We are back with another episode in our Unschooling Stumbling Blocks series and this time, we’re talking about the stories we tell ourselves. Stories is a topic that comes up a lot in conversations on the Living Joyfully Network. In fact, we had a monthly theme by that name! When we start to get curious about the stories we tell about our own lives…

🚀🚀 GET THE GUIDE 🚀🚀 In this conversation, Julieta Duvall shares essential tips for beginning the homeschooling journey. She emphasizes the importance of understanding legal requirements, avoiding premature curriculum purchases, and taking time to breathe and reflect. The discussion also covers the de-schooling process, redefining education and valu…

In this episode, join me as I share my dream of opening a bookshop and how this journey influences our Unschooling experience. I’ll reflect on the progress I’ve made, the challenges I’ve encountered, and the insights gained along the way. Tune in for a heartfelt exploration of dreams, books, and the magic of learning outside the classroom! 🌟Connect…

In this week’s flashback episode, we’re sharing an interview that Pam had in 2018 with Nick Hess. At the time of the interview, Nick, also known online as The Unschool Dad, and his wife were unschooling their five children. They chatted about about his family’s move to unschooling, what it was about unschooling that resonated with him, what he foun…

🎙️In this conversation, Julieta Duvall speaks with Peter Berg from AERO about the evolution of alternative education, the importance of trust and autonomy in learning, and the role of parents and teachers in fostering an inclusive educational environment. They discuss the upcoming AERO conference in New Hampshire at Saint Anselm College, the need f…

For this week’s episode, we’re sharing the next Foundations episode of the Living Joyfully Podcast with Pam and Anna, Connection. How connected we’re feeling to the people in our lives is a helpful barometer of our relationships. Feeling disconnected can be a sign that it’s time to more intentionally cultivate connecting moments. Anna shares one of…

****THIS SHORT AUDIO IS A THE STORY OF THIS EPISODE AND HOW YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE WITH OUR POWERFUL CONVERSATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AS WE CONTINUE OUR GROWTH WITH TECHNOLOGY AND HOW TO PROVIDE A BETTER LISTENING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU**** YOUTUBE VERSION HERE: https://youtu.be/lYeD1ZDPKzM?si=D4gP3LE8M2Z59MqN 🌟Connect further w…

We are back with another episode in our Unschooling Stumbling Blocks series and this time, we’re talking about how it’s not the unschooling! It can be really common for newer unschoolers to blame unschooling for the things that come up in their family lives. Unschooling was a big new change in their lives, and so it can feel like any problems that …

In this week’s flashback episode, we’re sharing an interview that Pam had in 2016 with Lauren Seaver about deschooling. At the time of the interview, Lauren Seaver was an unschooling mom to 9-year-old River. She first considered the possibility of homeschooling way back when she was in college to become a teacher. Life took some turns, but the oppo…

In this episode, we take a moment to pause and reflect on the delicate dance of parenting. Join us for a short meditation that explores the concept of balance in our lives as we navigate the joys and challenges of raising children. Discover practical insights and mindful practices to help you cultivate harmony within your family dynamics. Whether y…

For this week’s episode, we’re sharing the first Foundations episode of the Living Joyfully Podcast with Pam and Anna, Priorities. We are handed a set of priorities by society and our culture, but when we really consider ourselves and our personal values, we can see how individual our priorities can be! When we choose priorities that feel good to u…

Join us for an in-depth and inspiring conversation with Kristen Himm and Katy Purviance, two remarkable individuals who are transforming the way we think about education and our interactions with children. In this episode, Kristen and Katy share their powerful journey of building innovative spaces that not only meet the needs of their community but…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika talk about revitalizing our nests. Our homes are such an important part of our unschooling lives. We can get open and curious and creatively find ways to make the spaces in our home fit the individual people in our family. After all, people are different! We share examples from our own lives as well as offer fo…

In this special episode, we invite you to take a moment for yourself. Here is a song crafted to inspire and uplift you on your journey. With no words from me, let the music and lyrics speak for itself. As you listen, allow your thoughts to wander, reflect on your experiences, and embrace the emotions that arise. This is your time to connect with th…

Join us for an inspiring and introspective journey as we reflect on unschooling through the lens of quotes from "The Midnight Library." In this episode, we explore the transformative power of choice and the possibilities that come with embracing alternative education. Whether you're contemplating a new path or seeking encouragement to start a fresh…

