Podcasts Picks For Unschoolers
Take what feels good to you and leave the rest.
Hey there! I'm Elizabeth, a mum of three in South Wiltshire, UK. With a degree in Early Education and over twenty years of experience, I'm passionate about supporting children and families. Join me on my journey of unschooling with my husband Justin, while building our learning community and forest school. I'll share insights into our unschooling lifestyle, part-time travel, community building, and the slow seasonal rhythms of motherhood. Subscribe for twice-weekly updates straight to your inbox and let's create a beautiful community together!
Hello friends,
Welcome to a journey through the world of podcasts tailored perfectly for our unique approach to learning and living. Today, I am thrilled to share with you a few of my favourite podcasts that have enriched our unschooling experience.
In this digital soundscape, we'll explore podcasts that spark curiosity, ignite creativity, and inspire boundless exploration outside the confines of traditional education. As advocates of unschooling, we understand the importance of embracing diversity and individuality in learning journeys. So, remember: take what feels good to you and leave the rest.
While not all of my recommendations are directly about home education, I have discovered and value a wide range of podcasts that help me on my unschooling journey. Whether they offer insights into mindfulness, creativity, or simply provide a welcome escape, each podcast contributes to our holistic approach to learning and living.
Whether you're a seasoned unschooling parent seeking fresh perspectives or someone intrigued by the idea of home education, these podcasts offer a treasure trove of insights, stories, and ideas to invigorate or ignite your journey. Join me as we dive into the diverse realms of these podcasts, each offering a distinct lens through which to view the world and embrace the freedom of learning without boundaries. From thought-provoking conversations to immersive storytelling, prepare to be captivated by the power of audio as we navigate the exciting landscape of unschooling-friendly podcasts.
I've provided links for each podcast, with some directing to Google Podcasts, my preferred platform for listening. However, you can also locate these podcasts on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching for them.
Exploring Unschooling by Pam Laricchia
“Explore unschooling with Pam Laricchia, unschooling mom and author. Choosing to live and learn without school isn’t as intimidating as you might first imagine. Children really do love learning when it's driven by curiosity rather than curriculum, and the connected and trusting relationships that develop in unschooling families are priceless.”
Australian Homeschool Stories by
“A celebration of homeschooling families living life according to their values in connection with the beautiful lands we are fortunate to call home.”
Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields
“What does it mean to live a good life? Is it about happiness, health, friendship, love, or meaning? What about work, wealth, purpose, service, or something else? Can you live a good life even when things are hard? These are the questions and topics we explore every week in conversation with leading voices from health, science, art, industry, mindset, and culture, like Brené Brown, Matthew McConaughey, Mel Robbins, Alex, Elle, Adam Grant, Elizabeth Gilbert, Yung Pueblo, Maya Shankar, Mitch Albom, Glennon Doyle & hundreds more."
Let ‘em go Barefoot by
“Exploring child development and well-being, education, parent-child relationships, and family systems through the lens of mindful awareness.”
The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins
“You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how. Every episode is packed with deeply relatable topics, tactical advice, hilarious screwups, compelling conversations, and the tools and inspiration you need to create a better life. Tune in and buckle up – your life is about to change.”
Rhythm, Routine and Reverence by Meagan Rose Wilson
“Meagan Rose Wilson is a mother of four, Waldorf educator and systems thinking expert. She and her guests share a wealth of resources and information to help you make space for what matters most to you.”
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast by Ginny Yurich
“Childhood is finite at just shy of 9.5 million minutes. We only get one shot at it. One of the biggest decisions we make is how we will use that time. Research has confirmed time and time again that what children are naturally and unabashedly drawn to, unrestricted outside play, contributes extensively to every area of childhood development. The importance here cannot be understated. Every year we aim to match nature time with the average amount of American kid screen time (which is currently 1200 hours per year). Have a goal. Track your time outside. Take back childhood. Inspire others.”
As The Season Turns by and Ffern
“As the Season Turns is a podcast created by Ffern (www.ffern.co) and presented by the nature writer . Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.”
Brave Writer By Julie Bogart
“The Brave Writer podcast is a big juicy conversation about how to bring learning to life for your kids! Julie Bogart and guests talk about how parents and children are partners in the learning adventure, especially when approaching the daunting task of writing. Brave Writer appeals to homeschoolers, educators, and parents who want more out of "school" than merely passing tests.”
The Tortoise with Brooke McAlary by
“To strive is human, to saunter divine. Welcome to The Tortoise - a podcast that digs deep into the power of slow. Brooke McAlary (author of "Slow", "Care" and "Destination Simple") is joined by her husband Ben for a monthly deep dive into the realities of trying to live slow in a world that won't stop racing. On the third Thursday of every month, join Brooke and Ben for an unscripted, unedited, always candid and usually fun conversation about slow living and how embracing our inner tortoise can impact every part of life: relationships, work, family, community, tech, health, care, personal growth. If you’re burnt out, overwhelmed, frustrated at the sheer pace of life or just looking for a sign to slow down, this is the podcast (a plodcast!) for you.”
WILD + FREE
“A Beautiful Homeschool Community | The official podcast of the Wild + Free community, hosted by Ainsley Arment.”
Struggle Care by KC Davis
“A podcast about self-care by a host that hates the term self-care. Therapist KC Davis, author of the book How to Keep House While Drowning talks about mental health, care tasks, and more.”
Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids by Robyn Robertson
“Honey I'm Homeschooling The Kids! - A podcast that steps into alternative education, parenting, and living a fun, fuller family life.”
The Seasonal Soul with Erin Bruce
“Like an astrologer uses the stars & the planets, Erin Bruce uses the seasons as a tool to understand the current energy & how it influences our lives. In each episode of The Seasonal Soul podcast we'll discuss the current seasonal energy, and how you can USE that energy to grow & expand to your fullest potential. We'll look at the meaning & importance of all the sacred seasonal days (ancient Pagan & Wiccan holidays) like the solstices, equinoxes & cross-quarter days of Imbolc, Beltane & Samhain. The Seasonal Soul podcast gives you the tools to nurture yourself, cultivate a simple spiritual practice, and connect with your highest self – using the transformational energy of the seasons as the foundation.”
Sage Family by Rachel Rainbolt
“Rachel Rainbolt is the mama behind the Sage Family Podcast, where we gather around a virtual campfire to share meaningful conversations with inspiring and insightful friends around Gentle Parenting, Natural Homeschooling, and Simple Living. Are you ready to live the family life of your dreams?”
Happy Place by Fearne Cotton
“Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them.”
TED Talks Daily
“Every weekday, TED Talks Daily brings you the latest talks in audio. Join host and journalist Elise Hu for thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable — from Artificial Intelligence to Zoology, and everything in between — given by the world's leading thinkers and creators. With TED Talks Daily, find some space in your day to change your perspectives, ignite your curiosity, and learn something new.”
We Nurture: Waldorf Inspired Parenting by Chinyelu Kunz
“This parenting podcast empowers parents on their journey by exploring what it means to nurture and be nurtured with mindfulness and presence. Listen to learn how you can best meet your child’s developmental needs as your child grows and develops while cultivating a nurturing, joyful home life.”
Now, over to you, fellow podcast enthusiasts! Whether you're a dedicated listener or a podcast creator, I invite you to join the conversation. Share your favourite podcasts, discuss episodes that have left a lasting impact, or even introduce your own podcast to our growing community.
If you've stumbled upon a podcast that offers unique insights into alternative education or living don't keep it to yourself! Share the title, episode, or podcast creator with us, and let's expand our listening options together. Your recommendations and contributions are invaluable, and I'm eager to hear from each of you.
Happy listening, and I hope you discover something new to enjoy!
Warmest wishes,
Your support means the world to me! Sharing this post not only helps me discover new readers but also connects me with like-minded individuals. Plus, it's an awesome way to show some love for The Other Path, especially if a paid subscription isn't on the cards for you right now. Your shares make a big difference, and I'm truly grateful for your support!
And, perhaps unexpectedly, my podcast cohost and I did an episode about unschooling on our home birth podcast. The way we see it, the topics are related in some key ways!
May I add to your list Life Without School with Stark Raving Dad? So good