Let ‘em go Barefoot: Recent Episodes
Missy Willis
Exploring child development and well-being, education, parent-child relationships, and family systems through the lens of mindful awareness.
Is it possible to live rent free and travel the country on a bus with kids?!
Nicky and Davone Prince think so and they are showing us how to live a life of conscious travel with joy, an abundance mindset, and fun!
The Prince family is back to share what they have been up to since their first episode aired over 2 years ago! (To listen to their first time on the podcast look for Episode 19).
Nicky and Davone's zeal for life is infectious. It’s simply impossible not to feel energized and positive after spending time in their orbit.
Enjoy this fun-loving and free-spirited conversation that covers a lot of ground, including a potential title for a book, "Notes on Napkins with Nerds" (HA!!)
In this episode, we talk about:
- their favorite states so far,
- the state of America’s roads (lol),
- their new YouTube channel (has now surpassed 1000 subscribers!)
- how their support of their children’s self-directed learning impacts them as adults to pursue their own interests,
- intentional family time,
- leading our kids by example,
- staying positive despite challenges on the roads,
- making a conscious choice to be grateful,
- creating “family” on the road,
- supporting one another and extended family as a foundational family value,
- working while traveling,
- living rent free and visiting Skooliepalooza in Arizona,
- keeping track of their travel—Nicky’s addiction to note making, 😊
- their goals to visit all 50 states and a country on every continent!
- how homeschooling has impacted the way they parent,
- parenting with awareness and being considerate of our children’s different developmental needs
- embracing the fun of the early years and playing with our kids
- Davone’s definition of a “nerd” (you need to listen to find out!)
- communicating with our kids and sharing our reasons for our decisions
- the impact of a Dad’s presence as a homeschooling family
- And a forthcoming bus renovation!
Follow the Prince Family on YouTube, and on Instagram @princefamilytravel
Thanks for being here!
~Missy
It's hard not to feel excited about the future of education when you talk to MacKenzie Price! She is a changemaker and on a mission to help children receive the most customized education possible. Not only that, she wants to help parents recognize that they don't have to passively accept the standard model as it is, but can utilize better options for their children.
As the co-founder of 2-Hour Learning which is a model that uses adaptive apps for academics and teachers as "guides", students are learning and achieving in ways that could not be done in the traditional school model. From the Texas Sports Academy, to the GT School, to NextGen Academy to Alpha School and Alpha Anywhere (homeschool), MacKenzie aims to transform the face of education.
In this episode, she shares how she went from a Standard graduate who had zero interest in going back into a classroom after graduation, to an alternative school entrepreneur. We talk about her own children's experience in the standard school model, where they are now, how 2-Hour learning has evolved, why "guides" instead of teachers, what is expected of students and families who participate in the schools that use 2-hour learning, the reason kids are successful (or not), the role of community and autonomy in learning, the importance of projects and goals, and much more.
It's hard not to be convinced that MacKenzie is onto something big and that the overall tides of education are changing. I believe the next 5-10 years are going to be filled with innovation and our children will benefit greatly, as they should!
Enjoy the episode!
How to stay in touch with MacKenzie:
Website: https://2hourlearning.com/about-us/
Instagram: @futureof_education
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram: @letemgobarefoot
Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Julie Bogart is an author, podcaster, mother of 5 children, and the founder of Brave Writer, which has been supporting, encouraging, and inspiring homeschool families for years!
I have been following Julie’s work for a long time and find myself regularly impressed with her level-headed approach to learning, parenting, and thinking. And I'm so glad we got to talk about all these things plus her wonderful book, Raising Critical Thinkers: A Parent's Guide to Growing Wise Kids in the Digital Age.
In this episode we discuss:
- Julie's upbringing, school experiences, and how the Internet has changed since she was raising kids
- how homeschooling became a part of her life
- listening to our kids and embracing their dissent
- considerations for technology use, algorithms, and being online
- how the different generations view authority
- the lens (and levels) to learning and mastery: Reading, Experiencing, and Encountering
- paying attention to our attachment to certainty
- considerations for making decisions
- how school taught us to believe in "one" right answer
- and more!
I hope you'll tune into this fabulous episode and let us know what resonated with you.
How to stay in touch with Julie:
Website: www.bravewriter.com
Social Media: @juliebravewriter
Podcast: https://blog.bravewriter.com/2024/01/03/podcast-complete-list-2024/
Book: Raising Critical Thinkers
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram: @letemgobarefoot
Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Dr. Robyn Koslowitz is a licensed school psychologist and clinical psychologist. She is also an author, writting the book she needed as a mom, (due to be out in 2025).
As someone who suffered from childhood trauma and PTSD, she knew that her panic attacks and flashbacks would impact her ability to parent her son. So, she set out to understand only to find that the research was limited. Fast forward 26 years and she has created a community to support parents, a YouTube channel, a podcast, and is the educational director of the Targeted Parenting Institute.
You won’t regret setting aside an hour of your time to listen to her wonderful insights and wisdom about mental health, self-care, parenting, relationships, and understanding how our nervous system works.
Much of what she shares can be applied today!
Here are some of the questions we address and ideas we discuss:
- What is trauma?
- Self-doubt, shame, negative self-talk and self-blame
- Parenting through past trauma
- What is a “trauma app”?
- Self-regulation exercises
- Behavioral patterns
- Rupture and repair
- Temperament work and respecting our children’s unique neurological writing
- Developing our skills as parents so we can parent ourselves and our unique kids.
- Polyvagal Theory and co-regulation
- “Sharing our calm”
- Entanglements and types of post-traumatic parents
- Our emotions are history, “What’s hysterical is historical.”
- How our memories are encoded in objects and places and people.
- Why people impact our nervous system.
- The power of acceptance, even our pain.
- Understanding the future self and appreciating your past self.
- And more!
As always, I’d love to hear what resonated. Please share your aha moments with us.
People/Things mentioned in the podcast:
Steven Hayes’ work
Polyvagal Theory
Erikson’s developmental model
Where to find more of Dr. Koslowitz:
Website: https://www.drrobynkoslowitz.com/about/
Instagram: @dr.koslowitzpsychology
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkoslowitzpyschology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@posttraumaticparenting
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram: @letemgobarefoot
Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Deb Adamson is a writer, children’s book author, and has worked in radio and broadcasting, been a journalist, and had a syndicated column about homeschooling that documented her family's homeschooling journey. Her goal with the column was to “bridge the gap” by showing people what homeschooling could be.
Now, she has written a children’s book about homeschooling, A Thank You Letter to My Homeschool, which gives homeschooling children a chance to see themselves in the pages of a book. This book celebrates homeschool in all its forms.
In this episode we discuss her interesting career, how homeschooling came onto her radar, her family’s homeschooling journey and where her son is now (hint: working towards a Ph.D. in semi-conductors!) and what goes into writing a children’s book and getting published.
