This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Dr. Keri Ingraham from Washington. Dr. Ingraham is a senior fellow of Discovery Institute and director of the Institute's American Center for Transforming Education. She's also a senior fellow at Independent Women's Forum. Her articles about education and public policy have been published in many media outlets. We enjoy a thought-provoking discussion on the current and future landscape of education in the United States. Dr. Ingraham shares her extensive experience in the field of education, discusses her advocacy for school choice and educational freedom, and explains the significant impact of COVID-19 on parents' decisions and perceptions of the public education system. She also delves into the various models of education savings accounts (ESAs), private school scholarships, and the hybrid schooling model, underscoring the importance of parental involvement in children’s education. With valuable insights into how states like Arizona have successfully implemented universal school choice and addressed concerns about public education reform, this episode offers listeners a comprehensive look at the transformative potential of educational freedom.

Connect with Dr. Keri D. Ingraham
discovery.org/education
https://www.discovery.org/p/ingraham/
Keri D. Ingraham on X

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Rachael Nelson from Alberta. Rachael is a seasoned homeschool mother of five children. We talked a lot about the challenges, benefits, and rewards of homeschooling. Rachael imparts her wisdom and counsel regarding a variety of homeschool topics, including the role of the homeschool dad, the importance of having homeschool be a joyful experience, and that all children really need for optimum learning and living is their parents. In our discussion, we realized that homeschool moms fill their buckets in different ways, but that they share in common being filled by spending so much time with their kids and discovering the world together.

Resources
Yoto
The Good and the Beautiful
TJEd.org
Learn Math Fast

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Cathy Duffy from California. Cathy is a veteran homeschool mother, author, and perhaps best known for her prolific, thorough, and quality curriculum reviews. Cathy shares her extensive experience in homeschooling, discussing her initial exposure, challenges, and how she tailored education to her children's needs. We also discuss the evolution of homeschooling resources and Cathy's meticulous process of reviewing homeschool curricula, providing invaluable tips for new and seasoned homeschoolers alike.

Connect with Cathy
cathyduffyreviews.com

Resources
Konos Curriculum
The Nomadic Professor
Christian Home Educators Association of California 
Share Educational Services
Focus on the Family

Books
Better Late Than Early

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Peter Stock from Toronto, Ontario. Peter is a homeschooling father and President of both HSLDA Canada and CCHE. We discuss the homeschooling landscape in Canada, legal challenges, and the history and evolution of homeschool legislation. Peter shares his personal journey into homeschooling, the flexible nature of home education, and the significant role of organizations like HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defence Association) and CCHE (Canadian Centre for Home Education) in supporting and defending the rights of homeschooling families. Our conversation also covers the development of resources such as homeschool.today and the importance of intentional parenting and individualized learning.

Resources
HSLDA Library
Canadian Centre for Home Education
Homeschool.today
CAS - Courts Administration Service

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Robynn Lang from Edmonton, Alberta. In our conversation, Robynn recounts her family's transition into homeschooling during Covid and the benefits they have observed for their children along the way. Their faith in God played an integral role in the Lang’s decision to homeschool, and it is their trust in God that helps them continue with confidence and peace. We discuss the importance of family and community support, the centrality of character development in education, and accepting the primary role and responsibility we have as parents to provide our children with a meaningful, robust education and lifestyle that prepare them well for the future.

Resources
Wisdom Homeschooling
Generations.org
Homeschool Summits

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Dusty Haayema from Pincher Creek, Alberta. Dusty is a mother of three and has homeschooled her children for almost a decade. She relates her early transition from public education to homeschooling, describes the impact of traveling abroad with her children, and discusses her entrepreneurial venture as the founder and creator of WD Lighthouse, as well as her role as the market director of the Mom Market Collective in her local region. She offers valuable advice for new and seasoned homeschool families and insights into balancing business and education. 

Connect with Dusty
Beat of Our Drum
The Mom Market Collective

Resources
wdlighthouse.com
Teaching Textbooks
The Good and the Beautiful
All About Learning
Gather Round Homeschool on YouTube

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Dr. Rich Melheim from Minnesota. Dr. Rich is the Chief Education Officer, Chief Creative Officer, and founder of R.I.C.H. Learning. He has spoken in over a thousand cities on five continents, authored 39 books, produced 24 music albums, created seven musical comedy stage plays, and written thousands of songs, skits, curriculum pieces, comedy sketches, and cartoons. Dr. Rich shares profound insights into brain-based learning, the power of arts in education, and how parents can nurture their children’s growth through intentional and holistic approaches. From his personal journey overcoming dyslexia to creating transformative educational platforms, Dr. Rich's wisdom offers invaluable guidance for parents, education leaders, classroom teachers, and anyone passionate about maximizing human potential.

Connect with Rich
Rich Learning
richlearninginternational.org

Books by Rich
Holding Your Family Together

Resources
preskool.tv/home
Peter Senge MIT

Books
The Dance of Change
Quality School
The Scientist in the Crib
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Kali Mitchell from South Carolina. Kali is a full-time stylist, homeschooling mother of three, and the founder of Working to Homeschool with thousands of IG followers. She shares her journey from being a professional hairstylist to becoming a homeschooling mom and advocate. She discusses the challenges and rewards of homeschooling, balancing work and family, and how she incorporates her faith and community support into her daily life. Kali also touches on the importance of parental involvement in education, the flexibility homeschooling offers, and her thoughts on the future of homeschooling in light of current educational trends and policies. The conversation is a mix of insightful advice, personal anecdotes, and practical tips for anyone considering or currently engaged in homeschooling.

Connect with Kali
@working_to_homeschool

Resources
Babble
Duolingo

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Janette and Aaron Beier from Colorado.  The Beiers share their unique journey of blending two families and homeschooling their nine children while traveling the United States and Canada in an RV. From overcoming personal tragedies to creating an intentional family life, they discuss their philosophy on education, family unity, and the challenges and joys of their nomadic lifestyle. The interview dives deep into their homeschool methods, their approach to family bonding, and their goals for their children's education.

Connect with the Beiers
@beierfamilyzoo

Resources
Brené Brown
Homeschooling IRL
The Good and the Beautiful
Beast Academy
Harvest Hosts

This Golden Hour

In today’s episode, we get to spend time with Janette and Aaron Beier from Colorado.  The Beiers share their unique journey of blending two families and homeschooling their nine children while traveling the United States and Canada in an RV. From overcoming personal tragedies to creating an intentional family life, they discuss their philosophy on education, family unity, and the challenges and joys of their nomadic lifestyle. The interview dives deep into their homeschool methods, their approach to family bonding, and their goals for their children's education.

Connect with the Beiers
@beierfamilyzoo

Resources
Brené Brown
Homeschooling IRL
The Good and the Beautiful
Beast Academy
Harvest Hosts

This Golden Hour