LiberatED Podcast

The American Dream is alive and well, as David Morales illustrates in his powerful, new book, American Familia: A Memoir of Perseverance. David spent his childhood in Puerto Rico and moved to Massachusetts when he was 11, where he was surrounded by the love of his family but also widespread poverty and despair. Determined not to be a statistic and instead to seize the opportunity this country offers, David began embracing an attitude of self-reliance and self-improvement in his early teen years that would ultimately lead to his personal and professional success. His tenacity and grit enabled David to rise above his impoverished beginnings and achieve the American Dream.

Teachers and doctors are confronting similar challenges related to institutional bureaucracy and rising levels of professional burnout. Teachers, in particular, have been quitting at record rates over the past two years, leading to a nationwide teacher shortage. Some of these teachers are leaving the education sector entirely, but more of them are striking out on their own to create microschools, tutoring programs, and other educational services.

Entrepreneurs like Josh and Kirk Umbehr are helping individuals to build these new models. The Kansas-based brothers are the cofounders of a.school, a learning management platform for teachers who are creating new educational programs. The pair launched a similar platform, Atlas.md, several years ago when Josh, a family physician, realized the growing demand for direct primary care practices.

Today, doctors and teachers are exiting entrenched institutions and building exciting, new models that offer greater freedom and flexibility for all.

More Patients Turning to 'Direct Primary Care' (WebMD article featuring Atlas.md)

Got Teacher Burnout? Launch A Microschool (Forbes.com article)

It's been a tragic few days in Ottawa, Canada as the Canadian government used rare emergency powers to round up and arrest peaceful protesters and freeze their bank accounts. It's hard to believe this is happening in North America, and in peace-loving Canada no less.

My guest today is Patti Tinholt, a Canadian mother of 5 children and a successful wellness entrepreneur who is deeply saddened by the recent events in her beloved country. She talks about what she has witnessed, what we should say to our children about this current moment, and what she thinks the future holds.

Will freedom prevail over force?

You won't want to miss my conversation with Patti of Joy, Health, Freedom.

According to new data released from the US Census Bureau on Dec 21st, California led the nation in the most population loss in 2021, after years of increase. The other top two states for population loss last year were Illinois and New York. In contrast, Florida and Texas topped the Census list of states with population gains between 2020 and 2021. States' varied responses to the coronavirus have likely influenced this population shift.

People are moving from states like California, Illinois, and New York which had, and continue to have, some the most restrictive coronavirus policies, and are heading to freer and more open states.

Bretigne Shaffer is one of the many people who has left California for more freedom and opportunity elsewhere. She talks about her family's decision, and what she thinks of her new home, in this episode.

Follow Bretigne at Bretigne.com

Learn more about the Freogan Fellowship at Freoganfellowship.org

Listen to Bretigne's podcast, What Then Must We Do?

Read the FEE article, "I Was Fired From My Teaching Job for Refusing to Get Vaccinated. Here's How I Prepared," by Joshua Mawhorter

Read the FEE article, "New York, California, and Illinois Saw Historic Population Drops in 2021," by Peter Jacobsen.

The coronavirus response over the past two years has transformed education, putting parents back in the driver's seat and inspiring education entrepreneurs to create new K-12 learning models. Jill Perez is one of these educators. A longtime teacher and mom of 4, Jill is the founder of Tranquil Teachings Learning Center in Monmouth County, New Jersey that is meeting mounting parent demand for freer and more flexible education options.

Join the discussion at the LiberatED Podcast Community Facebook group!

Connect with Kerry at fee.org/kerry.