Explore every episode of the podcast The Ladies Fixing the World
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3E4 | Unschooling and Food | 21 Dec 2025 | 01:51:44 | |
Food keeps showing up in parenting and unschooling conversations: Parents ask about sugar, rules, nutrition, fairness, parties, allergies, ethics, and what happens when children want something different from what the family values. Food can become the place where worries about health, control, and ādoing it rightā concentrate. Underlying the whole conversation is a familiar unschooling question: What happens when we replace control with trust? š Sandra, Sue and Cecilie's websites šļø Recorded August 26, 2025. šĀ Ć marksgĆ„rd, Lille Skendsved, Denmark In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S3E3: How Unschoolers Can Deal with Questions and Sceptics| with Sandra Dodd, Cecilie Conrad and Sue Elvis | 11 Nov 2025 | 01:23:27 | |
How do you handle skeptical questions about unschooling without freezing, defending, or preaching? Cecilie, Sandra, and Sue share real-life stories and gentle scripts for staying kind, grounded, and clear when people donāt understand unschooling. In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E6 | The Role of Repetition in Learning, Unschooling, and Shaping Identity | 26 Apr 2025 | 02:02:08 | |
Whatās the value of doing the same thing more than once?Ā In this episode of Ladies Fixing the World, Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis unfold repetitionāhow it shows up in our lives, why it matters, and what it reveals. Together, they examine how children tend to gravitate toward watching the same films, reading the same stories, or playing the same games. Rather than dismissing these habits, they unpack the deeper role of repetition in building understanding, creating comfort, and developing personal interests. They explore repetition in unschooling: how revisiting material or ideas becomes a natural part of learning when children are trusted to follow their own curiosity. The conversation weaves through stories of old VHS collections, gaming habits, repeated drawings, Shakespeare, and art museums, highlighting how adults also rely on rhythm, ritual, and recurrence. The episode explores what it means to share stories across generations, how collections shape identity, and how repetition becomes a part of a familyās language. Whether it's a child rewatching Barbie movies or a parent replaying Beatles records, this is a conversation about attention, trust, and the rhythms we all rely on. Ā š Sandra, Sue and Cecilies websites Ā š Links & Resources mentioned:
šļø Recorded January 16, 2025. šĀ Ć marksgĆ„rd, SolrĆød, Denmark In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E5 | Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis & Cecilie Conrad on Learning to Read & Trusting Unschooling | 12 Apr 2025 | 02:11:33 | |
Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis, and Cecilie Conrad come together to discuss their personal journeys into unschooling, focusing on natural learning, curiosity, and redefining educational expectations. Sandra shares her transition from a public-school teacher to embracing unschooling with her family, exploring how her upbringing influenced her parenting choices. Sue reflects on her experiences returning to unschooling after attempts to follow structured educational methods, and how her understanding evolved with each child. Cecilie offers insights from her journey, including learning experiences through family travel and navigating seasonal challenges. Their conversation delves into how children naturally learn to read without formal instruction, highlighting personal examples of different ages and experiences. They examine the risks associated with pushing children to reach educational milestones prematurely, sharing stories related to reading and swimming. The discussion challenges traditional educational norms, questioning standardized testing, IQ assessments, and rigid developmental timelines. Throughout the episode, they explore how parents can support their children's individual paths and curiosity without imposing external standards. Reflections on parenting, intelligence, and the continuous nature of learning throughout life underscore the conversation. This episode provides practical experiences and observations for parents and educators interested in understanding and applying the principles of unschooling. Ā š Links & Resources: šļø Recorded January 9, 2025. šĀ Ć marksgĆ„rd, SolrĆød, Denmark In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E4 | Unschooling: Trusting the Process and Letting Go of Control | 29 Mar 2025 | 01:56:20 | |
Traditional education is built on judgmentāconstantly measuring childrenās progress against rigid standards. Unschooling offers a different path, one that values curiosity over evaluation. In this episode, Cecilie Conrad, Sue Elvis, and Sandra Dodd discuss why letting go of expectations leads to deeper, more natural learning. Reading becomes a key theme, as they challenge the idea that children must read by a certain age. Cecilie shares how her son resisted reading until fourteen, only to become an avid reader once the pressure was gone. Sandra and Sue add their own stories, showing how literacy develops when children are given space and trust. Repetition in learning also comes upāwhether itās rewatching movies, rereading books, or replaying games. What looks like stagnation is often mastery in progress. The conversation extends to Shakespeare, storytelling, and the power of learning through real experiences rather than forced instruction. Unschooling isnāt about avoiding educationāitās about trusting that learning happens everywhere. This episode is a reminder that children thrive when given the freedom to explore life on their own terms.
