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The Homeschool How To

Cheryl - Host

I don't claim to know anything about homeschooling, so I set out on a journey to ask the people who do! Join me as I chat with homeschoolers to discuss; "why are people homeschooling," "what are all the ways people are using to homeschool today," and ultimately, "should I homeschool my kids?"

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  • 20 episodes
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  • Avg 45 min
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  • #184
    August 22 · 1 hr

    #184: How Teaching Public & Private School Led Her to Homeschool

    Her son was all set to graduate from her homeschool and become a master mechanic — and then he enlisted in the Marines a month before he turned 18. Christina Franco from Rooted Home Life joins Cheryl this week. She's a former public and private school teacher turned homeschool mom of five, and she gets real about the moment she realized it wasn't public school she had a problem with — it was school itself. They talk about her oldest son's surprise decision to join the Marines, the "mother's intuition" story from speaker Amber O'Neill Johnston that changed how Christina parents, why she doesn't believe in college for college's sake, and how family-style unit studies shape her very relaxed homeschool days. You'll hear about: How a public school teacher ended up distrusting the entire system, not just one school The real story behind her son enlisting in the Marines right after graduating homeschool How being a blended family can affect homeschooling A mother's intuition story about a medical procedure gone wrong Why she doesn't believe in going to college "for the experience" How family-style unit studies work across five kids at different ages Her honest answer on putting her kids' faces online Connect with Christina: Instagram YouTube Podcast Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Want to Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool 📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #183
    August 15 · 51 min

    #183: Leaving It All for Life on a Bus... Three Years Later, Do They Regret It?

    What happens when a former public school teacher sells everything to homeschool from a bus? Three years after her first appearance on the podcast, Jennifer Gossett is back with an incredible update. Since we last spoke, her family has traveled to 47 states, sold the bus, bought a home, and discovered that homeschooling doesn't have to fit inside one box. In this episode we discuss: • Why she left public education • What roadschooling really looked like day to day • Why they decided to stop living on the bus • Raising children with different learning styles • Dual enrollment and graduating with college credits • Whether homeschoolers really miss out on prom, sports, and friendships • Traveling America as part of your child's education • Why she believes it's okay to change your mind Whether you're just beginning your homeschool journey or dreaming about traveling with your children, this episode is full of encouragement and practical ideas. Connect with Jen: https://www.instagram.com/un_hustled/ https://www.facebook.com/theunhustlebustle https://www.tiktok.com/@unhustled jens.a.cooker on TikTok Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Want to Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool 📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #182
    August 8 · 45 min

    #182: They Left Germany Because Homeschooling Was Illegal | Worldschooling Across Europe

    Can you really homeschool while traveling the world? What if homeschooling was actually illegal where you lived? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Stacy, a homeschooling mom, worldschooler, and resilience coach whose family made the life-changing decision to leave Germany after discovering homeschooling wasn't legally allowed there. Today, their family travels throughout Europe while homeschooling their three children through a blend of worldschooling, roadschooling, self-directed learning, and unschooling. They share what daily life really looks like, how they afford long-term travel, why they chose this lifestyle, and what their children have gained by learning from the world instead of a traditional classroom. We also discuss: ✔️ Why homeschooling is illegal in Germany ✔️ What worldschooling and roadschooling actually look like ✔️ Waldorf (Steiner) education vs. homeschooling ✔️ How WWOOF and Workaway help families travel affordably ✔️ Helping children discover their strengths through interest-led learning ✔️ Building resilience in homeschooling families ✔️ Finding community while living a nomadic lifestyle ✔️ Common fears parents have before homeschooling — and why it doesn't have to be all or nothing If you've ever wondered whether homeschooling could look completely different than the traditional model — or if you've dreamed of traveling with your kids while giving them an incredible education — this conversation will inspire you to think outside the box. Resources mentioned: WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) Workaway Stacy's resilience coaching information-Instagram- @resiliencewithstacy www.resiliencewithstacy.com Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Want to Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool 📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #181
    August 1 · 46 min

    #181: It's Not the Curriculum, It's the Brain: A Cognitive Psychologist on Why Reading Programs Fail

    What do you do when the school waits until the night before the last day of school to tell you your child is failing — and it turns out they broke his own IEP to do it? Dr. Amy Moore joins Cheryl this week. She's a cognitive psychologist and former teacher who left the classroom to research why struggling kids kept getting missed. She's also raised three sons — now 27, 25, and 21 — all neurodivergent, all homeschooled differently based on what they actually needed. They get into the real story behind pulling her oldest out of school in 6th grade after a last-minute email about 20+ missing assignments his 504 plan should have flagged much earlier. From there, Dr. Amy breaks down the difference between neurodiverse and neurodivergent, why social-emotional learning programs in a classroom of 30 can't replace what happens one-on-one at home, and how to tell if your child is dealing with a content gap or a skill gap when something isn't clicking. You'll hear about: The night her son's school broke its own legal accommodation — and what she did the next morning Why co-regulation (not curriculum) is the missing piece in most SEL programs How dual enrollment programs like Colorado Early Colleges let homeschoolers earn college credit for free Why a major meta-analysis found a leading reading approach wasn't moving the needle — and what she says actually is Her advice for any parent who's terrified an IEP means they can't homeschool If you're staring down a diagnosis, an IEP meeting, or a kid who just isn't clicking with the curriculum you picked — this one's for you. Connect with Dr.Amy: www.thebrainymoms.com www.amymoorephd.com www.instagram.com/thebrainymoms Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Want to Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool 📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #180
    July 25 · 41 min

    #180: Why This Former Teacher Had to Unlearn Everything

    What if the best thing you could do for your homeschool is put the worksheet down? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Kaitlin Zara, former public school teacher, homeschool mom of two boys, and host of the Homeschool Connections podcast, to talk about what she saw from the inside of a classroom that changed how she teaches her own kids now. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Kaitlin had to unlearn her formal teacher training to homeschool her own kids How hands-on experience — like dissecting squid — teaches more than a worksheet ever could What changed in classrooms over the last decade, and why she didn't want that for her own kids Why she stopped turning every outing into a unit study Why letting your kids see the everyday chaos of family life is part of their education How the more you enjoy your own homeschool days, the more your kids enjoy learning Whether you're brand new to homeschooling or years into it, this conversation is a reminder to stop overplanning and let the learning happen naturally. Connect with Kaitlin: Instagram: KaitlinMZara Facebook: KaitlinZara Youtube (podcast) Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Wanna Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool 📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #179
    July 18 · 52 min

    #179: You DON'T Need to Have It All Figured Out to Homeschool | Chad Hufford

    What if the biggest thing standing between you and homeschooling isn't your ability...it's your belief that you have to get everything right? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Chad Hufford, homeschool graduate, father of six, biochemist, financial advisor, and speaker, to talk about what homeschooling looked like in the 1980s versus today—and why parents don't need to have all the answers before they begin. Chad shares how his mom openly admitted she was figuring homeschooling out as she went, yet still raised children who became independent thinkers, lifelong learners, and successful adults. Together, Cheryl and Chad discuss why intentional parenting matters more than perfect curriculum, how homeschooling teaches children to think instead of memorize, and why comparing your family to others is one of the fastest ways to lose confidence. In this episode, you'll learn: Why you don't have to be a certified teacher to homeschool. How to stop comparing your homeschool to everyone else's. The difference between teaching children what to think and how to learn. Why letting your child explore their interests builds confidence and independence. How homeschool communities, co-ops, tutors, and hybrid learning can support your family. The mindset shift that helps parents stop fearing they're "failing" their kids. Whether you're thinking about homeschooling, brand new to homeschooling, or years into your journey, this conversation is packed with encouragement and practical wisdom that will leave you feeling far more confident about the path you're on. Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Wanna Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool 📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Connect with Chad, Financial Planner and SmartVestor Pro: chad@veritasalaska.com veritasalaska.com Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #178
    July 11 · 52 min

    #178: A Mother’s Wake-Up Call About Bullying And SEL

    When Ali Johnson’s teenage daughter started saying she didn’t want to go to school, Ali initially thought she was dealing with normal middle school conflict. Then everything changed. After a serious accusation from two students, the school required Ali’s daughter to undergo an outside evaluation before returning to class. Even after she was cleared to return, administrators continued pushing the family toward additional outside services and requested permission to communicate directly with those providers. Meanwhile, the bullying that started the entire situation continued. In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Ali shares the story of the incident that ultimately led her family to leave traditional school and begin homeschooling. We talk about bullying in schools, school mental health policies, social emotional learning (SEL), parental rights, private Christian schools, teen social media, deschooling, homeschooling teenagers, and what parents may not realize their children are experiencing at school. Ali also shares what happened when she finally asked her daughter one life-changing question: “What if you never had to go back to school?” Two years later, Ali describes her daughter as a completely different person. “It’s like she lives in color now.” If your child is struggling with bullying, dreading school, or simply doesn’t seem like themselves anymore—or if you’ve ever wondered whether homeschooling could be an option for your family—this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Connect with Ali: YT: @HoosierAli IG: @HoosierAli Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? 💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #177
    July 5 · 46 min

    #177: The Truth About Leaving a Successful Career to Homeschool

    What happens when you've built everything you thought you wanted... and realize it's no longer the life you want? In this episode, I sit down with Ceci Washington, entrepreneur, business mentor, and homeschooling mom, to talk about the decision to walk away from a thriving business, leave behind financial security, and choose a completely different path for her family. We discuss the fears that stop parents from homeschooling, why so many families feel pulled toward a different way of raising their children, the grief that can come with leaving your old life behind, and why grief doesn't always mean you've made the wrong decision. We also talk about socialization, technology, homeschooling regulations, balancing work and family, and what it really looks like to build a life around your children instead of fitting them into your schedule. If you've ever wondered whether homeschooling could work for your family—or whether it's possible to redesign your life around what matters most—this conversation is for you. Cheryl on Ceci's podcast- YouTube Radically Real Podcast www.instagram.com/itsceciwashington www.instagram.com/getradicallyreal https://stan.store/CecileJWash Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? 💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #176
    June 27 · 51 min

    #176: What If Your "Imperfect" Homeschool Is Actually Enough? | Jennifer Pepito

    Are you constantly wondering... "Am I doing enough?" It's one of the biggest fears homeschool parents carry—and after nearly 30 years homeschooling seven children, Jennifer Pepito has a very different perspective. In this episode, Jennifer shares why perfect homeschool days aren't the goal, why family connection matters more than checking every academic box, and how her oldest daughter—despite what she describes as an "imperfect" homeschool experience—graduated summa cum laude, earned her law degree, and was preparing to take the bar exam. We also discuss: • Why many children don't need to read on the same timeline • How read-alouds, audiobooks, and rich conversations build lifelong learners • The surprising connection between movement, outdoor play, and learning • Homeschooling multiple children with family-style learning • Homeschooling a child with special needs • Why trying to recreate public school at home often creates unnecessary pressure • How to build a homeschool filled with curiosity, connection, and joy instead of comparison If you've ever worried that your homeschool doesn't look "good enough," this conversation might completely change the way you think about learning. Connect with Jennifer: Amazon LINK to book Website: thepeacefulpress.com Instagram: @jenniferpepito Facebook: @thepeacefulpress Pinterest: @thepeacefulpress Podcast: @restorationhome Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? 💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #175
    June 20 · 46 min

    #175: Former Teachers Reveal: Your Kid Only Gets 7 Minutes of 1-on-1 Time in School

    Two former public school teachers — and twin sisters — pull back the curtain on what really happens in a classroom of 25+ kids, including the one statistic that will change how you think about homeschooling forever. Kathy and Melissa share why they left teaching to homeschool their own children, why neither of them ever finished a curriculum in 30 years in the classroom, and how they turned the science of reading into a play-based system any parent can teach — no degree required. We cover special needs reading struggles, when to pull kids out (and when to put them back in), navigating SEL and gender ideology creeping into public schools, and how much one-on-one time actually moves the needle for your child's confidence and learning. Plus: practical tips for making phonics drills fun instead of painful. If you're second-guessing whether you're "enough" to homeschool your kids, this conversation will put that fear to rest. Find Kathy & Melissa: www.littleshoesacademy.com Our facebook group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/685911939807596 Our instagram is https://www.instagram.com/littleshoesacademy/ Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? 💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #174
    June 13 · 45 min

    #174: The World Schooling Dad Who Says American Education Is Getting It Wrong

    Rapkat was born in northwest China, fled to Malaysia at five, landed in Brooklyn, bounced through public, private, and charter school, married at seventeen, attended a coding bootcamp, got a remote software engineering job — and has been homeschooling and world schooling his five kids across Europe and Asia ever since. In this episode we talk about why he thinks getting straight A's is actually not a good sign, what "learning to learn" means and why it matters more than any subject, how he intentionally teaches his kids to let go of possessions every time they move, and why he believes seventy percent of your kid's school day is completely invisible to you as a parent. We also get into AI, the real cost of using it, and what he says most people get completely wrong about it. If you've ever wondered what education looks like when you strip away every assumption — this one will stay with you. Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? ($17) 💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #173
    June 6 · 38 min

    #173: When the Right School Didn't Exist, They Built It. Here's How.

    What happens when two parents with a 70-acre property, a wedding venue, and a 2% chance of having children decide the local school system just isn't good enough for their girls? They build something better from scratch. In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Sarah and Greg Holland of Jericho Valley Co-op in Berkshire County, Massachusetts — a homeschool support organization they built on their own property, with a licensed teacher who walked away from 25 years in the public school system because she believed in what they were building. Sarah and Greg share how they went from never considering homeschooling to launching a thriving co-op that doubled enrollment in less than a year and now has a waitlist. They talk about hiring a teacher, navigating the legal landscape of running a homeschool co-op, mixed-age learning, getting kids outside every day, and why they believe every community has the resources to do something similar if they just look around. If you've ever thought about starting something like this in your own community — or you're just looking for proof that there's a better way — this episode is for you. Topics covered: Why two self-described "school lovers" chose to leave the system behind How they built a co-op using their existing property and business Finding and hiring a teacher who left a 25-year public school career Mixed-age classrooms and individualized learning plans Navigating homeschool co-op laws in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York How running a business from home changes what your kids learn Why their shy, isolated daughters transformed after just one year How to start your own co-op even without a big property or budget Resources mentioned: Jericho Valley Co-op website: jerichovalley.org Jericho Valley Co-op Instagram: @jericho.valley Get Your Tickets: FARM FOOD FREEDOM Event: https://maxkane.com/events Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? ($17) 💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #172
    May 30 · 55 min

    #172: They Didn't Want Smart Kids — The Truth About How Public School Was Designed | Nicki Truesdell

    What if the problems in public school weren't accidents? What if low literacy rates, changing math standards, social emotional learning, and ideological curriculum were all part of a plan that started over a hundred years ago? This week Cheryl sits down with Nicki Truesdell — a second generation homeschooler who has been in the homeschool world since 1983 and has been homeschooling her own five kids since the year 2000. Nicki is the author of Anyone Can Homeschool and Home Sweet Homeschool, and runs Knowledge Keeper's Bookstore where she reprints rare out-of-print American history books to get the real story back into people's hands. In this episode they break down three books every parent needs to read: The Underground History of American Education by John Taylor Gatto Crimes of the Educators by Alex Newman and Sam Blumenfeld The Marxification of Education by James Lindsay You'll learn how the American education system was deliberately redesigned in the early 1900s by the Rockefellers, Carnegie, and the Education Trust to produce workers instead of thinkers — and how that agenda is still playing out in classrooms today through critical pedagogy, SEL, Common Core, and lowered test standards. Nicki also shares how she homeschooled as a single mom, why she believes homeschooling is the capitalist form of education, and how homeschool parents are learning the real version of American history right alongside their kids. If you've ever wondered whether pulling your kids out of school was the right call — this episode will remove any doubt. Connect with Nicki -- ⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickitruesdell1 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nicki-truesdell-podcast/id1798330030 Homeschool 101⁠ https://nickitruesdell.com/homeschool-101/ ⁠ Homeschool Consultations⁠ https://nickitruesdell.com/homeschool-consulting/ ⁠ Get her books: ⁠Anyone Can Homeschool⁠ on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible! https://amzn.to/4fnSWs8 Home Sweet Homeschool on Amazon and Kindle https://amzn.to/4qY4zMb Knowledge Keepers Bookstore: https://knowledgekeepersbookstore.com/ FARM FOOD FREEDOM Event: https://maxkane.com/events Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach? ($17) 💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #171
    May 23 · 48 min

    #171: Homeschool Mom of 5 Gets Real About the Chaos — Multiple Ages, One Income, and Starting a Business

    What does it actually look like to homeschool five kids across wildly different ages — while running a business, managing a rambunctious toddler, and doing it all on one income? This week I'm joined by Amanda, a homeschool mom of five from St. Augustine, Florida. Amanda started homeschooling when her family left Germany in 2020 — one week before the world shut down. What felt like a leap of faith turned out to be the best thing she ever did. We talk about: → Why Amanda and her husband felt called to homeschool even before COVID → What it's really like managing school with multiple ages under one roof (spoiler: it's not always pretty) → How Florida's PEP Scholarship is a total game-changer for families homeschooling on one income → The year-round model that actually relieved her stress → How she built Giplings — her small business inspired entirely by her homeschool journey → The car conversations, the lizard hunts, and the little moments that are the real education Whether you're just starting out or years in, Amanda's honesty about the chaos — and why she wouldn't trade it — will leave you feeling seen. Find Amanda + Giplings: Website: https://giplings.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giplings/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giplings YouTube: https://youtube.com/@giplings Wholesale: giplings.faire.com Resources from Cheryl: 🎓 New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide 📚 Figure out exactly what to teach and how — What Do I Actually Teach? ($17) 💻 Homeschooling AND working? Check out the How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #170
    May 16 · 44 min

    #170: They Shut Down Her Classroom Because Kids Were Getting Too Much Help

    Elyse Scheeler spent years inside the public school system as a speech language pathologist. She had a classroom full of kids making real, measurable progress. The district shut it down — not because anything was wrong, but because her program made their compliance numbers look bad. That's when she knew she had to leave. In this episode Elyse pulls back the curtain on what school staff see every single day but aren't allowed to say out loud. She couldn't tell parents what she suspected. She couldn't refer kids to outside specialists. The system had a rule for that too. We also get into the airway health connection to ADHD and behavior that nobody in a school can mention, how COVID masking quietly set back an entire generation of language development, and how Elyse now helps families with kids who have additional needs homeschool successfully — without doing it alone. In this episode: — Why your child's school limits services even when kids need more — The data vs. children problem hiding inside every IEP meeting — Airway health, sleep, and the hidden root causes of ADHD and behavior issues — How COVID masking impacted language development — Using AI to build a custom curriculum for any learning style — How to homeschool a child with additional needs Links: → Free 30-Day Homeschool Quick Start Guide → What Do I Actually Teach? ($17): thehomeschoolhowto.com/what-do-i-actually-teach CONNECT WITH ELYSE 🌐 Website: speakinglife.co 🎙️ Podcast: Speaking Life Into Motherhood 📱 Instagram: @Speaking_life_into_motherhood 👥 Group Coaching Program: speakinglife.co/homeschoolplan 👉 Wisconsin Homeschool Expo: speakinglife.co/homeschool 📧 Email: hello@speakinglife.co 🎁 Free Resource: speakinglife.co/advocacy Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #169
    May 9 · 37 min

    #169: Homeschooled, Sheltered & Addicted Young: A Conversation Every Parent Needs to Hear

    What happens when someone who hated being homeschooled grows up and chooses to homeschool his own children anyway? In this deeply honest conversation, Logan Hufford shares what homeschooling looked like growing up in a large family in the 90s, why he resented parts of it for years, and what he’s doing differently with his own kids today. We also talk about something many parents are afraid to discuss openly: what children are being exposed to online at shockingly young ages — and how silence, shame, and lack of conversation can impact kids long-term. Inside this episode: • what Logan wishes his parents had done differently • how over-sheltering can backfire • pornography addiction and dopamine-driven behavior • why vulnerable conversations matter more than perfect parenting • how to talk to kids without creating shame • the reality of parenting in the internet era • resources parents can use to start age-appropriate conversations This is a sensitive but incredibly important discussion for both homeschooling and non-homeschooling families alike. Listener discretion advised for younger ears. Resources: Good Pictures Bad Pictures https://www.conquerseries.com- For a man who might be struggling or a woman who is close to a man who struggles, the best single resource to gain an education of how sexual addiction works is the Conquer Series Follow Logan on Instagram 🎯 Ready to learn how families are actually working + homeschooling? Cheryl has interviewed 200+ homeschool families—and put a step by step process together for how to work and homeschool (even as a single parent!) Check it out!👉 How to Work & Homeschool (Without Burning Out) Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #168
    May 2 · 31 min

    #168: Homeschooling Through Grief: A Former Teacher's Raw and Honest Story

    What happens when life completely falls apart — and you still have to show up for your kids? This week Cheryl sits down with Barbara, a former special education teacher turned homeschool mom of four, who opens up about one of the hardest questions in homeschooling: what do you do when you're grieving? After years of fighting the school system for resources her students deserved, Barbara knew she didn't want that for her own kids. She pulled them out, ditched the rigid curriculum, and built something that actually works for her spicy, high-energy family. In this episode: Why connection over perfection changed everything for her family How she homeschools four kids aged 5–12 using interest-led unit studies What homeschooling through the loss of her mother actually looked like South Carolina's homeschool options and funding Why socialization was never actually a problem Barbara also shares her memoir and upcoming Bible study guide for homeschooling through grief — because sometimes life takes the rug out from under you, and you still have to be there for your family. Connect with Barbara here: https://a.co/d/0bMqCMiq Barbara's Instagram 🎯 Ready to learn how families are actually working + homeschooling? Cheryl has interviewed 200+ homeschool families—and put a step by step process together for how to work and homeschool (even as a single parent!) Check it out!👉 How to Work & Homeschool (Without Burning Out) Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #167
    April 25 · 43 min

    #167: When the School Said 'Behind' — One Mom Said 'Watch Me'

    What happens when a single mom in the Foreign Service gets the double whammy — "your child might have dyslexia" AND profound hearing loss? She figures it out. Katharyn Havens joins Cheryl from outside Nairobi, Kenya, where she's running a multi-age homeschool pod, teaching kids AI ethics, and building her own AI co-pilot for homeschool parents. In this episode: How cochlear implant surgery changed everything — and bought them time Why Katherine walked away from a 14-year Foreign Service career The year they moved to Florida, ditched the diagnosis, and just learned to live How her son went from nonverbal to reading Green Eggs and Ham — on his own timeline Building a homeschool pod in Kenya with kids of all ages Her AI code of ethics for kids (yes, they have written rules) What "symphonic thinking" is and why it's the most future-proof skill you can teach Whether you're just starting out or deep in the homeschool journey, Katherine's story will remind you: you know your kid best. Trust that. Connect with Katharyn: Substack: https://substack.com/@kairoslearninglifestyle?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicallyresetting/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KairosRiseHomeschool www.KairosRise.com 🎯 Ready to learn how families are actually working + homeschooling? Cheryl has interviewed 200+ homeschool families—and put a step by step process together for how to work and homeschool (even as a single parent!) Check it out!👉 How to Work & Homeschool (Even as a Single Parent!) Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #166
    April 18 · 33 min

    #166: How Homeschooling Her Only Child Turned Him Into a 9-Year-Old Author & Stock Trader

    Most parents ask, “Can I homeschool if I still need to work?” Laresia and her family didn’t just ask that question—they built a life that answers it. In this episode, we talk about what happens when you choose homeschooling before you even become a parent, and how that decision shaped everything—from family connection to raising a child who is already thinking like an entrepreneur. Their 9-year-old son isn’t just learning at home… He’s writing and publishing books, learning stock trading, and building real-world skills most adults were never taught. We also get into: What homeschooling an only child actually looks like (social life + community) How Classical Conversations works in real life Why creativity and imagination often get shut down in traditional school How they approach raising a child without a fixed path The mindset shift that allows families to “level up” without pressure And if you’ve ever wondered how families actually make working + homeschooling work… I break down the patterns I’ve seen from interviewing 200+ families and how you can apply them. If you’re thinking about homeschooling—but feel stuck on the how—this episode will open your mind to what’s possible. Find Laresia & Family: https://kidpreneurconnection.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@areeson2love - https://corelife365.com/ 🎯 Ready to learn how families are actually working + homeschooling? Cheryl has interviewed 200+ homeschool families—and put a step by step process together for how to work and homeschool (even as a single parent!) Check it out below! 👉 How to Work & Homeschool (Even as a Single Parent!) Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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  • #165
    April 11 · 45 min

    #165: She Left Teaching, Bought Houses Without a Bank, and Homeschools 2 Kids

    Last week, we heard why teachers are leaving the system. This week, meet one who did — and what she built instead. Jen Delle Fave spent 8 years as a public school English teacher in upstate New York before walking away to raise her kids, homeschool, and build a real estate portfolio — without ever going to a bank. Now living in Florida with her husband and two kids (11 and 13), Jen runs multiple businesses, travels constantly, and fits homeschooling right into the middle of all of it. Cheryl and Jen get into the real stuff: the mom guilt, the chaotic seasons, the creative finance deals, and why letting your 13-year-old message sellers counts as school. This one's for the homeschool moms who are also building something — and the ones wondering if they even can. In this episode: How COVID pushed Jen from virtual school to full homeschool What homeschooling looks like in Florida vs. New York (spoiler: way less paperwork) How Jen buys real estate without bank loans — and what that actually means Unit studies, Teaching Textbooks, and letting learning stay fluid Why your kids calling restaurants and understanding credit matters more than memorizing formulas How to work, invest, and homeschool without burning out "Hustle should be a season, not a lifestyle." Find Jen: Instagram: @jenDelleFave Website: CreativeFinancePlaybook.com 🎯 Ready to learn how families are actually working + homeschooling? Cheryl has interviewed 200+ homeschool families—and put a step by step process together for how to work and homeschool (even as a single parent!) Check it out below! 👉 How to Work & Homeschool (Even as a Single Parent!) Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

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