Unmuted Education Podcast

Unmuted Education Podcast

Seth Hollier, Coebie Logan, and Derek
Држава Сједињене Државе
Жанрови Образовање
Језик EN
Епизоде 70
Последња 12.10.2026

Unmuted Education Podcast features three friends with different worldviews—one religious, one spiritual, and one atheist—discussing topics like parenting, education, leadership, and personal growth. They aim for open, honest conversations without filters or echo chambers. The show mixes thoughtful dialogue and laughter while encouraging listeners to reflect and learn from one another.

Епизоде

  • Episode 49 (Healing Beyond the Body: Yesenia’s Cancer Journey Part Three) 12.10.2026 28мин
    Healing from a serious diagnosis isn't always just about what shows up on a scan or in a blood test.In Part Three of Yesenia's breast cancer journey, Coebie and Yes move into a much more personal conversation about the emotional, relational, and spiritual experiences that have surfaced along the way.The episode begins with an update from Yesenia's oncology follow-up, including recent blood work and the questions she continues to ask about her own health. But the conversation quickly moves beyond labs and appointments into something much deeper:What else might we need to heal when our bodies force us to slow down and look inward?Yesenia opens up about her relationship with her mother, growing up feeling less connected than her older sister, and the complicated beliefs about motherhood that developed from watching her own mother's experience.She also shares how her cancer diagnosis unexpectedly reopened communication with her mom after a period of not speaking.Her mother came to support her during surgery — and just days later, an emotional conflict between them opened the door to years of feelings, misunderstandings, and shared family wounds.What initially felt painful became something unexpectedly healing.Yesenia describes realizing that she and her mother, despite their differences, carried remarkably similar wounds from childhood. That realization helped create a new level of understanding between them and changed how Yesenia viewed both her mother and herself. Coebie and Yes also discuss how experiences from childhood can influence our relationships, our sense of identity, our ability to use our voice, and the patterns we carry into adulthood.Yesenia speaks candidly about sexual abuse, feeling emotionally unmothered, people-pleasing, finding her voice, and the spiritual journey she began years before her cancer diagnosis — a journey that eventually took her to India and into meditation, somatic work, movement, and other forms of personal exploration.Throughout the conversation, they explore the idea of healing as something larger than simply treating the physical body.It's about relationships.It's about grief.It's about forgiveness.It's about the stories we carry.And sometimes it's about finally having the conversations we've spent years avoiding.In this episode:An update on Yesenia's oncology follow-upAsking deeper questions about your own health informationThe emotional side of a cancer journeyYesenia's changing relationship with her motherChildhood wounds and feeling “unmothered”How a diagnosis reopened a broken relationshipThe power of difficult family conversationsRecognizing generational patternsFinding your voice after years of holding emotions inSexual trauma and the long process of healingMeditation, somatic work, and spiritual explorationMind, body, and emotional wellbeingLearning to release the pressure to heal “perfectly”Making peace with uncertaintyWhy healing can continue layer by layerYesenia's journey is deeply personal, and this conversation reflects her own experiences, beliefs, and interpretation of healing.It is not medical or mental health advice, and emotional or spiritual work should not be viewed as a substitute for evidence-based cancer treatment or professional trauma care.But it is an honest conversation about something many people discover during illness:Sometimes the body isn't the only part of us asking for attention.
