LiberatED Podcast

Education Entrepreneurship Lab
  • 4.9 (72)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

The LiberatED Podcast tells the stories of the entrepreneurial parents and teachers who are creating innovative K-12 learning options across the US and expanding education options for families. It is a project of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab at the Foundation for Economic Education. Learn more at edentrepreneur.org.

  1. 4h ago

    School in a Yurt: Building a Co-Learning Community in Maryland

    What does it take to build a learning community rooted in support, opportunity, and love? Entrepreneur-In-Residence Kym Kent speaks with educator and entrepreneur Tatiana Alexander about founding the SOL Learning Center, a small, mixed-age co-learning community operating from a backyard yurt in Clinton, Maryland. Tatiana shares how the center combines project-based learning, flexible academic options, family involvement, and community partnerships to serve homeschooling families. She also discusses the SOL Freedom Fund, her efforts to make alternative education more financially accessible, and her advice for parents and education entrepreneurs: seek support, start small, serve your neighbors, and choose collaboration. Visit the Education Entrepreneurship Lab for a steady stream of new articles and fresh content—by school founders, for school founders.

  2. Aug 25

    From Teacher to Founder: Creating Limestone Community School

    After a decade in public education, Madeline Herrera reached a crossroads: compromise her vision for meaningful, project-based learning—or build a new kind of school. In this episode, Education Entrepreneurship Lab Senior Contributor Kelsy Achtenberg speaks with Madeline, founder and director of Limestone Community School in Lawrence, Kansas. They explore how Limestone combines project-based learning, community service, play, and student agency to help young people become thrive. Madeline shares the experiences that shaped her educational philosophy, the pushback that prompted her leap into entrepreneurship, and how Limestone students collaborate with community partners. She also offers practical encouragement for families defining their educational "non-negotiables" and educators wondering whether it's time to pursue a different path. Visit the Education Entrepreneurship Lab for a steady stream of new articles and fresh content by school founders, for school founders.

  3. Aug 18

    Dr. James Tooley on Low-Cost Private Schooling

    Education Entrepreneurship Lab Entrepreneur-in-Residence Kym Kent talks with renowned education researcher and author Dr. James Tooley to explore the power of parent-driven, entrepreneurial education. In his acclaimed book The Beautiful Tree, Tooley chronicled his discovery of low-cost private schools serving families in some of the world's poorest communities—schools created by local entrepreneurs and sustained by parents determined to give their children a better education. Now, in his forthcoming book, The Beautiful Tree in America, he turns his attention to a similar grassroots movement unfolding across the United States and how it is impacting American K-12 education. Visit the Education Entrepreneurship Lab for a steady stream of new articles and fresh content by school founders, for school founders.

  4. Aug 11

    Our 400th episode—and a special announcement!

    LiberatED celebrates its 400th episode! Since launching in February 2022, the podcast has featured inspiring conversations with the entrpreneurial parents and teachers who are reimagining K-12 education and building new solutions. We mark this exciting milestone and preview Season 6, featuring a rotating cast of hosts from FEE's Education Entrepreneurship Lab who will bring fresh voices and perspectives to discussions about education entrepreneurship, innovation, and choice. We also tease an upcoming school-starter series launching this fall, made possible through the support of KaiPod. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

    Our 400th episode—and a special announcement!

  5. Aug 4

    Building a Thriving Faith-Based Microschool with Emma Rodriguez

    Guest host Denise Lever talks with Emma Rodriguez, a former public school teacher and founder of Lighthouse Christian Academy, a faith-based K–8 microschool in Frisco, Texas. Emma reflects on a remarkable first year in which enrollment grew from 2 to 20 students—and shares the story of one student whose academic progress, behavior, and confidence were transformed by the school's supportive environment. Emma explains how multi-age classrooms, small-group instruction, hands-on learning, and a strong sense of community help students thrive. She also discusses the challenges of balancing a founder's educational vision with parents' expectations, the value of mentorship and peer support, and her decision to move from a two-day program to a four-day school model. The conversation also explores how Texas's new Education Savings Account (ESA) program is expanding access to Lighthouse Christian Academy for families who might otherwise be unable to afford it.  You can listen to Kerry McDonald's 2025 podcast interview with Emma here. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

    Building a Thriving Faith-Based Microschool with Emma Rodriguez

  6. Jul 28

    How One Community Is Connecting Schools, Students, and Employers

    In this episode of LiberatED, host Kerry McDonald speaks with Melody Rider, president of ConnectED Polk, a Florida nonprofit helping build stronger connections between education and industry. Rather than creating programs in isolation, ConnectED Polk serves as a community intermediary—bringing together K–12 schools, higher education, employers, and civic organizations to better prepare students for success after graduation. Melody shares how ConnectED Polk has reached thousands of students through career exploration events and is expanding work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and other real-world experiences designed to help students discover their interests and build durable career skills. The conversation also explores ConnectED Polk's partnership with WonderHere to launch an innovative microschool inside a Title I public elementary school in Polk County, which Kerry wrote about at Forbes. They discuss the importance of helping traditional public schools innovate alongside charter and private school growth, and why durable human skills matter more than ever in an AI-driven economy. Whether you're an educator, parent, policymaker, or employer, this episode offers a compelling look at how community collaboration can create more meaningful pathways from education to employment—and better outcomes for students. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

    How One Community Is Connecting Schools, Students, and Employers

  7. Jul 21

    Navigating Legal Challenges as an Education Entrepreneur, with ERC's Lynn Swanson

    Starting a microschool or other innovative learning environment is about far more than curriculum and community. Founders also have to navigate a maze of zoning rules, fire codes, occupancy limits, licensing questions, and other regulatory hurdles that can make or break their schools. In this guest-hosted episode of the LiberatED Podcast, Education Entrepreneurship Lab senior contributor and Baker Creek Academy founder, Denise Lever, talks with Lynn Swanson, Chief Counsel, Education at Stand Together, about the organization's Edupreneur Resource Center (ERC) and how it helps education entrepreneurs tackle legal and compliance challenges before they become major problems. Lynn explains the ERC's free resources—including microcourses, state-specific compliance guides, checklists, and personalized coaching—and shares practical advice for founders facing inspections, regulatory questions, or enforcement actions. She also discusses the most common compliance pitfalls, why facilities issues are often the biggest obstacle for new schools, and how entrepreneurs can stay informed as rules evolve. Whether you're launching a microschool, hybrid homeschool program, learning pod, or other education venture, this conversation offers actionable guidance to help you navigate the legal landscape with greater confidence. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

    Navigating Legal Challenges as an Education Entrepreneur, with ERC's Lynn Swanson

  8. Jul 17

    From Democratic School Founder to Urban Nature Educator

    For years, Maysaa Bazna led Pono, an innovative outdoor democratic school in New York City, where children followed their curiosity and developed deep connections with the natural world. She saw an opportunity to bring those same experiences to many more children through partnerships with urban Title I public schools. Today, Maysaa is the founder and executive director of City to Sanctuary, a nonprofit that partners with public schools to take students out of the classroom and into nature every month. Through repeated visits to nature preserves, students participate in activities like bird banding, pond ecology, hiking, and ice fishing while building confidence, curiosity, and a lasting relationship with the outdoors. In this episode, host Kerry McDonald speaks with Maysaa about her journey from alternative school founder to creator of a vibrant urban nature education program that is seeing significant, positive results for students and teachers. They also discuss City to Sanctuary's expansion plans, bringing nature-based learning to thousands more students across the country. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

    From Democratic School Founder to Urban Nature Educator
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About

The LiberatED Podcast tells the stories of the entrepreneurial parents and teachers who are creating innovative K-12 learning options across the US and expanding education options for families. It is a project of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab at the Foundation for Economic Education. Learn more at edentrepreneur.org.

Information

  • Creator
    Education Entrepreneurship Lab
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    404
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    LiberatED Podcast

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