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Off-Trail Learning

Off-Trail Learning

By: Blake Boles
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Interviews with innovative educators, self-directed young people, and others who think differently about learning, teaching, and schooling. Hosted by Blake Boles (blakeboles.com), author of "Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids to School?" and founder of Unschool Adventures.
Episodes
  • Introducing: Dirtbag Rich

    Introducing: Dirtbag Rich
    Nov 10 2024

    If you enjoyed Off-Trail Learning, check out my new podcast, Dirtbag Rich, where I dive deep with working adults who have managed to strike that elusive balance of time, money, and purpose—without giving up on their wildest dreams.

    Find Dirtbag Rich wherever you subscribe to podcasts, or visit dirtbagrich.com.
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    14 mins
  • Blake Boles on Adventure

    Blake Boles on Adventure
    Sep 11 2022
    Guest host Zen Zenith returns to interview Blake about his obsession with adventure. What exactly makes an adventure? How is adventure connected to self-directed learning? Is adventure just for privileged people? Why can’t Blake just settle down and lead a normal life? How do Unschool Adventures trips create a sense of adventure for both teens and trip leaders? Does adventure become harder as one grows older? Does Blake even have a retirement plan?! And what comes next? Read Blake’s “Notes on Adventure” here: https://blakeboles.substack.com Zen Zenith is a grown unschooler, musician, guitar teacher, podcaster, and Not Back to School Camp alumnus. Follow Zen on Twitter at @zenzenith.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Chris Balme on Finding the Magic in Middle School

    Chris Balme on Finding the Magic in Middle School
    Aug 15 2022
    Chris Balme (chrisbalme.com) is the founding head of school of The Millennium School and the author of Finding the Magic in Middle School. After briefly flirting with public school teaching, Chris ran an apprenticeship program for middle schoolers for a decade before creating The Millennium School in San Francisco, where he served for seven years. We discuss Chris’ early infatuation with democratic free schools, how the Millennium School takes the developmental needs of middle schoolers seriously, the life-changing power of peer advisory groups, learning through quests, authentic audiences, and why he compromised on teaching math in a conventional fashion. Chris also describes how parents might think of themselves as excellent guides instead of their kids’ bosses or managers, 50 "Essential Experiences” for a meaningful adolescence, rites of passage, and what larger schools and programs can offer that home-based alternatives sometimes cannot. Get a taste for Chris’ work by browsing the 50 Essential Experiences (https://www.argonaut.school/blog/50-essential-experiences) and signing up for his excellent email newsletter (https://chrisbalme.substack.com/).
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    1 hr and 11 mins
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