In the newest episode of Mighty Forces, Amanda Hirsch brings together two creative community builders from New York’s Hudson Valley — Vanessa Van Burek, co-founder of Zena Democratic School, and Jean Michel David, founder of Megabrain Comics — to explore what it really means to nurture curiosity, community, and care. From reimagining education without hierarchy to building a comic book store that doubles as a safe haven for queer and neurodivergent kids, Vanessa and Jean-Michel reveal how their work helps people of all ages feel seen and empowered. Together, they reflect on how we raise our kids, the lessons schools teach (and don’t), the power of creative spaces, and how we can each make change by starting small, within our own communities. The episode closes with two powerful messages: your life matters and you have to find your own bubble of safety so that you feel like you have the power to make small changes that amount to something bigger.

Topics Discussed:

• What democratic education really looks like and why hierarchy harms learning
• How play, autonomy, and curiosity shape true education
• Parenting as a Gen X-er: overthinking, grace, and guilt
• Why most schools still operate like we’re in the Industrial Revolution
• The link between schools, workaholism, and loss of creativity
• How comic books foster literacy, imagination, and empathy
• Building inclusive, neurodiverse-friendly community spaces
• Finding agency and power in small acts of care and connection

Resources Mentioned:

• Sudbury Schools
• Zena Democratic School

Resources:

• Mighty Forces
• Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn
• Follow Amanda on Instagram

Mighty Forces is produced by Amanda Hirsch and Heart Centered Podcasting. The music of Mighty Forces was written and performed by Jordan Hirsch, aka my wonderful husband.