S2E359: The Reality of Building an Alternative School—With Infinity Academy Founders Gillian and Jenna

What actually happens when you leave traditional careers to build an alternative school from scratch? In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with fellow alternative school founders Gillian Berard (former public school teacher) and Jenna Baggott (former NICU nurse) to unpack the practical realities of launching Infinity Academy, a project-based microschool on 17 acres in Ontario. From navigating local zoning laws using yurt classrooms to balancing AI-powered personalized academics with outdoor life skills, it’s a candid, unfiltered look at the practical realities of launching an alternative school today.Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Meeting the Founders of Infinity Academy 01:29 - Why Reforming Public Education Feels Like "Steering the Titanic" 03:22 - Leaving Nursing & Teaching to Build Something New 06:31 - Infinity Academy’s Vision: Self-Directed & Nature-Based 08:18 - Using AI & Adaptive Tools for Core Academics 12:45 - The Role of the Educator as a "Guide" 14:53 - Addressing Common Misconceptions About Alternative Schools 17:37 - Student Motivation & Real-World Application 19:09 - The Reality of Year 1: Zoning, Funding & Risk 24:09 - Yurt Classrooms & Bypassing Structural Permits 25:30 - Using Social Media to Prove What School Can Be27:45 - Practical Advice for Launching Your Own Microschool Connect with Infinity Academy on Instagram: @infinity_education.incLearn more about Infinity Academy: www.infinityacademyed.com/Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_educationRead MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.comLearn more about all our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schoolsLearn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

Leadership skills in the workplace don't always translate to leadership skills in the home. Often times, the well-intentioned efforts of ambitious parents can lead to surprising consequences for their kids. As it turns out, the secret to raising extraordinary, self-driven kids isn't just pushing harder and chasing optimization...and today's guest is here to unpack just that.In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Heather Chauvin—former social worker, stage 4 cancer survivor, host of the Emotionally Uncomfortable podcast, and advisor to high-achieving leaders—to talk about how ambitious parents can lead their families without burning out in the process.We're covering:Energy Management vs. Time Management: What happens when you fill your calendar without first seeking emotional alignment.Intentionality vs. Control: How to stop micromanaging and support your child's innate development.The Overparenting Trap: Why high achievers accidentally create a "comfort crisis" for their kids and how to break the cycle.Parenting as Quiet Leadership: How to shift out of being "the doer" who controls every task.Episode Timestamps:02:42 – Performative Parenting: Trapped in the Comparison Game05:14 – A Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis and a Burnout Crisis07:47 – Energy Management vs. Time Management09:53 – Why Reactive Living Drains Your Daily Capacity14:43 – Intentionality vs. Control: Are You Supporting or Micromanaging?15:43 – The "Time & Energy Audit": Making Invisible Stress Visible18:44 – The #1 Mistake High-Achieving Parents Make With Their Kids25:38 – Overparenting and the "Comfort Crisis" in Modern Childhood27:28 – Why Emotional Regulation Beats Quick Fixes Every Time31:44 – From "The Doer" to "The Be-er": Reframing Parenting as Quiet Leadership34:56 – Simple Steps to Buy Back Your Time and Reclaim VitalityLearn more about Heather Chauvin: www.heatherchauvin.comWatch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_educationRead MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.comLearn more about our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schoolsLearn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.school

What if one focused conversation each week could help your child identify roadblocks, set meaningful goals, and take ownership of what happens next?In this episode, MacKenzie speaks with Jackson—an Alpha Guide with a background in sports psychology—about Limitless Meetings: recurring, one-on-one coaching conversations that transform a student's ability to set and stick to goals. Jackson explains how to structure a quick, focused check-in, adapt the conversation to a child’s age and interests, and use motivational interviewing instead of defaulting to lectures or quick solutions.Parents and educators will leave with a practical framework for helping children articulate what they want, identify what is getting in the way, choose their own next step, and determine exactly how they want to be held accountable.Episode Timestamps:00:00 – An Introduction to Limitless Meetings 02:58 – Finding the Sweet Spot: Ideal Meeting Lengths for Every Age 05:06 – From Songwriting to Social Skills: Setting Clear, Actionable Goals 06:36 – The Paint-by-Numbers Trick: Keeping Kids Engaged During Deep Conversations 10:48 – Moving from Parent-Led Directives to Student-Owned Agendas 11:56 – The Two Golden Rules: Confidentiality and Tying Goals to Real Life Skills 16:58 – Motivational Interviewing: A Simple Questioning Framework for Parents 24:28 – Positive Reinforcement vs. Negative Punishment 27:28 – The "WTF" Framework29:21 – How to Use AI to Grade Coaching Conversations 40:43 – The Perfect Closing Question: Establishing Meaningful Accountability Watch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_educationRead MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.comLearn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schoolsLearn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

When Dr. Tasha Arnold came across Alpha's MAP test scores, she was in disbelief. As a lifelong lover of traditional schooling with two decades of experience teaching everywhere from Chicago public schools to top private schools in London and Mumbai, Tasha decided to test the learning model out for herself.In this episode, MacKenzie and Tasha (who is now the Head of School at Alpha!) dive deep into the massive paradigm shift required to accept AI in the classroom, why technology actually increases human interaction, and why giving kids the space to fail might be the most important thing we can do for their future.Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: The Ultimate Skeptic02:37 - Dr. Tasha’s Global Education Background05:13 - The New Scarcity: Human Connection vs. Content07:21 - The Reality of Traditional Classrooms & Lesson Plans16:44 - Building Life Skills: "UN" Style Town Halls21:12 - Protecting the Good Teachers (And Filtering the Rest)25:44 - The "Failure Loop" & Practicing "Support, Not Solve"30:53 - Building True Confidence Through Competence34:42 - Data Privacy & Addressing AI Skepticism38:05 - The Future of AI in Public Schools41:50 - The Mumbai Experiment: From Skeptic to BelieverWatch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_educationRead MacKenzie's Substack: www.futureofeducation.substack.comLearn more about Alpha School: www.alpha.schoolLearn more about all of our schools: www.2hourlearning.com/schools

In this episode, MacKenzie sits down with Alpha guide Chris Hays to break down the stock market simulation he uses to make investing, risk, and reward click for students. Using classroom currency, multiple investment options, and fictional market news, Chris turns a complex topic into a 20-minute weekly game that parents and educators can recreate- even if they're new to investing themselves.The conversation goes beyond investing and explores practical ways to teach kids how to earn, save, spend, and donate. From needs-versus-wants discussions to a student-run claw machine business, this episode is full of approachable ideas for building financial confidence, curiosity, and strong money habits early on.Episode Timestamps: 01:20 - Caricaturizing Money: "Professor Dinero"02:19 - Needs vs. Wants Explored03:32 - Steal the "Alpha" Currency System We Use07:12 - Exploring the Controversy of Paying Students 09:55 - The Student Stock Market Explained18:50 - Elevating Ordinary Lemonade Stands: A Case Study24:11 - Entrepreneurship Anecdotes 29:41 - Alternative Reward Systems34:30 - The Five Buckets of Financial LiteracyWatch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_educationRead MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.comLearn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schoolsLearn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

How do you help a child who says "I'm bad at math," "I can't read," or "That's just not my thing"? In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Alexis Wilson, growth mindset and performance coach, to discuss how parents and educators can help kids break out of fixed mindsets and build genuine self-confidence (hint: empty affirmations without evidence don't work). Plus, they confront the harsh fact that parents' hidden fears can cause more issues in kids than any lack of natural talent—and how small shifts at home can completely change a child's identity.Episode Timestamps00:00 - Introduction: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset 03:40 - The Science: How Brains Change with Neuroplasticity 05:09 - Spotting a Fixed Mindset: "That's Just Not My Thing" 06:40 - How to Change a Child's Negative Self-Talk 10:37 - Why Confidence Requires Real Evidence & Reps 17:33 - How Kids Unconsciously Pick Up Their Parents' Fears 23:14 - Are You Secretly Sabotaging Your Child's Mindset? 29:08 - The Power of "Yet" & Normalizing Mistakes 33:55 - How Growth Mindset Transforms Family Dynamics at Home 39:24 - "Mom, I'm Not Dumb": A 7th Grader's Identity Shift 42:42 - Step-by-Step: How Parents Can Reframe Limiting Beliefs Today 44:42 - Knowing When to Pivot vs. When to Keep PushingWatch the Future of Education on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@future_of_educationRead MacKenzie's Substack: futureofeducation.substack.comLearn more about our schools: 2hourlearning.com/schoolsLearn more about Alpha School: alpha.school

