Self Directed

By Cecilie & Jesper ConradSociety & Culture Education Self-Improvement Personal Journals Parenting Kids & Family

Self Directed episodes

February 26, 2025Dennis Nørmark | Are We Really Free? Pseudo-Work & Unfreedom: How Work & Society Keep Us Trapped
Much of modern work is defined by routine, efficiency targets, and the need to appear productive. But how much of it is actually necessary? Dennis Nørmark, Danish anthropologist, author, and speaker, argues that a significant part of today’s work culture is built on pseudo-work—tasks that maintain appearances rather than create real value. As the co-author of Pseudo-Work: How We Ended Up Being Busy Doing Nothing, he examines why unnecessary work persists and how it shapes our perception of productivity. In I Wish My Boss Was a Chief, he applies leadership lessons from indigenous cultures to modern management, questioning whether our current systems are as effective as we assume.
This conversation explores how unfreedom has become a feature of work and society, limiting personal agency and reinforcing structures of control. Predictions from a century ago suggested that technological progress would reduce working hours, yet most people today work as much as ever. Why has this happened? How do schools, workplaces, and governments encourage dependence rather than autonomy? And what can be done to reclaim control over our time and choices?
Key Topics
What pseudo-work is and why it persists
How bureaucracy and control shape modern work culture
The shift from work as necessity to work as identity
Why predictions of reduced working hours never materialized
How education reinforces compliance rather than independence
Rethinking work, freedom, and personal agency
Dennis Nørmark challenges assumptions about work and productivity, raising questions about what it means to contribute meaningfully in a system that values busyness over results.
🗓️ Recorded February 20th, 2025. 📍 Finhan, France
📚 Connect with Dennis Nørmark
English Website: https://www.dennisnormark.com
Danish Website: https://www.dennisnormark.dk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-nørmark-speaker
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SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
58 min
February 19, 2025Manisha Snoyer | Unschooling, Community & Rethinking Education
Traditional education often fails to nurture curiosity, creativity, and deep engagement. In this episode, we explore a different path—one that is flexible, self-directed, and built around each child’s unique interests. We discuss homeschooling, unschooling, and modular education, breaking down how families can step away from rigid school structures and embrace learning that feels natural and meaningful.
Our guest, Manisha Snoyer, is an entrepreneur, educator, and founder of Modulo, a curated online community that helps homeschooling families access expert resources and support. With experience teaching over 2,000 students worldwide, running a foreign language theater school, and launching education startups like CottageClass and MasteryHour.org, Manisha is passionate about building personalized, project-driven learning environments that prioritize compassion and children’s rights.
We discuss how education can be more flexible and connected to real life, the role of community and mentorship in homeschooling, and how platforms like Modulo are making personalized learning more accessible than ever.
Join us for a conversation on rethinking education, trusting kids to learn, and creating an environment where curiosity thrives.
🗓️ Recorded February 5th, 2025. 📍 Finhan, France
📚 Learn more about Manisha Snoyer’s work:
https://modulo.app
https://www.teachyourkidspod.com
https://www.youtube.com/@TeachYourKidsWithManisha
https://www.facebook.com/teachyourkidspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/teachyourkidspod
https://x.com/teachyourkiddo
https://www.tiktok.com/@teachyourkidspodcast
https://substack.com/@manisharosesnoyer
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Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
1 hr 2 min
February 12, 2025Jessica Joelle Alexander | Danish Parenting Secrets: Raising Happy & Confident Kids
What makes Danish parenting unique, and how does it raise happy, resilient kids? In this episode, we talk with Jessica Joelle Alexander, bestselling author of The Danish Way of Parenting, about Denmark’s highly regarded child-rearing approach.
The Danish approach to raising children is shaped by principles from Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1783–1872), a Danish pastor, philosopher, and educator who emphasized personal formation ("Dannelse") as equally important as academic education ("Uddannelse").
In the second half of our conversation, we shift into the digital world, where Jessica introduces her latest project, RaisingDigitalCitizens.com. She explains how parents can foster healthy relationships with technology, build trust, and guide children in navigating the online world safely.
🗓️ Recorded January 29th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark
📚 Learn more about Jessica Joelle Alexander’s work:
🔗 Jessica Joelle Alexander
https://www.jessicajoellealexander.com
https://www.facebook.com/jessicajoellealexander
https://www.instagram.com/jessicajoellealexander
https://x.com/jessicajoelle_
🔗 Raising Digital Citizens
https://raisingdigitalcitizens.com/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Raising-Digital-Citizens/61554322417105/
https://www.instagram.com/raisingdigitalcitizens
https://www.linkedin.com/company/raising-digital-citizens/
🔗 The Danish Way
https://thedanishway.com
https://x.com/TheDanishWay
https://www.facebook.com/TheDanishWay
Send a message

Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
1 hr 29 min
February 05, 2025 Essie Richards | Breaking Free: Unschooling and Reimagining Education in the UK
How can unschooling create a safe and empowering educational path for children? In this episode, we talk with Essie Richards about her transformative journey from traditional schooling to unschooling in rural Cornwall, UK. Essie shares how her family chose this path after her son faced bullying, leading them to embrace self-directed education as a way to foster curiosity, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Our conversation delves into the principles of unschooling, focusing on its power to nurture children’s natural interests and foster stronger family connections. Essie discusses the role of respectful parenting in creating a supportive environment where children can thrive without the constraints of conventional schooling.
We also explore the practicalities of this lifestyle, from adjusting family routines to finding a community of like-minded parents, highlighting how unschooling can redefine education as a safe, fulfilling, and flexible process tailored to each child’s unique needs.
🗓️ Recorded January 27th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark

🔗 Relevant links
https://www.instagram.com/unschoolingcircle
https://www.instagram.com/essiejrichards
https://www.essierichardscoach.com
https://www.lunaragilelearningcentre.org
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Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
1 hr 2 min
January 29, 2025Sugata Mitra | How Learning Emerges Naturally Through Self-Organizing Systems
Sugata Mitra is a renowned educational researcher and innovator best known for his revolutionary "Hole in the Wall" experiment, which demonstrated the incredible capacity of children to teach themselves when provided with access to technology. A TED Prize winner and creator of the "School in the Cloud," Sugata’s work challenges traditional educational systems and advocates for self-organized and emergent learning as the future of education.
After a lighthearted opening about weather and cultural quirks, we transition to the ideas that underpin Sugata’s groundbreaking research.
The incredible story of the "Hole in the Wall" experiment, where children in a New Delhi slum mastered computer skills and explored the internet without formal teaching.
The difference between self-directed, self-organized, and self-organizing systems in education—and why it matters.
Reflections on unschooling and redefining education as self-directed learning, breaking away from rigid curricula.
The role of technology, including the rise of generative AI, and how it impacts what it means to "know" in the 21st century.
A philosophical discussion on truth, learning as an emergent phenomenon, and the importance of nonsense and unanswerable questions in human development.
Reflections on communal learning and human connection.
🗓️ Recorded January 18th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark

🔗 Relevant links
Sugata Mitra's TED Talks: Build a School in the Cloud (TED Prize Talk) and The Child-Driven Education
Hole in the Wall Project: Learn more about the famous "Hole in the Wall" experiment: Hole in the Wall Project Overview
School in the Cloud: Explore Sugata’s initiative that empowers children to self-organize and learn: School in the Cloud Website
Sugata Mitra’s Website: https://www.cevesm.com/
Sugata Mitra on X.com: https://x.com/Sugatam
Order Out of Chaos by Ilya Prigogine: The book that influenced Sugata’s thinking on self-organizing systems: Order Out of Chaos on Amazon
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Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
1 hr 8 min
January 22, 2025Dola Dasgupta | Unschooling in India: Embracing Choice and Navigating Challenges
How does homeschooling fit into India’s diverse cultural and educational landscape? In this episode, Dola Dasgupta shares her perspective on the challenges and freedoms of homeschooling and unschooling in a country where formal education is highly valued. We examine the legal uncertainties, cultural factors, and personal decisions that lead families to choose alternative education.
The conversation explores unschooling as a lifestyle focused on personal growth and curiosity, by following genuine interests—whether gaming or philosophy—families can build stronger connections and redefine education as a flexible, meaningful process tailored to their needs.
We also discuss the practical aspects of homeschooling, including career adjustments and the role of parents. Through shared experiences, we provide insights for families considering this path and highlight the impact unschooling can have on creating a more fulfilling approach to learning.
🗓️ Recorded January 18th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark

🔗 Connect with Dola Dasgupta
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dola.dasgupta.1
Dola's old blog: https://childrenmypartners.wordpress.com
Write to Dola: [email protected]
Send a message

Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
48 min
January 15, 2025Peter Gray | Rethinking Education: The Power of Play and Self-Directed Learning
Together with Peter Gray, we explored the concept of self-directed education.

