Ep 7 Pt 1: From Charlotte Mason to Classical: Krystel Watts on an Ever-Evolving Homeschool with Flexibility and Trust
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
Release Date: 04/11/2025
Ep 14 - Season 1 Finale: You Are Uniquely You – Treat Your Homeschool the Same.
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
In this final episode of Season One of the Fearless Homeschool Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest truths I’ve learned on this journey: There’s no single “right” way to homeschool. From Classical to Charlotte Mason, Montessori to Steiner, unschooling to unit studies—the options can feel endless (and a little overwhelming). But the real magic happens when you stop trying to fit into someone else’s mould and start shaping homeschooling to fit your family. I share stories from my own journey and from other families I’ve met along the way, all pointing to the same truth: your...
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Ep 13 - Teaching Through Story: A Gentle Guide to Living Books- with Anthony Coafield
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
You know that moment when your child lights up during a story—the kind where their imagination takes off and they start seeing themselves inside the world of the book? That’s the power of a living book. I’ve touched on living books in quite a few of my chats this season, but I figured it was time we gave them their own spotlight. What are they really? Why do they work so well? And how can you start using them more intentionally in your homeschool? In my recent podcast conversation with Anthony Coafield from Living Book Press, we dug into all of that. We talked about why living books...
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Ep 12: Rolling the Dice on Education: How Jacquelyn Made Learning Fun
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
🌿 We’re thrilled to welcome Jacquelyn to the Fearless Homeschool Podcast! 🎙️ She’s a homeschooling mum of seven from Geelong, Victoria — with four still learning at home through a natural learning/unschooling approach. 💛 When they’re not off adventuring in the great outdoors, you’ll likely find her crew cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, working on creative projects, or—yep—gathered around a board game! 🎲✨ In this episode, we chat about: 🏫 Why Jacquelyn stepped away from traditional schooling 🎮 How board games became a core part of her...
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Ep 11: It's Their Life. Not a Lesson Plan! with Sheena, Krystel, Rebecca, Jo and Micarle
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
Want to make the most of the high school years? Need help navigating higher education options for your teen? Interested in how to work towards future pathways without a school certificate or ATAR score? In this bonus with Sheena Harris, Rebecca English, Krystel Watts and Jo LLoyd, for members-only session, find out how to chart a course from your homeschool to further studies, including university. This is a parent’s guide to high school planning without the overwhelm. Learn how to support your teen towards higher education and explore the ways you can help them map out a...
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Ep 10 Pt 2: Felicity Harber — Focus on What Your Kid Needs (It’s That Simple!)
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
In my conversation with Felicity Harber on the Fearless Homeschool podcast, we dive deep into what it really means to customise your homeschool to fit your child—not the other way around. ✨🎧 Felicity shares how blending different philosophies has helped her meet her son’s unique learning needs—and how letting go of traditional, top-down teaching methods opened up space for real growth. (Spoiler: standing at the kitchen table like a schoolteacher didn’t quite go to plan. 😅) We also explore the transition from school to homeschool, navigating life on the road, and adjusting to a...
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Ep 10 Pt 1: Felicity Harber — Focus on What Your Kid Needs (It’s That Simple!)
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
In my conversation with Felicity Harber on the Fearless Homeschool podcast, we dive deep into what it really means to customise your homeschool to fit your child—not the other way around. ✨🎧 Felicity shares how blending different philosophies has helped her meet her son’s unique learning needs—and how letting go of traditional, top-down teaching methods opened up space for real growth. (Spoiler: standing at the kitchen table like a schoolteacher didn’t quite go to plan. 😅) We also explore the transition from school to homeschool, navigating life on the road, and adjusting to a...
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Ep 9 Pt 2: The Co-op Connection: The Piece of the Puzzle That Completed Amanda Bartle's Homeschooling Journey
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
And that’s a wrap on today’s episode of the Fearless Homeschool Podcast! 🎧 A big thank you to Amanda Bartle for sharing her valuable insights on homeschooling and co-ops. 🙌 You can find Amanda on Instagram at @littlekidscan 📱 and through Free2Homeschool for more of her great work. 🌟 If you’re looking to dive deeper into your homeschooling journey, 🛤️ be sure to check out Amanda's workshops in the Fearless Membership. 🧠 These include: Pathways to University, A Chat with Homeschool Graduates, and one of my personal favourites, Developing an Engaging...
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Ep 9 Pt 1: The Co-op Connection: The Piece of the Puzzle That Completed Amanda Bartle's Homeschooling Journey
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
And that’s a wrap on today’s episode of the Fearless Homeschool Podcast! 🎧 A big thank you to Amanda Bartle for sharing her valuable insights on homeschooling and co-ops. 🙌 You can find Amanda on Instagram at @littlekidscan 📱 and through Free2Homeschool for more of her great work. 🌟 If you’re looking to dive deeper into your homeschooling journey, 🛤️ be sure to check out Amanda's workshops in the Fearless Membership. 🧠 These include: Pathways to University, A Chat with Homeschool Graduates, and one of my personal favourites, Developing an Engaging...
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Ep 8 Pt 2: Patricia Fitzgerald's Unit Study Approach: Nurturing Academics and Interests at Home
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
In this second part of our chat with Patricia Fitzgerald, a homeschooling mum from Southeast Queensland, we dive deeper into her inspiring journey 🌱 from traditional schooling to a more personalised and connected homeschooling approach 🏡. We explore: ✨ The early challenges with mainstream education and distance ed 📚 How unit studies created a more engaging, child-led learning experience 👐 Blending reading, hands-on projects, and real-world excursions 💡 Why focusing on input over output can transform your child’s education 📘 Favourite resources like Life of Fred and Beyond...
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Ep 8 Pt 1: Patricia Fitzgerald's Unit Study Approach: Nurturing Academics and Interests at Home
The Fearless Homeschool Podcast with Micarlé Callea
🎉 We’re excited to welcome Patricia Fitzgerald to the Fearless Homeschool Podcast! 🎙️ Patricia is a homeschooling mum from Southeast Queensland 🌿. In this chat, we dive into: 📚 Patricia’s transition from traditional schooling to homeschooling ⚡ The initial challenges faced with traditional school and distance education 🎨 Adoption of unit studies for a more enriched learning experience 🛠️ Strategies for combining reading, hands-on projects, and excursions in homeschooling 💡 The importance of valuing input over output in children's learning 📖 Using...
info_outline🎙️ This week we chat with Krystel Watts from Engaging Minds NZ! I had so much fun catching up with my lovely mate from across the Tasman 🌊, hearing more about how her homeschool journey has evolved—and continues to evolve—as she and her husband Chris homeschool 7 of their 8 awesome kids 👨👩👧👦.
In this chat, we dive into:
📚 How Krystel’s homeschool journey has grown as she educates her 8 children
🌱 The early influence of Charlotte Mason and Montessori, and transitioning to a classical approach in later years
🧠 The importance of truly understanding each child and being flexible with curriculum choices
🛌 Recognizing when rest and developmental growth are needed before moving forward with formal learning
🚫 Letting go of the “school mindset” despite never sending her kids to traditional school
💡 How her experience with her eldest has brought confidence and calm with her younger children
🌈 Trusting that an eclectic learning style is more than enough for a well-rounded education
You can connect with Krystel and Chris through Engaging Minds NZ on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or their website 🌐. They’re an incredible resource for matching the right curriculum or learning tools to your family's needs—and yes, they ship to Australia! 🇦🇺📦
Krystel is also a fabulous support for the summits we run at Fearless Homeschool ❤️ She’ll be presenting and hosting a few sessions in our upcoming Teen and DIY Summits!
🎤 Don’t miss her powerful workshops inside the Fearless Membership:
✨ ‘Surviving and Thriving: Home Educating with a Large Family’
✨ ‘Structured Literacy: Understanding the Importance of Building a Solid Foundation of Learning’
👇 Tune in, be inspired, and know you're not alone on this journey!
#HomeschoolingLife #FearlessHomeschool #EngagingMindsNZ #CharlotteMason #MontessoriInspired #ClassicalHomeschooling #EclecticHomeschooling #HomeEducationJourney #HomeschoolWithHeart #BigFamilyLife #TeenHomeschool #DIYLearning #StructuredLiteracy #HomeschoolSupport #HomeschoolAustralia #NZHomeschoolers #HomeschoolConfidence #AlternativeEducation #UnschoolTheMind 🏡📖✨
Here's where you can connect with Krystel:
Website: https://tinyurl.com/engagingminds-website
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/engagingminds-facebook
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/engagingmindsnz/?hl=en
Fearless Homeschool podcast page: