The OpenEd Podcast

"But what about socialization?" It's the #1 question that stops parents from exploring educational alternatives. But what if traditional schooling creates the least natural social environment your child will ever experience?TK Coleman and Isaac Morehouse flip the script on the socialization myth, revealing how age-segregated classrooms might actually be hindering your child's social development rather than helping it.This conversation tackles head-on:How school creates artificial social environments your child will never encounter againWhy many homeschooled children develop stronger social skills across different age groupsThe developmental advantage of forming identity before conforming sociallyWhether you're curious about homeschooling or frustrated with your child's current educational environment, this episode challenges everything you've been told about how children develop healthy social skills.(00:00) - The Socialization Question Everyone Asks(02:41) - Redefining "Normal" Social Development(07:27) - TK's Experience with Social Development(14:17) - The Fleetwood Mac Effect: Timing of Social Identity(21:45) - Opting In vs. Opting Out of Social Games(32:12) - Finding the Right Balance of Social Exposure(42:42) - Principles Before Particulars: A Framework for GrowthWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8...Follow us on social: / openedhq / openedhq https://x.com/OpenEdHQ / openedhq

Think homeschooling means sitting around the kitchen table all day with textbooks? Think again.In this eye-opening conversation, veteran homeschool mom of five Maecy shares how her family spends just 3 hours a day on traditional academics – and what fills the rest of their rich educational experience.From skiing several times a week to creating vibrant co-ops, discover how homeschooling has evolved into a lifestyle that prioritizes real-world learning, emotional wellbeing, and personalized education paths.Whether you're considering homeschooling, curious about alternatives to traditional education, or just wondering what these families are actually doing all day, this conversation challenges everything you thought you knew about home education.(00:00) - The Homeschooling Misnomer(02:41) - How Special Needs Changed Their Approach(08:09) - Putting Emotional Wellbeing Before Academics(12:11) - Letting Children Choose Their Educational Path(17:46) - "We're Only Home Three Hours a Day"(21:53) - The Myth of the Diploma(25:08) - Success Beyond Traditional Education(30:54) - Advice for New Homeschooling Families

Drowning in homeschool curriculum options? You're not alone.In this revealing conversation, the founders of SmartPath share how they're using AI to solve the #1 problem facing homeschool families: finding the perfect curriculum match without weeks of research.Discover how this free tool is democratizing what wealthy Silicon Valley families have known for years – that customized education creates exceptional outcomes, but only if you can navigate the overwhelming sea of options.Whether you're new to homeschooling or a veteran looking to upgrade your curriculum, this episode reveals how technology is finally making personalized education accessible to everyone.Try the tool for free at: smartpath.schoolChapters:(00:00) - The Silicon Valley Education Secret(01:26) - What SmartPath Does: AI for Curriculum Matching(02:40) - The Overwhelming Options Problem(06:14) - How Parents Currently Find Curriculum(14:19) - From Public School Skeptic to Homeschool Advocate(24:45) - Why Wealthy Families Choose Homeschooling(27:03) - Making Premium Education Accessible to All

Homeschooling multiple children without losing your mind isn't about perfect schedules or the right curriculum. It's about building a family culture that practically runs itself.In this episode, veteran homeschool mom Meg Thomas shares how she created a self-managing family while homeschooling seven children—and still maintained her own identity (she ran 16 miles the morning of this interview!). Learn her "Heart, Habits, Home" framework and discover how teaching children real responsibility creates both capable kids and a sustainable homeschool.Connect with Meg Thomas:Website: https://www.coachmegthomas.com/Instagram: @coachmegthomasConnect with OpenEd:Website: https://opened.comInstagram: @openededucationEpisode Timestamps:00:00 - The secret to a self-running homeschool01:30 - Starting homeschool with 5 kids under 6 years old03:16 - The laundry system that changed everything07:38 - Why they left traditional school (and how they started homeschooling)10:29 - The "Successful Six" framework for raising capable adults15:23 - The "Levels of Liberty" system: How kids earn privileges through responsibility19:39 - Why most parents create entitled children (and how to avoid it)22:39 - Teaching kids to identify what they want (and work for it)29:20 - How Meg maintained her identity throughout homeschooling33:09 - A day in the life: Homeschooling 3 remaining children36:59 - Creating an independent education tailored to each child43:22 - The importance of asking "What do you love?"45:17 - Using OpenEd to accelerate college credentials during high school50:39 - Final advice: The "Heart, Habits, Home" framework for new homeschoolers

"I've bred some rebels! My kids question everything, including authority - and yes, that includes questioning me, which is great."– Eleyah KnightA single mom's purchase of a 14-passenger van launched a revolutionary approach to education that's proving you don't need a building to create powerful learning experiences.When Eleyah Knight saw traditional schools failing to meet her children's needs, she created Connected Teens—a mobile microschool that combines adventure-based learning with real-world skills development. By taking education beyond classroom walls, she's helping teens build confidence, critical thinking, and practical abilities while fostering their natural desire to explore the world around them.Learn:How a 14-passenger van became the catalyst for a revolutionary teen education program Why traditional education often fails naturally-minded families and how to create alternatives The power of combining structure with flexibility in alternative education How real-world application transforms "boring" subjects into engaging learning experiencesWhy letting teens stay "young" might be the key to their future successThe vision for a global network of nature-based teen schoolsChapters:00:00 A Natural Parent's Rebellion Against Traditional School02:57 How a 14-Passenger Van Revolutionized Teen Education06:19 "I've Bred Some Rebels" - When Kids Question Everything07:59 The Magic of Micro-Communities in Learning14:39 Why Bored Students Don't Learn (And What to Do About It)18:07 The Truth About Teens Who "Don't Know What They Want"20:40 Breaking Free From the College Pressure Cooker23:00 Pizza Hut at 19? Why Your Teen's "Failure" Might Be Perfect28:49 What Happens When Teens Actually Connect32:53 The Dream: Sailing Ships, Farm Schools, and Global Education

When it comes to education, doing less might actually produce better results. In this eye-opening interview, OpenEd founder Matt Bowman reveals how just 60 minutes of focused learning followed by exploration, play, and real-world engagement can transform your child's educational experience.Discover why traditional schooling often gets it backward, how to give your child a voice in their education, and the simple framework that helps identify what your child actually wants to learn. Whether you're overwhelmed by homeschooling multiple children or curious about alternatives to conventional education, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what learning can look like.(00:24) - Why "Our Children Are Not Standard" Changed Everything(01:03) - The Surprising Truth Behind One Family's Educational Journey(03:01) - Inside the Open Ed Book: The Framework Parents Are Missing(05:50) - The #1 Mistake Overwhelmed Homeschool Parents Make(09:01) - Give Your Child a Voice (And Why This Changes Everything)(13:15) - Why Learning Can't Be Forced (The Science Most Schools Ignore)(16:54) - A Day in the Life: What Successful Home Education Actually Looks Like(25:09) - The Less-Is-More Secret to Homeschooling Multiple Kids(31:37) - Why Americans Excel at Facts But Fail at Application(35:08) - The Digital Safety Conversation Every Family Needs to Have(43:02) - How Single-Income Families Can Fund World-Class Education

