Finish Well

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In “Grateful for the US Constitution,” Episode #266, Meredith Curtis unwraps the great blessings inside the US Constitution in an easy-to-understand way. She explores the foundational design, core principles, and balance of power. Our Founding Fathers created three branches instead of one, preventing any single entity from gaining absolute control. The Constitution structured a federal government while preserving state and individual sovereignty and rights. Even the Founding Fathers who disliked the Constitution worked within its framework to create the Bill of Rights, safeguarding state and individual liberties.

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Do you know what the Constitution is all about?

Highest law of the land. Written by wise men who loved freedom. Representatives from each state came together and drew up a mutual agreement, or plan, to create a union.

Reflects the authority of God: King, Law-Giver, Judge.

The Preamble, or introduction, to the Constitution gives six reasons for its creation. Here are those reasons.

Separation of Powers. Israel. The Spirit of the Laws by Charles de Montesquieu (1699-1755)

“John Quincy Adams said, ‘The experience of all former ages has shown that of all human governments, democracy isthe most unstable, fluctuating, and short-lived.’

“A pure democracy operates by direct majority vote of the people. When an issue is to be decided, the entire populationvotes on it, the majority wins and rules. A republic differs in that the general population elects representatives who then pass laws to govern the nation.

“A democracy is the rule by majority feeling; a republic is rule by law.

“If the source of law for a democracy is the popular feeling of the people, then what is the source of law for theAmerican republic?

“According to Founder Noah Webster: ‘Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correctrepublican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament, or the Christian religion.”[i]

(Dave Barton of WallBuilders)

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

[i] David Barton, “Republic vs. Democracy”, posted Jan 2001 on Wallbuilders Website: https://wallbuilders.com/republic-v-democracy/  Accessed 7/6/20.

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This episode is proudly sponsored by Eden’s Table — a Christ-centered herbalism curriculum for K-5 homeschool families. One plant a week, woven through Bible, science, history, art, and Latin.

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In “US Farming & Food” Episode #264, Meredith Curtis introduces you to America’s family farms. American farmers work hard to produce the food we need and enjoy. Let’s find out what animals they raise and what crops they grow. What companies process and package food for them? What states are the biggest producers? American farmers bring healthy food to the table.

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American farmers feed Americans and export food around the world.

Top producing states. Top cash-producing animals/crops.

Livestock. Crops.

Beef Cattle. Dairy Cows. Food. States. Packaging companies. Restaurants.

Poultry. Eggs. States. Packaging companies. Restaurants.

#1 crop in America is corn. Raised in all 50 states.

Top money-producing crops.

Corn. Wheat. Oats. Potatoes. Sugar.

Fruit. Apples. Citrus. Watermelon.

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This episode is proudly sponsored by Eden’s Table — a Christ-centered herbalism curriculum for K-5 homeschool families. One plant a week, woven through Bible, science, history, art, and Latin.

Try a free week →

In “Happy Birthday, Route 66,” Episode #263, Meredith Curtis celebrates America’s favorite vacation road. First came the Model T, and then came road trips. Route 66 became the road to adventure and family togetherness in 1926. Decommissioned in 1985 due to the Interstate, it has been restored as a US Scenic Highway. From the big city of Chicago through the desert to the ocean, come along on America’s Iconic Road Trip.

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It’s 1965. Betty and Joe load their sleeping kids in the family station wagon. Rover, the family dog, quietly gets in through the tailgate. It’s an hour to Chicago, where they’ll hop on Route 66, America’s favorite vacation road.

Fast forward to 2026, when Betty and Joe’s granddaughter Beth and her husband John, …

Cyrus Avery, businessman, oilman, rancher, and highway commissioner, is called the Father of Route 66. Route 66 was created by combining existing local and state roads into a continuous cross-country route. Fully paved by 1938. Motels, diners, and gas stations sprang along its path.

Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, but today preserved as “Historic Route 66” and National Scenic Byway.

Chicago is the official starting point of Route 66.

