Episode 131: No-Nonsense Brewing No-Nonsense Education
A true barstool conversation with brewer Jeremiah Johnson
In this episode, Kasey Schurtz and Brian T. Miller step outside the education silo and sit down with Jeremiah Johnson, founder and owner of Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company. What starts as a light “barstool episode” quickly turns into a deeply relevant conversation about leadership, clarity, iteration, trust, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts.
Jeremiah shares the story of rebranding an existing brewery under his own name, the risks that came with it, and the relentless attention to detail required to survive as a small, independent business. Along the way, the conversation draws powerful parallels to education—especially around innovation, curriculum decisions, collaboration, and knowing when to hold the line versus when to experiment.
This episode isn’t about beer.
It’s about craft, identity, and belief.
In brewing, a single small mistake can ruin an entire batch. Jeremiah explains why quality demands precision—and why sometimes the hardest (but right) decision is to pour a batch out rather than let it damage trust.
Teachers and leaders often hang onto “pet lessons” or practices because they love them, even when they aren’t serving students well. Quality requires the courage to let go.
Jeremiah describes brewing 19 different versions of a hazy IPA before settling on the final recipe. The belief in the idea never wavered—but the process required constant adjustment.
Trying something new doesn’t mean it works the first time. Belief plus iteration beats rigid loyalty to a first draft.
When economic pressure hit the brewing industry, Jeremiah chose not to chase trends. Instead, he doubled down on what defined the brand: no-nonsense Montana beer.
When scores dip or demographics shift, schools often search for the next new program. This episode challenges leaders to ask:
What are we already good at—and how do we do that better?
Jeremiah emphasizes that successful collaboration isn’t about buzzwords—it’s about real human connection, listening, and shared belief.
Without trust, collaboration collapses into compliance.
Jeremiah and the hosts discuss three qualities educators should nurture in students:
Unwavering belief in eventual success
Clarity of direction
Relentless work ethic
Talent alone isn’t enough. Confidence and effort compound over time.
This episode reframes encouragement. Pumping kids up isn’t false praise—it’s truthful belief, honest feedback, and meaningful connection.
“I looked at your test scores. You’re too smart not to do better.”
Those words changed Jeremiah’s trajectory—and they highlight the lasting power educators hold.
Educators feeling pressure to “innovate” without losing their identity
School leaders navigating tough decisions
Teachers wrestling with clarity vs creativity
Anyone interested in entrepreneurship, craft, or human development
This episode is a reminder that good work—whether in classrooms or breweries—requires clarity, patience, belief, and connection.
Sometimes the most meaningful insights come from outside your field.
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