Remember how I was talking about pushing ourselves to do things outside our comfort zones? Well, I almost said no the first time someone invited me to discuss unschooling on their podcast because I didn’t want to put myself in an unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable situation.
I was confident talking about unschooling when recording my own podcasts: I was in control. I could stop, delete, and start again if the words didn’t flow. But what would happen if I had trouble finding the right words in a live conversation? I almost declined the interview invitation. It seemed safer to do this. Then I gathered my courage and emailed Pam Laricchia, saying, “Yes, I’d love to join you!”
The day for the podcast interview arrived, and with shaking hands, I connected my mic to my laptop and waited for Pam to admit me into the Zoom (or was it Skype?) chat. A couple of minutes later, all my nervousness disappeared. Pam was easy to talk with. I needn’t have worried about my answers to her questions: they flowed off my lips. And I enjoyed the conversation immensely.
When the podcast interview ended, I sat back and basked in the warm, satisfied feeling permeating my body. I’d done it! I was excited: a new world had opened in front of me. Maybe I could join other unschooling conversations now that I was no longer scared of talking live on the Internet.
Since that episode of the Exploring Unschooling podcast, I’ve joined in with lots of online unschooling discussions. The most recent was with Jesper and Cecilie Conrad for their Self Directed podcast.
Here are the details of episode 65: Sue Elvis, Stories of an Unschooling Family
Sue Elvis from StoriesOfAnUnschoolingFamily.com as she shares her fascinating journey through unschooling her children. Sue shares how she strikes a balance between fostering her children’s individual passions and engaging in collective family activities, creating a harmonious learning environment free from the constraints of traditional education.
Listen in as she describes the significance of being present, especially in the mornings, and how she integrates her interests in blogging and podcasting into the rich tapestry of her family’s daily life.
In our heart-to-heart discussion, we contemplate the evolution of the parent-child relationship within the unschooling context, especially as children approach adulthood. Discover how unschooling can empower children to make discerning choices about social acceptance and conformity and the parental endeavor to earn our children’s respect beyond our roles as their guardians.
We share our experiences of unschooling, the profound impact of community, and the enduring influence of parental love and support on the path of learning.
🗓️ Recorded April 2nd, 2024. 📍 The Lovetts, Fresno, California, United States
If you’d like to watch the video version of our conversation, here it is:
I hope you will listen to or watch episode 65.
Also, please subscribe to the Self Directed podcast. The Conrads have interviewed many wonderfully interesting people, including Sue Patterson, Sandra Dodd and Gordon Neufeld. You could scroll through their episode archive.
And why not follow Jesper and Cecilie on Instagram at theconrad.family? You could follow me too at stories_ofan_unschoolingfamily!
I wrote about stepping outside my comfort zone and chatting with Pam Laricchia in the story, Difficult Things:
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So, what do you think?
Do you listen to unschooling podcasts? Do you have a favourite one? Perhaps you’ve been interviewed for a podcast? If you have, please leave some details so I can listen!
And are you familiar with that warm, satisfied feeling that appears when we’ve done something that required a bit of courage?
A big thank you, Jesper and Cecilie, for making me feel so welcome on your podcast. After recording two podcast conversations with you, and anticipating getting together with you next week to record a third one, I feel like we have been friends forever!
Hi Sue,
I listened to that episode where you were interviewed. You sounded wonderful & made some great points and the interview was very interesting. I hope you do go back for another talk about unconditional love. Thank you for continuing to share all your wisdom about unschooling and this way of life. It certainly is a much more peaceful way to live as a family.
I always loved to hear what your kids were up to but you make a good point about social media.
Take care and God bless,
Deb
Deb,
It’s so good to hear from you! I often think about you and wonder how you are doing.
Thank you for your kind words about the podcast conversation. Jesper and Cecilie were very easy to talk to. I enjoyed chatting with them immensely.
We got together again a couple of weeks ago and recorded a second episode for the Self Directed podcast. That’s the one about unconditional love. I don’t know when it will be published. Soon, maybe? And I’m recording a third podcast episode with the Conrads next week.
I hope all is well with you and your family. God bless!
That’s great Sue. Although you have finished unschooling your kids, your words of wisdom & kindness can continue to help so many other families. That is wonderful.
I am currently reading your 3rd unschooling book. It’s very good. So full of good ideas.
You were right all along Sue. Thank you for “not abandoning ship” years ago when things didn’t go smoothly. Life can be very challenging at times.
I respect and appreciate your staying power through it all.😊
Deb,
Thank you for reading ‘The Unschool Challenge’. I’m glad you like it!
Oh yes, life has its ups and downs. There are times when we can feel like giving up. But challenges aren’t a sign we’re on the wrong pathway, are they? We have to keep going!
I appreciate your kind words!