Ex-Homeschoolers Club

Jacob Gooden
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club! This is the place where we talk about the Good, Bad, and Ugly of growing up inside the homeschool world. Each episode showcases personal stories and experiences around social development, religious influence, family dynamics, education gaps, identity formation, and rebuilding community in adulthood. Whether homeschooling shaped your life in helpful ways, harmful ways, or something in between, this show welcomes the full spectrum of experiences.

  1. 6d ago

    Is Online School Really Homeschooling? A Conversation We Need to Have

    Where does online school fit into the homeschooling conversation? In this week's episode, I sat down with Mindy to explore that question while unpacking the similarities and differences between public online education and traditional homeschooling. We discuss educational gaps, socialization, student safety, and why the rapid growth of homeschooling is forcing us to rethink how we define home-based education.We also dive into the broader cultural and political influence of the homeschooling movement, the role of regulation, and why nuanced conversations are essential if we want to improve educational outcomes without losing the flexibility that makes alternative education valuable. Whether you were homeschooled, attended online school, or are simply interested in education policy, this episode offers plenty to think about. Resources we mentioned Lifetime Prevalence of Investigating Child Maltreatment Among US Children: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303545?journalCode=ajphHow a true believer’s flawed research helped legitimize home schooling: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/12/11/brian-ray-homeschool-student-outcomes/The Christian home-schooler who made ‘parental rights’ a GOP rallying cry: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/aug/31/the-christian-home-schooler-who-made-parental-righ/Ten Homeschooling Parent Myths Debunked: https://rlstollar.com/2025/06/06/ten-homeschooling-parent-myths-debunked/Online schools 'worse than traditional teachers': https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34671952Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.orgHomeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=tConnect with Me Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ex-HomeschoolersClubInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comSubstack: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters 00:00 Welcome and Introductions01:14 Mindy’s Early Schooling01:47 Middle School Pressures05:23 Bullying and High School Fears07:57 Homeschool vs Online School10:28 Online School Day to Day11:21 Tutoring Center Realities13:11 Did Online School Work15:55 Why Study Homeschooling Now22:15 Guardrails and Learning Gaps26:22 Homeschooling Political Pipeline30:45 Shiny Happy People Connections32:54 Homeschool Political Grooming33:24 Lobby Days And Fake Scores35:14 HSlda And Child Safety Gaps39:20 Online School Under Homeschooling40:44 Mandated Reporters And CPS Fear43:32 Bullying And Queer Panic46:58 Unlearning Homophobia51:31 Defining Laws And New Models55:51 Parental Rights And Anti Vax Roots01:02:06 Research Myths And Data Needs01:04:29 Former Homeschoolers Speak Up01:07:37 Wrap Up And Community Invite

    1h 9m

  2. Jun 19

    We Deconstructed Our Homeschool and Religious Experiences

    Want to hear Liz's homeschool experience? Check out this episode: https://youtu.be/rvHUlhOM9hI?si=j7JGWwCJAMwtrChb Liz is back in the clubhouse to explore the role religion played in our homeschool upbringings and how those beliefs shaped our identities long after childhood. Liz shares what it was like growing up in an intensely Catholic homeschool environment, from her involvement in the Legion of Mary to embracing modesty culture, purity culture, and the expectation that she might one day become a nun. Together, we unpack the complicated process of questioning long-held beliefs, navigating religious trauma, and separating personal faith from the cultural expectations that surrounded us. We discuss purity culture, the lack of sex education in many homeschool environments, the experience of deconstruction, and the grief that can accompany rebuilding your worldview. Whether you're still religious, no longer religious, or somewhere in between, this conversation is about finding space to ask questions, heal, and better understand the stories that shaped us. Resources We Mentioned When Religion Hurts You: https://drlauraeanderson.com/bookHomeschooled: A Memoir: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=tThe Body Keeps the Score: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-scoreInterview with D.L. Mayfield: https://youtu.be/ohzrQqPq0Dw?si=vi3cp1QPt8fy3wfiChapters 00:00 Welcome Back Liz 01:07 Homeschooler Connection 03:32 Catholic Roots And Belonging 06:21 Evangelical Upbringing 08:33 Confirmation And Commitment 11:11 Legion Of Mary Explained 13:30 Conference Culture And War Talk 19:37 Performing Faith Publicly 21:29 Christian Mime And Evangelism 24:00 Modesty Purity And Shame 28:29 Deconstruction And Questioning 31:55 Where Beliefs Came From 33:11 Silence Around Sex And Expectations 34:56 Nunhood and Holiness 35:41 Purity Books Osmosis 36:40 Period Shame Lesson 37:51 Apple Pie Purity Talk 41:06 No Sex Ed Basics 43:27 Bridgerton Level Ignorance 45:20 Study Abroad Cracks Bubble 47:43 Grief and Quiet Deconstruction 54:34 Naming Religious Trauma 01:01:30 Inner Child Healing 01:04:20 Finding Community Through Stories 01:06:50 Closing Thoughts and Resources If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with Me Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.com

    1h 12m

  3. Jun 12

    The Story Behind Homeschooled: Stefan Merrill Block Opens Up

    Grab a copy of Homeschooled for yourself: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t This week I have the honor of sitting down with author Stefan Merrill Block to discuss his memoir Homeschooled, his years in an isolating homeschooling environment, and the complicated relationship he shared with his mother. Stefan opens up about being pulled out of public school at age nine, the isolation that followed, the pressure of being told he was a prodigy, and the difficult transition back into traditional school after four and a half years of homeschooling. We also explore themes that will resonate with many former homeschoolers: loneliness, identity, friendship, family enmeshment, educational neglect, and the long-lasting effects of childhood narratives. Beyond homeschooling, Stefan shares how books became a lifeline, how writing helped him process grief after his mother's death, and why he believes storytelling can be one of the most powerful tools for healing. Whether you're an ex-homeschooler, current homeschool parent, educator, or simply interested in memoir and family dynamics, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the complicated realities behind one family's homeschool experience. Connect with Stefan Grab a copy of the book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=tFollow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanmblock/Check out his website: https://www.stefanmerrillblock.comIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with me Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comChapters 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:35 How Homeschooling Began 02:53 Bluff Called Leaving School 04:57 Unschooling Day to Day 07:30 Math CDs and Drifting 09:05 Isolation and Genius Myth 12:02 Decision to Return 16:06 High School Culture Shock 20:01 Success Versus Scars 24:35 Friendship After Homeschool 25:54 2020 Isolation Flashbacks 31:16 Owning the Homeschool Identity 33:03 Sanity Is Consensus 34:34 Finding A Writer Voice 35:45 Books As Empathy 39:35 Fiction Versus Memoir 42:47 Writing After Loss 47:42 Choosing Homeschooled Title 52:18 Calling For Homeschool Reform 53:54 Finding CRHE Community 57:14 Hate Mail And Defensiveness 59:15 Next Novel New Focus 01:03:11 Stories Change Laws 01:04:16 Wrap Up And Farewell

    1h 7m

  4. Jun 5

    Our Voices Can Make A Difference In Homeschooling Legislation

    If you wanna support the work of CRHE, consider a donation: https://crhe.org/support-crhe/ Today we're talking homeschool legislation. And who better to do that than Tess Ulrey, director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. Together, we're breaking down major legislative victories in Nebraska and Connecticut, explaining the goals behind the Make Homeschool Safe Act, and exploring the complicated balance between parental rights, children’s rights, and educational freedom. The conversation also dives into public school sports access, mandated reporters, homeschool stigma, and why reliable homeschool data matters more than ever. Key Topics Covered Nebraska’s LB1224 and what it changes for homeschool oversightConnecticut’s new homeschool registration requirementsWhy CRHE advocates for homeschool accountabilitySuspicious withdrawal during CPS investigationsAccess to public school sports and extracurricularsHomeschooling and children’s rightsWhy homeschool data and registration matterLegislative pushback from both homeschool and public school communitiesThe future of homeschool reform in the U.S.Resources Mentioned CRHE Website: https://crhe.orgMake Homeschool Safe Act: https://crhe.org/make-homeschool-safe-act/Homeschooling's Invisible Children: https://hic.crhe.orgIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with Me Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comChapters 00:00 Welcome Back Tess Ulrey from CRHE 01:08 What Is CRHE? And What Do They Do? 02:27 Big Wins In Nebraska And Connecticut 03:55 Make Homeschool Safe Act 07:50 Nebraska LB1224 Breakdown 11:36 Kids Rights Bipartisan Shift 14:21 Connecticut HB5468 Changes 16:18 Why Registration Matters 20:16 Access Bills Sports Resources 25:23 Pushback and Practicalities 27:48 Homeschoolers on Teams 28:21 Proms and Shared Events 30:04 Breaking Homeschool Stigma 32:49 What Bills Are Next 34:13 How Laws Spread Statewide 38:38 Federal Graduation Recognition 43:58 Parents Rights Debate 45:10 How Alumni Can Help 53:15 Local Outreach and Wrap Up

    57 min

  5. Jun 2 ·  Bonus

    Did You Forget Something? How to find any moment from the podcast

    You can try out Podspun for yourself here: https://podspun.com/@Ex-HomeschoolersClubToday I’m sharing something a little different, it's a bonus episode/demo of a new tool called Podspun that lets you search through podcast episodes to find the golden nuggets you might have forgotten. If you’ve ever remembered a conversation from the show but couldn’t remember which episode it came from, this tool is designed to solve that problem. You can search topics, keywords, and even ask questions that pull answers directly from past episodes and guest conversations.I walk through how the tool works, show a few real examples from the podcast, and explain how it can help both longtime listeners and brand-new audience members explore the show in a completely new way.After you test it out, I’d genuinely love to hear what you think. Whether you have ideas for new features, feedback on how it works, or topics you’d like to explore through the tool, send me your thoughts at exhsclub@gmail.com. I’ll be sharing listener feedback directly with the creators as they continue improving the platform.Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comChapters00:00 Welcome To A Special Announcement Episode00:33 Podcast Search Problem01:05 Meet Podspun01:24 Search Captions Demo02:27 Ask a Quesion Demo03:33 Try It and Share Your Feedback

    4 min

  6. May 29

    What Homeschool Parents Can Learn From Alumni Stories

    What happens when homeschool parents actually listen to homeschool alumni?In this episode, I'm sitting down with homeschool mom and former teacher Kim Andrysczyk for a thoughtful conversation about homeschooling, parenting, emotional health, and accountability. Instead of getting defensive about criticism from homeschool graduates, Kim shares why listening matters — and how those conversations can help shape healthier homeschool experiences for future generations.Kim opens up about raising three homeschooled children, navigating learning disabilities and dyslexia, struggling with the blurred lines between parent and teacher, and eventually deciding to send one child back to public school when homeschooling stopped working. Together, Jacob and Kim explore authoritarian parenting, emotional regulation, testing and accountability, homeschool legislation, and why alumni voices deserve to be heard.This episode is a nuanced, compassionate discussion about growth, mistakes, and how families can do better moving forward.*Connect with Kim*• The South Carolina Homeschool Connection: https://www.homeschoolingsc.org• Cola City Homeschoolers Convention: https://www.colacityhomeschoolers.com*Resources Mentioned*• The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Good-Christian-Parenting-Evangelical/dp/1587436647• Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Inside-Guide-Becoming-Parent/dp/0063159481• Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t• Stories Behind Stances: https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Behind-Stances-Creating-Empathy/dp/B0C6W15LK7• Rachel Denhollander: https://rachaeldenhollander.comIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!*Connect with me*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.com*Chapters*00:00 Welcome Back to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club01:24 Why Kim chose homeschooling04:23 Extracurriculars and co-op learning12:16 Dyslexia testing and support resources17:14 When homeschooling stops working18:49 Parent vs teacher role conflict24:39 Parenting style and emotional regulation29:53 Listening to alumni and handling criticism36:43 Authority triggers and accountability39:34 Kids Need A Voice41:17 Authoritarian Backlash42:26 Common Sense Safeguards43:45 Testing Builds Confidence46:13 Training DSS Agents48:48 South Carolina Accountability Work54:20 Prevention And Protective Factors01:01:46 Community Over Isolation 01:03:23 Transcripts And College Prep01:08:15 Homeschool Expo Details01:13:30 Final Thanks And Wrap

    1h 16m

  7. May 23

    She Was Raised to Be the “Perfect” Homeschool Daughter

    This week in the clubhouse, I'm sitting down with Lydia to unpack what it was like growing up homeschooled in a large “Fundy-lite” Christian family deeply influenced by Vision Forum culture, purity culture, and Quiverfull-adjacent ideology. Lydia shares her experience being the oldest of seven children, navigating homeschool co-ops, modesty culture, conservative Christian college, and the immense pressure of becoming the “obedient oldest daughter.” Together, Jacob and Lydia explore how homeschool isolation can exist even inside large communities, the hidden emotional burden placed on oldest daughters, and the long process of deconstructing beliefs that shaped adulthood. This conversation dives into homeschooling culture, Christian nationalism, purity culture, social isolation, and the struggle to build an identity outside of the expectations placed on homeschool kids. Some Of The Things We Referenced I Kissed Dating GoodbyeHomeschool Legal Defense AssociationDoug PhillipsShiny Happy PeopleConnect with Lydia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@90shomeschooler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/90shomeschooler/If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with Jacob Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comChapters 00:00 Let's Meet Lydia 01:03 Growing Up On A Fundie Lite Homestead 03:42 Is Virginia The Homeschool Hub 05:33 Why Lydia's Family Homeschooled 09:48 Did Your Homeschool Curriculum Prepare You For College 13:12 I Went To College To Meet My Husband 14:35 What Is Vision Forum 19:00 Were Are Parents Even Reading What They Were Giving Us 22:05 Did You Have A Homeschool Community 27:17 Socialization Isn't The Same As Real Friends 28:50 Did Big Family Dynamics Lead To Parentification 33:22 Was College A Culture Shock 37:58 Why College Didn’t Change Me 40:43 Moving Out Was The Catalyst For My Deconstruction 45:16 My Therapist Made Me Start A TikTok 50:31 Today's Risks Of Homeschooling 53:05 Embrace the Weird

    55 min

  8. May 15

    What Happens When Homeschool Kids Finally Enter the Real World?

    This week on the podcast, I sat down with Jaycie to unpack what it was like growing up K–12 homeschooled in a deeply religious environment shaped by ACE curriculum, church culture, and isolation. From role-playing public school in her bedroom as a kid to struggling with depression and culture shock during college, Jaycie shares an honest look at how homeschooling shaped her relationships, faith, and transition into adulthood. In this episode, we covered: ACE curriculum often prioritized religious ideology over deep academic learningHomeschool isolation can make transitions into adulthood and college extremely difficultMany homeschoolers develop strong self-teaching and research skillsFear-based religious messaging can make social connection feel unsafeCollege became both liberating and emotionally overwhelmingCOVID gave many former evangelicals space to reevaluate faith and church culturePublic school and homeschooling both have tradeoffs, but involvement from parents matters mostCreative freedom and independent learning were meaningful positives from homeschoolingChapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club 00:35 Jaycie's Homeschool Rundown 01:36 ACE Curriculum Breakdown 03:09 Pros and Cons of ACE 09:45 Church as Social Life 11:02 Moving Missouri to Texas 13:59 Senior Year Depression 16:35 College Culture Shock 26:39 Gods Not Dead Mindset 30:23 Dropping Out and Marriage 32:50 Faith Shift During COVID 36:49 Homeschooling Reconsidered 40:22 Choosing Public School 44:33 Art Career and Reading 50:40 Cringey Co Op Puppets 53:04 Wrap Up and Goodbye If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.com

    54 min
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About

Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club! This is the place where we talk about the Good, Bad, and Ugly of growing up inside the homeschool world. Each episode showcases personal stories and experiences around social development, religious influence, family dynamics, education gaps, identity formation, and rebuilding community in adulthood. Whether homeschooling shaped your life in helpful ways, harmful ways, or something in between, this show welcomes the full spectrum of experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Jacob Gooden
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jacob Gooden
  • Show Website
    Ex-Homeschoolers Club

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