What happens when homeschool moms and their almost-grown kids get brutally honest about the best, worst, and most surprising moments of their classical education journey? Join Lisa Bailey for a heartfelt journey through the homeschool years with special guests Kelli Wilt, her daughter Libby, and Lisa's daughter Stephanie Meter. In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, three generations share their unfiltered perspectives on Classical Conversations, from favorite years and best assignments to honest regrets and surprising lessons learned.

Whether you're a brand-new homeschool parent or deep into your journey, you'll gain valuable insights on:

• Navigating parent-as-tutor dynamics
• Building lasting friendships through Classical Conversations
• The unexpected ways homeschooling transforms parents, not just students
• Why both graduates plan to homeschool their own children
• Practical tips on assignments, timeline projects, and Latin learning

This honest, laughter-filled conversation offers both encouragement and practical wisdom for homeschool families at every stage. Perfect for Classical Conversations families and anyone considering the classical Christian homeschool model.

This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable.

Ready to answer your calling? Apply to Judson College today and step into God's plan for your life. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

What if the best thing you could do for your child's education today is to send them outside? Join Lisa Bailey for an inspiring conversation with Classical Conversations founder Leigh Bortins and Ginny Yurich, creator of the 1000 Hours Outside movement and author of "Homeschooling: You're Doing It Right Just By Doing It." Discover how unstructured outdoor play develops every facet of child development—cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Ginny shares research-backed evidence that complex outdoor movements literally build brain structure and protect against cognitive decline. Both Leigh and Ginny share their paths to home education, from recognizing the limitations of institutional schooling to embracing a lifestyle of family-centered learning. Learn why they believe homeschooling is less about perfect curriculum and more about living life alongside your children. Hear honest stories about the modern childhood crisis—from kindergarteners facing 8-hour academic days to middle schoolers pulling out their hair from stress. The conversation challenges our cultural assumptions about what children truly need to thrive.

Resources:

https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/

This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by Judson College:

Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden.

Ready to answer your calling? Find out what makes Judson College experience different. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

Ever wonder why some homeschool families seem to have it all figured out while others are still drowning in chaos weeks into the school year? The secret isn't perfect planning—it's finding your groove. Join Lisa Bailey and seasoned homeschool veteran Jennifer Hester for a candid, rapid-fire conversation about what it really takes to get into the homeschool groove. Jennifer brings over a decade of classical education experience as both a parent and tutor, shepherding her own kids from foundations through Challenge levels while pursuing her doctorate. You'll discover the real reason community day leaves everyone exhausted (hint: it's not just you), Jennifer's genius crock-pot lunch hack that will change your community day forever, and why the jump to Challenge levels is harder on parents than students. Jennifer shares her car ride conversation strategy that unlocks deeper connections with your kids and explains how letting go of elaborate lesson plans actually made her a better tutor. The conversation covers which grade transitions hit families the hardest and how to ease the adjustment, along with honest insights about everything from forgotten shoes to flashcard drawers. This isn't your typical "homeschool perfectly" advice. Instead, Jennifer proves that finding your groove isn't about perfection—it's about creating sustainable rhythms that work for your unique family.

This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable.

Ready to answer your calling? Apply to Judson College today and step into God's plan for your life. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

2026 Classical Conversations Family Cruise

Have you heard? The Classical Conversations 2026 CC Family Cruise will set sail on May 16, 2026. This exciting adventure is open to all CC families and alumni. It will include the National Memory Master Competition, National Commencement, and special CC family activities. Interest is booming with over 800 people interested in cruising with us and cabins are selling out fast!

Book your cabin now at www.classicalconversations.com/cruise-2026

 Remember, to participate in the CC activities you need to book through the CC group.

Grab your sunscreen, your beach bag. and join us on board!

As we all prepare for the new semester, it is natural to look back on the fall and determine:  What didn't go so well?  What should I change?  How can we "do better"?  These frank questions have value, but only alongside another assessment:  What went WELL?  How did we grow in non-academic ways?  Listen as guest Brittany Lewis shares some wonderful insights and encouragements!

The holidays—thrilling, frantic, moving, and full—have come and gone…and maybe they've left you strangely unmotivated to begin the school routine again.  What's up with that, and how do we all keep going?  Listen in as Lisa and guest Jennifer Courtney acknowledge the January blahs AND offer insights to ease you into and through the transition back to your "real life"!

The final installment of the Simplify Advent series shares some easy ways to serve as a family; listen in as Jamie Hays and Lisa reminisce about serving opportunities when they were children and as they give some inspired suggestions for serving as a family now.  How can your family bless others this Christmas?

