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Self Directed

Cecilie & Jesper Conrad

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Free yourself so you and your family can live a self-directed life that resonates with your beliefs and aspirations. Cecilie & Jesper Conrad, parents to 4, have been full-time traveling since 2018 & unschooling for +10 years. Every Thursday, they host insightful conversations with their expert guests, exploring topics such as Personal Freedom, Parenting, Unschooling, Traveling, Money, Personal Development, and what it means to live a self-directed life. Tune in weekly for a refreshing dose o ...
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Our family of 6 plus our dog sold everything, bought an RV and have been traveling full-time around North America since May 2014. If we aren’t out climbing mountains, hiking to a waterfall or playing at the beach, we are most likely at the local donut shop trying to find the best donuts in the US! We love talking about RV life and the reality of what it means to live in less then 200 sq. feet with a family of 6 and a dog. We are honest and open about the reality that it isn't all a vacation ...
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Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite podcasts? Join us for a unique twist as Sue Elvis steps in as our interviewer, flipping the script on your usual hosts, Jesper and Cecilie. Sue brings heartwarming feedback from new listeners who love our open-minded and conversational style. Together, we reminisce about the ori…
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In this episode, we explore the balance between personal freedom and societal expectations in unschooling. We discuss the Danish homeschool union, revealing the paradox anarchists face when complying with formal requirements. We also discuss how unschoolers can maintain freedom while fulfilling the need to belong within a community. Our conversatio…
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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 …
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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 s…
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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 attachmen…
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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 fo…
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Join us as we dive into parenting conflicts and discover how embracing disagreements can strengthen family bonds. We share our insights on handling conflicts, especially within unschooling and conscious parenting. We discuss Luna's journey toward a conflict-free home, proving that avoiding conflicts doesn't mean suppressing emotions. Sarah challeng…
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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 unschoolin…
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Laura Grace Weldon is an acclaimed author and educator known for her book "Free Range Learning." She advocates for holistic, learner-centered education and promotes the benefits of creative, unstructured learning environments. Laura's work emphasizes nurturing curiosity and fostering lifelong learning outside traditional classroom settings. ▬ About…
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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…
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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 fre…
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Join us for an in-depth talk with Laura Grace Weldon, who has written a handbook on natural education titled Free Range Learning. Together, we dive into the transformative world of free-range learning. Laura shares her profound insights on how natural learning processes can significantly benefit children, contrasting it with the restrictive norms o…
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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 de…
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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…
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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,…
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Watching my children one lazy afternoon, unburdened by timetables and homework, I was struck by their innate curiosity. We embrace and celebrate this very authenticity in our little ones in our latest podcast episode. With my fellow wise women Carla, Sarah, and Luna, we weave a conversation around the unschooling movement—a radical shift from tradi…
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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 p…
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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…
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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…
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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 d…
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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 …
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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 epi…
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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 i…
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Ditch School, where unschooling meets early college, challenging educational norms. Jessica Jacobs is the founder of Ditch School. Jessica's sons' quest for knowledge led them beyond the confines of traditional schooling to embrace unschooling, paired with early college experiences. She challenges the status quo, advocating for education that align…
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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 Unfores…
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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 …
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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 technolog…
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We explore practical strategies for nurturing our children's natural curiosity and love of learning. Together with my three friends—Sarah Bealel, Carla Martinez, and Luna Maj Vestergaard, we get hands-on, shedding light on how unschooling unfolds in daily life. We share insights into how children learn to read without formal lessons and discuss par…
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"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 …
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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 par…
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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 …
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We received an email asking if we were up for recording an episode with Eric Balance. We are living in a yes mode, so here is our talk with Eric. Eric has been through a transformative journey from a heavy addiction to dedicating his life to helping people live a more spiritual life. To embrace his own big life changes, he changed his name to 'Eric…
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We got an email with great questions from a listener. Instead of a long email answer, we invited Josie to interview us for an episode. Josie doesn't use her last name, so we lovingly call her Just Josie :) Josie is navigating the tides of raising young children while embracing the principles of unschooling. Josie's tale of transition from the simpl…
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Blake Boles is an unschooling advocate and author of the book 'Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids To School' he also runs transformative teen programs called Unschool Adventures. In this episode, we also explore the transformative power of alternative education. We examine the conventional education system's limitations and champion personalized l…
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Dean Bokhari, the innovative creator of Flash Books. Dean shares his journey from avid reader to pioneering a new way of consuming literature, offering a lifeline for those strapped for time but eager to dive into self-help and business books. Our conversation takes a significant turn as we address the topic of masculinity and its impact on childho…
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Join Cecilie, Carla, Luna, and Sarah for a heartfelt and insightful discussion about the complexities of Christmas, as we delve into its many layers. In this episode, we confront the often overwhelming emotions associated with the holiday season, from the stress of consumerism to the intricate family dynamics. We candidly share our experiences with…
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Few experiences rival the thrill of breaking the shackles of conventional life and embracing the open road. Our guest, Kelly Halldorson, and her family did just that, converting a school bus into a mobile home and traversing through 35 states over three years. Kelly called their project The Unschool Bus, and they inspired us to purchase a bus and t…
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Meet Karen Ricks, a brave woman who relocated from the US to Japan, reshaping her life and changing her perspective on education. Her journey is an invitation to a new world where societal expectations about education and productivity are dismissed, and personal goals are set free from the need for external validation. From living in snowy Japan to…
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Randall Hardy joins us for a conversation on the complexities of parenting and the journey to adulthood. Randall shares insights from his own parenting journey; and together, we promise to redefine your understanding of 'childism', family dynamics, and preparing children for adulthood. You'll learn to identify and rectify the problematic ways we so…
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Have you ever considered that societal norms and structures may be limiting your autonomy? Join Cecilie, Carla, Luna, and Sarah, when they challenge these conventions and explore the empowering nature of leading a values-based life. We discuss how unschooling - a deviation from the norm, sparks enlightening conversations and insights. We thoroughly…
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Dive into an enlightening episode of our podcast where we explore the transformative world of alternative education models with Patrick Farenga, a luminary in the homeschooling and unschooling arena. This episode promises an in-depth look at the evolution of education, from traditional classrooms to innovative concepts like charter schools and micr…
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Unschooling enthusiast Alex Wildrising joins us for this episode. Have you ever considered unschooling but grappled with doubts and skepticism? Together with Alex, we guide you through our journey, pointing out the significance of relationships, open dialogue, mutual trust, and understanding in reshaping perspectives, especially of skeptical partne…
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Are you ready to challenge the status quo and question conventional wisdom? Join us, as we welcome back Jen Keefe in a revolutionary conversation that has the potential to shatter traditional assumptions about education, parenting, and societal norms. We examine the journey of Jen's daughter, who, despite being homeschooled, exceeded all expectatio…
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Meet Bria Bloom, Executive Director of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) and a passionate advocate for alternative education methods. Raised in the philosophy of self-directed education, Bria didn't attend conventional schooling until age 16. She later designed her own baccalaureate and earned an M.S. in early childhood education. Tod…
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Join us on this exploration of attachment parenting, respectful parenting, and unschooling, where we examine the strong biological connections and implications in our parenting choices. We unpack the misconceptions around attachment parenting and discuss how a values-based unschooling life can emerge from it. This episode helps you understand the n…
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Laurie A Couture is an expert in childhood developmental trauma and attachment, and the author of "Nurturing and Empowering Our Sons" and "Instead of Medicating and Punishing." In this episode, Laurie shares her groundbreaking insights and introduces the Couture Protocol, a transformative 12-dimensional system for trauma recovery, emphasizing the i…
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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Miró Siegel, the son of Laini Liberti. In this episode, Miró shares his remarkable journey into the world of worldschooling, including the exhilarating experience of giving a TED Talk alongside his mother. Their adventure began unexpectedly, with a leap from their conventional life in Los Angeles into the …
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Torsten Klaus is a pioneering advocate for unschooling, a devoted father of three unschooled children, and the founder of Young Cre8ors. Torsten's passion for creativity and storytelling began in his youth when he fell in love with typewriters, cassette recorders, and the art of crafting handmade newspapers and audiobooks. This early passion evolve…
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🗓️ Recorded September 4st, 2023. 📍Blaye, France We've all been there: doubting our intelligence and our worth, feeling inadequate due to someone else's labels. Our guest, Nicole Kenyon, knows this feeling all too well. She was labeled as "stupid-ish" at a young age, but that certainly didn't define her. From her journey of breaking free from this l…
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🗓️ Recorded September 2st, 2023. 📍Saint-Nazaire Bridge, France Jen Keefe is an inspiring unschooling mom who has taken the bold step of challenging traditional educational norms. Jen's personal struggles with mental health profoundly influenced her journey from conventional education to the liberating world of unschooling. These experiences shaped …
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