What happens when one of the world’s most iconic toy makers goes back to its roots – and invites Montessori experts to help chart the future? In this episode, hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman go inside Fisher-Price’s legendary Play Lab with Dr. Corinne Eggleston, Senior Manager of the Fisher-Price Play Lab, to unpack why the company returned to wood, how the team designed a Montessori-inspired product line, and what decades of play research reveal about how children really learn.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Fisher-Price’s Corinne Eggleston about:

• Why Fisher-Price decided to reintroduce wooden toys, and what they learned in the process.
• How the Fisher-Price Play Lab tests toys with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in two purpose-built labs (complete with one-way glass and a raised floor), and why children’s feedback drives every iteration.
• What authentic Montessori design required (not just the aesthetic), including school ethnography and iterative reviews with AMS.
• Why Fisher-Price became the first recipient of the AMS Montessori Seal of Excellence, and what that signals to parents and educators.
• How the Fisher-Price team balances free play and guided play, plus the included “Play Tips” booklets that help caregivers support at home.
• What Fisher-Price’s decades of play research reveal about how children learn best.

With warmth, insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at toy design, this episode shows how a beloved company rediscovered timeless materials, grounded pedagogy, and child-led innovation.

Find the Fisher-Price Wood Montessori Collection on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7FBCFC47-7280-4E85-8608-15D8CCAA7BDE

Find out more about the AMS Montessori Seal of Excellence and learn how to apply here: https://amshq.org/seal

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Why is strong communication between home and school essential for a child’s success? In this episode, hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier explore the role of trust, honesty, and consistency between parents and educators.

Through stories from their own school experiences, they discuss:

• Why consistency between home and school is key to student growth
• How open communication builds trust and reduces stress for families, teachers, and children
• Strategies for navigating difficult conversations, from academic struggles to behavior concerns
• The importance of listening to parents’ perspectives, and why transparency matters on both sides
• Practical tips for schools and families to sustain healthy communication

With warmth, candor, and lived experience, Nicole and Biff remind us that when parents and educators work together, children gain the stability and support they need to succeed—in school and beyond.

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

What if art wasn’t just something you make—but a way you think, live, and heal? In this episode, internationally acclaimed graffiti artist and speaker Erik Wahl, joined by his wife and creative partner, Tasha Wahl, share their deeply personal story of losing everything, redefining success, and building a home that doubles as a life studio.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Erik and Tasha about:

• Why Erik defines art as thinking – and how that perspective can liberate learners of all ages
• The role of risk-taking, ego-checking, and “painting for the trash can” in sparking creativity
• How discipline and structure can fuel, rather than limit, imagination
• The Wahl family’s unconventional traditions for raising curious, resilient children
• Creating spaces, physical and emotional, that welcome both joy and suffering
• The importance of originality, emotional expression, and embracing imperfection in an AI-driven world
• How their “river with banks” metaphor mirrors Montessori principles: structure as the foundation for creative freedom, much like Montessori’s balance of order, independence, and exploration

With humor, candor, and hard-won wisdom, Erik and Tasha invite us to see creativity not as a talent for the few, but as a lifelong practice that can transform how we teach, parent, and live.

Learn more about Erik Wahl:
https://www.theartofvision.com/

Buy Erik Wahl's book:
Unthink: Rediscover Your Creative Genius
https://www.amazon.com/Unthink-Rediscover-Your-Creative-Genius/dp/0770434002

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Maria Montessori was a visionary—but she was also human, complicated, and far more radical than the myths suggest. In this episode, Erica Moretti, author of The Best Weapon for Peace: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children’s Rights, joins hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman to explore the radical roots of Montessori’s legacy.

Together, they discuss:

• Montessori’s early activism and interactions —including with Mussolini and the Vatican
• Moretti presents Montessori as a trailblazing champion for children's rights, whose work was in harmony with the growing humanitarian and internationalist movements of the early 20th century
• Why Moretti believes Montessori never stopped being a feminist—even as her public image softened
• The challenges of writing a twelve-year biography while becoming a mother herself
• Why Montessori’s White Cross initiative, which aimed to provide caring support for children affected by war, was overlooked during its time

With academic rigor, expert insight, and personal reflection, Erica Moretti reintroduces Montessori as a bold, imperfect woman whose work on peace, education, and children’s rights remains urgent today.

Erica Moretti is associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, and a scholar of pacifism, humanitarianism, and displacement in modern Italy.

Find Erica’s book on Amazon or wherever you buy your books.
The Best Weapon for Peace: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children's Rights

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Weapon-Peace-Montessori-Education/dp/0299333140/

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

What if our education system isn’t broken—but just built for a different era? In this episode, Ulcca Joshi Hansen—author of The Future of Smart, Chief Program Officer at Grantmakers for Education, and host of the Future Smart podcast—shares why true educational equity requires more than better technology or expanded curriculum. It requires a fundamental shift in how we define learning and human potential.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman talk with Ulcca about:

• Why “bolting on” solutions to a factory-model school system isn’t enough
• The promise of holistic, relationship-driven educational models—including Montessori
• The role of philanthropy in transforming education for the long term
• The cognitive risks and opportunities posed by technology and AI in schools
• Lessons from her candidacy for Denver School Board and her work with funders nationwide

With clarity, warmth, and a systems-level view, Ulcca invites us to imagine an education future that’s truly built around how children grow, learn, and thrive.

For more from Ulcca Joshi Hansen:

The Future of Smart Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-future-of-smart/id1620910055

Her book: “The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help All Young People Thrive”
https://www.amazon.com/Future-Smart-Education-System-Change/dp/195492013X/

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

How can sports empower children—and what happens when they don't? In this episode, Olympic gold medalist and mother of four Dominique Dawes reflects on the highs and harms of elite athletics, and how she’s now working to redefine what success in sports can look like for today’s youth.

Hosts Biff Maier and Nicole Coman speak with Dominique about:

• The psychological costs of high-level competition—and the power of healing environments
• How her gymnastics academies prioritize whole-child development over medals
• Parallels between her approach and Montessori principles, including independence, intrinsic motivation, and child-led exploration
• Why her own children play multiple sports and attend nontraditional schools
• Her journey from Olympic icon to advocate for balanced childhoods

With honesty, clarity, and deep compassion, Dominique challenges us to rethink what children really need to thrive—in sports, in school, and in life.

Dominique Dawes is the founder of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy https://www.dominiquedawesgymnasticsacademy.com/

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

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.

https://ericjrodriguez.com/

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Elizabeth Tingle never planned to become a Montessori teacher, but her path seems to have led her there all along. With decades of experience behind her, Elizabeth Tingle discovered that Montessori aligned perfectly with the values she'd been teaching by for years.

Hosts Nicole Coman and Biff Maier talk with Elizabeth about:

• Elizabeth Tingle’s early calling to teach and how a fifth-grade teacher inspired her to embrace every child’s uniqueness
• The challenges and insights from 14 years working with students facing significant emotional and behavioral needs
• How Montessori philosophy resonated with her belief in personalized, respectful education
• The transition from token-based behavior systems (like earning points or prizes) to intrinsic motivation, and the importance of regulation, trust, and flexibility in learning
• Why understanding behavior as communication is key to unlocking student potential

Elizabeth’s story is a testament to how deep respect for the individual child, and a willingness to adapt, can lead to transformative teaching and learning.

Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org

Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman, a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier, an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society.

For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/

And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach:
https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood

Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org