Matthew talks with Juan Guadalupe about his family’s homeschool journey, the faith and sacrifice involved in choosing home education, and why homeschooling is more than school at home. Juan shares how his family began homeschooling while building a small business and how God provided along the way.

Amanda and Melanie reflect on the importance of dads catching the vision for homeschooling as a lifestyle and invite fathers to attend the dads gathering at Thrive! The episode also includes a simple homemade paint activity for families and a look at the College and Trades Fair at Thrive!

News and Upcoming Events

• Thrive! dads gathering 

• College and Trades Fair 

• Thrive! Conference 

Amanda and Melanie talk with Karima Askour, co-founder of EZducate, about a new AI-driven platform designed to support students with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Drawing from her own experience as a parent, Karima shares how the platform uses visual tools, behavior plans, social stories, and personalized learning supports to help families address real challenges at home.

Amanda also offers a clear overview of North Carolina’s homeschool testing requirement, explaining what the law actually requires, what it does not require, and how families can approach testing without unnecessary stress. She addresses common misconceptions, especially for families transitioning from public school, and points to helpful resources for choosing and administering standardized tests.

Resources Mentioned

• EZducate platform 
• Contact Karima Askour 
• NCHE testing webpage 
• NCHE testing webinar 

In Episode 206 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda addresses recent concerns about DNPE activity and explains what it means for a homeschool to be marked inactive, along with the steps families can take to keep their school active and records accurate. She also clarifies the role of DNPE and how it differs from NCHE, helping families understand where to go for information and support.

Amanda’s conversation with Steve and Megan Scheibner   centers on character-focused homeschooling, discipleship, and the long-term goal of passing on faith and values. Drawing from decades of experience, they reflect on parenting through every stage—from young children to adult children—and the role of parents in guiding, teaching, and entrusting outcomes to the Lord.

The episode closes with guidance on opening a homeschool and withdrawing a child from public school, including legal requirements, available options for families who may not yet meet them, and what schools may request during the withdrawal process.

Important Links

• Log into the DNPE portal
• Homeschool Law
• How to open a homeschool
• Register for Thrive!

In episode 205 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk about the everyday moments when meaningful conversations happen with our kids and how those connections grow over time.

Amanda sits down with Christy Shipe of the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) to learn how homeschool students can get involved in speech and debate, what participation looks like, and how students develop confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate with clarity and respect.

The episode also looks at practical communication skills at home, including how students learn to express themselves clearly in conversation and disagreement. Amanda shares highlights from a recent tournament, where students describe what they’re learning and why the community matters, while Melanie and Amanda discuss how families can intentionally teach communication through everyday interactions.

As part of a real-world readiness conversation, Melanie and Amanda explore telephone etiquette and how communication habits are changing. They talk through how families can help students learn when and how to communicate clearly and respectfully in both phone and text conversations, and why these skills still matter.

News and Upcoming Events

• Thrive! Homeschool Conference registration 
• NCHE graduation ceremonies and diploma orders

As spring approaches and routines shift, many homeschool families find themselves feeling stretched thin. In episode 204 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk honestly about burnout—what it looks like in daily life, how to recognize it, and small, practical ways to reset. From adjusting expectations to carving out moments of rest, they share encouragement for finishing the year with intention while caring for your own well-being.

The conversation also turns to current homeschool legislation in Connecticut and what it could mean for families across the country. They discuss the importance of understanding homeschool freedom, staying informed, and considering how policy changes in other states may affect the broader homeschool community. The episode wraps up with a simple, low-cost nature-based art idea that families can try together.

News and Upcoming Events

• Durham Bulls Education Day registration deadline 

• Thrive! pre-registration window 

• ASVAB Career Exploration Program at Thrive!

In episode 203 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda sits down with NCHE executive director Matthew McDill to talk about discipleship at home and what it looks like to move beyond behavior and academics toward helping children know and love Christ. Matthew shares how parents can encourage self-motivation, build meaningful relationships with their children, and approach parenting as an invitation rather than simply instruction. The conversation also highlights sessions at Thrive! that are designed to support and equip homeschool dads.

Later in the episode, Amanda addresses one of the most common questions homeschool families face: socialization. She reframes the conversation by exploring what socialization really means and how homeschool families can intentionally build community and friendships through everyday life and local connections.

News and Upcoming Events

• NCHE activities and field trips
• Durham Bulls Education Day tickets 
• Thrive! Conference registration and activities  
• Thrive! chess tournament
• ASVAB testing opportunity 
• Homeschool legislative updates in multiple states
• Connecticut homeschool bill
• Minnesota vaccine exemption legislation

Amanda talks with Stephanie Buckwalter of Adapted Home Education about homeschooling students with special needs and how a developmental approach can help families navigate learning challenges. Stephanie shares from more than 25 years of homeschooling experience with children who have a wide range of learning profiles, including gifted students, typical learners, and a daughter with significant special needs.

They discuss how focusing on development rather than curriculum can help parents better understand their child’s learning patterns and create meaningful progress, even when learning feels slow or unpredictable. Stephanie also previews several of the workshops she will present at Thrive!, including sessions on developmental learning, supporting students with significant learning delays, practical strategies that influence learning outcomes, and planning for life after high school for students who may need long-term support.

Later in the episode, Amanda and Melanie continue the Real World Readiness series by discussing the importance of teaching children how to write a signature. Melanie explains why learning cursive can benefit young learners, including improved letter recognition, reading and spelling support, and faster, more fluid writing.

News and Upcoming Events

• Ingram Planetarium and Museum of Coastal Carolinas field trip  
• Durham Bulls Education Day  https://nche.com/2026-durham-bulls/ 
• NCHE annual chess tournament
• NCHE scholarship applications

Amanda and Melanie talk with Briggs Greenwood about the value of real-life homeschool support groups and why in-person relationships remain so important for families navigating a digital world. Briggs shares from more than two decades of homeschooling experience and previews her upcoming Thrive! workshop, Leading an Analog Support Group in a Digital World. They also answer common questions that new homeschoolers often ask online, including the difference between the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (NCDNPE) and NCHE, and whether homeschool families are required to join a co-op. Amanda and Melanie explain how homeschooling works in North Carolina and encourage parents that they are capable of leading their children’s education. In addition, the episode highlights Thrive! Conference workshops for parents of neurodivergent and struggling learners and shares encouragement for families seeking connection, support, and confidence in their homeschool journey.

News and Upcoming Events

• Thrive! Conference workshop schedule and registration  
• Museum of the Coastal Carolinas and Ingram Planetarium field trip
• Durham Bulls Education Day field trip
• NCHE scholarships
• West Virginia homeschool legislation discussion

In this special 200th episode of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie reflect on the journey of the program and the heart behind it: encouraging families to homeschool with confidence and joy.

Past co-hosts John Lewis, Ronda Marshall, and Te’Essence Mack share memories from earlier seasons and offer encouragement to today’s homeschool families.

Amanda and Melanie also discuss why they continue the show—to share what they’ve learned over years of homeschooling, to offer trustworthy information grounded in NCHE’s law and policy work, and to remind families they are not alone in the journey.

News and Upcoming Events

• Thrive! Conference

• Ingram Planetarium field trip

• Museum of Coastal Carolina field trip

• Durham Bulls Education Day field trip

Andrew Pudewa joins Matthew to discuss how artificial intelligence and technology are shaping education, the importance of protecting students’ reading, writing, and thinking skills, and the difference between using AI as a tool and allowing it to replace human experience.

The conversation then turns to high school, where Andrew shares practical ways families can maximize these years through speech and debate, drama, dual enrollment and higher education opportunities, internships, and starting a home business. He emphasizes the value of meaningful responsibility alongside adults and how these experiences help teens grow in maturity, skill, and confidence.

Andrew also explains why attending an in-person homeschool conference like Thrive! provides space to step away from constant distraction, listen carefully, and connect with other families.

News and Upcoming Events

• Thrive! early bird registration deadline

• Durham Bulls Education Day

• Trades and College Fair at Thrive!