Radical Learning Talks

What if I'm making the wrong decision for my kid?That question haunts so many of us - especially when we step away from the norm. In this episode, we dive into the fears and self-doubts that often surface when parents begin unschooling or embrace self-directed learning. What if this choice backfires? What if my child doesn't thrive? What if they blame me later? Together, we explore the deeper roots of these fears - our longing for safety, our survival programming, our cultural conditioning - and we unpack what it means to make choices from alignment rather than fear. We reflect on how parenting, just like life, is a series of adaptations, not a one-and-done path.So if you're sitting in that in-between space, questioning yourself or feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, this episode is for you. You're not alone. And this isn't about perfection, it's about presence, trust, and the willingness to grow.//As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on The Shift experience here:https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025- You can find information on our Monthly Parent Support Circles here:https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/support-circles- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

“Can I really do this unschooling thing?”So many parents ask this, and it makes sense. We've been conditioned to measure, assess, and perform our parenting. But what if the first step to unschooling isn't doing anything at all? In this episode, we talk about the pressure to get it right, the deep unlearning this path invites, and the power of pausing. What if unschooling begins with a symbolic sabbatical? A chance to reconnect with your kids, yourself, and the present moment - without the pressure to prove anything.~As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on The Shift experience here:https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

What if unschooling isn't just an educational choice, but a sacred initiation into presence, connection, and becoming? In this powerful and poetic conversation, we sit with Chevanni Davids: educator, father, ritualist, and founder of Reimagined Learning in South Africa. Together we explore the wild force of learning, the decolonization of time, and the radical tenderness required to hold the unknown. Chevanni invites us to reimagine unschooling not as an escape from systems, but as an embodied response to life's deepest questions. With stories, metaphors, and reverence, he offers a different map for learning - one that honors silence, slowness, contradiction, and ceremony.This is not a conversation to “understand.” It's one to feel. One to breathe with.~ As mentioned in this episode:You can contact Chevanni here:IG: @che_reimagined, @reimaginedlearningYou can check out Chevanni's offering Entrusted with Uncertainty here:https://medium.com/@chevannidavids/entrusted-with-uncertainty-a-12-week-journey-through-deschooling-grief-and-eros-pathways-of-0e1b245a7dec

What does it really mean to decolonize education? In this episode, we unpack the colonial roots of conventional schooling and explore how education systems around the world have been used to disconnect people from their bodies, cultures, intuition, and identities. We reflect on how these patterns affect all of us - and what it might look like to reclaim learning, relationships, and wholeness. This is a deeply personal and paradigm-shifting conversation about power, agency, and the possibility of something different.As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on The Shift experience here:https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC- Please email us at info@radical-learning.org with ny reflection, thoughts, stories or topics you wish for us to explore on the podcast!

What if deschooling wasn't just about learning? What if it was also about grief, ritual, and honoring the life that unfolds when we stop trying to control it?In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Akilah S. Richards - author of Raising Free People and longtime voice of liberation in learning and living. Akilah shares how her journey has moved beyond deschooling, into the work of tending grief, slowing down, and trusting what life is calling us toward.We explore: - Why grief and liberation are inseparable- How to compost the past instead of dragging it- Ritual as resistance to urgency- What it means to stop designing life and start following itThis episode is an invitation - to presence, to possibility, and to the courage of not knowing.Tune in now, and check out Akilah's new podcast What I Let Die @ www.radicalselfie.org.You can also find and support Akilah's work at:www.raisingfreepeople.com

Right now, we're living through a massive shift. Systems are crumbling, disempowerment is widespread, and uncertainty feels overwhelming. It's no longer enough to just opt out of broken systems- we need to actively create something different. But how? How do we move beyond control, beyond fear, beyond what we've internalized, and instead reclaim agency for ourselves and the young people in our lives?This moment in history is calling us to do deep, internal work. The world is shifting, and our kids don't need us to have all the answers, they need us to show up with integrity, presence, and empowerment. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to co-create a new way forward - one rooted in connection, dignity, and consent. From shadow work to healing intergenerational wounds, from active hope to shifting our relationships with power, we unpack the inner and outer work required to truly embody the change we wish to see.If this conversation resonates with you, join us on April 27, 2025, for a live online discussion on this very theme. You can register here:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1a4qw2gxRtOsooygAIdpJA//As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on The Shift experience here:https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025- You can find information on our Monthly Parent Support Circles here:https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/support-circles- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

In this episode, we dive deep into something that comes up again and again in our work and personal conversations: how to create a different way of being in the world. In a time marked by fear, division, and control, how can we move beyond pointing fingers at what's wrong and instead orient ourselves toward what we actually want to create? How do we break free from binary thinking and conditioned behaviors that keep us stuck? And most importantly, how do we reconnect with ourselves, each other, and our dreams for a different kind of future? Join us for an exploration of spaciousness, play, non-violent communication, somatics, and community support as we unpack what it takes to shift into a new paradigm.//As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on our The Shifthttps://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

In this episode, we dive into a question we hear a lot: Can you still unschool if your kids have to be in the system? Spoiler alert…yes, you can.Today we break down the challenges of unschooling while navigating school life, whether it's because of legal stuff, financial realities, or even your kid's own choice to go to school. We talk about how deschooling is always possible, why parental advocacy matters, and how to work through all that "schoolish" conditioning, even if school's part of your life.If you've ever felt stuck between your values and the realities of school, this episode is for you. Let's talk about how to unschool from the inside out - no matter where your kid spends their days.//As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on our Parent Support Circles here: SDE Communities: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/package-parent-supportIndividual Parents: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/support-circles- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

In this episode of RLT we explore what truly makes self-directed learning communities thrive, and why so many struggle. Parents often enter these spaces expecting an alternative to school, yet unknowingly bring a schoolish mindset with them. But SDE isn't just about where kids learn; it's about shifting how we relate to learning, power, and community.In this episode, we unpack shared accountability, deschooling work for adults, and the hidden labor of running learning centers. How can parents move from a transactional mindset to active participation? What support do facilitators need to hold space for both kids and families? And how do we create communities where everyone - kids, parents, and facilitators - can truly thrive?As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on our Parent Support Circles here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC

Life is messy—grief, financial struggles, or just the everyday unpredictability. But what happens when you're navigating homeschooling, unschooling, or life outside conventional systems in the middle of it all?In this episode, we dive into how tough times can shape our kids' learning in ways we might not expect. We share personal stories, meaningful insights, and practical tips to help you turn life's messiest moments into opportunities for connection, growth, and resilience.This is about prioritizing relationships, embracing humanity, and leaning into what really matters. If you're ready to reimagine how we live and learn—especially when things get hard—this conversation is for you.//As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on our in-person training The Shift here:https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/the-shift-2025- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here:https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC- And/or check out pie website here: https:// www.radical-learning.org

How do we prioritize self-care while unschooling? As unschooling families, we often find ourselves juggling countless responsibilities, meeting the needs of our children, and rethinking everything we thought we knew about education and parenting. But where does that leave us? How do we make space for joy, rest, and personal growth without falling into burnout or guilt? In this episode, we explore practical, compassionate ways to redefine self-care and balance. Together, we unpack the myths around what unschooling “should” look like, challenge perfectionist tendencies, and discuss the importance of modeling self-care for our kids. Join us as we share our personal stories, insights, and actionable steps to help you create more ease, spaciousness, and joy in your unschooling journey. // As mentioned in this episode: - Private coaching for individuals and organizations: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/1-2 - Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/RadicalLearningLLC - And/or check out more information on our site: https:// www.radical-learning.org

What happens when we let go of the shadow of schooling and simply live? In this episode, we reflect on the liberating journey of moving beyond school-based expectations, comparisons, and pressures. We discuss the challenges unschooling parents often face, from societal conditioning to the fear of “not doing enough,” and how embracing a mindset of trust and presence can transform family life. We also explore how shifting focus from productivity to relationships and community can lead to a freer, more connected way of living. Tune in for an honest conversation about unlearning, evolving, and rediscovering what it means to truly live.//As mentioned in this episode:- Private coaching for individuals and organizations: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/1-2- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC- And/or check out more information on our site: https:// www.radical-learning.org

