Empowering Young Minds Through Economics with John Foster | Let People Prosper Show Ep. 152🎙️

Teaching middle schoolers real-world economics.

Hello Friends!

Can 12-year-olds really grasp supply and demand, entrepreneurship, and the role of government in the economy?

In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I talk with John Foster, a passionate advocate for teaching economics early and often. As a former leader in Junior Achievement and president of the Middle School MBA, Jon is on a mission to improve economic literacy where it matters most—before bad ideas take root. We discuss the gaps in today’s education system, how teachers can better engage students, and why real-world application is key to shaping informed citizens.

The announcement John couldn’t yet make during the podcast is that Middle School MBA and the State of Oklahoma have entered a partnership to bring Executive MBA's to kids across Oklahoma. Middle School MBA is pursing similar partnerships with other states. Their goals is for all kids to have the sort of grasp on the economy shown by this young lady:

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🎯 Key Takeaways

1. Teaching Economics Early Works

• Students as young as middle schoolers can understand economic principles when taught clearly. Programs like Junior Achievement and Middle School MBA provide tools to teach business and entrepreneurship early. Ignorance about basic economics feeds bad policies—early education is key to changing that.

2. Real-World Learning and Innovative Methods

• Economics education works best when connected to real-world applications like budgeting, investing, and entrepreneurship. Teachers know their students best and need flexible, engaging curricula. Foster’s approach includes active learning, storytelling, and scalable programs adaptable to various schools.

3. Free Markets and the Role of Government

• Economic literacy helps students question harmful narratives about government intervention. Understanding supply, demand, opportunity cost, and incentives empowers future voters. Free markets—not central planning—are the foundation for prosperity and innovation.

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Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Why economics education needs to start early

• 02:58 – John Foster’s mission and passion for teaching

• 05:57 – How Junior Achievement supports early business education

• 09:08 – Real-world challenges and teacher empowerment

• 11:57 – The tech glitch: a reminder that learning isn’t perfect

• 15:14 – Building better economics curricula for students

• 21:40 – Filling the gap: teaching what schools often skip

• 25:50 – Middle School MBA: A hands-on model for economics

• 30:37 – Innovative methods for better engagement

• 34:04 – Scalability and accessibility of programs

• 38:18 – Why understanding economics matters for all students

• 41:49 – How economic literacy helps solve modern challenges

• 46:47 – Government’s role in the economy: myth vs. reality

• 49:05 – Advocating for a free-market future

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🔚 Final Thoughts

If we want a freer, more prosperous America, it starts with education. John Foster makes the case that economic literacy isn’t just for college students—it’s for every middle schooler learning how the world works. Programs like Junior Achievement and Middle School MBA equip the next generation with the tools to think critically, challenge bad policy, and build a better future.

📢 Help spread the message: Subscribe and share the Let People Prosper Show. For more timely insights, visit my website at vanceginn.com and follow me on X.