After more than 20 years working in education, Christy and her husband chose to walk away from a thriving business consulting on education for families wanting to find educational alternatives for their children. Seeing so many struggling with traditional education, they started to research and explore homeschooling which profoundly transformed their perspective on education. Christy began homeschooling her children and mentoring and supporting parents who have taken on homeschooling. Christy runs an online community, Thrive Homeschool Community, hosts a podcast, The Christy-Faith Show, and writing. You can find her on her website at www.christy-faith.com her podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube to buy her book “Homeschool Rising: Shattering Myths, Finding Courage, and Opting out of the School System” you can go to Amazon here: Homeschool Rising: Shattering Myths, Finding Courage, and Opting Out of the School System https://a.co/d/5VsJJjC

Finding a good curriculum or study to do with teenagers to draw them into the Word and conversations about their faith can be a challenge! Enter the Foundations in Worship study from Master Books. Today Kristy Smith will discuss working through this deep content with her 4 teenage daughters and the fruit she has seen as a result. This book is a study for high school in hymns and can cover Bible and/or Music study as an elective with the ability to give a credit toward graduation. It incorporates not only scripture study, listening to music, great conversation starters, but, also an oral presentation component. But, above all, it is a chance to go deep into faith with our teenagers and get them into the Word in a real way. To find “Foundations in Worship” please visit this link: https://www.masterbooks.com/foundations-in-worship

John Stamper spent 13 years teaching in the Chicago public schools. In 2021 he filed a concern with the school board over materials he was being trained to teach to his students as young as 5 years old, when they turned down his request to look into the materials and training, he followed God’s leading and resigned. In this podcast we talk with John about what is really happening behind the scenes in public schools all over the USA and what you as a parent can do. If you are interested in reading his book you can find it here: https://www.masterbooks.com/conflicted I encourage you to buy one for yourself and other copies to give to families who are thinking about homeschooling. It’s an important book with a strong message.

Dawn is back again to encourage us to get organized for a new school year and wrap up this past year. Dawn has practical advice for homeschooling moms on the best way to set up a school room and the rest of your house to make school next year just a bit easier. She also gives some advice to get the kids involved! You can find her free homeschool mom workshop here: https://www.theminimalmom.com/offers/3ekLnfEY/checkout You can find links to her videos and books here: http://www.theminimalmom.com/

Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a Biblical worldview. He is a homeschooling dad of 11, a husband, an author, and passionate about discipleship! Join us as we talk about his book Foundational Truths: a Modern Catechism. Israel shares his heart to teach truth to our children and lead them deeper into God’s character and love for them. You can find his book on the Masterbooks website at https://www.masterbooks.com/foundational-truths-a-modern-catechism You can also find resources from Israel Wayne here: https://familyrenewal.org/ To visit Master Books go to https://www.masterbooks.com/

“Kids will always find the wild places!” Shannon talks about getting kids outside or bringing nature to them. Join us for a talk about the benefits of nature learning and 3 things you can do right now to detox your family from screen time and get into nature! To find Shannon’s book, “Life In The Trenches” go to this link: https://a.co/d/01qEwIH you can visit Shannon’s website at www.badgermomma.org

All across Minnesota there are micro schools popping up! While this is a great alternative for parents who need a hybrid option for homeschooling, are you aware of the things you should know before starting a micro school? Alfrieda, a retired lawyer who answered God’s call to start a micro school, talks about her journey and responsibility in educating children at her school. ***Views in this podcast are not legal advice, but, should be taken as suggestions about things to think about and look into when starting your own micro school. For more information on Alfrieda’s school, Laurel Community School, click here: https://www.laurelcs.org/ For more information about Marva Collins, click here: https://youtu.be/fK7GUSISFjY?si=4Eg9kDu1z5AeVhWK and here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marva_Collins_Story

Join us as we begin the MÂCHÉ Book Club for Preschool to Adults! We as homeschooling families want our children to enjoy reading, but, what do we have them read? Sometimes we just need some great ideas and Susan has them. Susan homeschooled her 4 children and is an avid reader with an extensive personal library. She will regularly share with us suggestions for every age in our family that are good books to enjoy together. If you are interested in any of the books mentioned in this podcast, you can visit our MÂCHÉ Book Club list on Amazon found at this link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2RCLMLEBP73VY?ref_=wl_share We hope that you find great ideas and spend the wonderful summer days reading amazing books!

Take a peek inside our own family homeschool journey with our first child, Alicia! She shares all about her experiences, challenges, and views about her homeschool journey to college and then graduating as an RN.

