Join us as we sit down with Peter Fitzpatrick, co-founder of FawnFriends.com, to explore the creation of Willow, a robotic plushie designed to support neurodivergent children in their emotional growth. Peter shares his personal journey, from his experiences with ADHD and familial challenges to the innovative hackathon project that gave birth to Willow. Discover how this cuddly AI companion is transforming the landscape of emotional support for children and their parents, without replacing traditional methods.We also examine the broader implications of AI in child development and mental health, highlighting AI's unique ability to scale educational support and provide tailored assistance. Peter's insights challenge us to consider how robots might enrich our lives, encouraging us to look beyond metal and circuits to see potential companions in child development and emotional well-being.More about our GuestPeter is building Willow, a robotic plushy that helps neurodivergent kids grow up to be successful by helping them learn to regulate emotions, set and pursue goals, and build more secure relationships. Peter, co-founder of FawnFriends.com, is a student of child psychology, how robots can help children mature successfully, and emotional wellness.Connect with PeterFawnFriends.comSign up for the Fawn Friends weekly newsletterGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

How do we create learning environments that foster curiosity while helping kids develop real-world knowledge and skills? Since 2018, Prenda has helped open over 1,000 microschools across the US making small, effective learning environment accessible to thousands of families. Microschooling is a rapidly growing educational model, but how does it work? In this episode we'll peel back the layers of Prenda's mission to "empower learners," revealing how a community-focused approach can create learning environments where kids genuinely thrive. Imagine transforming education from a fear-based model to one that champions intrinsic motivation and real-world readiness. Prenda makes that vision a reality by fostering environments that emphasize choice, while also equipping students with vital life skills and personal accountability. More about our guestKaity Broadbent currently serves as Chief Empowerment Advocate and Head of Marketing at Prenda Microschools. As co-host of the Kindled Podcast she's focused on spreading the word about how microschooling can revolutionize education. In her previous role as Prenda's Head of Learning she helped articulate Prenda's unique microschool learning model ensuring that Prenda students and guides have access to high-quality, effective learning practices. Prior to Prenda, she was an ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist. She plays "Adventure Kait" in Prenda's free literacy curriculum and she's the mother of 4 very curious Prenda kids.Connect with KaityFollow Prenda on all social outlets @prendalearnFollow Kaity personally on instagram @kaity_forthekidsFind more information about Prenda at Prenda.com Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

How can technology reshape education to cater to every student’s unique learning journey? Join us as we explore this question with Dr. Kristen DiCerbo, the Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, who shares her transformative insights into personalized and mastery-based learning. Discover how Khan Academy's new AI tool, "Khanmigo" is revolutionizing learning as it helps educators address the diverse needs of students worldwide, breaking free from the constraints of traditional educational models.Dr. DiCerbo highlights the challenges teachers face, such as managing large classrooms and addressing special education shortages, and how technology can alleviate these burdens. By leveraging platforms like Khan Academy, educators can provide tailored learning experiences that empower students and nurture creativity. We delve into the ways technology can reduce teacher burnout, foster stronger student-teacher connections, and transform teaching roles to be more focused on creating meaningful educational experiences and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.More About Our GuestDr. Kristen DiCerbo is the Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, where she leads the content, design, product management, and community support teams. Dr. DiCerbo’s career has focused on embedding insights from education research into digital learning experiences. Prior to her role at Khan Academy, she was Vice-President of Learning Research and Design at Pearson, served as a research scientist supporting the Cisco Networking Academies, and worked as a school psychologist. Kristen has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Arizona State University.Connect with Khan Academykhanmigo.aikhanacademy.orgGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Discover how games can revolutionize the way we support children with social cognitive differences in our engaging conversation with Dr.Anna Vagin. Anna takes us on her journey into the world of social cognition, sharing her expertise in working with children on the autism spectrum, children with ADHD, and other communication challenges. Learn how attachment theory plays a