Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Christy-Faith Show
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Ep. 141 - Why Kids Need Fairy Tales // Andrew Pudewa
29 oct. 2026
01:02:04
Should parents read fairy tales to their kids — even the dark ones? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to talk about why kids need fairy tales and how these old stories shape a child's moral imagination. As Andrew puts it, paraphrasing G.K. Chesterton: children already know dragons exist — fairy tales teach them that dragons can be slain.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why reading aloud to children is the most important thing you can do for strong readers, writers, and speakers
What the "moral imagination" is and how stories build it
Why fairy tales may hold more truth than history textbooks
What makes a story a true fairy tale — and where these stories came from
Are fairy tales too scary for kids? How to use your judgment based on age and personality
Why kids need stories about death, loss, and other hard things
How fairy tales teach courage, wisdom, self-control, and justice
How screens crowd out imagination — and why kids should hear the story before they see the movie
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting around the world, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, and spelling with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students' skills. 👉 iew.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:54) - How a Church Banner Sparked His Fairy Tale Research
(06:46) - What Is the Moral Imagination?
(08:58) - Why Stories Teach More Than History Textbooks
(13:13) - What Makes a Story a Fairy Tale?
(16:52) - "Dragons Can Be Slain": Why Fairy Tales Have a Dark Side
(18:32) - Are Fairy Tales Too Scary for Kids?
(24:50) - Why Kids Need Stories About Death and Loss
(27:37) - Are We Protecting Our Kids Too Much?
(29:29) - What Good Literature Gives Kids
(34:37) - Why We Crave Stories Where Good Wins
(38:31) - How Kids Step Inside the Story
(41:17) - Fairy Tales and the Four Cardinal Virtues
(45:37) - How Fairy Tales Spark Awe and Wonder
(48:40) - How Screens Steal Imagination
(50:06) - Why Imagination Matters for Faith
(55:57) - Andrew's Favorite Fairy Tales
(58:15) - Disney vs. the Original Fairy Tales
(01:00:40) - Final Thoughts
Ep. 140 - How to Homeschool Multiple Kids Without Burning Out | Smooth Days Part 4
22 oct. 2026
00:35:26
Homeschooling more than one child and bouncing like a human pinball from phonics to fractions to grading essays? In the finale of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, shows you how to homeschool multiple kids without burning out — with a realistic teaching budget, boundaries that protect your sanity, and simple systems that build capable kids.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules See how real homeschool days come together, and build a schedule that works for every kid in your house. 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Your real teaching budget: about 2 to 3 hours a day — total, not per kid
How much of your time littles, elementary kids, and teens actually need
Why everyone in the family needs a printed schedule with margin built in
Multi-level homeschooling: which subjects to teach together and which to keep separate
The interruption rule (“blood, fire, or flood”) and how to teach kids to wait
Three boundaries that protect your homeschool: your phone, your personal space, and your core school hours
Why chores are part of school — and how to anchor them to meals
Building capable kids with “I do, we do, you do” and the parental involvement index
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 4
(00:56) - When Your House Feels Like a Circus
(01:54) - A Multi-Level Homeschool Isn’t Three Separate Schools
(02:21) - How This 4-Part Series Works
(03:18) - The One Number That Changes Everything
(04:00) - Your Real Teaching Budget: 2 to 3 Hours a Day
(04:28) - Younger Kids Need More of Your Time
(06:01) - How Much Time Your Teen Really Needs From You
(06:39) - Why Everyone Needs a Printed Schedule
(07:36) - Teach Together Whenever You Can
(08:17) - What the Research Says About Mixed-Age Learning
(08:42) - Which Subjects to Keep Separate
(09:32) - What a Multi-Level Homeschool Day Looks Like
(14:08) - Interruptions: The Homeschool Day Killer
(14:42) - The Interruption Rule: Blood, Fire, or Flood
(15:11) - Teaching Kids How to Wait
(17:21) - A Boundary With Yourself: Your Phone
(17:57) - Boundaries Around Your Personal Space
(19:00) - Boundaries With the Outside World
(21:00) - Running a House That Has School in It
(21:47) - Anchor Chores to Meals
(22:59) - The Planning Fallacy: Why You Need Margin
(23:31) - Time-Based vs. Lesson-Based Homeschooling
(24:13) - Chores Are Part of School
(25:13) - The Independence Trap
(28:10) - Capability, Not Independence
(30:00) - Gradual Release: I Do, We Do, You Do
(30:28) - What Kids Can Do on Their Own, by Age
(31:31) - The Parental Involvement Index
(33:48) - The Whole Series in Four Sentences
(34:47) - Final Thoughts: What Smooth Homeschool Days Really Are
Ep. 139 - Teen Homeschooling: How to Build Independence Without Losing Connection | Smooth Days Part 3
15 oct. 2026
00:29:58
Is your teenager shutting the bedroom door, sleeping until ten, and tuning out every reminder — while you quietly wonder if you’re losing them? In Part 3 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what’s really happening in the teen brain and how teen homeschooling can build real independence without losing connection.
Why teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep — and why it’s okay to start school at 9 or 10
Attention span by age: what to expect from 12–14 vs. 15–18 year olds
Executive function in teens: why knowing and doing run on different hardware
Scaffolding that isn’t you: checklists, timers, and outside deadlines
What the research says about teen moods, conflict, and family time
How much independent work to expect in 7th–8th, 9th–10th, and 11th–12th grade
The ladder of ownership: handing over the school day one rung at a time
What to do when your teen says “I want to go to real school” — and how to repair a strained relationship
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans and Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to Smooth Homeschool Days Part 3
(01:01) - When Your Teen Starts Pulling Away
(02:15) - Your Teen Still Needs Healthy Attachment
(03:37) - How This 4-Part Series Works
(04:07) - From Manager to Consultant: Ages 12 to 17
(04:28) - Why Teens Need More Sleep
(06:06) - Attention Span by Age: 12–14 vs. 15–18
(07:01) - The Teen Brain Under Construction
(07:40) - Knowing vs. Doing: Why Teens Procrastinate
(08:23) - Scaffolding That Isn’t You
(12:18) - The Emotional Baseline of a Teenager
(12:45) - What the Research Says About Teen Moods
(13:28) - Bedtime Talks: When Teens Want to Process
(14:05) - How Conflict Changes in the Teen Years
(14:44) - Why Teens Need More Autonomy
(15:45) - 7th and 8th Grade: What to Expect
(16:53) - 9th and 10th Grade: Plan Backwards
(18:01) - 11th and 12th Grade: Preparing for the Transition
(18:36) - Letting Teens Learn from Mistakes
(19:03) - The Ladder of Ownership
(19:59) - Hand Over Decisions, Not Just Responsibility
(23:47) - “I Want to Go to Real School”
(25:01) - The 24-Hour Rule
(27:00) - Action Step: Stop Being the Schedule Police
(28:36) - Small Signs of Repair
(28:59) - Final Thoughts: Warm, Firm, and Respectful
Ep. 138 - Elementary Homeschooling: How Much Independence Should Kids Really Have? | Smooth Days Part 2
08 oct. 2026
00:37:39
Your child did long division perfectly on Monday — so why are they staring at the same problems like they’re written in a foreign language today? In Part 2 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains what kids in 3rd through 6th grade are really ready for, how much independence they can handle, and how to raise the bar without losing the relationship.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules. 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What’s developing in the brain between ages 8 and 11 — and why abstract math can feel impossible
Attention span by age for assigned work (and the video game myth)
How much independent work is realistic at ages 8–9 vs. 10–11
Why skills seem to vanish overnight — and why unevenness is not regression
The math anxiety loop: how worry freezes working memory
The golden rule for frustrating lessons: two explanations, then stop
The 3 academic hinges of the elementary years and grade-by-grade expectations
The correction-to-connection ratio and how to batch your corrections
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans and Savings
(06:48) - Working Memory: Why Writing It Down Helps
(11:23) - The Great Myth of Independent Work
(12:34) - How Much Independent Work Is Realistic by Age
(13:58) - Why Skills Vanish Overnight
(16:27) - The Emotional Life of Elementary Kids
(18:21) - Shame, Comparison, and “Are You Mad at Me?”
(21:05) - The Math Anxiety Loop
(25:26) - The Golden Rule: Two Explanations, Then Stop
(27:11) - The 3 Academic Hinges
(29:16) - Grade-by-Grade Expectations: 3rd to 6th
(32:33) - The Correction-to-Connection Ratio
(33:27) - Routine and Batching Your Corrections
(35:59) - Dignity Around Mistakes
(36:25) - Final Thoughts: Protect the Relationship
Ep. 137 - How to Homeschool Pre-K to 2nd Grade Without Constant Battles | Focus, Behavior & Meltdowns | Smooth Days Part 1
01 oct. 2026
00:46:30
Is your five-year-old refusing to do their letters, or is your seven-year-old melting down over a single phonics page? In Part 1 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains why most of what looks like a behavior problem in kids ages 4 to 7 is really brain development — and how to homeschool pre-K to 2nd grade without constant battles.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules. 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why most “behavior problems” in kids ages 4–7 are really brain development
Attention span by age — how long young kids can really focus on assigned work
Why a 4-year-old can only hold about two pieces of information at once (and how to give instructions that stick)
The “yesterday vs. today” problem — and what’s really behind it
Why young kids need to move while they learn, plus the “upside-down kid” test
Co-regulation: why young kids can’t calm themselves down yet
Refusal vs. meltdown — a 60-second protocol and the 3 types of meltdowns
How long to homeschool each day from pre-K to 2nd grade
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans and Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to the Smooth Homeschool Days Series
(01:30) - When “Bad Behavior” Is Really Biology
(03:52) - The 3 Brain Pillars Under Construction
(04:25) - Attention Span by Age for Assigned Work
(06:47) - Working Memory: Give One Step at a Time
(09:47) - Inhibitory Control and the Yesterday vs. Today Problem
(14:24) - Why Young Kids Need to Move While They Learn
(19:34) - Co-Regulation: Why Kids Can’t Calm Down Alone
(23:08) - The 3 Biggest Predictors of Self-Regulation
(26:13) - Refusal vs. Meltdown: Know the Difference
(28:02) - The 60-Second Protocol for Refusals
(32:09) - The 3 Types of Meltdowns
(36:19) - From Behavior Cop to Behavior Detective
(41:58) - How Much School Pre-K to 2nd Grade Really Needs
(44:03) - Mastery Over Exposure
(44:37) - Final Thought: Grace for Your Kids and Yourself
Ep. 136 - Christian Marriage Advice: How to Repair, Reconnect & Grow Together // Debra Fileta
24 sept. 2026
01:02:45
Why do so many Christian marriages struggle even when both spouses truly love each other? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor Debra Fileta to talk about her new book, Relationship Skills, and the four seasons every marriage passes through. Healthy marriages aren't found — they're built.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why Christian marriages struggle from a lack of skill, not a lack of love
The difference between a difficult, dysfunctional, and toxic relationship — and when to get professional help
The four seasons of marriage: spring, summer, fall, and winter
Why the goal of Christian marriage isn't just longevity — it's transformation
How to change old patterns by starting with what you bring to the table
The 90-second hack for building emotional intimacy in marriage
How to apologize to your spouse in 3 steps: own it, validate, and share your plan for change
Why marriage repair after conflict can make you stronger — and why there's hope even in winter
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Relationship Skills by Debra Fileta — Debra's newest book on the four seasons of relationships
People Skills by Debra Fileta — a great relationship-skills book for homeschool families
Relationship Skills Quiz — free quiz to find which skills your relationship needs in this season
Debra Fileta is a Licensed Professional Counselor, national speaker, and founder of the Debra Fileta Counselors Network. She is the bestselling author of ten books, including RESET, Soul Care, and her newest book, Relationship Skills. Debra is the host of the popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show Talk To Me, where she facilitates on-air, authentic counseling-style sessions with notable pastors and leaders. 👉 DebraFileta.com 👉 @DebraFileta on Instagram
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:07) - Why the Church Is Ready to Talk About Mental Health
(03:00) - Healthy Marriages Aren't Found, They're Built
(05:13) - Difficult vs. Toxic Relationships: An Important Disclaimer
(08:34) - Is He a Narcissist? When to Get Professional Help
(11:03) - The Four Seasons of Marriage
(15:44) - What Does God Want for Our Marriages?
