The Ultimate Homeschool Community Podcast

ultimatehomeschool
  • 4.3 (6)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Ultimate Homeschool Community Podcast where you will learn about all things homeschool! You will enjoy interviews with new and veteran homeschool moms as well as coaches, artists, authors, non-profits and other co-op founders and creators. We will be sharing what it takes to start your own homeschool community group as well as, tips and tricks for your own family homeschool journey. Homeschooling is tough but when you have a village to support you, it enriches your entire family experience.

  1. 4d ago

    Can AI Actually Teach Your Child? Inside the Future of Personalized Learning with Bloomy

    **Share and Subscribe* So more families can find our resources!! AI is quickly becoming part of education—but can it actually help children learn without simply giving them the answers? In this episode of The Ultimate Homeschool Community Podcast, Tiffany sits down with Alex, a former teacher and creator of Bloomy, an AI-powered learning platform designed to personalize instruction in English, math, and writing. Alex shares how Bloomy uses diagnostic assessments to identify where a student is academically and then creates an individualized learning path that adapts as the student progresses. Tiffany and Alex also dig into some of the biggest questions parents have about AI in education, including accuracy, quality control, accommodations for different learners, and whether too much AI could interfere with critical thinking. The conversation also explores how personalized AI tools could fit into homeschooling, microschools, and co-ops while allowing educators and parents to remain actively involved in the learning process. Episode Highlights: How AI can create a more personalized learning experience How Bloomy identifies a student's starting point through diagnostic assessments Adapting lessons based on student performance and mastery Using AI to teach rather than simply give students answers Addressing concerns about AI accuracy and quality assurance Supporting different learning needs, including read-aloud accommodations How Bloomy approaches math, English, and writing instruction Aligning personalized learning with state academic standards The benefits and potential risks of bringing AI into education How AI-powered learning could support homeschools, microschools, and co-ops All About our Guest Alex Southmayd: Website link: bloomylearning.com/families Social media- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomy-yc-s26/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590258284564 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomylearning/ X: https://x.com/bloomylearning   Alex Southmayd is the Founder & CEO of Bloomy, which provides AI-powered K–12 curriculum for English Language Arts, math, and writing. He began his career as a 7th-grade ELA and writing teacher with Teach For America before joining Manhattan Prep, where he developed quantitative and verbal curriculum for the GRE and GMAT. Most recently, he served as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, where he led AI and digital transformation initiatives. Alex holds a bachelor's degree in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought from Amherst College, a Master of Education from Boston University, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Bloomy serves homeschool families and microschool leaders across the country, including Prenda and Apogee schools. Bloomy is also eligible for reimbursement in most states that provide ESAs. Bloomy is backed by Y Combinator, the founders of Clever, and the co-founder of Rocketship Public Schools. Find out more about The Ultimate Homeschool Community Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

  2. Sep 25

    Transcripts? Algebra credits? Umbrella School? Why you need the Homeschool Counseling Team with Pat Wesolowski

    Pat Wesolowski is a nationally sought-after homeschool speaker, author, and mentor who has spent more than 30 years helping families homeschool with confidence. As a homeschooling mother of nine, former college admissions counselor, curriculum developer, and homeschool consultant, Pat understands both the daily realities of home-schooling and the long-term goal of preparing students for success beyond high school. Through her podcast and Substack, Homeschooling Doesn’t Have to Be Hard, as well as her workshops and educational resources, she encourages parents to replace overwhelm with confidence and create a homeschool experience their family can truly enjoy. Pat Wesolowski Homeschool Academic Counselor Text:  850-212-1232 Schedule a call: https://calendly.com/pat-hct JOIN TODAY BY CLICKING THIS LINK:  www.homeschoolcounselingteam.com      Links: Homeschooling Doesn’t Have to Be Hard Resources Website Substack Instagram TikTok Youtube Facebook Podcast

  3. Sep 17

    Join Us for the Next Podcast Series- Homeschool Methods

    **Subscribe and Share! Coming Soon: Our Homeschool Methods Series! There’s no one-size-fits-all way to homeschool! In this upcoming series, we’re sitting down with real homeschool parents and educators to explore different homeschool methods—from Charlotte Mason and Montessori to Classical, Unschooling, Project-Based Learning, Eclectic homeschooling, and more. We’ll talk about what these methods actually look like in everyday life, what works, what doesn’t, and how families adapt them to fit their children and their unique needs. Have experience with a homeschool method and want to share your story? We’re looking for guests! Reach out to join the conversation. Want to join us for the conversation? Email us at: ultimatehomeschool@gmail.com Check out our Freebies: https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

