Unmuted Education Podcast

In this episode, Coebie, Seth, and Derek sit down with longtime educator and author Grover Swick to talk about what it really means to inspire students, build learning communities, and help kids believe in their own growth. Grover shares stories from more than three decades in education, including the teachers, family members, and students who shaped his philosophy. The conversation explores how a...

In this episode, Coebie and Derek sit down with Alicia Bynum, owner of Sweetgrass Acupuncture in Casper, Wyoming, for a wide-ranging conversation about acupuncture, Chinese medicine, herbs, intuition, and whole-person wellness. Alicia shares her journey from graphic design and marketing into acupuncture, the personal experiences that led her toward holistic care, and how traditional Chinese medici...

Cathy Holman and Brandy Sorensen return to share the powerful story behind Wyoming’s HB 8 and HB 9 , two new laws aimed at protecting children from stalking and grooming. They walk through the emotional, exhausting, and unexpected journey from committee hearings to unanimous votes, the governor’s signature, and the real impact these laws are already having for Wyoming families. This episode is a l...

In this episode, we sit down with longtime Natrona County educator Doreen McGlade to trace the origins of the district’s compact and the trust-based, consensus-driven process it was meant to protect. From its roots in the turmoil of 1999 to today’s concerns over school closures, broken communication, and missing stakeholder voices, this conversation asks a hard question: what happens when a system...

In this special episode, we sit down with Grant Gelt, best known as Bertram from The Sandlot , for a fun and heartfelt conversation about the lasting legacy of the film, lifelong friendships with the cast, and how that childhood classic has grown into something bigger than baseball. Grant shares the story behind Play Forever, a nonprofit founded by members of The Sandlot cast that helps remove bar...

In this episode, we welcome Terri, owner of Alpenglow Natural Living in Casper, Wyoming, to talk about her journey from education into natural healing and herbal wellness. Terri shares how personal experiences with her children’s health, family healing stories, and her own recovery from a serious injury led her deeper into natural medicine and eventually to taking over one of Casper’s long-standin...

In this episode, we take a refreshing break from our usual education-focused conversations to talk health, wellness, and community impact with Anna Studer, owner of The Lovely Lemon in Casper, Wyoming. Anna shares how her personal journey with juicing, motherhood, and health led her from school counseling into entrepreneurship, and how Casper helped turn her passion into a thriving local business....

With school closures stirring anxiety for parents across Natrona County, the conversation turns to one big question: what other options are there? In this episode, the hosts sit down with Joe Feiler —a 35-year education veteran , former CTE teacher , and current member of the Wyoming Charter School Authorization Board —to break down what charter schools actually are in Wyoming (and what they’re no...

Cody Sullivan returns and the conversation goes from light jokes to big questions fast. The crew debates whether AI is “smarter” than humans, why our brains run on about 12 watts while AI gulps city-sized power, and what happens when automation doesn’t just replace jobs—but replaces purpose. From robot caregivers (Jetsons) and sci-fi warnings (Westworld, Ex Machina, Subservience) to real-world con...

The hosts shift into the wellness space with special guest Dr. Isaac Castellanos, a chiropractor and former Fleet Marine Force Corpsman whose path into healthcare began in high school volunteering in the ER and running emergency calls with a California fire department. Isaac shares how years in emergency medicine, deployments, and repeated exposure to seriously ill and injured children shaped his...

In this episode, the hosts sit down with Cross True—homeschooled K–12 and now planning to homeschool his own children—to unpack why more families are considering homeschooling and what it actually looks like day to day. The conversation avoids “anti-public school” framing and instead focuses on the real questions parents are asking: safety and peer environments, moral formation, family connection,...

In this episode of Unmuted , we’re joined by Rob Hill and Andy Elston for a candid conversation about Career & Technical Education (CTE) and the urgent workforce gap facing Wyoming. Rob shares his path from the trades into teaching and workforce policy, and Andy explains how early hands-on experience turned into a career in engineering and building systems across the state. Together, we break...