We also discuss:
- The fear we can have about “messing our kids up” if we choose to homeschool.
- Supporting our children by following their strengths.
- How we can inspire our kids by following our own interests and how they can inspire us to keep learning!
- The importance of community and pulling in people and resources that can help your child achieve their goals.
- Not getting locked into a mindset but staying flexible as you each learn and grow.
- How a schoolteacher offered her a vote of confidence that homeschooling was a good choice.
- Sacrifices some of us have to make to homeschool.
- A book project she and her son have collaborated on.
- What goes into published a book.
- The books she has written and the inspiration for them.
- The books she has coming out in the next couple of years.
- And so much more!
This conversation is so inspirational and is a beautiful reminder that we are never too old to try something new or to chase our dreams.
You can now pre-order A Thank You Letter to My Homeschool through Amazon or from Barnes and Noble.
What a unique and delightful book to add your child's book collection.
Other books mentioned in the show:
Stormy The Baby Dolphin/A Gulf Coast Rescue by Deb Adamson
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
SPECIAL OFFER
For those who pre-order “A Thank You Letter to My Homeschool” and provide a proof of purchase, Deb is graciously offering a chance to win a picture book manuscript critique for those interested.
**Deadline to be included in the drawing is August 31st, 2024. Please send your proof of purchase to letemgobarefoot@protonmail.com or through DM on Instagram.
Where to find Deb:
Instagram and Twitter: @debadamsonbook
Website: www.debadamson.com
Author page on Amazon
Homeschooling column:
https://www.sturgisjournal.com/story/bulletin-tab/2008/10/31/deb-adamson-taking-chance-with/65126111007/
Book Publisher:
Sourcebooks
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram and Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Ruth Rinaldi is an unschooling mom of two and the creator of Joyful Maths. She spent 11 years in the school system, eventually becoming the head of a math department in secondary school then the pandemic hit. She struggled with the way things were going and what she was required to do. At the same time, she noticed that her son’s behavior was different when he was home versus being in preschool. He was happier. This propelled her to take a sabbatical which turned into choosing the unschooling life.
Now, she hopes to spread math joy instead of math stress.
In this episode we take a deeper look at a subject that tends to make people nervous...Math.
We discuss:
- myths around maths,
- the idea of “holes” in understanding,
- whether people have “math brains”,
- how to approach math in daily life,
- math in games and play
- the importance of working with objects in the physical realm before online realm
- developing number sense and awareness
- looking at math with curiosity and having fun with numbers
- the expansiveness of math versus the narrow way it is presented in school
- the resources she has created to support families,
- math C.P.R. and more!
People mentioned in the podcast:
https://drchatterjee.com/blog/category/podcast/
https://ed.stanford.edu/faculty/joboaler
Find more of Ruth’s work:
Instagram: @joyfulmaths_homeed
Tiktok
Visit her Stan Store for resources and support: https://stan.store/Joyfulmaths_homeed
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram: @letemgobarefoot
Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Erin wears many hats and brings so much wisdom and reflection to the conversation!
As the mother of four, veteran unschooling mom who is also employed outside of the home, writer and podcast host, we discuss what life looks like as an unschooling family in the older years.
We address societal pressure to conform even when our kids become young adults and we talk about how community isn't necessarily an option, but in many ways an absolute need.
We talk about how our kids change and grow and how it's important for us to stay flexible through their development. We discuss how mentors and work can be great for our teens and young adults and why some unschooling kids want to pursure academics and the standard schooling model when they get older.
If you have a teen or young adult or will soon, this is a wonderful conversation. I think will give you comfort, things to think about, and ideas to consider as you navigate this part of your parenting journey.
How to stay in touch with Erin:
https://www.everlearning.ca/
Instagram: @_everlearning_
Podcast: Virtual Kitchen Table
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram and Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Adam Cohen is a father or two and the creator of Brain Based Parent. You can find him on social media @brainbaseddad.
In this episode, Adam shares his journey from a discontent school kid to a circus student, performer, then circus skills teacher. He shares how coming across a mentor who introduced him to Applied Neurology changed the course of this life.
In this fascinating conversation about the power and purpose of our brain, we dive into:
- how our brain is (negatively) impacted in our modern day world,
- why play is vital for ALL of us, adults included,
- why eye movement impacts brain health,
- how brain-based training can improve ailments such as tremors and incontinence,
- breath work and nervous system regulation,
- how to become a more patient and aware person and parent
- and why unschooling can ultimately be a low stress state of living and learning.
Adam brings a unique perspective to the parenting conversation. Don't miss this one!
How to stay in touch with Adam:
Website: https://www.brainbaseddad.com/
or follow him on YouTube or Instagram @brainbaseddad.
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram and Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Kirsten Cobabe is a therapist and “teen whisperer”, and I believe she is doing what she was put on this earth to do: support teens and parents during this unique time.
Although Kirsten had not planned on living in Hawaii, she was called there. Water surrounds her literally, but it is also a consistent theme in the work she does.
In this episode we talk all things TEENS (and get some solid reinforcements from a neighboring rooster!) Kirsten shares insights from the work she has been doing for over 20 years. Here are some things we discuss:
- Conflict and Struggle and Misunderstanding teens
- How parents can be a bridge instead of a barrier
- Being grounded in relationship first by using the C.A.R.E formula
- Family dynamics and environment
- The different pathways to “success”
- Social media and online world
- Why teens want REAL TALK
- Talking with your teens about being a producer and creator vs a passive consumer
- Dopamine and the teen brain
- The importance of Critical Thinking
- And Kirsten shares about some exciting things coming this summer!
Tune it for a lovely conversation that explores living with teens, parenting, awareness, relationship, curiosity, and connection. Let us know what resonated. We’d love to hear from you!
How to stay in touch with Kirsten:
Instagram @kirstencobabe
Website: www.kirstencobabe.com
How to stay in touch with Missy:
Instagram and Facebook: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
eBook: Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
Books and People mentioned during the episode:
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
The Bonds that Make Us Free by C. Terry Warner
The Arbinger Institute https://arbinger.com/
Untethered Soul By Michael Singer
Dr. Becky Good Inside: https://www.goodinside.com/
Erik Erikson: https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/people/erik-erikson
Karema Akilah is witty, a visionary, a force, and an inspiration. She is a widowed mother of six children, a trained teacher turned unschooling mom and the creator of The Genius School and GeniiDAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization).
This episode is full of insight and ideas for creating foundational, supportive frameworks in our homes, communities, and online spaces. Karema shares the “x factor” of the Genius School which is guided by the 5 Pillars of Invitation:
- Know Thyself,
- Know Thy Source,
- Know How to be Financially Self-Sustainable,
- Know they World,
- Serve Thy Community with Thy Genius
And we discuss the next big frontier in education: Web3 and cryptocurrency!
