Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool

Nicole Kardoes began homeschooling while her husband , Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kardoes , served in the Air Force . F requent moves and long deployments were simply part of life , and h omeschooling became a way to bring consistency to their ever - changing world . In 2022 , Michael passed away from burn pit exposu re . H omeschooling quickly became much more than an educational choice , i t bec...

From beginning homeschooling in the early 1990s to a grand vision for a community that uplifts and empowers Black homeschool families with resources, representation, Joyce Burges has probably seen it all . In this episode, Joyce opens up to HSLDA Att orney Amy Buchmeyer to discuss t he origins of National Black Home Educators and the impact they are making today , h er curriculum , w hy preserving...

Parenting can feel like a balancing act of love, discipline, and endless patience. Dr. Daniel Huerta, a licensed counselor and homeschool dad, reminds us that the journey isn ' t just about shaping our children , it ' s also about the transformation happening in us. In this episode, Dr. Huerta unpacks the seven traits of effective parentin g and offers encouragement for parents to lean into these...

Davy L i u, former Disney animator ( The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan ), walked away from Hollywood at the height of his career. In this episode, Davy joins Jim Mason, HSLDA President, to discuss how leaving Disney fueled his passion to launch Kendo Films , an animation studio to creat e high - quality, biblically based films for kids. Learn how Da vey is inspiring homeschool parents to...

What does it look like to raise children who can stand firm in their faith — while also engaging the culture with grace and truth? In our latest Homeschool Talks episode, Jonathan Noyes from Stand to Reason shares his own journey from atheism to Christianity and how that transformation fuels his passion for equipping families. In this discussion with HSLDA President Jim Mason, they explore how to...

Protecting h omeschool freedom takes constant vigilance, strategic action, and strong relationships with lawmakers. In this episode of Homeschool Talks , HSLDA Attorney and Director of HSLDA International, Kevin Boden, joins HSLDA President Jim Mason to share how HSLDA ' s advocacy is making a difference. From opposing harmful bills to building trust in state legislatures to rallying constituents...

Fresh off a trip to Puerto Rico, Andrew Pudewa (Founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing) shares stories from his time with local homeschoolers . Hosted by HSLDA President Jim Mason, they reflect on the growing global homeschool movement and the necessity of homeschool freedom . T ogether, they dive into the heart of why HSLDA's work matters more than ever — and how emerging technologies...

Representative Timothy Wesco, a homeschool graduate and Indiana state representative, tirelessly introduc ed his legislative proposal for 5 consecutive sessions. His bill? E xplicitly recognize that a parent has the full legal authority to execute any document necessary to demonstrate their child ' s education, whether that be a transcript or a diploma. Join Timothy and Jim Mason (HSLDA Pr esident...

For Darren Jones (HSLDA Attorney) , a single day of playing hooky from public school began as a spontaneous break but turned into a deep realization: there had to be a better way to learn, grow, and live. Darren shares his experiences from becoming a homeschool student to becoming a passionate home education. He became a legal assistant for HSLDA in 1996 , and is now an Attorney and Director of Gr...

What do submarines and science fair projects have in common? They both require strategy, patience, and a solid sense of humor. In our latest episode of Homeschool Talks , HSLDA President Jim Mason dive s deep (pun fully intended) with Rear Admi ral James Waters about being a homeschool father while navigating a high - stakes military career. This episode features: • Why Admiral Waters and his wife...

Will Estrada, Senior Counsel at HSLDA, share s his journey as a homeschool graduate and his ongoing work defending homeschool freedom nationwide. He and HSLDA President Jim Mason discuss recent legislative developments — celebrating a victory in Wyoming, where the annual letter of intent requirement for homeschoolers was repealed, while raising concerns about a proposed bill in Illinois (HB 2827)...

H omeschool freedom came under threat in Virginia earlier this year, and hundreds of families quickly stepped up to defend it — proving that the price of freedom is constant vigilance. In this episode of Homeschool Talks , Callie Chaplow, Director of Government Affairs for the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEA V ) joins Jim Mason , President of HSLDA , to discuss how families rallied at...

