Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
Hosted by
American Montessori Society (AMS)
A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.Journey into the future of learning with two pioneering educators as they unlock the secrets of human potential through captivating conversations on education's biggest challenges. Explore "Educating the Human Potential," where Educational Psychologist Nicole Coman and renowned Montessori Educator William "Biff" Maier guide you through transformative discussions that are reshaping how we think about education. This podcast from the American Montessori Society sparks insightful conversations about the future of learning, featuring thought-provoking discussions with educational and cultural trailblazers. Educating the Human Potential challenges the status quo in education—because how we learn shapes society itself. Each episode dives into the critical issues shaping education today, blending research, lived experience, and bold ideas. Whether it’s rethinking classroom models, exploring the psychology of learning, nurturing curiosity and resilience in children, or unpacking social and cultural forces at play in education, Educating the Human Potential delivers engaging, accessible conversations for parents, educators, policymakers, and lifelong learners alike. Join Nicole and Biff as they engage with leading voices like Garrard Conley, who explores identity and inclusive education; Lisa Ling, award-winning journalist uncovering untold stories that shape families and schools; Donovan Livingston, educator and spoken word artist advocating for educational equity; Sharon and Chelsea Maxwell, a mother-daughter duo addressing intergenerational learning and social change; and Jay Van Bavel, a neuroscientist examining how group identity and psychology influence learning and society.Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society PodcastA podcast about optimizing education for a better society.Sponsored by:American Montessori Societyhttp://www.amshq.org/montessori
What happens when artificial intelligence becomes part of how children learn, teachers work, and we relate to one another? Samantha Gleisten believes the answer isn't simply learning how to use…
What if the problem isn't that we're failing to find work-life balance—but that we're chasing something that doesn't exist?Katie Keller Wood joins Educating the Human Potential to rethink one of…
Across the country, Horizons National is helping change that. With more than 70 affiliated programs, the national nonprofit partners with schools to provide high-quality summer learning experiences that help students…
What happens when children spend time away from home—and why do so many parents find that harder than their kids do?In Educating the Human Potential's first-ever returning guest episode, psychologist…
What does it really mean for a child to become independent?For many parents, independence means tying shoes, getting dressed, or completing tasks without help. But in this conversation, Biff and…
What if the moments that change a life are often small, intentional acts of belief?In this inspiring conversation, Biff and Nicole are joined by Emmy Award-winning speaker, drummer, and bestselling…
What happens when children borrow not just our words, but our emotions?In this thoughtful conversation, Biff and Nicole explore how children learn emotional regulation by watching the adults around them.…
What happens when Montessori education and occupational therapy come together?In this thoughtful and deeply practical conversation, Biff and Nicole sit down with a Montessori educator and occupational therapist Tia Gamelin…
What if some of the most powerful lessons children learn happen outside the classroom walls?In this episode, Biff and Nicole sit down with Montessori educator and school farmer Elise Washburn…
What if the way we think about learning… is wrong?In this episode, Biff and Nicole sit down with neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath to break down what science actually tells us…
What if anxiety isn’t something to eliminate—but something to understand?In this episode, Biff and Nicole sit down with clinical psychologist and bestselling author Lisa Damour to unpack the science of…
What do boys really need from the adults who teach and raise them?In this episode of Educating the Human Potential, hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman sit down with renowned…
In this episode of Educating the Human Potential, hosts Biff Maier and child psychologist Nicole Coman discuss how evaluations can help families better understand a child’s learning, behavior, and emotional…
What happens when Montessori moves beyond the classroom — and begins transforming the adults who guide it?In this Montessori Deep Dive, hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman sit down with…
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, world-renowned psychiatrist and ADHD expert Dr. Ned Hallowell challenges everything we think we know about attention, learning, and human potential.Drawing from decades of…
Season 2 of Educating the Human Potential begins with reflection and anticipation.In this premiere episode, hosts Nicole and Biff look back on meaningful moments from Season 1, revisiting conversations that…
A quick message from Nicole and Biff as we prepare to launch Season 2 of Educating the Human Potential. Season 2 debuts next Monday, the 9th.Thank you for listening and being…
What happens when a child is truly seen—and supported—at exactly the moment it matters most?In this very special episode of Educating the Human Potential, Biff and Nicole are joined by…
What if children’s behavior is communication—not something to fix, but something to understand?In this episode of Educating the Human Potential, Biff and Nicole are joined by Dr. Nick Mian, a…
What if music could unlock a child’s full potential—and transform the way we teach? In this episode, Biff & Nicole sit down with educator and musician Frank Leto, who shares…
What does it really mean to support parents who are stretched thin—and how can schools, communities, and families work together to ease the load? In this conversation, hosts Nicole Coman…
What shapes a lifetime in education—and what keeps someone devoted to it for more than half a century? In this episode, longtime educator and AMS Living Legacy honoree Charles Terranova…
