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 autonomy.

Together, we explore self-directed learning, the nature of freedom in education, and what happens when children are trusted to follow their own interests. We talk about the impact of traditional schooling on a child’s autonomy, the challenge of parental expectations, and the importance of empowering children—at any age—to discover their true wants. Naomi also shares insights from her books and professional work with families, offering a fresh perspective on how to nurture independent, confident lifelong learners.

🗓️ Recorded January 8th, 2025. 📍Åmarksgård, Denmark

🔗 Connect with Naomi Fisher

• Website: https://naomifisher.co.uk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnaomifisher
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomicfisher/
• X.com: https://twitter.com/naomicfisher
• SubStack: https://substack.com/@naomicfisher

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
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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 lessons he learned about living authentically, and how he now helps others ignite their creative spark.

🗓️ Recorded December 16th, 2024. 📍The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

🔗 Connect with Jacob Nordby

Website: https://www.jacobnordby.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacobnordby/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.jacobnordby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobnordby/

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

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 of Walter Mitty," and discuss the balance of cherishing personal moments while sharing stories.

Our chat also delves into unschooling's potential to shape society and emphasizes gratitude's role in success. Drawing from Marianne Williamson's thoughts on love and power, we highlight the value of presence and service. Join us as we celebrate this milestone, honoring dedication, teamwork, and our listeners who inspire us to continue crafting content that uplifts and connects.

🔗 Connect with Amrit Sandhu
Coach website: https://www.amrit.coach/
Podcast website: https://inspiredevolution.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspired_evolution
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredEvolution
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InspiredEvolution

🗓️ Recorded November 26th, 2024. 📍 Krakow, Poland

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
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SUPPORT & CONNECT
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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 unique approach emphasizes freedom, creativity, and the intrinsic joy of musical discovery.

Together, we explore the deep connections between self-directed learning, unschooling, and Meryl Danziger’s approach to music education. We discuss how allowing children to explore music on their terms fosters genuine passion, curiosity, and lifelong creativity.

Meryl shares how she built Music House based on a belief that music is best learned through personal engagement rather than rigid lessons. Her stories of students finding their musical voices through play and experimentation mirror the core values of self-directed learning: trust, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation.

Together, we reflect on how art, love, beauty, and personal expression intersect in learning—music and life. We also discuss how parents can create supportive musical environments at home, embracing exploration without formal training.

This conversation is for anyone passionate about fostering creativity, questioning traditional education, and seeking new ways to learn through joy, freedom, and personal connection.

▬ Episode links ▬
http://www.nycmusichouse.org/site/
https://www.meryldanziger.com/

🗓️ Recorded December 15th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
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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 age groups. Our talk delves into neighborhood dynamics and the idea of intentional living as an alternative to traditional setups.

Rebecca shares her perspective on how flexibility in diverse communities allows families to adapt their lifestyles without rigid constraints.

We also discuss the unique experiences of unschooled children and the importance of fostering inclusivity in creating supportive environments.

🗓️ Recorded December 4th, 2024. 📍 The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom

Follow Rebecca Jean-Charles:

• https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaJeanCharles
• https://www.instagram.com/ittakesavillage.se
• https://ittakesavillage.se/

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

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, and self-expression in teens, offering a striking contrast to conventional schooling and how unschooling helps raise confident, self-assured teens.

Together, we delve into modern teenage psychology, uncovering teens' struggles balancing societal expectations and authentic identities. Marta recounts personal anecdotes, including the challenges and triumphs of raising teenagers who thrive without the pressure of conformity.

🔗 Want to know more about Marta?

• https://www.instagram.com/unschoolingstory18
• https://www.tiktok.com/@unschoolingstory18
• https://x.com/unschooling1
• https://www.asuccessfuleducation.com

Spanish links

• https://www.instagram.com/vidasinc0le
• https://www.tiktok.com/@vidasincole

🗓️ Recorded November 20th, 2024. 📍 Krakow, Poland

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PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

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 to homeschooling and unschooling.

Edugenic Harm refers to the subtle, systemic ways in which traditional schooling undermines children's autonomy, emotional well-being, and connection to their natural instincts, conditioning them to accept control and compliance as normal.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Lack of Consent in Education
   • The mandatory nature of schooling removes children's choice, creating a system where autonomy is disregarded from an early age.
2. Disconnection from Basic Needs
   • Schools often restrict children's ability to listen to their bodies, whether it’s moving, resting, eating, or expressing emotions, leading to a disconnection from natural instincts.
3. Normalization of Control
   • Drawing parallels between school and abusive relationships, showing how constant oversight, judgment, and invalidation of feelings can lead to internalized submission and fear of mistakes.
4. Gaslighting of Emotional Experiences
   • How children’s emotions are dismissed ("It’s not that bad" or "You’ll understand later"), teaching them to mistrust their own feelings.
5. The Long-Term Impact of Edugenic Harm
   • How this conditioning in childhood can lead to accepting unhealthy patterns in adult life, including abusive relationships or toxic workplaces.
6. The Alternative: Unschooling and Freedom
   • Rebecca shares her personal transformation and how unschooling her children became a journey of healing, freedom, and connection.

Follow Rebecca Jean-Charles:

• https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaJeanCharles
• https://www.instagram.com/ittakesavillage.se
• https://ittakesavillage.se/

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily

Marta Obiols Llistar, a former teacher, explains why she left the traditional classroom to embrace unschooling. Marta shares how John Holt's philosophy reshaped her parenting and life, from rejecting rigid educational systems to trusting her children’s natural ability to learn. We discuss the challenges of unlearning as a teacher, building deep family connections, and thriving outside conventional education.

As an unschooling advocate and author of 18, Marta shares personal stories that amplify the unschooling community. Originally from Catalonia and now based in the US, Marta continues raising awareness about the values of self-directed education.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about unschooling or alternative education.

🔗 Want to know more about Marta?

• https://www.instagram.com/unschoolingstory18
• https://www.tiktok.com/@unschoolingstory18
• https://x.com/unschooling1
• https://www.asuccessfuleducation.com

Check out Martas Books

• 18: An Unschooling Experience
• A Successful Education: How to tailor an education to perfectly fit your unique child's needs

Spanish links

• https://www.instagram.com/vidasinc0le
• https://www.tiktok.com/@vidasincole

Send us a text

Support the show

PODCAST INFO
Podcast website: http://theconrad.family/podcast
YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/theconradfamily365
Apple Podcasts: https://www.theconrad.family/apple
Spotify: https://theconrad.family/spotify
RSS: https://theconrad.family/rss

SUPPORT & CONNECT
Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Theconradfamily
Share a review: https://www.theconrad.family/review-our-podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconrad.family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconradfamily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theconradfamily