Traditional education is built on judgment—constantly measuring children’s progress against rigid standards. Unschooling offers a different path, one that values curiosity over evaluation. In this episode, Cecilie Conrad, Sue Elvis, and Sandra Dodd discuss why letting go of expectations leads to deeper, more natural learning.

Reading becomes a key theme, as they challenge the idea that children must read by a certain age. Cecilie shares how her son resisted reading until fourteen, only to become an avid reader once the pressure was gone. Sandra and Sue add their own stories, showing how literacy develops when children are given space and trust.

Repetition in learning also comes up—whether it’s rewatching movies, rereading books, or replaying games. What looks like stagnation is often mastery in progress. The conversation extends to Shakespeare, storytelling, and the power of learning through real experiences rather than forced instruction.

Unschooling isn’t about avoiding education—it’s about trusting that learning happens everywhere. This episode is a reminder that children thrive when given the freedom to explore life on their own terms.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Sandra Dodd’s Website: SandraDodd.com – Explore Sandra’s favorite unschooling definitions and in-depth discussions.
• Sue Elvis’ Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family – Practical advice and insights into Sue’s unschooling journey.
• Cecilie Conrad’s Website: CecilieConrad.com – Learn about Cecilie’s experiences with unschooling, worldschooling, and a life of freedom and curiosity.

🗓️ Recorded December 16, 2024. 📍  Whityham, United Kingdom

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

How do children learn math without lessons, textbooks, or worksheets?

Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis, and Cecilie Conrad talk about the ways kids pick up mathematical thinking—through games, shared meals, money management, and real-world problem-solving.

They discuss what happens when learning is driven by curiosity rather than instruction, sharing stories of children who mastered math in unexpected ways. Their experiences with unschooling reveal how learning develops naturally, often outside the structures designed to teach it.

Meanwhile, schools—with their insistence on rigid, standardized learning—often disconnect children from their natural curiosity, sometimes to the point where they avoid learning altogether after being pushed too hard.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Sandra Dodd’s Website: SandraDodd.com – Explore Sandra’s favorite unschooling definitions and in-depth discussions.
• Sue Elvis’ Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family – Practical advice and insights into Sue’s unschooling journey.
• Cecilie Conrad’s Website: CecilieConrad.com – Learn about Cecilie’s experiences with unschooling, worldschooling, and a life of freedom and curiosity.
• Connections: Connect the Dots: https://sandradodd.com/connections/
• How Elvis Appears to Unschoolers: https://sandradodd.com/dot/elvis.html 

🗓️ Recorded December 5, 2024. 📍  Whityham, United Kingdom

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

What is unschooling? What is it not? And why defining it is so difficult? Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis and Cecilie Conrad explore how unschooling is not just about rejecting school but fundamentally shifting how families approach learning, trust, and daily life.

Sandra shares her decades of experience and the challenge of explaining unschooling in simple terms, emphasizing that true understanding takes time. Sue reflects on her evolution from believing unschooling meant being hands-off to realizing the importance of parental engagement and invitations. Cecilie challenges the assumption that learning must be the goal, arguing instead that curiosity, passion, and necessity drive real education.

The conversation moves beyond definitions into the practical realities of unschooling—how parents create environments where natural learning happens, how families navigate the uncertainty of non-traditional education, and why the success of unschooling isn’t measured by standardized academic milestones but by confidence, curiosity, and strong relationships. They also tackle the common fear: Will unschooling work? And, just as importantly, Is sending a child to school actually the bigger risk?

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Sandra Dodd’s Website: SandraDodd.com – Explore Sandra’s favorite unschooling definitions and in-depth discussions.
• Sue Elvis’ Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family – Practical advice and insights into Sue’s unschooling journey.
• Cecilie Conrad’s Website: CecilieConrad.com – Learn about Cecilie’s experiences with unschooling, worldschooling, and a life of freedom and curiosity.

🗓️ Recorded November 28, 2024. 📍  Krakow, Poland

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

What if education wasn’t confined to classrooms but instead flourished naturally through life’s experiences?

In this episode of Ladies Fixing the World, renowned unschooling pioneers Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis join Cecilie Conrad to redefine what learning can look like. We explore the philosophy and practicalities of unschooling—where curiosity, trust, and relationships replace rigid curricula.

Sandra shares her journey to define unschooling, describing it as "creating and maintaining an atmosphere where natural learning can flourish." Sue emphasizes the importance of embracing time with children, noting, "We can't go back and reclaim those hours as our kids grow up."

