Everyday Educator

The holidays can be the most wonderful—and most complicated—time of the year. From navigating family dynamics to keeping Christ at the center while culture shouts louder, how do we love our neighbors well when everything feels extra? Join Lisa Bailey, Delise Germond, and Alicia Clark for an honest, refreshing conversation about navigating the holiday season with grace. These three homeschool moms...

What if homeschooling could feel like discovering Narnia while everyone else is just playing hide and seek? In this inspiring episode of Everyday Educator, Lisa Bailey connects with Janine Bell, Country Coordinator for Classical Conversations in the United Kingdom, for a fascinating conversation about building classical Christian communities across the pond. Janine shares her family's pioneering j...

Forget the red pen and grade book—what if the best way to assess your child's learning had nothing to do with tests at all? In this episode of the Everyday Educator, Lisa Bailey sits down with veteran homeschoolers Deb Switzer and Tim Knotts to revolutionize how we think about assessment in classical education. Both seasoned parents and community directors share their hard-won wisdom about moving...

Feeling in over your head with homeschooling? You're not alone. Every homeschool parent hits that wall—when the toddler is pulling everything off the shelves, five kids are asking questions at once, and you're wondering if you're failing everyone, including yourself. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, veteran homeschool moms Courtney Bradshaw and Karin Carpenter join host Amy Jones to ta...

Ever wonder why some homeschool families seem to have it all figured out while others are still drowning in chaos weeks into the school year? The secret isn't perfect planning—it's finding your groove. Join Lisa Bailey and seasoned homeschool veteran Jennifer Hester for a candid, rapid-fire conversation about what it really takes to get into the homeschool groove. Jennifer brings over a decade of...

What comes after Classical Conversations? If you've loved the journey of learning alongside your children but wonder where they can continue growing in faith and academics, this conversation is for you. Join Lisa as she explores Judson College with Director of College Life Jake Hatfield and CC graduate Elinor Taylor. Discover how this small North Carolina college creates a seamless bridge from Cla...

Can you really do Classical Conversations without all the technology? What does homeschooling look like when you're juggling a full-time job? And how do you prepare for a successful CC year without losing your mind over the summer? Join Kelli Wilt and Lisa Bailey in this special Q&A episode of Everyday Educator! Drawing from over two decades of homeschooling experience, Lisa tackles real questions...

What if the "chaos" of homeschooling multiple children is actually the secret to better learning? Two experienced homeschool moms with 7 and 8 children respectively share their hard-won wisdom on successfully educating large families. Courtney and Sarah break down the myths about homeschooling multiple children and reveal practical strategies for managing different ages, handling the chaos of litt...

Ever wish you could sit down with a homeschool graduate and ask: "What do you wish someone had told you?" Here's that conversation. In this episode, host Lisa Bailey interviews a recent Classical Conversations graduate who completed the entire program. This candid conversation reveals the unvarnished truth about homeschooling's challenges and triumphs from someone who lived it. The discussion cove...

Feeling overwhelmed by homeschool chaos? You're not alone—and there's hope! Delise and Lisa chat with experienced homeschool mom Emily Phillip about the reality of creating sustainable rhythms for your homeschool family. Whether you're managing littles or navigating the challenge years, discover practical strategies for building routines that work—from morning flags that anchor your day to teachin...

Does the thought of preparing for a new homeschool year feel overwhelming? You're not alone! Join host Lisa Bailey with seasoned homeschool veterans Amy Jones (22 years of experience!) and Courtney Bradshaw (Academic Advisor and mom to seven) as they share battle-tested strategies for launching your Foundations year with confidence. From setting realistic family learning goals to creating peaceful...

Are you staring at that Essentials schedule feeling somewhere between curious and completely overwhelmed? You're definitely not alone! Whether you're a nervous first-timer wondering how your little one will survive a full day at community, or you're coming back for round two, this episode is your roadmap to Essentials success. Join host Kelli as she sits down with two CC veterans who've walked thi...

