₿HS030: Tough Homeschooling Questions from Vivian Cheng
Season 1 · Episode 30
Saturday, August 31, 2024 • Duration 38:38
SHOW TOPICS:
Today, the tables are turned. Vivian Cheng, host of “Life with Bitcoin,” interviews Scott and Tali about their homeschool journey. She asks deep and personal questions about fears, decision making in relationships and more. Note this is the homeschooling portion of a more comprehensive discussion including backgrounds, zero time preference game theory, and more. Please support Vivian and check out the full “Life with Bitcoin” episode.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
· Scott and Tali’s decision to homeschool
· The commitment to start
· Resistance from both sides of the family
· Be the best you can be in one area versus trying to well in everything
· Factors to consider when deciding to homeschool
· Full spectrum of options for parents controlling their kids’ education
· Who do you trust? Outsourcing vs. self-custodying your parenting
· Critical importance of parent-child relationships
· Emotional intelligence for a lifetime
· Leading by example
· Greatest challenges with homeschooling
· There are so many support groups, e.g., co-ops
· Zero time preference thinking … Why are you doing this?
· Beware of the push for women to have both careers and families
· How Scott was involved in the homeschooling experience
· Reflections on lessons learned and what they would have done differently
· Homeschooled kids interact very well with people of all ages … the opposite of the socialization FUD
· Kids are not judging Tali and Scott by their fiat titles … Their kids are watching the example they are setting as a couple creating a company
· How they balanced parenting decision making
· Aligned values and division of labor vis-à-vis parenting
· Be a whole person … you don’t have to give up who you are when you’re a parent
• Jennifer Fox’s “Your Child's Strengths: A Guide for Parents and Teachers”
₿HS029: This Is Not a School
Season 1 · Episode 29
Sunday, August 18, 2024 • Duration 57:10
SHOW TOPICS:
Dads and soon-to-be-Dads, are you trying to convince your wife to homeschool? Our guest today, John, shares his story of how he and his wife worked this discussion. Now, 19 years of homeschooling later, they share their lessons learned and suggestions for others in their book, “This Is Not A School.” Take self-custody of your parenting. In the long term, the low time preference view, it’s worth it. The way we help other parents is by sharing.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
· John’s book is “This Is Not A School: A nineteen year family education journal”
· Their reasons for homeschooling were not religious
· He was inspired by his mother who emphasized how important it is to take full responsibility for the education of your children
· Get the food right is one of the cornerstones of homeschooling
· Limit the bad influences, e.g., what kids may be exposed to in public schools
· John had to convince his wife to homeschool
· You don’t need to have a lot of money to homeschool
· They emphasized to their children that they were responsible for their own education
· Teaching kids how to think for themselves is so important, e.g., critical thinking, mental frameworks
· Self-custody parenting … Take control of what your kids are going to eat, going to experience, going to be exposed to
· Parents are the ones who have the greatest incentive to take care of kids
· When your kids fall down, don’t baby them. Tell them to get up.
· In many schools, administrators pummel kids with questions that really are suggestions, e.g., do you feel suicidal, do you feel like the opposite sex
· They based their homeschooling on real world projects and situations, e.g., forming a PAC with their children called “Cannabis Consumers for Liberty”
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
₿HS021: The Wild Life of Unschooling
Season 1 · Episode 21
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 • Duration 58:49
SHOW TOPICS: life-long parent-child bonds, unschooling FUD, filling your own emotional cup
Unschooling can build incredible, life-long parent-child bonds. You trust them. They trust you. Give your kids a loving, respectful and happy home.
Parents may have to de-school themselves. There is a lot of FUD about unschooling. Unschooling is the opposite of being lazy and locking kids up. It’s about getting active and having a network, a caring community. There’s a balance. Kids are free to explore and choose their own path, but parents are there to guide. It’s not a completely hands-off experience.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
Alex’s background and inspiration for taking self-custody of her son’s education
She left Germany as a single Mom and without a specific plan other than she knew they had to leave
Alex’s ideas of what people who can’t homeschool, e.g., in Germany
There are certain countries around Germany that way more relaxed when it comes to homeschool so if you’re living on the border you can send them there instead.
