What changes when we stop seeing children as projects to shape and start seeing them as full human beings worthy of dignity, autonomy and respect?

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with author Iris Chen to explore how peaceful parenting, self-directed learning and unschooling invite us to question much more than education. Together, we discuss authenticity, power, community and why transforming the way we relate to children can become part of creating a more compassionate and just world.

Iris shares how her journey away from authoritarian parenting led her to rethink control, achievement and success, and why respecting children's autonomy doesn't mean giving up boundaries. We also explore the importance of community, breaking intergenerational cycles, questioning inherited beliefs and living in alignment with our deepest values.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply longing for a more respectful relationship with your child, this conversation offers a thoughtful invitation to see parenting—and children—through a completely different lens.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• What happens when we truly trust our children?
• Why is respect the foundation of peaceful parenting?
• How can we parent without relying on control?
• What role does community play in raising children?
• How do we break intergenerational parenting patterns?
• What does it mean to live in alignment with our values?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

What do you do when your child asks about sex, death, war, racism or another topic that feels difficult to explain? Do you answer right away, avoid the conversation—or admit you don't know?

Many of us grew up in families where certain subjects simply weren't discussed. As parents, that can leave us feeling unsure of what to say when our own children ask honest, curious questions about the world around them.

In this episode, we explore how to approach difficult conversations with openness, curiosity and trust. We talk about why children don't need every answer all at once, how to meet them where they are developmentally, and why saying "I don't know—let's figure it out together" can strengthen your relationship rather than weaken it.

We also discuss why avoiding difficult topics can unintentionally create shame or distance, and how honest, age-appropriate conversations help children build confidence, critical thinking and trust.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply trying to raise thoughtful, connected children, this episode offers practical ideas for navigating life's hardest conversations together.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• How do I talk to my child about difficult topics?
• What if my child asks a question I can't answer?
• How honest should I be with my child?
• When is a child ready to talk about sex, death or war?
• How do I answer difficult questions without creating fear?
• How can difficult conversations strengthen our relationship?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

In this episode we pick up from the last episode and get really vulnerable. We share personal stories around the themes of power, patriarchy, machismo and our critical role in raising boys into conscious men and how that is tied to deschooling and liberation work.

TRIGGER WARNING:

In this episode we talk about sexual harassment and violence.

We acknowledge that we are two privileged women who are speaking from our perspective and experience and the content around sexual harassment and violence may bring discomfort. Our intention is to bring awareness and open up dialogue around these themes never to shame, blame, expose or exclude anyone. If we can do better, please let us know, we are always learning.

You can find the podcast referenced in the episode here: https://raisingfreepeople.com/232/

Can the way we raise our children influence the kind of world we create? What if changing society begins much closer to home than we imagine?

In this thought-provoking conversation, we're joined by anti-oppression educator, systems thinker and father Dr. Sundiata to explore how power, control and hierarchy have shaped our families, schools and communities—and how parenting can become a powerful force for change.

Together, we discuss why so many traditional parenting practices are rooted in systems of control, how conscious and partnership parenting offer a different path, and why trust, collaboration and respectful relationships are essential if we want future generations to build a more compassionate world.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply questioning inherited parenting patterns, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how the way we relate to our children shapes far more than family life.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• Can parenting change the world?
• Why do so many parenting practices rely on control?
• How do power dynamics influence family relationships?
• What is partnership parenting?
• Why is trust so important in raising children?
• How can changing our family relationships create wider social change?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

⁠You can find all of Dr. Sundiata’s life work including his Theory of Indivisibility here.

How do you know when to step in—and when to step back? Could protecting your child too much actually prevent them from developing confidence, resilience and self-trust?

As parents, it's natural to want to keep our children safe. But sometimes, the risks that worry us most are the very experiences our children need in order to grow.

In this episode, we explore why risk-taking is an essential part of healthy development, how children naturally learn to assess challenges when they're trusted, and why supporting risk is very different from being careless. We also discuss the fears many parents carry, how those fears shape our decisions, and why learning to tolerate our own discomfort is often the biggest challenge.

Whether it's climbing trees, using sharp tools, walking to the store alone or navigating emotional risks like conflict and vulnerability, we explore how thoughtful support can help children build confidence, autonomy and sound judgment.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply trying to raise capable, confident children, this conversation offers a different way of thinking about safety, trust and growth.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• Am I protecting my child too much?
• Why do children need to take risks?
• How can I support my child's independence safely?
• When should I step in—and when should I step back?
• How do children develop confidence and good judgment?
• What does "maximum support, minimum interference" really look like?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

Is your child "just playing"... or could they be learning some of the most important skills they'll ever need?

Many parents worry when play seems to take over their child's day. Shouldn't they be reading, writing, studying or doing something more productive? In this episode, we challenge one of the biggest myths we've inherited from school: that play is separate from learning.

