What happens when your child goes from thriving… to completely shutting down?In this episode of Founder to Founder, Felicia Wright sits down with Idaho parent and advocate Carlye Carleton, who shares her powerful journey through public school, charter school, homeschooling, and private school—all in search of the right fit for her children.After watching her son’s personality change almost overnight, Carlye made a bold decision: she refused to let school be the place where her child lost himself.This conversation dives into:How to recognize when a school isn’t workingThe emotional toll of making education changesWhat it really takes to afford private school on one incomeHow her kids literally started a business to stay in a school they loveThe truth about Idaho’s new school choice tax credit (ESA)What policymakers misunderstand about familiesWhy education should focus on the child, not the test scoreThis is more than a story—it’s a wake-up call.If you’ve ever felt like your child isn’t being seen, this episode will show you what’s possible when you choose differently.🎧 Listen now and rethink what “school” can look like.00:00 Introduction + Meet Carlye (Idaho Parent Story)00:56 My Child Wasn’t the Same Anymore02:26 The Emotional Weight of Changing Schools03:15 Trying Public, Homeschool, and Private School05:13 The Moment Everything Changed (He Started Thriving)07:22 Advice for Parents Searching for the Right School09:25 The Financial Reality of Private School (Family of 6)11:11 Kids Raised Money to Stay in Their School ❤️13:10 Kids Who Actually LOVE Going to School14:12 What Is the Idaho School Choice Tax Credit?17:12 The Money Should Follow the Child20:11 Who Gets Left Out of School Choice?21:26 What Real Support for Families Should Look Like23:28 Is Awareness Around School Choice Improving?24:40 If She Could Change One Thing About Education👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations about education, equity, microschools, and reimagining what’s possible for our children.Founder to Founder is a podcast hosted by Felicia Wright, an education consultant, former teacher, and founder of a microschool.This show features honest, unfiltered conversations with microschool founders, innovative educators, parents, and policy advocates who are reimagining what school can be—and should be—for children.We talk openly about:Microschools, homeschooling, and alternative educationEquity gaps, redlining, and access to quality learning environmentsThe limits of traditional schooling and standardized testingWhat it really takes to build and sustain innovative education modelsWhether you’re a parent searching for better options, a founder building something bold, or a policymaker ready for real solutions—this podcast is for you.🎧 New episodes drop every other Wednesday.Work with Felicia / Learn MoreExplore consulting, resources, and speaking: www.feliciawright.comStart strong with homeschooling or microschool planning: https://feliciawright.kit.com/products/homeschool-start-strong-kit📺 Watch more education conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC3C-rurzZQZz6aUix5AWElg 📩 Stay connected: www.feliciawright.comHelping families and founders build better learning environments—one honest conversation at a time.

There is another way to do school.In this Founder to Founder conversation, Felicia Wright talks with two microschool founders about why they started microschools, the challenges of building new learning environments, and what families, educators, and policymakers need to understand about the growing microschool movement.This conversation covers school choice, social capital, community-based learning, and what it really means to build schools designed around children instead of systems.If you are a parent exploring alternatives to traditional school, an educator thinking about starting a microschool, or a founder building something different, this conversation is for you.Founder to Founder is a podcast about honest conversations and better solutions in education — focusing on microschools, homeschooling, education innovation, and expanding access to better learning environments for all children.Subscribe for more conversations on microschools, homeschooling, and education innovation.#Microschool #SchoolChoice #Homeschool #EducationInnovation #FounderToFounder0:00 Introduction0:48 Meet the Microschool Founders2:00 Why We Started Microschools3:50 Microschools and School Choice by State6:30 What Is a Play-Based Microschool?8:25 Learning Outside the Classroom10:30 Community Partnerships and Real-World Learning13:40 Representation in Education Matters15:40 The Impact of Microschools17:45 Social Capital vs College Degrees21:30 What Legislators Should Know About Microschools23:00 The Future of Education25:00 Closing Thoughts👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations about education, equity, microschools, and reimagining what’s possible for our children.Founder to Founder is a podcast hosted by Felicia Wright, an education consultant, former teacher, and founder of a microschool.This show features honest, unfiltered conversations with microschool founders, innovative educators, parents, and policy advocates who are reimagining what school can be—and should be—for children.We talk openly about:Microschools, homeschooling, and alternative educationEquity gaps, redlining, and access to quality learning environmentsThe limits of traditional schooling and standardized testingWhat it really takes to build and sustain innovative education modelsWhether you’re a parent searching for better options, a founder building something bold, or a policymaker ready for real solutions—this podcast is for you.🎧 New episodes drop every other Wednesday.Work with Felicia / Learn MoreExplore consulting, resources, and speaking: www.feliciawright.comStart strong with homeschooling or microschool planning: https://feliciawright.kit.com/products/homeschool-start-strong-kit📺 Watch more education conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC3C-rurzZQZz6aUix5AWElg 📩 Stay connected: www.feliciawright.comHelping families and founders build better learning environments—one honest conversation at a time.

