Life as a Lifeschooler

Garritt and Yvette Hampton talk about their unconventional lifestyle homeschooling on the road while filming a documentary called Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution. How do they homeschool in a tiny travel trailer while traveling all over the country? Find out in this episode of “Life as a Lifeschooler.”

Garritt and Yvette Hampton, along with their two daughters, Brooklyn and Lacey, are passionate about God, homeschooling, and spending time together as a family. So much so in fact that last year they sold most of their possessions, purchased an RV and are traveling full-time exploring this beautiful country while filming a feature-length documentary on homeschooling called Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution.

Garritt is a movie industry veteran with credits on some of the biggest movies of the last decade. Yvette’s greatest enjoyment is being a full-time wife and mom. Garritt and Yvette are both from Southern California and are in their seventh year of homeschooling. They have a passion for helping and encouraging those just getting started or considering homeschooling, as well as those who are in the midst of it as they are.

Their strongest desire is that Schoolhouse Rocked will encourage families to homeschool with confidence, equip them to overcome the challenges that cause many to give up, and to finish strong.

Here is what I asked Garritt and Yvette on this episode of the show:

That’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post Schoolhouse Rocked! Lifeschooling on the Road with the Hamptons appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Today we are talking to Michelle Miller Howard, author of TruthQuest History.

For over 20 years, Michelle has been a librarian, home-education consultant, author, columnist, and speaker, specializing in top-quality living books, educational vision, and history instruction.  It began in 1985, when she pioneered, funded, and acquired a library of such rare children’s literature, which has been thriving ever since; her Children’s Preservation Library (in Michigan) now houses over 20,000 valuable volumes, serving patrons in several counties.  A second library, Living Learning Libraries, is underway in Florida, with plans for additional libraries, and thousands more rare books already acquired.

Michelle is considered a national leader/expert on living books libraries and literature, and helps others around the nation found and operate such libraries as well. She has also developed a massive database on specialized youth literature.  She is a regular contributing columnist to various national magazines and educational websites, as well as a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Michelle wrote the multiple award-winning TruthQuest History curriculum, which steers families through American and world history with deep, engaging, spiritually-probing commentary, and which embeds her vast knowledge of topic-specific living book recommendations throughout.

Here is what I asked Michelle on this episode:

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

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The post Living Books and Lifeschooling – Michelle Miller Howard appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Recently I had the lovely opportunity to combine our kids’ movie planning meeting along with a podcast recording session with my dear friend and cancer survivor, Barbara McCoskey! What fun lifeschooling as we all worked together on our projects (and the little kids played in the pool as we watched from the window)!

Barbara and I talked about field trips to the end of the driveway (yes…you’ll hear what that was all about) and lessons on T-helper cells, among other things. Barbara’s cancer journey eight years ago gave their family a wonderful opportunity to lifeschool! Listen to hear how.

Barbara McCoskey treasures being married to Todd for over 17 years. They have four children, two before her 2010 cancer diagnosis and two adopted after her cancer treatments ended. She and her family are featured in the documentary, the 5-Day Adoption, a movie demonstrating absolute faith and the power of God in answering prayer, released in 2016. She is also the author of Dear God, Please Heal Mommy’s Cancer: One Family’s Journey through the Eyes of a Child and is currently working on her second book, I Will Not Die, but Live. 

Barbara has a passion to encourage others to embrace God’s calling on their lives and to persevere through life’s challenges and started CreatedToProclaim.com to share that passion. She and her family live in Charlotte, NC, where they have been lifeschooling for over 15 years.

Here is what I ask Barbara on this episode:

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post Cancer and Lifeschooling – Barbara McCoskey appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

At the recent International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, FL, I sat down with actor and model Sam Sorbo, whose book on homeschooling, They’re YOUR Kids: An inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate, has had a positive influence in encouraging moms that not only can they homeschool, but that it is, in fact, the best option when it comes to education. Not afraid of offending if she must, Sam Sorbo tells it like it is. You will be encouraged by her boldness in sharing the truth about education and homeschooling!

Sam Sorbo is known for her quick wit, fun personality, voracious work ethic, and strong commitment to principle. She holds many titles including radio host, actress, international model, activist, author, wife, mother, and home schooling advocate.

Sam’s new book, They’re YOUR Kids: An inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate, recently released to rave reviews. Of course, the Sorbos home school their three children.

Sam and Kevin released a movie around Christmas, 2017, written by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo, and Directed by Kevin Sorbo. The film, “Let There Be Light,” stars Kevin and Sam with their two boys, Braeden and Shane, and features Dionne Warwick, Michale Franzese, Travis Tritt, Daniel Roebuck, Gary Grubbs, and Donielle Artese. Executive Producer Sean Hannity also plays himself in the movie. (Bio taken in part from https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sorbo-show-affirming-feminine-convictions/id1140303542?mt=2.)

