Join us for a candid conversation with Cassie Tinsmon, founder of Lily Lake Play Cafe and Homeschool Collective who unpacks what it means to “unschool” your kids. Cassie shares how she came to embrace a curriculum-free approach and tap into her community to create a rich lifestyle of learning centered on her children’s unique talents and interests. For Cassie, some rules are made to be broken—and a little risk is part of the equation, too. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler, just curious, or somewhere in between, you’ll find inspiration and practical wisdom in this episode.

Highlights

• Cassie’s personal story: from a family of independent thinkers to launching Lily Lake
• The vision and evolution of Lily Lake Play Cafe and Homeschool Collective
• What “unschooling” really looks like in practice
• How to build a supportive, flexible learning community
• Letting go of perfection and embracing real-life learning
• The role of parents as facilitators, not just teachers
• Navigating family, work, and education in a changing world
• Myths and realities about socialization and nontraditional education
• Encouraging risk-taking, critical thinking, and kindness in kids
• Practical tips for parents considering homeschooling or alternative education

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast
01:07 – Cassie's Background in Homeschooling
02:11 – Founding Lily Lake Play Cafe
02:54 – The Concept of Lily Lake
04:39 – Flexible Membership Model
04:42 – Cassie's Parenting Style
07:56 – Vivian's Role at Lily Lake
09:53 – Homeschooling Journey
14:43 – Unschooling Philosophy
16:38 – Learning Through Real-Life Experiences
19:03 – Interactive Learning at Lily Lake
21:23 – Current Focus as a Parent
21:44 – Struggles with Unschooling Expectations
22:27 – Play Cafe Adventures
23:23 – Aspiring Attorney Dreams
24:30 – Campaign Finance Career
26:21 – Creative Compliance
26:21 – Critical Thinking and Rules
27:57 – Community and Shared Spaces
35:53 – Homeschooling Myths
38:20 – Learning Through Real-Life Situations
44:13 – Encouraging Risk-Taking in Kids
44:35 – Importance of Play
47:39 – Questioning Everything

Resources Mentioned

• Lily Lake Play Cafe & Homeschool Collective
  https://www.lilylakecollective.com
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
  https://www.harpercollins.com/products/tuesdays-with-morrie-mitch-albom
• Reverie Coffee Roasters (local coffee served at Lily Lake)
  https://reverieroasters.com

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Own Your Education is part of the ICT Podcast Network. For more information, visit ictpod.net.