Navigating the world of college for homeschoolers can be daunting and confusing. Kristin gives a lot of great information about all the ways you can strategically plan for your child to earn college credits from home starting in 8th or 9th grade! Links discussed in this podcast are as follows: Credits Before College website: https://creditsbeforecollege.com Career Guidance with a Career Direct Assessment: https://creditsbeforecollege.com/career-guidance/ Curriculum and Resources for purchase: https://creditsbeforecollege.com/store/ Free CLEP exams: https://modernstates.org/ Test Prep and Review (use code 85513 for $5 discount): https://instantcert.com Practice Exams: https://www.petersons.com/ Career Exploration: https://www.onetonline.org/ Planning for Credit Transfer between Colleges: https://www.transferology.com/index.htm MN PSEO: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/schfin/pseo/ MN State Colleges and Universities: https://www.minnstate.edu/ https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/120B.131

The Old Schoolhouse magazine has been around since 2001. It started as a newsletter of resources and ideas and quickly evolved into a publication with articles from top homeschool leaders. Old Schoolhouse also has vast, free resources on their website www.theoldschoolhouse.com You can also go to their teacher’s website to get lesson plans, ideas, reviews, and help at www.schoolhouseteachers.com To learn all about the history of homeschooling you can visit www.historyofhomeschooling.com You can also find a link to The Old Schoolhouse on the MÂCHÉ homepage!

Portals is a literature-to-project based home education program providing resources to parents seeking a Christ-centered education for their children. They provide curriculum with daily K-12 hyperlinked lesson plans in all subjects, a call-in center with live support, and Friday field trip ideas every week. They save you time so you can spend it building character, family, and faith. You can find Portals on www.portalsacademy.com or on the MÂCHÉ homepage!

As moms, wives, educators, chauffeurs, event coordinators, planners, cleaners, chefs, personal shoppers…the list goes on and on…we can get bogged down in the daily needs of others around us. How can we prioritize a healthy time away to reconnect with the Lord and be renewed so we can continue to give? Abby has the solution! Her team is planning Homeschool Mom Retreats in MN! To get information about it and to sign up please go here: https://familystylelearning.wordpress.com/retreat/? If you are interested in Abby’s YouTube channel, Family Style Learning, you can go here: https://youtube.com/@familystylelearning?si=XSIJMr5eCxRl3xdA

The Reading Center has been teaching the Orton-Gillingham Approach to reading to thousands of children and adults since 1951. In this episode Kristen Bieber talks about what that approach is, how to sign your child up, and how you can get involved in becoming a tutor for The Reading Center! To learn more about the upcoming tutor training visit https://www.thereadingcenter.org/ogtraining To get more information about the summer Best of Basics program visit https://www.thereadingcenter.org/best-of-basics To hear more about why millions of children struggle with reading and what the research shows visit https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story

All the new things you need to know about the 2024 convention! If you are on the fence about going, maybe this will help you decide, and if you are already going this will help you navigate! To download the convention app go to: https://event1.io/app/mache/ For just attending the used curriculum sale as a buyer go to https://forms.gle/QFsUggkqdDEv2PRS9 to rent a table to sell at the used curriculum sale go to: used.curriculum@mache.org for hotel information, exhibit hall information, Clean Comedy Family night and more go to: https://mache.org/event/2024-convention/ To sign up for Men’s Breakfast or Leadership Forum go to: https://mache.org/convention-registration/ If you would like to attend for free and have the ability to volunteer, go to: https://forms.gle/KKcyiGFq8XN6JgF37 all other questions email info@mache.org

Paula leads GRACE co-op in Willmar, MN and talks about how her group has taken Homeschool Legislative Day to the next level! You can do the same thing with your group or your family. Teaching our children to get involved in government is a valuable lesson and here are some very practical ways to do it!

We start off talking about what the pubic school districts in MN are required to do for homeschoolers in their districts regarding extra curricular, co curricular, and sports. What to expect when approaching your local district. Also, Julie Johnson gives us a 2024 legislative update! Minnesota State High School League www.mshsl.org https://hslda.org/legal/minnesota https://mache.org/mache-legislative-watch/

What are ESAs? How do they affect you as a homeschool family? What is the difference between a tax credit and and ESA? We tackle all of this and more in this episode with Amy Buchmeyer a lawyer with Homeschool Legal Defense Association. For more information on this topic, visit https://hslda.org/post/dont-take-the-money-the-risks-of-education-savings-accounts-ep-110

Does your student have an interest in public policy and politics? Are you looking for an opportunity for your student to creatively learn government and citizenship with other teenagers? Does your student need practice in public speaking? Jessica Swedzinski talks about TeenPact and how your child can be involved. TeenPact is a national organization that has been in MN for the past few years. 2024’s class dates are April 22-25 for ages 13-19, April 26 for a one day class for ages 8-12, Political Communications workshop is April 26 for ages 13-19. TeenPact is running a $50 discount on camp registrations for housing during the 4-day class with the discount code MNCAMP. https://www.facebook.com/teenpact Website: https://teenpact.com/states/mn/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?via=oY56wpN0ZLg After your student attends a four day class, they are considered TeenPact Alumni and can participate in other national events: National Convention, Judicial, Congress, Media, Back to DC, Business, Endeavor, and Venture; https://teenpact.com/2024alumni

