Category: Citizenship
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“Never, ever follow the money.” – Mijin
In this episode, I speak with Mijin, a designer and entrepreneur who has lived and worked in Korea, Taiwan, France, Shanghai, and the United States—about her hard-earned lessons in parenting. We talk about the childrearing methods she inherited from her family and culture, and the situations that called for her to find her own way.…
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“We need to get away from delivering education, to staging experiences.” – Bernd
In this episode, I speak with Bernd, an educator and author—about the rich inner world he possessed ever since he could remember, and how his interests in the arts carved his path towards a career that integrates theater, communication, and education. We talk about the elements of our education systems that need to be reformed,…
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“I had the tools to break out of my bubble, but he had no tools to break out of his.” – Juan-Felipe
In this episode, I speak with Juan-Felipe, engineer, policy officer, and CEO of Join a Town—about the 180° change in his journey when his straight-A and honors* track record changed for the first time during college. Juan-Felipe discusses the transformative impact that observing the significant disparities in living conditions between himself and marginalized populations within…
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“When we use math in the world, it’s always in a collaborative environment.” – Kentaro
In this episode, I speak with Kentaro, a math teacher, curriculum developer, and teacher trainer—about his early memories of being an internally motivated child and student. I ask him about the cultural and socioeconomic differences between his home life growing up, and the private high school he went to after attending public schools through the…
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“’You lift your shirt, I’ll lift my shirt, too.’ That’s what makes a good relationship—getting vulnerable and sharing your sh**.” – Reena
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In this episode, I speak with Reena, a TV producer, podcast host, and mompreneur, about her earliest memories of experiencing both social connection and disconnection in schools, as well as both shock and ultimately the push she needed to find her own voice. We talk about her career in TV and entertainment including working as…
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“I am because we are. If you don’t work well with others, figure it out. How can you connect more dots? Who can you build with” – Charli
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Charli Kemp, an educator and social impact-maker, about her high school memories of selling candy, evading tardy sweeps by hanging out in the counselor’s office, and negotiating her grades with her teachers…before becoming an educator herself. We talk about her nonlinear journey of discovering her place in education…
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“Every single thing in our world is related to science. If we reframe it that way, then there’s a place for everyone.” – Andrea
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Andrea Love, an immunologist, microbiologist, and science communicator, about her early interests in science and scientific literacy. We talk about how she became interested in science, what her parents and teachers did to encourage her to continue pursuing her curiosities, and why she is passionate about encouraging children…
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“We need to work on changing people’s mindset around what education is. Around how children learn.” – Fran
In this episode, I speak with Fran, a writer, unschooler, and consent-based education advocate about her education journey, which began in Italy. We talk about how her early interests in humanities and dream of becoming a writer led to her pursuing a career in journalism before she became a mother who decided to give unschooling…
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Social connection, digital responsibility, and the ability to reflect and self-correct along the way
In this episode, I speak with Jon—a pastor and podcaster—about growing up in a family of farm workers, and being raised by a mom who wanted a different life for her child. We talk about his earliest memories of his education journey being wired for social connection. We discuss his non-linear career path, and what…
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Friendships, our Own Normal, and the tolerance for unresolvable conflicts exist
In this episode, I speak with Mel—an educator, artist, interculturalist, and reader—about her earliest memories of growing up as the gifted, oldest daughter of 6 children. We talk about her experiences of making friends—and making bullies—across the US, England, Korea, and Germany, and what perspectives she gained by living within multiple cultures. We also discuss…