A year ago, Changemaker Education was still transforming its vision into a working model. Today, Joy Meserve and David K. Richards are supporting founders across more than 20 states, and learning alongside them every day.

In this candid conversation, Joy and David share what they now understand about becoming a successful microschool founder. They explore why educators already possess many of the skills required to become entrepreneurs, what early signs suggest that a founder can succeed, and why building trust with families takes more time and persistence than many people expect.

They also discuss Changemaker’s evolving Founder Success System, its new lean launch approach, the importance of community and operational support, and why founders need both sovereignty and coachability. The conversation expands into Changemaker’s Mind, Body, Soul philosophy and why preserving distinctly human capacities will become even more important in an AI powered world.

This episode is for educators, parents and community leaders who feel called to build something different for young people, even if they don’t yet feel completely ready.

Short description

Who can become a microschool founder—and what does it really take to succeed? Joy Meserve and David K. Richards share what they’ve learned from supporting real founders across the country, from entrepreneurial mindset and enrollment realities to operational support, founder community and the freedom to build a locally responsive school.

Key topics covered

• What has changed during Changemaker Education’s second year
• Who is capable of becoming a microschool founder
• Why educators already possess entrepreneurial skills
• Curiosity, grit, adaptability and generosity of spirit
• Early indicators of founder readiness
• Why social proof and family trust take time to build
• How founders grow into new capabilities
• Founder examples from St. Louis, Florida and Cincinnati
• The role of Mind, Body, Soul in founder and student development
• Preserving humanity in an AI powered world
• How Changemaker saves founders hundreds of operational hours
• The difference between an affiliate network and a “school in a box”
• Why school leadership should not be undertaken alone
• How aspiring founders can begin exploring their vision

Suggested chapters

• 00:00 — Welcome and why we’re revisiting the conversation
• 00:50 — What has changed during Changemaker’s second year
• 03:45 — A growing, co-created founder ecosystem
• 05:25 — What David’s beliefs about founders have taught him
• 09:50 — Who is capable of becoming a microschool founder?
• 11:35 — The entrepreneurial abilities educators already possess
• 13:57 — Early signs of founder readiness—and potential warning signs
• 15:20 — The underestimated work of earning family trust
• 19:31 — Why Changemaker now recommends a lean launch
• 20:15 — Real founders discovering their entrepreneurial identity
• 23:05 — Creativity, community partnerships and founder cross-pollination
• 24:43 — Changemaker’s Mind, Body, Soul foundation
• 29:40 — Why we cannot outsource our humanity to AI
• 32:30 — Microschools as a new educational operating system
• 34:42 — What founders often miss operationally
• 35:25 — Saving founders hundreds of hours
• 38:15 — Giving visionaries the integrator support they need
• 40:45 — Why Changemaker is not a “school in a box”
• 41:25 — What David wishes he had when opening schools
• 44:05 — Why founders shouldn’t build alone
• 45:50 — Finding a deeply values-aligned community
• 46:20 — The search for Changemaker’s next 75 founders
• 47:40 — Ways to take the first step

In this episode, I reconnect with my former Stanford classmate, Mike Taubman, nearly 20 years after our graduate school days. Mike has spent his career teaching English and later pioneering purpose and career exploration programs for high school students in Newark, New Jersey. Most recently, he’s been at the forefront of bringing AI literacy into the classroom.

Mike introduces his innovative AI Driver’s License Framework, a practical, empowering way to help students (and adults) engage with AI responsibly. His approach draws on the metaphor of cars—tools we designed, tools we can operate, and tools that require both personal skill and shared rules of the road.

We explore:

• Mike’s journey from English teacher to AI literacy leader.
• Why metaphors matter in how we talk to students about AI.
• The four-part AI Driver’s License framework:
  1. Learn to drive – Operating AI tools effectively.
  2. Look under the hood – Understanding how AI actually works.
  3. Know the rules of the road – Exploring ethics, norms, and policies.
  4. Pick your destination – Using AI to achieve goals, then stepping away to live life.
• How high schoolers are experimenting with AI in projects ranging from architecture to medicine.
• The risks of anthropomorphizing AI and why it’s essential to “break the spell” for students.
• Balancing AI use with human wisdom, mentorship, and critical thinking.
• Why banning AI in schools misses the opportunity to model transparency and teach responsible use.

Mike’s classroom stories bring the theory to life—showing us how students respond when they not only use AI but also question it, challenge it, and integrate it with human expertise.

This is a rich, hopeful conversation about preparing young people not just to survive in an AI-powered world, but to drive it with confidence, agency, and purpose

In this episode, David sits down with Peter Stiepleman—former superintendent of one of Missouri’s largest school districts, leadership advisor, podcast host, and author of Serving as a Lead Learner: Powerful Reflections from America’s Superintendents

Peter shares his unconventional path from working at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid to becoming a bilingual teacher in Oakland, California, and eventually leading a district of 19,000 students through times of both growth and crisis. He reflects on the lessons learned from embracing “imperfect leadership,” the importance of vulnerability, and the power of shared decision-making.

Together, David and Peter explore:

• How personal journeys shape leadership philosophies

• What it means to be a “lead learner” and embrace discomfort

• Building shared values with teachers, parents, and students

• Why microschool leaders can benefit from these same leadership principles

• The importance of community voice and creating systems that honor every stakeholder

This conversation is full of insights for anyone leading in education—whether you’re running a large public school system, launching a micro school, or simply seeking to lead with more empathy, collaboration, and courage.

Resources & Links:

• Peter’s book: Serving as a Lead Learner: Powerful Reflections from America’s Superintendents:
  https://www.amazon.com/Serving-Lead-Learner-Reflections-Superintendents/dp/B0F78RC6H9
  
  
• Peter’s podcast: An Imperfect Leader:
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-imperfect-leader-the-superintendents/id1644897856

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

In this vibrant, soul-led conversation, David K. Richards, CEO of Changemaker Education, sits down with microschool Founder Christina “Pip” Pipkin, who’s launching a Changemaker Partner Microschool, the F.A.Y.E. Learning Center in Houston, Texas. As the first founder featured on the podcast, Pip shares her journey from classroom teacher and EdTech leader to becoming the architect of a personalized, project-based microschool rooted in family, equity, and student agency. They explore the challenges of surrender, self-trust, intersectionality, and stepping into visionary leadership while honoring intuition and faith.

This episode is a masterclass in courage, community, and co-creation—perfect for aspiring founders ready to move beyond the 9–5 and into deep purpose-driven work.

Memorable Quotes:

• “I jump and grow my wings on the way down.”
• “You all took away all my excuses.”
• “F.A.Y.E. is my baby. It’s fulfilling a promise—and a purpose.”
• “We are not just opening schools. We are transforming lives.”
• “It’s bigger than me. I’m just the vessel being used.”

Key Topics Covered:

• Pip’s background in classroom teaching, EdTech, and doctoral study
• The personal call to open a microschool and surrender control
• Founding F.A.Y.E. Learning Center—named after her grandmother
• The role of intersectionality as a Black, LGBTQ woman in Texas
• Balancing doctoral studies with launching a school
• Project-based learning, STEM focus, and family engagement
• Community-building and authentic recruiting
• Pip’s spiritual connection to the journey
• Reflections on cohort support, imposter syndrome, and transformational growth
• The long-term vision for expansion and impact

Approximate Timestamps:

• 00:00–10:00 – Pip’s background, family history, and path into education
• 10:00–22:00 – Founding F.A.Y.E. Learning Center and vision for students & families
• 22:00–38:00 – Discovery of Changemaker Education and alignment with purpose
• 38:00–56:00 – Surrendering control, spiritual connection, and finding support
• 56:00–End – Reflections on transformation, community, and future legacy

In this heart-centered and deeply inspiring conversation, Joy Meserve and David K. Richards dive into the journey of becoming a changemaker through microschool leadership. They explore personal transformation, intuitive decision-making, and redefining success outside the traditional 9–5 mold. With honesty, humor, and decades of collective leadership experience, they share how embracing autonomy and purpose can fuel a thriving education movement. This episode is both a roadmap and a call to action for anyone ready to reclaim their essence and reimagine learning—for themselves and the next generation.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Start before you feel ready—because you never will feel ready.” — Joy
• “Life begins on the other side of fear.” — David
• “Everything in your life has prepared you for this moment.”
• “Your job title is not your identity. Your essence is.”
• “We don’t need to enmesh—we can respond with sovereignty.”

Key Topics Covered:

• Joy’s journey from COO of a global education startup to co-founder of Changemaker Education
• How intuitive nudges and spiritual awakening guide big life shifts
• The powerful transformation from educator to entrepreneur
• Creating “mind, body, soul” curriculum that balances emotional intelligence with accountability
• Why micro schools are not just schools—they're acts of sovereignty and service
• Building autonomy, mastery, and purpose into learning environments
• Releasing identity attachments to titles, income, and social comparison
• The impact of conscious leadership in decentralized education models
• Supporting founders to follow their “full body yes” and claim visionary leadership
• How the micro school movement is the disruptive innovation traditional education needs

Timestamps (Approximate):

00:00 – 08:00 – Introduction and divine alignment of Joy & David’s partnership
08:00 – 18:00 – Joy’s path from iD Tech to mindfulness to Changemaker Education
18:00 – 28:00 – The inner Sangha, grieving, and awakening during the pandemic
28:00 – 38:00 – What it means to be a microschool founder and to trust the path
38:00 – 50:00 – Unlearning top-down education, embracing founder autonomy
50:00 – 01:04:00 – Inner discipline, mind-body-soul curriculum, and real SEL
01:04:00 – 01:15:00 – Helping founders claim their vision, titles, and identities
01:15:00 – End – Future vision of education and the micro school movement as a model of disruption