90-Minute School Day

What stories are shaping your child’s self-concept?

In this episode, I sit down with Amber O’Neal Johnston, homeschooling mother, speaker, and author of A Place to Belong: Raising Kids to Celebrate Their Heritage, Community, and the World and Soul School: A Literary Journey into the Soul of Black American Culture. Amber shares her passion for using books, culture, and intentional experiences to help children develop a strong sense of identity and belonging.

We explore:

Amber’s insights will challenge and inspire you to think more deeply about the role of stories and community in shaping our children’s lives. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking to enrich your approach, this conversation will leave you with practical ideas and encouragement.

Connect with Amber:

Resources Mentioned:

Join the Conversation!

Want to join us for more conversations like this?

👉 Learn more at 90minuteschoolday.com/day-in-the-life/.

Listen-in as we challenge conventional thinking about reading and literacy, inviting you to reimagine what learning to read can look like. If you’ve ever worried about whether your child is “on track” or felt pressure to meet school-based milestones, this conversation is for you. We deschool our mindsets around traditional literacy approaches and explore a more natural, expansive perspective on learning to read.

What We Cover in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

Want to explore this topic in community? The Day in the Life Community is hosting live discussions all month on rethinking reading through Zoom and asynchronous Marco Polo video chats. Share your thoughts and experiences—join us today!

Listen in now, and don’t forget to share this episode with other homeschooling parents who may need this perspective shift.

Resources Mentioned:

Additional Resources for You:

Support the Podcast:

In this episode, we welcome the always inspiring, Robyn Robertson, host of Honey! I’m Homeschooling the Kids. In this conversation, we dive deep into what schools simply can’t teach—and how homeschooling and unschooling unlock opportunities for lifelong learning that traditional education just can’t provide.

Robyn shares her family’s incredible journey, from worldschooling adventures in Jamaica and Korea to helping her children transition into high school as confident, self-directed learners. We talk about the mindset shifts required to let go of schooling norms and embrace the true meaning of learning.

Here’s what we explore:

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “doing enough” or wondered how to truly support your child’s growth, this conversation is for you.

Resources Mentioned:

Call to Action:

Additional Resources for You:

What Winter Teaches Us About Homeschooling Well

Is your homeschool feeling hectic as winter settles in? Wondering how to find a balance between rest and productivity this season? In this episode, we dive into the power of embracing winter’s slower pace and the Danish concept of hygge to create a homeschool environment full of warmth, connection, and joy.

We talk about how winter isn’t just a time to "do less"—it’s an invitation to listen, reflect, and lean into your family’s natural rhythms. Imagine a homeschool that isn’t rigid but flows with your child’s interests, while also prioritizing the cozy comfort of hygge.

What’s Inside:

Reflection Questions from the Episode:

Additional Resource:

If you’ve been feeling the pressure of doing “more” and trying to keep up with the latest trends, this episode is a breath of fresh air. Let’s explore how leaning into winter’s slower rhythm can help your homeschool—and your family—thrive.

Call for Resistance:

Don’t forget to share this episode with fellow homeschoolers who could use a reminder to slow down and savor the season. And subscribe to stay connected for more thoughtful tips on homeschooling through the natural rhythms of life.

Stay Connected:

In this episode, Kelly chats with Evgeniia Arasim, a homeschooling mom and pro-metabolic health coach who helps homeschooling mothers recover from burnout and thrive in their daily lives through a return to wellness.

Evgeniia shares her transformative story—from growing up in a competitive Russian school environment to embracing a homeschooling lifestyle with her family in Toronto. After facing severe burnout during the pandemic while juggling motherhood, business, and life, Evgeniia rebuilt her life by focusing on sustainable, nourishing habits.

Kelly and Evgeniia discuss:

Evgeniia also highlights her philosophy that "small steps lead to big change" and how grace, self-compassion, and simplicity are key in the process. Her passion for supporting mothers shines through as she offers tangible, relatable advice for making health, wellness, and self-care a family affair.

Resources Mentioned:

Nourished Motherhood

90-Minute School Day

You’re invited to Art Class!  We’re sharing a conversation from the Day in the Life community featuring abstract artist and therapeutic art practitioner Corinne Woodhams. Corinne introduces us to the world of intuitive art—a practice of creativity, emotional release, and self-trust that’s perfect for homeschooling parents and their neurodivergent kids.

