Foundations of Learning

What if the secret to raising a confident, capable learner isn't more entertainment — but more brain science? In this episode of Foundations of Learning, we sit down with Dr. Lisa Riegel — Ph. D. in Educational Policy and Leadership from The Ohio State University, author of NeuroWell: The Science of Feeling Better, Thinking Better, and Leading Better, and creator of the 7C Framework for lasting en...

What if the skills your child needs most… aren’t being taught in school? In this episode, we sit down with Leah Ellis, founder of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs, to explore how entrepreneurship can become one of the most powerful tools for raising confident, resilient, and capable kids. We dive into: What “child entrepreneurship” really looks like in everyday life Why traditional learning meth...

If reading lessons feel frustrating… you’re not alone. Between the mess, the interruptions, and trying to teach your child while managing everything else—it’s easy to wonder: “Why isn’t this clicking yet?” In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 biggest signs your child doesn’t need more practice… they need a different reading approach. We’ll cover: ✔ Why guessing words is a red flag (and what it...

If your child isn’t thriving in school… it might not be them. In this episode, we’re unpacking what’s really going on—and what parents can do differently. In this conversation, I sit down with Patch Crowe from The Good and the Beautiful to talk about what’s actually happening beneath the surface when kids aren’t thriving academically. We dive into: ✨ Why capable kids struggle in traditional schoo...

Most parents think learning to read starts with letters, phonics worksheets, or handwriting practice. But neuroscience tells a very different story. Long before children recognize letters or blend sounds, their brains are building the foundational systems that make reading and writing possible. In this episode, we explore why unstructured play is one of the most powerful foundations for literacy d...

Homeschooling is one of the most misunderstood educational choices a family can make. In this honest and encouraging conversation with Cheri Boissonnault of Raising Aspens and Arrows, we talk about: • What first led her family to consider homeschooling • The truth about socialization (yes… we go there 👀) • How homeschooling changes as kids grow • The real strengths — and real gaps — in today’s sc...

Grammar doesn’t have to mean worksheets, red pens, and bored kids. In this episode of the Foundations of Learning podcast, I’m joined by literacy expert and author Patty McGee to talk about her book, Not Your Granny’s Grammar, and how we can rethink grammar instruction so it actually supports reading, writing, and confidence. If you’ve ever: Dreaded teaching grammar Felt like grammar didn’t connec...

Reading doesn’t begin with letters. It begins with language. In this episode, I’m walking you through: • The early signs of reading struggles in toddlers and young children • Why letter practice alone often doesn’t work • What phonological awareness actually is (in simple parent terms) • How to strengthen pre-reading skills through play • What to do if your child forgets letter sounds daily • The...

In this episode, Shali sits down with Nicholas Bradford, restorative justice expert and founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice, for an honest and nuanced conversation about discipline in schools. Where do restorative practices truly transform school culture — and where are there tensions or unanswered questions? Together, they explore: • The difference between punishment and accoun...

Grief doesn’t just affect our hearts; it shapes how we parent, teach, and connect with our children. In this powerful episode of Foundations of Learning, I’m joined by Marcia Earhart, certified grief, trauma, brain, and mental health coach, HeartSync Minister, author, and founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary. Marcia has walked through unimaginable loss and now helps families breathe again, move...

What helps children stay grounded when they face disappointment, pressure, or failure? In this episode, I sit down with the author of The Goal of the Game to explore how story, reflection, and shared experience shape a child’s emotional world. Drawing from decades of observing human relationships through sports and storytelling, we talk about what actually builds resilience, confidence, and a stro...

We’re constantly told that learning has to be fun, full of games, songs, and entertainment, or kids won’t engage. But here’s the truth most people won’t say out loud: Not every lesson needs to be fun to be meaningful. In this episode, I explain why focused, sometimes “boring” learning moments are not only normal, they’re essential, especially when it comes to learning to read. You’ll learn: Why th...

