Aaron Stern shares how the Academy for the Love of Learning began its restrategizing and revisioning journey in 2020.

The Academy is a 300 year project.

Aaron Stern shares why the Academy reimagined its work in the world and, as a result, stepped away from schools and moved toward co-creating new learning ecosystems.

What catalyzes transformation?

Aaron Stern shares how the collective need for new ways of being and living —  transformation — seeded the Academy's new vision and work in the world. John Bennett's quote is a source of inspiration: "We can be free from the past only when we have so changed ourselves as to be no longer the same person who performed the action."

What is the difference between change and transformation?

Aaron Stern shares the learning question that inspired our new work form called Learning Exchanges. 

Learning Exchanges explore how transformational learning emerges across communities, and our exploration is guided by learning questions — or inquiries into what catalyzes and sustains the co-creation of new learning ecosystems.

What are Learning Exchanges?

Patty Nagle Interviews Marianne Murray about Holotropic Breathwork programs at the Academy

Holotropic Breathwork Interview-Long

What Is Holotropic Breathwork?

3 Questions

My Smile (Mi Sonrisa)
Written by Mike Ortiz with Vanessa Torres

Miguel ‘Mike’ Teodoro Ortiz was born in 1913 on a small five-acre farm in Santa Fe, that sustained their family through the Depression. While money was scarce, food, water and family were abundant. With the exception of two years, when he travelled to India with the U.S. Navy, Mike has grown his family, his food, and his life right here on this land. Mike was devoted to his late wife, Marina, and daughter, Linda, and worked for over thirty years as a state water regulator. He loves golfing, but even more, he loves music— having played banjo since he was 15. At 102, he has a gentleness and an appreciation for the simplest things in life and sees beauty everywhere. His smile continues to inspire everyone he meets.

From the CD Love is Here: Songs and Poems From the Heart

A collaboration between the Academy for the Love of Learning's Lifesongs program and The Alzheimer's Poetry Project with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

More information at www.aloveoflearning.org


Lifesongs - My Smile (Mi Sonrisa)

From the CD Love is Here: Songs and Poems From the Heart

Written by Lillian Siegel with Grisha Krivchenia

Lillian Siegel was born in New York City in 1913, the child of Russian immigrants. She attended New York University and thrived in that vibrant intellectual and artistic environment. In 1945, she moved to Virginia with her husband Nathan. Lillian earned a master’s degree in library science, and her years working as a librarian were some of the happiest of her life. In 2014, Lillian moved to New Mexico to live with her daughter, Stephanie. She has three grandchildren and enjoys the company of Stephanie’s cats. At 102, Lillian is full of vitality and curiosity. One day during the creation of this song, when asked what mood she was in, Lillian responded “It’s been a long winter,” and that became the first line of every verse.

A collaboration between the Academy for the Love of Learning's Lifesongs program and The Alzheimer's Poetry Project with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

More information at www.aloveoflearning.org


Lifesongs - The Long Winter

In this interview with Alan Hutner from Transitions Radio. Academy for the Love of Learning Founder and President Aaron Stern expands on the idea of "School Outside of School" and the relationship between Learning and Education.

Aaron Stern on Learning, School Outside of School and the Festival of Learning Part 1

In this interview with Alan Hutner from Transitions Radio, Academy for the Love of Learning Founder and President Aaron Stern on the Festival of Learning, El Otro Lado, Lifesongs, deep connection and the stages of love.

Aaron Stern on Learning, School Outside of School and the Festival of Learning Part 2

Poetry by Gary Glazner for Sky Fabin, 
Music by Molly Sturges, arranged by Chris Jonas with Jeremy Bleich

photo by Don Usner

Journalist Katie Mast interviews participants from the Inspire Santa Fe mentorship program.

Inspire Santa Fe Podcast Preview

The mission of the Academy for the Love of Learning is to awaken, enliven, nurture and sustain the natural love of learning in people of all ages. Join us in reimagining how and where learning happens.

Academy for the Love of Learning

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