What happens when a child is too advanced for the classroom they’re placed in?For Christal Gamble Banks, that moment came when her son was identified as gifted at just four years old — but the school told her they couldn’t provide support until third grade.Instead of waiting years for the system to catch up, she made a bold decision: homeschooling.In this episode of the Founder to Founder Podcast, Felicia Wright sits down with Christal, founder of Mama Sweet Baby, to talk about gifted learners, neurodivergence, homeschooling, and the growing movement toward education options like microschools and worldschooling.Christal shares how her family reimagined education for their child and how she built a platform helping other parents navigate alternative education paths.This conversation is especially powerful for families raising gifted, twice-exceptional (2E), or neurodivergent learners.The truth is: many of these children are misunderstood in traditional schools.And parents are often left to figure it out on their own.Instagram: https://instagram.com/mamasweetbabyYouTube: https://youtube.com/@mamasweetbaby00:00 Introduction01:00 Christal’s story and how Mama Sweet Baby began03:30 When traditional school isn’t the right fit05:00 Why gifted learners often struggle in school08:00 Social-emotional challenges of gifted children12:00 Finding the right learning environment15:00 Building a community for homeschooling families17:30 School choice and ESAs21:00 Supporting diverse learners and families of color27:00 The future of education for gifted learners33:00 Practical advice for parents advocating for their kids34:30 What’s next for Mama Sweet Baby👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations about education, equity, microschools, and reimagining what’s possible for our children.Founder to Founder is a podcast hosted by Felicia Wright, an education consultant, former teacher, and founder of a microschool.This show features honest, unfiltered conversations with microschool founders, innovative educators, parents, and policy advocates who are reimagining what school can be—and should be—for children.We talk openly about:Microschools, homeschooling, and alternative educationEquity gaps, redlining, and access to quality learning environmentsThe limits of traditional schooling and standardized testingWhat it really takes to build and sustain innovative education modelsWhether you’re a parent searching for better options, a founder building something bold, or a policymaker ready for real solutions—this podcast is for you.🎧 New episodes drop every other Wednesday.Work with Felicia / Learn MoreExplore consulting, resources, and speaking: www.feliciawright.comStart strong with homeschooling or microschool planning: https://feliciawright.kit.com/products/homeschool-start-strong-kit📺 Watch more education conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC3C-rurzZQZz6aUix5AWElg 📩 Stay connected: www.feliciawright.comHelping families and founders build better learning environments—one honest conversation at a time.

School choice isn’t about politics; it’s about parents.In this powerful conversation, we break down what school choice actually means for families, how Texas ESAs are changing the landscape, and what it looks like to truly advocate for your child.In this episode of Founder to Founder, Felicia Wright sits down with Amber Okolo-Ebube, founder of Leading Little Arrows in North Texas.Amber is a microschool founder, homeschool mom, and fierce education advocate who has:HomeschooledUsed public schoolBuilt hybrid modelsNavigated special education systemsHelped families access ESAs in TexasThis episode goes deep into:✔️ What school choice really means✔️ Texas Education Savings Accounts (ESA) explained✔️ How to advocate for your child✔️ Wraparound services and holistic education✔️ The truth about testing myths✔️ What parents fear (and why that matters)✔️ Why education should be about fit — not politicsIf you are:A parent exploring homeschooling or microschoolsA founder building an alternative education modelAn educator navigating policy shiftsOr someone curious about ESAs in TexasThis episode is for you.00:00 – Why School Choice Isn’t Political03:40 – Amber’s Journey: From Banking to Homeschooling07:45 – When Public School Was the Right Choice11:50 – Why Families Shift Between School Models15:20 – What Leading Little Arrows Actually Looks Like18:00 – Texas ESA Explained23:30 – Common Misconceptions About School Choice27:00 – Referring Students Back to Public School31:00 – Wraparound Services & Tribe Café35:00 – Parents Have the Right to Make Mistakes42:00 – Diagnoses, Dyslexia & Fear46:00 – The Future of School Choice in America👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations about education, equity, microschools, and reimagining what’s possible for our children.Founder to Founder is a podcast hosted by Felicia Wright, an education consultant, former teacher, and founder of a microschool.This show features honest, unfiltered conversations with microschool founders, innovative educators, parents, and policy advocates who are reimagining what school can be—and should be—for children.We talk openly about:Microschools, homeschooling, and alternative educationEquity gaps, redlining, and access to quality learning environmentsThe limits of traditional schooling and standardized testingWhat it really takes to build and sustain innovative education modelsWhether you’re a parent searching for better options, a founder building something bold, or a policymaker ready for real solutions—this podcast is for you.🎧 New episodes drop every other Wednesday.Work with Felicia / Learn MoreExplore consulting, resources, and speaking: www.feliciawright.comStart strong with homeschooling or microschool planning: https://feliciawright.kit.com/products/homeschool-start-strong-kit📺 Watch more education conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC3C-rurzZQZz6aUix5AWElg 📩 Stay connected: www.feliciawright.comHelping families and founders build better learning environments—one honest conversation at a time.

