Interview with Conn Iggulden: The Dangerous Book for Boys

I have written several posts on The Dangerous Book for Boys and so, of course, we had to track down one of the authors for an interview on why the book is so popular. Today, we spoke to Conn Iggulden, who along with his brother, put the book together by actually conducting each of the experiments in a shed and spent their days playing marbles and building go-carts--sounds like fun way to do research. Conn, who used to be a teacher, tells us why it is so important to let go of the fear and overprotection that parents and institutions have responded with to what used to be common childhood adventures. He talks about how boys learn, why they need go-carts more than computers, and how we can swing the pendulum back to the middle where both girls and boys' needs are seen as important.

You can listen to the show directly -- no downloading needed -- by going here and clicking on the gray Flash player. You can get the file directly for listening via Windows Media, Realplayer, Quicktime, etc., by clicking right here. And you can get a lo-fi version suitable for dialup, cellphones, etc. by going here and selecting lo-fi. And, of course, you can always get a free subscrption via iTunes. You can see our archives at the GlennandHelenshow.com.

This podcast is sponsored by Volvocars.