Karema’s community is thinking big and taking action to find a solution to the micro school funding problem. They have developed their own crypto, the $BeMe token, and aim to fund seven micro schools and their staff, support self-directed learners, and revolutionize education.
As she says, “we can do what we’ve always done, and we’ll get what we’ve always gotten” or you can do things differently and that’s what Karema and her community are doing. Plus, you are invited to join the education revolution, too!
To learn more about how to get involved and to provide support for the children and families who wish to utilize self-directed education communities, here are a few steps you can take:
- Join the GeniiDao Mighty Network community here: https://genii-5pillargeniuscommunities.mn.co/share/RYP4dE_7Rxi-z36G
- Read more about The Genius School here: https://www.thegeniusschool.org/about
- Purchase the merch kids have made here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/genii/
- If you already have a crypto wallet, be on the lookout for the $BeMe token
- If you don’t have a crypto wallet and want to create one, this is a great read for beginners: https://financebuzz.com/set-up-crypto-wallet
- Here is where to follow token performance: https://coinmarketcap.com/
- Follow Karema on Instagram @geniidaocommunity
- Help create $BeMe memes and/or SHARE to raise awareness and funds!
Also mentioned, Dr. Glenn Doman: https://iahp.org/about-glenn-doman/
For more of Missy's writing and work, follow along on Instagram @letemgobarefoot and Substack: https://substack.com/@letemgobarefoot
To purchase a copy of Life Unschooled, click here.
Karla Marie Williams is an author, speaker, and global advocate of children and families. She is also an unschooling mother of six. I invited her back on the podcast to dive deeper into a conversation around academics in unschooling, supporting the unique needs of our teens, freedom in the teen years, and launching them into the world. (You can listen to her family’s journey into unschooling and her inspiration for writing Teens Unleashed in episode 14.)
Karla brings a joyful spirit to our discussion. Her love for mothering and supporting her teens is undeniable. The great, real-life examples she shares about the power of conversation, planning, listening, and resourcing our teens, even on a budget, allows us to see unschooling in practice.
We address the concerns that unschooling might not be “intellectual”, walk through ways to guide each of kid as they develop their skills, talents, and goals, and discuss the important roles we play as parents, including when to get out of the way. If you have teens or will, don’t miss this one!
Learn more about Karla’s books and work here:
https://www.karlamariewilliams.com/
and on social media @simplykarlamarie
To find more of my writing and musings, visit @letemgobarefoot on social media and my website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
You can now download the ebook I co-wrote with a fellow unschooling mom, Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School
In this powerhouse episode, I talk to Teva Johnstone, a licensed clinical social worker and a psychotherapist, a homeschooling parent, and Instagram influencer who aims to empower parents and families to parent "their particular child".
Teva and I discuss the road she took to get to this particular moment in time including the race riots and violence she experienced and witnessed in high school and her successful ten-year career as a hair dresser before going back to school to become a therapist.
The overarching theme of our conversation is children's mental health so we touch on a variety of relevant topics, including:
- the roles of social workers
- what it means to be "safe" and the weaponization of safety to shut down conversation
- the family unit and it's importance for child well-being
- toxic environments and how environmental changes can "cure" mental distress
- current public school model being misaligned for children's well-being
- special considerations for praising children
- what neurodiversity means and the side effects of the neurodiversity paradigm and movement
- importance of being honest and clear about a child's clinically significant disordered behavior
- separating the person from the behavior
- the power of internal motivation
- making decisions that are right for "your particular child"
- and more!
Connect with Teva:
Instagram: @rebel.parents
https://www.tevajohnstone.com/
Information mentioned in the show:
https://www.tevajohnstone.com/blog/is-my-child-disordered
The Free Press essay on autism:
https://www.thefp.com/p/the-autism-surge-lies-conspiracies
Dr. Nick Walker on neurodiversity:
https://neuroqueer.com/neurodiversity-terms-and-definitions/
Connect with Missy:
on Instagram @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
on Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
and download "Life Unschooled: Living and Learning without School"
Marta Obiols Llistar is a trained teacher who believed in the school system. She didn’t think she would homeschool her children, but the school system “broke her heart”. In this episode we discuss the how and why of her transition to homeschooling with her three children and talk about her very first book, 18: An Unschooling Experience. Marta never thought she would write a book, but the experience of her oldest son turning 18 created a lot of emotions and she had a gut feeling she needed to put her experiences into words so that she could help other parents.
We talk about why she kept unschooling a secret for a little while from her husband, the way her three children pursued their interests and how she supported them on their unique journeys, and how Marta learned to trust the process and to respect her children’s choices and decisions, and how to get out of their way.
We dig into the variety of emotions that come up as homeschooling parents and we discuss what it has meant for her to live in the U.S. and raise her kids here although her heart is in Spain. We touch on the amazing experiences her children had in her home country when they spent five months there.
We also talk about “being in bed” with John Holt (HA!) and how his books changed her life.
Marta is passionate, deep, and an absolute pleasure to talk to. She has finished her second book which is available now: A Successful Education: How to tailor an education to fit your unique child’s needs.
I know you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
Find more Marta:
https://mollbkg.wixsite.com/unschool
https://www.asuccessfuleducation.com/
on Instagram @unschoolingstory18
on Tiktok @unschoolingstory18
Connect with Missy on Instagram: @letemgobarefoot
Website: www.letemgobarefoot.com
on Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
and download "Life Unschooled: Living and Learning without School"
Welcome to episode #31!
Erin Majeske is the creator and director of the Barefeet Farm School located in Bellingham, WA. She gathers daily from Monday through Thursday with 12 preschoolers, her own baby, and two teachers in a large fenced-in property with a creek and boat that has been converted into a playhouse.
The inspiration for the outdoor preschool came together over time and especially after Erin realized how stifling and unsettling the indoor preschool space was for her and the children she cared for. As she found, being indoors all day seemed to constantly go against children being children. Nature is where they thrived.
In this episode, we discuss how her farm school came to be, the importance of being in nature all day, building skills through play, nervous system regulation through music and singing, observing children and noticing where their growing edges are, child-led learning, being more comfortable with conflict, conscious discipline, and so much more!
Find the Barefeet Farm School here: https://www.barefeetfarmschool.com/
Resources: https://www.barefeetfarmschool.com/resources
And on Instagram @barefeetfarmschool
New to homeschooling or unschooling? Grab the new Life Unschooled guide I co-wrote with Ann Hansen of Inner Parent Coaching. This beautiful 43-page downloadable support book was written to empower parents and to shift the paradigm of learning from a school-focused lens to a life-is-learning one.
Get your copy, here: Life Unschooled e-book
To be a part of The Great Educational Awakening, follow along on my Substack newsletter.
And on Instagrm @letemgobarefoot
EPISODE 30: Emily is a homeschooling mom of two and the creator of the Home Tribe, a California based, international online platform created to connect parents to each other, resources, and educators. While her mission is to help parents reimagine education, she was not originally a homeschooling parent.
