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Free Range Families | Homeschooling Podcast
By Brittany Stewart (RaiseThemUp: A Homeschool Underground Journal and Interviews)EducationParentingKids & FamilyEducation for Kids
Free Range Families | Homeschooling Podcast episodes
- Episode 16: The Tres Amigas, DEI, and Homeschool!
In my (Britt) husband’s words, “THIS video should go viral!” If you are wondering about the REAL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education – THIS is the episode to watch.
On his first few days in office, President Donald Trump made headlines by dismantling key components of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEI) initiatives across the federal government and other sectors, signaling a seismic shift in policies surrounding workplace diversity and education. The implications of this policy shift are far-reaching, touching on not just federal education programs but also local school districts, the professional
development of teachers, and the role of teacher's unions in advocating for “equitable” practices in the classroom.But, HOMESCHOOLING has always been the BEST way to dismantle the backwards DEI initiatives and focus on Merit, Fairness, and Values. At FreeRangeFamilies, we’ve said it from the beginning: “In a world where diversity
equals conformity, equity is unfair, and inclusion means exclusion, turn to homeschooling. Your children are growing up alongside these issues and parents bear the sole responsibility to help make sense of the backwardness of
this topsy-turvy world.”And, you know sometimes the stars just align perfectly and that’s how THIS episode worked out! We waited to release this Episode, not because we predicted Trump’s Executive Order on DEI, but because our guests are our dear
Hispanic friends, members of our homeschool co-op, and represent an often-overlooked demographic in the homeschooling community! This episode is perfect after hearing Trump’s latest executive order on DEI, because it exemplifies the TRUE meaning of being inclusive, diverse, and fair. To give perspective to our subscribers why we have such a monumental Hispanic/Mexican influence in our co-op, many of our families are only 50 miles from the Mexican/American Border.We talk about how:
Many Mexicans move to the US to give their children a better education and that is not happening anymore in the public school system.
How within their culture, God, Family, and Hard work are cornerstones of their culture and more and more Hispanic families are not liking what they are seeing (all the “WOKE” nonsense).
The nuclear family is the “IT” within the traditional Mexican community and the progressive nonsense is turning the Mexican community off.
Culture and Faith are intertwined and so important to the Hispanic/Mexican community and how the Public Schools (even in Arizona where we are so close to the border) are not fostering this relationship.
How, they saw bullying getting worse, with no accountability.
Hesitant Husbands!
Self-driven learners!
The Tres Amigas’ reasons for leaving the system - Truancy and how children are just numbers in government schools, COVID and masks, IEPs, parental rights, “once your children are on school grounds, they are no longer your concern”, the business of the system, bullying, and excusing behavior.
Bottom Line – Homeschooling is conviction-based and permeates cultures, no one knows your kids better than you, and no one is more equipped to teaching them than you! True Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity is not being boxed into a one-size fits all public education system.Free Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart1 hr 2 min - Episode 15: Outdoor Anthony and His “Epic Nature Journal”! A Tool for Homeschool and BeyondThis episode is a bit different and hopefully makes you chuckle. We LOVE interviewing other homeschool leaders, but also other educational leaders spreading their LOVE of learning with families.
Outdoor Anthony is one of those people. In this lighthearted interview, we talk to Anthony about his journey from going viral on social media to writing a children’s book, that’s now sold in stores from Barns & Noble to Target and even on Amazon!
Want to know how to poop in the woods? - Outdoor Anthony can help!
Want to know how to ride a horse? – Outdoor Anthony can help!
Want to know how to survive in an overnight shelter? – Outdoor Anthony can help!
But, he can’t help without making you and your kids laugh. ;)
So as you’re getting back into the homeschool rhythm, consider integrating Anthony’s new book, “My Epic Nature Journal” for the younger kids, and also some of his satirical videos for the older crowd. Both will help your kiddos “unplug” and explore, which is crucial for childhood development and add a lot of laughter which always enhances learning.
It was truly a pleasure to chat with Anthony, a fellow educator, who embraces exploratory learning and connecting to the natural world we all live in – and laughing along the way!
Check out: “My Epic Nature Journal” by Anthony Porter Anthony’s Website Anthony’s Instagram with VideosFree Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart29 min - Episode 14: Learning from a PRO – Nicki Truesdell! Curriculum, "School Choice", ESAs and Vouchers, and Dismantling the Department of EducationOk, CiCi, our Controversial Chicken should have been center stage for this interview. Seriously. The reality is that all NEW and even seasoned homeschool families are always seeking advice on curriculum, how to homeschool, and generally navigating the scope of Educational Freedom for their families. But all too often parents can become quickly overwhelmed by the plethora of curriculum options and chirping opinions about how to homeschool right! So, if you want to block out the noise and get right down to it, you will want to learn from Nicki Truesdell, a seasoned homeschool leader of 24 years. You DO NOT want to miss this interview. Get out your pen and paper and take notes.
1983 – Yep, Nicki has been homeschooling for over 24 years! She was homeschooled herself and is currently still homeschooling!
We picked her brain and her expertise about everything from CURRICULUM to “SCHOOL CHOICE” AND VOUCHERS/ESAs…….and DISMANTLING THE DEPARTMENT OF ED.
Curriculum: Start with teaching your kiddos to read. Keep it simple. And don’t rush this process. Then work into the other subjects of Math, Grammar, Writing, History, and Science. She gives her recommendations for curriculum that WORKS – so check out the video, but also makes sure to remind our audience not to follow Government Standards.
Autonomy - ESAs/Vouchers & School Choice: We understand this is a “touchy” subject, but it’s one that needs to be discussed, and others really need to listen from homeschool families that have seen government overreach firsthand. So many of the leaders of homeschool fought for Autonomy. If we don’t learn from HISTORY, we are doomed to repeat it. We chat with Nicki about the logistics of ESAs – it’s NOT money following the child, its government following the child. The idea of taking from your neighbor, how, legally you’re not “homeschooling” once you’re enrolled in the ESA program…and homeschool freedom does not apply to you. Bottom line, taking the money will only increase regulations. Homeschooling families should not want that for themselves or for future generations.
And finally, we talk about the momentum of homeschooling and what the future holds for us all. Her advice: “Keep fighting, stay politically aware, and ask yourself WHY you started homeschooling and what you want for your kids. And, in a nutshell, the answer to BAD public school is NOT more public school.”
Check out – Nicki’s website: NickiTruesdell.com
Nicki’s Articles on tax credits and educational freedom: Tax CreditsI Told You So
Nicki’s Book: Anyone Can HomeschoolFree Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart1 hr 2 min - Episode 13: Focus On FAMILY: How Homeschooling Can be the Gateway into Restoring the Strong Nuclear FamilyThis episode is dear to our hearts and it's one we’ve wanted to record for some time. We chose NOW, because of the season. With the hustle bustle of the Holidays, it's easy – really easy, to get swept away in all the to-do’s and neglect the beauty and power of a slow schedule focused on the family unit.
And, as homeschooling families, we want to stress the importance of our calling. To serve the Lord, Our Families, and Our Children, first. If you Focus on your Family, the rest will fall into place.
With the exponential exodus of children from the public school system turning to homeschool, we not only think homeschool will benefit the education of our children, but also restoring a strong family unit. Afterall, family is part of EDUCATION. – or it should be. Wink, wink.
This episode outlines many factors, from abortion and the erasure of women - to social media and who owns your child’s time, all aiding in the deterioration of the family unit. The solution: Homeschooling!
Homeschooling can be a tool, a gateway to traditional family values. Homeschooling has brought so many families closer together and closer to God. Homeschooling is essential to the family unit.
·Families are the compass that guide us.
·Homeschooling makes time a priority.
·And Parents need to Parent!
The family you come from is important, but the family you create is everything. We want you all to remember to foster family connections this Holiday Season. We are sincerely wishing you all a Family-Focused, Christ-Centered Christmas!
Articles Referenced:
Focus on the Nuclear Family
A Biblical Restoration of the Family Unit
Books Referenced: Dr. Ben Carson’s, The Perilous FightFree Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart59 min - Episode 12: MAHA! Let’s Make America Healthy Again! Fruit Loops Anyone?Nutrition will 100 percent affect a child’s learning and brain development. Facts don’t care about your feelings. Sorry, not sorry.
For Christina and me, this notion is cornerstone to our homeschool lives. For both of us, FOOD was a major obstacle in our family’s cognitive function. Chemicals, dyes, toxins, additives, all contribute to our overall health, physically, mentally, and emotionally. For Christina’s family, processed food is obsolete. Living a chemical-free lifestyle is a choice they made for their overall well-being and are very aware of the ingredients of everything in their household. For my family, we wanted to take it a step further and stray away from being dependent on the high prices of “healthy foods”, so we started homesteading and gardening, and are avid hunters. Both of us realized that FOOD was impacting our lives and the learning abilities of our children in various ways and so we were forced to make a change.
But the high prices of “healthy foods” force most of us to choose between buying cheap alternatives laced with toxins and chemicals, or expensive alternatives that can’t feed our families adequately. Fortunately, with RFK in office, we are hopeful that a healthier America is on the horizon!
This episode is all about how nutrition absolutely affects your children’s intellect and CiCi is center stage! We dive into the SCIENCE of all of it and then the REAL of it all. Because balance is everything. And a good cheeseburger and fries is something AMAZING!
