Homeschool Unrefined

We had another inspiring conversation with Julie Bogart you won't want to miss!  We talk about everything from making the most of your personality to getting older kids excited about learning to keeping the magic going even when we don't feel like it.  Julie even shares her own version of some Homeschool Unrefined signatures: What We Don't Do and LTW (Loving This Week). Pre-order Julie's new book,...

We're back… and easing into homeschool (and podcasting) with lots of patience for ourselves.  Transitions can be tricky, and we're here to go through the good, the bad and the ugly of it all with you.  We've got lots of podcast news for you, and we'll share our usually check-in stats: what's going well, what needs tweaking and how our self-care is going.  And don't forget the LTWs! Episode 35: Whe...

It's time to confess! In this episode Angela and Maren divulge the one thing they wish they could do over.  As usual, they do this with lots of grace. Listen in to hear what they are working to change on their journey. Today's podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial at  www.audibletrial.com/homeschoolunrefined   Over 180,000 titles to choose from...

We are ecstatic to welcome Greta Eskridge (@maandpamodern) to the show!  She is the ultimate nature enthusiast, and you will not want to stay inside another minute when you hear her wonder at all things outdoors.  Greta gets real, simple, AND fun which is exactly why we knew she was a must-have guest on Homeschool Unrefined. Today's podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook downl...

Does that fact that your kids fight feel helpless sometimes? Us too.  There is no shame in that. Join us as we process through the ups and downs of fighting.  The reasons fighting could happen, why it might not be the worst thing in the world, and how we deal with fighting in our own homes.  This episode calmed our own nerves about this inevitable topic, we hope it does the same for you! Today's p...

Join this inspiring conversation with Kristiina Craven (creator of the blog Getting Unschooled) as she tells how she went from an unlikely homeschooler to fully embracing the lifestyle.  Listen in on her story of how, as she learned more and more about her differently wired child, unschooling seemed like the perfect choice. Not unrelated, we talk self-care and how vital that is to sustaining ourse...

You do not want to miss this packed hour where we celebrate 100 EPISODES(!!) of keeping homeschool simple, real & fun.  Celebrate with us because there is so much for YOU in this episode!  We'll reflect on how we have changed and grown over the last 100 episodes (we asked our patrons to help us out with this, so listen for them, too!), we talk personalities and how much our homeschool has benefite...

Have you ever thought of taking an extended break during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season?  Need someone to tell you it's okay?  Here you go!  Your official permission to take whatever time you need or want to really thrive during this season (or any season that fits you best).  We'll go through lots of reasons why it's so beneficial, how it counts as real learning, and the invaluable t...

November has flown by, and it's time for our favorite end-of-the-month ritual: check-in day!  Here we discuss what's going well in our homeschool (and our lives), what needs tweaking, and we answer a listener question.  Topics we cover: holiday schooling, chores management, how to not lose your ever-loving mind when it's not a normal homeschool day, and a whole lot more. Homeschool Unrefined swag...

Throwback to this amazing interview with Julie Bogart, the original homeschool guru!  Whenever we feel tired, insecure, or downright unable to homeschool anymore, we call upon Julie.  A few words from her, and we feel like super heroes again.  Which is why we chose to re-issue this jam packed episode of inspiring truths.  Julie hands out all kinds of goodness in this episode, just what you need to...

Do you tend to overthink Holiday shopping? Us too! This year, we've done all the hard work for you. We've asked our kids, looked around our houses and reviewed our Amazon histories to bring you a curated list of gifts our kids have LOVED over the years. So sit back and enjoy knowing your shopping experience can be a little bit less stressful this year. All of the items mentioned can be found in ou...

Ever wonder how interest-led learning even works?  Ever wonder what it even is?!?  We're here for you!  We define it (in our own Homeschool Unrefined words), we walk through how it benefits our kids and can be an ideal way to learn, and as usual, we work through the challenges we have with it every single day.  It's a beautiful, wonderful, challenging, amazingly effective, and sometimes daunting w...

It's check-in day, which is quickly becoming our favorite!  This week we update each other on past all-important LTWs.  We also get real about what's going well, what needs tweaking, and how we're doing at self-care.  We do this, because so much growing happens in the processing.  We don't have all the answers, and even if we did, they might not be the answers you need!  Processing helps us all fe...