(23:38) - Spring: Planting New Seeds in Your Marriage
(26:55) - Why Change Starts With You
(29:03) - Summer: The Emotional Intimacy Gap
(31:08) - The 90-Second Connection Hack
(37:08) - Fall: Vulnerability and What Not to Hide From Your Spouse
(42:03) - Rupture and Repair After Conflict
(43:18) - How to Apologize to Your Spouse in 3 Steps
(47:50) - Why Repair Is God's Heart for Relationships
(54:05) - Winter: There Is Hope for a Cold Marriage
(59:17) - Resources From Debra Fileta
Ep. 135 - What Every Homeschool Dad Needs to Know // Dr. Joe O’Tool
17 sept. 2026
01:07:04
What is a homeschool dad actually supposed to do when his wife is the one teaching? Most homeschool content is written for moms, so dads are left guessing — supportive, but unsure where they fit. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Joe O'Tool, a board-certified functional neurologist and second-generation homeschooler, to answer the question directly: what every homeschool dad needs to know.
🎁 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler's Roadmap Your free step-by-step companion to this whole journey — all 8 steps, all the links, plus episode playlists organized by your biggest worries. Save it to your desktop — it's your command center. 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
What the dad's role in homeschooling actually is when mom is the primary teacher
Why the best homeschool dads lead without micromanaging the day-to-day
What to say to your wife when she has taught the same concept five times and hit a wall
Why a dad's criticism is usually fear talking — and what to do with that fear
The one action step Dr. Joe gives every nervous homeschool dad
Why deschooling matters just as much for dads as it does for moms
The skill that predicts academic success better than intelligence does
How to explain your family's homeschooling to coworkers and friends without apologizing
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
The Stinks — Dr. Joe O'Tool's children's book about getting outside and getting the stink off
Lifestream Clinic — Dr. Joe's functional neurology practice in Ankeny, Iowa
Homeschool Iowa — the state organization Dr. Joe serves on the board of
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book, including the chapter on deschooling
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein — the book Dr. Joe references on struggle and long-term learning
Dr. Joe O'Tool is a board-certified functional neurologist practicing in Ankeny, Iowa, where he works daily with children facing learning, behavior, and development concerns, and with patients experiencing concussion, vertigo, brain fog, and dizziness. He is a second-generation homeschooler who grew up in a family of nine children, and he and his wife, Angie, homeschool their own kids today. He serves on the board of Homeschool Iowa and is the author of the children's book The Stinks. His personal motto is: "Step Up. Change Lives. Inspire Hope." 👉 lifestreamclinic.com 👉 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:03) - Meet Dr. Joe O’Tool
(04:21) - Why His Parents Homeschooled Before It Was Legal
(07:42) - What Homeschooling Did for the Sibling Relationships
(09:20) - The Dad’s Role When Mom Is the Teacher
(10:54) - There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Homeschool Rhythm
(14:55) - Speaking to the Dad Who’s Afraid They’re Behind
(18:39) - What His High School Actually Looked Like
(22:52) - Trade-Offs, Gap Years, and Missing Out
(30:05) - When Mom Is at Her Wits’ End
(33:33) - Dad as Vision Caster, Not Micromanager
(36:14) - When Dad Is Looking Over Her Shoulder
(41:37) - The One Action Step for Every Homeschool Dad
(44:21) - The Skill That Predicts Success Better Than Grades
(45:34) - Stop Teaching Kids to Find the Right Answer
(52:44) - For the Dad Who Feels on the Outside
(53:48) - Know Your Wife, Not the Curriculum
(58:52) - For the Dad Who Feels Like the Only One
(01:04:04) - The Stinks and What’s Next for Dr. Joe
Ep. 134 - Homeschool to Military: Enlistment, ROTC & Service Academies with Natalie Mack (Part 4 of 4)
10 sept. 2026
00:57:49
Can homeschool graduates actually join the military — and is enlisting the only way in? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and retired military spouse with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to map every pathway to service. Enlistment, ROTC, service academies, military colleges, the Guard and Reserves — plus the tier rule that quietly decided how homeschoolers were treated for years.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
The five military pathways open to homeschool graduates, not just enlistment
Why homeschool graduates are now tier one — and what to do if a recruiter says otherwise
What the ASVAB actually measures, and why it isn't only for future service members
How the free ASVAB Career Exploration Program works for any student in 10th grade and up
The option that keeps your student's test scores out of a recruiter's hands
How ROTC scholarships work, and the service obligation that can come with them
What a service academy application really demands, and why you start before ninth grade
Why applying early decision can quietly disqualify a service academy candidate
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12 ✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma ✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment 👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
March to Success — free ASVAB prep from the U.S. Army: march2success.com
Natalie Mack, M.Ed. is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions. 👉 natalie-mack.com 👉 Instagram: @homeschoolnataliemack 👉 TikTok: @homeschoolnataliemack 👉 Facebook: Homeschool Natalie Mack 👉 YouTube: @homeschoolnataliemack
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:14) - The Series So Far
(02:25) - Meet Natalie Mack
(04:45) - A Military Family
(10:36) - Not a Fallback Option
(11:28) - The Five Pathways
(12:32) - Service Academies
(13:41) - Military Colleges
(14:56) - Guard and Reserves
(21:06) - Can Homeschoolers Enlist?
(23:21) - Tier One Explained
(25:59) - Documentation and Transcripts
(28:50) - What Is the ASVAB?
(31:16) - The Free Career Test
(34:11) - Keeping Scores Private
(41:00) - ROTC Scholarships
(43:33) - Service Academy Prep
(47:17) - Don't Bet on One School
(51:57) - Asking Better Questions
(54:21) - Where to Find Natalie
Ep. 133 - How to Prepare Your Homeschooler for College (Part 3 of 4) // Natalie Mack
03 sept. 2026
00:55:01
How do you prepare a homeschooler for college — and do you have to do the traditional four years to get there? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., a homeschool consultant and TEDx speaker with more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, to walk through every college-bound pathway open to homeschool families. Dual enrollment, community college, dual degree programs, and the traditional four-year route — plus the transfer trap that quietly costs families thousands.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
The four college-bound pathways available to homeschool families, laid out side by side
When community college during high school is a smart move — and when it isn't
How dual enrollment works, and why one semester course can equal a full high school year
Why some dual credit classes never transfer, and the residency requirement behind it
The exact question to ask a college registrar before your teen enrolls in anything
What dual degree programs are, and which students they actually fit
How the college application process differs for homeschool students (and how much it doesn't)
Why colleges actively recruit homeschool students for the skills they bring
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Natalie Mack's website — home of her free downloadable extracurricular activity resume for tracking leadership, service, and volunteer work: natalie-mack.com
Natalie Mack, M.Ed. is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions. 👉 natalie-mack.com 👉 Instagram: @homeschoolnataliemack 👉 TikTok: @homeschoolnataliemack 👉 Facebook: Homeschool Natalie Mack 👉 YouTube: @homeschoolnataliemack
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction and Where We Are in the Series
(01:14) - Meet Natalie Mack
(03:06) - Demystifying Homeschooling High School
(04:39) - You're Not Neglecting Them — You're Supporting Them
(05:14) - Should Homeschoolers Use Community College?
(06:19) - Lower Stakes, Lower Cost, Real College Experience
(07:32) - When Community College Isn't the Right Fit
(08:30) - How Dual Enrollment Actually Works
(09:04) - One Semester Course Equals One Full High School Year
(13:10) - The College-Bound Pathways, Laid Out
(14:22) - What Dual Degree Programs Are
(15:20) - Why Families Are Rethinking the Four-Year Price Tag
(19:38) - The Dual Credit Transfer Trap
(20:42) - Residency Requirements and Why Colleges Protect Their Brand
(21:46) - How to Find Out What Actually Transfers
(23:00) - Getting Buy-In From Your Student
(24:34) - When Pushback Is Really Overwhelm
(30:16) - Building Confidence and a Love of Learning
(31:34) - Should Your Teen Sit In on the Consultation?
(34:28) - The Shift From Teacher to Facilitator
(36:49) - Why the Mental Health Piece Matters in High School
(43:38) - The Traditional Four-Year Application Process
(45:15) - Transcripts, Activity Resumes, and the Common App
(46:14) - Wearing Two Hats: Mom and Guidance Counselor
(48:48) - Why Colleges Actively Recruit Homeschool Students
(51:21) - Skills, Character, and What Employers Want Now
(52:29) - Don't Apologize for Homeschooling
(53:35) - Where to Find Natalie Mack
Ep. 132 - Can Homeschoolers Play College Sports? NCAA Eligibility Explained (Part 2 of 4) // Natalie Mack
27 août 2026
00:58:24
Can homeschoolers actually play college sports? If your athlete has ever said "I want to play in college," there is a separate process running alongside college admissions that most homeschool families never hear about until it's too late. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to walk through exactly how NCAA eligibility works when you're the one wearing the guidance counselor hat.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether homeschool students can compete in NCAA athletics just like traditionally schooled students
Where to find the NCAA Eligibility Center's homeschool toolkit and why it's the document to follow
How the 16 core courses and the 10/7 rule actually work
What a Core Course Worksheet (CCW) is and when a parent has to fill one out
When the eligibility clock starts and why 9th grade is already late to begin planning
How dual enrollment, co-op classes, and online courses count toward eligibility
The real difference between Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3 requirements
The most common mistakes that quietly create eligibility problems for homeschool athletes
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Natalie Mack's website — free high school planning checklist for grades 9–12, the high school decisions workshop, and her homeschool courses
⭐ This is Part 2 of a 4-part series with Natalie Mack on homeschooling high school. Part 1 — How to Homeschool High School With Confidence Part 3 — the college-bound path, including community college and dual enrollment Part 4 — from homeschool to military service: enlistment, ROTC, and service academies
About our guest:
Natalie Mack, M.Ed., is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions. 👉 natalie-mack.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction and why this series got split into four episodes
(02:30) - Natalie's daughter and the road to Division 1 soccer
(06:16) - Can homeschoolers compete in NCAA athletics?
(09:20) - The NCAA Eligibility Center and the homeschool toolkit
(10:55) - The 16 core courses and the 10/7 rule
(12:28) - Core Course Worksheets for parent-taught classes
(16:46) - When the clock starts: planning before 9th grade
(19:24) - What athletic scholarship money really looks like
(20:59) - Division 1 vs. Division 2 vs. Division 3
(22:33) - What the NCAA counts as a homeschool course
(24:54) - The mistakes that create eligibility problems
(28:37) - "Why not just send them to brick-and-mortar?"
(33:28) - Dual enrollment, co-ops, and outside instructors
(38:52) - What to do while your student is still in middle school
(41:06) - The broken leg question every family should ask
(43:26) - When a kid's identity gets wrapped up in performance
(50:46) - Why one thing should never be everything
(53:24) - What's coming next in the series and how to find Natalie
Ep. 131 - How to Homeschool High School With Confidence (Part 1 of 4) // Natalie Mack
20 août 2026
00:52:34
Your student is heading into ninth grade and suddenly everything feels like it counts. Credits, transcripts, graduation requirements, college, and a hundred decisions you're not sure you're qualified to make. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Natalie Mack, M.Ed., to answer the question that keeps homeschool moms up at night: how do you homeschool high school without living in a pressure cooker?
