Best Sue Elvis Podcasts (2025)

1
S2E8 | The Math Myth: How Do Unschooled Kids Learn Math? 2:19:11

10d 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”…

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

24d 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
S2E6 | The Role of Repetition in Learning, Unschooling, and Shaping Identity 2:02:08

1M 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
S2E5 | Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis & Cecilie Conrad on Learning to Read & Trusting Unschooling 2:11:33

2M 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
S2E4 | Unschooling: Trusting the Process and Letting Go of Control 1:56:20

2M 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
S2E3 | Unschooling and Connections: How Learning Is All About Creating a Web of Understanding 1:36:54

3M 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…

1
Nikki Giovanni: the late great poet on integrity, self-care and Tupac tattoos 34:51

3M ago34:51

34:51

Nikki Giovanni was one of the greatest poets of her generation and it was an honour to sit with her for a special episode of The Last Bohemians, recorded in Spring 2024 in London, while she was promoting what would become her final anthology, Poems: 1968-2020 (Penguin Classics). When we saw she was in town, we jumped at the chance to speak with her…

1
S2E2 | Unschooling: Trust, Autonomy, and the Realities of Learning 1:26:58

3M 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…

1
Sue Tilley: the 1980s club kid and artist on Leigh Bowery and modelling for Lucian Freud 27:11

3M ago27:11

27:11

Rewind to the 1980s and London nightlife was an explosion of creativity – the new romantics were in, dramatic fashion looks were everywhere and at the back of the club, having a gossip, there’d be Sue Tilley, also affectionately known as Big Sue. She was the best friend of the outrageous performance artist and fashion designer Leigh Bowery, who bec…

1
208: Why This Unschool Mother Doesn’t Care 1:07:46

4M ago1:07:46

1:07:46

Why don’t I care? Is there nothing I care about? Or do I no longer care about the things that could prevent me from doing what I feel called to do? Have you also learnt not to care? In episode 208, I share: Additional thoughts about episode 207 My new passion for classic cars Why we should take an interest in our kids’ interests even if we don’t th…

1
207: The Unschool Fangirl Returns 1:00:10

4M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

I’m back and I’m fangirling! Will I stay? Will I find a new focus for my podcast? Will I find a co-host? Will I get enough sleep? And who am I fangirling over? This week, I’m sharing thoughts on unschooling as a business doing things for free ageing unschoolers who might have unique skills to offer our superpower- unconditional love competing and p…

1
Molly Parkin: the grand dame of British bohemia on Soho's glory days, Louis Armstrong and self love 26:04

4M ago26:04

26:04

The inspiration for this series, Molly Parkin is a painter, erotic novelist and a former fashion editor who was once just as famous for her bedroom liaisons with the movers and shakers of London. She is never without a bejewelled turban on her head or a saucy anecdote at hand. Now 87, she lives on the iconic World’s End estate in Chelsea, in a kale…

1
S2E1 | Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Curiosity, Flexibility, and Trust with Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis 56:13

4M 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…

1
S1E12 | Embracing Change & Welcoming New Voices 1:00:54

7M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

In 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…

1
S1E11 | Does unschooling work? 1:05:11

10M ago1:05:11

1:05:11

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…

1
Little House: An Interview With Dean Butler 1:00:21

11M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Back in 2009, I did an interivew with Dean Bulter. The 50th anniversary of the TV series "Little House on the Prairie" is this year (2024). The celebration of the TV series continues with events all around the United States. Dean talks about he got into show business and shares some heartfelt stories about his time on Little House. We hear stories …

1
Hans My Hedgehog: A Brother's Grim Fairytale 4:18

11M ago4:18

4:18

"Hans My Hedgehog" is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. Enjoy this special story narrated just for you.

