Episodes
![Ep. 29 Barefoot University with Amber and Madeleine](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Ep. 29 Barefoot University with Amber and Madeleine
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
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 and now you can purchase our ebook, Life Unschooled.
![Ep. 28 Coaching and Mentoring Teens with Jason Kantor](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday May 19, 2023
Ep. 28 Coaching and Mentoring Teens with Jason Kantor
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
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?
and now you can purchase our ebook, Life Unschooled.
![Ep. 27 Born Wise with Gill Howarth](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday Apr 28, 2023
Ep. 27 Born Wise with Gill Howarth
Friday Apr 28, 2023
Friday Apr 28, 2023
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 and now you can purchase our ebook, Life Unschooled.
![Ep. 26 Raising Readers- Home as Epicenter with Nikolai Pizarro](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday Apr 14, 2023
Ep. 26 Raising Readers- Home as Epicenter with Nikolai Pizarro
Friday Apr 14, 2023
Friday Apr 14, 2023
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 and now you can purchase our ebook, Life Unschooled.
![Ep. 25 The Unschooling (Hero’s) Journey with Pam Laricchia](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday Mar 10, 2023
Ep. 25 The Unschooling (Hero’s) Journey with Pam Laricchia
Friday Mar 10, 2023
Friday Mar 10, 2023
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:
Instagram @pamlaricchia and @livingjoyfullypodcast
Book: The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide https://amzn.to/3kRkQVI
Connect with Missy:
Instagram @letemgobarefoot
On Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/ and now you can purchase our ebook, Life Unschooled.
Read the rest of this entry »![Ep. 24 Rebel Educator with Hannah Frankman](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Ep. 24 Rebel Educator with Hannah Frankman
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Friday Feb 24, 2023
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.substack.com/
https://twitter.com/rebelEducator
Things mentioned in the show:
Find more Missy:
Facebook or Instagram (where I spend most of my time these days) @letemgobarefoot
Substack https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/ and now you can purchase our ebook, Life Unschooled.
![Ep. 23 The Making of Caster Studios with Christina and Nick Caster](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday Jan 20, 2023
Ep. 23 The Making of Caster Studios with Christina and Nick Caster
Friday Jan 20, 2023
Friday Jan 20, 2023
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
Read the rest of this entry »![Ep. 22 Understanding our Archetypes with Sheila Rumble](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday Jan 13, 2023
Ep. 22 Understanding our Archetypes with Sheila Rumble
Friday Jan 13, 2023
Friday Jan 13, 2023
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
Read the rest of this entry »![Ep. 21 The Impact of Attachment with Ann Hansen](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Ep. 21 The Impact of Attachment with Ann Hansen
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
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 and www.innerparentcoaching.com
Find more Missy by joining the Great Educational Awakening over on Substack: https://letemgobarefoot.substack.com/
and now you can purchase the beautiful, 43-page ebook Ann and I wrote! Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School.
![Ep. 20 When an Idea Becomes a Reality-- with Emily Gregoire](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/10714287/podcast_image_70BA3879-20F0-41B7-84A6-CC020F2FFCDE_300x300.jpg)
Friday Dec 09, 2022
Ep. 20 When an Idea Becomes a Reality-- with Emily Gregoire
Friday Dec 09, 2022
Friday Dec 09, 2022
Welcome to episode 20! My conversation today is with Emily Gregoire, a homeschooling mom of 4 and creator of a microschool 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 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 her journey to create a space for her kids and other families to enjoy. We discuss how she was encouraged to get it going and the values that shape the way she 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 help other who are interested in doing 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's adventures on Instagram @rainbow.learning.co
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/
and now you can purchase our ebook, Life Unschooled: A Guide to Living and Learning Without School.