LiberatED Podcast

How the Yass Prize Powers Permissionless Education

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kerry McDonald talks with Caroline Allen, Chief Program Officer at the Center for Education Reform and Founding Director of the Yass ...

In North Dakota, a small school makes a big impact

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry McDonald talks with Kelsy Achtenberg, founding teacher and Executive Director of The Innovation School, a private K-8 school in Bismarck, North...

What 23,000 Parents Are Telling Us About School Choice

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry McDonald speaks with Marc Porter Magee, CEO and founder of 50CAN, about the organization's nationwide efforts to expand education choice and emp...

A Conversation with Prenda Microschool "Superguides"

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with Lexi Hanson and Kayla Phipps, two "superguides" at Prenda, a national microschooling network f...

Inclusive by Design: How Brainforest Academy Supports Neurodiverse Learners

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald speaks with Frish Waller, founder of Brainforest Academy, a Montessori microschool in Florida designed t...

From Public School Teacher to Founder of a Self-Directed Learning Center

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald speaks with Ken Troutwine, founder of Current Education Center, a secular, self-directed learning communi...

A Two-Day, Tuition-Free Microschool With Full-Time Impact

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with Marta MacBan, founder of Sonoran Learning Collective, a hybrid microschool in Cave Creek, Ariz...

Reinventing High School: Entrepreneurship & Personalized Learning in Utah

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Cory Henwood, innovation coordinator for Utah's Iron County School Distric...

From 18 Students to Over 100: Why One New Waldorf- and Montessori-Inspired School Is So Sought After

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with May Jewell, founder of Jewell School in Queen Creek, Arizona. Since launching in 2021 with jus...

From Basement Pod to Flourishing Hybrid Homeschool in Michigan

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with Rebecca Thomas, founder of Victory Alliance, a K–12 hybrid homeschool program in Traverse Ci...

The First Online Private School: 30+ Years at Laurel Springs School

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to build the first private online school in the United States—before most families even had internet access? In this episode of Li...

The Past, Present, and Future of Virtual Learning with Julie Young

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with virtual learning pioneer Julie Young, author of Virtual Schools, Actual Learning: Digital Edu...

Supply, Demand, and School Choice: Lessons from Ohio

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ohio has long been at the forefront of the school choice movement—and today tens of thousands of students participate in one of the state's five sch...

Agency, Affordability, and Hands-On Learning at The Village School

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it look like to build a school around student voice, joyful learning, and real affordability? In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald s...

Why More Black Families Are Choosing Homeschooling—and What Comes Next

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald speaks with Kalecia Simmons, founder of The Black Homeschools, about how one parent's search for support ...

Progress in Medicine: A New Kind of Summer Program for Teen Changemakers

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald is joined by Heike Larson, Vice President of Programs at the Roots of Progress Institute, and Dr. Laura M...

A New Orleans Microschool Success Story

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of LiberatED, host Kerry McDonald sits down with Emily Barnitz, founder of Zoe Learning House, a fast-growing hybrid homeschool progra...

Inside NuVu's Studio-Style High School

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if high school was designed more like a creative studio than a traditional classroom? In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald spotlights NuV...

A Primer on the Push for Educational Freedom, with Cato's Neal McCluskey

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald is joined by Neal McCluskey, Director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, and co...

How Two Moms Built a Homeschool Resource Hub for 80+ Families

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald is joined by Christina Stead and Hanna Lay, two homeschool mothers from St. George, Utah. Tog...

ENCORE: Whole Foods Co-Founder John Mackey on the Heroic Spirit of Business

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this reload of one of our most popular episodes, Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey shares his founder story, explaining why conscious capitalism l...

Designing A Life—and a School—Around Family, Farm, and Forest

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald speaks with Talon and Travis Holleman, co-founders of Roots Farm and Forest School in Delaware. What beg...

From Homeschooling to Microschooling: Bonnie Bradshaw on Building Royal Oak Academy

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Bonnie Bradshaw, a longtime homeschool mom and the founder of Royal Oak Academy, a...

From Fighter Pilot to Founder: How Ali Ghaffari Is Advancing Classical Catholic Education

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald interviews Ali Ghaffari, founder of Divine Mercy Academy, a K–8 classical Catholic s...

Starting A Church To Start A School: The Magnolia Schoolhouse Story

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald speaks with Tara Famularo-Del Bianco, a former attorney who spent nearly 15 years representing abus...

Building A Vermont Microschool: Susan Yao's Journey From Teacher to Founder

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Susan Yao, founder of Vermont Village School in Brattleboro, Vermont, about her inspirin...