How can you tell if your child’s school is thriving or failing? In this episode, former Florida Principal of the Year Christie Ray joins Mackenzie to break down the critical red, yellow, and green flags parents often don't know to look for in their child's school. From invisible administrators and high teacher turnover to rigid policies and unexpected indicators of a toxic culture, Christie's decades of insider insight give parents a practical guide on how to evaluate any school—and, ultimately, relentlessly advocate for their kids.Episode Timestamps00:00 - Introduction: Meet Christy Ray (2020 Florida Principal of the Year) 02:59 - The Principal as a CEO: Evaluating Institutional Health 04:48 - Green Flag #1: Visible Leadership & Pickup/Drop-off Presence 07:28 - Green Flag #2: Low Teacher Turnover & "Coaching Up vs. Coaching Out" 08:29 - Addressing Bad Teachers: Unions, Contracts & Administrative Hurdles 13:17 - Professional Development: Does Teacher Training Actually Help? 14:22 - The "Silent Lunch" Controversy: Is It Good for Kids or Just Adults? 17:44 - Identifying Low Support: Bullying, Chaos, and Front Office Vibe 24:16 - How Parents Should Advocate: Being Relentless and Respectful 28:51 - How to Start Off on the Right Foot With Your Principal & Teachers 30:57 - Quick Breakdown: The Biggest School Red Flags to Watch For 31:31 - Gifting 101: Do Principals and Teachers Actually Want Mug Gifts?

When most people hear "Alpha," they think of our flagship campuses—but that’s only a small fraction of what we’ve built.Across 40+ cities, Alpha has expanded into a diverse ecosystem of specialized academies and accessible models designed to fit different interests, locations, and budgets. Whether parents are looking for elite sports training, hands-on outdoor survival, gifted and talented programs, or affordable local options, there’s a model built for them.In this episode, MacKenzie breaks down all current Alpha school models, explaining how each operates, who they are built for, and how we’re bringing personalized learning to families everywhere.02:15 - NextGen Academy: Gaming & EsportsLearn more at www.nextgenacademy.school05:30 - Waypoint Academy: Outdoor Survival & Wilderness SkillsLearn more at www.waypointacademy.school08:45 - Texas Sports Academy: Single and Multi-Sport Specialty AcademiesLearn more at www.sportsacademy.schoolListen to other episodes about Texas Sports Academy: Episodes #309, #310, and #31111:50 - Alpha World School: High School Study Abroad in Kenya & EcuadorLearn more at www.world.alpha.school14:20 - Founders School: Entrepreneurship & Business BuildingLearn more at www.founders.school17:00 - GT School: Gifted & Talented SchoolLearn more at www.gt.school19:40 - Montessorium: Modernized, Tech-Enabled MontessoriLearn more at www.montessorium.schoolListen to other episodes about Montessorium: Episode #34422:15 - Nova Academy: Affordable Access to Our ModelLearn more at www.novaacademy.school25:30 - Alpha Schools: Our Flagship School, Now ExpandedLearn more at www.alpha.school

How does an 11-year-old memorize every U.S. president in order, read at an 11th-grade level, and compete in national academic bees? In this episode, Mackenzie sits down with Everest, a fifth-grade student who has mastered the science of learning how to learn.Everest breaks down the exact study techniques she uses to absorb information at lightning speed, including spaced repetition, forced recall, and how to build a "Memory Palace" using wild mental imagery. Beyond study hacks, she shares practical advice for parents on how to build genuine grit in kids, why it's crucial to let children follow their own interests rather than forcing subjects they hate, and how dealing with failure made her a stronger competitor.

For the last decade, computer science was considered the undisputed king of college majors. But in the age of AI, that script is rapidly being flipped. Now that AI can write code in seconds, the ability to think deeply and critically has become more important than ever. In this episode, Mackenzie is joined by Alpha graduate Maddie Price, who recently traveled to France for an exclusive philosophy conference at Alexis de Tocqueville’s historical chateau. Together, they break down the growing national reading crisis, the fear of "soft despotism" (and a WALL-E-style future), and why the humanities are emerging as the most crucial toolset for the next generation of leaders.