In this episode of the Open Ed Podcast, host Ela Richmond sits down with Laura Feller, an experienced open education mom of three. Laura shares her family's inspiring journey into homeschooling, how she navigated learning challenges, and the power of personalized education. She discusses the importance of de-schooling, fostering a love for learning, and empowering children to explore their passions. From overcoming learning disabilities to embracing musical theater and self-directed education, Laura offers invaluable insights for new and seasoned homeschooling families alike. Tune in for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about the freedom and possibilities of open education!00:00 - Introduction and Welcome01:00 - Why Laura Started Homeschooling: The Public School Struggle03:00 - Identifying Learning Disabilities: Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia07:00 - "Am I Enough?": The Critical Parent Question10:00 - The De-Schooling Journey: Breaking Away from Public School Models14:00 - Discovering Learning Styles: Auditory vs. Visual Learning18:00 - Building Community: The Importance of Connection in Homeschooling20:00 - The Role of Freedom in Education25:00 - Prioritizing Family Bonds and Connection30:00 - Adapting to Learning Disabilities35:00 - The Importance of Exploration and Discovery40:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dr. Claire Honeycutt explains how her background in neuroscience revealed why traditional education often works against natural learning patterns, and what parents can do about it.Learn:- Why handwriting activates different brain regions than typing and its impact on learning- How exposure to complex language like Shakespeare shapes young minds- The neuroscience behind why some "outdated" skills still matter for brain development- When to push through resistance and when to change approach with struggling learners- The balance between structure and freedom in educational environments- Why ages 8-12 are crucial for developing learning patternsTimestamps:(02:30) - From Tenured Professor to Homeschool Mom(06:01) - The COVID Wake-Up Call: When Everything Changed(14:34) - Creating Love of Learning vs. Forced Curriculum(27:35) - The Surprising Brain Science of Handwriting(32:14) - Why Shakespeare Works for 8-Year-Olds(39:29) - Rethinking Math: Brain Training vs. Practical Skills(44:05) - The Environment's Impact on Learning Motivation(50:37) - Finding the Balance Between Structure and FreedomFollow Claire:- Twitter/X: [@HippyMomPhD](https://x.com/HippyMomPhD)- Website: [clarified.life](https://clarified.life/)Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.

Education innovator Dalena Wallace joins us to discuss the dramatic shift toward microschools and hybrid learning models. As founder of Wichita Innovative Schools and Educators (WISE) and president of AIM Educational Collaborative, Dalena shares insights from her journey building educational communities in Kansas.We explore the emerging trends in personalized education, from repurposing spaces to building flexible learning models, and examine the data behind the 220% surge in microschool interest.00:00 Introduction: Trends in Education Choices00:28 Meet Dalena Wallace: The Maven of Micro Schools00:57 Dalena's Personal Journey and Homeschooling Experience04:03 The Impact of Personal Loss on Family Planning07:29 Discovering Homeschooling and Building a Community08:45 From Homeschooling to Micro Schools11:22 The Rise of Micro Schools and Innovative Education Models17:59 Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Education34:25 Advice for Aspiring Education Entrepreneurs36:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

"I've lost patience for boring learning environments for my own children and for kids in general. I've just seen too much at this point - I've seen ways that captivate 17 and 18-year-olds, and I'm just not willing to put up with stuff that I know is going to bore them."– Tyler Thigpen, Founder of The Forest SchoolWhen Tyler Thigpen saw his students help design their own school building (literally), he knew there was a better way to educate children than the traditional system. Tyler reveals why the industrial education model is creating generations of dependent learners – and how parents can take back control of their children's education.00:00 Introduction to the Traditional School Model00:35 Welcome to the OpenHead Podcast00:41 Guest Introduction: Tyler Thigpen01:27 Straddling the Worlds of Traditional and Alternative Education02:17 The Value of Social Institutions03:26 Challenges in Traditional Education04:01 The Importance of Enjoyable Learning04:30 Historical Perspectives on Education05:24 Personal Experiences in Education06:33 Designing Humane Schools06:52 The Role of Ethics and Morality in Education08:41 Self-Directed Learning: A Historical Context09:02 Character and Morals in Modern Education14:09 The Shift Towards Alternative Education Models15:45 Combating the Epidemic of Dependent Learners17:15 The Importance of Self-Directed Learning19:15 Parental Roles in Encouraging Independence20:52 Addressing Common Objections to Alternative Education21:20 Personal Reflections on Traditional Education24:08 The Importance of Emotional Health in Education24:45 Adapting Education to Modern Needs26:07 Dealing with Uncertainty in Education28:35 Real-World Challenges in Learning33:52 Student-Designed School Building37:29 The Impact of Built Environments on Learning42:01 Encouragement for Parents