The California Homeschool Podcast

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The California Homeschool Podcast, produced by the Christian Home Educators Association of California (CHEA), is your companion for navigating private homeschooling in the Golden State. We offer encouragement, practical tips, and insightful interviews to support families choosing private home education in California. Discover community and gain valuable knowledge on everything from legal requirements to flourishing in your private homeschool journey. Learn more at: www.cheaofca.org

  1. 5h ago

    The Bold Case for Private Homeschooling

    Homeschooling looks a lot different today than it did 25 or 30 years ago. Back then, families were running toward something: more time together, more freedom, an education they got to design themselves. Today, many families are running from something: a public school system they no longer trust. In this episode, Angela Lasch welcomes veteran homeschool mom, author, and speaker Heidi St. John to talk honestly about the cost of letting the government fund a homeschool education, and the freedom that comes from choosing to homeschool privately instead. Heidi and Angela discuss: Heidi's homeschool journey, starting with her daughter's second-grade year and continuing through seven children and now eight grandchildren Why this generation of homeschool families faces a completely different landscape than 25 years ago What “with shekels comes shackles” means, and why taking government funding always comes with government oversight What California families give up when they choose a charter over private homeschooling Why Heidi has grace for parents who choose charter, but urges them to look at the bigger picture How the Firmly Planted Homeschool Resource Center serves over a thousand students without ever taking government money Practical starting points for new homeschoolers: focus on math and reading first, and let the rest follow Heidi's encouragement for moms who are afraid of the freedom homeschooling offers About Heidi St. John Heidi St. John homeschooled all seven of her children over more than 25 years and now has eight grandchildren being homeschooled. She and her husband co-founded the Firmly Planted Homeschool Resource Center in Vancouver, Washington. She is the author of 13 books and hosts The Heidi St. John Podcast, airing five days a week. Connect with Heidi: Website: www.heidistjohn.net YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeidiStJohnPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realheidistjohn Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heidi-st-john-podcast/id797248294 If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a homeschool mom who needs to hear it today. This podcast is powered by The Podcast Upload. Want to start your own? Book a free call: https://www.thepodcastupload.com/discovery-call #CHEAofCA #CaliforniaHomeschool #ChristianHomeschool

  2. Sep 1

    You Can Homeschool High School, Start Here

    Can you really homeschool high school? Absolutely, and this episode is here to prove it. Host Angela Lasch sits down with returning guests Dena Bless and Penny Ross, two homeschool moms who took their own kids all the way through graduation, for an honest, encouraging conversation about what it actually takes to get started. Dena and Penny share: Why you should start planning high school with the end in mind, not the curriculum How to ease your teen into homeschooling without just recreating school at home How to set four-year goals without overplanning The fears every homeschool parent faces, and where to find real support How to build a weekly rhythm that works with real life, not against it How to get a hesitant teen invested in their own education What they would tell themselves if they were starting over Mark your calendar for two upcoming CHEA events: Online College & Career Fair, October 6 Online Financial Aid Webinar, October 8 Visit https://cheaofca.org/college-career-financial-aid-webinar for the full schedule and registration. CHEA members can catch the replays after the live events in the Digital Library. For 44 years, CHEA has been California’s trusted resource for homeschool families, offering information, training, and support so parents can homeschool with confidence, from preschool through graduation.