This is Part 1 of a four-part high school series.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules See how real homeschool families actually structure their days — then take what works and leave the rest. 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
What actually changes when you move from homeschooling middle school into high school
Why Natalie calls high school a blank canvas — and why there's no single right way through it
The five core subject areas that build a sound high school foundation
How many credits a homeschool high schooler needs each year, and what a credit really represents
Why every student needs a homeschool transcript — even the ones who say they're not going to college
When to start the transcript and why it stays a draft document for years
How to set your own graduation requirements and where state law comes into it
The biggest mistake homeschool parents make in high school planning — and how fear drives it
The truth about the all-AP myth, straight from a College Board parent advisory council member
How to choose between dual enrollment, AP, CLEP, and online classes using four fit filters
The dual credit mistake that costs families real money when credits don't transfer
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Natalie Mack's website — free high school planning checklist for grades 9–12, the high school decisions workshop, and her homeschool courses: natalie-mack.com
Natalie Mack, M.Ed., is the founder of Homeschool Natalie Mack, and a homeschool consultant, TEDx speaker, and author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers. With more than 23 years of homeschooling experience, she helps families confidently navigate high school, transcripts, college admissions, military service, and other postsecondary pathways. Natalie is passionate about equipping parents with practical guidance so they can make informed decisions. 👉 natalie-mack.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Meet Natalie Mack
(02:15) - What's Coming in This 4-Part Series
(05:30) - Natalie's Five Kids and Their Different Paths
(09:20) - What Actually Changes in High School
(10:30) - High School Is a Blank Canvas
(16:33) - Why 14-Year-Olds Shouldn't Have to Decide Forever
(18:25) - Homeschooling Is the Flex
(21:00) - Trust the Process and Calm It Down
(26:00) - Credits, Transcripts, and the Five Core Subjects
(28:00) - How Many Credits Per Year
(29:30) - Why Every Student Needs a Transcript
(31:20) - Graduation Requirements and the Diploma
(36:55) - The Biggest Mistake: Planning From Fear
(40:15) - Dual Enrollment, AP, CLEP, or Online
(43:00) - The Dual Credit Transfer Trap
(45:25) - How Early Should Families Start Planning?
(49:05) - Where to Find Natalie Mack
Ep. 130 - 7 Homeschool Systems That Make Your School Year Run Smoother (Part 2 of 2)
13 août 2026
00:32:23
It's 8 AM on the first day of school — pencils sharpened, kids ready — and the website won't load, a password is wrong, and the whole morning unravels before it starts. In Part 2 of How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising with over 20 years of experience in education — moves from mindset to the nuts and bolts: the 7 systems she sets up every summer so her homeschool runs at a clip instead of starting in overwhelm.
🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules Curious what other homeschool moms' schedules actually look like? Grab free sample schedules by age and stage — Christy-Faith's own included. 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why the worst time to teach a new chore system is September — and when to train it instead
How a simple printed schedule lowers your kids' stress hormones (clinicians have measured it)
Why you don't need a dedicated schoolroom — and the "everything has a home" rule that keeps your house tidy
The unglamorous tech-and-passwords setup that saves your first day of school
How to teach kids exactly what to do when mom gets pulled away mid-lesson
The prep work Christy-Faith does every summer before she opens a single curriculum
How to layer subjects in slowly so the year starts calm instead of like a tidal wave
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Get 50% Off (Homeschool Discount) 👉 Start Your Free Trial
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12 ✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma ✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment 👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to Part 2 — Building Your Year by Hand
(01:31) - What This Show Is About
(02:41) - System 1: Retrain Chores in the Summer
(05:01) - System 2: The Printed Schedule (A Security Blanket for Kids)
(11:46) - System 3: Give Everything a Home (You Don't Need a Schoolroom)
(15:59) - System 4: Set Up Tech & Passwords Before Day One
(20:38) - System 5: Teach the Plan for When Mom's in the Weeds
(23:52) - System 6: Do Your Own Homework First
(27:10) - System 7: Layer Your Subjects in Slowly
(31:44) - The 7 Systems, Recapped
Ep. 129 - How to Set Up Your Homeschool Year: The Episode I Needed a Decade Ago (Part 1 of 2)
06 août 2026
00:28:19
You planned the perfect first week — and by day three it was already falling apart. What actually torches the start of a homeschool year has nothing to do with school supplies, curriculum, or the color-coded spreadsheet you built in July. It's your expectations. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith, an education and parenting expert with over 20 years of experience, walks through the seven mindset shifts that make setting up your homeschool year sustainable instead of soul-crushing.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why everything is hard at the beginning — even in year 15 — and the three-things rule that keeps week one from burying you
Why the first weeks of school are the worst possible time to teach brand-new content
How to prep before day one so your kids aren't learning new systems and new material at the same time
Why your July and August plan is supposed to fall apart — and the documented brain glitch behind it
How much margin to build into every single slot in your homeschool schedule
Why there's no "teacher hat" to put on, and what changes when you teach as yourself
Why you were always the variable, not the curriculum box
Why that bone-deep week-one exhaustion is proof your brain is doing hard, honest work
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math ✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free Sample Homeschool Schedules — Christy-Faith's real schedules for every age and stage, PK through 12th: Get the Schedules
Free Curriculum Recommendations — The vetted list, by subject, with zero paid placements: Free Download
New to Homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - The Day That Fell Apart
(02:07) - Why I Threw the First Draft in the Trash
(03:41) - Expectations vs. Systems — What Part 1 Covers
(05:20) - Mindset 1: Everything Is Hard at the Beginning
(06:11) - The Three-Things Rule
(07:36) - Mindset 2: The Worst Possible Time to Teach New Content
(09:20) - Start Prepping Before Day One
(12:51) - Mindset 3: Your July Plan Is Supposed to Fall Apart
(13:35) - The Planning Fallacy
(14:55) - Why Every Schedule Needs Margin
(15:46) - Mindset 4: There Are No Hats
(17:00) - Mindset 5: You Were Always the Variable, Not the Box
(19:40) - Mindset 6: Go Easy on Your Kids Too
(24:04) - Mindset 7: Why Week One Levels You
(25:47) - Your Expectations Weigh More Than Your Curriculum
(27:01) - The Recap — and What’s Coming in Part 2
Ep. 128 - How to Stop Second-Guessing Your Homeschool Decisions
30 juil. 2026
01:22:11
You've researched the curriculum, built the schedule, and made the plan — so why do you still lie awake wondering if you're doing enough? In this rare, behind-the-scenes episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the mentors of Thrive Homeschool Community to talk about why even devoted homeschool moms keep second-guessing their decisions — and how to finally trust that you're the right one to make the call for your kids.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
The three questions that keep homeschool moms up at night: "Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Are these the right things?"
Why more information hasn't made homeschooling easier — and how too many "experts" fuel the second-guessing
Where real homeschool confidence actually comes from (hint: it's not a perfect curriculum)
What the Accelerator group is and how it walks new members through Christy-Faith's core frameworks
Why "Finding Your Why" becomes the North Star for every curriculum and scheduling decision
How office hours, DMs, and mentor support give you an objective second set of eyes — not more forum noise
Why competence breeds confidence — and why every family's homeschool plan should look different
What makes a values-aligned support community different from a free Facebook group
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial · Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's training and support community for homeschool moms: christy-faith.com/thrive
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction: A Rare Look Inside Thrive
(01:35) - Meet the Thrive Mentors
(06:06) - Why Every Homeschool Mom Needs a Guide
(09:51) - Too Much Information, Too Many “Experts”
(13:24) - “Yes, I Can Do This”: Where Confidence Comes From
(16:58) - Inside the Accelerator Group
(36:21) - A Guided Community vs. a Facebook Group
(38:42) - The Fears That Keep Moms Up at Night
(46:15) - Finding Your Why: Your Homeschool North Star
(48:43) - Why Every Homeschool Plan Looks Different
(01:00:04) - Homeschool as a Lifestyle, Not a Classroom
(01:02:35) - Learning to Trust Your Own Decisions
(01:08:30) - Why Thrive Is a Paid Community
(01:16:05) - Investing in Yourself as a Homeschool Mom
Ep. 127 - Benefits of Reading Aloud to Kids - Even After They Can Read
23 juil. 2026
00:31:47
Should you still be reading aloud to your kids after they can read on their own? It turns out this is one of the most settled questions in all of education — and the answer has been sitting in a government report since 1985. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith walks through what the research actually says about reading aloud to kids, why it never expires, and why the book on your couch may outrank half of what's on your lesson plan.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why reading aloud to kids is called the single most important activity for building a reader
What the million word gap study found about read-alouds before kindergarten
Why the rare words in books almost never show up in everyday conversation
What MRI scans revealed about a child's brain during a read-aloud
How animated screens do the imagining that a book leaves to your child
Why reading aloud to older kids does NOT make them lazy readers
The difference between constrained and unconstrained reading skills
What kids themselves say they want most from being read to
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial — or purchase with the homeschool discount
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math ✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Should You Be Reading Aloud to Your Kids?
(01:53) - Welcome + Why This Episode
(02:50) - When Reading Aloud Feels Like a Chore
(04:03) - How Story Time Became “Literacy”
(06:55) - Am I Doing Enough?
(07:35) - The Million Word Gap
(08:47) - Why Book Words Beat Everyday Words
(12:37) - Inside Your Child's Brain During a Read-Aloud
(13:57) - What Screens Do Instead
(14:54) - “My Kid Can Read Now — Can I Stop?”
(16:22) - Constrained vs. Unconstrained Skills
(17:14) - Lifting Big Kids to a Higher Ledge
(18:01) - Beowulf and the Seventh-Grade Reading Circle
(19:49) - Why Kids Love Being Read To
(22:39) - What Kids Say They Want Most
(23:52) - Family Read-Alouds
(24:35) - Start Tonight — Even Five Minutes
(27:15) - Reading Is Worth It
(28:05) - The Quote and the Free Notecard
Ep. 126 - How to Homeschool a Child Who Won’t Sit Still
16 juil. 2026
00:35:39
You've said "sit down, please" about twenty thousand times this week — and it's starting to feel personal. It isn't. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith unpacks what's actually happening in your child's brain, why the wiggling may be how the learning gets in, and the small shifts that make the morning stop being a fight.
The attention-span rule of thumb every homeschool mom should know — a few minutes per year of age on a grown-up-chosen task
Why a 45-minute lesson is quietly asking your six-year-old to hold on three times longer than they can
The three expectations strangling your homeschool mornings — and permission to put all three down
What 54 studies and nearly 30,000 kids revealed about movement and learning
How to shorten and split lessons without falling behind
Why doing the hard subjects first changes the whole back half of your day
How to rescue your read-alouds — a still body was never the point
Loop scheduling and trimming your list so a lighter day actually gets finished
How to build the focus muscle one minute at a time
How to tell the difference between a kid being a kid and something worth investigating
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ My favorite online math program — a real teacher walks them through every lesson ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - The "Sit Down, Please" Morning
(04:16) - Expectation One: What Focus Actually Looks Like
(05:40) - Expectation Two: Redefining What "Done" Means
(06:35) - Expectation Three: The Wiggling Isn’t Disrespect
(07:50) - Shorten and Split the Lesson
(09:00) - What Deschooling Actually Means
(14:10) - Let Them Move on Purpose: 54 Studies, 30,000 Kids
(15:30) - Do the Hard Things First
(16:45) - Rescuing Your Read-Alouds
(20:51) - Trim Your List and Loop Your Subjects
(22:06) - Build the Focus Muscle Slowly
(23:00) - Check the Inputs Before You Worry
(27:30) - Is My Kid Normal, or Is Something Deeper Going On?
(31:55) - Where We Started, Where We Landed
Ep. 125 - How to Homeschool Without a Co-Op and Still Find Community | Throwback Thursday
09 juil. 2026
00:27:35
Homeschooling can feel wonderful and lonely at the very same time — especially when there's no co-op nearby, or the ones around you just don't fit. Here's the good news: real community is absolutely possible without one. In this Throwback Thursday favorite, homeschool expert Christy-Faith busts the socialization myth and shares 8 natural ways to find your people, whether you're an extrovert or a shy park-bench introvert.