  • Episode 48 (Beyond the Diagnosis: Yesenia’s Personal Approach to Healing) 05.10.2026 26мин
    After a cancer diagnosis, what comes next?In Part Two of Yesenia’s story, Coebie sits down with her again to talk about the changes she chose to make after surgery and the research that shaped her personal approach to health and recovery.Following her breast cancer diagnosis and lumpectomy, Yesenia began looking closely at nearly every part of her lifestyle — nutrition, exercise, stress, supplements, sleep, gut health, hormones, and complementary therapies.She shares the changes she made to her diet, including daily juicing, more plant-based foods, fermented foods, sprouts, and a renewed focus on whole-food nutrition. She also discusses adjusting her protein intake, learning how her body responded to different foods, and finding a balance that felt sustainable for her.The conversation also explores some of the complementary and alternative approaches Yesenia decided to investigate, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, vitamins and supplements, hormone support, and medications she chose to use after researching them and discussing some of those choices with healthcare providers.Coebie and Yesenia also talk about how dramatically her fitness routine changed. Before her diagnosis, Yesenia was preparing for a bodybuilding competition and spending hours in the gym. Today, her focus has shifted from aesthetics and competition toward strength, metabolic health, recovery, and listening more closely to what her body needs.Throughout the episode, one theme continues to surface:Become an active participant in your own health.Yesenia talks about researching widely, questioning information, paying attention to her own body, and taking responsibility for the decisions she makes.In this episode:How Yesenia changed her nutrition after surgeryDaily juicing and whole-food nutritionProtein, plant-based eating, and finding balanceGut health and fermented foodsHer experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapyVitamins, supplements, and hormone supportWhy she changed her bodybuilding and workout routineStrength training and metabolic healthSorting through conflicting health informationThe importance of researching before making major decisionsLearning to listen to your bodyStaying actively involved in your own healthcareThis conversation shares Yesenia’s personal experience and the choices she has made during her cancer journey. It is not medical advice, and discussion of a therapy, supplement, diet, or medication does not establish that it is safe or effective for treating cancer.Anyone facing cancer should discuss treatment decisions — including complementary or alternative approaches — with a qualified oncology team and other licensed healthcare professionals.
  • Episode 47 (Stand in Your Truth: One Woman’s Cancer Journey and the Power of Self-Advocacy) 28.09.2026 32мин
    What happens when a cancer diagnosis suddenly puts you into a world of appointments, specialists, recommendations, decisions, and fear?In this episode, Coebie sits down with Yesenia to talk about her breast cancer diagnosis and the deeply personal journey that followed.Before her diagnosis, Yesenia had spent nearly 20 years working in health and wellness. At 44, she set a goal of getting into the best shape of her life and began training for her first bodybuilding competition. After becoming leaner than she had ever been, she stepped out of the shower one day and noticed something unexpected: a lump in her breast.What followed was a whirlwind of imaging, biopsies, consultations, surgery discussions, and difficult decisions.But Yesenia was determined not to become a passive participant in her own healthcare.She shares why she chose to slow the process down, give herself time to understand her diagnosis, research her options, record medical conversations, ask questions, and make decisions she felt comfortable taking responsibility for.Coebie and Yesenia also talk candidly about the emotional weight of medical language, the fear that can accompany a cancer diagnosis, and how difficult it can be to maintain your sense of agency when you're suddenly surrounded by experts, protocols, appointments, and opinions.This isn't a conversation about telling someone else what treatment they should choose.It's a conversation about remaining engaged in your own care.About asking questions.About getting informed.About understanding that you can seek professional expertise while still remembering that you are the person living in your body and living with the decisions being made.They also discuss Yesenia's life before cancer, her love of human connection, the health changes she noticed in the years leading up to her diagnosis, and why one phrase became increasingly important throughout her experience:Stand in your truth.In this episode:Discovering a breast lump while preparing for a bodybuilding competitionThe emotional impact of receiving a cancer diagnosisGiving yourself time to process major medical decisionsAsking questions and advocating for yourselfNavigating medical recommendations and standard treatment protocolsThe importance of informed consent and understanding your optionsWhy the words used around serious illness matterRecording and revisiting important medical conversationsTrusting yourself while still seeking qualified medical guidanceMaintaining your identity when you suddenly become “the patient”Why connection continues to matter through illnessThis is Part One of Yesenia's story, with more of her health and wellness journey still to come.This conversation reflects one individual's personal experience and treatment decisions and is not medical advice. Anyone facing cancer or another serious diagnosis should discuss treatment options, risks, and benefits with qualified healthcare professionals.
