Self Directed

Cecilie & Jesper Conrad

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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Top 10 Self Directed Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Self Directed episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Self Directed for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Self Directed episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

44: Randall Hardy | Breaking Barriers: How to Have a Respectful Approach to Parenting

Self Directed

11/29/23 • 99 min

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Randall Hardy joins us for a conversation on the complexities of parenting and the journey to adulthood. Randall shares insights from his own parenting journey; and together, we promise to redefine your understanding of 'childism', family dynamics, and preparing children for adulthood. You'll learn to identify and rectify the problematic ways we sometimes communicate with children and reflect on whether perfection is truly the goal in parenting or simply being 'good' is enough.
We'll take you through a discussion on the challenges modern society presents in nourishing strong family bonds and the implications of mandatory schooling. Randall's perspective on these topics will make you question conventional thinking on parenting and family life. Creating a family-friendly space at home, the significance of family meal times, and the importance of making family time a positively memorable experience are just a few of the many aspects we cover.
This episode doesn't shy away from challenging the status quo of child-rearing norms, from the necessity of children having their own rooms to the assumption that children become the state's responsibility after a certain age.
With a deep dive into the financial implications of schooling and discussions on parental responsibility, we aim to provoke thought and encourage listeners to make informed decisions. Above all, you'll gain an understanding of how our ultimate job as parents is to equip our children with the skills they need to become capable adults, making this episode invaluable for anyone on the intricate path of parenthood.
🗓️ Recorded October 25th, 2023. 📍Playa del Carmen, Mexico

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

Randall's blog: "No Nationalisation of our Kids": https://northshropshe.wordpress.com/
HEFF2023 Talk by Randall: https://northshropshe.wordpress.com/2023/08/29/when-governments-are-not-listening/
Randall is also a team member of The HE Byte – Commenting on the UK EHE political scene: https://he-byte.uk/
Book recommendation: Michaeleen Doucleff - Hunt, Gather, Parent:
https://michaeleendoucleff.com

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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

Special: Cecilie Conrad on raising Worldschoolers

Self Directed

09/19/23 • 58 min

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This is a repost of an interview Lizz Quain from Trailblazing Families did with Cecilie Conrad.
The conversation moves beyond the typical travel tales; we plunge into the depths of unschooling and how it complements the nomadic lifestyle beautifully. Cecilie shares the roller-coaster ride of transitioning to unschooling, navigating the pandemic, and choosing to stay in mainland Europe. We'll also discuss the importance of emergency preparedness and the inherent challenges of this alternative form of education. Expect to hear rich anecdotes and get a sneak peek into our current life and future plans.
The final segments of our conversation venture into the future of world-schooled children. Cecilie and Lizz engage in a meaningful dialogue about unschooling and how it equips children to the demands of the 21st century. We delve into the realms of self-directed learning and the significance of children designing their own life paths. Hear about Cecilies own experiences with her daughter, who became a writer at 11, and my son, who's on his own unique journey. We close our conversation by engaging in the challenges of world schooling, from financial hiccups to socializing on the road and facing health issues. Get ready for an episode packed with real, relatable, and inspiring stories from a world-schooling family!
🗓️ Recorded August 30th, 2023. 📍Chateau Jasmine, Passais-Villages, France
▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬
Cecilie Conrad's blog in Danish: https://cecilieconrad.dk
Cecilie Conrad's blog in English: https://cecilieconrad.com
Cecilie Conrad on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ceciliefelumbconrad
Cecilie Conrad on FB: https://www.facebook.com/Ceciliefelumbconrad
Lizz Quain and Trailblazing Families on FB: https://www.facebook.com/TrailblazingFamilies
Lizz Quain on IG: https://www.instagram.com/trailblazing_families
Trailblazing Families on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trailblazingfamilies

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15: Martin Cooke | Navigating Fatherhood and being a Stay-at-Home Dad

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05/10/23 • 97 min

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Have you ever felt the weight of loneliness or struggled to find your place in the world? Join us for an insightful conversation with homeschool dad Martin Cooke. Together, we discuss the impact of creating safe spaces for men to open up, share their experiences, and form connections that can combat feelings of isolation.
Martin Cooke is a stay-at-home day we got to learn at World School Summit in Granada, Spain in 2019. It was fascinating to meet so many like-minded people. And many a strong bond was created. Martin Cooke is one of the homeschool dads we met and fell in love with.
During the summit, Martin created a Men’s Circle, where dads could get together and talk about how it is to be a husband, dad, and homeschool father. Martin finds that men often find it harder to vocalize their emotions, making it difficult to connect with others and find support. So for him, it felt natural to create a safe space where we men could get together. It allowed us to be vulnerable and share our struggles and challenges without fear of judgment or shame.
The experience of attending the Men’s circle helped me to see myself in a new light, and it has since grown in me that I want to help more men to find a better balance in their life. To help them to break down the toxic societal norms that often prevent men from seeking help and support when they need it most. To help them become better husbands, fathers, and friends.

The first step is to have more open, honest talks about how it is to be a man and a father. I hope you will enjoy this episode. I know I enjoyed the talk, and I am still on a journey to becoming a better dad.
Martin's journey into men's circles is just the beginning - in this episode, we also explore the intertwining of identity with work, the value of embracing change, and the serendipitous moments that lead us on unexpected paths. We delve deeper into topics such as masculinity, vulnerability, and the unique challenges of parenting - touching on the joys, the struggles, and the educational experiences that come with raising children.
Lastly, we venture into the world of alternative education as Martin shares his experiences with homeschooling and the power dynamics at play in traditional schooling systems. We discuss the importance of giving our children the freedom to explore their passions and the courage necessary to question societal expectations.
See show notes at TheConrad.Family/SelfDirected15
Read about the Wilderness Woods:

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67: Laura Grace Weldon | Free Range Learning

Self Directed

05/08/24 • 49 min

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Join us for an in-depth talk with Laura Grace Weldon, who has written a handbook on natural education titled Free Range Learning. Together, we dive into the transformative world of free-range learning.
Laura shares her profound insights on how natural learning processes can significantly benefit children, contrasting it with the restrictive norms of traditional schooling.
The discussion explores the concept of unschooling, emphasizing the importance of preserving a child's innate curiosity and individuality.
Laura's personal stories and practical examples shed light on fostering an environment where children learn through exploration and real-life experiences rather than structured education.
This episode challenges conventional educational paradigms and encourages parents to embrace a more intuitive and playful approach to learning, ensuring that children grow into well-rounded, creative individuals.
▬ Connect with Laura Grace Weldon ▬
Website: https://lauragraceweldon.com/
Free Range Learning on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeRangeLearningCommunity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.euphoria
X: https://twitter.com/earnestdrollery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earnestdrollery/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/LauraGraceWeldon/
Bit of Earth Farm: https://bitofearthfarm.wordpress.com/
🗓️ Recorded April 16th, 2024. 📍Belton, Missouri, United States

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

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02/12/25 • 88 min

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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 (1783–1872), a Danish pastor, philosopher, and educator who emphasized personal formation ("Dannelse") as equally important as academic education ("Uddannelse").

In the second half of our conversation, we shift into the digital world, where Jessica introduces her latest project, RaisingDigitalCitizens.com. She explains how parents can foster healthy relationships with technology, build trust, and guide children in navigating the online world safely.

🗓️ Recorded January 29th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark

📚 Learn more about Jessica Joelle Alexander’s work:

🔗 Jessica Joelle Alexander

🔗 Raising Digital Citizens

🔗 The Danish Way

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39: Laurie A. Couture | Empowering Children: A Fresh Perspective on Trauma, Attachment, and Alternative Education

Self Directed

10/25/23 • 76 min

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Laurie A Couture is an expert in childhood developmental trauma and attachment, and the author of "Nurturing and Empowering Our Sons" and "Instead of Medicating and Punishing." In this episode, Laurie shares her groundbreaking insights and introduces the Couture Protocol, a transformative 12-dimensional system for trauma recovery, emphasizing the importance of tailoring education to individual needs.

