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
Aug 9, 2024 • 37min
Youth entrepreneurship & empowerment with Nasiyah Isra-Ul
Nasiyah Isra-Ul is a young entrepreneur and innovator who has joined our team as the new LiberatED Education Associate, in partnership with Stand Together's Koch Associate Program. Nasiyah launched her own education business as a teen, for which she has won many awards and accolades. She is passionate about youth entrepreneurship, student agency, and education innovation and choice. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
5 snips
Aug 6, 2024 • 37min
The future of learning with Outschool.com founder Amir Nathoo
Founded by Amir Nathoo in 2015, Outschool.com offers live, video-enabled online classes for young people ages 3 to 18. Learners can select content ranging from typical academic subjects and tutoring services, to more adventurous classes such as pet-trick training, forensic science, engineering with Minecraft, and wilderness survival skills. Instructors create their own courses based on their own interests and expertise, and set their own prices. Many choose to teach on Outschool.com to share their knowledge and passions within a creative and flexible learning environment. I first interviewed Amir back in 2019 for an article at Forbes and I am so honored to speak with him again today as he shares his founder story and tell us more about Outschool.com's past, present, and future. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Aug 2, 2024 • 30min
Shante Lane Tamerat on creating a Reggio-inspired microschool in Maryland
Shante Lane Tamerat, co-founder of Discovery Lane, a Reggio Emilia-inspired microschool in Maryland, shares her 15-year journey in education. She discusses the need for inclusive spaces for special needs and neurodiverse students, focusing on child-centered learning. Shante details the challenges of adapting education post-pandemic, including zoning laws and community support. She emphasizes the shift toward learner-centered models and the vital role of autonomy in children's learning while balancing familial ties and professionalism in running a microschool.
Jul 30, 2024 • 31min
In Nebraska, demand is high for this former public school teacher’s new microschool
Today's guest is Hannah Holguin, founder of Masterpiece Academy located just outside of Omaha, Nebraska. Hannah was a public school teacher for nearly a decade, mostly teaching mathematics. She has also worked as an adjunct professor with a local community college, and founded Masterpiece Academy in August of 2022 as a K-12 microschool for homeschoolers with both full-time and part-time enrollment options. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Jul 26, 2024 • 31min
Why a college professor helped to launch a self-directed school in Philadelphia
Today's guest is David O'Connor, a college lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania for many years and a longtime theatre director and designer. David is a cofounder of Philly ALC, a self-directed school in Philadelphia that also has part-time programs for homeschoolers. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Jul 23, 2024 • 30min
A California Classical Christian Homeschool Collaborative Sees Enrollment Climb
Ally Adair-Chung is the founder of Beachcities Classical, a Classical Christian homeschooling collaborative based in Huntington Beach, CA. It launched in the fall of 2021 and today serves about 250 students. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Jul 19, 2024 • 47min
Why two longtime public school teachers launched a Missouri microschool
Jill Brown and Susan Deakins are both longtime public school teachers who quit their jobs and, in 2021, launched the Columbia Academy for Learning and Enrichment (CALE), a JK-12 microschool in Columbia, Missouri that has experienced remarkable growth. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Jul 16, 2024 • 44min
Professor Andreas Widmer on Principled Entrepreneurship
Andreas Widmer is an Associate Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship at The Catholic University of America, and author of The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship. He shares insights from his tumultuous education journey impacted by ADHD and dyslexia, emphasizing the importance of practical experience for aspiring entrepreneurs. The discussion highlights the surge of entrepreneurship among women and marginalized communities post-2020. Widmer also advocates for embracing business failure as a growth opportunity and explores innovative educational models that prioritize personalized learning.
Jul 12, 2024 • 55min
A Montana microschool with booming enrollment: Former public school teacher Lindsey Vose on launching Wild Wonders
Lindsey Vose is a former public school teacher who launched Wild Wonders out of her garage in Belgrade, Montana in 2022. She opened with four students, including her two children. Today, Wild Wonders is located on a five-acre farmstead property near Vose’s home. It has 22 K-6 students who attend the mixed-age, drop-off program Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. She has 35 students registered for fall and says she can’t keep up with demand. She also plans to open a middle school program soon. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
Jul 9, 2024 • 40min
An eco-conscious Montessori microschool in South Florida: Why founder Priscilla Yuill opened Casa Ranch Montessori
Priscilla Yuill is the founder and educational director of Casa Ranch Montessori , an eco-conscious Montessori homeschool cooperative program that is educating for sustainability and cultivating environmentally-conscious global citizens. Priscilla has been a passionate Montessori educator for more than 10 years, with early childhood and elementary Montessori credentials and a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction. During Covid, Priscilla began homeschooling her two young boys and that started her on her path toward education entrepreneurship. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
