In this thoughtful and lively season finale, Rod and Jal are joined once again by veteran guest Alisa Berger to unpack the potential pitfalls of progressive education. With personal stories, sharp insights, and a dash of humor, the trio explore where progressive models can fall short, why structure still matters, and how to strike the right balance between agency and guidance.

“Reciprocity isn’t just about what you take from the land—it’s about how you live with it.” In this episode of Free Range Humans, Rod and Jal sit down with two extraordinary educators, Lori Hryniuk and Kyle Peruniak, to explore the power of land-based learning. Drawing on careers that span wildfire fighting, school leadership, and deep community engagement, Lori and Kyle share how getting outside the classroom, and into relationships with the land and each other, transforms students and educators alike.

Dr. Paige Fisher joins Rod and Jal for a rich and reflective conversation on education, grading, equity, and the power of relationship-driven teaching. From her early disillusionment with traditional grading to her transformative work in teacher education, Paige shares personal stories and deep insights that challenge how we think about school systems and the humans within them.

“Culture doesn’t just happen. You build it every day — with intention.” What would school feel like if it worked more like a family? In this episode, Rod and Jal are joined by Jessica Rishe and Malaika Boyer of Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH) for a deep dive into a truly human-centered model of public education.

In this special episode, Rod flips the script as a solo host, while Jal and his co-author Libby Woodfin give us a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming book on “human schools.” This lively conversation explores what makes a school truly human — where both students and teachers can bring their whole selves, experience agency, and learn in ways that matter.

“You can’t learn to make better decisions if you’re never given the chance to make a decision.” After visiting Crosstown High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Jal couldn't wait to invite Erin Johnson and Ginger Spickler to the podcast! Listen as they talk through the founding of their XQ Super School, and what makes it stand out in today's education landscape.

“The person who sees the whole system most clearly is the student, and yet we rarely ask them about it.” In this thought-provoking episode Rod and Jal are joined by two transformative education leaders: Dr. Peter Senge and Dr. Jill Jensen. Together, they explore what it takes to create schools that support human flourishing, not just standardized academic achievement.

In this special mini-episode, Rod, Jal, and Gino pop into your feed with a sneak peek at what's coming up in the second half of season four. Learn about the next wave of guests and receive an invitation to a very unique summer "Ed Camp" experience.

Rod and Jal welcome award-winning journalist, poet, and science writer Jessica Nordell, author of "The End of Bias: A Beginning–How We Eliminate Unconscious Bias and Create a More Just World." Together, they explore the origins and impact of unconscious bias, and how small, intentional shifts in thinking and behavior can bring about powerful social change—especially in education and public service.

“Being a teacher is not just about delivering content, it's about creating a space where students can imagine who they want to be.” In this episode, David Krulwich and T'Keyah Robinson promote the idea of treating teachers as artisans - encouraging intensive coaching and collaboration to better shape their craft and ultimately improve outcomes for students.

In this episode, we explore how education shapes democratic and civic engagement with guests Julia Bott, Scott Seider, and Aaliyah El-Amin. They discuss the challenges of civic education today, the impact of inequality, and strategies for fostering informed and engaged citizens - all topics covered in their recent book, "Educating for Justice: Schoolwide Strategies to Prepare Students to Recognize, Analyze, and Challenge Inequity."

"We build relationships with students because they are foundational for human thriving—not just to get them to behave." Rod and Jal welcome educators and scholars Sarah Fine and Victoria Theisen-Homer to discuss the evolving landscape of teacher education, project-based learning (PBL), and the role of relationships in teaching.

And we are back! It's been a minute, but Rod and Jal return to kick off their fourth season of Free Range Humans. Producer Gino Beniamino emerges from behind the glass to host this episode, as the crew examines all that has changed since last spring, including personal and professional updates, and a discussion on the political implications of the recent United States election.

"Curriculum reform requires a love for the details. High-level mission statements are meaningless without practical classroom application." In this episode, Dr. Ben Jensen joins from the land down under to talk with Rod and Jal about the complexities of curriculum reform and the importance of getting in to the weeds when trying to create meaningful change.

Rod and Jal are joined by Dr. Michele Shannon, the Executive Director of the Deeper Learning Districts. Dr. Shannon shares her extensive experience and insights into creating educational environments that foster deep learning and equity. She discusses her journey from being a student in New York City's public school system to becoming a leader in educational reform.

"Generative AI isn't one-sided; it can be both a powerful aid and a source of challenges." In this episode we delve into the integration of generative AI in education with Superintendent of West Vancouver schools, Chris Kennedy and 12th grade student, Eric Xie. They help us explore the potential and challenges of AI, the importance of proactive leadership in educational technology, and the nuanced roles AI can play in different academic contexts.

Jal's former Harvard colleague, Dr. Neil Gross, joins the podcast to take us on a journey that compares the world of policing to the world of education. The conversation explores themes of leadership, culture change, and most importantly, trust through the lens of Neil's latest book, Walk the Walk: How Three Police Chiefs Defied the Odds and Changed Cop Culture.

In keeping with our recent theme of returning guests, Shanna Peeples makes her third appearance on the podcast. She shares her thoughts and insights on the current educational climate, and what it has been like navigating the system in her home state of Texas. A central theme throughout the conversation is the idea of purpose in education, and how shared values can help us rise above the political polarization spreading through society.

Historically, new technologies and innovations slowly make their way into classrooms via procurement processes or pilot programs. Generative AI has simply arrived in the education space, seemingly unannounced, skipping the traditional adoption process. Newly tenured, MIT professor Justin Reich joins the podcast to talk about this trend and what it means for teachers, students, and the system as a whole.

Ron Berger makes his third appearance on the podcast to engage Rod and Jal in a conversation focused on the idea of craftsmanship, and how quality and tangibility can, and should be applied to education. All three share personal experiences across the fields of carpentry, woodworking, writing, and of course education, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and critique in almost everything we do.