1
S1E10 | Navigating Unschooling and Authority 1:06:11

11M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

In this episode, we explore the balance between personal freedom and societal expectations in unschooling. We discuss the Danish homeschool union, revealing the paradox anarchists face when complying with formal requirements. We also discuss how unschoolers can maintain freedom while fulfilling the need to belong within a community. Our conversatio…

1
S1E9 | Navigating Parenting Conflicts 1:17:32

12M ago1:17:32

1:17:32

Join us as we dive into parenting conflicts and discover how embracing disagreements can strengthen family bonds. We share our insights on handling conflicts, especially within unschooling and conscious parenting. We discuss Luna's journey toward a conflict-free home, proving that avoiding conflicts doesn't mean suppressing emotions. Sarah challeng…

1
206: A Birthday Chat 25:17

1y ago25:17

25:17

Today, on my birthday, I’m chatting about ageing, experimenting, taking risks, encouraging others, and other things. Show Notes I mentioned: The Self Directed podcast with the Conrads Episode 65 of the Self Directed podcast: Sue Elvis / Stories of an Unschooling Family The Unschooling Together community Podcast episode 3, Getting Older, Admitting O…

1
205: Chatting with My Unschooled Author Daughter 1:07:26

1y ago1:07:26

1:07:26

I’m back with my author daughter Imogen! In this episode, we’re chatting about… Writing and how Imogen is promoting and selling her YA novels Collaboration and how we achieve more when we work together The ups and downs of social media We also share some news and tell a couple of stories, including the one about my frightening Frida Kahlo eyebrows!…

1
S1E8 | Embracing Curiosity: Unschooling as a Path to Authentic Learning 1:17:37

1y ago1:17:37

1:17:37

Watching my children one lazy afternoon, unburdened by timetables and homework, I was struck by their innate curiosity. We embrace and celebrate this very authenticity in our little ones in our latest podcast episode. With my fellow wise women Carla, Sarah, and Luna, we weave a conversation around the unschooling movement—a radical shift from tradi…

1
S1E7 | Embracing Unschooling: Practical Strategies for Nurturing Self-Directed Learners 1:23:01

1+ y ago1:23:01

1:23:01

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 par…

1
S1E6 | Da Ladies Kinda Hate Christmas 1:41:43

1+ y ago1:41:43

1:41:43

Join Cecilie, Carla, Luna, and Sarah for a heartfelt and insightful discussion about the complexities of Christmas, as we delve into its many layers. In this episode, we confront the often overwhelming emotions associated with the holiday season, from the stress of consumerism to the intricate family dynamics. We candidly share our experiences with…

1
204: Santa, Books and Expectations 1:09:35

1+ y ago1:09:35

1:09:35

This week, I’m talking about: Desires and Expectations Are desires good? Are expectations about control? Can our expectations spoil our family celebrations? Challenges Should we give our kids space to set their own challenges? Do we need to challenge ourselves too? Books Do people judge us on our book choices? Can sharing the books we’re reading le…

1
S1E5 | Challenging Societal Norms: Navigating the Transition to Unschooling 1:42:12

1+ y ago1:42:12

1:42:12

Have you ever considered that societal norms and structures may be limiting your autonomy? Join Cecilie, Carla, Luna, and Sarah as they challenge these conventions and explore the empowering nature of leading a values-based life. We discuss how unschooling, a deviation from the norm, sparks enlightening conversations and insights. We thoroughly inv…

1
203: Unschooling: Doing What Is Right 48:16

1+ y ago48:16

48:16

This week, I’m talking about right and wrong… If we think something is right, should we do it? Do we have to push through any difficulties we might encounter? Perhaps we can’t give up unless we’re willing to do something we know is wrong. And if we do that, we won’t feel at peace. The big question is: is unschooling the right thing to do? If it is,…

1
202: Tough or Unconditional Love? 45:27

1+ y ago45:27

45:27

Do good parents stay firmly in control of their children, demanding obedience, good behaviour and respect? Do they practise tough love? Or are there problems with this method of parenting? Is there some other way of raising kids to be good people who want to do what is right? Is it okay to parent with unconditional love? This week, I’m sharing a fe…

1
201: Unschooling, Drifting, Planning and True Freedom 37:47

1+ y ago37:47

37:47

Is unschooling about drifting aimlessly through each day? Do unschoolers waste time? Or do they live intentionally responding to their needs and making sure they achieve the things that are relevant and important to them? Do unschoolers direct their lives instead of letting life direct them? Is that the meaning of true freedom? Does the word ‘plann…

