Ex-Homeschoolers Club

Jacob Gooden
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club! This is the place where we talk about the Good, Bad, and Ugly of growing up inside the homeschool world. Each episode showcases personal stories and experiences around social development, religious influence, family dynamics, education gaps, identity formation, and rebuilding community in adulthood. Whether homeschooling shaped your life in helpful ways, harmful ways, or something in between, this show welcomes the full spectrum of experiences.

  1. Sep 18

    3 Things I Loved About Being Homeschooled (And 2 I'd Change)

    If you want to support the channel, like, comment, share, or consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub ------------------------------------------------------------- Join Book Club Grab a copy of the book "A Well-Trained Wife" by Tia Levings: https://bookshop.org/a/128680/9781250898050Follow for updates on the email newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Join the discussion over on the Fable App: https://fable.co/club/ex-homeschoolers-book-club-with-jacob-gooden-585330795145------------------------------------------------------------- On today's show, I dive deep into my personal journey growing up as a homeschool kid in Southern California. From starting out in public school to transitioning into home education for 2nd grade and going all the way through high school, this is a candid reflection on how my upbringing shaped my independence, routine, and confidence. I open up about the positive aspects (such as building strong time-management skills and thriving in unique extracurriculars like swing dancing and mime troupe) while addressing the flaws, including creationist-focused science curricula and a lack of exposure to diverse worldviews. Finally, I share my current perspective on the homeschool debate, advocating for common-sense regulations to protect children while emphasizing the need for nuanced, open conversations. Key Takeaways Transitioning to homeschooling requires intentional structure, but finding the right curriculum and building a strong local community are key to long-term social and academic success. Experiencing home education can foster strong self-reliance, time-management capabilities, and the flexibility to pursue unique hobbies or business ventures. A lack of diverse perspectives in faith-based curricula, particularly around science and contrasting worldviews, can create significant knowledge gaps later in life.Evaluating homeschooling should be done on a case-by-case basis, with an emphasis on common-sense regulations to ensure child safety and educational standards. Favorite Quote "It's not as simple as yes regulation, no regulation. Like, it's not as simple as just saying, 'Let's take existing rules and slap them on this thing.' It's not that easy. It's very much a conversation that needs to continue to happen and evolve with lawmakers, with alumni, with current homeschool families, with the education systems that are building the curriculums that are being used for kids." — Jacob Gooden ------------------------------------------------------------- Support the Show BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubSubscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/exhsclubCheck out our Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.comEmail Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ Message Me On Socials Email me at exhsclub@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubThreads: https://www.threads.com/@exhsclub Chapters 00:00 Welcome To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club 01:33 Support The Show and Join Book Club 03:30 My Homeschool Experience 18:39 Homeschooling Is A Privilege 19:47 Getting Into College 24:41 If You've Got Questions, Ask Them 25:12 Would I Have Succeeded In Public School? 27:24 3 Thing I Liked About My Homeschool Experience 33:17 Some Things I'd Change About My Homeschool Experience 39:55 Where Do I Stand Today With Homeschooling? 47:48 One Of The Biggest Criticisms Of The Show 48:55 Do You Want To Be A Guest On The Show? 54:13 Recap and Wrap Up

  2. Sep 11

    How Homeschooling Left Me Unprepared for College and Adulthood

    Help financially support Jodie's Documentary: https://gofund.me/0c4256b53 Jodie was homeschooled from preschool through high school in a very Christian, Independent Baptist environment. Her mom gave her a lot of freedom to explore subjects she was interested in, but often relied on textbooks and self-teaching instead of actually teaching the material. Over time, Jodie fell behind academically (especially in math) and entered college realizing just how many educational gaps she had to overcome. In this episode, Jodie shares what it was like discovering that college was even an option, catching up academically as an adult, and realizing how homeschooling had affected her. We also talk about religious deconstruction, coming out as gay, family reactions, and the supportive role her wife has played. Jodie also shares her plans for a documentary exploring homeschooling, its lack of regulation, and the stories of people affected by it. In this episode, we talk about... Growing up in a strict Christian homeschool environmentThe challenges of self-teaching and falling behind academicallyEntering college and discovering just how much catching up was necessaryReligious deconstruction and coming out as gayWhy Jodie believes homeschooling requires community, accountability, and supportHer upcoming documentary about the realities of homeschooling Connect with Jodie Jodie is currently looking for people to participate in her documentary, including homeschool alumni, educators, people with experience in law or politics, and anyone with relevant experience to share. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodie_justice/ Support Ex-Homeschoolers Club Have a story or thoughts you'd like to share? Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Chapters 00:00 Meet Jodi and the Show 00:31 Newsletter and Episode Setup 01:08 Jodi Homeschool Background 01:41 Curriculum Chaos and Sale Bins 03:50 Co-ops and the Church Bubble 05:34 Religion in the Mix 08:05 I Got To Pick My Electives But No One Was Teaching Me 11:05 Self-Teaching Lead To Me Falling Behind 16:46 Finding Motivation For College And Catching Up 22:17 Discoverying My Career Direction 24:39 The Making Of A Homeschool Documentary 26:24 Unregulated Homeschooling Reality 29:10 Realizing How Homeschool Harmed Me 30:20 Finding Ex-Homeschool Support 31:16 How Educated By Tara Westover Radicalized Me 34:06 Grieving The Past And Rebuilding For The Future 36:59 Partner Support System 41:18 What Did Coming Out Look Like For You? 49:29 Family Reactions To Coming Out 52:42 Where Do You Stand With Homeschooling Today? 56:40 Documentary Call For Help 59:41 Final Thanks And Wrap Up

  3. Sep 4

    Why I Felt Completely Unprepared for Adulthood After Homeschooling

    If you want to support the channel, like, comment, share, or consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub Today, I'm sitting down with Rachael to unpack her experience growing up homeschooled in a deeply evangelical Christian environment. Rachael shares how undiagnosed ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia made school difficult while the pressure to be a “perfect” homeschool kid led her to blame herself rather than question the system. She also talks about purity culture, rigid gender roles, the pressure to discover God’s perfect plan for her life, and why she felt completely unprepared to launch into adulthood after graduation. Her journey eventually took her to YWAM and overseas to Thailand, where new experiences helped her begin recognizing emotions she had spent years denying (including anger). Today, Rachael is working through years of religious deconstruction and therapy while reconnecting with the creativity and artistic identity she once felt ashamed to embrace. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Connect with me BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters 00:00 Welcome Back To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club 00:41 Meet Rachel 02:02 How Cancer Traumatized A Family 05:19 What The Early Years Of Homeschooling Looked Like 08:28 The Struggle Of Undiagnosed Learning Struggles 11:23 How Faith Fostered An Environment Of Perfectionism 15:00 What Did Homeschool Community Look Like For You? 19:11 What Role Did Gender Roles And Purity Culture Play In Your Life? 22:11 Moving To Colorado 26:50 Finding Homeschool Friends Via Seminary 29:25 Taking Public School Classes As A Homeschooler 33:36 Homeschool Hierarchy Pressure 36:19 Preparing Your Kids To Launch Into Adulthood 37:50 Rachael Was Unprepared To Launch 41:47 Crashing After High School Graduation 43:42 What Is Gods Will In My Life 47:35 Finding YWAM And Launching Into Adulthood 54:32 Red Flags Of YWAM 58:11 Discovering Anger 01:02:41 Find Myself And Reclaiming Creativity 01:08:35 Where Do You Stand With Homeschooling? 01:14:00 Find Your Self-Autonomy 01:16:19 Thanks For Tuning In

