In this episode, we respond to our community’s questions from our recent survey. We talk about everything from navigating unsolicited advice, building family cultures rooted in mutual thriving, and supporting kids in burnout, to the complexities of screen time, finding offline community, and whether public schools can truly transform. As always, it’s not about having all the answers - it’s about being in the questions together. Tune in for heartfelt stories, practical reflections, and a peek int...
Jun 13, 2025•43 min•Ep. 95
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 - an...
May 29, 2025•29 min•Ep. 94
“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 press...
May 16, 2025•26 min•Ep. 93
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 r...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 92
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...
Apr 18, 2025•41 min•Ep. 91
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 libera...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 90
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 k...
Mar 21, 2025•40 min•Ep. 89
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, ...
Mar 07, 2025•39 min•Ep. 88
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...
Feb 21, 2025•20 min
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 m...
Feb 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 86
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 prio...
Jan 24, 2025•32 min•Ep. 85
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 arou...
Jan 10, 2025•27 min•Ep. 68
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, ...
Dec 27, 2024•24 min•Ep. 83
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 simpl...
Dec 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 82
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 b...
Nov 29, 2024•26 min•Ep. 81
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...
Nov 15, 2024•30 min
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 o...
Nov 01, 2024•25 min
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...
Oct 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 78
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...
Sep 27, 2024•34 min•Ep. 77
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 inform...
Sep 13, 2024•31 min•Ep. 76
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! B...
Aug 08, 2024•30 min•Ep. 75
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...
Jul 26, 2024•33 min•Ep. 74
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...
Jul 12, 2024•39 min•Ep. 73
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 co...
Jun 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 72
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 the...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 71
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 ...
Jun 07, 2024•43 min•Ep. 70
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, leadin...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 69
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 t...
Apr 27, 2024•26 min•Ep. 68
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 Driv...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 67
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 sup...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 66
