A Different Way to Educate Our Kids with Laura Sandefer

A Different Way to Educate Our Kids with Laura Sandefer

From Doing Life Differently by Katelyn James

April 16, 2026 · 47 min · Episode 87

About this episode

Katelyn James interviews Laura Sandefer about alternative education and the founding of Acton Academy.

In this special episode of Doing Life Differently , I’m sitting down with my dear friend Laura Sandefer, co-founder of Acton Academy and co-author of "The Courage to Grow" > Get your copy of "Courage To Grow " This conversation felt deeply personal to me because Laura’s story helped shape my own family’s journey into starting a school. What began as a search for something different for our children became a life-changing calling, and Laura was one of the first people to help me believe it was possible. We talk about what it looks like to step off the traditional path, trust that children are capable of more than we think, and create spaces where curiosity, responsibility, and character can grow. Laura shares what it was really like to build Acton in the early days, what surprised her most, and why human connection matters more than ever in a world being rapidly changed by AI. 📲 FREE - "What Your Brand Says About You" Guide 🩵 Follow Katelyn on Instagram 👉 Finally nail your brand voice and show up authentically to your audience with the help of KJ Brand Coach GPT

People in this episode

Host: Katelyn James

Guest: Laura Sandefer

Topics covered

  • education
  • entrepreneurship
  • parenting
  • personal growth
  • AI impact

Keywords

  • education
  • Acton Academy
  • The Courage to Grow
  • parenting
  • AI
  • curiosity
  • character

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Acton Academy

Books & works: The Courage to Grow

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