Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool

Each child is unique, and so is their learning style. Join Jim Mason and entrepreneur Greg Heinemann for a discussion on the entrepreneurial spirit and how homeschooling facilitates outside-the-box thinking, allowing parents to create an environment that fits the needs of each student, helping them grow into flourishing adults. "The beauty of homeschooling is that the parents have already rejected the normal way of doing something. . . . [These kids] tend to be born into entrepreneurial thinking or an alternative way of thinking. [Homeschool students and graduates] are better critical thinkers. . . . They often have better work ethic because the parents instilled that in them through the homeschooling process. They know how to get information and solve problems."—Greg Heinemann

Melissa Capps never wanted to be a teacher—until she sat in a school conference with her oldest son's first grade teacher. She decided, right then and there, that it was time bring her child home. Despite the challenges that lay ahead—homeschooling children with special needs and navigating her husband's unemployment in 2020—Melissa has persevered, seeking out resources and community that equip her to keep homeschooling. "A lot of moms start homeschooling and they get about a year or two in and send their kids back to school. That's the [encouragement] I want to give: we need to reach out to other moms. . .to get confidence, [to] find community that can step in and encourage you along the way … There are many, especially young, homeschool moms that [feel overwhelmed]. But, [homeschooling] is really about the heart and your connection with your kids."—Melissa Capps

What will be your family legacy? For author and speaker Ainsley Arment, it starts by defining and then creating a family culture together with your kids. Join Ainsley and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) for a conversation about Wild + Free Homeschooling. In this episode, they discuss how homeschooling is much more than an educational option—and how it can lead to an amazing connection with your children. "I want moms to know that they're not alone. I want them to know that if they desire to create a family culture that goes against culture and society, that they're not alone, that they're doing an incredible work. I want moms to feel encouraged on the days when they are tired and weary, or when they don't feel like their efforts matter. I want to remind moms that they matter, that everything they do matters, and that they are creating an incredible legacy with the work that they're doing, day-to-day."—Ainsley Arment

At 13 years old, Ian Reid was a homeschool student in Northern Idaho, creating fun videos as a hobby with his friends. That year, he came up with the name for his future company: Distant Moon. He now runs Distant Moon full-time, directing projects for clients across the US. In this episode, Ian (founder of Distant Moon) joins Jeremiah Lorrig (Deputy Director of HSLDA's Generation Joshua) to discuss how homeschooling provided the opportunity to foster creative skills. They also chat about Ian's latest project—an online civics course. "I think if you homeschool, you have the opportunity to dive into these things at the level to which you personally feel driven, if you are driven to become someone who understands how to tell stories … dive into history, dive into philosophy, dive into theology, and study what has come before you, because only then will you understand how you, as a human being, can participate in the great tradition of storytelling."—Ian Reid

As soon as she dropped off her eldest daughter at public school for her first day of classes, Latasha Fields knew she needed to homeschool. Now a homeschool mom and advocate for parents rights, Latasha Fields joins Jim Mason (HSLDA President) to discuss the amazing journey that homeschooling has offered her family. She shares how she is reaching other families in the Chicago area to offer support and raise awareness that homeschooling is possible! "It just does my heart so well because what my children have, I didn't have. Seeing through them and seeing how they light up with me and their dad—I just love it. I just love homeschooling, and I love my kids."—Latasha Fields

He hadn't even turned 1 before she realized he was gifted. As a toddler, Casey Amarnek's son displayed a remarkable understanding of letters and words—even before he was speaking. Having firsthand classroom experience as a public school teacher, Casey decided that the flexibility and customization of homeschooling was just what her son needed. And the result has been life-changing for both of them. Join Casey and Daniel Heffington (HSLDA's Generation Joshua) as they discuss the blessings and adventures of homeschooling—and how HSLDA Compassion was able to come alongside Casey in her homeschool journey. "There's going to be hard days. There's going to be easy days. There will be a whole lot of fun along the way. And just look for the good, because it will all end up coming together at the end."—Casey Amarnek

