Self Directed

Explore the transformative power of unschooling with Pam Laricchia, host of the popular 'The Exploring Unschooling Podcast.' 

Dive into the art of fostering enriching parent-child relationships, redefining success, and experiential learning.

Pam is the author of several books on Unschooling, and if you are new to the game, we suggest you read her books 'What is Unschooling`' and 'Free to Learn.' 

In this episode, Pam shares her journey from discovering homeschooling to becoming an unschooling advocate. She reveals how homeschooling became a lifeline when her eldest son struggled in a traditional school setting and how her family has flourished since the switch. As Pam explains, unschooling allows children to learn through their interests, experiences, and conversations, taking the pressure off parents to fit into a specific curriculum or timeline. 

As we explore the dynamics of unschooling, we uncover the nuances of navigating parent-child conversations. This approach involves a delicate balance between directing and engaging with children, creating a relationship built on trust where experiences can be shared and learning is supported. Our conversations with our children should be enriching, giving them context and understanding of the world around them. 

Pam offers insights on redefining success to be personally meaningful and supporting our children in finding their own path.

🗓️ Recorded August 2th, 2023. 📍Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Forest of Bowland, UK

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬ 

Website: https://livingjoyfully.ca
Podcast: https://podcast.show/livingjoyfully
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingjoyfully
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamlaricchia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingJoyfullywithUnschooling 

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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In the summer of 2021, we drove to Turkey to spend two weeks with Chris Attwood and his wonderful family. Before Chris and family arrived, we had time to roam the city - we met up with Raqauy Danziger, a famous Darbuka player you can meet in one of our bonus episodes.  Raqauy introduced us to belly dancer Iana Komarnytska, and photographer and drummer Pedro Bonatto.

Pedro and Iana have a youtube channel called Artist Date, where they talk about travel, creativity, inspiration, and how it is to live an artist’s life.

They interviewed us for their podcast, and they have kindly let us re-use the episode so you can hear it here. And we highly recommend that you check out the work of Pedro and Iana.

They have several podcasts and cool projects you can follow:

• Artist Date on YouTube
• Artist Date on  Spotify:
• The Wanderings Podcast on YouTube:
• Belly Dance Life Podcast
• Pedros website
• Ianas website 

And you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram

• https://www.facebook.com/ianadance/
• https://www.instagram.com/iana_dance/
• https://www.facebook.com/pedrobonatto
• https://www.instagram.com/pedrobonatto

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily

Join us for an in-depth conversation on the complexities of unschooling and the role of parental judgment, featuring Cecilie Conrad, Carla Martinez, Sarah Beale, and Luna Maj. 

We delve into real-life scenarios like encouraging good oral health without coercion and explore the delicate balance between setting boundaries and allowing freedom. 

Our discussion also tackles the challenges of parenting in public, managing judgment from other parents, and navigating difficult conversations with our children. 

We'll examine the impact of social expectations, accountability, and self-awareness in unschooling and discuss how to make value-based decisions free from judgment. 

Tune in for a transformative conversation that will reshape your approach to parenting within the unschooling realm.

🗓️ Recorded July 24th, 2023. 📍Wigston, UK

▬ 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/the_renegade_mum/
• https://www.facebook.com/sarah.beale1

Cecilie Conrad: 

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

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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

Ever dreamt of packing up your life and traveling the world? That’s exactly what our guest, Rachel Carlson, and her family did. Rachel shares her family's exhilarating journey of full-time travel, encapsulating the beauty of stepping away from conventional norms to embrace a world brimming with adventures.

Rachel shared her family's transition into a nomadic lifestyle, selling their home and flinging themselves into the world with the belief that stability doesn't always equate to success. 

Rachel is the creator of the Worldschool PopUp Hubs - a popup world-school community where full-time travelers and people dip their toes into what worldschooling is. The Worldschool Pop-Up Hubs grew out of a desire to meet and connect with other world schoolers. These hubs provide a unique platform for world schoolers to gather, share experiences, and explore the world together. The gatherings are designed to accept all traveling families openly, offering a safe space for connection, engagement, and affordable exploration. Rachel emphasizes that worldschooling can be a sustainable lifestyle, with many experiences coming without a hefty price tag.

Join us as we unpack a lifestyle that challenges traditional norms and offers an invigorating perspective on living and learning. This episode will inspire any would-be adventurers out there to consider the road less traveled.

🗓️ Recorded July 26th, 2023. 📍Wigston, UK

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬ 

• https://www.worldschoolpopuphub.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/worldschoolpopuphub
  https://www.instagram.com/worldschoolpopuphub/ 

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily

Meet Raquy Danziger - a celebrated Darbuka performer, teacher, and composer known worldwide for her expertise on the Middle Eastern Darbuka drum. 

We are a full-time traveling family. We love art, music, and people and interview some of the wonderful people we meet. We met Raquy in Istanbul, Turkey, where she is now based.

