Self Directed - A Podcast on Life, Learning, and Raising Free Thinkers. Hosts Cecilie and Jesper Conrad, full-time travellers since 2018 and parents of four, invite a new guest on the podcast every Thursday.
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Three Moms, One Podcast: Conversations on Unschooling and Parenting In Season Two of The Ladies Fixing the World, Cecilie Conrad is joined by renowned unschooling pioneers Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to redefine what learning can truly look like. Together, they explore the philosophy and practicalities of unschooling—where curiosity, trust, and relationships replace rigid curricula—and how this approach transforms both families and personal growth.
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S2E5 | Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis & Cecilie Conrad on Learning to Read & Trusting Unschooling
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2:11:33Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis, and Cecilie Conrad come together to discuss their personal journeys into unschooling, focusing on natural learning, curiosity, and redefining educational expectations. Sandra shares her transition from a public-school teacher to embracing unschooling with her family, exploring how her upbringing influenced her parenting choi…
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S2E6 | The Role of Repetition in Learning, Unschooling, and Shaping Identity
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2:02:08What’s the value of doing the same thing more than once? In this episode of Ladies Fixing the World, Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis unfold repetition—how it shows up in our lives, why it matters, and what it reveals. Together, they examine how children tend to gravitate toward watching the same films, reading the same stories, or playing…
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117: Dr. Cam Caswell | Why Control Fails and Connection Works with Teens
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49:29Send us a text Dr. Cam joins us to discuss parenting teenagers and why efforts to control them often create more distance. She explains how control can undermine trust and why focusing on connection leads to better results. We discuss the difference between respect and obedience, and how letting teens say “no” builds confidence and self-trust. Jesp…
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116: Jacob Nordby | Rethinking Freedom: Purpose, Ritual, and the Value of Being
1:15:08
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1:15:08Send us a text In this conversation with author and speaker Jacob Nordby, we explore the paradox of freedom in modern life. Is it simply doing whatever we want—or does real freedom require something deeper? While many consider freedom to be about doing whatever they want without constraints, Jacob challenges this perception. "A lot of people assume…
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115: Yasmin & Andy | Beyond Boundaries: One Family's Journey from England to Jungle Living in Belize
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57:56Send us a text Yasmin and Andy left a comfortable life in the UK to join a small off-grid community in the jungles of Belize. Fifteen years after cycling through Central America, Yasmin and Andy returned—this time with three kids and a desire for a different kind of life. What began as a plan to visit intentional communities in Europe shifted durin…
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114: Amanda Diekman | Radical Acceptance and Low Demand Parenting
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50:18Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Amanda Diekman about how her parenting changed when her six-year-old son went into autistic burnout. He lost verbal communication, stopped eating most foods, and couldn't follow basic routines. Faced with a crisis, Amanda chose to stop trying to fix him and instead removed demands to create safety. She …
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S2E4 | Unschooling: Trusting the Process and Letting Go of Control
1:56:20
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1:56:20Traditional education is built on judgment—constantly measuring children’s progress against rigid standards. Unschooling offers a different path, one that values curiosity over evaluation. In this episode, Cecilie Conrad, Sue Elvis, and Sandra Dodd discuss why letting go of expectations leads to deeper, more natural learning. Reading becomes a key …
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113: Luz Olid and David Caballero | Education Evolution: Beyond Traditional Schooling
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51:13Send us a text Luz and David from Evolving Education left careers in biotechnology to explore and document alternative education models worldwide. Frustrated by rigid schooling systems, they traveled to over 170 learning centers to understand how children learn best outside the traditional classroom. In this episode, we talk about how compulsory sc…
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112: Iris Chen | Untigering: From Control to Connection – Peaceful Parenting for the Tiger Parent
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57:02Send us a text Iris Chen, author of Untigering: Peaceful Parenting for the Deconstructing Tiger Parent, shares how she shifted from a strict, high-expectation parenting style to a trust-based approach. Raised in a Chinese-American household, Iris grew up with academic pressure and obedience as the norm. She carried those expectations into her own p…
