Are our kids actually learning—or just doing what it takes to get an A? What happens when a teacher takes grades out of the equation?

Sunny talks with public school teacher Monte Syrie about the questions raised in John Taylor Gatto’s Dumbing Us Down and his own classroom experiment, Project 180. Now in his 31st year of teaching, Monte shares why he began questioning familiar practices—and what changed when he focused less on grades and more on learning.

In this episode:

• The “hidden curriculum” and what school teaches beyond academics
• Why Monte gave every student an A on the first day
• What changed when grades were no longer the incentive
• How meaningful feedback and relationships support learning
• Why students can struggle when given more freedom
• The difference between educating “all kids” and educating “each kid”

📖 Dumbing Us Down — John Taylor Gatto:
https://www.amazon.com/Dumbing-Down-Curriculum-Compulsory-Schooling-ebook/dp/B072F9VRZP

🏫 Explore Monte’s work, Project 180:
https://www.letschangeeducation.com

📖 Better, A Teacher’s Journey: Project 180:
https://www.amazon.com/better-Teachers-Journey-Project-Book/dp/1990566340

Unscripted with Sunny:
https://unscriptedwithsunny.com

What helps our kids stay curious, think for themselves, and take ownership of their learning—and what might be getting in the way?

Question everything. Decide for yourself.

#UnscriptedWithSunny #QuestionEverything #Education #Project180 #DumbingUsDown

Can you spot a lie just by watching someone’s face? What if the person teaching you how to spot manipulation deserves a closer look, too?

Sunny talks with former professional poker player, author, and People Who Read People host Zachary Elwood about body language myths, misleading claims, and how we decide whom to trust.

In this episode:
- Why body movements don’t tell the whole story
- What reading poker tells taught Zach about human behavior
- The TSA’s SPOT program and questions about behavior screening
- Zach’s criticism of online behavior “experts,” including Chase Hughes
- How our own beliefs can make misleading claims more convincing
- Why clear answers, follow-up questions, and checking facts matter

🎙️ Explore Zach’s podcast, People Who Read People:
https://behavior-podcast.com

Unscripted with Sunny:
https://unscriptedwithsunny.com

The views shared here are an invitation to ask questions, explore the evidence, and reach your own conclusions—even when you like what you hear.

Question everything. Decide for yourself.

#UnscriptedWithSunny #QuestionEverything #BodyLanguage #Discernment

Who makes you feel comfortable just being yourself? Join me and my identical twin daughters at the Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio—a family tradition filled with fun, friendship, and connection.

Meet twins who return year after year, explore the festival, and celebrate my girls winning medals for looking the most alike! Along the way, we look at why finding your people matters—and how the people around us can encourage us to create the life we want.

In this episode:
• My childhood dream of having twins—and why I say I manifested them
• Twin interviews about friendship and belonging
• The Double Take Parade, group photos, and twin contests
• Finding people who support you and your dreams

Where have you found your people? Share your story in the comments.

Twins Days Festival
https://twinsdays.org

Unscripted with Sunny
https://unscriptedwithsunny.com

Unscripted shares firsthand stories and personal perspectives to encourage curiosity and your own discernment.

Question everything. Decide for yourself.

#UnscriptedWithSunny #TwinsDaysFestival #QuestionEverything