Best Data Lit Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 386: How Microschool Founders Can Overcome Parent Pressure. Setting Boundaries, Building Confidence, and Communicating Expectations to Create Thriving Schools Without Burnout 24:05

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4d ago24:05

24:05

Starting a microschool comes with incredible joy—but it also comes with the pressure of making everyone happy: parents, students, even your staff. If you’ve ever felt the weight of parent expectations on your shoulders, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m pulling back the curtain on how new founders can manage parent pressure with…

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Ep 385: A Mother’s Heart, a Founder’s Struggle: Navigating the Heartbreak and Hope of School Choices 41:57

11d ago41:57

41:57

For six years, I’ve poured my heart into building a microschool—creating a place of freedom, belonging, and personalized learning. My daughters were the reason I started this journey. And yet, today, neither of them are with us at our microschool. In this episode, I open up about: My daughter’s transition from a small, nurturing microschool environ…

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Ep 384: What’s Saving My Sanity (and What’s Not) as a Microschool Founder. Behind the Scenes: All the Fun Things, The Routines and Systems Keeping Me Sane as a Microschool Leader 30:06

18d ago30:06

30:06

Behind every thriving microschool is a leader who is juggling 1,000 spinning plates — curriculum, enrollment, parent communication, staff management, and personal life. In this candid behind-the-scenes episode, I’m sharing the honest truth about what’s actually saving my sanity right now as a microschool founder…and what’s not. You’ll hear the dail…

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Ep 383: Reset Your Microschool Systems Before Burnout Hits The 4 Week System and Routine to Finally Get Organized and Free 23:02

25d ago23:02

23:02

Running a microschool requires relentless focus, clarity, and strong systems. If you’re spinning your wheels every September—re-creating lesson plans, re-building operations, and re-learning the same organizational habits—you’re headed straight for overwhelm. In this episode, I walk you through a 4-Week Reset System that will help you: Audit what’s…

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I Truly Feel Successful (Wrap Up Session with Jackie) 38:48

25d ago38:48

38:48

In this final wrap up with Jackie, we are talking all about what her experience on the podcast was like as well as the lessons and breakthroughs she had during this time. She’s sharing what being coached publicly felt like, what she’s taking into the next iteration of her business and what surprised her most. In this episode, you’ll hear: The non-l…

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Throwback-To-School: What to Do When You Ask Yourself: Do I Have The Time, Energy and Resources to Start or Grow Your Dream School or Teaching Business! 24:26

1M ago24:26

24:26

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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Kelp, Seagrass, Crabs, and Conservation along California's Coastline with Dr. Brent Hughes, Sonoma State University Professor & Marine Biologist 59:53

1M ago59:53

59:53

Send us a text Dr. Brent Hughes takes us on a fascinating journey through California's coastal ecosystems, revealing the unexpected ways sea otters transform their environments. As an Associate Professor at Sonoma State University with a background spanning from the center of landlocked Kansas to the rugged Pacific coast, Hughes brings unique persp…

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What's the Point? (Session 18 with Jackie) 51:59

1M ago51:59

51:59

In this final coaching session with Jackie, we dive into what the actual point is of anything we're doing... whether that's email strategy, organic social growth, or switching platforms to TikTok. We talk about what it means to truly find your own reason and make that enough instead of performing for your clients or people on the 'gram. We also div…

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Throwback-To-School: Career Change! What Teachers Can Experience After Leaving Public School Teaching and What They Realized They Desperately Needed! 28:30

1M ago28:30

28:30

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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Turning Trash into Treasure: How the US-based Non-Profit Long Way Home with its Hero School are Transforming Guatemalan Communities 58:00

1M ago58:00

58:00

Send us a text What if the trash polluting our environment could be transformed into schools, homes, and opportunities? In San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala, that's what's happening thanks to Matt Panaitz and Long Way Home. 20 years ago, Matt was a Peace Corps volunteer stationed in this predominantly Mayan community nestled in Guatemala's Western Highl…

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“What Don’t I Know Yet?” (Session 17 with Jackie) 54:50

1M ago54:50

54:50

In this episode, we dive into the nuance most people miss when they look at data. Jackie is seeing strong conversions, but we go beneath the surface to explore what those numbers are actually telling us about traffic, trust, and the deeper work of scaling with integrity. We talk about what it means to hold the tension between “this worked” and “thi…

