Episodes

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

    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
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    38 mins
  • The Redeemed Reader with Betsy Farquhar
    Dec 17 2025

    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.

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    34 mins
  • Preparing Room for Jesus in Your Homeschool This Advent with Lara Molettiere
    Nov 25 2025

    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
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    41 mins
  • Building a Strong Family Culture in Your Homeschool with Jessica Smartt
    Oct 30 2025

    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.

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    34 mins
  • Is Motherhood Worth the Sacrifice? You Bet Your Stretch Marks! with Abbie Halberstadt
    Oct 8 2025

    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.

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    35 mins
  • Words Like Honey with Amy Hughes
    Sep 9 2025

    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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    36 mins
  • Building Your Family Culture Around Truth, Goodness, and Beauty with Christina Carpenter
    Aug 26 2025

    Christina Carpenter is a homeschooling mom of 4 who is passionate about home education and cultivating intentional family culture. In this episode, Christina shares how she establishes a vision for her homeschool and uses truth, goodness, and beauty to ground her homeschool days. By studying the longstanding educational philosophies and methodologies that have served families for centuries, Christina has blended together the elements that best serve her family to create a unique family culture that encourages curiosity and celebrates the joy of discovery.

    Be sure to check out Christina's Bloom and Blossom Conference coming up on October 11th in San Diego, California. You'll be encouraged and equipped by inspiring speakers like Greta Eskridge, Carrie de Francisco, and Amy Hughes. Grab your spot here!

    You can 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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    33 mins
  • How to Disciple Your Preteen with Tricia Goyer
    Aug 13 2025

    Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling mom of 10 children who believes that the preteen years are a prime window of opportunity for discipleship. This can be a turbulent time of big feelings and fluctuating hormones, but if we lean in and pursue connection with our kids, instead of shrinking back in fear, we can plant seeds that God will water and bring to fruition throughout our children's lives.

    Be sure to grab your copy of Faith That Sticks: 5 Real Life Ways to Disciple Your Preteen by Tricia Goyer and Leslie Nunnery for more help navigating this season of parenting.

    You can 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 Christianbook's new free printable homeschool planner
    • Browse our book lists

    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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    40 mins