23 June 2017

My Unschooling Podcast Adventure

Almost three years ago, I recorded my first podcast. For a few hours, I was very excited about what I’d produced. But then a short time later, I almost deleted the episode. I’m glad I didn’t because I know if I had, I probably wouldn’t have continued on and made 100 episodes.

Yes, I have arrived at Episode 100. That feels like a huge achievement.

I’ve been wondering about the future of my podcast. Is it better to stop now? 100 is such a nice round number. Or should I make more episodes?

After receiving some very encouraging comments on my (deleted) Facebook page, I’ve decided to keep podcasting. As long as people want to listen and I can produce something worth listening to, I’m happy to make new episodes.

Something worth listening to? On Wednesday afternoon, I plugged in my mic and recorded Episode 100, but I knew my words were flat and uninspired. After trying for an hour to produce something worth uploading to the Internet, I gave up.

Later, my girls asked me, “How did your podcast go, Mum?”

“I couldn’t think of anything interesting to say. Perhaps I’ve said it all.”

“You could say it all again,” suggested Gemma-Rose.

“I can’t do that,” I protested.

Gemma-Rose ignored my words and said, “What was episode 4 called?”

I had a look and then said, “Exciting Times, Slow Times, and Unschool Holidays.”

“Record that episode again,” said my youngest daughter.

“I can’t do that!”

“No one will know. You made that episode years ago!”

“But what if someone has listened to all my podcasts? What if someone remembers?”

I wondered: How many people have listened to every single one of my podcasts? (Anyone who has listened to everything I have created deserves an award!) I also wondered what episode 4 is like. Is it as bad as I imagine?

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On Thursday afternoon, I plugged in my mic to rerecord episode 100. Did I make an updated version of episode 4? Or did I manage to find something new to talk about? I hope you’ll listen to find out! (The show notes will give you a hint of what I actually said!)

Show Notes

Blog posts

Why We Have to Take Risks

I Am a Pirate King!

Podcast

Episode 4: Exciting Times, Slow Times, and Unschool Holidays

Writing

Camp NaNoWriMo

Graphics

Adobe Spark

Podcast Music

Twombly by Podington Bear(CC BY-NC 3.0)

A few days ago, I put together an animation to mark my 100 podcast episode. It’s very short. I hope you’ll take a look!


Images: I took these photos while we were filming my daughter Imogen’s latest music video.


So I’m wondering if you have listened to all my podcasts. And do you like Gilbert and Sullivan? Or writing? Perhaps you’re going to do Camp NaNoWriMo too!

Sue Elvis

I'm an Australian blogger, podcaster, and Youtuber. I write and speak about unschooling, parenting and family life. I'm also the author of the unschooling books 'Curious Unschoolers', 'Radical Unschool Love' and ‘The Unschool Challenge’. You'll find them on Amazon!

4 Comments

  1. TOO FUNNY, Sue! It is 1:44 pm CST (central U.S.) time. I just did a search for “unschooling podcast”, and this post (this EXACT POST) came up 6th in the search results (duckduckgo, not google), and there was an annotation that it was just published nine minutes ago. (Gee, here’s a mindbender: I’m reading a post that you will publish tomorrow OUR time, right now. 😉 )

    Is that crazy timing, or what?

    Anyway, well, I recently listened to more than half of all of your podcasts over a span of two or three months, but weirdos like me (lol) shouldn’t keep you from podcasting. #1: If it’s really on your heart to do it, why not do it? #2: You’re not the same person you were three years ago. You are likely to add in new nuggets of wisdom or a slightly different perspective than the first time you talked about a subject.

    My two cents. 🙂

    • Emily,

      It’s funny when I publish something in my present moment but which is in your future. You travel ahead into my time zone when you listen! Mindbending? Yes!

      I do enjoy podcasting and I decided that as long as I can record something people want to listen to, I’ll continue making new episodes. But saying that, I’m sitting here trying to feel inspired about this week’s podcast. Every idea seems so stale. No doubt a good idea will occur to me when I least expect it. In the meantime, I’ll keep answering comments!

      It’s good to see you on my blog. Thank you so much for stopping by!

  2. Sue, I just listened to episode 100 and congratulations on making it to that milestone. I love listening to your podcasts. Sometimes I just send you a private message and don’t post on your blog but I can see that is not as helpful. It really would be nice to contribute to the community of unschoolers. Please know that it is not because I don’t enjoy or appreciate your podcasts and blogs!

    A funny thing happened when we switched from regular workbook type homeschooling to unschooling, my daughter asked when they would get their normal break. I thought for a second and then asked her what exactly she planned to stop doing! Ha ha! Everything we do is following our passions. Although I know a few of my kids that really appreciate being able to sleep in a bit!

    Maybe it would be fun to have a live group chat one day? We could listen to the podcast and then chat about it?

    • Venisa,

      I always appreciate your feedback whether it is here on my blog or via a private message. I really don’t mind where we chat. It’s just good to share with you. However, I do appreciate you mentioning this. You are very thoughtful!

      Oh yes, I understand completely about unschooling during the holiday breaks. We don’t stop following our passions just because the school term has ended. I must admit that we do like to sleep in later and begin our days more slowly during the holidays. We take advantage of the fact that my husband doesn’t have to get up early for work and we catch up on some rest. And we might work on different passions during the holidays, ones Andy can share. It’s always good to spend time with our husbands while they are at home, isn’t it? I hope you’re enjoying your break!

      A live group chat? How would we do that? I’d love to hear more. This is a wonderful idea!

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