Everyday Educator

Classical Conversations Inc.

Classical Conversations supports homeschooling parents by cultivating the love of learning through a Christian worldview in fellowship with other families. We believe there are three keys to a great education: classical, Christian, and Community.

  1. 1d ago

    Finding Your Calling: A Classical Homeschool Mom's Photography Journey

    What if the gift you've had since childhood was always meant to glorify God — you just didn't know it yet? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise sits down with Mercy Koimburi, a Kenyan Classical Conversations homeschool mom and professional photographer, to explore how creativity, faith, and classical education are more connected than you might think. Mercy shares how she discovered photography at age 11, how she uses it to capture emotion and tell stories of family and faith, and why she believes God placed that gift in her long before she had a name for it. From the math hidden inside every great photo — hello, Fibonacci sequence! — to how CC's classical framework shows up through her lens, this conversation is full of warm encouragement for homeschool moms who want to nurture the gifts in themselves and in their children. Mercy also opens up about her CC community in Kenya, what homeschool days look like on the other side of the world, and the Bible verses that have carried her through the hard days of the journey. Whether you have a budding young artist at home or you're still figuring out how your own gifts fit into your homeschool life, Mercy's story will leave you inspired and equipped. You don't have to have it all figured out — he gently leads those who have young. Tune in and be encouraged.   Find Mercy's photography work at: https://www.mercykoimburi.com/   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Classical Conversations just released "The Habits of a Classical Education"—the long-awaited successor to "The Core." This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish. It's here! Order your copy of "The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar" at https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/products/the-habits-of-a-classical-education-practicing-the-art-of-grammar

    44 min
  2. Jun 16

    Inside the 2026 National Memory Master Competition with Champion Nikolai Lowe

    What does it take to win the National Memory Master competition? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Kelli Wilt sits down with Nikolai — the 2026 National Memory Master Champion — along with his parents Olga and Jim, to hear the story behind his win. From six years of Memory Master to competing aboard the CC Family Cruise in the Caribbean, Nikolai's journey is equal parts inspiring and practical. Olga and Jim share how their family leaned on community support, creative study methods (including a hand-built 3D-printed timeline!), and the family motto of "we do hard things" to prepare Nikolai for the biggest memory competition in Classical Conversations. Whether your foundation student is thinking about entering next year or you just love a great homeschool win, this episode is packed with encouragement and real prep tips straight from the champion himself. Nikolai's advice to future competitors? "Just go for it — and do it for the glory of God, not for the glory of you." Tune in and get ready to cheer.   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Classical Conversations just released "The Habits of a Classical Education"—the long-awaited successor to "The Core." This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish. It's here! Order your copy of "The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar" at https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/products/the-habits-of-a-classical-education-practicing-the-art-of-grammar

    52 min
  3. Jun 9

    Summer Book Club: From Toddlers to Teens

    Want to start a book club for your homeschool family this summer — but not sure where to begin? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey and her guest Stephanie Meter explore how book clubs for all ages can build community, spark rich conversations, and raise lifelong readers. Whether you have a one-year-old or a high schooler working through philosophy, there's a book club format that works for your family. From practical tips on discussion questions and activities to how Classical Conversations' common topics framework can deepen any book discussion, this episode is packed with encouragement for homeschool moms ready to make reading a shared adventure. You don't need a perfect plan — you need good books, good people, and maybe a snack. Tune in and get inspired to start reading together this summer!   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Classical Conversations' new 2026 Product Line: This April, Classical Conversations launched an exciting portfolio of new products designed to strengthen math fluency, develop critical reasoning skills, and equip families with practical tools for classical, Christian homeschooling. From flashcard resources and reasoning curriculum to hands-on manipulatives and a foundational parent resource, these releases deepen the classical learning journey for families at every level. Visit ClassicalConversations.com/WhatsNew/ to explore the entire April 2026 product collection and start strengthening your family's classical, Christian education today.

    52 min
  4. Jun 2

    What Every Homeschool Mom Needs to Hear with Abbey Wedgeworth

    In this episode of Everyday Educator, hosts Amy Jones and Delise Germond sit down with author Abbey Wedgeworth (Help, I'm Ruining My Kids) to talk about what every homeschool mom actually needs heading into summer — a soul that's as prepared as your curriculum. Together they explore gospel-centered motherhood, the hidden ways our own sin and unhealed wounds show up in our homeschools, and why community is the lifeline homeschool moms can't afford to skip. Whether you're a new homeschool mom wrestling with your first year or a seasoned classical education parent facing a hard season, this conversation will remind you that the gospel is good news for your motherhood too — imperfections, meltdowns, and all. Abbey also shares insights from her book Help, I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change — a must-read for any mom who's ever wondered if she's doing more harm than good.   Resources: Abbey Wedgeworth's Website   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Classical Conversations' new 2026 Product Line: This April, Classical Conversations launched an exciting portfolio of new products designed to strengthen math fluency, develop critical reasoning skills, and equip families with practical tools for classical, Christian homeschooling. From flashcard resources and reasoning curriculum to hands-on manipulatives and a foundational parent resource, these releases deepen the classical learning journey for families at every level. Visit ClassicalConversations.com/WhatsNew/ to explore the entire April 2026 product collection and start strengthening your family's classical, Christian education today.

    1h 2m
  5. May 26

    From Homeschool to Road School!