Here is what I asked Sam during our interview:

(Note: The surrounding crowd was a little noisy, but it gets quieter after about 10 minutes into the podcast.)

You can check out Sam’s site at www.SamSorbo.com and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post The Best Option: Homeschooling – Sam Sorbo appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Israel Wayne, regular conference speaker and author of numerous books, joins me on the show to discuss lifeschooling and the homeschooling movement in general. Having been involved in the movement since its inception, Israel has a unique perspective that is always enlightening. His personal stories will be an encouragement to other parents, as even veterans and leaders in the movement are still figuring this homeschooling thing out!

Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a Biblical worldview. He is the author of numerous books, including Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview, Full-Time Parenting: A Guide to Family-Based Discipleship, Education: Does God Have an Opinion? and his newest book, Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Ask. He has been a regular columnist for Home School Digest, Home School Enrichment and The Old Schoolhouse magazines. He is also the site editor for ChristianWorldview.net.

Israel has written articles for magazines such as Answers (Answers In Genesis), The Baptist Banner, Above Rubies, Homeschooling Today, Samaritan Ministries, to name a few, as well as websites such as CrossWalk.com, ChristianPost.com, Christianity.com, and many others.

He is a frequent guest on national radio and television programs. Israel has been involved with the homeschooling movement for over 30 years, as his family began home educating in 1978. He has been featured in national and international publications including TIME Magazine, WORLD Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, among others. Israel has been featured as the keynote speaker at various conferences, with over 5,000 in attendance. He was also the keynote speaker at the 2016 Lifeschooling Conference. (Bio taken from https://www.familyrenewal.org/author-info/.)

Here is what I asked Israel on this episode:

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

Also be sure to visit www.FamilyRenewal.org to purchase Israel’s latest book, Answers for Homeschooling – Top 25 Questions Critics Ask, and to see his current speaking schedule.

The post The Homeschooling Movement and Lifeschooling – Israel Wayne appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Have you ever felt sick and miserable, but still had to push through a homeschool day? What about every single day? Tricia Soderstrom (AboundingInHopeWithLyme.com) shared with me how she and her children survived homeschooling for many years with chronic illness (Lyme disease). Once again, we talk about the faith element in homeschooling and how when we obey His call, He provides all we need!

Tricia lives in the beautiful state of Maryland with her husband and children. She’s been married to Scott for 28 years and together they have four children who are now 23, 20, 17 and 10. Their two oldest have graduated from their homeschool and they will graduate another one this year.

Tricia decided to start a blog after much prodding and nagging, or rather encouraging from family, friends and even from people she met along the way who insisted she share her story and experience living with chronic tick-borne diseases. So in January 2015, she began Abounding in Hope with Lyme where she shares her journey with Lyme, homeschooling and her deep faith in God.

Her whole family was diagnosed with Lyme disease, Bartonella, and Babesia and a host of other things. You can read more details in My Story on her site. The purpose of her blog is to share her experience with Lyme disease in the hopes that it will be encouraging and informative. Lyme disease can be a devastating disease and Tricia’s hope is that the information on her site will help you to be educated so that you can protect yourself and your family or get the help you need. (Bio taken from https://aboundinginhopewithlyme.com/about/.)

On this episode, I ask Tricia the following questions:

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post Chronic Illness and Homeschooling – Tricia Soderstrom appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

For this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Durenda Wilson, author of The Unhurried Homeschooler, a mercifully short book on homeschooling, and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. I just love Durenda’s heart for unhurried homeschooling and her passion for helping moms learn to trust fully in the Lord with their children’s education. I know you will be blessed, too!

Durenda is a homeschooling mom of eight (born 1991-2004), five of whom have graduated. She has been married for 28 years to Darryl and they have 4 grandchildren. Durenda has written The Unhurried Homeschooler-a simple, mercifully short book on homeschooling and Unhurried Grace for a Mom’s Heart. She is the owner/writer/host of her blog and podcast, Durenda Wilson. She is called to a ministry of encouragement and has a very special place in her heart for moms and homeschooling moms because she believes, for many reasons, that motherhood is not only a gift, but often the unseen place where God moves in very powerful ways. This is why she is convinced that Christian moms must have a working knowledge of the Word that will give them the courage to raise their children as faithful followers of Christ above all else.

Here is what I asked Durenda on the show:

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post Unhurried Homeschooling – Durenda Wilson appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

On today’s show, I will share with you my journey seeking God’s leading through fasting and prayer, and why I believe it is such an important spiritual discipline for Christians to develop. I am no spiritual giant by any means! But God has taught me much through fasting and prayer, and I started 2018 with a two-week fast in which He moved in amazing ways in our family and my life. It was a truly life-changing experience and something that I believe was crucial to changing and preventing future problems with relationships and family life.

