The OpenEd Podcast

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 con...

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 sa...

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 ow...

"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 en...

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without considering alternatives, but education experts Rose Ybaben and Danielle Randall reveal why this approach is outdated—and what works better.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" (...

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 creat...

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/krbn8l Ken 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...

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 ti...

Enrollment opening August 2025: https://www.openedacademy.com Most virtual schools simply move traditional education online - same rigid structure, same standardized curriculum, same one-size-fits-all approach. OpenEd Academy is different. After 15 years helping over 100,000 students personalize their education, the OpenEd Foundation is launching a nationwide virtual private school built on a radi...

Did you know our school system is based on a 200-year-old Prussian model designed to create obedient soldiers? Or that we grade students in ways that would make even elite athletes like LeBron James look like failures? Isaac Morehouse and Matt Bowman expose the fundamental flaws in our education system in their category-defining new book "Open Education: How to Reimagine Learning, Ignite Curiosity...

Jack Casdorph shares the moment his third-grade teacher turned a 25-second compass experiment into a half-hour of dictated notes, destroying his interest in science. Now a mechanical engineer, Jack reveals his STEM Spectrum framework explaining why traditional education's theory-first approach fails, and how project-based learning can reignite curiosity in children. JOIN THE BRIDGE BUILDING COMPET...

Traditional education was designed for a factory era—not for how humans actually learn. In this conversation between Isaac Morehouse (CEO of OpenEd) and Amir Nathoo (CEO of Outschool), we explore how education is being unbundled into something more natural and effective. "We don't live in a world where our entire existence is contained in one box," Morehouse points out. So why do we expect childre...

In this episode of the OpenEd podcast, we speak with Cassie Tinsmon, founder of Lily Lake Homeschool Collective in Kansas. Cassie shares how she created a flexible learning community that supports working parents while giving children the freedom to learn naturally and at their own pace. What You'll Learn: Why Cassie chose an unschooling approach and built a microschool community How Lily Lake int...

"But what about socialization?" It's the #1 question that stops parents from exploring educational alternatives. But what if traditional schooling creates the least natural social environment your child will ever experience? TK Coleman and Isaac Morehouse flip the script on the socialization myth, revealing how age-segregated classrooms might actually be hindering your child's social development r...

Think homeschooling means sitting around the kitchen table all day with textbooks? Think again. In this eye-opening conversation, veteran homeschool mom of five Maecy shares how her family spends just 3 hours a day on traditional academics – and what fills the rest of their rich educational experience. From skiing several times a week to creating vibrant co-ops, discover how homeschooling has evol...

Drowning in homeschool curriculum options? You're not alone. In this revealing conversation, the founders of SmartPath share how they're using AI to solve the #1 problem facing homeschool families: finding the perfect curriculum match without weeks of research. Discover how this free tool is democratizing what wealthy Silicon Valley families have known for years – that customized education creates...

Homeschooling multiple children without losing your mind isn't about perfect schedules or the right curriculum. It's about building a family culture that practically runs itself. In this episode, veteran homeschool mom Meg Thomas shares how she created a self-managing family while homeschooling seven children—and still maintained her own identity (she ran 16 miles the morning of this interview!)....

"I've bred some rebels! My kids question everything, including authority - and yes, that includes questioning me, which is great." – Eleyah Knight A single mom's purchase of a 14-passenger van launched a revolutionary approach to education that's proving you don't need a building to create powerful learning experiences. When Eleyah Knight saw traditional schools failing to meet her children's need...

When it comes to education, doing less might actually produce better results. In this eye-opening interview, OpenEd founder Matt Bowman reveals how just 60 minutes of focused learning followed by exploration, play, and real-world engagement can transform your child's educational experience. Discover why traditional schooling often gets it backward, how to give your child a voice in their education...

In this episode of the Open Ed Podcast , host Ela Richmond sits down with Laura Feller, an experienced open education mom of three. Laura shares her family's inspiring journey into homeschooling, how she navigated learning challenges, and the power of personalized education. She discusses the importance of de-schooling, fostering a love for learning, and empowering children to explore their passio...

Dr. Claire Honeycutt explains how her background in neuroscience revealed why traditional education often works against natural learning patterns, and what parents can do about it. Learn:- Why handwriting activates different brain regions than typing and its impact on learning- How exposure to complex language like Shakespeare shapes young minds- The neuroscience behind why some "outdated" skills...

Education innovator Dalena Wallace joins us to discuss the dramatic shift toward microschools and hybrid learning models. As founder of Wichita Innovative Schools and Educators (WISE) and president of AIM Educational Collaborative, Dalena shares insights from her journey building educational communities in Kansas. We explore the emerging trends in personalized education, from repurposing spaces to...

"I've lost patience for boring learning environments for my own children and for kids in general. I've just seen too much at this point - I've seen ways that captivate 17 and 18-year-olds, and I'm just not willing to put up with stuff that I know is going to bore them." – Tyler Thigpen, Founder of The Forest School When Tyler Thigpen saw his students help design their own school building (literall...

Ela Richmond sits down with Tess Scholl, mother and founder of Knowledge Seekers, a student-led learning program based in Portland, Oregon. Tess shares her journey from being home educated in Australia during a time where homeschooling was illegal to now creating a revolutionary educational program that puts children and families first. Discover how giving children a voice in their education can f...

When normal is broken, weird wins. Matt Bowman and Matt Barnes discuss why entrepreneurship might be the most powerful education tool we've never fully utilized. Matt Barnes shares powerful insights from his experience on 10 school boards and raising three children who each took radically different educational paths. The former school board member turned "Parent Whisperer" reveals why traditional...