Why homeschooling without a co-op does NOT mean your kids are missing out
The truth about homeschool socialization — and why school-style socializing was never the gold standard
8 natural ways to build real community: faith groups, volunteering, playgroups, libraries, museums, neighbors, and more
How everyday errands and conversations grow your child's emotional intelligence and confidence
Simple scripts to break the ice with new homeschool families — even if you're shy
Why the depth of your friendships matters far more than the number
3 doable action steps to start finding your people this week
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial • Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real, long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment (use code HOME50)
True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12 ✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma ✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment 👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Homeschool Rising — Christy-Faith's book; see Chapter 7 for the healthy-socialization checklist
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:22) - Homeschooling Without a Co-Op Can Feel Lonely (You're Not Alone)
(01:17) - The Pressure to Justify Your Homeschool
(03:20) - The Socialization Myth, Busted
(04:17) - Depth Over Numbers: Real-World Socialization
(10:10) - Faith Communities & Starting a Small Group
(11:16) - Volunteering & Playgroups
(12:52) - Breaking the Ice at the Park
(13:50) - Libraries & Community Hubs
(16:18) - Museums, Science Centers & Your Neighbors
(17:57) - Clubs, Sports & Built-In Activities
(23:49) - Finding Your People Takes Time
(25:31) - 3 Action Steps to Take This Week
(27:01) - You Can Thrive Without a Co-Op
Ep. 124 - The Homeschool Boy Episode Every Mom Needs | Remembering Durenda Wilson
02 juil. 2026
00:55:26
If you're raising boys, you already know they don't always learn the way school expects them to — and that can leave you wondering if something is wrong. In this throwback episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with the beloved Durenda Wilson to talk about how boys actually learn and how to raise them into capable, confident men. We're revisiting this conversation in loving memory of Durenda.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why boys often learn differently than girls — and what the brain research actually shows
How to let go of rigid scope-and-sequence without feeling like you're falling behind
Why movement, energy, and hands-on learning matter so much for boys
How to raise self-directed sons who take ownership of their own learning
The relationship-first approach that keeps boys from burning out on school
How to protect connection while still teaching resilience and hard things
Why sibling conflict is actually training ground for real life
How to homeschool with the long game in mind — raising capable, confident men
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial | 👉 Get 50% Off
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Durenda Wilson was a homeschooling author, speaker, and podcaster with more than 30 years of home education experience. A mom of eight — seven graduated — and grandmother of ten, she was a trusted voice at homeschooling conventions and the host of The Durenda Wilson Podcast. Her books include The Four Hour School Day, The Unhurried Homeschooler, and Unhurried Grace for a Mom's Heart. Durenda passed away recently, and this throwback is shared in loving memory of her. 👉 durendawilson.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction & Remembering Durenda Wilson
(01:34) - Meet Durenda Wilson & Her Heart for Boys
(03:48) - Why Boys Need a Different Approach
(06:36) - How Boys Actually Learn
(13:25) - Ditching Rigid Scope & Sequence
(16:32) - Raising Self-Directed, Resilient Sons
(21:13) - Raising Boys Who Become Capable Men
(24:15) - Relationship Over Busywork
(34:27) - Homeschooling with Long-Term Vision
(40:11) - Modeling a Balanced Life
(48:34) - Sibling Relationships as Training Ground
(54:14) - Final Encouragement
Ep. 123 - Homeschool Hot Takes: Unschooling, Curriculum Overload, and Starting Later | Live Q&A
25 juin 2026
00:45:02
Is unschooling going too far — or is it exactly right? In this live Q&A from the Summer Homeschool Help Desk series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith pulls no punches on unschooling's real risks, curriculum overload, whether it's too late to start in high school, and what it actually takes to raise a well-educated child at home.
Why Christy-Faith believes pure unschooling carries real risks — and what she calls educational neglect
The difference between unschooling, deschooling, and interest-led learning
How to use BJU Press without doing every single thing in the curriculum
Whether it's too late to start homeschooling in middle or high school (spoiler: it's not)
How working moms and single moms can realistically homeschool
What to do when your child can't spell and it's affecting their confidence
How to source curriculum so it doesn't require you sitting next to your kid every second
Real questions from real homeschool moms in the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial | Get 50% Off
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
How to Homeschool Guide — free 23-page ebook for anyone considering or just starting homeschool
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
(02:00) - Christy's Free Resources for Homeschool Moms
(06:45) - Spelling Struggles and Older Students
(11:35) - Curriculum Overload: How Much Is Too Much?
(18:00) - Is It Too Late to Pull My Kids Out of School?
(19:45) - Homeschooling While Working or in School Yourself
(28:45) - Christy's Hot Take on Unschooling
(36:15) - Single Moms, Working Moms, and Thrive
(38:40) - You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Ep. 122 - Working Moms, Curriculum Choices, and Homeschool Structure | Live Q&A
18 juin 2026
00:37:04
You've been up at midnight Googling curriculum, schedule templates, and whether you're doing enough. That stops here. In this Summer Homeschool Help Desk Live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising and a homeschooling mom of four who also works full time — answers real questions from real moms on curriculum choices, daily structure, living books, reading gaps, toddlers underfoot, and how to stop doing it all yourself.
How working moms make homeschooling work — and why "sourcing" is the real secret
How to choose curriculum strategically so you're not teaching every subject yourself
Why kids need structure (backed by 70 years of child psychology research) and what it actually looks like
How to handle naysayers and skeptics who question your homeschool decision
How to teach history in a way kids love — spines, living books, and picture books explained
What to do if your child is behind in reading or has a suspected learning disability
How to manage homeschooling when you have toddlers in the house
Why the Christy-Faith List is the homeschool resource you didn't know you needed
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial | Purchase (50% off)
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
(22:00) - When Other Homeschool Moms Judge Your Choices
(24:00) - Teaching History Across Age Gaps
(27:00) - Spines, Living Books & How to Use Both
(28:00) - Reading Disabilities, Dyslexia & When to Seek Help
(32:00) - Homeschooling with Toddlers in the House
(35:20) - Multisensory Curriculum & Final Questions
(36:20) - Closing Encouragement
Ep. 121 - Are You Sheltering Your Kids or Giving Them What They Need? | Live Q&A
11 juin 2026
01:03:52
You've heard the question — maybe from a relative, a neighbor, or a stranger at a party: aren't you sheltering your kids? In this archived Summer Homeschool Help Desk live Q&A, homeschool expert Christy-Faith answers real questions from real homeschool moms and unpacks the difference between sheltering your kids and "greenhousing" them — protecting them while they grow strong. Because a strong homeschool was never about the perfect curriculum. It's about a secure, confident mom who knows her why.
🎁 Free Resource: The 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder There are 9 homeschool styles — and when you know yours, the curriculum, the schedule, and your whole approach finally click. Take the free quiz and find your fit. 👉 Take the Free Quiz
In this episode, you'll learn:
The difference between sheltering your kids and "greenhousing" them
Why a strong homeschool isn't built on the perfect curriculum
How to become a secure, confident homeschool leader who knows her "why"
How to handle the pressure to prove your kids are keeping up
Why trauma doesn't build resilient adults — but healthy challenge does
How to find your homeschool style (and why it matters before you buy curriculum)
When reading struggles mean it's time to get an evaluation
Real questions from real homeschool moms in the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off for Homeschool Families
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12 ✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma ✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment 👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome to the Summer Homeschool Help Desk
(04:30) - The Critics and Pressure Homeschool Moms Face
(08:30) - Where Homeschoolers Get Stuck
(16:00) - How to Find Your Homeschool Style
(21:00) - Best Practices Over What's Popular
(28:30) - Knowing Your "Why" as the Homeschool Leader
(36:00) - Why Investing in Your Homeschool Isn't Selfish
(40:00) - "Aren't You Sheltering Your Kids?"
(43:00) - Sheltering vs. Greenhousing: Raising Resilient Kids
(48:00) - Reading Struggles and When to Get Help
(53:30) - The Christy-Faith List + Final Encouragement
Ep. 120 - Homeschool Moms Asked Me Their Hardest Questions. Here Are My Answers.
05 juin 2026
00:46:35
Is it ever too late to start homeschooling? What curriculum should you actually trust? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith opens the floor and answers the hardest questions real homeschool moms brought to her live Q&A — from homeschooling a gifted kindergartner to choosing curriculum, deschooling, and whether to school straight through the summer.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether it's ever too late to start homeschooling — even with an eleventh grader
How to choose homeschool curriculum you can actually trust (and why Christy won't just hand you a list)
What to do when you're homeschooling a gifted child — especially with a new baby in the house
How to find your homeschool style so curriculum decisions get easier
What deschooling is and why most new homeschoolers need it first
How to keep US curriculum going when your family moves overseas
The real case for and against homeschooling year-round vs. taking summers off
When it makes sense to outsource the subjects that aren't your strong suit
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction: Is It Ever Too Late to Start?
(01:14) - The Biggest Mistakes Homeschool Moms Make
(12:25) - Choosing Curriculum You Can Actually Trust
(13:06) - Homeschooling a Gifted Child with a Newborn
(14:46) - Finding Your Homeschool Style
(17:39) - Deschooling: Where to Begin
(25:51) - What Thrive Community Actually Offers
(30:52) - Curriculum Help for Multiple Ages
(32:00) - Homeschooling Across Borders
(39:08) - Year-Round or Summers Off?
(43:03) - Outsourcing the Hard Subjects
(45:06) - The Math Program I Use + Final Encouragement
Ep. 119 - Why Boredom Is the Best Thing You Can Give Your Kids This Summer
28 mai 2026
00:28:16
Before you spend another $500 on summer camp, ask one question: is boredom actually bad for your kids — or is it exactly what their growing brains need? In this episode, homeschool expert Christy-Faith makes the research-backed case that slow, unstructured, "boring" summers are one of the most powerful gifts you can give your kids. She breaks down what the science says, why their "I'm bored" makes us panic, and five simple moves for a slower, richer summer.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why boredom is good for kids — and the brain science that proves it
What the CDC found about kids, screen time, and rising anxiety and depression
How the brain's "default mode network" fuels creativity, memory, and identity
Why unstructured play and white space matter more than another summer camp
The real reason your kid's "I'm bored" makes YOU feel so uncomfortable
How sitting with boredom builds frustration tolerance and emotional regulation
5 practical moves for a slower, richer summer — including the "fridge list"
The one-afternoon challenge that shows you what your kids can do on their own
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:37) - The Summer Camp Trap
(02:43) - The Summers We Used to Have
(04:06) - What's Replacing Boredom Today
(05:19) - What the Research Says About Boredom
(13:37) - Why Boredom Makes Us Uncomfortable
(16:47) - White Space Is Not Neglect
(20:47) - 5 Moves for a Slower, Richer Summer
(25:48) - Your One-Afternoon Challenge
Ep. 118 - How to Build a Professional Homeschool Transcript (With Joan Girkins from Homeschool Records)
22 mai 2026
00:49:38
If you've been putting off building a homeschool transcript because it feels too complicated, too official, or just too much — this episode is for you. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with Joan Girkins, founder of Homeschool Records and a veteran homeschool mom of 20+ years, to demystify the entire process and give you a real, confidence-building action plan.
Why keeping homeschool records matters — even if your state doesn't require it
Whether a homeschool transcript carries the same weight as a public or private school transcript
What "accreditation" actually means and why it's not a barrier for homeschool families
When to start building your child's transcript (hint: 9th grade, out of the gate)
What colleges actually want to see — and how to work backwards from their requirements
Why record-keeping matters even if your child isn't college-bound
How a student resume (activities, awards, achievements) can open doors to military academies, scholarships, and more
How Homeschool Records' guided platform teaches you how to build a transcript as you go
What to do if you've been homeschooling for years with zero paper trail
The exclusive listener coupon code — use CHRISTYFAITH for 20% off + free trial at Homeschool Records
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Homeschool Records — Joan's guided platform for professional transcripts & student resumes. Free trial + use code CHRISTYFAITH for 20% off: homeschoolrecords.com
Joan Girkins is a veteran homeschool mom who homeschooled all four of her children for over 20 years and is now watching her grandchildren be homeschooled. She is the founder of Homeschool Records, a guided online platform that teaches parents how to build professional transcripts, student resumes, and complete academic documentation — step by step, as they go. 👉 homeschoolrecords.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction & Why Homeschool Records Matter
(02:07) - Joan's Homeschool Story
(04:30) - Why Record-Keeping Brings Integrity to Your Homeschool
(06:28) - Record-Keeping for Every Homeschool Style (Yes, Even Unschoolers)
(10:00) - Does a Homeschool Transcript Carry the Same Weight as Accredited Transcripts?