  • Episode 46 (Love Doesn’t Mean Rescue: Letting Kids Do Hard Things) 21.09.2026 31мин
    What does it really mean to “have your kid’s back”?Does it mean stepping in every time something feels unfair? Calling the coach? Fighting the teacher? Fixing the problem?Or does love sometimes mean standing beside your child while they work through something difficult themselves?In this episode, Coebie and Derek continue their parenting series with a conversation about love, grace, competition, disappointment, and one of the hardest parts of parenting: knowing when to step in and when to let your child struggle.Both share personal stories from youth baseball. Derek reflects on watching his son navigate an All-Star tournament where confidence, playing time, competition, and disappointment all collided. Coebie shares a very different experience in which her son earned his place on an All-Star team but found himself dealing with a coach who wasn't giving him the guidance or opportunity he needed.The situations were different, but they raised the same parenting question:What does my child actually need to learn from this?Sometimes the answer is perseverance.Sometimes it's learning to advocate for yourself.Sometimes it's accepting that someone else performed better.And sometimes a parent really does need to step in and say, “Enough.”Coebie and Derek talk about the difference between supporting and rescuing, why coddling can stunt character development, and how parents can become so focused on protecting their children that they accidentally take away the very experiences that help them grow.They also explore how these lessons extend far beyond sports — into friendships, bullying, school, conflict, faith, responsibility, and eventually adulthood.Because love doesn't mean lowering expectations.Grace doesn't mean removing consequences.And having your child's back doesn't mean fighting every battle for them.Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is stay beside them, help them think, ask the right questions, and remind them that they're capable of doing hard things.In this episode:The difference between supporting and rescuing your childHelping kids navigate competition and disappointmentKnowing when a parent should step inTeaching children to advocate for themselvesWhy struggle can be an important part of growthHow coddling can interfere with character developmentHelping kids reflect on their own role in conflictParenting through bullying and social challengesWhy love doesn't mean always taking your child's sideBecoming a “consultant parent” instead of solving everything for themThe goal isn't to make childhood free from hard things.It's to make sure our kids don't have to face those hard things alone.
  • Episode 45 (Tell Me the Truth: Raising Kids Who Don’t Have to Hide) 14.09.2026 27мин
    Every kid lies.The bigger question is: What do we do when they do?In this episode, Coebie and Derek continue their parenting series with a conversation about truth, trust, consequences, and why holding kids accountable to reality is an important part of helping them feel safe.Drawing from their experiences as parents and former school administrators, they talk about watching children test boundaries, manipulate situations, hide mistakes, and sometimes tell adults exactly what they think those adults want to hear. They also explore why parents can become afraid to question their own children — and how avoiding the truth can ultimately damage trust rather than protect it.The conversation gets personal, from a toddler insisting he doesn't need to use the potty, to a teenager quietly hoping nobody notices the tire tracks leading straight into a damaged fence.But underneath those stories is a much bigger principle:Teaching children to live in truth starts with the adults around them.Coebie and Derek discuss how our reactions matter, why screaming and shame can make kids more likely to hide things, and why consequences don't have to come with anger. They also wrestle with the balance between truth and grace — because honesty without compassion can become cruelty, while compassion without truth can become enabling.And, as has become a recurring theme in this parenting series, it all comes back to modeling.Are we honest with our kids?Are we honest with our spouses?And maybe most importantly — are we honest with ourselves?In this episode:Why every child will test the truthHow lying can begin surprisingly earlyWhy parents sometimes choose to believe obvious liesCreating safety without removing accountabilityThe difference between healthy consequences and fearWhy yelling can distract from the actual lessonHow lying and manipulation affect future relationshipsTeaching kids to repair what they've damagedBalancing truth with grace and compassionWhy raising honest kids starts with modeling honesty ourselvesBecause the goal isn't to raise children who never make mistakes.It's to raise children who know they can tell the truth when they do.
  • Episode 44 (Parenting With Humility: Letting Your Kids See You Be Wrong) 08.09.2026 25мин
    What happens when your kid is right… and you’re the one who needs to own it?In this episode, Coebie and Derek continue their conversation about parenting by tackling something that can be incredibly difficult for parents: humility.They share personal stories about losing patience, holding onto frustration, criticizing the people we love, and realizing that sometimes our kids are seeing our behavior more clearly than we are. From learning to say “I was wrong” to recognizing the difference between correction and criticism, the conversation comes back to one powerful idea: our kids are always watching what we model.Humility doesn’t mean being passive, weak, or letting your kids get away with everything. It means being honest enough to recognize your own mistakes, listen when your children speak, apologize when necessary, and show them what growth actually looks like.Because if we want to raise kids who are responsible, self-aware, respectful, and willing to admit when they’re wrong, they need to see us do it first.In this episode:Why admitting you’re wrong matters to your kidsCorrecting behavior without destroying connectionHow unresolved frustration turns into explosionsModeling healthy conflict between spousesTeaching kids responsibility and contribution at homeThe difference between humility and weaknessWhy parenting may be less about what we tell our kids and more about what we show themIf this conversation hits home, we’d love to hear what humility has looked like in your own parenting journey.
  • Episode 43 (Every Kid Needs a Model: What Our Children Learn From Watching Us) 24.08.2026 29мин
    Derek and Coebie continue their conversation on parenting by getting personal about one of the most powerful influences in a child’s life: the example set by the adults around them.In this episode, they share some of their own worst—and best—parenting moments, from losing patience and using the wrong words to being overly critical, worrying too much, and recognizing their own behaviors reflected back through their children.They also explore what healthy modeling can look like: telling the truth without creating fear, setting boundaries without losing dignity, apologizing when you get it wrong, building community, treating people with respect, and showing kids how to navigate conflict without turning every disagreement into a battle.Parents won’t model perfectly. But our kids are watching how we respond, how we treat others, how we handle mistakes, and how we repair relationships afterward.Every kid needs a model. The question is: what are we modeling?
  • Episode 42 (They Learn From What We Do: The Power of Modeling in Parenting) 17.08.2026 29мин
    Children are always watching, even when parents do not realize it.In this episode of Unmuted, Coebie and Derek explore the first universal principle of parenting: modeling. They reflect honestly on their own parenting mistakes, emotional triggers, communication habits, and the behaviors they have unintentionally passed down to their children.From handling dishonesty and frustration to interacting with teachers, cashiers, servers, and strangers, the way adults respond to everyday situations teaches children how to manage conflict, build relationships, and treat others.Coebie and Derek also celebrate the positive qualities they see developing in their children, including kindness, confidence, honesty, community building, emotional control, and respect for others.Parents will never model everything perfectly. The goal is to remain aware, take responsibility when things go wrong, and intentionally demonstrate the character and behavior they hope to see in their children.
  • Bonus Episode: Christopher Driesang on Education, Local Control and Representing House District 35 11.08.2026 52мин
    House District 35 Republican candidate Christopher Driesang joins the Unmuted crew for a wide-ranging conversation about education, local control and the future of representation in Natrona County.Drawing from his experience as an educator and Director of Student Support Services for Natrona County Schools, Christopher discusses how decisions made by the Wyoming Legislature affect teachers, students and local school districts. The conversation covers school funding recalibration, teacher raises, literacy mandates, charter schools and the challenges of applying statewide policies to communities with very different needs.The discussion also explores:The balance between state authority and local controlProperty taxes and protecting longtime Wyoming homeownersCampaign spending and whether average citizens can still afford to run for officeGovernment transparency and misinformationHow elected officials should communicate with their constituentsThe role of nonprofits in supporting Wyoming youthWhy young people may feel disconnected from the political processWhat being a Republican means to ChristopherChristopher also explains how he would approach disagreement, listen to both the majority and minority, and remain accessible to the people of House District 35.Unmuted does not endorse candidates. These conversations are intended to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from the people seeking to represent them.
  • Bonus Episode : “The Republican That Comes With Receipts” | Julie Jarvis on Re-Election & Wyoming Politics 10.08.2026 34мин
    Representative Julie Jarvis joins Unmuted to talk about her re-election campaign, the realities of serving in Wyoming’s citizen legislature, and why transparency has become the cornerstone of her campaign.From campaign misinformation and constituent surveys to water rights, AI data centers, education, and healthcare, this conversation dives into the issues facing Wyoming and why Julie believes voters deserve to see exactly how their elected officials vote.We also discuss:• House Bill 80 and helping seniors renew their REAL IDs• Why she publishes her voting record• The challenges of campaigning while working full-time• The future of Wyoming politicsAt the end of the episode, she receives a new campaign slogan from the Unmuted crew:“Julie Jarvis – The Republican That Comes With Receipts.”
  • Episode 41 (Your Children Are Watching: The Importance of Modeling) 03.08.2026 25мин
    In this episode of Unmuted, Coebie and Derek begin a new conversation about the principles that shape healthy parenting. Drawing from nearly 50 years of combined experience in education, along with their own experiences as fathers, they explore how children learn far more from what adults model than from what adults say.They discuss parental humility, emotional regulation, apologizing after mistakes, and recognizing when exhaustion, stress, or frustration is being projected onto children. They also examine the difference between supporting children through difficult emotions and trying to protect them from every disappointment, consequence, or uncomfortable experience.No parent handles every moment perfectly. What matters is being willing to reflect, take responsibility, repair mistakes, and show children how to navigate difficult moments with honesty, calm, strength, and grace.
  • Bonus: Unmuted Returns (Season Two, the Casper Youth Hub, and What Comes Next) 20.07.2026 9мин
    Unmuted is officially back.In this special season two preview, Kobe, Derek, and Seth reconnect to share what they have been working on and what listeners can expect from the new season. Seth gives an emotional update on the grand opening of the Casper Youth Hub, a free creative space where young people ages 12 to 20 can explore art, gaming, media, technology, 3D printing, and other hands-on interests.The group also previews a more focused format for season two, with shorter episodes centered on parenting, education, mental health, cancer survivor stories, politics, community leadership, and conversations with local guests.Season two begins August 3, with Kobe and Derek opening the season through a series of honest conversations about parenting, raising teenagers, building character, and navigating family life without a manual.
  • Episode 40 (Practice Equals Growth: Rebuilding Education Through Trust, Coaching, and Community) 25.05.2026 57мин
    In this episode, Coebie, Seth, and Derek sit down with longtime educator and author Grover Swick to talk about what it really means to inspire students, build learning communities, and help kids believe in their own growth. Grover shares stories from more than three decades in education, including the teachers, family members, and students who shaped his philosophy.The conversation explores how athletics, reading, math, technology, Love and Logic, and creative problem-solving can all become tools for reaching kids where they are. Grover reflects on the difference between teaching and coaching, why “practice equals growth and growth equals success,” and how schools can lose sight of the natural curiosity children bring into the world.Together, they discuss the dangers of top-down systems, the power of modeling instead of lecturing, and the need to rebuild education around trust, inspiration, freedom, and community. Grover also shares the heart behind his upcoming book, Practice Equals Growth and Growth Equals Success, and offers encouragement for teachers who feel burned out but still believe in the spark of learning.A thoughtful and energizing conversation for educators, parents, and anyone who cares about helping kids grow.
  • Episode 39 (The Whole-Body Tune-Up: Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, and Learning to Listen to Your Body) 19.05.2026 1ч 14мин
    In this episode, Coebie and Derek sit down with Alicia Bynum, owner of Sweetgrass Acupuncture in Casper, Wyoming, for a wide-ranging conversation about acupuncture, Chinese medicine, herbs, intuition, and whole-person wellness. Alicia shares her journey from graphic design and marketing into acupuncture, the personal experiences that led her toward holistic care, and how traditional Chinese medicine views the body through meridians, organs, emotions, seasons, and energy.The conversation explores the difference between acupuncture and dry needling, how stress and environment affect the nervous system, why Wyoming wind might be wearing out your liver, and how food, herbs, and seasonal living can support health. They also dig into the tension between Western medicine and alternative care, the importance of asking better questions, and why healing often requires looking beyond symptoms to the whole person.A thoughtful, funny, and curious conversation about what it means to care for the body, trust your intuition, and use every tool available on the path to wellness.
  • Episode 38 (Cathy and Brandy Go to Cheyenne: How HB 8 and HB 9 Became Law) 27.04.2026 1ч 4мин
    Cathy Holman and Brandy Sorensen return to share the powerful story behind Wyoming’s HB 8 and HB 9, two new laws aimed at protecting children from stalking and grooming. They walk through the emotional, exhausting, and unexpected journey from committee hearings to unanimous votes, the governor’s signature, and the real impact these laws are already having for Wyoming families. This episode is a look at advocacy, persistence, and what can happen when everyday citizens refuse to let broken laws stay broken.
