Ep 57 - The Energy Flow Method: Building Connection Before Teaching Content with Robert Ahdoot
Mon Feb 02 2026
What happens when a bright, curious child suddenly shutsdown and says "I hate school" or "I hate math"? In this transformative conversation, math teacher Robert Ahdoot reveals the simple truth that's changing classrooms worldwide: children don't hate learning, they hate not knowing how to do it.
After nearly 20 years teaching and 2 million minutes ofcontent viewed monthly, Robert shares the exact conditions that make children excited to learn. You'll discover that what blocks learning isn't the subject matter; it's the barriers we unknowingly create through our language, expectations, and classroom energy.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- The advocacy approach that transforms resistant learners into engaged students
- Why "energy flow" matters more than curriculum content
- How to remove blockages instead of adding more pressure
- The specific language shifts that help children feel safe to experiment and fail
- Why emotional skills trump academic content (and how to teach both)
Robert shares vulnerable, real stories, from the teen whoseemed disconnected until he found hotel management, to his own daughter throwing homework in the air with joy-filled frustration. These aren't theories; they're practical tools you can use today.
Whether you're watching your child struggle with homework ormanaging a classroom of diverse learners, this conversation offers hope: connection comes before content, and advocacy beats authority every time.
Listen now to discover how simple shifts in your approachcan create the conditions where your child's natural curiosity surfaces, and stays.
About Rediscovering Childhood:
Practical, thought-provoking conversations that empower parents and educators to create meaningful connections with children. Hosted by Mireia Lopez, founder of Discovery Playtime.
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What happens when a bright, curious child suddenly shutsdown and says "I hate school" or "I hate math"? In this transformative conversation, math teacher Robert Ahdoot reveals the simple truth that's changing classrooms worldwide: children don't hate learning, they hate not knowing how to do it. After nearly 20 years teaching and 2 million minutes ofcontent viewed monthly, Robert shares the exact conditions that make children excited to learn. You'll discover that what blocks learning isn't the subject matter; it's the barriers we unknowingly create through our language, expectations, and classroom energy. In this episode, you'll learn: - The advocacy approach that transforms resistant learners into engaged students - Why "energy flow" matters more than curriculum content - How to remove blockages instead of adding more pressure - The specific language shifts that help children feel safe to experiment and fail - Why emotional skills trump academic content (and how to teach both) Robert shares vulnerable, real stories, from the teen whoseemed disconnected until he found hotel management, to his own daughter throwing homework in the air with joy-filled frustration. These aren't theories; they're practical tools you can use today. Whether you're watching your child struggle with homework ormanaging a classroom of diverse learners, this conversation offers hope: connection comes before content, and advocacy beats authority every time. Listen now to discover how simple shifts in your approachcan create the conditions where your child's natural curiosity surfaces, and stays. About Rediscovering Childhood: Practical, thought-provoking conversations that empower parents and educators to create meaningful connections with children. Hosted by Mireia Lopez, founder of Discovery Playtime.