Homeschool Moms Unfiltered
by Homeschool Moms Unfiltered
Welcome to Homeschool Moms Unfiltered, where we keep it real for modern homeschoolers. We're not your typical podcast. Tired of the shiny, perfect facade? So are we. Join us as we dive into the messy, unfiltered reality of homeschooling. From navigating curriculum chaos to dealing with daily life challenges, we're here to share our raw experiences and unfiltered thoughts. Tune in for honest conversations for homeschool parents like you. Expect progressive views, an occasional *&!%$, a welcoming community, & a whole lot of relatability. Let's embrace this wonderfully imperfect journey together.
Episodes
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S5, Ep4: Kids, Politics, and the Conversations We Can't Afford to Skip
Politics affects our kids long before they're old enough to vote, so how do we help them understand the world around them without overwhelming them or telling them what to think? This week, we're talking about when and how to introduce politics, navigating tough conversations with sensitive and...
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S5, Ep3: Are We Teaching Kids to Hate Science? (And other subjects too...)
Kids are naturally curious about the world around them, so why does their enthusiasm for learning science start declining as early as third grade? In this episode, we're digging into a fascinating study involving more than 7,000 students and exploring what the findings mean for homeschoolers.…
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S5, Ep2: How Do You Know If You're Doing Enough Homeschooling?
⚠️⚠️⚠️ TIME SENSITIVE ⚠️⚠️⚠️ We are finalists for a Signal Award - which in the world of podcasting is incredibly exciting!! We’d be SO grateful if you’d take a moment and toss your vote our way for the Listener’s Choice award. It takes two minutes and costs nothing, but we’ll express ship our...
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⏰ PLEASE HELP! Only two days left!! ⏰
We're finalists for a Signal Award - which is a huge honor and a big freaking deal! We would super duper appreciate your support for the Listener's Choice Award. At the time we are posting this we are just 2% down. Voting takes 2 minutes and costs nothing. Spread the word. We'd be super grateful...
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S5, Ep1: Finding the Sweet Spot Between Structure and Flexibility
⚠️⚠️⚠️ TIME SENSITIVE ⚠️⚠️⚠️ We are finalists for a Signal Award - which in the world of podcasting is incredibly exciting!! We’d be SO grateful if you’d take a moment and toss your vote our way for the Listener’s Choice award. It takes two minutes and costs nothing, but we’ll express ship our...
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S4, Ep30: Stop Overthinking Your Homeschool Portfolio
Portfolio reviews, work samples, district meetings… how much proof of homeschooling do you actually need? This week, we’re talking about what’s worth documenting, what you can stop saving, how requirements can vary wildly depending on where and how you homeschool, and why your portfolio should...
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S4, Ep29: Homeschool Socialization From Elementary Through the Teen Years
Homeschool socialization… everyone has an opinion, but what does it actually look like in real life? This week, we’re talking about how much socialization kids really need, close friends vs. acquaintances, avoiding the urge to overschedule, and how we’ve helped our own kids find their people from...
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S4, Ep28: BOOK REVIEW - The Yes Brain
This week, we’re recapping The Yes Brain by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, our latest Homeschool Moms Unfiltered Book Club pick. We’re sharing the bits we loved, the parts that got us thinking, and how the book’s approach to resilience, flexibility, and emotional growth might be relevant...
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S4, Ep27: How Much Does Homeschooling REALLY Cost? - The Expenses You Might Not Be Considering
How much does homeschooling really cost? Spoiler: the curriculum is only the beginning. This week, we’re digging into potential hidden costs of homeschooling. We’ll explore lost income, extracurriculars, co-op fees, gas, subscriptions, testing, and teen expenses. We’ll also talk about things that...
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S4, Ep26: Making Learning Stick: The Difference Between Doing It and Knowing It
Your kid finished the lesson, completed the worksheet, and checked every box... but did they actually learn it? This week, we’re talking about what makes learning stick, why simply doing more practice isn’t always the answer, and how mistakes and meaningful feedback can turn practice into real...
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S4, Ep25: My Kid Is Behind. Now What? How to Close Learning Gaps
Discovering that your child has a significant gap in reading, writing, math, or another foundational skill can send even the most seasoned homeschool parent into a panic spiral. In this episode, we’re talking about how to figure out what’s actually missing, address learning gaps without turning...
