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Kids & Family

The BIG Home Ed Conversations

Kelly Rigg & Ashley Vanerio

The BIG Home Ed Conversations is one of the top active 'home education' podcasts for parents who want to move past the myths and dive deep into what we actually want to talk about as alternative educators. Join Kelly (home ed mum of 2 and home education coach & mentor) and Ashley (ex-primary teacher & home ed mum of 3) as they debunk myths, tackle real challenges, and share honest, empowering, mindset-shifting conversations for families choosing alternative education.

Whether you’re new to home educating or looking for fresh perspectives to support your child’s learning journey, this podcast offers practical advice, mindset shifts, and heartfelt stories from UK-based parents and experts. We go beyond the basics—helping you handle the ups and downs of home education, break free from generational patterns, and build confidence in your own path.

Tune in for weekly episodes packed with reassurance, motivation and community for mums, dads, and anyone passionate about holistic, alternative, project-led, or eclectic education.

Find out why we’re one of the top-rated home ed podcasts, and feel less alone on your journey.

Find us at www.bighomeedpodcast.com

Ps. We only use the term homeschooling from time to time to help US, European and new to home ed families find us!

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  • 66 episodes
  • Updated July 19

Episodes66

Newest first
  • Apr 7, 2024 · 38 min

    Imagining the Future

    This is such an interesting conversation, your hosts, Kelly and Ashley, are discussing what has changed for human existence in the last 30 years - and how much of it as schooled children was it beyond our wildest dreams. Therefore, how important it is to have access to time and intrinsic curiosity to be able to explore the current day and imagine what it could be in the future. If we constantly have someone - an adult - present us with what is important to spend our time learning about, will we actually develop an ability to learn what is needed to make the future a better place? Join the conversation by reaching out on Instagram @bighomeedpodcast and TikTok - @banish.home.ed.burnout. Are you becoming a fan?? Register for 'The Big Home Ed Conversations: Continued' to get extra resources, insights from us as your hosts and to find out first when new episodes drop! - Keywords: Changes in Human Existence, Education and Intrinsic Curiosity, Exploring the Present and Future, Importance of Time in Learning, Impact of Schooling on Imagination, Encouraging Curiosity in Education, Future-Oriented Learning, Adult Influence on Learning, Developing Learning Abilities, Intrinsic Motivation in Education, Imagining Future Possibilities, Education and Personal Growth, Learning for a Better Future, Role of Curiosity in Education, Importance of Self-Directed Learning. Futureproofing

  • Mar 31, 2024 · 37 min

    Beliefs Vs Facts

    In this conversation, we, Kelly and Ashley, discuss the impact of limiting beliefs on home education. We explore the conflicting beliefs that parents often face and the challenges of balancing individuality with societal expectations. Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of questioning and dismantling beliefs that do not serve our home education journey. We delve into the concept of unschooling and personalized learning and talk about how we recognize and challenge our own beliefs, practice conscious parenting, and apologise when necessary. We acknowledge wholeheartedly that no parent or child is perfect and encourage self-reflection and self-compassion in the parenting journey. Join the conversation by reaching out on Instagram @bighomeedpodcast and TikTok - @banish.home.ed.burnout. Are you becoming a fan?? Register for 'The Big Home Ed Conversations: Continued' to get extra resources, insights from us as your hosts and to find out first when new episodes drop! - Keywords: Limiting Beliefs in Home Education, Conflicting Parental Beliefs, Balancing Individuality and Societal Expectations, Questioning Beliefs in Education, Dismantling Unhelpful Beliefs, Unschooling and Personalized Learning, Challenging Personal Beliefs, Conscious Parenting Practices, Importance of Apology in Parenting, Embracing Imperfection in Parenting, Self-Reflection in Education, Self-Compassion for Parents, Home Education Challenges, Recognizing Limiting Beliefs, Parenting Journey Insights

