Terry DubowMarch 12, 2026comment (0)Podcast

The Gift of Time: Rethinking High School Readiness

We’ve inherited an industrial model of schooling that treats children like products on an assembly line, spitting them out into massive high schools the moment they hit age 14. But does the calendar actually reflect a child’s readiness for adult-sized pressures? In this episode, Terry Dubow sits down with Tree Sturman, Director of the Junior High at Marin Montessori, to poke at the assumptions behind the traditional 9–12 high school structure. Tree argues that the 9th-grade year is a critical “full cycle” moment, a time when the brain’s “hormonal silt” is still settling and the foundation of identity is still wet concrete.

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Sam ShapiroFebruary 24, 2026comment (0)Podcast

Raising Humans in a Digital Roar

In a world that prioritizes speed and easy answers, how do we protect the “muscular” critical thinking our children need to thrive? Strategic advisor Eric Hudson joins Sam Shapiro to discuss AI as an “arrival technology,” a force we cannot ignore, but must navigate with intention. By staying grounded in the practice of doing hard things, we ensure our kids stay in the driver’s seat. For more on navigating change, subscribe to Eric’s Substack, Learning on Purpose.

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Sam ShapiroFebruary 5, 2026comment (0)Podcast

Raising Makers in the Age of AI

How do we ensure our children don’t lose their “creative spark” to an algorithm? Tech veteran Jonathan Arena joins Sam Shapiro to share how his family uses AI to fuel real-world projects—like building a garden—while keeping the focus on critical thinking and the “thinking hand.”

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Grounded and SoaringJanuary 20, 2026comment (0)Podcast

Unscripted & Unfiltered: Veteran Parents Answer Your Questions

Most of us grew up with letter grades and gold stars—familiar markers of progress that don’t exist in a Montessori classroom. Choosing a different path for our children often means letting go of the map we used as kids. In this episode, veteran parents Courtney Smith and Jeannette Schar share how they learned to recognize the true indicators of growth and find confidence in the journey.

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Sam ShapiroDecember 10, 2025comment (0)Podcast

Preventing Early Substance Use and Abuse in Kids and Teens

As families head into a busy season of gatherings, late nights, and less structure, many parents quietly wonder how to protect their kids from early substance use. In this episode, host Sam Shapiro talks with educator and author Jessica Lahey about what really keeps kids safer, why early use matters so much, and how parents can stay connected and influential in the years that count most.

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Sam ShapiroDecember 3, 2025comment (0)Podcast

The Human in the Loop: AI, Learning, and Well-being

Stanford professor of education and expert Dr. Denise Pope calls AI an “alarm bell” for a necessary education reform. She argues the solution to today’s challenges is Authentic Assessment—engaging, real-world projects that are so interesting, students want to do the work. Listen as she defines the core human skills (like compassion and empathy) that technology can never replace, and how to talk to your child about family values in the age of AI.

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Terry DubowNovember 18, 2025comment (0)Podcast

The Motivation Myth: Helping Kids Build Drive That Lasts

Many parents worry that their child isn’t driven enough or needs more pushing. In this conversation, Terry Dubow talks with Minnie Wales, Director of Education for Elementary, about what true motivation looks like and how children can learn to find their own drive. Together, they explore how curiosity, choice, and gentle guidance help kids build lifelong confidence and resilience.

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Sam ShapiroNovember 3, 2025comment (0)Podcast

Raising Mindful Kids in a Distracted World

Our children are growing up in a world that’s louder, faster, and more distracted than ever. Meditation teacher Jess Morey joins Sam Shapiro, Head of Marin Montessori School, to talk about what kids and teens are really seeking beneath all the noise — safety, connection, and belonging — and how mindfulness can help families cultivate calm, compassion, and resilience together.

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Terry DubowOctober 27, 2025comment (0)Podcast

Finding Calm After Back-to-School

The early excitement of the school year has worn off, the pace hasn’t slowed, and many families are running on fumes. Montessori educator Siri Panday joins Terry Dubow to talk about how rhythm, routine, and a little less pressure can help families navigate transitions with more calm.

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