The OpenEd Podcast

When normal is broken, weird wins. Matt Bowman and Matt Barnes discuss why entrepreneurship might be the most powerful education tool we've never fully utilized. Matt Barnes shares powerful insights from his experience on 10 school boards and raising three children who each took radically different educational paths. The former school board member turned "Parent Whisperer" reveals why traditional education is failing our kids - and how entrepreneurship might be the solution. Learn why some of the most successful young people are breaking away from traditional education, and how parents can support their children's unique learning journeys without fear.⏰ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to the Double Matt B's01:22 Why entrepreneurship matters more than calculus03:23 The "Parent Whisperer" origin story05:56 Why parents fear different educational paths07:21 "When normal is broken, weird wins"09:17 Three different paths: A family case study11:55 The Homeless Bakery Project14:19 What youth really need to learn16:23 Three key entrepreneurial skills19:11 What we look for in Youth Award applications24:20 The future of work: Value over credentials27:12 Social entrepreneurship and community impact28:31 The problem with "teaching to the middle"32:13 Building entrepreneurial muscle

How do great authors build compelling worlds? Jennifer Jenkins, bestselling YA author and StoryCon founder, reveals the essential questions behind every great story. Whether you're a methodical plotter or spontaneous "pantser," discover how understanding writing rules lets you break them effectively.Perfect for young writers, creative writing students, and anyone interested in the craft of storytelling. In this episode:- The power of "what if?" in storytelling- Essential world-building techniques- Plotting vs. Pantsing: choosing your path- When and how to break writing rules- Building creative confidenceFeaturing Jennifer Jenkins, President of Operation Literacy and co-founder of StoryCon.[00:00] - The Hidden Power of Stories[03:31] - Inside StoryCon: A Literary Giants' Gathering[05:04] - Why Kids Don't Need Permission to Dream Big[06:12] - From Reading Struggles to Publishing Success: Jennifer's Story[09:12] - The 80% Rule: Why Meeting Authors Changes Everything[10:24] - How Seeing Authors as Human Changes Everything[11:32] - Inside Operation Literacy's Author Validation System[13:42] - The "What If" Secret to Writing Great Stories[15:34] - Why Research is Actually Writing (The Wikipedia Method)[17:28] - The Hidden Architecture of World Building[20:41] - The Negative Space: What Great Authors Don't Tell You[23:12] - Breaking the Rules: The Framework for Creative Freedom[26:22] - Finding Your Tribe: The Power of Creative Community[29:24] - Why OpenEd and StoryCon Share the Same DNAWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

COVID created a deep shift in education, uniting parents like never before. In this conversation, Grant Hewitt – VP of Partnerships at OpenEd – unpacks how Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) have evolved from simple school choice to true educational freedom, and why the movement is exploding across America.(00:00) - The COVID Moment That Changed Everything(01:00) - The Evolution: From Public Schools to Freedom(04:00) - How One Church Changed Grant's Educational Journey(07:00) - The Explosion of Educational Freedom Across States(14:00) - The Real Problem: Getting Money to Families(17:00) - Why Vouchers Fall Short: Moving "From Box to Box"(21:00) - Tax Credits: The Hidden Challenges(25:00) - ESAs: The Second-Best Path to Freedom(31:00) - The Micro-School Revolution(39:00) - The Truth About "Fraud" vs. "Misuse"(42:00) - Why Homeschool Parents Are Incredibly Efficient(45:00) - Don't Force the Divorce: The Future of Education(47:00) - The Idaho Experiment That Shocked Everyone

What drives parents to switch schools in 2025? From microschools to homeschooling, traditional to charter, National School Choice Foundation's Andrew Campanella reveals why 220% more parents are exploring alternative education - and it's not what experts predicted.(00:00) - Why School Choice Isn't About Politics (It's Personal)(02:29) - The First Step Most Parents Miss When Choosing Schools(03:50) - How COVID Changed Everything: The 220% Surge in Alternative Education(06:12) - The Hidden Reason Parents Don't Act Like Education Consumers(08:19) - Why Traditional Grading is Failing Our Kids(11:03) - Breaking Free from the "School Should Look Like This" Mindset(15:25) - The Wake-Up Call: When No Teacher Stayed a Full Year(17:09) - The Surprising Truth About Education Reform(25:39) - The Transportation Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About(27:03) - Real Stories: How Parents Are Actually Using School Choice(32:56) - The "Best Students Will Leave" Myth Debunked(35:18) - Why Smart Schools Are Treating Parents Like Customers(39:27) - The Forgotten Students: What Happens When Parents Don't Choose?(42:36) - Beyond Politics: The Real Reasons Parents Switch Schools(47:31) - Why Most Parents Shouldn't Jump Ship (Yet)Want even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

OpenEd podcast sits down with the director and showrunner of the hit 2024 movie “Homestead” from Angel Studios to talk about how unconventional education led them to success in Hollywood. From touring with major bands to directing feature films, discover how thinking outside the box and learning through real-world experience shaped their creative journey.Featured Guests: Ben Smallbone - Director of "Homestead" Ben Kasica - Former Skillet guitarist, Showrunner and producer of "Homestead"Go see the movie: https://www.homestead.tv/homehttps://www.angel.com/shows/homestead-seriesChapters:(00:00) - Why Film School Could Kill Your Career(03:12) - From Tactical Training to Major Film Production(08:45) - The Homeschool Journey: Building a Creative Family Empire(13:22) - Learning on Film Sets: A New Kind of Education(17:52) - From Skillet to Showrunner: An Unconventional Path(26:33) - Breaking New Ground: Film to TV Series Innovation(31:45) - The Real Truth About Breaking Into Hollywood(37:20) - For King & Country: Success Without Diplomas(43:15) - The Power of Boredom in CreativityWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative educational approaches.Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opened-podcast/id1760216903https://open.spotify.com/show/6Kf7SZ8XASA6tSqMEuHmVCFollow us on social:https://www.instagram.com/openedHQhttps://www.facebook.com/openedhqhttps://x.com/OpenEdHQhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/openedhq/

The greatest skill you can teach a child is believing they can fly before society tells them they can't.Our latest podcast guest Mark Hyatt has been teaching kids to do just that - literally - through Falcon AeroLab, an OpenEd partner course that pairs an online curriculum with an opportunity to take a live flight with a trained pilot.Listen to learn: Rapid growth of aerospace education programs High-paying job opportunities without traditional college paths How to acquire hands-on learning in aviation The importance of exposure to non-traditional career options Addressing gender and racial disparities in the fieldChapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:06 The Inspiration Behind Falcon AeroLab03:36 Mark Hyatt's Personal Journey07:15 The Importance of Character and Trust in Aviation15:07 Challenges and Opportunities in K-12 Education25:25 Success Stories and Future Goals28:05 Safety and Risk in Aviation Education31:33 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Open education student success stories! Matt and Isaac share examples of young entrepreneurs and answer your biggest homeschool questions. From teaching financial literacy to handling family criticism, this Q&A episode tackles real homeschool challenges.✨ SUCCESS STORIES & TOPICS COVERED:00:00 Teen turns garden box business into $150k success02:30 Small-town teen builds thriving dog breeding business09:45 Teaching financial literacy through entrepreneurship13:45 How to handle critical family members19:45 Building friendships in homeschooling24:30 GED vs dual enrollment for early graduation33:45 Enriching curriculum for different learning speeds43:30 Managing screen time and device obsession💡 KEY HIGHLIGHTS: How a 17-year-old used 3D modeling skills to build a successful garden box business Creative ways to teach kids about money (including the "Bank of Dad" method) Tips for preparing kids to handle questions at family gatherings Why some kids take longer to build friendships (and why that's okay) Practical strategies for balancing screen time with learning

A former award-winning teacher and principal shares his journey from dedicating 14 years to public education to becoming an advocate for educational freedom. This conversation reveals why our education system needs transformation and how innovative alternatives are already showing the way forward.Follow guest at @Principal_Jon on X.Chapters00:00 The Unchanging Face of Education00:26 Introduction to John England00:49 John's Journey in Education02:14 Challenges in the Public School System05:13 Transition to Homeschooling05:27 The Middle School Struggle06:49 The Importance of School Choice12:29 The Role of Non-Teaching Staff19:29 Innovative Education Models25:22 The Stagnation of Public Education26:13 The Need for Flexibility in Public Schools28:17 Innovations in Response to School Choice31:18 Rethinking High School Education34:11 Exploring Alternatives to College36:48 The Value of Real-World Experience40:16 The Benefits of Early Career Exploration44:10 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

"A system that prioritizes a kid's address over his aspirations... it's not one I aspire to." – Derrell BradfordThe education landscape is evolving, from traditional public schools to innovative hybrid models. Derrell Bradford, president of 50CAN, shares insights from their 20,000-family survey and discusses why the future of education isn't about choosing between public or private – it's about reimagining the entire system. Why school choice is gaining momentum across diverse political environments The surprising truth about how families from different income levels make education decisions How "bundle plus" vs "half bundle" education models are reshaping learning options Why teacher satisfaction increases in markets with more educational freedom What 20,000 families revealed about the real state of educational opportunity in America How ESAs (Education Savings Accounts) are revolutionizing school financeChapters00:00 Introduction to the Open Ed Podcast00:25 Meet Darrell Bradford: Education Advocate00:58 The Role of 50CAN in Education Reform03:50 Personal Anecdotes and School Choice06:52 The Emotional Impact of School Lotteries10:35 Market Forces in Education15:00 Innovative Education Models and Teacher Opportunities22:14 State of Educational Opportunity in America22:30 Introduction to the Project23:39 Survey Methodology and Execution24:33 Key Findings from the Survey26:29 Parental Involvement and Satisfaction28:36 Challenges and Barriers in Education33:45 School Choice and Education Systems40:17 The Role of the Department of Education44:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

After 12 years in public education, Peggy couldn't ignore what her training in human development was telling her - the system wasn't working for kids. Now running Apogee Utah, she shares how giving children autonomy, respecting their developmental needs, and allowing them to fail forward has transformed their learning experience. From 15-minute lunch breaks to rigid testing schedules, she reveals what really happens in traditional classrooms and how there's a better way forward.CHAPTERS:0:00 - Introduction0:13 - From Public School Teacher to Alternative Education6:24 - Understanding Developmental Appropriateness12:10 - The Apogee Approach26:36 - Daily Structure at Apogee25:10 - Age Integration27:59 - Building Confidence Through Understanding36:49 - Socratic Discussions40:11 - Final Thoughts on GrowthIn this powerful conversation, Peggy shares:- Why traditional classroom structures often don't serve children's developmental needs- How giving children autonomy over basic needs builds responsibility- The importance of letting children fail forward- Why age integration benefits both younger and older students- How "would you rather" questions build confidence in decision-making#AlternativeEducation #Homeschooling #Education #OpenEd #LearningRevolution #EducationReform #TeacherStories