In this episode, we enjoy talking about all the ways our kids learn outside of traditional curriculum.  We want to give value to all this learning by talking bout how we support it.  We share a talent for supplying kids with the resources to learn in a very natural way, and we want to share them with you here!   Loving This Week Angela: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Maren: The Exile Podcast   V...

In this part 2 of our amazing interview with Renee Tougas, we dive into what is great about having high schoolers and touch on a challenge or two that might go along with them.  We ask Renee how she handles our ever-changing world of technology with her teenagers.  Finally, we dip our toes into a conversation about Renee's sense of adventure and how it drew their family closer together.  This conv...

Need a Pick-Me-Up no matter what the age of your kids?  Renee Tougas is the answer.  Renee is a homeschool mom to 3 teenaged and young adult children.  She is a talented blogger and adventurer.  Her words are profound, inspiring and beyond encouraging.  You could not ask for a better person to turn your homeschool from frustrating to flourishing!  We walked away from this conversation feeling grea...

In this episode, we navigate the ups and downs of being a working parent, especially when it comes to homeschooling.  This gig isn't easy, but for so many of us, working is an important part of our lives. If you think this episode isn't for you, think again!  We are all working and parenting.  We could make a list a mile long of the many tasks we all do that hold our house together.  Let's give ou...

We loved our summer check-in series so much, we decided to make it a monthly reoccurring episode.  We'll check in with what's going well, what needs tweaking, and how our self-care is going.  If you have a friend who can do this type of check-in with you, go for it now!  If not, we're here for you.  What's going well, what needs tweaking, and how is YOUR self-care going?   Loving This Week Angela:...

This week we reflect on 21 years of homeschooling with THE homeschool guru and veteran, Pam Barnhill!  Pam brings insight and encouragement to our discussion.  Ready for some serious truth bombs?  Get out a Sharpie and notecard.  You'll want to tape these on your cupboard and be reminded of them everyday. Connect with Pam on her website, here .   Loving This Week Maren: Hello Activated Charcoal To...

This week, we dive into the vital skill of self-evaluating.  We hone in on why it's so good and how we do it (or how we WANT to do it more).  We also think of some good examples of what it looks like when there is successful self-evaluation happening.  As always, we have a fun chat to start out the episode, and we end with our LTWs (Loving This Weeks).   Loving This Week Angela: Doterra Past Tense...

We are reminding ourselves to take joy in the beginning of the school year!  We're going to prioritize connection first, not our to-do list.  Learning happens best when everyone's in a good mood and feels loved.  In this episode we talk all about how important it is to have fun as a family, and we share what we're doing to make that happen this year.   Loving This Week Angela: Puracy Dish Soap Mar...

We are ecstatic to welcome Greta Eskridge (@maandpamodern) to the show!  She is the ultimate nature enthusiast, and you will not want to stay inside another minute when you hear her wonder at all things outdoors.  Greta gets real, simple, AND fun which is exactly why we knew she was a must-have guest on Homeschool Unrefined.   Today's podcast is brought to you by audible - get a FREE audiobook dow...

In this episode, we get real about our fall plans.  The rubber meets the road with some tough decisions.  We can't do it all, and we have to be honest about what is really going to give us life this school year.  Which means some plans that seemed great must get cut.  Our favorite (okay, maybe hardest) thing to say for this school year is, "If it's not a Heck Yes, it's a No!"   Loving This Week An...

We finish up How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson with an invigorating discussion about getting that technology/nature balance.  It can be tricky!  Have you found a good balance?  If so, please share your wisdom with us! We'd love your support on  Patreon here . How To Raise a Wild Child  by Scott Sampson Apps Mentioned: Merlin Bird ID, Geocaching, Garden Answers, All Trails, iNaturalist,...

We continue in glorious Summer Mode with what's going well, what needs tweaking, and a self-care check-in.  Get an update on Maren's pilates efforts and Angela's reading habits.  We go on too long (if that's even possible) about some favorite books, and we have a good laugh about Parks and Rec (the actual thing, not the tv show). We also dive into a listener question about curriculum and what we R...