Episode One, Lēza Packard, founder and Head of School for the Ecology Learning Center, a 9-12 Public Charter School in Unity, Maine. 

We talk about finding inspiration in community, finding a career in education through random chance,  the unique challenges of schools in rural places, and how to root young people in ecology and culture, guide them to learn and work in the real world, and help them lead with compassion and resilience.

If you're curious about growing up in rural Maine, about starting an inclusive place-based school from scratch, about the synergy of homesteading and public schools, the problems of the anxious generation and phone use, the hidden costs of consolitation, and the joy of leaarning in deep connection with one's surroundings, this is the podcast for you.

Lēza's recommendations from the end of the episode:

Emanuel Pariser (an article about him)

Steadiness From Within (an article by Emanuel)

Anne Stires (Her Consulting Website)

Onward by Elena Aguilar (A Book for Educators)

Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (A Novel)

And remember... "Under promise... over-deliver."

Email Brad at stokequest.com to suggest my next interviewee. Please give us credit and link to us if you sample or find inspiration here. Thanks for subscribing and reviewing.

Coming soon in 2026.