LiberatED Podcast
Kerry McDonald
The LiberatED Podcast tells the stories of the entrepreneurial parents and teachers who are creating innovative K-12 learning options across the US and expanding education options for families.
This twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. A regular contributor at Forbes.com and The 74, Kerry is the bestselling author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), and the author of the forthcoming book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling (Hachette, 2025). She has a BA in economics from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University. A mom of four, Kerry lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter at edentrepreneur.org.
This twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. A regular contributor at Forbes.com and The 74, Kerry is the bestselling author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), and the author of the forthcoming book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling (Hachette, 2025). She has a BA in economics from Bowdoin College and a master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University. A mom of four, Kerry lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter at edentrepreneur.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 18, 2024 • 53min
A Sudbury Valley School Staff Member Reflects on 35+ Years at the Flagship Sudbury-Model School
Mikel Matisoo, a seasoned educator at Sudbury Valley School since 1988, shares his journey from aspiring horticulturist to educator. He discusses the profound impact of self-directed learning on students and the unique philosophy of the school that champions autonomy. Mikel reflects on how the school evolved, the benefits experienced by multiple generations of his family, and the challenges faced during the transition to alternative education. Plus, he reveals insights on empowering students and the school's flexible enrollment policy.
Oct 15, 2024 • 38min
Leading one microschool while activating others, with Microschool Solutions founder Rachelle Noble
Rachelle Noble, founder of Microschool Solutions and Noble Microschools, shares her journey from charter school teacher to microschool innovator. She discusses the rise of microschools and their potential to personalize education. Rachelle emphasizes the need for nurturing learning environments, especially for marginalized communities, and explores how educational accessibility can empower students. She highlights the challenges founder face, like recruitment and funding, while advocating for the transformative power of alternative educational models.
Oct 11, 2024 • 40min
With 100K+ families, Secular, Eclectic, Academic (SEA) Homeschoolers sees steady growth
Blair Lee, founder of Secular, Eclectic, Academic (SEA) Homeschoolers, shares insights from her journey with a rapidly growing online community supporting 100,000 families. She discusses the evolution of homeschooling, especially post-COVID-19, and the unique challenges faced by secular homeschoolers, including those with neurodivergent children. Blair emphasizes the importance of community support, collaboration, and sustainable business models to foster inclusivity and engagement. Her advice offers valuable guidance for parents considering homeschooling.
Oct 8, 2024 • 36min
Successful homeschooling outcomes, with founder Kymberly Kent
Kymberly Kent is the cofounder and director of eXtend Homeschool Tutorial in Maryland, a faith-based homeschool program offering a la carte classes in core academic subjects for roughly 100 elementary, middle school, and high school homeschooled students. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Oct 4, 2024 • 40min
A microschool aims to make a “colossal” impact by scaling
Shireen Rattigan, founder of Colossal Academy, discusses her journey from public and Montessori school teacher to innovator in education. She shares how she transformed a pandemic pod into a thriving microschool network, focusing on personalized learning and community building. Shireen explores the benefits of franchising microschools and launching Colossal Online, emphasizing project-based learning and real-world applications. She also highlights the importance of accessibility in education, aiming to empower families with diverse options for their children’s learning.
Oct 1, 2024 • 43min
Creating a forest school for middle schoolers
Jaime Peterson and Rebecca Westbrook Toker, co-founders of Reconnect Nature School in Chattanooga, advocate for nature-based learning for middle schoolers. They share their journey in creating educational alternatives, emphasizing the need for outdoor environments, especially for neurodiverse learners. The discussion touches on the emotional challenges of transitioning schools and the exciting yet daunting path of entrepreneurship. They envision expanding their programs into high school while promoting community support and personalizing education for all.
Sep 27, 2024 • 44min
How one mom created a new microschool for neurodiverse kids
Danielle McLean, co-founder and executive director of Keystone Education Center, shares her inspiring journey creating a microschool for neurodiverse children in Vero Beach, Florida. She discusses the unique educational challenges faced by her autistic twin boys and other students. The conversation highlights the hurdles of starting a new school, from navigating local regulations to crafting personalized curricula. Danielle emphasizes the significance of community support and innovative financial models that enhance educational opportunities for families in need.
Sep 24, 2024 • 48min
Can microschooling make you healthier? These two teachers think so
At Skola Microschool near Minneapolis, students and teachers spend much of their day outside, leading to happier, healthier experiences for all. Founded in 2022 by Kristin Fink, Skola has reached capacity with 25 K-8 students. Rather than expand, Kristin and her lead teacher, Ginger Montezon, are supporting other entrepreneurial teachers throughout Minnesota who want to launch similar programs in their communities. The Rise of Education Entrepreneurs in Minnesota (Forbes.com) *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Sep 20, 2024 • 36min
Indiana’s Massive Microschool Growth
Jill Haskins is a homeschooling mom in Fort Wayne, Indiana and former microschool teacher who now works closely with the National Microschooling Center as an ecosystem builder within Indiana and across the U.S. Jill currently works with 80 microschools across Indiana—30 of which launched this fall. She expects to see more than 150 microschools in the state in 2025. Jill estimates that 85% of the students currently in a microschool in Indiana are attending tuition-free or nearly so using one of Indiana's school choice programs. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Sep 17, 2024 • 42min
Why A Former Investment Banker Decided to Become An Acton Academy School Founder
Marisa Palmer is the cofounder, along with her husband Brandon, of Acton Academy Madison West in Madison, Wisconsin. A former investment banker and hedge fund analyst in New York City, Marisa launched her microschool in January 2023 with four students as part of the global Acton Academy network of learner-driven schools. Today, she has 15 students enrolled in her school, including her 8-year-old son, and expects to grow significantly over the next three years. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
