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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes391Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyEducation for KidsEducation

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Artwork for LiberatED Podcast

Latest Episodes

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

On this episode of LiberatED, LaRae Hulsey tells host Kerry McDonald about her remarkable journey from enrolling her children in a Prenda microschool in rural Apache County, Arizona to launching her own program, LaRae's Learning Lab. Along the way, h... more

This week on the LiberatED podcast, Kerry McDonald talks with Serena Wilkie Gifford and Kate Walker of the Birches School, a nature-based K–8 independent school in the Boston area that began in 2012 with just five students and now serves about 75 lea... more

Kerry McDonald talks with Mary Wells, co-founder and senior partner at Bellwether, a national nonprofit focused on expanding educational opportunity and innovation. Mary shares the story behind Bellwether's founding and discusses the rapid growth of ... more

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Recent Guests

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
Kelsy Achtenberg
Executive Director of The Innovation School
The Innovation School
Episode: In North Dakota, a small school makes a big impact

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.

Top Education Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How a Family Crisis Led to a New Educational Calling
Q: What motivated you to consider alternative education and micro-schooling as a parent?
I saw my kids' needs not being met in the traditional setting, valued one-on-one engagement, and wanted a flexible, family-centered model that could accommodate our intense family schedule and health issues, which pushed us toward the micro-school path. I also found support in the Prenda network, which helped me gain confidence and practical know-how to start locally.
The Ins & Outs of Launching a K-8 Hybrid Learning Community
Q: What is your long-term vision for EverRoot?
To create a global network of learners with in-person and virtual activities, transferable credits, and local coordinators while maintaining safety, community, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The Ins & Outs of Launching a K-8 Hybrid Learning Community
Q: What are the main pre-launch hurdles you faced?
Building confidence after previous setbacks, navigating insurance and licensing, policy development, and integrating a new LMS and infrastructure to ensure a smooth enrollment process.
The Ins & Outs of Launching a K-8 Hybrid Learning Community
Q: What makes EverRoot appealing to families beyond standard schooling?
Authenticity, emotional and social safety, cultural relevance, mobility-friendly continuity for families who move, and a strong emphasis on real-world discussions and movement-friendly, accessible learning tools.
The Ins & Outs of Launching a K-8 Hybrid Learning Community
Q: Could you walk us through the EverRoot Academy model and how it operates on a day-to-day basis?
The academy blends virtual and place-based learning with a four-day week, offers Tuesday-Thursday synchronous virtual learning plus asynchronous options, starts each day with a parent chat, and emphasizes flexible, community-centered blocks and self-directed projects.

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. Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible
3. The Mel Robbins Podcast
4. Simple Farmhouse Life
5. The Heidi St. John Podcast

How many episodes of LiberatED Podcast are there?

LiberatED Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 391 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?

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What guests have appeared on LiberatED Podcast?

Recent guests on LiberatED Podcast include:

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

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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