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Chris Balme | Challenge Accepted: Turning Adolescence into Adventure Chris Balme
Manage episode 501631129 series 3443923
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 introduced to Chris by our friend and former guest, Blake Boles, and quickly said yes to the conversation.
Chris shares why adolescence is one of the most powerful stages of development — with a brain growing faster than at any other time, and social awareness reaching new heights — yet why conventional schooling so often gets in the way. Drawing on twelve years of research with adolescents worldwide, he shows how adventures like starting a business, creating guerrilla art, or camping solo can help young people step into their capabilities and keep their curiosity alive.
Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn, praises the book:
“Buy this book for every middle schooler, or about-to-be middle schooler you know. It just might provide the spark that turns what can be difficult years into years of awesome adventure and growth.”
We also explore Chris’s own path from unhappy student to educational innovator — founding a lab school and creating an apprenticeship program that connected more than 17,000 young people with real-world mentors (including one who learned to fly a plane at twelve!).
🔗 Relevant links
- https://www.chrisbalme.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/chrisbalme
- https://www.facebook.com/ChrisBalme/
- https://www.amazon.com/Challenge-Accepted-Adventures-Middle-Awesome/dp/B0FJ2R8DY8
Books mentioned in the podcast
🗓️ Recorded August 15th, 2025. 📍 Lindale, Grange-over-Sands, UK
PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily
Chapters
1. Chris Balme | Challenge Accepted: Turning Adolescence into Adventure Chris Balme (00:00:00)
2. The Middle School Challenge (00:02:05)
3. 50 Adventures for Middle Schoolers (00:04:39)
4. School System vs. Developmental Needs (00:10:04)
5. Stealth Art and Creative Expression (00:18:28)
6. Alternative Education Approaches (00:26:50)
7. Real-World Apprenticeships (00:32:41)
8. Project-Based Learning (00:39:06)
9. Science Fiction and Future Projects (00:44:51)
140 episodes
Manage episode 501631129 series 3443923
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 introduced to Chris by our friend and former guest, Blake Boles, and quickly said yes to the conversation.
Chris shares why adolescence is one of the most powerful stages of development — with a brain growing faster than at any other time, and social awareness reaching new heights — yet why conventional schooling so often gets in the way. Drawing on twelve years of research with adolescents worldwide, he shows how adventures like starting a business, creating guerrilla art, or camping solo can help young people step into their capabilities and keep their curiosity alive.
Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn, praises the book:
“Buy this book for every middle schooler, or about-to-be middle schooler you know. It just might provide the spark that turns what can be difficult years into years of awesome adventure and growth.”
We also explore Chris’s own path from unhappy student to educational innovator — founding a lab school and creating an apprenticeship program that connected more than 17,000 young people with real-world mentors (including one who learned to fly a plane at twelve!).
🔗 Relevant links
- https://www.chrisbalme.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/chrisbalme
- https://www.facebook.com/ChrisBalme/
- https://www.amazon.com/Challenge-Accepted-Adventures-Middle-Awesome/dp/B0FJ2R8DY8
Books mentioned in the podcast
🗓️ Recorded August 15th, 2025. 📍 Lindale, Grange-over-Sands, UK
PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss
SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily
Chapters
1. Chris Balme | Challenge Accepted: Turning Adolescence into Adventure Chris Balme (00:00:00)
2. The Middle School Challenge (00:02:05)
3. 50 Adventures for Middle Schoolers (00:04:39)
4. School System vs. Developmental Needs (00:10:04)
5. Stealth Art and Creative Expression (00:18:28)
6. Alternative Education Approaches (00:26:50)
7. Real-World Apprenticeships (00:32:41)
8. Project-Based Learning (00:39:06)
9. Science Fiction and Future Projects (00:44:51)
140 episodes
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