In this episode, I sit down with Anais Sägesser to explore a wide range of thought-provoking topics, from the intricacies of personal transformation to the transformative power of systems thinking. We delve into the differences between microeconomics—focused on reducing complexity—and systems thinking, which embraces interconnectedness and gradual, thoughtful change. Anais shares how curiosity and a sense of contribution drive impactful work, and we discuss how these principles can be applied to...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 12
In this episode, I sit down with Alex Wolf, founder of realutopia, to explore the intersections of travel, personal growth, and systemic change. We begin by sharing stories from our recent travels—Alex’s reflective journey in Sicily, Italy, and my own adventures in Japan and Thailand. These experiences provide a backdrop for a deeper discussion on the challenges of connecting across cultures and the unique insights travel offers into societal structures. We then transition to Alex’s professional...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 11
In this episode, I reconnect with Melanie Rieback, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Radically Open Security. We explore her groundbreaking journey from organizing tech conferences to reshaping the cybersecurity industry with an innovative, nonprofit model. Melanie shares how she created a company designed to be unsellable, with 90% of its profits donated to charity, and dives into her philosophy of post-growth entrepreneurship—rethinking traditional business models to prioritize ethics, s...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 7Ep. 10
In this episode, we welcome Tamar St. Clair, a multidisciplinary artist, singer, and vocal coach, for an expansive conversation on creativity, spirituality, and personal growth. From her upbringing in New Zealand to her current life in Spain, Tamar shares her inspiring journey of self-discovery, reflecting on how music, meditation, and connection with nature have helped her navigate challenges and embrace the unknown.Listeners will hear Tamar’s insights on the impact of education on creativity a...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In this episode of Re-Educated, we are joined by Patrick Cassidy, an Aikido master with over four decades of experience in exploring and teaching the art of peace. Patrick shares his remarkable journey from California to Japan, where he immersed himself in Aikido training, yoga, and mindfulness practices. He offers profound insights into the philosophy behind Aikido, emphasizing its unique approach to addressing conflict by fostering connection and unity rather than opposition. Throughout the co...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 7Ep. 8
In this episode, I sit down with Giulia, a talented musician and multilingual artist, to explore the transformative power of music and art in our lives. Giulia shares her journey from a small village in Switzerland to her current creative life in Zurich, reflecting on how her multilingual background shapes her art and allows her to connect with diverse audiences. We dive into the challenges of expressing emotions across languages, with Giulia revealing how Italian and English play distinct roles...
Jan 13, 2025•56 min•Season 7Ep. 7
In this episode, I sat down with Miro Komarek, the general manager of two culinary establishments in Zurich and a passionate breathwork trainer. The conversation unfolds into a discourse covering gastronomy, mindfulness, and sustainable living. Miro shares his journey from growing up in Czechia to managing restaurants in Switzerland, reflecting on how his cultural and educational experiences shaped his perspective on life, work, and self-care. The discussion delves into the challenges and joys o...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 6
In this deeply reflective episode, we explore the transformative journey of navigating life’s challenges and embracing personal growth. Our guest, Carly Snedeker, a seasoned yoga teacher, shares how her role as a guide for others became a profound avenue for her own self-discovery. From her time teaching yoga at the Kaleido community gathering to her ongoing battle with cancer, she reveals how these pivotal moments have shaped her perspective on purpose, suffering, and joy. The conversation delv...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 7Ep. 5
In this episode, we dive into a powerful conversation with Antoinette Vermilye, a passionate advocate for marine conservation and co-founder of the Plastic Free Campus initiative. Antoinette shares her early experiences growing up in Nigeria, where time spent in nature inspired her lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship. From observing fishermen's impact on marine ecosystems to witnessing the growing influence of convenience culture, her story offers a deeply personal lens on the inter...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 7Ep. 4
In this episode, I sit down with Amna Mawaz Khan, a Pakistani dancer and activist, to explore the intersections of art, activism, and social change. We discuss the challenges she has faced as an activist in Pakistan, delving into the complexities of patriarchy, colonialism, and cultural heritage. Amna shares how art serves as both a tool for expression and a means of repression, reflecting on how cultural preservation can combat societal inequalities while maintaining a deep connection to one’s ...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 7Ep. 3
In this episode, I sit down with Amna Mawaz Khan to reflect on our experiences at the Kaleido Retreat in Switzerland—a gathering that brought together professionals from diverse backgrounds to explore sustainability, collaboration, and personal growth. We dive into Amna’s personal journey from Pakistan to Germany, her background in South Asian dance, and her workshop at the retreat, where art and healing intersected in powerful ways. Together, we discuss the unique challenges of balancing contro...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In today's episode, it's another solo session! In September 2024, I attended a conference in Switzerland focused on Peace and Liberation. It was one of the most fascinating experiences I've ever had—a week spent with an incredibly diverse group of academics, policymakers, technologists, artists, and scientists. This conference shattered the typical expectations of an academic gathering and encouraged us to connect with one another on a human level. This episode kicks off a new season where I’ll ...
Dec 18, 2024•46 min•Season 7Ep. 1
In this episode, I sit down with Daud Jalal, a remarkable individual whose life has been shaped by profound transitions—from growing up in a refugee camp in Pakistan to contributing policy insights in Washington, D.C. Daud shares his journey through a world of shifting borders, complex political landscapes, and cultural richness. We explore how his early education in Pakistan, steeped in liberal values, laid the foundation for his aspirations, even as it contrasted sharply with the realities of ...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 21
In this episode, I sit down with Pragathi Guruprasad, a multi-talented artist and entrepreneur who first rose to fame on the Indian reality show Super Singer. Born in Singapore and raised in Fremont, California, Pragathi shares her experiences of growing up in a highly competitive environment while navigating the duality of being deeply rooted in her Tamil heritage and thriving in the United States. She opens up about how her journey to fame wasn’t just about the spotlight—it was about understan...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 19
In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Joseph Devlin, a professor of cognitive neuroscience. We dive into a wide-ranging discussion about the nature of intelligence, how the brain works, and the role of personal experience in shaping learning. We explore the nuanced relationship between the brain and the body, particularly how our physical reactions influence our emotions and thoughts. Together, we tackle the often-misused term "smart" in education, emphasizing the need to shift focus from labels to ...
Dec 01, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 4
In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Kornder, a high school student whose curiosity and passion for learning have been a constant source of inspiration. Over the last five years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Andrew and witnessing his unique approach to exploring the world. From discovering the beauty of mathematics through channels like 3Blue1Brown to diving into self-guided learning on topics ranging from coding to history, Andrew embodies the spirit of lifelong curiosity. We delve...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 19
In this episode, I reconnect with Suchitra Narayanan, an NSF Graduate Research Fellow working at the intersection of astrochemistry and planetary science, and most importantly, a friend from childhood. Suchitra’s journey starts from her childhood in Fremont, California where she explored her early fascination with the stars, nurtured by a humble yellow telescope and her father’s enthusiasm for science fiction and astronomy. Our conversation takes us through her reflections on growing up in a tig...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 18
In this heartfelt episode, I reconnect with my mentor, TN Arunagiri, a polymath whose life has been a beautiful intersection of music, science, and teaching. We delve into Arunagiri’s journey from growing up in Delhi in a Tamil family to dedicating his life to Carnatic and Hindustani classical music through his foundation, Swaradigm. Arunagiri shares his reflections on the purpose of music—not as a performance-driven endeavor but as a deeply personal and spiritual practice that connects us to so...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 17
In this episode, I speak with Raghav Kumar, an architect-turned-natural builder and co-founder of Tiny Farm Lab in Rishikesh, India. Raghav takes us on a journey through his transformation from conventional architecture to creating sustainable, eco-friendly homes that embrace nature and community. We explore his early inspirations, including a childhood fascination with small structures and a pivotal moment seeing a model of a bamboo shelter. Raghav shares how these influences shaped his philoso...