  4. Aug 28

    I Escaped the Homeschool Bubble and Started Taking Risks

    If you want to support the channel, like, comment, share, or consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub After growing up between Switzerland and the United States, Bradley Wyss had a homeschool experience that was anything but conventional. He moved between public school and homeschooling, eventually earning a Swiss education, starting college, and then returning to the U.S. where he had to complete high school all over again. But the biggest changes came after leaving the tightly connected Christian homeschool community he grew up in. Bradley shares what it was like to question the religious beliefs he had been raised with, deal with purity culture and the fear of breaking the rules, and eventually build a life based more on curiosity, independence, and taking chances. Today, he works in the wind industry, travels extensively, and embraces an adventurous approach to life.What I especially loved about this conversation was Bradley's perspective on fear. He's faced plenty of uncertainty, from being medically discharged from the Marine Corps because of his degenerative vision condition to figuring out a career and navigating life outside of his childhood religion. Instead of waiting until he feels completely confident, Bradley has learned to take the leap and figure things out along the way. In This Episode Growing up between Switzerland and the United States and moving between public school and homeschoolingThe role of ACE/PACES and the homeschool community in Bradley's childhoodWhy leaving a religious community can be just as difficult as questioning the beliefs themselvesBreaking down the guilt and fear surrounding purity culture and religious rulesHow Bradley went from an unexpected Marine Corps setback to working in renewable energyBuilding a life around travel, adventure, hobbies, and taking chancesWhy fear doesn't necessarily have to disappear before you make a big changeFinding community and meaningful relationships after leaving the religious environment you grew up in If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Connect with me BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters 00:00 Welcome Back To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club 00:38 Support The Show 01:27 Meet Bradley 02:43 Swiss To US Schooling 03:57 Back To Switzerland Shift 05:42 Divorce And US Return 08:01 ACE Program And ACHEV 12:32 Homeschool Community Life 16:58 Graduating High School A Second Time 17:33 Marine Corps Setback 18:33 Vision Loss Reality 21:15 Finding A Career In Wind 22:39 Goals Travel And Freedom 27:35 Taking Risks Pays Off 33:38 Questioning Faith Begins 39:20 Leaving Religion And Rules 43:44 Tithing and Credit 46:41 Gods Will and Free Will 48:11 Purity Culture Guilt 49:45 Leaving the Church 53:23 Telling Your Parents 57:20 What Do You Think Of Homeschooling Now? 01:01:18 Tough Talks Not Bubbles 01:06:01 Finding Zest for Life 01:12:25 Freedom Through Travel 01:15:31 Hobbies and Adventure Mindset 01:18:20 Small Joys and Farewell

  5. Aug 21

    How Do You Stay Friends When Everything Changes?

    If you want to support the channel, like, comment, share, or consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub Check out Part 1 of our convo: https://youtu.be/mUWjdOu6y5w Support some fellow homeschool alum and grab a copy of Mixed-Up Metaphors: https://a.co/d/0bueQkeT Wait no longer, part two of my conversation about friendship with Cari, Jenève, and Noah is here! Find out what happens to friendships as we grow up, move away, get married, have kids, change our beliefs, and become different versions of ourselves. We talk about how adult friendship often looks less like perfectly planned nights out and more like helping a friend clean the house, running errands together, or simply eating pizza and playing cards. We also dig into why shared values and the willingness to let people change can matter more than having identical beliefs. You’ll also here as we compare our homeschool experiences, talk about AWANA and Adventures in Odyssey, share creative projects we made together, and reflected on some of the "glow ups" we've experienced since leaving homeschooling. Ultimately, this conversation comes back to one thing: find the people who will keep showing up as you grow and change. In this episode, we talk about: How homeschool communities can create friendships that feel more like family.Why some childhood friendships naturally deepen while others don’t become close until adulthood.Maintaining friendships across distance, college, relationships, and major life changes.The strange pressure many homeschoolers experienced around boys and girls being friends and the assumption that friendship must mean dating.How purity culture and fear of romantic relationships affected the way we understood attraction, dating, and physical affection.Why protecting kids from every painful experience can leave them unprepared for adulthood — and how supportive friendships can give young people a safe place to learn from difficult experiences.The healing that can happen when adult children and their parents finally have honest conversations about the past.Wanna Join Book Club? Grab a copy of Educated by Tara Westover: https://tarawestover.com/book If you want to join our virtual Zoom meeting on August 29th 1pm EST - 10am PST, sign-up here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bxCrsDpgTFGNvsWVgVdHXA Check Out My Previous Episodes With Cari, Jenève, and Noah! Cari: https://youtu.be/8cizKkNyLSo?si=5Y6IScdbDOnio0DJJenève: https://youtu.be/bxf9T5GFk4A?si=_eoI2xsjBCgi1ewVNoah: https://youtu.be/trh9iD3SvvA?si=8PTTowtUtKWG78seIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Connect with me BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters 00:00 Welcome Back To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club 00:22 Ways You Can Support The Show 01:04 Why Adult Friendships Are Hard 02:06 Leaning Into Mom Friends 05:10 Errands As Hangouts 08:47 Friendship Phases And Adapting 10:17 Kids As A New Hobby 12:02 Values Keep Friends Close 14:54 Sticking Through Big Changes 17:58 Homeschool Similarities 20:55 Mime Memories And Odyssey 22:15 Nostalgia Versus Deconstruction 24:54 Mime Confidence And Showman 26:03 Showman Song Tangent 26:52 Their Book Plug 27:54 Mixed Metaphors Origin 29:37 How The Book Works 30:23 Old Songs And Videos 31:09 Three Hour Movie Story 33:21 Creating Together Lessons 35:20 Homeschool Glow Up Talk 36:53 Glow Up Stories 46:42 Wrapping Up And Community

