Interview with Nathan Palmer CEO of Polaris Academy - Part 2 Artwork

The Polaris Connection | Connecting parents of autistic and neurodivergent children with industry experts and resources.

Join Brad Broyles and Nathan Palmer on The Polaris Connection where they help parents of autistic and neurodivergent children find power, perspective, and possibility. Through expert insights and real-life stories, we spark hope, share resources, and inspire families to navigate the journey with confidence. It’s not just a podcast, it’s a movement for connection, strength, and unapologetic advocacy.

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The Polaris Connection | Connecting parents of autistic and neurodivergent children with industry experts and resources.

Interview with Nathan Palmer CEO of Polaris Academy - Part 2

September 03, 2025 • Brad Broyles • Episode 8

In Part 2, Brad sits back down with Nathan, CEO of Polaris Academy, to unpack how Polaris went from a blank slate to a living model for a blended environment where therapy and academics work together. They talk about hiring for heart and skill, bringing on people who believed in the vision before it was popular, and why no other school was doing what Polaris set out to do. Nathan shares how the team built new frameworks for autistic learners when the old playbooks came up short, and how the right people made the difference between a concept and a school that changes lives.

What you’ll hear:

The early startup phase and what it took to get Polaris off the ground
Finding the right people who had faith in a blended approach
How therapy and academics were integrated from day one
Operating with a blank slate and creating systems that did not exist yet
Why Polaris is pushing education for autism into a new framework

Perfect for parents, educators, and clinicians who want a behind-the-scenes look at building a school that serves autistic learners in the way they deserve.