This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Matt Beaudreau, homeschool father of 3 and founder and CEO of Apogee Strong. In our conversation, Matt explains how he ended up homeschooling, and why he cares so much about self-directed learning and raising self-reliant, sovereign children. Matt shares his personal journey from a traditional educator to a pioneering figure in alternative education, discussing the development of Apogee campuses and his family's unique lifestyle on a self-sustaining farm in North Carolina. Listeners will gain insights into creating purposeful education environments, the importance of family values, and the power of questioning conventional systems.

Connect with Matt

apogeestrong.com

Sites

Synthesis Tutor

[email protected]

This Golden Hour

In this episode we get to spend time with my brother-in-law, Eli, from Alberta. Eli is a homeschool dad of four, business owner, and entrepreneur from Alberta. Today, Eli is joining us from Hawaii, where he and his family like to frequent during the winter months to surf and spend time together. One of the beauties of homeschooling is having the flexibility to do trips like these! In our conversation, we discussed several benefits and challenges of homeschooling, the impact of our public school experiences, and the value of an entrepreneurial education for children, which is severely lacking in schools. Eli asks some meaningful questions and we enjoyed a natural discussion about relevant homeschool and parenting topics. This will be a good listen!

Books

Hold Onto Your Kids

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Nicki Truesdell from Texas. Nicki is a second-generation homeschooling mother of five, author of Anyone Can Homeschool and other works, and she is a homeschool advocate and consultant. Nicki’s parents decided to homeschool in the early 1980s and were arrested for not putting their kids in school. They pressed on faithfully, and when Nicki became a mother, she homeschooled her own children from the beginning to the end, and amid various life challenges, including single parenthood and financial struggles. She still has two children learning with her at home. In our warm conversation, we discuss the practicalities, benefits, and misconceptions of homeschooling. Throughout the interview, Nicki offers insightful advice and encouragement for both new and seasoned homeschoolers. We spent time on topics like the historical background of homeschooling, evolving laws impacting homeschooling, social perceptions, technology, preparing our kids for adulthood, and the flexible and rewarding nature of the home education path. This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration and practical tips for anyone considering or currently navigating the homeschooling journey. 

Connect with Nicki

nickitruesdell.com

Nicki's Book

Anyone Can Homeschool

Books

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Craig Harrison from Minnesota. Craig is an engineer, former Uber driver, homeschool father of two boys, and the author of Your Child’s Best Teacher: A Father’s Perspective on Home Education. As the principal home educator in his home, Craig has a unique perspective on homeschooling. In our discussion, we discover how Craig and his spouse decided that he would take on the role of primary educator of their sons. We also discuss the importance of a positive mindset in homeschooling, the role of family in education, and the broader societal impacts of homeschooling. Craig offers insights into balancing personal and educational aspirations, and he gives us his thoughts and advice about helping our children make decisions regarding various postsecondary and career paths.

Books
Your Child’s Best Teacher: A Father’s Perspective on Home Education
The Abolition of Man
Outliers

Websites
Jordan Peterson

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Lyndsey and Matt Mimnagh from North Carolina. They talk about homeschooling their four children, balancing family life, entrepreneurship, and the creation of Treehouse Schoolhouse, a homeschooling website with resources that focus on seasonal rhythms, Biblical truth, living books, and intentional family connection. Lyndsey and Matt discuss the philosophy behind their home education, the importance of creative free play, and how they integrated a cozy living space into their learning environment and the home they built. In this episode, listeners will gain insights into some of the realities and rewards of homeschooling, and they will learn how Lyndsey turned a personal homeschooling project into a thriving educational business.

Website: treehouseschoolhouse.com

Instagram: @treehouse_schoolhouse

Facebook: /treehouse.schoolhouse

YouTube: /TreehouseSchoolhouse

Pinterest: /TSMotherhoodHomeschool

THISGOLDENHOUR15 - Promo Code for 15% off on treehouseschoolhouse.com

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Laurie Zienchuk, a seasoned homeschool mom of two sons from Lethbridge, Alberta. Laurie shares her family's journey and decision to homeschool while living abroad in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. We discuss the challenges and rewards of home education, the importance of creating simple, engaging routines, and the impact of a supportive family environment. Laurie also talks about transitioning back to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of outdoor and hands-on learning, and the significance of keeping future opportunities open for children. This episode is filled with insightful advice for both new and experienced homeschoolers.

Resources
Lego Technic
Keva Planks
Thames and Kosmos

Homeschool Providers
Palisser Beyond Borders
Centre for Learning at Home
Wisdom Homeschooling

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Amie Bowden, a homeschooling mother of six children from Cranbrook, British Columbia. Amie discusses her family's active lifestyle, her children's varying educational needs, and the different learning approaches they have adopted over the years. We explore the broader implications of homeschooling, including the importance of developing a child's character and the flexible, intuitive approach Amie employs. The episode provides valuable insights for parents considering homeschooling, emphasizing the significance of self-care for homeschool parents and maintaining a balance between nurturing children and personal development.

Resources
Teaching Textbooks
History Plus
Tuttle Twins

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Tammy Hein from southern Alberta, Canada. Tammy is the founder of Gentle Giant Acres, a family homestead turned therapeutic farm. She shares her unique journey into homeschooling, inspired by her intergenerational farm upbringing and challenges faced within the public school system. We talked about the influence of nature on education, blending traditional learning with practical life skills, and the impact on her children's development and learning. Tammy also discusses how Gentle Giant Acres serves as an educational and therapeutic haven for the community.

Connect with Tammy
https://www.gentlegiantacres.ca/

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Janeen Alley from Colorado. Janeen is a homeschooling mother of four, a resilience and self-trust coach for women,and the host of the 'Becoming the CEO of Your Life' podcast. We talk about Janeen’s homeschooling journey from Japan to Germany to the USA, her transition to resilience coaching, and the importance of self-care for homeschooling parents. She recounts her experiences, challenges, and the values she holds dear in both parenting and education. Janeen also provides insights on setting boundaries, the significance of mentorship, and the path of learning alongside your children.

Connect with Janeen
janeenalley.com
Becoming the CEO of Your Life

Resources
TJEd
Essentialism

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Denny Burton from Alberta Canada. Denny and his wife recently had their first baby, and they plan to homeschool. Denny has a unique background growing up as a homeschooled student. He’s also a playwright, composer, musician, and entrepreneur. Denny shares his perspective on the benefits of homeschooling, the importance of fostering a love for learning, and the entrepreneurial ventures he undertook from a young age to the present. We also discuss Denny’s educational pursuits and his ambitious projects, like Sherlock, the musical.

Denny's Work
https://sherlockmusical.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2UttifMzBSKWGY6Ga0N5So

Books
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
The Education of a Wandering Man
Walt Disney - Neil Gabler

Sites
https://nanowrimo.org/

This Golden Hour