Finding Strength and Connection Through Homeschooling | An Interview with Nicole Kardoes
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Release Date: 11/03/2025
Finding Strength and Connection Through Homeschooling | An Interview with Nicole Kardoes
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Nicole Kardoes began homeschooling while her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kardoes, served in the Air Force. Frequent moves and long deployments were simply part of life, and homeschooling became a way to bring consistency to their ever- changing world. In 2022, Michael passed away from burn pit exposure. Homeschooling quickly became much more than an educational choice, it became a lifeline. Nicole and her children were given the gift of the flexibility and stability they needed to grieve, heal, and rebuild. In this episode, Nicole shares her story of love, loss, and resilience, and how...
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Building Legacy Through Homeschooling: | An Interview with Joyce Bures
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
From beginning homeschooling in the early 1990s to a grand vision for a community that uplifts and empowers Black homeschool families with resources, representation, Joyce Burges has probably seen it all. In this episode, Joyce opens up to HSLDA Attorney Amy Buchmeyer to discuss the origins of National Black Home Educators and the impact they are making today, her curriculum, why preserving family traditions is important, and how building strong parent–child relationships are at the heart of homeschooling. If you’re looking for encouragement and a reminder that homeschooling is about more...
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Grace, Gratitude and the Journey of Parenting | An Interview with Dr. Daniel Huerta
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Parenting can feel like a balancing act of love, discipline, and endless patience. Dr. Daniel Huerta, a licensed counselor and homeschool dad, reminds us that the journey isn’t just about shaping our children, it’s also about the transformation happening in us. In this episode, Dr. Huerta unpacks the seven traits of effective parenting and offers encouragement for parents to lean into these values while adapting to each child’s unique personality and needs. “Parents are doing the best they can with what they have, and I encourage them to look at that. Are you bringing the best you can...
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From Lion King to Noah’s Ark: A Mission for Families | An Interview with Davy Liu
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Davy Liu, former Disney animator (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan), walked away from Hollywood at the height of his career. In this episode, Davy joins Jim Mason, HSLDA President, to discuss how leaving Disney fueled his passion to launch Kendo Films, an animation studio to create high-quality, biblically based films for kids. Learn how Davey is inspiring homeschool parents to nurture creativity in their children, why every child is a “diamond,” and get a sneak peek at his upcoming film, The Giant Leaf. “Davy Liu, as a kid, he was a troublemaker because he loved to scribble...
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Engaging the Culture | An Interview with Jon Noyes
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
What does it look like to raise children who can stand firm in their faith—while also engaging the culture with grace and truth? In our latest Homeschool Talks episode, Jonathan Noyes from Stand to Reason shares his own journey from atheism to Christianity and how that transformation fuels his passion for equipping families. In this discussion with HSLDA President Jim Mason, they explore how to introduce varying worldviews while planting seeds of the gospel in your children. “We don't just keep our kids in these little bubbles and then suddenly when their adults throw them out, because...
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Advocacy in Action | An Interview with Kevin Boden
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Protecting homeschool freedom takes constant vigilance, strategic action, and strong relationships with lawmakers. In this episode of Homeschool Talks, HSLDA Attorney and Director of HSLDA International, Kevin Boden, joins HSLDA President Jim Mason to share how HSLDA’s advocacy is making a difference. From opposing harmful bills to building trust in state legislatures to rallying constituents at the grassroot level, you’ll discover why the work HSLDA is doing today (and the last 40+ years!) is essential to preserving hard-won freedoms while advancing homeschool liberty for generations to...
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Parenting, AI, and the Future of Homeschooling | An Interview with Andrew Pudewa
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Fresh off a trip to Puerto Rico, Andrew Pudewa (Founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing) shares stories from his time with local homeschoolers. Hosted by HSLDA President Jim Mason, they reflect on the growing global homeschool movement and the necessity of homeschool freedom. Together, they dive into the heart of why HSLDA's work matters more than ever—and how emerging technologies like AI are shaping the future of education. “A lot of the people I meet are not aware of the fact that there are people out there who are continuously trying to bring in legislation or influence...
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Victory for Indiana Homeschool Graduates | An Interview with Timothy Wesco
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
Representative Timothy Wesco, a homeschool graduate and Indiana state representative, tirelessly introduced his legislative proposal for 5 consecutive sessions. His bill? Explicitly recognize that a parent has the full legal authority to execute any document necessary to demonstrate their child’s education, whether that be a transcript or a diploma. Join Timothy and Jim Mason (HSLDA President) as they discuss Timothy’s homeschool experience, how the bill was passed, and the importance of developing relationships proactively with your state legislators. “Often times it's the most...
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He Asked to Be Homeschooled—and Never Looked Back | An Interview with Darren Jones
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
For Darren Jones (HSLDA Attorney), a single day of playing hooky from public school began as a spontaneous break but turned into a deep realization: there had to be a better way to learn, grow, and live. Darren shares his experiences from becoming a homeschool student to becoming a passionate home education. He became a legal assistant for HSLDA in 1996, and is now an Attorney and Director of Group Services. Explore historical HSLDA processes, notifying members about legal issues in their states through snail mail and answering 75 member phone calls in one day! Darren and Jim Mason (HSLDA...
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Homeschooling in the Navy: From Navy Brass to Homeschool Class | An Admiral’s Journey
Homeschool Talks: Ideas and Inspiration for Your Homeschool
What do submarines and science fair projects have in common? They both require strategy, patience, and a solid sense of humor. In our latest episode of Homeschool Talks, HSLDA President Jim Mason dives deep (pun fully intended) with Rear Admiral James Waters about being a homeschool father while navigating a high-stakes military career. This episode features: • Why Admiral Waters and his wife chose homeschooling for their kids, even with a life full of relocations and duty stations • What the military taught him about leadership and how those lessons show up at the kitchen table • Real...
info_outlineNicole Kardoes began homeschooling while her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael
Kardoes, served in the Air Force. Frequent moves and long deployments were simply
part of life, and homeschooling became a way to bring consistency to their ever-
changing world.
In 2022, Michael passed away from burn pit exposure. Homeschooling quickly became
much more than an educational choice, it became a lifeline. Nicole and her children
were given the gift of the flexibility and stability they needed to grieve, heal, and rebuild.
In this episode, Nicole shares her story of love, loss, and resilience, and how the military
homeschooling community and organizations like the Tunnel to Towers Foundation helped her family find hope and strength through it all.
“Resiliency, being part of a community, academics—they all play a part in homeschooling. I have kids that are married with their master's degree, and they had
scholarships all the way through. I have other kids that did community college. I have
two that aren't sure they even want to go to college. (My 15-year-old wants to be a
farrier, so she wants to go trade school.) There is room for all these things within
homeschooling! Whether it's the kid who absolutely hates academics and they just want you to hurry up and count the credits and be done, [or] the kid who aspires for graduate school or maybe becoming a professor themselves someday and getting that PhD, there's room for [both]. That's the beautiful thing. We can tailor it to that while we are giving them other skills as well.”—Nicole Kardoes