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S4, Ep24: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Struggle Less and Learn More
We were recently asked to talk about homeschooling neurodivergent kids who struggle, and it got us thinking about why struggle isn't always the part of our homeschool lives you hear us talking about most these days. Our kids absolutely do struggle, and there have been seasons when those struggles...
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S4, Ep23: Our 2026–2027 Homeschool Plans & Curriculum Picks
For many homeschoolers, this time of year means a fresh start and new planning cycle. In this episode, we’re sharing our real-life homeschool plans for the 2026–2027 school year, including the curriculum we’re using, the classes and activities on the calendar, what we’re changing from last year,...
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S4, Ep22: The Homeschool Parent's Guide to Phonics and Teaching ReadingThe Homeschool Parent's Guide to Phonics and Teaching Reading
Reading instruction has become one of the biggest conversations in education, but what does the research actually say? In this episode, we explore the science behind phonics, how reading instruction shifted away from explicit phonics, and why so many schools are returning to evidence-based...
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S4, Ep21: How to Make Any Homeschool Resource More Engaging
This week we're sharing one of our favorite homeschool "superpowers"... turning one simple resource into weeks or even months of rich, meaningful learning. Whether you're using a curriculum, a library book, a documentary, or a unit study, we'll show you how to follow your child's curiosity, make...
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S4, Ep20: The Power of Interest-Led Learning: Building an Education Around Your Child
What if your child's biggest interest wasn't a distraction from learning, but the key to deeper, more meaningful education? In this episode, we explore how to leverage your child's passions - from trucks and horses to astronomy and beyond - to build a rich, academically rigorous homeschool…
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S4, Ep19: Stop Second-Guessing Yourself - 10 Confidence Boosters for Homeschool Adults
Feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing? You're not alone. In this episode, we share 10 practical ways to build confidence as a homeschool parent. We’ll review topics like understanding how children actually learn and what's developmentally appropriate to finding your homeschool…
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S4, Ep18: Homeschooling a Dyslexic Child: Real Talk, Real Strategies
What does it really look like to homeschool a dyslexic learner? In this episode, we're joined by a homeschool mom who shares her family's firsthand experience navigating dyslexia… the challenges, the victories, the resources that helped, and what she wishes every parent knew. Even if dyslexia…
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S4, Ep17: The Play-Based Learning Conversation We Need to Have
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase play-based learning? If you're picturing chaos, endless toys, and children running wild with no real education happening, you're not alone, but that picture couldn't be further from the truth. In this episode, we unpack what intentional play-based...
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S4, Ep16: What If Podcasts Are More Educational Than We Think?
Are podcasts just entertainment, or have we been underestimating their educational value? In this episode, we dig into the research on listening, reading comprehension, knowledge retention, accessibility, and learning through audio. We explore what the science says, why podcasts can be a powerful...
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S4, Ep15: Homeschooling and Life Skills: My kid can do Algebra... but will they be able to adult?
🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ Preorder by June 23rd and we’ll send you a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need. Now… on to the episode… Most of us know life skills matter. The problem is that teaching them is often slower, messier, and...
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S4, Ep14: Book Review - How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ Preorder by June 23rd and we’ll send you a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need. Now… on to the episode… In this episode, we unpack our most recent book club selection, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and...
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S4, Ep13: What Every Nervous Homeschool Parent Needs to Hear
🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ At the time we are posting this episode, we have precisely EIGHT preorder bundles left!!When you preorder, you’ll get our limited launch bundle: a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need, a free themed unit...
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The Book Update + 8 Reasons We Think This Resource Matters
We’re dropping a quick update into your feed today to share a little behind-the-scenes book launch news and share a bit about why we wrote The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need. Whether you're new to homeschooling or been at it for a while, we'll share 8 reasons we genuinely think this...
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S4, Ep12: Why Your Homeschool Test Run Isn’t Telling You the Truth
🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ When you preorder, you’ll get our limited launch bundle: a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need, a free themed unit study, access to a live author Q&A, and the limited-edition Proud Woke Homeschooler...