The conversation highlights:

• How unschooling fosters curiosity and resilience.
• The critical balance between freedom and guidance.
• The transformative impact of unschooling on both children and parents.

Through personal stories, we showcase unschooling as a lifestyle that prioritizes connection, flexibility, and natural growth—education as a joyful byproduct of living fully.

Quotes from the Episode:

• Sandra Dodd: “Unschooling is creating and maintaining an atmosphere where natural learning can flourish.”
• Sue Elvis: “We can’t go back and reclaim all those hours if we don’t take advantage of them as our kids are growing up.”
• Cecilie Conrad: “Learning is a byproduct of living with enthusiasm and curiosity.”

Links & Resources:

• Sandra Dodd’s Website: SandraDodd.com – Explore Sandra’s favorite unschooling definitions and in-depth discussions.
• Sue Elvis’ Blog: Stories of an Unschooling Family – Practical advice and insights into Sue’s unschooling journey.
• Cecilie Conrad’s Website: CecilieConrad.com – Learn about Cecilie’s experiences with unschooling, worldschooling, and a life of freedom and curiosity.

Sandra Dodds specific links for this episode

• Definitions of Unschooling
  https://sandradodd.com/unschool/definition
• What is Unschooling?
  https://sandradodd.com/definitions
• Origin of the term "Unschooling"
  https://sandradodd.com/unschool/theterm
• Is unschooling too big a gamble
  https://justaddlightandstir.blogspot.com/2011/01/is-unschooling-too-big-gamble.html

Recorded: November 6, 2024, Krakow, Poland

This episode delves into the responsibilities of unschooling, contrasts it with traditional schooling, and celebrates the freedom it offers. Whether you’re curious about alternative education or looking for inspiration to rethink your approach, this conversation invites you to imagine a learning journey led by love, trust, and curiosity.

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

In this final episode of the first season of "Da Ladies", 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 ▬

• Cecilie Conrad: https://CecilieConrad.com
• Luna Maj Vestergaard: https://altomunschooling.dk
• Carla Martinez: https://planetaworldschool.com
• Sara Beale: https://www.renegademum.com

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

Can the question "Does unschooling work?" be inherently flawed?

Join us in Episode 11 of Da Ladies Fixing the World as we challenge conventional thinking and explore the philosophy of unschooling. We examine societal pressures and the need for validation that often accompany this question and provide insights from various unschooling and homeschooling communities.

By exploring parental concerns and celebrating their triumphs, we underscore the importance of focusing on individual growth and happiness over performative success. We also redefine what it means for education to "work" by contrasting the rigid outcomes of traditional schooling with the fluid, adaptable nature of unschooling. Using the metaphor of coffee, we highlight the importance of natural growth and learning without predefined checklists.

Discover how unschooling fosters problem-solving skills and unique learning journeys, allowing children to thrive in a more open and supportive environment.

The episode concludes with thoughtful reflections on human experience, judgment, and the flexibility required in parenting and education. 

🗓️ Recorded June 7th, 2024. 📍 At  Åmarksgård, Lille Skendsved, Denmark

 ▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

• Cecilie Conrad: https://CecilieConrad.com
• Luna Maj Vestergaard: https://altomunschooling.dk
• Carla Martinez: https://planetaworldschool.com
• Sara Beale: https://www.renegademum.com

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

In this episode, we explore the balance between personal freedom and societal expectations in unschooling. We discuss the Danish homeschool union, revealing the paradox anarchists face when complying with formal requirements. We also discuss how unschoolers can maintain freedom while fulfilling the need to belong within a community.

Our conversation delves into the psychological aspects of compliance and the desire for state approval, encouraging reflection on how this mindset influences self-directed living.

Tune in for insights on maintaining autonomy amidst societal constraints.

🗓️ Recorded June 7th, 2024. 📍 At  Åmarksgård, Lille Skendsved, Denmark

 ▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

• Cecilie Conrad: https://CecilieConrad.com
• Luna Maj Vestergaard: https://altomunschooling.dk
• Carla Martinez: https://planetaworldschool.com
• Sara Beale: https://www.renegademum.com

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

Join us as we dive into parenting conflicts and discover how embracing disagreements can strengthen family bonds. We share our insights on handling conflicts, especially within unschooling and conscious parenting.

