The OpenEd Podcast

Joey Mascio, teen life coach and creator of Sidekick to Hero, makes the case that there are three specific rules - named after Yoda, Dumbledore, and Haymitch - that keep parents in the mentor role and out of the villain seat. He was a 2026 Eddy Award finalist in two categories: Innovator of the Year and Open Education Resource of the Year. Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/the-mentor-parenting-method-how-to-raise-confident-emotionally-intelligent-homeschool-kidsFind Joey:- Mentor Parenting program: https://www.mentorparenting.com- Sidekick to Hero: https://www.sidekicktohero.com- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sidekicktohero

She wrote her first novel at 11. Two years later, it's published on Amazon, she's writing four more books, recording original music, free diving to 20 meters, and leading writing workshops for other kids. At 13, Sage Sedivec won the 2026 Eddy Award for Inspiring Student of the Year. Ela Bass sits down with Sage and her mom, Elizabeth — a former classroom teacher who moved her whole family onto a sailboat and traded curriculum for passion-led learning — to talk about worldschooling, homeschooling on a sailboat, and what happens when you stop asking kids to stop writing and do their schoolwork.Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/homeschooling-while-traveling-sailboat

Homeschooling high school looks impossible until you talk to families who've actually done it. Helen Robson and ToriAnn Perkey cover everything parents actually want to know — unaccredited transcripts and college admissions, trade school paths, how to talk to a teenager who has completely checked out, and why 18 is not the deadline you think it is. If you're homeschooling through high school and not sure what comes next, this is the conversation to start with. Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/homeschool-high-school-without-fear

Kenneth Grover spent two decades as a public school principal proving that the rules governing American education - grade levels, bell schedules, age-based pacing - aren't always laws. They were habits. This conversation covers how a real mastery-based public high school actually ran, day by day, and what it took to build one from the inside. Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/what-mastery-based-learning-looks-like-in-a-real-public-school Kenneth Grover LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kennethogrover OnFire Learning (OpenEd Marketplace): https://opened.co/marketplace?searchInput=fire

Sandy Zamalis spent years as a homeschool mom offering consequences to a son she thought was being defiant. She was wrong. Sandy is a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist and an owner of LearningRx - and she didn't learn what was actually going on until after her kids had finished school. This conversation covers the single most useful reframe for any homeschool parent: the difference between a content gap and a skills gap, and how to tell which one your child is dealing with.Read the full article: https://opened.co/blog/cognitive-training-for-homeschool-kids

Jon England spent 14 years inside the public school system - seven as a teacher, seven as a principal. He climbed the ladder because he wanted to change things. In this episode with host Ela Bass, Jon introduces a reframe that changes how you see the entire microschool movement: microschools aren't just custom education for students. They're the first real answer for teachers who want to build the kind of education they actually believe in.He also covers what makes microschools fail (it's almost never the teaching), what his own family's homeschool day looks like, and why market forces will always beat reform from within.Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/why-former-teachers-are-starting-microschoolsAbout Jon England:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengland1226/Libertas Institute: https://libertas.org

Lydia Hampton spent five years as a public school teacher before she built something most educators never consider. Research shows direct instruction works for about 9% of kids. The other 91% need something different - and Lydia decided to build a place for all of them.The Learning Lab is a 16,000 sq ft space in Wichita, Kansas where seven completely different education models operate under one roof. In this conversation with host Ela Bass, Lydia breaks down how Khan Lab School, a public school microschool, a homeschool co-op, a wrestling academy, and four other programs coexist in the same building.Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/personalized-learning-in-action-7-education-modelsAbout Lydia Hampton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiahampton/The Learning Lab: https://www.golearninglab.org/

Bria Bloom was unschooled from birth - no classrooms, no curriculum, no requirements. Now she works at the Alliance for Self-Directed Education (the organization Peter Gray co-founded), and she's raising her own kids the same way. In this conversation with host Ela Bass, Bria breaks down the relationship-first framework behind self-directed education, why denying your kid a math workbook can be just as controlling as forcing one on them, and what she actually wants for her children - the ability to define a good life for themselves.Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/unschooling-explained-lifelong-unschoolerAbout Bria Bloom:Website: https://briabloom.comInstagram: @bria.bloomTwitter/X: @BriaBloomsSubstack (Partnership Parenting): https://partnershipparenting.substack.comASDE: https://self-directed.org

Is your child spirited, neurodivergent, or both? Family therapist Dr. Laura Froyen breaks down the one question to stop asking your kids - and what to say instead. Plus: the whitewater rafting analogy that reframes "difficult" behavior, and why even an expert took five years to solve one family problem.Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/spirited-child-what-questions-parentingAbout Dr. Laura Froyen:Website: https://laurafroyen.comInstagram: @laurafroyenphdPodcast: https://www.laurafroyen.com/podcast

Gretchen Roe laughed at her friend for homeschooling. A year later, she was doing it herself. Twenty-seven years and six kids later, she's one of the most experienced voices in the homeschool world - and her biggest warning isn't about curriculum. It's about what happens when parents overload the academics and forget the life skills that actually prepare kids for the world.Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/homeschool-soft-skills-independent-kidsAbout Gretchen Roe:Gretchen Roe is Community Outreach Coordinator at Demme Learning, a 27-year homeschool veteran, and host of The Demme Learning Show. She homeschooled six children, each on a completely different path.Website: https://demmelearning.comPodcast: https://demmelearning.com/showLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gretchenroe/

Your kid doesn't need to love math. They need to stop being taught wrong.Jason Roberts coached a 4th-grade math team at a public school. By 7th grade, those kids were doing calculus - 6 years ahead of schedule. His teaching philosophy comes down to one question: how did you teach your kid to tie their shoes?Jason Roberts and Justin Skycak (Math Academy) break down why lectures fail, how spaced repetition prevents forgetting, and what adaptive math learning actually looks like under the hood. Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/math-academy-review-shoe-tying-methodGUESTSJason Roberts - Co-Founder, Math AcademyJustin Skycak - Director of Analytics, Math AcademyWebsite: https://mathacademy.com

What does it actually take to start a microschool - and why are nearly 80 of them thriving across 20+ states? Amar Kumar, CEO of KaiPod Learning, shares five years of lessons.Read the full blog post: https://opened.co/blog/how-to-start-a-microschoolAmar Kumar is the CEO and founder of KaiPod Learning, a microschool network with nearly 80 schools across 20+ states. A former classroom teacher turned education entrepreneur, Amar spent over a decade at Connections Academy before launching KaiPod in 2020.Learn more: https://www.kaipodlearning.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumaramarX: https://x.com/AmarKumarEdu

Dr. Claire Honeycutt is a neuroscientist, researcher, and homeschool parent who recommends two philosophically opposed books - Well-Trained Mind and Free to Learn - and says you need both. In this second conversation, Dr. Claire explains why sensitive developmental windows matter, how she introduces rigor without killing joy, and why she thinks kids need to learn to think before they learn to prompt. If you missed Part 1, where Claire talks about leaving her tenured neuroscience career to homeschool, go watch that first: https://opened.co/blog/what-neuroscience-tells-us-about-homeschooling-dr-claire-honeycuttDr. Claire Honeycutt:Substack: https://clarified.lifeTwitter/X: https://x.com/HippyMomPhD

