David shares his wisdom today about what happens when you feel inspired from the depths of your soul to create change and be the best version of yourself. He asks you to clarify the change you want to create, and see where fear is holding you back. David shares that when you are following your soul’s calling, it is typically those that are closest to you that project their fears onto you and unintentionally ask you to play small.

David recommends that you use these opportunities to learn and grow. Their fears are a reflection of the fears within you. Use this as fuel to drive yourself toward the change you want to see and to comfort the part of you that is worried and nervous.

David finalizes the episode by asking you to embrace the truth that you know within yourself and follow your heart.

David has a great conversation with Elana Feinberg. They discuss the current trends in education, what Elana is seeing in schools that she thinks more people should be doing, and reforming the inside or outside of the system. You will hear great advice from Elana about problems with implementation and some of the unique ways that great schools across the country are creating innovative change for all types of different kinds of learners.

Elana has almost 25 years of experience in education, social enterprise, and technology. She has worked with district and charter schools, educational technology companies, and other social enterprise and educational organizations. Elana has designed and launched (or expanded) 10+ schools and coached 30+ teachers, school leaders, and entrepreneurs through her work for New Schools for New Orleans, Catalyst: Ed, Camelback Ventures, Leading Educators, Next Generation Learning Challenges (Mass IDEAS), Boston Schools Fund, Walton Family Foundation, and the Center for Women in Entrepreneurship. She works from an anti-racist and feminist lens, mostly supporting women and people of color who are working to innovate and disrupt. When project managing and leading launches or supporting leaders, she is involved in every aspect of the work, including design, operations, talent and hiring, governance, and programs. She has also designed and facilitated workshops on entrepreneurship and consulting for Catalyst:Ed, Camelback Ventures, and the Center for Women in Entrepreneurship, and created the Core Consulting Competencies program, detailing the information and strategies that new consultants and entrepreneurs need to know to be successful. Finally, Elana has built a nationwide network upon which she often calls upon for support, resources, input or connections.

You can learn more about Elana here:

@elanafeinberg Twitter/X

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elana-feinberg/

www.elanafeinberg.com

One Stone, co-founded by Teresa Poppen, revolutionizes education by empowering students to take charge of their learning journey. Initially focusing on experiential service, One Stone evolved into Lab 51, a student-driven school fostering real-world impact and self-discovery.

At One Stone, students drive the organization's direction, with student-majority boards ensuring their voices shape its activities. Service projects, like Project Good, instill leadership and empathy, while the Hatch Studio offers entrepreneurial opportunities, nurturing risk-taking and innovation.

Lab 51 operates on a competency-based model, emphasizing mindset growth and skill development aligned with students' passions. A college-like environment lets students craft schedules around their interests, engaging in design labs, community reads, and the Living in Beta program, fostering identity exploration.

One Stone's approach challenges parental involvement, urging them to embrace student-driven learning alongside their children. Extracurricular activities, integrated seamlessly, extend learning beyond traditional bounds, aligning with students' interests.

The organization shares its innovative practices through Idea 51 and professional development series, assisting other schools in adopting student-centric approaches. Challenges, like funding and resistance to change, are overcome by a steadfast commitment to core values, notably trust in students.

Understanding the "why" behind educational initiatives is paramount, with One Stone's website providing insights into its programs. Visitors are encouraged to witness firsthand the transformative power of student-driven education.

In summary, One Stone's dedication to empowering students and sharing its innovations epitomizes a new paradigm in education. By prioritizing student agency, fostering real-world impact, and staying true to core values, One Stone is redefining education and inspiring change in institutions worldwide.

You can learn more about One Stone below:

Website:

onestone.org

Facebook:

facebook.com/onestoneidaho

Instagram:

instagram.com/onestoneidaho

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-stone-idaho/

In this solo episode, David shares his own experiences with letting life show him the way. He talks about various experiences from his own life where he was in resistance to something that he knew to be true.

Throughout the episode, David talks about ways you can be aware of the truth and take one step at a time to move toward it.

This simple concept of listening to the truth that life is showing you day by day, can ultimately change your life. David shares the way it has changed his life.

Are you curious about finding magic in the Middle School experience? If so, join David and Chris as they discuss all the ups and downs, ins and outs, challenges and most importantly, the opportunities for parents and educators with these middle years!

In this engaging episode, David delves into a thought-provoking conversation with Chris Balme, an esteemed education expert and the author of "Finding the Magic in Middle School." The dialogue unfolds with Chris sharing his personal journey as a once introverted and perplexed middle schooler, an experience that ignited his mission to understand and transform the middle school landscape.

Drawing from neuroscience, Chris emphasizes the crucial developmental stages of early adolescence. He sheds light on the inadequacies of traditional middle schools, structured on a factory model that often contradicts the evolving needs of middle schoolers. Chris advocates for schools to prioritize adolescents' core drives: self-discovery, social connection, and contribution, asserting the need for an educational paradigm shift.

