Latecomers: Homeschool Podcast

Certified Reading Specialist, Leslee Pennywell joins us for a conversation all about helping and inspiring our kids to read. Leslee has some invaluable advice for helping kids find the type of reading that excites them and where to focus our attention as homeschool parents. 

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Host Katy interviews Leslee Pennywell, a certified reading specialist and elementary ELA curriculum coordinator with experience teaching grades 1 and 4 and providing K–5 reading intervention. They talk about how to teach kids to read in a clear, step-by-step way, why reading practice at home matters, and why some kids need a lot more repetition—especially kids with dyslexia. Leslee explains the difference between working with sounds versus working with letters, why “guessing” from pictures isn’t real reading, and what early warning signs to watch for when reading isn’t clicking. She also shares when it’s time to consider testing, why a formal diagnosis can help later (including college accommodations), and what to look for when choosing a reading curriculum. Katy teases part two, which will cover older readers, motivation, and what they’re reading.

All the links:

Redeeming Love book

God Of The Woods book

Remarkably Bright Creatures audiobook

The Correspondent Audiobook

Read Aloud Family audiobook

Sold A Story Podcast

Example of a "Sound Wall"

Storyworks kids magazine

Girls Garage

Big Little Lies book

What Alice Forgot book

The Things We Cannot Say book

The Nightingale book

The Husbands book

The Midnight Library book

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In this episode, host Katy addresses the message she receives the most. "I'm thinking about homeschooling! What do I need to know?" She lays out everything she would tell someone trying to figure out if they want to homeschool and what first steps she would give them if they decide they want to try it. This episode is jam-packed and full of useful advice. 

The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie

Cathy Duffy (reviewer of curriculum!)

"Who Was..." book series

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Katy welcomes listeners and introduces her conversation with Rachel Davidson, a former business owner and educator who pivoted to homeschooling after her kids were already in school. Rachel shares how commuting to private school, lack of time, and her daughter’s anxiety led their family to “give it a try,” though their first online, private-school-style program wasn’t a fit. In their second year, they found a better stride and describe benefits like more sleep, less stress, more family time, and greater flexibility through co-ops, tutors, and outside classes. They discuss stereotypes, the difficulty of blocking outside opinions, and how homeschooling can protect a child’s love of learning and support introverted kids. Rachel advises getting spouses aligned, asking experienced homeschoolers questions, and trying it if it’s on your heart.

Make sure you follow along with Rachel on Instagram! @racheldavidsoncreative 

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Katy shares a summer update and shares about finishing her Latecomers Retreat field guides, now available on her website. Reflecting on a tricky homeschool year with fewer field trips, she’s joining an outdoor nature co-op and focusing on mindset, gratitude, and strong relationships with her kids. She unpacks self-care vs. selfishness from a Christian perspective, describing self-care as “fuel in the tank” that builds patience, generosity, and long-term homeschooling longevity. She explains her daily self-care routines (quiet mornings outside with coffee, Bible recap, favorite mugs, eye patches) and her bigger yearly reset: a homeschool planning retreat with a friend in Fredericksburg, Texas. She details her retreat guides (two-night, three-night, and no-travel), plus optional concierge help, exclusive podcast episodes, and an upcoming social media giveaway.

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On the Latecomers Podcast season two, Katy records from her minivan during co-op and shares a transparent faith-focused episode about feeling imposter syndrome and like a failure as a homeschool mom. She talks about perfectionism, why constant discouragement doesn’t line up with how scripture shows God empowering and guiding parents. 

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In this episode of the Latecomers Podcast host Katy Tullos interviews homeschool mom and author Katie Viera. Katie shares her unexpected homeschool journey as well as her journey to publishing her book, Into The Field: Tennessee Summer. Katie is relatable and encouraging, give her a follow on Instagram to stay in the loop for her upcoming second book in the Into The Field series for early readers. 

Find Into The Field: Tennessee Summer on Amazon!

Follow Katie on Instagram.

Katie mentions her Yeti coffee mug, The 1,000 Hours Outside Challenge, and Glow Kids. 

Katy Tullos mentions reading Johnny Tremaine with her kids as a part of their U.S. History reading list. 

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In the latest episode of the Latecomers Podcast, Katy kicks off Season 2 with reflections on her first year of podcasting and her own late start to homeschooling. She offers encouragement to new homeschoolers starting mid-year, discusses deschooling, and shares tips for choosing curriculum and setting values, goals, and limitations. Katy also highlights the importance of joining the homeschool community and promotes an upcoming Latecomers homeschool planning retreat. 

Katy mentions a few past episodes in this episode, find them linked here!

Deschooling Episode

Goals, Values and Limitations Episode

Comparing Traditional School to Homeschool Episode

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In this episode Katy talks with social media reform advocate, Nicki Petrossi about digital safety for kids. From topics such as Roblox, social media, Ai, and school devices this is a great resource and starting place for anyone wanting to learn more.  *This episode contains sensitive topics such as child harm, suicide, and sexual exploitation of children*

Nicki Petrossi is a former social media executive turned social media reform advocate. In late 2023, Nicki launched Scrolling 2 Death, a podcast for parents who are worried about social media. It’s a safe space to elevate the human experiences of children online and educate parents on how to keep them safe.

In 2025, Nicki launched Tech-Safe Learning Coalition, which supports parents related to issues with school tech, and The Heat is On, an investigative mini-series and parent movement to hold Big Tech accountable for harm to children.

Nicki also travels the world as an event speaker, inspiring families, educators and lawmakers through online safety education and awareness.

Scrolling 2 Death

Find Nicki on Instagram

Sign up for The Heat Is On newsletter

Tech Exit by Clare Morell

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Tech Safe Learning

The Digital Dilusion by Jared Cooney Horvath

10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World by Jean Twenge

Screen Strong

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 In this episode, Katy shares her personal experiences and struggles, including dealing with the end-of-semester blues. 

Goals, Values, and Limitations episode 

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