Zan Tyler Podcast: Thriving in Your Homeschool

What happens when homeschooling feels too hard to carry, but too important to let go? Zan Tyler welcomes Caleb and Tamara Wheat, known as Doin’ It with a Dozen, to share their remarkable story of loss, love, blended family life, and returning to homeschooling after a year in private school. From the everyday logistics of PB&J sandwich-making to the bigger questions of grief, discipleship, and...

As we are poised to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American freedom, don’t miss this riveting discussion of the history of homeschool freedom, and the very real current threats we are now experiencing around the country. At the Homeschool Montana convention, Zan joined fellow homeschool freedom pioneers Mike Farris, Heidi St. John, and Steve White for a candid panel discussion about where we'v...

Are your children ready to stand firm in a culture that pulls them in every direction? In this keynote presentation at the 2026 Montana Homeschool Convention, Zan Tyler traces the thread from Harvard's Christ-centered beginnings to today's cultural confusion and shows why biblical worldview training matters more than ever. Through personal stories and decades of homeschool experience, she encourag...

How quickly can homeschool freedom disappear? Zan Tyler and Caleb Price examine two headline-making developments in Connecticut and New Hampshire that reveal just how quickly homeschool laws can change. They also discuss why discipleship remains at the heart of homeschooling and the responsibility parents have to steward freedom well. As they reflect on the future of home education, Zan and Caleb...

Are homeschoolers actually better prepared for the future? Zan and Ginny Yurich, founder of 1000 Hours Outside, discuss the high school years, entrepreneurship, and the changing world today's children are growing up in. They share why flexibility, creativity, and real-world skills matter more than ever as traditional career paths continue to shift. Ginny and Zan also talk about raising capable you...

Can one simple change transform your homeschool and your family life? For this special 200th episode, Zan welcomes back Ginny Yurich, founder of the global movement 1000 Hours Outside and the very first guest ever featured on the podcast. Together they celebrate five years of conversations while reflecting on lessons they've learned about homeschooling, parenting, and what children need most. From...

Why are so many children and teens struggling with anxiety today? Zan Tyler and Dr. Roger Smith discuss the growing mental health challenges facing families and the unique ways homeschooling can nurture emotionally healthy children. They talk about smartphones, social media, play, strong family relationships, and the importance of real community in a disconnected culture. Zan and Roger also offer...

How much influence do parents really have in their children’s lives? Zan Tyler and Dr. Roger Smith, pediatrician and internist, talk about the kind of relationships that shape children for the long haul. From choosing doctors you can trust to building a home filled with laughter, Roger shares why he and his wife became fully committed to homeschooling and never looked back. Zan and Roger also disc...

What happens when homeschooling looks nothing like you expected? Stephanie Price, mom of five, joins Zan to share the surprising lessons she’s learned after five years of homeschooling — from letting go of public school pressure to discovering how each child learns best. Together, they talk honestly about hard days, mom guilt, flexible rhythms, and why a mother’s peace shapes the atmosphere of the...

Is homeschool freedom truly secure now that it's legal in all 50 states? HSLDA President Jim Mason says the answer might surprise you. As America marks its 250th anniversary, Jim and Zan trace the founding vision of "the pursuit of happiness" and why it places the family at the center of a flourishing society. They also name the real ideological threats facing homeschoolers right now, and why smal...

A simple act of kindness changed the course of Dayle Annand's life and has impacted generations. Now a 22-year homeschooling veteran and Outreach Director for MACHE, Dayle joins Zan to talk about living out your faith where it matters most — at home. They dig into keeping your homeschool rooted in biblical truth and why your state homeschool organization may be the most underappreciated resource y...

Could your obedience to God open doors you never expected? Zan Tyler talks with Rebecca Verbeten about answering God’s call to homeschool while He unfolded a path that would take their family to Jerusalem for ten years. From building community in a foreign country to visiting the very places where Scripture comes alive, Rebecca shares how faith and daily discipleship shaped her family. Stay faithf...

