Episode 4: Less Hierarchy, More Community with Vanessa Van Burek and Jean Michel David
From reimagining education without hierarchy to building a comic book store that doubles as a safe haven for queer and neurodivergent kids, my guests this week — Vanessa Van Burek and Jean Michel David — reveal how their work helps people of all ages feel seen and empowered.
In this episode of Mighty Forces, I bring together two creative community builders from New York’s Hudson Valley — Vanessa Van Burek, co-founder of Zena Democratic School, and Jean Michel David, founder of Megabrain Comics — to explore what it really means to nurture curiosity, community, and care.
Together, they reflect on how we raise our kids, the lessons schools teach (and don’t), the power of creative spaces, and how we can each make change by starting small, within our own communities. The episode closes with two powerful messages: your life matters, and, you have to find your own bubble of safety so that you feel like you have the power to make small changes that amount to something bigger.
What we talk about
Inside life at a democratic school
How play, autonomy, and community shape true learning
The power of being in community with people of different ages, and what respect between adults and kids really looks like
Creating the change you wish to see in the world
How comic books foster literacy, imagination, and empathy
Building inclusive, neurodiverse-friendly community spaces
Finding agency and power in small acts of care and connection
Mentioned in the episode
About Jean Michel David
Jean Michel David stands in his comic book store, Megabrain Comics, New York’s only Black owned comic book shop. Sadly, Megabrain closed in October 2025.
Jean Michel is a comic book writer, illustrator, and podcaster. He’s been a stage hand, a television host, and, for the past eight years, a friendly neighborhood comic shop owner at New York state’s only Black owned comic book store, Megabrain Comics. But no job has ever been more challenging for Jean Michel (or more rewarding) than being a dad to his three boys.
For a few reasons, ranging from the current economic state of the country to a tumultuous few years for the comic book industry, Jean decided to close his store in October of 2025 — a decision that he did not make lightly. Following Megabrain’s closure, Jean continues to work on two projects near and dear to his heart: developing a private online community platform for independent comic book creators, and completing the first draft of a graphic novel that he’s been writing for the past few years.
An organization that Jean would like to bring everyone's attention to is the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to protect the First Amendment rights and cover legal expenses of comics creators, publishers, and retailers. You can find out more about what they do at cbldg.org
About Vanessa Van Burek
Connect with Vanessa on Instagram and learn more about Zena Democratic School.
Vanessa Van Burek, one of the founders of Zena Democratic School in New York’s Hudson Valley
Vanessa Van Burek grew up in East Meredith, NY, a rural valley that surrounds The West Kortright Centre, a performing arts center that her mom ran for 31 years. Vanessa attended NYU where she received a BA in elementary education. In 2002, during her senior year of college she joined the founders group of Zena Democratic School, a self-directed democratic school in the Hudson Valley. She has been on staff since the school opened, and on the school’s website, they refer to her as their Matriarch and describe her as “the throbbing, beating, wild, sometimes bleeding heart of the school.” Vanessa is a parent of seven, a soccer player, photographer, theater teacher, board game lover, adventurer, community builder, and an advocate for children’s rights.
An organization Vanessa wants to shout-out is Kingston Stockade FC.