  • Episode 37 (How Natrona Lost the Table) 20.04.2026 1ч 27мин
    In this episode, we sit down with longtime Natrona County educator Doreen McGlade to trace the origins of the district’s compact and the trust-based, consensus-driven process it was meant to protect. From its roots in the turmoil of 1999 to today’s concerns over school closures, broken communication, and missing stakeholder voices, this conversation asks a hard question: what happens when a system designed to bring people to the table stops being used? Alongside Dirk Andrews and others, we explore what the compact originally meant, why it mattered, and what it could take to rebuild trust for students, staff, and the community
  • Episode 36 (The Sandlot Comes to Wyoming: Grant Gelt on Baseball, Nostalgia, and Community) 13.04.2026 44мин
    In this special episode, we sit down with Grant Gelt, best known as Bertram from The Sandlot, for a fun and heartfelt conversation about the lasting legacy of the film, lifelong friendships with the cast, and how that childhood classic has grown into something bigger than baseball. Grant shares the story behind Play Forever, a nonprofit founded by members of The Sandlot cast that helps remove barriers keeping kids out of youth sports. We also talk about Celebrities for a Cause and Grant’s upcoming trip to Wyoming for a weekend of golf, softball, community events, and fundraising. If you love The Sandlot, believe in the power of sports, or just want to hear a great conversation about nostalgia, purpose, and giving back, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Play Forever says it works to remove obstacles and equip young athletes with the support they need to participate in sports, and Celebrities for a Cause lists its 2026 Wyoming events for August 6–9.  Websites mentioned in the episodePlay Forever: playforever.org  Celebrities for a Cause: celebritiesforacausewyo.org  
  • Episode 35 (Natural Healing, Herbal Wisdom, and Alpenglow Natural Living with Terri) 06.04.2026 43мин
    In this episode, we welcome Terri, owner of Alpenglow Natural Living in Casper, Wyoming, to talk about her journey from education into natural healing and herbal wellness. Terri shares how personal experiences with her children’s health, family healing stories, and her own recovery from a serious injury led her deeper into natural medicine and eventually to taking over one of Casper’s long-standing wellness businesses.We talk about the roots of herbal healing, the difference between treating symptoms and finding the source, and why so many people are looking for more natural options for pain relief, immune support, detox, and everyday wellness. Terri also shares practical insight into culinary herbs, teas, tinctures, natural cleaning products, and the value of returning to simple habits that support long-term health.This conversation is a reminder that there are many paths to wellness, and that small, intentional choices can make a big difference.Show NotesIn this episode:Terri shares her path from education to owning Alpenglow Natural LivingThe history of Alpenglow and its long-standing place in CasperHow natural healing became part of her life and family storyCommon reasons people seek herbal and natural wellness supportThe importance of identifying the root cause of painCulinary herbs and everyday ingredients that support wellnessNatural approaches to reducing toxins in the homeWhy simple habits still matter for long-term healthFeatured Business:Alpenglow Natural LivingCasper, WyomingListener Offer:Mention this podcast episode in-store and receive 10% off your purchase.
  • Episode 34 (From School Counseling to Cold-Pressed Wellness: Anna Studer of The Lovely Lemon) 23.03.2026 1ч 6мин
    In this episode, we take a refreshing break from our usual education-focused conversations to talk health, wellness, and community impact with Anna Studer, owner of The Lovely Lemon in Casper, Wyoming. Anna shares how her personal journey with juicing, motherhood, and health led her from school counseling into entrepreneurship, and how Casper helped turn her passion into a thriving local business.We talk about the benefits of cold-pressed juice, the difference between juice and smoothies, the realities of building a small business, and how Anna is creating community through her Lunch and Learn events. Along the way, the conversation also explores career transitions out of education, the value of transferable skills, and what it means to keep educating others in a new way.Plus, Derek shares details about his upcoming Love and Logic parenting class, designed to help parents bring more calm, connection, and confidence into family life.Show NotesIn this episode:Anna Studer shares the story behind The Lovely LemonWhy cold-pressed juice is differentHealth, nutrition, and community in CasperLeaving education and building something newThe Lovely Lemon’s Lunch and Learn eventsDerek’s upcoming Love and Logic parenting classLove and Logic Parenting Class Registration:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5CiVftB5c6TfGMo0tqmStuKMsuUNEbz-ljordfFxKTn8-aQ/viewform
  • Episode 33 (Charter Schools in Wyoming: What They Are, How They Work, and What’s Next) 16.03.2026 1ч 21мин
    With school closures stirring anxiety for parents across Natrona County, the conversation turns to one big question: what other options are there? In this episode, the hosts sit down with Joe Feiler—a 35-year education veteran, former CTE teacher, and current member of the Wyoming Charter School Authorization Board—to break down what charter schools actually are in Wyoming (and what they’re not).Joe walks through Wyoming’s charter-school history, the two pathways to launch a charter (district-authorized vs. state-authorized), and how funding, enrollment, special education services, and statewide accountability work. The group also tackles common misconceptions—like “charters are private schools”—and discusses why families are increasingly drawn to theme-based models like classical education.The conversation then expands into what could come next: CTE and trades-focused charter schools, stronger partnerships with industry, and how Wyoming might better connect academic learning to real-world skills—without abandoning core standards. If you’re a parent, educator, or community member wondering what school choice could look like after closures, this episode is a practical starting point.