Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool

Will Estrada, Senior Counsel at HSLDA, shares his journey as a homeschool graduate and his ongoing work defending homeschool freedom nationwide. He and HSLDA President Jim Mason discuss recent legislative developments—celebrating a victory in Wyoming, where the annual letter of intent requirement for homeschoolers was repealed, while raising concerns about a proposed bill in Illinois (HB 2827) that would impose burdensome regulations and even criminal penalties for noncompliance. In these unprecedented times, homeschool families and state organizations are uniting to make their voices heard at state capitols across the country. Please note that this interview was recorded on April 16th, 2025. "We were not going to even try and fight HB 2827 in the [Illinois State] House. [We thought], 'It's going to pass the House, let's focus on the Senate where we've got a better shot.' I was talking to an Illinois Senate Staffer the other day and he was telling me it's amazing that the bill is struggling so much in the House. I have seen so many people who have risen up to fight this bill. It's a powerful reminder that as we read in Ephesians 6, that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities. And so, take on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. And I love that here at HSLDA, we get to pray together, to pray for homeschool parents in Illinois, Virginia, Wyoming, and other states, because it really is a reminder that what we do matters in eternity"—Will Estrada

Homeschool freedom came under threat in Virginia earlier this year, and hundreds of families quickly stepped up to defend it—proving that the price of freedom is constant vigilance. In this episode of Homeschool Talks, Callie Chaplow, Director of Government Affairs for the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) joins Jim Mason, President of HSLDA, to discuss how families rallied at the Virginia statehouse to defend homeschool rights during an active legislative season, particularly families new to homeschooling! Join the conversation on how Virginia's homeschool community made their voices heard—and what we can all learn from their advocacy. "[This bill] was an attack on all homeschoolers. It [attempted to] change the homeschooling process and it added a whole bunch of requirements. [Homeschool families] rallied. In Virginia, about 40% of homeschoolers in Virginia were not homeschooling pre-COVID. That's a gravitational shift in culture of people who have never had to defend their homeschool freedom. This was an opportunity for all these new homeschoolers to really value what we have. And they did. People who had never been involved in the political process, never have come down to the Capitol, never written or called a legislator—they [rose up]."—Callie Chaplow

Homeschool fathers and advocates, Chris Butler and Abraham Hamilton, share their perspectives on the role of government in education. Join them in this episode to explore the positive impact homeschooling has had across the United States, and recent threats including a new bill in Illinois that threatens to impose additional restrictions on homeschooling families (including jail penalties for non-compliance). Chris and Abraham highlight how restrictive legislation can harm disadvantaged communities and how parents from all backgrounds are coming together to protect homeschool freedom, transcending party lines at the capitol steps! "No matter who you are and what your political leanings are, if you are really concerned about the cause of justice, you should be acutely concerned about this idea. . .that with such a quick reaction to different communities accessing [homeschool] freedom for themselves, now there is this move to restrict that freedom, and to lock children, especially children from disadvantaged communities, into a public school system that is not working for them. I think that the high aim of this legislation [in Illinois] is to make it too hard to homeschool so that folks who have been choosing to do it will just default to stay in the public system that has failed multiple generations now of children from our communities on multiple levels. And so for me, and I think for a lot of people, wherever they fall on the political spectrum, it is a justice issue."—Chris Butler

What does it mean to live a successful life? For the women featured in Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth, it means embracing the beauty and challenge of raising a large family. Economist, author, and mother of eight Dr. Catherine Pakaluk sheds light on college-educated women across diverse backgrounds choosing to raise large families in an era of declining birth rates. Through her research, Pakaluk reveals a worldview where children are embraced as these women's purpose, their contribution, and their greatest blessing. Join this thought-provoking, faith-filled vision of family and our future with Catherine and HSLDA President, Jim Mason. They highlight the crucial role of the homeschooling movement, which enables families to educate their children affordably while fostering strong values at home. "The three biggest blessings that God wants to send us are children, good health, and prosperity. The Jewish woman I talked to said, 'the tradition says that the biggest of these three is children. . .that God really wants to bless us.' If you really believed that children were the greatest blessing that God could send you. . .you would arrange your life to have another child. . .they fit their careers and their professional work around their families rather than fitting their the timing of their children around their careers."—Dr. Catherine Pakaluk

Homeschooling can bring a broader vision for your family and deeper engagement with your community. Join Vince Loparo Jr. (homeschool dad) and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) in an encouraging conversation about Vince's holistic approach to parenting. You will walk away knowing how to define your family's core values to create an unshakable foundation, even when faced with challenges. Homeschooling can knit your family together and make your family stronger! "There's something in your life that is your core value, and you're not going to give on that. I think you need to know what that is. Write it down. If you have to, look each other in the eye as a family and say, 'this is what we stand for.' In our home, we stand for unconditional love and hospitality, welcoming people, bringing them into an environment of unconditional love. Regardless of what the day's adventures might bring, that's the foundation we stand on."—Vince Loparo Jr.

