You’ve heard it a thousand times: “But what about socialization?” “What if my kid falls behind?” “What if they only want screens?”
In this episode, I’m joined by Courtney (former teacher + school psychologist, now a private evaluator/advocate) to break down what unschooling actually is — and what it looks like in real life.

We talk about the fear parents carry when they step outside the school system, and why so many families need to deschool themselves first. Courtney shares what she’s seen from inside education and why forcing kids to meet grade-level standards can backfire — especially when kids develop at different rates.

We also get into:

• What unschooling really means (and why it’s not “kids watching TV all day”)
• Why school “socialization” can be toxic and what healthy socialization looks like
• How to handle screen time without power struggles (and why curiosity matters)
• The link between anxiety, nervous system regulation, and learning
• Why many kids are labeled too early — and what parents can do instead
• How to spark learning naturally through real life, nature, conversation, and connection
• A fascinating look at Human Design as a tool for understanding how your child learns

If you’re a parent who’s trying to homeschool without recreating school at home — and you want your child to grow in confidence, curiosity, and love of learning — this episode will help you breathe again.

 📌 Links to Courtney’s work: https://linktr.ee/courtney_shakti

Follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with a parent who needs reassurance today.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

• My ebook: https://thehomeschoolhowto.com/ebook
  
  
• My children’s safety book Let’s Talk, Emergencies!: grab it on Amazon!

🎁 Free resource: Grab my free 30-day homeschool quick start guide at thehomeschoolhowto.com

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What happens when you stop accepting the “official story” and start asking better questions—about education, parenting, freedom, and the systems we’ve all been told to trust?

In this week’s episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, I’m joined by Tim (ANCAPTim)—a homeschooling dad, songwriter, and outspoken advocate of voluntary exchange, individual responsibility, and a truly free market. We talk about what anarcho-capitalism means in plain language, how his worldview shaped his decision to homeschool, and how to raise curious, grounded kids without turning them into “the weird kid on the playground.”

We also get into:

• Why “both sides” can feel like two wings of the same bird
• Homeschooling as a custom fit for individual kids (not a one-size box)
• Unschooling explained without the stereotypes
• Consumer responsibility, ethics, and “voting with your wallet”
• AI, creativity, and what tech might change (and what it won’t)

Connect with Tim + his music:
 ANCAPTIM.com 

Mentioned in today’s episode:

• My ebook: https://thehomeschoolhowto.com/ebook
  
  
• My children’s safety book Let’s Talk, Emergencies!: https://CherylDaley.com or grab it on Amazon!
  
  

If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow the show and leave a review—it helps more homeschool families find the podcast.

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What happens when a homeschooled kid grows up, skips the “missing out” narrative, and builds a real community of motivated teens who want to create, lead, and launch?

In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, I’m joined by Malcolm—a homeschooled graduate who spent years in Classical Conversations (CC) and is now the founder of Teen Mastermind, a fast-growing entrepreneurship community for teens that’s already reaching beyond the U.S.

We talk about what homeschooling was actually like from the student perspective—socialization, friendships, motivation, prom/homecoming alternatives, and why Malcolm says he didn’t miss out… he dodged a bullet. You’ll also hear a clear, simple breakdown of the classical education model (grammar, dialectic/logic, rhetoric) and how CC works week-to-week for families considering it.

Then we go deeper into the part parents don’t always know how to teach: entrepreneurship. Malcolm shares what he learned from attending business events with his family, why masterminds matter, and how being around the right people can change a teen’s trajectory.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Will my kids resent homeschooling?”
• “How do homeschoolers actually make friends?”
• “Is Classical Conversations worth it?”
• “How do I raise a motivated teen with real-world skills?”

…this episode is for you.

Resources mentioned:

• theteenmastermind.com
• teenmastermindlive.com

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You know your child better than any teacher, curriculum, or system ever could — but trusting that instinct can feel scary.

In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, I’m joined by Leanne, a former classroom teacher, homeschool mom of two grown kids, and Unfold History co-creator, to talk honestly about what homeschooling really looks like over the long haul.

We dive into:

• How to know when a curriculum isn’t working — and when to switch
• Why learning should be engaging, exciting, and sometimes messy
• The freedom homeschooling gives families beyond academics
• The impact of screens, dopamine, and constant stimulation on developing brains
• Why college doesn’t have to be the end goal — and what success can actually look like
• How homeschooling can strengthen family bonds well into adulthood

🎬 Unfold History

Leanne is also one of the creators behind Unfold History, a live-action, story-based history program for kids designed to make history meaningful, visual, and relatable. The program uses short, kid-centered videos paired with flexible curriculum to help children understand why history matters — not just memorize facts.

