The Homeschool Compass Podcast

Latest Episodes:

You Are Qualified to Homeschool with Carrie De Francisco Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Carrie De Francisco is an author, podcaster, homeschool coach, and “retired” home educator who lives in Southern California. She loves offering moms practical ways to simplify their homeschooling through her Coffee With Carrie Homeschoolpodcast, and she has written several books including her latest, A Home Education Handbook: Nine Questions to Ask for Simple & Balanced Home-Based Learning. In this episode Carrie speaks to the doubts that many of us face as homeschool moms. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re qualified to homeschool or if you’re doing enough, Carrie’s story shows that you can homeschool simply and joyfully while still giving your children what they need to be all God is calling them to be.

Head here to grab your copy of A Home Education Handbook.

You can find the complete show notes for this episode at homeschoolcompass.com/podcast.

Thank you for leaving the Homeschool Compass Podcast a star rating and a review in your podcast player. We are incredibly grateful for each and every review!

We would love to connect with you outside your podcast player:

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists

This show description may contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the Homeschool Compass by shopping through our links!

Surrendering Your Homeschool to the Lord with Yvette Henry May 14, 2026

Show notes

Yvette Henry is a former classroom teacher turned homeschooling mom of 4, podcaster, and author of the new book, Release, Rest, Remain: A 30-Day Devotional to Embrace Abiding Over Striving. In this episode, Yvette shares how God used John 15 to bring her to a place of surrender where she laid down the heavy burdens she was trying to carry on her own and learned to “rest and remain in the presence of the Lord, and allow Him to do the rest."

Head here to grab your copy of Release, Rest, Remain today!

You can find the complete show notes for this episode at https://homeschoolcompass.com/episode-66-surrendering-your-homeschool-to-the-lord-with-yvette-henry/.

Thank you for leaving the Homeschool Compass Podcast a star rating and a review in your podcast player. We are incredibly grateful for each and every review!

We would love to connect with you outside your podcast player:

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists

This show description may contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the Homeschool Compass by shopping through our links!

A Charlotte Mason Mother's Education with Beth Howard Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Beth Howard is a Charlotte Mason homeschooling mother and founder of The Charlotte Mason Home. In this episode, Beth shares how a Charlotte Mason education is vital, not only for our children, but for us as well. You’ll hear her story of how she has homeschooled in the midst of chronic pain and how carving out space for her own mother’s education has helped her thrive even in challenging circumstances.

Learn more about Beth and her mother's education resources by visiting https://thecharlottemasonhome.com/

Head here to join the Mother's Education Spring Group with Beth. Enrollment closes March 23rd, so don't wait!

You can find complete show notes for this episode including links to all the books and resources we mentioned today at https://homeschoolcompass.com/episode-65-a-charlotte-mason-mothers-education-with-beth-howard/

Thank you for leaving the Homeschool Compass Podcast a star rating and a review in your podcast player. We are incredibly grateful for each and every review!

We would love to connect with you outside your podcast player:

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists

This show description may contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the Homeschool Compass by shopping through our links!

Homeschooling Through Doubts with Susan Seay Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Susan Seay is a 25-year veteran home educator who has graduated 6 of her 7 children so far. She shares her homeschool wisdom in the book, Home Grown: Guidance and Inspiration for Navigating Your Homeschool Journey edited by Amber O'Neal Johnston, and on the Mentor for Moms podcast. In this episode, Susan shares how she persevered with homeschooling through doubts, through disappointments, and through seasons when she wondered if she was giving her kids the education they deserved. In the midst of those failures, Susan discovered that we can trust God through every trial because the One who called us to homeschool is going to see us all the way through to completion.

If you've ever wrestled with doubts or fears of failing as a homeschool mom, I pray this episode will be an encouragement to you to keep seeking God's wisdom and trusting in His guidance.

Head here to grab your copy of Home Grown.

You can hear more from Susan on the Mentor for Moms podcast here.

Find complete show notes for this episode at https://homeschoolcompass.com/episode-64-homeschooling-through-doubt-with-susan-seay/

Thank you for leaving the Homeschool Compass Podcast a star rating and a review in your podcast player. We are incredibly grateful for each and every review!

We would love to connect with you outside your podcast player:

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists

This show description may contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the Homeschool Compass by shopping through our links!

Homeschooling Is Where the Real Education Is Happening with Dr. Jay Wile Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Jay Wile holds a PhD in nuclear chemistry and has earned numerous awards for excellence in teaching and research. Dr. Wile is beloved in the homeschool community for his award-winning K-12 science curriculum, Berean Builders. Not only is Dr. Wile a passionate advocate for home education, but he is himself a former homeschool dad, having homeschooled his adopted daughter from childhood through high school graduation.

In this episode, Dr. Wile shares some of the many strengths he has observed in the homeschool graduates he encountered throughout his teaching career. He also gives his best advice for giving our kids an excellent science education at home.

Head here to check out Dr. Wile's rigorous and engaging homeschool science curriculum written from a Biblical worldview.

You can find complete show notes for this episode at https://homeschoolcompass.com/episode-63-homeschooling-is-where-the-real-education-is-happening-with-dr-jay-wile/

We would love to connect with you outside your podcast player:

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists

The Redeemed Reader with Betsy Farquhar Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Betsy Farquhar holds Masters degrees in Children’s Literature and Information and Library Science. She taught middle and high school English, homeschooled her three children, and has served on many book award committees. Her greatest love when it comes to books is matching up the perfect book with its ideal young reader. You can keep up with Betsy and her team at https://redeemedreader.com where they read ahead for you and review lots of books.

Today Betsy joins us to share about what it looks like to help shepherd our kids' imagination and help them grow in discernment as readers through the books we select, the discussions we share, and the thoughtfulness we model in holding the stories we encounter up to the light of God's Word.

You can find show notes for this episode at homeschoolcompass.com/podcast.

Head here to grab your copy of The Redeemed Reader.

Preparing Room for Jesus in Your Homeschool This Advent with Lara Molettiere Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Lara Molettiere is a Charlotte Mason homeschooling mom of 2 who believes that as mothers we are the gate-keepers, grace givers, and cultivators of our homes and that when we step into our God-given capacity, we are capable of providing a delightful and life-giving education to our children.

In this episode, Lara shares how we can make Advent a sacred time for our families by slowing down and making space for restful traditions that help us savor our faith.

You can find show notes for this episode including links to all the books and resources Lara mentioned at https://homeschoolcompass.com/episode-61-preparing-room-for-jesus-in-your-homeschool-this-advent-with-lara-molettiere/.

Visit A Gentle Advent to learn more about Lara's Advent courses.

Here are some of the favorite Advent books Lara's family enjoys each year:

Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Also check out Lara's 20 Living Books for Advent and Christmas.

You might also enjoy Aimee's list of Favorite Christmas Books to Read Aloud.

Lara recommended several resources that she uses for her personal reflection and study during Advent:

Waiting on the Word by Malcolm Guite
Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp
Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson

We would love to connect with you outside your podcast player:

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists
Sign up for the Homeschool Compass email newsletter

Building a Strong Family Culture in Your Homeschool with Jessica Smartt Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Jessica Smartt is the author of Memory-Making Mom, Let Them Be Kids, and her newest book, Come on Home. She graduated from Grove City College with an English degree, a religion minor, and a hankering to pour into kids. After teaching middle school English for five years, she was promoted to her current position and dream job: wife, homeschooling mom of 3 kids, author, and Professional Encourager of Weary Moms. She lives in sunny North Carolina on a family farm with horses, chickens, and an ever-increasing number of beloved cats.

In this episode, Jessica shares how we can build a strong family culture even if we didn't experience a healthy family growing up. No matter where we find ourselves and no matter the challenges we face, we can begin to build a family of grace, deep friendship, and unshakable loyalty that gives our kids a foundation to grow into all God created them to be.

Head here to grab your copy of Come on Home.

You can find complete show notes for this episode at homeschoolcompass.com/podcast.

We'd love to connect with you outside your podcast player!

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists
Sign up for the Homeschool Compass email newsletter

Thank you for leaving The Homeschool Compass Podcast a rating and a review in your podcast player! It helps new homeschool families find these encouraging conversations. We so appreciate you.

Is Motherhood Worth the Sacrifice? You Bet Your Stretch Marks! with Abbie Halberstadt Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Abbie Halberstadt is a happy wife, home educating mama to 10, and Bible-believing Christian. In this episode she has a message of encouragement for every mom who has ever doubted that she's making a difference. If you find yourself wondering if the seemingly endless sacrifice, the lack of sleep, the mundane tasks, the choosing to die to self daily that motherhood demands of us is worth it, Abbie's answer is a resounding yes.

Head here to grab your copy of You Bet Your Stretch Marks: Finding Beauty and Worth in the Ways Motherhood Marks Our Bodies and Souls.

You can find complete show notes for this episode at homeschoolcompass.com/podcast.

We'd love to connect with you outside your podcast player!

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists
Sign up for the Homeschool Compass email newsletter

Thank you for leaving The Homeschool Compass Podcast a rating and a review in your podcast player! It helps new homeschool families find these encouraging conversations. We so appreciate you.

Words Like Honey with Amy Hughes Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Amy Hughes is a Charlotte Mason unschooling mama of 9 beautiful and unique children who makes her home on the central coast of California. Amy is a regular contributor to Wild + Free and 1000 Hours Outside, a highly sought after homeschool conference speaker, and a parenting coach. Her new book is called Words Like Honey: How to Avoid Unintentional Harm, Model Kindness, and Nurture Your Child’s Faith Through What You Say.

In this episode, Amy shares the heart behind her book and invites us to be more intentional in the way we speak to our children by pausing to consider the impact our words have on our children’s emotional and spiritual development and replacing careless words that cause harm with words that comfort, heal, and build our children up.

You can grab your copy of Words Like Honey here.

You'll find the complete show notes for this episode at homeschoolcompass.com/podcast.

We'd love to connect with you outside your podcast player!

Follow the Homeschool Compass on Instagram or Facebook
Download free printable resources for your homeschool
Browse our book lists
Sign up for the Homeschool Compass email newsletter

Thank you for leaving The Homeschool Compass Podcast a rating and a review in your podcast player! It helps new homeschool families find these encouraging conversations. We so appreciate you.

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