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.”
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.
Why is a passion for reading so hard to instill? We explore how contemporary neuroscience and a century of educational philosophy prove that joy is not a frivolous extra, but the very foundation for building a lifelong connection to books.
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.
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.
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.
Every parent wonders what to do when their child seems unmotivated. In this Grounded and Soaring article, educator Minnie Wales explores how real motivation develops—not from pressure or rewards, but from purpose, curiosity, and the freedom to take ownership of learning.
Wonder fuels curiosity and resilience. In this conversation, Terry Dubow and Tree Sturman explore why wonder matters in childhood and how parents can protect that spark at home and in school.
In a world optimized for ease, children risk missing the growth that comes from struggle. Discover how Montessori education at Marin Montessori School gives kids safe, meaningful challenges that build resilience, confidence, and purpose.
In a world where young people are constantly targeted by algorithms, surrounded by misinformation, and often dismissed as passive consumers, learning to be a critical, confident creator isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