West River Academy was another option Alex found to be very helpful for unschooling families
Clarifying the FUD … “Unschooling” means kids have a choice, including going to school. Also, parents do set boundaries.
Kids learn because they need something in life, e.g., basic math skills.
Kids learn how to learn. Then they can apply this skill to other areas and other problems.
Alex’s son has a variety of coaches, e.g., at his boxing / MMA club.
Unschooling is the opposite of being lazy and locking kids up. It’s about getting active and having a network, a caring community.
Tali discusses a letter she wrote to herself when her first-born was an infant.
Contrast between Alex’s German background and Tali’s Chinese background leads to some fun back-and-forth.
There’s a balance in un-schooling. Kids are free to explore and choose their own path, but parents are there to guide. It’s not a completely hands-off experience.
Not everyone you know, friends or family, will understand what you’re doing. The most important thing is that the kids feel loved.
For Alex, the most important thing was letting go of her fear and programming … to de-school herself.
₿HS020: Overcoming Legal and Fiat Challenges to Homeschooling
Season 1 · Episode 20
Friday, February 9, 2024 • Duration 45:23
SHOW TOPICS: criminalized homeschooling, “homeschooling” public-school students, screen-time and other challenges
Parents are ultimately responsible for their kids’ education. Some families live in places where homeschooling is criminalized, e.g., Germany. Some families can’t afford to formally homeschool, e.g., because both parents must work. Nonetheless, there are actions parents can take. Tali and Scott go deep on this challenging situation. One key takeaway is focusing on relationships because, if your relationships are open, you've got a chance to reach the kids.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
Not everyone who wants to homeschool can. Some families live in places where homeschooling is criminalized, e.g., Germany. Some families can’t afford to homeschool, e.g., because both parents must work.
Nonetheless, there are actions you can take if you are in this circumstance.
Intentional courage: You are responsible for your kids’ education, not the state.
Kids are always watching and learning from what we do, not just what we say.
We as parents are not helpless. We can take action.
The nuance between “learning” and “drawing conclusions”
Parents can start by clarifying for themselves what they want their kids to learn.
Apply the “Don’t trust. Verify.” ethos of Bitcoin. Don’t hope that public school teachers or administrators will teach things your kids should know. Parents must ask questions. Be very deliberate in poking into your kids’ business. Don’t expect it to be easy.
Approaches vary based on age-range. The younger, the easier.
Asking kids about school is not for the purpose of judging them, or their performance, e.g., on a test. It’s about what they are actually learning.
Proof of love. Despite eye rolls, they do appreciate that you care. You are vested in their future.
Teenage years do NOT have to be antagonistic or confrontational all the time as is often portrayed in movies and shows.
You as a parent have to be continuously learning yourself.
Teaching kids the importance of having courage is valuable. There’s also a caution: we as parents must remain sensitive to the intense pressures kids will face, not just from other kids but from adults in positions of authority.
₿HS019: Deanna and Joel Are Building an Alternative to State Indoctrination
Season 1 · Episode 19
Thursday, February 1, 2024 • Duration 01:04:25
SHOW TOPIC: Independent thinking, teacher incentives, and AI's place in a homeschool curriculum
Deanna and Joel are building the future they want to see. The decline in our education system has compounded year after year for over a century. It is too corrupt to fix from the inside. This inspired them to start their own teaching business.
With technology as a deflationary force, the cost of education should be decreasing and the quality should be increasing. The opposite is happening. Independent thought and critical thinking are sacrificed for the sake of conforming to approved narratives. Listen to how this couple is fighting back by leaving the system and creating teaching content for Bitcoin homeschoolers.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
· Deanna and Joel share a passion for education and started a homeschool curriculum company. They only work with Bitcoin families.
· Lyceum Tutoring has on-demand courses for history, humanities, economics, literature and art history.
· The negative trends in education including at the college level have been going on for many years
· Improving writing skills helps students think better
· IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) is program Tali used to help teach her kids. It was the exact opposite of the way Tali had been taught in college (which was to dumb down everything).
· Joel and Deanna are horrified (but not surprised) hearing about how Scott and Tali’s daughter was directed to write an opinion paper as a college freshman.
· Before you spend money on your kid’s college, ask what they really need for their chosen career field
· The trades have many training programs
· Most things CAN be learned by ANYONE. Avoid the false narrative that “I’m just not good in math” etc.
