00:07:20 — Manisha and Dr. Winthrop discuss the profound impact of literacy as a transformative tool for empowerment, particularly for women, and the broader social benefits of investing in girls' education.

00:12:02 — Dr. Winthrop explains a study showing that education for girls and women can significantly reduce deaths from climate change disasters, highlighting the crucial role of education in community adaptation.

00:14:20 — The conversation turns to the importance of quality education in enhancing negotiation power, employment opportunities, and leadership roles for women.

00:22:20 — Manisha praises Dr. Winthrop's solution-focused approach to research, and Dr. Winthrop defines quality education, emphasizing the significance of literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills.

00:27:00 — Dr. Winthrop elaborates on the foundational aspects of literacy and numeracy in education and their embedded social-emotional components.

00:34:40 — Manisha transitions the discussion towards homeschooling, exploring its potential and the limitations of standardized tests in recognizing diverse educational achievements.

00:39:40 — The topic shifts to adaptive learning technology, with Manisha discussing its development and potential and Dr. Winthrop sharing insights on successful applications in various contexts, like South Sudan.

00:43:20 — Dr. Winthrop advises parents to educate themselves and their children about important issues, offering a reading list and resources for deeper engagement.

00:48:00 — In concluding the episode, Dr. Winthrop emphasizes the power of individual action in education, and Manisha highlights Dr. Winthrop's book "Leapfrogging Inequality" for those seeking to make significant advancements in educational approaches.

This podcast is made possible through a generous grant from the Vela Education Fund

VELA Education Fund is catalyzing a vibrant alternative education ecosystem. VELA provides trust-based funding to entrepreneurs, fosters community-building and knowledge-sharing, and increases visibility through storytelling that promotes cultural awareness and acceptance of the out-of-system space. Today, VELA serves the largest community of out-of-system education entrepreneurs in the country, with over 2,000 community members. About half of VELA’s community members operate small learning environments, and the other half are ecosystem and community builders offering direct services and support across the out-of-system space. Learn more at

velaedfund.org