crucial role in understanding these differences and how parents and educators can shift their perspectives to better support unique communication styles. Anna's personal anecdotes highlight the transformative power of empathy, offering insights into creating inclusive environments for diverse learners.We delve into practical strategies for making game nights an enjoyable and educational experience for the whole family. Discover how games can become powerful tools for teaching emotional intelligence and social growth. We share tips on adapting complex games for neurodivergent children, creating a safe space for emotional learning, and encouraging post-game discussions to enhance children's emotional intelligence. With Anna's wisdom and experience, this episode is packed with valuable tools and strategies to make your next family game night not just fun, but a meaningful learning opportunity for everyone involved.More About Our GuestAnna Vagin, PhD, is a licensed speech/language pathologist with over 30 years of experience. In her private practice in Marin County, California, she provides individual sessions and social learning groups to children, young adults, and their families. Her particular interests are using media and gaming, including Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games, to support students with social cognition and language differences, and the role of mental processes in communication, relationships, and life satisfaction.She provides consultation to parents and schools, is a frequent US and International speaker, and a prolific writer/contributor on topics related to social cognition. Connect with AnnaWebsite: https://www.socialtime.org/Instagram: annavagin.sociallearninglabsGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Unlock the secrets of bedtime storytelling with our special guest, Andrew Newman, an acclaimed author and founder of Conscious Stories. He sheds light on the remarkable influence of bedtime stories in nurturing the priceless bond between parents and children. Together, we explore how those precious last 20 minutes of the day can be transformed into a powerful tool for emotional and cognitive growth, setting the stage for a lifetime of strong connections.Dive into the fascinating realm where storytelling meets science, as we discuss the positive impacts of bedtime stories on children's emotional regulation and cognitive development. Discover how these narratives help children sequence events, expand vocabulary, and process emotions in a safe environment, while even assisting in calming their nervous systems for a restful sleep. Through engaging tales like "The Little Brain People," storytelling becomes a gateway to understanding brain functions and behavior, offering a playful yet profound approach to emotional intelligence and community building.More About Our GuestAndrew Newman is an internationally-renowned and award-winning author and founder of Conscious Stories, a growing series of bedtime stories purpose-built to support parent-child connection in the last 20 minutes of the day. His early and profound longing for connection with all things spiritual later inspired a career in writing and communication in many forms. A recognized voice in the conscious parenting movement, Conscious Stories, is a culmination of his background, experiences, and humanitarian efforts, and is intended to bring parent and child into deeper connection with each other. Connect with AndrewGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Ready to unlock the magic of math? 🎉 This episode features Richard Rusczyk, founder of Art of Problem Solving and Beast Academy. His journey—from an “aggressively average” high school in Alabama to Princeton—shows the magic of student empowerment through autonomy and intrinsic motivation. 🚀We explore learning spaces where project-based learning and creative problem-solving shine. Richard explains how leading with questions reduces math anxiety and builds confidence. Through stories of teachers and mentors, he highlights the value of self-paced and mastery-based learning.At Art of Problem Solving, students don’t just excel—they join a vibrant learning community and build lifelong friendships. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑❤️ This episode celebrates the mentors, parents, and educators creating empowered learners. 🙌 Tune in and get inspired to help kids think creatively, overcome challenges, and thrive. 🎧More About Our Guest Richard Rusczyk founded the Art of Problem Solving in 2003 to create interactive educational opportunities for avid math students. Art of Problem Solving now reaches hundreds of thousands of high-potential math students every year through its learning centers, online schools, books, websites, and online learning systems. Richard authored or co-authored 7 math textbooks and was one of the co-creators of the Mandelbrot Competition and a past Director of the USA Mathematical Talent Search. Richard was a participant in National MATHCOUNTS, a three-time participant in the Math Olympiad Summer Program, and a USA Mathematical Olympiad winner (1989). He graduated from Princeton University in 1993.Connect with Richardhttps://artofproblemsolving.com/https://beastacademy.com/Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Ready to dive into another amazing microschool this week? Tara Larsen from Flagstaff, Arizona, shares her journey from public school parent to Prenda guide. Tara's microschool is a shining light of joyful learning.  