We dive deep into the challenges faced by parents in today's society, exploring how labeling and controlling children within the educational and mental health systems can have detrimental effects. Laurie sheds light on the pressures placed on children in conventional schooling, often masking underlying trauma and stifling their authentic selves and interests.

Our discussion also delves into the lifelong significance of secure attachment and its impact on a child's development. Laurie provides valuable insights into the consequences of a lack of secure attachment and how it can lead to a materialistic approach to life and difficulties in forming healthy relationships in adulthood. We also explore the challenges and solutions of homeschooling as a single working parent and the unique importance of physical love and nurturance, especially for boys and young men.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in creating a brighter future for our children.

🗓️ Recorded October 12th, 2023. 📍Coma Ruga, Spain

▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬

Lauries website: https://laurieacouture.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurieacouture/
https://www.facebook.com/LaurieACoutureAuthor/
https://twitter.com/laurieacouture
Book: Instead of Medicating and Punishing - https://www.amazon.com/Instead-Medicating-Punishing-Childrens-Acting-Out/dp/1932279970
Book: Nurturing and Empowering Our Sons - https://www.amazon.com/Nurturing-Empowering-Sons-Laurie-Couture-ebook/dp/B0BZ1F9SK2

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

Self Directed

02/26/25 • 57 min

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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 co-author of Pseudo-Work: How We Ended Up Being Busy Doing Nothing, he examines why unnecessary work persists and how it shapes our perception of productivity. In I Wish My Boss Was a Chief, he applies leadership lessons from indigenous cultures to modern management, questioning whether our current systems are as effective as we assume.

This conversation explores how unfreedom has become a feature of work and society, limiting personal agency and reinforcing structures of control. Predictions from a century ago suggested that technological progress would reduce working hours, yet most people today work as much as ever. Why has this happened? How do schools, workplaces, and governments encourage dependence rather than autonomy? And what can be done to reclaim control over our time and choices?

Key Topics

What pseudo-work is and why it persists
How bureaucracy and control shape modern work culture
The shift from work as necessity to work as identity
Why predictions of reduced working hours never materialized
How education reinforces compliance rather than independence
Rethinking work, freedom, and personal agency

Dennis Nørmark challenges assumptions about work and productivity, raising questions about what it means to contribute meaningfully in a system that values busyness over results.

🗓️ Recorded February 20th, 2025. 📍 Finhan, France

📚 Connect with Dennis Nørmark

English Website: https://www.dennisnormark.com
Danish Website: https://www.dennisnormark.dk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-nørmark-speaker

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Da Ladies #7 | Embracing Unschooling: Practical Strategies for Nurturing Self-Directed Learners

Self Directed

02/07/24 • 80 min

We explore practical strategies for nurturing our children's natural curiosity and love of learning. Together with my three friends—Sarah Bealel, Carla Martinez, and Luna Maj Vestergaard, we get hands-on, shedding light on how unschooling unfolds in daily life.
We share insights into how children learn to read without formal lessons and discuss parents' vital role as facilitators rather than traditional teachers, providing an environment rich with opportunities for self-directed learning.
Listen in as we examine the evolving landscape of children's education, from the significance of play in early childhood to the transition towards more structured pursuits as they grow. We reflect on how our roles as parents adapt to support our kids' changing needs and learning styles.
Discover how embracing flexibility and trust in the unschooling process allows for diverse learning experiences, from gaming and travel to real-world projects that teach traditional subjects like world history and mathematics in unconventional yet profoundly effective ways.
We celebrate the personalized educational paths unschooled children take. Acknowledge the self-directed nature of their learning, which empowers them to make choices that align with their life goals and interests.
Whether your child is drawn to academic subjects or alternative pursuits, this episode reassures you that unschooling is about respecting each child's unique journey, encouraging their innate capacity for reflection, and supporting them as they navigate their way through the rich landscape of knowledge and skills they choose to explore.
🗓️ Recorded February 2nd, 2024. 📍Playa Dorada, Lengüeta Arenosa, Baja California, Mexico
▬ EPISODE LINKS ▬
Luna Maj Vestergaard:

Carla Martinez:

Sara Beale:

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66: Sue Elvis | Live a radical life of unconditional love

Self Directed

05/02/24 • 77 min

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Discover the essence of unconditional love and its profound impact on parenting and education as we welcome back Sue Elvis for another heartening conversation.

This episode peels back the layers of what it truly means to love our children without conditions, exploring the intersection of this powerful emotion with the unschooling philosophy.

Sue delves into how respecting our children's individuality and passions is not just about meeting homeschooling legalities but about nurturing their well-being and learning experiences from a place of genuine support.
We reflect on the challenges and the sometimes stark contrast between our idyllic visions of family life and the messier realities.
Unconditional love emerges as a transformative force in our discussion, not as a passive acceptance but as an active foundation of forgiveness and growth.
We share personal stories and insights that unpack the nuances of expressing this love, even in the face of societal expectations and the unique trials parenting can bring.
This episode promises to leave you with a newfound appreciation for the superpower of compassion within your family dynamics.
We also discuss parenting teenagers, dispelling misconceptions, and embracing their unique perspectives on the family unit.
We underscore the importance of positivity and patience, particularly through the turbulent teen years, and the profound gratitude that comes with the privilege of nurturing the next generation.
🗓️ Recorded April 11nd, 2024. 📍Belton, Missouri, United States
▬ Connect with Sue Elvis ▬
Website: https://www.sueelvis.com
Unschooling Website: https://www.storiesofanunschoolingfamily.com
Books by Sue Elvis: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sue-Elvis/author/B00QTDRCBM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SueElvis
Podcast:

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105: Sugata Mitra | How Learning Emerges Naturally Through Self-Organizing Systems

Self Directed

01/29/25 • 68 min

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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 traditional educational systems and advocates for self-organized and emergent learning as the future of education.

After a lighthearted opening about weather and cultural quirks, we transition to the ideas that underpin Sugata’s groundbreaking research.

The incredible story of the "Hole in the Wall" experiment, where children in a New Delhi slum mastered computer skills and explored the internet without formal teaching.
The difference between self-directed, self-organized, and self-organizing systems in education—and why it matters.
Reflections on unschooling and redefining education as self-directed learning, breaking away from rigid curricula.
The role of technology, including the rise of generative AI, and how it impacts what it means to "know" in the 21st century.
A philosophical discussion on truth, learning as an emergent phenomenon, and the importance of nonsense and unanswerable questions in human development.
Reflections on communal learning and human connection.

🗓️ Recorded January 18th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark
🔗 Relevant links

Sugata Mitra's TED Talks: Build a School in the Cloud (TED Prize Talk) and The Child-Driven Education
Hole in the Wall Project: Learn more about the famous "Hole in the Wall" experiment: Hole in the Wall Project Overview
School in the Cloud: Explore Sugata’s initiative that empowers children to self-organize and learn: School in the Cloud Website
Sugata Mitra’s Website: https://www.cevesm.com/
Sugata Mitra on X.com: https://x.com/Sugatam
Order Out of Chaos by Ilya Prigogine: The book that influenced Sugata’s thinking on self-organizing systems: Order Out of Chaos on Amazon

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FAQ

How many episodes does Self Directed have?

Self Directed currently has 129 episodes available.

What topics does Self Directed cover?

The podcast is about Homeschooling, Parenting, Kids & Family, Podcasts, Digital Nomad, Self-Improvement and Education.

What is the most popular episode on Self Directed?

The episode title 'Da Ladies #3 | Navigating Social Challenges in the Unschooling Journey' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Self Directed?

The average episode length on Self Directed is 68 minutes.

How often are episodes of Self Directed released?

Episodes of Self Directed are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Self Directed?

The first episode of Self Directed was released on Feb 2, 2023.

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Self Directed

Cecilie & Jesper Conrad

Top 10 Self Directed Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Self Directed have?

What topics does Self Directed cover?

What is the most popular episode on Self Directed?

What is the average episode length on Self Directed?

How often are episodes of Self Directed released?

When was the first episode of Self Directed?

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