About Raquy
Hailing from unlikely Western roots, Raquy has distinguished herself as a unique phenomenon and earned a place of renown in the genre. She has collaborated and performed with some of the most famous Middle Eastern drummers in the world and has given concerts and workshops across the USA, Canada, The Middle East, Asia, Europe, Russia, and South America. 

Raquy specializes in the Turkish split-hand technique. This style was born twenty years ago when Turkish drummers began splitting the hand, thus attaining unprecedented speed and dexterity. In 2012 Raquy opened her “Darbuka Ofis” in downtown Istanbul, where she trains daily under the direction of her teacher, master drummer Bünyamin Olguncan.  Her Ofis has become a center for drumming, attracting drummers from all over the world who flock to Istanbul to learn from Raquy and Bünyamin.

EPSIODE LINKS

• https://raquy.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/RaquyDanziger/
• https://www.instagram.com/raquytabla/
• https://soundcloud.com/raquytabla
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzPUz0KpcUxPsl2uXH8S8NQ
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaquyArt
• https://www.instagram.com/darbukaschool/
• https://darbukaschool.com/
• http://www.raquydrumstore.com/

▬ CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO ▬ 
(00:00:01) - Discovering Istanbul's Music and Art
(00:15:26) - Drumming Lessons and Online Classes

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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Together with our dear friend Sarah Beale, we delve deep into the pursuit of a 'good life.' 

Sarah shares her incredible journey of transitioning from the traditional Australian school system to an unstructured, unschooling approach. Dive into an enriching exploration of the power of choice, and the significance of maintaining a fluid, flexible approach to life.

Sarah's idea of a 'good life' is deeply intertwined with her family's shift to unschooling. We discuss this intricate relationship, pondering how selling their possessions and leaving their home country has molded their perception of a fulfilling life. Sarah doesn't hold back from questioning the traditional school system's inclination to persuade parents to surrender responsibility to the state. Instead, she celebrates the role of a supportive community in embracing the freedom unschooling provides.

As we unpack Sarah's metaphorical 'backpack of life,' the conversation takes an intriguing turn to encompass emotional baggage, triggers, and the strength of having a supportive community. We converse about creating a vibrant, judgement-free space for our children to express themselves and the inherent value of conversations that might not seem productive but deeply enrich our lives. 

The episode concludes with a potent dialogue about balancing life's projects with finding joy in the moment, asserting that happiness is a journey, not a destination. 

Join us, be inspired, and reconsider your definitions of a 'good life.

🗓️ Recorded August 4th, 2023. 📍Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Forest of Bowland, UK

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬ 
https://www.renegademum.com/
https://www.instagram.com/the_renegade_mum/
https://www.facebook.com/sarah.beale1

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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Meet Mark Lupescu, also known as Mark Lupan - a celebrated handpan maker and player known worldwide for his beautiful Lupan Handpans.

Have you ever tried the handpan or just listened to it? For me, it was love at first sight.
The first time I tried one, I knew there was no going back. We were on La Palma, and a friend had borrowed a handpan and wanted us to try it. Three months later, my first handpan arrived. The peace it gives, the sound, the learning journey of getting to know the instrument and getting better. What a joy.

Our love has kept growing. We have created an online platform where people can learn to play the handpan, and while shooting a video on how the handpan is built, we met, Mark Lupescu; he is so fantastic and inspiring that we wanted to show more of him to the world. So please enjoy our interview with Mark  Lupescu, creator of the Lupan Handpans.

About Mark
Mark Petersberger Lupescu is a professional musician and harp maker who moved to Barcelona, Spain, in 2008, where he discovered handpans and integrated them into his music. In 2013 Mark started his journey of building handpans. He learned the art of tuning steel thanks to the guidance of master tuner Darren Dyke and as a result of many hours of hammering where he developed his own technique. Having played these instruments in different situations (concert hall, yoga room, open space), he knows which qualities to search for in a handpan: stable and equilibrated note fields, nice timbre, good sustain, and pleasant overtones. As a perfectionist, he is always seeking to improve these qualities.

Learn more:
https://www.lupanhandpans.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/lupanhandpans
https://www.instagram.com/lupan_handpans/
https://www.facebook.com/lupanhandpans/

🗓️ Recorded June 29th, 2021. 📍Barcelona, Spain

This video is edited by our dear friend Matej Michalec, a fellow traveler whom we met in Istanbul. Check out more of his work here: https://www.instagram.com/macelachim/

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
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Missy Willis invited Ann Hansen to be a guest on her podcast Let 'Em Go Barefoot - and since then, they have been close connected. In sync as they are. Together they have written the book 'Life Unschooled: Living & Learning without School.' We invited both of them to a talk.

Imagine taking the responsibility for your child's life into your own hands, breaking away from the constraints of the traditional education system and nurturing their curiosity to cultivate a love for learning. That's the essence of unschooling and it's exactly what we explore in this episode with Ann Hansen and Missy Willis.

We kick things off by delving deep into Ann and Missy's backgrounds in education and their personal journeys into unschooling. They bust the myth that one must be a teacher to homeschool, emphasizing instead the role of a curious and attuned parent. As we navigate through their experiences, we explore the power of self-directed education and how it fosters growth, curiosity, and a unique learning environment. Their insights into alternative education are truly enlightening, challenging people to reevaluate societal definitions of success and to trust in  children's interests.

