Conversations about parenting, unschooling, full-time traveling, and living a self-directed life. Hosts Cecilie and Jesper Conrad, full-time travelers since 201...
106: 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 linkshttps://www.instagram.com/unschoolingcirclehttps://www.instagram.com/essiejrichardshttps://www.essierichardscoach.comhttps://www.lunaragilelearningcentre.orgSend us a text Support the showPODCAST INFOPodcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss SUPPORT & CONNECTSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.familyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily
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105: Sugata 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 linksSugata Mitra's TED Talks: Build a School in the Cloud (TED Prize Talk) and The Child-Driven EducationHole in the Wall Project: Learn more about the famous "Hole in the Wall" experiment: Hole in the Wall Project OverviewSchool in the Cloud: Explore Sugata’s initiative that empowers children to self-organize and learn: School in the Cloud WebsiteSugata Mitra’s Website: https://www.cevesm.com/ Sugata Mitra on X.com: https://x.com/SugatamOrder Out of Chaos by Ilya Prigogine: The book that influenced Sugata’s thinking on self-organizing systems: Order Out of Chaos on AmazonSend us a text Support the showPODCAST INFOPodcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss SUPPORT & CONNECTSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.familyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily
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104: Dola 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 DasguptaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dola.dasgupta.1Dola's old blog: https://childrenmypartners.wordpress.comWrite to Dola: [email protected] Send us a text Support the showPODCAST INFOPodcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss SUPPORT & CONNECTSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.familyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily
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103: Peter 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, DenmarkConnect with Peter GrayPeter Gray's blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learnPeter Gray's Website: https://www.petergray.orgPeter Gray's SubStack: https://petergray.substack.com/ Follow Peter Gray on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.gray.3572 Send us a text Support the showPODCAST INFOPodcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss SUPPORT & CONNECTSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.familyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily
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102: Naomi 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 FisherWebsite: 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 us a text Support the showPODCAST INFOPodcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss SUPPORT & CONNECTSupport on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.familyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamilyTwitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily
Conversations about parenting, unschooling, full-time traveling, and living a self-directed life. Hosts Cecilie and Jesper Conrad, full-time travelers since 2018 and parents of four, invite a new guest on the podcast every Thursday.