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Human School: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Miles Adcox
We’ve been taught everything except how to be human. In a world obsessed with output, Human School is where we study what happens within. This podcast was born from a journal entry during a breakdown. A reminder that struggle isn’t weakness - it’s instruction. Human School reframes pain as purpose, productivity as presence, and leadership as inner clarity. We’re building the education we never got. Through stories, tools, and raw conversations, we help people stop performing their lives–and start participating in them. Welcome to Human School.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 3 days ago1h 39m
Ashley McBryde on Sobriety, Generational Trauma, and Unlearning Survival
"They said, 'We need you to stop.' And I said, 'I need me to stop, too.'" Grammy-winning country artist Ashley McBryde joins Miles for a deeply moving, unfiltered conversation as she reflects on her roots in the Ozarks, the complexities of generational trauma, and what it truly means to be seen. Ashley opens up about her long relationship with alcohol, the terrifying night that led her to treatment, and how getting sober allowed her to finally hear her own voice and recognize the person in the mirror. This is a powerful discussion on unlearning old programming, re-parenting your younger self, and why true art doesn't require a dark place. If you’re ready to begin a new chapter, Onsite offers transformational experiences to help you live the life you deserve. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04zdx0K0 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introducing Ashley McBryde05:00 – Growing Up in the Ozarks & Early Musical Roots17:00 – Nervous System Responses, Childhood Trauma, and Inner Child Work44:00 – Generational Trauma, Religion, and Re-framing Family Dynamics56:00 – The Reality of "High-Functioning" Addiction & Stepping Into Recovery1:18:00 – Finding Pure Joy in Sobriety and Making Art Without Suffering Stay Connected to Human School Human School Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04zdtB60 Miles Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04zdw7Z0 Subscribe on Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04zdt6t0 Onsite: https://hubs.la/Q04zdx0K0
- 1 weeks ago1h 5m
How to Find Peace When a Relationship Can't Be Fixed with Matthias Barker (Live from the Transform Trauma Conference)
What happens when the mental health expert becomes the one navigating a family crisis? In this deep and deeply personal conversation, therapist and author Matthias Barker sits down with Miles at the Transform Trauma Conference –– Europe’s largest mental health and wellness conference in Oxford, England –– to open up about his own journey through family estrangement, grief, and reconciliation. Together, they break down the real-world stuff we all deal with: why healing must come before forgiveness, the difference between setting a healthy boundary and running away, the traps of modern pop psychology, and what it actually takes to find "peace with what's possible." Whether you're a mental health professional or just trying to navigate your own family system, this conversation offers real tools for real life.Learn more about Transform Trauma and other Master’s Events: https://mastersevents.com/ Are you unfurling your own stories around family, trauma, and mental health? Onsite offers transformational experiences to help you live the life you deserve. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04xQ6_l0 Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to Human School... LIVE!01:45 - Meet Matthias Barker: From drama kid to building a platform05:00 - The Family Crisis: Addiction, divorce, and estrangement07:00 - Learning from Grief Expert David Kessler11:00 - The Intersection of Trauma and Grief in Family Conflict15:30 - Peace with What’s Possible: Rethinking reconciliation26:30 - The Research on Contempt and Emotional Abuse31:30 - Boundaries vs. Avoidance: When to engage and when to step back39:30 - The Danger of Pop Psychology and Weaponized Therapy Speak49:30 - The Trap of Rumination vs. True Psychological Healing55:30 - The Hardest and Most Meaningful Parts of Being a HelperStay connected to Human School Substack: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ71f0 Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ6Y40 Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ71f0 Onsite: https://hubs.la/Q04xQ6_l0
- 2 weeks ago1h 48m
The Selfish Reason to Be Generous with Philanthropy Expert Rondal Richardson
What if the secret to improving your own life, health, and happiness had nothing to do with self-care and everything to do with giving back? In this episode of Human School, host Miles sits down with long-time music industry veteran and philanthropist Rondal Richardson to flip the script on how we think about generosity. Because you don't need millions of dollars or a massive platform to make a real impact. Today, Rondal shares remarkable behind-the-scenes stories from his 40-year journey in the music business—working alongside legends like The Judds, Garth Brooks, and Naomi Judd—and how an "almost Oprah moment" changed the trajectory of his life. You’ll also discover practical ways to get involved in charity, how to know which organizations and causes to align with, and why the best way to heal your own life is often to show up for someone else. If you're in middle Tennessee, join the Music Community Foundation for a Give Like Dolly event this weekend: https://www.giving9to5.com/Stay ConnectedFollow Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04xQ4Zt0Follow Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ50V0Subscribe to Our Substack: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ55q0Looking to dive deeper into your own story? Onsite offers the opportunity to come back to yourself. Learn more here: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ53Z0In this episode:00:00 – Introduction to Rondal Richardson and entertainment philanthropy 00:54 – Meet Rondal Richardson, founder and executive director of the Music Community Foundation 00:03:00 – The story of meeting Miles through Naomi Judd 00:15:30 – The Oprah Winfrey connection00:23:40 – Rondal’s origin story: starting on the road at age 17 00:32:15 – Touring with Garth Brooks and country music history 00:40:50 – Making the pivot from the music industry to philanthropy 00:46:00 – The psychological and physical benefits of service 01:03:40 – Vetting charities: Charity Navigator, 990s, and finding your cause 01:17:40 – The impact: Raising $350M+ and the work of the Music Community Foundation 01:30:30 – Purpose through pain, community support, and looking forward
- 3 weeks ago13 min
4 Lessons To Stop Burnout: What My 7-Year-Old Taught Me About Stress
We spend an enormous amount of energy trying to learn how to be healthier, less stressed adults – but what if the answer isn't learning something new, but remembering what we knew before we got so complicated? In this special solo episode of The Human School Podcast, host Miles Adcox hands the microphone to his seven-year-old daughter, Birdie Rose. With zero media training and absolute honesty, Birdie shares her thoughts on art, missing teeth, strawberries and ketchup, and what makes her feel closest to the people she loves.In this conversation and reflection, Miles unpacks four unexpected lessons on stress, curiosity, presence, and connection that children carry naturally — lessons that adults spend a lifetime trying to find their way back to.In this episode: 00:00 - Introducing Birdie Rose: The 7-Year-Old Podcast Guest 01:20 - Lesson 1: Curiosity Over Certainty (The Power of "I Don't Know") 04:00 - Lesson 2: Presence Over Productivity (Why Play Doesn't Need a Reason) 05:50 - Lesson 3: Expression Over Impression (Strawberries in Ketchup and PR Filters) 07:45 - Lesson 4: Relationship Over Performance (What Kids Actually Want From Us) 09:40 - Finding Courage: How We Regulate Fear Inside Relationships 11:45 - Final Encouragement from Birdie (And How to Keep Showing Up) If you’re looking for ways to connect back to yourself, Onsite can help. Learn more about our experiences: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj150Follow Human School: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj450Follow Miles: https://hubs.la/Q04xch_N0Subscribe to Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj3y0
- Sep 8, 20261h 47m
How to Rewire Your Brain for Peace, Creativity, and Purpose with Dr. Martha Beck
Are you living the life you actually want, or are you just trying to please everyone around you? In this episode of Human School, Miles sits down with world-renowned author, sociologist, and life coach Dr. Martha Beck for an exceptionally honest and deep conversation on human nature, breaking free from anxiety, and finding your true path. Martha shares her personal journey — from her time writing for Oprah’s Magazine and earning degrees from Harvard, to radically transforming her life by committing to a full year of total honesty. Together, Miles and Martha explore the biological roots of anxiety, how societal expectations force us to sell out our true nature at an early age, and how simple creative acts can serve as a direct antidote to mental distress. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Root of Modern Anxiety: Why our current educational and social systems conflict with human evolution. The "Visual Cliff" Study: How children learn to judge their own worth by watching the adults around them. The Power of Caving Early: Why learning to apologize quickly and drop ego heals relationships faster than anything else. Creativity vs. Anxiety: How engaging the creative parts of your brain actively shuts down panic and stress. The "One-Degree Turn": How making tiny, honest shifts in your day-to-day choices can completely realign your life. The K.I.S.T. Method: A practical, step-by-step tool using Kind Internal Self-Talk to navigate intense panic attacks and internal conflict. Whether you’re feeling burned out, stuck in people-pleasing patterns, or simply searching for more peace in your daily routine, this episode provides a compassionate roadmap back to your whole self. Onsite offers a range of experiences to do life-changing work around your story and what your body might be holding onto. Learn more at www.experienceonsite.com Episode Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome Martha Beck 00:02:46 What Comfort Means Today 00:04:41 Root Causes of Modern Anxiety 00:07:08 How Kids Learn Self-Worth 00:13:21 The "Cave Early" Practice 00:15:53 Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain 00:21:05 The Real Curriculum of Life 00:24:00 Ancestral Wisdom & Magic 00:28:13 African Hospitality & Ubuntu 00:34:52 Finite vs. Infinite Games 00:44:03 Using Art to Fight Anxiety 00:47:38 Guided Visualization Exercise 00:54:02 Finding Magic in Technology 01:00:52 Humanizing High Performers 01:08:18 Living One Year Without Lies Connect with Human School: YouTube: https://hubs.la/Q04wFHGz0 Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04wFHPK0 Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04wFJHn0 Follow Human School on Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04wFJZt0
- Sep 1, 20261h 50m
"I Had to Learn to Live Again" — Amy Grant on Starting Over at 65
What happens when life completely rewires your timeline overnight? Six-time Grammy winner Amy Grant joins the show for an exceptionally raw and vulnerable conversation about navigating back-to-back life-altering health crises — from emergency open-heart surgery to a traumatic brain injury that forced her to pause everything. Amy candidly opens up about the physical reality of memory loss, the emotional weight of starting over at 65, and why she ultimately decided to write a eulogy to her younger self. She also breaks down the worst advice she received early in her career, and how letting go of control allowed her to finally embrace the gift of unplanned interruptions. Whether you are navigating your own unexpected life shift, recovering from trauma, or searching for margin in a chaotic world, this episode is a masterclass in grace, resilience, and true freedom. Key Takeaways from This Episode Interruptions are often invitations. Real growth happens when you stop viewing life's disruptions as obstacles and start viewing them as redirections. Release past versions of yourself. Holding onto who you used to be prevents you from accepting and healing who you are right now. Margin isn't extra time — it's intentional space. Recovery and peace require actively protecting your energy from external expectations. Are you looking for support after your own season of change? Onsite offers a range of experiences to do life-changing work around your story and what your body might be holding onto. Learn more at www.experienceonsite.com Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Dragging Old Suitcases: Amy Grant’s New Season 00:38 - "Don't Talk So Much, Just Sing" 06:01 - The First Recording at Age 15 08:24 - Overcoming Limits 12:22 - The "River of Life" & Facing the Waterfall 20:56 - Health Scares: Open-Heart Surgery & the Bike Accident 27:17 - Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 31:02 - The Assignment: Writing a Eulogy to Her Younger Self 37:57 - Undoing Childhood Scripts and Deconstructing the Past 42:15 - Finding "Margin" and the Story of the Good Samaritan 47:24 - Morning Rituals: Unplugging from Autopilot 52:13 - Turning Pain into Grace and Finding Identity 01:00:23 - Overcoming Memory Loss and Slow Processing 01:08:53 - Rewiring the Brain: Neuroplasticity and Healing 01:12:24 - "Lead Me to Those I Need": Surplus and Need 01:21:00 - Post-Traumatic Growth and Repurposing Your Story 01:26:24 - Navigating Fame, Criticism, and Living off the Screen 01:33:17 - Collaborative Music and Embracing a Life Reset 01:39:19 Breathwork 01:42:09 Marriage is the Great Rock Tumbler 01:49:59 Closing Prayer Sendoff Connect with Human School: YouTube: https://hubs.la/Q04vZlYs0 Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04vB96T0 Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04vB9CJ0
- Aug 25, 20261h 31m
Overcoming Self-Judgment and Walking Through Grief with Judah & the Lion
When life throws loss, grief, and change your way, how do you allow the pain to transform you rather than destroy you? In this episode of Human School, host Miles Adcox sits down with Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald of the alt-folk band Judah & the Lion on the release day of their album, Process. Together, they walk through a raw and vulnerable conversation about what it truly takes to heal. Judah opens up about losing family members to mental health struggles, navigating divorce, and working through addiction while performing on major stages around the world. Brian shares his perspective on stepping into fatherhood while on tour, keeping the band's brotherhood intact through dark seasons, and learning to redefine identity. From the metaphor of a caterpillar in a cocoon to learning how to stop harsh self-judgment, this conversation is a grounded reminder that transformation is messy, but hope is always available. In this episode, we discuss: The Cocoon Metaphor: Why real emotional growth requires letting go of who you were. Grief & Mental Health: Processing tragic loss, addressing addiction, and separating the symptom from the disease. Self-Compassion: Overcoming shame, letting go of control, and learning to speak kindly to yourself. Parenting & Growth: Navigating big life transitions and raising kids while working through your own past.Behind the Songs: The spontaneous origin story behind their track "Prism". Memorable Quotes: "The caterpillar has no memory of wings." — Judah Akers "We're not through the pain, but we're in it together, and there's hope." — Brian Macdonald "Addiction is a symptom. Shame, guilt, and not knowing yourself... are the disease." — Judah Akers "It's okay to be scared and brave at the same time. You can actually do both." — Miles Adcox Episode Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Meet Judah & The Lion00:04:42 – The Metaphor of Transformation00:11:42 – Fatherhood & Evolving Identity00:15:39 – Unpacking Rock Bottom & Vulnerability00:21:44 – Growing Up & Early Influences00:36:34 – The Band’s Origins & Personal Loss00:47:31 – Brotherhood & Supporting Each Other Through the Storm00:50:23 – Addressing Addiction, Shame, and Grief00:00:21 – Mentors, Support Systems, & Encouraging Voices01:07:33 – The Meaning Behind "Prism"01:11:46 – "Open Your Eyes, Kid"01:24:20 – "Scared and Brave at the Same Time" Links & Resources: Stream Judah & the Lion's Music Learn more about emotional wellness intensives at Onsite Workshops If you loved this episode, please rate and review Human School on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help us reach more people who need these conversations! Follow Human School Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04v8Q7K0Follow Miles: https://hubs.la/Q04v8QcZ0Human School YouTube: https://hubs.la/Q04v8Qdh0
- Aug 18, 20269 min
What if Stress Isn't The Enemy? with Miles Adcox
It seems like everyone is talking about stress. How to manage it. How to get rid of it. How to avoid it at all costs. But maybe in our journey to eradicate stress from our lives, we’re losing something far more valuable. In this solo conversation, Miles Adcox reframes our entire relationship with stress. Instead of treating stress like an opponent to beat, what if we treated it like a system trying to protect us? Join Miles as he shares the importance of building capacity over elimination, why meaningful living requires being stretched, and how to become a trusted partner to your own nervous system. In this episode, we explore: Why "trauma" can feel clinical, but stress is universal Stress as the body's brilliant system for adaptation The difference between removing stress and building capacity How curiosity replaces shame when looking at our nervous systems Looking to go deeper into your personal growth journey? The conversations on Human School are shaped by the work happening at Onsite Workshops. If you're looking to slow down, break patterns, and do the inner work, visit experienceonsite.com Episode chapters: 00:00 Intro: Is stress really the enemy? 00:40 The room that changed how I view trauma vs. stress 01:45 How burnout and emotional exhaustion actually begin 02:35 Why modern wellness tools miss the mark 03:15 Stress is an adaptation system, not a design flaw 04:15 Every meaningful thing in life asks something stressful of you 05:10 Increasing capacity vs. eliminating stress 05:55 Everyday pressure vs. profound adversity 06:45 Stress is an experience, not an identity 07:20 Why modern nervous systems are carrying more than ever before 07:50 Swap shame for curiosity: Becoming a student of your nervous system 08:35 Stop playing tug-of-war with your body Follow Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04tfRwT0
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About Human School
We’ve been taught everything except how to be human. In a world obsessed with output, Human School is where we study what happens within. This podcast was born from a journal entry during a breakdown. A reminder that struggle isn’t weakness - it’s instruction. Human School reframes pain as purpose, productivity as presence, and leadership as inner clarity. We’re building the education we never got. Through stories, tools, and raw conversations, we help people stop performing their lives–and start participating in them. Welcome to Human School.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Human School as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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How often does Human School release new episodes?
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Human School covers topics including Education, Self-Improvement. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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