  4. Sep 3

    The Mom Balancing Act Is Exhausting—Here’s What to Do Instead - Shelley Mechette

    In this episode of The Ultimate Homeschool Community Podcast, I’m chatting with Shelley Mechette about something so many moms struggle with—the pressure to somehow balance it all. Motherhood, homeschooling, work, relationships, personal goals, and everything in between can leave us constantly trying to keep all the plates spinning. But what if balance isn’t actually the goal? Shelley encourages moms to throw the idea of the perfect balancing act out the window and instead focus on creating harmony—recognizing that different areas of our lives will need more of us in different seasons. We talk about releasing unrealistic expectations, becoming intentional about what deserves our attention, and creating rhythms that allow us to experience more peace instead of constantly feeling pulled in every direction. If you’ve been trying to “do it all” and wondering why you still feel overwhelmed, this conversation is an invitation to stop chasing balance and start building a life that works together in harmony.   Shelley Meche’tte  In'tl Speaker | Certified Coach | Best-selling Author | Mom-life Strategist  As Seen On: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, FoxSoul, Peace of Mind  Grab Your FREE Gift: 7 PowHERful Ways to Fulfill Your Goals and be a GREAT Mom Too Contact: www.ShelleyMechette.com Email: Shelley@ShelleyMechette.com Book ME for Your Next Event  Shelley@ShelleyMechettel.com VIEW MY Speaker Reel   About The Ultimate Homeschool Community: https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool Listen and Subscribe on YouTube! https://youtu.be/TjZy21hoMQA

  5. Aug 27

    When Kids Push Back: Why Buy-In Matters More Than Compliance With Deborah

    What if resistance isn’t defiance—but information? In this episode, we explore why true educational success requires more than getting kids to comply, and how parents can create greater buy-in by giving children meaningful choices, understanding what may be behind their resistance, and building an educational ecosystem where they can thrive. From homeschool and microschools to mentors, co-ops, community programs, and traditional schools, the goal isn’t finding the “perfect” model—it’s continually asking, “What does this child need to thrive right now?”  About Deborah: Deborah DeLisle is the founder of Regenerate Education Lab, where she helps families, educators, and schools create optimal learning environments that inspire curiosity, capability, and a lifelong love of learning. With more than 25 years of experience between public education, alternative education, nature-based learning, homeschooling support, and microschool and teacher tool development, Deborah believes that meaningful learning happens when children engage with the real world through authentic experiences, relationships, and purposeful work. She is currently helping launch Foothill Frolic Farm & Forest School in Kingsport, Tennessee, while also coaching homeschooling families and developing innovative tools that make project-based learning and educational documentation more accessible for educators. Leading a movement she calls:  Regenerate Education, her passion is helping adults rethink what education can be—not by adding more curriculum, but by intentionally designing environments where children naturally become curious, confident, capable, and deeply connected to both their communities and the natural world.  Free Resources: https://regen-lab-flow.base44.app/resources About The Ultimate Homeschool Community: https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

  6. Aug 20

    Is Technology Stealing Your Child’s Creativity? Building Confidence & Self-Belief in the Age of AI with Wylde Scott

    **SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE** Tiffany sits down with Wylde to explore how parents can raise creative, confident children in a world increasingly shaped by AI, gaming, and screens. They discuss balancing technology with real-world experiences, helping kids learn through failure, and intentionally building the self-belief they need to thrive. About Wylde Scott: Wylde Scott — A World of Imagination: https://www.wyldescott.com/ Literacy Non-Profit | The Imagination Project: https://imaginationproject.org/ check out our first episode about imagination: https://youtu.be/QY05BkFDWeE?si=ZI2dYPWfac-bWkFM About The Ultimate Homeschool Community plus FREE Resources! https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool About our Podcast Partner the Homeschool Counseling Network: Kimberly Bennett, LPC, is a seasoned clinician (20+ years in professional counseling), a homeschool parent (8 years), a nonprofit leader, and the founder/CEO of the Homeschool Counseling Network, where she champions culturally responsive allied health, mental health, coaching, and consulting support for homeschooling families. The Homeschool Counseling Network is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to homeschool‑friendly care by training professionals in cultural responsiveness, ethics, and best practices, and supporting families through advocacy, resources, and community education. HCN equips providers with specialized training and offers families practical tools, guidance, and a vetted directory of professionals who understand the homeschool experience. Website: www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com Homeschoolers' Mental Health Toolkit: https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/mental-health-toolkit Find Mental Health Providers by Category - homeschool counseling network: https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/categories

