Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
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 Podcast
A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.
Sponsored by:
American Montessori Society
http://www.amshq.org/montessori
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
The Science of Learning with Jared Cooney Horvath
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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 understanding how children absorb, retain, and apply knowledge.
Together, they explore:
- What’s really happening in the brain during learning
- Why struggle and difficulty are essential for long-term retention
- The difference between performance and true learning
- Common myths about memory, attention, and engagement
- How educators and parents can better align with how the brain actually works
Sharp, practical, and deeply thought-provoking, this conversation reframes learning as an active, effortful process—not something that should always feel easy or immediate.
If you care about helping children learn more effectively—and more meaningfully—this episode will challenge your assumptions and reshape how you think about education.
Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org
Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.
For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/
And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood
