Future of Education Podcast

Discover the fascinating world of alternative education as the hosts delve into innovative models like Waldorf and Montessori. They discuss how homeschooling is on the rise, driven by parents seeking personalized learning experiences. The focus shifts to the revolutionary 2hr Learning model, offering a unique approach to education that prioritizes efficiency and individual interests. Explore the challenges and triumphs faced by homeschooling families and the emerging trend of unschooling, where students lead their own learning journeys.

The discussion kicks off with the rise of microschooling and its innovative models like Montessori and Waldorf. Parents are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional education, especially post-pandemic. The hosts delve into the personalized learning benefits of microschools, emphasizing their small class sizes and flexible curriculums. They also talk about empowering parents to create their own microschools and highlight a successful case study. Finally, the challenges of standardized testing and its failure to meet individual student needs are critically examined.

In this episode of Future of Education, MacKenzie sits down with Ashley Barnes, a mental health advocate and TikTok creator with over 2.6 million followers. Ashley shares her journey of overcoming bullying and mental health struggles, and how her dad has always been her greatest supporter. She discusses how her school experience shaped her perspective on mental health and how she strives to be a safe space for other girls online. Ashley encourages her audience to keep going, even when faced with challenges like depression and anxiety, and creates a supportive community for young girls to feel heard and understood.

In this episode of Future of Education, MacKenzie sits down with Noah Boat, co-creator of loveliveserve, a YouTube channel with over 8 million subscribers. He shares how his parents' open-minded support helped him turn his creative ideas into a career. Despite working traditional jobs, they gave him the freedom to experiment and grow. Noah shares how that foundation shaped his success, the journey from filming videos as a kid to amassing millions of subscribers, and how his school experience shaped his journey.

Sofie Dossi’s journey to fame was anything but traditional. Homeschooled from a young age, she had the freedom to pursue her passion for contortion—an unconventional path that led her to viral success. In this episode, we dive into how her parents fully supported her unique talent, how homeschooling shaped her career, and what it takes to turn an unexpected skill into a thriving business. From “America’s Got Talent” to building a massive online following, Sofie shares the story behind her rise and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

In Part 2 of our conversation, MacKenzie sits down with her daughter, Sloane, to dive into the business side of influencing. Sloane is a student at Alpha High School, entrepreneur, and TikTok creator with nearly 2 million followers. Sloane shares how she turned her platform into a business, why she believes teenage girl influencers are outpacing tech bros, and her mission to help other young creators do the same.

In this episode of Future of Education, MacKenzie sits down with her daughter, Sloane—a high school student, entrepreneur, and TikTok creator with nearly 2 million followers. Sloane shares her journey through different educational environments, from spending most of her life at Alpha to a brief stint in public school. We discuss the key differences between traditional school and Alpha’s unique approach, how her peers reacted to her TikTok success, and what it takes to juggle school, business, and social media. 

In this episode, we sit down with Jorge 'Horchata' Soto, a renowned YouTuber with over 3 million subscribers. Jorge shares his educational journey—from his school experiences and decision to leave college, to working at Walmart, and ultimately building a successful YouTube channel focused on school-related content. Join us for an inspiring conversation about unconventional paths, creativity, and the evolving role of education in today's world.

Welcome back to Part 2 of our discussion on kids' mental health with Natalia Rodriguez, founder of CREATE Kids Edu. CREATE is a charity that develops materials designed to strengthen the body-brain connection through somatics and memory techniques. Tune in as we explore how these innovative approaches can support children's well-being and learning.

Natalia Rodriguez, founder of CREATE Kids Edu, focuses on enhancing children's mental health through body education. She dives into how emotions manifest in physical symptoms and shares tools for stress management. The conversation highlights innovative approaches like combining physical activity with emotional regulation. Additionally, they discuss the impact of technology on mental health and the importance of gentle parenting. Rodriguez emphasizes personalized strategies over medication for behavioral issues, advocating for emotional connections in education.