Podcasts about Homeschooling

In this episode from the archive, Rachel Winchester and Carole Joy Seid answer some of the most common questions from homeschooling families. They give practical ways to involve dads in family read-aloud time, including strategies for dads who may not feel confident about reading. Carole shares creative tips for keeping younger children occupied while homeschooling older siblings, such as using special toys, snacks, and outdoor play. And Carole shares a fresh perspective on putting the need for screens off as long as possible for our teenagers. Join us for lots of practical ideas!RESOURCES+Build Your Family's Library: Grab our FREE book list here+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!CONNECTHomeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | PinterestMentioned in this episode:Try CTCMath-Half Price DiscountPick up a copy of Teach Me to Pray wherever books are sold Crossway Teach Me To Pray

Feeling successful without sacrificing those precious parenting moments IS possible. As a high-achieving mom, you know the feeling of being down to the wire on a deadline... and the unwanted stress that being 'behind" can bring. Lucky for you, there is a surprising hack that you can use to bend time every single day. Press play and get ready to shift your procrastination into productivity. P.S. CLICK HERE to take the quiz and see how you can timebend to make more money FAST. 

Talking to your children and allowing them to talk to you is one of the most important and powerful things you can do as a parent. It can be too easy to assume that we know what's going on in the heart and mind of our child or that we understand why they have misbehaved etc. The truth is you won't truly know until you give them the opportunity to talk or until you ask the right questions. You have to listen and study it out in your mind. You have to pray over what you've heard and what you're observing. Then, and only then will the true answers present themselves. About Sean Sean Allen is the founder of The Well Ordered Homeschool, husband to his beautiful bride Caroline and a proud father of eight. He has a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design and is passionate about creating materials to assist parents in the incredibly challenging, yet surpassingly beautiful, work of schooling and training their children at home. Resources Find a Great Homeschool Convention near you! Connect Sean Allen | Instagram | Facebook | Website Homeschooling.mom | Instagram | Website Subscribe to our YouTube channel | YouTube Have you joined us at one of the Great Homeschool Conventions? We hope to see you there! For more encouragement on your homeschooling journey, visit the Homeschooling.mom site, and tune in to our sister podcast The Charlotte Mason Show. View full show notes on the blog.

The Heroes of Asgard by Annie and Eliza Keary - part 23: The Winged-Giant ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

From a 1995 garage start in Oceanside to a thriving nonprofit in Washougal, Hope Learning Center partners with parents for truth-based homeschooling, offers accreditation support via Academy Northwest, and hosts the Harvest Harmonies fundraiser Nov. 14 at Bethel Community Church with live music, a dessert dash, raffles, and auctions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/hope-learning-center-gives-parents-tools-for-homeschooling-options/ #Homeschool #Washougal #Education #Community #Nonprofit #Fundraiser #HarvestHarmonies #BethelCommunityChurch #AcademyNorthwest

Not every lesson needs to become a massive project to be memorable. In this episode, we're sharing simple, effective ways to make everyday homeschool lessons more hands-on. Whether it's math, writing, science, or history, we'll show you how to add movement, manipulatives, creativity, and real-world relevance to your day. Find Secular Curriculum with our Resource Selector https://www.homeschool-together.com/secular-resources Support The Podcast If you like what you hear, consider supporting the podcast: https://homeschooltogether.gumroad.com/l/support Consider Leaving Us A Review If you have a quick moment, please consider leaving a review on iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeschool-together-podcast/id1526685583 Show Notes Rory's Story Cubes - https://amzn.to/3Wkhhq7 Fun Ancient Egypt Lesson Plans - https://www.organizedhomeschooler.com/ancient-egypt-for-kids/ Connect with us Website: http://www.homeschool-together.com/ Store: https://gumroad.com/homeschooltogether Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/homeschooltogether Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/homeschooltogetherpodcast/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/homeschooltogetherpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/hs_together The Gameschool Co-Op: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gameschoolcoop/ Email: homeschooltogetherpodcast@gmail.com

Shelley Gupta is the Founder & CEO of BāKIT Box, a STEM-based baking kit bringing global flavors and cultural traditions into homes across America. Her path to CPG began far from the kitchen as a recording artist signed to EMI Music before earning her CFA, an MBA from Chicago Booth, and leading strategy work at Accenture.Blending creativity with financial rigor, Shelley turned a casual conversation with a homeschooling parent into a breakthrough channel, now approved as an official curriculum in 14 states. In this episode, she shares how that discovery reshaped her subscription strategy, why flexibility beats lock-in for retention, and how understanding the real buyer (not just the user) transformed her business.Whether you're an ecommerce founder rethinking your subscription model or a CPG operator looking for smarter customer acquisition paths, Shelley's story is a lesson in listening deeply, iterating fast, and staying true to your mission.In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:24] Intro[00:49] Building community through shared passions[02:20] Transforming baking into an educational tool[03:41] Launching early versions to test real demand[04:32] Reaching first customers through organic channels[05:24] Applying to accelerators as a product founder[06:00] Differentiating users from true buyers[06:52] Rebranding to serve a clearer customer base[07:48] Testing niche ideas before fully committing[08:56] Stay updated with new episodes[09:07] Turning chance encounters into growth channels[10:17] Building growth through genuine relationships[10:53] Sponsors: Electric Eye, Heatmap & Freight Right[15:31] Designing subscriptions with built-in flexibility[16:44] Expanding marketing beyond paid social[18:19] Understanding customer complexity and fatigue[20:41] Leveraging creative roots to build a brandResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeSTEM Baking Kits for Curious Kids bakitbox.com/Follow Shelley Gupta linkedin.com/in/shelley-guptaSchedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectClear, real-time data built for ecommerce optimization heatmap.com/honestTurn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honestIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

In this episode, I explore the hidden benefits of boredom for children. Learn how unstructured time can enhance executive function, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Discover three practical strategies to turn boredom into a valuable learning opportunity without resorting to screens or intervening. The episode emphasises the importance of children having access to open-ended materials and engaging in self-directed play. Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for more insights on raising independent, creative learners.The show notes are on the episode websiteSign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious parents and educators HERE

Show Notes/Brief Summary/Blog Post:In this episode of the We Have Hope podcast, host Kim Dully interviews Jon Loudermilk, a homeschooling dad and music educator. Jon shares his unique journey of taking on full homeschooling responsibilities while also running an online music education platform. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of homeschooling, the importance of parental involvement, and the flexibility of online learning. Jon discusses his approach to teaching guitar and songwriting, emphasizing the need for a supportive and engaging learning environment. The episode concludes with reflections on hope and the significance of education in shaping children's lives.Episode Highlights:Jon Loudermilk is a homeschooling dad who also teaches music.Homeschooling allows for more family time and personalized education.Dads are increasingly involved in their children's education.Online lessons provide flexibility and accessibility for students.Parental involvement is crucial for children's development.Homeschooling can alleviate concerns about traditional schooling.The importance of community support in education.Music education can be tailored to individual interests and needs.Trial periods for online lessons help families assess fit.Hope in education is about providing opportunities for children.Quotes:"You can't buy back your time.""You can do it however you want.""All my hope is in the Lord."Connect with Jon Loudermilk and Mountaineer Christian Studios:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MountaineerChristianStudios/Email: jonwloudermilk@gmail.comWebsite: https://themcstudio.com/More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:Visit Our Show Notes Page HERE!Questions? Email Us! kim@loveyourschool.org www.loveyourschool.orgVisit our Facebook HERE!Visit our Instagram HERE!This show has been produced by Love Your School WV.

#162

What if the best education for your child isn't a yes-or-no choice between homeschooling and traditional school? We sit down with education reform advocate and author Chris Linder to explore a flexible path that blends the strengths of both. The idea is simple and powerful: keep the structure and social energy of the classroom, then add focused, at-home learning to close the gaps - critical thinking, financial literacy, study skills, and culturally relevant history.Chris shares a personal journey from radio broadcasting to teaching in South Korea to instructional technology, and how a pandemic-era algebra struggle revealed the promise of hybrid homeschooling. One child thrived online, another needed a classroom. The solution wasn't more pressure; it was targeted support. With the right curriculum and steady guidance, confidence rose and grades followed. That's the blueprint: parents don't have to reteach every subject; they guide, question, and curate resources that help kids make sense of the world.We unpack what schools do well and where they fall short, how to use open-ended questions to build real comprehension, and why culture-rich materials strengthen engagement and identity. Chris explains how families can choose flexible curricula, verify sources (even when using AI), and join a supportive community like the Seat Squad to find low-cost, high-impact tools. Along the way, we honor teachers doing hard work with limited resources and offer a model that makes them allies, not adversaries.The outcome is bigger than grades. It's giving kids real choices after graduation - college, trades, entrepreneurship - because they can reason, adapt, and see themselves in the story of their learning. Ready to take back agency without burning out? Tap play, share this with a parent who needs it, and subscribe for more conversations that put families at the center of education. If this resonated, leave a review and tell us the one skill you wish schools taught more.Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

Kate McAllister describes how nervous system regulation shifts behavior from reaction to response. The conversation maps how stress patterns shape daily life, from parenting and school to refugee camps and co-regulation through rhythm and presence. Breath, movement, and sensory grounding become practical tools for returning the thinking brain online when fight, flight, or freeze take over.

A new MP3 sermon from VCY America is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The U.N.’s Attack on Homeschooling Subtitle: Crosstalk America Speaker: Jim Schneider Broadcaster: VCY America Event: Current Events Date: 10/24/2025 Length: 53 min.

It''s time for an AMA episode! We love hearing your questions so much, we're dedicating an entire episode just to it._______________________________RESOURCES:✅ Take our reading level assessment → https://www.childoftheredwoods.com/reading✅ Get a free sample right here ➡️ www.childoftheredwoods.com/sample✅ Complete Montessori homeschool curriculum that is affordable and fun for ages 2-9: https://www.childoftheredwoods.com

Alex Newman is an award-winning international freelance journalist, author, researcher, educator and consultant. He is senior editor for The New American. He is co-author of Crimes of the Educators, author of Deep State: The Invisible Government Behind the Scenes and author of Indoctrinating Our Children to Death. He is founder & CEO of Liberty Sentinel and a national syndicator of radio and TV programs including Behind the Deep State which airs on WVCY Television and VCY.tv. Today is United Nations Day. It was 80 years ago today that the United Nations came into being by the signing of the UN Charter. The UN was created to maintain international peace and security and develop friendly relations between nations. They longed for international cooperation. How is that working out? So much of the world is sitting on a powder keg. Instead we have the UN lusting for control over the world's energy, the world's food supply, the world's housing, the world's transportation, the world's healthcare and even the world's education. As a matter of fact, the UN has just released a report titled, "Homeschooling Through a Human Rights Lens." This report, overseen by a communist, outlines the most draconian global assault on homeschooling in history. It claims governments must take total control, if they allow it at all.

Alex Newman is an award-winning international freelance journalist, author, researcher, educator and consultant. He is senior editor for The New American. He is co-author of Crimes of the Educators, author of Deep State: The Invisible Government Behind the Scenes and author of Indoctrinating Our Children to Death. He is founder & CEO of Liberty Sentinel and a national syndicator of radio and TV programs including Behind the Deep State which airs on WVCY Television and VCY.tv. Today is United Nations Day. It was 80 years ago today that the United Nations came into being by the signing of the UN Charter. The UN was created to maintain international peace and security and develop friendly relations between nations. They longed for international cooperation. How is that working out? So much of the world is sitting on a powder keg. Instead we have the UN lusting for control over the world's energy, the world's food supply, the world's housing, the world's transportation, the world's healthcare and even the world's education. As a matter of fact, the UN has just released a report titled, "Homeschooling Through a Human Rights Lens." This report, overseen by a communist, outlines the most draconian global assault on homeschooling in history. It claims governments must take total control, if they allow it at all.

Chalee and Chelsea have been away for awhile so we get back to business talking about current events and trends from a homeschool biblical worldview. Also we try a new fall treat. Come along!

In this personal and insightful episode Jessica shares what she's learned about how to make homeschooling sustainable for the mom, including specific self-care ideas and tips for moms in all stages. About Jessica Jessica is a wife, homeschool mom of three, author, and blogger. She lives in sunny North Carolina on a big family farm with chickens, goats, cousins, and lots of mud. Resources  Jessica's Weekly Review Favorite Things Connect Jessica Smartt | Instagram | Facebook | Website Homeschooling.mom | Instagram | Website Subscribe to our YouTube channel | YouTube Have you joined us at one of the Great Homeschool Conventions?  We hope to see you there! For more encouragement on your homeschooling journey, visit the Homeschooling.mom site, and tune in to our sister podcast The Charlotte Mason Show. View full show notes on the blog.

One of my goals through this podcast is to be honest and open about homeschooling and my own journey throughout the years. I have personally seen great benefit in hearing stories from other homeschool moms throughout the years. Today, I want to share with you 4 things that made me want to quit homeschooling. My hope is not to bring you down, but rather to encourage you that what you are feeling comes and goes during the homeschool years. There is nothing wrong with having the feeling of wanting to quit because of a few specific things, but it's what you do with those thoughts that makes the difference. May you gain hope to continue on in the journey through this episode. ♥ Leigh   DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint   CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome    GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship   SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal     Website -  https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoollifestylecommunity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/     Listen to these related episodes: 405. What To Do When Your Kids Aren't As Excited About Homeschooling As You Are   304. The Trend I've Observed Towards Quitting Homeschool:  When, Who, And Why    322. Time Blocking The Homeschool Day To Get Everything Done 

In this Hidden Value session, David sits down with Latham to explore his journey from engaging in the education of his child through homeschooling to aspiring to turn his insights and experiences into a community-centric business.Latham shares his passion for education, the challenges of transitioning his ideas into a business, and the importance of understanding his potential market through meaningful conversations.The discussion covers personal experiences, strategies for validating ideas, monetization, and overcoming the fear of rejection when presenting a new concept.Join us as we dive deep into creating impactful learning experiences and the entrepreneurial steps involved in making a significant societal contribution.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage00:17 Reflecting on Personal and Educational Journey01:14 Transitioning from Personal to Professional Goals01:52 Exploring Business Opportunities and Challenges02:32 Strategies for Engaging Potential Clients03:42 Understanding the Market and Client Needs04:54 Overcoming Personal Barriers to Business Conversations06:45 Developing a Business Model and Pricing Strategy09:03 Executing the Plan and Seeking Feedback19:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

The Heroes of Asgard by Annie and Eliza Keary - part 22: Reflections in the Water ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Melissa Wiley takes the mic solo this week for a heartwarming look inside her current homeschool life with her youngest, sixteen-year-old Huck. Drawing from her decades of experience as both author and homeschooling mother of six, Melissa walks listeners through a day in the life of their family's “tidal homeschooling” rhythm—where structured “high tide” study meets creative “low tide” exploration. She shares how her son's outdoor program, their history-and-literature studies, and rich family traditions—film club and nightly read-alouds—keep learning alive and joyful.If you've ever wondered how homeschooling evolves through the teen years—or how to nurture curiosity and connection as your family grows—this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight. Melissa also touches on her creative work, finding balance as a writer and parent, and how rhythms of learning shift with each new life chapter.Resources:Teens and Books: A Deep Dive with Dawn SmithFinally: Not Boring History with Emily GlanklerTidal Homeschooling: The Ebb & Flow of Home Education with Melissa WileyFind the Moomins books in the Brave Writer Book ShopFall class registration is open!Visit Julie's Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie's new book, Help! My Kid Hates WritingBrave Learner Home: bravewriter.com/brave-learner-homeLearn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programsStart a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that's sure to grab and keep your child's attentionSubscribe to Julie's Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa's Catalog of EnthusiasmsSign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684Connect with Julie:Instagram: @juliebravewriterThreads: @juliebravewriterBluesky: @bravewriter.comFacebook:

While we're taking a break from the podcast, we're revisiting one of our favourite chats about homeschooling. Kat and Latisha are joined by Deja to talk about what it's really like learning from home. A Bestie writes in about struggling to find social time, and the girls share their advice for staying connected and figuring out who your real friends are outside the classroom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever walked away from a conversation about your big idea feeling deflated because your friends or family just didn't get it? It's happened to us all... but what if I told you, the lack of buy-in from those around you is less about them and more about who you're being in the conversation?There's one pivotal shift that can transform that fleeting "idea of the week" feeling into a self-assured vision that will command the support of your "core team." It's time to stop shouldering the burden of doubt and learn how to get so clear on your money-making vision that it generates its own momentum. Press play and once you're done listening, do the meditation below... and let's get you on a call to activate your next level of making money. Let's activate your next level of money making

Text Sue what you think!Watch Video Version HereStill searching for a checklist to prove you're “doing it right”?In this episode, Sue Patterson breaks down why unschooling doesn't come with boxes to check — and why that's both scary and freeing. Join a coaching-call-inspired conversation about the brain's habit of seeking structure, why we feel compelled to “perform” as parents, and how we can shift from tracking tasks to checking connection. If you're a parent moving away from school-style validation toward real life learning, this episode will help you reframe success, reconnect with your child, and trust your own rhythm.Keywords: unschooling, deschooling, homeschooling, checklist mentality, parenting without curriculum, connection over structure, unschooling parents, free-range learning, trusting your rhythmYou'll learn:Why our obsession with checklists comes from a school-brain still wired for “right answers”How unschooling challenges that structure — and what to do insteadA simple daily question to replace “Did I finish the list?” with “Did we connect today?”Why “progress” looks different in unschooling — and how to see what's realResources mentioned:365 Days of DeschoolingSeasonal Unschooling Guides Strewing CalendarCreating Confidence Unschooling Membership (community & coaching)Tune in to reset your checklist culture and rediscover freedom, curiosity, and trust in learning together.Listen now on all major podcast platforms.Read the transcript here at the Unschooling Mom2Mom Blog.Support the show_____________________________________________________As always, reach out if you need more help. You don't have to do this alone!Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourcesLike what you're hearing - buy Sue a cup of coffee! Buy Me a Coffee Creating Confidence Membership Group Podcast listeners can join without the sign up fee - so use this link! UNSCHOOLING 101 Course Math WITHOUT Curriculum Course Unschooling Transcript Course Seasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue www.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

The holidays don't always look like a perfect Christmas snow globe, a cozy commercial, or your favorite influencer's Instagram feed. In reality, they're 50/50 — part joy, part chaos. Some moments feel magical… and others leave you wondering how to keep it all together. That's exactly why I created The Christmas Countdown — eight weeks of real coaching for real parents who want to stay grounded, present, and connected through the season.

Family devotions are an incredibly important part of the lifeblood of your home. Do without them and your home suffers in obvious and not so obvious ways (and the not so obvious ways are the scariest). This episode discusses a few practical considerations that will help you to get started with devotions in your home or will help you be more consistent than you may be now. About Sean Sean Allen is the founder of The Well Ordered Homeschool, husband to his beautiful bride Caroline and a proud father of eight. He has a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design and is passionate about creating materials to assist parents in the incredibly challenging, yet surpassingly beautiful, work of schooling and training their children at home. Resources  Find a Great Homeschool Convention near you! Connect Sean Allen | Instagram | Facebook | Website Homeschooling.mom | Instagram | Website Subscribe to our YouTube channel | YouTube Have you joined us at one of the Great Homeschool Conventions?  We hope to see you there! For more encouragement on your homeschooling journey, visit the Homeschooling.mom site, and tune in to our sister podcast The Charlotte Mason Show. View full show notes on the blog.

Send us a textWhen I first started homeschooling, I said I could never do it—I wasn't a teacher, I didn't have the patience, and I definitely didn't have the time. But three weeks in, I've learned lessons that surprised me—and the best part? They apply to every mom, whether you homeschool or not. In this episode, I'm sharing the three biggest lessons homeschooling has taught me about routines, motivation, and letting go. If you're craving a little more clarity and calm in your day, these lessons are exactly what you need.Mentioned in this episode:

In this episode, I dive into: Why I decided to start homeschooling, what pulled me to it (despite the fact that public school made way more logical sense) and how I decided to finally go all inHow I fit homeschooling in our day-to-day schedule while also running a businessThe things I've cut from my business so that I maintain a lean, profitable, joyful business while being able to be as preset as possible when it comes to school and motherhoodWhat kind of help and support I have to keep the ship running smooth! Especially with a husband who works out of town frequently with really long hours. Enjoy!To learn more about working with Cassie, visit her website: Cassiebiltzcoaching.com

What if homeschooling could feel like discovering Narnia while everyone else is just playing hide and seek? In this inspiring episode of Everyday Educator, Lisa Bailey connects with Janine Bell, Country Coordinator for Classical Conversations in the United Kingdom, for a fascinating conversation about building classical Christian communities across the pond. Janine shares her family's pioneering journey as home educators in a country where most people still think homeschooling is illegal—and how God has used Classical Conversations to transform not just education, but entire family cultures. What You'll Discover: The surprising history of home education in the UK (and why most Brits thought it was against the law!) How Classical Conversations is helping rebuild community and authentic conversation in a culture known for its "stiff upper lip" The story of the UK's first CC graduate and the miraculous provision of classical Christian universities Real barriers facing home educators in Britain—including pending legislation that could restrict parental freedom Why British Christians struggle with the idea that homeschooling might be "hiding their light" (and Janine's powerful response) How God is using "the new dog to teach the old dog" as America shares classical education with its British roots Janine's transparency about her own doubts and discoveries—from making report cards at home to becoming the UK's country coordinator—offers hope to every parent who wonders if they're equipped for this calling. Her passion for seeing families discover the "Narnia" of classical community is absolutely contagious.   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Judson College At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable. Ready to answer your calling? Apply to Judson College today and step into God's plan for your life. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

The Heroes of Asgard by Annie and Eliza Keary - part 21: The King of the Sea and his Daughters ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Host Paul Pacelli wondered on Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" whether the starvation death of an 11-year-old girl - thought to have been homeschooled - should result in tighter homeschooling controls and protections (00:39). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio joined us with her thoughts on the possibility of increased state oversight over homeschooling (14:50). Columnist and blogger Chris Powell dropped by on the latest big stories, including his thoughts on the "No Kings" rallies (25:01) Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Episode 165: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 (a special episode for Eden and Griffin Tanis) For more information about Real Cool History for Kids, visit the show HOMEPAGE at angelaodell.com. 

273. Wise Living: Why to Get Outside and Travel and Read Aloud with Amber O'Neal Johnston   “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV   *Transcription Below*   Amber O'Neal Johnston is an author, speaker, and Charlotte Mason homeschooling mom who blends life-giving books and a culturally rich environment for her four children and others seeking to do the same. She recommends we offer children opportunities to see themselves and others reflected in their lessons, especially throughout their books, and she's known for sharing literary “mirrors and windows” on HeritageMom.com and @heritagemomblog. Amber is also the author of Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy-Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture and A Place to Belong, a guide for families of all backgrounds on raising kids to celebrate their heritage, community, and the world.   www.HeritageMom.com www.SoulSchoolBook.com www.APlaceToBelongBook.com www.instagram.com/heritagemomblog www.facebook.com/heritagemomblog   Thank You to Our Sponsor:  Sam Leman Eureka   Questions that We Discussed: Looking back, what would you say has helped to shape your children's character the most? What have you learned about the importance of getting our kids (and ourselves) out into nature? How do you actually make time to be a content creator and to also homeschool and travel and host?   Other Related Episodes from The Savvy Sauce: 53 Practical Life Tips with Blogger, Rach Kincaid 57 Implementing Bite-Size Habits That Will Change Your Life with Author, Blogger, Podcaster, and Speaker, Kat Lee 82 Traveling with Your Family with Katie Mueller 84 Ordering Your Priorities with Kat Lee 103 Making Family Memories with Jessica Smartt 200 Planting Seeds of Faith in Our Children with Courtney DeFeo 204 Charlotte Mason Inspired Mini-Series: A Delectable Education with Emily Kiser 207 Cultivating Character in Our Children with Cynthia Yanof 212 School Series: Benefits of Homeschooling with Jodi Mockabee 253 Low Tech Parenting with Erin Loechner   Connect with The Savvy Sauce Our Website, Instagram or Facebook    Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 2:01) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today over 55 years later at Sam Leman Chevrolet Inc. in Eureka. Owned and operated by the Burchie family, Sam Leman's in Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at LehmanGM.com.   Amber O'Neal Johnston is my fascinating guest for today. She's an author and speaker and coach and she's just chosen to live a very wise life as a wife and mother, and I think you're going to enjoy gleaning practical tips such as the benefits of getting our children out in nature regardless of their age. She has teens and makes this super practical for things that they would enjoy too, and she shares these incredible benefits of what happens when we simply step outdoors. She's also going to share approachable ways to introduce our family to great art and other cultures, and she gives us a fabulous book list, so, make sure you stay tuned through the end of the episode so that you can see some of the top books that she recommends. Finally, if you don't have a copy of her own latest release entitled Soul School, I highly recommend you purchase that today. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Amber.   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (2:02 - 2:04) Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here.   Laura Dugger: (2:04 - 2:14) Well, I'd love for you just to start us off and introduce us to your family, and will you just share a glimpse of your values and lifestyle?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (2:15 - 3:48) Absolutely. So, I live outside of Atlanta, Georgia with my husband Scott and our four children. We are just entering birthday season, but shortly they will be 16, 14, 12, and 10. The girls are the two oldest. The boys are the two youngest, and they've been homeschooled from the beginning, so, we're a homeschooling family. I'm originally from Illinois. My husband's originally from Ohio, but we met here in Atlanta at the High Museum of Art, which is really special. We are art loving, you know, fine arts loving, liberal arts loving family, and so, the idea that we met at the museum, I will just cherish that forever. I came to, before homeschooling, I was a stay-at-home mom, and prior to having children, I have an MBA, and I worked in corporate America in like marketing and advertising, and Scott comes from a similar background with the MBA, and he was doing work in that area too, so, we had that as a connection point, but I have always stayed home with the kids, and you know, our values are rooted in our Christian faith, and we're an African-American family, and so, we have values and cultural aspects that enter our home through that avenue as well. We are world travelers, so, we enjoy that as part of who we are, and I'm an author and a speaker, and I'm just a very happy homeschooler.   Laura Dugger: (3:48 - 4:12) I love that, and it sounds like such a rich and abundant life, and there's two little connections that I have to go back to. My husband and I had a date at that same museum. I love that you met your husband there. Oh wow, that's wild! And so, we met when we were in Atlanta, but live in Illinois now, so, which part of Illinois were you originally from?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (4:12 - 4:33) I'm from Elgin, Illinois. It's out past O'Hare Airport, and I was born and raised there. My parents were both public school principals there. My dad was principal of Elgin High, and there's actually an elementary school, Ron O'Neal Elementary School in Elgin, named after my father, so, that is where I'm from.   Laura Dugger: (4:33 - 4:46) Wow, okay, so, then even with that piece, your father being a principal, and then you said you've homeschooled since the beginning. Did you always anticipate you would homeschool, or what was your journey into that?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (4:47 - 7:15) Oh my gosh, never, and it's both of my parents were principals, so, that's wild. My grandfather was an elected school board official. My sister was an elected school board official, so, public school is just, you know, in my blood from the very beginning, and that's what I assumed I would do for my kids at first. Once Scott and I got married, and we had discussed it, we decided that I would stay home when they were little, and when they were old enough to go to school, I would go back to work, and my salary would pay for private Christian school tuition, and as the years, you know, months really came to fruition for my oldest, my husband started backpedaling, and he started talking this crazy talk about homeschooling. I'm like, that's a switcheroo for you. What are you talking about? I was like, that's weird. I don't want to do that. I don't feel called to do that. That does not seem like a comfortable space for me. I don't want my kids to endure that, and ultimately, I lacked confidence in that. I couldn't even articulate it. It felt scary, terrifying. Why would I take something so weighty into my own hands, and Scott was very persistent, and I can't even explain why he was so persistent about it, but I think to me, I feel like it was planted in him by the Lord, and he felt that this was the way he wanted to lead his family, and he did it so graciously because I was very resistant. He asked, would you please try it for one year, and if you are unhappy, you don't think it's right. I'll never ask you about it again, and that gave me a softer place to land where I felt like it wasn't signing up for a long-term commitment because I knew I was going to hate it, and I said, sure. I will do that, and oh, my gosh. It was the most amazing year, and I laugh now because my daughter was four, so, she's like four and turned five during that year, and so, she was so young, and people were like, well, what were you really doing, but I took it so seriously. I was doing all things, and I joined a homeschool support group, and I was reading about it, and I realized on Friday, I'm a stay-at-home mom, and on Monday, I took on this identity of a homeschooling mom, and it's just been a beautiful journey for us. I'm so thankful that the Lord led Scott in that way. He knew what was right, not just for our children, but for me, too, when I had no vision for it, and so, I'm just, you know, very grateful.   Laura Dugger: (7:16 - 7:30) I love that story. That's such an encouragement, and, okay, your oldest is turning 16, so, when you look back, what would you say has helped shape your children's character the most?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (7:32 - 9:29) Well, I think the time that we've all had to spend together, like intense amounts of time, so, not just quality time or quantity time, but both, and I think that there's nothing else I could have done that could replace that, so, I think that's one of the things. I think my own acceptance of the divine nature of me being their mother and those being my children, and really that leading me to embrace my mother's intuition, which is something that I was hesitant for at first because there are so many experts, and surely they know so much more than me, and that's not to say that that's not important. I read so widely. I'm always reading expert ideas and views, but what I realized is that those things can help me as tools. They can mentor me, but they can't master me because the master has already appointed me as the perfect mom for these children, and nobody knows them, the little tiny details of them that nobody knows more than me, and so, when I leaned into that and I'm like, yeah, this says this online, this book said that, this thing says that, I can take what I can from those, but ultimately I feel the spirit telling me and leading me in this way with these children, and when I really leaned into that, I have a right to do that. I am their mother. That revolutionized things, and I think that's what's helped shape my children's character the most is my willingness to lean into how I'm led to lead them, and so, that's been a motherhood journey for me, and I hope that it's a legacy that I leave with my children.   Laura Dugger: (9:31 - 9:53) And do you have any specific stories that come to mind that were examples of that mother's intuition, something that really I think it is such a gift from the Lord and that the Holy Spirit speaks to us in some unique way as mothers to be in tune with our kids, so, is there a time that it really benefited them when you exercised your mother's intuition?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (9:53 - 12:42) Well, there was one time with my third, my son, my oldest son, his name is Beckett, and he was in the high chair eating while I was braiding my daughter's hair, and I heard him start making like these really weird noises, and I looked over and it was like he was choking and gagging, and I run over, and but he seemed fine, but then he would do it again, and he started sweating, and you know today I really would say, you should call 9-1-1, but I didn't, I threw all the kids in the car, and I rushed to the ER, and when we got there he wasn't choking anymore, he wasn't sweating, they did his vitals and everything, and they said, well mom, whatever happened passed, he's fine, and you guys can go home, and I was like, no, he's not fine, I'm looking at him, he's not my little boy, his vitals are checking out, but he's not looking at me the way he normally looks at me, he's not interacting with me, the little funny things that I can make him smile all the time, he's not responding to them, and so, like, I know you have your tests, but like my, I'm telling you something's wrong with my little boy, so, they have a doctor, he comes in to tell me everything's fine, and he's sending me home, and so, I was like, well I'm not leaving, I'll just spend the night in the ER then with all my kids, because I know something's wrong, and the doctor, who's this older man, he turns to me, he looks me in my eyes, and he says, you know, in all my years of medical training, there's something that they never told us, but something I've learned throughout my career, never doubt a mother's intuition, and he said, we'll take him and run more tests, and they took Beckett back to run more tests, and they came back and said, you were right, he has swallowed a coin, and it's like just teetering on the precipice, and so, at times it was blocking his airway, and at times it was shifted a little bit, and we have to go in immediately and get it, and that could have choked him, if you had just gone home and put him down to bed, and so, in that story, I took away two things, one, that I am his mother, and I don't care what the test says, or what the data says, or what the news, or a book, at the end of the day, I knew that something was wrong with my boy, the other thing is the graciousness of that doctor, to see my humanity and my personhood beyond just the insurance payment, or protocol, or whatever, it let me know that like there's something powerful about letting other people know that you see them, and that you are connected to them, as another part of God's creation, like he respected me on that level, so.   Laura Dugger: (12:43 - 13:35) That is incredible, I'm so grateful that that story has a happy ending, and that you were assertive to say that, I think sometimes as women, probably especially as Christian women, we can think, oh I want to be nice, or not push back on somebody, but I love that you were assertive, it was what was in your child's best interest, and like you highlighted, that doctor's humility is admirable, but Amber, you mentioned too that you're a writer, and you contribute a lot to things like the Wild and Free bundles, and I was always struck by the way that you would be out in nature, and there's so much to learn, so, if you had to boil it down, what wisdom would you have to share from what you've learned about the importance of getting our kids and ourselves outdoors into nature?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (13:36 - 16:49) Yeah, that's so funny, I love that you asked me that, because I like to tell people I was raised in the air conditioning, and so, there is no one who began motherhood further away from nature and being outdoors than me, like, and I can look back at those early days of like, I knew you could take your kids to the playground, and I did do that, but like what else would you do outside, you know, and people would be like, oh we went hiking on this trail, and I was like, where did you get on it, like where do you find a trailhead, like I mean this is back, like this is where I was coming from, and I was just like, and then what would we do, like we just walk, and do we talk about trees, I don't know any trees, I know Christmas trees are evergreens, you know, so, it was just like coming from this very like foundational place where I didn't know anything, but I believed, right, I believed, I somehow inherently believed when I read that being outdoors was important for children, so, I'm reading Charlotte Mason's work, and she's talking about nature study, I'm reading Last Child in the Woods by Louvre, and I'm hearing about this, he calls it a nature deficit disorder, and I'm reading all of these different kind of people who really respected childhood, and personhood, and really wanted the best for children, I'm reading a Christian perspective of the joy in connecting with God's creation, first and foremost, but also this idea of encouraging natural and authentic physical activity, running, climbing, balancing, exploring, developing coordination, and confidence, and the mental health components, you know, reducing stress, and improving mood, and not just for the kids, but my friend from A Thousand Hours Outside, she talks about how the first time she like took her kids out for the whole day, it was for her, because she was going crazy with these all these little kids, and the house, and the bags, and the diaper bag, and the snacks, and she didn't know what else to do, so, she just went outside, and how healing that was, and therapeutic that was for all of them, the idea of curiosity, of fueling curiosity, and creativity, I've never seen my kids come up with the most, I mean, they come up with imaginative things in our house, but outside, the, oh my goodness, the things they come up with, the things they create, and make, and the storytelling that comes out of that, and I think the family bonds, our experiences, it's another way of memory making, I mean, we make memories when we go see plays, and musicals, and travel as well, so, it's not the only way, but it's a strong way of that shared outdoor adventures, so, like a couple weeks ago, we were all whitewater rafting, it's funny, like a lot of funny things happen when you're out there doing crazy stuff, and so, we have a lot of laughter, and we have a lot of inside jokes that come from our time together, so, I think that all of those, it's not just one thing, it's one of those rare things where there are all the pros, and there really are no cons, and so, I intentionally embrace that for my family, even though it's everything that I didn't have growing up.   Laura Dugger: (16:50 - 17:41) Wow, that is so interesting, I love how books have really inspired you to make changes that have benefited your entire family, and I'm thinking back years ago when I was in grad school, studying marriage and family therapy, there was this book that we read, Letters to a Young Therapist, I believe the author is Mary Pipher, and she said something that I found to be very true in my life, she said, from childhood when we all look back, our memories typically boil down to three categories, one is family dinners around the table, the second is traveling with our family, and the third is anytime we were outdoors, and so, I'm wondering that legacy that you're giving your kids, they're going to have an abundance of memories in all three of those buckets.   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (17:42 - 18:29) Yeah, I love that, and I had never read that, it's making me want to go and read her work, but I can't agree more, I mean that's what I've seen anecdotally, at least in my family, and it's definitely been the case for us, I can totally see that, the other thing I love about outdoors too is it's free, you know, so, there have, we've had times of plenty and times of not quite enough financially throughout our journey, due to layoffs, and you know, recessions, and all these different things, but that has been one thing that the travel hasn't always been as consistent as we wanted, but the nature, the time outside has always been accessible, even during COVID, that was accessible to us, so, I love it for that too, but yeah, that's really cool.   Laura Dugger: (18:29 - 18:41) Absolutely, okay, so, you started with, you were getting some inspiration from different books and speakers, but then when did you actually implement this? Do you remember how old your kids were?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (18:42 - 20:11) Right away, so, my oldest was like four, five years old, and we started going outside, now again, we had always been going to the park, so, they had been spending a lot of time outside, but I will say like that's like a very, you know, man-made structures, and you know, I can't think of it, like very cultivated space, so, we weren't spending time in uncultivated space until around there, so, maybe a four-year-old, two-year-old, and infant, and I know they started growing up in that way, and I had kids in an ergo on the back, and I remember hiking with a kid in an ergo on the front, and then snapped another one on the back, and you know, these are memories I have of being outdoors thoroughly by the time the boys were coming along, and I remember the story where we were at a creek, and I looked up for a moment, and just sheer panic that my little boy was gone, he wasn't in my eyesight anymore, and the girls were playing there, and I'm like, you know, and I look, and look, and look, and there's nothing, and no one, and all I can think you sees in the water, and I wasn't paying attention, and my heart's racing, and I'm like, girls, where's your brother? And my daughter says, mommy, he's sleeping on your back. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I just think, like, I was so tired during those years, and I just remember, I would just think, let's just go outside, and some days that's just the most I could come up with, but yeah, I was freaking out, and the little boy was sleeping on my back.   Laura Dugger: (20:12 - 21:50) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka has been owned and operated by the Burchie family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle. This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life, and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so, come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you, and they appreciate your business. Learn more at their website, LehmanEureka.com, or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them at 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   I'm wondering too, so, when you began, what did you start with? What did you do outside?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (21:51 - 24:13) So, we started with walking, and I also was very verbal about my, what I felt were my inadequacies with friends, and that's why, you know, I can't overemphasize the, I haven't brought that up yet, but the idea of community. You don't need a hundred friends, just a few people who either are doing the same thing as you, have done it, or know you personally so well. But I had a friend who was like this outdoor enthusiast, and I always admired her for that, and she'd be like, oh, I went to the hydrangeas, they're coming out today, and they're gonna bloom for four days, and you know, like, and she would be like, oh, do you want some wild blueberries? And I'd be looking at her with side eye, like, girl, I only eat blueberries from Publix, because how do I know that you know what you're doing? You know, those could be poisonous berries you identified wrong. So, we had this kind of ongoing thing, I just asked her, I was like, hey, could we go outside with you guys sometimes? And she was like, of course. So, our first hike was with her and her kids, and she showed me how to go outside and do nothing. Like, we didn't do anything, we just walked. And the kids let us, you know, they would stop and ponder things and ask questions, which she knew the answers to, but wouldn't answer. So, she was like, well, what do you think? Or that's something cool we can investigate, or whatever. So, I realized, wow, here's this expert naturalist who's not even using her expertise. I don't have any expertise, so I could do the same thing. Well, what do you think about that? So, the kids let us, we stopped when they stopped, we kept going when they kept going. We had plenty of water and snacks, which she had told me, which was important. And that was my first thing. It was a hike. And after that, I only went back to that place by myself with my kids without her, because that was the only trail I knew. I knew where to park and where to go, and I felt confident. And then lo and behold, I run into Charlotte Mason's work, where she talks about returning to the same place throughout the year, and having your kids compare what's happening their season to season. And so, different rationale for why I was doing that. But then I was like, look, there's beauty, even in the simplicity of me not knowing what else to do. So, that's kind of how we got into it. And then I started having more experience and going out and being more adventurous further away from home with my kids.   Laura Dugger: (24:14 - 24:24) Okay, so, then what other ways has it evolved? You mentioned whitewater rafting. So, you've got teens now. What does your time outdoors look like in this phase?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (24:25 - 26:02) So, lots of camping. So, you know, Memorial Day weekend, you know, we were camping in yurts with friends. This past weekend, we camped, we had a big Juneteenth celebration, and then we went camping for Juneteenth weekend. And so, I would say that kayaking, paddle boards, we have paddle boards, we take out fishing, I hate fishing personally, don't like it at all. But two of my kids enjoy fishing. So, I'm there for that. I'll just bring a book or whatever, because it's quite boring to me, but they love it. So, we moved. I mean, how much of a commitment is that we moved to a different house, when we were able to have our whole property is forest floor. So, it's completely shaded and intertwined with trees and plants and a kind of wild scape. And across the road is a lake where the boys can fish and I can call their names for lunch and they can hear me now. I have to yell it loud. It's kind of country. Other people probably like what is going on? I'm like, you know, but they can hear me right there. And so, the creek and just really everything. A lot, a lot of hiking, I will say we live near a mountain and we're in Georgia. So, the North Georgia mountains are not far from us. We have Appalachia or Appalachia, as my friend said, I mispronounce it. And yeah, there's nothing that isn't my one of my first dates with Scott was whitewater rafting. So, we've always kind of embraced that.   Laura Dugger: (26:03 - 26:37) Oh, that's a special way to tie in a married couple memory with your kids and get to pass that along. And water and mountains, those things are, they never get old. But I've heard others even say like, you don't have to take stuff other than water and snacks, like you mentioned, to go outside. But I like the practical tips that sometimes people take art supplies, and they can nature journal or a book to read aloud. Do you have any other practical tips like that, that you would encourage if somebody wanted to get started with this lifestyle?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (26:38 - 28:47) Yeah, I would say, um, we, okay, the best thing I can say is to just try it like I think that oftentimes I know my I'm like this, you want to try to be an expert at something before you actually put it into practice. And the point is, like, we're looking at someone's work or something that they're doing after years that they've been in practice. And then we're expecting to do that from the very beginning. And until we get there, we don't want to do it. So, for example, nature study, nature journaling, I always admired nature journaling. But when you look at people's nature journals that they people who are willing to share, there's usually a reason they're willing to share theirs because it looks beautiful. And mine didn't also look beautiful. But I was still willing to give it a try. And I love that. And I love my kids, what they've worked on. And I cherish all of our early beginning sketches. And quite honestly, I'm still not great. But I think having tools like watercolor pens and water pens where we can do watercolor on the go. And we've done many pictures out by the side of the creek on picnic blankets, especially like my older children while younger people are like, What do I do with these little ones like water, you know, like they love that splashing, making sandcastles and things while I'm painting or doing things watercolors with the with the older ones. And were they museum worthy? No. But there was a lot of enjoyment involved in a skill-based learning. So, I think asking questions and inquiry, using pictures, sure and painting, but also keeping track of things the the date that our cherry blossoms bloom, and our white cherry blossom blooms before the pink one every year and keeping track of that or paying trying to map all of the vegetation in our yard like we are, you know, know which trees what they're called where they come from that takes time. And those are things we've done. It's not like we're only just sitting there barefoot grounding ourselves and forest bathing. You know, we're out there learning as well. And I think that, you know, both are beautiful ways to enter into that.   Laura Dugger: (28:48 - 29:34) I love it. There's so many benefits. And you even mention grounding that helps so much going barefoot with inflammation and different body systems that are reset even by getting out and getting early morning light and the serotonin that's produced that turns into melatonin at night. So, we're happier in the day and sleepier at night, resetting systems in our eyes and like healing our body in different ways to an even how much better outdoor air is for us than indoor air. The benefits just go on and on. So, would you have any to add that either your family has experienced personally, or you've learned about just benefits of getting outdoors?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (29:34 - 31:29) Yeah, I think that one, even, you know, all the things you said, yes, and also the mental clarity. And that's why I don't like being time outdoors, being tied to a negative consequence for academic related behavior. So, the house across the road from ours, you know, I could say ironically, or just be like, God chose to gift us. It's a homeschooling family. They moved in a couple years ago, and they have some kids are some of our kids are similar ages. And our boys are just outside all the time together hours and hours and hours every single day. And I see the difference on days where the weather doesn't permit it or where one family or the other, you know, isn't available. There's a difference in terms of clarity and the work that's happening at the lesson table as well. And this came up, you know, my nephew, you know, they're not homeschooled, and his parents took him on a trip, which caused him to miss a day of school. And he missed an assignment that day, he didn't turn it in. And so, the school then when he got back to school punished him by keeping him indoors for recess. And I was helping, you know, my family craft a note that talks about two things. One, they punished a child for a decision the parents made. And that is grossly unfair, they should be talking to the parents about not missing school, if that's the important thing. And the second thing is, you took away the very thing that allows these children to have what they need to sit quietly and take in, you know, that that's not, that's not how you that's not an appropriate consequence. So, anyway, I feel that the mental clarity beyond the things I would have named the same things you already said, it would be the only other thing that I would bring in and why time outside actually helps us to achieve deeper and broader and more expansive learning when we are inside.   Laura Dugger: (31:29 - 31:54) That's good. And I love how you keep mentioning the piece of community that that's the best way to do this. So, regardless of somebody homeschools, or they don't, how can all of us actually prioritize this? And what's a good, healthy goal for getting started, even as specific as how much time outdoors, how many outdoors or how many days a week should we be outdoors?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (31:55 - 33:01) Yeah, that's, it's so different for every family, I think that you should go just past the point of comfort, you know, for most of us. So, if the point of comfort for you is like 30 minutes a week, then you would start out like aim for an hour a week, you know, 20 minutes, three days, if you're already outside for, you know, 10 hours, a couple hours each day, you know, I would say, maybe shake it up with what you're doing and see what would it be like to go on a really long outdoor excursion on a Saturday, or to take a day off or something like that. So, I don't want to say an exact number, because we're all entering in at a different place. For me, if someone had told me to spend eight hours outside with my kids, when I was first starting, and I'm used to going to playground for 20 minutes, that would have been overwhelming. And I would have been like; there's no way I'm ever gonna do it. So, I think like, just taking it, like, where do I feel most comfortable? And how can I push myself just past that point would be a great place to start and kind of a nice place to always stay? Like, what's the next thing that we can do to lean further into this?   Laura Dugger: (33:02 - 33:15) That's really good, very wise counsel. And Amber, you've mentioned that your family loves to travel. So, will you share any adventures that you've had as a family with world schooling?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (33:16 - 36:20) So, our goal, and it's just a fun thing, you know, I don't know if we'll totally do it, but I think we will, is to have children. So, for us, world schooling is where we're not on vacation, but we're actually deeply immersed in a learning stance in another country, another part of the world. And we're trying to do that on every continent, except Antarctica, before my oldest graduates. So, we have two continents left, we are going to be going to Asia in the fall. So, we'll be taking that one off of our list and for that particular feat. And then her senior year, we'll do Australia and hop over to New Zealand. That's the plan, if it's God's will for us to do that, that's what we would like to do, and that will complete our journey. And then we'll keep traveling, but that was just kind of a fun thing to help lead us, because there are so many places in the world to go, like how do you know? And so, that kind of helped us know, well, let's do this continent, let's do that continent. So, we took our first trip, we spent three months in South America, most of it spent in Bolivia. And I can tell you exactly the kids' ages, because my youngest turned two in Bolivia. So, they were two, four, six, and then one turned eight there. And so, that was, you know, diapers, I had a baby in diapers, a little one in diapers and still nursing when we went on our first trip. And I've never regretted that. People have said, why would you take kids so young? You know, they're not going to remember. And I think a couple thoughts. One, you'd be surprised, they do remember. They may not remember this artifact in some museum, but that's not what we spend most of our time doing. But they remember the people. And we've kept in touch with a lot of the people that we've met in these different countries. And we've even had visitors in our home, staying in our basement apartment that we met abroad. So, they do remember. They remember how things feel and taste more than they remember exactly, like historical markers and things like that. Also, I kind of compare it to like breastfeeding and nursing, like my kids, except for one little boy who held on way too long, but they don't remember that. But I believed that it was something good for them that was forming. It was helping to form who they were, not so much who they were personality wise, but their bodies as they were growing. And so, sometimes we do things that are foundational to our children's development, even if they don't have a conscious and direct memory of that thing. And that's how I see world travel. So, we've been to Europe, and we were in Greece when COVID hit. We were in the middle of a big trip there. So, we had the whole struggle to get back to the United States. We've been to West Africa, most spent in Ghana, England, France. We're going to Ethiopia this year. So, yeah, that's kind of, that's our thing.   Laura Dugger: (36:20 - 37:04) Wow. And those memories are incredible. Even let's say your children forget some of this, or if they're too young to remember all of it, you remember this and you get to share those stories with them and pass that along. I can't even imagine all of the learning that takes place from being immersed in those other cultures. But you also mentioned welcoming people into your basement apartment. So, you sound hospitable as a family. What does that actually look like? And I'm kind of going to throw two questions at you. What does that actually look like? And then both for world schooling and hospitality, what are tips for ways we can replicate that as well?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (37:06 - 39:52) So, one thing that's important to me to always share about world schooling, I have a whole chapter about our world schooling adventures in my first book, but one important thing that I call out there is Eli Gerzen. He's the guy who came up with the word world schooling. And he says, you know, we don't even need a passport to do it. That world schooling is really learning from the world around you. It could be your local library. It could be the internet. It could be your neighbors. And so, while I use this more global term of world schooling, because that's just what we call it in our family, the truth of the matter is it's a way of seeing the world and seeing all the opportunity to make connections right where you're sitting. And people are like, oh, you guys have so much money. I can't do that. First of all, we don't have so much money. Like, for instance, we have one car, right? So, there are sacrifices that we make that other people may choose to spend their money in a different way. So, we definitely don't have a ton of money. But more importantly, I'm thinking, yeah, you're saying that you don't have money, but how much have you explored your county? Like, what do you know about the history of your county? And have you been to your local historical society? And have you really, you know, got in? Have you been to an old the oldest cemetery within driving distance of your home? Have you gotten a tour of it to hear the stories of who's there? Like, you can have that same inquiry and curiosity without ever leaving. So, I'll say that first. And in terms of the hospitality part, it's like an it's an intention, right? You have to like, decide that you're going to do that, because it's so much easier not to have people at first view, like, oh, my house is not clean, and blah, blah, blah. And people don't just stop by the way they used to stop by, like my grandparents' house, it was so fun staying there in the summer, because people just folks just came in and out all day, just they come calling is what they call it, they come calling. And even when we read Jane Austin, people leaving the call guard, you know, when they came to visit, and you weren't there, like, there was this idea that you didn't have to have an appointment. And now you do, you have to let someone know before you're coming. So, it's a choice to be vulnerable, if you want to be hospitable in that way that people will see your, you know, dirty bones of your house. And you know that you're not always presenting this, like really sanitized version of your family and your family life. And so, I think that's intentional decision to say it's more important to us to be with other people and let them in than it is for us to always sanitize everything before they get here. And I don't mean sanitizes and clean the house that too, but I mean sanitizes and everyone's behaving the way that I want them to behave in front of people and all of that as well.   Laura Dugger: (39:53 - 41:05) When was the first time you listened to an episode of The Savvy Sauce? How did you hear about our podcast? Did a friend share it with you? Will you be willing to be that friend now and text five other friends or post on your socials anything about The Savvy Sauce that you love? If you share your favorite episodes, that is how we continue to expand our reach and get the good news of Jesus Christ in more ears across the world. So, we need your help.   Another way to help us grow is to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. Each of these suggestions will cost you less than a minute, but it will be a great benefit to us. Thank you so much for being willing to be generous with your time and share. We appreciate you.   Well, and I think it is a biblical command for all of us and it does bless the person or the people that we are hosting, but there are also rewards for us in the process. So, if you even just could think of one reward of a way that this hospitality has blessed your family, what would you say?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (41:07 - 41:55) Well, I would say John chapter five, it says, you know, this verse we've all heard, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit apart from me, you can do nothing." So, you know, when we talk about hospitality, we spend a lot of time talking about what my family is doing for other people. But also, that means that my family is constantly in contact with other believers and other people who are helping us with our faith to helping us to remain connected to Jesus. And without that connection, we know that there's nothing that we can do, nothing of any spiritual significance. So, while I'm inviting those people into our lives, it also ensures that my family is not alone in what we're trying to do in our faith. So, like, that's one of a very easy benefit, I can say right off the top.   Laura Dugger: (41:56 - 42:18) Then that one is truly invaluable for our children to get to witness the way other people live out their faith, and it impacts each of us. But I'm also curious, how do you manage your time so that you can be a content creator, and you can homeschool and travel and cultivate these relationships?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (42:20 - 46:08) So, first, let me say that it's not always easy. And there are seasons where I feel like I'm doing a really good job with that. And there are seasons where I feel like I'm not doing a good job. I always prioritize my family first. And so, during the seasons where I feel like I'm not doing a good job, it's very public. People can see I did not post on Instagram for a month, or I'm not speaking as much. They're finding it harder to find opportunities to hear me speak, or I have a long lull before books are published. Those are times where I've turned inward towards my family, where I felt like I didn't have the bandwidth for everything. And so, that's something I have to deal with on a constant basis, because I know that my business or my ministry is not as rich and robust as it could be. I have ideas for days. I have ideas and the ability to bring them to fruition. But I'm not willing to sacrifice the time that it takes to do those things in this season. Because even though I don't have little kids, I definitely have more time than I did when I had little kids. It's not even just time; it's more mind clarity as well. But I don't have as much time as people with little kids would think, because I want to be fully present, even for my teens. When they want to talk to me, I want to be talkable too. I want to be available to them. And we're going to places. We're doing things. They're busy. I'm busy. And I'm trying to prepare them for young adulthood. And that's just as time-consuming as trying to prepare my young children for the next stage of their development. So, I guess it's so messy. Oh my gosh, it's messy. It's chaotic. It's a little bit crazy. But in the center of it all, I really appreciate the opportunities I do have to do the things that help refuel, help me refuel. So, I'm a writer. So, writing isn't just about creating a book. It's that I get to create a book, but really it's about the process and how cathartic it is for me to sit in silence and wonder about things and be able to write them out. And oh, lo and behold, there's a publisher who is interested in publishing those things. But the real work for me is in the process of writing. Then when I come home from a coffee shop or I emerge from my room, I come back more enthusiastic about what it is we're working on and what we're doing. The other thing that I would share is that I don't do all of that stuff by myself. So, things that people don't, just like I say, I have one car and we travel the world, people are like, oh, okay, this is not what I thought. My husband does all the laundry, every piece of laundry in this house that the teens do their own, but all the laundry that's done, he does and has done for over a decade. So, that's a thing I have to say, because you might be picturing that I'm doing all of those things. Or when I wrote one of my books, I was struggling and Scott was like, how can I help you? And he was like, what if we get help to come in with the kids like a nanny or something a few hours a week? I'm like, no, that's the last thing I want somebody to touch. So, he's like, well, what is it? So, we hired a chef, and she would prepare all of our dinners according to like what I, how I like my family to eat and lots of whole foods and good things. And she would drop them off at our house. It was very expensive, but I used part of the money from the advance from the publisher to pay for that so that I could write the book. So, I think those are things that a lot of times people don't talk about, but I have support in place. I'm not super woman any more than anyone else.   Laura Dugger: (46:08 - 46:49) Oh, I appreciate that real picture and those creative ideas because as mothers, we don't just make goals for ourselves. Like you said, we have these dreams and ideas that we could put into practice, but we consider our relationships as well and how it will impact everyone. So, I love hearing practically how that plays out for you and the trade-offs that you've chosen to make. And I know that you and I also share a passion for reading aloud. So, if we could get really practical for a moment, what are some of your most recommended read aloud for families from a variety of age groups?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (46:50 - 53:05) Well, I'm always ready for that question, but I have to say, it's almost asking me, which of my children are my favorite? It's so hard in so many ways, but for younger elementary, I picked three books that I think kind of help show how expansive I feel like I want my children's reading life to be. So, this book is called Indigo Dreaming, and it's a book about two girls, one's in North America and another one we can believe is off the coast of Africa. And they're both doing what they do in their own homes. And it's beautifully illustrated also, but they're both doing what they do in their own homes while wondering, is there another little girl in this world doing what I do, liking what I like? Well, indeed there is. And it's poetic and it has soft paintings. It's just stunning. And then another one is called The Magic Doll. It's a children's book inspired by African art. And in this book, the mother desperately wants to have a child, but she's dealing with infertility, and she turns to the use of an infertility doll. And what would I say about that? My family doesn't believe that, but it's a book that I read with my children because we were going to visit this culture. And I wanted to explain to them how we can respect something and learn about it even without adopting it. And that you can understand the yearning of a mother's heart to hold a child in her hand and the desperation that that could bring about. And I wanted them to know that we would see fertility dolls there and what they meant and things like that. And it's also beautifully illustrated, which is important to me. And then this one's just a fun book. It's called I Had a Favorite Dress, but as the dress starts getting too small, she cuts it and turns it into a skirt. And then it gets turned into this. And then the little, small piece gets turned into some socks. And then it's just a little scarf and snip, snip, sew, sew, pretty hair bow. And so, the same piece of fabric, this favorite dress she had, every time she can't use it in that way anymore, it gets moved and shifted. Into something else. And this book reminds me to just, you know, sometimes we share heavier topics with our children, even beautiful topics, but sometimes it's just joy. Like that's the whole purpose of the book is to smile and have fun. And I'll move more quickly for the older elementary books. I have this book called Schomburg. It's a nonfiction book about Arturo Schomburg and the man who built a library, which is now housed. His home library is now housed as part of the collection of the public library system in New York. And he collected books about all types of black and brown people. And it was considered one of the foremost library collections. So, as a book lover, I love that story. This one's called Heart and Soul. It's the story of America and African Americans with stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson. So, I love visual art. I always say my family, we can't afford to buy the most exquisite art for our walls, but we have an exquisite art collection through our picture books that I've collected. And then the last one is for that group is John Henry by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney illustrations. So, those are two powerhouses of African American author and illustrator. Both have passed. And it is the tall tale of John Henry told in a way that you've never seen before. For older kids, like middle schoolers, I love this one Big Open Sky because it's about some black exodusters who are moving west. And it goes so well for families who love Little House on the Prairie. But, you know, Little House on the Prairie, in some ways, there's some instances that are a little disrespectful to Native Americans and black people. And this is like a redemptive story, not instead of but alongside of it to say that there were black people that were also moving westward and what was their journey. And it's written in verse, like, oh, my gosh, I can't even tell you enough about that. This book, The Angel Orphan, my friend Leah Bowden wrote this book, and it's the story of Charlotte Mason. So, in chapter book form. So, there's also a picture book that someone wrote, but this is a beautiful story about Charlotte Mason. And my family's all-time favorite on my kids read aloud is The Winged Feather Saga by Andrew Peterson. And that whole series, oh, my goodness, that cemented so much of our family lexicon, because it's filled with like made up words. And it I mean, we have jokes and talks and sayings for days coming out of that series. For our older teenagers, um, or even early elementary, early middle school and early teenage years, the Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is just like a such a classic, Mildred D. Taylor that many of us read. But she also wrote a young adult version where Cassie is entering young adulthood. So, different age audiences, but same author. And a lot of people haven't heard of the other book All the Days Past, All the Days to Come. So, for high school, I love that. And then I threw a couple things in for mama. I'm an epic story of called Homegoing about two sisters and the different paths their lives take during a time I'm part of it is told in Africa and part of its told in the United States. And the last book I have is this memoir, A Black Mother's Garden. It's called Soil. And she uses her actual real garden at her home to kind of give us this idea of life. And it's, it's, you know, it's, it's hard to explain, but it's her it's part memoir, part gardening, like learning and talking about the plants, but also how all of that can turn into kind of like the soil of your life and the people being plants, and she really focuses on wildflowers. So, it's a stunningly, like poignant and beautiful memoir. So, those are my favorite, you know, and now if you ask me tomorrow, you're going to get a different stack.   Laura Dugger: (53:07 - 53:27) I love it. What a gift to get to see all of those you and I share some of those favorites, and you've introduced me to some new ones. So, I'm very grateful and hope everybody listening feels the same. But speaking of books, you've authored more than one. But will you tell us about your most recent release entitled Soul School?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (53:28 - 55:58) Yeah, so, Soul School is it's Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture. And I know it's so hard with those. But it is a book of books. So, people who have enjoyed Honey for a Child's Heart, or The Read-Aloud Family, those types of books, which I have adored, and I have all of them, and I've highlighted them or, or Give Your Child the World is another one, highlighted them and dog eared them and have used them to check out books for the library for my children for many, many years. And, and at the same time, I was always very, you know, on my heart that the books that I spend a lot of time reading with my children that I choose and I select are never really included in most of those books.   And there was the season, you know, I'm like, frustrated, you know, I'm mad. I'm like, why? Why are they putting these books in here? And then the more I thought about it, I was like, the most you can ask for a mother to do when she's sharing these books, when it's coming from that is what she read with her children. So, am I going to be mad at her that she didn't read what I think she should read? No, do I wish that it had been more expansive? Sure, I do. But how many of us wouldn't go back and do something differently if knowing what we know today or whatever. So, I wrote a companion like the I see not to replace those books. But this book is filled with African American and black diasporic children's literature starting from preschool all the way through high school.   The first part of the book, I talk about what I'm looking for specifically in books about black American culture, and why those things are important. So, the first few chapters, first five chapters are really teaching the teacher. And then the rest of the book, which makes up most of the book are really rich annotated book lists with descriptions why I chose the book discussion questions, project ideas, and something called second helpings. Like when you think of a big soul food dinner, you go through the line the first time and you fill your plate, but then you go back for second helpings of the things that taste the very best. So, if your child likes this book, then here are two second helpings that they also would probably enjoy. And you know, the book was years in the making, I read all 300 plus books in there from cover to cover. And that's kind of my contribution to raising our children.   Laura Dugger: (56:00 - 56:40) Wow, I mean, it is a stunning piece of work. And there's so much for your family, but also for all of us. So, I think of being one of your kids, what a treasure that their mom read 300 books and put this together. But for all of us, I love books on books. And like you said, we can use it to go to the library or then once we read those and find which other ones we love, we can add it to our home collection. So, thank you for that powerhouse of work. And Amber, there's still so much more that you could share with us. Where can we go after this conversation to connect with you or to learn more?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (56:42 - 56:56) Go to heritagemom.com. And there you'll find all of my books and years' worth of blog posts and book recommendations and other things. My Instagram is @heritagemomblog and the same at Facebook.   Laura Dugger: (56:56 - 57:12) Wonderful. Okay, we will add those links to the show notes for today's episode. And you may be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Amber, what is your savvy sauce?   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (57:12 - 57:50) Oh, this is such a great question. I love this part of your podcast. I would say that my savvy sauce is learning to be a really great listener. Like if there's nothing else, then that's listening to my husband and the things of his heart and listening to my children and my neighbors and my friends.   But also, people I don't know, people in other places. And also, people I disagree with and being willing to be quiet and listen and take what I can from what they're sharing as well. So, that is, I think my savvy sauce is being an introspective listener.   Laura Dugger: (57:50 – 58:13) That is well said. You are such an inspiring and creative soul. And I have thoroughly enjoyed this chat. And I know I've been hearing you speak on other podcasts and reading your work for years. So, this was such a treat to get to connect with you today. And I just want to say thank you for being my guest.   Amber O'Neal Johnston: (58:14 - 58:16) Thank you so much for having me.   Laura Dugger: (58:16 - 1:01:59) One more thing before you go. Have you heard the term gospel before?   It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you.   But it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves.   This means there is absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own.   So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a Savior. But God loved us so much, he made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute.   This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him. That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus.   We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what He has done for us.   Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, would you pray with me now?   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place.   I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life?   We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me, so me for him.   You get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason.   We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you ready to get started?   First, tell someone. Say it out loud. Get a Bible.   The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes & Noble and let me choose my own Bible.   I selected the Quest NIV Bible, and I love it. You can start by reading the book of John. Also, get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ.   I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps, such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too, so feel free to leave a comment for us here if you did make a decision to follow Christ.   We also have show notes including where you can read scripture that describes this process. And finally, be encouraged.   Luke 15:10 says, “In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Join Midwife Tiffany as she shares a heartfelt keynote speech delivered to homeschool moms in San Diego. Explore the ups and downs of her homeschooling journey, how it intertwines with her work as a home birth midwife, and discover tips, mistakes, and personal anecdotes for navigating the homeschool path.00:00 Introduction to Kelly and Tiffany's Podcast01:15 Tiffany's Keynote Speech for Homeschool Moms03:27 Homeschooling Challenges and Identity06:05 Mistakes and Lessons in Homeschooling08:54 Homeschooling Philosophy and Family Dynamics10:43 Transitioning from Public to Charter School15:15 Full-Time Homeschooling and Midwifery Practice20:56 COVID-19 and Homeschooling Adjustments21:41 Embracing Full Control and Private School Affidavit28:34 Teenagers and Homeschooling32:20 Homeschooling and Personal Growth34:15 The Challenges and Rewards of Homeschooling35:51 Navigating Homeschool Conflicts38:09 Balancing Career and Homeschooling42:10 Answering Common Homeschool Questions56:58 A Day in the Life of a Homeschooling Mom01:00:51 Conclusion and Community SupportLinks We Chat AboutOur Monthly MembershipOur Weekly NewsletterOur Childbirth Education Course, use code RADIANT10 for 10% offWe Heart Nutrition: Use Code BEAUTIFULONE for 20% Off your first orderOur Fullscript Supplement Dispensary, always 25% off MSRPBe sure to subscribe to the podcast to catch every episode. Follow us on Instagram for extra education and antics between episodes at: @beautifulonemidwifery

Project-based learning isn't just arts and crafts. It's a powerful way to build critical thinking, collaboration, and deep subject mastery. In this episode, we explore what makes a project truly meaningful, the key steps to designing one, and how to scale it for any age group. With real-life examples and practical guidance, you'll feel confident turning big ideas into rich, student-led experiences that count. Find Secular Curriculum with our Resource Selector https://www.homeschool-together.com/secular-resources Support The Podcast If you like what you hear, consider supporting the podcast: https://homeschooltogether.gumroad.com/l/support Consider Leaving Us A Review If you have a quick moment, please consider leaving a review on iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeschool-together-podcast/id1526685583 Show Notes Atomic Habits - https://amzn.to/4nSR123 Brad Stevens Ted Talk Clip - https://youtu.be/VWtYQIIWYvg?si=cZsfv4xZYjril7xt&t=172 Metacognition - https://www.edutopia.org/article/fostering-metacognition-boost-learning/ Connect with us Website: http://www.homeschool-together.com/ Store: https://gumroad.com/homeschooltogether Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/homeschooltogether Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/homeschooltogetherpodcast/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/homeschooltogetherpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/hs_together The Gameschool Co-Op: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gameschoolcoop/ Email: homeschooltogetherpodcast@gmail.com

EP238: This episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast was created to encourage you as a homeschooling parent to teach your child, not a grade.For some homeschoolers, starting a new grade each fall is part of their yearly rhythm. For others, sometimes it's hard to even assign a grade to their child. Either way, your child's learning doesn't just happen magically in tidy grade-level packages. Rather, it happens along a path that sometimes spirals backwards or follows detours or even skips ahead.When we teach the child in front of us rather than a grade level or curriculum package, we honor the child's learning journey. Children learn best when they can take confident steps on the path to learning while feeling a calm sense of connection.The holistic, natural approach of Waldorf homeschooling truly shines in this way and supports each child's unique development.Teaching your child, not a grade, is a subtle mindset shift that can make all the difference!If you would like more guidance on bringing this kind of flexible, child-focused rhythm to your homeschool, come join me inside the Inspired at Home community where you'll find monthly masterclasses, coaching calls with me, and a warm community to remind you you're not alone on this journey and to help you customize whatever curriculum you have.Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode238/Send Jean a text message.Support the showThanks for listening!