In this episode, we talked about her journey to homeschooling including when she felt like a failure and put her kids back in school. We discussed how Covid impacted her decision to try homeschooling again. We discussed the development of Home Tribe and how her background working in the tech industry inspired her to create an interactive platform. We talk about taking a leap of faith, working parents and homeschooling, reimagining time spent on direct instruction, an agile approach to education, how children change and grow, and the importance of critical thinking.
We also talk about the way we may lose connection with our kids when we fall into thinking educator’s have “authority” over them and we wonder, are we experiencing a crisis of community?
Emily encourages parents to be involved in their kid’s education and to embrace the freedom to make choices that align with our values and goals.
Check out Home Tribe at www.hometribe.com and follow Emily on Instagram @ourhometribe
Also mentioned in the podcast:
https://freedomkeepersunited.org/
https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
To become a part of the Great Educational Awakening, sign up for Missy's Substack newsletter: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
In episode 29 I talk to Amber and Madeleine, the creators of Barefoot University...a forest school with "barefoot kids and endless possibilities".
They share their journey from idea to implementation along with the learning and pivots they have made along the way.
Amber and Madeleine are enthusiastic, adventurous moms who have a mission to get a Barefoot University program in all 50 states in the U.S., because, according to them, the science is clear....kids need to be barefoot outside. I couldn't agree more!
To learn more about their program, please visit https://barefootuniversity.org/
Instagram: @barefoot_university
To become a part of the Great Educational Awakening, sign up for Missy's Substack newsletter: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Instagram: @letemgobarefoot
In episode #28, I talk to Jason Kantor, a homeschool teacher and mentor to struggling teens.
Jason lives in Queens, New York and has worked with students in several capacities, including as a tutor in a scripted, academic private setting which definitely taught him a thing or two about what being a teacher truly means. He has worked with kids from all walks of life and from all family backgrounds. The one thing he realizes each child needs for learning is a connected relationship.
Jason shares about his own struggles in school and how he went through a time of feeling lost and frustrated. We discuss how he landed in a teaching position then eventually came to create the 4 pillars of his coaching approach. We talk about what parents can look out for if they are interested in hiring a coach for their teen.
We also discuss leveling with kids, listening to their concerns, not comparing them to others or their sibilings, and supporting their interests.
You can find Jason on Instagram @coachjasonkantor making informative reels about education and living and learning with teens. He's also on Twitter @thecoachjason
You can find Missy writing and sharing about unschooling, self-directed education, and conscious parenting through the lens of a former teacher turned unschooling mom on Instagram @letemgobarefoot .
She's also writes long-form essays and updates on events and community support options over on Substack .
Are you feeling the tug to skip school and join the Education Revolution?
JOIN US!
Gill Howarth grew up and lives in Perth, Australia. She cut her teeth as a Kindergarten teacher in South Korea then returned to teach in Australia while growing her family. While she loved working with children, her discomfort with what the educational system expected and what she knew children needed became too much to ignore. For instance, play, which is highly valued in the research was being removed from the school day.
When she became pregnant with her third child, the stress of being a teacher became overwhelming, and she left the profession. However, her creative spark and desire to work with children didn’t stop. She soon set the intention to create time and space to be with children and what started as a one-day program eventually turned into a three-day one.
Born Wise Education was born and is a nature micro school that she joyfully runs with her artist friend, Nat.
In this conversation we discuss her journey from teacher to homeschooling mom. We talk about children’s intuitive nature, building a micro-school from the ground up, the importance of being in nature and the power of play for growth, connection, and emotional intelligence, and following our children’s interests.
We talk about having other adults around to help us expend our lens, the inspiration that can come from social media, and how exciting it is to see this movement of getting back to nature, grow.
Gill is delightful and inspiring! It is obvious she loves what she does.
You can follow her Instagram @ _born_wise_education
and learn more about Born Wise and the Nature Network here:
www.bornwise.com.au
www.wearenaturenetwork.com.au
To register for the Barefoot Playground gatherings, please go here:
https://barefootcoaching.as.me/schedule.php
You can read more about Missy, the podcast host, at www.letemgobarefoot.com
Instagram: @letemgobarefoot
Raising Readers, Home as Epicenter with Nikolai Pizarro, Episode 26
From an MBA to Literacy Advocate, Nikolai Pizarro believes deeply in the power of community. She embodied self-directed education early and flew under the radar in school by learning advanced math with a neighbor that eventually landed her acceptance to the University of Chicago much to the surprise of one high school teacher in particular.
When she became pregnant, while managing a tax refund franchise, her attention shifted to studying brain science. She realized that the studies on early childhood development were largely based on her demographic. This motivated Nikolai to share what she learned with others and to build up her community by disseminating information and empowering parents. To date, she has worked with over 500 organizations and 2000 children!
We also discuss her experiences with public school as a parent and how her son was severely impacted early on. While her original goal was to support schools from the inside and maintain the philosophy of “centering home” and “home as epicenter”, it became clear that the school setting was not what he needed.
Nikolai’s story is powerful, her work is a force for positive change, and she is a shining example of when there’s a will, there’s a way.
To learn more about her literacy work and to support her mission you can follow Nikolai on Instagram @raisingreaders and visit her websites:
https://www.fromhighchairtofreedom.com/
https://www.homeasepicenter.com/
Sold a Story (link below) is the investigate report we touched on that uncovered the literacy issues in our public schools.
https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
Interested in live gatherings to discuss topics about learning and living consciously with your children? Join us over on The Barefoot Playground.
Follow Missy on Instagram @letemgobarefoot
Pam Laricchia joins me for episode 25.
Pam is a mom to three grown children and has been immersed in the unschooling world for over 20 years. She has written multiple books about learning and living with children. I find her joyful, curious, and open way of living alongside kids, in partnership and connection, to be comforting and inspiring.
In this episode, we focus on her beautiful book, The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide (2018) and how the idea to mirror Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces came to be.
We dig into various sections of the journey, such as answering the call to adventure, what it means to be in the “belly of the whale”, accessing “beginner’s mind”, challenging our own beliefs, accepting the value of all experiences, as well as embracing our challenges as integral to the journey, not as a sign that we must stop pursuing adventure or jump off the path altogether.
Come walk with us as we explore unschooling through the lens of the hero's journey.
Connect with Pam:
https://livingjoyfully.ca/
Instagram @pamlaricchia and @livingjoyfullypodcast
Book: The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide https://amzn.to/3kRkQVI
Connect with Missy:
www.letemgobarefoot.com
Instagram @letemgobarefoot
On Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
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If you enjoyed this episode and would like to support the podcast, you can add a tip to the tip jar here. Thank you!
Have you heard about The Barefoot Playground? It's my new online "micro school" for parents and educators to gather over topics of interest. From understanding right-brain dominant learners to self-directed education and emotional well-being you can sign-up for interactive discussions with authors, veteran unschooling moms with grown children, therapists, specialists, and more. Come on over!
