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Artwork for Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast

Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast

American Montessori Society (AMS)
Education
Montessori
Montessori Education
Maria Montessori
Parenting
Adolescent Development
American Montessori Society
Mental Health
Music Education
Art
Anxiety Disorders
Dominique Dawes
Hip Hop
Equity In Education
Memory and Recall
Creativity
Gymnastics
Technology In Education
Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder
Anxiety

A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.

Journey into the future of learning with two pioneering educators as they unlock the secrets of human potential through captivating conversations on education's biggest challenges. Explore "Educating the Human Potential," where Educational Psychologist Nicole Coman and renowned Montessori Educator William "Biff" Maier guide you through tr... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes38Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast

Latest Episodes

What if the moments that change a life are often small, intentional acts of belief?

In this inspiring conversation, Biff and Nicole are joined by Emmy Award-winning speaker, drummer, and bestselling author Clint Pulver to explore how mentorship, con... more

What happens when children borrow not just our words, but our emotions?

In this thoughtful conversation, Biff and Nicole explore how children learn emotional regulation by watching the adults around them. Drawing from Montessori principles, psycholo... more

What happens when Montessori education and occupational therapy come together?

In this thoughtful and deeply practical conversation, Biff and Nicole sit down with a Montessori educator and occupational therapist Tia Gamelin to explore how movement, ... more

What if some of the most powerful lessons children learn happen outside the classroom walls?

In this episode, Biff and Nicole sit down with Montessori educator and school farmer Elise Washburn to explore how farming can become a living classroom — o... more

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Recent Guests

Tia Gamelin
Occupational Therapist focusing on neurodivergent children
Independent OT practicing with pediatric populations
Episode: Seeing the Child Differently: An OT Perspective in Montessori
Elise Washburn
Farming teacher at Lexington Montessori School
Lexington Montessori School
Episode: Growing More Than Food: What a School Farm Teaches Children
Jared Cooney Horvath
Cognitive neuroscientist, educator, bestselling author
Episode: The Science of Learning with Jared Cooney Horvath
Lisa Damour
Clinical psychologist, three-time New York Times bestselling author specializing in adolescent development
Independent psychologist/author
Episode: Helping Teens Navigate Stress and Anxiety with Lisa Damour
Michael Thompson
Clinical psychologist with 30+ years of experience; author and speaker on boys' development
Independent psychologist/Author
Episode: The Science of Boys: How They Learn, Feel, and Grow with Michael Thompson
Natasha McKenzie
Instrumental in the development of the Instructor Academy at the American Montessori Society
American Montessori Society
Episode: Montessori Deep Dive: Educating Teachers Who Shape the Future Worldwide
Edward Ned Hallowell
Board-certified psychiatrist specializing in ADHD
Hallowell ADHD Centers; Harvard Medical School (former faculty)
Episode: The Volatile Gift: Rethinking ADHD with Dr. Ned Hallowell
Garrard Conley
Author of Boy Erased, survivor of conversion therapy
Independent author/advocate
Episode: The Conversations That Brought Us Here — and the Ones to Come
Lisa Ling
Award-winning journalist
CNN/The News Organization
Episode: The Conversations That Brought Us Here — and the Ones to Come

Hosts

Nicole Coman
Co-host, Educational Psychologist, focused on Montessori-informed education
Biff Maier
Co-host, Montessori educator; longtime Montessori practitioner

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • 🌟 A Must-Listen for Educators and Lifelong Learners 🌟

    This podcast is a breath of fresh air in the world of education. Hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier bring together deep expertise and heartfelt curiosity to explore how we can truly unlock human potential through learning. Each episode is a thoughtful blend of research, real-world experience, and bold ideas that challenge the status quo.  

    From rethinking classroom models to nurturing resilience and curiosity in children, the conversations are both enlightening and practical. The guest lineup ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Martha Teien, EdD
    United Statesa year ago
  • All encompassing education and child development insight

    A brilliant and fun compilation of conversations with professionals of all affiliations and experts in child development and education. This podcast is not only educational but relevant and entertaining.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wonderful wonderful 7
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Warm, Montessori-informed framing that remains rigorous.
Guests bring diverse expertise and real-world insights.
Strong takeaway-ready strategies for classrooms and families.
Thoughtful, practical discussions for educators and parents.
High-quality conversations that balance research and application.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Montessori Deep Dive: One Teacher’s Journey to Montessori
Q: What inspired you to become a Montessori teacher, and how did your early experiences shape that choice?
A fifth-grade teacher who encouraged movement and acknowledged different ways of learning showed me that education could be personalized and humane, which inspired me to pursue a path where I could help every child thrive through flexibility and understanding.
Inside the Fisher-Price Play Lab: Why Fisher-Price Embraced Montessori and Returned to Wood
Q: How do you integrate development stages into toy design?
An early childhood development skill framework outlines milestones from zero to five, broken down by subskills. This helps identify where a toy should support gross motor, fine motor, or higher-level skills, ensuring every item aligns with developmental trajectories.
Inside the Fisher-Price Play Lab: Why Fisher-Price Embraced Montessori and Returned to Wood
Q: What distinguishes Montessori materials from typical toys, and how did you ensure the line remained true to Montessori while being a Fisher-Price product?
Fisher-Price began with a strong Montessori intent, then partnered with AMS to ground the line in authentic Montessori philosophy rather than just borrowing aesthetics. The process included independent research, Play Lab insights, ethnography in Montessori settings, and the inclusion of play tips to communicate developmental benefits and traditional use alongside expanded play opportunities.
Inside the Fisher-Price Play Lab: Why Fisher-Price Embraced Montessori and Returned to Wood
Q: Can you tell us how the collaboration with AMS evolved and how feedback was handled along the way?
The relationship started with a meet-and-greet, followed by iterative feedback and renderings. AMS provided authentic Montessori input, and the team used that feedback to refine prototypes until the seal of approval was granted, ensuring the final line aligned with Montessori principles.
Montessori Deep Dive: Teacher Cassandra Duggan on Her Homeschool Roots, Traditional Classrooms, and the Freedom to Learn
Q: Has your experience with Montessori changed how you view your own career and your daughter's education?
Yes. Montessori aligns with my values of autonomy, meaningful learning, and a learning community that supports each student over multiple years, which I want for my daughter as well.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful exploration of how education can unlock human potential, this show features Montessori-informed hosts and a rotating slate of guests who are researchers, practitioners, journalists, and advocates in education, child development, and society. Episodes frequently center on learning science, adolescence, parent–teacher collaboration, equity in education, and practical classroom strategies rooted in Montessori principles. A standout strength is the blend of research with real-world application, plus a willingness to surface challenging topics like ADHD, identity, and healthy motivation through inclusive, curiosity-driven conversations.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
2. Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens
3. We Can Do Hard Things
4. All There Is with Anderson Cooper
5. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

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this podcast launched a year ago and published 38 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Tia Gamelin
2. Elise Washburn
3. Jared Cooney Horvath
4. Lisa Damour
5. Michael Thompson
6. Natasha McKenzie
7. Edward Ned Hallowell
8. Garrard Conley

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