The Homeschool Show with NCHE

Thinking about homeschooling for the first time? In episode 214 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie sit down with Stephen and Jean-Marie Lee to hear how their family came to homeschooling, why they chose to continue year after year, and how attending Thrive! helped shape their homeschool journey. They also discuss practical encouragement for families who are considering homeschooling and sh...

In this revisited episode of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie kick off Season 5 with the first installment of a series focused on homeschool dads. Through conversations with Matthew McDill and Tom Gurganus, they explore how fathers contribute to homeschooling in different seasons of family life, the importance of spiritual leadership, supporting a homeschooling spouse, and the lasting impac...

In episode 212 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie revisit some of the most common questions homeschool families ask, especially those finishing their first year or preparing to begin. They discuss annual testing requirements, when children need to be tested, options for standardized testing, and what families should know about filing a notice of intent in North Carolina. They also talk abo...

Amanda and Melanie talk about navigating hormones during the homeschool years, from puberty to perimenopause, and the ways emotional and physical changes can affect both parents and children. They share personal experiences, discuss the importance of communication and recognizing what may be happening beneath behavioral changes, and encourage families to approach these seasons with understanding a...

In Episode 210 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie answer common homeschool questions from parents navigating everything from early elementary struggles to high school graduation planning. They discuss feeling unprepared to homeschool, managing multiple children at different grade levels, homeschooling students with ADHD, and how to create a positive learning environment when both parent an...

In Episode 209 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk about social media etiquette and online safety as part of their Real World Readiness series. They share practical guidance for families on setting boundaries, teaching empathy, protecting personal information, and helping teens think carefully about what they post. They also emphasize the importance of parents leading by example and st...

Matthew talks with Juan Guadalupe about his family’s homeschool journey, the faith and sacrifice involved in choosing home education, and why homeschooling is more than school at home. Juan shares how his family began homeschooling while building a small business and how God provided along the way. Amanda and Melanie reflect on the importance of dads catching the vision for homeschooling as a life...

Amanda and Melanie talk with Karima Askour, co-founder of EZducate , about a new AI-driven platform designed to support students with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Drawing from her own experience as a parent, Karima shares how the platform uses visual tools, behavior plans, social stories, and personalized learning supports to help families address real challenges at ho...

In Episode 206 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda addresses recent concerns about DNPE activity and explains what it means for a homeschool to be marked inactive, along with the steps families can take to keep their school active and records accurate. She also clarifies the role of DNPE and how it differs from NCHE, helping families understand where to go for information and support. Amanda’s conversa...

In episode 205 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk about the everyday moments when meaningful conversations happen with our kids and how those connections grow over time. Amanda sits down with Christy Shipe of the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) to learn how homeschool students can get involved in speech and debate, what participation looks like, and...

As spring approaches and routines shift, many homeschool families find themselves feeling stretched thin. In episode 204 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk honestly about burnout—what it looks like in daily life, how to recognize it, and small, practical ways to reset. From adjusting expectations to carving out moments of rest, they share encouragement for finishing the year with inte...

In episode 203 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda sits down with NCHE executive director Matthew McDill to talk about discipleship at home and what it looks like to move beyond behavior and academics toward helping children know and love Christ. Matthew shares how parents can encourage self-motivation, build meaningful relationships with their children, and approach parenting as an invitation rather t...

Amanda talks with Stephanie Buckwalter of Adapted Home Education about homeschooling students with special needs and how a developmental approach can help families navigate learning challenges. Stephanie shares from more than 25 years of homeschooling experience with children who have a wide range of learning profiles, including gifted students, typical learners, and a daughter with significant sp...

Amanda and Melanie talk with Briggs Greenwood about the value of real-life homeschool support groups and why in-person relationships remain so important for families navigating a digital world. Briggs shares from more than two decades of homeschooling experience and previews her upcoming Thrive! workshop, Leading an Analog Support Group in a Digital World. They also answer common questions that ne...

In this special 200th episode of  The Homeschool Show , Amanda and Melanie reflect on the journey of the program and the heart behind it: encouraging families to homeschool with confidence and joy. Past co-hosts John Lewis, Ronda Marshall, and Te’Essence Mack share memories from earlier seasons and offer encouragement to today’s homeschool families. Amanda and Melanie also discuss why they continu...

Andrew Pudewa joins Matthew to discuss how artificial intelligence and technology are shaping education, the importance of protecting students’ reading, writing, and thinking skills, and the difference between using AI as a tool and allowing it to replace human experience. The conversation then turns to high school, where Andrew shares practical ways families can maximize these years through speec...

Melanie talks with Aaron Klemm from Summit Ministries , a featured Teen Track speaker at Thrive!, about helping teenagers wrestle with big worldview questions such as whether God exists and what He is like. Aaron explains how growing in confidence that the Christian worldview is big enough to engage all of life can shape the way students approach college, relationships, work, and everyday decision...

In this episode, Amanda sits down with Kathy Lee Eggers , longtime homeschool mom, child development specialist, and author of The Homegrown Preschooler . Kathy shares her journey through decades of homeschooling and explains why play, connection, and relationship matter so deeply in the early years. She also discusses learning from birth through preschool and how play-based approaches can continu...

Amanda and Melanie share additional planning details for the upcoming Thrive! conference , including hotel options connected to the Benton Convention Center and how NCHE’s homeschool graduation fits into the conference weekend. The episode features an interview with Amber O’Neal Johnston , a Thrive! speaker, who discusses cultivating curiosity, balancing academics with a full life, and encouraging...

This episode centers on Thrive! 2026 and what families can expect when attending the conference in Winston-Salem. Amanda and Melanie explain registration options alongside how the weekend is organized, including workshops, speakers, gatherings, mentoring support, and the vendor hall. Homeschool news and upcoming events: • Sullenberger Aviation Field Trip • Diploma ordering for graduates • Graduati...

notes In this episode of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie discuss homeschool graduation options, including ceremonies, diplomas, and transcripts. They also explain NCHE’s scholarship program, application categories, and timelines. The episode introduces a new Real World Readiness series focused on practical skills students need, and concludes with NCHE news, upcoming events, and scholarship...

Many homeschool parents face difficult conversations with family members who question their decision to homeschool. In this episode of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk through practical ways to navigate those conversations, including when to explain your choices, when to step in for your children, and when it’s appropriate to disengage. The episode also includes a conversation with NCH...

Welcome to the first episode of 2026 of The Home School Show from North Carolinians for Home Education! Hosts Amanda Wares and Melanie Willis kick off the new year with encouragement, practical guidance, and timely updates for homeschool families. Amanda and Melanie discuss how the new year is a natural time to reflect, reset, and refocus in your homeschool. Whether your fall semester was a succes...

🎄 Special Christmas Episode! 🎄 Matthew and Melanie share joyful videos from homeschool families as they highlight favorite Christmas traditions from homeschoolers across the state. They also talk about their own family traditions and what makes the season meaningful in their homes. 🎨 Easy Art for All Ages - Melanie demonstrates a simple snowman painting project that kids of all ages can enjoy....

✨ Episode 190 — Meet Nikki Cooper: NCHE’s Special Needs Support Coordinator + Applying for the ESA+ Scholarship In this episode, we bring you two helpful conversations for North Carolina homeschool families—especially those navigating special needs services and scholarship opportunities. 🎙 Homeschool Interviews Amanda sits down with Nikki Cooper, NCHE’s Special Needs Support Coordinator, to answe...