Best Blake Boles Podcasts (2025)

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Missy Willis | From Unschooling To Exams 1:00:27

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2h ago1:00:27

1:00:27

What happens when unschooled teens meet college systems, exams, and external expectations? Jesper and Cecilie Conrad speak with Missy Willis about how adolescents raised with freedom step into formal learning without losing curiosity or confidence. The conversation follows family transitions, changing homes, and the moment when rigor and motivation…

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Help On The Way at Cave Wall West 24:03

4d ago24:03

24:03

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the first route at Cave Wall, a story read by Luke Mehall Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use this link to shop Scarpa products, and The Zine will get a portion of the sale: https://alnk.to/…

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In Love with Climbing with Sonnie Trotter, Part 1 29:57

12d ago29:57

29:57

Part 1 of our conversation with Sonnie Trotter, author of the new book “Uplifted”. Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use this link to shop Scarpa products, and The Zine will get a portion of the sale: https://alnk.to/3ye6GT2 Subscribe…

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Kate McAllister | Nervous System Regulation: From Reaction to Response 52:54

20d ago52:54

52:54

Kate McAllister describes how nervous system regulation shifts behavior from reaction to response. The conversation maps how stress patterns shape daily life, from parenting and school to refugee camps and co-regulation through rhythm and presence. Breath, movement, and sensory grounding become practical tools for returning the thinking brain onlin…

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Preview of our Sonnie Trotter Conversation (with Cliff Cash poetry) 8:55

20d ago8:55

8:55

A preview of our upcoming two part episode with Sonnie Trotter. Plus a poem “Climbing Romeo and Juliet” by Cliff Cash. Photo of Sonnie on Cobra Crack, Squamish by Paul Bride… SourceBy Luke Mehall

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Summer Jean | Unschooling - Living Without the Need to Prove Yourself 1:12:13

25d ago1:12:13

1:12:13

Summer Jean describes how growing up unschooled shaped her ideas of work, freedom, and value. She explains how her mother’s focus on connection over control helped her develop confidence in her own sense of rightness. The episode contrasts inner conviction with productivity as a measure of worth. 🗓️ Recorded October 16, 2025. 📍 Tarragona, Spain 🔗 R…

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Timmy Eaton | Choosing a Life with Golden Hours 1:07:08

28d ago1:07:08

1:07:08

Cecilie and Jesper Conrad describe how illness, travel, and questioning convention led their family from a more or less traditional path in Denmark—through a Freinet-inspired free school—to a fully unschooled, nomadic life. They explain how unschooling developed through practical choices, legal frameworks, and value-based reflection rather than ide…

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Lise Damkjær | Life Is Easy—When We Allow It to Be 57:06

1M ago57:06

57:06

Co-creation unfolds when control gives way to trust. Life Is Easy grew from a shared intention among ten people who wrote together without plans or deadlines. The process reveals how purpose and openness can replace pressure, turning collaboration into a form of ease. 🗓️ Recorded September 30, 2025. 📍 Tarragona, Spain 🔗 Relevant links https://learn…

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The Low Key Legend with Jimmie Dunn (Dirtbag Classic) 1:16:09

1M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

A rerun of our conversation with Jimmie Dunn from 2022. Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use this link to shop Scarpa products, and The Zine will get a portion of the sale: https://alnk.to/3ye6GT2 Subscribe/ score some books/clothes/…

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Jamie Rumble | Nomadic Becoming in the Anthropocene 1:15:48

1M ago1:15:48

1:15:48

Jamie Rumble shares his research on digital nomadism in the era of climate change. We explore how mobility, mental health, and community connect—and what nomads can teach about resilience. 🗓️ Recorded September 22, 2025. 📍 Åmarken, Lille Skendsved, Denmark 🎙️ Listen to: First episode with Jamie Rumble: https://www.theconrad.family/selfdirected127 S…

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Kate McAllister | The Human Hive: Building Communities of Purpose and Learning 20:23

2M ago20:23

20:23

Kate McAllister shares her journey from traditional teaching in the UK to creating The Human Hive in the Dominican Republic. We talk about learning through global projects, raising children outside the standard map, and what it means to discover that there are no dragons when you step off the expected path. 🗓️ Recorded September 10, 2025. 📍 Åmarken…

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TC The OG with Tommy Caldwell (Dirtbag Classic) 1:00:01

2M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

A rerun of our conversation with Tommy Caldwell from 2022, recorded in his van in Estes Park, Colorado. Big thanks to Shaun Matusewicz for joining on the adventure and helping with the interview! Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use …

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Amanda Ashworth | Building Community: Creating a Worldschooling Hub in Goa 47:22

2M ago47:22

47:22

Amanda Ashworth shares how reading The Four Hour Workweek led her to question conventional success, homeschool her children, and eventually create the World Schooling Hub in Goa. She explains discovering her son’s hidden learning needs, why Goa became her family’s second home, and how the hub supports children, teens, and even parents through educa…

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Leah McDermott of Your Natural Learner | Why I Chose Unschooling 57:33

2M ago57:33

57:33

What happens when a kindergarten teacher moves to teaching fifth grade and discovers that in just five years, the educational system has extinguished the light in children’s eyes? For Leah McDermott, this stark realization sparked a journey from conventional educator to unschooling advocate. In this episode we talk with Leah about her path out of t…

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Blake Boles | Escaping Routine: Deep Conversation and wanting a Galactic Commune 58:43

3M ago58:43

58:43

Blake Boles joins us to talk about his recent editorial, "I Don't Want a Nuclear Family, I Want a Galactic Commune - on the pursuit of quality conversation", which is about the decline of quality conversation and his resistance to the nuclear family model. We discuss the difference between daily logistics and real dialogue, why travel often brings …

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Chris Balme | Challenge Accepted: Turning Adolescence into Adventure Chris Balme 47:21

3M ago47:21

47:21

Adolescence is often seen as something to endure — awkward years full of turbulence and struggle. But what if these years could be a time of discovery, adventure, and growth? In this episode, Jesper and Cecilie Conrad talk with Chris Balme on the launch day of his new book, Challenge Accepted: 50 Adventures to Make Middle School Awesome. We were in…

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Sarah van Gelder | The Revolution Where You Live - Rebuilding Community in an Isolated World 50:39

3M ago50:39

50:39

How can we recover the essential human connections that make life meaningful and sustainable? How can we create a world where neighbors know each other's names, children play freely outdoors, and no parent faces the overwhelming challenges of raising children alone? Sarah van Gelder, founder of YES Magazine and author of "The Revolution Where You L…

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Hidden Voices Speak: An Anthology of Home Educated Voices 41:56

3M ago41:56

41:56

In this episode, we talk with Ben Feliz (14) and Addison Harding (13), home-educated children and contributors to the anthology “Hidden Voices Speak.” Addison came up with the idea for the book, Ben designed the cover, and they worked together with others to publish it. Both care deeply about children’s rights and wanted to respond to recent news s…

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Unschooling and Worldschooling Has Changed Us | The Conrads in dialogue with Heidi & Andrew Schrum 1:17:02

3M ago1:17:02

1:17:02

We sit down with Andrew and Heidi Schrum, just three weeks away from starting their life as a full-time nomadic worldschooling family. They ask us direct questions about our seven years of unschooling and worldschooling. We discuss how the biggest changes happened in us as parents—not our children. We describe letting go of academic pressure, seein…

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Navigating Unschooling and Nomadic Life | The Conrads in dialogue with Heidi & Andrew Schrum 53:08

4M ago53:08

53:08

We sit down with Heidi and Andrew Schrum, who are about to leave home and begin travelling full-time with their two young children. They ask us what we wish we’d known at the beginning, and we talk through everything from reluctant kids and screen time to preparation that doesn’t help and the emotional crash that often comes six months into travel.…

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From Tech to Tolstoy and Trad Climbing with Sam MacIlwaine 1:05:45

4M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

Luke’s conversation with Sam MacIlwaine, who contributed the poem “Dirtbag” to Volume 25 of The Climbing Zine, and is also featured on the back cover of that issue. Subscribe/ score some books/clothes/stickers: https://shop.climbingzine.com/ Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information…

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Charles Eisenstein | Are We Meant to Live Like This? The Price of “Normal” Modern Life 51:17