What if school segregation wasn’t an accident—but a policy choice that never ended?In this episode of Founder to Founder, Felicia Wright sits down with Tim DeRoche, author of A Fine Line and founder of Available to All, for a powerful and necessary conversation about school zoning, redlining, and who really gets access to “good” public schools.Tim breaks down how attendance boundaries quietly replicate historic redlining, why housing and schooling have become dangerously entangled, and how families—especially Black and Brown families—are still locked out of high-performing public schools by invisible lines on a map.Felicia brings her lived experience as a former teacher, microschool founder, and parent—sharing how her own family navigated these systems just to access a quality education.This is an honest, uncomfortable, and deeply important conversation about equity, power, and what it really means for public schools to be “open to all.”In this episode, we discuss:Why segregation in schools is not “organic” or accidentalHow redlining still shapes school access todayThe hidden role school zoning plays in housing prices and displacementWhy “open enrollment” often isn’t truly openFamilies lying about addresses—and why many see it as survival, not fraudWhat districts could do differently to create real access and equityIf you’re a parent questioning your school options, an educator seeing these patterns firsthand, or a founder working to build something better—this episode is for you.🎧 Listen. Learn. Then ask better questions about who our systems are really serving.Resources & Links:A Fine Line by Tim DeRoche - https://a.co/d/08V1sOgvAvailable to All: https://availabletoall.orgFounder to Founder Podcast with Felicia Wright👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations about education, equity, microschools, and reimagining what’s possible for our children.Founder to Founder is a podcast hosted by Felicia Wright, an education consultant, former teacher, and founder of a microschool.This show features honest, unfiltered conversations with microschool founders, innovative educators, parents, and policy advocates who are reimagining what school can be—and should be—for children.We talk openly about:Microschools, homeschooling, and alternative educationEquity gaps, redlining, and access to quality learning environmentsThe limits of traditional schooling and standardized testingWhat it really takes to build and sustain innovative education modelsWhether you’re a parent searching for better options, a founder building something bold, or a policymaker ready for real solutions—this podcast is for you.🎧 New episodes drop every other Wednesday.Work with Felicia / Learn MoreExplore consulting, resources, and speaking: www.feliciawright.comStart strong with homeschooling or microschool planning: https://feliciawright.kit.com/products/homeschool-start-strong-kit📺 Watch more education conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC3C-rurzZQZz6aUix5AWElg 📩 Stay connected: www.feliciawright.comHelping families and founders build better learning environments—one honest conversation at a time.

What happens when educators stop teaching to the test—and start teaching to the child?In this episode of Founder to Founder, Felicia Wright sits down with Alexis and Rachel, former public school teachers and co-founders of i3 Academics in Orlando, Florida. They share what pushed them out of the traditional system and into building a microschool centered on small class sizes, inclusion, enrichment, and joy.From unlearning fear-based schooling to redefining what rigor actually looks like, this conversation dives into:-Why “enrichment” is not more work-How microschools support students with IEPs without separating them-The damage labeling does to children—and how to undo it-What policymakers still get wrong about families who choose alternative education-Why joy, confidence, and retention may be the most honest measures of successThis episode is a must-listen for parents questioning the system, educators feeling boxed in, and founders building something better for children.🎧 Honest conversations. Better solutions.If this conversation resonated with you, here’s how to take the next step:Parents: Ask better questions about what your child actually needs—not just what the system offers.Educators: If you’re feeling stifled, remember—there are other ways to teach and lead.Founders & Advocates: Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that education can look different and work better.Subscribe, rate, and review Founder to Founder—and help us bring these conversations to more families.www.feliciawright.comwww.educationandpolicyexchange.com

