Forget What You Learned: Reimagining Education for Today's Families

In this episode, Cory and Elizabeth Hamblett dive into what students with learning differences really need to succeed in college—and it’s not just accommodations. They unpack the shift from high school support systems to college expectations, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy, emotional resilience, and true independence. Elizabeth challenges the idea that more support is always better,...

In this episode, Cory and educator Carl Hooker dive into the fast-moving world of AI and what it really means for the future of learning. Far from sounding the alarm, they explore how AI can enhance creativity, personalize education, and help students think more critically—not less. Carl shares practical ways teachers can bring AI into the classroom without losing what matters most: human connecti...

In this episode, Cory sits down with Vida Mercer to break down what modern homeschooling really looks like—and it’s far from one-size-fits-all. They unpack common myths, explore the challenges and freedoms of unschooling, and dive into how educational trauma shapes families' choices. Vida, a second-generation homeschooler and education consultant, shares why the parent-child relationship is a...

In this episode, Cory and college admissions expert Jess Chermak unpack the high-stress world of high school course selection and the myths surrounding AP overload. They explore why students don’t need to take every advanced class to impress colleges—and how chasing perfection can backfire. From the politics of AP credits to the value of authenticity in applications, Jess shares how students can c...

In this episode, Dr. Ellen Bratton discusses the growing issue of low motivation in children, exploring its causes and implications. She emphasizes the importance of balancing aptitude and pleasure in children's activities, the impact of societal pressures, and the role of parents in fostering motivation. The conversation covers various aspects, including sports, academics, screen time, and t...

In this conversation, education consultant Jennifer Taylor discusses the complexities of deciding on out-of-home therapeutic placements for children facing mental health challenges. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, she addresses the stigma surrounding these decisions, the evolution of treatment programs, and the importance of family involvement in the therapeutic process. Je...

In this conversation, Cory and Jana Parker explore the complexities of educational testing for children, focusing on the differences between various types of evaluations, the role of schools and pediatricians in the assessment process, and the importance of understanding diagnoses. They discuss how parents can navigate the system to get the best support for their children, the implications of labe...

In this conversation, travel expert Susie Chow discusses the transformative power of long-term travel for families, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning and cultural exposure. She shares her personal journey from a conventional career to founding her travel business, highlighting how travel can foster personal growth and empathy in children. The discussion covers practical aspects o...

In this episode, Cory and education consultant Chrissy Naspo explore the multifaceted world of boarding schools, debunking myths and discussing who can benefit from these institutions. They delve into the opportunities boarding schools provide, the importance of finding the right fit for students, and the vital partnership between parents and schools. Chrissy shares insights on how boarding school...

In this conversation, Dr. Ashley Smith shares her personal journey with anxiety and how it has shaped her professional expertise. The discussion explores the intersection of mental health, technology, and education, emphasizing the importance of resilience, control, and the role of parents and schools in supporting children's mental health. Dr. Smith highlights the impact of technology on att...

In today’s episode (our season closer!), Cory speaks  with Jamai Blivin, who’s spent her recent career on this dilemma: most people need a high-paying job to afford college, but need college to afford a higher paying job. She is a  tireless advocate for the systemic change that would begin to resolve this mismatch. Jamai believes we need to emphasize the importance of actual skills over that piece...

In today’s episode, Educational Consultant Shayna Abraham, discusses the need for alternative options to traditional four-year colleges. Sometimes it seems like we all have tunnel vision in terms of the path our kids should trudge through the K-12 system and beyond. But is it right for every student? Are our kids always ready at 18 to abruptly leave the highly structured high school and home life...

In today’s episode, we chat with Sheila Akbar, whose resume reflects a person who has achieved ultimate success, within the definition of the word that many parents of school-age kids would covet. I mean, she’s got two degrees from Harvard and a double PhD. Her career spans Wall Street, the halls of academia, and finally entrepreneurship where’s she’s found her true passion: helping students and f...

We talk with Matt Perry, a seasoned educator who has a unique approach to teaching history, infusing the use of storytelling, decision-making, and personal connections to really bring it alive for students. It’s not just about dates and ancient wars. Matt uses his time with students to truly see them for who they are, which serves as the basis for developing a true mentor relationship - we dive in...

In today’s episode, Cory talks with a really  familiar face. Jenny Meadow is  the Director of Learning and Instruction at Pacific Preparatory School, so she’s honored to call Jenny her colleague. She gives Cory the inside scoop on her journey from the classroom to her current role and her perspective on what makes a good teacher. It’s something we as parents and educators should spend some time th...

On today’s episode, we talk with Jenn Binis, a checker of facts in the noisy space of what’s wrong with our current education system. We dissect the premise that we actually talked about last season on this show - the idea that schools were built on a factory model that is no longer serving not only our kids, but society as a whole. Jenn wants us to look deeper at the actual origins of why we star...

In today’s episode, our guest, who we like to call Dr. Bibi, truly takes us on a journey from how she’s trying to affect change on an individual level as an educational therapist, to her bird’s eye view of our society’s values around education, mental health, and social justice. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the larger systems at play and questioning the frameworks within which we...

In today’s episode, you’ll hear about an issue facing a growing number of students: educational trauma. With us on the show to address this heavy topic is renowned expert Dr. Lisa Zaretsky, who highlights, in full color, the challenges faced by neurodivergent students and the limitations of the current education system. Dr. Zaretsky explains the concept of educational trauma and how it differs fro...

In today’s episode, we unpack the details and the nuances of a really common struggle in our day to day lives as parents: our kids’ motivation to do tasks like homework, chores, practicing their sport or musical instrument…you know, all the things we find ourselves nagging, bribing or even threatening them about  to just check these tasks off our lists. Jenny Drennan, an Educational Therapist in t...

Diana Clark, a seasoned expert in mental health and parenting, talks about a concept that we think needs more air time, the 50-year old notion of “Good Enough” parenting. Diana is a fan, and we go in depth about the idea of embracing our own imperfection and allowing our kids to experience discomfort and learn from their mistakes. It means taking our foot off the gas, which goes against the helico...

Host Cory Greenberg and producer Staci Stutsman are joined by guest, Alex Asher, CEO of LearnCube, a cutting edge company helping to shape the future of online learning. Alex talks about how the pandemic has pushed the virtual classroom model into new territory and how his company is trying to expand access to digital learning options for students around the world, making the user experience simpl...

Producer Mel Nichols joins the conversation as Cory Greenberg talks with Bristyl Garvin, a mom of six who describes herself as someone who just knows they can do hard things…like envision her dream school and then actually make it happen. Like many parents, Bristyl thought the public education she received as a kid would be just fine for her own family, but when the reality of standardized testing...

Producer Mel Nichols joins Cory Greenberg for a conversation with Iris Chen, an author and founder of what she calls the “Untigering” movement, which aims to inspire generational and cultural transformation, especially among Asian communities. Iris is also an unschooling mom, which means she allows her children educational freedom, something a lot of families might not understand. As Mel embarks o...

Host Cory Greenberg talks with Anne Boswell, the Admissions Director for a small school in the San Francisco Bay area serving students with dyslexia and twice exceptionality. Athena Academy has a unique formula that combines a cutting edge, research-based approach to dyslexia education with project-based learning, a buzzword you’ve probably heard but could use a little dissection - what IS it, rea...

Host Cory Greenberg is joined by two guys with 30+ years of experience in the education world, and together, they run a little school in the Los Angeles area that is truly progressive, truly cutting edge in its approach to learning. Jim Hahn and Jon Cassie dive into what makes the Qualia School an intellectual playground, as they call it. Their mission is to raise adults capable of critical thinki...