Joliet, IL. The Joliet Area Historical Museum and Old Joliet State Prison.

Bloomington, IL. Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, world’s largest Route 66 Sign Mural, Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum.

Granite City, IL. Mississippi River Chain of Rocks Bridge, themed cafes and gas stations, colorful murals, outdoor sculptures, gardens, and art galleries.

St. Louis, MO. Gateway Arch, the place pioneers began their westward treks.

Meramec Caverns is one stop in Missouri’s Cave Country.

Lebanon, MO. Ozark Mountains with nonstop scenic views and iconic diners and gas stations.

Springfield, MO, and nearby towns offer a candy factory, a replica of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Route 66 Car Museum, Crystal Cave, and museums.

Joplin, MO. Route 66 Mural Park.

Kansas is the shortest stretch on Route 66, about 12 miles.

Galena is an old mining town that boomed in the early 1900s. The Viaduct Bridge, 3 characters from the movie Cars – Luigi, Sheriff Police Car, and Tow Mater, large murals of Coke, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew, & “Greetings from Galena,” mining museum.

Tulsa, OK. Open-air museum, Route 66 Historic Village. Southwest Avery Plaza Route 66 Neon Sign Park, Mother Road Market, Route 66-themed miniature golf,. Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios, towering “Muffler Man,”

Pops 66 Soda Ranch greets you with a giant illuminated soda bottle sign in Arcadia.

Oklahoma City, OK. Cowboy museums, multisensory experiences, colorful murals, Cattleman’s Steakhouse, Stockyards City, guided canal cruise.

Amarillo, TX. Great western food at vintage eateries, historic buildings, and art. Cadillac Ranch: 10 Cadillacs are buried hood down into the ground. Grab a can of spray paint and add your artistic best.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TX. Second-largest canyon in the USA. Hike, explore, horseback ride, or mountain bike. Rustic cabins.

Tucumcari, NM’s famous Blue Swallow Motel has hosted travelers since 1939. New Mexico Route 66 Museum and Route 66 Monument.

Albuquerque, NM. 66 Diner, The KiMo Theatre.

Window Rock Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo Nation, AZ. Window Rock is not actually on Route 66. Memorial Park honors the Navajo Code Talkers and Navajo Marines. Breathtaking Monument Valley is also in the Navajo Window is actually 4 ½ hours away, close to Flagstaff.

Petrified Forest National Park, AZ. Trees that have fossilized with rings of reds, oranges, and purples.

Painted Desert, AZ, is a beautiful desert/mesa landscape that is absorbs light at sunrise and sunset to take on rich, vibrant colors. Painted Desert Inn and 1932 Studebaker abandoned in the desert.

Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, AZ. Crash site (55 ft deep, mile wide) where a meteor landed on Earth. NASA astronauts trained for the moon landing there.

Holbrook, AZ. Wigwam Motel.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post, Joseph City, AZ.

Winslow, AZ. Old Trails Museum. Gigantic Route 66 sign stamped into the asphalt. World’s smallest church, 9/11 Remembrance Garden, La Posada, hotel.

Flagstaff, AZ. Route 66 sign stamped into the asphalt, giant Muffler Man, Galaxy Diner, San Francisco Mountains. Detour: Grand Canyon.

Needles, CA. Just inside the border. Wagon Wheel Restaurant.

Mojave National Preserve. Desert with volcanic cinder cones, sand dunes, desert tortoises, and Joshua trees. Kelso Depot, restored train station/museum on the LA-Las Vegas Union Pacific Railroad line.

San Bernardino, CA. First McDonald’s. First Original McDonald’s Museum, Wigwam motel, Bono’s Giant Orange.

Santa Monica, CA. Pacific Ocean, famous pier, brass plaque that marks the official end of Route 66. Congratulations! You made it!

I’ve barely scratched the surface, but there are plenty of websites and blogs devoted to Route 66. Be sure to browse and research. God bless you!

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Meredith is one of the friends who said yes before there was anything to say yes to. Felice knew her from speaking at homeschool conferences, asked her to podcast, and Finish Well has been here ever since.

For the thirteenth birthday, every host on the network answers one real question. Here is hers, and it is the one people do not like to say out loud.

Her question: “Nobody in your house likes school anymore. Including you.”

She names the symptoms first — the grumpiness, the complaining, the exhaustion, the bickering, the dread of school time — and then gives the three moves: refresh, renew, restore. And she warns you off the thing you will instinctively reach for, because vegging out all day makes the lethargy worse, not better. The clip comes from Refresh, Renew, & Restore Your Home School.

Also in this episode: Felice Gerwitz on whether to homeschool at all · Hal and Melanie Young on boys who will not sit still · Dr. Melanie Wilson on why you are already behind · the 7Sisters on the high school transcript · Sue Myers on a fever and a two-year-old · Meryl van der Merwe on teenagers and AI · Lisa Nehring on life skills before they launch.

The Sweet 13 Giveaway is open. More than $1,500 in prizes, four drawings across October, and a free party favor for everyone who enters. Enter at ultimateradioshow.com/sweet-13 — October 1 through 29. No purchase necessary, US residents 18+, official rules here.

Presented by Eden’s Table, a Bible-rooted herbalism unit study for K–5. Get Week 1 free, or use code EDEN13 for 10% off through October 31.

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This episode is proudly sponsored by Eden’s Table — a Christ-centered herbalism curriculum for K-5 homeschool families. One plant a week, woven through Bible, science, history, art, and Latin.

Try a free week →

In “Sea to Shining Sea,” Episode #262, Meredith Curtis shares our exciting story of 13 British colonies transformed into a nation spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It didn’t happen overnight. We grew little by little as our history played out. Eventually, we added places beyond the continental USA. Did you know that today, we have territories in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean?

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When was the last time you got on a US Interstate? I-4 is close to me, and I-95 is about an hour away.

The French were mostly fur traders and often intermarried with the Native Americans. (Midwest, Canada)

The Spanish established large settlements with plantations, gold mines, churches, and forts. They always brought monks and priests along. (Florida, SW, West)

French, Spanish, English, Swedish, and Dutch all established settlements and left their strong influence, but England conquered, and by the American Revolution, there were 13 colonies and land beyond the Appalachian Mountains that Americans couldn’t settle in (Proclamation Line of 1763).

Land doubled in size as Americans moved west. Daniel Boone led settlers to Kentucky.

1803 – France sells the Louisiana Territory to the US. America doubled in size again. President Jefferson sends Lewis and Clark to explore new territory.

1818 – Land Swap with Britain along the 49° Parallel, Sharing Oregon Country.

1819 – Land Swap with Spain. USA signed the Adams-Onís Treaty. Spain gave the US Florida, a small portion of present-day Mississippi, and the US gave Spain a tiny bit of present-day Colorado and Louisiana.

1836 – The Republic of Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836.

1846 – Texas was admitted to the US as a state, and gave portions of her land to Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico.

1846 – England and the USA divided Oregon Country at the 49° Parallel and renamed it Oregon Territory.

1848 – Mexico lost Mexican-American War and ceded over 55% of her land to the US, including present-day CA, NV, AZ, UT, and NM in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

1859 – Midway claimed by the US.

1853 – The US purchased 30,000 square miles of land from Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase to build a southern transcontinental railroad.

1867 – The US purchased Alaska from Russia.

1898 – Hawaii annexed.

1898 – The US acquired Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico by winning the Spanish-American War. The Philippines became an independent nation, and the other two elected to remain territories.

1900 – After 30 years of protected Samoa in exchange for operating a military base there, Samoan chiefs turned some islands over to the USA to become a U.S. territory.

1917 – The US purchased the Danish Virgin Islands from Denmark.

1947 – Japan ceded the Northern Mariana Islands to the US after World War II.