Learn how intuitive art can:

Corinne also shares practical ways to incorporate this accessible and meaningful practice into your daily life or homeschool routine.

Don’t miss this episode! Tune in to discover how intuitive art can help you and your family navigate the each season with creativity and peace.

Resources Mentioned:

Take the Next Step:

Ready to take your homeschool on an unforgettable journey?

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Jamie Pasho of Around the World in Homeschool Days. Jamie, a former elementary teacher turned homeschool mom and unit study creator, shares how her family explores geography, culture, and connection through beautifully curated lessons.

We discuss the freedom to follow your child’s interests, embrace flexibility, and create meaningful learning experiences that work for your family. Plus, Jamie shares insights on building her popular unit studies, including Christmas Around the World and Christmas Around the USA—perfect for adding festive fun to your homeschool!

Tune in as we talk about letting wonder lead and giving yourself permission to homeschool with joy and intention.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Connect with Jamie:

Learn more about Jamie at Around the World in Homeschool Days.

Links and Resources Mentioned in Episode:

Interested in transforming your homeschooling?

Let’s Stay Connected:

Meet Liana Francisco—a grown unschooler, homeschooling mom to two neurodivergent kids (one who is PDA), multi-passionate entrepreneur, and parent coach. Together, we dive deep into the essential topic of boundaries and how they can transform your homeschooling experience.

We explore why boundaries matter, how they protect your energy, and their vital role in raising confident, self-directed learners.

Liana shares practical strategies for managing fears around homeschooling, setting clear expectations with extended family—especially during the holidays—and finding clarity amidst the overwhelm.

This episode is packed with insights to help you approach homeschooling and unschooling with confidence, calm, and leadership.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Links and Resources:

Interested in transforming your homeschooling?

Let’s Stay Connected:

Ready to explore the transformative power of child-led learning?

Meet Leah McDermott, an unschooling mom of three, former educator, grown homeschooler, and natural learning advocate. In this episode, Leah shares her unique journey from being homeschooled to teaching in the traditional classroom to unschooling, where she discovered that play, curiosity, trust, and connection are the true catalysts for deep and meaningful education.

Join us as we dive into the heart of natural learning, discussing why recognizing your child’s innate strengths, talents, and interests is essential to unlocking their full potential. 

Key Takeaways:

• From Classroom to Natural Learning: Leah’s personal story behind why she left behind conventional teaching and it’s methods to embrace the freedom of unschooling, and how it transformed her children’s learning experiences and the experiences of family.

Whether you're new to homeschooling or simply looking to deepen your connection with your child, Leah’s wisdom will inspire you to trust the process, embrace the journey, and see learning through a new lens. This episode is a call to let go of educational checklists and instead celebrate the joy of learning naturally, together.

Connect with Leah: Leah is an unschooling mom of three adventurous boys who thrive in nature. With a background in education, including two Master’s degrees in Reading and Curriculum, Leah shifted her focus from traditional teaching to embrace the world of natural learning at home. Today, she empowers families globally to rediscover the joy of learning through nature, play, and child-led exploration.

You can find Leah on Instagram @yournaturallearner, listen to her podcast, The Diary of An Unschooler, or connect via her website bridgeacademy.us.

Episode Resources:

• Read about Kirsten Olson’s research on 7 school wounds (educational trauma) in this article by Dr. Peter Gray

In this episode, we break down the common pressures and fears many homeschool parents face—like the belief that we need to teach everything or cover every topic from kindergarten to high school. I explain why that simply isn’t true and how embracing life as learning, rather than following a rigid scope and sequence, can be more effective for your child’s growth and development.

We explore:

• The School Mindset Trap: How to shift away from replicating traditional school methods.

Learning happens best when it's rooted in interests, meaning, real-life problem-solving, and connected relationships. So, take a breath, and know that living is learning, and it’s more than enough. If you want to explore this approach with a community of like-minded families, join our Day In the Life community today!

Resources and Links:

• Harvard Business Review article on learning skills

Referenced Experts:

• Ben Richards, award-winning playwright and educator, known for his TED Talk on human sympathy and how it transforms learning environments.

90-Minute Schoo Day Resources:

• Learn about Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year.  

If you’re ready to break free from traditional schooling and embrace homeschooling in a way that fits your family, this episode is for you! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed today’s episode.

See you next time!