Category: Education Reform
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“If you’re immersed in the real world and everything is done in a way to satisfy your curiosity, you will eventually learn about all the stuff that you need to learn about.” – David
In this episode, I speak with David, a data scientist, podcaster, and educator—about his education journey from Hungary to the UK, and software developer to what he calls a “data generalist”. We talk about the subjects he excelled in at school, why the words “Industrial Revolution” brings back nightmares for him, and why he compares…
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“The people who are making these decisions are not educators or specialists. They’re politicians.” – Taylor
In this episode, I speak with Taylor, an educator and reading specialist—about her experience being a public school teacher, and what contributed to her leaving the system. We talk about the literacy crisis in America, what the root cause is, what systemic factors are perpetuating it, and what she would do differently if she were…
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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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“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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“We need more time to stop and think. We’re all in a hurry and I don’t know where we’re going.” – Sonia
In this episode, I speak with Sonia, an educator, podcaster, and career coach—about her earliest memories of growing up as the youngest daughter of immigrant parents, to becoming an educator and advocate for defining what success looks like for the next generation. We talk about the mentors in her life who saw great potential in…
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“A college degree doesn’t prove you’re smart. But it does prove that you’re disciplined.” – Sun
In this episode, I speak with Sun, an entrepreneur and storyteller, about his education journey from Korea to the US, California to New York, and engineering to film school. We talk about his socio-emotional development from being the good kid to eventually overcorrecting to protect himself from the bullies. We also discuss what it means…
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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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“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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Identity, cultural acceptance, and the creativity needed for growth and expansion
In this season 2 finale, two of my good friends (who I co-host another podcast with, called Your Asian Besties) interview me about my education journey. Maryn and I attended elementary school together, and Lia was Maryn’s college roommate. They ask me about my earliest memories of being a student, how I navigated between my…
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Critical thinking, opinion-sharing, and the freedom to disagree
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In this episode, I speak with Rosie—a trauma recovery coach, HR leader, and professional accountant—about her early memories of growing up in an immigrant family, and the Asian values that were instilled in her. We talk about how her education systems encouraged her development of skills and abilities that could lead to job and financial…