Low expectations in schools don’t just hurt test scores; they shape safety, culture, and how children see themselves.In this episode of Founder 2 Founder, Felicia Wright speaks with Detroit parent advocate Bernita “NeNe” Bradley of Engaged Detroit about what happens when school leadership blames neighborhoods instead of fixing systems — and why so many parents are choosing advocacy, alternative education, and homeschooling instead of waiting for change.Bernita shares her personal breaking points: bullying, harmful bias toward Black children, overcrowded classrooms, school safety failures, and leadership with dangerously low expectations. From there, she explains how community organizing, parent rights education, and reimagining school outside the traditional system can change a child’s trajectory.If you’ve ever felt like the system keeps telling parents to “wait” while children are growing up in real time, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we discuss:How low expectations from school leadership impact children and teachersWhy parents are forced into advocacy when systems failWhat Black families understand that policymakers often ignoreSchool safety, bullying, and overcrowded classroomsHomeschooling myths vs. realityHow community support changes outcomes for familiesWhat future-of-work skills matter for today’s children🎧 Subscribe to the channel for honest conversations about education, homeschooling, and school reform.Parents:Start here → Homeschool Start Strong Kit - https://feliciawright.kit.com/products/homeschool-start-strong-kitConnect with Bernita Bradley / Engaged Detroit:Email: [email protected]: Bernita “NeNe” BradleySearch: Engaged Detroit

In this episode of the Founder 2 Founder podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with NaShawn Edwards, the inspiring founder of Sunrise Learning Academy in Indiana. From her beautifully designed basement learning space, NaShawn provides personalized learning plans for every child, helping them stay on track with their peers in traditional schools. We dove into Indiana’s school choice landscape, the importance of raising children to become well-rounded adults, and how fostering kids in her community has shaped her approach to education.NaShawn’s story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s dedication can create lasting change. I can’t wait for you to hear how she’s transforming lives, one child at a time.Tune in to explore how one woman’s vision is transforming lives, one child at a time.This episode is powered by SPN LaunchPad

In this episode of the Founder to Founder Podcast, I visit Tampa, Florida, to interview Charlene Favorite, the founder and lead teacher of The Homeschool Village. Charlene shares her journey from homeschooling her own children to building a thriving community-based microschool. Learn how The Homeschool Village integrates land stewardship, cultural education, and hands-on learning through their unique programs like the Kitchen and Garden Classroom and Woods Wednesday.Charlene explains the importance of a holistic, play-based approach to education, where children learn through cooking, gardening, and exploring nature. Discover how Florida's school choice programs help families access this alternative form of education, and hear Charlene's advice for parents and educators looking to start or join a microschool community.Check out our founder at the following links!https://littlesprigsoftampa.org/

In this episode of the Founder to Founder Podcast, I sit down with Tiffany Thenor, co-founder of Wonder Here Microschool in Lakeland, Florida. Wonder Here is redefining education through a unique blend of play-based and project-based learning, helping kids thrive by encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and a strong connection to nature.Tiffany shares the incredible journey of how she and her business partner started Wonder Here as a small homeschool enrichment program, which has now grown into a thriving microschool serving many families. We dive into how Wonder Here provides flexibility to families, balancing structured academics with hands-on learning on their beautiful 10-acre farm.We also discuss how Florida's school choice programs impact microschools and share tips for educators looking to start their own alternative learning spaces. If you're a parent or educator interested in innovative approaches to education, you don’t want to miss this conversation!Check out our founder at the following links!www.wonderhere.com This episode is powered by SPN LaunchPadMy name is Felicia Wright and I’m an unconventional homeschooling mom and teacher that stepped off the beaten path and now I help other parents do the same. After teaching for several years I discovered that school dimmed the light of so many children and I didn't want to participate anymore.Now I help families as a family education consultant as well as share what I have learned as a business owner. I believe that as a community we can create better educational outcomes if we work together. It is time to come together to create a better system for our children; even if that means bringing our kids home. Thank you so much for watching my videos and caring about the future of children. I post videos regarding homeschooling and business. Please subscribe and share and let's change the world together.Join the conversation to reshape how we see education. A one size fits all model does not work, school choice and education alternatives are what our children need. 🤓Leave a comment below on a video and share your thoughts! Like confetti, we’re all different.Felicia 💕💕💕Stay up to date with me! 🎉 Website - www.feliciawright.com