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
Is Homeschooling a Bipartisan Issue? | An Interview with Tom Leonard
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Never assume that an individual is or isn’t an ally of homeschooling based on their political affiliation. Join Tom Leonard, attorney and former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) in an insightful discussion on the grassroot efforts of homeschool advocacy. You’ll be encouraged to cultivate relationships with legislators across parties, because you never know what might happen! “It's about the issue. It's not about the party. [I believe] a couple of our biggest allies right now on this issue are Democrats that serve in the House of...
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Changing Perspectives on Homeschooling | An Interview with Dr. Timberly Baker
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
As homeschooling grows, so does the conversation about how education is defined. Join Dr. Timberly Baker (Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Arkansas State University) and Jim Mason, HSLDA President, in a discussion on challenging the traditional view of schooling. Many prospective and novice homeschool families can feel insurmountable pressure to create a structured, 8-to-3 schedule. This doesn’t need to be! Parents are their child’s first teacher, guiding their learning every day! Learning can (and does!) take place anywhere, and a rigid schedule isn’t required. The...
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Conducting Homeschool Research | An Interview with Dr. Brian Ray
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Dr. Brian Ray has been studying homeschooling before we even knew what to call it! Brian and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) discuss advocacy research, conflicting worldviews at play, and the importance of peer reviewed studies protecting against these biases. You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation on home education research and what the next generation of research may look like! “What are [homeschoolers vs public schoolers] doing now in life, you know, occupation. Are they married? Do they go to college or not go to college? Do they vote? Do they volunteer? Are they happy or...
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Called to Lead | An Interview with Anne Miller
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschool moms juggle many different roles, and Anne Miller is no exception! But for her, one of those roles led to becoming a key advocate for homeschooling in her state. Join Anne Miller, Executive Director and President of the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV), and Jim Mason, President of HSLDA, as they reflect on the importance of advocacy, 40 years of homeschool freedom, and the incredible growth of the homeschooling community. Hear Anne's inspiring journey from volunteering with HEAV to leading the organization as Executive Director and President! “There are vast numbers...
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Find Rhythm in Your Homeschool | An Interview with Houlie Duque
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Being present and giving the attention and experiences your child needs to flourish is important. That’s why Houlie Duque, Founder of Homeschool to Go, wants you to find your family’s rhythm! Join Houlie and Will Estrada (HSLDA Attorney) as they discuss her bilingual curriculum, how she is supporting parents in their homeschool journeys, and how her own childhood homeschool journey of just three months propelled her to the top of her class. “If you give your children that presence and that attention, you will watch them flourish. That's all that a child needs. When they're little kids...
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The Data on Homeschooling | An Interview with Dany Shakeel
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Dr. Brian Ray and Professor Danish (Dany) Shakeel launched their investigation into calls for homeschooling bans—when no significant data exists to justify these demands. After conducting an in-depth study that shed new light on the factors contributing to child welfare, their research revealed that risks were double outside the home, proving that the family plays a crucial role in protecting children—and home is the safest place to be. Join Jim Mason, HSLDA President, and Dany Shakeel as they dive into these findings and discuss what his research means for the homeschooling community and...
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You Can Homeschool | An Interview with Dena Bless
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Homeschooling doesn’t mean doing public school at home, and it doesn’t mean you have to homeschool like your friend with 15 years of homeschool experience. Your journey is unique! Dena Bless joins Jim Mason (HSLDA President) in an encouraging conversation about beginning your homeschool journey, the importance of community, and how to (and why you should) connect with your state organization or local homeschool group. Enjoy their discussion on the benefits of homeschooling and fostering relationships with your children. “I remember when I started [homeschooling], I was afraid. Can I...
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What’s Happening in Illinois? Part 2 | An Interview with Jeffrey Lewis
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Jeffrey Lewis, President of Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE), joins Jim Mason, President of HSLDA, in this second part on what is happening in Illinois. They discuss the recent call for more homeschool regulations in Illinois, and what homeschool families can do to face this new wave of opposition to homeschool freedom happening in the United States. “Government officials want to do things that are going to make society better. And they feel like counting things, tallying things, registering things is often a way to help. It's an expensive thing to do. But it doesn't always do much...
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What’s Happening in Illinois? Part 1 | An Interview with Jeffrey Lewis
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Meet Jeffrey Lewis, homeschool dad, attorney, and president of Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE). In part 1 of this conversation with Jim Mason, HSLDA President, learn about the current legal landscape of homeschooling (especially in Illinois,) the media attention on further restricting home education freedom, and how Illinois homeschool families engage with lawmakers. “We've encouraged our homeschooling families: get to know your local lawmakers, get to know your local senators and representatives, so that they actually know who you are and where you are. Not so they can count...
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Homeschooling: Fringe Movement to Enduring Institution | A Speech by Jim Mason
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
What does the future hold as we face a new wave of opposition to homeschooling? In this episode, Jim Mason highlights how homeschooling can provide real solutions for society, and how homeschooling has evolved from a movement into a mature and enduring institution. This transformation is largely due to the crucial role families and state organizations have played in advocating for homeschool freedom alongside HSLDA. “Healthy institutions play a vital role in positively shaping the character of those they serve by encouraging and modeling virtue, which in turn encourages and models virtue to...
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