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Artwork for The Unschool Space

The Unschool Space

Esther Jones
Unschooling
Parenting
Education
Neurodiversity
Mindful Parenting
Child Development
Mental Health
Self-Directed Learning
Homeschooling
Home Education
Mindfulness
Burnout
De-Schooling
Autism
Community Building
Community
Community Support
Self-Care
Education System
Family

Unschooling isn't just about education, it's a life choice! For most parents, embracing unschooling requires some serious unravelling of old paradigms around parenting, learning and childhood, and that can be both challenging and exhilarating. Join me, Esther Jones, a mindful parenting coach and unschooling mother-of-three, as I take a look at the many opportunities for reflection that naturally a... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes111Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Unschool Space

Latest Episodes

My guest today is Olivia Roff who lives in Sussex with her husband and two children, who are 10 and 5, and both neurodivergent. Olivia had wanted to try home educating some years ago, but wasn’t able to. She talks about how it feels to finally jump i... more

My guest in this episode is May Ling Thomas. May Ling lives in London with her husband and two daughters, who are 13 and 10, and who have always been unschooled. May Ling came across the idea of unschooling when her oldest was still a baby, and it fe... more

Today I am joined by Naomi Fisher, a child psychologist and parent of two unschooled teenagers. So, we are talking about the teenage years and how hard it can be particularly for those young people who have left the school system after some stress an... more

In this episode I am joined by Meghan Suniga-Davies. Meghan has three unschooled children who are now all teens and young adults and she also has extensive experience working with young people in self-directed learning spaces. We talk about her famil... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Meghan Suniga-Davies
Guest with three unschooled children and experience in self-directed learning spaces
Freelance educator/advocate for unschooling
Episode: #108 Living in partnership with our young people, with Meghan Suniga-Davies in Austin, Texas
Megan Arevalo
Parent of two; unschooling advocate; ADHD/PDA neurodivergent profile
Individual parent
Episode: #107 Tending the relationship and tending ourselves, with Megan Arevalo in Michigan, US
Carey Kirkella
Parent advocating for her child's unschooling journey in New York City
Private individual
Episode: #106 Navigating the recovery from burnout, with Carey Kirkella in New York City
Munira Adenwalla
Occupational therapist
London-based occupational therapist
Episode: #104 Trusting in the teen years, with Munira Adenwalla in London
Zahra Lightway
Co-presenter of Light Way Learning, with a background in teaching and alternative education
Light Way Learning
Episode: #103 Embracing a different kind of learning, with Zahra Lightway and Patricia Sprenger
Patricia Sprenger
Co-presenter of Light Way Learning, parent turned educator
Light Way Learning
Episode: #103 Embracing a different kind of learning, with Zahra Lightway and Patricia Sprenger
Sue Patterson
Unschooling coach, author, founder of Unschooling Mom2Mom
Unschooling Mom2Mom
Episode: #102 From soccer mom to unschooling coach—changing the stories in our heads, with Sue Patterson in Austin, Texas
Jenny Mainwaring
A parent who unschools her two sons, advocating for their interests and mental well-being.
Episode: #101 Unschooling and one child's recovery from burnout, with Jenny Mainwaring in Oxford, UK
Cassie Emmott
Mother of four neurodivergent children and advocate of unschooling
Episode: #99 Trusting the ebb and flow - unschooling with four neurodivergent children, with Cassie Emmott in East Sussex, UK

Host

Esther Jones
Host of The Unschool Space

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 64 ratings
  • So unrealistic

    I’ve got an open mind about unschooling but every person on this show is so exaggerated in saying their unschooled children have learned it all, are amazing readers, writers and spellers! You too could have these super educated children if you teach them nothing and let them play all day long.! So unrealistic. Then you hear other podcasts of teenagers talking about how this experience was so awful and they are struggling to learn now that they’re college aged and so behind. Make it make sense.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Aidaphs
    United States6 months ago
  • Love it!

    Love listening to this podcast as it’s helped me a lot on our unschooling journey. It comes from a whole heartily peaceful and compassionate place and and gives you an insight that there is an alternative to mainstream schooling.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    suziflooz
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • What I’ve been looking for!