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Throwback-To-School: Does a Homeschooling Business Have to be IN MY HOME? Pros/Cons and 8 Alternative Places for Success! 24:27

2M ago24:27

24:27

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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Should Jackie Fire Me? (Session 16 with Jackie) 55:29

2M ago55:29

55:29

This episode starts with the shift that happened after our last session, and a look at what happens when the business starts talking back to tell us if it actually worked. It ends with a discussion on if Jackie should fire me as her coach. In between, you'll hear Jackie and I dig into what it really takes to see her pivot all the way through to tru…

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Throwback-To-School: From Traditional Teacher to Teacher Entrepreneur: Why I Left The Public School System and Started a Homeschooling Business 32:17

2M ago32:17

32:17

Welcome To The Teacher, Let Your Light Shine: Throwback-To-School Series! You are a teacher, a dreamer, and a builder. This new, refreshing month, we are bringing you something special. Our throwbacks series! Featuring hand-picked episodes from the vault that are JUST as powerful now as when they first aired! August is one of the most transformatio…

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Every Second Breath Project-Stories from the Frontlines: Emmy-Award Winning Filmmakers Cynthia Abbott & Andrea Leland from Petaluma, CA 58:57

2M ago58:57

58:57

Send us a text Storytelling has the power to transform how we see our oceans and inspire meaningful action. Two visionary filmmakers, Cynthia Abbott and Andrea Leland, join us to share how they're using documentary filmmaking to spotlight both the crisis facing our marine environments and the everyday heroes working to save them. Their Emmy-winning…

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Having It All vs. Being It All (Close-Up with Lacey) 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

This episode is a little love letter from my heart to yours. It's for every one of us high-achieving women who’s hit the goal, checked the box, crossed the finish line, and still found ourselves asking... why doesn’t it feel like enough? As we near the end of this season, we’re diving into one of the biggest undercurrents of Jackie’s journey, (and …

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Ep 378: You're Pouring Into Everyone - Who Is Pouring Into You? What's NOT Optional for Microschool Leaders 30:33

2M ago30:33

30:33

Are you a microschool leader running on empty, juggling all the roles, and wondering how to keep going? In this powerful episode, we're diving deep into why professional development isn't a luxury—it's a lifeline. Whether you're starting out or deep in the trenches, this episode will show you how PD can radically transform your confidence, your sys…

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Ep 377: Mid-Year, Major Impact: How Adjusting Your Open House Plan Can Skyrocket Enrollment 19:13

2M ago19:13

19:13

Are you underestimating the power of your school’s open house? This episode breaks down why open houses are so much more than enrollment events—they're your most effective and affordable in-person marketing strategy to build community, increase visibility, and strengthen your brand. Whether you're running a microschool, homeschool hybrid, private s…

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Beyond the UN Ocean Conference: A Captain's Call to Action - Captain Paul Watson, from Paris 58:54

2M ago58:54

58:54

Send us a text Captain Paul Watson speaks with us from Paris about his experiences at the UN Ocean Conference, meetings with global leaders including President Macron, and his continued ocean conservation efforts after his release from a Greenland prison. • The UN Ocean Conference yielded a major victory with 64 countries ratifying the High Seas Tr…

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Data, Directness, and the Power of a Pivot (Session 15 with Jackie) 58:04

2M ago58:04

58:04

This episode is a powerful reminder that business success is rarely about one big move, but is almost always about the small shifts in attention, data, and decisions that lead to the big results. Jackie is moving through the (sometimes very annoying) truth that where your energy goes, results follow. We get real about the uncomfortable reality of w…

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Ep 376: Scaling Back to Show Up: From Burnout to Breakthrough in Microschool Leadership — Why Subtracting Is the Key to Thriving This School Year 34:54

2M ago34:54

34:54

Are you feeling the weight of trying to do everything as a microschool founder, homeschooling parent, or educational entrepreneur? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and practical episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to lead a microschool into a new school year — without burning out in the process. I’m sharing how I’m…

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Rising Human-Generated Noise Impacts Marine Life (worse if deep sea mining, offshore drilling, & windmills get green lit) We Talk with Michael Stocker, Ocean Conservation Research Founder/Director 1:01:49

