Needing Examples Not Just Ideas

The story of this place, this school & Jenny

Jenny's Early Awakening Journey

MLK's inspiration

Semester at Sea experience

Serendipity in tracing Jenny’s ancestry to a print shop in Ireland

Following the Call to Floyd County

Following more threads to printing her book

And the school

Risking everything after having gotten her life together

But why a school given the official hoops to jump through?

Is this even legal?

How do staff stare down benefits etc. in the system to jump across to this?

5 principles to follow starting something like this (that they didn’t know)

The serendipity grows, with Manchan Magan

Creating a Different Kind of School

Explaining the mystery of life!

How the land for the school landed upon them!

Participatory budgeting & pricing process

The trust building behind it all

So how does the school run day to day to educate this culture shift?

Her own kids’ questioning their education

Economic Trust and Community Design

The elders wall

What does this time in the US right now mean for this?

Shaped by a moment with her dying father & yet more health challenges

Jenny sings an Irish song

<a href="https://springhouse.org/">Springhouse Community School</a> has been called ‘the most dynamic and promising experiment in education and community building’. It’s a K12 bilingual school, with adult programs, community networks, and even a print shop (that’s a glorious story in itself). It also works with a participatory budgeting and pricing model, and incorporates things like restorative justice and land regeneration practices.The school describes itself as an ‘intergenerational, vitality-centred learning community in Southwest Virginia where we are fundamentally transforming the purpose and practice of education.’ Its vision? A world where all life thrives. Sounds obvious when you say it. What else would education be for? It all stems from Meg Wheatley’s premise that ‘Life pushes back against a story that excludes it’.Jenny Finn is the school’s somewhat unwitting founder and Executive Director, having never imagined she’d be living here or doing this. And it’s a wonder she’s even with us at all. But her death-defying tale has ultimately shaped her journey. And as we talk about it, some uncanny parallels in our lives feed a consistently amazing and often hilarious chat – in her car! Yep, we tried in her office, as it was too windy outside, but school life was in full volume as an evening event commenced. Which by the way, featured student and other presentations on <a href="https://springhouse.org/event/sharing-our-learning-economics-the-cosmos/">Economics and the Cosmos</a>. Now that sounds like an education.<a href="https://regennarration.buzzsprout.com/">Chapter markers &amp; transcript</a>.Recorded 27 February 2025.See photos on the episode website, and for more behind the scenes, become a supporting listener - all via the links below.Music:Circle of Life, by Letra (sourced on Artlist).Stones &amp; Bones, by Owls of the Swamp.Jenny singing an Irish tune.Regeneration, by <a href="http://www.ameliabarden.com/">Amelia Barden</a>.<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ewYjiljhUCURUzhfZCqMf?si=6c16a527c1e64c0f">The RegenNarration playlist</a>, music chosen by guests.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2091922/open_sms">Send us a text</a><a href="https://www.regennarration.com/support">Support the show</a>The RegenNarration podcast is independent, ad-free and freely available, thanks to the generous support of listeners like you. If you too value what you hear, please consider joining them. BECOME A PAID SUBSCRIBER to connect with your host, other listeners and exclusive benefits, on: <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.patreon.com/RegenNarration">Patreon</a> (NB: if you're using an iPhone, you can avoid Apple's new 30% app store charge for new subscribers by subscribing on your laptop or PC).</li> <li>The <a href="https://anthonyaus.substack.com/subscribe">new Substack</a> (for the same benefits as Patreon)</li> <li>Or <a href="https://regennarration.buzzsprout.com/2091922/supporters/new">Buzzsprout</a> (without additional benefits).</li> </ul> Or DONATE: <ul> <li>Directly via <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/support">the website</a> (avoiding fees).</li> <li> <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_donations&amp;business=C2LKHEX4MP4WQ&amp;currency_code=AUD&amp;source=url">Via PayPal</a>.</li> </ul> You can also: <ul> <li>Visit <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/shop">The RegenNarration shop</a>. </li> <li>Share, rate and review the podcast.</li> </ul> Thanks for your support!

Springhouse Community School has been called ‘the most dynamic and promising experiment in education and community building’. It’s a K12 bilingual school, with adult programs, community networks, and even a print shop (that’s a glorious story in itself). It also works with a participatory budgeting and pricing model, and incorporates things like restorative justice and land regeneration practices. The school describes itself as an ‘intergenerational, vitality-centred learning community in Sou...

Buzzsprout

The RegenNarration Podcast

Anthony James

Springhouse: How a voice saved my life & inspired a school, with founder Jenny Finn