  3. Aug 4

    Preserving Liberty: A Mid-Year Homeschool Freedom Briefing

    Angela Lasch sits down with Nathan Pierce of Family Protection Ministries (FPM) for a six-month check-in on homeschool freedom, what's happening in Sacramento, why laws passed in Nebraska and Connecticut matter for California families, and what to expect at Homeschool Freedom Day on September 12 at the Ronald Reagan Library. About Nathan Pierce and Family Protection Ministries Nathan was homeschooled K–12 in California and now homeschools his own eight children with his wife, Betsy (also homeschooled). He works full-time at FPM, which is celebrating its 40th year monitoring the California legislature and advocating for homeschool freedom. California Legislative Update The legislature is currently in recess and returns in early August. No major anti-homeschool bills are active right now, but FPM secured an amendment exempting private homeschool families from a bill mandating kindergarten–a proposal from the California Teachers Association that FPM has fought over 30 times. FPM is bracing for a wave of amendments once the legislature reconvenes. National Threats: Nebraska and Connecticut Two new state laws this year raised concern nationally: Nebraska: A new law blocks a family from withdrawing a child from public school to homeschool if a social services investigation has been opened based on an allegation, even an unsubstantiated one. Investigations can drag on for a year or more with no resolution. Connecticut: A new law requires background checks for all parents before they can begin homeschooling, regardless of whether the child was previously in public school. Homeschool Freedom Day, September 12 Where: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley When: September 12, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., with museum access (including a 250th-anniversary exhibit, in its final week) for the rest of the day Theme: Connecting America's 250th anniversary with the history and future of homeschool freedom Speakers: Zan Tyler (longtime homeschool freedom advocate), Will Estrada (HSLDA attorney), Robert Bortins (Classical Conversations), and Jennifer Avila (Director of District Outreach) Registration and details at https://fpmca.org/event/hfd2026-reagan-library/ Prayer Requests Wisdom and stamina as the legislature returns from recess and amendment activity picks up Nathan's family: a daughter marrying and a daughter starting college–both in August That no new homeschool-related legislation is introduced in August About CHEA The Christian Home Educators Association of California (CHEA) exists to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ by promoting private Christian home education as an outstanding educational opportunity, providing information, training, and support to the homeschool community, and protecting the God-given right of parents to direct the education and training of their children to the glory of God. Whether you're just starting to homeschool or have been at it for years, visit https://cheaofca.org/ for information on California homeschool law, resources, and encouragement for your homeschool journey. You'll also find details on CHEA membership and how to connect with the wider California homeschool community. Thanks for Listening Thank you for listening to the CHEA California Homeschool Podcast. If today's episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's homeschooling or considering it. We'll see you next time. This podcast is powered by The Podcast Upload. Want to start your own? Book a free call at thepodcastupload.com/discovery-call.

  4. Jul 7

    AI and Your Homeschool: Wisdom for a New Era

    Episode Description: Artificial intelligence is everywhere, in our phones, in our search engines, and increasingly in the tools our children will use for school, work, and life. For homeschool parents, that raises real questions. Is it safe? Will it shortcut my child's thinking? Could it actually help me? And how do we approach all of this with biblical wisdom? In this episode, Angela Lasch sits down with Nancy Manos, a longtime homeschool leader with more than twenty years of experience encouraging and equipping homeschool families. Nancy currently serves as the National Alliance Leaders Conference Director and has become a thoughtful voice on how Christian families can navigate technology with discernment. Together, Angela and Nancy explore the real pros and cons of AI for homeschool families, the wisdom and discernment our children need now more than ever, safe and practical first steps for introducing AI in your home, and the ways AI can actually lighten the load for busy homeschool parents. Whether you're cautious, curious, or already exploring these tools with your family, this conversation will leave you encouraged and equipped to lead your home with confidence in this new era. In This Episode: Nancy's heart for home education after more than two decades in homeschool leadership A simple explanation of what AI is and why it matters for the next generation The genuine benefits and the real concerns parents should weigh How to use AI as an opportunity to build discernment and critical thinking Safe, age-appropriate first steps for introducing AI to your children Practical ways AI can help homeschool parents with lesson planning, organization, and household management A word of encouragement for parents navigating this new era Connect with Nancy Manos:  WEBSITE: https://nancymanos.com PODCAST: https://nancymanos.com/podcast YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@nancymanos FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/mrsnancymanos  INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/mrsnancymanos LINKEDIN: https://linkedin.com/in/nancy-manos-az FREE RESOURCE: A Family Discussion Guide for Navigating AI with Wisdom and Discernment https://nancymanos.com/podcast Connect with CHEA of California: WEBSITE: https://cheaofca.org PODCAST: https://cheapodcast.podbean.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@cheaofca7027 FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/CHEAofCA INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/cheaofca If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a homeschool parent who needs encouragement today. Every share helps more California families homeschool with confidence. This podcast is powered by The Podcast Upload. Want to start your own? Book a free call at thepodcastupload.com/discovery-call.