2M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Send us a text The ocean isn't silent—it's a symphony of natural sounds that marine life depends on for survival. But human-generated noise pollution is drowning out this essential communication network with potentially devastating consequences. Michael takes us deep into the world of marine bioacoustics, revealing how political decisions directly …

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Good Client Conditioning, Slow Seasons, and Business Triggers (Session 14 with Jackie) 1:00:02

2M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

What happens when you know the lesson… but you’re still in it? In this episode, Jackie shows us what true integration look like. The kind where your brain gets it, your business is built around it, and still the pattern resurfaces. We explore what it really means to be “doing the work” in a season where life is full, business is good, and yet… your…

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Ep 375: Overwhelmed by Open Houses? How I Simplified, Scaled, and Finally Found My Flow - How to Plan a Successful Open House That Increases Enrollment Without Burning Out 26:12

2M ago26:12

26:12

Are you overwhelmed trying to plan your next school open house? 😩 You’re not alone. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the chaos, confusion, and emotional weight that comes with trying to host a meaningful event that actually leads to enrollment. Whether you run a microschool, private school, or homeschool hybrid, this episode will help yo…

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Ep 374: How To Market When You're Shy: A Real Talk and 5 Tips for Introverted & Neurodivergent Microschool Founders 17:44

3M ago17:44

17:44

I used to freeze at the thought of “marketing my school.” I’m not naturally outgoing. I’ve always been more of a behind-the-scenes, let-me-do-the-work-in-peace kind of woman. And for a long time, I thought that meant I wasn’t cut out to grow a successful microschool. All I kept hearing was: “You need to network more,” “You need to post every day,” …

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Gray Whales in Peril: San Francisco Bay - What is Being Done, or Can Be Done? We Talk with Cetacean Specialist Josie Slaathaug at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito 58:59

3M ago58:59

58:59

Send us a text In this episode, we talk about a devastating crisis that unfolded this year in the San Francisco Bay. March to June 2025 saw an unprecedented 36 gray whales enter, and stay for extended periods in one of the West coast's busiest waterways. The result? A staggering mortality rate with over 20 dead whales—roughly half of all observed i…

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Serving Well Without Losing Yourself (Close-Up with Lacey) 31:54

3M ago31:54

31:54

We talk a lot about delivering in business (though probably still not enough). We know the game of giving more value, being of service, and overdelivering to create results. But what gets talked about far less is how often that delivery comes at the expense of your own bandwidth, clarity, or boundaries, especially when you really care. In this solo…

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Ep 373: Feeling Lonely as a Microschool Founder? How to Ask for Help, Build Support Systems, and Stop Carrying the Weight Alone—Even When You Don’t Know Where to Begin 20:02

3M ago20:02

20:02

There were so many days I felt completely alone. I didn’t even know how to ask for help—because I didn’t know what kind of help I needed. I just knew I couldn’t keep doing everything by myself. Maybe you're in that place too. You’re carrying the vision. You’re showing up for everyone else. But deep down, you’re tired… and wondering who’s showing up…

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Ep 372: Creating Community Through Events: How to Plan Meaningful Microschool Gatherings That Grow Connection & Enrollment- Letting Go and Letting Others Lead 23:45

3M ago23:45

23:45

Creating Community Through Events: How to Plan Meaningful Microschool Gatherings That Grow Connection & Enrollment As a microschool or homeschool hybrid leader, you’re not just teaching—you’re building a movement. And one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools in your toolkit? Events. Whether you’re welcoming new families, showcasing student w…

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Local Voices of Resistance as A Nation Rises Against Presidential Overreach 55:53

2M ago55:53

55:53

Send us a text A powerful wave of peaceful resistance swept across America on June 14, 2025, as over 5 million citizens gathered in 2,100 cities and towns for No Kings Day. From small coastal communities like Wallala to major metropolitan centers, Americans of all ages exercised their First Amendment rights to voice opposition against what many vie…

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Trusting Others (Session 13 with Jackie) 58:56

3M ago58:56

58:56

We all know trust matters in business. But it’s usually framed as self-trust... trust yourself, back yourself, show up confidently. And while that’s true, it’s not the whole story. In this episode, Jackie and I talk about the kind of trust that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime, and why it's at the heart of everything from pricing and retreat plann…