1
200: Unconditional Love and Parenting 45:56

1+ y ago45:56

45:56

It is what it is. An interesting episode or not. I don’t suppose it matters. All that’s important is love. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Preventing Childhood Trauma with Unconditional Love. It contains today’s show notes. My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge…

1
S1E4 | Exploring Attachment Parenting and Unschooling: A Shift in Perspective 1:26:31

1+ y ago1:26:31

1:26:31

Join us in exploring attachment parenting, respectful parenting, and unschooling, where we examine the strong biological connections and implications in our parenting choices. We unpack the misconceptions around attachment parenting and discuss how a values-based unschooling life can emerge. This episode helps you understand the nuances of attachme…

1
Little House Interview - Melissa Sue Andersen 23:01

1+ y ago23:01

23:01

We embark on a delightful journey back to Aaron Pacentine's Family Films Productions past interviews. In this special interview podcast, we fondly reminisce about the year 2010, a year that brought us a remarkable interview Melissa Sue Anderson, known for her heartwarming portrayal of Mary Ingalls on the beloved television series, 'Little House on …

1
199: Should We Trust and Unschool Teenagers? 51:10

1+ y ago51:10

51:10

Is it irresponsible to trust and unschool teenagers? When unschoolers reach the teenage years, is it time for something else? Or could unschooling be exactly what our older kids need? Could it keep them safe? This week, I’m discussing these questions and more, sharing lots of thoughts, stories and resources. Show Notes Please visit my blog, Stories…

1
Billy Gilman - Interview The Choice Single - 2012 20:15

1+ y ago20:15

20:15

Welcome to the Popcorn Podcast where extraordinary stories and remarkable voices shine brightly. In this special episode, we are back to November 2012, for the second captivating interview that our host, Aaron Pacentine, had the privilege of conducting with the exceptionally talented country music artist, Billy Gilman. Notably, Aaron and his websit…

1
198: Should Children Be Responsible for Their Own Educations? 46:23

1+ y ago46:23

46:23

Should children be responsible for their own educations? Or is that an irresponsible idea? This week, I’m exploring lots of questions including: Is learning an active activity that needs the learner’s cooperation? Is it impossible to force knowledge into a child without resorting to teaching methods that ultimately destroy their natural love of lea…

1
197: What Do Unschoolers Do Each Day? 39:57

1+ y ago39:57

39:57

Is unschooling about staying in bed late, spending lazy days in the forest, and baking cookies? Or is there more to unschooling than that? What does a typical unschooling day look like? Will it be different in different families? Will it change over time? Whatever it looks like, will it always be packed with deep learning, the kind that matters and…

1
196: Unschooling, Video Games, and Freedom 24:47

1+ y ago24:47

24:47

Are kids more likely to suffer mental health problems if they experience excessive control? Could video games provide safe spaces for kids to retreat to when life becomes too difficult? If we insist kids leave their games and they get upset, could it be the real world that we’re forcing them to return to that’s the problem and not the video games? …

1
195: What is Unschooling? 39:33

1+ y ago39:33

39:33

This week, I’m going back to basics: I’m discussing the question, What is Unschooling? I’m also sharing several stories to illustrate my definition: What Is Unschooling? Why Unschooling Isn’t a Method of Homeschooling What Is Unschooling? A Transcript I also share some links to other unschoolers’ definitions of unschooling. Show Notes Please visit …

1
S1E3 | Navigating Social Challenges in the Unschooling Journey 1:20:11

1+ y ago1:20:11

1:20:11

Unlock the secrets to successful socialization in the unschooling journey with us, your hosts, Cecilie Conrad, Carla Martinez, Sarah Beale, and Luna Maj. We promise to share our personal experiences, address your concerns, and provide invaluable insights that will help you foster a nurturing social environment for your unschooled child. We tackle t…

1
194: Unschoolers, Chores and Rosters 34:03

1+ y ago34:03

34:03

This week, I'm discussing chores. How do we encourage our kids to be generous and willing workers? I’m sharing two stories: How to Get Kids to Do the Chores The Radical Chore Roster Please visit my blog, Stories of an Unschooling Family, to read my post, Can Radical Unschoolers Use Chore Rosters? It contains today’s show notes. My Unschooling Books…

