When School Doesn't Fit Your Child: Lael Stone on Courage, Connection and a Different Education (Re-Release)

About this episode

Lael Stone discusses the importance of courage, connection, and redefining success beyond traditional education metrics.

If you have ever worried that your child does not fit the traditional mould, this is a hopeful, practical listen for parents and educators alike. What happens when school does not quite fit, but life beyond it opens something bigger? Lael Stone is a speaker, educator, author, and school founder who reflects on leaving school without being defined by her score, traveling overseas alone at seventeen, and starting businesses before she had it all figured out. This is a conversation about what becomes possible when young people are given permission to explore, and adults choose connection over judgment. Lael offers practical insight on how young people actually ask for help, why vulnerability matters, and what it takes to become a safe adult in a young person's world. • Why a school score never has to define your child • Helping a young person who feels not smart at school • Travel and real-world experience as a different education • What stops teenagers asking for help, and how to lower the barrier • How to become a safe adult in a young person's world • Building learning around connection and emotional safety Know someone who'd be perfect for the pod? Get in touch with us at…

People in this episode

Hosts: Laura Pitt, Dan Steele

Guest: Lael Stone

Topics covered

• education
• parenting
• success
• vulnerability
• connection
• personal growth

Keywords

• education
• parenting
• success
• vulnerability
• connection
• personal growth
• young people

Sponsors

July

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: More Than a Score

More episodes of More Than a Score

• Backing Yourself Beats Following the Right Path: Athan Didaskalou, July Founder, on Success After School · June 8, 2026 · 1h 3m
• When School Says Your Child Talks Too Much: Sarah Pound on Turning a Label Into a Career · May 31, 2026 · 1h 14m
• You Don't Have to Get It Right the First Time: Stephanie Pahl on Sport, Change and Finding Your Path · May 25, 2026 · 46 min
• When Success Stops Feeling Like Success: Melissa Lozanovski, Founding Principal, on Ambition and Wellbeing · May 19, 2026 · 1h 12m
• You Don't Need a Perfect Plan After School: Ben Amos, Teacher Turned Entrepreneur · May 11, 2026 · 43 min
• When School Labels Your Child "Lazy": Myfanwy Fitzpatrick on Undiagnosed Dyslexia and Dyspraxia · May 5, 2026 · 1h 6m