The Life Without School Collection

Every episode, sorted by the questions home educating parents ask me most. Start with this week's, browse by topic, or scroll to the bottom for all of them.

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Latest listens

What this directionless teenager can teach us about our own children

What this directionless teenager can teach us about our own children

Nov 7, 2026

Why children don’t help unless they’re asked (and what we can do about it)

Why children don’t help unless they’re asked (and what we can do about it)

Oct 30, 2026

Why ‘sheltering’ your child is probably a good thing

Why ‘sheltering’ your child is probably a good thing

Oct 22, 2026

Start here

New to the Collection? These are the six I'd point you to first.

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part one)

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part one)

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part two)

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part two)

Why deschooling still feels hard (and how to finally shift what’s underneath it)

Why deschooling still feels hard (and how to finally shift what’s underneath it)

The home education questions we ALL keep asking

The home education questions we ALL keep asking

What the research REALLY says about home education (from every angle you care about)

What the research REALLY says about home education (from every angle you care about)

How we’re guiding our 5, 10, 15 & 17 year olds through life without school

How we’re guiding our 5, 10, 15 & 17 year olds through life without school

Worried they're behind?

For the nights you're lying awake comparing your child to everyone else's.

Is your child REALLY behind their schooled peers?

Is your child REALLY behind their schooled peers?

Can your child really ‘learn it later’? Let’s test it.

Can your child really ‘learn it later’? Let’s test it.

How the myth of falling behind was built (and why it’s still hurting your child)

How the myth of falling behind was built (and why it’s still hurting your child)

How to REALLY measure your child's progress

How to REALLY measure your child's progress

The truth about “school readiness” (what developmental science actually says)

The truth about “school readiness” (what developmental science actually says)

Will your child really fall behind over summer? (here's what the research says)

Will your child really fall behind over summer? (here's what the research says)

Reading, writing & maths

What the research says, and what to do at home.

How to teach your child to read (a step-by-step guide for parents)

How to teach your child to read (a step-by-step guide for parents)

Why reading makes us panic (and what children’s brains are really ready for)

Why reading makes us panic (and what children’s brains are really ready for)

The fight over how to teach reading (and what matters instead)

The fight over how to teach reading (and what matters instead)

The myth of early writing (and why it matters for your child)

The myth of early writing (and why it matters for your child)

What if my child never learns maths? (and what the research actually says)

What if my child never learns maths? (and what the research actually says)

How much core academic learning does your child REALLY need?

How much core academic learning does your child REALLY need?

Motivation & follow-through

For when they won't start, or won't stick with it.

How to raise a self-driven, motivated child (without being their TEACHER)

How to raise a self-driven, motivated child (without being their TEACHER)

The myth of the self-directed child, Part One (why freedom isn’t enough)

The myth of the self-directed child, Part One (why freedom isn’t enough)

The myth of the self-directed child, Part Two (the six blockers to motivation)

The myth of the self-directed child, Part Two (the six blockers to motivation)

Why your child struggles to stick with things (and how to change that for GOOD)

Why your child struggles to stick with things (and how to change that for GOOD)

How children really learn to follow through (because we’ve been teaching it all wrong)

How children really learn to follow through (because we’ve been teaching it all wrong)

Why your child resists everything that feels like learning (and what to do about it)

Why your child resists everything that feels like learning (and what to do about it)

Interests & finding their thing

When they haven't found a spark yet, or keep jumping between them.

What if your child hasn't found their spark yet?

What if your child hasn't found their spark yet?

The real reason your child hasn't found ‘their thing’ (and how to help them go deep)

The real reason your child hasn't found ‘their thing’ (and how to help them go deep)

Will my child learn what they need if they only follow their interests?

Will my child learn what they need if they only follow their interests?

What to do when your child says “I’m bored” (what to say, and why it works)

What to do when your child says “I’m bored” (what to say, and why it works)

The limits of child-led learning (and how to know when to step in)

The limits of child-led learning (and how to know when to step in)

Should we make children work on their weaknesses?

Should we make children work on their weaknesses?

Friendships & social life

The socialisation question, answered properly.

