Changes and Challenges: The Building Blocks of Growth | An Interview with Howard Schmidt
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Release Date: 04/01/2024
Freedom Requires Vigilance | An Interview with Callie Chaplow
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschool freedom came under threat in Virginia earlier this year, and hundreds of families quickly stepped up to defend it—proving that the price of freedom is constant vigilance. In this episode of Homeschool Talks, Callie Chaplow, Director of Government Affairs for the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) joins Jim Mason, President of HSLDA, to discuss how families rallied at the Virginia statehouse to defend homeschool rights during an active legislative season, particularly families new to homeschooling! Join the conversation on how Virginia’s homeschool community made their...
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Homeschooling at a Crossroads: Protecting Parental Rights | An Interview with Chris Butler and Abraham Hamilton
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschool fathers and advocates, Chris Butler and Abraham Hamilton, share their perspectives on the role of government in education. Join them in this episode to explore the positive impact homeschooling has had across the United States, and recent threats including a new bill in Illinois that threatens to impose additional restrictions on homeschooling families (including jail penalties for non-compliance). Chris and Abraham highlight how restrictive legislation can harm disadvantaged communities and how parents from all backgrounds are coming together to protect homeschool freedom,...
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Redefining Success: The Blessings of Children | An Interview with Dr. Catherine Pakaluk
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
What does it mean to live a successful life? For the women featured in Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth, it means embracing the beauty and challenge of raising a large family. Economist, author, and mother of eight Dr. Catherine Pakaluk sheds light on college-educated women across diverse backgrounds choosing to raise large families in an era of declining birth rates. Through her research, Pakaluk reveals a worldview where children are embraced as these women’s purpose, their contribution, and their greatest blessing. Join this thought-provoking, faith-filled...
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How Homeschooling Strengthens Family Life | An Interview with Vince Loparo Jr.
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschooling can bring a broader vision for your family and deeper engagement with your community. Join Vince Loparo Jr. (homeschool dad) and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) in an encouraging conversation about Vince’s holistic approach to parenting. You will walk away knowing how to define your family’s core values to create an unshakable foundation, even when faced with challenges. Homeschooling can knit your family together and make your family stronger! “There's something in your life that is your core value, and you're not going to give on that. I think you need to know what that is....
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Endless possibilities: The Power of Homeschooling | An Interview with Kaitlyn Bajek
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschool graduate Kaitlyn Bajek shares her experience as a homeschool student. Enabled to pursue her passions, she started her own company! Now, she helps current and future homeschool families navigate the high school years as they plan for their student’s future. Join Kaitlyn and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) as they discuss all the benefits homeschooling has to offer! “I was homeschooled starting in second grade after the holiday break. I remember that day very well. I was sitting on the playground outside in our backyard, and my mom looked at me and said, “Kaitlyn, how would you...
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Transforming Communities Through Homeschooling | An Interview with Dr. Myles Werntz
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschooling has the power to shape not just families, but entire communities. In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Myles Wertz (associate professor of theology and director of Baptist Studies at Abilene Christian University) joins HSLDA Attorney Will Estrada to explore Dr. Wertz’s recent article in Christianity Today and his own personal homeschool journey. When parents choose homeschooling out of a desire to do what’s best for their children, the ripple effects extend far beyond the family—fostering individuals who enrich their communities and drive positive change in society. ...
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Unlocking a world of opportunities through homeschooling | An Interview with Grace Snell
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschool graduate and World Magazine journalist Grace Snell believes homeschooling afforded her unique opportunities for community and exploration of her passions! Join Grace and Jeremiah Lorrig (HSLDA Director of Media Relations) as they discuss her military family upbringing and highlight how homeschooling fostered Grace’s passion for storytelling, preparing her for a career in journalism. “I think sometimes, people who are considering homeschooling [face] a lot of fears: “what if this doesn't turn out,” or “what if they don't have social skills”. Instead, think, “what is it...
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Passing the Torch of Wisdom | An Interview with Nicholas Ellis
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
In an increasingly interconnected world, we risk losing touch with the roots of our local communities. We’ve traded face-to-face mentorship and the wisdom of our elders for fleeting digital interactions and virtual acquaintances, while also creating a uniform education system. Nicholas Ellis, Founder of Christian Halls, is on a mission to change that. Through his program, he fosters local mentorships and engagement. By pairing youth with seasoned, knowledgeable advisors, Christian Halls helps to create thriving relationships that will positively impact communities, be rooted in trust, and...
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Homeschooling Changed Our View of Family | An Interview with Heidi St. John
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschooling can start at any point in your child’s education. For Heidi St. John’s family, their journey started after noticing detrimental effects public school was having on sibling relationships. One fateful day, she missed the cut off period to enroll her second daughter in school, and the rest is history! Now with only one homeschool student left, Heidi is helping other homeschool parents find community through her organization, the Firmly Planted Family Homeschool Resource Center. “I would say that my favorite place to be is home. It's sitting around the campfire with our kids...
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Capitol Days in Tennessee | An Interview with Claiborne Thornton
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Claiborne Thornton heard about homeschooling in the 80s. He has actively participated in homeschool advocacy in Tennessee, from being a homeschool dad to President of the Tennessee Home Education Association (THEA). In this conversation with Claiborne and Jim Mason (HSLDA President), learn about the early days of homeschool freedom, engaging with your representatives, and the importance of attending your homeschool capitol day—it might just involve 180,000 cookies! “We have a system that is designed for us to have the freedom to step forward and act. We understand how to take and use the...
info_outlineHow do we embrace change? Sometimes, it’s hardest to do at home. Howard Schmidt joins your host, Jim Mason, to discuss Howard’s homeschool journey as a parent, his career as Vice President & General Manager at Lennox International, and his newest adventure working in the academic setting at Patrick Henry College as Executive Vice President. Gain insight into how he is equipping leaders to view challenges as opportunities in an ever-changing environment.
“Maybe you're going through a time of flux [in your home education journey], maybe it’s a difficult time. Just hit the slow down [button] (but never [the] stop button) and pray about it! Find some people to sit down and have the discussion. Why are we here? Why do we do this? And I can tell you, the purpose of homeschooling is so immense”—Howard Schmidt