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
Jun 20, 2025 • 33min
From physician to founder, with Barbara Jauregui Wurst of Acton Academy Falls Church
Today's guest is Barbara Jauregui Wurst, a medical doctor and adjunct professor at George Washington University who cofounded Acton Academy Falls Church in Northern Virginia in 2021. Read Courage To Grow by Acton Academy cofounder, Laura Sandefer. Check out this new article at our Education Entrepreneurship Lab by a recent graduate of an Acton Academy in Kansas. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.
Jun 17, 2025 • 24min
Pre-launch plans: A former special education teacher prepares to open a new school
Today's guest is Cassandra Orozco, the founder of Beacon of Hope Academy, a faith-based microschool serving K–5th grade students with special needs in Lake Worth, Florida, set to open this fall. As a certified special education teacher with experience in both charter and private schools, Cassandra is passionate about reimagining education to better serve neurodiverse learners. Through Beacon of Hope Academy, she’s creating a nurturing, individualized environment where every child is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.
Jun 13, 2025 • 44min
Alexandra Batista Rodriguez on creating a microschool for students with special needs
Today’s guest is Alexandra Batista Rodriguez, founder and director of Steps Learning Center in Orlando, Florida, a specialized K-8 microschool for neurodiverse learners with moderate to significant special needs. Steps Learning Center takes a nontraditional, student-centered approach to learning, and serves a variety of families through various flexible programs, including full-time and part-time microschool enrollment options, tutoring services, and curriculum support for homebound students—all financially accessible to students through the state's school-choice programs. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.
Jun 10, 2025 • 37min
Why a former public school teacher launched an Ohio Acton Academy
Today’s guest is Sara James, a former public school teacher who founded Spark Christian Academy, an Acton Academy affiliate in Harrison, Ohio, near Cincinnati, in 2022. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.
Jun 6, 2025 • 38min
An Apogee Network Micro-High School Takes Root in Texas
Today’s guest is Sarah Pevehouse, founder of Apogee Dripping Springs Micro High School in Dripping Springs, Texas, west of Austin, which she launched in 2024. With a background in Waldorf and alternative education, Sarah has served as a teacher, administrator, and enrollment director, shaping real-world learning experiences for students. She has taught in overseas military schools, led summer camps, and held leadership roles in private K-8 and preschool programs. Sarah is a mom of two daughters, ages 13 and 15, and is an active member of both the Apogee Strong network of education centers, as well as the KaiPod Catalyst microschool accelerator program. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.
Jun 3, 2025 • 43min
Why more families of color are choosing homeschooling, with Homeschool Our Way founder, Elan Page
Today's guest is Elan Page, the founder of Homeschool Our Way based in Dallas, Texas. She created Homeschool Our Way in 2023 to help other families of color avoid the overwhelm she had experienced in starting something new. Homeschool Our Way offers a weekly podcast, an online course called the Homeschool Launch Blueprint, homeschool coaching services, and other resources to empower families of color to educate their children with confidence and clarity. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly e-newsletter on education entrepreneurship and innovation at edentrepreneur.org.
May 30, 2025 • 41min
A longtime Florida hybrid homeschool founder reflects on today’s innovative education movement
Ali Kaufman, an education entrepreneur and founder of Space of Mind, shares her journey in creating a thriving hybrid homeschool program in Florida. She explores how clutter affects learning, especially for children with ADHD or autism. Kaufman also discusses the evolution of personalized homeschooling and the collaborative environment she aims to foster. She highlights the challenges of managing a hybrid model while balancing passion with practical entrepreneurship. Listeners can engage with her innovative education approach and learn more about adaptive learning strategies.
May 27, 2025 • 40min
Public microschooling gains popularity and support
In this conversation with George Philhower, the Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Public Schools, we explore the exciting rise of public microschooling in Indiana. Philhower leads the Indiana Microschool Collaborative, aiming to integrate innovative schooling options into public education. He discusses the pandemic's role in accelerating this movement, the joy of personalized learning, and the importance of community collaboration. Discover how educational leaders can inspire change and create more enriching experiences for students in rural areas.
May 23, 2025 • 41min
A former public school teacher launches a new Mississippi microschool
Nefertiti Harris, a former public school teacher and mom of five, is the innovative founder of Empowered Prep Academy, a microschool in Jackson, Mississippi, dedicated to supporting dyslexic students. She shares her inspiring journey transitioning from traditional education to creating a flexible, individualized learning environment. Nefertiti discusses the challenges faced by students with unique learning needs within the public school system and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in fostering innovative educational models. Her passion for making education accessible shines through!
May 20, 2025 • 38min
Encouraging new educational models in New Hampshire
In this engaging discussion, Jody Underwood, founder and president of EdOpt, sheds light on innovative educational models emerging in New Hampshire. With a Ph.D. in science and technology education, she shares her journey in transforming learning through microschools and community initiatives. Jody explores parental motivations driving the shift toward homeschooling and the challenges posed by standardized testing. She advocates for empowering families to make informed education choices and highlights the importance of entrepreneurial support in creating personalized learning experiences.