Welcome to episode 24 of the Let 'em go Barefoot podcast. My guest today is Hannah Frankman. Hannah is an insightful, self-directed entrepreneur, and the creator of Rebel Educator, an online resource hub with a mission to transform education.
In this episode she walks us through her journey as a studious homeschooled kid, the reasons she decided to skip college, and the choices she made to seek meaningful work and projects that align with her values and goals.
We talk about her work at Praxis, how Rebel Educator came to be, and her Twitter account where she shares everything from lists of books for parents and kids to read, to reasons why parents should consider homeschooling, to top skills kids need for life.
I also ask her some questions that a few of my Instagram followers had for her.
Hannah is determined to empower parents and to help them find better educational options for their children. As stated on her site, RebelEducator.co:
“Your child was built to learn, explore, and create. Our goal is to help unlock that potential.”
Find more Hannah:
https://rebeleducator.co/
https://rebeleducator.substack.com/
https://twitter.com/rebelEducator
For more Missy:
Facebook or Instagram (where I spend most of my time these days) @letemgobarefoot
Substack https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
and The Barefoot Playground, where we meet to dive into topics related to education, unschooling, parenting, relationships, neuroscience, and more!
Join the Right-Brained Learner series with Cindy Gaddis beginning March 9th @6pm EST:
https://barefootcoaching.as.me/playground
In episode 23 of the podcast, I talk to Christina and Nick Caster, the creators of the live-action, fully-handcrafted, preschool TV show, Gus Plus Us. The Casters are also the creators of the full- service entertainment studio, Caster Studios that resides outside of Austin, Texas.
Nick and Christina discuss how the show came to be, the intention behind it, the time and thoughtfulness that went into making the show and how it really is a full family effort.
We discuss the other projects the studio is working on, how the studio has changed and grown since it started in 2007, their decision to homeschool their two children including the books and people who inspired them, and so much more. Stay tuned for Season 2! In the meantime, enjoy the 13 episodes that are already available.
Keep up with Nick and Christina over on Instagram:
@casterstudios
@gusplusus
You can learn more about their studio here: https://casterstudios.com/
And find the show, Gus Plus Us, here: https://gusplusus.com/
And on KidoodleTv here: https://www.kidoodle.tv/2403/gus-plus-us
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Follow Let ‘em go Barefoot on Instagram @letemgobarefoot and join me live over on The Barefoot Playground where we turn theory into practice and connect with one another as we create joyful, supporting learning environments for our kids.
Look for my writing over on Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
and if you'd like to support the podcast or add a tip to the tip jar, you can do so here or here: paypal.me/letemgobarefoot Thank you!
Welcome to episode 22 with Sheila Rumble!
Did you know the idea of archetypes goes back a very long time? They are patterns of behavior that are innate, universal, and across cultures.
Sheila has done an in-depth study of archetypes and does energy and healing work through her practice Rowan Holistic Healing & Wellness.
On the podcast we discuss:
- Survival Archetypes and how they impact us and our society
- Masculine and Feminine Energy
- The Light and Shadow side of Archetypes
- Understanding archetypes as a template for understanding ourselves
- Archetypes in movies, fairytales, literature, and shows as an exaggeration of archetype patterns
- The mother in shadow and devouring mother/father archetypes as well as various forms of the mother archetypes
- How shadow attracts shadow and light attracts light
- The potential to grow from “our enemies”
- Understanding when the child shows up and why
- The dark night of the soul
- Healing ourselves by working with our bodies and loving ourselves and more!
Sheila is offering a discount to listeners. Book a private session with her and learn about your archetypes! Follow this link: http://rowan-wellness.com/archetypal-consultation/ and use code: LGB15
Follow Sheila @sheilarumble_quantumhealing on Instagram for more great insights on healing thyself.
In other news, The Barefoot Playground is kicking off the year on February 16th at 6pm EST with author, speaker, and micro school creator, CINDY GADDIS. It will be a wonderful gathering about how to support your right-brained learners.
Please reserve your spot here: https://barefootcoaching.as.me/playground
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Look for my writing over on Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
and if you'd like to support the podcast or add a tip to the tip jar, you can do so here.
Your support is much appreciated. Thank you!
Welcome to episode 21 with Ann Hansen of @innerparentcoaching (on Instagram)
Ann co-runs an alternative therapy space on a 33-acre farm in Oregon. She is the mother of two grown unschoolers, a developmental specialist, and parenting coach. I invited Ann on to talk about her work, to share her journey from public school to unschool, and to discuss attachment theory and how it plays out through the teen years.
Here are some things we cover:
- The therapeutic, farm program she runs with her friend
- Attachment theory and how applying the ideas of attachment in the early years impact the teen years.
- How behavior can be a signal for connection
- Respecting our children’s sense about things.
- The parent-child dynamic and nervous system regulation
- Body and emotional awareness
- Self-reflection and honesty as parents
- How attachment looks different in the teen years
- Creating a container in the home and in relationships for secure attachment
And more!
Find Ann on Instagram @innerparentcoaching
Look for my writing over on Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
and if you'd like to support the podcast or add a tip to the tip jar, you can do so here.
Thank you!
Welcome to episode 20! My conversation today is with Emily Gregoire, a homeschooling mom of 4 and creator of the microschool, The Rainbow Room which is located in Las Vegas, NV.
Emily and I met very early on in my foray into Instagram and it has been a pleasure to watch her journey and to now share with you how The Rainbow Room came to be, Emily’s mission, values, and goals.
The microschool movement has really taken off since the pandemic began and what Emily is providing for her community is something I think more parents are yearning for.
We talk about how the Rainbow Room came to be. How she was encouraged to get it going. Her values for herself and her family and how that has shaped the way the Rainbow Room operates. We discuss creating an environment where children can flourish and feel comfortable and safe. We discuss the importance of community and encouraging our children to lead. And Emily also shares how she hopes to expand and that she is more than happy to help others who would like to offer something similar in their hometowns.
Also, at the end, Emily asks me some questions about what to expect in the teen years.
It was a fun conversation and I'm grateful we were able to connect.
Enjoy!
Follow Emily and The Rainbow Room's adventures on Instagram @the.rainbow.room_
Information referenced during the show:
https://www.michaelgurian.com/
Kerry McDonald articles on microschools:
https://fee.org/articles/how-microschool-networks-are-activating-education-entrepreneurs/
https://fee.org/articles/how-microschools-are-reshaping-k-12-education-in-south-florida/
https://fee.org/articles/microschools-remain-a-popular-back-to-school-option-this-year/
If you are offering alternative education options in your area, I'd love to learn more. Please reach out through Instagram or send me a message at Letemgobarefoot@protonmail.com
You can find my writing over on Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
If you'd like to support the podcast or add a tip to the tip jar, you can do so here.
Thank you!
