Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Curiosity, Flexibility, and Trust

PodcastsUnschooling
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I’m a Lady Fixing the World!Cecilie Conrad kindly invited me to join her and Sandra Dodd for Season 2 of her podcastThe Ladies Fixing the World. We recorded our first unschooling conversation together in November 2024 before life got extra-busy with Christmas, and it has just gone live!

The audio version

Here’s the audio version:

You can also listen via your favourite podcast app. 

The Video Version

If prefer watching, you can see us on YouTube:

The Show Notes

Here’s the podcast description (which I stole from Cecilie’s website).


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

In this episode of The 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 Dodds specific links for this episode

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.

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.

Tune in for lively conversations, fresh perspectives, and practical insights into the transformative power of unschooling and self-directed learning, spotlighting real-life stories and bold visions for a more curious, empowered future.

In The Ladies Fixing the World, unschooling mothers come together to explore all things unschooling. Hosted by Cecilie Conrad, each season features a handpicked team of inspiring mothers who share their experiences and insights.

Why I’m Excited

Cecilie, Sandra and I are meeting again this month to record episode 7. Yes, we’ve already had six wonderful conversations together which will be published over the next few months. I’m very excited because I’m going to get the pleasure of Cecilie’s and Sandra’s company every couple of weeks or so for the whole of 2025. Lots of future episodes of TheLadies Fixing the World to enjoy!

So, I hope you’ll listen to our first conversation together and subscribe to the podcast so you get to hear about episodes as they’re published.

What Do You Think?

If you listen or watch S2 E1, why not stop by and share your thoughts?


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