· Charlotte Mason method is a popular homeschool philosophy. Using “living books” is an example of this method.
₿HS018: The Mental Game - Guarding Your Mind & Thoughts
Season 1 · Episode 18
Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Duration 39:14
SHOW TOPIC: Mental training, preparing for adversity, and avoiding fiat-mindset slippage
This episode covers how kids need to learn to deal with disappointment and adversity. If you are homeschooling, it’s an easy trap to fall into to try to control everything. Be intentional. Mental training, e.g., mental resilience and anti-fragility, is an important topic often absent from standard curriculum. Parents should be aware their beliefs from the fiat world are at risk of sipping into and being carried over to the Bitcoin world. Pay attention to the paradigm you are passing to your kids.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
Viktor Frankl’s “Man's Search for Meaning” describes, first hand, how and why some people give up while others are able to persevere through extreme adversity.
His story exemplifies why it is important to guard your mental state.
What inspired Tali in the Robert Kiyosaki’s interview
Kiyosaki described “internal economy” versus “external economy”
The rich are playing a different game. They are playing by a different set of rules.
The moment you accept money, you accept being an employee.
What you truly believe is what is communicated to your kids
Clarifying the distinction between an entrepreneur mindset and a value-for-value (V4V) kids allowance
Parents should be aware their beliefs from the fiat world are at risk of sipping into / being carried over to the Bitcoin world
Kids need to learn how to deal with disappointment. If you are homeschooling, it’s an easy trap to fall into to try to control everything.
There are alternatives to sports to give kids an opportunity to be exposed to adversity.
Intentionality …
Face your fear … example Rejection Proof
Mental training, e.g., mental resilience and anti-fragility, is an important topic often absent from standard curriculum.
Scott’s Ayn Rand “Virtue of Selfishness” tangent
We should be confident in our pursuits but not expect transition will be smooth. We’re going to have obstacles in life. You have to have the mental resilience to ride the ups and downs.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
Viktor Frankl’s “Man's Search for Meaning”
₿HS017: AI for Homeschoolers Part 2 – Free Speech
Season 1 · Episode 17
Thursday, January 11, 2024 • Duration 43:54
SHOW TOPIC:
There’s more to understanding AI than its technical applications. Tali and Scott continue their AI for Homeschoolers series exploring the connection between AI and free speech. They balance the Bitcoin Moms' point of view with the Bitcoin Dads' point of view. AI is just a tool, although a very powerful one. Our free speech rights are under attack from government censorship, e.g., biden’s recent executive order. Free speech is not contingent upon being “correct” because at the heart of the matter is the question of who gets to decide what is correct.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
Tali and Scott take a moment to rif on how to make this podcast the most valuable for others.
Homeschooling is not limited to those who take 100% control of their kids education. Nights and weekends provide learning opportunities for dual-income families and public-schooled families as well.
While anyone at any stage can benefit from discussions like today’s topic on AI, the discussion focuses on families with middle-school-aged children and older.
You as a parent can prepare yourself well before your kids are ready for the material
Consider yourself part of the home education process … you learn too
Many subjects studied in public school curriculum do not help kids prepare for post-graduation life.
Conversely, many useful subject, e.g., AI, are not included but would be very valuable in preparing students for post-graduation life.
If you are not taking advantage of AI in your work you are falling behind. So, don’t hold kids back from this tool called AI.
Bitcoin Moms’ points of view
Bitcoin Dads’ points of view
If you have the skills to use this tool, AI, then you are incredibly valuable to any organization.
“Biden’s AI Bill of Rights May Just Be Another Censorship Plan” written by Jeremy Powell is available on Mises.org
Disinformation about disinformation … 1984’ “Ministry of Truth”
Free speech is not contingent upon being “correct” because at the heart of the matter is the question of who gets to decide what is correct.
The government continues to play Big Brother and deciding what citizens can or cannot be exposed to, what they can think and cannot think. If you disagree, they shut you down.
