Ep.161 I Deciding the Education System is Failing Us: Bring Back Critical Thinking with Matt Beaudreau
Have you wondered if the education system is actually preparing the next generation to lead? Do you question whether *real* learning happens within the confines of a classroom? What if the very foundation of how we’ve been taught to think is broken?
Matt Beaudreau is on a mission to rebuild the way we raise young people into impactful adults. Through his educational program, Apogee Strong, he’s empowering young people to break free from the limits of the traditional school system and become true leaders—starting with responsibility, character, and action. In this episode, we explore why real education isn't taught in classrooms and how Matt's approach is redefining what it means to be “ready for the real world.”
KEY TOPICS
How to break free from the conformity of the education system to create effective leaders.
What we all need to unlearn from the broken school system we grew up in.
The value of questioning authority, and what that looks like when done effectively.
Why real-world experiences educate to a higher degree of success than a classroom ever will.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life and Business
03:15 Lessons from "Wasting" Time
08:45 Freedom Within Structure
12:30 Introducing Matt Beaudreau
17:50 From Public School to Revolution: Building New Education Systems
23:10 Education Failures: More Than Just Bad Grades
30:00 Meta Skills: The Missing Link in Education
35:45 Why Academia Isn't the Answer: Real Education Starts Here
42:00 Leadership by Example: Matt’s Approach to Raising Strong Men
48:30 How to Foster Responsibility in Students
54:15 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Education
1:00:00 The Power of Mentorship in Youth Programs
1:05:20 Empowering Students Through Choice and Consequence
1:10:45 The Future of Education: Matt’s Vision
1:16:30 Final Thoughts: How to Rebuild Education Systems That Work
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Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast.
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CONNECT WITH MATT BEAUDREAU
Websites: https://apogeestrong.com // https://apogeepays.com
Instagram: @mattbeaudreau // @apogeeprogram
The Essential 11 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hh0o1PvIC8c4fE2Wv6LiF
Matt founded Acton Academy Placer Schools, using the Socratic method to foster self-directed, independent young leaders. He also co-founded Apogee Strong, a mentorship program for young men, and launched the Apogee Strong Dads Program in 2023. His podcast, The Essential 11, provides leadership insights from global experts. Additionally, Matt founded the Apogee Strong Foundation, offering scholarships to young men for educational and leadership opportunities. Matt Beaudreau is a renowned keynote speaker, consultant, and coach, working with clients like Wells Fargo, Honeywell, and the U.S. Air Force. A two-time TEDx speaker and former Corporate Trainer of the Year at Stanford University, he has spoken to over 250,000 people worldwide.