American food culture has increasingly been criticized for promoting unhealthy eating habits that contribute to widespread health issues, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. While it may sound extreme to suggest that American food is “designed to poison” its people, there are systemic factors within the food industry that prioritize profit over health, creating a toxic environment for consumers.
One of the most glaring examples is the widespread use of processed foods, which are laden with additives, preservatives, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats. These ingredients are cheap to produce and enhance flavor, making them incredibly popular among consumers, yet they contribute significantly to poor health. The food industry’s emphasis on convenience, rather than nutritional value, has shifted the American diet towards an addiction to processed, high-calorie foods.
The combination of low-cost ingredients and aggressive marketing ensures that unhealthy eating habits become deeply ingrained in the culture. Additionally, the industrial agricultural system in the U.S. prioritizes monocrops like corn and soy, which are used in the production of cheap, processed foods. This reliance on a few crops has led to soil depletion, environmental damage, and a food system that encourages the production of calorie-dense but nutritionally poor foods.
The conspiracy is REAL; we are being poisoned. The American food system is structured in a way that promotes unhealthy, processed foods, contributing to a public health crisis that ultimately injures the population and our children!
Homeschoolers have the upper hand here. We have the TIME to share with our children how to DIY when it comes to making a healthy batch of something sweet as opposed to buying them from the store. So, we pray you integrate this aspect of health living into your homesFree Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart1 hr 10 min - Episode 11: GRATITUDE: Teaching Kids to be Thankful
Season 2 is HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And we are kicking it off with a Thanksgiving episode!
So, as you are skinning all those potatoes and brining your turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, have a listen or a watch as Christina and I get into just how to teach your kids to be thankful for all you do for them and all they have!
Season 2: Episode 11
We really have so much to be thankful for! But, helping children recognize the abstract concept of GRATITUDE or teaching it can be super challenging. Of course, homeschool families do have the benefit of time in our back pockets and so we can really focus on this all year long if we want too.
As we work through this episode, we outline several ways in which you can teach your children gratitude starting with manners and teaching history, to self-reflection and gifting experiences.
Christina and I talk about modeling behaviors so your children catch the politeness, rather than reprimanding or reminding them all the time, and how to create tangible activities to integrate into your homeschool classroom for youngsters to teens! And they may or may not involve glitter…. Hahaha!
But even more, there is something the Bible says to do repeatedly; practice prayers of gratitude. Repeatedly expressing grateful prayers help tackle anxiety and addictive tendencies. We are here to help you incorporate these elements into your homeschool environment so that your children really learn that manners, service, sacrifice, suffrage, self-reflection, and connection build thankful, grateful boys and girls!
And after all, homeschool parents work their behinies off. It’s nice to have our sons or daughters ask, “How can I be helpful?” or “Thank you” – without being prompted.
In This Harvest Season Instill Gratitude in our Children
https://homeschoolunderground.substack.com/p/traversing-teen-gifting-part-1?utm_campaign=post&triedRedirect=trueFree Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart52 min - Episode 10: Raising Arrows
“Ok, I am totally freaking out. How in the world do I homeschool my teens?!”
We hinted on this topic in a past episode, and after some viewers asked, we decided to take a deeper dive into what it takes to homeschool teens!
In episode 10 we outline the absolutes and the provisional of homeschooling teens, from knowing your state’s legal requirements to the college pathway. Let’s face it, the teen years can be HARD. Parenting young adults who are growing into themselves is no easy task. Add the task of being their teacher into the mix and it can be daunting! But we are here to tell you that homeschooling teens is INCREDIBLY rewarding and not nearly as tough as you think!
In this episode we chat about the MANY resources available to homeschooling families simply for the teen years, how to navigate the social aspect teens NEED to thrive, and we even go into depth on college admissions (although we don't push college for ALL ever)... So many of us are conditioned to thinking the path to success is school, more school, and college. That’s simply NOT the case and why homeschooling families have an upper hand in this respect, because they are more tuned in with their teens. They spend more time with them, getting to know them, and helping them craft their trajectory, so they can hit their target in life.
“Formal Education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”
All in all, the teen years are vital, so let's keep them close, give them the foundation they need and set them free to be the salt and light we've raised them up to be.
PS: For those families with a college-bound kiddo, we even have statistics and information from a Vice President of a University! All we can say is PAPER TRAILS & PORTFOLIOS!
So let’s raise arrows!
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5Free Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart45 min - Episode 9: I Run a Tight Shipwreck!
This AMAZING episode elaborates on the REAL of the homeschooling world. How do you actually do this homeschooling thing and still save time for self-care? For your spouse?
Christina and I are very different, our approaches are different, our children are different, our families are different, and THIS is what homeschooling is all about. This is what makes it so beautiful! Do what works for your family - always!
