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The Unschool Files

The Unschool Files

By Meghan

on this podcast you will hear from the host, Meghan and other real life unschoolers and homeschoolers on a range of topics around self directed education and living without school. this is not a “how -to” with experts but the lived experiences and some of the more nuanced and intersectional experiences in the unschooling and homeschooling community.
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1.12 muddy puddles, mess + honest unschooling with crystal

The Unschool FilesAug 25, 2022

00:00
01:08:31
2.7 Youth Rights Take Flight with Seattle Flying Squad
Dec 28, 202301:17:18
2.6 my reflection matters with Chemay Morales-James
Nov 16, 202301:00:53
2.5 finding their self at ALC NYC with Mel Compo

2.5 finding their self at ALC NYC with Mel Compo


in the 5th episode of season 2, a series on SDE spaces and the tools and frameworks they use to meet the unique needs of their communities; Meghan chatted with Mel Compo about Agile Learning Centers and their beautiful story of partnering with youth, finding their self and belonging at ALC New York.


About Agile Learning Centers: agilelearningcenters.org

ALF Trainings: alf.agilelearningcenters.org




Sep 14, 202301:25:34
2.4 changing the culture with Zena Democratic School

2.4 changing the culture with Zena Democratic School

in episode 4 of the community care series, Meghan spoke with two people from Zena Democratic School (formerly Hudson Valley Sudbury School) and the conversation is a MASSIVE 2+ hour episode! they talk all about the Sudbury model as a staff member and student, you get a clear understanding of the model as it was first practiced in the original Sudbury Valley School and the ways the Zena has made shifts. they discuss several topics deeply, really try to offer balance drop some f bombs and definitely have a lot of fun! they even tackle giving kids the vote! Its a good listen and worth the time, even if you have to break it up in chunks.

e-mail Charlie at
22morsec@gmail.com is you wanna have a juicy convo about anything he mentioned
find Zena Democratic School here
www.zenademocraticschool.org
information on and from the original Sudbury Valley School
⁠https://sudburyvalley.org/theory⁠
article Charlie mentioned on Sudbury Schools and Neo Liberal Ideology
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1478210315610256
second article charlie mentioned from Tipping Points
www.self-directed.org/tp/the-first-prison/
Register to Vote in the US here
vote.gov
Exploring Children's Suffrage- Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Ageless Voting
link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-14541-4
Check out the Children's Voting Colloquium
www.childrenvoting.org

Find all of Meghan's work on theunschoolfiles.com! please take a second to head over to Patreon.com/theunschoolfiles to partner with Meghan on all the work she does.



Aug 01, 202302:19:15
2.3 fusing tools and frameworks with Cassidy Younghans
Jul 20, 202354:34
2.2 be colleague to young people with Alexander Khost
Jul 04, 202301:31:31
2.1 self-directed education is a political act
Jun 24, 202325:47
1.40 reverse planning with Andria

1.40 reverse planning with Andria

in this conversation with Andria of The Humorous Homeschooler on Tik Tok, we talk about her journey from sex Ed school teacher to this unschoolish, reverse planning, tik tok bestie that she is! she talks about attempting to use classroom management style tools to implement pandemic homeschooling for her young people. her self described “neuro spicy" family could not function in that way, but did need rhythm and routine. they also still need to do mandatory reporting - in comes the tool she shares of REVERSE PLANNING! so cool, and a great way to still partner with your young people to spend their days how they want and also find the ways that they are engaging with materials and play that you can later categorize into subjects to meet the state requirements. -> Find Andria on Tik Tok and Instagram @thehumoroushomeschooler
Jun 14, 202301:06:20
1.39 community update + shout outs

1.39 community update + shout outs

• Head to theunschoolfiles.com
for zines, swag, the discord + teen travel
patreon.com/theunschoolfiles
• Find ROAM: a teen travel collective on Instagram @roam_teentravel
@theunschoolfiles.com
May 01, 202327:01
1.38 partnership + teens with Erin Jantz

