This is Okie School of Adventure with Neil & Alex

·1 hr 6 min·5 clips

Senator James Lankford spent 30 minutes with Alex, then took him on a ride on the Senators' private train in Washington DC.

This episode of 'This is Oklahoma' features host Mike Hearn reconnecting with Neil and Alex from the Okie School of Adventure after nearly four years. Neil explains that they started homeschooling Alex during COVID due to challenges in a regular classroom, which evolved into educational road trips. They have traveled to 49 states, camping in a rooftop tent on their Toyota Tundra, which has over 266,000 miles. Alex, now 12, shares his interests in windmills, detailing their mechanics and historical significance in settling the West. The conversation covers their homeschooling approach, which now includes a co-op where Alex takes classes like geography, robotics, math, and English. Neil describes how they integrate travel with curriculum, such as visiting the Oklahoma State Capitol for civics lessons. Alex recounts meeting Senator James Lankford in Washington DC, who gave him a 30-minute interview and a tour on the Senators' train. They also discuss visiting embassies in DC and a cruise to Europe where Alex became known for his flag knowledge. Alex talks about his micronation, Geese Tree Island, which he created with a constitution, currency, and stamps. Neil highlights how these projects teach skills like writing, math, and design. The episode touches on their fishing goal to catch a fish in all 77 Oklahoma counties, which they completed with help from Benny Keith and Lacey Swope. Alex organized a fishing event for special needs kids at Bethany Children's Hospital, transitioning from participant to host. Neil shares a story about meeting Mike Rowe, who wore their Okie School hat on stage, leading to merchandise sales and a website. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of curiosity, overcoming autism-related challenges, and the supportive community in Oklahoma. The episode concludes with plans for the future, including Alex getting his learner's permit in a few years.

As heard by us

A family makes room for adventure by shaping travel around comfort, curiosity, and familiar food.

Family travel here becomes a practical lesson in making space for each other. Cruising gives the guest's wife a more comfortable way to travel, while Alex, whose autism shapes the foods he eats, gets a familiar base from which to explore new places.

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Why you'd press play

You get a family travel conversation where cruising gives Alex a familiar base while he stretches toward geography, food, and new places.

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