Homeschool Conversations

In today's Homeschool Conversation, we look at RVL: The Curriculum, a new discipleship curriculum from the perspective of two different denominations to discuss why it's such a powerful curriculum.

Top 5 Reasons to Use CTCMath! Join me for a homeschool conversation about the five reasons I think you should try CTCMath in your homeschool! 

Are you a boy mom? Raising and homeschooling boys in the culture of today is a challenge. In this podcast, I talk with Durenda Wilson, author of Raising Boys to Men about these challenges and how we can overcome them!

In this podcast, Cynthia Tobias delves into why she felt like she needed to write this book with Mary Jo and what they wanted to accomplish with this new book. In Reclaiming Education, you are equipped with very practical and immediately useful tools to work in partnership with your children to identify and develop their learning styles and strengths.

This is a fascinating Homeschool Conversation with Dr. Dan Biddle, Executive Producer from Genesis Apologetics. We talk about their new movie “The Ark and the Darkness: Unearthing the Mysteries of Noah's Flood” which they produced in conjunction with Sevenfold Films.

Your little girl is growing quickly. You want to prepare her for the changes that are already happening to her body. But how?    

In this podcast, Dwane shares insightful tips on the history of Latin, the difference between a frozen language and a “living, moving, wild language” like English, and even offers a reason or two you might not want to learn Latin.

If you don't already know and love Andrew Pudewa, and, honestly, even if you do, this podcast is a must-hear! He is the creator of the Institute for Excellence in Writing program and is a well-known advocate for and beloved speaker in the homeschool conference world. Andrew shares his knowledge of writing and all things related to it with humor and joy. In today's podcast, you'll learn how Andrew discovered many of the techniques and ideas that led him to create his IEW writing program. You'll discover why he hates the term “Language Arts.” You'll hear how turning the writing process upside down is the best way to teach students the “Art of Language.”

If your homeschool feels a little hurried or perhaps even stressful, you'll love the perspective of Ashley Wiggers! Ashley and her husband Alex pour their second-generation homeschooling wisdom and experience into their magazine, Homeschooling Today. They are blessed to have columnists who join them in sharing creative ways to enjoy the freedom and joy that homeschooling can provide.

If you are a Christian homeschooler seeking a curriculum that incorporates your faith into every subject, you need to meet David Hazell from My Father's World. When David Hazell and his wife, Marie, felt the call to homeschool, they were disappointed to find that even Christian schools and curriculums taught traditional subjects with “Bible on the side.” Their solution to the problem was to create their own curriculum!

Get ready to feel empowered! Learn how to take more control over your response to fear. Discover how to gain better-coping skills and how to use them to improve your life and the lives of your family and your homeschool. Recognize that your response to fear will impact your children and commit to sharing positive ways of coping with the inevitable challenges that you, and they, will encounter in the world today. If these are some of your desires for the new year, but you could use some help to make it happen, you'll love Katie's useful and doable tips for changing your mindset and taking the first steps in the right direction. As an extra bonus, you'll get to hear Trish's goals for 2022! There are so many great reasons to tune it! You'll be glad you did!

Do you want to love homeschooling, but you just…don't? Is your student bored? If you're lacking ideas for inspiring your students to love learning or if you're finding it difficult not to “bring public school home,” you need to meet Michelle Moody! Michelle is the owner of The Homeschool Scientist, former classroom and homeschool teacher, and believer in interest-led learning. Michelle shares her journey from “boring her child to death” to interest-led learning that resulted in her kids taking more personal responsibility for their own education and developing a life-long love of learning.

Think you have to be an “expert” to offer great homeschooling advice? If so, you need to meet Courtney Brasfield! She's a Hip Homeschool Moms group member, a fellow traveler with Hip Homeschool Road Trips, mom of multiples, and homeschooling mom who loves the freedom of homeschooling. If you're a new homeschooling mom or are considering trying it, Courtney's words of wisdom will leave you ready to tackle the challenge. If you're an old pro, you'll love her fresh perspective and you'll definitely want to share this podcast with new homeschoolers who can benefit from her knowledge and thoughtful consideration of what is important in a homeschool.

Do you wonder if homeschooling is right for your family? Are you already homeschooling and you're tired of defending that decision? Maybe you just need a reminder that homeschooling is worth the time and effort. If you're considering classical homeschooling, you'll find helpful information as well. Whatever your situation, Katie J. Trent has words of wisdom for you! Katie is a homeschooling mom of two, author, speaker, and church planter (as well as an “expert mover”!). Her heart is to help families grow their faith and simplify their homeschooling lives. She has an eclectic, classical homeschooling style and a contagious love for families. Additionally, her background in social work and the public school system blend together to give her unique perspective and insights that you need to hear!

We've all felt it…the feeling that we need to do more, be more, cram more things into our homeschool day. Is it possible to achieve great things in our homeschools without working too hard or doing too much? Tricia Goyer gives her hard-earned insights on concepts such as these (and so many more) in this encouraging, interesting, and uplifting interview. Tricia is a homeschooling mom of over 27 years, writer of more than 80 books, popular speaker, and mentor to teen moms. How does she find time to do it all? That's exactly what you'll find out when you tune in to today's podcast. Tricia shares her heart and wisdom regarding what is and isn't important to accomplish in her homeschooling day, the curriculum that she loves, and what she believes is the most important focus for her as a homeschooling mom. You will love Tricia's refreshing attitude and supportive approach as she relates the importance of reading aloud to your children, getting help when you need it, and setting priorities that will encourage you rather than discourage you. Tricia shares her heart about not falling prey to comparison. She relates her thoughts on celebrating strengths rather than focusing on weaknesses. In short, if your homeschool needs more joy and less stress, you will definitely want to hear what Tricia has to share!

We know you're out there! You parents who have a desire to get your autistic child out of the public school system and bring them home to homeschool. You've been told, just as Penny Rogers was, that homeschooling is not an option for children with special needs. If this is your situation, then sit down with a warm cup of coffee (or tea!) and enjoy the uplifting discussion between Trish and Penny as they discuss Penny's journey from public school to homeschool with her autistic son. You'll learn about Penny's frustrations with public school and why she began homeschooling. You'll hear how getting an official diagnosis can be beneficial. You'll even get some suggestions for choosing the right curriculum to use with your child with autism.

Homeschooling offers wonderful flexibility and freedom, but getting started each day and covering everything can be challenging and stressful. Join Trish Corlew as she interviews Pam Barnhill, author, speaker, and veteran homeschooling mom. Pam is the creator of Your Morning Basket – a program that helps homeschoolers incorporate subjects and projects that typically fall outside of the “3 Rs” but can be instrumental to making homeschooling more well-rounded, educational, and fun. If you are interested in learning how to schedule and enjoy special topics, include group activities for all of your homeschoolers, or simply add some read-aloud time to your homeschool, this episode is for you! While you're listening, be sure to subscribe to Pam's email list to get notified about membership plans!

If you're a free spirit who wants to homeschool (or you already homeschool and you want some support or just want confirmation that you're on the right track), you've come to the right podcast episode! Julie Polanco is an unschooling mom of four, six-time author, and Master Herbalist whose journey will inspire you to seek the fun and flexibility you desire in your homeschool. You may be surprised to find that unschooling can provide your children with not only a great education but also skills that will carry them through college and adulthood. Many of us will relate to Julie's journey in the early years seeking the right path, the right curriculum, and the right homeschooling method. Not only did she encounter resistance from her children, but she also had at least one child with special needs and quickly realized she had to do things differently. She took action and found a method that has resulted in a thriving homeschool for nearly 20 years so far.

This podcast will inspire tired homeschooling parents to revisit the joy they held as they began their homeschooling journey while leaving behind any former doubt. New homeschoolers will get a front seat view of how beneficial homeschooling can be in so many ways...including socialization! You will be inspired and uplifted as you listen. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea!) and prepare to feel like you're participating in a conversation with old friends. Oh! And get ready to be excited all over again about guiding your children toward their best future and reaping the fruit that can come with homeschooling.

If you feel that incorporating art into your homeschool is too messy and overwhelming, Tricia Hodges has the solution to your problem! Join us as Tricia discusses how finding subjects that all of your students can do together can be challenging, but art is one way to bring everyone together to create homeschooling memories that you will cherish.

If you are struggling to find a groove in your homeschool, Kay Chance has wisdom and encouragement that will reignite your passion for homeschooling. Kay is the mom of two homeschool graduates, co-executive editor of Homeschooling Today magazine, and natural learning enthusiast. As a former public school teacher, Kay reveals her previously negative perceptions of homeschooling and explains what changed her heart regarding educating her children at home.

In today's times, many parents are finding themselves outside their comfort zone educating their children at home. In fact, many parents who purposefully chose to homeschool their children still struggle with doubt and concern about whether they have what it takes to homeschool well. In today's podcast, Trish interviews Jamie Erickson, mom of five, self-proclaimed unlikely homeschooler, and author of Homeschool Bravely.

Whether you're a new or experienced homeschooler, in Trish's interview with Jeannie Fulbright you'll find tons of helpful information to increase the joy and wonder of learning science and history at home.

If you have ever felt inadequate to homeschool or just uninterested, join Trish as she interviews Rachael Carman, veteran homeschooling mom of seven, author at Apologia science, and creator of the new Word in Motion Bible curriculum. They discuss everything from butterflies to the Bible in a hilariously funny, truly sincere, and positively encouraging podcast.

Who couldn't use some contagious enthusiasm these days?! To get your dose, dive in to this podcast where Trish interviews Rachael Yunis, veteran homeschooling mom of three, science and math lover, and curriculum writer for Apologia. Rachael gives practical and perhaps surprising advice for homeschoolers. Enjoy Rachael's down-to-Earth attitude as she offers support, encouragement, and embracing the freedom that only homeschooling offers. Prepare to be inspired because, you never know…Rachael may just convince you that there is a little bit of a cheerleader in all of us!

Homeschooling a large family is like taking a bus ride! Just ask Durenda Wilson, a popular writer, encouraging speaker, and the homeschooling mom of eight. Join us to hear about Durenda's belief in being the expert on your own children, her emphasis on flexible routines, and how fostering strong sibling relationships can all improve the homeschooling family life and, in fact, the culture around us. Durenda shares about her beliefs regarding socialization. She offers advice for homeschooling through high school and much more. If you struggle with feelings of inadequacy or think it's too late to homeschool, this is the podcast episode for you! Durenda will inspire you to bring peace and joy back into your homeschooling days, to focus on learning not only with your kids but about your kids, and she will remind you that you, the parent, are the most important person in your child's life.

Math! We all need it. A few of us love it, many of us tolerate it, and some of us despise it. In today's podcast, we have an interesting and insightful conversation with author and speaker Kathryn Gomes. Kathryn is the author of Apologia's elementary math curriculum and second-generation homeschooling mother of three who surprised herself by falling in love with math!

Homeschooling offers so many opportunities of which no other type of education can boast. April Lesh is a homeschooling mom of 8 (soon to be 9), whose husband is the general manager of the Apologia company. Join us as April offers tips in today's podcast that will encourage and assist not only large families but families of any size.

Homeschooling is a challenge and an adventure. Join us as we interview Rachel Lance, a mom of two who was thrown into homeschooling during a pandemic while working full time and obtaining a graduate degree. In this podcast you'll hear Rachel's thoughts on homeschooling during a pandemic, the desire to be near family during uncertain times, and the challenges of juggling work, earning a degree, and working. 

Our nation and our rights as homeschoolers are worth fighting for! Join us as we talk to Christian wife, homeschooling mom of seven, self-described Constitutionalist, author, and public speaker Heidi St. John. She tells us how her natural leadership skills unexpectedly led to public speaking and authorship, opens up about her willingness to discuss unpopular but necessary topics, and conveys the story behind her surprising run for Congress.

In this episode, Trish Corlew shares her own homeschool story... Why she started, how she started, what she loves about homeschooling and she candidly shares her personal struggles. The reason she started homeschooling, is not the reason she continues.  You can read the complete transcript here: Trish Corlew Shares her Homeschool Story.     

In this episode of Homeschool Conversations, Trish Corlew is interviewing Wendy Hilton. We learn about Wendy’s family and how her homeschool journey began accidentally!