ASSURED: How to Homeschool and Not Get Burned Out By It

Math causes more shutdowns than any other subject, and it’s not because kids “can’t do it.” Listen in to unpack why why math isn’t a confidence problem, what to say instead of “did you get it right?”, and how to teach math in a way that keeps learning (and your relationship) intact. Episode 3: Why Kids Shut Down During Homeschool Lessons (and what to do about it) | S8 EP3 https://podcasts.apple.co...

How much can you ask of your homeschoolers without causing fights, tears, or resistance? In this Q&A episode, Natalie responds to a question from inside the Teaching Inspired membership: “How do I guide my kids without pressuring them?” This episode is about how to guide learning with calm confidence, set expectations without urgency, and lead your homeschool in a way that protects both growth...

How do you get dad more involved in homeschooling — without turning it into another source of tension? Natalie sat down with homeschooling dad Jonathan Chizick, co-founder of SmartPath, to talk honestly about what actually helps parents co-lead learning. This conversation goes deeper than schedules and subjects. Together, they unpack why “doing more” isn’t always the answer, how different teaching...

What do you focus on in your homeschool when illness or trauma make academics feel impossible? In this Q&A episode of The Assured Podcast, Natalie answers a deeply nuanced question many homeschool moms are quietly carrying — especially those navigating chronic illness, medical diagnoses, or family trauma. Drawing from personal experience homeschooling through lupus, Lyme disease, and her son’s...

Homeschool co-ops are often seen as the solution for socialization, support, and sharing the teaching load, but what happens when it doesn’t feel helpful anymore? In this Q&A episode of The Assured Podcast, Natalie shares how to tell whether a homeschool co-op is truly supporting your child and your family, or if it’s quietly adding pressure instead. Natalie walks through different co-op model...

Deschooling and unschooling are often talked about as if they mean the same thing — but they don’t. And confusing the two can quietly create more stress in your homeschool. If you’ve ever been told you need to deschool for a set amount of time before you can “really” homeschool — or felt pressure to pick a label and stick to it — this episode will bring clarity and relief. You’ll walk away with a...

Homeschool moms have big feelings about AI. And honestly? They’re valid. Most of us have heard enough scary stories to wonder: "Is using AI in my homeschool unsafe for my kids?" In today’s episode, I brought on someone who has spent years solving that exact problem: Zach Jones, co-founder and CEO of Learnology AI, a homeschool-focused platform designed with built-in guardrails, child-saf...

When your child shuts down and says, “I can’t do this,” it can feel like all your effort as a homeschool mom just hit a wall. In this Q&A episode, Natalie Burns talks about what’s really going on in those moments, why your usual strategies (like taking breaks) don’t always work, and how to respond in a way that builds resilience instead of resistance. Learn what to say, what to stop doing, and...

I sat down with Jill Baumann from Self-Directed Success to talk about gaming, motivation, and how to build real independence without destroying your relationship. We talk about: 🎮 The secret sauce inside games (progress tracking, clear goals, immediate feedback, safe failure, autonomy) & how to steal those elements for your homeschool 🎮 How to shift from “do 4 more pages” to “you’ve mastered...

Season 8 is here and we’re doing things a little differently... I’m answering the real questions homeschool moms aren’t sure how to think about.  This first episode tackles one of my favourites: When can I start teaching critical thinking? Listen in to unpack: • A sneak peak into Season 8 • Character traits that make up a critical thinker • Whether it’s even possible to be objective • How to hold...

You don’t need to control your child’s narrative if you help them write it well . In this final episode of our season about literacy, we zoom out and look at the big picture: how to help your homeschooler build a narrative thread for their own life — the story they tell about who they are, what they’re capable of, and where they’re going. Literacy isn’t just reading and writing anymore. It’s now a...

If writing assignments feel like a chore — for you or your teen — you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Justin McGeary, a writing instructor who works with upper-level students using an Oxford-style essay approach that treats writing not as a product… but as a thinking tool . We talk about: Why the essay process matters more than the final product (and how to shift this for your teen) T...

As the world becomes increasingly digital, we face a problem in our homeschools… is reading from a phone or tablet going to harm your children? You know by now in this season about literacy that we’re not just talking about how to read and write… buckle up. Because digital literacy is the new must-have skill your kids need — and it's shaping how they think, what they believe, and how they show...

Helping your teen develop literacy skills looks a lot different in the high school years! So how do you decide your level of involvement and what areas to focus on? I’m joined by seasoned educator and homeschool curriculum writer Julia Novoa to break down what literacy looks like in the high school years. We’re bridging the gap between basic reading skills and sophisticated communication — with pl...

If the thought of teaching science from a dusty old textbook makes your eyes glaze over, this episode is for you. 🌿 I’m joined by Kelly Dowd of The Field Trip Academy, and we’re exploring how outdoor literacy can change everything about how your homeschooler understands science - even if they hate writing. 🎧 In this episode, we unpack: How to teach scientific literacy without long-form writing C...

Let’s tap into one of the most underused tools in writing instruction: science. Yep, you read that right. We’re using what your homeschooler already knows about the 5 senses to unlock their ability to write vivid, compelling scenes that bring ideas to life on the page.  Whether you're working with a reluctant writer or one who needs help levelling up, this is a practical strategy you can use t...

What if literacy wasn’t about ticking off grammar boxes or forcing essays, but instead, inviting your child into an experience ? I’m chatting with Bethany Baldwin, founder of MAD Society, about what happens when you add creative writing, play-based storytelling, and even escape rooms into your homeschool approach to literacy.  Whether your child is essay-avoidant, wildly expressive, or quietly cre...

Once the flood gates of reading open up, it can be hard to keep up with pre-reading for your older homeschooler! And yet, choosing a book list impacts your child’s worldview.  Unpacking concepts in books is a great way to start a conversation with your children about important issues in their development. Especially when read aloud together, you can choose books that draw out your homeschooler’s w...

On this episode, Dawn is sharing how "being an author is more than just writing a book, it's about being able to take captive the thoughts and feelings that are in our heads, and putting it down on paper." You bet I asked Dawn to break down her story guide framework for exactly how you can help your homeschooler with writing stories that expand upon their life experiences. And this i...

Ever wonder what causes some children to love writing, while others hate it? For this episode of the Assured podcast, I'm joined by Andrew Pudewa, founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to shed light on the thinking behind your homeschooler's writing. Join us as we unpack how you can nurture excellent communicators, prevent negative self-talk, and develop the writing skills ne...

What if your neurodivergent child’s path to literacy doesn’t need to look like everyone else’s? In this episode, I sit down with Aubrey Hargis of Child of the Redwoods to explore how the Montessori method naturally supports neurodivergent learners — especially when it comes to reading, writing, and discovering a true love of learning. Whether you’re new to Montessori or simply looking for practica...

What if your child doesn’t need to be forced to learn to read? For this episode, I’m joined by Leah Martin, who shares: 📚 Why the Science of Reading often falls flat in homeschool homes 🧠 How to align with your child’s brain development and learning style ☕️ What it actually looks like to teach reading gently, with relationship first And did you know? 23% of her audience said their kids taught...

You already know teaching literacy is important BUT you might be getting stuck when it comes to HOW to do that in your homeschool.  As you follow along with this season and listen to homeschooling thought leaders share new perspectives and possibilities, you’ll start to see shifts in how your child gets on board with their reading, writing, and general expression of ideas. You’ll see them grow in...

How can you teach in your homeschool when you're stressed out and scared? How do you teach your children to not be afraid? How do we hold an open hand of willingness to change for the better when change seems so scary? Because you know as well as I do that when we are stressed, our children pick up on that. Today on the Assured podcast, I have a bonus one-off episode for you all about how we c...

When is it finally time to FIRE your homeschool curriculum? Because you just spent precious time, money and energy to research and source the BEST curriculum so chances are, you’re not willing to give up on it at the first sign of resistance! You’ve heard me talk extensively about how to adapt what you already have so that it WORKS for you... But let’s be real, there’s a time when you need to just...