Welcome to episode 19 of the Let ‘em go Barefoot Podcast. Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to my first couple interview! Nicky and Davone are so fun to talk to and the enthusiasm they have for the life they live is contagious, which is exactly what drew me in when I started following along their journey on Instagram @life.long.learners
These kindred spirits met in college and while Nicky went the way of a master’s degree and working in her field of study, education for 7 years, Davone chose a myriad of jobs and kept his eye on living a life of flexibility and freedom. Things came to a head when Davone went to pick Nicky up from her school one day and saw she was responsible for 70 kids! They started reevaluating things and got back to what really mattered…being together, living a life they enjoyed, and living rent free.
In our conversation we talk about their journey to renovate an old school bus (the symbolism of this is not lost on me!) and the cross country travel they do while raising their two girls.
We also talk about making choices that align with our values, freedom from debt, being creative with our finances, meal planning, scheduling our days, and even how we use the spaces we inhabit.
And we talk about being scared to step outside of the norm, but how liberating it can be when we answer the call of our soul.
The Prince Family is definitely showing up with a grateful heart and teaching us how to be passionate about parenting and love.
Enjoy!
If you'd like to support the podcast or add a tip to the tip jar, you can do so here.
Thank you!
To find more of Missy's work go to www.letemgobarefoot.com
Writing on Substack here: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Welcome to Episode 18 where I get to share a moving, deep, and open conversation with the lovely Emma Hosfeld. Emma writes moving and beautiful pieces on parenting, education, and healing. I was immediately drawn to the way she can get to the heart of things.
In our conversation, Emma talks about showing up to life with radical responsibility and radical joy.
We talk about her struggle with drugs and alcohol, her sobriety journey, becoming a mother, her active choice to be a healthy role model for her kids, and the importance of building an intentional community for ourselves and our children.
We also talk about the fear and worry we carry around as humans, but how vital it is to accept it as it is and move forward anyway.
We discuss being brave enough to take the next step in whatever situation or challenge we are facing.
Emma talks about people who have inspired her and how social media can positively impact us and change the trajectory of our lives in a good way.
We discuss the beauty and magic of watching our children learn by following their curiosity and so much more.
It's a powerful episode.
Here are people and books mentioned in our conversation:
Nagoski sisters
January Harshe @Birthwithoutfear
Empowered Birth Project on Instagram
Jacko Willink Podcast “Good”
Pam Laricchia’s Free to Learn
Peter Gray’s Free to Learn
Naomi Fisher’s Changing Our Minds
John Taylor Gatto https://www.johntaylorgatto.com/
If you'd like to support the podcast or add a tip to the tip jar, you can do so here.
Thank you!
To find more of Missy's work go to www.letemgobarefoot.com
Writing on Substack here: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
Welcome to episode 17 of the Let ‘em go Barefoot podcast.
My guest today is Julie Walter also known as @familyyields on Instagram. I invited Julie on to talk about creating intentional community and to share with us the purpose of the forest and farm school she created and runs with her husband on their 50-acre farm in Canada.
Community is something we all need and yet many of us struggle with finding a community (or keeping one). And when you chose to homeschool, sometimes you just have to go and create one to meet the needs of your kids and your family.
In this episode we talk about things to consider when being in community, including the need for like-mindedness around a purpose, but ALSO diversity of ideas and perspectives.
We discuss her experiences as a teacher for 16 years.
Why she chose to homeschool.
Social-emotional learning and why it is important.
The need for buy in when kids are learning new things.
The global competencies she is aiming to help children develop.
How the principles of permaculture permeate through her life, and so much more.
There’s also a story she shares that illustrates the power of curiosity and interests that you don’t want to miss.
Julie is insightful, thoughtful, and I love how she is showing up with intention and purpose. I think you will too.
Find more of Julie here: https://familyyields.com/about/
If you'd like to support the podcast or add a tip to the tip jar, you can do so here.
Thank you!
To find more of Missy's work go to www.letemgobarefoot.com
Writing on Substack here: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Emily Splichal, a functional podiatrist who calls herself “barefoot friendly”.
This designation may seem odd for a foot doctor, but because of the fear-based medicine in our western society, she has witnessed the unreasonable fear of the natural (bare) foot amongst some of her colleagues.
Her book, Barefoot Strong, aims to bring the importance of foot health back into the forefront. She wants to literally uncover our feet and help us learn how valuable foot health is for our nervous system and our brain development.
We cover a lot of ground (no pun intended) in our conversation. We get into the science of bare feet, the benefits to overall health, considerations for kids with special needs, products you can use to stimulate the feet and nervous system, the amount of time you should aim to be without shoes, the different surfaces to go barefoot on and why, why shoes are so common, athletes and barefoot training, and so much more.
https://www.dremilysplichal.com/
http://barefootstrong.com/barefoot-strong-the-book/
http://barefootstrong.com/foot-types-quiz/
https://www.naboso.com/
For more insights on mindful parenting, homeschooling, and educational freedom, follow along on Instagram @letemgobarefoot or at www.letemgbarefoot.com
Welcome to episode 15! My guest is Kelly Edwards. Kelly is the creator of the 90-minute school day and co-creator of How to Be an Awesome Homeschooler. Kelly is also a mother to 3 foster-adopted girls and is a trauma-informed parent.
In this episode we talk about:
- Why deschooling is an important process to go through if you are transitioning to homeschool.
- The fascinating neuroscience behind the 90-minute school day,
- The rhythms we naturally go through in a 24-hour cycle and why we need to be aware of them.
- Neurodiversity and her love/hate relationship with labels.
- The unnecessary battle grounds we create in opposition to our children when we “THINK” we know what they need to learn,
- That behavior is communication!
- Shifting mindset back to natural learning
- As well as what being trauma-informed means and why trauma experiences are subjective.
And so much more!
Some books mentioned:
How Children Learn by John Holt
For the Children’s Sake Susan Shafer McCauley
Montessori: A Modern Approach (1972)
Find more of Kelly at https://90minuteschoolday.com/ on Instagram @90minuteschoolday
Thank you for listening!
You can support the podcast here.
Karla Marie Williams is an author, a speaker, and global advocate of children and families. In this episode, we discuss her transition to homeschooling, then unschooling, with her six children and focus on the ideas and insights she shares in her book, Teens Unleashed.
Some things we discussed:
- PUP- Periodic Unschooling Panic
- What parents can do to support their kids
- Reframing math, reading, and writing as “life skills”
- Addressing the question, "Do some kids need more structure?"
- The 5 Pillars of learning
- “Doing nothing” (hint: it all counts!)
- Setting goals, retooling, reassessing, and processing
- Finding mentors
- Be aware of how you value your children’s interests
And so much more!
