Self Directed

Marta Obiols Llistar, a former teacher, explains why she left the traditional classroom to embrace unschooling. Marta shares how John Holt's philosophy reshaped her parenting and life, from rejecting rigid educational systems to trusting her children’s natural ability to learn. We discuss the challenges of unlearning as a teacher, building deep family connections, and thriving outside conventional education.

As an unschooling advocate and author of 18, Marta shares personal stories that amplify the unschooling community. Originally from Catalonia and now based in the US, Marta continues raising awareness about the values of self-directed education. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about unschooling or alternative education.

🔗 Want to know more about Marta? 

• https://www.instagram.com/unschoolingstory18 
• https://www.tiktok.com/@unschoolingstory18 
• https://x.com/unschooling1 
• https://www.asuccessfuleducation.com 

Check out Martas Books

• 18: An Unschooling Experience 
• A Successful Education: How to tailor an education to perfectly fit your unique child's needs

Spanish links

• https://www.instagram.com/vidasinc0le 
• https://www.tiktok.com/@vidasincole 

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
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Charlotte Addison is among our favorite people: A fellow traveler, unschooler, and someone with whom we have co-lived for an extended period and more to come. 

Together with Charlotte, we delve into how unschooling and lifelong learning can redefine educational choices and personal growth. We challenge the idea that formal qualifications are the only markers of success. Instead, passion and real-world experiences can unlock doors to opportunities often reserved for those with degrees. This conversation is a testament to the magic of continuous learning through formal courses or self-directed pursuits and the importance of letting children explore life freely.

In a world full of societal norms and expectations, we ponder what it truly means to lead a life aligned with one's values. This episode is an invitation to reflect on parenting and lifestyle choices, embrace emotional and spiritual fulfillment over societal pressures, and cherish the ongoing journey of growth with gratitude for every shared moment.

🗓️ Recorded November 10th, 2024. 📍 Krakow, Poland

Follow Charlotte on IG: https://www.instagram.com/magickalhealingmama

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
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SUPPORT & CONNECT
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In this episode, we welcome Dr. Michael Greger, the best-selling author of How Not to Die and How Not to Age, who has revolutionized our understanding of nutrition and longevity. Dr. Greger dives into the transformative journey that led him to lifestyle medicine, inspired by his grandmother’s miraculous health recovery. He shares actionable tips for extending both lifespan and healthspan through plant-based nutrition, tackling chronic diseases, and making empowered health choices. Highlights include the anti-inflammatory power of turmeric, the impact of stress on cravings, and the importance of Vitamin B12 for those on plant-based diets. Dr. Greger also gives us a glimpse into his upcoming research projects on pain management and mental health.

Tune in to uncover the keys to healthy aging and the vital role our dietary choices play in living a longer, vibrant life.

🗓️ Recorded October 17th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

 ▬ Episode links ▬

• https://x.com/nutrition_facts
• https://www.instagram.com/nutrition_facts_org/
• https://www.facebook.com/NutritionFacts.org
• https://www.youtube.com/user/NutritionFactsOrg
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-greger-7b98001b/

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

In this episode, Christie Ogden shares her remarkable journey of embracing world schooling and creating a life of freedom and adventure for her family. As a single mother of six, Christie boldly moved her children from Canada to the Dominican Republic, transforming a challenging situation into an empowering opportunity. Her story is filled with resilience, creativity, and a commitment to living on her terms.

Christie discusses the highs and lows of nomadic living, from living in a converted school bus to capturing stunning photos of kite surfers to make a living. She also explores the concept of world schooling, highlighting its diversity and adaptability while emphasizing the importance of creating space for children’s growth and passions. Throughout the episode, Christie encourages listeners to embrace change and keep an open mind about life's possibilities.