Inside A Wildflower School: Imani Jackson on Opening Poinciana Montessori

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with educator-turned-entrepreneur Imani Jackson, founder of Poinciana Montessori in Philadelp...

Crossover Special: LiberatED & Teacher, Let Your Light Shine!

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special LiberatED and Teacher, Let Your Light Shine! crossover episode, Kerry McDonald and Makenzie Oliver share how teachers are transforming...

Cupola Academy: A Modern Model for Self-Directed, Secular Learning

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry McDonald speaks with Julia Bergson-Shilcock and Mike Hilbert, founders of Cupola Academy, a secular learning community in Pennsylvania serving h...

Helping Teens Thrive with Schooling Alternatives

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Hammon—former public school teacher, founder of Princeton Learning Cooperative, co-founder of Liberated Learners, and author of The Teacher Li...

From Speech Pathologist to School Founder: A New Jersey Mom's Hybrid Homeschool Journey

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After years as a speech pathologist in public schools, Lauren Capelli founded Sacred Haven Homeschool Collective, a Christian hybrid homeschool progra...

How a New Mexico Microschool Is Redefining High School

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry McDonald sits down with Kerry Baldwin, co-founder of Vita Nova Academy, a micro-high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico built on Socratic practic...

Flourish Schools Founder John Danner on Joyful, AI-Powered Learning

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

John Danner, co-founder and CEO of Flourish Schools, joins Kerry McDonald to discuss how his new Nashville-based microschool network is reimagining mi...

Hybrid Schools on the Rise: Insights from Professor Eric Wearne

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald is joined by Professor Eric Wearne, director of the National Hybrid Schools Project at Kennes...

How a Former Public School Teacher Founded Wisdom Warehouse Microschools

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald welcomes Jamie Musacchio, founder of Wisdom Warehouse, a microschool that began in Dubai and...

Building Threefold Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy Journey in Pennsylvania

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry McDonald welcomes Charles and Charissa Mitchell, two of the four co-founders of the Threefold Schoolhouse, an Acton Academy located outside of H...

A dad discusses why he chose homeschooling and microschooling for his kids

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald speaks with parent Gabriel Valles about his family's embrace of alternative education, inclu...

A national network of "love-based" microschools

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with David Richards, founder and CEO of Changemaker Education, about his fascinating ca...

From preschool teacher to microschool founder

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to launch and grow a thriving microschool for neurodiverse learners? Kerry McDonald talks with Yorelle Haroush, founder of Trailblaz...

From one "Pandemic Pod" to 20+ Microschools in 5 states

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jess Alfreds never set out to build a network of microschools. What began in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as "pandemic pod" quickly grew into a thrivi...

A Yurt School in New Hampshire Takes Off

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Maggie Van Camp, founder of Happy Hens Farm & Forest School in New Hampshire. Magg...

"I'm not here to fix broken systems. I'm here to build what our children truly deserve."

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to step outside the system and build something new? Nadine Smith, founder of The Gathering Place, an all-girls microschool in Fort L...

Scaling Social Impact in Education: Courtney Klein's Entrepreneurial Playbook

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with education entrepreneur Courtney Klein—co-founder of All One Thing and SUNSCHOOL, and Senior ...

From Soldier to School Founder: A US Army veteran promotes peace through Montessori education

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Melanie Smith's path to education entrepreneurship was anything but typical. A U.S. Army veteran who once worked in a European command war room, Melan...

Alternative education in Kansas, with founder Katie Saiz

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with Katie Saiz, founder of Greengate Children's School in Wichita, Kansas. Katie shares her inspir...

Reimagining Special Education: One teacher's microschool journey

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Jennifer Palmer, former special education teacher and now founder of Mobile Classr...

Joyful Learning is out today! Enjoy this special interview.

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today is the official launch date of host Kerry McDonald's new book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional ...

"Try something else. Be happy." Why a longtime public school teacher left to launch a microschool

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sulaya Williams has been a teacher and administrator in the Florida public schools for 15 years. She left the school system in June to pursue entrepre...

"Alexa, how can I homeschool my kids?"

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Think of Alexa Achille as an "Alexa" for innovative education in South Florida. A former special education teacher in the New York City public schools...

How Mosaic is supporting self-directed education

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on LiberatED, Kerry McDonald sits down with Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss, the Executive Director of Mosaic at WeAreBornToLearn.org—a vibrant online...

Two weeks until Joyful Learning!

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry's new book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, will be on bookstore shelves two weeks ...

Opening a microschool after 20 years of teaching

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest, Tiffany Blassingame, is reimagining Christian education. As the founder and lead teacher at The Ferguson School—a progressive, faith...

Primer founder Ryan Delk on creating a vast microschool network

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Ryan Delk, cofounder and CEO of Primer, a fast-growing platform helping top teachers to launch microschools in their communities. He'...

Why a public school teacher opened Lighthouse Christian Academy

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

My guest today is Emma Rodriguez, founder of Lighthouse Christian Academy, a microschool in Frisco, Texas that opened in January of this year. After g...

A physician launches a new Islamic microschool

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Sana Khan, a Board-certified Family Medicine Physician and founder of Ihsan Academy of Texas Microschool, a full-time, in-person pro...

In suburban Ohio, a former public school teacher launches a nature-based microschool

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jackie Bonath was a public school teacher for 14 years before quitting her job earlier this year to launch Creekside Cottage School, a full-time, mult...

In rural Ohio, a former public school teacher launches a literacy-rich microschool

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Pam Frankforther, founder of Pioneer Reading Center in Wayne, Ohio. Pam left her job as a longtime public school teacher this year to...

Managing Entrepreneurial Growing Pains & Regulatory Ambiguity

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jennie Jones is an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at FEE's Education Entrepreneurship Lab. She is a former professional ballerina, turned homeschooling mom...

How OpenEd is expanding personalized education options to more families

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More than a decade ago, Matt Bowman cofounded My Tech High as a platform that enabled personalized, customized learning through tuition-free partnersh...

From former elementary school teacher to Phoenix faith-based learning pod founder

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Deja Hillis is the founder of Faithscape Learning Pod, a faith-based K-5 microschool in Casa Grande, Arizona, near Phoenix, which she launched in Augu...

"So many parents don't feel listened to." From middle school math teacher to microschool founder

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Joanna Cervantez, founder of A Fuller Education Microschool just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which she launched in the fall...

From math teacher to hybrid school founder in Louisiana

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Kate Lundquist, founder and principal of Northshore Prep Academy. A former public high school math and physics teacher, Kate opened h...

From physician to founder, with Barbara Jauregui Wurst of Acton Academy Falls Church

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Barbara Jauregui Wurst, a medical doctor and adjunct professor at George Washington University who cofounded Acton Academy Falls Chur...

Pre-launch plans: A former special education teacher prepares to open a new school

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Alexandra Batista Rodriguez on creating a microschool for students with special needs

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Alexandra Batista Rodriguez, founder and director of Steps Learning Center in Orlando, Florida, a specialized K-8 microschool for neu...

Why a former public school teacher launched an Ohio Acton Academy

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Sara James, a former public school teacher who founded Spark Christian Academy, an Acton Academy affiliate in Harrison, Ohio, near Ci...

An Apogee Network Micro-High School Takes Root in Texas

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Sarah Pevehouse, founder of Apogee Dripping Springs Micro High School in Dripping Springs, Texas, west of Austin, which she launched ...

Why more families of color are choosing homeschooling, with Homeschool Our Way founder, Elan Page

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

A longtime Florida hybrid homeschool founder reflects on today's innovative education movement

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Ali Kaufman, a longtime education entrepreneur who began offering tutoring services more than two decades ago and has since built a t...

Public microschooling gains popularity and support

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is George Philhower, Superintendent of the Eastern Hancock Public Schools in rural Charlottesville, Indiana, who is launching and leadin...

A former public school teacher launches a new Mississippi microschool

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nefertiti Harris is a former public school teacher, mom of five, and founder of Empowered Prep Academy, a microschool located in Jackson, Mississippi ...

Encouraging new educational models in New Hampshire

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Jody Underwood, the founder and president of EdOpt, a platform offering information, support, and connections to New Hampshire famili...

Exploring alternatives to college

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

My guest today is Connor Boyack, founder of the Libertas Network, prolific author, creator of the wildly popular Tuttle Twins book series, and now the...

Who needs college and who doesn't, with author Kathleen deLaski

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Kathleen deLaski, author of the thought-provoking new book: Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining A Future Where Degrees Won't Matter....

A former public school teacher shares why she launched a Virginia microschool

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Crystal Goins, a mom of 5 and founder of Heartwise Scholars Microschool in Chesapeake, Virginia. A public school teacher for over 13 ...

Since 2013, the Agile Learning Centers (ALC) network has been a leader in self-directed education

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

My guest today is Tomis Parker, cofounder of the Agile Learning Centers (ALC) network that launched more than a decade ago. Since 2014, Tomis has led ...

How two homeschool moms created a North Carolina microschool

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guests are Laura Greene and Angela Ruth, cofounders of Harmony Homeschool Academy, a secular homeschool hybrid solution for middle and high sc...

The enduring popularity of homeschooling among US military families

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Mack is a homeschooling mom of 5 children who has been serving military homeschooling families for more than two decades. Her husband is a US ...

A retired education entrepreneur shares tips for new school founders

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Jackson is an entrepreneur and longtime executive director and president and CEO of Fairmont Schools, a large, secular private school located in...

A Florida farm-based, faith-filled Acton Academy

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Michael Bonifacio, the founder of Acton Academy Estero in Fort Myers, Florida. Part of the global Acton Academy network of learner-dr...

Homeschooling To College: Two Seniors Talk About Which College to Attend

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of our 4-part series on Homeschooling To College, Kym Kent and I are joined by our two homeschooled high school seniors as they r...

Why a homeschooling mom in Washington, DC created Kids & Culture Camp

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Jania Otey, a homeschooling mom and founder of Kids and Culture Camp, an educational enrichment program for homeschoolers and convent...

An online learning community for self-directed teens

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Terry Travers, the founder and director of Astrolabe Academy, a unique high school experience and teen community that supports self-d...

What is "school choice"?

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Colleen Hroncich, a policy analyst with the Cato Institute's Center for Educational Freedom. She maintains the Private Schooling Stat...

Homeschooling To College: Insights from a College Admissions Counselor

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part 3 of our 4-part series on Homeschooling To College, Kym Kent and I talk to Rebecca Stuart-Orlowski, an independent college admissions counselo...

Our 300th episode! Celebrating founders & families

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the 300th episode of the LiberatED Podcast! That's hundreds of conversations, stories, and insights all centered around one core mission: r...

The Growth and Impact of Sudbury-Model Schools & Spaces

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Ben Draper, Executive Director of the Macomber Center, a self-directed education center for homeschoolers in Massachusetts. Ben is a ...

Microschool in a Mall: Dominque Burgess on education entrepreneurship in North Carolina

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Dominque Burgess, a former public school teacher, visionary education entrepreneur, and a national leader in the microschool movement...

Makenzie Oliver on helping teachers to let their light shine!

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Makenzie Oliver, host of the popular podcast Teacher, Let Your Light Shine! and its associated Facebook community. An award-winning p...

Homeschooling to College: Common Myths Around Admission & Affordability

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode in our series, Homeschooling To College, Kym Kent and I talk about some of the common myths around college admissions and affor...

From homeschooling mom of 7 to Kentucky microschool founder

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Lauri Muse, a mom of of 7 children who has been actively homeschooling for 27 years. She recently launched World of Wonder Hybrid Mic...

How 3 families got together to create Three Cords Academy in Georgia

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guests are Katie Kilgore and Michael Frost who are the cofounders, along with a third family, of Three Cords Academy, a student-focused, Bibli...

MacKenzie Price on 2-Hour Learning, Alpha School, and AI in Education

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is MacKenzie Price, cofounder of 2 Hour Learning and Alpha School, a K-12 private school in Austin, Texas which she launched in 2014. Ma...

Homeschooling To College: High School Prep and the Pre-Application Process

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Kerry chats with Kym Kent, a veteran homeschooling mom of 6 and founder of a Maryland-based homeschooling program who has already gra...

How a teacher and Minnesota mom of 4 created Our Village School, serving 150 learners

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Maria Stalsberg, founder of Our Village School, a creative learning environment for homeschooled kids ages 6 and over in Lakeville, ...

A Big Announcement!

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I am so excited to share the news with you that my new book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schoolin...

A conversation with the cofounder of the Modern Classrooms Project

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is Robert Barnett, a former teacher in both public and private schools, and the cofounder and Chief Product Officer at the Modern Class...

How one mom unschooled her way to opening a school for unschoolers

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest today is Jennie Jones, a former professional ballerina, turned homeschooling mom of four, turned education entrepreneur. In September 2024, ...

The future of the fast-growing Acton Academy network, with Jake Thompson

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Thompson is the founder of Heroes Academy, an Acton Academy in Boise, Idaho that he opened in 2016. Jake is also now the head of the entire Acton...

Two teachers and a Texas microschool: How to rekindle your love of teaching

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guests are Taylor Munro and Lacey Fickes, cofounders of Peak Academy, a microschool in Richmond, Texas currently serving students in grades K-...