Has the light gone out of your child's eyes? As a former middle school teacher turned homeschool mom of six, I've seen firsthand how traditional schooling can leave kids anxious, confused, disconnected, and frankly, traumatized. In this episode, we'll explore how to help your child--particularly you middle schoolers, heal from school-related stress, strengthen family relationships, and reignite your child's love for learning. Episode on Reclaiming Their Hearts Workshop on Nurturing the Relationship Episodes for new homeschoolers: Homeschooling 101 Part 1: Laws on YouTube Homeschooling 101 Part 2: Deschooling on YouTube Homeschooling 101 Part 3: Creating a Vision on YouTube Homeschooling 101 Part 4: Philosophies on YouTube Homeschooling 101 Part 5: Finding Community & Friends on YouTube SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES: FREE MONTHLY WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP: CLICK HERE Sign Up for the School to Homeschool Newsletter Private Mentoring with Janae: Schedule a Free Discovery Call School to Homeschool YouTube Channel Etsy Store: Shop for Homeschooling Swag *Please note that some of the links included in this article are Amazon affiliate links. CONNECT with US Join the Private Facebook Group NEW Instagram Learn more about School to Homeschool Contact Janae: schooltohomeschool1@gmail.com

From beginning homeschooling in the early 1990s to a grand vision for a community that uplifts and empowers Black homeschool families with resources, representation, Joyce Burges has probably seen it all. In this episode, Joyce opens up to HSLDA Attorney Amy Buchmeyer to discuss the origins of National Black Home Educators and the impact they are making today, her curriculum, why preserving family traditions is important, and how building strong parent–child relationships are at the heart of homeschooling. If you're looking for encouragement and a reminder that homeschooling is about more than academics, Joyce's story will inspire you! “I was reading Little House on the Prairie books to my daughter [when] she asked the question, ‘Mama, is there someone in our family who quilts, who make jams and jellies, who has a farm, you know, who lives in the country, who's a pioneer?' I was blessed to be around my grandparents and to be raised on their farm and to see all of the great things that my grandmother did. That put me on the journey to finding books that align with Little House on the Prairie to let her see herself as a black little girl that other black children have done this as well other than just me, her mom, to see young girls that partake of these things. And why was that important? It was important because it brought family together.”—Joyce Burges

In this episode, Edwina looks at the common issue of children complaining that they're bored, or that what they're doing is boring! She explores the underlying reasons behind this behaviour, categorised into four types: tasks that are too easy, tasks that are too hard, lack of personal relevance, and passive learning experiences. Through evidence-based research and practical strategies, Edwina provides insights on how to diagnose and effectively respond to each type of boredom. Additionally, she discusses the importance of fostering communication skills in children to articulate their needs and the potential benefits of unstructured, free time. Join Edwina to learn actionable strategies to transform 'I'm bored' into opportunities for meaningful engagement and growth.The show notes and pdf download is on the episode websiteSign up to Get Curious, the inspirational weekly newsletter for curious educators HERE☕️ If you like my work and want to encourage me to keep going you can do so by buying me a coffee! Any contribution will be gratefully received and will certainly give me the kick I need to keep going.☕️

Redefining education with a Bitcoin ethos. $ BTC 106,880 Block Height 919,651 Today's guest on the show is Josh from the Consensus21 educational project. Why was he inspired to join another Bitcoiner on a mission to redefine education? What challenges have they faced in setting up a 'school' in Melbourne, Australia, and what do they hope to teach the kids? Why do they want to inspire you to set up your own schools around the world, and how can they help you replicate their model? Is the education system broken, or is it working perfectly as designed? A huge thank you to Josh and Kirean for everything they are doing in order to help educate as many people about bitcoin as they can. Follow them on Twitter here - @Consensus21 NOSTR here - npub1hvwgvw3vzhqnrdzffeaqs8yuc4tw40twyn95s6x6udutc22nc0asprqh2a Website - https://consensus21.school/ Github - https://github.com/consensus21school Check out my book ‘Choose Life' - https://bitcoinbook.shop/search?q=prince ALL LINKS HERE - FOR DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS - https://vida.page/princey - https://linktr.ee/princey21m Pleb Service Announcements: Join 18 thousand Bitcoiners on @orangepillapp https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/princey Support the pod via @fountain_app -https://fountain.fm/show/2oJTnUm5VKs3xmSVdf5n The Once Bitten YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Princey21m The Bitcoin And Show: https://www.bitcoinandshow.com/ https://fountain.fm/show/eK5XaSb3UaLRavU3lYrI Shills and Mench's: CONFERENCES 2025: BULGARIA - SOFIA - 18th - 19th October 2025 https://www.btcbalkans.com/ USE CODE BITTEN - 10% BITFEST - MANCHESTER - ENGLAND - 21st - 23rd November 2025. https://bitfest.uk/ - USE CODE BITTEN - 10% BTC JAPAN - TPKYO - 23rd - 24th November. https://btc-jpn.com/en USE CODE BITTEN - 10% PAY WITH FLASH. Accept Bitcoin on your website or platform with no-code and low-code integrations. https://paywithflash.com/ RELAI - STACK SATS - www.relai.me/Bitten Use Code BITTEN SWAN BITCOIN - www.swan.com/bitten BITBOX - SELF CUSTODY YOUR BITCOIN - www.bitbox.swiss/bitten Use Code BITTEN PLEBEIAN MARKET - BUY AND SELL STUFF FOR SATS; https://plebeian.market/ @PlebeianMarket ZAPRITE - https://zaprite.com/bitten - Invoicing and accounting for Bitcoiners - Save $40 KONSENSUS NETWORK - Buy bitcoin books in different languages. Use code BITTEN for 10% discount - https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=bitten SEEDOR STEEL PLATE BACK-UP - @seedor_io use the code BITTEN for a 5% discount. www.seedor.io/BITTEN SATSBACK - Shop online and earn back sats! https://satsback.com/register/5AxjyPRZV8PNJGlM HEATBIT - Home Bitcoin mining - https://www.heatbit.com/?ref=DANIELPRINCE - Use code BITTEN. CRYPTOTAG STEEL PLATE BACK-UP https://cryptotag.io - USE CODE BITTEN for 10% discount. In this episode, Josh talks about Consensus 21, a school he's building in Australia with Kieran, focusing on Bitcoin principles and future-oriented skills, aiming to revolutionize education. Key Topics: Education Bitcoin Homeschooling Decentralization Entrepreneurship Summary: Josh discusses the concept of Consensus 21, a school he is developing with Kieran in Australia, rooted in Bitcoin principles and designed to prepare children for the future. His inspiration came from his personal experience with his children's education and a desire to create a community-focused learning environment that aligns with the values of decentralization and financial literacy. Josh shares his journey from traditional schooling to exploring alternatives like homeschooling and world schooling, noting the challenges and limitations of current educational systems. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating Bitcoin principles into education, believing that a Bitcoiner's mindset is essential to fixing the broken educational system. The school aims to provide an environment where kids can learn about AI, entrepreneurship, finance, and technology in a way that is relevant and engaging. The school will be run on a Bitcoin standard, with tuition being put into a time lock and redistributed to the students when they graduate or have a viable business idea. The curriculum will focus on child-led learning, where kids are encouraged to pursue their interests and passions, fostering a love for learning. Josh mentions that Consensus 21 plans to implement a "School Improvement Protocol" (SIP) where students can propose new courses or activities, promoting student agency and communication skills. The school will have a main campus in Australia, with plans to expand and offer the Consensus 21 protocol to other schools and communities. The goal is to create an open-source platform that anyone can use to implement a similar educational model. Despite considering a completely private, self-funded model, they realized the potential to scale more quickly by leveraging government funding in Australia, where private schools are funded without heavy curriculum restrictions. Josh expresses his excitement about the project and his eagerness to provide this unique educational experience for his own children. He emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where kids can thrive, learn valuable skills, and develop a strong understanding of Bitcoin and Austrian economics. He also acknowledges the challenges of getting a school up and running, but remains optimistic and determined to bring this vision to life. He concludes by highlighting the generosity and support of the Bitcoin community, which has already contributed equipment and expertise to the school. He also mentions that the the most important orange pill should go to Elon Musk.

Discover how former UK teacher Kate transformed 24 years of mainstream education experience into "The Hive Adventure" - a revolutionary barefoot unschool in the Dominican Republic. In this inspiring episode, Kate shares her journey from French grammar teacher to creating a human-centered learning environment where students grow their own food, tackle global sustainability challenges, and learn emotional regulation from the inside out.What You'll Learn:How to create child-led, project-based learning experiencesTeaching emotional regulation and self-awareness to childrenBuilding a food forest and garden-to-plate education programImplementing social impact projects focused on UN global goalsThe difference between coddling feelings vs. teaching healthy emotional processingWhy barefoot learning and outdoor education improve mental healthStarting alternative education programs (micro-schools, learning pods, unschools)Perfect for homeschool families, alternative education advocates, and parents seeking nature-based, child-centered learning approaches. Kate's story proves you can create meaningful educational change anywhere in the world.The Hive Adventure InstagramThe Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide - Thinking about homeschooling but don't know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide which compiles insights from her interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to finding your style to working while homeschooling- this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident. Purchase Here!Let's Talk, Emergencies! The most important lessons we can teach our kids aren't reading, writing, and math - they're how to keep themselves and others safe. Cheryl created this essential children's book which covers everything from dialing 911 on a locked cell phone to staying safe online, water safety, fire safety, and more. Let's Talk Emergencies! gives children the knowledge and confidence to handle real-world situations. These are conversations we shouldn't put off. Available on Amazon Support the showInstagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

Is it imaginable that freedom of speech and freedom of religion could be suppressed where we live at some time in our future? History would indicate so. How do we prepare ourselves and our families for such a contingency? What curriculum might best prepare us for persecution, even martyrdom? How do we cultivate necessary virtues without sparking burdensome fears? Listen in as Janice Campbell and Andrew Pudewa explore this challenging subject. About Brian Brian Wasko's background is in English education. He taught high school English for many years in public and private Christian schools. In 2001, he founded WriteAtHome, an online service offering tutorial writing courses to homeschoolers. He also teaches online literature courses through Wasko Lit, where he can share with young people his love for the great books of Western Civilization. He has been a popular homeschool convention speaker since the early 2000s, entertaining and educating audiences as both keynote and convention speaker at dozens of conferences across the country.  Brian and his family live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He and his wife, Melanie, homeschooled their four daughters from kindergarten to college. About Janice Janice Campbell, a lifelong reader and writer, loves to introduce students to great books and beautiful writing. She holds an English degree from Mary Baldwin College, and is the graduated homeschool mom of four sons. You'll find more about reading, writing, planning, and education from a Charlotte Mason/Classical perspective at her websites, EverydayEducation.com, Excellence-in-Literature.com, and DoingWhatMatters.com. Resources  Brian Wasko's writing classes and other resources Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien Poetry by Hilaire Belloc Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me by Karen Swallow Prior Evaluate Writing the Easy Way by Janice Campbell Miss Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins: The Careful Writer's Guide to the Taboos, Bugbears, and Outmoded Rules of English Usage by Theodone M. Bernstein Connect Brian Wasko of Write at Home | Website | Facebook | YouTube  Janice Campbell | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Website Homeschooling.mom | Instagram | Website Subscribe to our YouTube channel | YouTube Have you joined us at one of the Great Homeschool Conventions?  We hope to see you there! For more encouragement on your homeschooling journey, visit the Homeschooling.mom site, and tune in to our sister podcast The Charlotte Mason Show. View full show notes on the blog.

Some of our recent reels on Instagram have exploded, and it's no mystery why. These clips are touching nerves on parenting, priorities, and the way we raise our kids in today's world. In this episode, we dive into two of the most viral ones: Brett Cooper's reflections on homeschooling and Erica Komisar's insights on the emotional fragility of young boys. From family sacrifices to neurological development, we unpack what's really behind these heated comment sections, and why these conversations matter so much right now. Whether you homeschool, send your kids to public school, or are just trying to understand your child better, this discussion will challenge and encourage you. On this episode, we talk about: 0:00 Intro 0:29 Brett Cooper on Homeschooling 13:22 Erica Komisar on Boys Being Neurologically Fragile Follow Family Teams: Facebook: https://facebook.com/famteams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familyteams Website: https://www.familyteams.com Resources Mentioned: Brett Cooper Reaction Reel: https://www.instagram.com/familyteams/reel/DOCypOiERB_/ Erica Komisar Reaction Reel: https://www.instagram.com/familyteams/reel/DPm-gYfkX4w/ --- Hi, welcome to the Family Teams podcast! Our goal here is to help your family become a multigenerational team on mission by providing you with Biblically rooted concepts, tools and rhythms! Your hosts are Jeremy Pryor and Jefferson Bethke. Make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss out on future episodes!

Whether you've been dreaming about homeschooling your children for years or just started thinking about it last week, our kids aren't always on board as much as we, as the homeschool moms are. For some reason, they don't always appreciate all of the hours that have been devoted to choosing curriculum and thinking through your approach to education. Which means, they aren't quite as enthusiastic about all or some of your homeschool plans. What should you do when your excitement and expectations are higher than your children's? Today's episode covers the whys and a few tactics to get you all on the same page. ♥ Leigh     DESIGN YOUR FAMILY'S UNIQUE HOMESCHOOL THAT YOU'LL LOVE! https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/blueprint   CREATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL FAMILY'S HOME TASK SYSTEM https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com/tidyhome    GET EXCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP WITH LEIGH https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/mentorship   SIMPLIFY YOUR MEAL PLANNING https://littlebylittlehomeschool.com/meal     Website -  https://www.littlebylittlehomeschool.com Newsletter -  https://littlebylittlehomeschool.myflodesk.com/subscribe Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoollifestylecommunity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/littlebylittlehomeschool/     Listen to these related episodes: 394. The School System Is Outdated: Is Your Homeschool?    370. 3 Common Characteristics Of Homeschool Graduates    348. The Trap That Is Keeping You From Being Consistent With Homeschool 

Do you want your kids to love learning—and become independent, capable adults who can handle life?Most parents want extraordinary results but stick to ordinary systems. In this video, Greg & Rachel explain why comfortable, convenient methods don't produce extraordinary results and why true education is lighting a fire, not filling a bucket. You'll see how to expand beyond the home with worldschooling and real-world experiences, use modern tools for a world-class education, and reclaim both influence and joy in your family culture.Key Takeaways✅ Method determines outcome—change methods to change results.✅ Worldschooling turns lessons into experiences kids never forget.✅ Raise independent thinkers through self-directed learning.✅ Time with your kids = influence (quantity and quality).✅ Use AI/online platforms to access the best teachers on earth.✅ Save “academic rigor” for the right season—after love of learning ignites.Chapters00:00 Welcome to Extraordinary Family Life01:06 The Importance of Intentional Living02:32 Extraordinary Education Through World Schooling05:02 The Limitations of Public Schooling06:41 The Need for Self-Directed Learning08:04 Experiential Learning and Travel09:42 The Impact of Environment on Learning11:30 Navigating Social Experiences for Kids11:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts15:41 The Transformative Power of Modern Education19:47 Leveraging Online Resources for Homeschooling22:12 Balancing Personal Time and Homeschooling25:16 Quality Time vs. Quantity Time in Education26:44 Redefining Social Skills Beyond School27:25 Overcoming Personal Limitations as a Parent28:06 Embracing the Journey of Homeschooling30:13 The Importance of Following Interests in LearningMemorable Quotes

Feeling stretched by the little years, wondering how to support a gifted child, or trying to homeschool while solo and on a budget? This conversation is for you. In this episode, Coach Meg shares a gentle, doable roadmap for three big topics moms are asking about—under-7 homeschooling, "gifted" learners, and single-mom strategies—so you can lead your home with calm, clarity, and confidence.

Womanhood Wellness is where functional medicine meets feminine wisdom—guiding you to balance hormones, awaken libido, and prepare for pregnancy with intention. Join todayWhat if chasing health and beauty ends up making us sick, anxious, and disconnected?This episode is all about choosing joy instead of fear and questioning the pressure to do everything “right,” from Botox to seed oils. That lens applies to everything, hair dye, kids' snacks, and even the bread at an Italian restaurant. We need to ask what actually serves our bodies and our stress levels.The internet is a great resource, but it has created immense confusion around wellness because for every idea you can easily find an opposition with just as much conviction. We explore that same middle ground in fertility, where IVF might make sense for some while natural approaches fit others. Of course, we always bring it home to motherhood and discuss screens, childcare, and the everyday mess of trying to balance it all without losing ourselves in the extremes.You'll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[06:09] Where the line blurs between natural beauty choices and Botox[09:08] The hidden costs of breast implants and why “safe” options aren't risk-free[10:18] How losing facial expression with Botox may impact kids and human connection[22:33] Why obsessing over toxins or food rules can harm more than help[26:11] The mindset shift that transforms health choices from fear to joy[32:56] Navigating the nuanced spectrum between fertility treatments and natural approaches[38:57] How to balance being present with your kids while still holding boundaries[41:25] The real struggles of working motherhood and why guilt shows up on both sides[51:06] Why extremes create suffering and why most wisdom lives in the middleResources Mentioned:Healthy as a Mother podcast episode on How to Handle Sibling Fights with Ralphie Jacobs | Apple or Spotify or YouTubeFind more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | WebsiteUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

Show: Not That Hard to Homeschool Host: Lisa Nehring Sponsor: CTC Math Guest: Lisa Nehring from True North Academy