We explore why free play is one of the most powerful ways children develop creativity, emotional regulation, problem-solving, confidence, collaboration and independence. We also reflect on what happens when play disappears—not only from childhood, but from adult life as well—and why reconnecting with play can be an important part of our own deschooling journey.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply wondering whether your child is "doing enough," this conversation offers a reassuring and inspiring perspective on why play isn't wasted time. It may be some of the most valuable learning your child ever does.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• Is my child learning through play?
• Why is free play so important?
• What skills do children develop through play?
• Why do so many parents worry about play?
• What happens when children don't have enough time to play?
• Why do adults need play too?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

Is school really preparing children for the lives they'll one day lead? Or are some of the most important life skills learned somewhere else entirely?

In this conversation, we're joined by author, educator and unschooling advocate Blake Boles to explore what young people need in order to build meaningful, fulfilling lives. Drawing on years of leading international travel experiences for self-directed teens, Blake shares why autonomy, adventure, responsibility and real-world experiences often teach lessons that classrooms simply can't.

Together, we discuss what success really means, the role of intrinsic motivation, why meaningful experiences matter more than memorizing information, and how parents can support young people without trying to control every outcome. We also explore Blake's powerful analogy of the parent as a trusted consultant rather than a manager, and why relationships matter more than educational labels.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply questioning whether conventional school is the best path for your child, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it really means to prepare young people for life.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• Is school preparing children for real life?
• What experiences help young people become independent?
• How can parents support intrinsic motivation?
• What is the parent's role in self-directed learning?
• Why do meaningful experiences matter more than perfect grades?
• What does success really look like?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

You can find more info on Blake and his work here.

Do you ever worry that your child isn't being challenged enough? That if you don't push them a little harder, they might fall behind or miss important opportunities to grow?

Many parents carry the belief that children need to be constantly challenged in order to learn. But what if that belief comes more from our own schooling than from how human beings naturally develop?

In this episode, we explore why children are already challenging themselves every day, how school shapes our ideas about learning and achievement, and why trust—not pressure—may be one of the greatest gifts we can offer. We discuss how to recognize the challenges children naturally choose, why every child develops at their own pace, and how parents can shift from pushing their children toward outcomes to supporting the learning that's already unfolding.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply questioning how best to support your child's growth, this conversation invites you to replace pressure with curiosity and trust.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• Am I challenging my child enough?
• Do children really need adults to push them to learn?
• Why do children naturally seek out challenges?
• How can I support my child's learning without controlling it?
• What does trust look like in everyday parenting?
• How can I recognize learning that's happening outside academics?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

Do you ever feel like you're constantly rushing from one thing to the next? Like parenting has become another race to keep up, produce more and somehow fit everything in?

Many of us are raising children in a culture that celebrates busyness, productivity and achievement. But what if slowing down isn't falling behind? What if it's one of the most radical choices we can make—for ourselves and for our families?

In this episode, we explore how the pressure to always do more affects our relationships, our wellbeing and the way we parent. We reflect on burnout, consumer culture, community, boundaries and the courage it takes to build a life that's guided by our own values rather than someone else's expectations.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply longing for a calmer, more connected family life, this conversation invites you to question the "rat race," reconnect with what matters most and take one small step toward a slower way of living.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• How do I slow down as a parent?
• Why does parenting feel so overwhelming?
• What is slow living, and why does it matter?
• How can I stop chasing productivity all the time?
• What role do community and boundaries play in a slower life?
• How does slowing down change the way we parent?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list

What happens when a child grows up knowing they're trusted? How does it shape the way they think, learn, relate to others and imagine their future?

In this special episode, we sit down with Becka's son, Teo, who has been unschooling since the age of ten. Together, we explore his experience of leaving school, the healing process of deschooling, growing up as a neurodivergent young person and what freedom, trust and authentic relationships have meant in his life.

Teo shares thoughtful reflections on learning, creativity, technology, parenting and why he believes children don't need more control—they need more trust. Along the way, we also discuss the parent-child relationship, emotional safety, autonomy and what it feels like to grow up without many of the expectations that shape conventional childhood.

Whether you're homeschooling, home educating, unschooling or simply wondering what becomes possible when children are deeply trusted, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the perspective of a young person who's lived it.

Some of the questions and ideas we explore include:

• What happens when you trust your child?
• What is it really like to grow up unschooling?
• How does deschooling help children heal?
• What do neurodivergent children need to thrive?
• How can parents build trust instead of control?
• What role should parents play in their children's lives?

Wondering what keeps shaping your reactions when parenting gets hard? → Discover Your Parenting Archetype

Have a parenting, homeschooling, or unschooling question? Send it to us and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter: → Dear Sari & Becka

→ Follow us on Instagram and come hang out with us between episodes.

→ Check out our website and explore more of our work, resources, and support.

Radical Learning Talks was named the #2 Democratic Education Podcast to Listen to in 2026 by FeedSpot. See the full list