The SF Waldorf Podcast

In this episode, Tristan Kazor Riley Freeman and Maya Wong interview John Burket (an SF Waldorf biology teacher of 27 years) on the topic of environmental science. Enjoy!

Today’s episode is a special one. We’re honored to be joined by our three incredible exchange students from Afghanistan who are now and forever part of our school community here in San Francisco. In this conversation, they share their personal journeys, what it was like to leave home, navigate the complex process of coming to the United States, and begin a new life and education in a completely different culture. Their stories are thoughtful, honest, and deeply human, reminding us that behind...

In this episode, we are joined by Kris Wolcott, the Health and Wellness teacher, here at the San Francisco Waldorf High School. WE take a closer look at a book that’s sparking powerful conversations among parents and educators everywhere: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt." In this book, Haidt argues that the rapid shift to a phone-based, screen-saturated childhood has contributed to soaring rates of anxiety, depression, and disconnection in today’s youth. For many in the Waldorf Commu...

In this episode, I'm joined by John Bloom to discuss one of the core concepts that shapes Waldorf education, the idea of the threefold human being. Rudolf Steiner described this as a balance of thinking, feeling, and willing, and it’s at the heart of how Waldorf schools approach teaching and child development. We’ll dive into what it means, how it’s brought into the classroom, and why it might matter more than ever in today’s world. John was Vice president of RSF Social Finance for 23 years, ...

In this episode we dive into slow parenting, toy decluttering, and cultivating calm. In Waldorf education, the spaces we create matter just as much as the lessons we teach. Our classrooms and homes are meant to be calm, purposeful, and alive. Places where children’s imagination can breathe. We’ll explore how simplifying our environments supports rhythm, beauty, and deeper learning, and how letting go can make room for what truly nourishes childhood. First, you'll hear an interview by Au...

In this episode, we sit down with historian Robert McDermott to explore the life and legacy of Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf education and anthroposophy. We unpack Steiner’s life, his philosophical worldview, and his often misunderstood influence on education, agriculture, and the arts. What We Cover -Steiner’s early influences and philosophical formation -The birth of Waldorf education in 1919 -Steiner and Kindred Spirits -Why Steiner’s ideas persist in the 21st century Links and Re...

In this episode I interview the great Paolo Carini, a physics teacher at the San Francisco Waldorf High School, who has been bringing both deep scientific knowledge and a Waldorf perspective to the classroom for 29 years. We talk about how physics is taught in this setting, why it matters for adolescent development, and what it provides the students beyond the subject itself.

This episode is about memory and ritual. First you'll hear an interview with Mary Barhydt, a veteran Waldorf teach at the San Francisco Waldorf School. She talks about the importance of Rhythm and reverence in the childhood experience. Then we'll hear an essay from SF Waldorf alumnus, James Freebury. James reflects on his experience recovering from a stroke, going through old memories and finding new emotions and meaning in them. Enjoy!