The Learning Curve - Mishpacha

In Season 4, episode 2 of The Learning Curve, we flip the usual script! Teens ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask, and Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield ask teens what they really think about pressure, school, parents, and the challenges of navigating today’s world.

In the Season 4 premiere of The Learning Curve, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld discuss when parents should push their children—and when they should back off. And the big question with Rabbi Asher Dicker: Why can't school bring camp energy into the classroom?

In our season three finale, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield answer your parenting questions. Should you encourage your child to befriend a troubled kid? Why don't baatei medrashim hold boys accountable for shacharis attendance? Is whiteboard use actively harming my child's learning? Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications. Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com

In episode 14 of The Learning Curve, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld talk 3-point celebrations and how to handle moving with school-aged children. And the big question with Dr. Mayer Grunfeld: Do we need to medicate ADHD children? Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications. Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com

In episode 13 of The Learning Curve, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield discuss if you should allow your daughter to attend a friend's bas mitzvah, and if a parent should discourage a son from following a derech that differs from theirs. And the big question: What is going on with my middle schooler's middos? Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com

In episode 12 of The Learning Curve, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld have a deep discussion with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky and explore what different neshamos in this generation really need. Plus: how to keep kids excited about Shabbos, and whether mesifta causes boys to lose their personalities. Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications. Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com

In episode eleven of The Learning Curve, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield discuss if you should intervene when your child disagrees with your spouse, if it's ok for a Rebbi to go through his talmid's drawers, and the big question: How can a rebbi live on a typical rebbi's salary? Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com

In episode 10 of The Learning Curve, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld discuss kids stealing; what age is normal, and when should you seek outside help? How can you help a child who refuses to accept accountability? And the big question: Should a "new age" teacher keep some old world decorum in her classroom? Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com

In episode nine of The Learning Curve, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield discuss if you should bribe kids not watch the superbowl, how a parent should approach poor Purim behavior, and welcome Rabbi Yoel Kramer, a chinuch legend, to the podcast to explain what makes a great Rebbi. Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com

In episode 8 of season 3, Rabbi Garfiel and Rabbi Schonfeld answer reader emails and voicemails, including how rebbeim can assur texting for bachurim when they have texting themselves, whose responsibility is it decide if a child should be medicated for ADHD, and how should someone know if he should go into chinuch? Season sponsored by Israel Bookshop Publications! Shop now at https://israelbookshoppublications.com/collections/sale

In episode seven, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield dicuss navigating the thorny waters of AI, even on a filtered flip phone. They also talk about leaving school punishments in school, and when you need to address them at home. And for the big question: What can a parent do if they did everything right and their child was still rejected?

In Episode six, Rabbi Garfiel and Rabbi Schonfeld unpack their own eighth grade student experiences, discuss if you should parent someone else's kids, and answer the big question: What should parents do if their child's school is not equipped to handle the services they need? Our guest, Mrs. Devorah Pinkus, can be reached at dpinkusconsulting@gmail.com

In episode five, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield record live from the Torah Umesora Convention! They discuss convention takeaways and winter vacation stress, and the big question: If a school wants to medicate a child and the parent doesn't want to, what should you do?

In this episode, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld continue discussing chutzpah, teaching moderation in a modern world, and the big question: how can we foster a sense of self esteem in our children?

In this episode, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield talk about if you should encourage your child to go to their bully's simcha, and whether Jewish MP3 players are the best or worst thing that's ever happened to us. And the big question: Are kids today more chutzpadik than ever?

In this episode, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld answer our listeners' amazing feedback on the pressure conversation (and address the now-infamous "elite right" claim). And for the big question: how do we prepare our kids for mesivta?

In our first episode of Season 3, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield discuss kids who have a hard time getting up in the morning and whether schools should use tuition as leverage to allow children back to school. And for the big question, are our boys and girls under too much pressure in school?

On this episode, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld discuss the back-to-school struggle and hear how parents and mechanchim prepare for a new year. Plus: what can a mother do to connect to her mesivta-aged sons? And what should you do if your child is paired up with a teacher who has a difficult reputation?

For The Learning Curve season two finale, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield host a live Zoom and take real-time questions from our listeners. They answer: Should intelligence be prioritized over effort? How much can a parent be mechanech in the heat of the moment? Is dorming right for your mesivta-aged son?

On this episode, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield host a roundtable discussion with veteran menahelim. What does your child’s menahel wish you knew? How should a school balance your son’s unique needs with what they can realistically offer? And how can a menahel make each child feel special in a school with hundreds or thousands of students?