“Is my child behind on learning letters?” This is one of the most common questions parents ask —and in this episode, we’re answering it honestly and calmly. You’ll discover: What “normal” alphabet learning really looks like Why every child learns letters at a different pace How confidence matters more than speed The signs your child is actually making progress (even if it doesn’t feel like it) We’...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joel Gator Warsh, a traditionally trained pediatrician who now practices integrative medicine and is the author of Between a Shot and a Hard Place. This episode isn’t about telling parents what to do — it’s about empowering them with information, nuance, and confidence so they can make decisions that align with their values and their child’s unique needs. 📘 Lear...

Why Being Read To Isn’t the Same as Learning to Read You’re doing everything “right.” You read to your child every day. You prioritize books. You love cozy storytime together. So why is your child still struggling to read or spell? In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions parents hear about early literacy — and why reading to your child, while incredibly valuable, doesn...

Classrooms were never meant to be one-size-fits-all—yet teachers are expected to meet wildly different learning needs with less time and more paperwork than ever. In this episode of Foundations of Learning, I sit down with Jeffrey Riley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Day of AI, to explore how AI—when used intentionally—can help teachers differentiate instruction, reduce cognitive and admini...

Do our kids really need outside validation to succeed? From gold stars and grades to praise and awards, children are constantly taught to measure their worth by how others respond to them. But what if this obsession with external validation is quietly undermining their confidence, resilience, and long-term success? In this episode of Foundations of Learning, we explore why so many kids—and adults—...

In this episode of Foundations of Learning, I sit down with Professor Vasant Dhar—a global leader in machine learning, data science, and AI decision-making—to explore one of the most urgent questions of our time: How do we raise and educate children in the age of intelligent machines? Professor Dhar breaks down the real opportunities and risks of AI in classrooms, what skills will matter most in t...

In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to raise resilient, confident, lifelong learners in a world full of pressure and perfectionism. Our guest—an expert with more than two decades of research and hands-on experience working with families, educators, and even Navy SEALs—breaks down how resilience is built, strengthened, and modeled at home. Together, we explore the messy, real-li...

What if emotional learning was as essential as reading and math? In this episode, we sit down with the founders of Slumberkins, whose mission is to help children (and parents) build emotional intelligence through stories, connection, and play. They share how their backgrounds in education and family therapy inspired a global movement that’s changing how families talk about feelings. We dive into t...

Is reading to your child really that important? In a world where kids grow up scrolling before they can crawl, we’re forgetting the most powerful learning tool ever created — a book. In this episode, I’m breaking down: ✨ Why reading is more essential than ever in a screen-saturated world ✨ How daily storytime literally wires your child’s brain for success ✨ The surprising stats about what happe...

Most kids don’t hate books — they hate the way reading is taught. In this video, I unpack how our current education system (and even well-meaning parents) can accidentally make reading feel like a chore instead of a joy. We’ll explore what actually causes kids to disconnect from reading — and how to reignite a love for books at home. If we truly wanted kids to hate reading, we’d do exactly what mo...

In this episode, I unpack a big question: What does true learning actually look like, and does it line up with what we see in classrooms today? I explore the difference between schooling, education, and learning, and why those words shouldn’t be used interchangeably. You’ll hear: * Why most classrooms are structured around compliance, not curiosity * How extrinsic rewards (like grades and stickers...

Raising calm, confident, and resilient kids starts with giving them tools to handle big emotions—and mindfulness is one of the most powerful ways to do that. In this episode, I sit down with Veronica Moya, visionary educator, founder of Mindful V, and author of “Goom Finds His Happy Place.” With over 25 years of experience in holistic education and features in outlets like The New York Times and T...

Do you feel lost in a maze of trial and error when it comes to supporting your child with autism? You’re not alone. In this episode of Foundations of Learning, I sit down with Dr. Theresa Lyons, scientist, mom, and founder of Navigating AWEtism. Theresa has helped families in 21 countries cut through the noise and find evidence-based, practical steps that actually move the needle. We dive into: Th...