America has 16 territories in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Five 5 of those territories have people living on them. The others are small uninhabited islands. Residents of our territories are US citizens and can travel and live anywhere in the US. However, they do NOT have to pay federal income taxes on income earned in the territories. They elect a governor and legislature. They cannot vote for President, but they have autonomy and US military protection. Many folks living in territories reject statehood, preferring their independence and freedom from paying federal income taxes.

Washington, DC (also known as the District of Columbia) was set aside by the Constitution as a district no bigger than ten square miles to be the seat of government under the authority of Congress. This was done in 1790 with land given by Virginia and Maryland.

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Try a free week →

In “Vacation Highway or Military Express?,” Episode #261, Meredith Curtis introduces you to the US Interstates. Discover how and why it was built, what inspired the system, and who started it. How do they number the Interstates? Why are they limited-access roads with exits instead of lights and stop signs? What happened to the US Routes (like Route 66) after the highway system was built? Which Interstate is the longest? Which Interstate is the busiest?

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When was the last time you got on a US Interstate?

As a young lieutenant colonel, Dwight D. Eisenhower was part of a convoy across America from Washington DC to San Francisco, CA, testing various Army vehicles.

(Info I share in this section was gleaned from https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2006/summer/interstates.html )

Germany planned highway system in the 1920s. When Nazis took over, Hitler, and then East & West Germany completed the project.  Connecting every corner of Germany, the Autobahn has 8,000 miles of road and is a fast, efficient highway.

General Eisenhower noticed that the German Autobahn made it very easy to transport troops.

Road building was a states-only issue. On June 29, 1956, President Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act to give federal aid to states to build US Interstate.

Look at the map below and notice how the interstates are numbered.

The north-south Interstate highways are odd-numbered west to east, starting with 5 and ending with 95.

East-west highways are even-numbered south to north, from I-4 to I-94.

If a sign has 3 digits, it’s a helper road near a big city.

No stoplights or stop signs on the interstate, just one long continuous freeway. Exits only.

The main purpose of the interstate is for the military to get from any point in the US to any other point as quickly as possible. In a national emergency, all exits could be shut to allow troops to move quickly.

Below, you can see a map of Interstate 40. I-40 is the third-longest freeway in the US. Construction began in several different states in 1957, and the final leg was finished in 1990.

From Oklahoma City to Barstow, it parallels US Route 66. CARS.

I-90 is the longest interstate running from Boston, MA to Seattle, WA.

I-5 is the busiest interstate.

Plan a trip on an Interstate. Visit at least 3 different exits. What does that city offer? Where will you stay? What will you do?

Books about the Interstate System: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/brainiacs/booksenjoy.cfm

Ten Things You Should Know About the Interstate System https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/brainiacs/thingsyoucando.cfm

Plan a road trip on a US Interstate – FREE pdf file:///C:/Users/Mered/Downloads/(14)Plan%20a%20Trip_US%20Interstates.pdf

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In “Business Family Dynasties,” Episode #260, Meredith Curtis introduces you to the US “nobility”- some powerful families that have influenced American business over centuries. Meet the Cathy family, Rockefeller family, Vanderbilt family, Morgan family, DuPont family, & Barrymore family. Discover their impact on the USA.

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We don’t have royalty or nobility in the USA, but we do have political and ministry dynasties. Let’s meet some amazing families.

A devout Baptist raised by a godly mother, John was frugal and an astute businessman. Their empire today is vast, and the family tree is filled with governors, senators, and businessmen.

The Commodore, a Moravian, hard worker, and courageous entrepreneur, became the richest man in America. Over the generations, that wealth has dwindled but there’s still the Biltmore in Asheville, NC.

From Massachusetts Bay Colony to the 1960s, this family reigned in banking and investing.

A nobleman in Paris escaped the guillotine and started fresh in Delaware. Meet the DuPont family.

Destined for law, this British man came to America to act. His daughter Ethel became one of the greatest actresses of all time.

A devoted Christian perfected the chicken sandwich, and the rest is history.