(13:22) - Colleges Are Actively Recruiting Homeschoolers
(14:58) - Working Backwards from College Requirements
(18:23) - Why Professional Transcripts Matter (First Impressions)
(20:24) - When to Start Building Your Transcript
(21:11) - The Student Resume: Activities, Awards & Achievements
(27:43) - What to Do If You Have Zero Paper Trail
(30:40) - Families Who Aren't Planning on College
(33:08) - Build It As If They Are College Bound
(35:12) - Documentation Deadlines You Don't Want to Miss
(38:49) - How a Well-Documented Record Opens Doors (Including Military Academies)
(41:10) - Record-Keeping Reminds You of How Far You've Come
(41:50) - How Homeschool Records' Platform Works
(43:50) - Record-Keeping for Unschoolers in High School
(46:54) - Listener Discount Code & Free Trial
(47:43) - Joan's Encouragement for Homeschool Moms
Ep. 117 - When Your Baby Won’t Sleep and Homeschool Still Has to Happen
14 mai 2026
01:14:09
You're homeschooling a five-year-old, chasing a toddler, and surviving on whatever broken sleep your baby will give you. The advice you were raised on — cry it out, Ferber method, strict schedules — may not be sitting right anymore. So what do you actually do? Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity and Certified IBCLC, brings nearly two decades of one-on-one experience with exhausted moms to answer that question — gently, practically, and without shame.
Why sleep training advice shifted so dramatically — and what the science now says
The real reasons your baby isn't sleeping (and how to work through the checklist)
Natalie's step-by-step approach for the mom who won't do cry-it-out but desperately needs sleep
Why "sleepy gets sleep" is actually true — and how to use it to your advantage
How breastfeeding and sleep are connected in ways most books get dangerously wrong
The 3-hour chunk method for surviving newborn life without losing yourself
What husbands and pediatricians consistently miss about mom exhaustion
How to protect your marriage through the sleepless seasons — before resentment builds
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Visit bjupresshomeschool.com/christy
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
LearningRx ✔ Individualized brain training to strengthen focus, memory, and processing speed ✔ Real results for struggling learners of all ages 👉 Visit learningrx.com
True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Live, online classes taught by expert teachers ✔ Designed specifically for homeschool families 👉 Visit truenorthhomeschool.academy
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 Visit summithealthshare.com/cf
Resources mentioned:
Twiniversity — global resource hub for twin families: twiniversity.com
Tiny New Yorkers — Natalie's personal IBCLC services (covered by many insurance plans): tinynewyorkers.com
What to Do When You're Having Two (book): Amazon link
Natalie Diaz is the founder of Twiniversity, a Certified IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), author, and podcast host with nearly two decades of experience working one-on-one with moms through newborn nights, feeding struggles, and the depletion that doesn't lift. A twin mom herself, she founded Twiniversity in 2009 and built it into a platform reaching over one million people weekly in more than 100 countries. She is the author of What to Do When You're Having Two and The Newborn Twin Sleep Guide, and the host of The Twiniversity Podcast. Her personal IBCLC practice, Tiny New Yorkers, is covered by many insurance plans throughout the United States. 👉 twiniversity.com 👉 tinynewyorkers.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Welcome and Sleep Shift
(01:09) - Meet Natalie Diaz
(04:27) - Twiniversity Origin Story
(06:12) - Exhaustion and PPD
(16:07) - Why Sleep Training Changed
(19:42) - Twin Sleep Guide Basics
(20:52) - Free Classes and Resources
(24:01) - Is Cry It Out Traumatic
(27:18) - Safe Sleep and Anxiety
(30:28) - Ideal Sleep Conditions
(35:39) - Routine Over Schedule
(38:13) - Breastfeeding Friendly Methods
(40:26) - No One Size Fits All
(41:17) - Track Baby Rhythms
(42:04) - Shifts and Support
(43:55) - Three Hour Chunks
(45:34) - Bedtime Routine Basics
(46:37) - Nap Trapping Strategy
(53:16) - Homeschool Mom Reality
(01:02:03) - Delegation and Love
(01:09:25) - Resources and Wrap Up
Ep. 116 - You’re Not Going to Finish Your Homeschool Curriculum - Here’s What to Do
08 mai 2026
00:28:43
You counted the lessons left. You counted the days left. The math doesn't work — and now that quiet voice is asking if you've ruined your kids. Homeschool expert Christy-Faith has been there. In this episode, she gives you the framework she uses every single year with her own kids so you never panic about unfinished curriculum again.
Why an unfinished curriculum is not a sign of failure — and what it actually means
The mindset shift that ends the panic for good (it starts with one question)
What curriculum is actually for — and why finishing it was never the point
How to sort every subject into skill-based vs. content-based — and why it changes everything
Exactly what to keep going, what to park until next year, and what to skip entirely
How to build an actual end-of-year plan in under 30 minutes
The "ghost metric" haunting your homeschool — and how to fire it
The quote of the week: why the scope and sequence is a menu, not a contract
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Azure Standard ✔ Homeschool-family-owned company ✔ Organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, home, and garden products ✔ All vetted to be free of harmful preservatives, food colorings, chemicals, and pesticides ✔ Use code CHRISTYFAITH15 for 15% off your first order 👉 Browse Azure's Grocery, Health & Home Products
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free Printable Notecard — "The scope and sequence is not a contract. It's a menu.": Free Download
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:00) - 3:10 Welcome & What This Episode Is Really About
(00:00) - 5:31 Mindset First: Why Unfinished Pages Hurt So Much
(00:00) - 8:42 Curriculum Is Your Vehicle, Not Your Boss
(00:00) - 11:57 Framework: Skill-Based vs. Content-Based Subjects
(00:00) - 17:00 How to Sort Your Subjects & Do the Surgery
(00:00) - 19:07 Christy's Own End-of-Year Plan (Real Example)
(00:00) - 23:58 The Ghost Metric — and How to Fire It
(00:00) - 25:55 Quote of the Week & Free Notecard Download
(00:00) - 26:38 Related Episodes
Ep. 115 - Why Your Child Says Reading Is Boring (And What to Do About It) // Janel Nansenn
01 mai 2026
00:49:09
Your child reads beautifully out loud — but ask them what just happened in the story, and you get a blank stare. That's the gap most homeschool moms don't catch until it's too late.
In Episode 115, homeschool expert Christy-Faith sits down with educational therapist Janel Nansenn — founder of Read-A-Rific and a 25-year private practice veteran who has helped over 3,000 students — to break down the reading comprehension gap most families don't catch until fourth grade, when the doors really start closing.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
In this episode, you'll learn:
What the Matthew effect is — and why it's the silent reason struggling readers fall further behind every year
The critical difference between reading fluency and reading comprehension (and why fluent readers can still have huge gaps)
The single skill underneath strong reading comprehension — concept visualization — and why most curricula skip it entirely
The real reason kids say "reading is boring" (it's not laziness)
The red flags that signal a comprehension problem before it tanks your child's confidence
Comprehension-rich activities every homeschool mom should be doing — even if your child is already a strong reader
How to evaluate whether a reading curriculum actually teaches comprehension or just tests it
Why visualization is the bridge to math word problems, writing, vocabulary, and every other subject
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
Free symptoms checklist for weak visualization skills: readarific.com
Janel Nansenn is an educational therapist with a master's degree in speech-language pathology and audiology, and the founder of Read-A-Rific. With nearly 25 years in private practice, she has helped over 3,000 students of all ages become independent, confident learners by addressing the root cause of reading comprehension struggles: weak concept visualization. 👉 readarific.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - The Matthew effect — why reading comprehension is the quiet worry
(02:00) - Meet Janelle Nansen, founder of Read-A-Rific
(03:28) - Janelle's story: how she discovered concept visualization
(08:03) - Why she narrowed her practice to reading comprehension
(08:46) - Reading fluency vs. reading comprehension
(15:29) - Why kids think reading is "boring"
(18:52) - The shame spiral: comprehension struggles and self-esteem
(20:44) - Comprehension-rich activities every homeschool mom should do
(23:29) - Red flags: symptoms of weak visualization skills
(26:23) - Why visualization matters across math, writing & vocabulary
(29:35) - How to evaluate a reading comprehension curriculum
(34:26) - Charlotte Mason, narration & the long history of these methods
(46:27) - The takeaway: find the root cause
(47:49) - Where to find Janelle
Ep. 114 - Why Your Kid Hates Writing — Two Master Teachers Divulge Their Secrets
24 avr. 2026
01:04:15
If your kid hates writing, you're not alone — and the problem usually isn't the kid. It's that we were never shown the actual process. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with veteran teacher and BJU Press curriculum specialist Sharon Fisher to walk through the four-stage writing process homeschool moms have been missing — and the one mistake that quietly kills your child's voice every time you sit down to write.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion). 👉 Free Download
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why writing is a process, not an event — and what that mindset shift changes
The four stages of the writing process and why mashing them together backfires
Why correcting spelling during drafting is the fastest way to make your kid hate writing
The "brain dump" technique that protects your child's creativity
The critical difference between revising and editing (most moms combine them — don't)
How to teach writing as a skills-based progression, not a content-completion checklist
Why two or three really good writing projects a year beats ten rushed ones
The best writing curriculum for homeschool families and what makes it different
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math ✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Sharon Fisher is a wife, mother, and grandmother passionate about helping homeschool parents and Christian educators teach with excellence and a biblical worldview. She holds a B.S. and M.A. in Elementary Education and brings years of full-time elementary classroom experience plus her work as a former elementary author for BJU Press. Sharon presents teaching workshops nationally and internationally, and currently serves as Social Media Coordinator, Workshop Speaker, Blog Writer, and Curriculum Specialist. 👉 Visit BJU Press Homeschool
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction — Why writing is hard to teach
(02:25) - Meet Sharon Fisher — A master teacher's perspective
(06:50) - Where most parents go wrong with writing
(10:56) - Writing is a process, not an event
(19:22) - The brain dump: don't steal your kid's voice
(23:59) - Stop "smooshing" the stages together
(28:29) - Why drafting matters and what it looks like
(37:03) - Revising vs. editing — the critical difference
(43:30) - Skills-based vs. content-completion teaching
(49:38) - The spiral approach and exposing kids to great writing
(01:01:28) - Final word — Keep joy at the center
Ep. 113 - 5 Skills Every Kid Needs for an AI Future (The 5 C's Homeschool Moms Should Know) // Lisa Nehring
17 avr. 2026
00:55:46
AI is changing what our kids need to learn — and fast. The skills that will actually matter in the AI economy aren't the ones school has been measuring. Today, kids need the 5 C's — and in this Part 2 conversation, Christy-Faith and Lisa Nehring break down what they are and how to start building them in your home today.
🟢 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler Roadmap Everything you need to start homeschooling — 8 steps, mapped out, ready to follow.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What skills kids actually need for an AI economy
The 5 C's of education — critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration, character
Why "compare and contrast" isn't critical thinking — and what is
The difference between real research and confirmation bias
Why communication is a dying art (and the writing skill that doubles as a thinking skill)
Why tech gurus don't let their own kids have devices
The college cost reality: 25% of U.S. colleges expected to close in 10 years
Why homeschool families are already positioned to raise AI-ready kids
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTCMath Curriculum
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Lisa Nehring is a 30-year homeschool veteran, founder of True North Homeschool Academy, and one of the clearest thinkers on what the Fourth Industrial Revolution means for families. Her Dual Degree Program allows homeschool high schoolers to earn an accredited bachelor's degree while completing their high school education simultaneously. 👉 truenorthhomeschool.academy
⭐ New to the series? Start with Episode 112 (Part 1) first — the conversation builds.
