The OpenEd Podcast

OpenEd

The world has changed, and education is catching up. Join Isaac Morehouse and the OpenEd team as we explore the future of personalized learning. We're breaking down barriers between traditional schools, microschooling, homeschooling, and alternative education. Each episode features innovative educational approaches, real family stories, expert insights, and practical tips for navigating educational choices. Make education unique for your child. Subscribe now and visit OpenEd.co for our daily newsletter on personalized learning. Be part of the education revolution.

  1. 04-12-2025

    How Music Physically Changes Your Kid's Brain with Deborah Pratt | OpenEd

    Most parents pull their kids out of music lessons the moment the "practice battles" start. It feels like a waste of money to pay for lessons when the kid isn't doing the work at home. But Deborah Pratt, founder of Southern Oregon School of Music, argues that this efficiency mindset is actually robbing children of the real ROI.In this episode, she shares the story of a student who spent 8 years "mediocrely" playing piano, guitar, and ukulele—only to discover at age 16 that he was a born bass player. Had he quit during the "low practice" years, he never would have found it. Deb reveals why the *environment* of music (the community, the brain development, the weekly touchpoint) matters more than the daily grind, and why the "Corpus Callosum" might be the best reason to keep paying for lessons even when your kid won't practice. --- **00:00** - Welcome & Deborah's Journey to Music Education **02:06** - Southern Oregon School of Music's Grand Reopening **03:21** - Why Parents Put Kids in Music (The Research) **04:18** - The Trumpet Regret: When Quitting Is the Wrong Answer **08:55** - Never Quit at the Frustration Point **12:35** - Music & Brain Development: The Corpus Callosum **26:31** - Piano as the Foundation Instrument **34:01** - The Piano-to-Bass Discovery Journey **38:20** - The Social Glue: Community Creates Persistence **42:45** - Trial Lessons & Finding the Right Teacher --- ## GUEST **Deborah Pratt**Founder & Director, Southern Oregon School of MusicDeborah is a music educator with a Master's degree in Music Education and a bachelor's degree in Vocal Music Education. She spent nine years as a college instructor before founding and growing a Kinder Music program into a thriving music school with 172 students across multiple age groups and instruments. Her approach prioritizes persistence, community, and the neurological benefits of music education.

    34 min

  2. 16-10-2025

    The Truth About ADHD Medication in Schools (From Someone Who Lived It) with Ben Somers | OpenEd

    In 2025, we're still medicating boys at alarming rates just to make them fit a learning model designed for compliance, not curiosity. Ben Somers was put on 70mg of Concerta at age 11—not because he needed it, but because the system did. Now he's building the alternative. Highlights: - Why a quarter of boys in Ben's school were medicated to comply - The shocking business insight: what actually makes kids want to learn (it's not curriculum) - How kids labeled "unmotivated" transform instantly in the right environment - The Montessori principle applied to digital spaces and modern homeschooling - Why parents should think of themselves as education designers, not teachers About Ben Somers: Ben dropped out of high school and later worked at Synthesis School (the SpaceX school) before founding Recess, a platform where kids choose their own classes and make friends who share their interests. He's now building tools to turn screens from "bad" to "great" for families. Resources: - Learn more about Recess: ⁠http://recess.gg⁠ Timestamped Outline - [00:01] Why Ben Got Into Education - Personal school struggles and medication experience - [04:39] Working at Synthesis School - Learning from Josh and Crispin - [08:15] The Two Core Insights - Friends and choice as retention drivers - [13:25] The Roblox Connection - Why kids love choice-based platforms - [14:40] How Recess Works Today - Kid-driven class selection and friend-making -[19:15] Surprising Discoveries - Kids' motivation in the right circumstances - [21:11] The Unschooling Debate - Balance between freedom and necessary skills - [28:00] Screens and Digital Environments - Curating safe, productive digital spaces - [34:23] Education as Design - Parents becoming education designers - [42:33] High-Status Homeschooling - The shift in San Francisco - [44:52] Ideal Future of Education - Flexible campuses with interactive learning - [47:20] Top Education Books - Socratic dialogues and Seymour Papert - [49:26] The Kansas Learning Lab - Coworking spaces for kids

    47 min

  3. 09-10-2025

    How to Raise Kids Who Actually Care About Others with Kerry Owen | OpenEd

    Kerry Owen had a dream about thousands of hungry children—and instead of ignoring it, she built a global charity that's fed countless kids worldwide, but this isn't just a charity story, it's about raising children with purpose and discovering that when we help people, we're actually the ones who benefit most. • How dreams became instructions for life's work • Why mission-driven kids beat achievement-driven kids • The practical ways families can start serving together • How open education enables real-world service learning Kerry's Book: The Gift of Charity Wrapped in a Korowai of Love (Amazon, Cedar Fort Publishers, Deseret Books) Kerry's Current Work: Reach Out Today charity in Utah Timestamped Chapters 00:00 - The Gift of Charity: A Mother's Mission 03:29 - From Romania to Reality: A Teen's First Project 04:55 - When Nobody Cared: Learning Hard Lessons 07:46 - Dreams That Won't Let Go: Thousands of Hungry Children 15:43 - Building Community Partnerships: The Salvation Army Connection 20:55 - Raising Mission-Driven Kids: Why Character Beats Curriculum 28:42 - The Transformation Power of Service: Youth Finding Purpose 35:12 - Making Service Accessible: Practical Ways Families Can Start 46:17 - Open Education Meets Open Hearts: Flexible Schooling for Service 54:27 - The Ripple Effect: How One Family's Mission Inspires Others Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education. Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903 https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVC Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/openedHQ https://www.facebook.com/openedhq https://x.com/OpenEdHQ https://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

    55 min

  4. 09-10-2025

    A Public School Administrator Reveals The Truth About Homeschooling with Dave Hoffman | OpenEd

    A public school principal turned unschool dad shows parents how to stop chasing perfect transcripts and start raising confident problem-solvers. Inside This Episode: - Why a principal walked away from the FBI to build schools families actually choose - The Hoffman family playbook for raising self-directed kids without rigid plans - How BYU Independent Study helps parents customize learning without losing structure Resources Mentioned: - Dave Hoffman — BYU Independent Study: [https://is.byu.edu](https://is.byu.edu/) Chapters: (00:00) - From FBI Dreams to Classroom Mission (01:45) - Why Teaching Felt Like Getting Paid to Play (03:40) - Charter School Experiments That Sparked Educational Choice (05:45) - When Kindergarten Changed Their Daughter Overnight (08:20) - Running Schools While Unschooling at Home (10:50) - The Soap Opera of Being a School Administrator (16:30) - How School Choice Forces Every Campus to Improve (24:40) - Designing a Patchwork Education Across States (33:30) - Raising Fearless, Self-Directed Kids Without College (38:05) - Saying Yes: Bucking Policy to Help Families (41:10) - Final Advice for Parents Trusting Their Gut Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education. Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903 https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVC Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/openedHQ https://www.facebook.com/openedhq https://x.com/OpenEdHQ https://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

    1u 4m

  5. 08-10-2025

    Your Kid's Screen Was Built Like a Slot Machine with Anjan Katta, Founder of Daylight Computer | OpenEd

    Your kid isn't "addicted" to screens by accident. Their devices were engineered using the same psychological tricks as Vegas slot machines—and it's doing real damage to their nervous system. Anjan Katta then spent 6 years solving what experts said was impossible: making a device—the Daylight Computer—that doesn't destroy your health. In this conversation, we break down exactly how modern screens dysregulate kids (hint: it's not just "blue light"), why the education technology we're giving our children might be making them worse at learning, and what the alternative actually looks like. Key Insights: The 5 mechanisms screens use to hijack your nervous system (the Vegas casino effect)Why "screen apnea" is making your kid anxious (and you probably have it too)How reading more on screens can actually mean learning lessThe "least computer possible" philosophy for familiesWhy naive outsiders solve impossible problems (and what that means for parents redesigning education) About Anjan Katta:Founder of Daylight Computer, creator of the first fast E-Ink screen that can replace traditional laptops and tablets. Resources: Daylight Computer: https://daylightcomputer.comDaylight Kids: https://kids.daylightcomputer.com/ (00:35) - Why Anjan Got Into Education: The ADHD Medication Story (04:49) - The Fraud of Digital Learning: Reading More, Remembering Nothing (06:33) - Five Ways Screens Dysregulate Your Nervous System (09:42) - Screen Apnea: How Computers Literally Steal Your Breath (12:25) - The Six-Year Journey to Crack the "Impossible" Problem (16:24) - Why Being an Outsider Was Anjan's Superpower (20:32) - The Hero's Journey of Innovation: Faith Before Evidence (24:56) - Daylight Kids: The "Least Computer Possible" Philosophy (28:00) - The Future of Computing: Magical Surfaces That Disappear (30:15) - The Walkie-Talkie Button: Voice-Driven Lean-Back Computing (32:40) - The Guilt-Free iPad: Unlimited Screen Time That's Healthy

    40 min

  6. 29-09-2025

    Middle School is the Most Important Time You're Ignoring with Jean Eddy | OpenEd

    Middle school isn't just awkward years to survive—it's when your child's brain is most ready to discover their future. Jean Eddy, CEO of American Student Assistance (ASA), reveals why ages 11-14 are critical for career exploration and how parents are missing this golden window. Jean has spent over 30 years in education, transforming ASA from a college financing organization into a pioneering force for early career exploration. She believes that when kids explore their interests early—without pressure, with genuine fun—they develop the confidence and direction that leads to fulfilling careers. In this conversation, she shares why middle school brains are uniquely primed for learning, how to break free from the "college for all" trap, and what conversations actually matter at the dinner table. ASA Website & Free Career Tools: https://www.asa.org/Jean's Book - Crisis-Proofing Today's Learners: https://www.asa.org/jean-eddys-book/Futurescape Career Assessment for Kids: https://www.asa.org/ Jean Eddy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-eddy-6584786/ Chapters: (00:00) - The Mistake Every Parent Makes (02:38) - Why Girls Quit Math and Science (10:53) - Plumbers Know More Than You Think (12:44) - School Should Be Fun (Here's Why) (17:32) - The Middle School Brain Discovery (20:07) - From Boredom to NASA Dreams (28:36) - Breaking the College-For-All Myth (36:14) - Let Them Explore Without Pressure (42:28) - What Conversations Actually Matter (48:53) - Your Kid Is Worth The Mess Every child needs time to explore what fascinates them—without judgment, without pressure, just genuine curiosity. Sometimes the best education happens when we stop forcing and start following. Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

    49 min

  7. 25-09-2025

    Her First Day of Homeschool Was a Complete Disaster with Janae Daniels | OpenEd

    Janae Daniels, a former public school teacher who was once firmly against homeschooling, shares the incredible story of how a divine prompting and a disastrous first day led her to completely rethink education. She explains why the parent-child relationship must come before academics, how boredom can unlock a child's genius, and what it really takes to homeschool teenagers successfully. This episode is a must-listen for any parent who feels called to a different path but is terrified of messing it up. Janae’s story is a powerful reminder that the most profound learning often happens when our perfect plans fall apart. In This Episode, We Discuss: 00:52 - From Public School Teacher to Homeschool Convert 03:14 - The Divine Intervention to Homeschool 08:10 - Discovering Attachment Psychology & Why It Matters 13:20 - The Intentional Separation of Kids from Parents in Public School 17:11 - The Line-Dancing Epiphany: What Parent-Oriented Teens Look Like 21:18 - The First Day of Homeschool Was a Disaster 27:57 - The Diary of Anne Frank: When Learning Becomes Real 31:40 - Hacking High School: How Her Kids Thrived Without the Traditional Path 43:44 - The Unspoken Gift of Boredom 50:25 - How Homeschooling Transformed Their Family Culture 01:01:11 - Rapid Fire: Best Resources & Advice for Homeschooling Teens Resources Mentioned: Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Your-Kids-Parents-Matter/dp/0375760288 Janae's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/SchoolToHomeschool Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education. Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVC Follow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

    1u 5m

  8. 18-09-2025

    How 2 Hollywood Veterans Are Sneaking Kids Into the Film Industry with Chet Thomas & Darrin Fletcher | OpenEd

    Two Hollywood veterans with credits including Saving Private Ryan and The Sandlot built a virtual backlot where students audition for real productions. After 25 years, their students are on Broadway, working with Spielberg, and selling scripts for six figures—all without traditional film school. 🎬 Sneak on the Lot: https://sneakonthelot.com Timestamps (00:00) Cold Open: The Goth Kid Who Became Hollywood Success (01:00) Meet the Hollywood Veterans Behind Sneak on the Lot (08:00) Why Film Sets Don’t Have to Be Stressful (11:00) The Philosophy: Lifting People Up (15:00) Building the Virtual Backlot (19:00) How Real Casting Happens Through a Game (22:00) Connecting Students with Industry Professionals (26:00) The Columbine Origin Story (29:00) Why Every Classroom Fits in Filmmaking (35:00) Film as Universal Opportunity (39:00) Success Stories: From Broadway to Spielberg (41:00) The Goth Kid’s Transformation Story (45:00) Future Plans: Hiring Students for Real Productions About Our Guests: • Darrin “Fletch” Fletcher — Storyboard artist (The Sandlot, multiple studio films) turned producer/director at Angel Studios • Chet Thomas — Former DreamWorks executive (Saving Private Ryan, Meet the Parents, Minority Report) and producer of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

    47 min
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The world has changed, and education is catching up. Join Isaac Morehouse and the OpenEd team as we explore the future of personalized learning. We're breaking down barriers between traditional schools, microschooling, homeschooling, and alternative education. Each episode features innovative educational approaches, real family stories, expert insights, and practical tips for navigating educational choices. Make education unique for your child. Subscribe now and visit OpenEd.co for our daily newsletter on personalized learning. Be part of the education revolution.

Informatie

  • Maker
    OpenEd
  • Jaren actief
    2024 - 2025
  • Afleveringen
    74
  • Beoordeling
    Veilig
  • Copyright
    © OpenEd
  • Website van aflevering
    The OpenEd Podcast