Self Directed

With a background in early childhood education and experience in overcoming personal parenting struggles, Reem Raouda helps parents build authentic, cooperative relationships with their children. Reem's approach focuses on moving away from controlling behaviors to foster deeper connections and harmony within families. In this episode, we dive deep into transformative parenting with Reem Raoud...

Emily Sonsie is an Australian educator and homeschooling advocate. Formerly a primary teacher, who chose to homeschool her children, embracing a lifestyle focused on togetherness, nature, and deep connections. Emily aims to inspire others on their homeschooling journeys, promoting education as a natural part of a meaningful, connected life. Emily shares her transition from traditional education to...

Deborah MacNamara, author of "Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love)," emphasizes the importance of emotional and physical nourishment in child development. As a clinical counselor and educator, she is known for her work on emotional health and her previous book, "Rest, Play, Grow," which explores attachment-based developmental approach...

When you think of family vacations, you might envision crowded theme parks or beachside resorts. But what if the journey itself became a communal adventure? Joining us on the show is Nikolaj Astrup Madsen, one of the founders behind the fascinating Traveling Village concept. He unfolds the story of 20 families who traded the conventional holiday for a four-month exploration of Vietnam, Thailand, a...

Sue Elvis is an Australian author, blogger, and podcaster renowned for her work in the unschooling community. She runs the blog "Stories of an Unschooling Family," where she shares her experiences and insights about unschooling and radical parenting. Join us as we welcome Sue Elvis back for her third visit and discuss the ins and outs of unschooling. We dive into this educational approac...

Jesper and Cecilie sit down again with Laura Grace Weldon — author of Free Range Learning — for a conversation that starts with toddlers and unschooling philosophy and ends up somewhere much harder to navigate: screens, dopamine, corporate algorithms, and what it actually means to raise a free-thinking child in a world designed to capture attention. Laura brings a grounded perspective. She worked...

Ashley Logsdon, founder of "Mama Says Namaste," is a family coach, podcaster, and blogger dedicated to helping families create intentional, meaningful connections. She provides practical advice on parenting, marriage, homeschooling, and work-life balance, emphasizing communication, personal growth, and aligning family life with core values. Join us for an inspiring podcast episode where...

Gregory B. Sadler has taught and designed Philosophy, Humanities, Religious Studies, Literature, and Critical Thinking courses for over 20 years.  Jesper became interested in Greg's work when he searched for Self-Directed Learning and, by chance, found Greg's YouTube channel dedicated to self-directed learning in Philosophy.   Greg Sadler brings a fresh perspective to our lively discussi...

Laura Grace Weldon came to homeschooling the hard way. The daughter, granddaughter, and niece of public school teachers, she spent years trying to work within the system — until the day her son called from school to say he'd been shown a gun and didn't expect to survive the day. The school didn't call the police. The superintendent suggested her son would be safest at home. He never...

Discover the essence of unconditional love and its profound impact on parenting and education as we welcome back Sue Elvis for another heartening conversation. This episode peels back the layers of what it truly means to love our children without conditions, exploring the intersection of this powerful emotion with the unschooling philosophy. Sue delves into how respecting our children's indiv...

Sue Elvis from StoriesOfAnUnschoolingFamily.com   shares her fascinating journey through unschooling her children. Sue shares how she strikes a balance between fostering her children's individual passions and engaging in collective family activities, creating a harmonious learning environment free from the constraints of traditional education. Listen in as she describes the significance of be...

As I watched the light gradually fade from my child's eyes with each passing school day, I knew a change was necessary. This episode chronicles Sue's own metamorphosis from a traditional suburban parent trapped within the confines of the schooling system to a fervent unschooling evangelist. Sue bravely shares the trials and triumphs of her journey, offering a raw and insightful look at t...

When the world we've carefully crafted for our children comes into full bloom, it's nothing short of magical.  Rachel Rainbolt joined us to share the rich tapestry of her family's journey through attachment parenting to the liberating philosophy of unschooling.  Her reflections give us a window into how her children flourished as they pursued their passions, transitioning into tradi...

We celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dr. Gordon Neufeld's seminal book, "Hold On To Your Kids: Why Parents Matter More Than Peers," which he co-wrote with Dr. Gabor Maté.  Gordon's work has transformed our understanding of child development through the lens of parental attachment.  In this episode, Gordon shares the critical importance of maintaining strong, nurturing connectio...

Do you respect yourself and the places you spend time in? Jesper shares his own journey from skepticism to "Hey, that is cool." When Jesper first heard about feng shui, he thought it was a weird mumbo jumbo since he had learned to love it. It is a great way to use the energy in your house. For this episode, we have invited Feng Shui expert Patricia Lohan, and we will explore the fascinat...

In this special Ask Us Anything episode, we welcome back Sam KingDavis, the renowned street artist from Prague whom we interviewed for episode #17.  Sam had many questions about unschooling, so we invited him to ask us anything for this episode.  Together with Sam, we embark on a detailed exploration of how unschooling impacts socialization, family dynamics, and child development. This discussion...

Join us for a riveting episode that journeys into the heart of Indigenous wisdom with Don Trent Jacobs, known affectionately as Four Arrows, a beacon of Lakota teachings and a profound advocate for American Indian rights. Four Arrows invites us into his world, sharing the story behind his evocative Lakota name, Wahinkpe Topa, and how it has guided his journey through life, education, and activism....

Jesper met Dr. Karin Lubin and Randy Crutcher when he worked as the marketing director for The Passion Test. Working on this wonderful project has been a life-changing journey of finding and following our true passions. Cecilie and Jesper probably wouldn't be full-time travelers without The Passion Test . It's life-changing—go check it out. This episode is very cozy. It is a reuniting of...

When Lucy AitkenRead swapped the serenity of her yurt for the lively hum of town life, it wasn't just a change of scenery—it was a pivotal shift in her family's journey. Our conversation with Lucy delves into how this move, prompted by a craving for community and connection, wasn't solely for her children's benefit. It also marked a turning point in her own healing process, int...

Unschooling profoundly impacts both children and parents. For many parents, the process of deschooling themselves is a journey of personal growth and healing. By allowing your children to thrive free from academic pressures, you also foster a unique space for parental reflection and development. Together with Sandra Dodd, we delve into 'The Unforeseen Benefits of Unschooling: Healing Past Tra...

Jesper Conrad and Martin Cooke have started The Better Dad Institute. This episode is the first of their podcast series, which is simply called 'Better Dad Podcast.' The goal is to explore topics together, daring to be vulnerable and sharing. A Podcast version of what goes on in The Better Dad Circles. Details about this episode: As a father, I've often found myself locked in a sile...

 Where do you stand on gaming, YouTube, and the internet? It is a difficult subject. So many thoughts and strategies. Together with Sandra Dodd, we explore the complexities of the digital age with an open mind. We hope this episode will help you redefine parental boundaries, encourage independent thinking, and cultivate a relationship with technology that allows your children to thrive. 🗓️ Recorde...

"I remember the day I threw the school bell out the window – figuratively, of course. It marked my family's leap into unschooling." Jo Isaac shares her journey through the transformative world of self-directed learning, where children lead, and education is as dynamic as the rhythms of life itself. Stepping away from the conventional classroom, we share how our roles evolved from en...

Robin Coburn shares her journey from doubting to advocating the unschooling movement. Together, we uncover the beauty of reshaping family dynamics and nurturing a bond with children that is rooted in patience, openness, and understanding. Through Robin's narrative, you'll witness how unschooling paves the way for a non-authoritarian approach to parenting that abandons fear and control in...

Akilah S. Richards guides us through her transformative journey, highlighting the significance of unschooling seen from a Black perspective. We navigate the challenges faced in the unschooling journey, especially within the context of Black families. Akilah underscores the importance of nurturing creativity, autonomy, and play in education and how these elements are critical in fostering a liberat...