  7. Aug 11

    Eps. 3- Challenges of Modern Life, including technology overload and increased expectations with Kaitlin

    ** Share and Subscribe so more families can find our resources** This is the third episode in the series of what is PDA. Tiffany and Kaitlin discussed the challenges of modern life, including technology overload and increased expectations, which have led to overwhelming perfectionism and difficulty coping with daily demands. They emphasized the importance of addressing personal reactions before trying to solve problems, using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as a framework. The conversation highlighted the distinction between mental health issues and reasonable responses to life's challenges, with Kaitlin suggesting that many behaviors labeled as problematic are actually reasonable responses to overwhelming circumstances. About Kaitlin: Kaitlin Wilder is a BCBA of 15 years with experience supporting “problem” behavior across a variety of ages and abilities in public and alternative education, home and community-based ABA therapy, school consulting, and ACT based life-coaching. After burning out as a public school SPED teacher and BCBA, she’s spent the past 5 years integrating ACT into daily life and ABA practice and ditch the force and control for stress reduction and well-being. She’s here to bring “modern day ABA” of ACT to help humans of all ages and abilities end their daily loops and stop fixing their “problems” so they can find meaning in their lives. Podcast Partner: Homeschool Counseling Network  Kimberly Bennett, LPC, is a seasoned clinician (20+ years in professional counseling), a homeschool parent (8 years), a nonprofit leader, and the founder/CEO of the Homeschool Counseling Network, where she champions culturally responsive allied health, mental health, coaching, and consulting support for homeschooling families. The Homeschool Counseling Network is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to homeschool‑friendly care by training professionals in cultural responsiveness, ethics, and best practices, and supporting families through advocacy, resources, and community education. HCN equips providers with specialized training and offers families practical tools, guidance, and a vetted directory of professionals who understand the homeschool experience. Website: www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com Free Mental Health Resource: https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/mental-health-toolkit https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/categories About The Ultimate Homeschool Community: Grab our Freebies https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

  8. Aug 6

    EPS 2-What’s not working for behavior and WHY?? SELF EDITION with Kaitlin Wilder

    ** Share and Subscribe so more families can find our resources** Kaitlin and Tiffany discussed how avoidance and attachment patterns from childhood can influence behavior and emotional responses, particularly in parenting situations. They explored how technology, including food and environmental factors, contributes to behavioral issues like PDA, with Kaitlin emphasizing that many technological developments initially intended to help have unintended negative consequences. The number one skill is about using self-awareness as an intervention strategy to address these behavioral patterns. About Kaitlin: Kaitlin Wilder is a BCBA of 15 years with experience supporting “problem” behavior across a variety of ages and abilities in public and alternative education, home and community-based ABA therapy, school consulting, and ACT based life-coaching. After burning out as a public school SPED teacher and BCBA, she’s spent the past 5 years integrating ACT into daily life and ABA practice and ditch the force and control for stress reduction and well-being. She’s here to bring “modern day ABA” of ACT to help humans of all ages and abilities end their daily loops and stop fixing their “problems” so they can find meaning in their lives. Podcast Partner: Kimberly Bennett, LPC, is a seasoned clinician (20+ years in professional counseling), a homeschool parent (8 years), a nonprofit leader, and the founder/CEO of the Homeschool Counseling Network, where she champions culturally responsive allied health, mental health, coaching, and consulting support for homeschooling families. The Homeschool Counseling Network is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to homeschool‑friendly care by training professionals in cultural responsiveness, ethics, and best practices, and supporting families through advocacy, resources, and community education. HCN equips providers with specialized training and offers families practical tools, guidance, and a vetted directory of professionals who understand the homeschool experience. Website: www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com Free Mental Health Resource: https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/mental-health-toolkit https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/categories About The Ultimate Homeschool Community: https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Ultimate Homeschool Community Podcast where you will learn about all things homeschool! You will enjoy interviews with new and veteran homeschool moms as well as coaches, artists, authors, non-profits and other co-op founders and creators. We will be sharing what it takes to start your own homeschool community group as well as, tips and tricks for your own family homeschool journey. Homeschooling is tough but when you have a village to support you, it enriches your entire family experience.

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