4M ago51:17

51:17

Charles Eisenstein is an author and speaker whose books and essays explore themes of community, human connection, economics, and social change. He is known for works such as The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible. Charles joins us to explore how modern family structures have evolved and what's been lost in our transition from communit…

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Jamie Rumble | Beyond the Classroom: Learning Emerges When We Stop Teaching and Start Living 1:21:58

4M ago1:21:58

1:21:58

What if our traditional education system is fundamentally misaligned with how humans naturally learn? Jesper and Cecilie Conrad continue their conversation with Jamie Rumble, exploring the philosophy and practice of unschooling within a nomadic lifestyle. Jamie shares how his background, including influences from Paulo Freire and the concept of eco…

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Don’t Be A Trad Princess with Mary Eden 1:00:00

5M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

To kick off Luke’s summer climbing road trip, he stopped in Moab, Utah for this conversation with Mary Eden, also known as the Trad Princess. Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use this link to shop Scarpa products, and The Zine will g…

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Why We Chose Nomadic Freedom for Our Family | The Conrads & Jamie Rumble 1:24:25

5M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

We got an email from Jamie Rumble... "I’m a Master of Education student at Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia, Canada. For my thesis, I’m researching how digital nomads are adapting their lifestyles in response to climate change, and what insights their experiences might offer for future education and planetary citizenship." We thought it could be…

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Vanessa Woozley | Single Mom, Van Life, and Worldschooling 57:53

5M ago57:53

57:53

What happens when a single mom chooses to reject conventional norms, embraces van life, and takes her daughter out of traditional education? Vanessa Woozley joins us to share her inspiring story of courage, resilience, and transformation. Vanessa’s adventure began with short trips, gradually evolving into full-time worldschooling in a van. She disp…

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Jack Stewart | What I Learned When I Turned Off the Internet: Real Life Begins 54:30

5M ago54:30

54:30

When Jack Stewart turned off the internet, he discovered that digital connection often acts as a “social appetite suppressant”—satisfying on the surface, but not deeply nourishing. In this conversation, Jack explains how removing online distractions led him to seek out in-person connection, from literally knocking on neighbors’ doors to organizing …

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Jennie Germann Molz | The World Is Our Classroom: Extreme Parenting and the Rise of Worldschooling 52:34

5M ago52:34

52:34

Sociologist Jennie Germann Molz joins the podcast to discuss her book The World Is Our Classroom: Extreme Parenting and the Rise of Worldschooling. Jennie is a professor at the College of the Holy Cross whose research explores mobility, technology, and alternative forms of family life. Drawing on both academic insight and her own experience traveli…

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Corianda Shepherd | Creating a Worldschooling Community in Spain 1:04:53

5M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

After her eight-year-old son was expelled from school in the UK, Corianda Shepherd and her partner Joel left behind a life that no longer worked. They moved to rural Spain, bought the first house they saw, and slowly built Shepherd’s Rest—a worldschooling community where families live together, learn in nature, and reject the idea that difference n…

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Kute Blackson | The Magic of Surrender: Ego, Intuition, and the Power of Trust 58:33

6M ago58:33

58:33

What if the real magic happens not when you push harder, but when you let go? We explore surrender as a powerful, often misunderstood key to living a fuller life. Kute Blackson is a transformational teacher and bestselling author of The Magic of Surrender. Known for his dynamic presence and multicultural background, he’s guided thousands worldwide …

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Lenore Skenazy | Free Play: The Lost Key to Childhood Development 37:12

6M ago37:12

37:12

In this episode, we explore how modern culture has stripped childhood of the freedom it needs to thrive—and what can be done to bring it back. Our guest is Lenore Skenazy, author of Free-Range Kids and co-founder of the nonprofit Let Grow, launched with Jonathan Haidt, Peter Gray, and Daniel Shuchman to champion independence, resilience, and real-w…

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Anna Vestlev Sandfeld | Why We Choose Unschooling 49:50

6M ago49:50

49:50

What happens when your child simply won't fit inside society's educational box? When Anna Vestlev Sandfeld realized her son didn’t fit into the structure of kindergarten—and likely never would fit into traditional school—she and her husband chose unschooling. In this conversation with her cousin Cecilie and co-host Jesper, Anna reflects on the firs…