Have you ever wondered why the school system looks the way it does—and if it's really serving our kids? In this episode, we dive into the history of conventional education and how it was designed to prioritize obedience over curiosity. We explore the lasting impact this has on children, families, and society, and discuss why it's time to shift toward education that centers relationships, individuality, and respect for young people as full human beings. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply curious about rethinking education, this episode invites you to imagine a more compassionate and empowering way forward. As mentioned in this episode: Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC And/or check out more information on our site: https:// www.radical-learning.org

Do kids today truly have the freedom to be themselves? In this episode, we explore youth rights and how the conventional education system often limits young people's voices and agency. We discuss why it's essential to recognize and respect kids' inherent power and choice, especially in their own learning, and envision what authentically youth-centered education could look like. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply interested in challenging the status quo, this episode is for anyone who believes in honoring kids' rights to be seen, heard, and respected.//As mentioned in this episode:- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC- You can find information on our offerings here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com- Check out more information on our site: https:// www.radical-learning.org

How do you support a child's independence while keeping them safe? It's tricky, but in this episode, we're breaking down that delicate balance. We talk about how to foster autonomy and agency in kids, all while knowing when to step in to guide them through life's challenges. From setting boundaries that make sense to learning when to support kids take healthy risks, we dig into what it means to truly trust and respect young people—without just letting them go at it alone. If you're interested in building strong, consent-based relationships with the kids in your life, tune in for a refreshing take on raising responsible, empowered kids! // As mentioned in this episode: - You can find information on our 1:2 private coaching here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/1-2 -   Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC - Check out more information on our offerings here: ⁠https://radical-learning.thinkific.com

Can parents really be friends with their kids? In this episode, we dig into that big question and break down the myths around adultism and power dynamics. We talk about how sharing power with kids can build real trust, deep connection, and authentic relationships—without losing the boundaries that come with being a parent. If you've ever wondered how to balance being a friend and a parent, or if it's even possible, this one's for you!As mentioned in this episode:- You can find information on our Empowerment Practice Group here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/practice-group- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC- And/or check out more information on our site: https://www.radical-learning.org

Ever been asked, “But how do unschooled kids socialize?” It's one of the most common questions homeschooling parents hear. In this episode, we dive into the true meaning of socialization and reveal how conventional schools, with their rigid hierarchies, often hinder genuine connection. We explore a more natural, individualized approach to social development and share why you can trust your child's social growth outside of school. If you're worried about your child's 'socialization,' this episode is for you! // As mentioned in this episode: - You can find information on our Monthly Empowerment Practice Group here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/practice-group - Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC - You can check out more information on our offerings here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/collections

How can you teach your kid if you're not a teacher? This is one of the most common questions homeschoolers and unschoolers get. In this episode we examine the relationship between teaching and learning. Is there a connection? Is it only possible to learn when someone teaches us? And, what can it look like when we learn through our own motivation and experiences? Ready to shake up some old beliefs? Join us! As mentioned in this episode: - You can find information on our Deeply Deschooling program here: ⁠https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/deeply-deschooling-2024⁠ - Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: ⁠https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC⁠ - And/or check out more information on our site: ⁠https://www.radical-learning.org⁠

In this episode we adress a common concern of many folks that are new to unschooling… If kids only focus on what they like and do and what seems fun, how will they ever develop the resilience to deal with life's hardships? It's a valid question! But… what's behind it? And what misconceptions and misunderstandings do many adults hold around young people's capacity to navigate challenges through their own choice and agency? Listen in for more! // As mentioned in this episode: - You can find information on our Deeply Deschooling program here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/deeply-deschooling-2024 - Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC - And/or check out more information on our site: https://www.radical-learning.orgs

How do you navigate between trusting your kid's natural learning process and supporting them in doing really hard things that they might feel they're not ready for? How do you let go and help them spread their wings when you don't know if they will fly? In this episode Sari asks Becka to share a recent intimate moment when her son had to renew his passport and she wasn't allowed to accompany him, leaving him to fly solo. Finding ways to support our kid's process without interfering ain't easy! But it's necessary to find balance as we're moving into unknown territories with our kids. // As mentioned in this episode: - You can find information on our Deeply Deschooling program here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/deeply- deschooling-2024 - Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: ⁠https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC⁠ - And/or check out more information on our site: www.radical- learning.org

What are the differences between homeschooling and unschooling? And why is it that so many homeschooling kids aren't thriving? When we leave school behind without also ditching the structures and patterns that make up the schooling experience, it can have some unwanted effects in our kids. In this episode we explore some important questions for homeschooling & unschooling parents alike: Who decided what makes up a curriculum? Who benefits from the conventional school structure, and who dosen't? Are you advocating for young people's voice, choice and agency? And is what you do consent-based? Listen to this episode to gauge if there are some adjustments that could be made in your homeschooling approach and also to have a better understanding of why unschooling could potentially be a great option for many homeshooling kids! // As mentioned in this episode: - You can find information on our Deeply Deschooling program here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/deeply-deschooling-2024 - Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC - And/or check out more information on our site: www.radical-learning.org

In this episode of Radical Learning Talks, we talk about what culture creation is and why we find it to be one of the most important things to focus on when choosing to walk the unconventional path of Self-Directed Education. Culture creation is about putting words on what is important for everyone, and consciously embodying those values. This link is often what's missing for most people who want to make the paradigm shift from conventional schooling to SDE. Whether your family is unschooling or you're running (or thinking about starting) an SDE learning center, it's crucial to understand WHAT exactly you're walking away from so that you don't copy/paste those systems in the new path forward.

Have you ever heard of Not Back to School Camp? In this sparkling interview, we chat with NBSC-camper Zoe and ex-camper now advisor Christian, about what this intentional space for unschoolers to connect and explore together is all about! They share stories from previous camp years, the purpose and philosophy of camp, how camp supports youth autonomy and agency and what plays out the weeks that the camps take place in both Oregon and Vermont. If your unschooling teen is looking to foster deep connection with other young people and lean into their interests and adventure, pull up a chair with them and listen in! You can find Not Back to School Camp Info & Registration here: https://www.nbtsc.org // Sign up for our Free Webinar - Not Back to School: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/not-back-to-school

As we celebrate Pride month, join us for this deep and joyful conversation around authenticity and the right to be who we truly are! We have Cuee in the house: a black trans man and hip hop artist that we got to know over a year ago in our Shift training in Puerto Rico. We chat about the importance of belonging to yourself instead of trying to fit in, and the difference it makes to grow up surrounded by people who love you for who you are. We also discuss the fear parents can experience when they discover their kids are transgender, because they want to protect their young people from harm. And… we talk about how the best protection we can really offer our kids is to be loyal with/to them. This is not only a conversation for parents, relatives, neighbors, friends and teachers of transgender kids. It's for anyone who wants to focus on the joy of being alive in a world that needs and thrives on diversity.

How do you deschool friendships? We don't really have an answer to that, but in this episode we explore our respective journeys through friendships. We share how our perceptions around what a friendship is have evolved; what we've learned from having been ditched by some and what has lead us to walk away from others; how our capacities for holding another have developed; and how our own friendship is taking on new dimensions as we expand as humans and lean into our deschooling & unschooling journeys. Ready for a deep conversation? Join us!

Marni Kammersell is a neurodivergent parent to three neurodivergent children and passionate about a lot of things, including the neurodiversity paradigm, self-directed education and non-coercive relationships. As a neurodiversity educator, Marni specializes in supporting parents and families in understanding experience through the lens of the nervous system. This unusual and thought provoking conversation takes many turns, through disabilities & ableism, nervous systems and diagnosis, leading us into asking some really important questions: Who would we be if we hadn't learned to fit into a mold? What could that look like? Would neurodivergence not be such a stigma if we all had more wiggle room to show up as our authentic selves? And what does “neurotypical” really mean? Join us as we explore these questions and more! // You can find Marni's work and contact her here: https://wanderingbrightly.com/about/ Additional Resources
Neuroqueer Heresies by Nick Walker We're All Neurodiverse by Sonny Jane Wise Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel A Different Way to Learn by Naomi Fisher Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau Disability Visibility by Alice Wong (Editor)

In this episode we address a question proposed by one of our listeners… Is it possible to unschool an only child? What does unschooling look like to children with no siblings? What are the challenges? And are there any benefits to that? In this episode we share our thoughts around unschooling only kids through our lives experience and perspective as mamas to two only children! Also… If you have suggestions for topics that we still haven't covered: please feel free to send them to us! We'd love to explore them! You can reach out to us at info@radical-learning.org

In this episode we chat with Amanda Diekman, also known as Low Demand Amanda - an autistic adult, parent coach, author in the neurodiversity space and leading voice in the movement for low demand parenting practices. Amanda shares about the low demand approach to supporting neurodivergent kids by dropping demands, centering their humanity and moving away from ableism. We talk about so much including stepping away from societal “norms”, authenticity, embracing neurodivergence, PDA (Pervasive Drive for Autonomy), privilege and more! You can find Amanda here: www.amandadiekman.com http://www.instagram.com/lowdemandamanda http://www.facebook.com/lowdemandamanda You can sign up for Radical Learning Offerings, including Freedom to Learn here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/collections/products

In this weeks episode we have Meenadchi in the house! Meenadchi is a somatic healing practitioner and the author of Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication. We invited her to Radical Learning Talks to talk about money and how we can deschool our relationship to money. If you think money is the root of all evil… or feel bad for having more than others… or are having a hard time generating enough for yourself and your family… this episode is for you! Meenadchi has been an instrumental companion supporting us to deschool, entangle and embrace our relationship to money and we are super excited to share this very tender and real conversation with you. Meenadchi's Healing Money Trauma Program: https://www.meenadchi.com/healingmoneytrauma * give the code/reference “Radical Learning for a 5% discount! Website: https://www.meenadchi.com Instagram: @with.meenadchi https://www.instagram.com/with.meenadchi/ Free ancestral healing activity: https://auspicious-block-866.myflodesk.com/h2hvtsx9kf Resources mentioned in podcast: It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn Another Selfon Netflix Sarah Peyton

This episode is an unsual conversation that took place on the last day of our The Shift training we did in Ojai, February 2024. It was requested by one of the participants, and so those of us who wanted gathered and talked about the relationship bewteen peace and self-directed education. The conversation was recorded but not initially intended as an episode for Radical Learning Talks. It was after having recorded that we got the idea to include it on our podcast. Why? Because these kinds of conversations tend to happen during The Shift, but it's the first time we recorded one, and why not share the beauty? All participants have given their consent to share the recording with y'all. We hope you like it! Participating are Jennie, Spence, Tomas, Rosemary, Janice, Becka and Sari.

Burnout is real. And it's no stranger to unschooling and/or running alternative education projects! But what does burnout even mean?! Well, it's not just about being exhausted or simple tasks seeming impossible. It's when your system actually starts breaking down and you begin loose cognitive functioning because you are operating well above your capacity or means. Too many of us have been there and/or feel stuck in it Why? Well, it's because of society's result driven systems that are based on perfectionism, urgency, and the need to constantly be on top of your game. In this episode we chat about our burnout, what caused it, how we are recovering from it and how we are working to shift a lifetime of programmings in order to not just survive, but heal and thrive. Wanna join us for the ride? Listen in! ~ Resources mentioned in episode: Burnout support: Sanna Koritz @ https://www.sannakoritz.com Freedom to Learn Course: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses/freedom-to-learn

Once again, we have the great honor of having Dr. Sundiata Soon-Jahta on our podcast! This time, we talk about how social justice movements can often perpetuate the very systems of oppression and power-over dynamics that we're trying to walk away from, resulting in what Dr. Sundiata shares is a system archetype called a “feedback loop”. The solution? Well, as a systems thinker and anti-oppression organizer, Dr. Sundiata suggests that we all engage in some serious inner work. He believes that change is fractal and when we change within, it affects our outside reality and those around us. So, instead of feeling disempowered by all the injustice we see in our world, we can empower ourselves to be the very change we dream of and show up for our young people, families and communities in the ways we truly strive to. ~ You can find all of Dr. Sundiata's work including his Theory of Indivisibility and other think pieces and resources mentioned in the episode here: https://drsundiata.com https://drsundiata.com/blog/ And if you enjoy what you hear, please consider supporting Dr. Sundiata's work here: https://www.patreon.com/LiveIndivisible/posts

It's not often we decide to get together and offer The Shift, our 7-day in person Deschooling Intensive. For those who've taken it, they know the magic that is involved. For those who haven't yet, it might be hard to understand what the fuss is all about. So, we decided to record an episode on what's up with The Shift, so that you can get a clearer and better understadning of why this offering is a must if you're a parent or if you work with kids! And… if after listening you still have questions, please reach out! We'd love to talk to you.

For us, unschooling is about so much more than learning or who gets to decide what it is and how and when it unfolds. It's about dismantling the power structures that keep all of us less than who we are or have the potential to be. And this starts with looking at our own limiting thoughts and beliefs. In this episode of Radical Learning Talks we chat Orion, a healing companion and trans man who helps us dive into the topic of being transgender. How can you support a trans kid? How do you work through your own discomfort and fears to be present and fully show up for them in their growth, learning and discovery? This is for all of us who have or know kids that identify as non binary and/or trans and want to better understand how to support them in their journey.

Many adults spend so much time preparing kids for adulthood in ways that society has predetermined as the necessary or “right way”. Yet, we don't realize that this comes at the expense of their childhood. And, many of us have even lost touch with what childhood is all about. In this episode we talk about the clash we often see between what many adults seem to want for their kids, and the societal pressure and fear of the future that disconnects us and our kids from the essence of childhood.

We like to think about deschooling as meeting and expanding beyond our edges into new versions of ourselves that better align with our desired way to live and show up in the world. But what happens when our change rubs people we care about the wrong way? What happens when we or they don't quite feel like we belong anymore? In this episode which is coming out juuuust in time for the holidays, we talk about what can happen when our transformation causes friction with others and how to stay true to ourselves while honoring where everyone is at.

Raising kids with respect, consent, autonomy and freedom in our society is definitely going against the norm. It can then be very confusing to see our free-ranged kids question their independence and freedom, push back against limits and behave in ways that society would easily label as “spoiled or bratty”. On one hand, it's easy to blame our parenting and on the other, let's face it… it's triggering as fuck and hard to deal with. In this episode we explore all of it, including some big triggering moments and how we are learning to be more gentle with ourselves as we and our kids balance between freedom and responsibility.

Language and how we use it are important and can be one of the many ways we either move towards or away from individual and collective liberation. So many of us are questioning systems of oppression in our deschooling work, yet if we aren't vigilant we can easily slip into old ways of thinking, speaking and behaving - especially when we are faced with language and ideas that rub up against our current beliefs. In this episode we talk with our friend Meghan from The Unschool Files about language policing and advancing the liberation movement through solidarity. 

Kids are usually brought up to tell the truth, but the truth is adults lie all the time. So, why do we lie? What does it do to us and to our relationships? How does it make us feel? And when kids lie to us - what is that really about? And what can we do about it? In this episode of Radical Learning Talks we explore the phenomenon of lying!

"What's the magic word?"; "Say thank you/hello, "; "Sit up straight".... We have either heard these things, been told these things, or said them to others (most often our kids) and the question is who made up these invisible manner rules and why are they so important?! In this episode we look at manners and begin to deschool and unpack the layers of belief, fear, criticism and judgment around them and examine how, as a society, we have been told how to act and behave at the cost of authenticity and - worst of all - the relationships with our kids.

For us, the main role of unschooling parents is to support our kids to be who they are and explore their independence, autonomy and critical thinking. The question then is how do we as parents support our kids to navigate their own evolution while being faced with the pressures of societal norms? And, in our case, what can that look like for a neurodivergent teenager and their parents? In this episode we dive into it all as Becka shares her perspectives and experience with her soon to be 18 year old son as he transitions into adulthood.

