The ReasonRx Podcast: A Rational Perspective on Education

In this episode, Coach Jay Beito joins us for a fascinating discussion that interweaves his background with the history of US physical education -- and teaches us where the MovNat system comes from, and how and why it is so unique and powerful. Even with all of Coach Jay's background and expertise, he still benefited personally and in his coaching from MovNat. About Coach Jay Beito CSCS, HKC, MCT-...

In this episode, naturalist and tracking expert Kim Cabrera discusses what wildlife tracking really is and what all is involved, discusses biology and ecology, and gives us all ideas we can use to teach biology better. Kim discusses: -a brief review of her background (more in Episode 5) -how tracking is more than foot prints: it involves all sorts of signs, it involves zoology, it involves knowled...

In this episode, neuroscientist and movement expert Jessica Groves-Chapman helps us explore movement, its role in our life, and the interactions of movement, cognition, confidence, lifestyle, and emotion. She gives us insight -- in theory and in practice -- into living a more balanced, connected life. We discuss: -her background -her fitness and movement journey -how parents and teachers can be "m...

In this episode, Melanie and Michael converse with Charlotte Cushman -- trained Montessori teacher, experienced Montessori school administrator and owner, writer of books on Montessori education -- about her experiences in her Montessori career: lessons taught and lessons learned. We discuss: -her background -her training under Lena Wikramaratne, friend and associate of Maria Montessori herself -h...

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Bernstein takes us all on a thought-provoking discussion of what we -- teachers and parents and all involved -- are doing right and doing wrong in education. This is an important episode to make us think, reflect, and be self-critical, for what we are doing in education is what we are doing to our children/students, our society, and our world. Dr. Bernstein discusses: -...

In this fascinating, info-packed episode, neurodevelopment specialist Janet Oliver joins Melanie and Michael go discuss Montessori-based and neurodevelopmental insights into human growth, development, learning, behavior, and physical and mental function -- and how many things we take too much in isolation are connected holistically. We discuss: -Janet’s background, career, and interests -human neu...

In this episode, Danny Clark takes us on an important discussion of how human nature can better inform teaching, learning, education, parenting, working, and living. We discuss some fundamental ideas that can improve our daily lives, our long-term happiness, and our life on earth. We discuss some deep, important questions we can ask of ourselves and ways we can think. To support the show and help...

CrossFit Box Owner, L4 Certified Trainer, John McPherson joins Michael to discuss CrossFit, health, fitness, education, and how to achieve whole health. We discuss: -how movement and exercise helps improve our cognition and confidence -how fitness helped some CA police officers, and how it helped Isaac Newton -the difference between Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 in CrossFit certification -movements and ex...

CrossFit Box Owner, L4 Certified Trainer, John McPherson joins Melanie and Michael to discuss CrossFit, health, fitness, education, and how to achieve whole health. We discuss: -John's background and how he came into CrossFit -what CrossFit is, and a breakdown of its methodology -the importance of diet and sleep to our fitness, thinking, and well-being -how testing the vestibular system with spinn...

In this episode, Scott, Melanie, and Michael -- short because Michael did not have things set up properly to record (sorry!), so you missed some great discussion: he did not record it! -- have some initial discussion of what science is and how to teach it. Knowing what science is is important for teachers, but also for parents, students, scientists, and adults in general: we need to know how the w...

Melanie and Michael are joined by Melanie's children Jack (11), Kira (14), and Leo (16) to further discuss the book Coyote America by Dan Flores -- a book about way more than just Coyotes! We dig more into what the book is about, what we learn from it, what we like about it, why everyone should read it, and how it can be used by teachers and homeschool parents. The book is full of ideas about the...

In this episode, Scott and Michael -- after saying hi and catching up, talking about ending the school year, and Michael's earning his MovNat Level 2 Fitness Instructor certification -- discuss more about writing and how it can be done effectively in the sciences. For teachers, parents, and business professionals: everyone who writes, thinks, and teaches. To support the show and help us grow our a...

In this episode, Dr. Bernd Heinrich -- world-renowned biologist and world-class marathoner -- joins Melanie and Michael for a discussion of biology and how to incorporate it in parenting, education, and life. We pick up the pace and depth in the last half hour or so! We discuss: -animals, plants, wildlife, and nature we three have seen this morning -what people can do scientifically while camping...

Award-winning teacher Scott Harris joins Melanie and Michael to discuss what writing is, why it is important in life, and how we should use it in education, and how we should teach it. Essay written by Melanie's daughter Kira, reviewing the book Coyote America by Dan Flores: http://goldams.com/book-review-by-kira-hoffman-of-dan-flores-book-coyote-america/ Essay written by Melanie's daughter Kira,...

In this episode, Dr. Bernd Heinrich -- world-renowned biologist and top ultra marathoner -- joins Melanie and Michael for a discussion of nature, biology, the nature of science, how education should be, his journey through life, and more. Sorry the sound quality was not good sometimes; our Internet connection was sometimes not the best. In this episode, we discuss: -Dr. Heinrich's background -earl...

Scott Harris joins Melanie and Michael to discuss a fundamental question: why do we need education? Education is regarded as important -- but why? Why do we need it? Why should we care? Why and how is the need for education rooted deep in our nature? This discussion founds all later ideas about education: what should be taught and how it should be taught; what goals should we aim for; how should w...

Melanie and Michael are joined by Melanie's children Jack (11), Kira (14), and Leo (16) to discuss the book Coyote America by Dan Flores. We discuss what the book is about, why it is valuable and of interest, what we learn from it, and what we like about it. The book is a good book to read to learn about the importance of predators to our lives and our ecology. Essay written by Melanie's daughter...

Scott Harris joins Melanie and Michael to discuss what parents, teachers, and professionals need to know about education. How does a teacher know she's doing well? What standards could she use to judge the education of her students? And her own teaching? Using good principles of education, what can parents do to help their own children? What can they do to fill in holes and correct mistakes in the...

In this podcast, Scott Harris discusses ideas and techniques parents, teachers, adults, business professionals, and students can use to better learn and educate. We all have to use principles of education and communication to work with other people. We need good techniques to teach our children, teach students, teach other adults, and teach other business professionals. It's part of being in socie...

In this podcast, we talk with tracker Kim Cabrera about animal tracking, and how it can help students, teachers, and adults learn logical thinking skills and enjoy doing it. Gaining deep skills of logic and epistemology does not have to be all dry and boring. It can be and should be interesting and a joy. Kim takes us on a discussion of: -her background -how she got interested in tracking -what tr...

In this episode, we talk with Danny Clark of MovNat (https://www.movnat.com/danny-clark/) about the benefits of movement and exercise to our performance in school and at work -- and to our health, attitude, and cognitive function in all areas of and all times of life. Parents. Teachers. Students. Athletes. Business Professionals. Everyone. Many people exercise and that is great – – but how can we...

In this episode, getting both philosophic and practical, getting into some wide-ranging discussion, Melanie and Michael have a short and spontaneous review of the book The Soul of a Horse by Joe and Kathleen Camp. This book is about a lot more than "just horses." It is one that everyone should read and that everyone would benefit from -- which is why we discuss it and highly recommend it. We are j...

What is logic? Who cares? Is it important? Why is logic misunderstood by some? In this episode, Melanie and Michael discuss -- rough, raw, and unedited -- the quick basics of what logic is, how so many get it wrong, and why it is important for you to live a healthy, happy, thriving life. Broad-strokes for now. We will expand on all this in future episodes. Episode Outline: 0:00 Intro 1:11 Some quo...

In this episode, you might learn a bit about logic, philosophy, teaching, education, how a good education can make a profound impact in someone's life -- and you will learn about us. Melanie and Michael discuss what the ReasonRx Podcast will be about, discuss our paper credentials and practical credentials, discuss what we have done in education, and discuss our point of view in education: where w...