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S4, Ep11: Grade Levels & Homeschooling: How It Actually Works
🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 https://homeschoolmomsunfiltered.com/ When you preorder, you’ll get our limited launch bundle: a signed copy of The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need, a free themed unit study, access to a live author Q&A, and the limited-edition Proud Woke Homeschooler...
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S4, EP10: Are homeschooled kids missing out... really? (Play this during your next panic spiral.)
🚨 BOOK PREORDER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Our book, The Only Homeschool Book You Actually Need, will officially be available for pre-order THIS WEEK! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Patreon (links below) so you’re among the first to know when it drops. Our earliest pre-orders will get special bonus...
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S4 Ep9: IEPs, 504s & Diagnoses: What Still Matters When You Homeschool
In this episode, we’re digging into one of the most nuanced (and often confusing) parts of homeschooling: diagnoses, IEPs, and 504 plans. Do homeschooled kids actually need them? When do they matter? When do they not? We break down how these supports function in traditional school settings, what...
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S4, Ep8: Logged In, Tuned Out: Rethinking Online Homeschooling
We were about to say something like, “Online programs aren’t the problem, but how we use them can make or break a homeschool experience.” But then we had to pause for a beat because some are seriously problematic and we need to talk about that too. So… in this episode, we talk about why the “log…
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S4, Ep7: But You’ll Send Them Back for High School… Right?
If you haven’t been asked, “but you’ll send them back to real school for high school, right?” yet… consider yourself lucky. And also know it’s probably just a matter of time. In this episode, we’re unpacking where that mindset comes from, why it sticks around, and whether there’s actually any…
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S4, Ep6: Unschooling: The Version No One Talks About
Unschooling gets talked about like it’s one thing, but in reality, it’s a whole spectrum. In this episode, we’re digging into what unschooling actually looks like across that range, from fully hands-off to intentionally supported, and everything in between. We talk about the balance between…
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S4, Ep5: That’s Bullsh*t: Education Edition
We’re playing our own version of the game Bullsh*t, but it is our very own education edition. We’re taking a hard look at the things we’ve all been told about school, learning, and success and asking… are they actually true? From “kids learn best sitting still” to “more hours = more learning” to...
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S4, Ep4: Homeschooling with Chronic Illness (And How to Support Families Who Are)
Chronic illness and homeschooling… can they actually coexist? In this episode, we’re digging into the reality of homeschooling with limited energy, unpredictable health, and a whole lot of societal pressure to “do it all.” We talk about what it really looks like, how to build a sustainable rhythm...
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S4, Ep3: Graphic Novels: The Plot Twist Parents Didn’t See Coming
Graphic novels are sometimes ignored - and sometimes totally poo-poo’d - and we’re digging into why. Whether your kid devours them, avoids them, or you’ve never really considered them part of your homeschool at all, this episode might shift how you think about reading. We’re breaking down the...
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S4, Ep2: Book Review: How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes
In this episode, we dive into our latest book club pick, How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes by Melinda Wenner Moyer. The title alone was enough to get our attention. We talk about the research behind raising kind, ethical, community-minded kids and what that actually looks like in real life…
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S4, Ep1: The Invisible Labor of Homeschooling (And Why You're So Tired)
While this episode does offer some practical ideas for lightening the load, it’s mostly a big “yeah, we see you… we feel you” moment for homeschool parents and caregivers. Homeschooling comes with a huge amount of invisible labor. The curriculum research, the constant decision-making, the…
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S3, Ep 30: Parent vs. Teacher? Exploring Your Role When Homeschooling
In this episode, we’re digging into one of the most common fears in the homeschool world: will homeschooling damage your relationship with your child? We unpack the idea of the “teacher hat” versus the “parent hat,” talk about where that pressure comes from, and explore what actually causes…
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S3, Ep29: The Truth About the “Right” Way to Homeschool
Is there actually a “right” way to homeschool? In this episode, we cut through the homeschool aesthetics, color-coded schedules, and curriculum debates to talk about what truly matters - and what absolutely doesn’t. We unpack the non-negotiables (safety, accountability, and avoiding abuse or...