We are back with another episode in our Unschooling Stumbling Blocks series and we’re talking about personal hygiene. Questions and concerns about hygiene come up regularly in parenting circles and, in unschooling communities, this topic can sometimes trigger fear. We wanted to dive into personal hygiene to address some of the most common areas tha…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika explore bringing a playful energy to our days. Shifting to a playful energy can be helpful when we’re feeling stuck, with spinning thoughts, worrying about the future, or focused on external expectations. We can cultivate a lightness and curiosity that helps us get creative and come up with many possibilities t…

In this bonus episode, we share soundbites from some of our full episodes throughout the year. Each interview has contributed significantly to our journey, and we hope these highlights inspire you just as much as they have inspired us. Tune in to relive the moments that made an impact! . Leave us a review if you listen and you can always listen to …

Welcome to our podcast, where we invite you to join us on an inspiring journey through our 2024 experiences, learnings, and the unique lifestyle we’re crafting alongside our children. As we navigate the world of RADICAL UNSCHOOLING, we share the highs and lows, the triumphs and challenges, and the profound lessons we've learned along the way. Join …

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika dive into consent and autonomy. Moving towards respecting our children’s autonomy and consent is typically an important part of the unschooling journey. In our conversation, we talk about independence vs autonomy, looking for underlying needs, questioning societal messages, and moving from control to connection…

We are back with another episode in our Unschooling Stumbling Blocks series and we’re talking about weaving in our needs. When we first come to unschooling, it’s common to start questioning the traditional roles of parent and child. Maybe we go from seeing adult needs as the priority and then we swing on the pendulum […]…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika dive into supporting our children’s inner voices. External messages and cultural roles can disconnect us from our internal wisdom and knowing. Our unschooling lives give us an opportunity to provide time and space for our children to really tune into their inner voices, and showing them that we […]…

Join me for an inspiring episode as we explore the remarkable journey of Katie Purviance, the founder of an innovative outdoor self-directed cooperative in Spokane. After her time at Harvard's architecture school, Katie embarked on a diverse path that took her around the globe, teaching in various countries and immersing herself in different educat…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika explore the popular maxim known as the Golden Rule, which states, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Once we realize how different people are, however, we can see how treating others how we would like to be treated may fall short in our […]Oleh Pam Laricchia

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Andrea Quangenti, a passionate advocate for spirituality and unschooling. Andrea opens up about her transformative journey into the world of spirituality and how it has influenced her approach to education and parenting. As a mother, she has chosen to unschool her daughter, emphasizing the importance of s…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika talk about navigating disagreements with our partner. No matter how harmonious your relationship, disagreements will inevitably come up between two people. We share some tools that can help us navigate disagreements and give a few examples from our own lives where these have come into play. We hope […]…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika talk about building trust with our children. We regularly mention trust on the podcast, as we’ve found that trust is the foundation of the strong relationships that help unschooling thrive. We had a lot of fun talking about ways to build trust in and with our children. We […]…

We are back with another episode in our Unschooling Stumbling Blocks series and we’re talking about transitional ages and seasons. While there is definitely not one path through childhood, there are common transitional ages where major changes typically occur. In this episode, we talk about some shifts that happen from the toddler to child years, […

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika talk about one of Anna’s favorite sayings, “There’s plenty of time.” This mindset shift is so helpful in many different circumstances, making it a very useful tool! We talk about using it in busy moments, when thinking about learning and child development, and even in more urgent situations. […]…

In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into a candid conversation with Ilka and Liv from the Awakened Parent community. Together, they navigate the complex emotional landscape of motherhood, shedding light on the various triggers that can surface during this transformative journey. As mothers, Ilka and Liv share their personal experiences and…

We are back with another episode in our Unschooling Stumbling Blocks series and we’re talking about how people are different. “People are different” has become a common refrain on the Exploring Unschooling Podcast and in the Living Joyfully Network and for good reason! Once we sink into the reality that people are truly so different—their […]…

In this episode, we engage in a lively conversation with Dr. Peter Gray about the significance of play and the importance of maintaining a playful attitude towards life. We explore the barriers that prevent children from learning through play and discuss the organizations advocating for children's right to play. As an unschooling family, we share h…

Kristen's journey from being a public school teacher to becoming an educational pod teacher during the pandemic, and eventually transitioning to unschooling and launching an unschooling-inspired space in Albuquerque, New Mexico is quite inspiring. Her passion for facilitating children's love for learning in a non-coercive way and her transition to …

