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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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Do you want a peaceful, orderly home where your family can thrive? Would you like to cultivate stronger family bonds with your husband and kids? Do you long for a joy-filled, purposeful life free from fear and anxiety? Have you ever longed for a seasoned mentor who’d provide practical pointers? Fortunately for us, the Bible speaks to every one of these goals. God’s Word will help you cut through all the confusion caused by popular but conflicting marriage and parenting advice. Welcome, frien ...
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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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The marriage lessons we learn by example are often the most memorable. Some of the examples we see teach us what works, what leads to a successful, happy marriage, what we may want to emulate in our own. But sometimes the examples we see serve as cautionary tales. They show us what doesn’t work, what kinds of attitudes and behaviors will submarine …
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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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Since I sometimes hear from women asking for advice on dealing with miscarriages, I wanted to share my thoughts and experience with this topic in hopes of encouraging others who may be suffering from the same kind of grief and loss. Listen in as we discuss recovery, rainbow babies, responding to insensitive remarks, and more. Show NotesVERSES CITED…
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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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Our family is on the road again this week our way to North Carolina (at least the ones who aren’t taking college classes this summer). As usual, we prayed in the driveway before we left home, asking God to watch over us while we’re traveling and to get us safely to our destination. But a couple of other practices help make sure we get where we're g…
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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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Sooner or later, we will all face change of some sort. Change is an inevitable part of life. The question is, how will we deal with change when it comes. Today, I'm sharing six strategies I use to keep my wits when my world is turning upside down. Show NotesVERSES CITED: - Philippians 3:13-14 - "...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward t…
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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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Show NotesVERSES CITED: - John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - 1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." RELATED LINKS: The Boy Enlists by Edgar Albert Guest In Flanders Field by …
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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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Show NotesVERSES CITED: - “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) - “These things I have spoken unto you that in Me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) and… - “Consider it …
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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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One of the first things people usually notice about our children is how well they get along. Sure, they have occasional squabbles, but that is the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, they really love and admire one another and enjoy being in each other's company. They are friends. And cultivating friendship between siblings is the to…
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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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If you’ve ever had a child who is given to whining, you know how grating it can get on the nerves of every member of the household. But thankfully, there is an effective way to help your little one break this bad habit. Listen to this week's episode of Loving Life at Home to learn six surefire strategies to wipe out whining. Show NotesRELATED VERSE…
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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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Over the years, our family has found ways to make traveling with children more enjoyable, economical, educational, and easy. Listen in for tips you can use on your next family vacation. Show NotesRELATED SCRIPTURE: - Psalm 37:23 - "The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey." - Proverbs 16:9 - "A man’s heart plans h…
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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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This is birthday week for our family: my daughter's birtday is the 20th, mine's the 21st, my husband's is the 22, and we met on the 23rd. That last point -- the story of how I met my husband -- is the topic of today's podcast. Show NotesVERSES CITED: - Isaiah 55:18 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares t…
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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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Goals are important because they provide a sense of purpose and direction. Proverbs 16:9 assures us “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” So even when you aren’t 100% sure what the LORD would have you do with your time, I recommend prayerfully setting a worthwhile goal and working toward it. As long as you hold your plans l…
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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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How should husbands and wives navigate friendships with the opposite sex? That's our podcast topic this week, prompted by an email I got from a reader wanting to know, "Should a married woman have close male friends?" Show NotesVERSES CITED: - Genesis 2:24 - "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united..." - Mark 10:7-9 - “…
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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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Modern lists of learning styles are much lengthier than the one I learned in school. And after raising 12 children, I can think of a few learning styles I've never seen on any chart. So in this episode of Loving Life at Home, we are discussing how to make the most of your child's learning style -- and what to do if you can't figure it out. SCRIPTUR…
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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 honor of holy week, I 'm sharing a few of our family’s favorite Easter traditions today. Although I love baskets and bunnies and colorful candy as much as anyone, we’ve always tried to place the main emphasis of this season on the sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Jesus – and on what Christ’s finished work means to those who put their…
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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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Today's the anniversary of the day my husband proposed to me, so I'm taking a little walk down memory lane.... One thing I've learned through more than three and a half decades of marriage? Endings are far more important than beginnings. Show NotesVERSES CITED: - Matthew 21:28-32 - "There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said...…
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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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I worked a 14-hour shift at the polls last week for Super Tuesday. And every passing week takes us deeper into an election season that is looking more and more like a repeat of 2020. Which makes me think now would be a great time to review an important concept that seems to have been lost in our current cultural climate: And that is the ability to …
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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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You don’t have to dig very deep to discover the #1 rule for building a happy marriage. Jesus spelled out our standard in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6:31) In marriage, that translates to "Treat your spouse as you wish to be treated." Show NotesVERSES CITED: - Luke 6:31 - Mark 12:31 - Philippia…
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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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The Bible uses a lot of running analogies, and the half-marathon I completed over the weekend really helped drive them home. Show NotesVERSES CITED: - Corinthians 9:24-27 - “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one....” - Matthew 20:16 - “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” - Hebrews 12:1-2 - “...let us run…
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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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Today I’m pulling back the curtain on habits that have helped me be more productive. I hope you’ll find them helpful for getting stuff done, as well. Show NotesSCRIPTURES CITED: - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing." - Psalm 90:12 - “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.“ - James 4:17 - “... to one who knows…
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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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Jesus calls us to "love your neighbor as yourself," and what closer neighbor do you have than the spouse who shares your bed each night? Loving your husband is something wives need to do not only on special occasions like Valentine's Day and wedding anniversaries, but every minute of every hour of every day, all year long. Show NotesVERSES CITED: -…
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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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Can a woman nurture her children without neglecting her husband? Is it possible to be a loving wife and a devoted mother? How do we strike a balance between marriage and motherhood? Show NotesSCRIPTURES CITED: -Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest....” - Ephesians 4:1-3 - “…being diligent to pr…
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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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Lots of people devote their whole lives searching for happiness, yet happiness seems more elusive than ever. That is undoubtedly due to the fact folks are looking in the wrong places. So, how does one find lasting happiness? By realizing the fact that happiness was never intended to be our primary goal; rather, it's a fringe benefit to a life well-…
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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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One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to make Bible memory more of a priority. Memorizing scripture doesn’t come quite as easily these days as it did when I was a kid, but the following tips and tricks have helped speed my progress significantly. Here's hoping they'll do the same for you! Show NotesSCRIPTURES CITED: - “Therefore shall ye la…
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