Follow along on Karla's adventures on Instagram @karlatheunschoolingmama Facebook, YouTube, and her website www.karlamariewilliams.com
Your support is always appreciated! Thank you!
http://paypal.me/letemgobarefoot
Cindy Gaddis is back with even more amazing insights about right-brained dominant people. (You can find our first conversation in Episode 12 where she gives her backstory and lays the foundation for her research and the book she wrote, The Right Side of Normal: Understanding and Honoring the Natural Learning Path for Right-Brained Children.)
In this almost two-hour long powerhouse episode, we cover a lot more ground and dig deeper into her work covering topics such as:
- the importance of finding mentors
- the three-year learning cycle/stages
- power of observation
- the collaborative learning process,
- the 60/30/10 principle,
- challenging the standard school model’s scope and sequence for formal learning,
- looking at dyslexia and autism through a right-brained dominant lens,
- living with a right-brain dominant person (sensitivity and emotions),
- and we even tap into how brain dominance impacts our adult relationships! (Could she save your marriage?)
Throughout our conversation, Cindy provides a ton of examples so I’m positive you will see yourself, your spouse, and/or your children in many of the things she discusses. This episode is bound to help you understand each other better and hopefully will inspire you to offer grace to your loved ones when they don’t do things quite like you. Maybe people are not being inconsiderate or uncaring, maybe it’s simply that their brain processes information differently than yours!
Links for Cindy’s work:
The Right Side of Normal: Understanding and Honoring the Natural Learning Path for Right-Brained Children
https://amzn.to/3QGwBsA
Cindy’s unschooling “process”:
https://www.therightsideofnormal.com/resources/handouts/collaborative-learning-resources/learning-stages-summary/
Chart for the Natural Learning Development for Right-Brained Children:
https://www.therightsideofnormal.com/2012/04/16/the-natural-learning-development-for-right-brained-children/
Post for Dyslexia:
https://www.therightsideofnormal.com/2013/06/12/dyslexia-or-right-brained-dominant/
REMINDERS!
I am offering Zoom gatherings and there's still time to join in.
Monday, August 15th @6pm will be the first gathering of The Barefoot Playground! Here is where you get to play around with ideas, research, and topics that directly impact your daily lives. Bring your curiosity and your questions and come learn on the playground.
If you want to support the show or make a donation you can do so below. Thank you!
http://paypal.me/letemgobarefoot
Cindy Gaddis is a homeschooling mom to seven and the author of the book, The Right Side of Normal: Understanding and Honoring the Natural Learning Path for Right-Brained Children.
In this episode, Cindy and I go over multiple topics covered in her book including:
- how she defines right-brained and left-brained,
- what the research says,
- the presenting characteristics of right-brained and left-brained learners,
- how the school environment favors left-brained learners,
- how to support our creative children whether we homeschool or not
- the three distinct stages of learning
- labels like learning disabled and ADHD
and so much more!
You can find more of Cindy's work here: https://www.therightsideofnormal.com/
as well as links to her book, including an e-book download option. Be on the lookout for another episode, a Part 2, with Cindy.
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Other things discussed:
The Barefoot Playground a community for parents and educators to show up with childlike curiosity and put into practice research and theories on child development and well-being.
Zoom Gatherings Starting in August, there will be several online gatherings to choose from to support you as you navigate the world of homeschooling and unschooling!
Want to support the podcast? You can do so here. Thank you!
Dr. Lynne Baker-Ward, Professor Psychology, has been on the faculty of the Department of Psychology at NC State University since 1985. She was also one of MY professors when I attended N.C. State in the early 90s.
Much of her work has examined the age-related cognitive changes that affect children’s capacities to provide testimony in legal proceedings, and the ways in which alternative approaches to the management of child witnesses affect the accuracy and completeness of young children’s reports of their experiences.
Read more of her bio here: https://chass.ncsu.edu/people/lbward/
In this episode we discuss her research into children's memory, active learning, how we become responsible for our own learning, how we can support our children’s reporting of events, ways to approach our children when we are seeking to understand, and the variation in recall based on a child’s age and so much more.
Other things discussed:
"Counting our Wins" Dr. Rick Hanson
https://www.rickhanson.net/
Negativity Bias
https://www.rickhanson.net/overcoming-negativity-bias/
Dr. Keith Conners and the MTA Study of ADHD
https://www.bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j2253
You can find more information about unschooling and self-directed education at my site www.letemgobarefoot.com.
For those who wish to donate to the podcast, you can do so here.
Thank you for listening and for your support!
paypal.me/letemgobarefoot
On this 10th episode of the Let 'em go Barefoot podcast, I interview Erich Leidums, a dad of three, an outdoor enthusiast, and the creator of the highly entertaining and fun-loving family adventure channel, That Mountain Life.
Erich's approach to parenting and education are born from a space of trust and believing things will work out. It is both a peaceful and powerful lens to view the world.
We talk about his early life experiences, how he and and his family got to this point in their lives, what it's like to be a full-time digital creator now, and so much more.
He offers rich insight and great advice for adding more risk into your children's lives, which builds their confidence, all while having a blast together.
Look for That Mountain Life on YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ThatMountainLife
@thatmountainlife
https://www.tiktok.com/@thatmountainlife
You can find more information about unschooling and self-directed education at my site www.letemgobarefoot.com.
For those who wish to donate to the podcast, you can do so here. Thank you for listening and for your support!
paypal.me/letemgobarefoot
Sue Patterson likely needs no introduction because she has been involved in the homeschooling and unschooling community for over 2 decades.
With three grown children and one grandchild, she sits in that wonderful space of reflection and can offer us her unique perspective and insight. Sue is candid about the fears she had about homeschooling, including worrying about what other people would think.
I so enjoyed talking to Sue and taking in her wisdom and humor. I have a feeling you will, too.
Where to find Sue and the various things we talked about:
Unschooling Mom2Mom website: Http://www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com
Sue’s Membership Group - Creating Confidence
Http://www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com/membership
Homeschooled Teens: 75 Young People Speak about Their Lives Without School
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Homeschooled-Teens-People-Without-School/dp/0986229040
Digital:
https://www.books2read.com/homeschooledteens
Unschooling Guide: Technology
https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/product/technology/
Social Media, all things Unschooling Mom2Mom: http://www.facebook.com/UnschoolingMom2Mom
http://www.Instagram.com/UnschoolingMom2Mom
http://www.Pinterest.com/umom2mom
http://www.YouTube.com/c/UnschoolingMom2Mom
Stay connected with Sue through her email list filled with unschooling resources:
https://unschooling-mom2mom.ck.page/posts
Feel like supporting the Let 'em go Barefoot podcast? Your donations are greatly appreciated...Thank you!
You can do so here:
PayPal.Me
Putting together these episodes is an activity that truly brings me joy and for the next hour, I believe you will feel joy as you listen to my guest, Isabelle Robledo talk about her life experiences and her passion for helping others get to know themselves.
When Isabelle reached out to me about coming on the show, I did not think twice.