How can the flexibility of homeschooling allow your child to chase their passions? Allison DeMarco (Sacred Music Florida Competition) joins Jeremiah Lorrig (HSLDA's Generation Joshua) in this conversation on all things music. They talk about ways that parents and children can learn together—and how homeschooling paved the way for Allison's daughter to study music at Juilliard! "I really don't know how [my daughter] could be where she is right now without homeschooling. . . . She basically practiced and practiced for two solid years [after completing high school early and entering a dual enrollment program online]. And before that she was taking regular lessons and doing a lot of work. But I said, 'If you're going to do this, we're going to do it right. And we have to work hard.'"—Allison DeMarco

What does healthy independence for kids look like? Lenore Skenazy of Let Grow has been studying this idea ever since she made headlines for letting her 9-year-old son ride the subway home by himself. In this episode, Lenore joins HSLDA President Jim Mason to discuss what she's learned about unstructured play and child independence. Lenore and Jim also chat about the recent bill that passed in Virginia to revise the law regarding parental supervision—and how these types of bills affect homeschooling families. "None of us wants a job where we're micromanaged. Neither do kids. You want an employee, an adult, and a child to be able to figure some things out for themselves. . . . There are all those social and emotional skills that they learn—like how to get along, make something happen, or deal with conflict—that [kids] learn when an adult is not running the deal for them."—Lenore Skenazy

During the pandemic, Carla Konta saw homeschooling become a viable option in Croatia. With the support of other families and a global homeschooling network, she co-founded a homeschooling organization that is seeking to legalize homeschooling in her country. In this episode, Carla joins Kevin Boden (HSLDA Director of Global Outreach) to share her vision for homeschooling to be legally recognized in Croatia.—They also examine the perspectives of other homeschooling families, who look to the United States as an example of freedom in educational choice. Now, with the Croatian Ministry of Education launching a pilot program for homeschooling, Croatian families are one step closer to securing this freedom! "Education is changing worldwide. And this is a process that is going on in many countries and [parents] have many dissatisfactions [with the school system]. . . . We don't have to wait for this change. To have this international community means that you can . . . work on solving the problems now."— Carla Konta

No matter what military base your family is assigned to, HSLDA is here to support you in your homeschool journey! Natalie Mack (HSLDA Military Outreach Coordinator) is working hard to create a positive and nourishing environment for military homeschooling families by fostering connections within the military community. In this episode of Homeschool Talks, join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Natalie for a conversation about how HSLDA is serving homeschool military families in many different ways: from communicating with school liaison officers from different military branches, offering education to military recruiters, and sponsoring military homeschool events, to connecting with military installations across the country—and the globe! "I want recruiters to know how qualified homeschoolers are! I want the recruiters to understand what [homeschool] transcripts tend to look like and the quality and caliber of students that are graduated as homeschoolers. I want them to see how awesome homeschoolers are in terms of their capability to go in and serve within the military."—Natalie Mack

What are Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)—and what do they mean for homeschool freedom? Join Amy Buchmeyer (HSLDA Staff Attorney) in this discussion with Jim Mason (HSLDA President). They'll talk about: The arguments surrounding ESAs How public funding for homeschooling could increase regulation What Amy and Jim are seeing in the current 2023 legislative season Why HSLDA, a liberty-based organization, is regularly opposing ESA bills "Where the focus isn't on liberty, accountability is going to be the focus. And some of these bills, they mean tremendous amounts of money are flowing, which is sort of alarming because I homeschooled seven children over almost 30 years, some of these bills would have brought in tens, maybe hundreds, of thousands of dollars over that time. There's an enormous fiscal impact that I don't hear a lot of people talking about."—Jim Mason

For Shirley Calabretta and her family, a normal homeschooling day in October 1994 quickly turned into a nightmare when a social worker and police officer entered their home without a warrant—only an anonymous tip. Shirley quickly called HSLDA, who took her case. What happened next would end up helping thousands of families, protecting their right to homeschool moving forward. In this episode, Shirley joins HSLDA President Jim Mason to share her story. "I have heard from a lot of parents since this [case], and they let [CPS] in because they have nothing to hide. They trust them because they are there to protect the law and you feel like they are obeying the law. They are under authority and should know the limits to their investigation—but that is not always the case."—Shirley Calabretta