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S3, Ep28: How to Homeschool Civic Minded and Critical Thinking Kids
In this episode, we’re digging into what it actually looks like to raise civic-minded, critical-thinking kids in the absolute chaos that is our current world. We’re talking about how to teach media literacy, logical fallacies, and real civics… not just memorizing the three branches of government,...
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S3, Ep27: How Much Oversight Does Homeschooling Need?
This episode is a continuation of last week’s conversation with Tess from the Coalition for Responsible Home Education… only this time, it’s just us digging deeper. We take on the lightning-rod topic of homeschool regulation, talk kids’ rights vs. parents’ rights, and unpack why the lack of...
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S3, Ep26: Homeschooling and the Case for Accountability
In this episode, we sit down with Tess Ulrey from the Coalition for Responsible Home Education for a thoughtful, nuanced conversation about homeschool regulation, accountability, and why these discussions so often get shut down before they even begin with phrases like “slippery slope.” We talk...
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S3, Ep25: The Problem With Crowd-Sourced Homeschool Advice
The homeschool world can feel like the wild west… loud opinions, confident hot takes, and advice from strangers who know nothing about your kid, your goals, or your reality. In this episode, we unpack the problem with crowd-sourced homeschool advice, why confidence online is not the same thing as...
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S3, Ep24: Finding the Balance Between Developing Grit and Differentiating Learning
In this episode, we explore some nuanced questions about questions about balancing grit and flexibility. Our focus through this deep dive will be important aspects of homeschooling, such as, are our kids developing the skills they’ll need to successfully launch into adulthood? Does creating a...
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S3, Ep23: Frequently Asked Homeschool Questions
This episode is for the questions you’ve been carrying quietly… the ones you’ve been too nervous, overwhelmed, or burned before to ask out loud. We know not all online spaces are safe spaces, and fear of judgment, pile-ons, or being told your question is “dumb” can keep things bottled up. So…
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S3, Ep22: Book Review - The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
In this episode, we are digging into a SparkNotes-style digest of our recent book club selection - The Anxious Generation. We talk about kids, screens, anxiety, and the cultural pressures shaping childhood right now. We’d love to invite you to join our book club. Reading books like this among...
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S3, Ep21: Homeschooling When Your Patience Runs Thin
Everyone says you need endless patience to homeschool… and we’re calling BS. Beyond that, in this episode, we are going to unpack where that belief comes from, who it quietly excludes, and why impatience is often a signal… not a failure. From burnout and unrealistic expectations to repair,...
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S3, Ep20: From Overwhelmed to Reassured - When Homeschool Advice Gets Specific
In this episode, we invite you into a real homeschool coaching session with Devyn, a newer homeschooler navigating middle school, big-picture planning, and the day-to-day realities of making homeschooling actually work for her family. We talk through curriculum choices, options for decolonized...
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S3, Ep19: Testing, Grading, and What Actually Measures Learning
Do homeschoolers really need tests and grades to prove learning is happening? In this episode, we unpack why so many parents feel pressured to measure progress the “school way,” even when it might not align with how their kids actually learn. We talk honestly about the limited role testing can...
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S3, Ep18: BURNOUT! How to Homeschool When You’re Running on Empty
In this episode, we’re talking honestly about homeschool burnout… why it happens, why it’s normal, and why taking a break is often the smartest move you can make. We dig into the pressure to push through and the small shifts that can help you feel human again. We also share practical ways to...
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🚨 Flash Sale: Homeschool Coaching 25% Off!!!
Ever listen to the podcast and think, “I wish I could just ask them my questions”? If you’ve been wishing you could sit down with us and get straight answers about homeschooling… this is your moment. 🙌 (See code details below.) Coaching sessions with Meagan, Amanda, or both are officially on...
About this show
Welcome to Homeschool Moms Unfiltered, where we keep it real for modern homeschoolers. We're not your typical podcast. Tired of the shiny, perfect facade? So are we. Join us as we dive into the messy, unfiltered reality of homeschooling. From navigating curriculum chaos to dealing with daily life challenges, we're here to share our raw experiences and unfiltered thoughts. Tune in for honest conversations for homeschool parents like you. Expect progressive views, an occasional *&!%$, a welcoming community, & a whole lot of relatability. Let's embrace this wonderfully imperfect journey together.
Hosted by
Homeschool Moms Unfiltered