Most advice about homeschooling comes from parents, researchers, and experts. But what does a 16-year-old who's lived it - and documented it across four teenage lives - have to say? Turns out, we've been asking the wrong questions.In this episode, Mason Ember shares what surprised him most about teenage homeschool communities, why his parents identified "storytelling" as his through-line instead of just "film," and his most pointed critique of homeschooling.His philosophy: "Be pro-kid over pro-system." Whether you're homeschooling, considering it, or just curious about what education looks like when teens have more agency, Mason's perspective offers something you won't get from the usual experts - because he's the kid those experts are theorizing about.Mason's Links:- Documentary website: https://www.againstthegrade.com/- Follow Mason on Instagram: @embers_insta- NY Times letter to the editor: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/opinion/letters/home-schooling-debate.html

What does minimalism have to do with education?Joshua Fields Millburn - co-founder of The Minimalists, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and New York Times bestselling author - has spent over a decade helping people declutter their lives. But when his dyslexic daughter started coming home with stomach aches every morning from traditional school, he realized minimalism applies to more than physical stuff.In this conversation with OpenEd CEO Isaac Morehouse, Joshua shares his family's journey from public school struggle to thriving in an unschool environment - and the philosophy that made it possible.The Minimalists- Website: https://www.theminimalists.com/- TEDx "Scrolling Is the New Smoking": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYK1u8Vg5No- Netflix "Less Is Now": https://www.netflix.com/title/81074662- Book "Love People, Use Things": https://www.theminimalists.com/lput/

Krisy Shaughnessy never planned to homeschool. When COVID hit, she found herself renovating a house with her kids—and accidentally discovered they learned more from measuring boards than worksheets.In this episode, Krisy shares the "vegetable trick" she uses to hide education in plain sight, the $2 Wonder Wall system that captures her kids' questions (like "Do slugs have guts?"), and why she believes boredom is one of the most valuable tools in homeschooling.She also explains how she built a homeschool community from scratch by simply picking a park and sending an email—and why "if you want to be part of the village, you have to be willing to be the villager."Resources Mentioned:- Wonder Led Life (Instagram): [https://www.instagram.com/wonderledlife/]- Prodigy Math Game: https://www.prodigygame.com/- Life of Fred Books: https://lifeoffred.uniquemath.com/

She did everything right. Surrounded her kids with books from birth. Read aloud every night. Was even an elementary school librarian. Her first daughter tested at 12th-grade reading level in kindergarten. Her second daughter? Barely hanging on.In this episode, Janssen Bradshaw—founder of Everyday Reading and co-founder of Savvy Learning—shares how her two daughters had completely opposite reading experiences, even though they grew up in the same book-filled home. She opens up about the moment she realized something was wrong, the simple intervention that changed everything, and why flexibility in education is the greatest gift you can give your kids.

Therapists say their #1 clients are homeschool moms. Dalena Wallace understands why - and she's found a better way.After 13 years of homeschooling six kids, Dalena admits she's "not gifted at teaching." But instead of burning out, she built something different: a hybrid approach that brings tutors, co-ops, and community into her kids' education. In this episode, she shares why letting go of the "super mom" expectation changed everything - and how other homeschool families can do the same.Chapters:(00:00) - Therapists' #1 Clients Are Homeschool Moms(00:45) - Meet Dalena: 6 Kids, 13 Years Homeschooling(05:17) - "I'm Not Gifted at Teaching"(14:43) - The Hybrid Model Changed Everything(21:09) - Why She Sent Two Kids to Private School(25:50) - Pulled Her Daughter Out After 6 Weeks(36:03) - Her Dream: A School in Every Neighborhood(45:38) - Find the People, Not the Curriculum(51:28) - "Weepy Wednesday" and Homeschool Burnout

Most parents pull their kids out of music lessons the moment the "practice battles" start. It feels like a waste of money to pay for lessons when the kid isn't doing the work at home. But Deborah Pratt, founder of Southern Oregon School of Music, argues that this efficiency mindset is actually robbing children of the real ROI.In this episode, she shares the story of a student who spent 8 years "mediocrely" playing piano, guitar, and ukulele—only to discover at age 16 that he was a born bass player. Had he quit during the "low practice" years, he never would have found it. Deb reveals why the *environment* of music (the community, the brain development, the weekly touchpoint) matters more than the daily grind, and why the "Corpus Callosum" might be the best reason to keep paying for lessons even when your kid won't practice.---**00:00** - Welcome & Deborah's Journey to Music Education**02:06** - Southern Oregon School of Music's Grand Reopening**03:21** - Why Parents Put Kids in Music (The Research)**04:18** - The Trumpet Regret: When Quitting Is the Wrong Answer**08:55** - Never Quit at the Frustration Point**12:35** - Music & Brain Development: The Corpus Callosum**26:31** - Piano as the Foundation Instrument**34:01** - The Piano-to-Bass Discovery Journey**38:20** - The Social Glue: Community Creates Persistence**42:45** - Trial Lessons & Finding the Right Teacher---## GUEST**Deborah Pratt**Founder & Director, Southern Oregon School of MusicDeborah is a music educator with a Master's degree in Music Education and a bachelor's degree in Vocal Music Education. She spent nine years as a college instructor before founding and growing a Kinder Music program into a thriving music school with 172 students across multiple age groups and instruments. Her approach prioritizes persistence, community, and the neurological benefits of music education.

You don’t need a bell schedule to keep your kids on track—you need Jean Lee’s “plan everything, pause for magic” rhythm. Neuroscientist and Academy of Chaos founder Jean Lee never planned to homeschool—now she’s the mentor every family corners at soccer practice. In this conversation with Ela Richmond, Jean shares how she maps an entire year in Homeschool Planet in one weekend, keeps even her four-year-old accountable, and still slams the brakes to chase June berries or inspect insects.If you’re a working parent, raising twice-exceptional kids, or just trying to stop the daily workbook wars, this episode is your blueprint for flexible structure.Chapters:00:00 – Plan, then slam the brakes00:35 – Why every parent finds Jean at soccer practice04:05 – Flexible structure vs. deschooling myths10:12 – Homeschool Planet and year-round pacing16:45 – Teaching independence (even for four-year-olds)24:30 – Parenting philosophy inside the “Academy of Chaos”30:05 – Dopamine-proof screen time strategy36:20 – Tech, AI, and executive function43:00 – Curriculum isn’t a workbook50:10 – Jean’s resource library + how to connect

Parents worry about smartphones destroying their kids' mental health. But research shows something very different is actually causing anxiety and depression in teens.In this episode, biopsychologist Dr. Peter Gray reveals what 83% of anxious teens actually cite as their primary source of stress—and it's not what you think. He breaks down decades of research, challenges the popular narrative about social media, and explains why we keep blaming new media instead of looking at the real problem.Chapters:(00:00) - The 83% Stat: What Kids Blame for Anxiety(01:45) - Introduction to Peter Gray(03:30) - The Anxiety Crisis Started in 1950 (Not 2010)(12:15) - How School Changed: The Great Freedom Decline(22:45) - Why Kids Got Better in the 1990s(33:00) - The Social Media Myth Debunked(43:15) - Parenting Became a Job (Here's How to Stop)(52:30) - School: The Direct Cause of Teen Anxiety(59:45) - Self-Directed Education Works (Here's Why)(67:20) - Practical Advice for Giving Kids Back Freedom

