“School gives you no emotional connection to yourself. It's like constantly like meeting a quota.” - Nikiea 046 S210

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homeroom is a research project using the human-centered design process to redesign our education systems for collaboration and connection over competition and division.

In this episode, we hear from Rosie (061 S225), Raymond (010 S1 E9), David (080 S3 E17), SJ (035 S2 09), Choi (083 S3 E20), Adrienne (085 S3 E22), Adrienne (071 S3 E8), Kentaro (073 S3 E10), Lauren (044 S2 E8), Ann (059 S2 E23), Antonio (033 S1 E32), Fran (064 S3 E1), Paula (043 S2 E7), Jae (037 S2 E1), Maryn (030 S1 E29), Jon (060 S2 E24), Miche (031 S1 E30), Bernd (078 S3E15), and Charli (068 S3 E5) about the purpose of education, what that means to various stakeholders, and/or whether or not we need a new one that enables the return of agency back to our students.

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Join the conversation by subscribing on ⁠Substack⁠, sharing your experiences and thoughts about what you heard in this episode on ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn⁠, sharing with one friend who might benefit from listening to this episode, and/or however else you'd like.

“Why do you think we have a midlife crisis? Because you took all of our choices away.” - Phyllis 065 S3E2

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homeroom is a research project using the human-centered design process to redesign our education systems for collaboration and connection over competition and division.

In this episode, we hear from Sun (070 S3E7), Rosie (061 S225), Joyce (027 S1 E26), Maryn (030 S1 E29), Taylor (079 S3E16), Adrienne (085 S3 E22), Justin (019 S1 E18), Phyllis (065 S3E2), Leah (017 S1 E16), Fran (064 S3E1), Stella (051 S215), Lia (039 S203), Jae (037 S2E1), Adrienne 071 S3E8, and Bernd (078 S3E15) about how our mass education systems—and also cultural and familial systems—actively stifle the agency and intrinsic motivation of our children, and what we can do to shift the control—necessary for authentic lifelong success and human flourishing—back to the learner.

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Join the conversation by subscribing on Substack, sharing your experiences and thoughts about what you heard in this episode on Instagram or LinkedIn, sharing with one friend who might benefit from listening to this episode, and/or however else you'd like.

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Adrienne, a former teacher and unschooling mom—about her experience from teaching to becoming an unschooling mom. We talk about her growing up in a Mormon household while attending a French Catholic school, and how she found her voice within those environments, or didn’t. We also discuss her journey from teaching in the control-based classroom to finding an arrangement for her children that prioritizes community, health, and activism. This is a conversation that summarizes so much of the lessons I learned over the past 3 seasons, in one very articulately expressed episode––thanks Adrienne!

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Adrienne is a former teacher turned unschooling mom of three living out their family's dream life on Vancouver island. She teaches parents how to break away from the status quo and be more present, so they can create an authentic life alongside their kids outside of school without overwhelm and burnout. https://www.instagram.com/these_reveries/

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Juri, an artist and student—about her education journey from middle school to college. We talk about the influence her parents and family had on her identity formation, how her experiences growing up as a minority culture shaped her voice and artwork, and the teachers and mentors who helped her see the value in her self expression. We also discuss the genesis behind some of her well known works, and where she finds inspiration to create art in our society today.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Juri, a Los Angeles-based visual artist, captures the essence of her Korean-American identity with an enigmatic perspective. Recognized by institutions like the National YoungArts Foundation and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, her work has gained international exposure. Exhibited at venues such as the Getty Center and Band of Vices Gallery, Juri's photography portrays her experiences with a hauntingly beautiful touch, inviting viewers into a world of mystery and introspection. https://www.instagram.com/jurikim_/

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Choi, a journalist, YouTube star, and dad—about his recollections of being educated in both Korea and the UK. We talk about his early interests in art, his academic pursuits in genetics, and his career in news and media spanning two decades. We discuss the changes in the news and media landscape, whether or not journalism is a future-proof career, and what makes a good or bad story.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

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"Born in Korea, and grew up in England. Studied genetics in London, but found a job as a newspaper journalist and stuck with it for nearly 20 years. My skills at complaining forged in 1990s English boarding schools and the Korean Army proved very helpful in those years. Spent the last three years trying to figure out social media without much success. The only thing worthwhile I am likely to do in this life is trying to be a handyman, cook - and if I am really lucky - a friend for my son." https://www.instagram.com/choihesuk/