Does your home educated child have the friendships they need? (how to know, and what to do about it)

Does your home educated child have the friendships they need? (how to know, and what to do about it)

How children really develop social skills (and why it will change how you think about socialisation forever)

How children really develop social skills (and why it will change how you think about socialisation forever)

The social development your home educated child DOES need

The social development your home educated child DOES need

Do you really need a home ed community?

Do you really need a home ed community?

Why your home educated children fight so much (and how to help them solve more of it themselves)

Why your home educated children fight so much (and how to help them solve more of it themselves)

Four ways home educated children can miss out (and how to make sure they don't)

Four ways home educated children can miss out (and how to make sure they don't)

Screens, AI & the future

Gaming, AI, and getting them ready for the world they're growing into.

Why your child can't stop gaming (and what the science says to do)

Why your child can't stop gaming (and what the science says to do)

What AI is really doing to your child's learning

What AI is really doing to your child's learning

The skills that will matter most in 5 years (and how to build them NOW)

The skills that will matter most in 5 years (and how to build them NOW)

The two things a good education in 2026 MUST have

The two things a good education in 2026 MUST have

The capabilities your child won't learn at school (but desperately needs)

The capabilities your child won't learn at school (but desperately needs)

Why 'get a good job' is bad advice (and what to tell our kids instead)

Why 'get a good job' is bad advice (and what to tell our kids instead)

Teenagers & growing up

Preparing them for adult life without school.

How to prepare your teenager for adult life (WITHOUT school)

How to prepare your teenager for adult life (WITHOUT school)

Our unschooled son just started a degree (here's how he got there, and how he compares)

Our unschooled son just started a degree (here's how he got there, and how he compares)

What REALLY prepares your child for adulthood (because academics won’t)

What REALLY prepares your child for adulthood (because academics won’t)

Why most people never become the adults they want to be (and how to change that for your child)

Why most people never become the adults they want to be (and how to change that for your child)

What 10 weeks of school did to our daughter (and my advice if you're considering it)

What 10 weeks of school did to our daughter (and my advice if you're considering it)

How to foster your child's ability to solve problems (because their future career depends on it)

How to foster your child's ability to solve problems (because their future career depends on it)

You, the parent

For the days you're doubting yourself.

How to get the joy back when you feel burnt out

How to get the joy back when you feel burnt out

How to tackle imposter syndrome as a home ed parent

How to tackle imposter syndrome as a home ed parent

Why you’ll never ask “Am I enough for my kids?” again

Why you’ll never ask “Am I enough for my kids?” again

How to FINALLY know you’re doing enough as a home ed parent

How to FINALLY know you’re doing enough as a home ed parent

Why your home ed days feel like a battle (and how to change that for good)

Why your home ed days feel like a battle (and how to change that for good)

The pressure to raise an impressive child (and why home education makes it worse)

The pressure to raise an impressive child (and why home education makes it worse)

When other people question it

Family, friends, and the stranger at the supermarket.

Why I don’t tell people I homeschool or unschool (and what I say instead)

Why I don’t tell people I homeschool or unschool (and what I say instead)

How to handle every question you’ll get this Christmas (a complete guide for home educators)

How to handle every question you’ll get this Christmas (a complete guide for home educators)

Why home education STILL bothers so many people

Why home education STILL bothers so many people

Will they resent me? What grown homeschoolers REALLY say about their childhoods

Will they resent me? What grown homeschoolers REALLY say about their childhoods

What to do when your partner doesn't want to home educate

What to do when your partner doesn't want to home educate

Why home education IS a privilege (just not the kind you think)

Why home education IS a privilege (just not the kind you think)

Every episode

The whole Collection, newest first. Search by topic or title.

