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PODCAST

Bold By Choice Podcast

National Charter Schools Institute

🎙️ Bold by Choice – Official Podcast Description Bold by Choice is the podcast that tells the untold stories of the charter school movement—its origins, innovations, and ongoing evolution. Hosted by Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner of the National Charter Schools Institute, each episode brings together bold thinkers, doers, and trailblazers who are shaping the future of public education. Whether you’re an authorizer, board member, school leader, teacher, or education advocate, Bold by Choice

education non-profit

All Episodes

36:41

S2 E9 From Ideas to Schools

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/10/29

Charter laws created permission, but people created possibility.In this episode of Bold by Choice, co-hosts Vashaunta Harris, Jim Goenner, Ember Reichgott Junge and Don Cooper spotlight the first generation of charter founders who didn’t just respond to the system — they reimagined it. These leaders turned ideas into schools, blueprints into movements, and challenges into opportunities. Their approaches were diverse — entrepreneurial, justice-driven, classroom-centered — but all were bold by

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41:11

S2 E7 The Charter Wave Spreads

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/10/22

In this episode of Bold by Choice, co-hosts Vashaunta Harris, Jim Goenner, and Don Cooper continue tracing the spread of the charter school movement—this time turning to Arizona and North Carolina. Two very different contexts, two very different laws—but both fueled by bold leadership and a shared belief that public schools could do better for families. In Arizona, Lisa Graham Keegan helped craft one of the most independent charter laws in the country, creating new authorizing structures outside

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47:48

S2 E8 Birth of Authorizing

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/10/22

Passing the first charter laws was only the beginning. Someone had to make those laws real. In this episode of Bold by Choice, co-hosts Vashaunta Harris, Jim Goenner, and Don Cooper take us back to the messy, courageous, and often misunderstood beginnings of charter school authorizing.In Washington, D.C., Tom Nida and Jo Baker recall how two boards were formed to oversee charter schools—without a playbook, precedent, or even the word authorizer in common use. In Minnesota, Pat Sandro raises

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55:20

S2 E6 Great Lakes to Sunshine State

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/10/15

How did the charter school movement jump from one bold law in Minnesota to states across the country? In this episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris, Jim Goenner, and season two collaborator Don Cooper (a charter historian & researcher), travel to Michigan and Florida to explore how state leaders reshaped public education for families and communities.You’ll hear directly from Governor John Engler of Michigan and Governor John Ellis (Jeb) Bush of Florida, who each pushed through

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43:57

S2 E5 Chartering the Frontier

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/10/08

Charter school laws didn’t appear everywhere at once. In this episode, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner highlight two bold frontier stories—California and Colorado—where courageous leaders and cross-aisle coalitions helped chartering carve new paths.From California’s SB 1448 negotiated in a few days by bipartisan champions, to Colorado’s collaborative law shaped by Peggy Kerns, Bill Owens, and community stakeholders, this episode uncovers how vision, strategy, and political courage turned

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44:26

S2 E4 The Formation of the Law (Federal)

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/10/01

In this pivotal episode, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner explore how the charter school idea moved from a Minnesota innovation to a national movement. They are joined by Ember Reichgott Junge and Don Cooper to reflect on the federal leadership that elevated chartering from a local experiment to a system-shifting strategy supported across the country.Listeners will hear clips from Senator Dave Durenberger and Jon Schroeder that capture the heart of this moment in history—when federal

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53:10

S2 E3 The Law That Changed Everything – The Charter...

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/09/24

In this powerful episode of Bold By Choice, host Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner sit down with Ember Reichgott Junge — the Minnesota State Senator who authored the nation’s first charter school law — and charter historian Don Cooper. Together, they revisit the story of how one bold law sparked a national movement, reshaping the landscape of public education.Ember takes listeners behind the scenes of the late 1980s and early 1990s, weaving together the context, opposition, compromises, and

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64:47

S2 E2 Ted Kolderie – You Can’t Expect New Results...

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/09/17

In this episode, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner reflect on the life and legacy of Ted Kolderie, whose groundbreaking ideas reframed chartering not just as a type of school, but as a system redesign strategy. Joined by returning guests Ember Reichgott Junge and Don Cooper, the conversation pairs archival clips of Ted with fresh insights about what it means to lead boldly today.Episode Highlights: Why language matters: chartering as a verb, not a noun. Teacher leadership and the radical

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51:16

S2 E1 Where It All Began – The Roots of Chartering

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/09/10

In our Season 2 premiere, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner travel back to the spark that ignited a national movement. With guests Don Cooper and Ember Reichgott Junge, we trace the formative ideas, people, and policy moments that shaped chartering—from early proposals by Ray Budde to Al Shanker’s influential 1988 National Press Club speech, and the Minnesota Citizens League’s work that turned ideas into law.This episode pairs vivid storytelling with primary sources so you can follow along,

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38:04

S1 E10 What’s Next – Season 2 Preview & What We’re...

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/09/03

In this special live episode recorded at the National Charter School Alliance Conference, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner celebrate 30 years of chartering and offer a preview of what’s ahead in Season 2. Joined by Don Cooper and Ember Reichgott Junge, they walk through the founding stories that sparked the movement and reflect on why the history of chartering still matters today. From the launch of the Founders Library exhibit to the stories behind the very first charter law, this episode

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47:19

S1 E9 Who We Serve – Authorizers, Boards, and School...

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/08/27

In this episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner shine a light on the three essential roles that uphold the charter school promise: authorizers, governing boards, and school leaders. Joined by Alyson Murphy, Director of Partner Services at the National Charter Schools Institute, they unpack how clarity, trust, and aligned responsibilities create a strong governance ecosystem—and how misalignment can quickly derail student success.Using a fictional (but all-too-familiar)

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48:56

S1 E8 Innovation & Support – Beyond Compliance

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/08/20

S1 E8 Innovation & Support: Beyond ComplianceIn this dynamic episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner welcome special guest Don Cooper, Senior Fellow at the National Charter Schools Institute and Director of Civic Initiatives at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. Together, they explore the powerful concept of authorizing as a role that extends far beyond compliance and regulation. Don shares insightful stories and experiences from his extensive career,

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44:50

S1 E7 Closure Doesn’t Have to Be the END

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/08/13

In this heartfelt and candid episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner tackle one of the toughest topics in charter school leadership—closure. Joined by Heather Wendling from the National Charter Schools Institute, they dive deep into the emotional, logistical, and community-driven aspects of closing a school.Vashaunta, Jim, and Heather openly share their personal and professional experiences with school closures, offering listeners an honest look at the difficult realities

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39:33

S1 E6 Renewal – Earning the Right to Continue

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/08/06

In this insightful and reflective episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner welcome Mary Bradley, Chief Operating Officer, and Heather Wendling, VP of Professional Services, from the National Charter Schools Institute to discuss one of the most pivotal moments in a charter school’s life: renewal.Together, they explore the deep meaning of renewal beyond compliance, framing it as a critical checkpoint that ensures schools keep their promises to students, families, and

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42:25

S1 E5 Oversight – Balancing Autonomy and Accountability

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/07/30

In this thoughtful and engaging episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner welcome Alyson Murphy, Partner at the National Charter Schools Institute, to delve into the delicate yet essential balance between autonomy and accountability in charter schools.Drawing from her extensive experience in governance and compliance at Grand Valley State University’s Charter Schools Office, Alyson shares insights on how effective oversight can simultaneously uphold accountability and

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42:10

S1 E4 Authorization & Start-Up – Getting Off the Ground

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/07/23

In this practical and insightful episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner welcome Mark Weinberg, Vice President of Leadership and Learning at the National Charter Schools Institute. Together, they explore the critical period from when a charter school is authorized to the exciting and challenging moments leading up to opening day.Mark Weinberg, a seasoned educator, school leader, authorizer, and advocate, guides listeners through essential first steps post-authorization,

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36:17

The Charter Application: Co-Creating a Vision for a...

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/07/16

In this dynamic episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner sit down with special guest Heather Wendling, Vice President of Professional Services at the National Charter Schools Institute, to unpack the critical importance of the charter application process. Heather draws from her extensive background in education, authorizing, and coaching to illustrate how the charter application serves as more than just paperwork—it’s the foundational blueprint for a school's identity,

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40:08

What Is a Charter School Life Cycle and Why Does It...

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/07/09

In this insightful episode of Bold By Choice, hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner welcome special guest Mary Bradley, Chief Operating Officer at the National Charter Schools Institute, to explore the essential concept of the charter school life cycle. Mary brings deep experience from her journey as an educator and leader in authorizer work across Michigan and Chicago, sharing personal stories and professional insights that illuminate why understanding each stage of a charter school's life

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01:24

Bold Choice Podcast S1 trailer

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/06/26

What does it really take to lead in today’s charter school movement? In this season trailer, co-hosts Vashaunta Harris and Jim Goenner set the stage for Bold by Choice—a podcast that brings together the voices of school leaders, board members, authorizers, and changemakers from across the nation. From accountability and innovation to community voice and renewal, Season 1 explores the life cycle of charter schools with real talk, powerful stories, and practical insights. Whether you’re new to

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19:52

Welcome to the Show – Who We Are & Why We're Here

Bold By Choice Podcast ·

2025/06/13

Welcome to the Bold By Choice podcast — real talk about charter schools, from the boardroom to the classroom. In this inaugural episode, co-hosts Vashaunta Harris and Dr. Jim Goenner invite you into the heart of their mission: transforming student outcomes through connection, courage, and community.Vashaunta and Jim share personal stories that reveal their “why” — from Southern roots and sweet tea to bold ideas and boardroom breakthroughs. You’ll get to know who they are beyond their titles, and

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