I follow her on Instagram @makingmindfulnessfun and love the content she shares…plus it is wonderful to watch how self-directed education plays out in the later teen years.
Isabelle beams with enthusiasm for life and excitement for the work she does. It is impossible not to be positively affected by her and swept up in her orbit.
We talk about what mindfulness is, what it is not, and how it can benefit us.
We dig into Enneagrams and how to use them to support and guide us on our journey.
If you’re like me and enjoy getting into the nitty gritty of our personalities and exploring what makes us tick, you will love this chat.
Find more Isabelle here:
Website
www.makingmindfulnessfun.com
Free Enneagram Cheatsheets
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/a5d9i5
Coaching with Isabelle
https://www.makingmindfulnessfun.com/product/coaching-isabelle/
Free Birth Chart Workbook
https://www.makingmindfulnessfun.com/product/birth-chart-workbook/
YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCuDNkut8LBd7B3EMICzyMgw
You can support the Let 'em go Barefoot podcast here:
PayPal.Me
Thank you!
Have you thought about where your ideas and beliefs about parenting come from?
Have you considered that the relationships we have with others is primarily a nervous system experience?
In this conversation, I talk to Erica who is a conscious parenting coach. She explains the road she takes to get here, including the anxiety and reactivity that were part of parenting her first born. I imagine many of us can relate to the nervousness and worry that comes with parenting our first child. And while we do not want it to be that way, we get stuck in patterns and unconscious behaviors.
Erica’s "aha" moment came when she found Dr. Shefali’s work on conscious parenting and heard her say, “Parenting is not about raising our children, its about raising ourselves.”
Ultimately, that is the goal of Erica’s work…to help parents connect to their own stories and then build relationships with their children through healing, trust, and harmony.
Where to find Erica:
https://www.ericakesilman.com/coaching-program
Instagram: @erica_kesilman and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericakesilman
If you would like to support the podcast you can donate here:
PayPal.Me
Thank you!
According to Deena, a Holistic and Integrative Health Coach, we all have a food story.
However, many of us have not brought this story forward.
We may not even realize why we have certain attitudes about food or
how particular beliefs around health and eating have influenced us.
In this episode, Deena and I discuss many ideas and beliefs around food including personal stories that have impacted our relationship with nutrition and food over the years
But also, how we can bring peace, joy, and beauty into our homes and meals
While minimizing struggle and challenges.
Find more great tips, guides, and support from Deena here: http://deenabarselah.com/
and over on Instagram @deenabarselah
If you would like to support the podcast a donation of any amount is greatly appreciated!
PayPal.Me
I am thrilled to have Nicolette of Mamas Roots are Showing on the podcast again. You were first introduced to her in the second episode, “When Did you Know”.
Today, however, we cover A LOT more ground.
Growing up as a 4th generation farming family, being close to the land is 2nd nature to Nicolette, so naturally, we talk about farming and gardening, our own connections to nature, and raising children outdoors.
We also talk about creating community, what it means to be a peaceful parent, the importance of addressing our own triggers and childhood wounds so we can be more mindful in how we interact with our kids, plus so much more.
You can find Nicolette's blog here: Mama's Roots are Showing (mamasrootsareshowing.com
Her podcast is on Apple or Spotify
and on Instagram @ mamas.roots.are.showing
If you would like to support Let 'em go Barefoot, any amount is appreciated!
PayPal.Me
In this episode, I talk all things books with Nicole who is the creator of the Instagram page, Book Led Learning. We discuss what it looks like to create a culture of reading within your family, being open to our children choosing the books that speak to them versus controlling their choices, and how books not only connect us to knowledge and information, but to one another.
We touch on the differences in when children read and how they interact with books, incorporating fiction and non-fiction, the beauty of audiobooks, book parties, and being willing to read books again and again to your young children.
Nicole offers great suggestions for books parents can read, too, and shares some things you may not know about her.
We briefly talk about their journey to homeschooling but you can hear a more in-depth discussion on my second episode, “When Did You Know” where Nicole was one of the five moms who shared her story.
Kid’s Books mentioned:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Elephant and Piggie series
Life of Fred
Who Was biography series
Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
Basher Science (ages 6-9) https://www.scholastic.com/site/branches.html
Recommended Parent Reading:
The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon
The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller
The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
On this 3rd episode of the Let 'em go Barefoot podcast, I have a conversation with Robyn Roberston, the creator of the Honey! I'm Homeschooling the Kids podcast and community. Robyn and I talk about flexibility, how we evolve as parents as our children grow and change, and the power of supporting our kids, ourselves, and receiving community support. Plus, you get to hear about a special interest of Robyn's that may surprise you!
Find all the wonderful ways to connect with Robyn below:
Website & Podcast- Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler Summit Honey! I'm Homeschooling Club on Clubhouse
Small Group Master Class January 2022- https://imhomeschooling.com/homeschooling-with-purpose-master-class-4/
Patreon Community- https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids
You can find more Missy musings @letemgobarefoot on Instagram, Facebook, and on the web at www.letemgobarefoot.com
If you are looking for a hand to hold on this journey and would appreciate my support and guidance, please reach out. https://letemgobarefoot.as.me/
Or, if you want to support this show and the message of self-directed education and peaceful/mindful parenting, you can do so here: paypal.me/letemgobarefoot
Your support is invaluable. Thank you!
This 2nd episode of the Let 'em go Barefoot podcast is a compilation of stories from five mothers across the United States and Canada answering the question, "When did you know the traditional schooling model was not right for your family?"
Several moms have a background in education, including teaching in public schools, but as you will hear, their teaching experience does not make them feel more qualified to homeschool. If anything, it encouraged them to take the leap because of what they witnessed in the classroom setting.
Each mother brings much to the table with their insights and experiences of living and learning with their children. To hear more from each family, links are below to follow along. (In order of appearance.)
Nicolette on Instagram @mamas.roots.are.showing
Holly on Instagram @innershiftcoaching & on the web at www.innershift.ca
Erin on Instagram @ever.learning & on the web at www.everlearning.ca
Nicole on Instagram @book.led.learning
Heesun on Instagram @mozeyingalong
You can find more Missy musings @letemgobarefoot on Instagram, Facebook, and on the web at www.letemgobarefoot.com
If you want to support the show, you can do so here: paypal.me/letemgobarefoot
Much appreciated!
In this first episode of the Let 'em go Barefoot podcast, I have a conversation with my son about his experiences as a (mostly) lifelong unschooler. We discuss common misconceptions about self-directed education and reflect on his K-12 learning journey. He offers insights on parenting and education that drive home the importance of a parent's presence and respect for each child's unique unfolding. We also have a little fun at the end with a few questions of "Would You Rather?" and he ends with some great advice for parents, whether you homeschool or not.
Blog post referenced:
Misconceptions about Self-directed Education - Let 'em go Barefoot (letemgobarefoot.com)
Donations appreciated! paypal.me/letemgobarefoot