šļø Recorded December 16, 2024. šĀ Whityham, United Kingdom In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E3 | Unschooling and Connections: How Learning Is All About Creating a Web of Understanding | 15 Mar 2025 | 01:36:54 | |
How do children learn math without lessons, textbooks, or worksheets? Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis, and Cecilie Conrad talk about the ways kids pick up mathematical thinkingāthrough games, shared meals, money management, and real-world problem-solving. They discuss what happens when learning is driven by curiosity rather than instruction, sharing stories of children who mastered math in unexpected ways. Their experiences with unschooling reveal how learning develops naturally, often outside the structures designed to teach it. Meanwhile, schoolsāwith their insistence on rigid, standardized learningāoften disconnect children from their natural curiosity, sometimes to the point where they avoid learning altogether after being pushed too hard.
šļø Recorded December 5, 2024. šĀ Whityham, United Kingdom In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E2 | Unschooling: Trust, Autonomy, and the Realities of Learning | 02 Mar 2025 | 01:26:58 | |
What is unschooling? What is it not? And why defining it is so difficult? Sandra Dodd, Sue Elvis and Cecilie Conrad explore how unschooling is not just about rejecting school but fundamentally shifting how families approach learning, trust, and daily life.
šļø Recorded November 28, 2024. šĀ Krakow, Poland In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E1 | Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Curiosity, Flexibility, and Trust with Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis | 01 Feb 2025 | 00:56:13 | |
What if education wasnāt confined to classrooms but instead flourished naturally through lifeās experiences? In this episode of Ladies Fixing the World, renowned unschooling pioneers Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis join Cecilie Conrad to redefine what learning can look like. We explore the philosophy and practicalities of unschoolingāwhere curiosity, trust, and relationships replace rigid curricula. Sandra shares her journey to define unschooling, describing it as "creating and maintaining an atmosphere where natural learning can flourish." Sue emphasizes the importance of embracing time with children, noting, "We can't go back and reclaim those hours as our kids grow up." The conversation highlights:
Through personal stories, we showcase unschooling as a lifestyle that prioritizes connection, flexibility, and natural growthāeducation as a joyful byproduct of living fully. Quotes from the Episode:
Links & Resources:
Sandra Dodds specific links for this episode
Recorded: November 6, 2024, Krakow, Poland This episode delves into the responsibilities of unschooling, contrasts it with traditional schooling, and celebrates the freedom it offers. Whether youāre curious about alternative education or looking for inspiration to rethink your approach, this conversation invites you to imagine a learning journey led by love, trust, and curiosity. In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E12 | Embracing Change & Welcoming New Voices | 27 Oct 2024 | 01:00:54 | |
In this final episode of the first season of "Da Ladies", Cecilie joins Luna, Sara, and Carla as they wrap up their journey. The group reflects on embracing change, honoring priorities, and staying true to their unschooling principles. From navigating life transitions to balancing personal aspirations and family commitments, this episode is a beautiful exploration of growth, authenticity, and fluidity in self-directed living. Looking ahead, Cecilie teases the start of a new season with a fresh set of inspiring women, promising new voices and experiences in self-directed learning, travel, and parenting. Please tune in to join Cecilie and the team as they celebrate the end of one chapter and embrace the beginning of another. šļø Recorded October 16th, 2024. š The Addisons, Withyham, United Kingdom
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E11 | Does unschooling work? | 04 Aug 2024 | 01:05:11 | |
Can the question "Does unschooling work?" be inherently flawed? Join us in Episode 11 of Da Ladies Fixing the World as we challenge conventional thinking and explore the philosophy of unschooling. We examine societal pressures and the need for validation that often accompany this question and provide insights from various unschooling and homeschooling communities. By exploring parental concerns and celebrating their triumphs, we underscore the importance of focusing on individual growth and happiness over performative success. We also redefine what it means for education to "work" by contrasting the rigid outcomes of traditional schooling with the fluid, adaptable nature of unschooling. Using the metaphor of coffee, we highlight the importance of natural growth and learning without predefined checklists. Discover how unschooling fosters problem-solving skills and unique learning journeys, allowing children to thrive in a more open and supportive environment. The episode concludes with thoughtful reflections on human experience, judgment, and the flexibility required in parenting and education.Ā