Chris's transformative vision materialized with the co-founding of Millennium School in San Francisco. This innovative school is designed to foster a supportive environment where belonging, connection, and contribution take center stage. Chris underscores the importance of small school sizes, intentional advisory programs, and project-based learning in crafting an educational experience that transcends the norm.

The conversation explores Chris's initiative in depth, shedding light on the challenges faced by middle school boys. He calls for a paradigm shift in the narrative surrounding middle school experiences, challenging the perception that it is an inherently challenging and traumatic phase. Instead, Chris encourages parents and educators to recognize the inherent magic in this crucial developmental period.

Notably, the discussion touches on Chris's two-fold approach for parents in traditional schools. Firstly, he suggests parents embrace a personal reinvention during their child's adolescence, fostering open communication about the challenges and joys of this transformative phase. Secondly, he advocates for creating alternative spaces for students to exert control outside the constraints of traditional schooling. Activities such as apprenticeships, volunteering, or part-time jobs can provide a balance and contribute to a more holistic developmental experience.

A significant aspect of the conversation revolves around the importance of an intentional advisory program. Drawing from his experience, Chris introduces Argonaut, his online program designed for middle schoolers globally. The program facilitates meaningful discussions on topics like personality, emotions, and relationships, providing a valuable platform for adolescents to navigate this pivotal phase.

Throughout the episode, Chris encourages parents to embrace the quirkiness of adolescence, fostering a positive perspective that recognizes the magic inherent in this developmental period.

The episode concludes with a call to redefine the middle school narrative, offering practical advice and a fresh outlook for parents and educators seeking to create a more positive and transformative experience for adolescents.

David shares a simple message in today’s episode.

After doing a short guided practice, David asks us to let love guide the way. He shares his own personal journey of believing that talking about love was “soft”, and how he now believes the opposite. You can hear more about how he debunks that myth.

David also talks about how it all starts with loving yourself.

Take the moments in your day to notice when you are being harsh with yourself and requalify those thoughts and that habit.

And, finally, he asks that you spread love throughout your day as you encounter the various people you see in your life.

Give it a try and see what happens!

Stay tuned for an announcement about David’s latest program and some new structures for the podcast!

Amar Kumar, founder and CEO of Chipotle Learning, shared insights on the transformative potential of micro schools in a conversation with David. Having worked in online education, Kumar recognized the limitations of solitary online learning, acknowledging the importance of social interaction and support in education. This realization led to the creation of Kai Pod, a hybrid model combining online schooling with in-person learning hubs.

The essence of micro schools lies in providing personalized attention and tailored curricula. Kumar envisions a future where passionate subject experts create engaging online courses, accessible to students across a region. Meanwhile, on-site learning coaches facilitate individualized support, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

Reflecting on the challenges of traditional education, Kumar emphasizes the need to break the mold. Micro schools, with their small class sizes and community-oriented approach, offer a solution to the impersonal nature of larger educational institutions. Kumar envisions this model as the future of education, emphasizing the importance of building strong connections between educators and students for a more effective and fulfilling learning experience.

The conversation explores the concept of micro-schooling, specifically within the context of KaiPod Learning and its Catalyst program. The speaker discusses the challenges of traditional education systems and the need for more personalized, community-oriented approaches. They emphasize the importance of relationships, coaching, community, and childcare in education.

The speaker shares personal experiences, including a story about a retired physician's judgment of educators, highlighting the crowd control aspect in large classrooms. They reflect on the limitations of traditional education, citing issues with content delivery, coaching, community building, and childcare.

The conversation delves into the idea of micro-schools, defined as small learning environments. The speaker describes KaiPod as a supplement to existing online or homeschooling options, providing a community for social, emotional, and coaching needs. They discuss the diversity of micro-schools, with different models tailored to specific passions, needs, and community contexts.

The Catalyst program is introduced as an initiative to empower educators who are considering leaving traditional classrooms. It aims to help them define their vision for education, navigate the process of starting a school, and align their passion with community needs. The speaker emphasizes the importance of educators' autonomy in shaping their micro-schools.

The conversation touches on different educational models like Acton and Primer, highlighting the distinction between KaiPod's approach and those that prescribe a specific model. The speaker underscores their belief in preserving educators' points of view and empowering them as the decision-makers.

In closing, the speaker encourages both parents and educators to consider micro-schooling as an alternative, addressing the potential concerns and misconceptions. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the challenges of traditional education, the philosophy behind micro-schooling, and the support KaiPod Learning offers through its Catalyst program.

You can learn more about Amar and below:

Website: https:/www.kaipodlearning.com

Social: X: @KaiPodCo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaiPodCo

You can learn more about David here: https://www.davidkrichards.com/

David shares a simple message in today’s episode.

Give yourself permission to be playful and childlike - not childish but be free and have fun like a child. Laugh a little. Don’t take everything so seriously.

He asks you just to try it and see how your day goes!

Stay tuned for an announcement about David’s latest program and some new structures for the podcast!