In 2023, HSLDA is celebrating its 40th anniversary! To celebrate, HSLDA President Jim Mason is looking back with our two founding Mikes—Mike Farris and Mike Smith. Listen as they recall some of the cases and countless families that HSLDA has defended over the past 40 years and how HSLDA is looking towards the future with hope and more determination than ever to keep making homeschooling possible. "The need [for HSLDA and homeschool state organizations] is as great today as it was then, because the legislature is going to be where the primary battle will be on homeschooling to maintain our freedom."—Mike Smith

Nine years ago, Nicole Doyle started homeschooling because public school wasn't working for her middle schooler—and what began as a homeschool venture has turned into a calling! Nicole is now in various leadership positions in her homeschool community and is opening up a world of possibilities for her children and other homeschool families. Join Nicole and HSLDA President Jim Mason as they discuss the value of community, fostering joy in children, and the healing that homeschooling brings to families! "Homeschooling is about healing. . . . It's easier to raise a healthy child that's emotionally, spiritually, and physically healthy than it is to fix damaged adults. And society is showing us that there are so many people hurting each other. . . . We are here to secure that childhood joy. I believe if we can have childhood joy, the world will be a better place." –Nicole Doyle

With state legislatures in session, HSLDA's legislative season is in full swing! It's all-hands-on-deck to preserve homeschool freedom, but what exactly does that look like? Scott Woodruff (HSLDA Director of Legal and Legislative Advocacy) gives Jim Mason (HSLDA President) the rundown on the types of bills we are watching—from homeschool statutes to religious-freedom and parental-rights bills. Scott also explains the mechanisms in place when we oppose or support a bill, and how your grassroots efforts and support for HSLDA keep making homeschooling possible. "We send out alerts to members and friends urging them to call lawmakers to oppose a bill. With thousands of people getting that request for action, lawmakers are going to be hearing from their constituents. If a lawmaker has gotten 100 phone calls opposing a bill and then I call that lawmaker, now the lawmaker listens, not because he cares about me, but because he knows his constituents know about this and they're going to hold him accountable for it."—Scott Woodruff

Chris Butler is a homeschool dad, pastor, and advocate. Having run in the primaries in the 1st congressional district of Illinois, Chris understands the power of being a parent in society and advocating for the needs of his community. Chris and his wife Aziza started WeSchool Academy, a learning center that seeks to equip families in their homeschool journey. Join this insightful conversation between Chris and HSLDA President Jim Mason on the power of homeschooling in community—and be reminded that you don't have to take the journey alone! "A lot of people think homeschooling is something you do by yourself, but I don't know any homeschooling family that sees themselves as on a journey alone. Everybody is doing [homeschooling] in some kind of community."—Chris Butler

Being a parent requires a lot of different "hats" to wear, but never underestimate yourself and the variety of skills you can learn to accommodate for your child's needs! In this episode, join Vicki Bentley (HSLDA PreK–8th Educational Consultant) in a conversation with Cheri Kay Sessions (HSLDA Special Needs Educational Consultant), who shares her story of homeschooling children with special needs—as a single mom. Cheri Kay began homeschooling her unique learners when she realized that her children needed a more tailored education to accommodate for their special needs, and for one of those accommodations, Cheri needed to learn another language—American Sign Language (ASL)! "Be able to let go of perfectionism and give grace to all areas of our lives and be able to say, 'You know what, I'm not going to be able to do this today, but I'm going to let that go, and that's okay. We'll come back to that tomorrow.' Single moms have a lot on their plate. They're wearing a lot of hats. They're doing a lot of things. We want to do it all to the best of our ability."—Cheri Kay Sessions

From the Netherlands to Germany, from Alaska to Virginia, Kevin Boden and his family have homeschooled across the globe. Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) for a thoughtful conversation with Kevin, HSLDA's newest staff attorney (for 12 states!) and our new Director of Global Outreach. Kevin shares his journey homeschooling overseas as a military family, what brought him to HSLDA, and what opportunities lay ahead for the global homeschool movement. "[HSLDA] serves all families in other countries just the same. We are there to provide a framework and a connective tissue for them to move [homeschool freedom forward]. … Do you support freedom, and do you love your kids? And do you want to see that expanded to your communities? And that's really what we're looking at [when it comes to HSLDA's international work]."—Kevin Boden

Sometimes school officials don't understand the homeschool law in their state, misinterpret the meaning, or intentionally try to overreach their authority—as was recently the case in a Kentucky school district. In this episode, Tj Schmidt (HSLDA Staff Attorney) joins Jim Mason (HSLDA President) to give a rundown of what happened in this particular county and how HSLDA advocated for local homeschool families. Tj and Jim also discuss how some situations involving only one family can actually impact many other homeschool families—which is why it's important to stay vigilant! "I think the beauty of the homeschooling movement is that you're able to develop that educational program that's best for your child, for your family. And it often doesn't look exactly like the public school. And so many times these school officials have the impression that if you're not doing what they're doing, then you're not educating your child." – Tj Schmidt

No matter what time of year it is—early January, spring cleaning season, or the start of the school year—there are only 24 hours in a day. With so little time and so much to do, discouragement can set in. Join Vicki Bentley (HSLDA Special Needs Consultant) and Kristi Clover (author of M.O.M: Master Organizer of Mayhem) for an encouraging conversation about managing expectations, helpful steps to organizing your household—like breaking down goals into baby steps to be more attainable—and not being held back by comparison! Kristi reminds us to give ourselves grace, slow down, and reevaluate our routines. "I think it's great to set goals, but don't set too many. You have to pick one thing at a time. […] You're only going to achieve those goals when you break them down into baby steps to [be] attainable."—Kristi Clover

Homeschool Talks has reached its 100th episode! To celebrate, Daniel Heffington (of HSLDA's Generation Joshua) is interviewing your host, HSLDA President Jim Mason. Join this entertaining and encouraging conversation to learn more about Jim, his journey to HSLDA and why he became interested in homeschooling law, his thoughts on leadership and seeking out purposeful mentorship, and how the Hardy Boy mysteries helped prepare him for his role as president of HSLDA. "One of the things that I always have tried to do, and helped me enormously, is to always have a mentor. Go adopt a mentor. Find a mentor. Find somebody [who has] been there, and [has] a different viewpoint. […] Most busy people who have those qualities that you want to learn from, they're more than happy [to meet and are] very generous with their time." – Jim Mason

As parents, we want to have a close relationship with our kids and raise them to be independent and to do what's right. But somewhere along the way, we may find ourselves in a struggle for control. Sound familiar? Join Dr. Roger Smith (author of Parenting with Influence) and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) on this week's episode of Homeschool Talks as they examine the parent-child relationship dynamic. They'll discuss what rules are for, why influencing children is more effective than trying to control them (and how to influence them!), and how homeschooling can provide an advantage for children in building strong family relationships. "You don't develop a relationship through rules. There are a lot of purposes for rules. Rules can guide us, rules can train us, but that's not a way to manage a relationship over the long haul. I always liken it to driving a stick shift car. At first, you have to have the rules. First, you put your foot on the clutch while you have your foot on the brake and you mechanically do all these different things. But before long, it's automatic. . . . You're independent of the rules. The rules may still be there, but they're not the focus anymore."—Dr. Roger Smith

When you homeschool, your family naturally spends more time together. And, more time together means more opportunities for conflict. But according to Dr. Steve Duvall (HSLDA Research Director), homeschooling can actually help alleviate sibling rivalries and conflicts!. In this episode of Homeschool Talks, join Dr. Duvall and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) as they discuss research that sheds light on parent­–child interactions, the value of communication, and how homeschooling can foster positive character attributes in children—like exercising more forgiveness! "It makes sense to me that homeschoolers would develop better interpersonal skills and be better at interacting with others, including forgiving others for times when things got out of control. The parents have the time, and it's a good set up for giving the kids the attention that they need."—Steve Duvall

It all started with an old DV camera and CGI lightsabers. As a kid, Jake Bartlett's parents were excited about his interests and encouraged him in his desire to learn motion design and videography. Now, he teaches motion design to his 100,000+ YouTube subscribers! Join Daniel Heffington from Generation Joshua for a conversation with this homeschool grad—they'll talk about Jake's homeschool experience, how it gave space for creative expression and following his passion, and how he built a career in motion design. "I feel like I at least was able to have a lot of freedom in exploring what I was interested in. Being [homeschooled and] the only student in the house, I could finish school and then spend whatever creative time I wanted, making videos, learning more about editing or you know, how to compose a shot on my little mini DV camcorder."—Jake Bartlett

Learning starts with curiosity and a sense of wonder. Approaching new things with a beginner's mindset piques your interest and sparks your enthusiasm. Join this conversation between Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Nicole Jackson (environmental educator and birder) on how a parent and child working together presents the opportunity to learn and grow together. They'll discuss how how adventuring into nature and bird-watching gives parents and their students a chance to reciprocate learning, and can provide you as a parent the opportunity to learn more about yourself, your child, and the amazing benefits of spending time outdoors. "[Parents and children can] work together to explore nature in a more meaningful way. And just having that understanding that you're both in this kind of beginner mindset. Even though you're the adult, you don't have to be in teacher mode all the time. Sometimes you're the learner, sometimes you're the teacher. But embrace both of those roles, [and] really start with that story of your own experiences [while] building new ones and new memories with the children that you want to engage with."—Nicole Jackson

Homeschool graduate Ben Porteous was a student at Harvard University when Harvard Magazine published an article calling for a ban on homeschooling—a shocking idea from a school that has historically welcomed homeschool graduates. Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Ben as they discuss Ben's experience as a homeschool graduate attending the elite university. Ben shares how homeschooling fostered his love of learning languages and history, eventually earning him the honor of delivering the Latin Salutatory at Harvard's 2022 commencement. "We were shocked that Harvard Magazine would stoop so low as to present such a sort of elementary stereotype [of homeschooling]. . . . I don't think I encountered a single negative stereotype about homeschoolers at any point in my time as a Harvard undergraduate. . . . The response of the students and the faculty was incredibly positive."—Ben Porteous

Handling animosity with a cool head can be extremely challenging—but it can also provide the opportunity for powerful change. Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Claire Hungar, a homeschool graduate and a student at Yale Law School, as they discuss her experience with facing extreme opposition and hostility—specifically at a lecture event that she hosted on the university campus last year. "It's weird going back into the law school and seeing the faces of my classmates and remembering that they booed me out of the law school. But I think that one thing positive has come from the whole situation. I think our classmates are maybe beginning to realize that shouting down speakers doesn't mean that their voices won't be heard. It just means that there's no opportunity to have dialog or engage. And I've been able to have some really productive conversations with some of my classmates about both that event, about events that we hosted later."—Claire Hungar

What is virtue, and why is it important? Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Mike Schutt (Worldview Academy Executive Director) as they tackle difficult questions about foundational topics. They discuss the importance of developing a concrete worldview based on transcendent values while also examining the trendy alternatives. "Working with high school students, you just see the shifts in culture. I've been teaching high school students at Worldview Academy for 20 years, and you see sort of a decline in biblical literacy, a different approach to authority, and the primacy of feelings. The first place we need to start is, 'Okay, who are we? What does it mean to be a human person? And how do we know what our purpose is?'"—Mike Schutt

What makes a good story? And what role does storytelling play in journalism? In this episode, HSLDA President Jim Mason talks with Dr. Les Sillars (Patrick Henry College Professor of Journalism) and Emma Perley (a journalism student at Patrick Henry College) about the creation of Doubletake, a new student-run podcast produced in collaboration with World News Group. They discuss the gargantuan effort required to produce an investigative podcast that effectively tells genuine and compelling stories. "In order to tell a really good narrative story, you have to really know the people. You have to really do your research. You have to do the interviews. You have to really be thoughtful in the way that you approach these people's stories because a lot of them are really difficult. . . . When you put together an hour-long podcast, you really get to the truth of things and you really can dig down deep into what's behind these people's stories. Like what motivates them? What do they believe? What do they understand about the world?"—Emma Perley

When your family encounters difficult mental and emotional hurdles, homeschooling can give you the flexibility to step back and recalibrate. Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Director) and Carla Fuller (HSLDA Educational Consultant) for a conversation about how to recognize mental health issues in your family and how to leverage the flexibility of homeschooling to help you handle mental health–related challenges. "When a child is in a more traditional learning environment, they're constantly being compared to each other. In homeschooling, you get to set an understanding of who they are. The standard of measurement for [your child] is not necessarily that I have this exact outfit, or I wear this specific kind of makeup, but who [they are] as a person, what [they] like to read, and the ideas that [they] have."—Carla Fuller

Are you a homeschool dad looking for encouragement and support? Join HSLDA President Jim Mason and blogger Robert Macias as they discuss homeschooling from a dad's perspective. Robert shares some of his homeschooling experiences, as well as how he started a blog to help other homeschooling families navigate the early days of homeschooling. "My wife said, 'Hey, let's homeschool, let's try it out.' So, I started looking into it and I noticed that there's lots of information [for] mothers, but I couldn't find anything about fathers. I did a lot more research and then we started doing some lessons after I picked up my son from kindergarten—just to let him try it out. [We did] 20, 30 minutes every evening just to get him used to having me teach him."—Robert Macias

Are you thinking about switching from public school to homeschooling? How do you know if homeschooling is a good fit for your family? Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Manager) and Kristy Horner (HSLDA Educational Consultants Program Manager), both homeschooling moms, as they examine common questions and concerns about homeschooling. Sandra and Kristy discuss ways to make the public-school-to-homeschool transition a success for your family, and they share lots of encouragement and practical advice you won't want to miss! "Initially when I was starting [homeschooling], I wanted it to look like school. I was trying to fill in this gaping hole of time and I drove myself crazy. What I realized is that homeschooling is actually incorporating your time [and] your life into school. And so, your life is also education. It took me a long time to realize that. So, for those of you who are considering [homeschooling], know this: it is in fact true. Your children will learn. I'm proof."—Sandra Kim

Imagine you are the President of the United States embroiled in a stand-off with a rival global superpower. What would you do? In this episode of Homeschool Talks, Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Joel Grewe (HSLDA Action Executive Director) discuss how Generation Joshua, HSLDA Action's teen civics program, gives high school students the opportunity to learn about politics and government—through in-depth political simulations. Grewe also shares stories (both humorous and insightful) from his experiences as a homeschool student and a homeschool dad. "Honestly, a lot of students in America today, and frankly, a lot of people, are downright uncomfortable having a conversation with someone they've never met. I don't find it terribly comfortable still, and I've been doing it for years; but it's a skill that should be learned. Because at a certain point, as we grow up, we're going to find ourselves in a place where we have to advocate for ourselves, for our family, and for our children."—Joel Grewe

Are you looking for a substantive and comprehensive economics course for your homeschooled high school student? Join HSLDA President Jim Mason in a conversation with economist, writer, and educator David Bahnsen. Bahnsen is the founder of the Bahnsen Group, a national private wealth management firm. In this discussion, David highlights the need for pre-collegiate economics education and provides details about a free course he developed that is perfect for high school! "It comes down to a belief in incentives. I don't believe human beings need very many incentives to consume. . . . Production is the part that requires incentive. And I think in production . . . is the heart of what we're going for, that mankind finds internal satisfaction in being a producer and is driving economic growth by doing so."—David Bahnsen

Are you wondering how to ignite your child's love for learning? Kids are naturally curious, and homeschooling offers an amazing opportunity to foster your child's individual curiosity. Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Director) and LaNissir James (HSLDA Educational Consultant) for this episode as they share how homeschooling can make learning fun, how it allows kids to pursue their unique interests, and how it even lets you share your own passions with your kids! "When they're trying and trying and they're not getting it, whether it be math, science, history, or English, no matter what it is that they're not getting, sometimes you need to press the reset button. They say nobody's on all the time. And guess what? Everything works better when you power it off and turn it back on."—LaNissir James

Homeschooling isn't all about academics–it can be a chance to help your kids build all kinds of skills: executive functioning, social ability, conflict resolution, and more! Join homeschool moms Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Director) and Heather Frommack (HSLDA Director of Outreach & Educational Consultants) to learn how homeschooling is an opportunity to help kids become well-developed people! They'll share helpful research, explain how they've helped their kids mature, and answer listener questions. "One of the things that that we did as a homeschool family that really had a positive impact on our conflict resolution was this idea of 'parlor time.' We had a room in our house we called the parlor. And if there was conflict between anybody, we would go into that room and process that [conflict]. And we would wait there until we had a healthy resolution. And my grown kids have come back to me and said that time has taught them a lot about conflict resolution that they're using in their friendships and marriages now."—Heather Frommack

Are you curious if homeschooling is a good fit for your family? Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA's Media Relations Director and homeschool mom) and Kelly Edwards (from 90-Minute School Day) for a conversation about one of the gifts that comes with the homeschooling lifestyle: more family time! They'll discuss how homeschooling doesn't have to mirror a traditional school day, and how it allows you to build closer relationships within your family. "Part of building a family culture is doing life together. If you have your children in the public school system, I can understand why you're doing the laundry, because their schedules are so jam-packed, especially if they have extracurricular activities. But when you're at home, you're able to delegate and teach. So, I'm like, 'Hey, we're all part of the same team. We all live here; we all make the mess. And so, in our household, everybody has something to do with the laundry.'" — Kelly Edwards

Are you a military homeschool family looking for a support group? In this episode, Natalie Mack (HSLDA Military Outreach Coordinator) and Darren Jones (HSLDA Group Services Director) discuss the importance of joining a support group as a military homeschool family, as well as how HSLDA can help you get connected! Stay tuned for these upcoming topics in future Homeschool Talks episodes: How homeschooling can give your family more time together How homeschooling can ignite a love of learning in your child Transitioning from public school to homeschooling

Have you ever watched a Blimey Cow video on YouTube? Join Generation Joshua's Deputy Director Jeremiah Lorrig in a fascinating conversation with Blimey Cow co-founder Josh Taylor as they discuss the emergence of the hugely popular Blimey Cow YouTube channel and the homeschool roots that contributed to its success. Josh also reveals exciting details about their new project Homeschool With Us, which aims to directly serve the homeschooling community. "If you notice that your kid wants to do something or is interested or excited about something, regardless of how silly or ridiculous it seems, just have at it. . . . No matter how ridiculous it seems or unfeasible or whatnot, just let them do whatever it is that that you can tell makes them feel alive and join them in it. Show excitement and pride that they're working on it."—Josh Taylor

Do you want your homeschool group to be more welcoming for families with special needs? Join Darren Jones (HSLDA Director of Group Services), Faith Berens (HSLDA Special Needs Consultant), and Peggy Ployhar (SPED Homeschool Founder/CEO) for inspiring ideas and encouraging approaches to creating an inviting and supportive environment for families with special needs.

Do you have questions about homeschooling a child with special needs? Join HSLDA Special Needs Consultants and homeschooling moms Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, PhD, and Cheri Kay Sessions for a Q&A episode! They'll cover topics like: Accessibility software/programs for students with disabilities Resources for homeschooling a child with dyslexia Helping a child overcome sensory challenges Creating transcripts for students with special needs

Do you have any questions about homeschooling 6th–8th grade? Join HSLDA Educational Consultants LaNissir James and Carla Fuller for a Q&A episode all about the middle school years! As veteran homeschool moms, LaNissir and Carla help answer parents' most-asked questions, like: What kind of testing should I do for my middle schooler? I'm feeling stuck with my curriculum—what should I do? What do I do if my child is "behind" academically? How should I prepare my middle schooler for high school?

Do you have any questions about homeschooling Pre-K through 5th grade? Join HSLDA Educational Consultants Vicki Bentley and Krisa Winn for a Q&A episode all about homeschooling in the early years. As homeschool veterans, Vicki and Krisa help answer your most-asked questions, offering encouragement and practical tips for your journey! "It seems like when our kids turn about 5 years old, we panic and it feels like life has to turn upside down. . . . I like to ask parents, 'If nobody told you when your child turned 5 that he had to go to school, what would you be doing with him? What have you been doing with him?'"—Vicki Bentley

Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason and HSLDA Educational Consultant Anita Gibson as they discuss a chapter Anita has written in Homeschooling Black Children in the U.S., a recently published anthology that provides contemporary perspectives on black homeschooling. Anita unpacks the chapter and offers heartfelt wisdom and encouragement for homeschoolers, drawing on her many years of experience as a homeschool mom and educational consultant.

Get your big tub of LEGO bricks out of the attic for this one! Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason in a conversation with LEGO Masters Season 2 winners Mark and Steven Erickson. Mark and Steven explain how they managed to make careers out of playing with LEGO bricks, and homeschooling how contributed to their success.

Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason and HSLDA Director of Research Dr. Steven Duvall for a conversation about a recent study regarding homeschool students. As a licensed school psychologist and consultant for homeschooling families, Dr. Duvall brings context to the researchers' findings, criticizing and elevating various aspects of the study. "In my experience, dealing with the whole school population over the last 28 years, it is generally a very wholesome family situation that we're dealing with. You know, they want the best for their kids and they're striving in that direction, regardless of income level, whether the family only makes 25,000 [dollars] a year or 100,000 [dollars] a year. People love their kids, and they want the best for them. And that's what I've generally found."—Steven Duvall, PhD

Do you have a high schooler interested in joining the military after they graduate? Join HSLDA's Military Outreach Coordinator Natalie Mack and Nathan from The Homeschool Project Podcast for a discussion about everything you and your high schooler need to know about military enlistment. Nathan is a homeschool dad and military service member with lots of insights on the process and how to support your student!

How do we use technology wisely in a tech-obsessed world? Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason in a conversation with father-daughter duo Andy and Amy Crouch about their book My Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices. As a college student, Amy provides a refreshing perspective on issues surrounding social media and digital entertainment, sharing her gratitude for her parents' deliberate approach to the use of technology in their family. "As trite as it might sound, I do think that awareness and personal reflection has to be the starting point, because what you will realize as you look at your life—and this is something I realize about my life every day—is just how much screens are slipping [into our lives] in ways that you never could have even imagined."—Amy Crouch

Introducing the new president of ParentalRights.org, Will Estrada! Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason in a conversation with Will about the mission of ParentalRights.org and the importance of defending parents' primary role in raising and educating their children. "Now is a time that our country and everyone, regardless of their political backgrounds, are all engaged on the issue of education. They're realizing that the fundamental question is who is going to make these decisions [for children]? [Is it] going to be parents or . . . bureaucrats sitting hundreds or even thousands of miles away from the classroom and from the home? . . . It's a moment I haven't seen in quite a while." — Will Estrada

What are the legal and practical implications of remote education programs offered by the public schools, and how do they differ from private homeschooling? Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason and HSLDA Staff Attorney Tj Schmidt as they clear up various misunderstandings surrounding these remote education programs. "As the parents, we have the opportunity to provide a homeschooling program that's tailored to their needs and abilities, and their strengths and weaknesses. I think the public school programs, unfortunately, are directed at control of both the education and curriculum, and the method of how it's provided. And while some parents find it meets their needs, most parents find they're not going to have the flexibility that they really need to meet the needs of their child in a public school program." —Tj Schmidt