Looking for some fresh ideas for celebrating in simply ways this Advent season?  Amy Jones and Lisa discuss how to explore together as a family, chasing your child's curiosity and finding deeper meaning in the Christmas story.  You'll gain some good ideas for family fun, and hear some personal memories from the Jones and Bailey families!

This week's Simplify Advent podcast centers around reading together.  Listen as veteran homeschool dad and ardent reader Tim Knotts shares some great ideas for Advent family reading.  Tim and Lisa offer some great hows and whys of family reading, as well as some specific ideas on the what!

Families searching for ways to celebrate Advent without becoming crazy or crazy busy:  Everyday Educator has some suggestions!  Listen each Tuesday for ideas on using the Scribblers verbs of Pray, Play, Read, Explore, and Serve as encouragements to celebrate simply and celebrate together.  This episode features Kelli Wilt and Lisa sharing ideas on Playing Together as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Looking for some ways to simplify your Christmas celebrations this year?  Listen every Tuesday in December to Everyday Educator's Simplify Advent podcasts; we'll be discussing ways to deepen our celebration of Jesus's birth as families.  You'll hear some great ideas and enjoy some sweet fellowship and encouragement.  This week is about how praying together can lead us to profound celebration of God's greatest gift.

What's Thanksgiving about for your family?  How to you celebrate?  WHAT do you celebrate?  This episode of The Everyday Educator might give you some new ideas…  Listen with the whole family, as you travel or as you prepare the feast and maybe give thanks in a new way this year.

Wish you could talk to an experienced homeschooler, just to ask a few questions?  Wondering if your thoughts, reactions, and questions are "normal"?  Join Lisa and her guest Melissa Ellison for this week's episode and you'll hear the truth from a couple of veterans. Answers for your mind, encouragement for your heart!

Wish you could talk to an experienced homeschooler, just to ask a few questions?  Wondering if your thoughts, reactions, and questions are "normal"?  Join Lisa and her guest Melissa Ellison for this week's episode and you'll hear the truth from a couple of veterans. Answers for your mind, encouragement for your heart!

What comes after Classical Conversations? If you've loved the journey of learning alongside your children but wonder where they can continue growing in faith and academics, this conversation is for you. Join Lisa as she explores Judson College with Director of College Life Jake Hatfield and CC graduate Elinor Taylor. Discover how this small North Carolina college creates a seamless bridge from Classical Conversations to higher education through their Great Books program, where students wrestle with Augustine, Dante, and Aquinas in seminar-style discussions. Elinor shares how her CC foundation in memorization, writing, and Socratic dialogue prepared her to thrive in college, while Jake explains their unique house system that builds lifelong community around their mission to "equip students to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society." Whether your student dreams of ministry, missions, or the marketplace, learn how Judson's five C's (calling, confession, curriculum, community, and cost) might be the perfect next chapter for your family's educational adventure.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable. Ready to answer your calling?

Apply to Judson College today and step into God's plan for your life.

https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

Why would families with OLDER students want Scribblers?  Just ask some who have tried it out!  Scribblers helps families chart the course for homeschooling, but it also helps create a family culture of learning that lasts.  Parents are discovering that the charts make explaining ideas (even to Challenge students) easier, and the activities draw families together in play with has intention.  Listen as KatieBeth and Lisa finish their conversation about learning as a family.

Whether you're considering the possibility of homeschooling or wondering how to add some zest to what you're already doing, this episode of the Everyday Educator is for you.  Join Lisa and guest KatieBeth Pierson as they discuss lessons learned along their way and give some very practical ideas on resources and ideas that will transform your family learning.

Whether your family reads together already, or you're looking for good ideas on how to develop that habit, this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast is for you.  Listen as guest Brittany Lewis gives us some great insights on why to read together, what material to try, and how to get started.  Best of all, there is hope for turning reluctant readers into family readers.  You'll be blessed by the listening!

What happens when homeschooling is over?  How does your relationship with your kids change?  How are YOU changed by homeschooling?  Listen in as David Bailey, a dad to two "grown-up girls" who were homeschooled all the way through, shares his thoughts on homeschooling…and beyond!

If you've been considering writing out your family's mission statement—or wondering if you need one—this week's Everyday Educator episode is for you.  Host Lisa and guest Kelli Wilt come clean about their lack of such a statement in the early years but share some excellent reasons to have one now!  Full of wise counsel, practical tips, and honest reflections these ladies will bless your day!