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika talk about curiosity-led learning. We thought this would be a fun topic to dive into during this back-to-school season! Focusing on curiosity—our own and our kids’—can be so grounding. In this episode, we explore the definition of learning, how school-based learning looks different than learning through unschoo…

Let’s dive into a question I get pretty regularly, and that’s whether I have podcast episodes with unschooling parents that used to be teachers. It’s fun to ponder the why behind the question. Does it seem like a strange leap to make? To me, choosing teaching indicates an interest in children and in learning, so […]…

Anna, Erika, and I dive into listener questions! We talk about the fears and doubts that come up at the start of the unschooling journey, the idea of wanting to measure success, and what to do when a child is interested in a topic that seems too grown up for them. And as I mention […]Oleh Pam Laricchia

Anna, Erika, and I dive into listener questions! We talk about navigating sibling and friend relationships, the idea of self-regulation when it comes to technology, and the journey of finding community and connection for ourselves and our children. And as I mention at the beginning of our conversation, our Q&A conversations aren’t focused on giving…

Anna, Erika, and I dive into listener questions! We talk about cocooning and connecting with young teens, the mainstream concept of productivity and how we get curious about external messages of judgment, and the idea of an “ideal unschooler.” And as I mention at the beginning of our conversation, our Q&A conversations aren’t focused on […]…

Anna, Erika, and I dive into listener questions! We explore technology and “screen time,” deschooling, connection, and validation. And as I mention at the beginning of our conversation, our Q&A conversations aren’t focused on giving anyone the “right” answer. That’s because there isn’t a universal “right” answer for any given situation that will wo…

Join Julieta Duvall and Kristen Harling on a thrilling podcast journey through the beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Belize. Kristen, a seasoned Unschooler/Worldschooler and local expert, shares her firsthand experiences and insider tips for making the most of your time in this tropical paradise. Kristen’s guidance will take you off the beat…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika explore the abundance mindset. We often find ourselves thinking about abundance versus scarcity in conversations on the podcast and in the Living Joyfully Network. In this episode, we dive into the many ways that shifting to abundance has helped us and our families with creative problem solving. We […]…

Pam and Anna are joined by Living Joyfully Network member Sara Davidson to talk about what she’s been learning about consent. Sara was previously on the podcast in episode 312. It was great to hear her family updates and to dive deep into the topic of consent. We talked about four different types of consent, […]…

Tune in to our latest podcast episode featuring an insightful interview with Olga Cherrington from The Caring Instinct. Discover practical tips and strategies on how to effectively balance housework while actively involving your children and fostering stronger relationships with them. Don't miss out on this valuable discussion that can help you enh…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika dive into a very interesting lens on parenting—the independence agenda. It’s fascinating to see how this seemingly reasonable goal of fostering our children’s independence can get in the way of not only our relationship with them, but their developing self-awareness and inner voice. We talk about how different …

We are back with another episode in our Unschooling Stumbling Blocks series and we’re talking about including kids in decisions. There are many reasons why parents may rush through big decisions without giving children a chance to weigh in, but we’ve found that including kids in decisions provides us with useful questions and information, helps […]…

Deschooling is a bit of a buzzword in homeschooling and alternative education spaces at the moment. So, let’s dive in! Pam, Anna, and Erika talk about the definition of the word, what that transition to unschooling can look like for parents and adults, the importance of letting go of expectations, some of the paradigm shifts […]…

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the Harry Greenspan co-founder of AoE Sports and Ali Niguel head e-sports coach who share their invaluable insights into how e-sports can pave the way for securing scholarship money for college. Discover the world of competitive gaming and how pursuing your passion for gaming can lead to incredible oppo…

We’re back with another On the Journey episode! We had a delightful conversation with Living Joyfully Network member Kendel Ricker. Kendel is an unschooling mom of two kids, 11 and 9, and she shared some of her journey with us. Kendel’s own education included homeschooling, private school, and public school, as well as university and […]…

In this episode, Pam, Anna, and Erika explore the sibling dynamic and some of the questions that come up when unschooling families navigate sibling relationships. We talk about letting go of expectations, watching out for casting our children in roles, understanding our own triggers, and how “fair” doesn’t mean “equal.” We hope you find our […]…

What’s so magical about age 18? Pam, Anna, Erika, and our guest Erin dig into the transition from childhood to adulthood and what it means for our unschooled kids. It’s common for parents to bump up against some cultural beliefs about this phase of life and inadvertently put expectations on young adults. Strangers, friends, and […]…