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. Ron Matus on Florida’s School Choice Families, Educators, & à la Carte Options

    2d ago

    Ron Matus on Florida’s School Choice Families, Educators, & à la Carte Options

    Over a million Florida K-12 students attend a school of choice through magnet programs, open enrollment, career and technical academies, and charter and lab schools. Over 500,000 Florida students participate in the state’s education savings account and tax credit scholarship programs. Ron Matus, director of Research & Special Projects at Step Up for Students, joins the podcast to share the stories of the families and educators driving innovation and expanding opportunities across the state. We explore the growth of the ESA programs, how students with disabilities benefit, rural school choice options, the rise of specialized à la carte options, and the surprising growth in Catholic school enrollment.  Catholic School Update Brief 2026: https://nextstepsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Catholic-school-update-brief-2026-final-approved.pdf Next Steps Blog: https://nextstepsblog.org/author/ron-matus/ 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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
  2. Amber Northern on Teachers Unions’ Strength, Perception, & Politics

    Jun 18

    Amber Northern on Teachers Unions’ Strength, Perception, & Politics

    Teacher unions have long dominated education politics, but their influence is waning. Amber Northern of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute joins Freedom to Learn to discuss a new report ranking teacher union strength across all 50 states. She explains why union membership declined in almost every state, which states remain union strongholds, and how the growing number of school choice advocates, parent groups, and education reform organizations are reshaping the balance of power in state education policy. We dig into the data on collective bargaining, strikes, stakeholder perceptions, and political influence as we explore the evolving role of teacher unions in America. A Crowded Table: Teacher Union Strength in 2026: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/research/crowded-table-teacher-union-strength-2026 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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
  3. Governor Jeb Bush on the School Choice Victories, Union Lawsuits, & Why Reform is Never Complete

    Jun 11

    Governor Jeb Bush on the School Choice Victories, Union Lawsuits, & Why Reform is Never Complete

    Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the Florida teachers union's latest lawsuit targeting the state's education freedom programs and why he believes it is destined to fail. Governor Bush reflects on the bold reforms that transformed Florida from one of the nation's lowest-performing education systems into a national leader in student achievement and parental choice. He also makes the case for returning more authority from Washington to the states, tackles persistent myths about school choice and accountability, and shares the philosophy that guided his work for the last three decades: "Success is never final. Reform is never complete." 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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. Assistant Secretary Kirsten Baesler on Returning Education to the States with Waivers, Ed-Flex Authority, & Funding

    Jun 4

    Assistant Secretary Kirsten Baesler on Returning Education to the States with Waivers, Ed-Flex Authority, & Funding

    Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler joins the podcast to discuss what “returning education to the states” looks like in practice. With Iowa and Louisiana receiving waivers to consolidate state activities funds and about ten more states in discussions with the U.S. Department of Education, we dig into the opportunities provided by the waivers and how the iterative application process is unfolding. We also cover Ed-Flex authority, interagency agreements, the cumbersome competitive grant process, and Assistant Secretary Baesler’s vision for transparency and assessments. Trump’s K-12 Leader: Let’s Improve Assessment Without Sacrificing Accountability: https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/opinion-trumps-k-12-leader-lets-improve-assessment-without-sacrificing-accountability/2026/05 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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!

    35 min
  5. Danyela Souza Egorov on New York City’s Soaring Spending, Plummeting Enrollment, & Chronic Absenteeism

    May 28

    Danyela Souza Egorov on New York City’s Soaring Spending, Plummeting Enrollment, & Chronic Absenteeism

    New York City spends $42,000 per pupil, but student outcomes are mediocre and families are fleeing the system. Danyela Souza Egorov joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the city’s shrinking enrollment, increasingly empty school buildings, and soaring spending. Danyela urges city leaders to make responsible decisions, tackle the city’s chronic absenteeism crisis, and prioritize students and families rather than powerful unions. The conversation covers foolish COVID-era policies that reshaped public education, why parents are demanding more options, and what the federal scholarship tax credit could mean for New York families seeking educational freedom. What to Do About NYC’s Empty Schools: https://manhattan.institute/article/what-to-do-about-nycs-empty-schools?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=socialThe Ghost Classrooms Haunting America’s Education System: https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-ghost-classrooms-haunting-americas-education-system?author=Danyela+Souza+Egorov&category=undefined&elementPosition=0&row=3&rowHeadline=Latest+News&rowType=Vertical+Carousel&title=The+Ghost+Classrooms+Haunting+America?s+Education+SystemSchools Received More Money Than Ever. Parents Aren’t Seeing The Results: https://www.dailywire.com/news/were-spending-more-than-ever-on-education-is-it-getting-us-anythingChronic Absenteeism Is Hampering School Improvement Efforts in New York City: What Can Be Done About It? https://manhattan.institute/article/chronic-absenteeism-hampering-school-improvement-efforts-new-york-city🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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
  6. Bill Jacobson on Intersectionality, Anti-American Ideology, & How to Stop It

    May 21

    Bill Jacobson on Intersectionality, Anti-American Ideology, & How to Stop It

    Intersectionality has quietly become the unseen driver behind today’s divisive education policies, anti-American sentiments, and campus radicalization. William A. Jacobson, Cornell Law School professor and founder of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, joins the podcast to sound the alarm on this dangerous ideological “mother’s milk” that feeds critical race theory, DEI, and even some acts of domestic extremism. Bill describes how teachers unions and colleges of education pushed intersectionality into K-12 classrooms. And he provides concrete actions policymakers should take to confront intersectionality directly, including executive orders and guidance, federal funding oversight, and congressional hearings. Intersectionality: The Rise of a Dangerous Anti-American Ideology and How to Stop It: https://dfipolicy.org/report-intersectionality/ 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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!

    38 min
  7. Sarah Parshall Perry on ABA Accreditation, Teachers Unions, & Gender Ideology

    May 14

    Sarah Parshall Perry on ABA Accreditation, Teachers Unions, & Gender Ideology

    Sarah Parshall Perry of Defending Education joins Freedom to Learn for a fast-moving conversation on the biggest legal and policy fights in education today. We cover the launch of Defending Education’s new litigation center, the power of accrediting bodies like the American Bar Association, and what’s at stake for free speech and parental rights in K–12 and higher ed. We also get into gender secrecy policies, teachers unions’ political spending, and the growing push to turn classrooms into activist spaces. Plus, a new rapid-fire round! Wall Street Journal: How the ABA Spreads DEI in Law Schools: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/american-bar-association-dei-law-school-accreditation-36e77872 National Review: The ABA Is a Joke. So Why Is It Still Accrediting Law Schools? https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/04/the-aba-is-a-joke-so-why-is-it-still-accrediting-law-schools/ 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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
  8. Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva on Education Freedom, Flexibility, & Funding

    May 7

    Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva on Education Freedom, Flexibility, & Funding

    Arkansas is streamlining the K-12 education bureaucracy, investing in educators, and expanding families’ options. On today’s episode of Freedom to Learn, Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva covers the rollout of the transformative LEARNS Act and its impact. He explains how Arkansas expanded Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) from targeted eligibility to universal access, and what it took to launch the statewide choice program that now serves about 50,000 students. Secretary Oliva also shares Arkansas’ federal waiver strategy to cut red tape and return decision-making power to the state by consolidating fragmented funding streams, reducing compliance costs, and shifting the focus from micromanaging inputs to holding schools accountable for results. 🔗 Links & Resources: Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org💡 Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicyFollow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicySubscribe 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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Freedom to Learn
  • Show Website
    Freedom to Learn

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