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In “Ministry & Political Family Dynasties,” Episode #259, Meredith Curtis introduces you to the US “nobility”- some powerful families that have influenced America over centuries. Meet the Graham family, Adams family, Harrison family, Kennedy family, & Bush family. Discover their impact on the USA.

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We don’t have royalty or nobility in the USA, but we do have political and ministry dynasties. Let’s meet some amazing families.

Samuel, John, John Quincy, and their descendants.

From colonial Virginia to two Presidents in the 1800s, this family has influenced Virginia, Ohio, and US politics.

From PJ to RFK Jr, the Secretary of Health & Human Services.

From a steel industry businessman to ranchers in Texas and businessmen in Florida, this family has influenced banking, business, and politics.

Dairy farmers gave birth to this powerful evangelist, and in the 21st century, their great-grandchildren are still involved in ministry.

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In “Our Patriotic Songs,” Episode #258, Meredith Curtis challenges you to learn and teach your children 5 patriotic songs, all written before this century, bursting with patriotic pride and a trust in Almighty God. She shares the story behind each song and includes a link to a lyric video for each one.

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This is a great time to listen to or sing patriotic songs. And learn the stories behind them.

Frances Scott Key at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

Star Spangled Banner with Lyrics, Vocals, and Beautiful Photos on YouTube.

Katharine Lee Bates on Pike’s Peak, CO, 1893.

America the Beautiful with Lyrics on YouTube.

Pastor & Hymnwriter Samuel Frances Smith in Boston, MA, 1831.

My Country ‘Tis of Thee on YouTube.

Popular composer Irving Berlin wrote the song in 1918 and tweaked it in 1938.

God Bless America Plaza Singalong on YouTube.

Lee Greenwood on a tour bus somewhere between Little Rock, AR, and Texas, 1983.

Lee Greenwood – God Bless the USA (Lyrics) on YouTube.

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In “A Homeschool Mom Looks at Freedom,” Episode #257, Meredith Curtis introduces you to Teresa Clayton, a homeschool mom, with strong feelings about American freedom. Meredith & Teresa talk about history, freedom, and their relationship with Jesus Christ. They discuss ways to impart a love of freedom in the next generation to keep freedom’s light burning bright. Teresa and Meredith also talk about how they will be celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.

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Teresa has a degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Gifted Endorsement.  After 16 years of teaching in public school, Teresa’s family began homeschooling, and  God showed her that academics and discipleship were never meant to be separate.  She wanted her children to see the providence of God in every subject, to see them seek His truth, and to be tethered to His Word.  Teresa is now an empty nester who loves encouraging and edifying homeschool moms.  Right after her youngest graduated from college, a medical scare and victory from God, coupled with her love of learning, teaching, and encouraging others, led her to embark on a new career in thermography and open a holistic wellness center, North Georgia Thermography and Wellness.  Beyond her professional endeavors, Teresa is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, “a homemaker with a business.”  She loves the outdoors, especially biking, hiking, and kayaking.  Teresa is also fascinated with art and history.  Her mission is to impact others’ lives and give God the glory for her story.

Teresa defines freedom and its impact on history.

True freedom is found in Christ. Warning: America’s biggest threat is biblical illiteracy. We have the responsibility of maintaining freedom.  To keep it, we must honor the Giver and Sustainer.  We must guard it as we guard our hearts, defend it as we defend The Faith, and protect it just as love always protects.

Teresa explains how freedom impacts our lives and what it looks like to have Jesus as our first love.

Freedom from condemnation; Individual Freedom, National Freedom. When educating your children, teach them to be truth seekers, lovers of beauty, and defenders of freedom. Art reflects our culture.

“..God withholds nothing good..” Psalm 84:11

Wallbuilders: https://wallbuilders.com/

The cross divides history. All things are either looking forward to the cross or looking back at what Jesus has done.

“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-33

“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

“I walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13

Teresa’s celebration plans and memories of the Bicentennial in 1976.

Teresa ties in her summer plans with our conversation to inspire and encourage homeschool families.

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