Ep. 141 - Why Kids Need Fairy Tales // Andrew Pudewa
Season 1 · Episode 141
Thursday, October 29, 2026 • Duration 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
Season 1 · Episode 140
Thursday, October 22, 2026 • Duration 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!👉 👉
Ep. 139 - Teen Homeschooling: How to Build Independence Without Losing Connection | Smooth Days Part 3
Season 1 · Episode 139
Thursday, October 15, 2026 • Duration 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!👉 👉
Ep. 138 - Elementary Homeschooling: How Much Independence Should Kids Really Have? | Smooth Days Part 2
Season 1 · Episode 138
Thursday, October 8, 2026 • Duration 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!👉 👉
Ep. 137 - How to Homeschool Pre-K to 2nd Grade Without Constant Battles | Focus, Behavior & Meltdowns | Smooth Days Part 1
Season 1 · Episode 137
Thursday, October 1, 2026 • Duration 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!👉 👉
Ep. 136 - Christian Marriage Advice: How to Repair, Reconnect & Grow Together // Debra Fileta
Season 1 · Episode 136
Thursday, September 24, 2026 • Duration 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!👉 👉
Ep. 135 - What Every Homeschool Dad Needs to Know // Dr. Joe O’Tool
Season 1 · Episode 135
Thursday, September 17, 2026 • Duration 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!👉 👉
Ep. 134 - Homeschool to Military: Enlistment, ROTC & Service Academies with Natalie Mack (Part 4 of 4)
Season 1 · Episode 134
Thursday, September 10, 2026 • Duration 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
Ep. 133 - How to Prepare Your Homeschooler for College (Part 3 of 4) // Natalie Mack
Season 1 · Episode 133
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 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
Ep. 132 - Can Homeschoolers Play College Sports? NCAA Eligibility Explained (Part 2 of 4) // Natalie Mack
Season 1 · Episode 132
Thursday, August 27, 2026 • Duration 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
✔ 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!👉 👉
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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