What this directionless teenager can teach us about our own children

What this directionless teenager can teach us about our own children

Nov 7, 2026

Why children don’t help unless they’re asked (and what we can do about it)

Why children don’t help unless they’re asked (and what we can do about it)

Oct 30, 2026

Why ‘sheltering’ your child is probably a good thing

Why ‘sheltering’ your child is probably a good thing

Oct 22, 2026

What makes a GOOD childhood? (because yes, we know)

What makes a GOOD childhood? (because yes, we know)

Oct 14, 2026

Does your home educated child have the friendships they need? (how to know, and what to do about it)

Does your home educated child have the friendships they need? (how to know, and what to do about it)

Oct 2, 2026

Have we got 'learning' all wrong? Yes, probably.

Have we got 'learning' all wrong? Yes, probably.

Sep 26, 2026

Can your child really ‘learn it later’? Let’s test it.

Can your child really ‘learn it later’? Let’s test it.

Sep 17, 2026

Is your child REALLY behind their schooled peers?

Is your child REALLY behind their schooled peers?

Sep 10, 2026

Should we make children work on their weaknesses?

Should we make children work on their weaknesses?

Sep 2, 2026

Five MORE research findings parents should know about

Five MORE research findings parents should know about

Aug 23, 2026

The most important new research on children and learning (part one)

The most important new research on children and learning (part one)

Aug 16, 2026

What AI is really doing to your child's learning

What AI is really doing to your child's learning

Aug 6, 2026

Why your home educated children fight so much (and how to help them solve more of it themselves)

Why your home educated children fight so much (and how to help them solve more of it themselves)

Jul 29, 2026

Will home educating make my child too dependent on me?

Will home educating make my child too dependent on me?

Jul 26, 2026

The limits of child-led learning (and how to know when to step in)

The limits of child-led learning (and how to know when to step in)

Jul 15, 2026

The home education questions we ALL keep asking

The home education questions we ALL keep asking

Jul 5, 2026

How much core academic learning does your child REALLY need?

How much core academic learning does your child REALLY need?

Jun 26, 2026

Why your home ed days feel like a battle (and how to change that for good)

Why your home ed days feel like a battle (and how to change that for good)

Jun 17, 2026

Will your child really fall behind over summer? (here's what the research says)

Will your child really fall behind over summer? (here's what the research says)

Jun 11, 2026

The pressure to raise an impressive child (and why home education makes it worse)

The pressure to raise an impressive child (and why home education makes it worse)

Jun 5, 2026

Why home education IS a privilege (just not the kind you think)

Why home education IS a privilege (just not the kind you think)

May 30, 2026

The unacceptable cost of raising a ‘good student’

The unacceptable cost of raising a ‘good student’

May 23, 2026

Yes, they'll learn it when they need it (but only if you do this first)

Yes, they'll learn it when they need it (but only if you do this first)

May 17, 2026

The two things a good education in 2026 MUST have

The two things a good education in 2026 MUST have

May 9, 2026

Why home education STILL bothers so many people

Why home education STILL bothers so many people

May 2, 2026

What being together all day REALLY does to your relationship with your child

What being together all day REALLY does to your relationship with your child

Apr 25, 2026

Why most people never become the adults they want to be (and how to change that for your child)

Why most people never become the adults they want to be (and how to change that for your child)

Apr 15, 2026

Why tests and grades are the biggest scam in education

Why tests and grades are the biggest scam in education

Apr 7, 2026

Why comparing your child is a good thing (but only if you do it like THIS)

Why comparing your child is a good thing (but only if you do it like THIS)

Apr 1, 2026

What unschoolers throw out (and homeschoolers hold on to) that neither really should

What unschoolers throw out (and homeschoolers hold on to) that neither really should

Mar 25, 2026

Our unschooled son just started a degree (here's how he got there, and how he compares)

Our unschooled son just started a degree (here's how he got there, and how he compares)

Mar 18, 2026

Why your child's potential is NOT what you think (and how to help them reach it)

Why your child's potential is NOT what you think (and how to help them reach it)

Mar 10, 2026

How to help your child set goals (AND follow through on them)

How to help your child set goals (AND follow through on them)

Mar 3, 2026

The truth about helping children set goals (and why it's SO easy to get it wrong)

The truth about helping children set goals (and why it's SO easy to get it wrong)

Feb 24, 2026

The capabilities your child won't learn at school (but desperately needs)

The capabilities your child won't learn at school (but desperately needs)

Feb 18, 2026

The skills that will matter most in 5 years (and how to build them NOW)

The skills that will matter most in 5 years (and how to build them NOW)

Feb 10, 2026

Why 'get a good job' is bad advice (and what to tell our kids instead)

Why 'get a good job' is bad advice (and what to tell our kids instead)

Feb 4, 2026

The social development your home educated child DOES need

The social development your home educated child DOES need

Jan 27, 2026

What 10 weeks of school did to our daughter (and my advice if you're considering it)

What 10 weeks of school did to our daughter (and my advice if you're considering it)

Jan 20, 2026

How children really learn to follow through (because we’ve been teaching it all wrong)

How children really learn to follow through (because we’ve been teaching it all wrong)

Jan 13, 2026

Four things that will make home educating MUCH harder this year (and how to get around them)

Four things that will make home educating MUCH harder this year (and how to get around them)

Jan 7, 2026

Why more families than ever will leave school in 2026

Why more families than ever will leave school in 2026

Dec 18, 2025

Why raising a ‘well rounded’ child is a trap (and what to do instead)

Why raising a ‘well rounded’ child is a trap (and what to do instead)

Dec 11, 2025

What the research REALLY says about home education (from every angle you care about)

What the research REALLY says about home education (from every angle you care about)

Dec 4, 2025

How to handle every question you’ll get this Christmas (a complete guide for home educators)

How to handle every question you’ll get this Christmas (a complete guide for home educators)

Nov 26, 2025

The two OTHER ways home educated kids can miss out (and how to make sure they don't)

The two OTHER ways home educated kids can miss out (and how to make sure they don't)

Nov 19, 2025

Four ways home educated children can miss out (and how to make sure they don't)

Four ways home educated children can miss out (and how to make sure they don't)

Nov 12, 2025

How to raise a self-driven, motivated child (without being their TEACHER)

How to raise a self-driven, motivated child (without being their TEACHER)

Nov 6, 2025

Why "teaching" your child backfires (and what to do instead)

Why "teaching" your child backfires (and what to do instead)

Oct 22, 2025

The danger of an easy life (and what our kids really need to grow)

The danger of an easy life (and what our kids really need to grow)

Oct 16, 2025

Why your child struggles to stick with things (and how to change that for GOOD)

Why your child struggles to stick with things (and how to change that for GOOD)

Oct 8, 2025

What to do when your child says “I’m bored” (what to say, and why it works)

What to do when your child says “I’m bored” (what to say, and why it works)

Oct 1, 2025

How to prepare your teenager for adult life (WITHOUT school)

How to prepare your teenager for adult life (WITHOUT school)

Sep 25, 2025

How to teach your child to read (a step-by-step guide for parents)

How to teach your child to read (a step-by-step guide for parents)

Sep 11, 2025

How to make money as a home educating parent

How to make money as a home educating parent

Sep 4, 2025

The fight over how to teach reading (and what matters instead)

The fight over how to teach reading (and what matters instead)

Aug 26, 2025

Why reading makes us panic (and what children’s brains are really ready for)

Why reading makes us panic (and what children’s brains are really ready for)

Aug 20, 2025

Ten things a home educating parent should NEVER do

Ten things a home educating parent should NEVER do

Aug 14, 2025

The myth of the self-directed child, Part Two (the six blockers to motivation)

The myth of the self-directed child, Part Two (the six blockers to motivation)

Jul 28, 2025

The myth of the self-directed child, Part One (why freedom isn’t enough)

The myth of the self-directed child, Part One (why freedom isn’t enough)

Jul 24, 2025

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part two)

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part two)

Jul 15, 2025

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part one)

If I was starting home ed all over again, here’s what I’d do (part one)

Jul 7, 2025

The truth about “school readiness” (what developmental science actually says)

The truth about “school readiness” (what developmental science actually says)

Jun 30, 2025

The 11 things children need to reach their full potential (part two)

The 11 things children need to reach their full potential (part two)

Jun 23, 2025

The 11 things children need to reach their full potential (part one)

