Zan Tyler Podcast: Thriving in Your Homeschool

What does it look like to follow Jesus in real life? Zan and guest Matthew McDill share insights on homeschooling, parenting, and the kingdom-building work of investing time in your children. Zan and Matthew also discuss the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with your spouse, preserving homeschool freedom, and passing on our faith to generations. Join us as we explore the joys and ch...

In today's episode, we continue our conversation with award-winning author Jean Burk, discussing all things college prep and standardized testing. Jean shares invaluable insights on financial aid strategies, critical thinking, and the importance of test preparation. Join us as we uncover the secrets to maximizing financial aid, navigating the college application process, and mastering standardized...

Are you interested in how your children can attend college for free–or at greatly reduced rates? Do you want strategies for helping them prepare effectively for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, or CLT exam? If you have children in middle school and above, this episode is for you! Jean Burk, award-winning author of College Prep Genius, is a homeschooling mom who successfully equipped her own children to earn fr...

Enjoy this transparent, uplifting conversation with Zan and Melanie Wilson as they discuss practical ways to keep your sanity while you homeschool with confidence and joy. Melanie offers valuable insights on organization and time management, as well as the incredible growth we experience as we lay down our lives to homeschool our children. Join us as we explore the importance of embracing learning...

In this week’s episode of the Zan Tyler Podcast, Barb West shares her captivating journey of international adoption, homeschooling, a military nomadic lifestyle, and the invaluable lessons she has learned along the way. Barb's story is filled with inspiration, resilience, and the undeniable power of embracing where you are, focusing on strengths, and overcoming obstacles. So sit back, relax, and l...

Prior to filming The Homeschool Awakening, Caleb Price was a homeschool skeptic.  As he interviewed parents across the country for the movie and started doing his own research, he became convinced that homeschooling was right for his family. With five children ages six and under, Caleb and Stephanie know that homeschooling, like anything in life worth doing, is on the other side of hard. But the r...

The secret of joyful homeschooling springs from focusing on your children’s strengths, loving them through thick and thin, finding activities that give expression to their passions, and trusting God with the results. Jan Smith joins Zan for an encouraging conversation on the Smiths’ decision to homeschool from the very beginning through high school and the rich opportunities they enjoyed. Homescho...

In Part 2 of this delightful conversation, Zan and Joe Tyler with their good friends Roger and Jan Smith share practical ways you can build strong relationships in your family, nurture your marriage in the midst of homeschooling, and enjoy these foundational years with your children. Get ready to laugh and be inspired as Jan and Roger share an innovative way of resolving conflict between siblings,...

In this lively conversation, Zan is joined by her husband Joe and their good friends Roger and Jan Smith. You’ll enjoy hearing relatable stories of the early years of marriage and parenting—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Listen and be encouraged as the Tylers and Smiths share thoughts on developing strong relationships with your children, how to remain friends with your spouse throughout your ma...

This weeks' guest, Natalie Mack, is a military spouse and the homeschooling mom of five amazing children. She is also the Director of HSLDA’s Military Outreach. Natalie has her masters degree in education, is an expert in homeschooling high school, and has valuable encouragement and information to share with homeschooling families in all stages of life. Zan and Natalie discuss powerful principles...

In part two of this thought-provoking conversation, Zan and Alex Newman delve into the literacy crisis in America. Teaching children to read using phonics has been abandoned by many schools, with often catastrophic consequences. Zan and Alex also touch on the sobering issue of teen suicide and depression in our culture, as well as some of the causes. In contrast to the current spiritual crisis in...

Alex Newman joins Zan for this compelling conversation as they discuss the spiritual crisis in education and the hope of homeschooling. Our Christian heritage as a nation includes Founding Fathers like Noah Webster, who wrote curriculum on all subjects from a biblical basis. That heritage was eroded by men like Robert Owen, Horace Mann, and John Dewey, who believed government-run schools should be...

Heidi St. John shares how she journeyed from being a never-homeschooler to a passionate homeschool advocate. Homeschooling is a love-your-kids movement. It’s about thriving family relationships. Homeschooling gives parents back the gift of time with their kids. In the face of the education crisis and the broken system found all across our nation today, Zan and Heidi discuss how Christian homeschoo...

Abbie Knott, a second generation homeschool mom of four, joins Zan for an encouraging conversation about the benefits of using BJU Press Homeschool video courses, which are beautifully produced and easy to use. They also leave plenty of room in your schedule to incorporate field trips, hands-on-activities, camping, and real-life experiences into your homeschool days. Zan and Abbie discuss creative...

In part 2 of “When Homeschooling Is Hard,” Nancy and Zan emphasize the importance of vision—remember that your children are a gift from God and it is a privilege to raise them for His glory. The beauty of homeschooling is the flexibility it allows and the togetherness it promotes—whether it is working in the kitchen together, doing volunteer work together, or playing and studying together. Letting...

If you’re like us, you’ve inevitably had some hard homeschool days. So what do you do when those hard days, weeks, or seasons interrupt your homeschool routine? Zan and Nancy share from the heart in this uplifting, two-part conversation. You’ll enjoy hearing examples of things that helped each of them in their own homeschool journeys. And you’ll come away refreshed and encouraged with strategies,...

In part 2 of this fascinating conversation with HSLDA President Jim Mason, Zan and Jim explore the way Covid changed the homeschool landscape, drawing many families into this remarkable model of education and creating a number of new opportunities. You’ll be inspired as Jim and Zan discuss several legal cases, the ongoing fight to defend homeschool freedom, and HSLDA's dedication to supporting sta...

You’ll enjoy getting to know Jim Mason, President of HSLDA, in this two-part discussion with Zan. Jim joined HSLDA in 2001 to lead the litigation team after taking a fascinating and circuitous journey to becoming an attorney … from going to college to serving as an officer in the Navy, from stacking Christmas trees to working in construction while he and his wife Debbie started their family. The M...

Answering God’s call to teach your children at home can be exciting, but it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed by the demands of the busy homeschooling life. Homeschooling is a God-centered revival that begins in your living room. Catch a glimpse of how God is using your family and the homeschool movement to usher in spiritual, educational, and family revival in our nation. You’ll be encouraged b...

Zan and this week's guest, Isaac Crockett, examine how homeschooling your children for Christ impacts generations and echoes in eternity. Isaac shares stories of his family’s legacy of faith including how his great-grandfather came to know the Lord during the Dutch Underground Resistance in WWII, a period of history dear to Zan’s heart. You’ll enjoy the inspiring way homeschooling has helped Isaac...

In part two of this deeply meaningful conversation, Zan and Mike Farris reminisce about several key cases in the fight for homeschool freedom in the United States. Mike’s deep faith in God’s goodness and his tireless dedication to liberty and the Constitution have inspired courage and boldness in thousands of others over the years. The modern homeschool movement truly would not be the same without...

In the early 1980s, Mike and Vickie Farris, parents of ten, began homeschooling and never looked back. In this compelling episode, Zan and Mike discuss the years they worked together on homeschool legislation, as well as what motivated Mike to start HSLDA, NCFCA homeschool speech and debate, and Patrick Henry College. You’ll be inspired by Mike’s faith, his commitment to marriage and family, and h...

Join Zan and Meeke Addison, mother of six, as they answer the question, “If I am convinced God has entrusted me with these children, do I see my children as a blessing?” From the Old Testament through the New Testament, the expectation is clear that parents are to cherish their children and pass down the love and knowledge of God to them. Zan and Meeke also discuss large families and the joys and...

In part 2, Zan and Beth Martin continue their conversation about homeschooling through high school. You’ll learn about the benefits of a gap year, elective credits, entrepreneurship, dual enrollment, testing, financial aid, the FAFSA, service opportunities, and options for classes that parents don’t want to teach. While you might be hesitant to homeschool in high school, take the plunge! Your teen...

Does the idea of homeschooling high school feel intimidating or overwhelming? This 2-part episode with Beth Martin is sure to encourage and inspire you! In part 1, Zan and Beth cover a wide variety of topics including trusting our good and faithful God to lead and guide us; preparing your child for college, the military, or the workforce; internships and enrichment opportunities; graduating a chil...