31. What Schools Get Wrong and How Holistic Education is the Answer with Michael Carberry
The school system really messed me up. I would not fit into the standardized box they try to jam kids into, and was deeply wounded by them trying to hammer me into it. This left me passionate about changing the way we treat kids.
I tried to create my own school for Della, but it was VERY HARD. So I was so lucky to find the Whole Life Learning Center, founded by Micheal Carberry for his two boys, now ages 8 and 10.
In this episode, Micheal explains how kids learn best when their nervous system feels calm and supported, yet schools rarely center around emotional safety. He expands on what education can look like when connection, curiosity, and developmental readiness come first.
Michael’s holistic model replaces grades with seasonal narrative reviews that actually matter. He gives us a clearer framework on what to look for in a school and how to support learning at home. When feedback focuses on social-emotional growth instead of comparison, kids feel safe enough to explore and confident enough to thrive.
In this episode, we explore:
How do you know if your child’s school supports emotional safety?
• What happens when kids learn without grades or competition?
• How can parents build intrinsic motivation instead of pressure?
• What does developmentally aligned reading readiness actually look like?
• How does restorative discipline help kids learn accountability?
Learn more about Whole Life Learning Center: https://www.wholelifelearningcenter.com/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholelifelearning/
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
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Watch the Full Episode
Joe Carr is an entrepreneur, advocate, and passionate educator on fatherhood and partnership. Driven by a desire to provide high-quality, nutrient-dense baby food for his daughter Della, Joe and his wife founded Serenity Kids baby food brand after experiencing their own health transformations through clean eating. Now, alongside his work in revolutionizing baby nutrition, Joe is on a mission to help new dads navigate the transformational journey of fatherhood. Through his podcast and social media platform Dadicated Joe, he shares real, honest conversations about showing up for your children, supporting your partner, and embracing the identity shift that comes with becoming a dad.
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Michael Carberry is the Founder of the Whole Life Learning Center in Austin, Texas. As an educational visionary and innovator he has developed a holistic pedagogy focused on environmental sustainability, social justice, personal growth and empowerment. When he’s not at the Whole Life Learning Center, Michael can be found spending quality time with his family, playing music, taking care of the animals, working out, or turning the compost.