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Dirtbag Rich: Blake Boles and Luke Mehall 1:07:43

6M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Another conversation where Luke is the guest. This episode is from the “Dirtbag Rich” podcast, hosted by Blake Boles. Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use this link to shop Scarpa products, and The Zine will get a portion of the sale…

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Amir Nathoo | Outschool: Passion, Not Curriculum, Is the Future of Education 28:15

6M ago28:15

28:15

Outschool founder Amir Nathoo explains why education built on passion—not curriculum—may be the only way to truly prepare kids for a rapidly changing world. We talk about his shift from traditional schooling in the UK to building Outschool, how becoming a parent deepened his beliefs, and why interest-led learning offers more than just flexibility—i…

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Life Is A Beautiful Struggle: Ryan Devlin and Luke Mehall 1:08:13

7M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

The tables are turned on our host, Luke Mehall, as we share this episode of his appearance on The Struggle Climbing Show, hosted by Ryan Devlin. Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use this link to shop Scarpa products, and The Zine wil…

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David Cole | Questioning Normal – Our Offbeat Life as a Full-Time Traveling Family 41:05

7M ago41:05

41:05

Ever wondered what life could look like if you broke free from the conventional 9-5? David Cole and his family sold their home in Chicago in 2019 and haven’t stopped moving since. Cecilie and Jesper talk with him about how they made the shift from occasional travellers to full-time nomads. "I think what stopped us the most was mindset," David revea…

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The Art of The Belaytionship with Andy Vo 1:06:43

7M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

Our premiere for Season 7: a conversation with Andy Vo. Our sponsors for Season 7: Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for more information) Osprey: https://www.osprey.com/ Scarpa. Use this link to shop Scarpa products, and The Zine will get a portion of the sale: https://alnk.to/3ye6GT2 Subscribe/ score some books/clothes/…

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Dr. Cam Caswell | Why Control Fails and Connection Works with Teens 49:29

7M ago49:29

49:29

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. Jesper shares his s…

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A Letter And Poem for Kurt Blair 12:15

7M ago12:15

12:15

A second preseason episode before we kick off Season 7. A letter and poem for our dear friend Kurt Blair, who passed away last year. Poem read by Marcus Garcia, and letter read by host Luke Mehall.By Luke Mehall

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Jacob Nordby | Rethinking Freedom: Purpose, Ritual, and the Value of Being 1:15:08

7M ago1:15:08

1:15:08

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 that freedom m…

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Everybody Climbs in Indian Creek with Tim Foulkes 1:02:04

7M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

A preseason episode before we launch Season 7. Originally aired in 2020 near the end of Season 1. Season 7 kicks off later this month.By Luke Mehall

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Yasmin & Andy | Beyond Boundaries: One Family's Journey from England to Jungle Living in Belize 57:56

7M ago57:56

57:56

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 during the pandemic,…

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Amanda Diekman | Radical Acceptance and Low Demand Parenting 50:18

8M ago50:18

50:18

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 explains how th…

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Luz Olid and David Caballero | Education Evolution: Beyond Traditional Schooling 51:13

8M ago51:13

51:13

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 schooling origina…

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Iris Chen | Untigering: From Control to Connection – Peaceful Parenting for the Tiger Parent 57:02

8M ago57:02

57:02

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 parenting—until …

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Anne Kirketerp | Craft Psychology: The Link Between Crafting & Wellbeing 1:12:54

8M ago1:12:54

1:12:54

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 Psychology—the…

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Asger Leth | Beyond the 9 to 5 – Finding Freedom & Creating a Space for Deep Conversations & Real Connections 1:06:35

9M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

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 the Hollywood thr…

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Dennis Nørmark | Are We Really Free? Pseudo-Work & Unfreedom: How Work & Society Keep Us Trapped 57:12

9M ago57:12

57:12

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 value. As the c…

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Manisha Snoyer | Unschooling, Community & Rethinking Education 1:01:32

9M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

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 school structures…

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Jessica Joelle Alexander | Danish Parenting Secrets: Raising Happy & Confident Kids 1:28:28

9M ago1:28:28

1:28:28

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 Severin Grundtvig (1…