The Homeschool How To

Cheryl - Host
  • 4.8 (104)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

I don't claim to know anything about homeschooling, so I set out on a journey to ask the people who do! Join me as I chat with homeschoolers to discuss; "why are people homeschooling," "what are all the ways people are using to homeschool today," and ultimately, "should I homeschool my kids?"

  1. 1d ago

    #183: Leaving It All for Life on a Bus... Three Years Later, Do They Regret It?

    What happens when a former public school teacher sells everything to homeschool from a bus? Three years after her first appearance on the podcast, Jennifer Gossett is back with an incredible update. Since we last spoke, her family has traveled to 47 states, sold the bus, bought a home, and discovered that homeschooling doesn't have to fit inside one box. In this episode we discuss: • Why she left public education  • What roadschooling really looked like day to day  • Why they decided to stop living on the bus  • Raising children with different learning styles  • Dual enrollment and graduating with college credits  • Whether homeschoolers really miss out on prom, sports, and friendships  • Traveling America as part of your child's education  • Why she believes it's okay to change your mind Whether you're just beginning your homeschool journey or dreaming about traveling with your children, this episode is full of encouragement and practical ideas. Connect with Jen: https://www.instagram.com/un_hustled/ https://www.facebook.com/theunhustlebustle https://www.tiktok.com/@unhustled jens.a.cooker on TikTok  Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Want to Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool  📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #183: Leaving It All for Life on a Bus... Three Years Later, Do They Regret It?

  2. Aug 8

    #182: They Left Germany Because Homeschooling Was Illegal | Worldschooling Across Europe

    Can you really homeschool while traveling the world? What if homeschooling was actually illegal where you lived? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Stacy, a homeschooling mom, worldschooler, and resilience coach whose family made the life-changing decision to leave Germany after discovering homeschooling wasn't legally allowed there. Today, their family travels throughout Europe while homeschooling their three children through a blend of worldschooling, roadschooling, self-directed learning, and unschooling. They share what daily life really looks like, how they afford long-term travel, why they chose this lifestyle, and what their children have gained by learning from the world instead of a traditional classroom. We also discuss:  ✔️ Why homeschooling is illegal in Germany  ✔️ What worldschooling and roadschooling actually look like  ✔️ Waldorf (Steiner) education vs. homeschooling  ✔️ How WWOOF and Workaway help families travel affordably  ✔️ Helping children discover their strengths through interest-led learning  ✔️ Building resilience in homeschooling families  ✔️ Finding community while living a nomadic lifestyle  ✔️ Common fears parents have before homeschooling — and why it doesn't have to be all or nothing If you've ever wondered whether homeschooling could look completely different than the traditional model — or if you've dreamed of traveling with your kids while giving them an incredible education — this conversation will inspire you to think outside the box. Resources mentioned: WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)WorkawayStacy's resilience coaching information-Instagram- @resiliencewithstacy www.resiliencewithstacy.comReady to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Want to Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool  📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #182: They Left Germany Because Homeschooling Was Illegal | Worldschooling Across Europe

  3. Aug 1

    #181: It's Not the Curriculum, It's the Brain: A Cognitive Psychologist on Why Reading Programs Fail

    What do you do when the school waits until the night before the last day of school to tell you your child is failing — and it turns out they broke his own IEP to do it?  Dr. Amy Moore joins Cheryl this week. She's a cognitive psychologist and former teacher who left the classroom to research why struggling kids kept getting missed. She's also raised three sons — now 27, 25, and 21 — all neurodivergent, all homeschooled differently based on what they actually needed.  They get into the real story behind pulling her oldest out of school in 6th grade after a last-minute email about 20+ missing assignments his 504 plan should have flagged much earlier. From there, Dr. Amy breaks down the difference between neurodiverse and neurodivergent, why social-emotional learning programs in a classroom of 30 can't replace what happens one-on-one at home, and how to tell if your child is dealing with a content gap or a skill gap when something isn't clicking.  You'll hear about:  The night her son's school broke its own legal accommodation — and what she did the next morningWhy co-regulation (not curriculum) is the missing piece in most SEL programsHow dual enrollment programs like Colorado Early Colleges let homeschoolers earn college credit for freeWhy a major meta-analysis found a leading reading approach wasn't moving the needle — and what she says actually isHer advice for any parent who's terrified an IEP means they can't homeschoolIf you're staring down a diagnosis, an IEP meeting, or a kid who just isn't clicking with the curriculum you picked — this one's for you. Connect with Dr.Amy: www.thebrainymoms.com www.amymoorephd.com www.instagram.com/thebrainymoms Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Want to Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool  📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling.   Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #181: It's Not the Curriculum, It's the Brain: A Cognitive Psychologist on Why Reading Programs Fail