  6. Aug 14

    Can Homeschool Friendships Survive Into Adulthood?

    If you want to support the channel, like, comment, share, or consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub What happens to the friendships you make as a homeschooled kid once you grow up? In this episode of Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with three longtime friends, Cari, Noah, and Jenève, to talk about the friendships that started through homeschool groups, co-ops, extracurriculars, and family connections — and how those relationships changed as we became adults. We talk about childhood memories, long-distance friendships, reconnecting after college, and what it means to have someone who understands where you came from. We also get into the complicated rules many of us grew up with around opposite-sex friendships, dating, physical affection, and the pressure to avoid anything that might look romantic. In this episode, we talk about: How homeschool communities can create friendships that feel more like family.Why some childhood friendships naturally deepen while others don't become close until adulthood.Maintaining friendships across distance, college, relationships, and major life changes.The strange pressure many homeschoolers experienced around boys and girls being friends and the assumption that friendship must mean dating.How purity culture and fear of romantic relationships affected the way we understood attraction, dating, and physical affection.Why protecting kids from every painful experience can leave them unprepared for adulthood — and how supportive friendships can give young people a safe place to learn from difficult experiences.The healing that can happen when adult children and their parents finally have honest conversations about the past.Wanna Join Book Club? Grab a copy of Educated by Tara Westover: https://tarawestover.com/bookIf you want to join the conversation during the month, follow along on Fable: https://fable.co/club/ex-homeschoolers-book-club-with-jacob-gooden-585330795145And lastly, if you want to join our virtual Zoom meeting on August 29th 1pm EST - 10am PST, sign-up here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bxCrsDpgTFGNvsWVgVdHXA Check Out My Previous Episodes With Cari, Jenève, and Noah! Cari: https://youtu.be/8cizKkNyLSo?si=5Y6IScdbDOnio0DJJenève: https://youtu.be/bxf9T5GFk4A?si=_eoI2xsjBCgi1ewVNoah: https://youtu.be/trh9iD3SvvA?si=8PTTowtUtKWG78seIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Connect with Me BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters 00:00 A Few Things Before We Get Into The Episode 02:10 Welcome Back To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club 03:09 Cari's Homeschool Elevator Pitch 05:20 Jenève' Homeschool Elevator Pitch 07:19 Noah's Homeschool Elevator Pitch 09:37 How We First Met 15:00 Favorite Memories Together 25:35 Post College Friendship Shift 33:55 Opposite Sex Friend Stigma 38:36 Prom Night Pressure 41:27 Homeschool Dating Rules 44:16 Rumor Mill Trauma 45:30 Taboo And Modesty 50:46 Side Hugs And Shame 54:39 Friend Zone In College 01:01:33 Protection Vs Preparation 01:12:36 Healing With Parents 01:14:45 Hugging Younger Self

  7. Aug 7

    What Homeschooling Taught a Future Education Researcher

    Check out CRHE's Research: https://crhe.org/research/research-resources/Growing up homeschooled across multiple countries, experiencing homelessness, transitioning into public school, and eventually earning a PhD, Dr. Jonah Stewart has a story unlike most. In this episode, I sit down with Jonah to talk about their unconventional homeschool experience, the challenges of adapting to traditional education, and how those experiences ultimately shaped a career researching education and advocating for homeschool reform through the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). We also discuss ADHD, social development, college, and why every homeschool story is unique. Key Takeaways Dr. Jonah Stewart shares what it was like being homeschooled across the U.S. and Australia.How Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) curriculum shaped—and limited—their learning experience.The difficult transition from homeschooling to public school during a period of family instability.Living with ADHD and discovering learning strategies that actually worked.Why social development is just as important as academic success.The mission of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education and why responsible oversight matters.Lessons learned from college, graduate school, and building an independent adult life.Resources Mentioned Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE)Accelerated Christian Education (ACE)Duke University Listener Question Have you ever transitioned from homeschooling into public or private school? What was the biggest surprise for you? Share your story in the comments! If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps more homeschool alumni discover these conversations and join the community. Connect with me BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comListen on Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/exhsclub/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters 00:00 Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club 01:21 Jonah Homeschool Background 03:22 Curriculum and Daily Routine 08:22 How Our Parents Built Structure with ADHD Students 11:29 Did You Find Homeschool Community or was it Isolating 16:15 Why did you Switch to Public School 19:20 Adjusting to Public School 25:53 Finding Stability and Good Teachers 32:04 The Different Forms of Intelligence and Social Skills 35:57 Launching into Independence and College 39:25 Leaving Home Reality Check 43:31 Hiding Homeschool Roots 44:24 Stereotypes and Self Proof 49:40 Reinvention in Grad School 50:28 Coming Out and Finding Belonging 55:42 Turning 30 Confidence Shift 01:00:49 Finding CRHE and Purpose 01:05:54 Research Gaps and Regulation 01:12:58 Key Studies to Read 01:19:39 Future Research Questions 01:26:05 Why Lived Experience Matters 01:28:35 Wrap Up and Resources

  8. Jul 31 ·  Bonus

    Happy Birthday To Me!

    If you're loving the show and want to show some support, consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub This week's episode is a little different. Instead of sitting down with a guest, I'm celebrating two major milestones: turning 30 and the Ex-Homeschoolers Club officially passing its second anniversary. I reflect on the challenges of my late twenties, the pressure of reaching a new decade, and why I'm choosing hope instead of fear as I step into this next chapter. I also share my gratitude for everyone who has listened, supported, and trusted me with their stories over the past two years. Join the Book Club Grab a copy of Educated by Tara Westover: https://tarawestover.com/bookJoin the Fable discussion group: https://fable.co/club/ex-homeschoolers-book-club-with-jacob-gooden-585330795145Register for our Zoom meeting on August 29th 1pm EST - 10am PST: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bxCrsDpgTFGNvsWVgVdHXA If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Connect with me BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comListen on Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/exhsclub/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters 00:00 Welcome Back To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club 00:22 It's My Birthday! 03:06 Happy Birthday To The Show 06:52 August Book Club Announcement 08:31 Thanks for Supporting

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About

Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club! This is the place where we talk about the Good, Bad, and Ugly of growing up inside the homeschool world. Each episode showcases personal stories and experiences around social development, religious influence, family dynamics, education gaps, identity formation, and rebuilding community in adulthood. Whether homeschooling shaped your life in helpful ways, harmful ways, or something in between, this show welcomes the full spectrum of experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Jacob Gooden
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jacob Gooden
  • Show Website
    Ex-Homeschoolers Club

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