The Hannah Frankman Podcast Hannah Frankman

Ray Girn is the co-founder and CEO of Higher Ground Montessori, the largest network of Montessori schools in the world.

Expect to learn the business side of building and scaling schools, why talent is so important, and how Ray thinks about building a culture that scales. You’ll learn the philosophy of Montessori and how Higher Ground has implemented them into the modern education landscape. You’ll also hear Ray’s thoughts about the future of innovation and education.



This episode is sponsored by John Galt Mortgage Company

https://www.johngaltmortgage.com



Chapters:

0:00 - Ray Girn

2:55 - Why Ray Chose to Dedicate His Life to Education

7:28 - What Makes Higher Ground’s Approach Unique?

12:02 - What Does the Model of Higher Ground Look Like?

16:55 - The Key Drivers of Education

26:13 - Why Higher Ground Built Their Own Teacher Training Program

34:28 - Sponsor: John Galt Mortgage Company

35:26 - How to Scale Classroom Structure

45:01 - Why There Aren’t Similar Models to Higher Ground

54:40 - Applying Older Philosophical Work to Modern Business

1:00:43 - Taking Bold Philosophical Stances

1:08:18 - Building a Healthy Culture for Children

1:14:08 - Showing Children That the World is Beautiful

1:18:21 - Innovation and the Future of Education

1:26:51 - How to Connect with Ray and Higher Ground Montessori



If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify



Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

The New Normal - Matt Bateman



Connect with Ray Girn:

Website | guidepostmontessor.com

Website | higherground.com

Twitter | https://x.com/raygirn?lang=en



Connect with Hannah Frankman:

Twitter | https://twitter.com/HannahFrankman

RebelEducator | https://twitter.com/rebelEducator

Website | http://hannahfrankman.com



Follow along for conversations on education, lifestyle, personal development, and freedom. All in ardent pursuit of a life well lived.

This week we have Peter Gray, a developmental psychologist who studies the important of play in childhood. His book Free to Learn covers the importance of play as a form of education in



Expect to learn why childhood play was an area of interest in his research, Peter’s experience raising a son who was rebellious to the traditional education system, and his thoughts on Sudbury Schools, Unschooling, and other alternative education models. You’ll also hear Peter’s take on video games and using play in the digital world.



This episode is sponsored by John Galt Mortgage Company

https://www.johngaltmortgage.com



Chapters:

0:00 - Peter Gray

3:30 - What is a Developmental Psychologist

5:31 - How Did Peter Become a Scientist of Play?

26:23 - What is the Definition of Play?

32:15 - How Much of Play is Environmentally and Socially Influenced

36:15 - Sponsor: John Galt Mortgage Company

37:15 - What is Happening When Children “Play Act”

39:15 - Are the Ways Children Play Indicative of Future Interests and Careers?

45:44 - Long Term Benefits of a Childhood Full of Play

51:04 - The Effects of a Decline in Play

1:01:09 - Peter’s Thoughts on Certain Alternative Schooling Models

1:08:54 - Peter’s Thoughts on Video Games and Digital Play

1:23:57 - What is the Transition of Play to Adulthood?

1:29:00 - What Kills a Child’s Interest to Play

1:36:18 - How to Connect with Peter



If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify



Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

The Gardener and the Carpenter - Alison Gopnik



Connect with Peter Gray:

Book: Free to Learn

Substack: https://petergray.substack.com

Psychology Today Blog:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn

Website: http://petergray.org



Connect with Hannah Frankman:

Twitter | https://twitter.com/HannahFrankman

RebelEducator | https://twitter.com/rebelEducator

Website | http://hannahfrankman.com



Follow along for conversations on education, lifestyle, personal development, and freedom. All in ardent pursuit of a life well lived.

This week we have Chrisman Frank, the Co-Founder and CEO of Synthesis, an online, game-based school that was originally built as part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX school. It’s now available to the public.



In this episode, expect to learn the origin of Synthesis, how Synthesis is using game-based learning and AI to deliver personalized tutoring to it’s students, and Chrisman’s personal story going from student, to tutor, to Co-Founder of Synthesis. Chrisman is such a positive force in the online education space and there’s so much valuable information in this episode.



This episode is sponsored by John Galt Mortgage Company

https://www.johngaltmortgage.com



Chapters:

0:00 - Chrisman Frank

2:44 - Chrisman’s Criticism of Public Education

9:29 - How Chrisman Began Working in Education

14:22 - The Origin of Synthesis’ Curriculum

19:54 - The Rapid Growth of Synthesis

27:31 - Sponsor: John Galt Mortgage Company

28:27 - Using the Internet Effectively for Education

35:22 - How Covid Changed Education

38:58 - Socialization Through Online Education

44:59 - How Synthesis Leveraged the Internet

49:27 - Are there Other Versions of Synthesis?

54:33 - Critical Thinking

59:12 - How Synthesis is Using AI

1:03:27 - Preparing Kids for the Unknown

1:09:39 - How to Connect with Chrisman and Synthesis

1:12:16 - The Importance of Reading for Kids



If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify



Connect with Chrisman Frank:

Twitter: @chrismanfrank

Twitter: @synthesisschool

Website: https://www.synthesis.com



Connect with Hannah Frankman:

Twitter | https://twitter.com/HannahFrankman

RebelEducator | https://twitter.com/rebelEducator

Website | http://hannahfrankman.com



Follow along for conversations on education, lifestyle, personal development, and freedom. All in ardent pursuit of a life well lived.

