Homeschool Made Simple

In this episode, Rachel Winchester sits down with Kara Beck and Linda Sarna to discuss their experiences with being in a “Well-Read Mom” group. They discuss some of the highs and lows of the books they read this year from the theme “The Year of the Teacher.” To hear more about the concept of the Well-Read Mom book groups, listen to Episode 262. Between the snacks, good conversations, and lots of interesting and challenging books, these ladies share all the wonderful things they’ve gleaned from participating. Join us!

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

Donate to our homeschooling ministry

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25

Voetberg Music Academy

Do you want your kids to love music (and make joyful memories together)? In this episode from the archive, Carole shares relaxed and creative ways to add classical music to your homeschool—no stuffy lessons or stress required! This episode is chock-full of resources and easy tips for composer study, favorite books, sing-alongs, bible verses set to music, and a balanced idea of when to start formal lessons. With all these resources, you’ll be armed with lots of ideas to make music a natural, happy part of your home.

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

Nat Theo Podcast Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25

Voetberg Music Academy

Do you want your child to develop a love of art? This episode from the archive shares doable ways to make art a natural part of your homeschool routine. The discussion explores how to spot good art, some must-have book picks, and why quality matters—even when you’re on a budget. Learn about resources from classic children’s art books to tips for visiting museums and setting up a creative space at home. The key theme: making art fun, meaningful, and totally doable for every family!

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

HMS Essentials Bundle

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25

Voetberg Music Academy

You know we say “better late than early” in our method. In this episode, Carole and Rachel focus on why it’s actually better to delay formal handwriting work, especially for boys, and how following your child’s developmental cues can make learning much more enjoyable. One concept discussed was using fun, hands-on activities and a simple, artistic approach, like the Getty-Dubay Italic method, to build writing confidence. If you want practical tips on making handwriting—and homeschooling—simpler and happier, tune in and be encouraged!

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25

Voetberg Music Academy

Not sure how to make math work in your homeschool? This episode is packed with down-to-earth advice for keeping math simple, not starting too early, and helping your kids enjoy it! Several points were raised, including using games and daily routines to build math skills naturally, plus an honest look at popular programs like CTC Math and Right Start Math. If you want your kids to love math—and you want less stress—this episode will help you breathe easier and teach with confidence!

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of curricula and tools mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25

Voetberg Music Academy

Psalty has been a staple in some Christian families for decades. Carole and Rachel discuss the depth that the Psalty albums provide for growing our children’s faith for the long haul. They discuss the themes in each album and other music that have shaped JJ and her grandchildren. They talk about practical ways that encourage kids to reach for Psalty. Your young child will be enchanted by Psalty, so join us to hear all about it!

RESOURCES

+Click here for a complete list of albums mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

Nat Theo Podcast Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25

Voetberg Music Academy

In part 2 of Rachel’s conversation with homeschool mom of 4, Hanni Go shares her journey of breaking free from the pressure of following other homeschooling families. She has chosen to value relationships and nurturing her children over the academic rigor that others might expect. Carole’s proven teaching methods and the example of the many families who have used them have encouraged Hanni to ditch the comparison trap to see her children be who God made them to be.

RESOURCES

+Download your own copy of the Truths to Remember list

+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

HMS Essentials Bundle

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for 25% off your first month! Use code HOMESCHOOL25

Voetberg Music Academy

In this episode from the archive, Rachel Winchester talks with Hanni Go, a homeschooling mom of 4, about searching for a fresh homeschool perspective that helped revitalize their family dynamic.

Hanni talks us through the balancing act between nurturing relationships and academic pursuits. Though it took some time for her to fully buy into the Homeschool Made Simple method, she now sees the benefit of grounding herself in a research-based philosophy of education.

When Hanni needed a fresh perspective on homeschooling, she attended A Literature-Based Approach to Education seminar in Minnesota. Afterward, she wrote a list of truths to remember when she feels discouraged. Rachel and Hanni discuss her takeaways from that seminar.

We know you will relate to Hanni, and we hope this gives you the fuel to press on!

You’ll hear about:

• How Hanni handles difficult days
• A big age gap between kids
• When you feel burnt out in homeschooling
• The difference going to an HMS seminar made for Hanni
• Truths to remember when you feel burnt out

RESOURCES

+Download your own copy of Truths to Remember!

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

Try CTCMath-Half Price Discount

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your first month of lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for just $10! Use code HOMESCHOOL10

Voetberg Music Academy

In the second part of our conversation with Lovely Bits Magazine writer and homeschool mom, Nicole Brignolle, we discuss the value of curiosity, connecting with local history, and seeing beauty in everyday life—not just chasing big, expensive adventures. We discuss the importance of rereading trusted classics, resisting performance-driven schooling, and nurturing each child’s uniqueness. Plus, we unpacked how centering God and beauty can inspire new projects, such as the Lovely Bits magazine, that blends faith and aesthetic excellence to uplift readers. Join us and enjoy!

RESOURCES

+Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto

+ Home Grown Kids and Better Late Than Early by Raymond and Dorothy Moore

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

HMS Essentials Bundle

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your first month of lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for just $10! Use code HOMESCHOOL10

Voetberg Music Academy

In this episode, we talk with Nicole Brignolle, a former New Yorker now homeschooling in rural Tuscany. Her family's unexpected relocation led to a refreshing shift away from over-scheduled days and performance-based learning. They found freedom in using our literature-based approach by prioritizing margin, creativity, and following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This episode is filled with helpful mindset shifts around your homeschool and your priorities. Plus, you’ll hear plenty of encouragement from your family without having to move to a foreign country!

RESOURCES

+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!

+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here

+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.

+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!

+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!

CONNECT

Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

EPISODE LINKS

HMS Essentials Bundle

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your first month of lessons with Voetburg Music Academy for just $10! Use code HOMESCHOOL10

Voetberg Music Academy