Freedom to Learn
Season 2 of the Freedom to Learn podcast makes the urgent case for returning education to states, communities, and families. In Washington, President Trump is challenging partisan teacher unions and federal bureaucrats by enacting a new K–12 scholarship tax credit, restructuring the Department of Education, and rooting out civil rights violations in schools. Each week, host Ginny Gentles speaks with policymakers and advocates about bold reforms that improve academic performance and shift power closer to students. Every episode examines what becomes possible when education is freed from union dominance and federal control. Produced by the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC.
Podcasting since 2024 • 54 episodes
Freedom to Learn
Latest Episodes
Melissa Batie-Smoose & Vernadette Broyles on Courage, Consequences, & the Future of Title IX
When Melissa Batie-Smoose took a stand to protect the women she coached, she lost her job and her coaching career. In this episode we sit down with Melissa, former associate head women’s volleyball coach at San Jose State University, and Vernad...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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33:07
Kate Baker Demers on School Choice Leadership, Education Savings Accounts, & National Momentum
Kate Baker Demers, Executive Director of Children’s Scholarship Fund–New Hampshire, joins the podcast to share how a determined mom helped transform New Hampshire into a national leader in education freedom. Kate traces the origins of the state...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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31:26
Jackie Guglielmo on Tax Credit Scholarships, Scholarship Granting Organizations, & Supercharging Education Freedom Nationwide
In the first Freedom to Learn episode of 2026, Jackie Guglielmo, Vice President of Services at ACE Scholarships, explains how the federal scholarship tax credit (FSTC) will “supercharge” education freedom across the country. Jackie des...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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29:09
Darla Romfo on Putting Kids First, Building a Scholarship Granting Network, & Engaging in Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Rulemaking
In our final Freedom to Learn episode of the year, Darla Romfo, President and CEO of the Children’s Scholarship Fund, joins the podcast to trace the origins of the nation’s most influential privately-funded school choice efforts. Darla...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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32:52
Lindsey Burke on Returning Education to the States through Interagency Agreements, RIFs, & Bureaucratic Consolidation
Lindsey Burke returns to Freedom to Learn to discuss the Trump administration’s plans to “return education to the states.” Lindsey, who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Programs at the U.S. Department of Education (ED), discusses ...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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25:14