Shows / The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home Education
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home Education
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…
Episodes
- The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home Education
The Real Cost of Home Education: What's Worth Paying For
Can you really home educate for free? It's something we hear a lot in the UK home education community, and while the sentiment is lovely, the truth is that…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationHome Ed Learning Styles: The VARK Myth, Mixing It Up (and Knowing When to Leave It for Another Day)
One child happily gets on with a maths app, and the other says a hard no to everything you put in front of them. If you're home educating more than one child…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationHome Ed Burnout: Spotting the Signs, Lowering the Bar (and Finding Your Way Back)
Whether you came to home ed after your child burnt out of school, or you're the parent running on empty right now, burnout is something so many of us know far…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationHome Ed Consistency: Rhythm vs Routine (and Letting Go of the Perfect Timetable)
Consistency is one of those words that can make home educating parents feel a bit twitchy. Some weeks your home ed routine flows beautifully, and some weeks…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationBack to Home Ed After Summer: Transitions, New Systems and Too Many Hats
Welcome to season six of The BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, where we're digging into the tricky bits of home education. Not the sunshine-and-nature-walks…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationSeason Finale: Screen Safety, Fake News & AI: Helping Home Ed Kids Build Digital Discernment
In this final episode of the season, we’re doing something a bit different. (Please note, no explicit details are mentioned, but use caution if you listen with…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationState of Mind: Mental Health and Education. Guest Episode - Dr Chris Bagley
In this bonus episode of The BIG Home Ed Conversations, Kelly Rigg is joined by Dr. Chris Bagley — educational psychologist, musician, author, and co-founder…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationHome Educating UK Topic Challenge: Raising Brave Kids — Activism, Justice & Quiet Protest
In this week’s episode of The BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio dive into a big question many home educating UK families wrestle…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationSummer Home Education: Letting Go of the Pressure (and Trusting Real-Life Learning)
In this chatty catch-up episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio reflect on what home education can look like as summer approaches — when clubs pause, routines…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationTopic Challenge: Thoughts and Feelings, Fostering Emotional Maturity in Children
Welcome back to The BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast with Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio. This week’s topic: Feelings and journaling (real life edition) We…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationTown Planning & Street Furniture (Home Education UK Topic Challenge)
In this episode of The BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley continue their weekly home education UK “topic challenge” — choosing a theme and…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationSpecial Guest: Jenn Hodge Interview: The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Now the Act) — What Home Educating Families Need to Know
In this episode of The BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly shares a powerful interview with Jenn Hodge, founder of Doing Education Differently. Jenn is a…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationTopic Challenge: Lesser Known Sports (Weird & Wonderful Games, What Counts as a Sport, and Why Movement Matters)
In this episode of The BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley explore this week’s “topic from the hat” challenge: lesser known sports. They start…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationTopic Challenge: Food Around the World
Welcome back to another episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast. Kelly and Ashley are continuing Season 5’s “topic from a hat” home education…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationTopic Challenge: Capital Allocation & Investment with Kids
Welcome back to the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast. In this episode, Kelly and Ashley share how they tackled a surprisingly big topic with their kids…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationSeason 5 - Welcome Back! New Season, New Topic, New Sponsor!
