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LiberatED PodcastAuthor: Kerry McDonald
The LiberatED Podcast tells the stories of the entrepreneurial parents and teachers who are creating innovative K-12 learning options across the US and expanding education options for families. This twice-weekly podcast is hosted by Kerry McDonald, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Economic Education and leader of the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. A regular contributor at Forbes.com and The 74, Kerry is the bestselling author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), and the author of the forthcoming book, Joyful Learning: How To Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling (Hachette, 2025). She has a BA in economics from Bowdoin College and a master's degree in education policy from Harvard University. A mom of four, Kerry lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter at edentrepreneur.org. Language: en Genres: Education, Education for Kids, Kids & Family Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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How the Yass Prize Powers Permissionless Education
Episode 385
Tuesday, 5 May, 2026
In this episode, Kerry McDonald talks with Caroline Allen, Chief Program Officer at the Center for Education Reform and Founding Director of the Yass Prize, about how this prize recognizes and celebrates K-12 education innovation and impact across the US. Caroline shared her journey from public school teacher to philanthropy, and explained the Yass Prize's four core criteria: sustainability, transformation, outstanding performance, and permissionless operation (S.T.O.P.). She offered practical advice for applicants ahead of this years's June 1 deadline, encouraging educators to clearly articulate what makes their model distinct and in high demand. The conversation also highlighted the diversity of past winners—from microschools to established networks—and the prize's role in connecting innovators while amplifying their work. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!