This is a deep episode where we share personal stories around how we're deschooling shame and guilt as it relates to pregnancy, birth, miscarriage & abortion. For us, it means looking at how we have responded to and internalized societal expectations on experiences that are both profound and personal. We also talk about what that's done to our confidence and self-worth, and how we are working to heal from so much of the harm that we've been exposed to.

What happens when our partner or co-parent doesn't seem on board with unschooling? Or, they say they're on board, but they don't seem to undertand and/or engage in the deschooling process. And what does being “on board” even mean?  In this episode we share our experience and perspective about the traps we can find ourselves in when we feel we aren't in flow with our partners in our unschooling journey and how we can repeat the very systems of power that we are trying to step away from.

"Is my kid really gonna just sit there and do nothing?" This is a question we hear a lot and have even thought about ourselves during our own deschooling process. It comes from moments of fear and lack of understanding of what is really going on for our kids. In this episode, we dive into what can actually happen for kids that are deschooling, what happens for adults and how we can support our kids in their deschooling process without slipping into control or fear.

You've discovered unschooling and LOVE it! You take your kids out of school, they start deschooling/unschooling and... suddenly they tell you they want to go back to school?! Or, maybe your kid has never been to school and keeps asking you to start. Regardless of whatever situation you identify with, it might totally freak you out! And we get it. It's scary and annoying when our kids reject the lifestyle that we have put all our efforts into co-creating. In this episode we talk about the many opportunities and positive things we do see about this situation, and also touch upon the topic whether or not you can unschool if your kids go to school.

In this episode, we hang out with Tomis Parker, one of the co-founders of the ALC model and of the ASDE, and dive deep into the diversity, struggles and evolution of the agile learning world.  Tomis is an unschooling dad and is passionate about sharing the ALC model and contributing to systemic & social change through building bridges to and through the work of SDE.  We also talk about our shared experience of having unschooling kids who prefer learning outside a learning center, and the challenges that are present when you are the one running it!  This episode is definitely for anyone who wants to know more about ALCs, who might be running one and having challenges and or/who is considering starting one! But also for parents who are navigating how to live as a self-directed family or feel like going bold and brave and start unschooling.  

Meet Ophelia, an 18 year old Unschooler that shares their perspectives around unschooling and the ways parents can get so invested in unschooling that they forget the most important part: consent and needs of their kids. Who does unschooling really support, the parent or the kid and how can we move towards more connection and collaboration with our kids?

There is a really clear idea in society of what skills have more value than others for our growing young people, and usually on top you will find reading, writing and math. But what happens when your kid (or even you) aren't big readers and what are the feelings and fears around that?! In this episode we scratch the surface of this multilayered theme around hierarchy of skills and what lurks beneath. We kinda slip slide all over in this episode, so bear with us as we explore our own programmings and the work we are doing to free ourselves and our kids.

Limits? Boundaries? What's the difference? What are they about? In this episode, we dive into the deep waters of needs, emotions and what boundaries are really about: self-discovery and understanding ourselves, and how to learn how to honor our needs and develop empathy with ourselves and with others.

Ahhhh our kids want to quit something! What do we do? If they dont push through they will never learn..  These are thoughts old versions of ourselves can relate to and we see so common in parenting. We often fall into wanting to "support" by pushing our kids - or let's be honest - manipulate them.  We think there are so many benefits to sticking to whatever it is they're doing, and often we might feel some urgency - like as if it's now or never.  But there are so many more things to consider that have nothing to do what WE want - and everything to do what our kids want and need. In this episode of Radical Learning Talks we talk about this and how to navigate when our kids want to quit or "give up".

Does unschooling really work? Well, in this episode of Radical Learning Talks we chat with Alex Khost a long time unschooling father, facilitator & youth right's advocate who shares how it's not only possible, it's in fact a reality for many. He shares stories from his 20+ years of advocating for & supporting youth on how to be present & build trusting relationships with kids and how he has witnessed youth thrive outside of conventional systems. Whether you are an unschooling parent, facilitator or human wishing to connect with and support kids… this one's for you! Find out more about his work here: www.flyingsquads.org www.alexanderkhost.org