever done in her own business
• Ripple Effect: "I just sent out two proposals in the last couple months with, like, over 50 grand"
• Expansive Energy: "You just bring this vibe to me... It expands my vision, expands what I think of what I thought was possible"
• Contrast with Family: Brooke noted how Gary's expansive thinking contrasts with the "scarcity mindset" she experiences with her parents: "They contract my imagination unintentionally... it really is magical to be able to just think about bigger possibilities"

Current Professional Status

• Brooke's Availability: Finishing her last event of the year, currently doing invoices
• Location: Now on the East side of Austin (Gary in South Austin)
• Meeting Plans: Planning to meet in person Wednesday of that week

Strategic Framing and Validation

• Brooke's Reframe: "It's them missing out on you versus however he responds"
• Recognition Pattern: Gary noted that people often recognize his ideas later: "It's fine that people recognize my ideas... way later, sometimes after I'm gone"
• Podcast Prediction: Gary was one of the first to suggest Joe should do podcasts, which Joe eventually did
• Learning Curve: "Maybe I understand pacing and realities of organizational bureaucracy now more"

Event Design Philosophy

• Elite Convening Model: Gary referenced the Vatican conference as an example: "150 person Vatican conference where we had all these private tours... totally different vibe, totally different level of status"
• Invite-Only Approach: Emphasized the difference between exclusive events and "buy a ticket" conferences
• Unique Value Proposition: "I just can't imagine that they have anyone that would be as good as me and you working together on that"

Key Quotes

• Brooke: "You're my biggest expander of 2025, just you know."
• Brooke: "You've expanded what I thought was possible with my company."
• Gary: "Maybe everyone learns their lesson. Like, maybe I was... maybe I understand pacing and realities of organizational bureaucracy now more, but also, you recognize that I totally know where your company needs to go on certain aspects."
• Brooke: "It's them missing out on you versus however he responds."
• Gary: "It really is magical to be able to just think about bigger possibilities."

Action Items / Takeaways

• Gary to send email pitch to Joe Liemandt about the education summit opportunity
• Gary will name his friend (Tim) who confirmed Joe needs event help in the email
• Brooke confirmed strong interest and availability for the project
• Meeting planned for later in the week to discuss further
• Summit target date: Mid-March 2026 during UT spring break

Strategic Dynamics

The conversation revealed a sophisticated understanding of organizational timing and personnel changes. Gary's approach demonstrates strategic patience - recognizing that Alpha Schools may now be ready for ideas they weren't prepared to execute earlier. Brooke's enthusiastic support and validation provides both emotional and strategic backing for the initiative.

The mutual professional respect is evident - Brooke values Gary's expansive thinking and vision, while Gary recognizes Brooke's exceptional experiential design capabilities. Their potential collaboration represents a convergence of visionary thinking and execution expertise, particularly suited for creating transformative educational gatherings that could significantly impact the education reform landscape.