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E10 | Navigating Unschooling and Authority | 07 Jul 2024 | 01:06:11 | |
In this episode, we explore the balance between personal freedom and societal expectations in unschooling. We discuss the Danish homeschool union, revealing the paradox anarchists face when complying with formal requirements. We also discuss how unschoolers can maintain freedom while fulfilling the need to belong within a community. Our conversation delves into the psychological aspects of compliance and the desire for state approval, encouraging reflection on how this mindset influences self-directed living. Tune in for insights on maintaining autonomy amidst societal constraints. šļø Recorded June 7th, 2024. š AtĀ Ć
marksgƄrd, Lille Skendsved, Denmark
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E9 | Navigating Parenting Conflicts | 10 Jun 2024 | 01:17:32 | |
Join us as we dive into parenting conflicts and discover how embracing disagreements can strengthen family bonds. We share our insights on handling conflicts, especially within unschooling and conscious parenting.
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S3E2: Unschooling - Coping with the Unexpected | with Sandra Dodd, Cecilie Conrad and Sue Elvis | 11 Oct 2025 | 01:52:43 | |
How do unschooling families handle life when plans fall apart? Sandra Dodd, Cecilie Conrad, and Sue Elvis share real experiencesāfrom illness, grief, and moving house to everyday disruptions like broken toilets and power cuts. They demonstrate how flexibility, trust, and connection transform uncertainty into learning, and how children raised without rigid schedules develop resilience, adaptability, and emotional strength through real-life experiences. š Sandra, Sue and Cecilie's websites šļø Recorded June 26, 2025. šĀ Ć marksgĆ„rd, Lille Skendsved, Denmark In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E8 | Embracing Curiosity: Unschooling as a Path to Authentic Learning | 14 Apr 2024 | 01:17:37 | |
Watching my children one lazy afternoon, unburdened by timetables and homework, I was struck by their innate curiosity. We embrace and celebrate this very authenticity in our little ones in our latest podcast episode. With my fellow wise women Carla, Sarah, and Luna, we weave a conversation around the unschooling movementāa radical shift from traditional education that nurtures a childās natural inclination towards learning. We delve into the essence of childhood, free from the assembly line of conventional schooling, where learning rhythms are as unique as each child.
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E7 | Embracing Unschooling: Practical Strategies for Nurturing Self-Directed Learners | 07 Feb 2024 | 01:23:01 | |
We explore practical strategies for nurturing our children's natural curiosity and love of learning. Together with my three friendsāSarah Bealel, Carla Martinez, and Luna Maj Vestergaard, we get hands-on, shedding light on how unschooling unfolds in daily life.Ā
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E6 | Da Ladies Kinda Hate Christmas | 17 Dec 2023 | 01:41:43 | |
Join Cecilie, Carla, Luna, and Sarah for a heartfelt and insightful discussion about the complexities of Christmas, as we delve into its many layers. In this episode, we confront the often overwhelming emotions associated with the holiday season, from the stress of consumerism to the intricate family dynamics. We candidly share our experiences with financial democracy within families, the various perspectives on gift-giving, and the challenge of balancing societal expectations with personal values. Through our conversation, we explore how past traumas and childhood experiences influence our perception of Christmas and the importance of letting go of control to embrace peace and joy. We discuss creating new traditions, finding healing, and making Christmas meaningful in ways that align with our personal values. Whether you're dealing with unresolved trauma, trying to navigate family dynamics, or simply curious about the deeper meanings behind the holiday season, this episode offers a transformative and genuine narrative, promising an engaging and thought-provoking journey through the real essence of Christmas.