  5. Jun 2

    Brain Breaks Are Not Wasted Time: How Movement Helps Your Homeschooler Focus and Thrive

    You finally sit down to start school. Your lesson is planned, your coffee is hot, and your child cannot sit still. If that scene feels familiar, this episode is for you. Host Angela Lasch sits down with Heather Haupt, author of The Ultimate Guide to Brain Breaks and founder of Cultivated Learning, to explore a question every homeschool parent has wrestled with: Is all that wiggling really a problem? Heather brings a background in neuroscience to the conversation, and her answer may change the way you see your school day. Movement is not a distraction from learning. It is how God designed the brain to learn best. Heather was homeschooled herself and is now homeschooling her own five children, so she is not speaking from the outside looking in. She has lived this, and she gets it. In this episode: How being homeschooled and now homeschooling her children shapes the way Heather understands learning What a brain break actually is, and how it differs from simply letting kids run around What is happening inside the brain when a child gets up and moves during a lesson Encouragement for the mom who feels movement time is wasted academic time How to build brain breaks into your daily rhythm without losing control of your day The connection between movement and your child's emotional regulation Simple, practical brain breaks you can use today, even in a small space A preview of Heather's sessions at CHEA's Parenting & Homeschool Convention this July Closing encouragement: This podcast is a word of hope for the homeschool mom who is second-guessing herself today. Connect with Heather Haupt at Cultivated Learning: https://cultivatedlearning.org Meet Heather in person this summer. Heather will be speaking at CHEA's 41st Annual Parenting & Homeschool Convention, "Preserving Liberty," July 10 and 11, 2026, at Calvary Chapel Downey. This is where vision gets restored, friendships are deepened, and hearts are renewed. Register and find all the details here: https://cheaofca.org/annual-parenting-homeschool-convention Connect with CHEA of California. CHEA is California's go-to organization for homeschool families. From your very first questions about getting started to years into your homeschool journey, we exist to inform, equip, support, and protect your God-given right to direct your children's education.  Website: https://cheaofca.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHEAofCA  Instagram: @cheaofca Subscribe and stay connected. The California Homeschool Podcast publishes once a month to encourage and equip you on your homeschool journey. If this episode encouraged you, the best thing you can do is subscribe right here on YouTube and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. It truly helps more California families find us. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and Podbean: https://cheapodcast.podbean.com This podcast is powered by The Podcast Upload. Want to start your own? Book a free call: https://www.thepodcastupload.com/discovery-call #CHEAofCA #CaliforniaHomeschool #ChristianHomeschool #BrainBreaks #HomeschoolMom #HomeschoolTips #PreservingLiberty #HomeschoolConvention

  6. May 5

    The Homeschool Awakening. One Filmmaker's Journey into Home Education

    Celebrating one year of CHEA's California Homeschool Podcast! Caleb Price's path into homeschooling is anything but ordinary. Rock band, film school, a documentary with Kirk Cameron, and somewhere along the way, a family transformed. In this episode, Angela sits down with Caleb, homeschool dad of five, filmmaker, and founder of The Podcast Upload, to talk about The Homeschool Awakening, what homeschooling actually looks like in California, and why homeschool state organizations matter for families here. Caleb shares practical rhythms from his own home with five kids, what he thinks most people get wrong about California homeschoolers, and offers real encouragement for dads who feel like they are on the sidelines. He closes with a heartfelt word to any California parent who is curious about homeschooling but has not yet taken the leap. Connect with Caleb Price calebpriceproductions.com ThePodcastUpload.com Connect with CHEA of California Website: cheaofca.org CHEA's 41st Annual Parenting & Homeschool Convention, July 10 and 11, 2026, Downey, CA. Register at https://cheaofca.org/annual-parenting-homeschool-convention If you have been blessed by a year of the podcast, the best way to say thank you is to subscribe, share an episode with a friend, and leave us a review. This podcast is powered by The Podcast Upload. Want to start your own? Book a free call: thepodcastupload.com/discovery-call

  7. Apr 2

    California Hispanic Families, You Are Not Alone: A Conversation with Ana Maria Bagnuoli

    If you are a Hispanic family in California wondering whether homeschooling is truly possible for you and whether it fits your culture, language, and faith, this episode was made with you in mind. Angela Lasch sits down with Ana Maria Bagnuoli, co-founder of Education by Design, a ministry dedicated to equipping Hispanic families to homeschool with biblical purpose and vision. Ana Maria's passion for this work is contagious, and her message is clear: you are not alone in this calling. In this episode: Who Education by Design is and why they exist to serve Hispanic homeschool families How homeschooling aligns with Hispanic culture, faith, and family values Encouragement for families who feel uncertain about whether they can do this The vision behind equipping parents to lead their children's education with a biblical purpose Resources mentioned: Education by Design: https://transitioneducation.net Education by Design Online Conference, April 10-11 — use code EDUCACA10 for 10% off: https://transitioneducation.net/conferencia2026 CHEA Annual Parenting & Homeschool Convention, July 10-11, Calvary Chapel Downey: https://cheaofca.org/annual-parenting-homeschool-convention CHEA Leadership Conference, July 9: https://cheaofca.org/annual-parenting-homeschool-convention/summer-leadership-conference CHEA is California's go-to organization for homeschool families. From your very first questions about getting started to years into your homeschool journey, we exist to inform, equip, and support you. If this episode blessed you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a Spanish-speaking family in your community or church. Every share helps more California families homeschool with confidence and conviction. Until next time, keep pressing forward. The God who called you is faithful to equip you. This podcast is powered by The Podcast Upload. Want to start your own? Book a free call at thepodcastupload.com/discovery-call

  8. Mar 3

    When Every Child is Different: Embracing Special Needs in Your Homeschool

    Have you ever wondered if you can really homeschool a child with special needs? Today's guest, Staci Morgan, is living proof that you can, and she's here to show you how. Staci is a homeschool mom of four with a master's degree in pediatric nursing, but she'll tell you her real education has come from homeschooling her children through a range of special needs. In this conversation with Angela Lasch, Staci shares the practical strategies, mindset shifts, and biblical truths that have carried her family through the unique joys and challenges of special needs homeschooling. This episode covers balancing academic and medical needs, navigating the hard days, avoiding comparison, finding community, and trusting God's design for your family. If you've ever felt overwhelmed or wondered if you're enough for this calling, this episode is for you. Resources: CHEA’s Special Needs Resources: https://cheaofca.org/special-needs-resources CHEA Defender and Warrior Memberships include two free special needs consultations: https://cheaofca.org/join-chea-membership CHEA’s Free Homeschool Essential Series events in Yucca Valley, Carlsbad, Sacramento, and San Jose: https://cheaofca.org/homeschool-essentials-series Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a homeschool family who needs encouragement today. #CHEAofCA #CaliforniaHomeschool #SpecialNeedsHomeschool #ChristianHomeschool #SpecialNeedsParenting #HomeschoolFamily #LearningDifferences #NeurodiverseHomeschool

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The California Homeschool Podcast, produced by the Christian Home Educators Association of California (CHEA), is your companion for navigating private homeschooling in the Golden State. We offer encouragement, practical tips, and insightful interviews to support families choosing private home education in California. Discover community and gain valuable knowledge on everything from legal requirements to flourishing in your private homeschool journey. Learn more at: www.cheaofca.org

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