The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about knowing when to push our kids and when to back off. As homeschool parents, we all have things we believe are important for our children to learn, but what do we do when they don't enjoy them, don't want to do them, or flat-out tell us they hate school?

From math and history to music and Bible time, we'll walk through some real-life scenarios and talk about how to know which battles are worth fighting and when it might be time to change things up...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're joined by speaker, blogger, podcaster, and homeschool mom Nancy Manos to talk about a topic that seems to be everywhere right now: Artificial Intelligence.

We discuss the potential benefits of AI for homeschool families, from helping with lesson planning and brainstorming to preparing our kids for the future, but we also talk about the dangers, especially when it comes to our children’s learning, critical thinking, and relationships. So how do we take advantage of this new technology without letting it take the place of real learning and hu...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re talking about a question that can be a little tricky as our kids get older: What decisions should we let our children make, and what decisions should we make for them?

Obviously, a five-year-old and a seventeen-year-old are going to have very different levels of freedom, so we’re breaking this down from the little-kid years all the way through graduation. We’re talking about where we can give our kids more responsibility and independence, where we still need to step in as parents, and how th...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re talking about how to communicate your homeschool needs with your husband.

If you’re the one doing most of the homeschooling, it can sometimes be difficult to explain to your husband what you need from him. Maybe you need more help, more encouragement, more time, or maybe you just need him to understand a little better what your day-to-day life actually looks like.

So how do you communicate those things without it turning into an argument or making your husband feel like he’s...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!

This week we’re talking about how much time you really need to spend homeschooling each day. There can be a lot of pressure to think that homeschooling needs to take up most of the day, but does it really need to be an eight-hour-a-day job?

We’re going to talk about what a realistic homeschool day can look like and how much time you actually need to get the important things done.

We’re also going to continue talking about the things our listeners have told u...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!

This week we’re talking about what we and our listeners wish we could change about our homeschools. We recently asked our listeners what the one thing they would change about their homeschool would be, and we got some really interesting answers.

We’re talking about everything from consistency and expectations to having more help with little ones, simplifying high school, and even wishing the years would slow down.

We’ll share some of those answers and talk about what we can learn and we hope this i...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Debbie is back to share more underrated homeschool curriculum recommendations, plus we’ll be answering listener questions, including whether writing and spelling are really important and what to do when you get off to a rough start to the school year.

If your school year hasn’t gone quite the way you hoped, you’re looking for something different with your homeschool curriculum, or you just need some encouragement, then this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for sponsoring the Smil...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!

What are some of the most underrated homeschool curriculum options out there? And what are some of the subjects that we tend to forget about in our homeschools? This week, Debbie Wilson joins us to talk about some of her favorite underrated curriculum picks and the subjects that may not always get the attention they deserve.

We talk about practical skills like budgeting and typing, along with other things that can help prepare our kids for life beyond their homeschool years. We also answer questions from moms who...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we have a great episode from the archives where Ben was joined by his mom, Debbie Wilson, to talk about getting off to a good start this school year.

Since we’re officially past Labor Day, wee thought this would be a really helpful episode to revisit. Debbie shares her recommendations, practical advice, and even some of her curriculum choices. And as always, her wisdom and encouragement make this a great conversation! We hope you have a great start of the school year!

We wa...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! One of the great things about homeschooling is that we have the freedom to make learning fun. But sometimes there is pressure to make every day feel fun. But is that realistic, and do our kids need to love every subject? And is it okay if some days are just about sitting down, doing the work, and getting it done?

Today we’re talking about how fun a normal homeschool day should actually be, and how we can find a healthy balance between making homeschooling enjoyable and getting stuff done. We...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Writing is one of those things that we spend a lot of time teaching our kids, but sometimes we think we can lose sight of why we're actually doing it. Not every child is going to grow up to be an author. So what does good writing really look like, and how much do our kids actually need in this day and age?

The reality is that writing is something we use all throughout normal life. Whether it's sending an email, filling out an application, communicating at work, explaining an...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!

One of the questions we get asked all the time is, “What homeschool curriculum should I use?” And with all of the options out there, it can feel like you have to find that one perfect curriculum that’s going to make homeschooling work. So today we’re joined by Debbie Wilson to talk about some of the things you should actually consider when choosing curriculum. Things like how much time and effort it takes, how your kids learn, and what fits your family well. Hopefully, this will take some of the p...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are glad you’re joining us this week.

We are getting closer and closer to the start of a new school year, and over the next few weeks, we’re going to be doing a little series talking about some of the things that homeschool families are thinking about as they get ready to jump back into another year of homeschooling. And today, we’re talking about homeschool co-ops and how to pick the best one for your family.

Co-ops are one of those things that can be a r...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are so glad you're here!

This week we're tackling a question that I think just about every homeschool parent has asked at one time or another: Am I doing enough? If my kids never are taught chemistry or calculus, or they don't become fluent in a foreign language, have I somehow failed them?

