Tried and True Homeschooling

✨What does it look like to be the steady one—the grounding force—in a homeschool?In today’s episode, I talk with Chris, a father of four who homeschooled his kids through high school while juggling military relocations, teen dynamics, and unexpected life turns. Chris shares how he learned to support his wife through annual burnout, to offer consistency in a constantly changing world, and to keep showing up even when homeschooling felt uncertain or off-track. This is a story of quiet leadership—the kind that doesn’t seek the spotlight, but builds a strong foundation. We talk about structure, character, trust, and the long arc of parenting kids who grow into their own stories.I recorded this episode during a particularly hard time and Chris’s words of wisdom telling me that they wanted to quit every spring rang true to me. It helped me think about how I could run our homeschool life differently to reduce burnout and focus on creating beautiful memories.Whether you're in a season of doubt or just trying to bring steadiness to your homeschool, this one’s for you.If you found this episode helpful, please give us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others find us!🔥Did you know there are downloadable show notes with key takeaways, inspiring quotes, resource recommendations, journal prompts, and more?!?Click below for show notes from this and all episodes. Exclusively for my favorite people👇Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

✨Wondering what homeschooled kids really think once they grow up?In this vulnerable and wisdom-rich episode, I sit down with Kathryn Fogleman-White - a homeschool alumna, certified life coach, author, and now homeschooling mom - oh and the eldest daughter of the incredible Dawnita Fogleman from our first episode. Kathryn grew up the oldest of six on an rural Oklahoma farm. School looked like rich literature, dog training, farm chores, budget spreadsheets, and finishing math before lunch. But it wasn’t all dreamy freedom—she also wrestled with parentification, self-neglect, and the cost of growing up too fast. Now raising a daughter of her own, Kathryn shares what she’s keeping, what she’s changing, and how she’s building a family life around values like financial freedom, flexibility, and honest connection. If you’re wondering how homeschooled kids turn out — this one’s for you.🖋️Connect with Kathryn on her website and X. You can also hear from her mother in our first episode Secrets of a Pioneer Homeschool Mom! If you found this episode helpful, please give us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others find us!🔥Did you know there are downloadable show notes with key takeaways, inspiring quotes, resource recommendations, journal prompts, and more?!?Click below for show notes from this and all episodes. Exclusively for my favorite people👇Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

Listen above or on Apple, Spotify, or Pocketcasts✨What does education look like when it’s driven by curiosity, not curriculum?Today, I talk with the incredible Kerry McDonald—a Harvard-trained economist, author, and unschooling mom of four—for a rich and honest conversation about educational freedom.Kerry shares how a chance encounter with a homeschooling family turned her life upside down, sparking a journey away from traditional schooling and toward self-directed education. From her daughter teaching herself to read at four, to navigating teenage years without coercion, Kerry walks us through what it really looks like to trust your child—and yourself.If you’ve ever wondered whether kids can really learn without being “taught”, this conversation is for you.We also dive deep into the growing microschool movement and show you why so many families are stepping outside the system to build something better. 🖋️If you’d like to connect with Kerry, you’ll find her at her podcast website. You can also buy her new book Joyful Learning available TODAY!If you found this episode helpful, please give us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others find us!🔥BONUS! Downloadable show notes with key takeaways, inspiring quotes, resource recommendations, journal prompts, and more! Exclusively for my favorite people👇Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

This post was incorrectly marked paid only. The podcast is always free - especially this episode! I’ve deleted the prior post. My apologies for the mistake and the second email in your inbox. Listen above or on Apple, Spotify, or Pocketcasts✨Are you homeschooling kids with dyslexia and wondering if they'll ever thrive as readers and learners? Meet Jessica Kulynych —a mom who accidentally fell into homeschooling and ended up transforming the lives of her three dyslexic children. Faced with delayed reading, dysgraphia, and emotional sensitivities, Jessica refused to give up. Instead, she became an expert - researching relentlessly, embracing Orton-Gillingham, and crafting a flexible classical-eclectic approach that met her kids exactly where they were. Today, her children are thriving adults in love with reading.Jessica is a warrior mom whose story left me in awe of what dedicated homeschooling can achieve. If you're dealing with dyslexia, Jessica’s story will give you hope, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.🖋️Connect with Jessica Kulynych on her Substack An Unexpected Difficulty or enjoy her article Homeschooling Dyslexia: Lessons from 20 Years of Trial and Triumph. 🔥BONUS! Downloadable show notes with key takeaways, inspiring quotes, resource recommendations, journal prompts, and more! Exclusively for my favorite people👇If you found this episode helpful, please give us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others find us!Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

