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Educating the Human Potential

The American Montessori Society Podcast

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.

All Episodes:

The Future Is Human: Eric Rodriguez on Technology, Montessori, and the Power of Purpose

Season 1 | Episode 12

June 23, 2025

Montessori Deep Dive: One Teacher’s Journey to Montessori

Season 1 | Episode 11

June 9, 2025

A Boy Erased: Garrard Conley on Surviving Conversion Therapy and Growing Up Gay in the Bible Belt

Season 1 | Episode 10

June 2, 2025

Leading with Purpose: Anita Hanks and the Future of Montessori Education

Season 1 | Episode 9

May 19, 2025

From Burnout to Balance: Suneel Gupta on Small Adjustments with Big Impact

Season 1 | Episode 8

May 5, 2025

Life After Montessori: High School Seniors Reflect on the Impact of Their Early Education

Season 1 | Episode 7

April 28, 2025

The Joy of Foraging: Alexis Nikole Nelson on Food, Nature, and Her Montessori Roots

Season 1 | Episode 6

April 7, 2025

The Power of Social Identity with Dr. Jay Van Bavel: How Groups Shape Learning, Bias, and Belonging

Season 1 | Episode 5

March 24, 2025

Why Rules Fail: The Montessori Approach to Raising Disciplined Children

Season 1 | Episode 4

March 11, 2025

Raising Kids in a Hypersexualized Digital World with Dr. Sharon Maxwell & Chelsea Maxwell

Season 1 | Episode 3

March 3, 2025

Lisa Ling on Journalism, Curiosity, and the Power of Storytelling

Season 1 | Episode 2

February 19, 2025

Introducing Educating The Human Potential

Season 1 | Episode 1

February 6, 2025

Most Recent Episode

What if technology didn’t replace our humanity—but helped us deepen it? In this episode, Eric Rodriguez—engineer, keynote speaker, and facilitator of the AMS Innovation Think Tank—shares how a formative experience in his Montessori-inspired childhood sparked a lifelong passion for technology, ultimately shaping his mission to create a more human-centered digital future.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman explore with Eric:

  • How a seventh-grade encounter with a school computer lab in Ecuador ignited his path into engineering and digital innovation
  • Lessons from his work in the energy and tech industries, and how they shaped his understanding of technology as a tool for empathy and inclusion
  • Why the distinction between a “job” and your “work” can transform your purpose
  • His role in shaping AMS’s Innovation Think Tank and the importance of Montessori’s continued evolution
  • AI as a “curiosity companion”—and how it can support educators, learners, and communities
  • What it means to design tools that extend, rather than replace, our humanity

With warmth, insight, and vision, Eric offers a compelling reminder that even in an age of algorithms, empathy, agency, and human connection matter most.

Eric Rodriguez is a speaker with the goal to help audiences navigate and thrive in the digital era, championing a future where technology amplifies our human experience.

ericjrodriguez.com

Eric Rodriguez

LISTEN ON:

Nicole Coman
Nicole Coman (she/her) is one of the co-hosts of the Educating the Human Potential podcast, produced by AMS. As a licensed educational psychologist, Nicole brings a wealth of expertise in school psychology and child development. Her experience with educational practices, Montessori education, and child development allows for an ever-captivating and insightful dialogue.
William “Biff” Maier
Biff Maier (he/him) is one of the co-hosts of the Educating the Human Potential podcast, produced by AMS. Biff is an AMS Living Legacy, a former Montessori head of school, and a former teacher education program director. These deep-rooted connections with Montessori education, his passion for Montessori principles, and his legacy within AMS make him the perfect addition to our podcast team.