You think your child is ignoring you when you yell. But Dr. Amy Moore reveals the shocking neuroscience: their brain literally can't process language during fight-or-flight.It's not defiance. It's auditory exclusion—an evolutionary survival mechanism.Dr. Amy Moore is the host of [Brainy Moms Podcast](https://www.thebrainymoms.com/) and specializes in cognitive psychology and ADHD education. Her research spans 5,000+ ADHD brains.Timestamps:0:00 — Cold Open: "They Can't Hear You"0:22 — Introduction & Dr. Amy's Background2:59 — Why Dr. Amy Became an ADHD Specialist3:29 — Personal Diagnosis Story6:31 — Step One: Ruling Out Basic Needs7:15 — The Attention Myth (Brain shifts focus 4x/second)8:10 — Why ADHD Brains Get Distracted9:08 — Fight-or-Flight & Amygdala Hijack10:23 — What "Defiance" Really Is15:00 — Auditory Exclusion When Yelling18:12 — Mirror Neurons & Emotional Contagion22:00 — Islands of Competence Framework35:00 — The Bucket Theory37:14 — Real-World Proof: From "Can't Spell" to College A's40:33 — Research Findings: Working Memory, Not Attention42:00 — Closing & ResourcesWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Teaching is relational work. When we turn what a child naturally loves into a graded assignment, we destroy the very motivation that made it beautiful in the first place.Join Brenna Clarke Gray, an educator and researcher who studies how technology and systems shape learning, as she explains why grading something your child loves might be the quickest way to kill their intrinsic motivation.Brenna hosts the podcast **Community of Praxis**, which explores big ideas in education through a care-centered, student-focused lens while acknowledging real structural limitations like time, funding, and precarity. As a mother of two, she advocates for protecting childhood, limiting data harvesting, and teaching kids to think critically about technology rather than simply using it.Resources:- Brenna's website: https://brennaclarkegray.ca/- Community of Praxis Podcast: https://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Scholarly-Podcasts/Community-of-Praxis---00:00 - Welcome & Guest Introduction00:31 - How Brenna Got Fascinated by Teaching02:46 - Faculty Support and the Hidden Problem with Education05:26 - Why Teaching and Learning is Relational Work08:20 - We Measure Compliance Instead of Learning10:41 - Universal Design for Learning: Multiple Pathways15:46 - The Content Overload Problem18:36 - The Pandemic's Missed Opportunity21:05 - How External Standards Shape Student Behavior24:35 - The Intrinsic Motivation Paradox30:10 - Boredom as the Fuel for Lifelong Learning34:30 - The Moment You Kill Your Kid's Love of Learning37:00 - Home Culture and Technology Boundaries41:20 - Intentional Limits on Screen Time & Data PrivacyWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Former public school teacher Ken Danford made a radical decision 30 years ago: quit the classroom and help teenagers leave school entirely—proving that unschooling and self-directed learning produce thriving, successful adults. Through North Star, his pioneering model for teen liberation from traditional education, Danford has guided hundreds of young people toward lives of autonomy, purpose, and genuine learning freedom.Resources Mentioned:- North Star: [https://northstarteens.org](https://northstarteens.org/)- Liberated Learners Network: [https://liberatedlearners.net](https://liberatedlearners.net/)- Ken's book *Learning Is Natural, School Is Optional*: [https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Natural-School-Optional-approach/dp/1733549005](https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Natural-School-Optional-approach/dp/1733549005?crid=Y8O3F37Y5PBJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e7A8n8GIMXgJQ3tOfubE0PUfQxKPssSoUYqw9FVHsIw-7y_6IbT_7ldJEjzhXEWGP6sFQIYAjbsa_tquRHf0uOFtEcgIh52bO8SfvqrhvO0MsHpJ6q2waqwyu9ulK2xqHZ-yF8Gll5CzLlrEsHxF-wZqCpy7cYA2OcfdSrpn_FuMjk_PN31Df9tkyBbyURhPeKSOTWfrFvpX4RJ8vzKUt_v65PuiPaZkhIABHdZ42Bk.OofPP94bYEH3M-AOMO3OQq7I697tqRXdhYSkxiFvsOg&dib_tag=se&keywords=school+is+optional+learning+is+natural&qid=1761600436&s=books&sprefix=schoool+is+optional+learning+is+natu%2Cstripbooks%2C204&sr=1-1)- OpenEd: [https://openedschool.com](https://openedschool.com/)Chapters:(00:00) - The Book That Made Ken Quit Teaching(01:45) - North Star’s “Not a School” Community Model(03:50) - Building a Hub for Unschooled Teens(05:40) - “You Can Stop Going” and Teen Reactions(07:20) - Radical Autonomy, Self-Chosen Structure(13:00) - Weekly Advisories and Real Accountability(19:30) - Who Shows Up at North Star (and Why)(26:20) - The Scarcity Myth and College Pressure(34:10) - Life After North Star + DIY Alternatives(43:50) - Rapid-Fire Encouragement for ParentsWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

In 2025, we're still medicating boys at alarming rates just to make them fit a learning model designed for compliance, not curiosity. Ben Somers was put on 70mg of Concerta at age 11—not because he needed it, but because the system did. Now he's building the alternative.Highlights:- Why a quarter of boys in Ben's school were medicated to comply- The shocking business insight: what actually makes kids want to learn (it's not curriculum)- How kids labeled "unmotivated" transform instantly in the right environment- The Montessori principle applied to digital spaces and modern homeschooling- Why parents should think of themselves as education designers, not teachersAbout Ben Somers:Ben dropped out of high school and later worked at Synthesis School (the SpaceX school) before founding Recess, a platform where kids choose their own classes and make friends who share their interests. He's now building tools to turn screens from "bad" to "great" for families.Resources:- Learn more about Recess: ⁠http://recess.gg⁠Timestamped Outline- [00:01] Why Ben Got Into Education - Personal school struggles and medication experience- [04:39] Working at Synthesis School - Learning from Josh and Crispin- [08:15] The Two Core Insights - Friends and choice as retention drivers- [13:25] The Roblox Connection - Why kids love choice-based platforms- [14:40] How Recess Works Today - Kid-driven class selection and friend-making-[19:15] Surprising Discoveries - Kids' motivation in the right circumstances- [21:11] The Unschooling Debate - Balance between freedom and necessary skills- [28:00] Screens and Digital Environments - Curating safe, productive digital spaces- [34:23] Education as Design - Parents becoming education designers- [42:33] High-Status Homeschooling - The shift in San Francisco- [44:52] Ideal Future of Education - Flexible campuses with interactive learning- [47:20] Top Education Books - Socratic dialogues and Seymour Papert- [49:26] The Kansas Learning Lab - Coworking spaces for kids

Kerry Owen had a dream about thousands of hungry children—and instead of ignoring it, she built a global charity that's fed countless kids worldwide, but this isn't just a charity story, it's about raising children with purpose and discovering that when we help people, we're actually the ones who benefit most.• How dreams became instructions for life's work• Why mission-driven kids beat achievement-driven kids• The practical ways families can start serving together• How open education enables real-world service learningKerry's Book: The Gift of Charity Wrapped in a Korowai of Love (Amazon, Cedar Fort Publishers, Deseret Books)Kerry's Current Work: Reach Out Today charity in UtahTimestamped Chapters00:00 - The Gift of Charity: A Mother's Mission 03:29 - From Romania to Reality: A Teen's First Project 04:55 - When Nobody Cared: Learning Hard Lessons 07:46 - Dreams That Won't Let Go: Thousands of Hungry Children 15:43 - Building Community Partnerships: The Salvation Army Connection 20:55 - Raising Mission-Driven Kids: Why Character Beats Curriculum 28:42 - The Transformation Power of Service: Youth Finding Purpose 35:12 - Making Service Accessible: Practical Ways Families Can Start 46:17 - Open Education Meets Open Hearts: Flexible Schooling for Service 54:27 - The Ripple Effect: How One Family's Mission Inspires OthersWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

