Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast

What if art wasn’t just something you make—but a way you think, live, and heal? In this episode, internationally acclaimed graffiti artist and speaker Erik Wahl, joined by his wife and creative partner, Tasha Wahl, share their deeply personal story of losing everything, redefining success, and building a home that doubles as a life studio.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Erik and Tasha about:

• Why Erik defines art as thinking – and how that perspective can liberate learners of all ages
• The role of risk-taking, ego-checking, and “painting for the trash can” in sparking creativity
• How discipline and structure can fuel, rather than limit, imagination
• The Wahl family’s unconventional traditions for raising curious, resilient children
• Creating spaces, physical and emotional, that welcome both joy and suffering
• The importance of originality, emotional expression, and embracing imperfection in an AI-driven world
• How their “river with banks” metaphor mirrors Montessori principles: structure as the foundation for creative freedom, much like Montessori’s balance of order, independence, and exploration

With humor, candor, and hard-won wisdom, Erik and Tasha invite us to see creativity not as a talent for the few, but as a lifelong practice that can transform how we teach, parent, and live.

Learn more about Erik Wahl:
https://www.theartofvision.com/

Buy Erik Wahl's book:
Unthink: Rediscover Your Creative Genius
https://www.amazon.com/Unthink-Rediscover-Your-Creative-Genius/dp/0770434002

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

Maria Montessori was a visionary—but she was also human, complicated, and far more radical than the myths suggest. In this episode, Erica Moretti, author of The Best Weapon for Peace: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children’s Rights, joins hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman to explore the radical roots of Montessori’s legacy.

Together, they discuss:

• Montessori’s early activism and interactions —including with Mussolini and the Vatican
• Moretti presents Montessori as a trailblazing champion for children's rights, whose work was in harmony with the growing humanitarian and internationalist movements of the early 20th century
• Why Moretti believes Montessori never stopped being a feminist—even as her public image softened
• The challenges of writing a twelve-year biography while becoming a mother herself
• Why Montessori’s White Cross initiative, which aimed to provide caring support for children affected by war, was overlooked during its time

With academic rigor, expert insight, and personal reflection, Erica Moretti reintroduces Montessori as a bold, imperfect woman whose work on peace, education, and children’s rights remains urgent today.

Erica Moretti is associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, and a scholar of pacifism, humanitarianism, and displacement in modern Italy.

Find Erica’s book on Amazon or wherever you buy your books.
The Best Weapon for Peace: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children's Rights

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Weapon-Peace-Montessori-Education/dp/0299333140/

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

What if our education system isn’t broken—but just built for a different era? In this episode, Ulcca Joshi Hansen—author of The Future of Smart, Chief Program Officer at Grantmakers for Education, and host of the Future Smart podcast—shares why true educational equity requires more than better technology or expanded curriculum. It requires a fundamental shift in how we define learning and human potential.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Ulcca about:

• Why “bolting on” solutions to a factory-model school system isn’t enough
• The promise of holistic, relationship-driven educational models—including Montessori
• The role of philanthropy in transforming education for the long term
• The cognitive risks and opportunities posed by technology and AI in schools
• Lessons from her candidacy for Denver School Board and her work with funders nationwide

With clarity, warmth, and a systems-level view, Ulcca invites us to imagine an education future that’s truly built around how children grow, learn, and thrive.

For more from Ulcca Joshi Hansen:

The Future of Smart Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-future-of-smart/id1620910055

Her book: “The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help All Young People Thrive”
https://www.amazon.com/Future-Smart-Education-System-Change/dp/195492013X/

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

How can sports empower children—and what happens when they don't? In this episode, Olympic gold medalist and mother of four Dominique Dawes reflects on the highs and harms of elite athletics, and how she’s now working to redefine what success in sports can look like for today’s youth.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman speak with Dominique about:

• The psychological costs of high-level competition—and the power of healing environments
• How her gymnastics academies prioritize whole-child development over medals
• Parallels between her approach and Montessori principles, including independence, intrinsic motivation, and child-led exploration
• Why her own children play multiple sports and attend nontraditional schools
• Her journey from Olympic icon to advocate for balanced childhoods

With honesty, clarity, and deep compassion, Dominique challenges us to rethink what children really need to thrive—in sports, in school, and in life.

Dominique Dawes is the founder of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy https://www.dominiquedawesgymnasticsacademy.com/ 

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

What if technology didn’t replace our humanity—but helped us deepen it? In this episode, Eric Rodriguez—engineer, keynote speaker, and facilitator of the AMS Innovation Think Tank—shares how a formative experience in his Montessori-inspired childhood sparked a lifelong passion for technology, ultimately shaping his mission to create a more human-centered digital future.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman explore with Eric:

• How a seventh-grade encounter with a school computer lab in Ecuador ignited his path into engineering and digital innovation
• Lessons from his work in the energy and tech industries, and how they shaped his understanding of technology as a tool for empathy and inclusion
• Why the distinction between a “job” and your “work” can transform your purpose
• His role in shaping AMS’s Innovation Think Tank and the importance of Montessori’s continued evolution
• AI as a “curiosity companion”—and how it can support educators, learners, and communities
• What it means to design tools that extend, rather than replace, our humanity

With warmth, insight, and vision, Eric offers a compelling reminder that even in an age of algorithms, empathy, agency, and human connection matter most.

