Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool

Homeschool graduate Ben Porteous was a student at Harvard University when Harvard Magazine published an article calling for a ban on homeschooling—a shocking idea from a school that has historically welcomed homeschool graduates. Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Ben as they discuss Ben's experience as a homeschool graduate attending the elite university. Ben shares how homeschooling fostered h...

Handling animosity with a cool head can be extremely challenging—but it can also provide the opportunity for powerful change. Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Claire Hungar, a homeschool graduate and a student at Yale Law School, as they discuss her experience with facing extreme opposition and hostility—specifically at a lecture event that she hosted on the university campus last year. "It's...

What is virtue, and why is it important? Join Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Mike Schutt (Worldview Academy Executive Director) as they tackle difficult questions about foundational topics. They discuss the importance of developing a concrete worldview based on transcendent values while also examining the trendy alternatives.      "Working with high school students, you just see the shifts in cul...

What makes a good story? And what role does storytelling play in journalism? In this episode, HSLDA President Jim Mason talks with Dr. Les Sillars (Patrick Henry College Professor of Journalism) and Emma Perley (a journalism student at Patrick Henry College) about the creation of Doubletake, a new student-run podcast produced in collaboration with World News Group. They discuss the gargantuan effo...

When your family encounters difficult mental and emotional hurdles, homeschooling can give you the flexibility to step back and recalibrate. Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Director) and Carla Fuller (HSLDA Educational Consultant) for a conversation about how to recognize mental health issues in your family and how to leverage the flexibility of homeschooling to help you handle mental healt...

Are you a homeschool dad looking for encouragement and support? Join HSLDA President Jim Mason and blogger Robert Macias as they discuss homeschooling from a dad's perspective. Robert shares some of his homeschooling experiences, as well as how he started a blog to help other homeschooling families navigate the early days of homeschooling.   "My wife said, 'Hey, let's homeschool, let's try it out....

Are you thinking about switching from public school to homeschooling? How do you know if homeschooling is a good fit for your family? Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Manager) and Kristy Horner (HSLDA Educational Consultants Program Manager), both homeschooling moms, as they examine common questions and concerns about homeschooling. Sandra and Kristy discuss ways to make the public-school-to...

Imagine you are the President of the United States embroiled in a stand-off with a rival global superpower. What would you do? In this episode of Homeschool Talks , Jim Mason (HSLDA President) and Joel Grewe (HSLDA Action Executive Director) discuss how Generation Joshua, HSLDA Action's teen civics program, gives high school students the opportunity to learn about politics and government—through i...

Are you looking for a substantive and comprehensive economics course for your homeschooled high school student? Join HSLDA President Jim Mason in a conversation with economist, writer, and educator David Bahnsen. Bahnsen is the founder of the Bahnsen Group, a national private wealth management firm. In this discussion, David highlights the need for pre-collegiate economics education and provides d...

Are you wondering how to ignite your child's love for learning? Kids are naturally curious, and homeschooling offers an amazing opportunity to foster your child's individual curiosity. Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Director) and LaNissir James (HSLDA Educational Consultant) for this episode as they share how homeschooling can make learning fun, how it allows kids to pursue their unique in...

Homeschooling isn't all about academics–it can be a chance to help your kids build all kinds of skills: executive functioning, social ability, conflict resolution, and more!   Join homeschool moms Sandra Kim (HSLDA Media Relations Director) and Heather Frommack (HSLDA Director of Outreach & Educational Consultants) to learn how homeschooling is an opportunity to help kids become well-developed peo...

Are you curious if homeschooling is a good fit for your family? Join Sandra Kim (HSLDA's Media Relations Director and homeschool mom) and Kelly Edwards (from 90-Minute School Day) for a conversation about one of the gifts that comes with the homeschooling lifestyle: more family time! They'll discuss how homeschooling doesn't have to mirror a traditional school day, and how it allows you to build c...

Are you a military homeschool family looking for a support group? In this episode, Natalie Mack (HSLDA Military Outreach Coordinator) and Darren Jones (HSLDA Group Services Director) discuss the importance of joining a support group as a military homeschool family, as well as how HSLDA can help you get connected! Stay tuned for these upcoming topics in future Homeschool Talks episodes: How homesch...

Have you ever watched a Blimey Cow video on YouTube? Join Generation Joshua's Deputy Director Jeremiah Lorrig in a fascinating conversation with Blimey Cow co-founder Josh Taylor as they discuss the emergence of the hugely popular Blimey Cow YouTube channel and the homeschool roots that contributed to its success. Josh also reveals exciting details about their new project Homeschool With Us, which...

Do you want your homeschool group to be more welcoming for families with special needs? Join Darren Jones (HSLDA Director of Group Services), Faith Berens (HSLDA Special Needs Consultant), and Peggy Ployhar (SPED Homeschool Founder/CEO) for inspiring ideas and encouraging approaches to creating an inviting and supportive environment for families with special needs.

Do you have questions about homeschooling a child with special needs? Join HSLDA Special Needs Consultants and homeschooling moms Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, PhD, and Cheri Kay Sessions for a Q&A episode! They'll cover topics like:   Accessibility software/programs for students with disabilities   Resources for homeschooling a child with dyslexia   Helping a child overcome sensory challenges   C...

Do you have any questions about homeschooling 6th–8th grade? Join HSLDA Educational Consultants LaNissir James and Carla Fuller for a Q&A episode all about the middle school years! As veteran homeschool moms, LaNissir and Carla help answer parents' most-asked questions, like:   What kind of testing should I do for my middle schooler?   I'm feeling stuck with my curriculum—what should I do?   What...

Do you have any questions about homeschooling Pre-K through 5th grade? Join HSLDA Educational Consultants Vicki Bentley and Krisa Winn for a Q&A episode all about homeschooling in the early years. As homeschool veterans, Vicki and Krisa help answer your most-asked questions, offering encouragement and practical tips for your journey!   "It seems like when our kids turn about 5 years old, we panic...

Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason and HSLDA Education al Consultant Anita Gibson as they discuss a chapter Anita has written in Homeschooling Black Children in the U.S., a recently published anthology that provides contemporary perspectives on black homeschooling. Anita unpacks the chapter and offers heartfelt wisdom and encouragement for homeschoolers, drawing on her many years of experience as...

Get your big tub of LEGO bricks out of the attic for this one! Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason in a conversation with LEGO Masters Season 2 winners Mark and Steven Erickson. Mark and Steven explain how they managed to make careers out of playing with LEGO bricks, and homeschooling how contributed to their success.

Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason and HSLDA Director of Research Dr. Steven Duvall for a conversation about a recent study regarding homeschool students. As a licensed school psychologist and consultant for homeschooling families, Dr. Duvall brings context to the researchers' findings, criticizing and elevating various aspects of the study.     "In my experience, dealing with the whole school po...

Do you have a high schooler interested in joining the military after they graduate?  Join HSLDA's Military Outreach Coordinator Natalie Mack and Nathan from The Homeschool Project Podcast for a discussion about everything you and your high schooler need to know about military enlistment. Nathan is a homeschool dad and military service member with lots of insights on the process and how to support...

How do we use technology wisely in a tech-obsessed world? Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason in a conversation with father-daughter duo Andy and Amy Crouch about their book My Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices. As a college student, Amy provides a refreshing perspective on issues surrounding social media and digital entertainment, sharing her gratitude for her pa...

Introducing the new president of ParentalRights.org, Will Estrada! Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason in a conversation with Will about the mission of ParentalRights.org and the importance of defending parents' primary role in raising and educating their children.      "Now is a time that our country and everyone, regardless of their political backgrounds, are all engaged on the issue of educatio...

What are the legal and practical implications of remote education programs offered by the public schools, and how do they differ from private homeschooling? Join HSLDA Vice President Jim Mason and HSLDA Staff Attorney Tj Schmidt as they clear up various misunderstandings surrounding these remote education programs. "As the parents, we have the opportunity to provide a homeschooling program that's...