Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
Educating the Human Potential is a podcast from the American Montessori Society that explores how education can be optimized to build a better society. Hosted by educational psychologist Nicole Coman and Montessori educator William "Biff" Maier, each episode features conversations with educators and cultural trailblazers about the biggest challenges and innovations in learning. Themes include rethinking classroom models, the psychology of learning, nurturing curiosity and resilience, and the social and cultural forces affecting education.
Episodes
Freedom Within Limits: What Montessori Really Is
What does a Montessori classroom actually look like—and what is really happening beneath the freedom, movement, and choice?In this conversation, Biff and Nicole take on some of the most common questions and misconceptions they hear about Montessori. Is it a chaotic free-for-all? Is it overly strict? Do children get enough academics? Are Montessori students prepared for the “real world”—or for tran
School, According to 3rd Graders: Ishaan & Ayaan
What do children actually think about school?For this special conversation, we hand the microphones over to two very honest critics: nine-year-old twins Ishaan and Ayaan. After years in Montessori and a recent transition to a new school, the third graders have plenty to say about how they learn, what they love, what they miss, and what they would change.Their answers are funny, thoughtful, occasio
Teaching in the Age of AI with Samantha Gleisten
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 new tools—it's strengthening the human capacities that should guide how we use them. Samantha brings her experience as a Montessori educator, digital citizenship teacher, and AI developer to a con
Finding Alignment, Not Balance with Katie Keller Wood
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 the most persistent ideas in modern life. Drawing on her Montessori work and her book Alignment, Katie argues that our lives aren't a scale where work and life compete for equal we
Horizons National's Summer Advantage
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 stay engaged academically while opening doors to new opportunities. At Lexington Montessori School, Director Maricarmen Sullivan and longtime Horizons student Mayelis Burgos-Sanchez s
The Best Part of Summer Camp? Parents Aren't There!
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 and bestselling author Michael Thompson returns for a timely conversation about why summer camp remains one of childhood's most powerful developmental experiences. Together with Nicole Coman
Fostering Independence: Why Autonomy Matters
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 Nicole explore a deeper question: What if true independence is about more than doing things alone? Drawing on Montessori philosophy, they examine how autonomy, choice, responsibility, and thoughtfully prep
Seeing Potential: How Great Teachers Change Lives with Clint Pulver
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 author Clint Pulver to explore how mentorship, connection, and presence shape the stories children and adults tell about themselves. From the teacher who handed him his first pair of drumsticks to years
When Calm Becomes Contagious: The Emotional Blueprint We Give Children
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. Drawing from Montessori principles, psychology, and real-life parenting experiences, they discuss why our reactions matter, how children absorb the emotional climate around them, and what we can d
Seeing the Child Differently: An OT Perspective in Montessori
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 to explore how movement, sensory regulation, emotional development, and environment all shape the way children learn.Together, they discuss:• The connection between occupational
Growing More Than Food: What a School Farm Teaches Children
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 to explore how farming can become a living classroom — one that nurtures independence, observation, responsibility, and a deeper connection to the natural world.Together, they discuss:• Elise’s unconventional
The Science of Learning with Jared Cooney Horvath
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 about how the brain learns—and why so many common approaches fall short.Drawing from research and real-world application, Horvath challenges popular assumptions and offers a clearer, more effective framework for understand
Helping Teens Navigate Stress and Anxiety with Lisa Damour
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 stress, anxiety, and adolescent development. With clarity and compassion, she reframes anxiety not as a problem to fix, but as a natural and necessary part of growing up.Together, they explore:The d
The Science of Boys: How They Learn, Feel, and Grow with Michael Thompson
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 psychologist and author Michael Thompson, whose decades of work have focused on boys’ development, friendships, emotional lives, and school experiences. Together they explore how developmental differences can shape boys’ experi
Information, Not Labels: Understanding Child Evaluations
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 development. Together they explore the differences between educational, psychological, and neuropsychological evaluations, and how these tools can provide valuable insight rather than labels.In
Montessori Deep Dive: Educating Teachers Who Shape the Future Worldwide
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 educator and global teacher educator Natasha McKenzie, whose journey into Montessori began unexpectedly in an international classroom and grew into a career supporting educators across continents.Drawing on decades o
The Volatile Gift: Rethinking ADHD with Dr. Ned Hallowell
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 clinical experience — and his own life with ADHD — Dr. Hallowell reframes ADHD not simply as a disorder, but as a complex condition that can become a profound strength when unde
The Conversations That Brought Us Here — and the Ones to Come
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 shaped the journey and sharing memories from a remarkable group of guests.From psychology and well-being to creativity, identity, and lifelong learning, this episode highlights voices including
Our Next Chapter: Season 2 of Educating the Human Potential
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 part of our community. Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.orgEducating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psyc
The Child Who Found His Voice: The Journey of Governor Josh Green
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 Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, who shares a deeply personal story of how Montessori education helped change the trajectory of his life. After beginning his early childhood unable to hear or speak, Josh entered a Monte
What Children Are Really Telling Us: Psychology, Behavior, and Human Development
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 developmental psychologist whose work bridges mental health, child development, and education.Together, they explore how psychology can deepen our understanding of children’s emotional lives and learning expe
The Montessori Music Maestro: Stories from Frank Leto
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 his half-century-long journey of inspiring creativity, confidence, and curiosity in children through music.Together, they explore:Frank’s unforgettable and life-changing discovery of Montessori education.Translating powerf
You’re Not Alone: Supporting the Overwhelmed Parent
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 and Biff Maier get real about the universal experience of parental overwhelm and the many pressures today’s caregivers carry.Nicole and Biff explore:Why naming your stress and reaching out for connection is often