Chris is an author, blogger and lyricist. He and his wife, Carroll, homeschool their children with the methods of Charlotte Mason in Southern Illinois. Christ has written Guided by Wisdom as a way to go deeper into God’s Word with your kids, as a family, or just on your own! Guided By Wisdom is a 2024 Gold Medal Christian Book Award winner. you can find out more by visiting his website at www.singwriteread.com/books

2024 is shaping up to be a big year at MÂCHÉ and this includes in the area of legislation. Today Julie talks about all that has been happening since last legislative session and calls for homeschooling families and friends to rally at the capitol on February 15. You can sign up for legislative updates on the website www.mache.org and find out more about capitol day at https://mache.org/event/2024-mache-homeschool-day-at-the-capitol/

Craig Harrison is a homeschool dad living with his wife and 2 boys in Minnesota. As the author of the book, “Your Child’s Best Teacher”, he discusses homeschooling today and the best way to approach teaching our children. His words are encouraging and challenging as he talks about being Your Child’s Best Teacher! You can find his resources at https://books.qrx.group

Join us as we talk with Karen Soencksen all about the 2024 MÂCHÉ Convention! We will talk about how to get free or discounted registration, the used book curriculum sale, Leadership Forum, and special events happening all throughout the convention you don’t want to miss!

As homeschooling families we all agree that arts are an important part of our children’s education, but, what do you do when you aren’t musical or artistic? Stacy Saxon has the answer for those who want to give their children a good musical education but they aren’t musical themselves. As a homeschool mom Stacy understands what a homeschool looks like and what home educators need to teach a good foundation in music. “How To Teach Music When You’re Not Musical” is a comprehensive homeschool musical curriculum that has everything you need to teach in one book. This curriculum covers topics such as sound, orchestra, music in movies, music in video games, making your own instruments, and vocalization. To find Stacy’s book visit her website at http://www.musicisforever.net

Join us as we talk with Rob Vagi of Wilder Podcast and Academy about the value of using nature to educate your kids! www.wilderoutdooracademy.com or on Spotify and Apple Podcast

We continue our conversation about education in the outdoors!

We are beginning a new series that will appear throughout the next season called “Homeschool Stories” where we interview homeschool graduates who have gone on to college or careers. They will talk about their homeschool experience and how it prepared them for life! Join us today as we hear from Michael, a software engineer, as he discusses his homeschool to college to career journey!

Dave Racer has more than 25 years of experience teaching Government,Civics, the Constitution, and Student Senate. He has extensive experience in government and has written 55 books on topics from health care policy to curriculum on government. Today we talk with him about his experience running student senate. If you would like more information on signing your 9th-12th grader up for Student Senate, click on the links below for more information: https://studentsenatesaa.com https://omeganationalacademy.com www.daveracer.com

Are you wondering already what you will do with all the extra stuff that will be coming into your home this Holiday Season? What do you do with the new curriculum and resources you are purchasing for your students? Dawn, a homeschool mom of 4, encourages us to take control of our homes and our stuff to bring peace and restore joy to our daily lives. Dawn has a website and a YouTube channel where she shares her life as a minimalist homeschool mom. You can access her free 4-part video workshop covering topics such as Inventory, declutterring, and simplifying at https://www.theminimalmom.com/offers/3ekLnfEY You can access her YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/@TheMinimalMom

Do you feel pressure to do it all? Are you feeling inferior to other moms around you? Shannon talks with us about how to come against that in our lives and walk in the purpose God has for us. Find the books referenced in this episode at these links: Disconnected Kids https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/736182/disconnected-kids-third-edition-by-dr-robert-melillo/ A Place Called Simplicity https://www.biblio.com/book/place-called-simplicity-claire-cloninger/d/1297953472

Join Dayle Annand, Rob Prigge, Karen Soencksen, and Ruth Brinker as they share some family Christmas traditions and wonderful Advent traditions with you! We wish you all a wonderful Christmas season. For the books mentioned in this episode,visit: www.jothamsjourney.com

Julie has transitioned 3 of her 4 children from school to homeschool and has great insight and tips for families who are looking to do the same!