1.38 partnership + teens with Erin Jantz

episode 38 of the podcast is all about teens! Meghan chats with Erin Jantz, a Southern California mama of 4 young people ages 9-18. this conversation covers connection, partnership, and the nuance of life without schooling as our young people emerge toward adulthood! we even offer 6 huge tips for connecting with your teens! if you’re a Spotify listener, you can now submit your questions for Erin and I and maybe we can come back together for a q&a! find all the things i’m up to on my website Www.theunschoolfiles.com Support my work by becoming a patron Www.patreon.com/theunschoolfiles Find all the things on my website Www.theunschoolfiles.com Supprt my work by becoming a patron Www.patreon.com/theunschoolfiles
Mar 24, 202301:17:14
1.37 radical learning with Sari + Becka
Mar 10, 202358:15
1.36 deschooling our unschooling with Lane Clark

1.36 deschooling our unschooling with Lane Clark

in episode 36 Meghan speaks with Lane, a mother of two self-led daughters from a snow globe town on the upper peninsula of Michigan. they discuss how unschooling was a doorway to look at life differently and even unschooling requires deschooling! • find Lane over in instagram as @liz.lemonade • head to www.theunschoolfiles.com/resources/ for links to research, book recommendations and blogs on unschooling. • join Meghan in community on Discord • zines can be found here-> www.theunschoolfiles.com/shop/ • support Meghan’s work and help her save for recording equipment! www.patreon.com/theunschoolfiles
Feb 11, 202353:59
1.34 mutuality and unschooling

1.34 mutuality and unschooling

In episode 34, Meghan takes to the mic alone to talk about mutuality, empathy, fearless listening and how it’s connected to the way we are raising children while unschooling. with a couple of F bombs because… language is powerful! Visit the website to connect with Meghan in various ways from being a guest on the podcast or supporting the zine to joining the Discord community - theunschoolfiles.com -as a reminder, the zine is limited print, deadline for this issue is April 15th,2022- The panel mentioned- on mutual dialogue with bell hooks, George Yancy and Harry Brod; philosophers of/by both formal education and in existence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErPxdEBdn8&t=3093s Licity Collins on Fearless Listening https://licitycollins.com/blogs/fearless-listening/posts/what-is-fearless-listening Alok Vaid-Menon Instagram post https://www.instagram.com/p/CcODs3zONYe/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Tammi Lenski on 5 bad listening habits https://tammylenski.com/bad-listening-habits/
Sep 10, 202215:14
1.35 the path invents you with Alexis Deighton MacIntyre
Sep 10, 202201:32:08
1.33 decentering school with Nikolai Pizarro

1.33 decentering school with Nikolai Pizarro

In episode 33 of the podcast, Meghan is talking with Nikolai Pizarro of @raisingreaders on the concept of decentering school, to center connection and relationship. this discussion touches on educational trauma, the pressure to uphold the school system and the values it thrusts into families. Nikolai is very aware that many families do not have the ability to leave school, and wants to empower parents and young people to know their humanity is priority. she gives real examples of ways folks can walk their children thru their agency while remaining in school. not focusing on the metrics that sort and divide children, and not letting schoolishness dictate how we see ourselves and our humanity. we talk about the great lie of school with our feet firmly on the ground and in truth for parents who just can’t stop sending their young people to school. find Nikolai on Instagram @raisingreaders and don’t forget to follow the backyard forest school @liberatorium and toss some funds toward the groundbreaking (literally) work here -> https://givebutter.com/KStbEI - subscribe to the zine over in Patreon.com/theunschoolfiles follow @theunschoolfiles on IG support the work of the new zine production team by sending some loose change via PayPal (theunschoolfiles@gmail.com) or Venmo (@iamsilenth) visit theunschoolfiles.com to connect with Meghan - whether you’d like to be a guest or share your story privately / you are welcome here! Join the discord community, a place for Unschoolers to come together, while we prioritize the safety and well-being of people of the global majority; to find connection, answers, and reflect on schoolishness and how pervasive it can be. we also have a lot of fun, play games and support one another from afar!
Aug 25, 202201:28:04
1.32 the subtleties of colonization with Akilah S. Richards
Aug 25, 202258:27
1.31 community support
Aug 25, 202219:57
1.30 neurodiversity + self-directed learning with Demetria