1
193: Should We Push Kids to Use Their Talents, Aim High and Impress? 22:04

1+ y ago22:04

22:04

This week, I’m sharing a blog post, Should We Push Kids to Use Their Talents, Aim High and Impress? This post includes stories about people who have followed the pathway desired by their parents and ended up unhappy. And there’s one story about a man who, despite achieving the necessary grades to study medicine or law, chose to become a high school…

1
S1E2 | Unschooling and Parental Judgment 1:51:33

2y ago1:51:33

1:51:33

Join us for an in-depth conversation on the complexities of unschooling and the role of parental judgment, featuring Cecilie Conrad, Carla Martinez, Sarah Beale, and Luna Maj. We delve into real-life scenarios like encouraging good oral health without coercion and explore the delicate balance between setting boundaries and allowing freedom. Our dis…

1
Beyond The Rainbow: A Journey Rekindled - Pilot (S1E1) 11:33

2y ago11:33

11:33

#TheWizardofOz #JudyGarland Award-Winning Documentary Producer Aaron Pacentine Collaborates with Family Films Productions for Inspiring New Project Audio Drama Series - Beyond The Rainbow Indianapolis, Indiana - 8/19/2023 "A Journey Rekindled" follows the astonishing return of Judy Garland, the beloved actress who portrayed Dorothy in "The Wizard o…

1
192: The Stories of Our Lives 58:39

2y ago58:39

58:39

In episode 192 of my Stories of an Unschooling Family podcast, I talked about: Homework for Life Generating writing ideas Creating second brains Homeschool records, including strewing and planning notebooks and family journals Social media and other online distractions Also: I shared Matthew Dicks’ book, Storyworthy and Tiago Forte’s book, Building…

1
S1E1 | Da Ladies Fixing the world 1:44:12

2y ago1:44:12

1:44:12

Buckle up for a deep dive into the world of unschooling - an unconventional approach to education that is more of a lifelong journey than a destination. This is the first episode of 'Da Ladies Fixing the World" featuring Cecilie Conrad, Luna Maj Vestergaard, Carla Martinez, and Sarah Beale. Together, we investigate the boundaries of Unschooling. Li…

1
The Elvis Presley Story: An Audio Drama 25:32

2y ago25:32

25:32

Get ready to experience the untold story of the Elvis Presley family, narrated by a unique cast, in an exclusive audio drama production.This captivating audio showcase details the birth of Elvis and Priscilla's eldest daughter, Elaine Elizabeth Presley, and the extraordinary journey she took growing up. From carrying on the Presley family legacy to…

1
191: Be Brave and The Unschool Challenge 1:07:28

2+ y ago1:07:28

1:07:28

This week, I'm sharing some big news: I've published a new unschooling book! In this episode, I tell you about The Unschool Challenge, share some family news and a couple of resources, and ponder lots of unschooling thoughts and ideas along the way. Show Notes My Unschooling Books The Unschool Challenge: Kindle The Unschool Challenge: paperback Cur…

1
Sandi Patty - Back From The Past - From 2013 10:32

2+ y ago10:32

10:32

A special first interview back from 2013 with Sandi Patty. The voice of all the voices. We had the opportunity to speak with her, and it was such a pleasureable experience. We talk about some of her music from the past in the 1970s and early 80s. Enjoy!

1
Tribute To The Waltons - Interview With Eric Scott (Ben) 26:10

2+ y ago26:10

26:10

As a well-known American actor, Eric Scott played Ben Walton in the TV film The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, which inspired the TV series, "The Waltons" which aired on CBS for several years in the 1970s and early 80s, as well as several reunion movies later in his career.

1
Michéle Lamy: the subversive style shaman on couture, chaos and Kim Kardashian 26:17

2+ y ago26:17

26:17

For the final episode of The Last Bohemians: LA, supported by Audio-Technica, we meet French fashion disruptor and true original, Michéle Lamy. She’s been married to the designer Rick Owens, her former pattern cutter, since 2006 and is often referred to as his 'muse'. But Michéle is a chameleonic creative in her own right, forever staging art happe…

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