86. Beyond Drop-Off: What It Takes to Build Thriving SDE Communities

In this episode of RLT we explore what truly makes self-directed learning communities thrive, and why so many struggle. Parents often enter these spaces expecting an alternative to school, yet unknowingly bring a schoolish mindset with them. But SDE isn’t just about where kids learn; it’s about shifting how we relate to learning, power, and community.

In this episode, we unpack shared accountability, deschooling work for adults, and the hidden labor of running learning centers. How can parents move from a transactional mindset to active participation? What support do facilitators need to hold space for both kids and families? And how do we create communities where everyone - kids, parents, and facilitators - can truly thrive?

As mentioned in this episode:

- You can find information on our Parent Support Circles here: https://radical-learning.thinkific.com/courses

- Please consider making a donation to support the production of this podcast here: https://paypal.me/RadicalLearningLLC