The Homeschool How To

Cheryl - Host
  • 4.8 (86)
  • 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. #151: Breaking Big Food: How Homeschooling Helps Families Take Back Kids’ Health with Film Producers, Patrick & Ashley

    4D AGO

    #151: Breaking Big Food: How Homeschooling Helps Families Take Back Kids’ Health with Film Producers, Patrick & Ashley

    What if one of the biggest homeschooling wins isn’t curriculum… but protecting your kids from modern pressures and modern “food”? In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, Cheryl sits down with Patrick & Ashley—homeschool-connected entrepreneurs and the team behind Jigsaw Health—to talk about: Patrick’s experience being homeschooled in 7th–9th grade (and why it mattered)The myth of “socialization” vs. what homeschool kids actually gainWhy food choices have become a parenting issue (and a homeschooling advantage)Their documentary Breaking Big Food: How the American Food System Went Rotten and How It’s Being RevivedPractical, realistic “one step at a time” swaps (without turning your life upside down)Why “pay the farmer now or pharma later” keeps showing up in this conversationYou’ll also hear how families are building local alternatives—farmers markets, seed-oil-free restaurants, community markets—and how you can start making changes without getting overwhelmed. 🎥 Watch the documentary: BreakingBigFood.com  Ashley & Patrick's supplement brand: JigsawHealth.com and their organic coffee shop: FireflyScottsdale.com If you’re homeschooling (or considering it) and you care about kids’ health, behavior, focus, food dyes, ultra-processed foods, and raising well-adjusted humans, this episode will give you both encouragement and next steps. Follow/subscribe for weekly interviews with homeschooling families and experts—and share this episode with a friend who’s trying to “do better” but doesn’t know where to start. Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer  Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12. 📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    50 min
  2. #150: Indoctrination Wars: Taking Back Control of What Your Kids Actually Learn with Mises Institute Economist, Dr. Newman

    DEC 13

    #150: Indoctrination Wars: Taking Back Control of What Your Kids Actually Learn with Mises Institute Economist, Dr. Newman

    Homeschooling isn’t just about math lessons and reading charts—it’s about who gets to shape how your kids see the world. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jonathan Newman from the Mises Institute, a homeschooling dad, economist, and libertarian who breaks down why he and his wife chose to keep their kids out of government schools, how they approach reading and “adulting” skills at home, and why there’s really no such thing as a “neutral” education. We talk about: Teaching kids to read with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons—and why it works for some kids and not othersThe big differences between boys and girls when it comes to focus, readiness, and timelinesWhy homeschooling is so much more efficient than public school (and what to do with all that extra time together)The “adulting crisis” and how kids actually learn real-life skills like changing a tire, paying bills, and mailing a letterWhat Austrian economics is, why the Mises Institute exists, and how Jonathan teaches multiple perspectives instead of one government-approved narrativeCapitalism vs. socialism, and why socialist systems struggle to get food, prices, and production rightIndoctrination, values, and why parents—not the state—should decide which ideas get center stage in their child’s educationIf you’re a Christian, liberty-minded, or simply skeptical of the one-size-fits-all system and the stories your kids are being told about history, money, and government, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. Follow Dr. Jonathan Newman on X - @NewmanJ_R Discover free books, articles, and lectures on economics and liberty at Mises.org Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer  Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12. 📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    42 min
  3. #149: Homeschool OT Explains Reflex Integration, Picky Eaters & Kids Who Won’t Sit Still

    DEC 6

    #149: Homeschool OT Explains Reflex Integration, Picky Eaters & Kids Who Won’t Sit Still

    What happens when vaccine mandates, school regulations, and a mama’s intuition collide? In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany, a homeschool mom of almost-seven-year-old twin boys in West Virginia and an occupational therapist who now serves the homeschool community. Tiffany shares how COVID, vaccine requirements, and a strong Christian conviction opened the door to homeschooling—not just for her twin boys, but for her stepkids too. We talk about co-ops, jujitsu, piano lessons, state requirements, and why “freedom” is the first word that comes to mind when she thinks of home education. As an OT, Tiffany also dives into reflex integration—how primitive reflexes can affect things like handwriting, reading, attention, picky eating, emotional regulation, and why some kids “can’t sit still” no matter how hard they try. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this just a phase, or does my child actually need help?” this conversation is for you. In this episode, we cover: Homeschooling energetic twin boys with totally different strengthsNavigating co-ops, church life, and daily rhythms in West VirginiaHow vaccine mandates and religious convictions pushed some families toward homeschoolingThe difference between classical education and programs like Classical ConversationsWest Virginia vs. New York homeschool requirements (portfolio reviews, testing, paperwork)What pediatric occupational therapy actually is for homeschoolersReflex integration 101 and how unintegrated reflexes can show up asPoor handwritingTrouble sitting stillVisual scanning issues when readingPicky eating, chewing on clothes/pencilsBig emotions and meltdownsWhy it’s okay to ask for help and build your “village” as a homeschool parentConnect with Tiffany: Www.agapelove.com Facebook: The Homeschool OT, Tiffany Parsons Other therapy resources:  Www.HomeschoolOT.com  Facebook: The Homeschool OT, Sarah Collins Harkla (parent trainings): https://harkla.co/?rfsn=8716597.365cfae Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer  Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12. 📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.   Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    45 min
  4. #148 Homeschooling Special Needs Kids: Sensory Struggles, School Refusal & Finding Freedom

    NOV 29

    #148 Homeschooling Special Needs Kids: Sensory Struggles, School Refusal & Finding Freedom

    In this episode, I’m joined by Jem from Australia, a homeschooling mom of four navigating autism, ADHD, sensory needs, school refusal, and neurodivergent learning—and doing it all with honesty, humor, and so much heart. Jem shares why her family left the traditional school system, how her kids went from daily meltdowns and sensory overwhelm to peaceful mornings and learning at their own pace, and why unschooling naturally became the approach that finally worked. We talk about:  • What homeschooling looks like for autistic and ADHD learners • Why school refusal isn’t “defiance”—it’s dysregulation • The surprising benefits of late-morning starts, slow mornings, and interest-led learning • How volunteering at an animal rescue farm completely changed her daughter’s confidence • Creating sensory-friendly learning spaces at home • Using fidgets, wobble seats, chewing tools, trampolines, and pets for regulation • Transitioning out of curriculum and into a more intuitive, child-led rhythm • How homeschooling reconnects families and helps kids thrive emotionally • The differences between public school vs. homeschool in Australia • What new homeschool parents REALLY need to hear before they begin If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, exploring unschooling, or wondering whether homeschooling can truly support special needs, this episode will give you encouragement, perspective, and a whole lot of validation. ✨ Connect with Jem: Jem's Facebook Jem's Instagram Leave the Big Box Store! Shop Here Instead! Swap Where You Shop Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer  Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12. *** A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!! 📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    39 min
  5. #147: She Took Her Son Out of School for Two Years… Here’s What Actually Happened

    NOV 22

    #147: She Took Her Son Out of School for Two Years… Here’s What Actually Happened

    In this powerful episode, Cheryl sits down with Anya, a seasoned mom who made the courageous choice to pull her son out of school during a season of deep grief — and discovered that unschooling was the unexpected key to his healing, growth, and confidence. Anya shares how losing her son’s father, navigating the chaos of COVID schooling, and tuning into her child’s emotional needs led her to take full ownership of her family’s educational path. What followed included incredible personal growth, restored mental health, and the realization that children often learn more outside the system than inside it. Together we explore:  • How unschooling helped her son recover emotionally and academically  • Why children can easily return to public school without “falling behind”  • The impact of grief, trauma, and stress on learning  • Why emotional intelligence matters more than worksheets  • Homeschool myths that keep parents scared  • Real-life skills kids actually need (and how school suppresses them)  • The hidden pressures on parents from schools, doctors & society  • Why confidence, connection, and slow childhood matter more than curriculum If you’re considering homeschooling, curious about unschooling, or questioning the one-size-fits-all school system, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself — and your child — more deeply. Connect with Anya: www.theangelwearsprana.com Instagram Youtube Facbook  A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!! 📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    25 min
  6. #146: We Pulled Our Kid From School After 2 Weeks - Here's Why We'll Never Go Back

    NOV 15

    #146: We Pulled Our Kid From School After 2 Weeks - Here's Why We'll Never Go Back

    Discover how one family's challenging school experience became a powerful homeschooling journey. What starts as a two-week trial becomes a wake-up call that changes everything. This raw, honest conversation reveals why traditional school wasn't working and how unschooling created the freedom their family desperately needed. In this episode, we explore: The wake-up call that changed everything about their education approachBreaking free from "compliance culture" and therapy pressureBuilding community through homeschool co-opsFrance vs. U.S. schooling: eye-opening cultural differencesWhat unschooling really looks like in daily practiceInterest-led learning, morning baskets, and unit studies that workTeaching kids how to think, not what to thinkHandling hard days with regulation and nature resetsSelf-care strategies for homeschool parentsCreating a freedom mindset around time, travel, and family valuesWhether you're considering homeschooling, already on the journey, or simply curious about alternative education, Sarah's story offers practical insights and encouragement for raising independent thinkers. Perfect for: homeschool parents, unschooling families, parents questioning traditional education, those interested in child-led learning Get Sarah's Emotional Regulation FREE Toolkit here! Sarah's website Visit Sarah's Instagram here! Teaching O and A A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!! 📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    51 min
  7. #145: Functional Medicine Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing—Here’s What It Really Means | Dr. Dusty Hess

    NOV 8

    #145: Functional Medicine Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing—Here’s What It Really Means | Dr. Dusty Hess

    Is your child struggling with ADHD, allergies, or chronic illness? Wondering why childhood health is declining despite modern medicine? In this episode, functional medicine doctor Dr. Dusty Hess explains the root causes behind rising rates of ADHD, autism, and infertility—and shares practical solutions every family can implement today. What You'll Learn: ✅ Functional medicine vs. conventional healthcare (firefighters vs. builders) ✅ How plastics, seed oils, and processed foods disrupt hormones ✅ The truth about vaccines and personalized health approaches ✅ Why inflammation is both friend and foe ✅ The shocking infertility crisis: sperm counts down 50% in 50 years ✅ Autophagy and intermittent fasting made simple ✅ Practical swaps for your kitchen, home, and daily routine ✅ Why homeschool families are uniquely positioned for better health About Dr. Dusty Hess: Dr. Dusty is a functional medicine doctor, founder of Upstream Health, and creator of Upstream Magazine—a monthly publication helping Christian families get healthy from the inside out. Resources: Explore everything Upstream Health has to offer at www.upstreamhealth.com Our free ADHD webinar shares guidance, tools, and encouragement from our care team to support you or someone you love navigating ADHD. https://upstreamhealth.com/webinar-landing/ Upstream Health link-tree: https://upstreamhealth.com/link-tree/  Perfect for: Homeschool parents, Christian families, moms seeking natural health solutions, anyone dealing with chronic childhood illness, ADHD, autism, or fertility challenges. 📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey. 🚨 Let’s Talk, Emergencies! The most important lessons we can teach our kids aren’t just reading, writing, and math — they’re how to keep themselves and others safe. Let’s Talk, Emergencies! helps children learn essential safety skills in a fun, approachable way — from dialing 911 on a locked phone to staying safe online, around water, and in case of fire. Give your kids the knowledge and confidence to handle real-world situations. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    1h 3m
  8. #144: Teacher Exposes School System 'Meat Grinder' | Homeschools 5 Kids on Sailboat Instead

    NOV 1

    #144: Teacher Exposes School System 'Meat Grinder' | Homeschools 5 Kids on Sailboat Instead

    What happens when you ditch the American Dream, move onto a boat with five kids, and homeschool while traveling the Caribbean? In this inspiring episode, former public school teacher Tanya shares her family's extraordinary journey of "boat schooling" for nearly a decade. From their catamaran "Take Two" in Florida's 10,000 Islands, Tanya opens up about: Why They Left Conventional Life Behind The "meat grinder" feeling of the traditional education systemMoving from Atlanta suburbia to life on the open oceanHow a childhood dream became reality with five young childrenThe Reality of Boat Schooling Managing seasickness, morning sickness, and life in close quartersUsing the world as your classroom: from banana plantations in Belize to Christopher Columbus's landing sites in the BahamasOne-room schoolhouse methods that work with multiple ages (toddler to teen)Honest Conversations About: Unschooling yourself as a former teacherThe socialization question (spoiler: she's seen what socialization looks like in classrooms)Teaching five different kids to read five different waysWhy the "hard parts" of their unconventional childhood made her kids tougher and more resilientCreating deep family bonds that last into adulthoodMentioned Resources: Life of Fred math curriculumTeach Your Baby to Read (Doman method)A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony HorwitzTanya's book: "Leaving the Safe Harbor: The Risks and Rewards of Raising a Family on a Boat"Blog: https://www.taketwosailing.com/📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey. 🚨 Let’s Talk, Emergencies! The most important lessons we can teach our kids aren’t just reading, writing, and math — they’re how to keep themselves and others safe. Let’s Talk, Emergencies! helps children learn essential safety skills in a fun, approachable way — from dialing 911 on a locked phone to staying safe online, around water, and in case of fire. Give your kids the knowledge and confidence to handle real-world situations. Support the show Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

    1h 4m
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4.8
out of 5
86 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Homeschool How To
  • Show Website
    The Homeschool How To

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