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LiberatED Podcast

Kerry McDonald
Homeschooling
Education
Micro Schools
Covid-19
Alternative Education
Microschools
Entrepreneurship
Education Reform
Microschooling
Education Entrepreneurship
Education Innovation
Neurodiversity
Project-Based Learning
School Choice
Acton Academy
Personalized Learning
Joyful Learning
Self-Directed Learning
Self-Directed Education
Special Education

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. This twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. A regular contributor at Forbes.com and The ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes394Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyEducationEducation for Kids

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Artwork for LiberatED Podcast

Latest Episodes

When Niki Harris and her husband launched Farm School on their working farm in Northern California in 2018, they were simply looking for a better educational option for their own four children. What began as a part-time co-op quickly grew into a thri... more

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with Peter Holmstrom, Head of School at Summit School in Waco, Texas. Peter shares his journey from social work to public school teaching to leading one of the fastest-growing learner-centered school... more

On this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald speaks with Colleen Hroncich, policy analyst at the Cato Institute's Center for Educational Freedom, about her new report, Let 1,000 Flowers Bloom: Best Practices for Advancing Educational Freedom.

With ... more

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with Katelynn Stone, founder of EverRoot Academy, a new K-8 hybrid learning community set to launch in August 2026 in Crestview, Florida.

After nearly two decades working across public and private ... more

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Recent Guests

Peter Holmstrom
Head of School, Summit School
Summit School, Waco, Texas
Episode: How Summit School Grew from 50 to 140 Students in 3 Years
Katelyn Stone
Founder of EverRoot Academy
EverRoot Academy
Episode: The Ins & Outs of Launching a K-8 Hybrid Learning Community
LaRae Hulsey
Micro-school founder, runs LaRae's Learning Lab
Baker Creek Academy / Trailblaze ED network
Episode: How a Family Crisis Led to a New Educational Calling
Serena Wilkie Gifford
Head of School, Birches School
Birches School
Episode: Inside A Nature-Based School Near Boston
Kate Walker
Founding Teacher, Birches School
Birches School
Episode: Inside A Nature-Based School Near Boston
Mary Wells
Co-founder and senior partner of Bellwether
Bellwether
Episode: Bellwether's Mary Wells on AI, Education Innovation, & the Future of Learning
Danika Dunn
Founder of Bramblewood Learning Community; project-based learning advocate
Bramblewood Learning Community
Episode: Why Families Are Flocking to this Project-Based Pennsylvania Homeschool Program
Kelly Clearkin
Mentor and board member at Bramblewood; creator of Forest Fridays
Bramblewood Learning Community / Forest Fridays
Episode: Why Families Are Flocking to this Project-Based Pennsylvania Homeschool Program
Caroline Allen
Chief Program Officer at the Center for Education Reform and founding director of the Yass Prize
Center for Education Reform; Yass Prize
Episode: How the Yass Prize Powers Permissionless Education

Host

Kerry McDonald
Host with focus on educational entrepreneurship and family-centered learning models.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 100 ratings
  • Pioneer Reading

    Awesome information Pam!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KiFam4
    United Statesa year ago
  • Kerry’s Podcast has been our lifeline!

    The concept and essence of Microschooling is always what my husband and I wanted for our kids but we didn’t know that vision had a name, and that so many others were embarking on that path of educational entrepreneurship. Kerry’s podcast has been our lifeline, our flashlight so to speak on a path that felt so dark at one point. One episode at a time, we were able to visualize our own dream of starting a Microschool, and are looking forward to opening our doors to our first group of students this... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sanakhan1984
    United Statesa year ago
  • Inspiration and encouragement for all new founders

    When offered to start my own microschool, I had no idea where to start. I have listened to so many of Kerry’s episodes and have been so inspired by all of the educators she has interviewed. I am so grateful for Kerry and what she is doing for the sake of education. I feel so confident going into the launch of my own microschool in September 2025 because of what I have learned from this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackieBo1424
    United Statesa year ago
  • Inspiration other microschool founders

    I have enjoyed hearing from many microschool founders, their ups and downs, wins and loses, and connecting with several of them through this podcast! Thank you, Kerry, for your work and your encouragement for all non-traditional schools and leaders!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mrs Maggie's Mom
    United Statesa year ago
  • Informative and inspiring

    Kerry brings fresh curiosity to each founder’s story and helps elicit those nuggets that make each story unique. I have been inspired by every episode and have gleaned both practical tips and deeper insights into how to approach the tremendous endeavor of educating young people in the 21st century.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LoveLearningNC
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate practical, founder-focused stories that make non-traditional schooling feel achievable.
Guests and topics are consistently diverse, highlighting a wide range of innovative learning models across states.
The host delivers thoughtful, hopeful perspectives on education reform with a focus on real-world outcomes.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Summit School Grew from 50 to 140 Students in 3 Years
Q: What role does storytelling play in promoting school-choice benefits to families and policymakers?
Sharing real stories of families and students who gain access to Summit through school-choice programs helps policymakers and the public understand the tangible, human impact beyond numbers.
How Summit School Grew from 50 to 140 Students in 3 Years
Q: How does TEFA interact with Summit's operations, and what changes did you need to implement because of school-choice programs?
There are mainly administrative changes like new platforms to log and verify enrollment and payments, but existing practices mostly stayed the same; the program expanded access without requiring a complete overhaul of processes.
How Summit School Grew from 50 to 140 Students in 3 Years
Q: How have leadership changes at Summit been managed to avoid founder's syndrome and maintain momentum?
By surrounding the leadership with accountable governance, a board, and a culture that welcomes honest conversations about what's best for the school, while staying true to the mission.
How Summit School Grew from 50 to 140 Students in 3 Years
Q: What do you attribute to Summit's rapid growth over the past few years?
A strong team, a commitment to listening to parents, and a structure that supports ongoing iteration and openness to change, along with space to expand on our 35-acre campus.
Let 1,000 Flowers Bloom: The Future of Educational Freedom with Cato's Colleen Hroncich
Q: What does universal eligibility mean and why do universal programs tend to be stronger and more sustainable?
Universal eligibility expands who can participate and, with funding, strengthens political and market legitimacy. It broadens the base of support, enhances competition among providers, and reduces inequities, though funding and implementation details matter for true effectiveness.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About LiberatED Podcast

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

The show centers on the stories of entrepreneurial parents and educators building innovative K-12 learning options across the U.S., with a steady focus on microschools, project-based homeschooling, district- and policy-level innovations, and the broader spectrum of school choice. Episodes highlight founder journeys, practical implementation of alternative models, funding mechanisms, and community-building efforts that scale personalized, hands-on learning. Unique strengths include a consistent emphasis on real-world entrepreneurship in education, a willingness to cover both micro- and macro-level reforms, and actionable guidance for families and educators considering non-traditional schooling paths.

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How many listeners does LiberatED Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to LiberatED Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with LiberatED Podcast:

1. The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
2. The Life Without School Podcast
3. Calm Parenting Podcast
4. The Mel Robbins Podcast
5. Neurodiversity Podcast

How many episodes of LiberatED Podcast are there?

LiberatED Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 394 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact LiberatED Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on LiberatED Podcast?

Recent guests on LiberatED Podcast include:

1. Peter Holmstrom
2. Katelyn Stone
3. LaRae Hulsey
4. Serena Wilkie Gifford
5. Kate Walker
6. Mary Wells
7. Danika Dunn
8. Kelly Clearkin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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