The Rational Educator
Join our weekly discussion of topics in the world of education with longtime teachers Andrew Bernstein and Deanna Heikkinen.
Episodes
35 episodes
Political Solutions for Education - What's wrong with them?
Education became a huge political hot button issue in the November election of 2021. In this episode we ask if political solutions to education's problems are sustainable, and if they even work at all. Check out our new website, a repos...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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57:00
The Homeschool Option: Can it really save your children?
In this panel discussion, we talk about some of the myths behind homeschooling, and how it has emerged in a world of corrupted institutional education to be perhaps the only option left to save your children. Check out our new website, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:03:50
From Marx to Critical Race Theory: What's Destroying the Schools - #4
Trying to fight the never ending insanities of modern education, from historical revisionism, to climate alarmism, to social justice math, is like trying to play whack-a-mole. But at the root of it all is the 19th century political philosopher ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:06:08
The Destroyers of American Education - How it all started - #3
In this episode, we discuss how the modern classroom came to be, why it was such a departure from earlier methods of education, and the figures in American history that drove its early adoption, Horace Mann and John Dewey.Check out our webs...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:01:46
Alternatives in Education: What to do if you don't like your child's education - #2
In this episode, we discuss your alternatives if you have a child in a school you're not happy with. Will making your case in front of the school board work? What about private schools? Are they any better? And what about homeschooling? Is that...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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59:49
Why the world needs rational education - #1
We're back!After a long hiatus, we've decided to relaunch with a new format and new name, but still bring you thoughtful discussion about the world of education.Our panel features longtime teachers Andrew Bernstein and Deanna Heikki...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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1:00:31
Ana Martin: The Libertarian Homeschooler pt 2- #29
Here's part two of our extended interview with Ana Martin, creator of the Libertarian Homeschooler Facebook page. We talk about what it means to be a libertarian homeschooler, as well as some of the lessons she's learned by homeschooling her tw...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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35:11
Ana Martin: The Libertarian Homeschooler pt 1- #28
Ana Martin is a long time homeschool mom who has been passionate about education and childhood development since the age of 14. She runs the Libertarian Homeschool Facebook page where she shares her wisdom and experience with an audience of ove...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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53:22
Sasha Reed: Success without College - #27
Sasha Reed is the Director of Industry Advancement at Procore, a tech company that specializes in construction management software. We talk with her about achieving professional success in the tech industry without a college degree, in a world ...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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47:38
Founders Chat: Obedience and the New Normal of Education - #26
One of the consequences of virtual schooling under a lockdown is the near impossibility of personal engagement with the student by the teacher. Co-founder Deanna is here to talk about how that has affected some of the kids she tutors, and h...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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46:26
Connor Boyack: Teaching Liberty with the Tuttle Twins Author - #25
Connor Boyack is the author of The Tuttle Twins, a series of illustrated children's books that takes some of the great works from the canon of free market and classical liberal thought, and turns their basic premises into kid-friendly stories t...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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41:30
Founder's Chat: The Benefits of Cursive, and Why It's No Longer Taught - #24
Co-founder Deanna joins us for a discussion about cursive handwriting. Numerous studies have shown how this one skill, taught at an early age, can result in lasting neurological and cognitive benefits. So, why is it no longer being taught? And ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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42:43
Kelly Elmore pt 2: Homeschool Co-op Teacher - #23
Atlanta area homeschool co-op teacher and board president Kelly Elmore is back for part two of our interview with her and this time, we talk about her ideas about education from her perspective as a teacher.We talk about the importance ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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53:53
Kelly Elmore: From Teacher to Homeschool Mom - #22
Kelly Elmore is a teacher, homeschool co-op founder, and longtime homeschool mom. In the first part of a two part conversation, we talk about her personal experiences as a homeschool mom with a teaching background.If you're in the Atlan...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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43:24
Founders Chat: Virtual School Update - Problems and Alternatives - #21
Deanna's back to talk about what we're seeing with virtual schooling, one week in. Some problems have been solved, but others will never be fixed. We also talk about alternatives.If you're a parent and you're considering homeschooli...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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43:58
Leonydus Johnson: Homeschooling Kids as Rational Thinkers without a Racial Identity - #20
Leonydus Johnson is a blogger, podcaster, and a cultural commenter arguing to, as he puts it, "help dismantle the ever-threatening push toward socialism, help break our culture's obsession with skin culture, and move into a truly post-racial so...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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50:23
Founder's Chat: John Taylor Gatto's 7 Lessons - #19
Co-Founder Deanna joins us for a conversation about the modern classroom from the perspective of the late public school teacher and education activist John Taylor Gatto.We talk about a speech he gave, republished in his book "Dumbing Us...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:01:35
Jason Crawford: Progress Studies for Young Scholars - #18
Jason Crawford is the creator of an online program for high school students called the Progress Studies for Aspiring Young Scholars, which teaches a unique approach to the study of history by examining the scientific and technological achieveme...
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51:40
Luc Travers: Ted Lasso & Revolutionary Optimism in Literature - #17
Co-founder Deanna, and High School teacher Luc Travers are back to talk about a unique genre in literature and storytelling that he calls "The Optimistic Outsider Wins Over the Hearts of the Cynical." This discussion was sparked by a ne...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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1:06:28
Founder's Chat: The Challenges of Online Learning - #16
Co-founder Deanna is back for another Founder's Chat in which we talk about online, or "distance" learning. With many states still in shutdown and schools attempting to reopen using video conferencing, what are the challenges that they'll face?...
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1:03:34
Jenn Casey Part 2: A Homeschool Co-op Journey - #15
We conclude our two part episode with Jenn Casey, homeschool mom, and co-founder of an Atlanta area homeschool co-op. We talk about some of the reasons behind starting the co-op, the importance of founding principles, of community, and protecti...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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39:51
Bonus Episode with Jenn Casey: Sometimes You Just Need to Let Go
Here's a quick bonus episode that should've been part of last week's episode and didn't make it. But Jenn's answer is so good here that I wanted to make sure it got heard.Make sure you check out our next episode for the conclusio...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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5:30
Jenn Casey: Homeschooling from The Well-Trained Mind to Unschool
Jenn Casey is an entrepreneur, co-founder of a homeschool co-op in Atlanta, and homeschool mom to three kids. In this episode, we talk about how she started with visions of using classical methods straight out of The Well-Trained Mind, only to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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47:13
Founder's Chat: Pandemic Pods - A Way to Educate in Quarantine - #12
With the increasing uncertainty surrounding the status of schools, more and more families are turning toward "Pandemic Pods," or small associations of families that opt out of the traditional school classroom setting in favor of educating their...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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46:43
Becky Russell: Homeschool Mom and Blogger - #11
Becky Russell has been homeschooling her kids since 2012 and has accumulated a lot of experience that she publishes on her website and YouTube channel. She's here with us to share some of her stories and tips.Be sure to check out her we...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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53:01