Best Be Data Lit The Podcast Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 394: The Future of Joyful Learning: A Conversation with Kerry McDonald, Host of The Liberated Podcast and Author of Joyful Learning 56:52

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1d ago56:52

56:52

This isn’t just an interview! Today’s podcast is an inspiring dialogue between two passionate women who are transforming education from the ground up in numerous ways. 🌟 In this episode, Makenzie Oliver, founder of Lighthouse Learning Microschool and host of Teacher Let Your Light Shine, sits down with Kerry McDonald — Senior Fellow at the Foundati…

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Ep 393: Grit, Grace, and Growth: The Power of Consistency and Community for Teachers, Founders, and Dreamers Leaving the System 25:27

8d ago25:27

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This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more. In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit. I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and eve…

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Ep 392: Why Every Microschool Founder Needs an Autumn Audit Before the New Year: How to Reflect, Refresh, and Realign Your Vision, Team, and Space for 2025 20:54

15d ago20:54

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This month, I’m slowing down — not to plan more, but to see more. In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I believe every microschool founder needs before stepping into a new year: an Autumn Audit. I know how it feels to get caught up in the whirlwind of running your school — the lesson plans, family communications, finances, tours, and eve…

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Ep 391: Building a Microschool in a Yurt: Kami Melton’s Journey from Homeschool Mom to Educational Trailblazer 57:20

22d ago57:20

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In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kami Melton, founder of Arkwright Microschool, to hear how her journey from homeschooling mom to microschool builder unfolded—inside a yurt! Kami began her homeschooling journey in Virginia, later moved with her family to Poland, and returned to rural southwest Georgia during the pandemic. In a county of f…

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Ep 390: Weaving the Tapestry of Calling: How Microschool Mastermind Lauren Talbot Built a Thriving Microschool in Just 4 Months with her Mother 1:06:20

29d ago1:06:20

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How do you go from hearing a quiet tug on your heart to building a thriving microschool in only four months? In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Talbot—former accountant, middle school math teacher, and now the founder of The Anchor Learning Center in Louisiana. From her one-stoplight town, Lauren followed God’s unmistakable call to leave publi…

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Ep 389: What Microschool Leaders Need Most in October! Building Strong School Culture, Engaging Parents and Community, and Planning for Growth with Clarity and Confidence 17:41

1M ago17:41

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By Makenzie Oliver| Micro-School Mentor| Homeschooling Business Coach| Homeschool Teacher Consultant | Micro-school Mom #micro-school #homeschool #teacherletyourlightshine

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Ep 388: Reconnecting to Your Roots as a Microschool Leader: Preventing Burnout, Building Parent & Community Advisory Boards, and Using Personality Frameworks to Grow a Thriving Microschool Culture 22:25

1M ago22:25

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As a microschool founder or homeschool hybrid leader, it’s easy to get caught up in curriculum, enrollment, finances, and the daily logistics of running a school—but one of the most powerful growth multipliers you have is reconnecting to your roots and knowing your people. In this episode of the Teacher Let Your Light Shine Podcast, Makenzie Oliver…

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Ep 387: From Library Meetings to Leading Logos Homeschool Academy: How Jennifer Pinto Built a Homeschool Hybrid in Iowa with Faith and Microschool Masterminds 53:55

2M ago53:55

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What does it look like to step out of traditional education and wait on God’s timing to build something completely new? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Jennifer Pinto, co-founder of Logos Homeschool Academy in Iowa. After leaving traditional schooling in 2023, Jennifer connected with a like-minded friend—whom she met in the library—and t…

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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

2M ago24:05

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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

2M ago41:57

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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

2M ago30:06

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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

3M ago23:02

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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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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

3M 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

3M 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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Throwback-To-School: Career Change! What Teachers Can Experience After Leaving Public School Teaching and What They Realized They Desperately Needed! 28:30

3M 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

3M ago58:00

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

3M 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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Throwback-To-School: From Traditional Teacher to Teacher Entrepreneur: Why I Left The Public School System and Started a Homeschooling Business 32:17

4M 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

4M ago58:57

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

4M ago30:33

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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

4M ago19:13

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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

4M ago58:54

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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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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

4M ago34:54

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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

4M ago1:01:49

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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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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

4M ago26:12

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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

4M ago17:44

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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

4M ago58:59

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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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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

4M ago20:02

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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

5M ago23:45

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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

4M ago55:53

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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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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

5M ago28:47

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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

5M ago33:07

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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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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

5M ago53:23

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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

5M ago53:48

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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

5M 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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Ep 367: Marketing in the Unknown: Why You Can’t Wait for Certainty to Grow Your Microschool 27:34

5M ago27:34

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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

5M ago30:44

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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

5M 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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Ep 365: You’re Not a Salesperson, but You Still Need Students! How the Microschool Marketing Blueprint Will Change Everything 34:30

5M ago34:30

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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

6M ago26:46

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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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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

6M ago28:41

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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

6M ago17:43

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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

6M 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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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

6M ago17:57

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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 …

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Ep 360: How to Manage May Money Panic: Smart Enrollment and Financial Strategies for Microschool Leaders 16:33

6M ago16:33

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May brings a perfect storm of reflection, burnout, transition—and for many microschool founders, serious financial pressure. If you're staring at your re-enrollment numbers, worrying about tuition gaps, or scrambling to figure out summer revenue strategies, this episode is for you. In this practical and encouraging conversation, Makenzie Oliver sha…

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Living Nature - More Valuable Than Dead Nature: How Seacology is Helping Island Nations & Indigenous People Economically & Ecologically 59:02

6M ago59:02

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Send us a text Seacology is a charitable organization headquartered in Berkeley, CA that works to preserve island ecosystems and cultures around the world, as well as conducting annual educational ecotourism trips. Founded in 1991 with the work of ethnobotanist Paul Alan Cox, the high risk of extinction for island fauna and the decline in coral ree…

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Ep 359: How to Build a Thriving Microschool Without Burning Out: Systems Every Founder Needs Before August to Save Time, Reduce Stress, and Lead with Confidence 21:21

6M ago21:21

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Are you exhausted from trying to do it all in your microschool or homeschool hybrid? You love what you’ve built—but you’re realizing that your dream is starting to feel like a burden. This episode is for the teacher-turned-founder who’s drowning in leadership, overwhelmed by logistics, and ready to build a microschool that runs with systems—not str…

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Ep 358: The Dream is Still Alive (Even If You’re Doubting Everything) Feeling Doubt at the End of the School Year? Why You’re Not Failing—You’re Growing 21:55

6M ago21:55

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May is a whirlwind — filled with reflection, burnout, celebration, transitions, and anticipation. And if you’re feeling a wave of doubt about your school, your vision, or your leadership right now — you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I’m opening up about one of the hardest Mays in my journey building Lighthouse Learning Microschool. Sitting in m…

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SEE Turtles Organization President, Brad Nahill on Ecotourism & protecting Sea Turtles - Leading up to World Sea Turtle Week June 2025 59:25

6M ago59:25

59:25

Send us a text This conversation is a lead up to the annual Sea Turtle Week each June, which kicks off with World Ocean Day June 8th and ends on the 16, Sea Turtle Week. 7 sea turtle species are highlighted each day along with one of the threats they face. Join Brad Nahill’s See Turtle organization and more than 150 global partners in raising aware…

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Ep 357: I’m a Tired Teacher, But I’m Not Done: How to End the School Year with Peace, Not Panic 22:56

6M ago22:56

22:56

May is emotional — filled with reflection, burnout, celebration, transitions, and anticipation. And if you’re a teacher, school leader, or microschool founder, chances are you’re feeling all of that at once right now. Today, we’re diving into how to finish your year with purpose — without losing your peace. Have you ever looked up in May and though…