1.30 neurodiversity + self-directed learning with Demetria

in episode 30 of the podcast, Meghan is speaking with an Austin based unschooling Mama named Demetria on raising Neurodiverse children without school. they discuss her transition from school to a restful home life, strategies for coping to be able to self-direct, and reflect on some vulnerable things as it relates to school and the harm it perpetuates. find meghan at theunschoolfiles.com on Instagram @theunschoolfiles and you can Email me at theunschoolfiles@gmail.com Demetrias Resources! Tik Tok @destini.ann @domesticblisters @oneausomemom @carringtonlbruton @ellaellaw @harrythompsonpda @unschooledandunbothered IG @asiatu.coach @makeba_celeste @prntgdcolonized @fareofthefreechild @theintuitivehomeschooler @neurodivercity @actuallyautisticalien @neurodivergentrebel @actuallyautistictiktoks @unschoolingmom2mom Podcasts Fare of the Free Child Honey I’m Homeschooling the Kids Exploring Unschooling Sage Family Use Your Outside Voice! unschooling podcast Audacious Autistics (YouTube & Spotify) ADHD Experts podcast ADDitude Strategies and Support for ADHD & LD ADHD for Smart Ass Women with Tracy Otsuka Self-Directed Learning & Neurodiversity, Terri Cox YouTube Lucy at Life Without School Books Ross W Greene, PhD: Raising Human Beings, The Explosive Child Alfie Kohn: Unconditional Parenting, Punished by Rewards Shefali Tsabary: The Conscious Parent, The Awakened Family Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto Free to Learn by Peter Gray Children Learn by John Holt Introverted Mom by Jamie C Martin The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine Aron Differently Wired by Deborah Reber The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel MD & Tina Payne Bryson PhD Unschooled by Kerry McDonald & Peter Gray Deschooling Gently by Tammy Takahashi **Demetria always emphasizes extracting what works for your family/lifestyle, and leaving the rest when it comes to any types of resources**
Aug 25, 202201:24:05
1.29.2 life update + reflections on unschooling

1.29.2 life update + reflections on unschooling

it’s been a while since i have jumped on and spoke alone. i refrain from doing this a lot, because i really value conversation with other people, and never want to seem to have any answers. i literally have none!
in this episode i share an update on the journey to “school”, talk about the struggles of finding and building community (and remembering the ones we are in that don’t include Unschoolers), reflecting on what unschooling continues to ask of us, and a question for the community on the abolition or reform of schools! let me know if anything jumps out and you want to connect.
Aug 25, 202214:25
1.29 big mothering with Fran
Aug 25, 202257:45
1.27 untigering with Iris
Aug 25, 202247:06
1.26 unconditional love with Shannon
Aug 25, 202201:09:30
1.25 heading to junior high

1.25 heading to junior high

in this episode Meghan shares some thoughts and feelings that have come up in her own family and others who have shared similar experiences - when things change, and school is on the table. how do we feel when our children may want something outside of us? how can we partner with them to achieve their self-directed goals?
Aug 25, 202217:38
1.24 raising wildflower kids with Nina Palmo
Aug 25, 202233:38
1.23 let’s rebuild

1.23 let’s rebuild

on episode 23 meghan rambles words of resonance sparked by intense bang-trimming level concentration and the many (off the mic) conversations with other parents swirling around in her head who are feeling... all the things, but mostly unsure of how to move forward. let’s connect. let’s rebuild.
Aug 25, 202216:22
1.22 examining unschooling with sue patterson

1.22 examining unschooling with sue patterson

in this episode of the unschool files, meghan is speaking with veteran unschooling mom and coach, Sue Patterson. they discuss how she began, what that experience was like, from the pushback from the establishment in the 90’s to examining who and what has been left behind in the unschooling movement. she shares some insight on fear, and how we’ve been conditioned to think and to how the help with a reluctant parent/adult in the home.
Where to Find Sue-

www.suepatterson.com
Discount for all 20% off guides and courses to our listeners : UFDISCOUNT

m.facebook.com › unschooli...Unschooling Mom2Mom - Home | Facebook

instagram.com/unschoolingmom2mom?igshid=1gaoq9ywemkk3

www.joinclubhouse.com/@suepatt Clubhouse is a platform for live discussion via audio (apple users only at this time) - Sue hosts a Monday room to take questions and have room directed discussion

For more information on Critical Unschooling, check out the paper below from past guest, Noah Romero www.researchgate.net/publication/343821856_Toward_a_critical_unschooling_praxis

For more information about unschooling and self-directed learning from a BIPOC perspective, please check out Akilah Richards of The Raising Free People Network! She has a book, podcast, courses, and provides so much.
Please pay for her work.

raisingfreepeople.com
Aug 25, 202258:35
1.21 shifting radical unschooling during the pandemic with sara
Aug 25, 202201:00:03
1.20 where do we go from here?

1.20 where do we go from here?

episode 20 is a mini-sode! a quick check in, as we all plan and plot the year ahead
lots of folks are joining the ranks of life without school and that leaves us with much to discuss.

•who does that leave behind?
•what is our responsibility to the collective, and our smaller communities?
•how will we integrate what we’ve been learning in this heavy season with our lives going forward?
•are there practices or beliefs in your life that are directly contradicting the progress we need to move forward?

the virtual round table i’m assembling will be discussing this and much more nuance around where we go from here.
staytuned and thanks for listening to TWENTY WHOLE EPISODES 🙏🏽
Aug 25, 202207:24
1.19 child rights with lucy aitkenread
Aug 25, 202249:32
1.18 living academia with bridgett

1.18 living academia with bridgett

in this episode meghan speaks with homeschooling mama of 4, Bridgett on raising young people abroad with her partner in an eclectic way. books, gardening, fermenting...books, baking, hiking, food adventures...books, music, anime and so many trains. did we mention books?
you’ll hear about her lifestyle of learning, Black children in nature and unpack some language within the homeschooling communities around the topic, their joy and unapologetic way or existing and all things traveling and Japanese. you can find her over at @rootsofwonder on Instagram
Aug 25, 202201:09:04
1.17 in the margins with alicia lucas
Aug 25, 202201:04:41
1.16 black lives matter
Aug 25, 202204:49
1.15 decolonized unschooling with noah romero

1.15 decolonized unschooling with noah romero

in this episode, meghan is speaking with fellow unschooling parent and Phd candidate Noah Romero, on how we can begin intentionally decolonize our thinking, and practices and center the stories and experiences of indigenous people and people of color for a more just and equitable society. Much love to everyone here, and wanting to do better. I see you, and I’m glad you’re here! RESOURCES: Noahromero.org noah.romero@gmail.com Article on Critical Unschooling https://jual.nipissingu.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2018/06/v12233.pdf Convention on the Rights of the Child- https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-11&chapter=4&lang=en Sex Ed law- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/23/545289168/abstinence-education-is-ineffective-and-unethical-report-argues https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27098762/ https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(17)30260-4/fulltext Brian Ray article compilation of homeschooling facts and statistics derived from empirical research- https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/ PODCAST on Self Directed learning for a socially just world - https://www.raisingfreepeople.com/164/ Yes Magazine, decolonizing issue - https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/decolonize/ A MUST READ for all parents- https://www.latinxparenting.org/post/parenting-world-so-white
Aug 25, 202201:04:24
1.14 what do you need? + self direction with raegan

1.14 what do you need? + self direction with raegan

in this episode, meghan has a special message and invitation followed by a chat with her youngest unschooler on how the time at home during quarantine has shown her some needs of her own that need tending and how she self directs.
Aug 25, 202222:20
1.13 it’s a weird time
Aug 25, 202213:16
1.12 muddy puddles, mess + honest unschooling with crystal