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

In this episode, I speak with Rella B, an author, podcast host, and mom—about her memories of being raised in a military, as well as being educated in different cities around the world. We talk about the origins of her perfectionism, and how her reflections on her childhood has informed and inspired the content of her children’s books. We also discuss how her parenting contrasts with her parents’, and what she envisions for her daughter as she grows up. This is a conversation between two moms sharing about the challenges we face head on as they come, and trusting that as long as we center our children, we’ll be okay.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

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Rella B is a dynamic children's author, mother, podcast host, YouTuber, and former educator who is dedicated to nurturing young minds. With a passion for creating practical stories that blend the reality of childhood with valuable life lessons, Rella B inspires children to explore and believe in themselves. Through her books, podcasts, and videos, she aims to empower young readers to love books, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and growth. https://www.instagram.com/rellabbooks/

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

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. We also discuss the mistakes she’s made along the way, the people who’ve inspired her to be a better parent, and what we should all keep front and center in our minds to raise successful and thriving children. This is a conversation that has made me cry multiple times—as it reminded me of the challenges my own mom faced as a designer and entrepreneur navigating a foreign land to fend for the both of us.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

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Educated in Taiwan and Paris, Mijin is a designer and entrepreneur having operated successful businesses in Shanghai and Korea for 30+ years.

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

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 his brain to a Hoover—as in, the vacuum. We also discuss why it’s important to define the purpose of education, and how setting it up to prepare us for real world relevancy is a better direction for its future.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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David is a "data generalist"; currently a freelance data consultant and educator with an MSc. in Data Science and a background in software and web development. He is most interested in the skills that people actually need in the real world. To that end, he co-hosts the Half Stack Data Science podcast about data science in the real world, and is the author of The Well-Grounded Data Analyst, a book about the data skills that aspiring analysts actually need in their jobs, which will be published by Manning in 2024.

You can find him online here:

https://davidasboth.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-asboth

https://twitter.com/davidasboth

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

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 to change it. We also discuss what general changes she would make if she were helming the education ship, and what efforts she’s working towards to help parents and their children find success in reading.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Taylor is a New York City-based reading specialist with over 10 years of classroom teaching experience. She specializes in structured, multi-sensory, individualized literacy interventions. Taylor started TAS Literacy in 2024 to work towards dismantling barriers to literacy through accessible resources and tailored instruction. She provides 1:1 tailored literacy and executive functioning instruction to students in grades K-8. Additionally, she creates literacy resources for parents, students, and teachers, and published 2 workbooks targeted for students in Pre-K and Kindergarten. https://www.instagram.com/tasliteracy/

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian

homeroom is an international podcast bridging the education gap between the classroom and the living room by starting conversations impacting the next generation.

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, particularly regarding who we put on stage—hint, it’s not the teachers. Bernd tells us about his DREAM framework which he talks about in his book, The Immersive Theatre of Learning: Learning Experiences are Rehearsals for Life which shows us how to create environments that center learners.

Check out our conversation, join our ongoing discourse on social media, and subscribe for more. https://www.instagram.com/homeroomed

You can also find a computer-generated transcript of our episode at https://www.homeroomed.com

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Bernd Gibson is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator and the author of The Immersive Theatre of Learning. In his work he helps organisations, groups and individuals adapt to new cultural environments and to change. He facilitates seminars to foster a culture of innovation and to develop personal and team leadership. Currently based in France, Bernd has worked with learners from all over the world. He also works in higher education, namely at IESEG School of Management in Paris and Lille, as an adjunct professor for Cultural Diversity. Bernd is influenced by research and practices in the fields of theatre, immersive experiences and emotional learning. He is a proud member of the World Experience Organisation, a Pine&Gilmore Certified Experience Economy Expert and a NeuroHeart Education Coach. Outside his regular work in the Learning & Development field, he also designs and stages Immersive Learning Experiences such as retreats and learning games.

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Rée is a visual storyteller and educator exploring the consequences that mass education has on creativity, identity, and interpersonal connection. https://www.instagram.com/theinterdisciplinarian