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E5 | Challenging Societal Norms: Navigating the Transition to Unschooling | 26 Nov 2023 | 01:42:12 | |
Have you ever considered that societal norms and structures may be limiting your autonomy?Ā
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E4 | Exploring Attachment Parenting and Unschooling: A Shift in Perspective | 29 Oct 2023 | 01:26:31 | |
Join us in exploring attachment parenting, respectful parenting, and unschooling, where we examine the strong biological connections and implications in our parenting choices.
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E3 | Navigating Social Challenges in the Unschooling Journey | 24 Sep 2023 | 01:20:11 | |
Unlock the secrets to successful socialization in the unschooling journey with us, your hosts, Cecilie Conrad, Carla Martinez, Sarah Beale, and Luna Maj.Ā
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E2 | Unschooling and Parental Judgment | 27 Aug 2023 | 01:51:33 | |
Join us for an in-depth conversation on the complexities of unschooling and the role of parental judgment, featuring Cecilie Conrad, Carla Martinez, Sarah Beale, and Luna Maj.Ā Ā ā¬ EPISODE LINKS ā¬
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S1E1 | Da Ladies Fixing the world | 23 Jul 2023 | 01:44:12 | |
Buckle up for a deep dive into the world of unschooling - an unconventional approach to education that is more of a lifelong journey than a destination.Ā
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S3E1: Resources for Unschoolers | with Sandra Dodd, Cecilie Conrad and Sue Elvis | 27 Sep 2025 | 01:37:00 | |
What counts as a resource when you donāt follow a school curriculum? šļø Recorded June 17, 2025. š Ć marksgĆ„rd, Denmark Ā š Links & Resources In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E12 | Unschooling Isnāt Freedom Gone Wild: Why Choices Matter More Than Ideals | 19 Jul 2025 | 01:33:04 | |
In this episode, Cecilie, Sandra, and Sue unpack the popularābut often misleadingāidea of freedom in unschooling. What does it really mean to live freely, and whatās the cost when freedom becomes the goal instead of a tool? They discuss how some families rush into radical unschooling, letting go of all structure without understanding the role of guidance, responsibility, and deschooling. Sandra shares stories of families who confused āfreedomā with letting go too fastāleaving children overwhelmed and relationships strained. The conversation explores the difference between being free and making good choices. True unschooling isnāt about abandoning rulesāitās about creating rich lives where children learn through real decisions, not in the absence of boundaries but within thoughtful, responsive relationships. They also address the legal and social realities unschoolers face, the dangers of turning unschooling into a competitive performance, and the importance of peaceful family dynamics. Unschooling can workābut only when parents are engaged, informed, and honest with themselves and their children. š Sandra, Sue and Cecilie's websites šļø Recorded June 11, 2025. šĀ Ć marksgĆ„rd, Lille Skendsved, Denmark In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E11 | Unschooling, Attachment, and the Art of Letting Go: Building Trust Instead of Rules | 05 Jul 2025 | 01:33:10 | |
What happens when unschooling parents trade control for genuine connection? In this deep and honest conversation, Cecilie Conrad (Denmark), Sandra Dodd (USA), and Sue Elvis (Australia) tackle the big questions of attachment, freedom, and how trust transforms the parent-child relationship. Many parents fear that giving their children more freedom will mean losing influence over values and choicesāor that it will lead to chaos. But as these three unschooling pioneers explore, true freedom isn't something we āgiveā our kidsāit's something they already have. The real question: How do we nurture healthy attachment and remain an anchor, even as our children make their own decisions? The episode weaves together practical wisdom and lived experience:
Cecilie, Sandra, and Sue also reflect on how unschooling changes the whole family, and why letting go of control doesnāt mean stepping back from guidance or care. They share stories about āswallowing camels,ā cultural idioms, social skills, and the humbling lessons learned from listening to (and learning with) their own kids. š Sandra, Sue and Cecilie's websites šļø Recorded May 1, 2025. šĀ Budapest, Hungary In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E10 | Is It Working? Wrestling with Doubt in Unschooling | 21 Jun 2025 | 01:36:40 | |
Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd, and Sue Elvis discuss doubt and fear in unschoolingāwhere they come from, how they spread, and how to move through them without defaulting to school-based thinking. They explore the pressure of responsibility, the impact of lingering fears, and why letting go of outcomes helps build trust in both learning and relationships. They talk about how fear can be reinforced through casual conversation, especially when parents share worst-case scenarios or compare their children to school-based standards. The discussion includes the idea that much of what parents worry about is based on assumptions that havenāt been questioned, and how simply asking āIs it true?ā can shift how we see our role. Thereās also a focus on how unschooling parents can become more confident, not by forcing results, but by staying present, observing real growth over time, and letting go of the need to control outcomes. The conversation points to a broader definition of successāone that includes emotional well-being, agency, and the ability to build a life that fits, rather than one that follows external benchmarks.Ā“ š Sandra, Sue and Cecilie's websites šļø Recorded April 28, 2025. šĀ Budapest, Hungary In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E9 | Unschooling: How Do We Know Theyāre Learning? | 07 Jun 2025 | 01:48:06 | |
What if we abandoned the question "How do we know they're learning?" and trusted that they are? In this conversation, Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd, and Sue Elvis look closely at the fears that drive many unschooling parents to seek proof of learningāand why those fears may come from old conditioning rather than real concerns. They explore how learning in an unschooling context doesnāt always look like progress, mastery, or academic benchmarks. Instead, it often appears as play, conversation, curiosity, or even stillness.Ā The episode also addresses the "big mix-up in the mind of the parent" who must navigate between their children's authentic learning experiences and the official education system's expectations, the pressure parents feel to produce results, the danger of clinging to school-based frameworks, and the importance of stepping back and observing life as the curriculum. Sandra, Sue and Cecilies invite parents to shift their perspective away from questioning if their children are learning enough, toward cultivating environments rich in trust, conversation, and genuine curiosity. šļø Recorded March 20, 2025. š Barcelona, Spain Ā š Links & Resources In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E8 | The Math Myth: How Do Unschooled Kids Learn Math? | 24 May 2025 | 02:19:11 | |
In this episode, we explore one of the most persistent questions in unschooling: What about math? Cecilie reflects on the early years of home education in her family, the pressure to ācoverā math, and the quiet fear of doing too little. Sandra shares examples of how her children developed mathematical thinking through games, practical needs, and everyday problem-solving ā without ever relying on school-based methods. Sue talks about letting go of structured lessons and learning to trust her childrenās approach to math. Together, they look at how math fits into unschooling ā and what becomes possible when we stop trying to teach it and start noticing how it shows up in real life. šļø Recorded February 27, 2025. šĀ Finhan, France Ā š Links & ResourcesĀ In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||
| S2E7 | Unschooling is Carried by Conversations | 10 May 2025 | 01:19:18 | |
Dinner tables, car rides, bedtime chats, cafĆ© cornersāthis episode dives into the real places where unschooling lives and grows. Cecilie Conrad, Sandra Dodd, and Sue Elvis examine how conversationsāoften unscheduled, informal, and unplannedābecome the central structure of a learning life. Ā š Links & ResourcesĀ
In season 3 of Ladies Fixing the World, host Cecilie Conrad is joined by longtime unschooling voices Sandra Dodd and Sue Elvis to explore unschooling as a lifestyle. | |||