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LiberatED Podcast

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes386Founded4 years ago
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Kids & FamilyEducation for KidsEducation

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Artwork for LiberatED Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Kerry McDonald talks with Caroline Allen, Chief Program Officer at the Center for Education Reform and Founding Director of the Yass Prize, about how this prize recognizes and celebrates K-12 education innovation and impact across th... more

Kerry McDonald talks with Kelsy Achtenberg, founding teacher and Executive Director of The Innovation School, a private K-8 school in Bismarck, North Dakota. They discuss the school's Reggio Emilia-inspired model, its focus on passion, play, and proj... more

Kerry McDonald speaks with Marc Porter Magee, CEO and founder of 50CAN, about the organization's nationwide efforts to expand education choice and empower families. Drawing on a new survey of 23,000 parents, Marc shares insights on growing demand for... more

In this episode of LiberatED, Kerry McDonald talks with Lexi Hanson and Kayla Phipps, two "superguides" at Prenda, a national microschooling network founded in 2018 by Kelly Smith that has since served roughly 10,000 students in hundreds of tiny scho... more

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Recent Guests

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
Marc Porter Magee
CEO and founder of 50Can
50Can
Episode: What 23,000 Parents Are Telling Us About School Choice
Lexi Hanson
Super guide at Prenda, longtime micro-school leader
Prenda
Episode: A Conversation with Prenda Microschool "Superguides"
Kayla Phipps
Super guide at Prenda, former elementary teacher
Prenda
Episode: A Conversation with Prenda Microschool "Superguides"
Frish Waller
Founder of Brainforest Academy
Brainforest Academy
Episode: Inclusive by Design: How Brainforest Academy Supports Neurodiverse Learners
Ken Troutwine
Former public school teacher and founder of Current Education Center
Current Education Center, Liberated Learners network
Episode: From Public School Teacher to Founder of a Self-Directed Learning Center
Marta MacBan
Founder of Sonoran Learning Collective
Sonoran Learning Collective
Episode: A Two-Day, Tuition-Free Microschool With Full-Time Impact
Cory Henwood
Innovation Coordinator at Iron County School District; advisor to Launch High School and other programs
Iron County School District; My Custom Class; Launch High School
Episode: Reinventing High School: Entrepreneurship & Personalized Learning in Utah

Host

Kerry McDonald
Host of the podcast, Kerry McDonald is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. She is an experienced advocate for educational freedom and innovation.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 100 ratings
  • Pioneer Reading

    Awesome information Pam!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KiFam4
    United States10 months 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.

Reviews highlight the podcast's role in empowering parents to take charge of their children's education and explore new learning opportunities.
The podcast is highly praised for its exploration of microschools and the educational choices available to families today.
Listeners appreciate the inspiring stories shared by innovative educational leaders and the practical tips provided for starting alternative schooling models.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How the Yass Prize Powers Permissionless Education
Q: What are the core principles of the Yass Prize and how do they shape eligibility?
The prize rests on four core principles—sustainability, transformation, outstanding performance, and permissionless autonomy—that determine eligibility and how applicants must demonstrate impact. Programs serving students in pre-K to 12, across school types, can apply if they align with these values and can show meaningful outcomes beyond traditional measures.
A Conversation with Prenda Microschool "Superguides"
Q: How does differentiated or individualized learning look in a Prenda micro-school?
Curriculum is primarily online with tailored pacing; younger students do guided reading and handwriting, older students tackle more advanced math and language online, while writing remains offline; students work at or beyond grade level as needed and teachers monitor progress and set goals.
A Conversation with Prenda Microschool "Superguides"
Q: What does a typical day look like in a Prenda micro-school?
The day usually starts with recess and social time, followed by a camp time for announcements and reflection, Conquer rounds for core learning, self-directed work with choices across subjects, and multiple breaks plus outdoor activities and field trips as needed.
A Conversation with Prenda Microschool "Superguides"
Q: What is the launch experience like for a teacher joining Prenda as a guide?
They explain that six years ago the launch was much more rudimentary, whereas now there are coaches, structured programs, and extensive resources that help teachers feel prepared and supported as guides.
A Conversation with Prenda Microschool "Superguides"
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background and path to Prenda that led to becoming a super guide.
Lexi describes a transition from a neighbor's suggestion to joining Prenda, emphasizing how the model fit her desire for a different educational approach and the social needs of her first grader, while Kayla explains leaving traditional teaching during the pandemic and finding a home with Prenda, starting in a church-based classroom before moving to a home-based setup.

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?

Focused on the entrepreneurial spirit within education, this show showcases a variety of innovative K-12 learning options emerging across the United States. The host engages with parents and educators who are driving changes by establishing unconventional schooling models, such as microschools and online learning programs. Through inspiring stories and practical insights, the episodes highlight diverse approaches to education, emphasizing adaptability and student-centered methodologies. The podcast is particularly noteworthy for its commitment to promoting educational freedom and offering actionable advice for parents and educators looking to explore alternatives to traditional schooling.

Where can I find podcast stats for LiberatED Podcast?

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How many listeners does LiberatED Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for LiberatED Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does LiberatED Podcast have?

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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. Simple Farmhouse Life
4. Science of Reading: The Podcast
5. ReDream Education

How many episodes of LiberatED Podcast are there?

LiberatED Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 386 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. Caroline Allen
2. Kelsy Achtenberg
3. Marc Porter Magee
4. Lexi Hanson
5. Kayla Phipps
6. Frish Waller
7. Ken Troutwine
8. Marta MacBan

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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