In this inspiring conversation, David sits down with Lily Jones, founder of Educator Forever and a former classroom teacher who transformed her passion for teaching into a thriving business that empowers educators worldwide. Lily shares her journey from teaching kindergarten and first grade in Oakland to building curriculum for major education organizations, and eventually launching Educator Forever—a platform supporting thousands of teachers in exploring new career paths beyond the classroom.

Together, David and Lily dive into the realities of teaching, the burnout many educators face, and the entrepreneurial mindset shifts required to transition from teacher to founder. From testing ideas and listening deeply to your community, to embracing imperfect action and disrupting perfectionism, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone dreaming of starting a microschool—or any education venture.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Lily’s journey from classroom teaching to launching Educator Forever
• Why sustainability and flexibility matter for educators
• The power of listening to your “customers” (students, parents, and communities) before building programs or schools
• How to embrace testing, iteration, and co-creation in education and entrepreneurship
• The importance of resilience, imperfection, and celebrating small wins
• Why teacher voices are crucial in reimagining education beyond the classroom

About Lily Jones:
Lily Jones is the founder of Educator Forever, an organization that helps teachers thrive beyond the classroom through professional development, certification programs, and a curriculum agency. A former kindergarten and first-grade teacher, Lily has spent the past decade designing learning experiences, coaching educators, and supporting thousands of teachers in finding new and sustainable ways to make an impact.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about https://www.educatorforever.com/
• Connect with Lily on https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-jones-b940457b/
• Explore Changemaker Edu and our Microschool Founder programs

Join the Movement:
Are you an educator dreaming of opening your own microschool? Changemaker Edu supports passionate educators and community leaders in launching thriving microschools with the tools, training, and community they need to succeed. Learn more at https://changemakereducation.com.

In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, David sits down with Bonnie LePage — founder of The Maker, marketing, branding, and AI company — to talk about the power of storytelling, the courage to follow your intuition, and the importance of taking a leap of faith with your calling.

Bonnie shares her remarkable journey: from growing up in South Africa and adapting to a new life in the Midwest, to building a thriving marketing career, and then walking away from it all after a life-altering tragedy. She explains how grief became a catalyst for change, why she now builds brands around the person before the business, and how she helps founders share their genius with the world.

Together, David and Bonnie explore:

• Why intuition is one of the most underused tools for founders

• The role life-changing events play in sparking entrepreneurial leaps

• How telling your authentic story attracts your right people — and repels the wrong ones

• How vulnerability builds connection and attracts your community

• Why stepping away from “shoulds” can open the door to your true calling

• What makes microschools so powerful — for students and entrepreneurs

• How life’s hardest seasons can reveal the work you were made to do

• Practical ways to align your business with your deepest values

  
  

If you’ve been feeling a tug toward something more meaningful — or struggling to put your story into words — this episode is your permission to listen to yourself and take that first step.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to build work — and a life — that truly fits.

Guest Links:

• Connect with Bonnie LePage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnielepage/

• Learn more about her work in marketing, branding, and AI: https://themakerai.com/

Resources Mentioned:

This Is Marketing by Seth Godin

In this powerful episode, David K. Richards sits down with Dr. Yazmene “Dr. Yaz” Thomas, an inspiring educator, coach, and Founder of Uhuru Pathways, a groundbreaking microschool serving teens and adults through an accelerated, trauma-informed high school diploma program.

A late-night scroll led Dr. Yaz to discover Changemaker Microschools—and what followed was a rapid-fire connection and a clear path to launching her vision: a flexible, culturally responsive online microschool for underserved learners. Together, they dive into:

• Why traditional high school systems are failing adult and alternative learners
• How Uhuru Pathways supports students aged 14 to 60+ with coaching, career readiness, and personal development
• The transformative “Dr. Yaz Method”: helping students get their I.S.H. (Intention, Skills, and Habits) together
• The role of trauma-informed, whole-person education in empowering long-overdue dreams
• What it means to transition from educator to entrepreneur—and why Dr. Yaz is just getting started

About Dr. Yaz:
Dr. Yazmene Thomas is a veteran educator, educational coach, and founder of Uhuru Pathways Learning Center. She holds decades of experience supporting learners across age groups, with a deep passion for unlocking the potential of people who've been left behind by rigid systems. Her work combines academic support, emotional coaching, and cultural truth to help learners finally thrive.

Links & Resources:
Learn more about Dr. Yazmene Thomas at DrYazMethod.org
Connect with Dr. Yaz & Uhuru Pathways
Changemaker Microschools