Welcome to The BIG Home Ed Conversations!

Episodes

Sept. 28, 2025

BIG Home Ed Book Club: Our Review: 'The Four-Hour School Day' by Dure…

In this special Book Club episode, Ashley Vanerio dives into The Four-Hour School Day —a practical, encouraging guide for new and seasoned home educators alike. Written by veteran homeschool mum of eight, Durenda Wilson, this...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 14, 2025

BIG Home Ed Book Club: Introducing Our First Pick: The Four-Hour Scho…

This week, Ashley pops in solo to launch something new and fun for our community—the BIG Home Ed Book Club! Think bite-sized, practical reflections you can listen to on a walk, while folding laundry, or between activities. ...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 7, 2025

Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 4: Regulate, Reconnect, and Re…

Newly deregistered or just beginning your home ed journey this September? You’re in the right place. In the final episode of the “Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed” series, Kelly Rigg (home education mindset coach and co-host...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 31, 2025

Rituals, Traditions & Social Conditioning: Letting Go of Back-to-Scho…

Feeling the urge to buy new pens or lunchboxes—even though your kids aren’t going “back to school”? You’re not alone! In this heartfelt episode, Kelly and Ashley dive deep into the rituals and traditions that sneak into home ...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 24, 2025

Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 3: How to Build a Home Ed Rout…

Are you about to start home education and feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, routines, and expectations? You’re not alone! In this episode of the Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed series, Kelly Rigg (home educating mum, ...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 16, 2025

Roadblocks to Home Education: Overcoming Doubts, Fears & Practical Ba…

Thinking about home education but feeling overwhelmed by doubts, legal questions, or worries about what others will think? You’re not alone! In this episode, Kelly and Ashley get real about the most common roadblocks families...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 10, 2025

Home Ed Secrets: Planning, Flexibility and Fitting it all in!

Ever wonder how home educating families actually plan, stay flexible, and fit everything in—without burning out? In this episode, Kelly and Ashley spill their real-life “home ed secrets,” sharing what planning looks like for ...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 3, 2025

Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 2: Finding Your “Why” & Creati…

Are you asking yourself, “Why am I doing this?” as you step into home education? You’re not alone! In this episode of the Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed summer series, Kelly Rigg (mindset coach, home ed mum, and co-h...

Listen to the Episode
July 27, 2025

Navigating Home Ed Slumps: Real-Life Strategies for Getting Back on T…

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just a bit “meh” about home education right now? You’re not alone! In this honest episode, Kelly and Ashley dive deep into the reality of home ed slumps—those periods when motivation dips, lif...

Listen to the Episode
July 20, 2025

Get Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 1: Mindset Shifts, De-Schoolin…

Thinking about home education but feeling overwhelmed by doubts, fears, or pushback from others? You’re not alone! In this bonus episode, Kelly Rigg (home ed mum, mindset coach, and founder of Offroading Motherhood) kicks off...

Listen to the Episode
July 13, 2025

Breaking Free from Sit Down Culture: Movement, Mindset & Real-Life Le…

Is “sit down and focus” really the best way for kids to learn? In this lively episode, Kelly and Ashley dig into the myths and realities of “sit down culture” in education—and why home educators are uniquely positioned to bre...

Listen to the Episode
July 6, 2025

Does AI Have a Place in Home Education? Streamlining, Creativity & Cr…

Is artificial intelligence (AI) a helpful tool for home educators—or a shortcut that risks critical thinking? In this lively episode (more like debate), Kelly and Ashley dig into the real pros and cons of using AI (like ChatG...

Listen to the Episode
June 29, 2025

The Truth About Worldschooling with Luna Flowerday: Radical Unschooli…

In this episode, Kelly Rigg & Ashley Vanerio chat to Luna Flowerday—radical unschooler, worldschooler, and inspiring mum of three—who is currently traveling the world with her husband and children. Luna’s journey starte...

Listen to the Episode
June 22, 2025

That end of term feeling...

In this episode, Kelly and Ashley discuss the feelings and reflections that arise as the 'school year' comes to a close, as home educators we don't always adhere to the concepts of school years/grade levels and otherwise - bu...

Listen to the Episode
June 15, 2025

How far we've come!

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss their journey in home education, reflecting on their podcast's evolution and the importance of individual learning paths. They share personal anecdotes about family dynam...

Listen to the Episode
June 8, 2025

Our thoughts on the last episode: Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bi…

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss their reactions and lasting feelings after the interview last week with Wendy Charles-Warner, Co-Chair of Education Otherwise. They emphasize the importance of community ...

Listen to the Episode
June 1, 2025

Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill - May Update

In this episode, May 2025, Kelly Rigg and Wendy Charles-Warner discuss the ongoing Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, its implications for home education, and the community's response. They explore the current status of t...

Listen to the Episode
May 25, 2025

Worldschooling - Home Education on the Road

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the joys of home education, particularly focusing on the insane benefits of world schooling, learning through travel and experiences. They reflect on their own experience...

Listen to the Episode
May 11, 2025

Evolving Home Ed

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the evolution of home education, particularly in the UK, highlighting the significant growth of the community post-COVID. They explore the challenges and opportunities th...

Listen to the Episode
May 4, 2025

Overstimulated...and understimulated.

In this conversation, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio explore the complexities of sensory sensitivities and not just through the eyes of neurodivergence, but the importance of setting boundaries, and the need for self-care in p...

Listen to the Episode
April 27, 2025

Being Weird

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio explore the challenges and joys of home education, the societal pressures to conform, and the importance of embracing individuality. They discuss the concept of being 'weird' as ...

Listen to the Episode
April 20, 2025

Are they missing out?

In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the theme of missing out in the context of home education. They reflect on their own school experiences, the importance of social interactions, and how home education can...

Listen to the Episode
April 6, 2025

Covid Homeschool vs Home Education

Anyone who has been home educating a while will have had a conversation with someone that goes 'oh we home educate....' 'oh gosh, we did that during covid - never again!!' In this episode, Kelly Rigg & Ashley Vanerio discuss ...

Listen to the Episode
March 30, 2025

Trust the process

Welcome back for Season 3 of The Big Home Ed Conversations. Kelly Rigg, Founder of Offroading Motherhood and Ashley Vanerio, fellow home educator and mum of 3 discuss the struggle that is trusting the process, believing all w...

Listen to the Episode