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S2E3 | Unschooling and Connections: How Learning Is All About Creating a Web of Understanding
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1:36:54How do children learn math without lessons, textbooks, or worksheets? Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis, and Cecilie Conrad talk about the ways kids pick up mathematical thinking—through games, shared meals, money management, and real-world problem-solving. They discuss what happens when learning is driven by curiosity rather than instruction, sharing stories…
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111: Anne Kirketerp | Craft Psychology: The Link Between Crafting & Wellbeing
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1:12:54Send us a text The moment you carve, knit, bake or start folding paper, something remarkable happens in your brain. The anxious spiral of thoughts quiets, stress hormones recede, and you enter a state that Dr. Anne Kirketerp calls "meaningful self-forgetfulness." Dr. Anne Kirketerp is a psychologist, researcher, and craftsperson who pioneered Craft…
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110: Asger Leth | Beyond the 9 to 5 – Finding Freedom & Creating a Space for Deep Conversations & Real Connections
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1:06:35Send us a text What does it mean to truly connect in a world that’s becoming more digital by the day? Asger Leth is a Danish filmmaker, writer, and creative visionary known for his documentary and feature filmmaking work. He gained international recognition for Ghosts of Cité Soleil (2006), a gripping documentary set in Haiti, and later directed th…
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S2E2 | Unschooling: Trust, Autonomy, and the Realities of Learning
1:26:58
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1:26:58What is unschooling? What is it not? And why defining it is so difficult? Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis and Cecilie Conrad explore how unschooling is not just about rejecting school but fundamentally shifting how families approach learning, trust, and daily life. Sandra shares her decades of experience and the challenge of explaining unschooling in simple…
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109: Dennis Nørmark | Are We Really Free? Pseudo-Work & Unfreedom: How Work & Society Keep Us Trapped
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57:12Send us a text Much of modern work is defined by routine, efficiency targets, and the need to appear productive. But how much of it is actually necessary? Dennis Nørmark, Danish anthropologist, author, and speaker, argues that a significant part of today’s work culture is built on pseudo-work—tasks that maintain appearances rather than create real …
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108: Manisha Snoyer | Unschooling, Community & Rethinking Education
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1:01:32Send us a text Traditional education often fails to nurture curiosity, creativity, and deep engagement. In this episode, we explore a different path—one that is flexible, self-directed, and built around each child’s unique interests. We discuss homeschooling, unschooling, and modular education, breaking down how families can step away from rigid sc…
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107: Jessica Joelle Alexander | Danish Parenting Secrets: Raising Happy & Confident Kids
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1:28:28Send us a text What makes Danish parenting unique, and how does it raise happy, resilient kids? In this episode, we talk with Jessica Joelle Alexander, bestselling author of The Danish Way of Parenting, about Denmark’s highly regarded child-rearing approach. The Danish approach to raising children is shaped by principles from Nikolaj Frederik Sever…
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106: Essie Richards | Breaking Free: Unschooling and Reimagining Education in the UK
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1:01:19Send us a text How can unschooling create a safe and empowering educational path for children? In this episode, we talk with Essie Richards about her transformative journey from traditional schooling to unschooling in rural Cornwall, UK. Essie shares how her family chose this path after her son faced bullying, leading them to embrace self-directed …
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S2E1 | Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Curiosity, Flexibility, and Trust with Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis
56:13
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56:13What if education wasn’t confined to classrooms but instead flourished naturally through life’s experiences? In this episode of 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, tru…
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105: Sugata Mitra | How Learning Emerges Naturally Through Self-Organizing Systems
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1:07:59Send us a text Sugata Mitra is a renowned educational researcher and innovator best known for his revolutionary "Hole in the Wall" experiment, which demonstrated the incredible capacity of children to teach themselves when provided with access to technology. A TED Prize winner and creator of the "School in the Cloud," Sugata’s work challenges tradi…