₿HS016: Odell Opens the Door for Bitcoin Homeschoolers
Season 1 · Episode 16
Friday, January 5, 2024 • Duration 01:45:42
SHOW TOPIC:
Today, with Matt Odell’s permission, we’re re-publishing Citadel Dispatch 84. Matt gave us the opportunity to join him on his podcast exactly one year ago. That really opened up our minds to what was possible and, consequently, we did more than we ever thought was possible. Now we’re more inspired than ever to give back to others, e.g., more podcasts with “Bitcoin Homeschoolers” and “Orange Hatter”; more bitcoin games, more in-person events, etc.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
Breaking one’s podcast virginity
Why should we care about homeschooling? Why is it important?
Let the child lead. Don’t hold their education back.
Let kids move around when they study.
Using grades can make kids feel labelled.
Let children have freedom to make mistakes and learn. School systems teach kids to be afraid of making mistakes instead of embracing them.
Almost all of our pain points in society go back to education.
Instead of getting kids to an average level in every subject, let them pick an area to go deep with and excel in.
You do not need a teaching degree to homeschool.
Homeschooled kids are more comfortable with social interactions, not less.
Teaching self-discipline is a critical life skill.
Taking responsibility, how to handle difficult times, and other frameworks are things you, as a parent, choose to teach.
Biggest hurdles for young parents that want to homeschool
You can outsource teaching almost any subject
Homeschooling is 365. Take care of yourself first.
You don’t have to be perfect.
Homeschooling is taking self-custody of your (kids’) education.
Spending time with your kids shows them they matter to you.
Separation of government and education
Parents have the strongest incentive alignment possible with their children
Homeschooling kids are taught to think for yourself versus the conformity-driven woke agendas in state schools
Kids pick up things that not formally taught to them
At some point you have to trust your kids to make decisions on their own when you’re not there. You have to let go.
Don’t be afraid. There are so many resources.
₿HS015: From Fear to Confidence – Lessons from 2023
Season 1 · Episode 15
Sunday, December 31, 2023 • Duration 34:12
SHOW TOPIC:
It’s been one year since Tali and Scott formally finished homeschooling their kids and left the corporate world. They focus on giving back to homeschoolers, women Bitcoiners, and veterans. Tali and Scott use the week between Christmas and New Years to reflect on the prior year and goals for 2024.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
Tali’s surprise note to herself
Last December is when everything really started with this journey. They finished formal homeschooling and a corporate at the same time.
Until visiting Bitcoin Park, they had felt like they were on an island in terms of meeting and talking with Bitcoiners.
That is where they first played Hodl Up with Bitcoiners and not just their family and friends.
One aspect that changed is going from the stepping-off moment when they committed and today, when they have more confidence.
It’s one thing to understand what Jeff Booth has articulated about not working in the system you’re fighting. It’s another to apply that understanding and take action. It can be a scary prospect.
The game Hodl Up helped open opportunities to meet people but Tali and Scott learned throughout the year that this is actually part of something that was much bigger than themselves.
It is so important to get out and meet people in person.
If you have something to give, then give back. For Tali and Scott, this is with homeschoolers, women Bitcoiners and veterans.
Hodl Up has proven to be an effective bridge builder with pre-coiners.
The whole journey of 2023 stemmed from an understanding that Tali and Scott are trying to bring awareness of Bitcoin to new people.
We need to put ourselves in the shoes of others to understand how they perceive the world in order to reach them with messages about Bitcoin, sound money, etc.
People won’t pivot until they personally have a need or they personally see the impacts of the fiat system.
Tali started OrangeHatter podcast because she saw a gap where women were not necessarily being spoken to in a feminine way.
Create touch points.Meet people where they are.
With purpose comes fulfillment. Working on something bigger than themselves has made the past year so rewarding for Tali and Scott.
₿HS014: Clair and Daniel Prince Share World-Schooling-Bitcoiner Lessons
Season 1 · Episode 14
Thursday, December 21, 2023 • Duration 01:09:44
SHOW TOPIC:
Clair and Daniel Prince bring the proof-of-work. Homeschooling while you’re traveling the world takes commitment and courage. In this episode they share their perspectives on un-programming ourselves as parents, teaching values to children, the importance of critical thinking skills, regulatory creep in Europe, and developing deep and bonding relationships with your family.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
Clair and Daniel started their journey on world schooling in 2014.
Originally reason had nothing to do with education. It started because they wanted to exit the corporate rat race.
Self-directed education includes world schooling, unschooling, homeschooling, self-led learning.
Benefits have included spending time with their children, seeing how they learn differently from one another, and so much more.
When Daniel first left his fiat job, he and Clair had to work out the balance. They had different methods of discipline, different approaches to teaching, different expectations of learning, different levels of patience, etc.
It’s important to understand you have to do a lot of de-schooling and un-programming of your own.
Socialization fears with alternative education are not just wrong. The reality is homeschooled kids are demonstrably better interacting with people of all ages, including adults.
Transition time between activities and events is critical
You can learn skills later in life, but you can’t go back and create time with your kids. You’re building lifelong relationships.
One of the biggest rewards is teaching your kids to think critically
How to have conversations with older children about the decision to go to university or not
The word “drop out” is a psy op
Western European countries are making it harder for parents to homeschool since covid
World schooling is still a cheaper way to live than staying in one place
Clair and Daniel are still judged today on their original decision to world school versus looking at the results, e.g., being bilingual
World schooling takes work, but it’s worth it
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
Daniel is the host of the 'Once BITten Podcast'
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· Their family came under additional scrutiny and potential monitoring … John says that those who homeschool should be prepared for similar treatment
· In the long term, the low time preference view, it’s worth it. The way we help other parents is by sharing.
· Talk to kids like adults about all subjects, especially money
· They are working with Adam Curry to set up a Lightning node to process microtransactions for their audio book
· The kids were with them when they set up their bitcoin wallet
· Do what you need to do to be present with your family
· If you’re feeling discouraged because it feels challenging to homeschool, don’t give up.
· John explains the history of National Computer Systems (NCS) and its influence over the US educational system and standards. They were purchased by Pearson, a publishing company in London.
· Go to the original, printed sources whenever possible … Build a book library of unabridged classics
• John Dale’s book “This Is Not A School: A nineteen year family...
She recommends self-discovery activities and habits. The more you love yourself, the more you trust yourself, the better it is for your kids. Fill your own cup.
Reach out to other moms if you’re considering homeschooling or unschooling.
If the family is strong, if the relationships are really strong, it's easier for the child to be courageous.
Choosing your battles and remaining flexible
Principle of choosing the harder right over the easier wrong
Example subjects to boost public-school kids’ knowledge: history, economics, social studies, current events.
Parents and kids are busy. Attention time is scarce. Lectures are not effective for heavy subjects. Be aware of creating unintentional resistance.
One of the things that works against us as parents trying to build relationships with kids today is screen time.
Options and methods:
o Game nights
o Family dinners
o Special projects
o Movie nights (selective movies)
o Captured audience, e.g., driving time
o Assigned readings, videos (e.g., documentaries) (“home” homework vs. “school” homework)
A key takeaway is to focus on the relationship because, because if your relationship is open, you've got a chance to communicate. Focus on that and the other things will fall into place.
Do you know someone who is doing these things? Tali and...
· Use original, unabridged works as much as possible
· Little to zero benefit of labelling reading abilities by grade
· Debating incentives versus laziness of public-school teachers and college professors
· Losing meritocracy … The trend with college students being graded by their fellow college students
· With technology as a deflationary force, the cost of education should be decreasing and the quality should be increasing. The opposite is happening.
· AI is just a tool. It can be used for good, e.g., as a brain-storming partner when writing a book.
· Don’t be afraid of AI. In fact, embrace it. It’s best to incorporate it into homeschool curriculum.
· Project Gutenberg is great resource for homeschoolers. It is a library of over 70,000 free e-books.
· Deanna is working on her new book, “Shells to Satoshi, the Story of Money”. Joel is working a romance novel set in El Salvador amongst Bitcoin expats.
Jia Jiang’s “Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection” Amazon
HAPPY TO...
Stay positive. Be careful to guard your emotions. It’s hard to keep positive when there are so many negative things in the news like biden’s executive order.
AI is bringing great benefits, to include new types of jobs. Focus on those good things.
Kids could be turned off if we communicate in a harsh way, even if our passion is coming from a place of love.
Social media street smarts. We are all susceptible to being manipulated by AI, .e.g., by social media, chat bots, etc.
Those creatives who are embracing AI and how to use it are advancing their skills and thriving.