We also discuss the challenges and triumphs of committing to an unschooling lifestyle. Ann and Missy share their wisdom on creating a community among homeschoolers, about the hardships of breaking free from conditioned thinking and about the necessity of taking responsibility for our children. We also get an inside look at their collaborative project, the Barefoot Playground guidebook, a practical tool they've developed to help families navigate the world of homeschooling.

Towards the end, we delve into the complexities of parenting during the teenage years and the importance of a strong family bond that outlasts adolescence.

Expect to have your perspectives challenged and your curiosity piqued in this deep dive into a whole new world of learning, fostering growth, and child empowerment.

Remember, learning is not about filling a bucket, but lighting a fire. Let's ignite that fire with some unconventional wisdom on unschooling!

🗓️ Recorded July 26th, 2023. 📍Wigston district, in Leicestershire, UK

Episode Links

• Let 'Em Go Barefoot Podcast: https://letemgobarefoot.podbean.com/ 
• Missy Willis' website: https://letemgobarefoot.com/ 
• Ann Hansen's website: https://www.innerparentcoaching.com/ 
• Buy 'Life Unschooled': https://www.innerparentcoaching.com/product-page/life-unschooled 

Social Media Links - Ann Hansen:

• https://www.instagram.com/innerparentcoaching/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/innerparentcoaching 

Social Media Links - Missy Willis:

• https://www.instagram.com/letemgobarefoot/ 

▬ CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO ▬ 

(00:00:00) - Unschooling and the Role of Educators
(00:10:27) - Unschooling and Trusting in Alternative Education
(00:21:35) - Navigating Education and Pursuing Passions
(00:34:21) - Unschooling and Self-Directed Education
(00:40:42) - Reevaluating Focus on Learning and Measurement
(00:46:02) - Unschooling Communities
(00:57:44) - Unschooling and Taking Responsibility for Education
(01:03:24) - Unschooling and Empowering Parents With Information
(01:13:47) - Parenting and Relationship With Teenagers

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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In 2022 Ema Werner reached out to Jesper and asked if he was up for answering many questions in an Instagram live. He said yes, and Ema agreed that we could share the recording as a little extra episode to our podcast. 

You can find Ema on Instagram and Substack under the name Earth Ozina; where she is writing and honoring motherhood.

In this episode, we uncover the concept of self-directed learning while exploring the idea of self-worth in children. We share our distinctive parenting style, free of punishments or rewards, and how it impacts our children's self-esteem. 

We also explain how social media is shaping our understanding of self-worth. This dialogue also allows us a peek into the dynamics of sibling relationships, the challenges of raising teenagers, and the small joys of parenting younglings in an unschooling household.

As we delve deeper into the conversation, Jesper opens up about her family's approach to planning and traveling, highlighting the importance of collective decision-making and honoring every family member's needs.

Tune in for an enlightening exchange that will make you question traditional learning and parenting norms.

Please check out Earth Ozinas channels - You can find the links below. 

🗓️ Recorded August 11th, 2022. 📍Åmarksgård, Danmark

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬ 

• https://www.instagram.com/earth.ozina/
• https://earthozina.substack.com/

▬ CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO ▬ 

(00:00:01) - Unschooling and the Deschooling Process
(00:19:13) - Unschooling and Self-Directed Learning
(00:31:42) - Parenting, Education, and Freedom of Choice
(00:50:45) - Upcoming Projects, Coaching, and Planning

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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School sucks! And on Wild Life, we talk about why education outside the traditional school system is so beneficial - not only for our kids but also for us as parents.

This is the intro for Alexandra Kons Podcast, ' Wild Life - The Unschooling Podcast'. Which we recently guested. 

Alexandra has been so kind to let us share the episode with you all through our podcast. So here it is! Thank you, Alexandra!

And please remember to check out Alexandra’s podcast, where she presents knowledge around the idea of unschooling: what unschooling is, how it works, and what the challenges are. 

🗓️ Recorded June 21th, 2023. 📍Skolstugan, Sweden

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬ 

• https://www.instagram.com/therealalexko/ 
• https://twitter.com/TheRealAlexKo
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-kons/

▬ WILD LIFE PODCAST ▬ 

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wild-life-the-unschooling-podcast/id1677319316; 
• https://fountain.fm/show/0cjwJbTn6z3lPXNX8ISg;
• https://open.spotify.com/show/1iO6bBHwtiJdjLGOZyXLzI

▬ CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO ▬ 

(00:00:00) - Full-Time Travelers and Radical Unschooling
(00:15:32) - Regret, Deschooling, and Parenting Awareness
(00:20:09) - Challenges and Benefits of Unschooling
(00:28:26) - Judgment and Expectations in Education
(00:37:36) - Taking Responsibility and Living Authentically
(00:50:13) - Community and Self-Evaluation Exploration
(00:56:21) - Value of Traveling and Connecting

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Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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