Listen above or on Apple, Spotify, or Pocketcasts✨Are you homeschooling kids with dyslexia and wondering if they'll ever thrive as readers and learners? Meet Jessica Kulynych —a mom who accidentally fell into homeschooling and ended up transforming the lives of her three dyslexic children. Faced with delayed reading, dysgraphia, and emotional sensitivities, Jessica refused to give up. Instead, she became an expert - researching relentlessly, embracing Orton-Gillingham, and crafting a flexible classical-eclectic approach that met her kids exactly where they were. Today, her children are thriving adults in love with reading.Jessica is a warrior mom whose story left me in awe of what dedicated homeschooling can achieve. If you're dealing with dyslexia, Jessica’s story will give you hope, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.🖋️Connect with Jessica Kulynych on her Substack An Unexpected Difficulty or enjoy her article Homeschooling Dyslexia: Lessons from 20 Years of Trial and Triumph. 🔥BONUS! Downloadable show notes with key takeaways, inspiring quotes, resource recommendations, journal prompts, and more! Exclusively for my favorite people👇If you found this episode helpful, please give us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast platform. It helps others find us!Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.clarified.lifeListen above or on Apple, Spotify, or Pocketcasts✨What happens when you ditch traditional schooling and fold your child into the rhythms of real life? I had the pure pleasure of sitting down with Peter, a music producer, author, and homeschooling dad, to explore the unique and beautiful way he educated his son.Peter and his wife integrated their son John into their music business, fostering his independence and diverse skills. Peter’s son was running the cash box by 8. Later he ran sound checks, managed security and ticket booths. He tried his hand at blacksmithing and learning to fly a plane. Peter’s “curriculum” was anything but conventional. Peter’s philosophy emphasizes following a child’s interests, embracing individuality, and learning through real-world experiences. He’ll even share what happened when his son decided to go back to public high school.If you're feeling boxed in by traditional education, this conversation will stretch your thinking and inspire new possibilities.🖋️If you’d like to connect with Peter, you can find him on his website and X. Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life.✨INTRODUCING ClarifiEd Show Notes!I kept finding myself relistening to episodes to remember precisely what resources these incredible veterans recommended or their beautiful quotes, so I decided to write a short, snappy, summary of each episode with my favorite takeaways, inspirational quotes, things I plan to try, thought prompts, and ALL the recommended resources from each episode - all in a nice downloadable pdf.I’m crafting these show notes as a thank you to my paid supporters. Your help covers video, editing tools, all my time recording and editing these podcasts (it’s a lot of hours friends!). Any level of support comes with access to my You Can Homeschool course. Thank you friends. Truly♥️ClarifiEd Show Notes👇

If you are listening outside my website, head over to clarified.life for workshops, courses, lesson plans, and more. ✨Are you worried that your messy, imperfect life will get in the way of homeschooling?Today's guest tells reassures us that it’s not perfect conditions, but teaching strength of character and responsibility, that shapes strong, capable adults.Let’s dive into the extraordinary story of Von, a homeschooling dad six and grandfather to 25, who, alongside his wife, educated their kids in remote African mission fields. Facing challenges like delayed curricula shipments, his wife’s illnesses, and raising kids in a high-stakes, sometime dangerous environments, Von prioritized character and practical skills. His approach—rooted in obedience, great books, and real-world responsibility—produced six successful adults, all now homeschooling their own kids or thriving in careers like programming and running their own construction companies.🖋️His Key Advice to Homeschooling Parents👉Focus on Character First: Teach obedience and responsibility early to manage chaos and build lifelong resilience.👉Use Great Books for Critical Thinking: Read classics together, discuss values, and spark curiosity to teach kids how to learn.In this episode, you’ll learn👇* Homeschooling in Crisis: How Von’s family kept learning during his wife’s bed rest by training kids to manage the household.* Raising Responsible Kids: Strategies like “two-year-old obedience” and “hierarchical obedience” to handle large families.* Building Work-Ready Teens: Why early jobs (like dairy work at 14) created resumes that outshine college degrees.* Using Classic Books for Values: How discussions around Little Britches and other stories shaped character and critical thinking.* Language Learning Regrets and Tips: Why bilingualism matters and how to use free resources and cooking shows to teach Spanish effectively.PS: Don’t miss the last 10 minutes when Von gives practical advice on teaching kids a 2nd language!Von inspired me to think more deeply about the importance of raising responsible children with high character. His approach my not be for everyone, but I encourage you to listen with an open heart. As Aristotle says it is the mark of “an educated person to consider an idea without immediately accepting or rejecting it.”Favorite Quote: “You’re not a grade, you’re a person.”If you’d like to connect with Von, you can find him at his website.Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life.Know someone who would benefit from hearing this podcast? Please share! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