Peter Gray emphasizes the importance of play and independence in children's learning.

The discussion highlights the shortcomings of the traditional school system and encourages parents to embrace unconventional educational approaches that foster curiosity and resilience in their children.

Subjects we. cover:
• Education is more than just formal schooling
• Children naturally possess curiosity and a desire to learn
• Historical contexts of education involved broader community engagement
• Modern parenting often restricts children's independence and learning opportunities
• Risky play is essential for developing confidence and problem-solving skills
• Traditional schooling is structured more for obedience than creativity
• Shift towards self-directed learning and homeschooling is gaining momentum
• Importance of community support for parents opting out of traditional education

🗓️ Recorded January 14th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark

Connect with Peter Gray
Peter Gray's blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn
Peter Gray's Website: https://www.petergray.org
Peter Gray's SubStack: https://petergray.substack.com/
Follow Peter Gray on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.gray.3572
Send a message

Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
1 hr 32 min
January 08, 2025Naomi Fisher | Changing Our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning
Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist, writer, and speaker with a focus on self-directed learning, unschooling, and child development. A mother of two, she draws on her professional expertise and firsthand parenting experiences to challenge conventional educational models and help families nurture children’s natural curiosity and autonomy.
Together, we explore self-directed learning, the nature of freedom in education, and what happens when children are trusted to follow their own interests. We talk about the impact of traditional schooling on a child’s autonomy, the challenge of parental expectations, and the importance of empowering children—at any age—to discover their true wants. Naomi also shares insights from her books and professional work with families, offering a fresh perspective on how to nurture independent, confident lifelong learners.
🗓️ Recorded January 8th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark

🔗 Connect with Naomi Fisher
Website: https://naomifisher.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnaomifisher
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomicfisher/
X.com: https://twitter.com/naomicfisher
SubStack: https://substack.com/@naomicfisher
Send a message

Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
48 min
January 01, 2025 Jacob Nordby | Embracing Change and Creative Living through Self-Discovery
Jacob Nordby grew up in a strict Christian cult, isolated and homeschooled. He’s an author, creative guide, and advocate for living authentically.

Jacob Nordby’s story is one of transformation; he shares how he found freedom and purpose by embracing vulnerability and creativity. We explore his journey through life’s crossroads, the lessons he learned about living authentically, and how he now helps others ignite their creative spark.
🗓️ Recorded December 16th, 2024. 📍The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

🔗 Connect with Jacob Nordby
Website: https://www.jacobnordby.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacobnordby/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.jacobnordby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobnordby/
Send a message

Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
53 min
December 25, 2024 Amrit Sandhu | The Power of Consistency, Meaningful Conversations, and Gratitude.
We celebrate our 100th episode by welcoming back our first guest, Amrit Sandhu, for a journey through our podcasting evolution. Reflecting on early challenges and triumphs, Amrit shares insights on how consistency and passion can elevate creative endeavors. Together, we explore meaningful conversations, inspired by "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," and discuss the balance of cherishing personal moments while sharing stories.
Our chat also delves into unschooling's potential to shape society and emphasizes gratitude's role in success. Drawing from Marianne Williamson's thoughts on love and power, we highlight the value of presence and service. Join us as we celebrate this milestone, honoring dedication, teamwork, and our listeners who inspire us to continue crafting content that uplifts and connects.

🔗 Connect with Amrit Sandhu
Coach website: https://www.amrit.coach/
Podcast website: https://inspiredevolution.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspired_evolution
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredEvolution
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InspiredEvolution

🗓️ Recorded November 26th, 2024. 📍 Krakow, Poland
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Support the show
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Podcast website: https://www.cecilieconrad.com/self-directed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
1 hr 8 min

About Self Directed

From the publisher's feed

Self Directed - A guest based podcast on Life, Learning, and Raising Free Thinkers. Hosted by Cecilie and Jesper Conrad, full-time travellers since 2018 and parents to four.