LiberatED Podcast
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 fee.org/liberated.
Latest episodes
Feb 22, 2022 • 40min
Oh, Canada: A Canadian unschooling mom and entrepreneur on protests and parenting
It’s been a tragic few days in Ottawa, Canada as the Canadian government used rare emergency powers to round up and arrest peaceful protesters and freeze their bank accounts. It’s hard to believe this is happening in North America, and in peace-loving Canada no less. My guest today is Patti Tinholt, a Canadian mother of 5 children and a successful wellness entrepreneur who is deeply saddened by the recent events in her beloved country. She talks about what she has witnessed, what we should say to our children about this current moment, and what she thinks the future holds. Will freedom prevail over force? You won't want to miss my conversation with Patti of Joy, Health, Freedom.
Feb 15, 2022 • 35min
Should you move? A homeschooling family leaves California
According to new data released from the US Census Bureau on Dec 21st, California led the nation in the most population loss in 2021, after years of increase. The other top two states for population loss last year were Illinois and New York. In contrast, Florida and Texas topped the Census list of states with population gains between 2020 and 2021. States' varied responses to the coronavirus have likely influenced this population shift. People are moving from states like California, Illinois, and New York which had, and continue to have, some the most restrictive coronavirus policies, and are heading to freer and more open states. Bretigne Shaffer is one of the many people who has left California for more freedom and opportunity elsewhere. She talks about her family's decision, and what she thinks of her new home, in this episode. Follow Bretigne at Bretigne.com Learn more about the Freogan Fellowship at Freoganfellowship.org Listen to Bretigne's podcast, What Then Must We Do? Read the FEE article, “I Was Fired From My Teaching Job for Refusing to Get Vaccinated. Here’s How I Prepared,” by Joshua Mawhorter Read the FEE article, "New York, California, and Illinois Saw Historic Population Drops in 2021," by Peter Jacobsen.
Feb 7, 2022 • 43min
Breathing Deeply: Teacher Launches Mask-Free Learning Center
The coronavirus response over the past two years has transformed education, putting parents back in the driver’s seat and inspiring education entrepreneurs to create new K-12 learning models. Jill Perez is one of these educators. A longtime teacher and mom of 4, Jill is the founder of Tranquil Teachings Learning Center in Monmouth County, New Jersey that is meeting mounting parent demand for freer and more flexible education options. Join the discussion at the LiberatED Podcast Community Facebook group! Connect with Kerry at fee.org/kerry.