Whether you’re homeschooling, exploring alternative education, or simply questioning the traditional school system, this episode will remind you that there is no single “right” path — only the one that works for your family.

🎧 Listen in and be encouraged: you can do this.

Check out: www.unfoldhistory.org

Follow Unfold History on Instagram and Facebook

The documentary mentioned is actually called : The Social Dilemma (not The Social Experiment!) 

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

👉 15% off Tuttle Twins books with code Cheryl15

Let's Talk, Emergencies!- Grab it on Amazon!
What is the most important thing we can teach our kids?
HOW TO HANDLE AN EMERGENCY!

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What if one of the biggest homeschooling wins isn’t curriculum… but protecting your kids from modern pressures and modern “food”?

In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Patrick & Ashley—homeschool-connected entrepreneurs and the team behind Jigsaw Health—to talk about:

• Patrick’s experience being homeschooled in 7th–9th grade (and why it mattered)
• The myth of “socialization” vs. what homeschool kids actually gain
• Why food choices have become a parenting issue (and a homeschooling advantage)
• Their documentary Breaking Big Food: How the American Food System Went Rotten and How It’s Being Revived
• Practical, realistic “one step at a time” swaps (without turning your life upside down)
• Why “pay the farmer now or pharma later” keeps showing up in this conversation

You’ll also hear how families are building local alternatives—farmers markets, seed-oil-free restaurants, community markets—and how you can start making changes without getting overwhelmed.

🎥 Watch the documentary: BreakingBigFood.com 

Ashley & Patrick's supplement brand: JigsawHealth.com and their organic coffee shop: FireflyScottsdale.com

If you’re homeschooling (or considering it) and you care about kids’ health, behavior, focus, food dyes, ultra-processed foods, and raising well-adjusted humans, this episode will give you both encouragement and next steps.

Follow/subscribe for weekly interviews with homeschooling families and experts—and share this episode with a friend who’s trying to “do better” but doesn’t know where to start.

Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer 

Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

Homeschooling isn’t just about math lessons and reading charts—it’s about who gets to shape how your kids see the world.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jonathan Newman from the Mises Institute, a homeschooling dad, economist, and libertarian who breaks down why he and his wife chose to keep their kids out of government schools, how they approach reading and “adulting” skills at home, and why there’s really no such thing as a “neutral” education.

We talk about:

• Teaching kids to read with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons—and why it works for some kids and not others
• The big differences between boys and girls when it comes to focus, readiness, and timelines
• Why homeschooling is so much more efficient than public school (and what to do with all that extra time together)
• The “adulting crisis” and how kids actually learn real-life skills like changing a tire, paying bills, and mailing a letter
• What Austrian economics is, why the Mises Institute exists, and how Jonathan teaches multiple perspectives instead of one government-approved narrative
• Capitalism vs. socialism, and why socialist systems struggle to get food, prices, and production right
• Indoctrination, values, and why parents—not the state—should decide which ideas get center stage in their child’s education

If you’re a Christian, liberty-minded, or simply skeptical of the one-size-fits-all system and the stories your kids are being told about history, money, and government, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.

Follow Dr. Jonathan Newman on X - @NewmanJ_R

Discover free books, articles, and lectures on economics and liberty at Mises.org

Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer 

Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

What happens when vaccine mandates, school regulations, and a mama’s intuition collide? In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany, a homeschool mom of almost-seven-year-old twin boys in West Virginia and an occupational therapist who now serves the homeschool community.

Tiffany shares how COVID, vaccine requirements, and a strong Christian conviction opened the door to homeschooling—not just for her twin boys, but for her stepkids too. We talk about co-ops, jujitsu, piano lessons, state requirements, and why “freedom” is the first word that comes to mind when she thinks of home education.