A public school principal turned unschool dad shows parents how to stop chasing perfect transcripts and start raising confident problem-solvers.Inside This Episode:- Why a principal walked away from the FBI to build schools families actually choose- The Hoffman family playbook for raising self-directed kids without rigid plans- How BYU Independent Study helps parents customize learning without losing structureResources Mentioned:- Dave Hoffman — BYU Independent Study: [https://is.byu.edu](https://is.byu.edu/)Chapters:(00:00) - From FBI Dreams to Classroom Mission(01:45) - Why Teaching Felt Like Getting Paid to Play(03:40) - Charter School Experiments That Sparked Educational Choice(05:45) - When Kindergarten Changed Their Daughter Overnight(08:20) - Running Schools While Unschooling at Home(10:50) - The Soap Opera of Being a School Administrator(16:30) - How School Choice Forces Every Campus to Improve(24:40) - Designing a Patchwork Education Across States(33:30) - Raising Fearless, Self-Directed Kids Without College(38:05) - Saying Yes: Bucking Policy to Help Families(41:10) - Final Advice for Parents Trusting Their GutWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Your kid isn't "addicted" to screens by accident. Their devices were engineered using the same psychological tricks as Vegas slot machines—and it's doing real damage to their nervous system.Anjan Katta then spent 6 years solving what experts said was impossible: making a device—the Daylight Computer—that doesn't destroy your health. In this conversation, we break down exactly how modern screens dysregulate kids (hint: it's not just "blue light"), why the education technology we're giving our children might be making them worse at learning, and what the alternative actually looks like.Key Insights:The 5 mechanisms screens use to hijack your nervous system (the Vegas casino effect)Why "screen apnea" is making your kid anxious (and you probably have it too)How reading more on screens can actually mean learning lessThe "least computer possible" philosophy for familiesWhy naive outsiders solve impossible problems (and what that means for parents redesigning education)About Anjan Katta:Founder of Daylight Computer, creator of the first fast E-Ink screen that can replace traditional laptops and tablets. Resources:Daylight Computer: https://daylightcomputer.comDaylight Kids: https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/(00:35) - Why Anjan Got Into Education: The ADHD Medication Story(04:49) - The Fraud of Digital Learning: Reading More, Remembering Nothing(06:33) - Five Ways Screens Dysregulate Your Nervous System(09:42) - Screen Apnea: How Computers Literally Steal Your Breath(12:25) - The Six-Year Journey to Crack the "Impossible" Problem(16:24) - Why Being an Outsider Was Anjan's Superpower(20:32) - The Hero's Journey of Innovation: Faith Before Evidence(24:56) - Daylight Kids: The "Least Computer Possible" Philosophy(28:00) - The Future of Computing: Magical Surfaces That Disappear(30:15) - The Walkie-Talkie Button: Voice-Driven Lean-Back Computing(32:40) - The Guilt-Free iPad: Unlimited Screen Time That's Healthy

Middle school isn't just awkward years to survive—it's when your child's brain is most ready to discover their future. Jean Eddy, CEO of American Student Assistance (ASA), reveals why ages 11-14 are critical for career exploration and how parents are missing this golden window.Jean has spent over 30 years in education, transforming ASA from a college financing organization into a pioneering force for early career exploration. She believes that when kids explore their interests early—without pressure, with genuine fun—they develop the confidence and direction that leads to fulfilling careers. In this conversation, she shares why middle school brains are uniquely primed for learning, how to break free from the "college for all" trap, and what conversations actually matter at the dinner table.ASA Website & Free Career Tools: https://www.asa.org/Jean'sBook - Crisis-Proofing Today's Learners: https://www.asa.org/jean-eddys-book/Futurescape CareerAssessment for Kids: https://www.asa.org/Jean Eddy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-eddy-6584786/Chapters: (00:00) - The Mistake Every Parent Makes(02:38) - Why Girls Quit Math and Science(10:53) - Plumbers Know More Than You Think(12:44) - School Should Be Fun (Here's Why)(17:32) - The Middle School Brain Discovery(20:07) - From Boredom to NASA Dreams(28:36) - Breaking the College-For-All Myth(36:14) - Let Them Explore Without Pressure(42:28) - What Conversations Actually Matter(48:53) - Your Kid Is Worth The MessEvery child needs time to explore what fascinates them—without judgment, without pressure, just genuine curiosity. Sometimes the best education happens when we stop forcing and start following.Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Janae Daniels, a former public school teacher who was once firmly against homeschooling, shares the incredible story of how a divine prompting and a disastrous first day led her to completely rethink education. She explains why the parent-child relationship must come before academics, how boredom can unlock a child's genius, and what it really takes to homeschool teenagers successfully.This episode is a must-listen for any parent who feels called to a different path but is terrified of messing it up. Janae’s story is a powerful reminder that the most profound learning often happens when our perfect plans fall apart.In This Episode, We Discuss:00:52 - From Public School Teacher to Homeschool Convert03:14 - The Divine Intervention to Homeschool08:10 - Discovering Attachment Psychology & Why It Matters13:20 - The Intentional Separation of Kids from Parents in Public School17:11 - The Line-Dancing Epiphany: What Parent-Oriented Teens Look Like21:18 - The First Day of Homeschool Was a Disaster27:57 - The Diary of Anne Frank: When Learning Becomes Real31:40 - Hacking High School: How Her Kids Thrived Without the Traditional Path43:44 - The Unspoken Gift of Boredom50:25 - How Homeschooling Transformed Their Family Culture01:01:11 - Rapid Fire: Best Resources & Advice for Homeschooling TeensResources Mentioned:Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Your-Kids-Parents-Matter/dp/0375760288Janae's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/SchoolToHomeschoolWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Two Hollywood veterans with credits including Saving Private Ryan and The Sandlot built a virtual backlot where students audition for real productions. After 25 years, their students are on Broadway, working with Spielberg, and selling scripts for six figures—all without traditional film school.🎬 Sneak on the Lot: https://sneakonthelot.comTimestamps(00:00) Cold Open: The Goth Kid Who Became Hollywood Success(01:00) Meet the Hollywood Veterans Behind Sneak on the Lot(08:00) Why Film Sets Don’t Have to Be Stressful(11:00) The Philosophy: Lifting People Up(15:00) Building the Virtual Backlot(19:00) How Real Casting Happens Through a Game(22:00) Connecting Students with Industry Professionals(26:00) The Columbine Origin Story(29:00) Why Every Classroom Fits in Filmmaking(35:00) Film as Universal Opportunity(39:00) Success Stories: From Broadway to Spielberg(41:00) The Goth Kid’s Transformation Story(45:00) Future Plans: Hiring Students for Real ProductionsAbout Our Guests: • Darrin “Fletch” Fletcher — Storyboard artist (The Sandlot, multiple studio films) turned producer/director at Angel Studios • Chet Thomas — Former DreamWorks executive (Saving Private Ryan, Meet the Parents, Minority Report) and producer of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Two burnt-out teachers discovered something radical: when you stop teaching and let kids play for 3 hours a day, they develop the exact skills that predict success 30 years later.Kristin and Ginger run SKOLA Microschool in Minnesota, where there are no grades, kids spend more time outside than prisoners, and "boredom" is part of the curriculum.In this episode:Why it takes months (or years) to "undo" traditional schoolingThe 4 types of play that naturally emerge when kids are left aloneWhat a 50-year study reveals about play and life successHow to build play stamina in 8 weeks (practical guide included)Why doing LESS as a teacher might be the highest form of teachingLinks & Resources:Organizations:SKOLA: https://skolamicroschool.com/Let Grow: https://letgrow.org/Prenda Microschools: https://www.prenda.com/Alliance for Self-Directed Education: https://www.self-directed.org/Books Mentioned:"Free to Learn" by Peter Gray"Joyful Learning" by Kerry McDonald"The Wild + Free Book" by Ainsley Arment"The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan HaidtResearch:The Dunedin Study: https://dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/1000 Hours Outside: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/Full Article: [OpenEd Daily link when published](00:00) - The Post-It Note That Started Everything(04:18) - Why Teachers Are Burning Out(06:50) - Starting with a Clean Slate: Scola's Three Pillars(12:05) - "Letting Go of Old Measuring Sticks"(15:32) - The Undoing: How Long It Really Takes(19:18) - From Grades to Seeing the Whole Child(24:08) - How Microschools Change Family Relationships(28:00) - Why Teacher Health Matters More Than Curriculum(32:09) - Finding the Right School Model for Your Kid(38:02) - Intrinsic Motivation vs External Validation(47:02) - The Power of Being Bored(51:50) - The Four Types of Natural Play(01:03:29) - Building Play Stamina: Week by Week(01:12:03) - When to Step In vs Let Kids Figure It Out

Are you trying to manage every detail of your child's education like a CEO? Or are you cultivating growth like a gardener? Isaac Morehouse, Matt Bowman, and Janae Daniels reveal why the difference matters—and why one approach actually works.What You'll Learn:- Why boredom is the missing ingredient in modern education- The sticky note exercise that reveals what your child actually needs- How a piano tuner accidentally taught the perfect homeschool lesson- Why structure changes completely between ages 10-14Resources:- Open Education Book: opened.co/book- Free Toolkit (13 pages): opened.co/book- School to Homeschool Podcast: schooltohomeschool.comChapters:(00:00) - CEO vs. Gardener: Which Parent Are You?(03:15) - Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Homeschool Families(08:42) - The Sticky Note Exercise for Finding Interests(14:30) - Should Siblings Have the Same Schedule?(18:45) - Why Ages 10-14 Need Different Structure(23:00) - The Piano Tuner Story That Changed Everything(28:15) - When Kids Need More Structure vs. More Freedom(34:40) - How to Know If You're Overscheduling(39:20) - Connecting Interests to Real Community Needs(44:55) - Working Full-Time While Homeschooling(49:30) - Getting Teens on Better Sleep Schedules(54:10) - Natural Consequences vs. House RulesWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Education advocate Corey DeAngelis (@coreyadeAngelis) explains how this one simple change could transform American education and why the school choice movement is winning faster than ever before.- How the pandemic accidentally created an education revolution- Why 17 states now have universal school choice (up from just 1 five years ago)- The "unbundling" of education and what it means for your child's future- Why parents don't need "experts" to make good educational choicesCorey's Book: [The Parent Revolution](https://www.amazon.com/Parent-Revolution-Reclaiming-Education-Children/dp/1637586906/)Corey on Twitter: [@DeAngelisCorey](https://twitter.com/DeAngelisCorey)American Federation for Children: [federationforchildren.org](https://www.federationforchildren.org/)OpenEd: [opened.org](https://www.opened.org/)Key Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:15 What is the Parent Revolution?05:30 "One Size Fits None" - The Problem with Traditional Education08:45 How Florida Families Mix and Match Education11:30 The Future of Hybrid Learning14:20 How Kids Really Learn (Hint: Not in Classrooms)17:10 Teachers Finding Freedom Through Micro Schools20:45 Chicago's 0% Math Proficiency Crisis23:30 "Parents Know Best" - Who Should Decide?28:15 What Parents Can Do TODAY32:40 You're Already Your Child's Best Teacher35:20 The Path Forward for Educational Freedom#EducationalFreedom #ParentChoice #SchoolChoice #Homeschooling #MicroSchools #PersonalizedLearning #ParentRevolution #OpenEducation #EducationReform #FundFamiliesNotSystemsWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Is the modern education system designed to miss true genius? According to Michael Gibson, co-founder of the 1517 Fund, the answer is a resounding yes. In this provocative episode, Michael dismantles the myth of standardized intelligence by revealing the story of a famous 20th-century "genius study" that famously excluded two future Nobel Prize winners because their IQ scores weren't high enough.Michael Gibson is the co-founder and General Partner at [1517 Fund](https://www.1517fund.com/), a venture capital firm that invests in teams led by young founders who have dropped out of college or are just starting their careers. He is the co-author of Paper Belt on Fire and a leading voice in the movement for educational freedom and alternative paths to success.He argues that our schools, obsessed with test scores and compliance, have become elaborate filtering mechanisms for good employees, not for the creative and rebellious minds who build the future. We explore why the "safe" path of an elite degree might be the riskiest choice for your child, how building things in the real world is the ultimate education, and why we must "rewild the American child" by giving them the freedom to fail, explore, and discover their own capabilities outside the classroom walls.Timestamped Outline00:11 - Why Creativity is Perishable, Like an Athletic Prime04:07 - Defining Creativity: Creating Original and Valuable New Things04:57 - The Biology of Creativity: Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence07:21 - The Genius Study that Excluded Two Nobel Prize Winners10:15 - How Silicon Valley Was Born from the "Traitorous Eight"12:33 - Peter Thiel's Framework: Intensive vs. Extensive Progress (Zero to One)20:22 - The Unsolvable Problem Solved by Mistake24:13 - How Elite College Admissions Homogenize Thinking37:14 - Startups as a Project of Self-Knowledge43:24 - Why We Need to Rewild the American ChildKey Takeaways- The System Filters for the Wrong People: Our modern "genius" filters (IQ, SATs, admissions) are designed to find good employees, not creators. They systematically reject the very people who build the future.- Creativity is Perishable: Like an athletic prime, our most creative years are finite. The current system of delaying real-world experience until after college may be extinguishing our most innovative sparks before they can catch fire.- Playing it Safe is the Most Dangerous Path: The "safe" path of elite institutions creates brittle, dependent adults. The truly safe path is learning to handle risk and ambiguity, which can only be done outside the classroom.- Building is the Ultimate Education: A startup isn't a career path; it's a compressed, high-stakes education in reality. It teaches more about yourself and the world in one year than a decade of schooling.- We Must Rewild the American Child: The modern obsession with safety and supervision is crippling our children. The solution is to let them go, let them fail, and let them discover their own capabilities without constant adult intervention.Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

No degree? No problem. In this episode, Isaac sits down with 18-year-old Kade Hinkle, who landed a full-time job in B2B SaaS sales before he even graduated high school. Kade breaks down the exact, replicable process he used to go from running a local landscaping business to getting hired in a competitive industry that most college grads are fighting to get into.This isn't a story about genius or prodigy—it's a masterclass in modern career-launching. You'll learn how to leverage platforms like LinkedIn, why learning industry lingo is a superpower, and how a simple, authentic post can land you an inbound job offer. If you're a parent worried about your teen's future or a young person trying to find your path, this episode is your blueprint.Timestamps(00:24) The Myth of the Child Prodigy: Why Kade's story is attainable for anyone.(02:36) The Spark: How a hot summer doing landscaping led to a career in tech.(03:00) The LinkedIn Strategy: How to find the right people and make connections that matter.(05:53) The Outreach Method: Kade's script for connecting with top industry voices (and getting them to reply).(08:19) The Right Questions: How to figure out what you don't know and get the answers you need.(09:13) Learning the Lingo: Why understanding industry abbreviations (like B2B and SaaS) is a critical first step.(11:18) The Power of a Pain Point: How knowing what you don't want to do can be your best career guide.(17:10) The Viral Post: Deconstructing the LinkedIn post that got Kade hired in two weeks.(19:51) The Interview Process: From mock calls to a final offer, how Kade proved his skills without a resume.(22:15) Kade's Advice for Teens: How to start working, find your path, and use your age as an advantage.(24:15) The Diploma Question: Why the best companies care more about ambition than your GPA.Connect with Kade Hinkle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kade-hinkle/Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

What happens when you trade a traditional life for a 300-square-foot RV, three kids, and a dream of freedom? Zach Koon shares his family's journey of homeschooling on the road, creating meaningful learning experiences, and leveraging Bottega University to help homeschool families get ahead.What you’ll learn:- Why Zach and his wife chose to homeschool- The reality (and beauty) of living, working, and schooling in an RV- How travel can transform education and family life- Practical advice for finding the right curriculum for different kids- How Bottega University helps students earn dual credits (and even associate degrees)Resources & Links:- [Bottega University](https://bottega.edu/)- [OpenEd Marketplace](https://opened.co/)- [HSLDA – Homeschool Legal Defense Association](https://hslda.org/)Chapters:(00:14) - Why the Koons Chose Homeschooling(02:04) - Trading a House for a 300-Square-Foot RV(03:28) - A Day in the Life of RV Homeschooling(05:58) - Kids Taking Ownership of Their Learning(07:46) - How Travel Shapes Their Education(09:30) - Building Roots and Routine on the Road(11:58) - Finding the Right Curriculum for Each Child(16:08) - Turning Adventures into Science Lessons(18:41) - Managing Chaos in a Small Space(20:43) - Strengthening Marriage Through the RV Lifestyle(22:01) - Introducing Bottega University and the Bottega Advantage(25:01) - Who the Program Is For(27:44) - Resources and Practical Advice for FamiliesWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

The man who created Stanford's first online high school in 2005 explains why most online education fails—and it's not about the technology. Ray Ravaglia built two successful online schools by breaking every rule Silicon Valley taught him.Ray pioneered online education before anyone knew what to call it—developing the first online AP Calculus course in 1989 when CD-ROMs cost $4,000 to produce and blanks were $45 each. As founder of Stanford Online High School and Vice Chairman of Dwight Global School, he's learned that technology was supposed to democratize education but instead isolated learners. His breakthrough: synchronous learning with real relationships dropped attrition from 30% to 3%. After 30+ years in the field, his message is clear: you're the employer of your child's school, not their servant.Stanford Online High School: https://onlinehighschool.stanford.edu/Dwight Global Online School: https://www.dwight.edu/dwight-global-online-schoolRay's Book - Bricks and Mortar: https://www.amazon.com/Bricks-Mortar-Making-Education-Stanford/dp/1575867397Perspectives from the Disciplines: https://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Disciplines-Stanford-Online-School/dp/1575867400Ray Ravaglia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayravaglia/Chapters:(00:00) - The Calculus Problem Nobody Could Solve(05:45) - When $4,000 CD-ROMs Were Cutting Edge(12:44) - Why Self-Paced Learning Actually Fails(15:40) - The 30% Attrition Rate Crisis(16:00) - Education Is About Relationships(22:17) - Fire Your School (You're the Employer)(27:20) - AI Will Replace Tools, Not Creators(31:00) - The Boutique vs Scale Problem(46:23) - When Teachers Hated The Internet(51:20) - Building Schools for Non-ConsumersWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

What if schools are measuring the wrong things? Mike Goldstein built a charter school with 42 tutors living in a dorm above the classrooms, proving that one-on-one attention changes everything—but that's just the beginning of what's broken in education.Mike founded Match Charter School in Boston in 2000, revolutionizing education with high-dosage tutoring and unconventional approaches that actually work. After scaling his model internationally with Bridge International Academies (serving 1.4 million students across Africa), he's now focused on helping parents understand why so many "average" kids are struggling. His insight: every child needs to discover something they're genuinely good at—not for college applications, but for the confidence that comes from earned excellence.Mike Goldstein Education: https://www.mikegoldsteineducation.com/Match Charter School: https://www.matchschool.org/Match Education: https://www.matcheducation.org/Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-a-goldstein/Phoning Parents Book: https://www.matcheducation.org/export/prior-projects/overviewChapters:(00:00) - Schools Are Boring By Design(03:00) - The One-on-One Tutoring Revolution(09:39) - Building a Dorm for 42 Tutors(15:07) - Why Good Ideas Fail at Scale(18:00) - The Advisory Period Nobody Wants(27:14) - Parents Need Exit Rights(36:52) - Finding Your Kid's First Win(43:18) - The "I'm Not Good at Anything" Crisis(46:00) - What $30,000 Per Student Actually Buys(51:04) - The 360-Degree Child Nobody Does---Every child needs to discover something they're genuinely good at. Not for college applications or report cards—but for the confidence that comes from earned excellence. Sometimes the best education investment isn't another program, it's finding that one thing they can win at.Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Ela Richmond and Isaac Morehouse talk with Michelle Rhee and Michael Horn about the future of work, apprenticeships, and helping young people thrive in a changing job market.From K–12 reform to workforce innovation, this conversation covers why the college-for-all model is cracking, how apprenticeships can solve skills gaps, and the power of exposure, doing, and networks.Key Takeaways:- Why college-for-all is losing ground- How employers can embrace hands-on learning- The role of networks in career success- Practical steps for parents guiding teens toward work readinessChapters:(00:01) The Future of Work Panel(01:00) From Schools to Startups(02:42) Disrupting Higher Ed(04:35) Reverse Career Path(08:25) The Career Conversation Shift(12:09) What Kids Really Want(14:49) Exposure, Doing, and Networks(19:08) The Apprenticeship Roadblock(25:15) Sports Pipeline Playbook(31:50) The Confidence Reps Method(36:15) VR Training Gets Real(47:28) Passion vs. Paycheck(52:07) Breaking the Linear Career(57:47) Parent Playbook FinaleWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

When your child struggles with reading, it's easy to grasp at any solution that promises to help. But what if the very interventions you're being told will work are actually making things worse? In this episode, we dive deep into the dangerous myths surrounding dyslexia that are preventing kids from getting the help they actually need. From vision therapy to colored overlays, reading specialists Kris Vassel and Jaime Lesko reveal why these popular 'treatments' don't work—and what science-backed approaches actually do. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or homeschool educator, this conversation will change how you think about reading intervention and give you the tools to advocate for what your child really needs.00:00 – Welcome & Why Dyslexia Myths Persist02:00 – Meet the Experts: Kris Vassel & Jaime Lesko04:00 – The Most Harmful Myths (Vision, Reversals, and More)06:00 – The Biggest Myth: "Dyslexic Kids Can't Learn to Read"08:00 – What "Research-Based" Really Means10:00 – The Science of Reading Explained12:00 – Data-Driven Intervention: How to Know What's Working14:00 – What "Intervention" and "Assessment" Actually Mean17:00 – The RTI (Response to Intervention) Framework19:00 – Why Fidelity Matters: Curriculum & Training22:00 – Choosing the Right Program: Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Barton, and More25:00 – The Investment Required: Training, Time, and Teamwork28:00 – Support for Homeschool & Open Ed Families31:00 – When to Seek Professional Help (and the "Second Person Theory")34:00 – Reading at Home: Daily Habits That Make a Difference38:00 – How to Choose Books at the Right Level40:00 – Handling Reading Errors & Building Confidence42:00 – The Best Resources for Parents (Books, Websites, Programs)44:00 – Final Advice: Patience, Celebration, and Next StepsWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

What happens when you challenge everything you've been told about education? Darryll Stinson discovered the educational freedom most parents don't know they have—and his family will never be the same.From surviving suicide attempts in college to becoming a transformation speaker with over 2 million TED Talk views, Darryll has always been a disruptor. But when it came to his children's education, he was trapped in the same paradigm as everyone else—until one conversation changed everything.In this raw and powerful episode, Darryll shares:- Why his first question about pulling kids from school was "Is that even allowed?"- How they "broke the system" while keeping kids on honor roll- The law of exposure that changed their family forever- Why they don't tell grandma about their educational choices- How your freedom reminds people of their lack thereofWhat You'll Learn:- The hybrid education approach that's completely legal (but rarely discussed)- Why traditional school felt like sending kids "into the belly of the beast"- How to navigate family resistance to educational alternatives- The mindset shift from "only option" to "intentional choice"- Why sometimes what you don't know won't hurt youKey Moments:00:00 - Your Freedom Reminds People of Their Lack Thereof02:00 - From Overprotective Mother to Identity Crisis07:00 - The Athletic Dream That Became a Nightmare13:00 - Finding Purpose Through Pain and Faith21:00 - Marriage, Family, and the Challenge of Parenting26:00 - The Moment Everything Changed: Meeting Matt29:00 - Breaking the System: Our Hybrid Education Experiment34:00 - Why We Don't Tell Grandma About Homeschooling42:00 - Turning Your Message Into a Movement48:00 - The Future of Authentic CommunicationDarryll's story proves that you have more educational freedom than you think. The question isn't whether you can do this—it's whether you're ready to discover what you and your kids are truly capable of.Connect with Darryll:- Website: daryllstinson.com- Social: @StinsonSpeaks- Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])Resources Mentioned:- Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA.org)- Open Education book by Matt Bowman- Darryll's TED Talk (2.1M+ views)Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Katie Kimball—founder of Kids Cook Real Food and a pioneer in practical life skills education—reveals why America has fallen off the list of the world's 20 happiest countries (hint: it's our anxious teenagers).We dive deep into the unintended consequences of helicopter parenting, why participation trophies backfired, and how teaching kids to cook, clean, and take care of themselves builds the confidence they need to thrive. Katie shares practical strategies for creating family culture, allowing low-stakes failure, and raising kids who see themselves as capable problem-solvers rather than helpless dependents.Whether you're homeschooling, traditionally schooling, or somewhere in between, this episode will change how you think about chores, independence, and what it really means to prepare kids for adulthood.Timestamps:00:00 - Why Katie started teaching kids life skills08:45 - The anxiety epidemic in American youth15:30 - How helicopter parenting backfires24:15 - Building confidence through competence32:40 - Creating family culture with high standards41:20 - The entitlement crisis and American innovation48:50 - Practical strategies for teaching life skills56:15 - Starting where your kids are curiousLinks and Resources- [Kids Cook Real Food](https://kidscookrealfood.com/) - Katie Kimball's cooking courses for children of all ages- [Kitchen Stewardship](https://kitchenstewardship.com/) - Resources for families interested in building competence and confidence through practical life skills- [Life Skills Now Summer Camp](https://kidscookrealfood.com/life-skills-now/) - Katie's summer program featuring 100+ skill workshops for kidsWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Every educator knows the moment when you've lost control of your classroom. Michelle Rhee—the woman who transformed Washington DC's failing school system from worst in the nation to leading the country in academic gains—once had students who "ate her for lunch." Her first-year teaching experience was so catastrophic that parents pulled their kids from her classroom. Yet by her third year, those same parents were begging her to stay. Her transformation wasn't magic—it was strategy, structure, and an unwavering commitment to not letting eight-year-olds run her out of town. From classroom disaster to DC Schools Chancellor to venture capitalist, Michelle's journey offers powerful lessons for anyone committed to transforming how children learn.CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:00:01 - Welcome & Introductions01:27 - Growing Up as a Child of Korean Immigrants04:10 - The Academic Pressure Paradox06:18 - Service Over Status: Her Father's Influence08:16 - Discovering Teaching Through Teach for America08:48 - First Year Teaching: Complete Disaster12:01 - The Transformation: Team Teaching & Looping12:25 - The 13th Percentile to Grade Level Miracle15:16 - Why the System Fails Kids Who Need It Most18:56 - The Power of Teacher-Student Continuity21:43 - Context Matters: Structure vs. Freedom23:13 - Becoming DC Schools Chancellor25:00 - Taking Over the Nation's Worst School District27:28 - The Political Cost of Education Reform29:08 - Why Successful Reforms Don't Spread32:48 - From Curmudgeon to Optimist: Entering Venture Capital37:07 - Building an Apprenticeship Platform41:34 - The Perfect Storm for Education Innovation42:04 - VR, ESAs, and AI: The Future Convergence45:05 - Meeting Young Founders Who Will Change the World46:05 - Final Thoughts on the Future of EducationLinks & ResourcesMichelle Rhee- [LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rhee-9929b98/)- [EO Ventures](https://www.eoventures.com/) - Michelle's current venture capital firmOrganizations & Programs MentionedTeach for America- The program that launched Michelle's education careerThe New Teacher Project - Organization Michelle led for 10 yearsStudents First- Education advocacy organization Michelle foundedBuild Within- Apprenticeship platform startup Michelle co-foundedDocumentary & Media- [*Waiting for Superman*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_%22Superman%22) - Documentary featuring Michelle's DC reformsBooks ReferencedThe Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - Mentioned in discussion about structure vs. freedom for kids

Benton Crane (CEO of Harmon Brothers and Angel Studios executive) shares how alternative education models and audience-driven content are disrupting established systems. From the untold story of young George Washington's transformation from failure to legend, to how Angel Studios is changing Hollywood's gatekeeper model, this conversation explores what happens when we trust people to make their own choices.Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction to Benton Crane and His Work(04:09) - Bro School: Real-World Skills vs. Traditional Education(07:13) - A 6th Grader's Pitch Video That Outperformed Professionals(09:42) - The Death of Captive Audiences in Marketing(15:30) - Harmon Brothers' Approach to Authentic Advertising(23:41) - Young Washington: The Untold Origin Story(25:55) - Washington's Defining Moment of Heroism Under Fire(32:10) - Creating Films That Hollywood Won't Make(41:15) - Breaking Hollywood's Gatekeeper Model with Angel Studios(45:20) - The Homestead Project: Family, Faith, and Community Links & Resources:[Angel Studios Website](https://angel.com/)[Young Washington Film Project](https://youngwashington.com/)[Harmon Brothers](https://harmonbrothers.com/)[The Homestead Series](https://homesteadseries.com/)Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8...Follow us on social:  / openedhq    / openedhq  https://x.com/OpenEdHQ  / openedhq  

"How can I tell if my student is on level?" It's the question every parent asks—and as Andrea Fife reveals in this episode, it might be the wrong question entirely.66% of 4th graders read below grade level. 70% never catch up. But Tony Mickelsen (CMO of Savvy Learning) shares a counterintuitive approach that's helping thousands of kids not just reach grade level, but actually enjoy reading again.In this episode, Andrea Fife talks with Tony Mickelsen (CMO of Savvy Learning) and Jen Johnson (OpenEd curriculum expert) about why traditional hour-long tutoring sessions are failing our kids—and the method that research shows works 20x better.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Savvy Learning Free Reading Assessment (15 min): https://savvylearning.com/free-readin... Full list of reading resources: [blog post link] OpenEd Marketplace: https://opened.coTIMESTAMPS:0:00 The reading crisis no one's talking about2:36 66% of kids are behind—here's why7:25 How homeschool parents can spot reading struggles early15:42 When reading problems create behavior problems23:10 "Reading is connected to everything"30:00 The 25-minute solution that's 20X more effective38:52 Your next steps: Free assessment and resources#ReadingCrisis #HighDosageTutoring #DyslexiaSupport #HomeschoolReading #EducationReform #ReadingIntervention #OpenEducation #ParentingHelpWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8...Follow us on social:  / openedhq    / openedhq  https://x.com/OpenEdHQ  / openedhq  

Most parents push teens toward college without considering alternatives, but education experts Rose Ybaben and Danielle Randall reveal why this approach is outdated—and what works better.Key Insights:- Why discovering what you DON'T want is just as valuable as finding your passion- How to balance parent support with student autonomy when setting goals- Why adulthood is filled with "do-overs" (and why that's a good thing)Links & Resources:- [CareerOneStop Self-Assessments](https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/self-assessments.aspx)- [O*NET Interest Profiler](https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip)- [BigFuture College & Career Planning](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/)- [Open Ed Academy Virtual High School](https://openedacademy.com/)Chapters(00:00) When Mailroom Misery Becomes Valuable Information(03:57) The Ideal Timeline for Post-High School Planning(07:12) Helping Teens Who Have No Idea What They Want(11:34) The Surprising Value of Knowing What You Hate(15:43) Hard Work vs. Wrong Path: How to Tell the Difference(19:27) Breaking the Helicopter Parent Cycle(24:38) The $200,000 College Debt Trap(31:08) Adulthood: The Ultimate Series of Do-Overs(35:16) Beyond Career: Finding Your Impact(40:02) Final Advice: Goals Are Steps, Not EndpointsAbout Our GuestsRose Ybaben has 15 years of experience working with students of all ages, most recently as a high school counselor. She specializes in helping families navigate the post-high school transition process.Danielle Randall has 12 years of teaching experience across public, charter, and private school settings. She now supports students pursuing state-certified diplomas at Open Ed.Join the ConversationHow did you approach post-high school planning? What alternative paths have worked for your family? Share your experiences in the comments below.Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

Feeling exhausted by homeschooling? It might not be your curriculum — it might be your foundation.In this episode, certified life coach and homeschool veteran Meg Thomas (mom of 7, five homeschool grads) shares the 3-part reset that transformed her family’s homeschool: Heart, Habits, and Home.You’ll learn how to build connection without yelling, develop smooth routines without stress, and create a home atmosphere that helps behavior shift naturally.This conversation wasn’t recorded on the OpenEd Podcast, but it was featured in the OpenEd newsletter — where thousands of families go to rethink education every morning.💌 Subscribe to OpenEd: https://opened.co📥 Get Meg’s Happy Habits PDF: [https://example.com]🎨 Art prints Meg mentions: [https://simplejoyart.com]🎵 Spotify: Classical for Kids: [https://open.spotify.com]Timestamps:0:00 – Cold Open: Why Homeschool Feels So Hard Right Now0:40 – Meet Meg Thomas: Life Coach & Mom of 71:35 – The 3-Part Reset That Saved My Homeschool2:10 – HEART: Why Connection Makes Kids More Teachable4:40 – 4 Things That Break Connection (and What to Do Instead)7:30 – Building Trust: Control Yourself First, Then Guide10:30 – HABITS: Charlotte Mason, Chores, and Smooth Days13:20 – The Happy Habits Method (Example–Teach–Praise)16:10 – HOME: Your Environment Shapes Behavior18:35 – Simple Changes That Calm the Chaos (Music, Art, Food)21:20 – Sibling Conflict & Emotional Regulation Tips23:55 – The Praise Formula Meg Uses Daily25:45 – Free Resource: Download the Happy Habits PDF26:20 – Q&A: Teen Disrespect, Bedtimes, and Force vs Trust28:30 – Final Thoughts: Your Homeschool Can Feel Good Again

Ramsey Solutions host Ken Coleman explains why focusing on your child's weaknesses is hurting their future career prospects. Get his book "Find the Work You're Wired to Do" with free career assessment: https://ter.li/krbn8lKen Coleman, bestselling author and career expert at Ramsey Solutions, shares practical strategies for helping kids discover their natural talents instead of forcing them to be "well-rounded." Learn why employers don't care about GPAs, which character traits actually matter, and how to guide your child toward work they're wired to do.[mention Open Education + Isaac Morehouse]📚 Get Ken's Book + Free Assessment:Find the Work You're Wired to Do (Student Version)https://ter.li/krbn8l🎙️ Listen to The Ken Coleman Show:https://www.ramseysolutions.com/shows/the-ken-coleman-show📞 Call the show: 844-747-2577✉️ Email Ken: [email protected] with Ken Coleman:Instagram: https://instagram.com/kencolemanTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@kencolemanFacebook: https://facebook.com/KenColemanShowX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kencolemanTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction: Rethinking Education and Career Preparation02:09 - Understanding Your Child's Three Wires (Talent, Passion, Mission)07:24 - Why Starting With Weaknesses Helps Identify Strengths09:48 - How the Workplace Values Excellence Over Well-Roundedness12:46 - The Problem With Raising "Well-Rounded" Kids14:33 - Natural Learning vs. Forced Education18:09 - When Parents Accidentally Crush Career Dreams21:23 - Examining Your Own Motivations as a Parent25:13 - What Employers Look For vs. What Schools Teach28:18 - Building Coachability and Adaptability in Kids32:10 - Age-Appropriate Career Conversations34:59 - Teaching Financial Literacy Through Experience37:40 - Personalized Approach to Each Child's DevelopmentConnect with OpenEd:Website: https://www.opened.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/openeddaily

When your refrigerator breaks, you don't panic because you never read the manual—you find what you need to know right when you need it. So why do we force children to memorize information "just in case" they might need it someday? Connor Boyack, creator of the 6-million-selling Tuttle Twins series, explains why our entire educational model is fundamentally backward and how switching to "just in time" learning could transform results. Discover why Minecraft might be more educational than math worksheets and why intentionality matters more than which educational path you choose.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:44 - Connor's three-pronged approach to educational freedom04:25 - The importance of intentionality in education07:25 - Being an outlaw beekeeper09:35 - The myth of the rule of law in education14:00 - The children's entrepreneur market16:51 - Building a vision incrementally23:07 - Focusing on what not to do25:32 - Content without context fails31:03 - Stories help information stick35:30 - Building curriculum around children's interests38:16 - "Just in case" vs "just in time" learning models42:08 - Final thoughts and resourcesLinks & References:- Tuttle Twins books and animated series: [tuttletwins.com](https://tuttletwins.com/)- Libertas Network: [libertas.org](https://libertas.org/)- Children's Entrepreneur Market: [kidsmarkets.com](https://kidsmarkets.com/)- Praxis (college alternative): [discoverpraxis.com](https://discoverpraxis.com/)Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/