LiberatED Podcast

Danielle Strachman is the cofounder and general partner of the 1517 Fund, an early-stage venture capital fund and community supporting college dropouts and tech-focused scientists working on entrepreneurial solutions to big problems. Danielle has worked with young entrepreneurs for over a decade, including during the founding in 2010 of the Thiel Fellowship, a program started by entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel to provide funding to ambitious young people who opted out of college in favor of entrepreneurial ventures.  Prior to that, Danielle was an education entrepreneur! She founded and directed Innovations Academy in San Diego, a K-8 charter school serving 400 students, with a focus on student-led, project based learning and other alternative programs. Read more about 1517 at Substack. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.    

Kristy Moody, cofounder of Acton Academy Palm Harbor, discusses her transformation from public school teacher to innovator in learner-driven education. She shares the challenges she faced launching her school and the importance of community engagement. The conversation highlights the significance of personalized education, including practical literacy strategies, and the impact of Florida's universal school choice funding. Additionally, Kristy reveals inspiring stories of student transformations and offers advice for aspiring educational founders.

Nicole Stewart is the founder and president of the National Association of Black Microschool Leaders, as well as the founder of Legacy Prep Collegiate Microschool which opened this fall in Lakeland, Florida. A public school teacher for 18 years, Nicole is finding deep fulfillment in education entrepreneurship, with plans to open more Legacy Prep microschools while helping other founders get their schools off the ground. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.  

Nance Confer is the founder and director of Florida Unschoolers. Launched in 2001, Florida Unschoolers is a tuition-free, private "umbrella" school for nearly 14,000 Florida unschoolers and homeschoolers. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Happy Thanksgiving! *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Kidvation Global is a nonprofit focused on administering programs that connect young people worldwide to create innovative, entrepreneurial solutions for present-day issues. Founded in 2022 by Harold Lee and Brent Wheelbarger, Kidvation has worked with over 2,500 students, including microschoolers and others learning in unconventional educational environments. Read more about Kidvation in this recent FEE.org article. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Jaclyn Gallo is the founder of Roots Academy in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, a K-5 microschool that she grew from 6 kids in 2020 to 36 kids this academic year. Roots Academy is a recognized private school staffed by certified teachers that emphasizes place-based, child-led learning. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Johan Norberg, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and prolific author, shares his insights on capitalism and human flourishing. He highlights the critical role of free market systems in alleviating poverty and fostering innovation. Norberg challenges misconceptions about capitalism and argues that economic growth is essential for addressing global issues like inequality and environmental challenges. He also discusses historical golden ages, emphasizing that openness to new ideas fuels societal success, while fear leads to decline. His new book, The Capitalist Manifesto, is eagerly anticipated.

Jennifer Wolverton is the founder and Executive Director of the Microcollective for AI, Robotics, and the Sciences (known as MARS), a nonprofit dedicated to reshaping education through cutting-edge STEM and creative arts. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, MARS is a hybrid homeschooling program that empowers students with hands-on, project-based learning experiences in technology, engineering, and science. Jennifer also runs Log Cabin Schoolhouse, where her flagship curriculum, the AI Writers Guild, teaches students to harness artificial intelligence in novel writing, blending language arts with advanced tech skills. A passionate advocate for education reform, Jennifer actively engages in policy work to expand access to innovative, tech-forward education for all students in Alabama. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.

Andreas Marinopoulos, co-founder of Brilliant Microschools, discusses revolutionizing education for neurodiverse learners. He outlines the transition from a tutoring service to accredited microschools and the unique structure that fosters social-emotional learning in small classes. The conversation highlights how the pandemic reshaped enrollment strategies and the emergence of flexible commitment models. Marinopoulos also shares insights for education entrepreneurs on building adaptable and innovative educational ecosystems.