There can be so much pressure to check every box and keep up with everyone else's expectations. But is that really what homeschooling is about? Today we're talking about how to handle those doubts...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We are so glad you decided to join us this week.

We're talking about the fact that some of the most valuable education our kids receive doesn't happen while sitting behind a desk. Whether it's playing sports, working a part-time job, cooking, volunteering, learning a trade, or pursuing a hobby, there are so many opportunities for our children to grow in ways that go far beyond academics.

We're also excited to be joined by Tatton Strassheim from World Watch News. With so much information coming at...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. This week, we're talking about something that is true for almost every homeschool mom, and that is doubt.

Whether it comes from social media, well-meaning friends and family, or even the voice in your own head, it's easy to wonder if you're doing enough or making the right decisions for your kids. The truth is, we all have voices competing for our attention. The real question is: which ones are we choosing to listen to? This week, we're talking about how to feed hope instead of fear, how to respond...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week is a special Todd epsidode as he tackles a question many parents ask themselves: Is it really possible to do it all? He shares his thoughts on the stress of trying to juggle homeschooling, family life, work, and everything else that fills our days and offers some practical encouragement about focusing on what matters most instead of trying to keep every ball in the air.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. They're the math curriculum that helps homeschoolers smile—and th...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we're talking about something that every family has, whether they realize it or not, and that is a family culture.

Every home has its own personality. Some families revolve around sports, others around academics, work, or adventure. The real question isn't whether you have a family culture; it's whether you're intentionally building the one you want. What values are your kids picking up from your home? What traditions are shaping them? And what kind of family do you hope they'll remember years from now?

Join us...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're celebrating America's 250th birthday!
As the Fourth of July approaches, we're talking about what makes our country so special, why we should never take the freedom to homeschool our children for granted, and how we can help our kids appreciate the blessings we enjoy. We also share some of our favorite American historical sites to visit and reflect on why this holiday is about so much more than fireworks and cookouts.

We hope this episode encourages you to celebrate with gratitude and make some great...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that can be really easy to overlook in the middle of homeschooling, parenting, work, and everything else life throws at us, which is our marriage.

When the days are filled with lesson plans, laundry, meals, activities, and trying to keep the house from completely falling apart, it's easy for your relationship to become more about managing a family than actually enjoying each other. But a healthy marriage doesn't happen by accident, and it's one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids.

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology. We had to reupload this due to an issue with Apple Podcasts. If you already listened to this episode from another source, then you don't have to listen to this version! 

There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters this summer: making memories with our kids and spending time together as a family.

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we're talking about taking back the summer from technology.

There are so many things demanding our attention these days, especially social media and technology. We discuss some practical strategies for cutting back on these distractions so we can focus on what really matters this summer: making memories with our kids and spending time together as a family.

We also talk about Kids Day, a Wilson family tradition, as well as Father's Day and ways we can encourage and celebrate the dads in our lives.

We...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about something that almost every mom experiences but doesn't always talk about: exhaustion.

There are seasons when parenting feels overwhelming. The days are long, the responsibilities never seem to end, and it can feel like everyone needs something from you all the time. Yet somehow, you have to keep showing up day after day.

If that's where you are today, we hope this episode encourages you. We want to remind you that God sees your faithfulness, even on the hard days, and that the...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we're talking about what comes after the school year ends.

We start by discussing why summer breaks matter so much, the importance of play, and why our kids don't need every moment scheduled. Then we talk about graduates and young adults, and how to help them take their next steps, how much guidance parents should give, and how to encourage them as they move toward adulthood.

We had a great conversation, and we think you'll be encouraged. Enjoy!

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about something every parent thinks about at some point: what are the things our kids are actually going to remember when they look back on childhood?

Will it be the family vacations? Learning to ride a bike? Playing games together? Family traditions? Or maybe just those simple everyday moments that didn’t seem all that important at the time.

Especially as we’re wrapping up the school year and heading into summer, we think this is a great topic to reflect on. We have s...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re bringing back an episode from a while ago where we talked about how to encourage your child to embrace who God made them to be and to value what truly matters when it comes to success. This is one of our favorite topics, and we think it led to a really meaningful conversation that we hope encourages you today!

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are one of the best math curriculum around, and we believe th...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we are talking about raising capable kids. As homeschooling parents, it can be easy to get focused only on academics, grades, and checking boxes, but at the end of the day, we want to raise young adults who can work hard, solve problems, serve others, and confidently step into the real world.

This week, we are joined by Lisa Nehring from Truth North Academy, It's Not That Hard to Homeschool, and Blue Collar Homeschool, and we talk about encouraging kids in their strengths, preparing them for life...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re taking some time to encourage moms as we celebrate both National Teacher Appreciation Day and Mother’s Day.

Homeschool moms don’t get nearly the recognition they deserve, so today is all about recognizing you and everything you do for your kids. From wiping runny noses and teaching your children to read, to dealing with attitudes, discipline, discipleship, and the countless other responsibilities that come with motherhood and homeschooling, the work never really ends, and often goes unnoticed. But we truly believe the impact you are making...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast. We’re having some fun this week talking about the four homeschool personalities and some homeschooling “hot takes.” From planner moms to relaxed homeschoolers and everything in between, we’re seeing just how much our personalities shape the way we homeschool.

We’ll read through different homeschool scenarios and decide together which personality they fit best and along the way, hopefully remind you that there’s no one “right” way to homeschool. Whether you’ve mapped out your child’s education through graduation or you’re figuring out school over breakfast, this e...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast. This week, we’re talking about one of the biggest shifts in parenting, which is what it looks like to move from being in control when our kids are little to slowly letting go as they grow into adulthood. 

We discuss the tension of parenting older kids, learning when to speak and when to stay quiet, and what it really means to “pass the baton” while maintaining the relationship. Even if you don’t have adult kids yet, this is such an important conversation because the way we parent now lays...

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! In this special episode, we’re celebrating 400 episodes of The Smiling Homeschooler and taking some time to reflect on the journey so far.
We look back at the very beginning, including our first episode and talk about what led us to start the podcast in the first place. We revisit the heart behind The Smiling Homeschooler—encouraging families, bringing a little humor to the journey, and reminding parents that they’re not alone.

We also spend some time sharing a few of our favorite guests and moments over the ye...

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re talking about something nearly every mom struggles with at the end of the school year: motivation! 

As the school year winds down, motivation can be hard to find, and it’s easy to start questioning everything. Are we doing enough? Does this even count as school? Are our kids going to be ready for what’s next? We have a great conversation about those fears, and hopefully leave you encouraged to finish the year with confidence and peace.

Before we get started, we want to...

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re talking about something I think a lot of you are going to relate to.

We start things off with a message from a homeschool mom who shared that she’s feeling overwhelmed right now—trying to juggle schooling her last two kids, being a grandma, planning a wedding, and everything else life is throwing at her. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning a dozen plates at once, you are definitely not alone, and we want to encourage you today.

We also discuss something...

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re introducing the newest regular member of our podcast crew, Katherine Petgen!

Katherine is Todd’s daughter, a homeschool mom, a wife, and a homeschool graduate. She shares how homeschooling has impacted her life for the better, along with some of the lessons she’s carried into her own family. We also talk about her homeschooling personality type and how that can shape the way we approach teaching our kids. Lastly, we dive into the question so many parents wrestle with, when should you start structured homeschooling and ho...

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re bringing back a conversation from a couple of years ago that we think you’re really going to love. We had the opportunity to sit down with two very special guests—homeschooling pioneers David and Shirley Quine from Cornerstone Curriculum.

They share so much wisdom from their decades of experience, along with a real heart for family and homeschooling. It’s one of those conversations that’s just packed with encouragement, and is something every mom needs to hear! 

We hope you enjoy! 

Be...

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’ve got a fun episode for you!

We are joined by Brandee Gillham from the Colorado State Homeschool Organization, and we’re going to be talking all about homeschool conventions. Whether you’ve been to one before or you’ve never even considered going, we’re going to unpack why they can be such a valuable part of the homeschool journey.

We also talk with Brandee about how she got started homeschooling, when she went to her very first homeschool convention, and what her takeaw...

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! This week we had a really fun conversation with Audiobook reader Jim Hodges. We talk about something that has been incredibly powerful in our homeschooling over the years… books and audiobooks.

There is something special about the way stories engage our kids’ imaginations when they are listening or reading, picturing the characters, the places, and the adventure in their own minds. It’s a very different experience from just watching something on a screen.

We talk about why imagination matters, some of our family’s and Jim's favorite...

This week on The Smiling Homeschooler, Rissa joins Ben for a life update and a really honest conversation about homeschooling through different seasons.

A few months ago, Rissa shared that she was walking through a very difficult time. During that season, homeschooling didn’t look the way it normally does in their home. It felt heavier. Slower. Survival-mode some days.

In this episode, they talk about what it looks like to homeschool when you’re not at your best — when expectations have to shift, when grace has to grow, and when “just getting by” is actually e...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! This week, we’re talking about something that almost every homeschool family faces at some point… what do you do when the people around you just don’t understand homeschooling?

For a lot of parents, choosing to homeschool doesn’t just come with lesson plans and curriculum decisions — it comes with questions, raised eyebrows, and sometimes even criticism. Maybe it’s extended family. Maybe it’s friends. Maybe it’s your culture or community. Maybe someone you love is saying, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Those moments can make you...

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! This week we are talking about something that makes a lot of homeschool parents nervous… high school.

High school often seems different. It feels heavier. The subjects get harder, the stakes feel higher, and suddenly all those quiet doubts start getting louder. Am I qualified? What about chemistry? What about advanced math? What about sports and social opportunities? Are we keeping them from something important?

A lot of families say, “We’ll homeschool… but probably not for high school.” And tonight we want to talk about that. Where does that...