  • Mar 26, 2024 · 26 min

    How we seek our own version of success

    This podcast is intended to be thought provoking, to give you pause and allow you to develop your own ideas, but if you could do with a bit more of a helping hand, this bonus content is how we have developed our beliefs and conviction around success and failure as home educators and gives ideas on how to do that for yourself. Join the conversation by reaching out on Instagram @bighomeedpodcast and TikTok - @banish.home.ed.burnout. Are you becoming a fan?? Register for 'The Big Home Ed Conversations: Continued' to get extra resources, insights from us as your hosts and to find out first when new episodes drop! 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Internal Work and Role Modelling 04:12 Scaffolding and Celebrating 05:33 Building a Meaningful Life 06:32 Open Conversations and Honest Communication 07:01 Modelling Our Own Interests and Values 09:03 Recommended Books 21:39 Defining Success and Failure 25:02 Conclusion - Keywords: Success and Failure in Western Culture, Home Education Journey, Redefining Success, Cultural Expectations, UK culture, Breaking Free from Norms, Alternative Education, Personal Growth in Education, Cultural Beliefs on Success, Educational Freedom, Challenging Societal Norms, Home Schooling Insights, Success Redefined, Empowering Education, Overcoming Cultural Pressures, Authentic Learning

  • Mar 24, 2024 · 34 min

    Success & Failure

    Are you aware of how the messages we receive around what success and failure are in our western culture are poisoning your home education journey? Even if you spend your time objecting to them? In this episode we dive into what we believe success looks like if you can free yourself from the reigns of what others feel life 'should' be. As usual, join the conversation by reaching out on Instagram @bighomeedpodcast and TikTok - @banish.home.ed.burnout. Want to join the conversation? Register for 'The Big Home Ed Conversations: Continued' to get extra resources, insights from us as your hosts and to find out first when new episodes drop! 00:00 Introduction 04:01 Society's Definition of Success 08:26 Personal Experiences of Success and Failure 26:26 Fear of Failure and Parenting 32:15 Defining our own version of Success and Failure 35:21 Happiness and Role Modelling 36:26 Feeling All Emotions 37:45 Conclusion - Keywords: Success and Failure in Western Culture, Home Education Journey, Redefining Success, Cultural Expectations, UK culture, Breaking Free from Norms, Alternative Education, Personal Growth in Education, Cultural Beliefs on Success, Educational Freedom, Challenging Societal Norms, Home Schooling Insights, Success Redefined, Empowering Education, Overcoming Cultural Pressures, Authentic Learning

  • Mar 17, 2024 · 35 min

    Expectations Vs Reality

    What did you believe your home education experience would look like? What were you fearful of? What did you think would be hard? What did you think would be easy? And what has the reality been? These are some of the questions we ask ourselves in this episode, getting into the real talk of what our home education experience has been and what can happen if we hold too much stock on outcomes both for ourselves and our children. Join the conversation by reaching out on Instagram @bighomeedpodcast and TikTok - @banish.home.ed.burnout. Are you becoming a fan?? Register for 'The Big Home Ed Conversations: Continued' to get extra resources, insights from us as your hosts and to find out first when new episodes drop! 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Expectations versus Reality 04:49 Balancing Structure and Playfulness 06:14 Challenges of Home Educating Multiple Children 12:16 Education Beyond 16, life-long learning 13:34 The Beauty of Learning and Embracing Curiosity 25:27 Letting Go of Expectations 32:02 The Realities of Home Education for us 35:22 The Rewards - Keywords: Home Education Expectations, Home Schooling Fears, Challenges in Home Education, Home Education Reality, Real Talk on Home Schooling, Home Education Outcomes, Parental Expectations in Education, Home Schooling Insights, Managing Education Fears, Educational Challenges and Successes, Reality vs Expectations in Education, Personal Growth in Home Education, Home Schooling Experience, Balancing Expectations and Reality, Educational Journey Reflections

  • Mar 10, 2024 · 26 min

    The Who & The Why

    Welcome to The Big Home Ed Conversations with your hosts Kelly Rigg, Home Education Consultant & Coach, founder of Offroading Motherhood and her good friend, Ashley Vanerio, Home Educating mother of 3 and ex-primary school teacher. Sick of hearing about the same old home education myths, we wanted to go deeper - diving into the real and varied challenges that we experience as home educating parents. This episode will tell you a bit about us, our stories as home educating mothers and why this podcast exists, what you can expect and why you should keep on listening. Tune in and come say hi! - Keywords: Home Education Podcast, Home Educating Mothers, Home Education Stories, Why Home Educate, Home Education Benefits, Home Education Tips, Home Education Advice, Home Education Journey.