Welcome back to Season 5 of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast. In this short “we’re back!” episode, Kelly Rigg (home ed mum of two, qualified mindset +…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationSeason 4 Finale – Our Home Ed Year in Review
It’s the final episode of Season 4 of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, and we’re keeping up our (now official!) yearly tradition: a relaxed, honest Year…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationChallenging Adultism, Respecting Children & Rethinking the Power Dynamic in Parenting
In this episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley get real about adultism—the often-unquestioned power imbalance between adults and…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationRefugee Education, Prejudice & Shared Humanity: Learning From Displaced Young People
In this episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley sit down with Catherine Gladwell, founder and CEO of Refugee Education UK, to…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationSEND, Ableism & Neurodivergence in Education: Rethinking 'Standard'
In this powerful episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley sit down with author, educator and neurodivergent advocate Helen Daniel to…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationChanging Perspectives: Prejudice within the Home Education Community
In this episode of the BIG Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley dive deep into the often-unspoken topic of prejudice within the home educating…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationChanging Perspectives: Diversity, Hybrid Homeschooling & Banned Books with Chris Linder (Homeschool Remix)
In this powerful episode of the Big Home Ed Conversations Podcast, Kelly and Ashley sit down with Atlanta-based educator, tech specialist, and author Chris…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationChanging Perspectives in Home Education — Diversity, Belonging & Real Voices
Welcome back to Season 4 of the Big Home Ed Conversations Podcast! In this new “Changing Perspectives” series, Kelly and Ashley dive into the big, sometimes…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationBIG Home Ed Book Club: Our Review: 'The Four-Hour School Day' by Durenda Wilson
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationBIG Home Ed Book Club: Introducing Our First Pick: The Four-Hour School Day
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationGet Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 4: Regulate, Reconnect, and Read the Room
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationRituals, Traditions & Social Conditioning: Letting Go of Back-to-School Pressure in Home Ed
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationGet Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 3: How to Build a Home Ed Routine That Works for Your Whole Family
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationRoadblocks to Home Education: Overcoming Doubts, Fears & Practical Barriers
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationHome 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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationGet Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 2: Finding Your “Why” & Creating Your Unique Home Education Philosophy
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationNavigating Home Ed Slumps: Real-Life Strategies for Getting Back on Track (and Giving Yourself Grace)
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationGet Your Head Straight to Home Ed – Ep 1: Mindset Shifts, De-Schooling & Deregistering (Practical Tips for UK Families)
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationBreaking Free from Sit Down Culture: Movement, Mindset & Real-Life Learning in Home Education
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”…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationDoes AI Have a Place in Home Education? Streamlining, Creativity & Critical Thinking in the Digital Age
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationThe Truth About Worldschooling with Luna Flowerday: Radical Unschooling, Travel, and Real-Life Learning on the Road
In this episode, Kelly Rigg & Ashley Vanerio chat to Luna Flowerday—radical unschooler, worldschooler, and inspiring mum of three—who is currently traveling…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationThat 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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationHow 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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationOur thoughts on the last episode: Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill - May Update
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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationChildren'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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationWorldschooling - 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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationEvolving 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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationOverstimulated...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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationBeing 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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationAre 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 BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationCovid 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 -…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationTrust 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…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationSpecial Episode - Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill - Don't Panic!
In this conversation, Kelly Rigg and Wendy Charles-Warner are aiming to reassure you that whilst it is important not to panic about the implications of the…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationWhat has inspired us this year?
In this conversation, Ashley Vanerio and Kelly Rigg discuss their experiences for 2024 and how they have inspired them and their kids to learn and grow…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationOur Year On Reflection
In this episode, Kelly and Ashley reflect on their personal growth and experiences throughout the year, discussing the challenges and successes of home…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationRoutine vs Freeflow?
In this conversation, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio explore the complexities of home education, focusing on the role of routines, the challenges of…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationThat's Good Enough!
In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the challenges and realities of home education amidst life's chaos. They explore the importance of…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationLiving With Intention
Personal Note: Myself, Kelly, and Ashley have been going through an extremely busy and tough period and it has meant that we have both found that steady guilt…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationGet advice from those who KNOW
This conversation delves into the complexities of home education rights and duties, both as parents and for our children. Kelly and Ashley chat with special…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationDifficult Conversations
In this episode, Kelly and Ashley discuss the challenges of navigating difficult conversations surrounding home education. They share personal experiences…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationDon't just switch sides
In this episode, Kelly Rigg and Ashley Vanerio discuss the importance of critical thinking in home education. They explore the challenges of fostering critical…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationFollowing Their Lead
In this episode, Kelly and Ashley discuss the concept of child-led learning in home education, emphasizing the importance of following children's interests and…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationDeregistrations On The Rise
Get ready for an electrifying welcome back episode! 🎉 Kelly and Ashley dive into the booming trend of home education (or home schooling for our US friends) …
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationBanish Home Ed Burnout Workshop
This is a BONUS episode, Hi, this is Kelly here - co-host of The Big Home Ed Conversations. I run this workshop live regularly on my TikTok account…
The BIG Home Ed Conversations | Home EducationLearning is Experience
In this episode, Kelly and Ashley discuss the benefits of traveling with kids and the value of hands-on experiences in education. They share personal stories…