The OpenEd Podcast

OpenEd
  • 3.4 (5)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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. OCT 16

    The Truth About ADHD Medication in Schools (From Someone Who Lived It)

    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

  2. OCT 9

    How to Raise Kids Who Actually Care About Others

    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

  3. OCT 9

    A Public School Administrator Reveals The Truth About Homeschooling

    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/

    1h 4m

  4. OCT 8

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

    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

  5. SEP 29

    Middle School is the Most Important Time You're Ignoring

    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

  6. SEP 25

    Her First Day of Homeschool Was a Complete Disaster

    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 Convert03:14 - The Divine Intervention to Homeschool08:10 - Discovering Attachment Psychology & Why It Matters13:20 - The Intentional Separation of Kids from Parents in Public School17:11 - The Line-Dancing Epiphany: What Parent-Oriented Teens Look Like21:18 - The First Day of Homeschool Was a Disaster27:57 - The Diary of Anne Frank: When Learning Becomes Real31:40 - Hacking High School: How Her Kids Thrived Without the Traditional Path43:44 - The Unspoken Gift of Boredom50:25 - How Homeschooling Transformed Their Family Culture01:01:11 - Rapid Fire: Best Resources & Advice for Homeschooling TeensResources Mentioned:Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Your-Kids-Parents-Matter/dp/0375760288Janae's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/SchoolToHomeschoolWant 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/

    1h 5m

  7. SEP 18

    How 2 Hollywood Veterans Are Sneaking Kids Into the Film Industry

    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.comTimestamps(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 ProductionsAbout 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

  8. SEP 17

    Why These Teachers Let Kids Play 3 Hours a Day

    Two burnt-out teachers discovered something radical: when you stop teaching and let kids play for 3 hours a day, they develop the exact skills that predict success 30 years later.Kristin and Ginger run SKOLA Microschool in Minnesota, where there are no grades, kids spend more time outside than prisoners, and "boredom" is part of the curriculum.In this episode:Why it takes months (or years) to "undo" traditional schoolingThe 4 types of play that naturally emerge when kids are left aloneWhat a 50-year study reveals about play and life successHow to build play stamina in 8 weeks (practical guide included)Why doing LESS as a teacher might be the highest form of teachingLinks & Resources:Organizations:SKOLA: https://skolamicroschool.com/Let Grow: https://letgrow.org/Prenda Microschools: https://www.prenda.com/Alliance for Self-Directed Education: https://www.self-directed.org/Books Mentioned:"Free to Learn" by Peter Gray"Joyful Learning" by Kerry McDonald"The Wild + Free Book" by Ainsley Arment"The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan HaidtResearch:The Dunedin Study: https://dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/1000 Hours Outside: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/Full Article: [OpenEd Daily link when published](00:00) - The Post-It Note That Started Everything(04:18) - Why Teachers Are Burning Out(06:50) - Starting with a Clean Slate: Scola's Three Pillars(12:05) - "Letting Go of Old Measuring Sticks"(15:32) - The Undoing: How Long It Really Takes(19:18) - From Grades to Seeing the Whole Child(24:08) - How Microschools Change Family Relationships(28:00) - Why Teacher Health Matters More Than Curriculum(32:09) - Finding the Right School Model for Your Kid(38:02) - Intrinsic Motivation vs External Validation(47:02) - The Power of Being Bored(51:50) - The Four Types of Natural Play(01:03:29) - Building Play Stamina: Week by Week(01:12:03) - When to Step In vs Let Kids Figure It Out

    1h 20m
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3.4
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    OpenEd
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © OpenEd
  • Show Website
    The OpenEd Podcast

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