What if your greatest limitation became your most powerful creative force? In this episode, Phil Hansen, internationally recognized multimedia artist and TED speaker, joins hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman…
What happens when a child who once asked to be homeschooled grows up to become a Montessori educator, and a Montessori parent? In this episode, Montessori teacher Cassandra Duggan traces…
What happens when hip-hop, spoken word, and student support meet in higher education? In this episode, Donovan Livingston, award-winning educator, spoken word poet, and creator of the viral Harvard speech…
What happens when one of the world’s most iconic toy makers goes back to its roots – and invites Montessori experts to help chart the future? In this episode, hosts…
Why is strong communication between home and school essential for a child’s success? In this episode, hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier explore the role of trust, honesty, and consistency…
What if art wasn’t just something you make—but a way you think, live, and heal? In this episode, internationally acclaimed graffiti artist and speaker Erik Wahl, joined by his wife…
Maria Montessori was a visionary—but she was also human, complicated, and far more radical than the myths suggest. In this episode, Erica Moretti, author of The Best Weapon for Peace:…
What if our education system isn’t broken—but just built for a different era? In this episode, Ulcca Joshi Hansen—author of The Future of Smart, Chief Program Officer at Grantmakers for…
How can sports empower children—and what happens when they don't? In this episode, Olympic gold medalist and mother of four Dominique Dawes reflects on the highs and harms of elite…
What if technology didn’t replace our humanity—but helped us deepen it? In this episode, Eric Rodriguez—engineer, keynote speaker, and facilitator of the AMS Innovation Think Tank—shares how a formative experience…
Elizabeth Tingle never planned to become a Montessori teacher, but her path seems to have led her there all along. With decades of experience behind her, Elizabeth Tingle discovered that…
What if the people you trust most try to change who you are—and call it love? In this episode, Garrard Conley, author of the bestselling memoir Boy Erased, adapted into…
How does a second-generation Montessori child become a transformational leader in the movement? In this episode, Anita Hanks, newly appointed President of the AMS Board of Directors, shares her deeply…
How do we stay energized, focused, and fulfilled in a world that constantly demands more? In this episode, hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman are joined by bestselling author and…
What happens when Montessori students leave their multi-age classrooms and step into the world of traditional high schools? In this episode, two seniors—Symona and Josie—reflect on how their Montessori foundations…
How does a childhood spent exploring nature shape a lifelong passion? In this episode, Alexis Nikole Nelson—award-winning forager, chef, and social media star—shares how her Montessori education helped nurture her…
How does social identity influence the way we learn, form biases, and navigate the world? In this episode, Dr. Jay Van Bavel, NYU professor and coauthor of The Power of…
Award-winning journalist Lisa Ling has spent her career uncovering untold stories and bringing hidden perspectives to light. From reporting in war zones at 21 to hosting This Is Life on…
How can parents and educators help kids develop healthy relationships, navigate social media, and build self-control in a world designed to capture their attention? In this episode, Dr. Sharon Maxwell,…
Are traditional discipline methods setting children up for failure? In this episode, hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier challenge the outdated, top-down approach to rules and discipline, revealing how Montessori…
Is education preparing children for the world they’ll inherit—or the world of the past? In this premiere episode, hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman launch Educating the Human Potential by…
A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.Journey into the future of learning with two pioneering educators as they unlock the secrets of human potential through captivating conversations on education's biggest challenges. Explore "Educating the Human Potential," where Educational Psychologist Nicole Coman and renowned Montessori Educator William "Biff" Maier guide you through transformative discussions that are reshaping how we think about education. This podcast from the American Montessori Society sparks insightful conversations about the future of learning, featuring thought-provoking discussions with educational and cultural trailblazers. Educating the Human Potential challenges the status quo in education—because how we learn shapes society itself. Each episode dives into the critical issues shaping education today, blending research, lived experience, and bold ideas. Whether it’s rethinking classroom models, exploring the psychology of learning, nurturing curiosity and resilience in children, or unpacking social and cultural forces at play in education, Educating the Human Potential delivers engaging, accessible conversations for parents, educators, policymakers, and lifelong learners alike. Join Nicole and Biff as they engage with leading voices like Garrard Conley, who explores identity and inclusive education; Lisa Ling, award-winning journalist uncovering untold stories that shape families and schools; Donovan Livingston, educator and spoken word artist advocating for educational equity; Sharon and Chelsea Maxwell, a mother-daughter duo addressing intergenerational learning and social change; and Jay Van Bavel, a neuroscientist examining how group identity and psychology influence learning and society.Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society PodcastA podcast about optimizing education for a better society.Sponsored by:American Montessori Societyhttp://www.amshq.org/montessori
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American Montessori Society (AMS)
Host of Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast on The Culture Radio Network.
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