Feeling overwhelmed about the upcoming school year? You're not alone. In this episode of Everyday Educator, academic advisors Deb and Emily break down exactly how to set your family up for a stellar Classical Conversations Challenge year—without the stress. They reveal the one resource most parents skip that leads to major headaches later, share why doing assignments alongside your student creates...

What if the secret to thriving in motherhood isn't doing more, but doing less? In this heartfelt conversation, veteran homeschool moms Shelly Stockton and Amy share hard-won wisdom about mentorship, marriage, and motherhood through the lens of Titus 2:3-5. After collectively homeschooling for nearly 50 years and raising eight children, these "Titus 2 women" offer refreshingly honest insights about...

Are you accidentally teaching your children that performance matters more than their hearts? In this eye-opening episode, host Lisa Bailey sits down with homeschool veteran Alicia Clark to explore a counter-cultural truth: the families who put relationships before academics often end up excelling at both. With 11 years of Classical Conversations experience and three children ranging from 9 to 15,...

"Am I really ready for this?" If you've ever wrestled with doubts about starting your homeschool journey, you're definitely not alone. In this encouraging episode of Everyday Educator, host Kelly Wilt sits down with two seasoned homeschool moms, Lynne and Dede, who share their honest stories about taking the leap into homeschooling—even when they didn't feel completely prepared. From overcoming fe...

What if the biggest challenge to homeschooling a child with special needs isn't the child—but getting yourself out of the way? Join host Lisa Bailey as she sits down with two homeschooling moms, Ginny Tran and Jody Priest, who share their real-world experiences raising children with Down syndrome, Tourette's, and OCD. From discovering diagnoses to navigating daily learning challenges, these mother...

What if the secret to making math enjoyable for your kids was already sitting in your game closet? Join Delise Germond and Babs Harrell, two self-proclaimed "non-math moms" who discovered their love for numbers later in life, as they share creative ways to weave mathematical thinking into your family's summer activities. From turning Uno into algebra practice to finding God's patterns in stop sign...

Did you know your kitchen is already a fully-equipped science lab? Join host Delise Germond and guest Amy Jones as they explore how to embrace scientific wonder during the summer months without the overwhelm. Amy, a seasoned homeschool mom of four, shares practical ways to integrate science exploration into daily rhythms—from breakfast table observations to backyard investigations. Discover why re...

What if summer reading could be the highlight of your child's day instead of a dreaded chore? Forget everything you think you know about summer reading! Lisa, Delise, and Kelly Wilt reveal the secret that transforms reluctant readers into eager learners: making reading active. Whether you have a natural bookworm or a kid who'd rather be anywhere but sitting still, discover practical strategies for...

What do charging elephants and frustrated homeschool parents have in common? More than you might think. In this engaging episode of Everyday Educator, Classical Conversations founder Leigh Bortins shares her recent adventure taking a photography course in Botswana with her husband. What started as a vacation quickly became a masterclass in learning dynamics when Leigh realized she naturally learns...

Can your kids spot a red herring in a political debate? In this engaging episode, hosts Lisa and Delise chat with Kathy Gibbens, creator of the "Filter It Through a Brain Cell" podcast, about teaching critical thinking to the next generation. Kathy shares how watching her daughter's Challenge A class master logical fallacies during the chaos of 2020 inspired her podcast—while their peers got caugh...

In this heartfelt episode of The Everyday Educator, host Kelli Wilt welcomes the 2025 National Memory Master Champion, Evangeline, and her parents, Jason and Trisha. Together, they reflect on the journey of preparing for and competing in the National Memory Master competition—from discovering Classical Conversations to walking across the stage in triumph. Hear how Evangeline mastered her memory wo...

What happens when the homeschool books close for summer? In this episode of Everyday Educator, discover how seasoned homeschool moms balance freedom and structure during the summer months. From beach trips and bedroom makeovers to spiritual growth and preparation for the next school year, our guests share candid stories and practical wisdom about creating meaningful summer rhythms that refresh bot...

What lasting legacy will your educational choices leave for generations to come? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey engages Delise and Olivia Walsh in a heartfelt conversation about building legacies through homeschooling. As second-generation homeschoolers now teaching their own children, they explore how educational choices shape family identity, discussing both t...