(00:00) - Welcome Back — Where Part 1 Left Off
(00:30) - The Skill That Matters Most: Teach Kids How to Learn
(03:00) - Why Screens Hurt Young Brains (And What the Tech Gurus Do)
(17:20) - The 5 C's Framework: What Every Kid Needs to Build
(17:30) - Critical Thinking — And Why Opinions Aren't It
(23:40) - Why Formal and Informal Logic Still Matter
(30:00) - Communication — The Dying Art
(38:45) - Creativity — It's Taught, Not Born
(40:00) - Collaboration in the Global Gig Economy
(41:10) - Character — The Person Behind the Avatar
(45:00) - The Dual Degree Program at True North (Lincoln's Story)
(48:00) - The College Cost Reality — Is It Still Worth It?
(52:20) - Building a Strategic Educational Pathway
(54:30) - Final Encouragement + Where to Find Lisa
Ep. 112 - Why Homeschooled Kids Are Better Prepared for an AI World Than Anyone Realizes // Lisa Nehring
09 avr. 2026
00:43:02
My son Lincoln has wanted to be an attorney since he could pronounce the word. Then AI happened — and everything changed. In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with Lisa Nehring — 30-year homeschool veteran and founder of True North Homeschool Academy — to talk about what jobs AI will replace, which fields are growing, whether college is still worth it, and why homeschool families already have the structural edge. This is Part 1 of 2.
What the Fourth Industrial Revolution actually is — and why AI is different from every revolution before it
Which white collar jobs are most at risk (and how fast the timeline really is)
8 emerging job areas your kids should be building toward right now
What jobs AI can't replace — and why the "empath economy" is quietly exploding
The college question: why 25% of colleges are expected to close in the next 10 years
What homeschooling gives our kids that no classroom can — and why it matters more than ever
How Lincoln is already getting ahead with an accredited bachelor's degree while still in high school
What's coming in Part 2: the 5 exact skills every kid needs to succeed in an AI world
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment
True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12 ✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma ✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment 👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources mentioned:
True North Homeschool Academy — Cognia-accredited live online classes, dual degree program, and flexible self-paced options for grades 6–12
"Something Big Is Happening" by Matt Schumer — must-read article on logarithmic AI change (search Google)
🌟 SPECIAL GUEST Lisa Nehring 👉 truenorthhomeschool.academy Live online, accredited classes taught by real teachers who keep your student on track (and un-stress you)
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction: When AI Changed Our Homeschool
(06:24) - Meet Lisa Nehring
(07:05) - The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Explained
(11:28) - Why This Revolution Is Different
(15:38) - Which Jobs Are Actually at Risk
(19:22) - Agentic AI: What It Is and Why It Matters
(25:13) - 8 Jobs Our Kids Should Know About
(30:11) - The College Question
(38:48) - The Homeschool Advantage
(42:31) - Coming Up in Part 2
Ep. 111 - 6 Things I Do Every Day to Protect My Kids' Mental Health (What the Research Actually Says)
03 avr. 2026
00:30:38
Childhood depression is rising. Teen anxiety is up. And online searches for kids' mental health have nearly tripled since last fall. Most parents don't need a statistic to feel it. So what can parents actually do at home, today? Homeschool expert Christy-Faith shares the six things she actively does every day to protect her kids' mental health — and the research behind every one of them.
📌 Resource for You: 12-Day Connection Reset Challenge Build real connection back into your family with this instant-download challenge.
🎁 Free Download: Quote of the Week Notecard "I am the most important part of my homeschool. Everything else is just a tool." — Ready-to-print notecard, totally free.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why social media and kids' mental health are more connected than most parents realize — and the one data point that changes everything
What a major NIH study found about children's sleep and brain structure — and why sleep deprivation doesn't always look like tired
The Harvard research on real friendship and child mental health — and why more contact doesn't equal more connection
Why overscheduled kids are at higher risk for anxiety, lower resilience, and difficulty self-regulating
How parental stress affects kids — even when you're trying to hide it
What Christy-Faith considers the most countercultural thing she does as a parent to protect her children's mental health
The 25-year study that connects chores and contribution directly to mental health for kids
A Fred Rogers quote about emotional health that will stay with you
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial
Azure Standard ✔ Homeschool-family-owned company with real, organic food ✔ Vetted to be free of harmful preservatives, food colorings, chemicals, and pesticides ✔ Use code CHRISTYFAITH15 for 15% off your first order 👉 Browse Azure's Grocery, Health & Home Products
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(05:30) - Welcome to The Christy-Faith Show
(06:15) - #1: Social Media and Kids’ Mental Health
(07:35) - #2: Protecting Their Sleep
(09:35) - #3: Curating Real Friendship
(15:19) - #4: Defending Unstructured Free Time
(18:51) - #5: Taking Care of Your Own Mental Health
(23:32) - #6: Building Purpose and Contribution
(27:21) - Closing and Quote of the Week
Ep. 110 - What Is the Science of Math and Why Does It Matter? // Nathan King
26 mars 2026
00:47:44
There is a new term making its way through the education world right now — and researchers say it could change how we teach math the way the science of reading changed how we teach kids to read. Christy-Faith and Nathan King of CTC Math unpack the Science of Math movement and what it means for your homeschool.
🟢 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
In this episode, you'll learn:
What the Science of Math is and why it's gaining momentum now
How it parallels the science of reading — and what that means for your homeschool
What explicit instruction is and why the research supports it
Why so many kids (and moms) develop math anxiety
The difference between mastery-based and spiral math curricula
Why homeschool families already have a built-in edge
What math automaticity is and why it matters
How to evaluate a homeschool math curriculum based on research, not marketing
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTCMath Curriculum
LearningRx ✔ Proven program to strengthen cognitive skills ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help for ADHD, dyslexia, and learning challenges — use code HOME50 for $50 off 👉 Learn More at LearningRx
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Resources Mentioned: Education Week — "Debates Over Math Teaching Are Heating Up" (January 2026) The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith's membership community for homeschool moms
⭐ Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction: The Science of Math
(02:23) - Meet Nathan King of CTC Math
(04:55) - What Is the Science of Math?
(07:33) - Science of Math vs. Science of Reading
(13:03) - What Ideal Math Instruction Looks Like
(19:07) - What This Means for Your Homeschool
(26:37) - Mastery vs. Spiral — What Every Parent Should Know
(31:22) - Why Homeschoolers Have the Edge
(32:38) - Fun vs. Effective: The Edutainment Question
(39:55) - Why Math Automaticity Still Matters
Ep. 109 - Homeschool Testing: When to Test, When to Skip, and Which Tests Are Worth It
19 mars 2026
00:26:16
Every spring, testing season arrives — and homeschool families face a question that's equal parts legal, philosophical, and personal. When should homeschoolers use standardized testing — and when should they skip it entirely?
🟢 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market (in my opinion).
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why standardized tests were never designed with homeschoolers in mind
When homeschool testing actually serves your family — and when to skip it
Which standardized test is best for homeschoolers (Iowa, Stanford 10, CAT, MAP Growth, CLT compared)
What states require standardized testing for homeschoolers — and alternatives most families don't know exist
Whether homeschool kids do better on standardized tests
Free standardized testing for homeschool prep resources
How to use testing strategically — not reflexively
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTCMath Curriculum
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:58) - The Wrong Ruler
(07:32) - When Testing Actually Serves You
(11:29) - When to Skip Testing
(13:46) - Which Test Is Right for Your Family
(20:01) - What Your State Actually Requires
(21:54) - Wrap-Up + Key Takeaways
Ep. 108 - The Truth About Homeschooling Disadvantages — What the Research Actually Says
12 mars 2026
00:34:40
Most families Googling the disadvantages of homeschooling are secretly hoping the fears aren’t real. In this episode of The Christy-Faith Show, homeschool expert Christy-Faith takes every fear on the list — socialization, academic gaps, parent qualifications, and the financial question — and follows each one all the way to the research. The answers change everything.
🎁 Free Resource: My Curriculum Recommendations I spill the tea! No paid sponsorship placements! Grab the list, by subject, of the most reputable homeschool programs on the market.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What the research actually says about homeschooled kids and academic outcomes
The truth about the socialization question every homeschool mom gets asked
What Vygotsky’s research says about healthy child development and peer relationships
What Brian Ray’s 35+ years of NHERI data shows about homeschool vs. public school outcomes
Whether you need a teaching credential to homeschool — and what the data actually shows
How to honestly evaluate whether homeschooling is worth it financially
Why homeschooling doesn’t require 7 hours a day — and how working moms make it work
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
True North Homeschool Academy ✔ Cognia-accredited live online and self-paced courses for grades 6–12 ✔ Dual degree track or tech & trades diploma ✔ Small classes, college-ready rigor, faith-friendly environment 👉 Explore Courses & Get Started
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
(00:28) - How Christy Changed Her Mind About Homeschooling
(04:21) - Introduction
(08:16) - The Four Fears — Named Out Loud
(09:44) - Fear #1: The Socialization Question
(17:37) - What the Research Says About Child Socialization
(21:53) - Fear #2: Homeschooled Kids and Academic Outcomes
(25:26) - Fear #3: Am I Qualified to Teach My Own Children?
(30:05) - Fear #4: Is Homeschooling Worth It Financially?
(33:15) - Wrap-Up
Ep. 107 - How to Reduce Screen Time for Kids — And Why Homeschoolers Already Have the Answer
05 mars 2026
00:35:46
Wondering how to reduce screen time for kids when you homeschool — and whether you're actually winning the battle? Christy-Faith, veteran educator and host of The Christy-Faith Show, says homeschool moms are sitting on the answer — the lifestyle they've already chosen is the strategy everyone else is desperately searching for.
🎁 Free Resource: Free Homeschool Wellness Check For the mom who wants to look at her homeschool honestly and make sure it's in good shape.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why being home all day doesn't automatically mean less screen time — and why homeschoolers are sometimes more screen-heavy, not less
What the research actually says about screen time recommendations by age — and why the number of hours may be the wrong thing to track
The crucial difference between screen time that damages your child's brain and screen time that doesn't
Why limiting screen time for teenagers starts with understanding one specific type of content — and it's not Netflix
The "ugly detox" — what really happens when you pull back on screens and why most parents give up before it's over
What researchers say kids actually need to be protected from the worst of this — and why it sounds exactly like a typical homeschool day
The Virginia "ignore button" story and what it reveals about screen time restrictions and government enforcement
A simple 4-question framework for evaluating screen time in your home — without the guilt and without the war
CTCMath ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTCMath Curriculum
Azure Standard Homeschool-family-owned company dedicated to providing affordable organic, natural, and non-gmo groceries, health, home, and garden products.
✔ All vetted to be free of: Harmful preservatives, food colorings, chemicals, pesticides 👉 Browse Azure’s Grocery, Health & Home Products Use code CHRISTYFAITH15 for 15% off your first order
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
(00:00) - Introduction
(07:02) - Screen Time & the Homeschool Paradox
(10:23) - Not All Screen Time Is Equal
(15:32) - The Real Problem: Social Media
(17:22) - TikTok Brain & Popcorn Brain
(19:59) - What Researchers Say Kids Actually Need
(20:39) - Why Homeschoolers Already Have the Advantage
(22:20) - The Virginia "Ignore Button" Story
(30:42) - The 4-Question Screen Time Framework
Ep. 106 - She Was Denied a Diagnosis Because She Homeschools — Here's What We're Doing About It
27 févr. 2026
00:24:46
A homeschool mom gets her son tested for dyslexia — he qualifies — and they refuse to give him the diagnosis because he's homeschooled. They called it "failure to educate." Have you ever been interrogated, profiled, or made to feel like a suspect just because you homeschool?