    I recently found this podcast online. I am so thankful! I have been homeschooling my children for the past 8 years and it has evolved, as many homeschools do, from school at home to something more like unschooling. I was never confident enough, though, to fully dive in to the unschooling world and didn’t feel like I could unschool my children because I didn’t know what that should look like. I have been devouring these podcasts! My heart knows this is right for my kids. My oldest is 15, and I fe... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AmberMomOf5
    United States3 years ago
  • What a lovely podcast. So many different quests with so much to add and thing about. This podcast is truly helping me embark on this new journey. Thank you so much.

    Audible
    5
    Daniele Valois
    United States4 years ago
  • Favorite new podcast on Unschooling

    What a lovely podcast. So many different quests with so much to add and thing about. This podcast is truly helping me embark on this new journey. Thank you so much.

    Audible
    5
    Daniele Valois
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critiques note a bias toward positive portrayals of unschooling and a need for more diverse experiences.
Relational, compassionate approach appeals to listeners seeking peaceful, non-coercive parenting.
Guests provide practical, real-world unschooling insights and strategies.
Listeners value the host's nurturing stance and emphasis on community support and mindfulness.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#105 Community, trust and growth—two self-directed learners’ experiences, with Victor and Eitan of Alcove Learning, Los Angeles
Q: How has Alcove changed your sense of independence and future plans?
Independence grew from choosing activities, leading classes, and taking ownership of decisions; they now envision college but also consider teaching or mentoring roles, driven by a desire to contribute to the community.
#105 Community, trust and growth—two self-directed learners’ experiences, with Victor and Eitan of Alcove Learning, Los Angeles
Q: What brought you to Alcove, and was self-directed learning something you were seeking from the start?
Both describe challenging traditional schooling experiences and anxiety, leading them to seek a space where learning is voluntary, discussion-based, and driven by student interests, with a mentorship system that supports their goals.
#104 Trusting in the teen years, with Munira Adenwalla in London
Q: How did you navigate the transition from traditional schooling to unschooling for your teen?
We leaned into following his lead, loosened the external pressures, and built environments that honored movement, hands-on learning, and his interests like transport and maps, which gradually clarified a unique path for him.
#102 From soccer mom to unschooling coach—changing the stories in our heads, with Sue Patterson in Austin, Texas
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting out on an unschooling journey?
prioritize connection, recognize that starting point isn't the end point, and trust that learning will emerge as you create a full, rich life for your child; be prepared to pivot and to let go of the belief that curricula and institutions are the primary path to education.
#102 From soccer mom to unschooling coach—changing the stories in our heads, with Sue Patterson in Austin, Texas
Q: Tell us about your life after that moment and how you became an unschooling coach?
She describes a gradual transition from living dual lives (attending traditional schooling while pursuing unschooling at home) to fully embracing unschooling, which led to coaching others. She highlights the importance of experimentation and the ongoing process of letting go of rigid stories about education.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Unschool Space

What is The Unschool Space about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Relational, family-centered conversations explore unschooling as a lifestyle, emphasizing partnership with young people, mindful parenting, and de-traditionalizing education. Across episodes, listeners hear personal journeys away from conventional schooling toward self-directed learning, with frequent focus on burnout recovery, neurodiversity, community building, and practical strategies for living with curiosity, consent, and trust. A standout theme is the emphasis on relationships, observed learning, and living learning moments through everyday activities, not just formal schooling, making it appealing to parents, caregivers, and educators seeking humane, flexible approaches to education and family life.

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How many listeners does The Unschool Space get?

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How many episodes of The Unschool Space are there?

The Unschool Space launched 6 years ago and published 111 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Unschool Space?

Recent guests on The Unschool Space include:

1. Meghan Suniga-Davies
2. Megan Arevalo
3. Carey Kirkella
4. Munira Adenwalla
5. Zahra Lightway
6. Patricia Sprenger
7. Sue Patterson
8. Jenny Mainwaring

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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