  4. Jul 25

    #180: Why This Former Teacher Had to Unlearn Everything

    What if the best thing you could do for your homeschool is put the worksheet down? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Kaitlin Zara, former public school teacher, homeschool mom of two boys, and host of the Homeschool Connections podcast, to talk about what she saw from the inside of a classroom that changed how she teaches her own kids now. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Kaitlin had to unlearn her formal teacher training to homeschool her own kidsHow hands-on experience — like dissecting squid — teaches more than a worksheet ever couldWhat changed in classrooms over the last decade, and why she didn't want that for her own kidsWhy she stopped turning every outing into a unit studyWhy letting your kids see the everyday chaos of family life is part of their educationHow the more you enjoy your own homeschool days, the more your kids enjoy learningWhether you're brand new to homeschooling or years into it, this conversation is a reminder to stop overplanning and let the learning happen naturally. Connect with Kaitlin: Instagram: KaitlinMZara Facebook: KaitlinZara Youtube (podcast) Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Wanna Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool  📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #180: Why This Former Teacher Had to Unlearn Everything

  5. Jul 18

    #179: You DON'T Need to Have It All Figured Out to Homeschool | Chad Hufford

    What if the biggest thing standing between you and homeschooling isn't your ability...it's your belief that you have to get everything right? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Chad Hufford, homeschool graduate, father of six, biochemist, financial advisor, and speaker, to talk about what homeschooling looked like in the 1980s versus today—and why parents don't need to have all the answers before they begin.  Chad shares how his mom openly admitted she was figuring homeschooling out as she went, yet still raised children who became independent thinkers, lifelong learners, and successful adults. Together, Cheryl and Chad discuss why intentional parenting matters more than perfect curriculum, how homeschooling teaches children to think instead of memorize, and why comparing your family to others is one of the fastest ways to lose confidence.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why you don't have to be a certified teacher to homeschool.  How to stop comparing your homeschool to everyone else's.  The difference between teaching children what to think and how to learn.  Why letting your child explore their interests builds confidence and independence.  How homeschool communities, co-ops, tutors, and hybrid learning can support your family.  The mindset shift that helps parents stop fearing they're "failing" their kids. Whether you're thinking about homeschooling, brand new to homeschooling, or years into your journey, this conversation is packed with encouragement and practical wisdom that will leave you feeling far more confident about the path you're on. Ready to homeschool but wondering where to start? 📘 Grab my book, So You Wanna Homeschool? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start 🎓 Need a step-by-step plan? Check out Cheryl's mini-course, How to Work and Homeschool  📚 Still wondering, "What do I actually teach?" My guide walks you through exactly what homeschool families focus on by age and subject. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's considering homeschooling. Connect with Chad, Financial Planner and SmartVestor Pro:  chad@veritasalaska.com veritasalaska.com Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #179: You DON'T Need to Have It All Figured Out to Homeschool | Chad Hufford