1.12 muddy puddles, mess + honest unschooling with crystal

in this episode, meghan talks with crystal from @the.unschool.life about her experiences in unschooling her 7, 14 and (newly minted) 18 year old. she embraces the messier side of childhood after a shocking revelation that recreating school at home wasn’t going to work for her family! she’s one that makes ya smile as you listen to her talk, and is so relatable y’all! Find Crystal in all the places! -
m.facebook.com/theunschoollife/
instagram.com/the.unschool.life?igshid=2c6nbxt0lhz2
nashvillefunforfamilies.com
Aug 25, 202201:08:31
1.11 deschooling + everyting is everyting with akilah
Aug 25, 202201:00:55
1.10 peeling back layers and mindset

1.10 peeling back layers and mindset

in episode 10, meghan talks a little about the upcoming guests and how it will really help answer many of the questions the unschool files is getting in feedback. she lays some ground work to understanding the mindset that is unschooling vs schooly paradigm. if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, or ask any questions - find us on Instagram @theunschoolfiles
Aug 25, 202217:37
1.9 expectations + bathrooms

1.9 expectations + bathrooms

in episode 9, meghan talks about what can happen when our expectations of our loved ones aren’t met, and what might be standing in the way of that. also, a totally relatable bathroom schpeal that is actually her clear confession, not a hypothetical!
Aug 25, 202213:17
1.8 setting boundaries while unschooling

1.8 setting boundaries while unschooling

in this brief recording of some rambling thoughts and practices of setting boundaries with the people you love and live with, meghan talks about some ways she uses boundaries and why they are important. by no means does this cover it all, but as we’ve entered the new year and are learning to care for ourselves better, take time for ourselves and set boundaries (sometimes for the first time ever) it’s important to remember not to hurt the ones you love with the space you need. communication is key!
Aug 25, 202213:53
1.7 liberated learning with catina of embark center

1.7 liberated learning with catina of embark center

in this episode Meghan talks with Catina, an unschooling mother and staff member at Embark Center where teen members are opting out of high school for an experience that is self-directed. with the help of staff and community volunteers, members are forging a path all their own to adulthood that may or may not include classes but is always their choice. @embarkcenter
Aug 25, 202245:41
1.6 language freedom and harmful language

1.6 language freedom and harmful language

in this episode, meghan talks a little about her own encounters with problematic language while raising a free thinking teen and how they came up with a working solution to acknowledge and discuss while still having choice. how are you unpacking harmful language that may come up? maybe it’s not even your child, but their friend. our language is important as it can perpetuate harm... let’s talk about it.
Aug 25, 202212:03
1.5 frankenstein schooling with mari

1.5 frankenstein schooling with mari

in this episode meghan talks with american mama, mari on their life without school in tokyo and her son’s immersion to various cultures in and around asia. @theunschoolfiles @enchantingages
Aug 25, 202232:37
1.4 what unschooling is and isn’t

1.4 what unschooling is and isn’t

in this episode, meghan talks about a handful of myths about unschooling and talks specifics on reading, classrooms and curriculum, and even a little on some of the judgment of this process. this is a quick debunking from experience and welcomes anyone to listen to try and understand a little more about what unschooling is, and isn’t
Aug 25, 202220:28
1.3 how unschooling unfolded with jason
Aug 25, 202230:29
1.2 finding balance in unschooling

1.2 finding balance in unschooling

in this episode, meghan speaks on some ways to personalize your unschooling experience to fit the members of your family best, and tools she uses to keep some balance in it all
Aug 25, 202217:39
1.0 welcome to the unschool files podcast

1.0 welcome to the unschool files podcast

in this brief intro, meghan shares the intention of this podcast and community. you can join the conversation over on Instagram @theunschoolfiles
Aug 25, 202202:38
1.1 meet them where they’re at

1.1 meet them where they’re at

in this episode meghan discusses the periods we all experience where we begin to question our choice to live without school. old programming and how to get back to the reasons you chose this path. to meet your children where they’re at.
Aug 25, 202216:14