Episodes

Wednesday Aug 06, 2025
Episode 364 - Back to School… But When?
Wednesday Aug 06, 2025
Wednesday Aug 06, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
This week we're tackling the dreaded question: When should I start the school year? The answer isn’t always one-size-fits-all, so it should make for a great conversation.
We’re also reminiscing about some of our family RV travels and talking about the lasting value of making memories together as a family.
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Episode 363 - Why You Can't Separate Homeschooling From Parenting
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Wednesday Jul 30, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
This week, we’re bringing you an episode from the archives where we discuss how parenting and homeschooling aren’t two separate things—they’re one and the same. When you approach homeschooling with this mindset, it can make a powerful difference in your day-to-day homeschool life!
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Don't forget to share our show with another homeschooling mom and please leave us a review on whatever pocast app you listen on!
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Episode 362 – Turning the Extras into Essentials – with Chad Stewart
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
This week, we’re talking about how to incorporate activities often considered extracurricular—like music, construction, cooking, computers, art, and more—into your regular homeschool routine.
We also interview former Disney animator Chad Stewart, who shares about his animation course designed specifically for homeschoolers interested in art and animation.
It's an encouraging episode, and we hope you enjoy it!
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Don't forget to share our show with another homeschooling mom, and please leave us a review on whatever pocast app you listen on!
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Wednesday Jul 16, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are excited to be joined by Todd's daughter, Maggie! She’s getting married in just a few weeks, so we talk all about her upcoming wedding, her journey to becoming a nail technician, and what life has been like after school. It’s a fun episode, and we hope you enjoy listening!
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians who pay one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing moms home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Episode 360 - Making Summer Memories as a Family
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
We have a fun, different episode this week! We talk 4H, the county fair, the 4th of July, and some other ways to connect as a family this summer! We had a great time recording this episode, and we hope you enjoy it!
Before we begin, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries, a community of Christians that pay one another’s
medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Episode359 - Why Recharging and Rest Matter for You and Your Kids
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
This week, we’re talking about how important it is to de-stress and recharge, and we’ll discuss what summer break can look like for older kids. We hope you enjoy it!
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their math curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we encourage you to check it out for next school year at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries — a community of Christians who share one another’s medical bills, helping families take a safe step of faith as they follow God’s leading in career or ministry changes, or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman.
One last thing — if you haven’t already, please consider leaving us a review on whatever podcast app you use. This is a great way to help spread the word about The Smiling Homeschooler!
Have a great week, and don’t forget to smile!

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Episode 358 - What Worked (and What Didn't) This School Year - With Debbie Wilson
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
This week we were joined be Debbie Wilson. Over this past weekend, one of the Wilson kids graduated, so we talked to Debbie about her approach to graduations and transitioning into her final years of homeschooling. She also shares what some of the highlights were for this past school year, what curriculum she enjoyed, and what she wants to do differently going into the next year. She is always encouraging, and we hope you enjoy!
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries a community of Christians that pay one another’s
medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Episode 357 - Durenda Wilson - Why Homeschooling Doesn't Have to Take All Day
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
This week, we are playing an episode from way back in the archives. We were joined by Homeschooling Mom, Author, and speaker, Durenda Wilson. We are big believers in her approach to homeschooling, and think you will find this interview encouraging! Durenda has been battling cancer, and we would ask you to join our family in praying for her recovery. To support her and her family, visit her website durendawilson.com.
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries a community of Christians that pay one another’s medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Episode 356 - Signs you Might Need to Make a Change Next School Year
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
With the school year wrapping up, we’re taking some time to talk about the signs that it might be time to make a few changes in your homeschooling for next year!
As always, we hope this episode is encouraging and helps you smile!
Before we begin, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their math curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries. A community of Christians that pay one another’s
medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Episode 355 - Ending Well: A Strong Finish to the Homeschool Year
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast!
Today we’re talking about wrapping up the school year, creating a fun summer bucket list, and how we can help our children feel valued for who they are.
We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for making the Smiling Homeschooler possible. Their match curriculum helps thousands of homeschoolers smile each and every day, and we would encourage you to check it out for next school year over at teachingtextbooks.com.
Also, Today’s show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries A community of Christians that pay one another’s
medical bills…helping families take a safe step of faith as they feel God’s Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman
Have a great week and don't forget to smile!