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104: Dola Dasgupta | Unschooling in India: Embracing Choice and Navigating Challenges
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47:07Send us a text How does homeschooling fit into India’s diverse cultural and educational landscape? In this episode, Dola Dasgupta shares her perspective on the challenges and freedoms of homeschooling and unschooling in a country where formal education is highly valued. We examine the legal uncertainties, cultural factors, and personal decisions th…
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103: Peter Gray | Rethinking Education: The Power of Play and Self-Directed Learning
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1:31:09Send us a text Together with Peter Gray, we explored the concept of self-directed education. Peter Gray emphasizes the importance of play and independence in children's learning. The discussion highlights the shortcomings of the traditional school system and encourages parents to embrace unconventional educational approaches that foster curiosity a…
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102: Naomi Fisher | Changing Our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning
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48:18Send us a text Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist, writer, and speaker with a focus on self-directed learning, unschooling, and child development. A mother of two, she draws on her professional expertise and firsthand parenting experiences to challenge conventional educational models and help families nurture children’s natural curiosity and a…
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101: Jacob Nordby | Embracing Change and Creative Living through Self-Discovery
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52:37Send us a text Jacob Nordby grew up in a strict Christian cult, isolated and homeschooled. He’s an author, creative guide, and advocate for living authentically. Jacob Nordby’s story is one of transformation; he shares how he found freedom and purpose by embracing vulnerability and creativity. We explore his journey through life’s crossroads, the l…
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100: Amrit Sandhu | The Power of Consistency, Meaningful Conversations, and Gratitude.
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1:07:43Send us a text We celebrate our 100th episode by welcoming back our first guest, Amrit Sandhu, for a journey through our podcasting evolution. Reflecting on early challenges and triumphs, Amrit shares insights on how consistency and passion can elevate creative endeavors. Together, we explore meaningful conversations, inspired by "The Secret Life o…
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99: Meryl Danziger | Unlocking Musical Potential: Following Joy, Not Rules
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1:34:34Send us a text Meryl Danziger, founder of Music House and author of Sing It! A Biography of Pete Seeger, has redefined music education through curiosity-driven exploration. With a Master’s in Music from Goddard College and a career as a professional violinist, she focuses on helping children connect with music in personal and meaningful ways. Her u…
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98: Rebecca Jean-Charles | It Takes a Village: Community Building and Unschooling
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1:02:37Send us a text Traditional schooling isn't the only path to socialization for children. In this conversation with Rebecca, we explore how homeschooling and unschooling empower families to build communities that align with their values. We discuss how these approaches encourage children to form meaningful, inclusive social networks across diverse ag…
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97: Marta Obiols Llistar | How Unschooling Transforms Teens: Self-Discovery & Resilience
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59:20Send us a text What happens when you step outside traditional education to empower teenagers to discover their true selves? In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Marta to explore her journey into unschooling and its profound impact on her children and family. We go into how alternative education fosters individuality, emotional resilience,…
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96: Rebecca Jean-Charles | Edugenic Harm: The Hidden Abuse of the School System
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43:31Send us a text In this episode, Cecilie & Jesper Conrad sit down with Rebecca Jean-Charles to explore the concept of Edugenic Harm—how traditional education systems inadvertently harm children by normalizing control, disconnection, and compliance. Through personal stories and reflections, we unpacks our journeys from the conventional school system …
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95: Marta Obiols Llistar | Teacher Turned Unschooler
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43:02Send us a text Marta Obiols Llistar, a former teacher, explains why she left the traditional classroom to embrace unschooling. Marta shares how John Holt's philosophy reshaped her parenting and life, from rejecting rigid educational systems to trusting her children’s natural ability to learn. We discuss the challenges of unlearning as a teacher, bu…
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94: Charlotte Addison | Finding Freedom Through Unschooling
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1:00:16Send us a text Charlotte Addison is among our favorite people: A fellow traveler, unschooler, and someone with whom we have co-lived for an extended period and more to come. Together with Charlotte, we delve into how unschooling and lifelong learning can redefine educational choices and personal growth. We challenge the idea that formal qualificati…
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93: Dr. Michael Greger | How Not to Age & How Not to Die: Unlock Longevity with Nutrition Insights
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32:39Send us a text In this episode, we welcome Dr. Michael Greger, the best-selling author of How Not to Die and How Not to Age, who has revolutionized our understanding of nutrition and longevity. Dr. Greger dives into the transformative journey that led him to lifestyle medicine, inspired by his grandmother’s miraculous health recovery. He shares act…
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92: Christie Ogden | What If It’s Amazing? Nomadic Life & Worldschooling
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49:31Send us a text In this episode, Christie Ogden shares her remarkable journey of embracing world schooling and creating a life of freedom and adventure for her family. As a single mother of six, Christie boldly moved her children from Canada to the Dominican Republic, transforming a challenging situation into an empowering opportunity. Her story is …
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S1E12 | Embracing Change & Welcoming New Voices
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1:00:54In this final episode of the first season of "Da Ladies", Cecilie joins Luna, Sara, and Carla as they wrap up their journey. The group reflects on embracing change, honoring priorities, and staying true to their unschooling principles. From navigating life transitions to balancing personal aspirations and family commitments, this episode is a beaut…
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91: Carla & David | Worldschooling, Van living and Building Global Community
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1:01:10Send us a text "The amount of uncertainty you can hold is the amount of freedom you have." - Carla Martinez. We met Carla and David at the Worldscchool Summit in 2019. So many friendships formed. It was life-changing. In this episode, we talk with Carla and David, who share their unique journey of nomadic living. From their first transformative ex…
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90: Louisa Andrea | Finding Home in Egypt - A Conversation on Family, Homeschooling, and Growth
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51:21Send us a text Louisa Andrea is a retreat host, educator, and worldschooling advocate based in Egypt. She specializes in creating transformative experiences for families and teens, blending education, conservation, and cultural immersion on Egypt's Red Sea coast while drawing on her mindfulness, spiritual coaching, and energy work background. In th…
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89: Jack Stewart | Unplug from the Internet: Homeschooling, Plato, Boundaries & Boardgames
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1:02:02Send us a text Jack Stewart is a grown-up homeschooler who now homeschools his kids. We met Jack at HEFF in 2024 and enjoyed talking with him. This is our second episode with Jack, and you should consider starting with the first episode we recorded together. In this episode, we sit down with Jack Stewart to discuss how technology affects our daily …
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88: Jack Stewart | Homeschooling and Unplugging for Deeper Human Connections
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1:08:09Send us a text Jack Stewart is a grown-up homeschooler. We explore how self-paced learning has shaped his social life and personal development. Jack’s upbringing was guided by his mother’s approach to homeschooling, which fostered meaningful friendships and an entrepreneurial spirit that set the stage for his success. These early experiences of for…
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87: Erin Loechner | Opting Out of Technology
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49:24Send us a text Erin Loechner is a writer, speaker, and the founder of The Opt-Out Family, a movement dedicated to helping families reduce screen time and foster deeper connections. She is the author of The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t, a guide offering practical strategies to reclaim family life from the grip of techn…
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86: Shannon Hayes | Sustainable Living and Homeschool Adventures
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58:30Send us a text Shannon Hayes is a sustainable farmer, author, and chef from Sap Bush Hollow Farm in Upstate New York, where she and her family raise grass-fed livestock using regenerative agriculture. In addition to managing the family farm and café, Shannon homeschools her children and explores themes of slow living, sustainability, and joyful liv…
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85: Lily Nichols | Real Food Strategies for Maternal and Infant Health
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36:24Send us a text Lily Nichols is a renowned dietitian and best-selling author, an expert in prenatal nutrition, and advocates for real food and evidence-based approaches that empower parents to take control of their health. We explore the critical link between a mother's metabolic health during pregnancy and her child's long-term wellness, including …
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84: Marc Wallert: Strength Through Crises: Surviving 140 Days Kidnapped in the Jungle
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54:40Send us a text Marc Wallert is a resilience expert, keynote speaker, and author best known for surviving a 140-day hostage ordeal in the Philippine jungle in 2000. Drawing on this life-changing experience, he helps individuals and organizations build resilience and thrive through crises. Marc shares insights on leadership, mental strength, and stre…
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83: Rob Brinded | Unlocking the Mind-Body Connection: Healing Trauma and Reconnecting with the Body
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51:21Send us a text Rob Brinded is an experienced performance coach and healer specializing in the intricate connections between the mind, body, and spirit. With a background in elite sports, including football, ballet, and combat sports, Rob developed a unique approach to injury prevention and rehabilitation, focusing on the holistic integration of phy…
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Send us a text In 2023, we spent a month at a castle in Normandy with over 30 other worldschooling families. There, we met Katia Dimova, the founder of Chateau Co-Living. We spend many long nights talking, laughing, sharing moments, and creating friendships. Katia founded Chateau Coliving, where she combines her passions for travel, history, and co…
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81: Ken Honda | Happy Money. The Japanese art of Gratitude, Generosity, and Money Mindset
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44:37Send us a text Ken Honda is a renowned Japanese author and speaker celebrated for his personal finance and happiness expertise. Known as the "Zen Millionaire," he combines Eastern philosophies with practical financial advice to help individuals find peace and abundance. Ken has written over 50 books, including the bestseller "Happy Money: The Japan…
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80: Michaeleen Doucleff | Hunt, Gather, Parent - What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About Raising Children
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55:35Send us a text Michaeleen Doucleff is a science journalist and the author of the bestselling book Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans. In her book, Doucleff explores parenting practices from indigenous cultures worldwide, offering insights into raising cooperative and i…
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Can the question "Does unschooling work?" be inherently flawed? Join us in Episode 11 of Da Ladies Fixing the World as we challenge conventional thinking and explore the philosophy of unschooling. We examine societal pressures and the need for validation that often accompany this question and provide insights from various unschooling and homeschool…
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79: Tim Feldmann | Ashtanga Yoga: Do Your Practice and All Will Come
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54:30Send us a text Tim Feldmann is the director of Miami Life Center, which he co-founded with Kino MacGregor and Matt Tashjian. He embarked on his yoga journey after a near-fatal accident in 1992 and is authorized to teach by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and R. Sharath Jois. With a professional dancer and choreographer background, Tim integrates extensive ana…
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78: Golden Harper | Barefoot Running with Nature's Secrets
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1:06:11Send us a text Golden Harper co-founded Altra Running, renowned for its innovative zero-drop shoes, promoting natural foot movement and reducing injuries. We are a barefoot family and love our barefoot sandals, but when it comes to running on manmade structures, we need some cushion, and Harper has created a great shoe for runners with natural feet…
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77: Genevieve Simperingham | Pathways to Peaceful Parenting
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1:01:52Send us a text Genevieve Simperingham is a leading parenting educator and founder of the Peaceful Parent Institute. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in attachment-based parenting and emotional intelligence, offering workshops and coaching to help parents build deep, trusting relationships with their children. Her work has profou…
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Special Episode: Brendan Kane: How to stand out in a 3 second world
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47:38Send us a text Jesper recorded this episode with Brendan Kane almost two years ago. Initially, we decided not to air it, as it didn't fit with our podcast's direction with both of us as hosts. After our recent episode with Sue Elvis, where she asked us about how we started our podcast, Jesper revisited the recording and decided to share it. It was …
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