Can America’s failing education system be fixed—or do we need to start from scratch? PragerU CEO Marissa Streit is joined by two of the boldest education reformers in America: Erika Donalds, founder of OptimaEd, and Dr. Pano Kanelos, founding president of the University of Austin. Together, they discuss the roots of the education crisis—from the monopoly of government-run K-12 schools to the decline of critical thinking in universities. Hear how they're building the future of education with school choice, classical education, and entrepreneurial innovation. Follow Marissa on social: https://www.instagram.com/marissastreit/ https://x.com/marissastreit https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissastreit/ Follow Erika Donalds https://x.com/ErikaDonalds https://www.instagram.com/erikadonalds/ Learn more about OptimaEd and University of Austin: https://optimaed.com/?page_id=1566 https://www.uaustin.org/ 0:00 – Why Erica Donalds and Dr. Pano Kanelos Entered the Fight for Education 3:32 – Erica’s Story and Launching OptimaEd’s Virtual Reality School 6:15 – Founding the University of Austin to Restore Higher Education 10:23 – What Classical Education Is and Why It Matters Today 15:56 – How Ideological Forces Took Over Schools and Universities 23:18 – Why Reforming From Within Didn’t Work: Erica’s Shift to School Choice 25:15 – Preparing Students for an AI-Powered, Ever-Changing Future 29:30 – The Hidden Barriers to Starting New Schools and Universities 34:21 – What Are ESAs and How They Empower Parents 42:02 – The Case for Dismantling the Department of Education 48:14 – New Ideas and Entrepreneurs Driving the Future of Education 53:13 – What Should Parents Look For in a School Today? 57:51 – Breaking the Ivy League Myth and Building a New Elite 1:02:30 – Teaching Resilience and Final Advice for Parents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