A Life Devoted to Children: 55 Years of Montessori with Charles Terranova
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 looks back on 55 years in Montessori, sharing the unexpected twists, transformative mentors, and unforgettable children who defined his journey.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coleman speak with Charles about:How a cha
Embrace the Shake: Phil Hansen on Turning Limitations into Creativity
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 to share how a hand tremor reshaped his art, his mindset, and his life. From painting with worms and karate chops to creating art he deliberately destroys, Phil’s story is a masterclass in resi
Montessori Deep Dive: Teacher Cassandra Duggan on Her Homeschool Roots, Traditional Classrooms, and the Freedom to Learn
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 her winding journey from anxious second grader to public-school teacher and autism interventionist, through a brief stop in Waldorf, and finally into Montessori, where follow the child, intrinsic motivation, and m
Lift Off in Education: Donovan Livingston on Hip-Hop, Belonging, and Thriving
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 Lift Off, shares how culture and community can transform student success. Now director of College Thriving at UNC–Chapel Hill, Livingston bridges music, equity, and education to help students fin
Inside the Fisher-Price Play Lab: Why Fisher-Price Embraced Montessori and Returned to Wood
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 Biff Maier and Nicole Coman go inside Fisher-Price’s legendary Play Lab with Dr. Corinne Eggleston, Senior Manager of the Fisher-Price Play Lab, to unpack why the company returned to wood, how the team designed a Montessori-inspired pr
Building Trust: Why Parent-School Communication Matters
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 between parents and educators.Through stories from their own school experiences, they discuss:Why consistency between home and school is key to student growthHow open communication builds trust and reduces stress
From Loss to a Life of Creativity: Graffiti Artist Erik Wahl and Tasha Wahl on Life as Your Art Studio
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 and creative partner, Tasha Wahl, share their deeply personal story of losing everything, redefining success, and building a home that doubles as a life studio.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Erik and Tasha
The Real Maria Montessori: Historian Erica Moretti on the Woman Behind the Method
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: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children’s Rights, joins hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman to explore the radical roots of Montessori’s legacy.Together, they discuss:Montessori’s early activism and interactions —inc
Rethinking School: Ulcca Joshi Hansen on Equity, Technology, and the Future of Learning
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 Education, and host of the Future Smart podcast—shares why true educational equity requires more than better technology or expanded curriculum. It requires a fundamental shift in how we define learning and human po
Let Kids Be Kids: Olympian Dominique Dawes on Intrinsic Motivation, Healing, and Rethinking Youth Sports
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 athletics, and how she’s now working to redefine what success in sports can look like for today’s youth.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman speak with Dominique about:The psychological costs of high-level competition
The Future Is Human: Eric Rodriguez on Technology, Montessori, and the Power of Purpose
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 in his Montessori-inspired childhood sparked a lifelong passion for technology, ultimately shaping his mission to create a more human-centered digital future.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole
Montessori Deep Dive: One Teacher’s Journey to Montessori
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 Montessori aligned perfectly with the values she'd been teaching by for years.Hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier talk with Elizabeth about:Elizabeth Tingle’s early calling to teach and how a fifth-grade teache
A Boy Erased: Garrard Conley on Surviving Conversion Therapy and Growing Up Gay in the Bible Belt
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 a film starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, shares his powerful journey from being outed and forced into conversion therapy to becoming a writer, educator, and advocate for truth and healing.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman t
Leading with Purpose: Anita Hanks and the Future of Montessori Education
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 personal Montessori journey—from toddler in the classroom to founder of a thriving school, teacher education program director, and now national leader.Hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier talk with Anit
From Burnout to Balance: Suneel Gupta on Small Adjustments with Big Impact
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 Harvard Medical School visiting scholar Suneel Gupta, who shares why the path from burnout to balance doesn’t require a major life overhaul—just a few intentional shifts.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Suneel a
Life After Montessori: High School Seniors Reflect on the Impact of Their Early Education
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 shaped their confidence, relationships, and academic resilience through the challenges of public and independent school settings.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman explore with Symona and
The Joy of Foraging: Alexis Nikole Nelson on Food, Nature, and Her Montessori Roots
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 curiosity and independence, ultimately leading to her unique career.Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman discuss with Alexis:How her Montessori upbringing encouraged hands-on learning and a
The Power of Social Identity with Dr. Jay Van Bavel: How Groups Shape Learning, Bias, and Belonging
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 Us, joins us to explore the psychology and neuroscience behind identity formation.Hosts Nicole Coleman and Biff Maier discuss with Dr. Van Bavel:How group identity impacts learning, motivation, and cognitive performanceThe role of
Why Rules Fail: The Montessori Approach to Raising Disciplined Children
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 principles cultivate true self-regulation, accountability, and independence—without authoritarian control.They explore:Why rules often backfire and what works insteadThe power of natural co
Raising Kids in a Hypersexualized Digital World with Dr. Sharon Maxwell & Chelsea Maxwell
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, clinical psychologist and author of The Talk, joins her daughter Chelsea Maxwell, an educator and learning designer, to discuss the challenges of raising kids in today’s digital, oversexualized cult
Lisa Ling on Journalism, Curiosity, and the Power of Storytelling
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 CNN and joining CBS News, Ling has dedicated herself to educating and informing the public.In this episode, she shares:How her early experiences with Channel One News shaped her as a journalistThe power of storytel
Introducing Educating The Human Potential
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 challenging conventional wisdom about how children learn and thrive.They explore:What’s broken in education and how Montessori principles offer a bold alternativeThe meaning of ‘human potential’—and why it’s more
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