This week, Kaity and Adriane chatted with Ned Johnson, co-author of "The Self-Driven Child" and "What Do You Say?" about healthy brain development. Episode 42  explores: 🔥 the impact of school start times on brain development 🔥 fostering genuine connections that inspire our youth to thrive in and out of the classroom 🔥 the need for an ideal learning environment 🔥 technology's double-edged sword in modern childhood 🔥 the power of intrinsic motivation 🔥 how happiness and engagement are...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Norton Rainey, CEO of ACE Scholarships. Norton is all in on opening doors to top-notch education for every kid, no matter where they come from. In this episode, Norton dives into how ACE Scholarships is making a huge difference for families and just how important it is for parents to stand up for their kids' learning. Episode 41 also explores:  🔥 tax credits and Education Savings Accounts and what that means for public schools' cash flow 🔥 how tech...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Matt Barnes, who works to help parents defend their children from hidden threats that are unique to the 21st century. In this episode, Matt uncovers three of those threats. Matt also discusses the challenges faced by students in the education system and the importance of empowering parents to take ownership of their children's education. He highlights the impact of technology and AI on children and emphasizes the need for a more flexible and relevant...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Mike Oliver, the progressive principal of Mountain View High School in Mesa, Arizona, about the components of an ideal educational opportunity for students. Mike, driven by the profound belief in doing what's best for kids, was also the founding principal of Zaharis Elementary School, recognized as one of the “25 most innovative, inspiring and coolest schools in America."  Episode 39 also explores:  🔥 the importance of disrupting culture-bound biases...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Olivia Nannono, the executive director of Enhance Humanity Uganda, about the challenges communities in Uganda face when it comes to accessing education and what her organization is doing about it. During the episode, you'll hear about the amazing work Enhance Humanity Uganda is doing to develop self-reliance and break cycles of dependency across Ugandan communities. You'll also learn about the importance of unconditional love and attachment in helping...

Ever found yourself wondering why your child seems overwhelmed by choices or why a simple instruction can lead to confrontation? This week, Kaity and Adriane's conversation with Linda K. Murphy, a speech-language pathologist and RDI® Consultant, answers this question and more. You'll learn all about declarative language and its powerful role in connecting more deeply with our kids, especially those navigating social learning differences.  Episode 37 also explores:  🔥 the impact of stress on...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Trevor MacKenzie, an experienced teacher, author, keynote speaker and inquiry consultant, about the importance of relationship and curiosity in education, as well as the value of inquiry-led learning. Throughout the episode, you'll learn how nurturing inquisitiveness can lead to outstanding academic results and enhance students' well-being.  Episode 36 also explores:  🔥 the inquiry cycle and its phases 🔥 the role of provocation and student-generated...

This week, Kaity and Adriane discuss a new approach to understanding and addressing kids' behavior.  Their conversation dives deep into the developmental expectations placed on children and the need for age-appropriate support. Plus, they introduce a problem-solving approach that empowers children to find solutions and build critical thinking skills.  Episode 35 also explores:  🔥 parenting challenges and triumphs 🔥 the power of patience 🔥 the importance of modeling positive behavior 🔥...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Peter Gray, research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College and renowned author of "Free to Learn." This episode is all about the power of play in learning, shedding light on how self-directed exploration can ignite children's natural curiosity and shape their futures. Peter shares his journey into the field of education and his personal experience with his son's struggles in traditional schooling. He discusses the pivotal moment that...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Caleb Collier, co-founder of The Forest School and director at The Institute for Self-Directed Learning. This episode is all about self-directed education, where learners take control, and the classroom becomes a place for personal growth and intrinsic motivation. Caleb explains the role of educators and parents in this innovative learning landscape and shares his journey of transformation from a conventional middle school educator to a trailblazer for...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with KJ Althoff,  Director of Content for Big Life Journal. This episode is all about navigating a child's emotions and how it can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves. KJ shares her insights into gentle parenting and fostering emotional literacy in children. This episode also explores: 🔥 the challenges of regulating our own emotions while teaching our children to manage theirs 🔥 how co-regulating alongside kids can create a nurturing environment 🔥...

This week, Kaity and Adriane chat with Seth Perler, an executive function coach who overcame his academic struggles and now offers hope to children facing similar challenges. They discuss learning differences, emphasizing the importance of advocating for each child's unique strengths and addressing the systemic roadblocks that can hinder their progress. This episode also explores:  🔥 the double-edged sword of labels 🔥 tensions that teachers face 🔥 the impact of recognizing every student's...

This week, Kaity & Adriane chat with Lenore Skenazy, author of "Free-Range Kids." You might have heard her called "America's Worst Mom." But don't let that moniker fool you! Lenore's journey from her kid's controversial subway ride to becoming a leading voice in child independence is nothing short of remarkable. In Episode 30 of The KindlED Podcast, we dive deep into the world of free-range parenting with the woman who started it all. This episode also explores: 🔥 the importance of...

On Episode 29 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane do a deep dive into their favorite books!  These reads aren't just for parents and educators—they're for anyone on a quest to grow alongside the children in their lives, fostering empathy and understanding in a world that often forgets the value of emotional health. Tune in and embark on a path of discovery that promises to enrich not only your parenting journey but your entire approach to life and relationships.   🔗 RELEVANT LINKS 🔗 📚...

On Episode 28 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane chat with Kelly Smith, CEO and founder of Prenda and author of "A Fire to be Kindled."  This episode dives into what it means to empower learners and Prenda's origin story. We journey through Kelly's formative experiences, how he fell in love with learning and wanted the same for his kids, and when he started to think about education, about microschools, and what if—what if we did things differently? This episode also explores: 🔥...

On Episode 27 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane chat with Amir Nathoo, CEO of Outschool. We talk about inquiry-based learning, and Amir shares his inspiring journey to creating Outschool and offers insights about the power of out-of-school learning.  This episode also explores: 🔥 how we can equip our children with the skills they need to thrive 🔥 the rise of alternative education movements like homeschooling and microschooling 🔥 the future of education 🔥 the potential of unbundling...

On Episode 26 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane chat with Ana Lorena Fabrega, author of "The Learning Game" and chief evangelist at Synthesis,  In this episode, Ana — drawing from her acclaimed book and her own global educational experiences — provides a striking critique of the traditional schooling system and offers practical strategies to help children combat negativity and victim mentality. This episode also explores: 🔥 the challenges of excessive screen time on children's...

On Episode 25 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane chat with Todd Rose, co-founder and CEO of Populace. They delve into the myth of the "average person" and the power of personalized learning. This episode also explores: 🔥 the evolution of the "average" concept in education; 🔥 the challenges posed by conventional teaching methods; 🔥 insights into Benjamin Bloom's work on mastery learning and its impact on academic growth; 🔥 strategies for teaching self-determination and the critical...

On Episode 24 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane deep dive into understanding aggression in kids. They share some of their own stories of dealing with aggression in kids and give practical tips for dealing with these tough situations. The episode focuses on fostering understanding, curiosity, and awareness when dealing with kids' complex emotions. This episode also covers:  🔥 the different factors, including biological, psychological, and socioeconomic, contributing to aggression; 🔥...

On Episode 23 of The KindlED Podcast,  Kaity and Adriane chat with Joanna Lovejoy, an education technology innovator and founding member of Alpha and Kinjo. Get ready to be inspired by Joanna's amazing experiences with adaptive technology, where she helps students improve their academic skills in revolutionary ways, and discover the possibilities of how we can make screen time more effective and meaningful for students.  This episode also covers:  🔥 the intersection between education and...

On Episode 22 of The KindlED Podcast,  Kaity and Adriane chat with Audrey Wisch, founder of Curious Cardinals. We take a deep dive into the pivotal role of consistency and trust in a mentor-student relationship and how it helps students realize their full potential. We also shine a light on the transformative power of passion-based learning and how it can lead students to meaningful careers.  This episode also covers:  🔥 the power of near-peer mentorship and how it humanizes the path to...

On Episode 21 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane sit down with Josh Dahn,  executive director of Astra Nova School and co-founder of Synthesis. Their conversation sheds light on how to create an engaging school culture and a unique educational experience that fosters curiosity and joy in young minds. This insightful episode also covers: 🔥 student involvement and decision-making; 🔥 the often adversarial relationship between students and school; 🔥 how to create a culture of meaningful...

On Episode 20 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane do a deep dive into the intricate world of brain diversity and neurodivergence, exploring how children and individuals process the world around them uniquely. Their conversation sheds light on the importance of positive language, understanding different brain structures, and advocating for an inclusive education system. This insightful episode also covers: 🔥 3 main ways to help support neurodivergent learners; 🔥  the critical role of...

On Episode 19 of The KindlED Podcast, Kaity and Adriane are joined by Janine Halloran, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been working with children, teens, and their families for over 20 years. They discuss the need for coping skills in our rapidly evolving world and the importance of introducing coping strategies when children are calm, emphasizing patience and consistency.  This episode also touches on: •  the significance of adults managing their emotions effectively and modeling...

On Episode 18 of The KindlED Podcast, hosts Kaity and Adriane are joined by Garrett Smiley, co-founder of Sora Schools. Garrett shares his journey into education, driven by a desire to revolutionize traditional education methods. They delve into how to help students discover their passions and develop a deeper sense of purpose over time. They also talk about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, emphasizing the importance of embedding multiple meanings into activities to keep students engaged...