Wonderfully Human Podcast

In Season 1 of the Wonderfully Human Conversations podcast, Sarah’s and Donovan’s conversations centered on how we can create conditions for a beautiful life. In this final episode of Season 1, we discuss practical ways to support these conditions. From simply lighting a candle at mealtime to establishing rhythm to not paying a child for household chores, we have the responsibility as parents and teachers to create these conditions as best we can to provide an environment that nurtures their highest growth.

To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In last week’s episode, we touched on the importance of cultivating wonder, awe, and reverence because these feelings ripen us for inspiration, transformation, courage, strength, and can live deep within us as seeds for future. Cultivating wonder, awe, and reverence sharpen our sense for purpose and meaning in our lives, or our destiny as Rudolf Steiner refers to it.

Wonder, awe and reverence are not things that can be taught, but things we must leave space for in our daily lives. Cultivating these things in our children requires us to find them within ourselves, so we can fulfill our own purpose and give meaning to our lives, thereby contributing to the great progression of humanity.To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In this episode, Donovan and Sarah shift the focus from the children to the adults. What are we striving for in our life journey? We discuss the ideas of destiny and finding purpose and meaning in one’s life. We touch on the stages of life, biography work, and how balancing past experiences with imagination for the future can help us become more aware of our destiny. We bring up the idea of cultivating wonder, awe, and reverence in the adult’s life.

To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy, Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

How do we help our teenagers discover purpose and meaning in an increasingly distracted and self-absorbed world? In this episode, Sarah and Donovan explore why purpose can’t be handed to our children—it must be discovered through meaningful work, reflection, community, and authentic conversations. They discuss the importance of giving teens opportunities to serve others, limiting the pull of technology and social media, sharing our values without imposing them, and creating the space for young people to uncover the unique path that is truly their own.To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy, Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In Episode 8, Sarah and Donovan offer guidance and practical advice on the next step a parent can take when striving to support their child. While there is not one right answer to this question, being present, spending creative time together, and supporting them in times of struggle are steps you can take today that are simple and carry a big impact. Parents are the artists, choosing thoughtfully from the “colors, materials, and forms” available to create the conditions for their child to flourish.

To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy, Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In episode 7, Sarah and Donovan discuss resilience as not something to teach as an idea but something children must acquire along the journey. How do we offer the conditions and environments that will encourage situations where they can acquire resilience? The conversation dives into aspects of will forces, inner steadiness, the child’s temperament, confidence, and risk as we explore answers to this question.

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To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In episode 6, Sarah and Donovan offer insights and ideas for teaching and parenting children who experience anxiety. When we ask what children need, rather than what we should teach them, we help support their inner capacities for feeling safe and grounded in their body. We have the responsibility as parents and teachers to observe what each individual child needs to feel safe, healthy, and to feel a sense of belonging. We discuss using the extraordinary pedagogical tools of sleep, rhythm, working with one’s hands, and sometimes getting creative in our curriculum to help create balance in the body and mind.

To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In Part 2, Sarah Barrett and Donovan Gay continue to explore how parents and teachers can support children’s moral capacities. They discuss how stories, imagination, festivals, and meaningful experiences contribute to a child’s moral development, and they reflect on how children learn through living pictures rather than lectures, how adolescence calls for empowerment, and the steady presence of the parent and teachers as worthy of imitation.

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To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy, Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In this episode, Donovan Gay and Sarah Barrett explore how children develop character through stories, meaningful experiences, and an education that nurtures the whole human being. Together, they discuss the original vision of Waldorf education, the transformative power of storytelling, and how parents and teachers can help children grow into compassionate, thoughtful, and responsible adults.

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To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy, Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.

In this episode, Sarah Barrett and Donovan Gay explore what it really means to be “gifted,” why every child has multiple gifts, and how parents can create the conditions for those gifts to emerge. Together, they discuss the importance of keeping childhood full of exploration, resisting the urge to label children too early, and preparing them for a future filled with possibilities.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, this conversation will encourage you to see your child with fresh eyes—and perhaps discover gifts you hadn’t noticed before.

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To learn more about Waldorf education and what we are doing to further the movement of an educational approach that develops the whole child, “head, heart, and hands”, visit us at Waldorf Ways and Lotus & Ivy, Waldorf-Inspired Virtual Classes.

Read Donovan’s and Sarah’s bios here.