Homeschool graduate Kaitlyn Bajek shares her experience as a homeschool student. Enabled to pursue her passions, she started her own company! Now, she helps current and future homeschool families navigate the high school years as they plan for their student's future. Join Kaitlyn and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) as they discuss all the benefits homeschooling has to offer! "I was homeschooled starting in second grade after the holiday break. I remember that day very well. I was sitting on the playground outside in our backyard, and my mom looked at me and said, "Kaitlyn, how would you like to stay home and be homeschooled?" I was absolutely thrilled. It was such an exciting experience for me to be able to choose my own destiny and to be able to really learn about things that were passionate to me. I loved learning about music and science. Being able to foster that love for learning throughout my academic career was truly a wonderful experience."—Kaitlyn Bajek

Homeschooling has the power to shape not just families, but entire communities. In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Myles Wertz (associate professor of theology and director of Baptist Studies at Abilene Christian University) joins HSLDA Attorney Will Estrada to explore Dr. Wertz's recent article in Christianity Today and his own personal homeschool journey. When parents choose homeschooling out of a desire to do what's best for their children, the ripple effects extend far beyond the family—fostering individuals who enrich their communities and drive positive change in society. "When we allow families to pursue homeschooling, we find that certain practices or ways of educating begin to bubble up from the surface that wouldn't have been discovered or wouldn't have been understood had there not been the room for homeschooling to exist. . .I think education needs to be more personalized and more attentive to the particular needs of students in nature. I think that's something that homeschooling can naturally do."—Dr. Myles Werntz

Homeschool graduate and World Magazine journalist Grace Snell believes homeschooling afforded her unique opportunities for community and exploration of her passions! Join Grace and Jeremiah Lorrig (HSLDA Director of Media Relations) as they discuss her military family upbringing and highlight how homeschooling fostered Grace's passion for storytelling, preparing her for a career in journalism. "I think sometimes, people who are considering homeschooling [face] a lot of fears: "what if this doesn't turn out," or "what if they don't have social skills". Instead, think, "what is it that I want for my family? What is my vision for our flourishing together, and what's the best way to reach that?" And if it seems like homeschooling is the best way to realize that, then don't be afraid to take that step or to jump in or to ask more questions. It could be a really beautiful opportunity!" —Grace Snell

In an increasingly interconnected world, we risk losing touch with the roots of our local communities. We've traded face-to-face mentorship and the wisdom of our elders for fleeting digital interactions and virtual acquaintances, while also creating a uniform education system. Nicholas Ellis, Founder of Christian Halls, is on a mission to change that. Through his program, he fosters local mentorships and engagement. By pairing youth with seasoned, knowledgeable advisors, Christian Halls helps to create thriving relationships that will positively impact communities, be rooted in trust, and foster shared experiences and generational wisdom. Join HSLDA President and host, Jim Mason, for an inspiring conversation with Nicholas about higher education and the vital role of passing wisdom from one generation to the next generation. "We've never had a generation that has more access to content and data in the history of the world. Data access, knowledge—access is no longer our problem. And so why, when we look around, do we see foolishness everywhere that we look? I think that a lot of that is coming down to vacating our communities—the natural, multi-generational transfer of wisdom from one generation to the next, by basically sidelining our elders. Our professional structures prefer that the retired elder community not be involved because they frankly take away [time] from that next 35-year-old PhD that's coming up through the system. Our model says that they are the absolute gold of our communities"—Nicholas Ellis

Homeschooling can start at any point in your child's education. For Heidi St. John's family, their journey started after noticing detrimental effects public school was having on sibling relationships. One fateful day, she missed the cut off period to enroll her second daughter in school, and the rest is history! Now with only one homeschool student left, Heidi is helping other homeschool parents find community through her organization, the Firmly Planted Family Homeschool Resource Center. "I would say that my favorite place to be is home. It's sitting around the campfire with our kids and grandkids at the end of a long day and people, you know, bring in whatever leftovers they have in their fridge and hang out. And I think that those things don't happen by accident! They happen because of intentionality. And, and we just love spending time with our kids. It breaks the narrative of the culture, right? [They believe] your kids are this interference and 'we can't wait to send them to school and all the things.' Homeschooling really changed the way we saw family, and I think it did it for the better"—Heidi St. John