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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 monthlyEpisodes114Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Unschool Space

Latest Episodes

In this episode, I am with Alex Kons. Alex is originally from Germany, but is currently living in Peru and has spent many years travelling the world with her now-13 year old son. Alex tells us why she chose initially not to send her son to school, an... more

In this episode, I am joined by Sharon and Heidi, two unschooling mothers from North Yorkshire. Both have neurodivergent children who eventually burned out at school. They describe how incredibly depleting it was to try get their children in to schoo... more

Today I am chatting with Ruth Rinaldi, a former maths teacher now unschooling parent of two. We talk about what led Ruth not only to home educate her children but also to leave her career as a maths teacher and head of department, which she had worke... more

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

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Recent Guests

Alex Kons
Unschooling advocate traveling in Peru with her son
Independent
Episode: #114 From Germany to Peru, taking the path less travelled, with Alex Kons
Ruth Rinaldi
Former math teacher and unschooling parent of two
Independent educator/unschooling parent
Episode: #112 From maths teacher to a life without school, with Ruth Rinaldi in Cumbria, UK
Olivia Roff
Parent discussing her unschooling journey in Sussex, UK
Episode: #111 Calling us home to our truth, with Olivia Roff, Sussex, UK
May Ling Thomas
London-based parent; co-organizer of the Freedom to Learn Forum
Independent educator/activist
Episode: #110 The lifelong journey of living and learning, with May Ling Thomas in London, UK
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

Host

Esther Jones
Host of The Unschool Space; mindful parenting coach and unschooling mother-of-three; focuses on reflection, mindfulness, and compassionate parenting in unschooling contexts.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 66 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 States8 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 States4 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 listeners feel the host and guests emphasize personal stories over broader practical guidance.
Listeners appreciate the compassionate, experience-rich approach to unschooling and family wellbeing.
The show is praised for community-building and practical examples like co-ops and youth-led activities.
A few critiques mention occasional idealism about unschooling with burnout or education system debates.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#111 Calling us home to our truth, with Olivia Roff, Sussex, UK
Q: How did you manage conversations and decisions with your partner when you both had different views on education?
We found common ground by outlining what a good education looks like for each child and then translating that into flexible, shared planning. I learned to meet him where he was, use notes and external resources to explain the approach, and recognize that we both want the same outcome—our children thriving—just approached in different ways.
#111 Calling us home to our truth, with Olivia Roff, Sussex, UK
Q: Could you tell us about your journey toward unschooling and what influenced that shift?
I began with a strong passion for self-directed learning after exploring homeschooling options, but after a series of burnout experiences and a realization that school wasn't meeting our daughter's needs, we gradually moved toward unschooling as the core approach for both children, while staying open to different supports when they align with our children's interests.
#110 The lifelong journey of living and learning, with May Ling Thomas in London, UK
Q: So you came to unschooling quite naturally, May Ling. Did you find yourself slipping into traditional 'de-schooling' mindsets early on?
Not initially; the shift happened quickly as I realized I didn't need to teach them to breathe or move—learning is innate. I started by considering what environments to expose them to, then gradually embraced a more facilitative role.
#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.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A thoughtful, parent-led show exploring unschooling as a lifestyle and approach to learning, rather than a strict schooling method. Episodes center on emotional and practical transitions from traditional education to home- or community-based learning, with a strong emphasis on child-led learning, trust, and relationship-driven parenting. Guests are typically parents or caregivers sharing lived experiences, coping with burnout, neurodivergence, and the practicalities of creating flexible, compassionate home learning environments. Noteworthy is the recurring focus on community, mindfulness, and de-schooling, along with concrete examples such as flying squads, co-ops, and self-directed spaces that illustrate learning as a byproduct of living t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Unschool Space?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Unschool Space:

1. Exploring Unschooling
2. At Peace Parents Podcast
3. Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
4. Unschooling Mom2Mom
5. Brave Writer

How many episodes of The Unschool Space are there?

The Unschool Space launched 6 years ago and published 114 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. Alex Kons
2. Ruth Rinaldi
3. Olivia Roff
4. May Ling Thomas
5. Meghan Suniga-Davies
6. Megan Arevalo
7. Carey Kirkella
8. Munira Adenwalla

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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