Homeschool expert Christy-Faith — author of Homeschool Rising, with over 20 years in education — shares three powerful strategies for handling hostile service providers, explains the power differential homeschool families face at appointments, and introduces the Christy-Faith List: a free nationwide directory connecting homeschool families with businesses and providers who support them.
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 Visit summithealthshare.com
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Visit bjupresshomeschool.com/christy
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTC Math
LearningRx ✔ Proven program to strengthen cognitive skills — attention, memory, reading, and more ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Visit learningrx.com
🎧 Love the show? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a homeschool mom who needs it!
Ep. 105 - Is It a Learning Disability, a Skill Gap, or Something Else? How to Tell the Difference // Dr. Amy Moore & Sandy Zamalis
19 févr. 2026
01:07:07
Your child is struggling, and you don't know if it's a content gap, a skill gap, or something deeper. Should you change curriculum? Hire a tutor? Get a diagnosis? In this episode, homeschool expert and 20-year education veteran Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Amy Moore (cognitive psychologist and ADHD mom) and Sandy Zamalis (cognitive skills specialist and former homeschool mom) from LearningRx to give you a clear framework for figuring out what's really going on—and what to do next.
If you've ever said, “I don't understand why you don't remember this—I taught this to you last week,” this episode is for you.
How to tell if your child has a content gap, a skill gap, or a true learning disability
When to change curriculum vs. when to call in a professional
Should you get a diagnosis? The real pros, cons, and costs
Which specialist to see first when your child is struggling (and which ones to skip)
Sudden behavior change vs. lifelong struggle: how to tell if it's medical (like PANDAS) or developmental
Why learning styles are a myth—and what working memory, automaticity, and prior knowledge actually predict
Why “they'll catch up eventually” is bad advice, based on research with 5,000+ struggling readers
What cognitive skills training is and why neuropsychologists keep recommending it
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Visit bjupresshomeschool.com/christy
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Visit CTC Math
Lovevery Reading Skill Set ✔ 98% of kids improved their reading scores in 6 weeks ✔ Follows the science of reading with fun, game-based learning 👉 Visit lovevery.com/christyfaith — use code CHRISTY10 for 10% off
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 Visit summithealthshare.com
Resources mentioned:
LearningRx — Cognitive skills training centers nationwide: learningrx.com
Dr. Amy Moore is a cognitive psychologist, the Director of Psychology and Research for LearningRx, and co-host of the Brainy Moms podcast. She has a master's in early childhood education, a PhD in cognitive psychology, and is an ADHD mom who has ADHD herself. 👉 amymoorephd.com
Sandy Zamalis is a cognitive skills specialist and owner of two LearningRx centers. She is a former homeschool mom who homeschooled from preschool through high school and is part of LearningRx's Homeschool Partnership Program. 👉 thebrainymoms.com
🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us!
Ep. 104 - Homeschool Mom Burnout Recovery: Soul Care vs. Self Care // Debra Fileta
12 févr. 2026
00:54:34
If there's one thing we know about homeschool moms, it's that we are really good at giving of ourselves. But somewhere along the way, we picked up this belief that a beautiful life is something we give, not something we get to have.
In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with licensed professional counselor, author, and homeschool mom of four, Debra Fileta, to unpack why so many of us are running on empty and what it actually looks like to care for our souls, not just our schedules.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
Free How to Homeschool Guide
Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder
Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
✅ Why burnout isn't a scheduling problem, it's a belief system problem
✅ The three personality types most prone to self-neglect
✅ How "soul care" goes deeper than self-care: addressing roots, not just symptoms
✅ The idol of productivity and why homeschool moms struggle to rest
✅ Concentrate and eliminate: the phrase that can change how you approach your calling, marriage, and homeschool
This episode is an invitation to stop and remember that Jesus was talking to moms too when He said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
📌 Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend.
💬 Which of the three personality types resonated with you? We'd love to hear from you!
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 104
Ep. 103 - Creating Your Schedule & Finding Socialization // How to Start Homeschooling (Part 3/3)
04 févr. 2026
00:44:15
If you've made it to Episode 3 of the New Homeschooler Series — you're already ahead. In this final episode, Christy-Faith walks you through the last two steps: building a homeschool schedule that works and getting confident about the socialization question.
🟢 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler's Roadmap Your step-by-step companion to this entire series — all 8 steps, every link, episode playlists.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The 3+1+Fun Rule — a daily anchor that ends the Friday failure spiral
Loop scheduling and day-of-week scheduling — which fits your season
Why the socialization question is built on a lie
How to find community without burning your family out
A closing word for every mom still asking "What if I mess this up?"
Sponsors:
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Lovevery Reading Skill Set ✔ 98% of kids improved their reading scores in 6 weeks ✔ Follows the science of reading with fun, game-based learning ✔ Use code CHRISTY10 for 10% off 👉 Visit Lovevery Reading Skill Set
Azure Standard Homeschool-family-owned company with affordable organic, natural, non-GMO groceries & home products. ✔ Vetted free of: harmful preservatives, food colorings, chemicals, pesticides ✔ Use code CHRISTYFAITH15 for 15% off first order 👉 Browse Azure's Grocery, Health & Home Products
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Ep. 102 - Finding Homeschool Curriculum & Resources // How to Start Homeschooling (Part 2/3)
29 janv. 2026
00:30:33
In Episode 2 of the New Homeschooler Series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith walks you through the three steps that must happen BEFORE you spend a dime on curriculum: deschooling, dreaming with your kids, and how to choose homeschool curriculum without wasting money or burning out.
🟢 Free Resource: The New Homeschooler’s Roadmap Your free step-by-step companion to this whole journey — all 8 steps, all the links, plus episode playlists organized by your biggest worries. Save it to your desktop — it’s your command center.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What deschooling is (and why it’s NOT the same as unschooling)
Why skipping deschooling leads to burnout and curriculum regret
How to dream with your kids before you buy anything
The difference between all-in-one and subject-by-subject curriculum
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment — use code HOME50
Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
⭐ New to the series? Start with Episode 101 (Part 1/3) first — the steps build on each other.
(00:00) - Welcome & Series Overview
(08:55) - Step 4: Deschooling — What It Is and Why It Matters
(16:07) - Step 5: Dreaming With Your Kids Before You Build Your Homeschool
(20:06) - Step 6: How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum Without Wasting Money
(26:35) - Recap & What's Coming in Episode 3
Ep. 101 - How to Start Homeschooling: Homeschool Laws & Choosing Your Style (Part 1/3)
23 janv. 2026
00:33:31
You've been Googling "how to start homeschooling" for hours. Every article says something different, and somehow you're more confused than when you started. In Episode 101, homeschool expert Christy-Faith — with over 20 years in education — gives you three clear steps so you know exactly where to begin.
📥 FREE DOWNLOAD: New Homeschooler's Roadmap All 8 steps, all the links, episode playlists organized by your biggest fears — in one free guide. Download the Free Roadmap
IN THIS EPISODE:
How to find your state's homeschool laws in plain English
What notification states and letters of intent actually mean
How to make your exit plan — whether your child is preschool age or currently enrolled
The 9 homeschool styles and why you must know yours before buying curriculum
How to find your homeschool style in just 5 minutes
BJU Press Homeschool ✓ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✓ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✓ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 Browse BJU Press Homeschool Curriculum
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Summit Healthshare ✓ Save 40-60% vs. traditional health insurance ✓ See any doctor - no networks, no permission slips ✓ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans & Savings
Lovevery Reading Skill Set ✓ 98% of kids improved their reading scores in 6 weeks ✓ Follows the science of reading with fun, game-based learning 👉 Visit Lovevery Reading Skill Set - use code CHRISTY10 for 10% off
Ep. 100 - The Big 100: Turning the Tables with My Inner Circle
15 janv. 2026
01:34:10
The Christy-Faith Show has reached 100 episodes, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than hanging out with her favorite people. In this special milestone episode, she's joined by Marni, Denise, and longtime friend Jessie for a girls' night style conversation.
No fancy agenda, just real talk.
They share powerful mom transformation stories from inside Thrive, turn the tables so the guests interview Christy-Faith, and answer listener questions about everything from her homeschool schedule to how she nurtures her marriage while running a business.
Pull up a chair, grab your coffee (or that load of laundry), and hang out with them. This one's personal and a whole lot of fun.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links
Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith's online community and create a homeschool that works for YOUR family, plus access the masterclass on socialization! 👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive
Christy-Faith's List A curated guide to homeschool-friendly service providers, businesses, and colleges: 👉 https://christy-faiths-list.com
Christy-Faith's Latest Book! 📖 Homeschool Rising: Shattering Myths, Finding Courage, and Opting Out of the School System (Includes an entire chapter on deschooling, the step you can't skip!) 👉 https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising
🎙️ SHOW SPONSORS
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family's needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level Find the perfect fit for your homeschool: 👉 https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing—all done for you! Start your free trial today: 👉 https://payments.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool-discount?tr_id=CF
True North Academy ✔ Flexible Learning Options for Grades 6-12: Live, online classes or self-paced courses ✔ Future-Ready Programs: Dual Degree and Tech & Trades Diplomas ✔ Faith-Friendly Excellence: Small class sizes, real-world skills, and teachers who share your values. 👉 https://truenorthhomeschool.academy
LearningRx ✔ Cognitive skills training that helps with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning challenges ✔ 35+ years of proven results and research-backed methods Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 https://learningrx.com
OTHER EPISODES FOR YOU 👀
Episode 88: The Liberation Episode: What Homeschool Moms Truly Don't Care About Anymore
✅ Meet the panel: Marnie, Denise (Thrive mentors), and Jesse (Christy's first homeschool friend)
✅ How to praise kids
✅ Why Christy schedules her self-care and what fills her cup
✅ How she and Scott nurture their marriage after 26 years
✅ Rapid fire fun: coffee orders, guilty pleasure TV, and weird food combos
✅ Christy's biggest epiphany this year
✅ Plus, "the hill she'll die on"
Whether you've been here since the beginning or you're just discovering this community, this episode is a celebration of YOU—the moms who show up, do the hard work, and keep going.
📌 Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend who needs to know she's not alone on this homeschool journey.
💬 What's your favorite memory from the last 100 episodes? Drop a comment—we'd love to hear from you!
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 100
Ep. 99 - The $40 Billion Youth Sports Machine // Jonathan Carone
08 janv. 2026
01:11:19
If you’ve ever watched your child lose joy in a sport they once loved, this episode will hit close to home.
Christy-Faith and guest Jonathan Carone discuss how youth sports has slowly shifted from play to pressure. What used to be backyard games and simple fun has turned into rankings, money, identity, and adult expectations kids were never meant to carry.
This episode is not about blaming parents or coaches. It's not anti-sports either (We love sports and competition!). It is about pausing long enough to ask what our kids actually need, and what really lasts after the last game is played.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey: Free How to Homeschool Guide Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links
Thrive Homeschool Community Join Christy-Faith’s online community and create a homeschool that works for YOUR family. Plus access the masterclass on socialization. 👉 https://christy-faith.com/thrive
Christy-Faith’s List A curated guide to homeschool-friendly service providers, businesses, and colleges. 👉 https://christy-faiths-list.com
Christy-Faith’s Latest Book 📖 Homeschool Rising: Shattering Myths, Finding Courage, and Opting Out of the School System Includes an entire chapter on deschooling. 👉 https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising
🎙️ SHOW SPONSORS
BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/christy
Azure Standard Homeschool-family-owned organic grocery company ✔ No harmful preservatives or chemicals 👉 https://www2.azurestandard.com/-christy-faith Use code CHRISTYFAITH15 for 15% off
Lovevery The Reading Skill Set follows the science of reading ✔ 98% of kids improved in 6 weeks 👉 https://lovevery.com/christyfaith Use code CHRISTY10 for 10% off
✅ How youth sports slowly shifted from play to pressure ✅ Why adult expectations are shaping kids’ identities too early ✅ The real odds behind scholarships and elite teams ✅ How car rides home can shape a child’s love for the game ✅ Why overuse and early specialization lead to burnout ✅ The emotional cost of turning kids into trophies ✅ What kids remember long after the scoreboard fades ✅ How to protect connection without quitting sports ✅ Why fun is not optional for healthy development ✅ What it looks like to say “I loved watching you play” and mean it ✅ How to raise grounded humans, not fragile performers
You are not failing your child if you slow down.