Eric Rodriguez is a speaker with the goal to help audiences navigate and thrive in the digital era, championing a future where technology amplifies our human experience.

https://ericjrodriguez.com/

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

Elizabeth Tingle never planned to become a Montessori teacher, but her path seems to have led her there all along. With decades of experience behind her, Elizabeth Tingle discovered that Montessori aligned perfectly with the values she'd been teaching by for years.

Hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier talk with Elizabeth about:

• Elizabeth Tingle’s early calling to teach and how a fifth-grade teacher inspired her to embrace every child’s uniqueness
• The challenges and insights from 14 years working with students facing significant emotional and behavioral needs
• How Montessori philosophy resonated with her belief in personalized, respectful education
• The transition from token-based behavior systems (like earning points or prizes) to intrinsic motivation, and the importance of regulation, trust, and flexibility in learning
• Why understanding behavior as communication is key to unlocking student potential

Elizabeth’s story is a testament to how deep respect for the individual child, and a willingness to adapt, can lead to transformative teaching and learning.

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

What if the people you trust most try to change who you are—and call it love? In this episode, Garrard Conley, author of the bestselling memoir Boy Erased, adapted into a film starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, shares his powerful journey from being outed and forced into conversion therapy to becoming a writer, educator, and advocate for truth and healing.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Garrard about:

• Growing up gay in a fundamentalist Baptist community in rural Arkansas
• Conley’s experience in conversion therapy and how it attempted to erase his identity
• A life-altering moment with his mother during a car ride that changed everything
• The role of literature in survival and resistance
• Reconciling with his family and reclaiming his story on his own terms
• Conley’s latest novel, All the World Beside, which reimagines queer life in Puritan New England

With honesty, insight, and flashes of dark humor, Garrard speaks to the lasting impact of shame—and the liberating force of empathy, education, and asking the right question at the right time.

This conversation is a reminder that stories can be lifelines—and that educators have the power to make sure every child knows they’re worthy of one.

Garrard Conley is the author of:

All the World Beside: A Novel

Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family (Now a Major Motion Picture)

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

How does a second-generation Montessori child become a transformational leader in the movement? In this episode, Anita Hanks, newly appointed President of the AMS Board of Directors, shares her deeply personal Montessori journey—from toddler in the classroom to founder of a thriving school, teacher education program director, and now national leader.

Hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier talk with Anita about:

• Anita's generational ties to Montessori and what led her back after a career in business
• The founding and growth of her school and AMS-affiliated teacher education program
• Anita's evolving view of leadership, mentorship, and building lasting school communities
• Urgent challenges in the field: educator burnout, teacher retention, and Gen Z recruitment
• Anita's vision for AMS: investing in teacher education, building community, and deepening support for members

With insight, warmth, and clarity, Anita speaks to the heart of Montessori leadership—finding joy, creating impact, and helping others discover their own cosmic task.

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

How do we stay energized, focused, and fulfilled in a world that constantly demands more? In this episode, hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman are joined by bestselling author and Harvard Medical School visiting scholar Suneel Gupta, who shares why the path from burnout to balance doesn’t require a major life overhaul—just a few intentional shifts.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Suneel about:

• How your dharma—your inner calling—can be expressed without upending your life
• The connection between energy management and leadership, and why rest isn’t a luxury but a discipline
• Practical tools like the 55/5 rule and traffic light self-awareness to build resilience and avoid burnout
• Why we should stop asking kids “What do you want to be?” and start asking, “What brings you joy?”
• How Montessori education can support self-regulation, reflection, and purpose from an early age

With humor, insight, and real-life stories, Suneel offers a fresh, actionable take on how small adjustments—made consistently—can lead to big, lasting impact.

Suneel Gupta is the author of:

Everyday Dharma: 8 Essential Practices for Finding Success and Joy in Everything You Do

Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind What Makes People Take a Chance on You

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]

What happens when Montessori students leave their multi-age classrooms and step into the world of traditional high schools? In this episode, two seniors—Symona and Josie—reflect on how their Montessori foundations shaped their confidence, relationships, and academic resilience through the challenges of public and independent school settings.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman explore with Symona and Josie:

• The academic and social transitions after graduating from a Montessori middle school
• How Montessori shaped their confidence, academic habits, and emotional intelligence
• What Montessori did—and didn’t—prepare them for
• Navigating larger schools, peer groups, and grading systems
• Why they credit Montessori for giving them a voice and a deep love of learning

Honest, insightful, and real, this episode reveals Montessori’s lasting impact—well beyond the classroom.

Contact Us: [email protected]

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: [email protected]