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Ep 371: From Lonely to Thriving: How to Build a Microschool Community To Decrease Overwhlem and Increase Results (Even If You Don’t Know Where to Start) 28:47

3M ago28:47

28:47

Feeling alone in your microschool journey? Whether you're just starting or several years in, building a microschool community can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, I’m sharing how I went from homeschooling a few students in my living room to leading a thriving micros…

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Ep 370: Introducing The Microschool Marketing Blueprint! A Course Designed To Attract, Enroll, and Grow Your Educational Program. A Foundational Marketing Course Designed Just For YOU! 33:07

3M ago33:07

33:07

You didn’t start your microschool to become a marketing expert… But without students, your vision can’t grow. 💔 If you’re unsure how to get the word out, or you’ve tried everything from social media to word-of-mouth with little return, you are not alone—and you are exactly who I created the Microschool Marketing Blueprint for. In today’s episode, I…

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The Scaling Strategy You’re Probably Avoiding (Session 12 with Jackie) 48:32

3M ago48:32

48:32

There’s a version of scaling that doesn’t require self-sacrifice. In this episode, Jackie shares how stepping out of the wrong roles, especially operational ones, is what allowed her to fully claim what she wants most in this season: to prioritize motherhood without stalling business growth. We talk about the emotional maturity it takes to walk awa…

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Ep 369: Struggling to Find Students in a Small Town? How Becky McNichols Built a Thriving Microschool Business from Her Basement While Homeschooling in Rural Kansas 53:23

3M ago53:23

53:23

Can you really start a microschool in a rural town, homeschool your own kids, and grow an online business—all at the same time? Let me introduce you to Becky McNichols, a former public school teacher from a small town in rural Kansas. After stepping away from the traditional classroom to homeschool her two children, Becky didn’t stop there. She tra…

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Ep 368: Struggling to Find Students? How Florida Teacher-Turned-Microschool Founder Lori Rubel Grew Bloom Beautiful Academy Into a Thriving Homeschool Hybrid With The Microschool Marketing Blueprint 53:48

3M ago53:48

53:48

If you’ve ever thought: “I know I’m called to this work… but why aren’t families enrolling?”—you are not alone. In today’s powerful episode, I’m introducing you to Lori Rubel, a former teacher and now the successful founder of Bloom Beautiful Academy, a growing microschool and homeschool hybrid in Florida. Lori didn’t start with a marketing degree.…

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Deep Sea Mining: Promise or Peril? 59:02

3M ago59:02

59:02

Send us a text Beneath the waves, in the darkness of the deep ocean, lies one of Earth's last pristine wilderness areas – a place we've barely begun to understand. Now, a high-stakes race is underway to mine valuable minerals from the seafloor, with profound implications for marine ecosystems and our planet's future. Richard Charter from The Ocean …

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The Leadership No One Talks About Behind Group Programs (Session 11 with Jackie) 58:07

3M ago58:07

58:07

There’s a lot of talk in this industry about scaling with ease, but what often gets left out is the real leadership behind it that is required to run a powerful group or course. The emotional labor. The nuance. The constant clarity and communication it requires when you actually care about your clients' experience. In this episode, Jackie and I unp…

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Ep 367: Marketing in the Unknown: Why You Can’t Wait for Certainty to Grow Your Microschool 27:34

3M ago27:34

27:34

Are you holding back on growing your microschool because you don’t have all the answers yet? In this episode of Teacher Let Your Light Shine, I’m diving into the reality every founder faces—uncertainty. If you’re stuck waiting for a “perfect time” to market, this episode will give you the clarity and push you need to take the next bold step. I’m sh…

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Ep 366: The Marketing Mistakes I Made, the Organizational Systems That Saved Me, and How to Avoid Burnout Before You Even Begin 30:44

4M ago30:44

30:44

Are you a teacher or parent building a microschool or homeschool hybrid? Overwhelmed by all the tasks, struggling to stay organized, and unsure how to market your school effectively? You're not alone — and this episode is for you. 🎯 In this powerful episode of the Summer of Clarity series, I’m opening up about the real marketing mistakes I made in …

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Saving Our Seas: Inside the World's Largest Marine Mammal Hospital with Adam Ratner in Sausalito, CA USA 59:19

3M ago59:19

59:19

Send us a text What do marine mammals tell us about the health of our oceans? The answer might surprise you—and it's more urgent than ever as climate change transforms our coastal environments. Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement at The Marine Mammal Center, takes us behind the scenes of the world's largest marine mammal hospital as it…

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The Truth About Time, Money, and What it Really Takes to Grow (Session 10 with Jackie) 55:16

4M ago55:16

55:16

This episode is all about the decisions we don’t always talk about... the tradeoffs, the timing, and the roles we play that either move us forward or hold us back. Jackie and I dive into the kind of support that actually helps you scale, how aligned timing leads to smarter growth, and why stepping into the role you’re meant to lead from changes eve…

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Ep 365: You’re Not a Salesperson, but You Still Need Students! How the Microschool Marketing Blueprint Will Change Everything 34:30

4M ago34:30

34:30

Are you a teacher, homeschool hybrid leader, or microschool founder who feels overwhelmed by marketing your school? You’re not alone—and you don’t need to become a full-time marketer to attract the right families. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the real, raw struggles of building a microschool from the ground up—juggling curriculum, enroll…

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Ep 364: Getting Financial Flow: From Financial Fog to Freedom! How Microschool Leaders Can Build Systems That Save Time, Reduce Stress, and Create Sustainable Growth 26:46

4M ago26:46

26:46

Let’s talk about money—but not in a scary or overwhelming way. In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I went from financially winging it (and praying the numbers would work) to building a microschool with clear, sustainable financial systems. If you’re a microschool founder, homeschool h…

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The Lies the Coaching Industry Tells About Scaling (and What Actually Works) (Close-Up with Lacey) 29:33

4M ago29:33

29:33

The coaching industry loves a simplified narrative about scaling: "Hire more support." "Build a funnel." "Go passive." “Detach.” But if you’ve ever tried to grow in a way that actually felt aligned, sustainable, and human you’ve probably realized those strategies don’t tell the whole story. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the truth about what rea…

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Ep 363: When the Building Sells! Legalities 101! How Legalities affect Your Finances! Your First Steps as a Microschool Leader Matter More Than You Think 28:41

4M ago28:41

28:41

Starting a microschool—or even thinking about it—can feel like walking into the unknown. And in May, when reflection, burnout, transition, and anticipation collide, those feelings get amplified. In this episode, I’m sharing the raw, behind-the-scenes truth about what it’s like to start something from scratch as a teacher-turned-entrepreneur. If you…

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Ep 362: If You’re Doubting, Dreaming, or Barely Holding On: Why Your First Steps as a Microschool Leader Matter More Than You Think (And How to Keep Going When It Feels Impossible) 17:43

4M ago17:43

17:43

May has always felt sacred to me. It's the bridge between everything I’ve poured into this school year and the dream that’s still unfolding for the next. And if you’re listening today feeling like you’re doubting, dreaming, or barely holding on… I see you. I’ve been you. And this episode is for you. When I started my microschool, I didn’t have a bl…

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Facing Again Threats to California's Protected Coast, this time by the Trump Administration-Our Talk with the Ocean Foundation's Sr. Fellow, Richard Charter 58:59

4M ago58:59

58:59

Send us a text The battle for California's coast has erupted once more as offshore drilling returns to Santa Barbara and threatens to spread northward along the entire Pacific coastline. This alarming development follows Trump's late April executive order, which targets even our most protected ocean areas—National Marine Sanctuaries—for oil and gas…

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The Strategy You Forgot You Were Using (Session 9 with Jackie) 50:56

4M ago50:56

50:56

This episode is a deep dive into the pressure so many entrepreneurs feel to “do it all” and the quiet tradeoffs that come with that mindset. Jackie and I unpack what it really means to build sustainably, why momentum can’t carry you forever, and how self-sacrifice often masquerades as strategy. We also explore why ease doesn’t mean you’re not being…

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Ep 361: Why May Planning is the Secret to a Peaceful First Month of School: How Early Planning Sets Microschool Leaders and Homeschool Founders Up for a Stress-Free August 17:57

4M ago17:57

17:57

May is more than a season of endings—it’s the foundation for your next beginning. If you're a microschool founder, homeschool hybrid leader, or education entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed about next year, this episode will change the way you approach your summer. In today's conversation, Makenzie Oliver shares why May is the most strategic month to …