Join Manisha Snoyer in this episode of "Teach Your Kids" as she delves into a thoughtful conversation with Leo Babauta, the creator of Zen Habits and an advocate of unschooling. Manisha and Leo delve into the principles of unschooling, its impact on children's development, and how it aligns with Zen practices. They explore themes like trust, freedom, self-directed learning, and facing life's uncertainties. Leo shares personal experiences and insights on preparing children for an unpredictable future, emphasizing creativity and adaptability. This episode provides insightful reflections on finding the right mix of freedom and loving support in raising self-motivated, curious learners. Leo Babauta, the esteemed author and founder of "Zen Habits," is widely acclaimed for his deep understanding of simplicity and personal development. As a proponent of unschooling and a father of six, Leo blends the principles of Zen Buddhism with parenting and education. His philosophy champions self-guided learning, strong emotional connections, and a positive acceptance of life's uncertainties. Through his work, Leo inspires countless individuals to embrace a more mindful, less rigid approach to life and learning.
Teach Your Kids: LinkedIn | Website | X | Instagram | Substack | Facebook | TikTok
Manisha: LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook
Leo Babauta: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Join our premium community with expert support and advice
Leo Babauta’s Podcast: Zen Habits
Teach Your Kids Podcasts
Related Resources
Time Codes
00:00:00 — Introduction of Leo Babauta and his background in unschooling.
00:08:20 — Discussion on how to strike a balance between structure and control versus freedom and autonomy in unschooling.
00:11:20 — Leo discusses Zen's choice-based forms, paralleling unschooling and its flexible structure.
00:15:15 — Manish and Leo discuss balancing child safety with a gradual transfer of responsibilities.
00:18:45 — Leo details diverse unschooling experiences, leveraging family, community, and online resources.
00:22:45 — Discussion on community reactions to Leo’s unschooling blog and addressing parental fears and societal pressures in education choices.
00:29:30 — Exploring the influence of Zen Buddhism on Leo's approach to parenting and education.
00:32:20 — Balancing the quest for optimization with the value of spontaneous discovery in education.
00:37:10 — Leo and Manisha explore the value of stepping into the unknown, highlighting its role in learning and growth.
00:43:50 — The evolution of Leo's parenting style and its impact on building strong emotional connections with children.
00:48:00 — Leo attributes his growth in handling emotions to meditation, Zen, and the challenges of unschooling.
00:51:00 — Discussion on the balance of freedom and responsibility in parenting, with an emphasis on internal freedom and choice.
This podcast was recorded on Riverside and is made possible through a generous grant from the Vela Education Fund
VELA Education Fund is catalyzing a vibrant alternative education ecosystem. VELA provides trust-based funding to entrepreneurs, fosters community-building and knowledge-sharing, and increases visibility through storytelling that promotes cultural awareness and acceptance of the out-of-system space. Today, VELA serves the largest community of out-of-system education entrepreneurs in the country, with over 2,000 community members. About half of VELA’s community members operate small learning environments, and the other half are ecosystem and community builders offering direct services and support across the out-of-system space. Learn more at velaedfund.org.
This site contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.