Listeners will gain insights into how microschools maintain a learner-centered approach, allowing students to enter a flow state where engagement and curiosity lead to deeper learning experiences. The episode underscores the influence of modeling behaviors for children and challenges listeners to rethink generational teaching patterns. Discover how Prenda's culture empowers children to set and surpass their own learning goals, dispelling myths about student motivation while revealing surprising stories of growth and ambition.In the final segment, Tara opens up about overcoming societal pressures and initial fears to embrace non-traditional education for her own children. She highlights the benefits of goal setting and autonomy, and the role of Prenda guides in creating magic through supportive and engaging educational spaces. Learn more about the professional development opportunities for Prenda guides and the supportive community that encourages innovative educational approaches. Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Are you ready to reimagine education? Join us on this transformative episode of the Kindled podcast as we sit down with Candi Lehenbauer, Prenda guide and the driving force behind Tapestry Academy in Florida. Discover how Candi’s passion for microschooling led her to create a thriving educational environment that has evolved over the past five years. From handling fluctuating student numbers to shifting from a homeschool mindset to a tuition-based model, Candi’s journey is one of resilience and adaptation, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, her work with Microschool Florida highlights the importance of community and innovation in microschooling.Candi overcame her initial fears about starting something new in her community as well as the steep learning curve of starting a business. Hear about the excitement, the hurdles, and the triumphs of transitioning from a homeschool co-op to running a microschool. Learn about the unique strategies Candi employs to manage her microschool environment, emphasizing the importance of social activities, flexible curriculums, and interest-based learning.Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

Our guest, Julia, made a bold leap from the public school system to create a transformative Prenda microschool right in her home. In this first installment of our three-part series, where we interview real microschool guides, Julia reveals the magic behind this unique educational approach. She shares her personal journey from burnout to reigniting her passion for teaching by fostering deep relationships and personalized learning paths for her students. Julia details her experience as a Prenda guide and how her microschool offers a flexible yet structured environment, promoting both autonomy and rigor for her students. Finally, we delve into the challenges and successes of implementing the Prenda learning model, emphasizing the significance of honesty, humility, and commitment from both students and families. Got a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool

It's the moment you've been waiting for all summer break... Introducing our #1 Top Season 1 episode:Embracing Individuality. A Conversation with Todd Rose.On this episode 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 role of parents in this process;and so much more!Join us as we envision a future where personalized education leads to optimal outcomes in both health and learning.ABOUT THE GUEST:Todd Rose is the Co-Founder and CEO of Populace. Previously, he was a professor at Harvard, where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and served as the director of the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Todd is the author of three best-selling books, Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average. He earned his Bachelors from Weber State University and his Masters and Doctorate from Harvard.RELEVANT LINKS:PopulaceCollective IllusionsThe End of AverageDark HorseGot a story to share or question you want us to answer? Send us a message!About the podcast:The KindlED Podcast explores the science of nurturing children's potential and creating empowering learning environments.Powered by Prenda Microschools, each episode offers actionable insights to help you ignite your child's love of learning. We'll dive into evidence-based tools and techniques that kindle young learners' curiosity, motivation, and well-being. Got a burning question?We're all ears! If you have a question or topic you'd love our hosts to tackle, please send it to podcast@prenda.com. Let's dive into the conversation together!Important links:• Connect with us on social • Subscribe to The Sunday Spark• Get our free literacy curriculum Interested in starting a microschool?Prenda provides all the tools and support you need to start and run an amazing microschool. Create a free Prenda World account to start designing your future microschool today. More info at ➡️ Prenda.com or if you're ready to get going ➡️ Start My Microschool