🗓️ Recorded October 14th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

 ▬ Episode links ▬

• https://www.instagram.com/whatifitsamazing 
• https://www.facebook.com/Whatifitsamazing
• https://www.youtube.com/@christieogdenadventures 
• https://www.facebook.com/creedenaliaventura 
• https://www.infinitymarketingsystem.com/christie-ogden 

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

In this final episode of the current "Da Ladies" series, Cecilie joins Luna, Sara, and Carla as they wrap up their journey. The group reflects on embracing change, honoring priorities, and staying true to their unschooling principles. From navigating life transitions to balancing personal aspirations and family commitments, this episode is a beautiful exploration of growth, authenticity, and fluidity in self-directed living.

Looking ahead, Cecilie teases the start of a new season with a fresh set of inspiring women, promising new voices and experiences in self-directed learning, travel, and parenting. Please tune in to join Cecilie and the team as they celebrate the end of one chapter and embrace the beginning of another.

🗓️ Recorded October 16th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

 ▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

Luna Maj Vestergaard: 

• https://altomunschooling.dk/
• https://www.instagram.com/lunamajvestergaard/
• https://www.facebook.com/lunamajvestergaard

Carla Martinez: 

• https://planetaworldschool.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/ligronesenruta/
• https://www.facebook.com/ligronesenruta

Sara Beale: 

• https://www.renegademum.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/sarah_l_beale
• https://www.facebook.com/sarah.beale1

Cecilie Conrad: 

• https://CecilieConrad.com
• https://www.facebook.com/Ceciliefelumbconrad
• https://www.instagram.com/ceciliefelumbconrad/

Send us a text

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
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"The amount of uncertainty you can hold is the amount of freedom you have."​ - Carla Martinez.

We met Carla and David at the Worldscchool Summit in 2019. So many friendships formed. It was life-changing. In this episode, we talk with Carla and David, who share their unique journey of nomadic living. From their first transformative experience at the World School Summit in Granada to establishing a vibrant Spanish-speaking community, Carla and David opens up about the joys and challenges of living on the road.

Together, we explore how worldschooling nurtures lifelong connections, fosters cultural exchanges, and encourages a spirit of openness and flexibility. Carla and David reflect on their experiences, from serendipitous encounters with other home-educating families to creating opportunities and resources for fellow travelers. We dive into the logistics of traveling in camper vans, maintaining relationships across continents, and how technology plays a vital role in staying connected.

Their insights also touch on the evolving landscape of world schooling and the balance between structure and freedom, embracing change, and finding joy in life’s unexpected turns. Whether you’re curious about nomadic living or passionate about community building, this episode offers a rich tapestry of reflections, tips, and heartfelt stories.

And ... We are forever grateful for David's help in finding the right Van for us. If you are on the lookout for a van yourself, then check out his services at geckocamper.com :)

▬ Episode links ▬

• https://ligronesenruta.com
• https://www.instagram.com/ligronesenruta
• https://www.facebook.com/ligronesenruta 
  
  
• https://geckocamper.com
• https://www.instagram.com/geckocamper
• https://www.facebook.com/ggeckocamper 
  
  
• https://planetaworldschool.com
• https://www.instagram.com/planetaworldschool
• https://www.facebook.com/planetaworldschool 

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
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Louisa Andrea is a retreat host, educator, and worldschooling advocate based in Egypt. She specializes in creating transformative experiences for families and teens, blending education, conservation, and cultural immersion on Egypt's Red Sea coast while drawing on her mindfulness, spiritual coaching, and energy work background.

In this episode, we talk with Louisa Andrea about her move from the UK and Cyprus to Egypt, where she has built a life focused on education and adventure for families and world schoolers. Luisa co-leads community adventures and teen retreats, blending learning with hands-on experiences like conservation with Turtle Watch and cross-cultural exchanges with the local Ababda Bedouin community.

We also discuss the practical challenges of balancing personal aspirations with the evolving needs of children, mainly through homeschooling and unschooling. Luisa shares her journey of adapting her approach to education as her teenage son’s needs change, and we talk about the importance of giving children the freedom to explore their own paths.

Toward the end, we touch on future plans, including a shared interest in solar eclipses, with a focus on the upcoming event in Egypt in 2027. This episode provides practical insights into worldschooling, family life, and creating educational opportunities outside traditional systems.

🗓️ Recorded October 9th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

▬ Episode links ▬

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunladylou/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlifeworldschool/ 
• Adults & Teen retreats in Egypt Website: www.amentirebirthretreat.com 
• Teens Retreats & Programmes in Egypt: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1104096590672734/

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

Jack Stewart is a grown-up homeschooler who now homeschools his kids. We met Jack at HEFF in 2024 and enjoyed talking with him. This is our second episode with Jack, and you should consider starting with the first episode we recorded together. 

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Stewart to discuss how technology affects our daily lives and how setting boundaries around internet use can improve emotional well-being. Jack introduces the idea of technology as a "social appetite suppressant," explaining how it can fill emotional gaps but also lead to a lack of real-world connection. Together, we explore strategies for creating healthier habits around technology.

We also dive into homeschooling and unschooling, focusing on how families can manage education outside of the traditional system. Jack shares his passion for Plato’s philosophy and explains how it inspired the development of his educational board game. The game combines art, languages, and math to help learners connect different subjects and holistically explore education.

If you’re interested in improving your tech habits, learning more about homeschooling, or curious about using educational philosophy in creative projects like game design, this episode offers practical insights and real-life examples.

🗓️ Recorded October 4th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

▬ Episode links ▬

Jack is no longer active on the internet. If you want to connect, then write to him at [email protected]. If you want to sneak peek at some of Jack's old stuff from when he was active on the internet, then you can check out:

• https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jack-stewart5
• https://www.youtube.com/@daddyhomeschools5710
• https://blog.sonlight.com/author/jack-stewart

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
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Jack Stewart is a grown-up homeschooler. We explore how self-paced learning has shaped his social life and personal development. Jack’s upbringing was guided by his mother’s approach to homeschooling, which fostered meaningful friendships and an entrepreneurial spirit that set the stage for his success. These early experiences of forming deep connections outside traditional settings have carried through to his adult life.

Jack also shares his thoughts on the balance between structured activities and free play and how family-centered, attachment-based learning can sometimes offer advantages over conventional schools. His reflections challenge common perceptions of education and the social structures that accompany it.

Additionally, Jack talks about his move away from technology and how reducing his internet use has helped him form deeper, more authentic connections. From managing technology within his family to pursuing hands-on projects like music and board game development, Jack gives insight into a lifestyle that emphasizes focus, personal growth, and real-world interactions.

This conversation covers voluntary learning, the influence of community and nature in education, and the effects of living with less reliance on technology.

🗓️ Recorded September 19th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

▬ Episode links ▬
Jack is no longer active on the internet. If you want to connect, then write to him at [email protected]. If you want to sneak peek at some of Jack's old stuff from when he was active on the internet, then you can check out:

• https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jack-stewart5
• https://www.youtube.com/@daddyhomeschools5710
• https://blog.sonlight.com/author/jack-stewart

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

Erin Loechner is a writer, speaker, and the founder of The Opt-Out Family, a movement dedicated to helping families reduce screen time and foster deeper connections. She is the author of The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t, a guide offering practical strategies to reclaim family life from the grip of technology. Erin's other books include Chasing Slow, a memoir about embracing mindfulness. A former social media influencer, Erin now lives a low-tech lifestyle with her husband and three children, sharing insights on her blog, Design for Mankind.

In this episode, Erin shares her journey of opting out of the technological influences and the American dream to form a family life centered around what they truly value. She discusses how her previous life as a social media influencer led her family to reevaluate their relationship with technology, resulting in a substantial reduction in tech use. Erin shares advice on creating engaging family activities free from screens, encouraging intrinsic motivation, and fostering a community supportive of low-tech living. This conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of maintaining a balanced family life in an increasingly digital world.

🗓️ Recorded September 17th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

 ▬ Episode links ▬
Erins website: https://designformankind.com
Books by Erin Loechner: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01IREYLUU

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
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