    Does traveling with your homeschool family feel overwhelming — or just out of reach? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey sits down with CC veterans Courtney Sanford (Delightful Art Company) and travel agent Julie Denton to share practical, budget-friendly travel tips for homeschool moms. From using Google Flights Explore to find cheap international flights, to tying family trips to your CC history cycle, to handling travel disasters with grace — this conversation will inspire you to take learning on the road. Whether you're planning a big summer adventure or a local field trip, Courtney and Julie share decades of wisdom on how to make travel educational, affordable, and genuinely fun — even with little kids in tow. Plus: how to pack carry-on only, find insider tips from waiters, and why "obstacles" are really just good stories waiting to happen. Their best tips include using Airbnb and VRBO internationally, leveraging travel credit card points, renting an RV for a US road trip, and the sticker-on-a-water-bottle souvenir hack your kids will love. Don't miss the Sound of Music tour story — you won't regret it.    This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Classical Conversations' new 2026 Product Line: This April, Classical Conversations launched an exciting portfolio of new products designed to strengthen math fluency, develop critical reasoning skills, and equip families with practical tools for classical, Christian homeschooling. From flashcard resources and reasoning curriculum to hands-on manipulatives and a foundational parent resource, these releases deepen the classical learning journey for families at every level. Visit ClassicalConversations.com/WhatsNew/ to explore the entire April 2026 product collection and start strengthening your family's classical, Christian education today.

    58 min
  6. May 19

    Things Are Changing Around Here! Meet The Everyday Educator Hosts!

    Ever wondered who's behind the voices on the Everyday Educator podcast? In this special episode, meet the full host panel — Lisa Bailey, Amy Jones, Kelli Wilt, Emma Bortins, and Delise Germond — as they share their personal homeschooling journeys, why they said yes to Classical Conversations, and what keeps them going. From 25-year veterans to a second-generation homeschooler just getting started, this conversation is the encouragement every homeschool mom needs. From the history of the podcast (started in 2015!) to a panel of five hosts with decades of combined CC experience, this episode is a warm reintroduction to the Everyday Educator community. Whether you're brand new or a longtime listener, you'll feel right at home. Learn more about the classical homeschooling journey: 👉 https://classicalconversations.com/blog/classical-education-curriculum/ 🎙️ Love this episode? You'll enjoy our other podcast too! Check out Refining Rhetoric: https://refiningrhetoric.com/ 🔎 Find a CC Community Near You: https://classicalconversations.com/community-search/ 📅 Upcoming CC Events: https://classicalconversations.com/events/ 📚 Foundations Curriculum: https://classicalconversations.com/collections/foundations/ 🛍️ CC Shoppable Catalog: https://classicalconversations.com/pages/shoppable-catalog/ This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by:  The Classical Fellowship extends classical Christian formation into the years after Challenge, providing Christ-centered worldview formation, classical thinking skills, and Christ-centered community while graduates pursue their calling— whether college, trade, missions, or vocation. To learn more about the the Classical Fellowship or extend the classical conversation into your next chapter, go to https://ics.regfox.com/cc-plus-undergrad-live

    48 min
  7. May 12

    Help for Reluctant Readers - A Homeschool Mom's Guide

    In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise Germond sits down with her mother and longtime homeschooling veteran Chelly Barnard to talk about why reading is the single most important skill you can give your child. From raising reluctant readers and navigating learning challenges, to building a lifelong love of books through read-alouds and classical education — this conversation is packed with practical encouragement for every homeschool mom. Chelly and Delise get honest about their own reading journeys — including what it looked like to struggle, to teach differently, and to fall in love with books later in life. You'll hear real strategies for helping kids who resist reading, advice on when to seek outside help, and why classical Christian education uniquely positions homeschool families to raise voracious, articulate readers. The episode wraps with a rich list of book recommendations — from Fahrenheit 451 and Stepping Heavenward to Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter — plus a reference to Mortimer Adler's beloved essay "How to Mark a Book." Whether your child loves reading or avoids it, this episode will encourage and equip you to make books a central part of your homeschool life.   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Classical Conversations just released "The Habits of a Classical Education"—the long-awaited successor to "The Core." This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish. It's here! Order your copy of "The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar" during the April sale!

    50 min
  8. May 5

    How Art Unlocks Math for Homeschool Moms

    Did you know that art and math are speaking the same language — and your kids are already fluent? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise Germond sits down with Kirsty Gilpin and Babs Harrell — two of the women behind the Classical Conversations Math Map — to talk about why CC's homeschool math curriculum approaches every concept through the lens of art, and what that means for your family's math education. Whether you're a self-proclaimed "not a math person" or a homeschool mom who wants more than a textbook, this conversation will reshape how you think about teaching math at home. Kirsty and Babs share how the Math Map connects shapes, symmetry, and dimensions to truth, beauty, and goodness — and ultimately, to God himself. In this episode, you'll hear why even the most art-loving, math-avoiding parent can engage confidently with the CC Math Map, practical encouragement for where to start (hint: just talk about the booklet cover!), and why setting your highest math goal as "discovering God through math" changes everything. Leigh Bortins' 2023 Math Map Book Club: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxgkFMB45L23WKEks7BCNd3LBvJfIjVB&si=T5zP6gr_Rz69Phi5   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Classical Conversations just released "The Habits of a Classical Education"—the long-awaited successor to "The Core." This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish. It's here! Order your copy of "The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar" here during the April sale!

    55 min
4.5
out of 5
163 Ratings

About

Classical Conversations supports homeschooling parents by cultivating the love of learning through a Christian worldview in fellowship with other families. We believe there are three keys to a great education: classical, Christian, and Community.

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