Freedom to Learn

Louisiana was a rare bright spot amid grim Nation’s Report Card math and reading results. Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s superintendent of education, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the state's impressive progress and his ambitions for further improvement. He shares insights into the policies driving success–a reading revival focused on the Science of Reading, empowering teachers, and expand...

When asked “Should we keep men out of women’s sports?” the vast majority of the American people respond with a resounding “Yes!” May Mailman, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Policy Strategist, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the recent executive orders related to protecting women's sports and spaces and restoring biological truth. We explore the implications of these orders, pu...

In this episode of Freedom to Learn, Walter Blanks Jr., spokesperson for the American Federation for Children, shares his personal story of escaping a failing school—thanks to a mother who refused to accept the status quo. He reveals how a school choice scholarship in Ohio transformed his future and why he’s fighting to give every child the same opportunity. Walter also breaks down Tennessee’s lan...

This week on Freedom to Learn, we break down a major development in Tennessee’s education landscape—the passage of the Education Freedom Act of 2025. Passed during an emergency legislative session, this new statewide program expands school choice while making historic investments in public education. Governor Bill Lee, in his State of the State address, declared, “Tennessee will strive to have the...

In this episode of Freedom to Learn, we lament the troubling 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results. Despite billions in recovery funds, the latest data paints a grim picture, particularly for minority, low-income, and special needs students who continue to face significant academic challenges. Former Institute of Education Sciences (IES) director Mark Schneider details th...

Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children, joins Freedom to Learn for a deep dive into the state of school choice in America. From exciting wins in expanding school choice across the nation to major developments ahead in Texas and at the federal level, Tommy breaks down the game-changing progress happening right now. We also take a hard look at the powerful role of teachers'...

Nicki Neily, founder of Parents Defending Education, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the troubling trends reshaping our nation's K-12 schools. From divisive racial and gender ideologies to foreign influence in our educational system, Nicki details her organization’s efforts to expose the overreach of activist agendas in the classroom and shares her motivation to champion parental rights and...

Have you ever wondered how school choice really works? On this episode of Freedom to Learn , we’re joined by Shelby Doyle, Vice President of Public Awareness for the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, to explore education freedom. As we gear up for National School Choice Week (January 26–February 1), Shelby shares actionable insights for policymakers looking to get involved in this natio...

Socially transitioning children in schools is not a neutral or benign act–it is a serious intervention that can lead children down a dangerous path toward irreversible medical procedures. Florida mother, January Littlejohn, joins Freedom to Learn to explore the harm caused by gender ideology’s grip on schools, stressing the importance of safeguarding children and protecting parental rights. Drawin...

In this episode of Freedom to Learn, Nathan Cunneen, Texas State Director for the American Federation for Children, addresses the momentum behind the push for universal education freedom in the Lone Star State. Nathan shares his personal journey from a scholarship student in Florida to a leader in the Texas school choice movement. He discusses why school choice is crucial for families, and describ...

The education world is fixated on the fate of the U.S. Department of Education, but federal funding is a small portion of school budgets. Dr. Marguerite Roza, director of Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab, joins the podcast to break down the financial realities currently facing U.S. school districts. Financial mismanagement by school districts across the country is leading to tough budget deci...

Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) envisions a more flexible, competitive system that better prepares students for the workforce—no matter the path they choose. In this episode, Rep. Walberg shares his insights on the evolving landscape of education in America, with a focus on vocational training, school choice, and the role of the federal government in shaping educational opportunities. Drawing from...

Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT), former NFL player, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for education freedom, joins the second episode of Freedom to Learn to discuss how education is a critical national security issue and the foundation of the American Dream. In this insightful conversation, Rep. Owens highlights key federal legislative efforts, including the Educational Choice for Children Ac...

In the opening episode of the “Freedom to Learn” podcast, host Ginny Gentles speaks with Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, about expanding education freedom, protecting parental rights, and reducing the federal government’s role in K-12 education. Dr. Foxx also discusses the committee’s recent accomplishments, including holding the...

Freedom to Learn is for policymakers and advocates fighting for parental rights and education freedom for students and teachers. Host Ginny Gentles, Director of the Defense of Freedom Institute's Education Freedom and Parental Rights Initiative, interviews guests who are confronting powerful unions and bureaucratic systems. Each episode demystifies school choice, counters misconceptions, and...