What if deschooling wasn’t just about learning? What if it was also about grief, ritual, and honoring the life that unfolds when we stop trying to control it?

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Akilah S. Richards - author of Raising Free People and longtime voice of liberation in learning and living. Akilah shares how her journey has moved beyond deschooling, into the work of tending grief, slowing down, and trusting what life is calling us toward.

We explore:

- Why grief and liberation are inseparable

- How to compost the past instead of dragging it

- Ritual as resistance to urgency

- What it means to stop designing life and start following it

This episode is an invitation - to presence, to possibility, and to the courage of not knowing.

Tune in now, and check out Akilah’s new podcast What I Let Die @ www.radicalselfie.org.

You can also find and support Akilah’s work at:

www.raisingfreepeople.com

Right now, we’re living through a massive shift. Systems are crumbling, disempowerment is widespread, and uncertainty feels overwhelming. It’s no longer enough to just opt out of broken systems- we need to actively create something different. But how? How do we move beyond control, beyond fear, beyond what we’ve internalized, and instead reclaim agency for ourselves and the young people in our lives?

This moment in history is calling us to do deep, internal work. The world is shifting, and our kids don’t need us to have all the answers, they need us to show up with integrity, presence, and empowerment. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to co-create a new way forward - one rooted in connection, dignity, and consent. From shadow work to healing intergenerational wounds, from active hope to shifting our relationships with power, we unpack the inner and outer work required to truly embody the change we wish to see.

If this conversation resonates with you, join us on April 27, 2025, for a live online discussion on this very theme. You can register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1a4qw2gxRtOsooygAIdpJA

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As mentioned in this episode:

- You can find information on The Shift experience here:

https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025

- You can find information on our Monthly Parent Support Circles here:

https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/support-circles

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here:

https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

In this episode, we dive deep into something that comes up again and again in our work and personal conversations: how to create a different way of being in the world. In a time marked by fear, division, and control, how can we move beyond pointing fingers at what’s wrong and instead orient ourselves toward what we actually want to create? How do we break free from binary thinking and conditioned behaviors that keep us stuck? And most importantly, how do we reconnect with ourselves, each other, and our dreams for a different kind of future? Join us for an exploration of spaciousness, play, non-violent communication, somatics, and community support as we unpack what it takes to shift into a new paradigm.

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As mentioned in this episode:

- You can find information on our The Shift

https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here:

https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

In this episode, we dive into a question we hear a lot: Can you still unschool if your kids have to be in the system? Spoiler alert…yes, you can.

Today we break down the challenges of unschooling while navigating school life, whether it’s because of legal stuff, financial realities, or even your kid’s own choice to go to school. We talk about how deschooling is always possible, why parental advocacy matters, and how to work through all that "schoolish" conditioning, even if school’s part of your life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between your values and the realities of school, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about how to unschool from the inside out - no matter where your kid spends their days.

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As mentioned in this episode:

- You can find information on our Parent Support Circles here:

SDE Communities: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/package-parent-support

Individual Parents: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/support-circles

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

In this episode of RLT we explore what truly makes self-directed learning communities thrive, and why so many struggle. Parents often enter these spaces expecting an alternative to school, yet unknowingly bring a schoolish mindset with them. But SDE isn’t just about where kids learn; it’s about shifting how we relate to learning, power, and community.

In this episode, we unpack shared accountability, deschooling work for adults, and the hidden labor of running learning centers. How can parents move from a transactional mindset to active participation? What support do facilitators need to hold space for both kids and families? And how do we create communities where everyone - kids, parents, and facilitators - can truly thrive?

As mentioned in this episode:

- You can find information on our Parent Support Circles here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

Life is messy—grief, financial struggles, or just the everyday unpredictability. But what happens when you’re navigating homeschooling, unschooling, or life outside conventional systems in the middle of it all?

In this episode, we dive into how tough times can shape our kids’ learning in ways we might not expect. We share personal stories, meaningful insights, and practical tips to help you turn life’s messiest moments into opportunities for connection, growth, and resilience.

This is about prioritizing relationships, embracing humanity, and leaning into what really matters. If you’re ready to reimagine how we live and learn—especially when things get hard—this conversation is for you.

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As mentioned in this episode:

- You can find information on our in-person training The Shift here:

https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here:https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

- And/or check out pie website here: https:// www.radical-learning.org

How do we prioritize self-care while unschooling?

As unschooling families, we often find ourselves juggling countless responsibilities, meeting the needs of our children, and rethinking everything we thought we knew about education and parenting. But where does that leave us? How do we make space for joy, rest, and personal growth without falling into burnout or guilt?

In this episode, we explore practical, compassionate ways to redefine self-care and balance. Together, we unpack the myths around what unschooling “should” look like, challenge perfectionist tendencies, and discuss the importance of modeling self-care for our kids.

Join us as we share our personal stories, insights, and actionable steps to help you create more ease, spaciousness, and joy in your unschooling journey.

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As mentioned in this episode:

- Private coaching for individuals and organizations:

https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/1-2

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: 

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/RadicalLearningLLC

- And/or check out more information on our site: https:// www.radical-learning.org

What happens when we let go of the shadow of schooling and simply live? In this episode, we reflect on the liberating journey of moving beyond school-based expectations, comparisons, and pressures. We discuss the challenges unschooling parents often face, from societal conditioning to the fear of “not doing enough,” and how embracing a mindset of trust and presence can transform family life. We also explore how shifting focus from productivity to relationships and community can lead to a freer, more connected way of living. Tune in for an honest conversation about unlearning, evolving, and rediscovering what it means to truly live.

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As mentioned in this episode:

- Private coaching for individuals and organizations:

https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/1-2

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

- And/or check out more information on our site: https:// www.radical-learning.org

Have you ever wondered why the school system looks the way it does—and if it’s really serving our kids? In this episode, we dive into the history of conventional education and how it was designed to prioritize obedience over curiosity. We explore the lasting impact this has on children, families, and society, and discuss why it’s time to shift toward education that centers relationships, individuality, and respect for young people as full human beings. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about rethinking education, this episode invites you to imagine a more compassionate and empowering way forward.

As mentioned in this episode:

Do kids today truly have the freedom to be themselves? In this episode, we explore youth rights and how the conventional education system often limits young people’s voices and agency. We discuss why it's essential to recognize and respect kids' inherent power and choice, especially in their own learning, and envision what authentically youth-centered education could look like. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply interested in challenging the status quo, this episode is for anyone who believes in honoring kids' rights to be seen, heard, and respected.

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As mentioned in this episode:

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

- You can find information on our offerings here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com

- Check out more information on our site: https:// www.radical-learning.org