Self Directed

What if your child could thrive outside the traditional school system, learning self-direction and social skills through play and exploration? Peter Gray is such a clear voice regarding understanding the power of unschooling and playing as a tool for learning. As a long-time researcher of learning, Peter knows what he talks about. His blog, Freedom to Learn, is an excellent resource for all parents, and his articles are among the ones I see myself sharing repeatedly. We have for a long time wanted to talk with Peter and are happy to here share with you our dialogue with him. In our conversation with Peter Gray, we discuss the challenges of finding a social life for homeschooled children, especially in Europe. Peter shares his insights on the importance of age-mixed groups, the history of childhood, and the difficulties modern families face in building a community for their kids. Libraries and after-school play programs present unique opportunities for homeschooled children to socialize and grow. Peter's research on libraries as social hubs for kids reveals that many institutions even cater specifically to homeschooling families. We also discuss Let Grow, a nonprofit working with schools to provide after-school play, and compare European school systems with their emphasis on balance between education and playtime. Reimagining education means rethinking the adult role in children's lives. We dive into the concept of "No Rules School" in New Zealand and the surprising benefits of minimal adult intervention, such as reduced bullying and increased empathy. ‘ Peter also shares his thoughts on how homeschooling and self-directed education can offer solutions for improving the current school system. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation with Peter Gray, as we explore the potential for a brighter future in education. About Dr. Peter Gray Dr. Peter Gray is a highly regarded researcher, psychologist, and advocate for the unschooling movement. He is best known for his book "Free to Learn," which explores the benefits of self-directed learning and the drawbacks of traditional schooling. As a professor of psychology at Boston College, Dr. Gray has spent his career studying how children learn and develop. He is particularly interested in the role of play in children's education and has written extensively on the subject. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Gray is a vocal advocate for unschooling, an educational approach emphasizing learner autonomy and self-directed learning. He believes that children learn best when allowed to pursue their interests and passions rather than being forced to conform to a standardized curriculum. Through his research and advocacy, Dr. Gray has become a leading voice in the unschooling movement, inspiring parents and educators alike to rethink traditional approaches to education and embrace more child-centered, individualized learning experiences.

Have you ever wondered about the challenges and rewards of homeschooling your children? Join us as we sit down with Jae Williams, the founder of Black Dad's Journey, to discuss his inspiring transition from being a teacher to becoming a homeschool dad. Jae shares his passion for education, as well as his struggles and successes as a stay-at-home parent. We explore the importance of building connections, finding the balance between passion and parenting, and the potential benefits of unschooling. Jae opens up about his experiences in traditional education and how they shaped his decision to homeschool his daughter. His journey is a powerful reminder of the impact we can have on our children's lives as educators and parents. After years of teaching in the classroom, Jae realized the flaws of how we school. Now he is an unschooling dad chronicling his journey on YouTube and Instagram. In his videos, he shares his thoughts on unschooling. He discusses some complex parenting topics, like being a stay-at-home dad, deschooling, setting boundaries in relationships, and building strong relationships with his children. Black Dad hopes that sharing details of his unschooling life will help others in their journey. In this captivating conversation, we also delve into the challenges of giving up a corporate job to become a stay-at-home parent and how to create your own value and recognition. With Jae’s guidance, discover how to bring passion and creativity back to the classroom, whether in a traditional school setting or the comfort of your home. Don't miss this insightful episode that will leave you questioning the status quo and inspired to explore new educational possibilities. See show notes at TheConrad.Family/SelfDirected5 🗓️ Recorded October 6th, 2022. 📍Páramo del Sil, Spain Connect with Jae Williams aka Black Dad Subscribe to his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/blackdad Follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlackDadJourney Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdadjourney

Have you ever considered what your life would look like if you abandoned societal norms and embraced a life of travel and unconventional learning? Lainie Liberti, did just that - and her journey will inspire you to reimagine your own path. From changing her name on her 40th birthday to adopting the world schooling lifestyle, Lainies story is a testament to the power of living life on your own terms. We have known Lainie since before we took our first long road trip. We had a newborn baby and planned to drive through Europe for three months, In a small car with four kids; the youngest was just four months. I remember how insecure we felt, and the need to find like-minded was big - so we were very happy when we got to know Lainie through her first Facebook group - way back when. The Baby in question, Fjord, is now 11 years old and has been full-time-traveling more than half his life. Join us as we discuss Lainie’s transition from traditional public school education to a free-flowing learning approach with her son and how her experiences have shaped her parenting and self-discovery journey. We delve into the importance of community support in the world schooling movement, sharing insights and advice from our own experiences and those of others in our global network. But it's not all smooth sailing. We also tackle the tough subject of facing fears and emotions head-on for personal growth. Discover how Lainie processes her fears and learns to separate thought from belief using powerful tools like Byron Katie's "The Work." Our conversation will reveal how embracing emotions and developing inner strength can ultimately lead to becoming the best possible parent and partner in our children's learning journeys. The first time we met Lainie face to face was in 2019 in Granada - a true blessing. Lainie was among those who inspired us to roam the earth. So here she is, and we hope she will inspire you as well :) If you've ever felt the tug of your inner adventurer, this episode is for you.

Can you imagine the profound impact of searching for meaning in the midst of a life crisis? Join us as we speak with Jeremy Lent, author of "The Patterning Instinct" and "The Web of Meaning," about his personal journey of enlightenment and understanding. I met Jeremy when I worked as Interim CEO for the NGO Gaia Education. I was introduced to Jeremy through a fellow friend Daniel Christian Wahl, whom I also met through Gaia Education. After my first meeting with Jeremy, I was left with a feeling of being humble. Here I was, in the room with a great thinker with a mind you want to dive into. I can listen to Jeremy talk for hours. The result of the meeting ended on a professional level with becoming a new Gaia Education program - and I knew I wanted more time together with Jeremy. So when we started our podcast, Jeremy was among the first people I wanted us to talk to. I can highly recommend his books: "The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity’s Search for Meaning" and "The Web of Meaning: Integrating Science and Traditional Wisdom to Find Our Place in the Universe." They are profound and deep and leave you with several aha moments. To me, one of the thoughts that affected me most strongly was his comment that: "The first thing that humans domesticated was themselves"... In this podcast episode we explore the evolution of meaning-making in human history, the consequences of living in a disconnected society, and the power of love, kindness, and transformation in promoting change and healing. We dive into the cognitive shifts that occurred as humans transitioned from a nomadic hunter-gatherer existence to a more sedentary agricultural lifestyle and discuss the importance of connectedness, community, and kindness in finding meaning in our lives. As we discuss the implications of the ecological crisis on our civilization, Jeremy shares his insights on hope for a better future and how to begin healing from the deep-rooted conditioning we experience from a young age. Finally, we explore the Deep Transformation Network and the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and choices as we strive for a more connected and meaningful existence. This episode is an insightful and inspiring exploration of the search for meaning, the power of kindness, and the potential for profound personal and societal transformation. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from Jeremy Lent's wisdom and experiences. About Jeremy Lent Jeremy Lent is a writer, speaker, and thought leader who explores the deep cultural and psychological roots of our global systemic crises. He is the founder and president of the nonprofit Liology Institute, which promotes a worldview that integrates scientific understanding with indigenous wisdom and spiritual insight. In addition, he has co-created the Deep Transformation Network, a community of thought leaders and change-makers committed to creating a more sustainable and regenerative future. Lent is also an accomplished speaker and has presented his ideas at venues such as the United Nations, the Harvard Divinity School, and the Stockholm Resilience Center. He is a sought-after thought leader in the fields of sustainability, social justice, and consciousness. Lent's work challenges us to re-examine our basic assumptions about the world and our place in it and to develop a more holistic and integrated understanding of our relationship to the natural world and to each other. Overall, Jeremy Lent's work offers a compelling and nuanced perspective on the challenges facing our world today and provides a roadmap for creating a more sustainable, just, and compassionate future.

What if you could completely transform your perspective on learning and parenting? In this fascinating episode, we were thrilled to chat with our dear friend Erika Davis-Pitre, whom we met at the World School Summit in Granada in 2019. Erika is one of those people you cannot help to fall in love with. Her smile and presence make you want to listen to her - and if you can make her laugh - it feels a little like when the sun shines. Erika not only helped Cecilia realize that she was a radical unschooler but also changed her entire approach to education and raising children. After a talk with Erika, you feel stronger and more clear on why you do what you do - Erika is one of the people who have taught us most about what it means to be an unschooling parent and what the benefits are for the parents. Together, we explore the concept of unschooling as an identifier rather than a definer and delve into the importance of principles over rules. We discuss how unschooling means leaving the idea of physical school behind and embracing learning all the time, at all times, without any set of circumstances to define one's learning. Erika shares her unique perspective on radical unschooling and the crucial role it plays in maintaining our humanity in a world that often strips it away from us. Join us as we examine the incredible benefits of radical unschooling for families, relationships, and personal growth. We dive into the importance of multi-generational, multi-age groups in learning and the freedom that unschooling provides in finding our individual contributions to the world. Erika's inspiring story is a testament to the power of unschooling and the joy of self-discovery that it brings into people's lives. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that could change the way you approach learning and life. About Erika: Erika Davis-Pitre and her husband, Michael, are proud parents of four children - a daughter and three sons. They are also blessed with two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and several grandchildren. Erika serves as a Board Member and Co-President of HSC, one of California's largest homeschooling organizations. She recently added another feather to her cap by becoming the owner of GameSchoolCon, a family conference that celebrates games of all kinds and is held in Southern California. Erika is a sought-after speaker in the homeschooling community and has presented at numerous conferences and workshops across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. She particularly enjoys discussing unschooling and its benefits, especially for teens. She is passionate about sharing the joy of unschooling and promoting diversity through this education style.

What if you could uncover your unique strength or "medicine" and use it to create a purposeful and fulfilling life? Join us as we chat with Amrit Sandhu, the host of the popular Inspired Evolution podcast, who shares his journey of self-discovery and how he's helped others do the same. Searching for a deeper meaning than just working 9-5 and having a “normal weekend,” Amrit started to host talks in his living room, inviting people to talk on subjects of personal development. The talks grew in popularity, and Amrit began to produce the podcast 'Inspired Evolution.' Now more than 250 episodes later, Amrit is a world-renowned speaker and coach. His podcast features interviews with the world’s greatest thinkers, minds, hearts, and spiritual leaders dedicated to self-improvement and personal development. In our conversation, we delve into the importance of aligning your life with your core values and the profound impact having a supportive person in your corner can make. Hear how Amrit's journey with Inspired Evolution has led to countless connections and insights, including a powerful encounter with Marianne Williamson and the concept of spiritual entrepreneurship. We also explore some of the most inspiring lessons Amrit has learned through his more than 250 incredible podcast episodes. We wrap up by discussing the power of consistency, mindset, and resilience in personal development and how overcoming challenges can lead to our greatest gifts. Learn about the delicate balance between ego and soul and how embracing humility can help guide us on our life path. Don't miss this treasure trove of inspiration that will empower you to positively impact the world around you.