Send us a text In this episode, we’re chatting with Philip Mott, reluctant learner, turned elementary teacher, turned homeschooling father, about how his family uses curiosity as their curriculum. 👉 Philip shares His story and how he came to lead the life he lives now Why he homeschools his children How his family manages the financial aspect of homeschooling His perspective on curiosity as the curriculum What his children are currently curious about How to intrinsically motivate your children ...
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Send us a text In this episode, we’re talking with one of the grandfather’s of Nature Play and Adventure Play, David Sobel, who gives us some great ideas on suggested outdoor activities for different developmental stages and also chats about some of his most recent research on the differences between children who attend indoor classrooms versus outdoor classrooms. 👉 David shares His story and what influenced his childhood and shaped who he is How he started his career and what he is working on ...
Jul 12, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Send us a text Maths, it’s a dirty word isn’t it? Especially if you take the learning outside. In today’s episode, we are talking to a homeschooling mum who has created a whole curriculum in maths and reading and it is as wild as it gets! 👉 Rachel shares The story behind Wild Math and Wild Reading How bringing the learning outside helps break down the barriers around the subject of maths About Wild Math and why it is so special Her favourite activities in her curriculum How translating maths in...
Jul 05, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Send us a text What is the biggest risk to children in 2021? It could just be not allowing children to take any risks at all? In this episode we talk with Risk Play advocate, Tim Gill, all about risk and adventure play in childhood, child-friendly urban design and the tools we use to change the face of public policy in relation to play. 👉 Tim shares His story and why he wanted to share his ideas about risky play The evolution and impact of ‘Zero-Risk Culture’ Some of the big misconceptions adul...
Jun 29, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Send us a text Secret spaces and hidden places – there is something magical about them. Cubbies, forts, dens, tree houses whatever you want to call them, children are absolutely hardwired to design and create these havens that shelter them from the ever watchful and ever present eye of the adults. In this episode we talk all things cubby building and why we should be creating more opportunities for children to engage in this adventurous play. 👉 Nicki and Vicci share Cubby building as a rite of ...
Jun 21, 2021•28 min
Send us a text Ever dreamt about hitting the road with your kids and heading outback? Today, homeschooling Mum, Lisa Crompton, tells about what and how she did just that, whilst 'roadschooling' her kids. 👉 Lisa shares with Nicki The magic and mystery of how children learn without being explicitly taught How she records and documents learning to report to the department What an average day in her life looks like and how it has changed in the last year Tips on travelling alone with children The e...
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Send us a text In this episode, we’re talking all about Periods and the powers we can tap into within the 4 phases of our cycle with singer, author, human biologist and Period Queen, Lucy Peach. Today’s episode is all about education, empowerment, and choice. Settle in, this is important. 👉 Lucy shares How she came to discover the beauty of her own cycle and how she got started on this journey The motivation behind her book How we can honour the very special first cycle The 4 phases of our cycl...
Jun 07, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Send us a text In this episode we are talking to Vanessa Hartmann, creator of the "Year In Nature Guide," about homeschooling, nature co-ops and her profound insights on nature based living. 👉 Vanessa describes Her “Year in Nature Guide” and why she created it What her guide includes Where you can access her guide Why she decided to homeschool and create her own co-op How she got her husband onboard What a nature co-op is The benefits she sees in the children participating The impacts of screen...
May 31, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Send us a text Life on the road with your family – it’s the dream isn’t it? Well at least I know it is for me, but for now I get to live vicariously through amazing people like Naomi Mackie whom many of you may know as Boys Run Free on Instagram. In today’s episode, we dive into how this family chose homeschooling and the road less travelled. 👉 Naomi shares The story of how her family came to be travelling on the road What they are traveling around in Where their travels took them and her favor...
May 24, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Send us a text TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast episode contains references to child sexual and physical abuse, grooming and predatory behaviour. If this episode triggers anything for you please reach out to a loved one who will listen or contact Lifeline 13 11 14 for support. We see you, we hear you, we believe you. * Wondering how to teach your children about consent? Want to know how to empower your kids to be the boss of their own body? In this episode, Lauren French from Body Safety Australia ...
May 17, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Send us a text In today's episode we travel to the other side of the country to chat with Daniel Burton, CEO and co-founder of Educated By Nature. I am really excited because these nature immersion programs inspired so much of what we do at Wildlings. Settle in for an enlightening show! 👉 Daniel shares The story of how Educated by Nature began What made him step away from formal education and start a business The importance of time as a resource for nature play Three key values to persuade educ...
May 10, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Send us a text In this episode, we’re traveling to Chicago, Illinois to talk with business teacher, father and podcast host Peter Hostrawser about how and why he’s on a mission to disrupt education. 👉 Peter shares with Nicki About his learning journey, and his most memorable moments in school and out The importance of confidence and making connections His experience that led him on this path of disrupting education How he coped in a system that wasn’t going to change immediately The best advice...
May 04, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Send us a text Come with us on a virtual travel adventure all the way on the other side of the globe, where we find out about how Forest Schooling is done in Spain with Forest School Leader and fellow unschooling mother, Vicky Mateau. 👉 Vicky shares with Vicci What led her to make the choice to homeschool her two children About the homeschooling community in Spain About the program she created and how they name their groups About the dynamic wild space she uses The benefits of connecting childr...
Apr 27, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Send us a text Today is going to be a little more personal than usual. In fact, I think I can feel a little vulnerability hangover coming on already because today, we’re chatting with my husband. He is an ex Primary School, Special Education and Behaviour Management Teacher, the co-founder of an online triathlon and endurance racing coaching business, T:Zero Multisport, and a homeschooling father, the myth, the legend, Scotty Farrell. Scotty is here to answer one of our FAQs about home/un school...
Apr 19, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Send us a text In this episode we are talking with my beautiful friend, an ex SAS soldier, gum leaf whistler, fire starter, survival skills expert and all around good bloke, Rick Petersen. We find out what Rick has been up to since he got back from the desert, his top tips for survival, what he never leaves home without and why he is on a mission to bring fathers and sons together outdoors. Let's hear from the man behind the beard. 👉 Rick shares His profound life story About his business in con...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text Here’s the scenario, you stumble across an intricate formation in your garden, rocks lining a maze of dens and caves and paths with other items, maybe leaves, scattered across the space and it feels like you have been transported to a little magical world, one that was created by a child. This is just one example of loose parts play, and what we are going to discuss on today’s episode. 👉 Nicki and Vicci share What “loose parts” are exactly Why we should encourage loose parts play...
Apr 06, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text In this episode, we’re talking to Nicolette Sowder, founder of the global nature play movement, Wilder Child, about Wildschooling, creating an online nature connection movement and running a business. Prepared to be so inspired, this girl is golden. 👉 Nicolette talks with us about Her story and how she got started Wildschooling and the trifecta behind it The benefits she has seen in her family from Wildschooling Why it is so important to have an online presence for an outdoor mov...
Mar 29, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text In this episode, we’re talking with first custodian artist Jandamarra Cadd about connection to country, art as therapy and how to talk to your kids about racism. Settle in and get ready to be inspired, informed and awakened. 👉 Jandamarra shares About his life story and when he first picked up a paintbrush. How his spirit was awakened. About connection to country as such an important part of culture and why and how all families might benefit from a strong connection to country. Hi...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text In this episode, we’re talking to Charlotte Lucas of Free Rangers Forest School about Risky Play, educating parents on the importance of outdoor learning and battling red tape. Like us, Charlotte started out teaching, then undertook her Level 3 Forest School Leader’s qualification. Since then she has swapped an indoor classroom for an outdoor one and has enjoyed facilitating learners’ journeys in natural surroundings so much that she decided to embark upon the Free Rangers’ advent...
Mar 15, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text If someone asks you about your role as a mother, you may be quick to say it is the most rewarding experience of your life right? But is it? Do you always feel that way? Motherhood brings us to the depth of all our emotions. Mothers have many varying and contradictory feelings that are not talked about publicly. As well as experiencing love, most experience fleeting feelings of hate. These difficult feelings actually strengthen and fuel a mother's love for their child. Today we exp...
Mar 09, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text In this episode, we chat with our incredible friend Tasha Lawton, founder of Talk Revolution, about how to talk to you children about sex. If you're not sure when to start talking to your children about sex, or how to talk to them or what to say, then make sure you give this episode a listen because Tash is about to answer every one of your questions you have about these difficult conversations. This episode aims to breakdown the stigma's around one of life's great pleasures. 👉 T...
Mar 03, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us a text In this episode, we are talking about why taking babies out into nature is not only the ultimate sensory experience, but how it will also help to develop their confidence and understanding of the natural world. Babies are natural investigators. You only have to spend a short amount of time with them to see that they are curious little scientists, experimenting with everything they can get their hands on to make sense of the world, and being a parent of a baby is like seeing the wo...
Feb 22, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text In this episode, we invited Mathilda Element back to the podcast who you might remember from season one. She has a very special project that she's been working on with a team of passionate and dedicated people including her husband and children. Let's dive in! 👉 Mathilda gives us: A reminder on what Pine School values and embodies in their educational system A sneak-peek into how the idea of Humanitas High School came to fruition Insight into her experience on the journey to crea...
Feb 15, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text "Children will be motivated if their learning is based upon their own curiosities and passions." - Teacher Tom You may have come across Teacher Tom’s blog on Facebook, but something you may not know is that he has blogged every single day for a decade, sharing his observations and insights from his work at the Woodland Park Cooperative School in the rain soaked Pacific Northwest. Settle in, this episode is full of gold nuggets. 👉 Teacher Tom Touches On How he found his calling in...
Feb 08, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text Technology has come so far, so fast. With cyberbullying, sexting, and exploitation, parents today have a big challenge to face. It may feel daunting, unknown, unescapable, and we can often feel helpless, but we don’t have to navigate this alone. In today’s episode, we talk with Kirra Pendergast, founder of Safe on Socials, and an expert on the ways in which we can work with our children to create loving boundaries around tech in the home. She shares some key advice on doing this i...
Jan 25, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text In this episode, we’re chatting with education consultant Dr. Claire Warden about the importance of nature connection, nature pedagogy and her kindergarten, Achlone Nature Kindergarten in Scotland. 👉 Claire and Nicki Discuss Her journey in finding nature pedagogy Her unique and impressive PhD research Her theory about the primary and secondary meanings of Nature Pedagogy Her kindergarten Auchlone Nature Kindergarten in Scotland What a typical day looks like for a child that atten...
Jan 18, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text In this episode, we are thrilled to be chatting with one of Australia’s favourite parenting authors and experts, the perfectly named, Queen of Common sense, Maggie Dent. We chat about getting kids off screens, the importance of failing, and self worth and how to support boys in their big emotions and the importance of a well-timed fart. 👉 Maggie shares What it means to be a lighthouse and who her lighthouse was growing up The importance of nature and play and free time and her fa...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text In this episode, we wrap up the crazy year that was 2020. From expansion plans, to coronavirus, a podcast, online courses, awards and rapid growth, we chat about what’s happened in the Wildlings world this year. And a recap of some of our favourite guests this year. 👉 Nicki and Vicci reflect on Wildlings and this wild year The creation of Raising Wildlings Podcast Gratitude for the blessings in disguise and hard earned awards What our listeners have to look forward to in the new ...
Dec 21, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Pasi Sahlberg, author, Professor of Education Policy and Deputy Director of the Gonski Institute at the University of New South Wales, about inequality in the Australian education system, some of the excellent things happening in the Finish education system and how we can help rebalance this inequality. 👉 Pasi shares His journey that led him to where he is today The Gonski Institute of Australia and his work there Equitable Education Systems and what...
Dec 14, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Send us a text It’s been a rough year across the globe, particularly on parents. With lockdowns, quarantines, working and schooling from home, financial and health concerns, we thought it was a good time to get Rebecca Branstetter in. Rebecca is a school psychologist, speaker, and author on a mission to help children thrive by supporting school psychologists, educators, and families. She is the founder of The Thriving School Psychologist Collective, an online community dedicated to improving men...
Dec 07, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 32