Homeschool fathers and advocates, Chris Butler and Abraham Hamilton, share their perspectives on the role of government in education . Join them in this episode to explore the positive impact homeschooling has had across the United States , and recent threats including a new bill in Illinois that threatens to impose additional restrictions on homeschooling families (including jail penalties for no...

What does it mean to live a successful life? For the women featured in Hannah ' s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth , it means embracing the beauty and challenge of raising a large family. E conomist , author, and mother of eight Dr. Catheri ne Paka luk sheds light on college - educated women across diverse backgrounds choosing to raise large families in an era of declining birt...

Homeschooling can bring a broader vision for your family and deeper engagement with your community. Join Vince Loparo Jr. (homeschool dad) and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) in an encouraging conversation about Vince ' s holistic approach to parenting . You will walk away knowing how to define your family ' s core values to create an unshakable foundation, even when faced with challenges. Homeschooli...

Homeschool graduate Kaitlyn Bajek shares her experience as a homeschool student . Enabled to pursue her passions, she started her own company! Now , she helps current and future homeschool families navigate the high school years as they plan for their student ' s future. Join Kaitlyn and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) as they discuss all th e benefits homeschooling has to offer! " I was homeschooled...

Homeschooling has the power to shape not just families, but entire communities. In this thought - provoking conversation, Dr. Myles Wertz ( associate professor of theology and director of Baptist Studies at Abilene Christian University ) joins HSLDA Atto rney Will Estrada to explore Dr. Wertz ' s recent article in Christianity Today and his own personal homeschool journey . W hen parents choose ho...

H omeschool graduate and World Magazine journalist Grace Snell believes homeschooling afforded her unique opportunities for community and exploration of her passions ! Join Grace and Jeremiah Lorrig (HSLDA Director of Media Relations) as they discuss her military family upbringing and highlight how homeschoo ling foster ed Grace ' s passion for storytelling , prepar ing her for a career in journal...

In a n increasingly interconnected world, we risk losing touch with the roots of our local communities. We ' ve traded face - to - face mentorship and the wisdom of our elders for fleeting digital interactions and virtual acquaintances , while also creating a uniform education system. Nicholas Ellis, Founder of Christian Halls, is on a mission to change that. Through his program, he fosters local...

Homeschooling can start at any point in your child ' s education . F or Heidi St. John ' s family , their journey started after noticing detrimental effects public school was ha ving on sibling relationships . One fateful day , she missed the c ut off period to enroll her second daughter in school, and the rest is history! Now with only one homeschool student lef t , Heidi is helping other homesch...

Claiborne Thornton heard about homeschooling in the 80s . H e has actively participated in homeschool advocacy in Tennessee , from being a homeschool dad to President of the Tennessee Home Education Association (THEA) . In this conversation with Claiborne and Jim Mason (HSLDA President), learn about the early days of homeschool fre edom , engaging with your representatives , and the importance of...

Never assume that an individual is or isn ' t an ally of homeschooling based on their political affiliation. Join Tom Leonard , attorney and former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives , and Jim M ason (HSLDA President) in an insightful discussion o n the grassroot efforts of homeschool advocacy . You ' ll be encouraged to cultivate relationships with legislators across part ies , beca...

As homeschooling grows, so does the conversation about how education is define d . Join Dr. Timberly Baker (Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Arkansas State University) and Jim Mason, HSLDA President, in a discussion on challenging the traditional view of schooling. Many prospective and novice homeschool families can fee l insurmountable pressure to create a structured, 8 - to - 3 s...

Dr. Brian Ray has been studying homeschooling before we even knew what to call it! Brian and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) discuss advocacy research, conflicting worldviews at play , and the importance of peer reviewed studies protecting against these biases. You won ' t want to miss this insightful conversation on home education research and what the nex t generation of research may look like ! " W...

H omeschool moms juggle many different roles , and Anne Miller is no exception! But for her, one of those roles led to becom ing a key advocate for homeschooling in her state . Join Anne Miller, Executive Director and President of the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV), and Jim Mason, President of HSLDA, as they reflect on the importanc e of advocacy, 40 years of homeschool freedom, and...