Brad Kershner is an educator, independent scholar, and Head of School at Kimberton Waldorf School. He is also the co-founder of a meta-political think tank - The Reconstitution Project - and is the author of the book "Understanding Educational Complexity: Integrating Practices and Perspectives for 21st Century Leadership". In addition to his work in education, Brad works in collaboration with thought leaders and spiritual teachers from around the world who are engaged in developing wisdom-based responses to planetary problems. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore the Waldorf approach to education, child development, the negative impacts of social media, politics and polarization, artificial intelligence, and the role of contemplative practice in wisdom cultivation.Ā
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0:00 - IntroĀ
2:05 - Becoming an educator and the Waldorf approach to educationĀ
7:47 - Fundamental principles of child developmentĀ
17:52 - Emotions & mental health in young peopleĀ
24:36 - Haidtās research on the negative impact social media is having on childrenĀ
26:39 - Debating the parenting approach of Taking Children SeriouslyĀ
35:22 - Reflecting on navigating screen time in children via āThe Sovereign Childā by Aaron Stupple Ā
49:14 - Before you can help children solve a problem you need to understand itĀ
55:27 - Meta-crisis sensemaking and the limits of rational optimismĀ
59:25 - Navigating politics & polarizationĀ
1:17:40 - Developing a wise relationship with technology & artificial intelligenceĀ
1:22:49 - Beyond the Tescreal Worldview: Integrating Wisdom & power
1:30:12 - The big questions and disagreements in the metamodern & liminal spacesĀ
1:36:49 - Why materialism is a less true view than idealismĀ
1:40:53 - Flipping what we think we can and cannot knowĀ
1:44:20 -The role of meditation & contemplation
1:49:50 - The importance of emphasizing meditation early in lifeĀ
1:53:27 - Connect to Bradās work
