Episode 96: Reconnecting to Joyful Learning. A Conversation with Meredith Reyes.

We talk with Mickey Revenaugh, co-founder of Connections Academy and author of Schools Out, about why families are walking away from one-size-fits-all schooling. We dig into microschools, homeschooling, unschooling, and what a future “portfolio” of education options could mean for kids’ learning and mental health. • the origin story of Connections Academy and what early online learning got right and wrong • what “unconventional education” includes and why the label “alternative” ...

We talk with Latham Turner about leaving a high-performing career to homeschool after watching his son’s love of reading collapse into daily tears and declining test scores. We trace the messy first months, the breakthroughs that follow, and why connection and agency can raise a child’s learning ceiling far beyond what school labels predict. • Latham’s path from naval aviation and test pilot work to full-time homeschooling • The warning signs at school, including morning crying a...

We talk with Hannah Maruyama, founder of Degree Free, about why colleges don’t own education and why the “just go to college” default is failing many young adults. We break down how to plan a career path using real-life constraints, build skills through certifications and work, and decide when a degree is truly worth it. • Hannah’s personal break with college culture and conformity • The “escalator” model of schooling and why it shuts down curiosity • Separating education from career trai...

We celebrate Episode 100 by digging into Kaity’s first year guiding a home microschool and what it teaches us about building belonging, agency, and high expectations. The big takeaway is that connection comes first, then kids can take on ambitious goals and grow into capable, self-governing learners. • celebrating Episode 100 and thanking guests, listeners, and the people who kindle learning • Kaity’s KindlED shout-out to her mom and what lifelong learning looks like in real life ...

We draw a hard line between tweaking the school system and transforming it, starting with one idea: parents should hold the decision rights for their child’s education. We also test the biggest critiques of school choice against polling, program data, and real parent experiences with flexibility and accountability. • why “reform” misses the real problem and why transformation fits the moment • what education freedom means in practice and how decision rights have flipped since COVID ...