Jeremy Kinney (Host): Welcome to The Awareness Revolution Podcast, where we bring you alternative perspectives on big topics that affect just about everyone. Today, I have a fantastic guest joining us—Dayna Martin! We’re diving into some topics we’ve never covered before on this channel, and I couldn’t be more excited. Dayna, thank you so much for being here. Could you start by telling our audience a little about yourself and what brings you to Anarchapulco?
Dayna Martin: Thanks so much for having me, Jeremy. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with you both since arriving here. It’s great to be here today. For those who don’t know me, I’m Dayna Martin. I’m an author and advocate for radical unschooling—also known as peaceful parenting. I’ve been part of Anarchapulco since the very beginning, and this is my fourth year here. It’s amazing to see how much the event has grown—it’s enormous now!
I gave a talk this year called Breeding Freedom: How Control Kills Childhood. It focused on the differences between an authoritarian parenting model and a partnership-based approach. The overarching theme was about modeling peace and respect for children. I’d love to break that down further if you have any specific questions.
Jeremy: Absolutely! One part of your talk that really stood out to me was when you touched on birth practices—particularly the business side of hospital births, c-section rates, and natural birth options. Could you elaborate on that?
Dayna: Of course. Peaceful parenting and partnership-based relationships with children start from the very beginning—even before they’re born. What many people don’t realize is that hospital births, especially in the U.S. and places like Mexico, are highly medicalized and often driven by business interests rather than the health of the mother and baby.
For example, in the U.S., the c-section rate is over 25%, and in Mexico, it’s closer to 45%. Why? Hospitals are businesses. They’re focused on liability, efficiency, and profit. Doctors are often quick to jump to interventions like pitocin, which induces unnaturally strong contractions, leading to fetal distress—and ultimately a c-section. This allows them to say they “saved” the baby while protecting themselves from lawsuits.
Women are also conditioned from a young age to fear birth. Society perpetuates horror stories about long, painful labors and complications, instilling a sense of helplessness. It’s no wonder so many women give up their power and rely on medical interventions instead of trusting their bodies.
Jeremy: That’s such an important point. My partner and I had a home birth, and it was truly empowering. I remember how prepared our midwife was—she came with oxygen tanks, medical equipment, and everything we needed, outside of surgery. The experience was calm, natural, and transformative.
Dayna: That’s amazing, and it’s a perfect example of how birth can and should be. Midwives and doulas are trained to recognize when intervention is necessary, and they’re there to support you. At home, you’re in an environment where you and your baby are already immune to the surroundings, and the natural birth process isn’t interrupted.
In hospitals, on the other hand, the baby’s first experience is often bright lights, strangers, and a sterile environment. And let’s not forget about practices like separating newborns from their mothers immediately after birth for routine procedures, which can have long-term impacts on bonding and the baby’s microbiome.
Jeremy’s Partner: That bonding is so critical. I’ll never forget when our midwife handed my partner our baby after she was born—it was such an emotional moment. Watching him catch her and burst into tears was incredible. It created a bond that I know will last forever.
Dayna: Exactly! Those moments are life-changing. They foster respect and connection between partners and build the foundation for a loving parenting dynamic. It’s a rite of passage that allows parents to step into their roles with confidence and strength.
Jeremy: Speaking of parenting, let’s shift to your work with radical unschooling and peaceful parenting. For those who are new to the concept, can you explain what unschooling is and how it works?
Dayna: Sure. Unschooling isn’t about being “uneducated.” It’s about moving away from traditional schooling models and instead fostering learning as a natural, lifelong process. There’s no rigid curriculum or government-mandated timetable. Education happens organically as a side effect of living a rich, connected, and fulfilling life.
Unschooling requires parents to be highly engaged. It’s not about being hands-off; it’s about being in tune with your child’s interests and facilitating learning based on their passions. For example, my 19-year-old son Devin is a professional blacksmith and game developer. He taught himself these skills with our support, and now he runs his own business and works on projects he loves.
Jeremy: That’s incredible. I’ve noticed that kids raised in this way often seem more confident and grounded. What would you say to people who worry about the socialization or academic readiness of unschooled children?
Dayna: I’d invite them to meet my kids! They’re happy, confident, and well-rounded. Socialization happens naturally through community involvement, friendships, and pursuing their interests. As for academics, when kids are trusted to learn at their own pace, they develop the skills they need when they’re ready. Learning to read, for example, isn’t something that has to be forced at a specific age. When children are ready, they pick it up naturally, just like they learn to walk and talk.
Jeremy’s Partner: One thing I’ve noticed is how unschooling encourages individuality. It allows kids to fully embrace who they are, without the pressure to conform.
Dayna: That’s a huge part of it. My kids are all so different, yet they’re equally amazing in their own ways. Unschooling is about supporting their unique journeys and trusting that they’ll become the people they’re meant to be. It’s freeing for both parents and children.
Jeremy: Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Dayna. Your passion for creating peaceful, connected families is inspiring. Before we wrap up, can you share where people can learn more about your work?
Dayna: Absolutely. You can find me at my website, DaynaMartin.com, where I share resources and information about peaceful parenting and unschooling. I’m also active on Facebook and have a YouTube channel called The Sparkling Martins, where you can see interviews, family vlogs, and more about our lifestyle. My book, Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun, is available on Amazon, or you can order it through my website.
Jeremy: Perfect! Thank you so much for being here, Dayna. It’s been an honor to have you on the podcast.
Dayna: Thank you for having me. This was such a great conversation!