In a world facing many crises, where should we focus our efforts? For today’s guest, Zoe Weil, the answer is clear: education. “If we can transform educational systems,” she says, “then we may be able to transform our economic system, our political system, our food system, our production system, our legal system, all these different systems, so that they’re more just and more sustainable and more humane for everyone.” Zoe is the the cofounder and president of the Institute for Humane Education, and in this conversation she shares what makes Humane Education a powerful approach, what reforms our education systems need, and why we all could use more of a “solutionary” mindset.
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Shownotes
Visit Antioch’s website to learn more about the humane education programs that Antioch offers in partnership with the Institute for Humane Education: the MA in Humane Education, the MEd in Humane Education, the MEd for Experience Educators with a Humane Education Concentration, the Certificate in Humane Education, and the EdD in Educational & Professional Practice, Humane Education.
Find more information about Zoe’s books The World Becomes What We Teach and The Solutionary Way on the Institute for Humane Education’s website. And follow Zoe’s new interview show, Solutionary Voices, wherever you get your podcasts.
This episode was recorded March 22, 2026 via Riverside.fm and released April 1, 2026.
The Seed Field Podcast is produced by Antioch University
Host: Jasper Nighthawk
Editor: Nastasia Green
Producer: Karen Hamilton
Work-Study Assistants: Dani LaPointe, Odin Rasco, Rylie DeGarmo, and Shayla Kerr
Additional Production Help: Amelia Bryan, Jonathan Hawkins, and Laurien Alexandre.
To access a full transcript and find more information about this and other episodes, visit theseedfield.org. To get updates and be notified about future episodes, follow Antioch University on Facebook.
Guest
Zoe Weil is an educator, author, and speaker dedicated to helping build a future where all people, animals, and nature can thrive. She is the cofounder and president of the Institute for Humane Education and is considered a pioneer in the comprehensive humane education movement, which works to create a humane, peaceful, healthy and just world for all people, animals, and the environment through education. Zoe created the the Institute for Humane Education’s MEd, MA, and graduate certificate programs as well as IHE’s acclaimed humane education and MOGO (most good) workshops and online courses.
Zoe is the author of Nautilus Silver Medal-winner, Most Good, Least Harm: The Simple Principle for a Better World and a Meaningful Life (2009), The Power and Promise of Humane Education (2004), and Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times (2003). She has also written books for young people, including Moonbeam Gold Medal winner, Claude and Medea: The Hellburn Dogs (2007), about 12-year-old activists inspired by an eccentric substitute teacher to right wrongs where they find them, and So, You Love Animals: An Action-Packed, Fun-Filled Book to Help Kids Help Animals (1994). She has written numerous articles on humane education and humane living and has appeared frequently on radio and television.
Transcript
Coming soon!