Homeschooling...it's not just for your kids!  Have you ever thought about homeschooling as the beginning of educating yourself?  If you have questions about "educating yourself", this episode of EE is for you.  Guest Heatherly Sylvia, a passionate lifelong learner, will inspire you to stay curious, to keep learning, and to see the life of a learner as one that pleases the Lord.  Come for practical tips, stay for the encouragement!

God is wooing us to Himself with the wonder and beauty in His world. When we chase the wonder in creation, we draw near to the creator and find what He is waiting for us to discover.  Listen this week as guest Amy Jones describes how a classical, Christian community can help your family promote more wonder in your homeschool.  And, hear how one of the activities from Scribblers At Home:  Recipes from Lifelong Learners can open your family's eyes to wonder in your own backyard.

Classical Conversations believes that classical education prepares us to accept the responsibilities of Christian freedom.  What ARE those responsibilities, and how do we as parents prepare our children to accept them?  Listen in this week as homeschool mom Charity Brown shares with Lisa some heady thoughts AND some practical tips on raising Godly kids who are ready to be ambassadors for Christ in the world.

Searching for the right schedule to regulate your homeschool days this year?  You probably suspect that finding the perfect schedule might be impossible…but finding the right rhythm is exactly what Lisa's guest Jennifer Courtney is ready to discuss!  On this week's podcast you'll hear some great suggestions for crafting your family's learning plan, hear a few "non-negotiables" mentioned, and even learn the "Leigh Bortins way" of schooling with multiple kids of different ages and abilities.

It's time to start Foundations; are you ready?  Listen in as Courtney Bradshaw, CC Academic Advisor, gives us some tips for getting ready for a fantastic year with our Foundations students.  From seeing the big picture to getting your home ready, Courtney has the news that will help you and your children start the Foundations year off right.  (She also gives you the insider info on where to go for great downloadable helps and a place to get your questions answered.)

Can you really do Classical Conversations without all the technology? What does homeschooling look like when you're juggling a full-time job? And how do you prepare for a successful CC year without losing your mind over the summer? Join Kelli Wilt and Lisa Bailey in this special Q&A episode of Everyday Educator! Drawing from over two decades of homeschooling experience, Lisa tackles real questions from the CC community about memory work without technology, summer preparation for a successful year, navigating upper-level students, homeschooling as a working parent, and overcoming first-generation homeschooler fears. This candid conversation offers practical wisdom for both new and seasoned classical educators, emphasizing relationship-building, flexibility, and trusting the journey. Whether you're just starting out or transitioning to challenge levels, you'll find encouragement and actionable advice for your classical homeschool adventure.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Judson College:

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable.

Ready to answer your calling? Apply to Judson College today and step into God's plan for your life. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, wonder is when Divinity makes its presence known.  How can we learn to be better "wonder-ers"?  Join host Lisa Bailey as her guest Amy Jones leads us to think about the connection between time, space, questions, and wonder.  Here's the good news:  Wonder is a skill you can build! Listen, and commit to finding wonder as you go this fall.

What do you want to teach your children while you homeschool—besides reading, writing, and arithmetic?  What "life skills" are you determined to pass on—and how compatible is teaching those skills with your classical, Christian education plan?  On this episode of the Everyday Educator, guest Stephanie Meter talks to her mom Lisa about what skills she took from homeschooling into adulting.   It's an entertaining and eye-opening episode!

What's the best way to ready yourself and your student for the upper Challenge program?  How can you position your family to make the most of this amazing learning opportunity?  Listen as guest Brittany Lewis shares insights and encouragements that make Challenges II-IV super appetizing; you'll appreciate Brittany's thoughtful tips on how best to prepare and on the skills  you and your child will gain.

It's almost time to begin the Challenge year!  Want some help to get ready?  Listen in as Lanelle Lowe, experienced mom, tutor, and curriculum developer, gives us some preparation tips for Ch A, B, and I.  Find out what the uniques are for each level, and what your family has to look forward to as you learn together this year.  You'll get the scoop on all the "learning curves" for both students and parents and learn how to meet the challenges.

Didn't always love math?  Then you have lots in common with Leigh Bortins, creator of The Math Map, CC's developing math curriculum for families!  On this episode, listen as guests Leigh Bortins and Kirsty Gilpin share how studying math in a new way might be the key to seeing God's riches in creation, in art, in music, in building, in literature…You'll be encouraged by the thoughts of studying math together as a family, with purpose that goes beyond practicality

Looking for something fun to read (or listen to) and something fun to do after reading?  Listen as Lisa shares some reasons to read stories of all kinds with your kids; this week's read alouds include a poem, a fable, and 2 nature stories. Lisa also offers ideas on how to continue the conversation after the story is over, as well as some inspired ideas that will bring life to your storytime.