You are not letting them down if you choose connection over status.
You are allowed to protect their joy.
📌 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a parent navigating youth sports right now.
💬 What has sports taught your family so far? Share in the comments or tag Christy-Faith on Instagram.
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 99
Ep. 98 - Homeschool Mom Burnout: What Your Brain Actually Needs to Recover // Dr. Joe O’Tool
01 janv. 2026
01:11:42
72% of parents get insufficient sleep at least three nights a week. And when we finally get the kids to bed, most of us do the same thing — stay up scrolling because it's the only time that feels like ours. But what if the things we think are recharging us are actually making us more exhausted?
In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with Dr. Joe O'Toole, a neuroscientist and homeschool success story, to unpack the difference between true rest and just escaping. If you're running on empty no matter how much "rest" you get, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about recharging.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
Free How to Homeschool Guide
Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder
Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
✅ The brain science behind why scrolling and binge-watching are NOT rest—they're escape and numbing, not recovery
✅ Rest vs. sleep vs. Sabbath rest: why most exhausted moms are confusing all three
✅ Why your brain can't actually multitask (it's called task switching—and it's draining your mental energy)
✅ How to schedule true rest when your to-do list never ends—even in the busiest seasons of motherhood
✅ The #1 modifiable risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline—and why rest isn't optional
If you've been running on empty, convincing yourself that late-night scrolling is "me time," this conversation will change how you think about rest, recovery, and what your brain actually needs to recharge.
📌 If this episode hit home- like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow homeschool mom who's been running on fumes.
💬 Be honest—what's your go-to "escape" at the end of the day? Scrolling? Netflix? Something else? Drop it in the comments. No judgment here.
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 98
Ep. 97 - The Belief That Nearly Broke My Homeschool // Behind the Screen (Part 6/6)
24 déc. 2025
00:34:32
In this final episode of the Behind the Screen series, Christy-Faith shares her deepest why: the real reason behind everything she does. After twenty years in education, she thought homeschooling would be easy. She had the credentials and experience. What she didn't have was support. And it nearly cost her everything.
She explores the hidden cost of going it alone and the one belief holding homeschool moms back: that investing in yourself is optional. Learn what the research says about homeschools that thrive versus those that burn out, and why supporting yourself is actually supporting your kids.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
Free How to Homeschool Guide
Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder
Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
LearningRx
✔ Cognitive skills training that helps with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning challenges
✔ 35+ years of proven results and research-backed methods
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
✅ Understand why homeschooling feels heavier than expected
✅ See how leadership, not curriculum, drives homeschool success
✅ Recognize the hidden cost of constantly putting yourself last
✅ Reframe support for yourself as essential, not indulgent
✅ Name the belief that keeps so many homeschool moms stuck
This episode closes the Behind the Screen series with clarity and resolve. It is not a call to do more. It is an invitation to stop minimizing the role you already play.
📌 Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with a homeschool mom who needs permission to take herself seriously.
💬 What part of this conversation stayed with you the longest?
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 97
Ep. 96 - The Grief that Comes with Growth // Behind the Screen (Part 5/6)
18 déc. 2025
00:45:10
No one warned you that growth could come with grief. That answering a calling might mean watching parts of your old life slip away—friendships that shift, privacy that disappears, and a simplicity you didn't know to treasure until it was gone.
In this raw and reflective episode, Christy-Faith opens up about the hidden cost of stepping into purpose. She shares what it's really like to carry both gratitude and grief at the same time—to love where you are while quietly aching for what you had to leave behind.
This isn't an episode about complaining when life looks good on paper. It's about finally naming the tension so many women feel but rarely say out loud: What do I do when following a calling costs me something I didn't expect to lose?
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
Free How to Homeschool Guide
Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder
Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Lovevery
The Reading Skill Set by Lovevery follows the science of reading, making learning to read fun and confidence-boosting!
✔ 98% of kids improved their reading scores in 6 weeks!
✅ What no one tells you about life-changing success
✅ The loneliness of becoming someone new
✅ How parasocial relationships affect mental health
✅ Why not everyone gets a seat at your table
✅ How resentment can coexist with obedience
✅ Why identity cannot live in calling or success
✅ Augustine’s wisdom on “rightly ordered love”
You’re allowed to love your life and still grieve what it cost you.
You’re allowed to feel both gratitude and loss.
And you’re not broken for needing to name it.
📌 If this episode resonated, like, follow, and share it with a mom who’s navigating a big transition.
💬 What part of your life are you grieving right now? Share in the comments or message Christy-Faith: we read every one.
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 96
Ep. 95 - The Two Times I Almost Walked Away From My Faith // Behind the Screen (Part 4/6)
10 déc. 2025
00:35:40
Ever lie awake at 2 AM wondering if God's even there? Or have questions you're too scared to say out loud—even to yourself?
I've been there. Twice.
In this episode, I'm sharing the two seasons I almost walked away from my faith completely. One was intellectual—I couldn't make the pieces fit anymore. The other was heartbreak so crushing I thought God was being cruel.
I'll tell you what those years actually looked like, what kept me from walking away, and why wrestling with God doesn't mean your faith is broken.
Sometimes it means it's finally getting honest.
If you're in the dark right now—or you have been—this one's for you. Stay with me.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
Free How to Homeschool Guide
Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder
Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
True North Academy
✔ Flexible Learning Options for Grades 6-12: Live, online classes or self-paced courses
✔ Future-Ready Programs: Dual Degree and Tech & Trades Diplomas
✔ Faith-Friendly Excellence: Small class sizes, real-world skills, and teachers who share your values.
✅ The intellectual crisis that shook Christy’s faith as a college student
✅ How visiting Turkey raised questions she couldn't ignore
✅ Why doubt doesn’t mean your faith is dying; it might mean it's growing
✅ The heartbreak of infertility and the silence that almost broke her
✅ How envy, grief, and unmet longings reshaped her understanding of God
✅ Why choosing to trust became the turning point, not the outcome
If you’re in a season where God feels distant, silent, or confusing… this episode will help you feel less alone and remind you that your questions are not too big for Him.
📌 Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear that struggling in your faith doesn’t disqualify you.
💬 Are you in a season of doubt or wrestling? What part of this episode spoke to you most? We’d love to hear your story.
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 95
Ep. 94 - Did I Misread the Bible on Parenting? My Journey Back Through Scripture // Behind the Screen (Part 3/6)
03 déc. 2025
00:43:56
If you’ve ever followed all the parenting rules, read all the books, and still felt your child slipping away, this episode will land deep in your chest.
In this raw and honest conversation, Christy-Faith shares the story she’s never fully told—the moment she realized the parenting method she believed was “biblical” was actually building fear, walls, and distance with her child.
What followed was a journey of unlearning, healing, and rediscovering what discipline actually means through the lens of Scripture and attachment, not shame.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
Free How to Homeschool Guide
Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder
Free Guide - 20 Questions to Kickstart Your Deschooling Adventure
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Azure Standard
Homeschool-family-owned company dedicated to providing affordable organic, natural, and non-gmo groceries, health, home, and garden products.
✔ All vetted to be free of: Harmful preservatives, food colorings, chemicals, pesticides
✅ How “biblical” parenting methods can accidentally feed fear, shame, and sneakiness
✅ The moment Christy realized consequences weren’t shaping character
✅ The difference between punishment (payment) and discipline (training)
✅ Why Jesus’ model of correction centers on restoration, not retribution
✅ What the research says about authoritarian vs. permissive vs. authoritative parenting
✅ How shame shuts down the learning parts of a child’s brain
✅ Why connection + boundaries create the healthiest long-term outcomes
✅ How to rebuild trust and help kids come to you instead of hiding
✅ What it looks like to parent with curiosity instead of control
✅ Why this shift changed the culture of Christy’s home—and her relationship with God
You don’t need to parent from fear. You don’t need to rely on shame. You’re allowed to build something different—something closer, safer, and far more effective.
📌 Like, subscribe, and share this episode with a mom who’s questioning the way she was taught to parent. She’s not alone, and this conversation might be exactly what she needs.
💬 What part of your parenting story is shifting right now? Share it in the comments or tag Christy-Faith on Instagram—we’d love to hear.
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 94
Ep. 93 - Church Hurts: The Cost of Staying Too Long in a Toxic Community // Behind the Screen (Part 2/6)
27 nov. 2025
00:52:35
The church you love.
The friends who feel like family.
The life you’ve built with your whole heart.
What happens when walking away from all of it is the only way to protect your family?
In this raw and vulnerable episode, Christy-Faith shares the story she’s held close for years—the painful season when her family had to leave their church, their friend group, and their entire social world behind almost overnight. From subtle red flags to full-blown spiritual and relational turmoil, she opens up about the moment everything cracked and the long road that followed.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources
Find everything you need to simplify and strengthen your homeschool journey:
CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
LearningRx
✔ Cognitive skills training that helps with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning challenges
✔ 35+ years of proven results and research-backed methods
Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment
In this heart-calming episode, Christy-Faith helps you:
✅ Identify the subtle signs of spiritual and relational harm
✅ Understand why "loyalty" isn't always a reason to stay
✅ Recognize when it's time to protect your kids, even if it means losing everything familiar
✅ Navigate the grief and loneliness of leaving—and see it as a gift
✅ Embrace what maturity really requires: learning to be okay with being misunderstood
If you’ve ever stayed somewhere too long because you hoped it would get better or if you’re wrestling with a hard decision that hurts no matter what you choose, this episode will make you feel seen.
📌 Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a mom who might be trapped in a situation she can’t name yet.
💬 Have you ever stayed in a toxic community longer than you should have? What finally gave you the courage to leave?
The Christy-Faith Show | Ep. 93
Ep. 92 - Behind the Screen: Part 1/6 - A Real Homeschool Day at My House (nobody's winning awards)
19 nov. 2025
00:35:44
If you’ve ever looked at another homeschool mom online and thought, “She must have it all together,” this episode will feel like a deep breath.
Christy-Faith opens up about the real parts of her life: the mess, the fear, the mistakes, the burnout and why she can’t keep showing up as a two-dimensional version of herself. This is the start of her Behind the Screen series, where she shares what’s true, not just what fits in a 30-second clip. This is Part 1 of a 6 part series.
🛠️ LINKS & RESOURCES
Free Homeschooling Resources Tools to help you build a homeschool that fits your real life: • Free How to Homeschool Guide • Free 5-Minute Homeschool Style Finder • Free Guide – 20 Questions to Jumpstart Your Deschooling • Free Sample Homeschool Schedules 👉 https://christy-faith.com/links
✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Purchase
Lovevery
The Reading Skill Set by Lovevery follows the science of reading, making learning to read fun and confidence-boosting!
✔ 98% of kids improved their reading scores in 6 weeks!
✅ Why social media pushed Christy-Faith into a “two-dimensional” version of herself ✅ What finally made her decide she couldn’t keep doing that ✅ Why opening up isn’t indulgent, it’s needed ✅ What Flatland shows us about online personas ✅ A real-life homeschool day with meltdowns, headaches, and missed meetings ✅ Why kids learn more from your recoveries than your wins ✅ How your struggles form your child’s second curriculum ✅ The science behind resilience and why kids gain it by watching you ✅ Why your hard days do not disqualify you ✅ What to expect next in the six-part Behind the Screen series
This episode is your reminder that real life is the homeschool: not the polished version, the real one.
📌 Like, subscribe, and share this with a mom who thinks she has to “hold it all together” to homeschool. She doesn’t and this episode will help her see why.
💬 What part of Christy’s story hit home for you? Share it in the comments or tag Christy-Faith on Instagram to join the conversation.