Best Cecilie Conrad Podcasts (2025)

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

11h ago50:39

50:39

Send us a text 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 Revolut…

1
Hidden Voices Speak: An Anthology of Home Educated Voices 41:56

7d ago41:56

41:56

Send us a text 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 t…

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

11d ago1:17:02

1:17:02

Send us a text 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 …

1
Navigating Unschooling and Nomadic Life | The Conrads in dialogue with Heidi & Andrew Schrum 53:08

21d ago53:08

53:08

Send us a text 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 mont…

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S2E12 | Unschooling Isn’t Freedom Gone Wild: Why Choices Matter More Than Ideals 1:33:04

26d ago1:33:04

1:33:04

In this episode, Cecilie, Sandra, and Sue unpack the popular—but often misleading—idea of freedom in unschooling. What does it really mean to live freely, and what’s the cost when freedom becomes the goal instead of a tool? They discuss how some families rush into radical unschooling, letting go of all structure without understanding the role of gu…

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

28d ago51:17

51:17

Send us a text 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 transitio…

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

1M ago1:21:58

1:21:58

Send us a text 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…

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S2E11 | Unschooling, Attachment, and the Art of Letting Go: Building Trust Instead of Rules 1:33:10

1M ago1:33:10

1:33:10

What happens when unschooling parents trade control for genuine connection? In this deep and honest conversation, Cecilie Conrad (Denmark), Sandra Dodd (USA), and Sue Elvis (Australia) tackle the big questions of attachment, freedom, and how trust transforms the parent-child relationship. Many parents fear that giving their children more freedom wi…

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

1M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

Send us a text 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 thou…

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

2M ago57:53

57:53

Send us a text 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 …

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S2E10 | Is It Working? Wrestling with Doubt in Unschooling 1:36:40

2M ago1:36:40

1:36:40

Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd, and Sue Elvis discuss doubt and fear in unschooling—where they come from, how they spread, and how to move through them without defaulting to school-based thinking. They explore the pressure of responsibility, the impact of lingering fears, and why letting go of outcomes helps build trust in both learning and relationsh…

1
Jack Stewart | What I Learned When I Turned Off the Internet: Real Life Begins 54:30

2M ago54:30

54:30

Send us a text 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…

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

2M ago52:34

52:34

Send us a text 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 exp…

1
S2E9 | Unschooling: How Do We Know They’re Learning? 1:48:06

2M ago1:48:06

1:48:06

What if we abandoned the question "How do we know they're learning?" and trusted that they are? In this conversation, Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd, and Sue Elvis look closely at the fears that drive many unschooling parents to seek proof of learning—and why those fears may come from old conditioning rather than real concerns. They explore how learni…

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

2M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Send us a text 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 th…

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

3M ago58:33

58:33

Send us a text 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 thous…

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S2E8 | The Math Myth: How Do Unschooled Kids Learn Math? 2:19:11

3M ago2:19:11

2:19:11

In this episode, we explore one of the most persistent questions in unschooling: What about math? Cecilie, Sandra, and Sue examine the widespread belief that children can’t learn math without formal instruction — and explain why that belief doesn’t hold up. Cecilie reflects on the early years of home education in her family, the pressure to “cover”…

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

3M ago37:12

37:12

Send us a text 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, resilie…

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Anna Vestlev Sandfeld | Why We Choose Unschooling 49:50

3M ago49:50

49:50

Send us a text 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 refle…

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S2E7 | Unschooling is Carried by Conversations 1:19:18

3M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

Dinner tables, car rides, bedtime chats, café corners—this episode dives into the real places where unschooling lives and grows. Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd, and Sue Elvis examine how conversations—often unscheduled, informal, and unplanned—become the central structure of a learning life. They discuss the Danish tradition of the daily family dinner…

1
Amir Nathoo | Outschool: Passion, Not Curriculum, Is the Future of Education 28:15

3M ago28:15

28:15

Send us a text 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 jus…

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

4M ago41:05

41:05

Send us a text 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 mindse…

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S2E6 | The Role of Repetition in Learning, Unschooling, and Shaping Identity 2:02:08

4M ago2:02:08

2:02:08

What’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…

1
Dr. Cam Caswell | Why Control Fails and Connection Works with Teens 49:29

4M ago49:29

49:29

Send 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…

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

4M ago1:15:08

1:15:08

Send 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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S2E5 | Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis & Cecilie Conrad on Learning to Read & Trusting Unschooling 2:11:33

4M ago2:11:33

2:11:33

Sandra 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…

1
Yasmin & Andy | Beyond Boundaries: One Family's Journey from England to Jungle Living in Belize 57:56

4M ago57:56

57:56

Send 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…

1
Amanda Diekman | Radical Acceptance and Low Demand Parenting 50:18

4M ago50:18

50:18

Send 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

5M ago1:56:20

1:56:20

Traditional 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 …

1
Luz Olid and David Caballero | Education Evolution: Beyond Traditional Schooling 51:13

5M ago51:13

51:13

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

5M ago57:02

57:02

Send 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 1:36:54

5M ago1:36:54

1:36:54

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

5M ago1:12:54

1:12:54

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

5M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Send 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

5M ago1:26:58

1:26:58

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

6M ago57:12

57:12

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

6M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

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

6M ago1:28:28

1:28:28

Send 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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Essie Richards | Breaking Free: Unschooling and Reimagining Education in the UK 1:01:19

6M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Send 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

6M ago56:13

56:13

What 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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Sugata Mitra | How Learning Emerges Naturally Through Self-Organizing Systems 1:07:59

7M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

Send 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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Dola Dasgupta | Unschooling in India: Embracing Choice and Navigating Challenges 47:07

7M ago47:07

47:07

Send 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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Peter Gray | Rethinking Education: The Power of Play and Self-Directed Learning 1:31:09

7M ago1:31:09

1:31:09

Send 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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Naomi Fisher | Changing Our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning 48:18

7M ago48:18

48:18

Send 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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Jacob Nordby | Embracing Change and Creative Living through Self-Discovery 52:37

7M ago52:37

52:37

Send 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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Amrit Sandhu | The Power of Consistency, Meaningful Conversations, and Gratitude. 1:07:43

8M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Send 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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Meryl Danziger | Unlocking Musical Potential: Following Joy, Not Rules 1:34:34

8M ago1:34:34

1:34:34

Send 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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Rebecca Jean-Charles | It Takes a Village: Community Building and Unschooling 1:02:37

8M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Send 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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Marta Obiols Llistar | How Unschooling Transforms Teens: Self-Discovery & Resilience 59:20

8M ago59:20

59:20

Send 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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Rebecca Jean-Charles | Edugenic Harm: The Hidden Abuse of the School System 43:31

9M ago43:31

43:31

Send 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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