How do you savor a story? In today's podcast, Lisa shares some ways to appreciate and enjoy stories with your family, extending the fun and making the read-aloud experience even more memorable. Listen as she shares a poem (celebrating the vigor dads bring to story time) as well as two American Tall Tales that might inspire your family to spin a yarn or two of your own!

Read Aloud time is not just for fiction; try some biographies, some poetry, a travel log, a bird watching guide…Reading starts conversations, and conversations lead to explorations and explorations create family memories!  This week we say, "Happy Birthday, America!"  Join Lisa for this All-American Read Aloud, and enjoy bringing stories to life with your family this holiday. 

Ready for another story? Listen in as Lisa shares tips on making stories come alive and why you should read and listen with your children this summer. This week, listen to some tall tales of Paul Bunyan, and get some insights on his inventions and some encouragements to make some inventions of your own this summer!

What's so special about reading aloud? Whether you're looking for reasons to read aloud this summer, or just someone else to read aloud for you, this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast will deliver! Join Lisa as she shares tips on making read alouds come to life, and enjoy a read aloud of "The Frogs and the Crane" and "Over in the Meadow"—plus some great ideas to take this selections  to the next level.

What if the "chaos" of homeschooling multiple children is actually the secret to better learning? Two experienced homeschool moms with 7 and 8 children respectively share their hard-won wisdom on successfully educating large families. Courtney and Sarah break down the myths about homeschooling multiple children and reveal practical strategies for managing different ages, handling the chaos of littles during lessons, and creating a rhythm (not rigid schedule) that works. From filling little cups first thing in the morning to empowering older siblings as learning mentors, they offer concrete solutions for common challenges like toddlers climbing on tables during grammar lessons and juggling individual needs without losing your sanity. Whether you have two kids or ten, you'll discover why doing fewer things well beats trying to recreate separate grade-level classrooms at home, and how the one-room schoolhouse model actually makes learning more natural and effective for everyone.

This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by Judson College:

Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden.  

Ready to answer your calling? Find out what makes Judson College experience different. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

What makes Scribblers At Home:  Recipes From Lifelong Learners such a "must-have" resource?  Who might want it?  Who might benefit the most?  Why are we so excited??  Listen in as Lisa and Shelly Stockton reminisce about their early days of homeschooling and how Scribblers provides so much of what they wish they had known then.  How can this one book meet so many families where they live?

If you've got questions about the CC Masters Program, you will find answers on this week's podcast with Lynn Doto.  Maybe you've wondered how anyone could find time for extra studying; perhaps you question why you "need" a degree to validate your time spent homeschooling.  Lynn and Lisa explore the CC Masters Program with Southeastern University, answering practical "how" questions as well as bigger "why" questions.  You will come away understanding the Masters of Arts degree as a way to "love a life of learning" as well as training in loving your neighbor well.

Join guest host Kelli Wilt as she chats with National Memory Master winner Lousana and her mother Renée Guichard. Discover the wonderful world of memory mastery and gain insights into Lousana's study techniques and her triumphs and challenges along the way. We hope this episode inspires your family to take on the challenge by shedding some light on the incredible abilities and aspirations of these exceptional students.

Have you ever wished someone would come alongside you and show you some ways to make homeschooling more fun? Ways you could intentionally encourage play with a purpose? This month on the Global Homeschool Minute, we welcome Lisa Bailey to the podcast. A homeschooling veteran, Lisa shares her excitement about Classical Conversations' newest curriculum, Scribblers @Home, which will be released this spring. This relaxed, enjoyable, at home curriculum is designed by experienced parents with a desire to share what they wish they had known when they started out. Scribblers, packed with "recipes" for parents to enrich their homeschooling, will help you create a family culture of learning.

Whether you are new to homeschooling or already a seasoned Classical Conversations parent, come catch the excitement for this new curriculum!

Lisa Bailey is the host of Everyday Educator, a long-running Classical Conversations podcast, and is also the Lead Curriculum Developer for the Global Curriculum team of our publishing company, Classical Conversations MultiMedia (CCMM). Since joining the Classical Conversations family in 2004 as a Challenge B Director, Lisa has graduated two daughters out of the Challenge program and has served in various roles within the company. In this episode, Robert and Lisa discuss her homeschooling journey from why she first chose to homeschool to the importance of committing long-term to the homeschool process.

It's the ultimate crossover episode . . . Delise and Ginny are joined by CC legend and host of the Everyday Educator podcast Lisa Bailey! Lisa recently became a grandmother, so in this conversation, she chats about parenting versus grandparenting. As a parent, she was often so focused on doing everything right that she missed out on opportunities to enjoy the small, simple moments of her children just growing up. But now, as she is blessed with the chance to relive those moments with her grandson, she can be more present and treasure every minute. Of course, with the much-anticipated release of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learning, Lisa also talks about her involvement in creating this new Classical Conversations® resource and what it really means to play intentionally with our children. Finally, she shares some practical tips for setting boundaries as a parent and emphasizes the importance of asking our children questions instead of rushing in to give them the answers. As you listen, we hope Lisa's wisdom and joy shines through this conversation and leaves you inspired and uplifted!

"The best part of community is_______."   How would you fill in that blank?  (Is it the accountability?  The comradery?  The encouragement?). For many CC families, community is what keeps us moving forward!  Listen in as long-time CC mommas Jennifer Courtney and Amanda Butler share insights on the value of community for students and families; their thoughts might surprise you; they will inspire you.

What's the big deal about Practicum?  What's it all about?  How will it help me and my family?  If you're wondering about Practicum, and trying to decide whether to go, and what you'll find once you get there, this week's podcast is for you!  Join Lisa as she talks to Krystal Cano about the best reasons to attend Practicum this year; you'll discover how first-time attenders and seasoned Practicum lovers alike will delight in the layered learning and the sweet community to be found.

Springtime brings flowers, birds, and …eagerness to be DONE with school!  Are students in your family having a hard time staying focused?  Listen in as Kathy Donegia joins Lisa to talk about how the partnership between student, parent, and community helps us all finish well. Kathy shares how her Challenge IV students find blessings in learning together in community and making memories through family discussions as well.

What's the big deal about Rhetorical events?  How important are they?  How can I help my student do something I've never done??  If thoughts like this have ever crossed your mind, here is a podcast for you!  Join host Lisa Bailey and guest Brittany Lewis for an enlightening look at CC's Rhetorical events, from science fair to senior thesis.  You'll see just what your students are gaining as they practice the skills they've honed for years, and how those skills are lived out within a community of friends.

Ever wish you could sit down with a homeschool graduate and ask: "What do you wish someone had told you?" Here's that conversation. In this episode, host Lisa Bailey interviews a recent Classical Conversations graduate who completed the entire program. This candid conversation reveals the unvarnished truth about homeschooling's challenges and triumphs from someone who lived it. The discussion covers essential wisdom about procrastination, time management, and learning to take ownership of your education. Listeners hear about the notorious Challenge B year when parent-child relationships are tested, the moment when all the pieces of classical education finally connect, and how tools like anti-charts and logical thinking continue serving graduates in real-world situations. For parents questioning their educational investment and students feeling overwhelmed by Challenge program responsibilities, this conversation provides both encouragement and practical strategies drawn from lived experience navigating the full classical education journey.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by the Classical Learning Cohort and Judson College:

Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden.

Ready to answer your calling? Find out what makes Judson College experience different. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

Are you a CC parent or graduate wanting to become a more confident classical educator? Why not sample the CLC by attending a free, online "Experience the CLC" event at classicalconversations.com/cohort. Find a time that fits your schedule.

Community days are ending for the year….but that doesn't mean the learning is done!  Join veteran homeschool mom Denise McLain for some tips on how to keep the family learning together!  Denise and Lisa share some ideas for learning some new things, practicing some "old" skills, and taking our families into the community as we learn to love our neighbors well.

Have you ever questioned the usefulness of our classical tools outside of academic pursuits?  How, for instance, could they help a plumber, or a missionary, or an army captain?  Answer:  they prepare us for LIFE!  Listen in as guests Angela and Emma Oxford share about the classical tools of learning and how they help us have conversations that lead to sharing Jesus, no matter where we are.

Guest host Delise Germond invites Lisa Bailey to share the Why, the What, and the What Next about CC's newest resource, Scribblers At Home:  Recipes from Lifelong Learners.  Listen in and hear about the beginnings of Scribblers, the behind-the-scenes stories, and the features that will make learning together easy for families.  Scribblers at Home is ready to be delivered to your door now, so visit classicalconversationsbooks.com and order your copy today.