Fasting is also an important part of lifeschooling, as you are so often teaching your children more by example than by what you say in a formal setting. We should also be constantly seeking God’s leading in lifeschooling, and fasting is a great way to do this.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I mentioned drinking salt water in a pure water fast, but I failed to clarify that this is in addition to drinking regular water. I wanted to mention that in case it isn’t obvious.

For this episode, I want to share with you about something that has made huge impact on me and my family. First of all, I am not a doctor! Please consult your health professional for advice and understand that I am just sharing my personal experience with you.

I am a bit hesitant to share about fasting. Jesus made a point about the Pharisees and their practice of drawing attention to their fasting. He said that by drawing attention to themselves, they already had their reward. So in sharing, I want to be very careful that I’m not being like the Pharisees because I certainly don’t want to lose the blessing God wants to give. But I do feel that God wants me to share as an encouragement to others who need to start practicing this discipline.

To give you some background, I started to become interested in fasting several years ago after reading “Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life.” Our pastor at that time also preached a sermon, sharing about his own experiences with fasting, including a time when God used his fast to spark a revival on the campus of his school.

It is important that we also understand that God designed fasting to not only have spiritual benefit, but also the added benefit of health.

I have had failures and successes in fasting. History of my fasts, in order:

2 week fast has many benefits: cleansing, weight (fat) loss, breaking addictions, finding out true “appetites”

How to fast:

Here are several websites with good information for learning more:

Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer (from Cru.org)

7 Benefits of Fasting + the Best Types of Fasting (from Dr. Axe, a wonderful Chrsitian doctor with a large following)

Freedom You (website with a lot of helpful information about both the spiritual and physical aspects of fasting)

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post Seeking God’s Leading through Fasting and Prayer appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

How much self-sacrifice would you be willing to practice? Would you give up a six-figure career in medicine to be “just a mom”? My friend Dr. Jill Butryn did just that. She went from a practicing MD to a present mom. Listen to one of our most popular episodes, this inspiring interview about how the Butryn family made it work and how lifeschooling and “staying out of the way” played a key part in “letting their boys be wiggly boys.”

Passionate about living and loving, Jill Butryn, MD, left a thriving medical practice to rededicate herself to faith, marriage, and family. When her verbally precocious eldest child made it very clear in no uncertain terms that being away from home all day to attend kindergarten was completely unacceptable, Jill and her reluctant husband began homeschooling and never looked back.

Bucking convention by not using a curriculum, Jill has home educated two wiggly and willful boys on a steady diet of Legos, literature, and labor, with a dash of mentoring. Committed to “staying out of the way” and allowing each child to develop at his own pace in his own way, the Butryns stress spiritual and relational development over academic achievement, where all that boy energy is channeled into meaningful activities and work projects instead of pointless busywork.

Jill believes parents ultimate responsibility is to turn out healthy adults who love and serve others, and this can only be achieved by modeling and facilitating personal growth through relationship and experience. It is an imperfect process carried out by imperfect people. Thankfully, there is grace.

Here is what I asked Jill during this episode’s interview:

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post Self-Sacrifice in Lifeschooling – Dr. Jill Butryn appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

On this episode, I had the privilege to talk to my new friend Tina Hollenbeck, the researcher behind The Homeschool Resource Roadmap, about her journey from public school teacher to home educator. Tina’s experience shows that even those on the tighter end of the scale when it comes to schedules and routines can successfully lifeschool their children. The lifeschooling mindset is important and relevant for all types of personalities and homeschooling styles.

Tina and her husband have been home-educating since she quit her job as a public school teacher just prior to giving birth to their older daughter, who is now 16. They also have another daughter, age 15.

Tina was blessed to find amazing homeschool mentor moms when her kids were little, and in recent years has become a outspoken advocate, endeavoring to promote home learning whenever she’s given the opportunity. She mentors prospective home educators in her local area and via her Facebook group, The Christian Homeschool Oasis, and enjoys speaking on various topics related to homeschooling and healthy parenting. She is a regular contributor to Learning Tangent Magazine, serves as the volunteer staff writer for Celebrate Kids, Inc., and has co-authored a book entitled Celebrating Children’s 12 Genius Qualities.

In 2013, Tina launched an on-going research project that culminated in the development of The Homeschool Resource Roadmap, a database of information about more than 3,000 homeschool-oriented resource providers. Though initially focused on each company’s position regarding common core, The Roadmap has now expanded to offer a more detailed “snapshot” of each provider, giving home educators a “one stop shop” for comparing and contrasting various options. (Bio taken from https://hsroadmap.org/about-2/.)

Here is what I asked Tina on this episode of the podcast:

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!

The post From Public School Teacher to Lifeschooler – Tina Hollenbeck appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.