As an OT, Tiffany also dives into reflex integration—how primitive reflexes can affect things like handwriting, reading, attention, picky eating, emotional regulation, and why some kids “can’t sit still” no matter how hard they try. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this just a phase, or does my child actually need help?” this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Homeschooling energetic twin boys with totally different strengths
• Navigating co-ops, church life, and daily rhythms in West Virginia
• How vaccine mandates and religious convictions pushed some families toward homeschooling
• The difference between classical education and programs like Classical Conversations
• West Virginia vs. New York homeschool requirements (portfolio reviews, testing, paperwork)
• What pediatric occupational therapy actually is for homeschoolers
• Reflex integration 101 and how unintegrated reflexes can show up as
  • Poor handwriting
  • Trouble sitting still
  • Visual scanning issues when reading
  • Picky eating, chewing on clothes/pencils
  • Big emotions and meltdowns
• Why it’s okay to ask for help and build your “village” as a homeschool parent

Connect with Tiffany:

Www.agapelove.com

Facebook: The Homeschool OT, Tiffany Parsons

Other therapy resources: 

Www.HomeschoolOT.com 

Facebook: The Homeschool OT, Sarah Collins

Harkla (parent trainings): https://harkla.co/?rfsn=8716597.365cfae

Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer 

Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Jem from Australia, a homeschooling mom of four navigating autism, ADHD, sensory needs, school refusal, and neurodivergent learning—and doing it all with honesty, humor, and so much heart.

Jem shares why her family left the traditional school system, how her kids went from daily meltdowns and sensory overwhelm to peaceful mornings and learning at their own pace, and why unschooling naturally became the approach that finally worked.

We talk about:
 • What homeschooling looks like for autistic and ADHD learners
• Why school refusal isn’t “defiance”—it’s dysregulation
• The surprising benefits of late-morning starts, slow mornings, and interest-led learning
• How volunteering at an animal rescue farm completely changed her daughter’s confidence
• Creating sensory-friendly learning spaces at home
• Using fidgets, wobble seats, chewing tools, trampolines, and pets for regulation
• Transitioning out of curriculum and into a more intuitive, child-led rhythm
• How homeschooling reconnects families and helps kids thrive emotionally
• The differences between public school vs. homeschool in Australia
• What new homeschool parents REALLY need to hear before they begin

If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, exploring unschooling, or wondering whether homeschooling can truly support special needs, this episode will give you encouragement, perspective, and a whole lot of validation.

✨ Connect with Jem:
Jem's Facebook

Jem's Instagram

Leave the Big Box Store! Shop Here Instead!

Swap Where You Shop

Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer 

Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

*** A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!!

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

In this powerful episode, Cheryl sits down with Anya, a seasoned mom who made the courageous choice to pull her son out of school during a season of deep grief — and discovered that unschooling was the unexpected key to his healing, growth, and confidence.

Anya shares how losing her son’s father, navigating the chaos of COVID schooling, and tuning into her child’s emotional needs led her to take full ownership of her family’s educational path. What followed included incredible personal growth, restored mental health, and the realization that children often learn more outside the system than inside it.

Together we explore:
 • How unschooling helped her son recover emotionally and academically
 • Why children can easily return to public school without “falling behind”
 • The impact of grief, trauma, and stress on learning
 • Why emotional intelligence matters more than worksheets
 • Homeschool myths that keep parents scared
 • Real-life skills kids actually need (and how school suppresses them)
 • The hidden pressures on parents from schools, doctors & society
 • Why confidence, connection, and slow childhood matter more than curriculum

If you’re considering homeschooling, curious about unschooling, or questioning the one-size-fits-all school system, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself — and your child — more deeply.

Connect with Anya: www.theangelwearsprana.com
Instagram
Youtube
Facbook

 A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!!

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

Discover how one family's challenging school experience became a powerful homeschooling journey. What starts as a two-week trial becomes a wake-up call that changes everything. This raw, honest conversation reveals why traditional school wasn't working and how unschooling created the freedom their family desperately needed.

In this episode, we explore:

• The wake-up call that changed everything about their education approach
• Breaking free from "compliance culture" and therapy pressure
• Building community through homeschool co-ops
• France vs. U.S. schooling: eye-opening cultural differences
• What unschooling really looks like in daily practice
• Interest-led learning, morning baskets, and unit studies that work
• Teaching kids how to think, not what to think
• Handling hard days with regulation and nature resets
• Self-care strategies for homeschool parents
• Creating a freedom mindset around time, travel, and family values

Whether you're considering homeschooling, already on the journey, or simply curious about alternative education, Sarah's story offers practical insights and encouragement for raising independent thinkers.

Perfect for: homeschool parents, unschooling families, parents questioning traditional education, those interested in child-led learning

Get Sarah's Emotional Regulation FREE Toolkit here!

Sarah's website

Visit Sarah's Instagram here!

Teaching O and A

A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!!

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast