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 independence and autonomy in children🔥 why allowing kids to engage in real-world tasks isn't just good; it's essential for their development🔥 Let Grow's initiatives, including the intriguing 'Independence Therapy for Anxious Children'🔥 the role of unstructured play in a child's development and success🔥 how educators and parents can collaborate to foster environments that promote independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills🔥 and so much more!So, buckle up for an enlightening episode that challenges conventional parenting norms and lights the way to raising resilient, independent kids. ABOUT THE GUEST:After her newspaper column "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone" created a media firestorm, Lenore got the nickname "America's Worst Mom." (Google it!) She went on to write Free-Range Kids, the book-turned-movement. Lenore has lectured everywhere, from DreamWorks to Microsoft to Harvard Med School -- and the Bulgarian Happiness Festival! (For real.) You may have seen her on TV on The Today Show, The Daily Show, or her reality show, World's Worst Mom. Now, Lenore is co-founder and president of Let Grow, the nonprofit promoting childhood independence and resilience. She lives in New York City with her husband and beloved computer. Her children are gainfully employed. (Phew!) And, for the record, she used to write for Mad Magazine. Yep -- Mad!!!Check out these links:Let GrowThe Let Grow Experience (a free independence-building curriculum for teachers/schools)The Let Grow Play Club (free implementation guide for schools, YMCAs, churches, synagogues, etGot 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

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 🔗📚 Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids - https://www.amazon.com/Peaceful-Parent-Happy-Kids-Connecting/dp/0399160280📚 The Whole-Brain Child - https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Brain-Child-Revolutionary-Strategies-Developing/dp/0553386697/ref=asc_df_0553386697/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312177564685&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15285720984281392276&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014290&hvtargid=pla-436541850135&psc=1&mcid=b07f1fe234d435e192c66e697ff95ecf&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60258870697&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312177564685&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15285720984281392276&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014290&hvtargid=pla-436541850135&gclid=CjwKCAiA1-6sBhAoEiwArqlGPhthVIMMsEW-0Ss0ruEPepttqsL6c2AIlor2bPuooSXaEXraoNNc1hoC5bgQAvD_BwE📚 No-Drama Discipline - https://www.amazon.com/No-Drama-Discipline-Whole-Brain-Nurture-Developing/dp/0345548043/ref=asc_df_0345548043/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312129802318&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15464091926721088264&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014290&hvtargid=pla-436599469861&psc=1&mcid=5ef7f800e6273b7f88dcbd00d7f9da0a&gclid=CjwKCAiA1-6sBhAoEiwArqlGPv0F8Nat5zunnNP-vpB4PWMyYBZFjFamoEu2Uu_7QEFKPzZ2K0PYghoCz2EQAvD_BwE📚 Free to Learn - https://www.amazon.com/Free-Learn-Unleashing-Instinct-Self-Reliant/dp/0465025994📚 Make It Stick - https://www.amazon.com/Make-Stick-Science-Successful-Learning/dp/0674729013/ref=asc_df_0674729013/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312669563714&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17047175710258522583&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014290&hvtargid=pla-434742935023&psc=1&mcid=9c3bd19e20c033888fc05f822df9951b&gclid=CjwKCAiA1-6sBhAoEiwArqlGPkvumXdA3q0xVvcKmzphCjvVfRznJDDmYY5w0imZFtSFooLds1Y7NBoCNAYQAvD_BwE📚 Permission to FeelGot 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

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:🔥 self-directed learning and the profound difference it can make in one's life🔥 the thriving landscape of microschools🔥 Prenda's learning model🔥 personal goals versus institutional agendas🔥 and so much more!As we touch on the growth and challenges faced in starting and running these microschools, we invite listeners to imagine a future where education is not just a system but a personalized journey deeply woven into the fabric of our communities. Tune in as we unravel the stories of those boldly rethinking and reshaping the way we guide the next generation.ABOUT THE GUEST:Kelly Smith has been obsessed with learning and building things since childhood. After a master’s degree in nuclear fusion (MIT), Kelly had a career in engineering and marketing at various technology companies and sold a small software business in the clean energy space. He started volunteering with an afterschool code club at the local public library, helping kids learn computer programming, and he was so excited about the power of self-learning that he started a microschool around his kitchen table in January 2018. He is the founder and CEO of Prenda (prenda.com), an education company that helps people run their own microschools. Kelly lives in Mesa, Arizona, with his wife and four children.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

Amir Nathoo, CEO of Outschool, talks about inquiry-based learning. They discuss equipping children with necessary skills, rise of alternative education like homeschooling, future of education, unbundling education, benefits of teacher passion. Reimagine education where personalized learning and the joy of discovery takes center stage.

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 development🔥 tips for striking a healthy balance between screen use and real-world experiences🔥 standardized testing and its long-standing flaws🔥 the layers of societal pressure to achieve perfect grades🔥 and so much more!ABOUT THE GUEST:Ana Lorena Fábrega is an author, edupreneur, and Chief Evangelist at Synthesis. Growing up, she attended ten schools in seven different countries. She then earned her BS in Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University and taught elementary school in New York, Boston, and Panama. Today, Ana Lorena writes online to over 200,000 readers about the promise of alternative education. 🔗 RELEVANT LINKS 🔗🌐 Synthesis - https://www.synthesis.com/🌐 Ana's website - https://afabrega.com/📖 The Learning Game by Ana Lorena Fabrega - https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Game-Teaching-Themselves-Challenge/dp/1804090093/ref=asc_df_1804090093/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=647362115894&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1363360272200781084&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014290&hvtargid=pla-1944726938555&psc=1&mcid=d5f4af224afd3d69a9ad9a1f526836d9✍️ 7 DANGEROUS LESSONS TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS blog - https://afabrega.com/my-blog/7-dangerous-lessons-taught-in-schoolsGot 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

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 role of parents in this process;🔥 and so much more!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 🔗🌐 Populace - https://populace.org/📚 Collective Illusions - https://www.amazon.com/Collective-Illusions-Conformity-Complicity-Decisions/dp/0306925680📚 The End of Average - https://www.amazon.com/End-Average-Unlocking-Potential-Embracing/dp/0062358375/ref=monarch_sidesheet📚 Dark Horse - https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Horse-Achieving-Success-Fulfillment/dp/0063000245/ref=monarch_sidesheetGot 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

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;🔥 common parental responses to aggressive behavior;🔥 the importance of empathy and understanding children's emotions;🔥 the role of emotional development in preventing aggressive behavior;🔥 the impact of prioritizing work over your kids;🔥 and so much more!The episode wraps with a close look at the relationship between aggression, brain development, and empathy. And you'll leave this episode with newfound insight and confidence to address child aggression in any situation.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

In this podcast episode, the hosts chat with Joanna Lovejoy about education and technology. They cover topics such as adaptive technology, blended learning, gamification, and mastery-based learning. They discuss the potential and pitfalls of gamification and how to keep students engaged. They also talk about the educational value of video games and the importance of filling in learning gaps. The speakers highlight the need for flexibility in education and focus on a child's progress rather than grades. The hosts express gratitude for the guest's insights and explore the emotional connection the guest has with their students.

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 success🔥 the role of parents in a child's learning process 🔥 the significance of project-based learning🔥 the importance of representation in learning🔥 how finding mentors that students can identify with can significantly impact their success🔥 and so much more!ABOUT THE GUEST: Audrey left Stanford to found Curious Cardinals, mobilizing peers to inspire K-12 students to discover their passions. With her vision to unlock students' potential through personalized mentorship, she raised $6.8m in ventured funding. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Audrey empowers youth and provides college students meaningful work.Founder & CEO Audrey left Stanford to found Curious Cardinals, mobilizing peers to inspire K-12 students to discover their passions. With her vision to unlock students' potential through personalized mentorship, she raised $6.8m in ventured funding. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and having spoken on CNN, the Today Show and to students worldwide, Audrey aims to unlock student potential through the power of mentorship.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

Guest Josh Dahn, executive director of Astra Nova School and co-founder of Synthesis, discusses creating an engaging school culture. Topics include student involvement, fostering connections and mutual respect, and the role of knowledgeable adults in inspiring curiosity. The podcast dives into promoting collaboration, team thinking, and unique problem-solving in education.