Nov 15, 2024•53 min•Season 6Ep. 16
In this episode, I chat with Coyote and Delilah, two off-grid homesteaders in Northern California. They share their journey living off the grid and the motivations behind this transformative lifestyle choice. We discuss the deep-rooted appeal of autonomy—having control over essential resources, living close to nature, and raising kids in a way that’s focused on personal responsibility and self-reliance. They open up about the challenges of small-town life, where resources are limited, and the sk...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 15
In this episode, I sit down with John Creger, a dedicated educator who has spent over 35 years working as an English teacher in Fremont, California. We dive into John's rich history in the classroom, exploring how Fremont has evolved over the decades and what these changes have meant for students and teachers alike. John shares his insights into the socio-economic shifts he's witnessed, from his early days in a predominantly working-class community to the present-day challenges faced by immigran...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 14
In this episode, I sit down with longtime educator John Creger to dive into a rich discussion about how teaching has evolved over the past few decades, and how generational shifts shape today’s educational environment. John shares unique insights from his 35 years at American High School in Fremont, California, a period during which he taught millennials, Gen Z, and saw the first wave of Gen Alpha. We explore how each generation brings distinct challenges and strengths to the classroom, and how ...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 13
In this episode, our guest, Ellis O'Brien, and I delve into the lessons he learned from his 50-mile marathon. We begin by discussing our educational backgrounds and our shared appreciation for the liberal arts, contrasting its expansive approach with a more technical data science curriculum. Ellis shares how his journey took him from the West Coast to the East for college and eventually to the nation's capital, where he found a deeper sense of purpose and patriotism while working within federal ...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 12
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Emilie Caspar to explore some fascinating intersections between neuroscience, morality, and cultural diversity. Emily shares her research on how obedience influences brain activity, particularly in the context of moral decision-making. We discuss how brain processes change when people follow orders, sometimes leading to harmful behaviors, and what this reveals about human nature. Emily brings a wealth of experience from her studies on former genocide perpetra...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 11
In this episode, I open up about my personal journey through isolation and the challenges it presents. In this episode I reflect on the six weeks, before graduating from Georgetown, I lived out of my tent where the minimalist lifestyle led to unexpected growth in learning and creativity. We dive into the concept of fear and its role in shaping our personal and educational experiences. I share my perspective on how fear, when properly understood, can be a tool for survival and personal alignment ...
Oct 21, 2024•54 min•Season 6Ep. 10
In this episode, I spoke with a longtime acquaintance Sara Tribble to reflect on our childhood in Fremont, California, starting at Forest Park Elementary. Together, we discuss the impact that growing up in a diverse immigrant community had on our cultural identities, and the challenges we faced as first-generation Americans navigating societal expectations and family dynamics. Our conversation dives into nostalgic memories of school days, from teachers to lessons learned about self-acceptance, a...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 19 min
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of human episodic memory with Omri Raccah, a researcher at Yale whose work explores how we process, store, and retrieve memories. Omri shares insights into the multisensory nature of memory formation, the computational subroutines that govern our recollections, and the dynamic nature of memory as a fundamental aspect of intelligence. Together, we unravel how memory supports learning and the unique ways cognitive neuroscience can collaborate wit...
Oct 08, 2024•59 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Today’s episode is a rediscovered gem from the Re-Educated archives, recorded back in mid-2022. In this conversation, I spoke with Alex Lundry, co-founder of three data and analytics firms—Redbud Consulting, Deep Root Analytics, and Tunnel Data. Each firm specializes in using research, data, and analytics to shape political, advocacy, and communications strategies. Alex also led the analytics efforts for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign and Jeb Bush’s 2016 primary campaign. In the conver...
Oct 08, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In today’s episode, it’s just me and the mic once again. I recently spent two weeks living on an off-grid farm with a family that was nearly fully self-sustainable. They grew their own food, harnessed their own energy, designed their own plumbing systems, and even recycled their own waste. They also homeschooled their children, and I was struck by how bright and curious these kids were, despite not attending conventional schools. They taught me so much about their way of life, and I became fasci...
Oct 01, 2024•31 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this episode, Jim McMaster and I sit down to reflect on his extensive career in tech, from his early days at Google, where he played a pivotal role in the development of Google Drive, to his recent retirement. We delve into the challenges he's faced in adjusting to a post-career lifestyle, navigating new routines, and finding fulfilling activities after years in a fast-paced industry. Our conversation explores how significant historical events like the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movemen...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 5