✨Overwhelmed by Homeschooling? This Mom’s Peaceful Approach Will Recenter YouToday’s guest, Brooke Z, homeschooled her two sons for 15 years—then watched them transition seamlessly into private high school, earn scholarships, and thrive. Her approach? Relaxed, but purposeful. She built a joyful home where curiosity ruled, independence grew, and learning happened everywhere—from picture books to science centers.Brooke’s biggest advice👇✨Trust your gut. No one knows your kids better than you.✨Have a plan—but stay flexible. A missed day isn’t a failure. It’s life.This episode is a breath of fresh air if you’re feeling the pressure of high school, transcripts, or “keeping up.” You’ll leave encouraged, grounded, and reminded that homeschooling really does work.Favorite Quote: “You’ll get there. Day by day, you’ll get there.”✨If you want to connect with Brooke, check out her substack The Pondering Scottie and stay tuned for Friday’s guest post!If you are new to homeschooling, you might like my You Can Homeschool Course and workshops like Socratic Method for Beginners.Become a paid subscriber to get access to courses, workshops, masterpiece lesson plans, and detailed post. The annual membership is on SALE for the summer $5/month — cheaper than one (1!) Frappuccino. Disclaimer: Tried and True Homeschooling shares real parents stories without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach presented in these discussions—my goal is to present real families and their experiences so you can decide what’ best for your children. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life.~Dr. Claire Honeycutt♥️Know anyone who’d like this, please share! It’d an incredible way to support the podcast and my work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

Listen above or on Apple, Spotify, or Pocketcasts✨Do you worry you’re not enough to give your kids a great education? Today's guest, Melissa, homeschooled her four kids through unthinkable challenges. A single mom, she earned her master's degree while homeschooling, she teaches online and recently bought her own business. Yet somehow she also managed to give her kids an exceptional education and her oldest is currently attending West Point. Melissa is living proof that you don't need perfect conditions to give your kids a powerful education. She shares honest, practical wisdom on juggling work, fostering independence, and trusting your instincts even when the odds are stacked against you. Melissa’s story is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and trusting your instincts as a parent.On a personal note, it was a blog by a single homeschool mom that convinced me that I could do this. And I hope Melissa's story does the same for you. 🌸In This Episode, You’ll Learn:* How to Homeschool as a Working Mom: How Melissa juggled full-time tech jobs and homeschooling.* Raising Academic Kids: What does it take academically to help your kids into one of the most rigorous institutions in the country.* Navigating College Admissions: Tips for tackling transcripts and why the PSAT was a game-changer for scholarships and military academies.* Making It Work on a Budget: How the public library became their classroom and HSLDA grants saved the day.* Balancing Discipline and Love: Melissa’s approach to raising teens who are respectful and resilient. Favorite Tip: Go to the library, pick one history & one science book every week and watch their knowledge explode!Connect with Melissa: Find her on X at @MelissaAmaya32 If you are new to homeschooling, you might like my You Can Homeschool Course and workshops like Socratic Method for Beginners.Become a paid subscriber to get access to courses, workshops, masterpiece lesson plans, and detailed post. The annual membership is on SALE for the summer $5/month — cheaper than one (1!) Frappuccino. Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is simply to present real families and their experiences. For my own advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life.Know anyone who’d like this, please share! It helps us grow and support more families. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

Listen on Apple, Spotify, or Pocketcasts✨Are you wondering how to meet the needs of wildly different learners—from gifted to struggling readers, to ADHD—all under one roof?Today’s guest, Cornelia homeschooled four VERY different children. But she guided each of them through a unique learning path, helping them uncover their gifts and grow into confident, grounded young adults.Cornelia provides the clearest, most powerful take on truly personalized education I’ve heard. Her story is packed with wisdom including how to release fear and live in the joy of the present moment. Whether you’re just starting out or knee-deep in the homeschool trenches, this episode will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that it’s okay to do things differently.PS. Don’t miss the last 7 minutes - Cornelia gives the most incredible and simple way to let go of fear of failure and just be present with your kids.Favorite Quote: I think I read to her until she left to get married.✨In this episode, we talk about👇* Teaching the Child in Front of You: How she shaped totally different educations for each of her kids. She said My style is to figure out what was perfect for each child!* When Reading Felt Impossible: Her third son’s slow start, the sister who stepped in, and how he became a college standout for his writing.* Rethinking College Prep: Practical, outside-the-box advice for getting into college—with scholarships—and FIGHTING for your kids to college counselors.Cornelia was one of my favorite interviews! She talks about her children with reverence and respect. She’s incredible and I hope you love her as much as I do. Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or approach—my goal is simply to present real families and their experiences. For my own advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life.Know anyone who’d like this, please share! It’d an incredible way to support the podcast and my work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

✨Wondering how to homeschool with limited resources and still raise confident, capable adults? Today, we'll learn from a pioneer homeschool mom who has made it work through creativity and community. I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Dawnita Fogleman. She navigated significant challenges, such as raising six children, managing chronic illness, and facing natural disasters like wildfires, all while homeschooling in rural Oklahoma. Despite feeling like she failed at times, her success lies in raising independent, capable, and grounded adults who pursue their passions and maintain a strong faith and character.Disclaimer: These stories are shared without commentary or endorsement. I don’t necessarily agree with every method or outcome—my goal is simply to present real families and their experiences. For my personal advice and approach, head to ClarifiEd.life.A heartfelt thank you to the paid subscribers who make this podcast possible.Your support fuels everything I create—conversations, resources, and tools to help parents. If this podcast (or anything I share) has been valuable to you, please become a paid subscriber to support my work. If you are interested in supporting the podcast and picking up some great benefits along the way, head over to clarified.life This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

✨Introducing Tried & True Homeschooling: Real Parents, Real Stories, Real Results. What happens after homeschooling? This podcast goes beyond the day-to-day to explore how real families made it work—and how it all turned out. Hosted by Dr. Claire Honeycutt, a former professor turned homeschool mom, Tried & True Homeschooling features honest conversations with veteran parents who’ve successfully graduated their kids.Each episode offers practical strategies, mindset shifts, and lessons learned from years of experience—so you can homeschool with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Discover how different homeschooling philosophies shape adult outcomes—from college and careers to family, faith, and fulfillment. Subscribe now to get the wisdom you wish you had from the start—and walk away inspired, equipped, and reassured that you can do this. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clarified.life/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.clarified.lifeDid you know that Language Arts is not one, not two, but SEVEN distinct subjects! Lucky for us, they can generally be split into Reading and Writing. Today we’ll tackle the 3 subjects of Reading → Learning to Read, Literature, and Vocabulary. Today’s Workshop Will Teach You👇* When to Start Teaching Reading? (Hint: Not When You Think!)* The BEST Way to Teach Reading (There IS a wrong way!)* How to Raise Kids Who Love to Read* The 3 Must-Read Book Types for Kids* Making the Leap from Reading to Literature* How to Really Read a Book (More Than Finishing the Words)* Are Formal Vocabulary Lessons Worth It?* My Top Picks for Reading Curriculum & ResourcesWant More? Here’s a link to ALL reading posts 👇This is part of my You Can Homeschool series—short, sweet videos tailored for new homeschool parents or anyone that feels uncertain about helping their child succeed in their education.Subscribe below for access.No More Uncertainty, Just Thriving Kids♥️

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.clarified.lifeThere are few subjects that strike fear in a parent’s heart like math. In this video, I break down everything you need to know to teach math with confidence. After this workshop, you will know👇* The best way to teach math* The progression from kindergarten to 12th grade* How to handle math anxiety & resistance* How much testing and assessment is necessary and when to do it* How to pick the right curriculum (and the ones I recommend)* Simple ways to make math come alive with creative supplementsThis is part of my new You Can Homeschool series—quick, focused videos to take the uncertainty out of homeschooling.My newsletter will remain DEEP dives into the nitty-gritty of education but these short, sweet videos are tailored for new homeschool parents or anyone that feels uncertain about helping their child succeed in their education.Subscribe below for access.Want More? Link to ALL my posts on Math👇No More Uncertainty, Just Thriving Kids♥️~Dr. Claire Honeycutt

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.clarified.lifeHistory isn’t just a subject—it’s the story of humanity. It’s the foundation upon which we understand who we are, how we got here, and where we might go.It’s critical that you connect your child to this story, grounding them in a deep, interconnected understanding of time, culture, and the best of humanity. It sparks curiosity, builds critical thinking, and equips them to see the world with clarity and purpose.When taught properly, history doesn’t just inform—it transforms.This Workshop Will Cover👇* Why History is Still Important* The Best Way to Teach History (Memorizing facts ISN’T teaching history)* The Subject That MUST Be Taught With History* Do Elementary Kids Need History & What to do in High School* How to Read Through History - aka The Great Books* Why & how to use original sources* My Personal Curriculum & Resource RecommendationsWant Deeper? Link to ALL my posts on History👇This is part of my You Can Homeschool series—short, sweet videos tailored for new homeschool parents or anyone that feels uncertain about helping their child succeed in their education.Subscribe below for access.No More Uncertainty, Just Thriving Kids♥️~Dr. Claire Honeycutt

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.clarified.lifeI was a practicing university scientist for nearly 2 decades. I LOVE science, but I know it’s not everyone’s most comfortable subject. In this post, I help you teach your kids science with confidence. After this workshop, you will know👇* The point of teaching science* The best way to teach science* Science from kindergarten to 12th grade* How to teach experiments - the right way* When & how to assess science knowledge* What to do if its too hard or too messy* My personal curriculum recommendationsWant Deeper? Link to all my posts on Science👇This is part of my You Can Homeschool series—quick, focused videos to take the uncertainty out of homeschooling.Subscribe below for access.No More Uncertainty, Just Thriving Kids♥️~Dr. Claire Honeycutt

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.clarified.lifeToday’s topic is 2,400 years old but people today are still using it today. Why?Because when used properly, there is no better way to teach your children to reason, analyze, and think.I’m of course talking about the Socratic Method.At the end of this workshop, you’ll will👇* Understand what the Socratic Method is & how it trains logical thinking* Know simple steps to getting started with the Socratic method* Learn the most common mistakes parents make when trying to use the Socratic method* Learn how to adapt the Socratic method for younger & older children* Know the best subjects to use the Socratic method* What you can do today to get started!Workshops are a paid members exclusive. ClarifiEd is 100% supported by you - not ads, not grants - just you. Subscribe and join 1,000s of other parents serious about giving their kids an exceptional education.Links mentioned in workshop👇* Socratic Discussion with my children: I Read Orwell to My Elementary Kids* The PhD Preschooler: Teaching Advanced Cognitive Skills to Kids* Here are other Socratic discussions withMichael Strong~Claire Honeycutt, PhD

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.clarified.lifeAt ClarifiEd, we believe that children deserve not just an education but a beautiful education, filled with best of the worlds’ best.But very few of us can afford to show our children the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Louve, Taj Mahal, and or even a NASA rocket taking off in-person.But you don’t have to be rich to have rich experiences with your children!Today, I’ll show you how to use virtual field trips to bring the world’s best art, architecture, and science into your home. This trick recently coaxed a resistant 6 year old in our microschool to decide that studying Jamestown might be worth her time. Now, history is her favorite day!At the end of this workshop, you’ll will know👇* How to use virtual field trips to make History, Science, Art, & Music Come ALIVE* How to maximize student learning - it's not just turning on a video and walking away!* Where to find virtual field trips - do you know which museums offer online tours of their collections?* Know some of best virtual field trips we've done in the past year why they worked so well* Have at least ONE virtual field trip you can try THIS month!This is bonus workshop for my You Can Homeschool series—quick, focused videos to take the uncertainty out of homeschooling.While my newsletter is DEEP dives into the nitty-gritty of education, these short, sweet videos are tailored for new homeschool parents or anyone that feels uncertain about helping their child succeed in their education.Subscribe below for access.Other Posts You Might Enjoy 👇Socratic Method For Beginners: Unlock Logical ThinkingMemorizing Dates Isn’t Learning HistoryYou Can Teach MathNo More Uncertainty, Just Thriving Kids♥️~Claire Honeycutt, PhD