The 11 things children need to reach their full potential (part one)

Jun 16, 2025

What if my child never learns maths? (and what the research actually says)

What if my child never learns maths? (and what the research actually says)

Jun 2, 2025

Why you’ll never ask “Am I enough for my kids?” again

Why you’ll never ask “Am I enough for my kids?” again

May 26, 2025

How to FINALLY know you’re doing enough as a home ed parent

How to FINALLY know you’re doing enough as a home ed parent

May 19, 2025

The key parenting shifts that make home education easier

The key parenting shifts that make home education easier

May 12, 2025

How we’re guiding our 5, 10, 15 & 17 year olds through life without school

How we’re guiding our 5, 10, 15 & 17 year olds through life without school

May 5, 2025

The 7 skills that make home educating WORK

The 7 skills that make home educating WORK

Apr 28, 2025

How the myth of falling behind was built (and why it’s still hurting your child)

How the myth of falling behind was built (and why it’s still hurting your child)

Apr 21, 2025

Why deschooling still feels hard (and how to finally shift what’s underneath it)

Why deschooling still feels hard (and how to finally shift what’s underneath it)

Apr 13, 2025

Why your child resists everything that feels like learning (and what to do about it)

Why your child resists everything that feels like learning (and what to do about it)

Apr 6, 2025

How to design the best curriculum for YOUR child

How to design the best curriculum for YOUR child

Mar 29, 2025

What REALLY prepares your child for adulthood (because academics won’t)

What REALLY prepares your child for adulthood (because academics won’t)

Mar 23, 2025

The real reason your child hasn't found ‘their thing’ (and how to help them go deep)

The real reason your child hasn't found ‘their thing’ (and how to help them go deep)

Mar 16, 2025

Why your child can't stop gaming (and what the science says to do)

Why your child can't stop gaming (and what the science says to do)

Mar 8, 2025

Will they resent me? What grown homeschoolers REALLY say about their childhoods

Will they resent me? What grown homeschoolers REALLY say about their childhoods

Mar 1, 2025

How kids ACTUALLY develop resilience (and why 'toughen them up' fails them)

How kids ACTUALLY develop resilience (and why 'toughen them up' fails them)

Feb 22, 2025

How children really develop social skills (and why it will change how you think about socialisation forever)

How children really develop social skills (and why it will change how you think about socialisation forever)

Feb 15, 2025

What to do when your child struggles to focus

What to do when your child struggles to focus

Feb 8, 2025

The myth of early writing (and why it matters for your child)

The myth of early writing (and why it matters for your child)

Feb 1, 2025

What to do when your partner doesn't want to home educate

What to do when your partner doesn't want to home educate

Jan 25, 2025

What does a 'successful' home education journey look like?

What does a 'successful' home education journey look like?

Jan 18, 2025

How to foster your child's ability to solve problems (because their future career depends on it)

How to foster your child's ability to solve problems (because their future career depends on it)

Jan 4, 2025

How to REALLY measure your child's progress

How to REALLY measure your child's progress

Dec 15, 2024

The ONE thing I wish I knew before leaving the school system

The ONE thing I wish I knew before leaving the school system

Dec 8, 2024

What if your child hasn't found their spark yet?

What if your child hasn't found their spark yet?

Dec 1, 2024

Will my child learn what they need if they only follow their interests?

Will my child learn what they need if they only follow their interests?

Nov 24, 2024

Why one-on-ones are my secret home ed tool

Why one-on-ones are my secret home ed tool

Nov 17, 2024

How to get the joy back when you feel burnt out

How to get the joy back when you feel burnt out

Nov 10, 2024

Do you really need a home ed community?

Do you really need a home ed community?

Nov 10, 2024

Why I’m not afraid to steer my children’s day

Why I’m not afraid to steer my children’s day

Nov 10, 2024

How to tackle imposter syndrome as a home ed parent

How to tackle imposter syndrome as a home ed parent

Nov 10, 2024

Why I don’t tell people I homeschool or unschool (and what I say instead)

Why I don’t tell people I homeschool or unschool (and what I say instead)

Nov 10, 2024

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