Outspoken the Podcast by Outschool

In this episode, Peter Gray, Research Professor of Psychology at Boston College, discusses why play is the engine of self-directed learning and how our modern school model descends from systems built for obedience and indoctrination rather than genuine education. He contrasts Montessori with fully self-directed environments where children own their own learning. Peter outlines the conditions for t...

In this episode, Amber O'Neal Johnston, leader of Heritage Homeschoolers of Cobb County in Georgia, shared how her homeschooling journey began when her daughter struggled with identity due to a lack of representation in the traditional curriculum. She emphasizes building confidence, starting simple, and preserving joy in learning while ensuring children have both “mirrors and windows” in their...

What if the real magic of learning isn’t found in a curriculum, but in the relationship between a child, a parent, and an idea? In this episode of the Outspoken podcast, Julie Bogart, CEO and Founder of Brave Writer, talks about why protecting a child’s authentic writing voice matters more than teaching to evaluation. She provides suggestions for how parents can act as coaches who nurture insight...

In this episode, Michelle Rhee, Venture Partner of Equal Opportunity Ventures, discusses leaving the polarized K–12 debate, how talking to education and workforce entrepreneurs has renewed her optimism, and why educational choice must include accountability. She reflects on  post-COVID shifts driven by ESAs, charters, and microschools, and stresses measuring outcomes beyond test scores such as soc...

In this episode of the Outspoken podcast, Blake Boles, founder and director of Unschool Adventures, explains that while families from many backgrounds pursue this path, it often attracts those with educational or entrepreneurial roots. Some parents commit to alternative education from the start, while others turn to it when traditional schools fail their children, each facing unique challenges. He...

In this episode of the Outspoken podcast, Congressman Jamaal Bowman shares insights from his journey as an educator and legislator, highlighting his commitment to addressing systemic inequities in education and advocating for transformative policy reform. As principal, he collaborated with local organizations to tackle broader challenges facing his students. In Congress, he introduced initiatives...

In this episode of the Outspoken podcast, Rina Madhani, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Start Lighthouse, emphasizes the importance of culturally relevant education, ensuring students see their identities, cultures, and experiences reflected in classrooms, which fosters a sense of belonging and personal growth. Her organization addresses literacy gaps by collaborating with public schools thro...

How do we address systemic challenges in education and create empowering spaces for Black children to thrive? In this episode of the Outspoken podcast, Reverend Janelle Wood, Founder and CEO of Black Mothers Forum, Inc . , discusses her efforts to combat systemic issues affecting Black children through education reform, advocacy, and the establishment of micro-schools to create safe, empowering le...

John Danner, co-founder of Project Read AI, shares his thought-provoking ideas about the future of K-12 education in the age of AI. According to him, the current education system does not work for everyone, and the role of the teacher needs to be fundamentally rethought. Throughout the episode, John discusses the potential impact of AI on education and society as a whole, suggesting that AI could...

Lakisha Young, founder & CEO at The Oakland REACH, delves into supporting individuals when education systems falter and the role of leadership in catalyzing this change. She shines a light on the importance of community support, technology paired with human guidance and actionable strategies for empowering vulnerable populations. Lakisha advocates for a multi-generational, goal-oriented approa...

Michael Horn, a recognized public speaker and author, delves into the shortcomings of traditional education systems and the potential for reinvention. He discusses personalized learning and the rise of micro-schools and education savings accounts (ESAs) to improve learning environments, while addressing challenges like the public school system's resistance to change and societal expectations and t...

Kaya Henderson, the CEO of Reconstruction, talks about how community partnership and co-creation can drive educational change, empowering young people and giving them leadership opportunities and the limits of meritocracy. She explores the challenges and impact of anti-diversity initiatives on educational efforts and discusses the company's success in making education inclusive and engaging throug...

Get ready to challenge the status quo and ignite your passion for learning! Welcome to Outspoken, powered by Outschool! The hosts of the podcast, Amir Nathoo, CEO of Outschool, and Justin Dent, Executive Director of Outschool.org - Outschool’s independent nonprofit partner, introduce the show, which aims to address educational challenges and promote innovative solutions. Drawing from personal expe...