Rethinking the system: Time, autonomy, and the future of learning

Chalk and Code

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Joseph Guastalli-Atman, the philosopher-turned-founder behind Middle Tree, a nonprofit education center that’s redefining what supplemental learning can be.

Dr. Atman shares his journey from academia into mission-driven entrepreneurship, reflecting on how his studies in consciousness and sacred theology led him to launch an organization that prioritizes access, equity, and human-centered learning. Middle Tree’s approach flips the traditional model on its head: no appointment-based sessions, no rigid timelines, no financial barriers.

Instead, learners are invited to show up when they need help, stay as long as they like, and follow a personalized path, all built on the belief that time, autonomy, and relationships are central to real learning. This conversation moves from the philosophical to the practical, offering a candid look at education systems, edtech’s role, and what it really means to honor student potential.

Key Moments

03:56 Educational Initiative Origins

08:18 Middle Tree's Personalized Learning Model

16:15 "Revamping Education Pathways at Middle Tree"

22:36 Ease of Information: Critical Concerns

28:39 Metaphor, Knowledge, and Reality Misalignment

33:15 "System-Driven Education, Student Literacy Neglect"

36:01 "Universal Impact of Middle Tree"

42:40 Human Touch in AI-Driven Tutoring

47:26 "Middle Tree Mission Promotion"

49:12 Balancing Humanity and Technology

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This is a conversation that challenges the fundamentals of how we think about education.

Dr. Atman doesn’t just talk about reform, he lives it through Middle Tree’s radically accessible and deeply personal model. You’ll hear how a single act of letting a student stay “just a bit longer” sparked a decade-long reimagining of education, one rooted in dignity, autonomy, and experience.

Whether you're a school leader, edtech builder, or parent trying to navigate a complex system, this episode will offer you both philosophical depth and practical takeaways.

Connect with Dr. Joseph Guastalli-Atman

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-guastalli-atman-3b25b7110
• Middle Tree: https://middletree.org/

Connect with Us

• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
• Company Website: https://flexion.us/

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.