Julie Jarvis returns with a boots-on-the-ground legislative update as Wyoming heads into session—and the stakes for public education are high. In this episode, the crew breaks down the Wyoming school funding “recalibration” bill and why Julie believes the current proposal could reshape classrooms across the state. Julie explains recalibration in plain terms, then highlights key concerns educators...

In this stripped-down, two-host check-in, Seth and Coebie pull listeners behind the scenes of their ongoing public records fight with Natrona County School District. They break down two key requests: who authored the Barnon and Woods school closure recommendation documents (and the broader facilities recommendation), and policies tied to class waitlists and student absences —and why the lack of cl...

On this episode the team talks with don anderson about his implementation of problem based learning and his transition from college to k-12 teaching.

In this episode of Unmuted , we sit down with Brandy Sorensen—Wyoming mom, realtor, and advocate—to unpack House Bill 9 (HB9), a proposal aimed at making the grooming of minors a felony. Brandy shares how her family’s experience exposed legal gaps, what “grooming” looks like before it crosses current criminal thresholds, and why protections for kids can’t rely on “it’s concerning, but not illegal....

After the district’s decision to close Woods Learning Center and Bar Nunn Elementary, Seth and Coebie explain why they launched a petition—and why transparency matters, especially when families feel blindsided. Joined by Eric Nelsen, they unpack the petition process, what the school board can (and might) do next, and what the community is asking for moving forward: clearer analysis, better communi...

In this episode, I chat with Ted Hanson about the complexities of behavior and discipline in education, building on our previous discussion. We explore the importance of understanding each child's unique background and context when addressing behavioral issues. Ted emphasizes a nuanced approach to disciplinary methods, debating corporal punishment versus positive reinforcement while highlighting s...

In this episode of Unmuted, we sit down with Cathy Holman, known to many as Prairie Wife and Heels, to talk about a story no family should ever have to live through: an adult stalking and harassing a minor through fake numbers, impersonation, and calculated attacks meant to isolate and destabilize kids. Cathy shares how it started, how long it lasted, and what it did to her daughter, her family, a...

This episode features Cody Sullivan discussing his journey into artificial intelligence as a product change manager at Mesa Power Solutions. The conversation covers the evolution of AI, the distinction between traditional and modern applications, and the concept of AI "hallucinations." The hosts explore human versus artificial intelligence and the implications of AI in education, stressi...

In this interview, Whitney Asay discusses her journey from a family photography business to becoming a community advocate and entrepreneur. She reflects on her experiences in education, emphasizing the challenges faced by marginalized students and the need for understanding socioeconomic factors in learning. Whitney shares the creation of Funky Junk, a platform supporting local artisans, and how i...

When districts stop listening, families have another option — take their kids, and the dollars that follow them, to schools that do. We sit down with Lisa Williams , principal of the Wyoming Virtual Academy and State Board of Education member, to talk about transparency, accountability, and why families across Wyoming are choosing schools that actually listen.

In this episode, we explore the crucial role of school administrators in removing barriers that hinder effective learning. Inspired by Shane's insights, we discuss how educational leaders can navigate systemic challenges by embodying qualities like humility and clear communication. The conversation emphasizes collaborative problem-solving, encouraging educators to suggest solutions and fosteri...

In this episode, Shane Ogden, Superintendent of Meeteetse, Wyoming, discusses his transformative vision for education focused on problem-based learning and student-led initiatives. He shares insights on the implementation of programs like Genius Hour, fostering a culture of professional development among teachers, and engaging students in their learning experiences. Shane critiques standardized te...

In this episode, we critically analyze a Casper Star Tribune article about our community's school closures, emphasizing the need for accurate media representation. Joined by Seth and Derek, we discuss our petition advocating for educational continuity and community engagement. We highlight the importance of schools as community hubs and the necessity for collaborative decision-making that incl...