Houlie Duque, the creator of Homeschool To Go, talks to us about how her method will encourage families to embrace a project-based homeschool curriculum that is easily adaptable for not only working families but also families with children with special needs. Homeschool To Go is a personalized program to help you with each individual child you are homeschooling through meeting with your own teacher and assessing the needs of each child. You can find them at www.homeschooltogo.org

Discipling our families is a big job! Today Anne Butler, author of Feast of Inquiry, encourages us to prioritize the time we spend with our families leading them into the presence of God and teaching them all about Biblical truths. Join us as Anne discusses her book and how it can help you not only with leading your children and family into great discussions about the Bible, but, can also get the Word of God deep into your own heart. You can find out more about Anne on her website https://www.tablelearningresources.com/ You can find Feast of Inquiry at Feast of Inquiry: Discussion Questions to Serve Our Souls From Every New Testament Chapter https://a.co/d/a4WRyTF You can also find The Bible Project at https://youtube.com/@bibleproject?si=s3lSkSm4EZhaPOgG

Peggy Ployhar is an expert in homeschooling children with special needs, neuro diversities, and twice exceptional children. Peggy started SPED Homeschool when she was working with families homeschooling their children and finding it hard to get resources they needed. SPED Homeschool is a place to find a wealth of resources for almost anything you would need as a homeschooler of special needs children. You can find Peggy at www.spedhomeschool.com Also find the article referenced by Peggy of Dianne Craft’s Healing Teaching at www.diannecraft.org

Jenn shares with us her experience of setting an appointment to meet with her representative and talks about how her day went and all that happened on her family’s visit to the state capitol.

Michael Ramey from the Parental Rights Foundation shares what is happening with parental rights in the USA and how it could affect homeschool families right here in Minnesota. For more information go to www.parental rights foundation.org

A quick talk with our executive director, Rob Prigge, about the behind the curtain workings of MACHE!

In this podcast Amy Puetz Fox of Golden Prairie Press joins us as we explore the exciting connection between history and food. Learn ways to incorporate cooking into learning history and where to find historical recipes. We will also explore how eating the food from previous time periods can enhance our understanding of history. Visit Amy’s website at www.goldenprairiepress.com to find her wonderful history books and so much more!

Ginny Yurich lives with her husband Josh and 5 children in Michigan. Ginny is the founder and creator of 1000 Hours Outside, a global movement to encourage families to enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer! Join us today as Ginny discusses her new book, “Until the Streetlights Come On” and the importance to our children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development that outside play brings. You can follow Ginny on Instagram on 1000 Hours Outside and you can visit her website and blog at www.1000hoursoutside.com

Esther’s Place Homeschool Resource Center is here to help make home education successful for your family. Whether you take advantage of their Parent Equipping nights or the curriculum library you will find someone at Esther’s Place ready to encourage, talk, and pray with you. For more information on Esther’s Place, you can visit their website at www.estersplacehrc.org

Brave Books is approaching publishing from a completely different point of view. Cooper Bell tells us all about how Brave Books got it’s start to the universe it is creating with the wonderful and timely topics their authors are covering. At the end of the interview he has some great new things to announce for homeschoolers! Tune in and find out how to integrate Brave Books into your school year and family! Visit them at www.bravebooks.us to explore the world of Brave Books!

In this episode we finish out our round of talks with all the practical ways you can help your children with their emotions and how to streamline your day to make things flow smoother. Rochelle has her books available for purchase at thinkofgoodthings.com

In this segment of our conversation with Rochelle she shares her story. This is a sensitive conversation…not for children.

Martyn Iles is the Executive CEO of Answers in Genesis and has written “Who Am I? Solving the Identity Puzzle” in answer to the identity crises today. What is true Biblical identity and how can we pass that on to our children? Are we asking the right questions when it comes to identity and are we starting in the right place? Martyn discusses the true starting point for Biblical identity and the questions we should be asking ourselves and our children. You can find Martyn’s book at Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/who-am-i-solving-the-identity-puzzle

This series of podcasts we are talking with Rochelle Ruiz, author, wife, singer-songwriter, speaker, and homeschool mom. Take some time for yourself to really listen to Rochelle’s story and how she has used challenges to go deeper into her relationship with God and how that translated into her parenting, life, and homeschooling. Rochelle has written two books, “Gotta Give it to God” and “Think on Good Things” available on Amazon. You can visit her website: www.rochellestjohnruiz.com to learn more about her and her ministry.

Rebecca Moan is a veteran homeschooling mom of 5 boys who homeschooled over the span of 23 years. She is currently an adjunct professor and part-time admissions coordinator for Free Lutheran Bible College in the Twin cities. She shares with us her 4 main thoughts about simplifying your homeschool.

Julia is a homeschool mom of 4 and a 2nd generation homeschooler who is passionate about giving kids the best start into adulthood. She shares with us her strategies for launching kids from home to life. She recommends resources from Dr. Kathy Koch https://celebratekids.com/about/

Leah talks about the fun ways to integrate music into your child’s education and family life even if you aren’t a “musical” person!