We discuss Luna's journey toward a conflict-free home, proving that avoiding conflicts doesn't mean suppressing emotions. Sarah challenges the myth that attachment parenting leads to perfectly well-behaved children, revealing the real dynamics behind it.

We discuss traditional authoritative parenting versus collaborative approaches, showing how mutual respect and shared responsibility can turn conflicts into valuable discussions. From room disputes to shared spaces, we offer practical examples of reframing disagreements as conflicts of interest, preventing power struggles.

Together, we highlight the importance of empathy, communication, and understanding different perspectives and share creative strategies for managing conflicts, involving children in solution-finding processes, and embracing differing viewpoints.

Tune in to learn how to navigate disagreements with love, patience, and fairness and empower your family to grow stronger through the art of conflict resolution.

🗓️ Recorded May 20th, 2024. 📍 Luxembourg

 ▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

• Cecilie Conrad: https://CecilieConrad.com
• Luna Maj Vestergaard: https://altomunschooling.dk
• Carla Martinez: https://planetaworldschool.com
• Sara Beale: https://www.renegademum.com

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

Watching my children one lazy afternoon, unburdened by timetables and homework, I was struck by their innate curiosity. We embrace and celebrate this very authenticity in our little ones in our latest podcast episode. With my fellow wise women Carla, Sarah, and Luna, we weave a conversation around the unschooling movement—a radical shift from traditional education that nurtures a child’s natural inclination towards learning. We delve into the essence of childhood, free from the assembly line of conventional schooling, where learning rhythms are as unique as each child.

Unschooling isn't just an educational choice but a lifestyle reverberating through family dynamics and community interactions. In this podcast, we illustrate the profound autonomy that unschooling can cultivate. Beyond the freedom from a Monday-to-Friday schedule, unschooling challenges us to realign our perspective on what growth and development truly mean—recognizing the inherent brilliance in every child. We explore the societal implications of this shift, envisioning a future where each learning journey's uniqueness is respected and cherished.

Yet, this path is not without its obstacles. The art of unschooling requires parents to shed layers of ingrained educational paradigms—a process we refer to as 'deschooling'. Our discussion touches on the challenges of navigating family life when traditional parenting scripts are set aside. From redefining 'talking back' to simply 'talking' to the deep bonds formed through natural authority, we share our experiences of reshaping family dynamics. As we wrap up our episode, we leave our listeners contemplating the diversity within the unschooling community, encouraging a future of education crafted through trust, autonomy, and the individual brilliance of each child.

🗓️ Recorded March 30th, 2024. 📍@ The Lovetts, Fresno, California, United States

 ▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

• Cecilie Conrad: https://CecilieConrad.com
• Luna Maj Vestergaard: https://altomunschooling.dk
• Carla Martinez: https://planetaworldschool.com
• Sara Beale: https://www.renegademum.com

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.

We explore practical strategies for nurturing our children's natural curiosity and love of learning. Together with my three friends—Sarah Bealel, Carla Martinez, and Luna Maj Vestergaard, we get hands-on, shedding light on how unschooling unfolds in daily life. 

We share insights into how children learn to read without formal lessons and discuss parents' vital role as facilitators rather than traditional teachers, providing an environment rich with opportunities for self-directed learning.

Listen in as we examine the evolving landscape of children's education, from the significance of play in early childhood to the transition towards more structured pursuits as they grow. We reflect on how our roles as parents adapt to support our kids' changing needs and learning styles. 

Discover how embracing flexibility and trust in the unschooling process allows for diverse learning experiences, from gaming and travel to real-world projects that teach traditional subjects like world history and mathematics in unconventional yet profoundly effective ways.

We celebrate the personalized educational paths unschooled children take. Acknowledge the self-directed nature of their learning, which empowers them to make choices that align with their life goals and interests. 

Whether your child is drawn to academic subjects or alternative pursuits, this episode reassures you that unschooling is about respecting each child's unique journey, encouraging their innate capacity for reflection, and supporting them as they navigate their way through the rich landscape of knowledge and skills they choose to explore.

🗓️ Recorded February 2nd, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico

 ▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

• Cecilie Conrad: https://CecilieConrad.com
• Luna Maj Vestergaard: https://altomunschooling.dk
• Carla Martinez: https://planetaworldschool.com
• Sara Beale: https://www.renegademum.com

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In season two of The Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling advocates Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle.