Freedom to Learn

Ginny Gentles

Season 2 of the Freedom to Learn podcast makes the urgent case for returning education to states, communities, and families. In Washington, President Trump is challenging partisan teacher unions and federal bureaucrats by enacting a new K–12 scholarship tax credit, restructuring the Department of Education, and rooting out civil rights violations in schools. Each week, host Ginny Gentles speaks with policymakers and advocates about bold reforms that improve academic performance and shift power closer to students. Every episode examines what becomes possible when education is freed from union dominance and federal control. Produced by the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC.

  1. Erika Sanzi on How Districts Defy Federal Law, Fail Families & Evade Consequences

    6D AGO

    Erika Sanzi on How Districts Defy Federal Law, Fail Families & Evade Consequences

    Erika Sanzi joins the podcast to discuss the urgent need for states and school districts to undertake “legal housekeeping” and stop violating federal laws. She shares examples of school board policies that hide information from parents, discriminate based on race and sex, and prove that indoctrination in schools is pervasive, and not just limited to certain areas. Erika shares her journey as a teacher, school board member, and parent, and her role in the parental rights movement. Erika is Senior Director of Communications at Defending Education.  Defending Education's IndoctriNation Map: https://defendinged.org/map/ 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    31 min
  2. Jorge Elorza on Supporting the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, School Choice, & Education Abundance

    OCT 30

    Jorge Elorza on Supporting the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, School Choice, & Education Abundance

    Jorge Elorza, former mayor of Providence, RI, and current leader of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), is dislodging the “sticky” forces of the K–12 status quo, including the powerful teachers unions. He joins the podcast to discuss the policies and politics of DFER’s education abundance agenda. Jorge also explains how the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit can empower families and why all governors should opt in so students in their states can benefit. DFER’s National Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (ECCA) Polling A Democratic Framework for An Abundance Education Agenda 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    34 min
  3. Brian Jodice on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, Polling, & Myths

    OCT 23

    Brian Jodice on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, Polling, & Myths

    “Americans of all parties and backgrounds overwhelmingly support school choice – and will vote accordingly.” Brian Jodice, National Press Secretary for the American Federation for Children (AFC), joins the podcast to share the polling that backs up his organization’s proclamation. We discuss the growing support for school choice across the United States and the importance of state participation in the newly introduced Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. Brian also addresses common myths surrounding education freedom and shares personal stories from North Carolina's school choice journey. National School Choice Survey: September 2025 AFC Fellows 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    32 min
  4. Natalya Murakhver on the Truth About School Closures, Its Harm to Students, & Union Responsibility

    OCT 16

    Natalya Murakhver on the Truth About School Closures, Its Harm to Students, & Union Responsibility

    Natalya Murakhver, the creator of the documentary 15 Days: The Real Story of America's Pandemic School Closures, joins the podcast to discuss the prolonged school closures that harmed a generation of American students. 15 Days highlights the stories of children and parents directly impacted by COVID-era policies and covers the role of teachers' unions in shaping the narrative and downplaying the long-term consequences on academic outcomes, social development, and mental health. To ensure the lessons from closures aren’t forgotten, watch and share 15 Days and attend or schedule a screening in your community. 15 Days Film Watch 15 Days: The Real Story of America's Pandemic School Closures on X Restore Childhood The Covid generation: Best readers ever in fourth grade, worst readers ever by twelfth 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    41 min
  5. Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner on Federal Waivers, Investing in Literacy, & Rethinking High School

    OCT 9

    Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner on Federal Waivers, Investing in Literacy, & Rethinking High School

    Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner joins Freedom to Learn to explain how Indiana’s ambitious education initiatives are boosting reading scores, revolutionizing high school experiences, and expanding education freedom. Secretary Jenner also shares the state’s quest for flexibility and freedom from onerous federal strings. She describes Indiana’s ESEA waiver application’s key requests: block grants for the state and local education agencies; opportunities to direct school improvement funding to a range of education options; and a unified accountability model. Indiana ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request  Indiana Choice Scholarship Program 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    29 min
  6. Matt Frendewey on Reducing Federal Bureaucracy, Freeing Families, & Funding Innovative Options

    OCT 2

    Matt Frendewey on Reducing Federal Bureaucracy, Freeing Families, & Funding Innovative Options

    Matt Frendewey, vice president of strategy at yes. every kid., joins the podcast to discuss the shift from reforming existing systems to empowering families through education freedom. He highlights the inadequacies of the current public school system, the importance of funding design over mere funding increases, and the need for minimal federal involvement in education. The conversation also delves into block grants, accountability in education, and success stories from states that have embraced education freedom. Na⁠t⁠⁠i⁠onal Survey: Vo⁠t⁠ers Wan⁠t⁠ Local Con⁠t⁠rol Over K-12 Educa⁠t⁠⁠i⁠on Title I: Rich School Districts Get Millions Meant for Poor Kids 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    33 min
  7. Hayley Sanon on Returning Education to the States, Increasing Flexibility, & Expanding Freedom

    SEP 25

    Hayley Sanon on Returning Education to the States, Increasing Flexibility, & Expanding Freedom

    Hayley Sanon joins the podcast to discuss the Trump administration's vision for returning education to the states. We delve into recent guidance issued by the federal Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the role of Dear Colleague Letters and waivers, and the opportunities to expand educational flexibility and education freedom. Hayley, who is the acting Assistant Secretary of OESE, explains how these initiatives aim to empower states and districts to make the best decisions for students, and reset the balance of power between federal and state education systems. U.S. Department of Education Issues Guidance to States on Ed-Flex Option to Encourage Local Innovation Guidance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-guidance-states-ed-flex-option-encourage-local-innovation Direct Student Services Guidance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/department-of-education-encourages-states-expand-education-choice-leveraging-flexibilities-title-i-funds Persistently Dangerous and Unsafe Schools Guidance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-guidance-states-ed-flex-option-encourage-local-innovation Charter School Program Funding: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/secretary-mcmahon-announces-immediate-increased-funding-new-grant-program-charter-schools 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    34 min
  8. Dr. Marty West on NAEP Results, Smartphones, & the Future of National Assessments

    SEP 18

    Dr. Marty West on NAEP Results, Smartphones, & the Future of National Assessments

    The latest Nation’s Report Card scores are truly terrible: 12th-grade scores reached historic lows and achievement gaps widened. An alarming number of students are leaving high school without basic math and reading skills. Dr. Martin West, vice-chair of the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) and academic dean at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins the podcast to discuss the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, the challenges faced by low-performing students, and the need for reliable national assessments. 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org 💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes! 📩 Contact Us: If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org. 🎧 Thank You for Listening: Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org. If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Season 2 of the Freedom to Learn podcast makes the urgent case for returning education to states, communities, and families. In Washington, President Trump is challenging partisan teacher unions and federal bureaucrats by enacting a new K–12 scholarship tax credit, restructuring the Department of Education, and rooting out civil rights violations in schools. Each week, host Ginny Gentles speaks with policymakers and advocates about bold reforms that improve academic performance and shift power closer to students. Every episode examines what becomes possible when education is freed from union dominance and federal control. Produced by the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC.

Information

  • Creator
    Ginny Gentles
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Freedom to Learn
  • Show Website
    Freedom to Learn

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