Homeschooling, like marriage, can get stale without a little creativity. Zan and Caleb discuss several real-life video clips including a Harvard professor who shares four amazingly simple things you can do today to keep your marriage fresh and fun. A homeschool mom shares quick, clever ways she keeps her kids engaged and her day moving. And a dad believes the power of community helps his homeschoo...

Have you ever wondered where one “yes” might lead? When Ana Maria Bagnuoli first discovered homeschooling, she didn’t even know what it was. Once she caught the vision, she never looked back. Ana Maria joins Zan to share how that moment shaped her family’s path and helped build a thriving homeschool community among Hispanic families. Together, they talk about calling, courage, and the beauty of bu...

What if the high school years could become some of the most meaningful and joyful years of your homeschool journey? Zan Tyler and Rachel Kovac share a compelling vision for homeschooling teens, blending strong academics with real-life experiences, mentorship, and purpose. They talk through college decisions, calling, and how to prepare kids for adulthood without fear. You don’t have to carry it al...

What if the pressure your child feels isn’t a sign to push harder but a nudge toward a different path? Zan Tyler and Rachel Kovac reflect on the early moments that led Rachel to homeschooling, from overwhelming workloads to a quiet loss of joy in learning. Together, they explore how homeschooling can restore curiosity, connection, and peace in family life with children of all ages. You don’t have...

What if the hardest seasons of your life become the very place your homeschool family grows stronger? Zan sits down with Dr. Jenn Murff to talk about faith, resilience, and what really matters when everything feels uncertain. From dyslexia to brain surgery to raising daughters with purpose, Jenn shares how God meets us in the middle of it all. Take heart. What you’re pouring into your children mat...

What does AI mean for your homeschool—and your child’s future? Zan and homeschool veteran Nancy Manos explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the culture our kids are growing up in. They talk through practical uses for homeschool families, real concerns, and the skills children need before using AI tools. This conversation offers thoughtful guidance for homeschool families as AI becomes mor...

What if the real fruit of homeschooling doesn’t show up for years? Zan and producer, Caleb Price, speak candidly about the part few parents admit — the sacrifice, the stretch, and the surrender of comfort. But they also share the beautiful truth on the other side: stronger relationships, deeper faith, and children who feel secure and known. If you’ve had weary moments, this episode will steady you...

What if your child’s constant movement is actually part of how they learn? Zan and Heather Haupt, author and homeschool mom of five, unpack the connection between movement and the brain — and why short, intentional breaks can unlock focus and cut through frustration in minutes. Heather shares practical ideas that help kids reset quickly without derailing your homeschool day. Discover simple tools...

Are we raising boys to sit still—or to stand strong? Zan and homeschool mom Heather Haupt tackle what it really looks like to raise sons with courage, honor, and purpose. Drawing from her book Knights in Training, Heather shares how imagination, faith, and intentional training shape boys into men who defend truth and live with integrity. Boys are wired for movement, challenge, and meaning—and when...

What if the real goal isn’t success as culture defines it? Zan welcomes Jonathan Brush, founder of Unbound and homeschool dad of eight, who is reimagining what it means to launch well-equipped adults. Jonathan explains why being extraordinary at ordinary things—taking full responsibility for life, prioritizing relationships, and learning to create real value—forms a deeper, more durable foundation...

How do you protect your children without clinging too tightly? Zan and Meeke Addison, homeschool mom of six (soon to be seven), talk through the daily tension of raising children anchored in Christ while preparing them to engage a culture that often pushes back against biblical truth. They wrestle with the pressures of social media, the challenge of releasing children as they grow, and the importa...

What if the conversations around your kitchen table are some of the most important moments in your homeschool? Zan and Meeke Addison, homeschool mom and cultural commentator, talk about raising children with discernment and faith in a noisy, media-saturated culture. They explore the role of parental influence, how everyday conversations shape a biblical worldview, and why shared meals create natur...

Are doubts stealing your homeschool joy? Am I doing enough? Am I ruining my kids? Zan and veteran homeschool mom Nancy Manos confront the fears that quietly undermine homeschooling families. Through honest stories and battle-tested wisdom, they challenge comparison, name the real cost of homeschooling, and point moms back to God’s faithful equipping. Be encouraged to walk forward with confidence,...