Meryl Danziger, founder of Music House and author of Sing It! A Biography of Pete Seeger, has redefined music education through curiosity-driven exploration. With a Master’s in Music from Goddard College and a career as a professional violinist, she focuses on helping children connect with music in personal and meaningful ways. Her unique approach emphasizes freedom, creativity, and the intrinsic joy of musical discovery.Together, we explore the deep connections between self-directed learning...
Traditional schooling isn't the only path to socialization for children. In this conversation with Rebecca, we explore how homeschooling and unschooling empower families to build communities that align with their values.We discuss how these approaches encourage children to form meaningful, inclusive social networks across diverse age groups. Our talk delves into neighborhood dynamics and the idea of intentional living as an alternative to traditional setups.Rebecca shares her perspective on h...
What happens when you step outside traditional education to empower teenagers to discover their true selves? In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Marta to explore her journey into unschooling and its profound impact on her children and family. We go into how alternative education fosters individuality, emotional resilience, and self-expression in teens, offering a striking contrast to conventional schooling and how unschooling helps raise confident, self-assured teens.Together, we d...
In this episode, Cecilie & Jesper Conrad sit down with Rebecca Jean-Charles to explore the concept of Edugenic Harm—how traditional education systems inadvertently harm children by normalizing control, disconnection, and compliance. Through personal stories and reflections, we unpacks our journeys from the conventional school system to homeschooling and unschooling.Edugenic Harm refers to the subtle, systemic ways in which traditional schooling undermines children's autonomy, emotional we...
Marta Obiols Llistar, a former teacher, explains why she left the traditional classroom to embrace unschooling. Marta shares how John Holt's philosophy reshaped her parenting and life, from rejecting rigid educational systems to trusting her children’s natural ability to learn. We discuss the challenges of unlearning as a teacher, building deep family connections, and thriving outside conventional education.As an unschooling advocate and author of 18, Marta shares personal stories that amplif...
Charlotte Addison is among our favorite people: A fellow traveler, unschooler, and someone with whom we have co-lived for an extended period and more to come. Together with Charlotte, we delve into how unschooling and lifelong learning can redefine educational choices and personal growth. We challenge the idea that formal qualifications are the only markers of success. Instead, passion and real-world experiences can unlock doors to opportunities often reserved for those with degrees. Thi...
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Michael Greger, the best-selling author of How Not to Die and How Not to Age, who has revolutionized our understanding of nutrition and longevity. Dr. Greger dives into the transformative journey that led him to lifestyle medicine, inspired by his grandmother’s miraculous health recovery. He shares actionable tips for extending both lifespan and healthspan through plant-based nutrition, tackling chronic diseases, and making empowered health choices. Highlights ...
In this episode, Christie Ogden shares her remarkable journey of embracing world schooling and creating a life of freedom and adventure for her family. As a single mother of six, Christie boldly moved her children from Canada to the Dominican Republic, transforming a challenging situation into an empowering opportunity. Her story is filled with resilience, creativity, and a commitment to living on her terms.Christie discusses the highs and lows of nomadic living, from living in a converted sc...
In this final episode of the current "Da Ladies" series, 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 ...
"The amount of uncertainty you can hold is the amount of freedom you have." - Carla Martinez.We met Carla and David at the Worldscchool Summit in 2019. So many friendships formed. It was life-changing. In this episode, we talk with Carla and David, who share their unique journey of nomadic living. From their first transformative experience at the World School Summit in Granada to establishing a vibrant Spanish-speaking community, Carla and David opens up about the joys and challenges of livi...
Louisa Andrea is a retreat host, educator, and worldschooling advocate based in Egypt. She specializes in creating transformative experiences for families and teens, blending education, conservation, and cultural immersion on Egypt's Red Sea coast while drawing on her mindfulness, spiritual coaching, and energy work background.In this episode, we talk with Louisa Andrea about her move from the UK and Cyprus to Egypt, where she has built a life focused on education and adventure for families a...
Jack Stewart is a grown-up homeschooler who now homeschools his kids. We met Jack at HEFF in 2024 and enjoyed talking with him. This is our second episode with Jack, and you should consider starting with the first episode we recorded together. In this episode, we sit down with Jack Stewart to discuss how technology affects our daily lives and how setting boundaries around internet use can improve emotional well-being. Jack introduces the idea of technology as a "social appetite suppressa...
Jack Stewart is a grown-up homeschooler. We explore how self-paced learning has shaped his social life and personal development. Jack’s upbringing was guided by his mother’s approach to homeschooling, which fostered meaningful friendships and an entrepreneurial spirit that set the stage for his success. These early experiences of forming deep connections outside traditional settings have carried through to his adult life.Jack also shares his thoughts on the balance between structured activiti...
Erin Loechner is a writer, speaker, and the founder of The Opt-Out Family, a movement dedicated to helping families reduce screen time and foster deeper connections. She is the author of The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t, a guide offering practical strategies to reclaim family life from the grip of technology. Erin's other books include Chasing Slow, a memoir about embracing mindfulness. A former social media influencer, Erin now lives a low-tech lifestyle with h...
Shannon Hayes is a sustainable farmer, author, and chef from Sap Bush Hollow Farm in Upstate New York, where she and her family raise grass-fed livestock using regenerative agriculture. In addition to managing the family farm and café, Shannon homeschools her children and explores themes of slow living, sustainability, and joyful living in her writings and podcast.In this episode, Shannon shares her unique perspective on balancing family life, homeschooling, and running a farm while reflectin...
Lily Nichols is a renowned dietitian and best-selling author, an expert in prenatal nutrition, and advocates for real food and evidence-based approaches that empower parents to take control of their health.We explore the critical link between a mother's metabolic health during pregnancy and her child's long-term wellness, including the irreplaceable role of long-term breastfeeding.Are you struggling with blood sugar spikes and persistent cravings? Learn how a protein-rich breakfast can set th...
Marc Wallert is a resilience expert, keynote speaker, and author best known for surviving a 140-day hostage ordeal in the Philippine jungle in 2000. Drawing on this life-changing experience, he helps individuals and organizations build resilience and thrive through crises. Marc shares insights on leadership, mental strength, and stress management through his keynotes and his book, "Strength Through Crises," where he emphasizes the power of acceptance and optimism in overcoming challenges(Mar...
Rob Brinded is an experienced performance coach and healer specializing in the intricate connections between the mind, body, and spirit. With a background in elite sports, including football, ballet, and combat sports, Rob developed a unique approach to injury prevention and rehabilitation, focusing on the holistic integration of physical and emotional health. Over the past 25 years, he has explored how thoughts and emotions influence physical well-being, leading to his innovative energy medi...
In 2023, we spent a month at a castle in Normandy with over 30 other worldschooling families. There, we met Katia Dimova, the founder of Chateau Co-Living. We spend many long nights talking, laughing, sharing moments, and creating friendships. Katia founded Chateau Coliving, where she combines her passions for travel, history, and community. Originally from Bulgaria, she has lived in over 50 countries, often alongside her partner Emmanuel and their rescue cat Gipsy. Katia's journey has i...
Ken Honda is a renowned Japanese author and speaker celebrated for his personal finance and happiness expertise. Known as the "Zen Millionaire," he combines Eastern philosophies with practical financial advice to help individuals find peace and abundance. Ken has written over 50 books, including the bestseller "Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money," which explores transforming one's emotional relationship with money into a source of joy. His latest book, "True Wealth,...