Keri Waters is an inventor, long time entrepreneur and currently the Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Austin, America’s newest private University.



In this episode, expect to learn about Keri’s journey as an entrepreneur, how the University of Austin is combining liberal arts and entrepreneurship, what they are looking for in applicants, and how Keri is building the centers of innovation at the University of Austin.



This episode is sponsored by John Galt Mortgage Company

https://www.johngaltmortgage.com



Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

2:39 - The University of Austin

6:01 - Rethinking What a College Education Ought to Be

7:56 - Civic Entrepreneurship

16:48 - Making Education More Practical

22:10 - The Case for Liberal Arts

24:44 - The Polaris Project

33:40 - Sponsor: John Galt Mortgage Company

34:39 - What is University of Austin Looking for in Applicants

37:34 - The Melding of Academia and Start Ups

41:55 - The Flexibility of Modern Education

47:33 - What is the Goal For University of Austin Graduates?

49:36 - Keri’s Career and Entrepreneurship Background

1:01:20 - Balancing Entrepreneurship and Motherhood

1:08:23 - AI and Education

1:12:03 - How to Connect with Keri and the University of Austin Keri and the University of Austin



If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify



Connect with Keri Waters:

Website | https://www.uaustin.org

linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/keriwaters

Twitter | https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fkeriwaters

Email | kwaters@uaustin.org



Connect with Hannah Frankman:

Twitter | https://twitter.com/HannahFrankman

RebelEducator | https://twitter.com/rebelEducator

Website | http://hannahfrankman.com



Follow along for conversations on education, lifestyle, personal development, and freedom. All in ardent pursuit of a life well lived.

Erin Doppelt is a spiritual psychology + meditation teacher and author of the new book Nothing Can Stop You.

In this episode, expect to learn what a mindfulness practice can do to improve your life and help regulate your nervous system, why children are innately good meditators, the importance of finding your own path in life, and Erin’s top pieces of advice for parents who are on the unconventional path.

Disclaimer: We experienced some audio issues while recording this episode, so apologies for the quality. The message still shines through!

This episode is sponsored by John Galt Mortgage Company
https://www.johngaltmortgage.com


Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
3:26 - What Erin Does as a Spiritual Psychology and Meditation Teacher
6:15 - What is Meditation?
8:51 - How We Self Sooth in the Modern World
11:38 - Healthy vs. Unhealthy Self Soothing
18:15 - How Our Innate Instincts Get Squashed as Adults
25:29 - Cultural Conditioning that Holds Us Back
36:34 - Sponsor: John Galt Mortgage Company
38:36 - Navigating Desire
39:59 - Positive Language
47:28 - Becoming a Mom
54:20 - Advice for Moms
1:07:36 - How the Modern World Makes Meditation Difficult?
1:14:48 - How to Connect with Erin

If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
The Spiritual Child - Dr. Lisa Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Child-Parenting-Lifelong-Thriving/dp/1250033837
Becoming a Writer - Dortohea Brande: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Writer-Dorothea-Brande/dp/0874771641
The Magical Path of Intuition - Florence Scovel Shinn: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Intuition-Florence-Scovel-Shinn/dp/1401944159

Connect with Erin Doppelt:
Instagram | @erinrdoppelt
Website | https://www.erinracheldoppelt.com
Book | https://www.erinracheldoppelt.com/NothingCanStopYou

Connect with Hannah Frankman:
Twitter | https://twitter.com/HannahFrankman
RebelEducator | https://twitter.com/rebelEducator
Website | http://hannahfrankman.com

Follow along for conversations on education, lifestyle, personal development, and freedom. All in ardent pursuit of a life well lived.

This week we have Laura Mazer on the podcast. Laura, a former surgeon, is now on the leadership team at Guidepost Montessori, the largest network of Montessori schools in the world

In this episode, you’ll learn about Maria Montessori, the Montessori method, and how Montessori approaches education and development differently from traditional schools. You’ll learn about the importance Montessori places on children gaining a sense of independence and how Guidepost implements agency at different stages of development. You’ll hear the genesis of Guidepost and how it became the largest network of Montessori schools in the world. You’ll also learn about Laura’s career journey from the medical world to the education world and some of the through lines between the two.

This episode is sponsored by John Galt Mortgage Company
https://www.johngaltmortgage.com

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
02:00 - What is Montessori and Who Was Maria Montessori?
5:43 - What is Guidepost Montessori?
7:24 - Montessori Teacher Training
14:47 - Creating Curriculum with Real World Results
18:20 - Establishing Values for Montessori Students
26:42 - Planes of Development (Medium?)
38:28 - Sponsor: John Galt Mortgage Company
39:25 - Montessori’s Emphasis on Independence & Agency
43:47 - Humanism
49:07 - External Pressure and Expectations for Children
56:46 - The Virtue of Living a Good Life
1:02:00 - Implementing the Montessori Method for Older Kids
1:14:55 - Laura’s Path from Surgeon to Educator
1:26:23 - The Benefits of Having a Medical Background in Education
1:29:40 - How to Connect with Laura and Guidepost

If You Enjoy This Show Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Connect with Guidepost Montessori:
Website | https://www.guidepostmontessori.com
Parenting Guide | https://theparentingguide.substack.com

Connect with Hannah Frankman:
Twitter | https://twitter.com/HannahFrankman
RebelEducator | https://twitter.com/rebelEducator
Website | http://hannahfrankman.com

Follow along for conversations on education, lifestyle, personal development, and freedom. All in ardent pursuit of a life well lived.