  6. Jul 11

    #178: A Mother’s Wake-Up Call About Bullying And SEL

    When Ali Johnson’s teenage daughter started saying she didn’t want to go to school, Ali initially thought she was dealing with normal middle school conflict. Then everything changed. After a serious accusation from two students, the school required Ali’s daughter to undergo an outside evaluation before returning to class. Even after she was cleared to return, administrators continued pushing the family toward additional outside services and requested permission to communicate directly with those providers. Meanwhile, the bullying that started the entire situation continued. In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Ali shares the story of the incident that ultimately led her family to leave traditional school and begin homeschooling. We talk about bullying in schools, school mental health policies, social emotional learning (SEL), parental rights, private Christian schools, teen social media, deschooling, homeschooling teenagers, and what parents may not realize their children are experiencing at school. Ali also shares what happened when she finally asked her daughter one life-changing question: “What if you never had to go back to school?” Two years later, Ali describes her daughter as a completely different person. “It’s like she lives in color now.” If your child is struggling with bullying, dreading school, or simply doesn’t seem like themselves anymore—or if you’ve ever wondered whether homeschooling could be an option for your family—this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. Connect with Ali:  YT: @HoosierAli IG: @HoosierAli Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide  📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach?  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #178: A Mother’s Wake-Up Call About Bullying And SEL

  7. Jul 5

    #177: The Truth About Leaving a Successful Career to Homeschool

    What happens when you've built everything you thought you wanted... and realize it's no longer the life you want? In this episode, I sit down with Ceci Washington, entrepreneur, business mentor, and homeschooling mom, to talk about the decision to walk away from a thriving business, leave behind financial security, and choose a completely different path for her family. We discuss the fears that stop parents from homeschooling, why so many families feel pulled toward a different way of raising their children, the grief that can come with leaving your old life behind, and why grief doesn't always mean you've made the wrong decision. We also talk about socialization, technology, homeschooling regulations, balancing work and family, and what it really looks like to build a life around your children instead of fitting them into your schedule. If you've ever wondered whether homeschooling could work for your family—or whether it's possible to redesign your life around what matters most—this conversation is for you. Cheryl on Ceci's podcast- YouTube Radically Real Podcast www.instagram.com/itsceciwashington www.instagram.com/getradicallyreal https://stan.store/CecileJWash Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide  📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach?  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #177: The Truth About Leaving a Successful Career to Homeschool

  8. Jun 27

    #176: What If Your "Imperfect" Homeschool Is Actually Enough? | Jennifer Pepito

    Are you constantly wondering... "Am I doing enough?" It's one of the biggest fears homeschool parents carry—and after nearly 30 years homeschooling seven children, Jennifer Pepito has a very different perspective. In this episode, Jennifer shares why perfect homeschool days aren't the goal, why family connection matters more than checking every academic box, and how her oldest daughter—despite what she describes as an "imperfect" homeschool experience—graduated summa cum laude, earned her law degree, and was preparing to take the bar exam. We also discuss: • Why many children don't need to read on the same timeline • How read-alouds, audiobooks, and rich conversations build lifelong learners • The surprising connection between movement, outdoor play, and learning • Homeschooling multiple children with family-style learning • Homeschooling a child with special needs • Why trying to recreate public school at home often creates unnecessary pressure • How to build a homeschool filled with curiosity, connection, and joy instead of comparison If you've ever worried that your homeschool doesn't look "good enough," this conversation might completely change the way you think about learning. Connect with Jennifer: Amazon LINK to book  Website: thepeacefulpress.com Instagram: @jenniferpepito Facebook: @thepeacefulpress Pinterest: @thepeacefulpress Podcast: @restorationhome Resources from Cheryl: 🎓  New to homeschooling? Grab the free 30-Day Quick Start Guide   📚 Knowing exactly what to teach is the hard part, so I broke it down for you in plain English! Grab this today — What Do I Actually Teach?  💻 Want to Homeschool but still have to work? Check out my course on how to do just that: How to Work and Homeschool course Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    #176: What If Your "Imperfect" Homeschool Is Actually Enough? | Jennifer Pepito
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4.8
out of 5
104 Ratings

About

I don't claim to know anything about homeschooling, so I set out on a journey to ask the people who do! Join me as I chat with homeschoolers to discuss; "why are people homeschooling," "what are all the ways people are using to homeschool today," and ultimately, "should I homeschool my kids?"

Information

  • Creator
    Cheryl - Host
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    192
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Homeschool How To
  • Show Website
    The Homeschool How To

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