
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
American Montessori Society (AMS)
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
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Top 10 Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Introducing Educating The Human Potential
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
02/06/25 • 14 min
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 alternative
- The meaning of ‘human potential’—and why it’s more than just academic success
- Why learning differences matter and how to truly support every child
- How parents, educators, and policymakers can rethink the future of education
With deep experience in Montessori education, psychology, and learning development, Biff and Nicole bring insightful, practical, and provocative conversations to this new podcast. This isn’t just a Montessori podcast—it’s a deep dive into what education should be.
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.

Lisa Ling on Journalism, Curiosity, and the Power of Storytelling
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
02/19/25 • 33 min
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 journalist
- The power of storytelling to foster empathy and global awareness
- The impact of technology and social media on young minds
- Why exposure to diverse histories and perspectives is essential for the future
- How Montessori principles—like curiosity and experiential learning—connect to journalism and education
- Her latest work at CBS News and the role of journalism in a polarized world
This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about journalism, education, and creating a more informed world.
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.

The Joy of Foraging: Alexis Nikole Nelson on Food, Nature, and Her Montessori Roots
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
04/07/25 • 64 min
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 love of nature
- The history and cultural significance of foraging, especially in Black and Indigenous communities
- The intersection of food, environmental education, and social media storytelling
- Her upcoming cookbook
With humor, insight, and infectious enthusiasm, Alexis brings a fresh perspective on learning, history, and the joy of reconnecting with nature—one edible plant at a time.
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 Biff Maier, an AMS 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.

Why Rules Fail: The Montessori Approach to Raising Disciplined Children
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
02/19/25 • 38 min
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 instead
- The power of natural consequences over punishments
- How to build a culture of respect where kids take responsibility
- Montessori’s radical approach to discipline that prepares children for life
- Practical strategies for parents and teachers to shift from control to collaboration
If you’ve ever wondered why traditional discipline methods feel frustrating and ineffective, this episode will change the way you think about rules forever.
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.

Raising Kids in a Hypersexualized Digital World with Dr. Sharon Maxwell & Chelsea Maxwell
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
02/19/25 • 48 min
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 culture—through a lens that aligns with Montessori principles of self-regulation, independence, and values-driven learning.
They share practical strategies for:
- Talking to kids about relationships, consent, and online influence
- Teaching self-reflection and self-control, core Montessori life skills
- Addressing the impact of social media on young minds
- Guiding kids toward a values-driven understanding of sex and intimacy
This conversation is essential listening for parents, educators, and anyone invested in helping the next generation develop autonomy, critical thinking, and confidence in today’s complex world.
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
A podcast about optimizing education for a better society.

The Power of Social Identity with Dr. Jay Van Bavel: How Groups Shape Learning, Bias, and Belonging
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast
03/24/25 • 29 min
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 performance
- The role of social media in shaping and reinforcing identities
- Strategies to reduce bias and build inclusion in schools and communities
- How leaders can foster unity instead of division
With insights from neuroscience, psychology, and education, this episode reveals how understanding identity can transform classrooms, parenting, and even society itself.
And read Jay’s book: The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony, by Jay J. Van Bavel and Dominic J. Packer
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Harnessing-Identities-Performance-Cooperation/dp/0316538418
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FAQ
How many episodes does Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast have?
Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast currently has 6 episodes available.
What topics does Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Parenting, Podcasts and Education.
What is the most popular episode on Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast?
The episode title 'Introducing Educating The Human Potential' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast?
The average episode length on Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast is 38 minutes.
How often are episodes of Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast released?
Episodes of Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast are typically released every 13 days.
When was the first episode of Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast?
The first episode of Educating the Human Potential: The American Montessori Society Podcast was released on Feb 6, 2025.
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