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PODCAST

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast

The Smiling Homeschooler

This is the best podcast for homeschooling moms who need encouragement! Our goal is to help you smile more! Whether you are a new homeschooler or a veteran, we are positive you will feel encouraged!

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All Episodes

28:17

Episode 397 - Shaping Your Homeschool Approach

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/03/25

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

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28:42

Episode 396 - Encouragement Every Homeschool Family...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/03/18

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

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27:39

Episode 395 – Recharging Your Homeschool Mom...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/03/11

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

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32:38

Episode 394 - The Power of Books and Audiobooks in...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/03/04

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

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27:01

Episode 393 – Homeschooling Through Difficult Seasons...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/02/25

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,

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26:56

Episode 392 - Homeschooling Without Support

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/02/18

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

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29:16

Episode 391 - Help! Am I Qualified to Homeschool High...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/02/11

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

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38:34

Episode 390 - Home Is Where They Belong - A...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/02/04

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! This week we have a great episode for you. We’re joined by Gena Suarez and Deborah Wuehler from The Old Schoolhouse. They are longtime homeschooling veterans with a deep passion for encouraging and supporting moms throughout their homeschooling journey.We talk about why home is one of the best places for your kids, how homeschooling is truly an act of discipleship, and the kind of fruit you can see grow in your children over time. It’s an

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28:24

Episode 389 - When Life Gets in the Way of Finishing...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/01/28

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! Today’s topic is something that resonates with just about every homeschooling family: the pressure to finish the curriculum while still saying yes to all the amazing opportunities around us.We recently asked our followers over on Facebook what feels hardest right now, and another one of the most common responses was feeling torn between making steady progress through textbooks, lesson plans, and checklists — and making time for sports, church events,

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30:07

Episode 388 - Balancing It All: Homeschool, Work,...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/01/21

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler!Today’s topic is something that resonates with just about every homeschooling family: busyness and balance. We recently asked our followers over on Facebook what feels the hardest to manage right now, and another common answer was trying to juggle school, work, church, activities, social events, and still find meaningful family time in the middle of it all. It can leave parents feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, and wondering if they’re focusing on the

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31:04

Episode 387 - Is All This Arguing and Bickering Normal?

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/01/14

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! Today’s topic is something that resonates with just about every homeschooling family: arguing and bickering. We recently asked our followers over on Facebook what the hardest part of homeschooling is right now, and the overwhelming answer was children arguing, bickering, and fighting. It makes getting school done difficult and often leaves moms feeling drained and without much joy by the end of the day. So this week, our goal is to bring some encouragement

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28:32

Episode 386 - Resetting Your Homeschool Mindset for...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2026/01/07

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler! We are kicking off our very first new show of the year. This is that time of year when everything just feels fresh again. Your brain gets a little reset, the stress of the holidays is gone, and it’s a great chance to rethink the things that didn’t work so well last semester. Maybe it’s time to change a routine, toss some of the stuff that doesn’t bring joy, or simplify a little. Co-ops are starting back up, routines are getting back in place,

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34:16

Episode 385 - You Don’t Have to Do It All: Letting Go...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/12/31

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re taking a short break to celebrate the New Year. But don’t worry—we’ve got a fantastic episode from our archives for you!Today we’re talking about the pressure so many homeschooling moms feel to teach it all… to hit every subject… and to start earlier and earlier with their kids. Our hope is to take some of that pressure off and remind you that it’s okay to let a few things slide. Before we get started, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks

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20:57

Episode 384 - The Moments Our Kids Will Remember

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/12/24

Welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler. We’re really glad you’re here with us today!We’re talking about memories. Not just big moments or picture-perfect days, but the kinds of memories our kids will carry with them when they’re grown—the feeling of being safe, known, and loved; the traditions we repeat year after year; and the time we choose to simply be together. We also want to talk honestly about how our minds often let the hard parts fade, while connection and relationship seem to last. If

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33:23

Episode 383 - When Friendship Is Hard (For Moms and...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/12/17

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler podcast. Today we’re spending some time talking about friendships—for moms and for kids. This conversation was prompted by a message we got from a mom whose son is really struggling to find meaningful connection, even though they’re involved in church, homeschooling, and community. So we want to talk honestly about why friendships can be harder than we expect, the fears that drive us as parents, and what we can—and can’t—control when it comes

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27:23

Episode 382 - Simple Ways to Encourage a Mom This...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/12/10

Hey everybody, welcome back to The Smiling Homeschooler podcast. Christmas is coming fast, and today we’re spending some time talking about something super practical—what to actually get your husband for Christmas. Not the gimmicky stuff, but the quality gifts dads really appreciate, the things that last and feel meaningful.We’re also talking about gifts you can give other homeschooling moms, and not the things you buy from a store. Christmas can be overwhelming for a lot of homeschool moms, so

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32:36

Episode 381 - Breaking Free From the Lies of Fear

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. This week we’re focusing on something every homeschooling mom faces but isn’t always willing to talk about: fear. The fear of not measuring up, the fear of failing our kids, the fear that we aren’t enough for our children, and so many more. We walk through the most common fears parents carry, how those fears shape our decisions, and how to replace the lies with the truth, hope, and confidence that God provides. It’s a great conversation, and we hope you

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33:47

Episode 380 - Guarding Their Hearts: What Should Our...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/11/26

Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we’re diving into a topic every homeschooling family wrestles with: deciding what content, movies, and shows we allow into our homes. We talk through how we make those decisions, what standards guide us, and share a few recommendations that have worked well for our families.We are also joined by a very special guest — Todd's son, Sam Wilson, lead animator for Season 3 of The Wingfeather Saga. He gives us an inside look at the new season and

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22:11

Episode 379 - The Lessons That Stick Aren't From a...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/11/19

Hey everyone, welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. Todd flies solo this week and he shares an honest look at homeschool basketball season — the joys, the exhaustion, and the commitment to showing up for our kids. He encourages parents not to feel guilty about what they aren’t doing, but to celebrate the memories they are making.Todd then dives into the idea of “electives” in homeschooling — and why in a homeschool environment, everything can be an elective! From animation to hair styling

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34:39

Episode 378 - Homeschooling During a Hard Season of...

The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast ·

2025/11/12

Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. We are really glad you’re here today, because this week’s episode is going to be a little different. Ben's wife, Rissa, is joining him, and she’s opening up about some of the struggles she’s been walking through over the past few months. She’s going to share honestly about what homeschooling can look like when life feels heavy, and offer encouragement to any mom who’s in a tough season right now.So if you’ve been feeling worn out or like you’re not doing

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