In this episode, Britt goes through her schedule from sunup to sundown – she doesn’t believe in teaching before 10 am! For personal and cognitive reasons. For Britt, her hubby is up at 3 or 4 to plaster swimming pools in the Arizona heat, and is not home to help with the schooling - he helps with extracurriculars. She is teaching three kiddos ages 7, 10, and 14, so she leans on her “grid method” to maintain structure and flow to her day. She also is a firm believer in being present and turning off her phone during instruction. Britt does not end her “school day” until everyone is home from all their extracurriculars – which sometimes can be after 9.
Christina and her hubby work from home. They both teach their kids and are able to manage their businesses this way. Her school day normally starts shortly after their firm wake up time of 7:30am. Her kiddos are older (13 & 15), more independent learners and she is really, really good at scheduling time for herself. The "school day" generally ends right after lunch and her kids are free to work on their music and hobbies after that! Christina’s tips are wonderful: saying no is ok, include mental health into your learning day, and don’t have Rock Brain!
We want to stress to homeschool parents that YOU are the example. What do you want your kids to see? What do you want your kids to learn from you? You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Your kids are your greatest investment. God has given them to you to raise up. He’s going to give you what you need to do the job.
Books referenced
Israel Wayne – Questions God Asks
Substack articles: Homeschooling is Hard / 10 Ways to Avoid Parent Burnout
Free Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart51 min - Episode 8: How Do I Homeschool a Child with Special Learning Needs?
“The biggest mistake we make in life is to treat everyone equally when it comes to learning.”
This episode hit hard for both of us. Not only are we parents of children with special learning needs, but we were students with special learning needs. Tourette’s runs thick in my family on both sides and it has been something I (Britt) have personally had to overcome and also something my children are living with. It’s part of the reason I am shyer on camera than Christina, having to constantly worry about my eye ticks and how to calm them. Christina has a gifted and twice exceptional child – and she’s pretty gifted herself; this is her specialty after all, with a degree in Special Education. So, we are familiar with sensory issues, ADD, OCD, Autism and anything on the spectrum. Even more, we were on both sides of the equation in the government school system, trying to make this public school thing work. But it didn’t, so we left. Since then, our children have flourished being homeschooled. And yours can too.
Some of the greatest thinkers were homeschooled. C.S. Lewis, Da Vinci, Einstein, Twain, Churchill, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln…The list goes on and on! These folks, in today’s public school system, would most definitely be considered for an IEP and need special modifications to help navigate the hyper structure of the public school system.
Episode 8 will tackle What is normal? What is exceptional? What is gifted? What is twice exceptional? And reiterate that you’re never going to change who your kiddos are, but you can change their environment.
The accommodations look very different at home then in public school. Where these children may fall through the cracks or get into trouble in the public school system, at home you can deliver them an environment that is as unique as they are.
We will discuss:
Time blocking – breaking down tasks into smaller time frames.
Planner and Checking off tasks.
Wiggle breaks.
Classical Music.
Pro’s and Con’s and graphic organizers.
AND SO MUCH MORE!
The beauty of homeschooling is that you have the freedom to tailor an education to fit your child. Homeschooling is THE most nurturing environment for your special need's child. Hands down, the absolutely best thing you can do for them is to remove them from the constraints of the public school system. And we are here to help! You CAN do this!
Free Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart42 min - Episode 7: HELP! Am I going to mess up my child if I homeschool?
There are so many stigmas associated with homeschooling. Too many. From socialization to not being equipped to teach your own children. We are here to remind you that above all the advice others can give you, beyond any test you can take online, even any recommended curriculum, YOU have all the tools you need to teach your own children. Why? Because God equipped you to do so.
In this more serious, but genuine episode, we talk about various voiced concerns we have heard from parents at our homeschool (HUGAZ) co-op orientation this year and throughout the years. Hopefully our advice to answer the calling and trust your instincts will resonate with new homeschool families and also the seasoned ones.
Are you afraid your kiddo will become “weird” or “unsocialized”?
Are you afraid you won’t be teaching to the “standards” of the state?
Are you afraid your child won’t be able to play sports if they are homeschooled?
Are you afraid that your teen won’t be able to attend college?
Do NOT be afraid of homeschooling. Be afraid of the Public School System today. - That's much scarier.
AOP - curriculum we mention in this episode both our families use
Free Range Families Homeschool Podcast (@freerangefamilies) • Instagram
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RAISE Them UP: A Homeschooling and Parenting Substack | Brittany Stewart33 min
About Free Range Families | Homeschooling Podcast
From the publisher's feed
In a world where diversity equals conformity, equity is unfair, and inclusion means exclusion, turn to homeschooling. Your children are growing up alongside these issues and parents bear…
the sole responsibility to help make sense of the backwardness of this topsy-turvy world. Join Britt, a former Public Education teacher gone rogue, as she helps current and new homeschooling families navigate the how-to’s of successful homeschooling and tackle the BIG issues facing our children today.