A couple of days ago, I posted the following words on Instagram:
Friends, I need some feedback! We’re almost at the end of February and I haven’t made a single podcast so far this year. (Did you notice?!) Why haven’t I sat down in front of my mic and made some new episodes?
Well, I’ve been having lots of problems with my equipment. After spending another afternoon trying to get my setup to work, I’ve concluded that I need a new mic.
My other problem is having something interesting to talk about. I feel like I’ve said everything I can about unschooling.
But I do have an idea. Each week, I could choose several blog posts on a similar topic: trust, English, teenagers, strewing, love, record keeping, younger unschoolers… and read them out. I could make a few comments and then finish each episode with a quick bit of news etc.
If I’m clever, I might be able to divide the podcasts into chapters, one for each story. Then you’d be able to choose individual stories to listen to. It would be a bit like an audiobook.
I’ve shared blog posts and stories from my unschooling books in the past, but I still have loads of posts that you may not have heard. I could dig deep into my archives!
Please let me know if you’re interested in this type of audioblog podcast. I don’t want to buy a new mic and spend hours sorting out software problems (and learning about podcast chapters) if no one will listen!
btw, if you’ve never listened to my stories of an unschooling family podcast, you can find it on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, my blog, or your favourite podcast app. I’ve made 165 episodes. Hopefully, I’ll make more!
So what happened? Did I get any feedback? Yes, I did! And after reading it, I went shopping for a new mic. Then yesterday afternoon, I headed into my closet, set up my podcasting equipment and started talking. And do you know what? My episode recorded almost perfectly! (Next time, I might position the mic more carefully to avoid the few clunks and bumps that did manage to make their way into my recording.)
It seems that I am no longer an ex-podcaster. I’m now back on track and feeling enthusiastic about another year of podcasting!
In episode 166: Unschooling Sausages and Other History Stories:
- I tell you where I’ve been for the last 3 months.
- I’m sharing a new podcast format idea.
- I’m talking about podcast chapters.
- I’m asking for some feedback.
- I’m reading 3 unschooling stories that are tagged history and geography (and also English and unschooling).
- And I’m sharing some resources.
What if you’ve already read my blog stories? Is it worth listening to my podcast? I hope it is! After I’ve shared each story, I’m adding some extra comments that aren’t in the original posts.
Show Notes
My Unschooling Books
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Curious Unschoolers: paperback
Radical Unschool Love: paperback
Blog Posts
How Light Can Turn into Deep and Serious
Watching History as it Happened
Resources
Richard III: The King in the Carpark
Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets
Where You Can Find Me
Youtube
Blog
Stories of an Unschooling Family
Photos
Are Andy and Charlotte cooking sausages for dinner? Perhaps not. It looks like they’re preparing a roast lamb meal!
Thank you
Thank you for listening. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating would help too!
Feedback
I hope you will consider leaving some feedback. If you do and don’t mind me sharing it with listeners in next week’s episode, please let me know. Of course, as usual, you are welcome to just stop by and say hello!
I just finished listening, and yes, I liked the format very much! It never hurts to review good ideas, and since I have missed many of your posts, unless the stories are in your books, they are new to me. I think it’s interesting to hear your comments on older stories too–even if your opinion on a topic changes over time. Has this ever happened since you started blogging about unschooling?
Emily,
I’m so glad you like the podcast format!
Has my opinion changed on any topic over time? That’s a great question! I’ve changed my mind about maths. Years ago, I couldn’t see how kids could learn maths without using a formal structured program. It seemed hard to let go of control of this subject. But I finally did because my girls started to say they hated maths and weren’t good at it. Unschooling maths gave them a new appreciation for maths!
Hi Sue,
Just finished listening to the podcast. It was great. I can hear the enthusiasm in your voice.? I like the new idea of topics and related stories and resources for both strewing/record keeping purposes. I am going to check out the history and geography resources for my own interest and share it with my boys.
They ask about you and your family b/c they remember me reading the Angel family stories to them. We looked up info about your fire fighters and the weather patterns in Australia b/c of what you and your family were experiencing. Amazing the conversations that are generated from one topic to the next. This was a great start back with podcasting. I’m sure all of your regular listeners missed you while you weren’t podcasting for a few months. But I wouldn’t have expected you to podcast while you were so busy with the bushfire crisis and of course the Christmas holidays etc, probably everyone knew you were quite preoccupied with the situation. It’s so good when things settle back down a bit and life can return to something more normal. I’m looking forward to hearing all your thoughts and ideas. Thank you Sue. ?❤️?
PS. I like the new closing words, very good.
Deb,
What wonderful feedback! I appreciate your thoughts and encouragement. I shared your comment in this week’s episode. Thank you for writing it! ❤️