The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast
Episodes
Episode 197 - Encouraging Your Child’s Interests - With Ike Wilson
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we were joined by Ike Wilson to talk about encouraging your child's interests, and where to beg...
Episode 196 - Fighting the Fear of Failure and Book Recommendations with Katherine Petgen
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today, we were joined by Katherine Petgen (Wilson) to talk about fighting the fear of failure and to give...
Episode 195 - A Paradigm Shift in Writing - With Kay Chance
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we're joined by the co-executive editor of Homeschooling Today magazine, Kay Chance, to talk ab...
Episode 194 - You Decide What Your Child Has Completed and More Listener Questions
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we answer some more listener questions. These include what to do for college transcripts, how to ma...
Episode 193 - Tips for Teaching Spelling - With Debbie Wilson
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are replaying an episode from a couple of years ago, where we talked to Debbie Wilson about ...
Episode 192 - How Much Should You Push Your Kids? - Listener Questions
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! In this episode, we answer some listener questions. These include how to defeat the lie that you should s...
Episode 191 - Interviewing Four Future Homeschooling Moms
13 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are joined by four guests, Rissa Wilson (Ben's Wife), Ali Osborn, Lexi Vida, and Rebekah Fra...
Episode 190 - Preventing Burnout and Fighting Frustration - With Debbie Wilson
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are joined by Debbie Wilson! She has some incredible encouragement and wisdom to share today. We...
Episode 189 - Preparing Your Children for Work
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we cover a bunch of different topics including, summer jobs, helping your children find their p...
Episode 188 - Springtime Homeschooling!
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Spring is upon us, or at least close, so this week were are talking about homeschooling in spring and wha...
Episode 187 - Not Every Child Will be a Writer, and that’s Okay!
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week Todd is gone, so Ben is joined by his sister Katherine, to talk about writing. Kat has some enc...
Episode 186 - Homeschool Conventions are Good for the Soul!
09 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! In this episode, we talk about why homeschooling conventions are amazing and you should go to one. We als...
Episode 185 - How to Help Your Children to Love Homeschooling - With Ashley Wiggers
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we have a returning guest, Ashley Wiggers, with homeschooling Today Magazine. Our topic this we...
Episode 184 - The Different Stages of Homeschooling - With Debbie Wilson
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week Todd is in South Carolina, so we are going to play an episode from a couple of years ago. But i...
Episode 183 - Where to Start With History?
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week Todd is out of town, so Ben is holding down the fort. Since he is a history lover, he gives his...
Episode 182 - Parenting With God’s Grace
09 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we have a conversation about God's grace and parenting, how to balance rules/responsibility, wi...
Episode 181 - Common Mistakes That Homeschooler’s Make
02 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we talk about some of the most common mistakes that every homeschooler makes, and this includes...
Episode 180 - Sometimes You Have a Rough School Year - Listener Question
26 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! The day we normally record is Ben's Son's 3rd birthday, and Todd, is leaving for a speaking engagement in...
Episode 179 - Helping Orphans In Need
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we have a guest joining us, Cameron Talbot, with Oak Life, whose purpose is equipping orphanage...
Episode 178 - Mid-Year Check-in With Debbie Wilson
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are doing a mid-year check-in with Debbie Wilson. As always she has a ton of encouragement, and ...
Episode 177 - Finding the Joy in Homeschooling
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are talking about joy. Homeschool, parenting, and life are hard! and sometimes it can be rea...
Episode 176 - Homeschooling in the Midst of Exhaustion
29 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we have an episode that we are replaying from a year or so ago. In this episode, we took a couple o...
Episode 175 - A Christmas Story for the Entire Family
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we have something your whole family can enjoy together. Todd is going to share one of his Chris...
Episode 174 - Homeschool Families Need Your Help
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we need your help! As you probably know, Kentucky experienced devastating tornados a few days ago, ...
Episode 173 - Good Grades Don‘t Equal Good Learning
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we talk about the topic of grades. This is something we have talked about before, but we think ...
Episode 172 - Christmas Movies and Homeschooling Go Together!
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! It is that time of year again, so we are talking about how homeschooling and Christmas go together and gi...
Episode 171 - Why We Are Thankful For Homeschooling
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! We are back with a new episode for you this week! And we are talking about Thanksgiving and all of the th...
Episode 170 - Helping Your Child Follow Their Dreams - With Sam Wilson
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Todd and Ben are currently on vacation! So we are replaying an older episode, but it is definitely stil...
Episode 169 - Interview With Dr. Gary Chapman - Author of 5 Love Languages
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hey everyone! Todd and Ben are currently on vacation, so this week's episode is a recent interview that Todd did with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of 5 Lo...
Episode 168 - Team Homeschool Mom!
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week's show was a bit shorter than normal due to a birthday celebration for Ben's wife, so Todd brings some solo encouragement on this episode! W...
Episode 167 - Parenting Advice With Ginger Hubbard
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week were are joined by the author of Don't Make Me Count to Three, Wise Words For Moms, and I Can't...
Episode 166 - Balancing Life and Homeschooling
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are talking about the delicate balance between the busyness of life, sports, friends, and homesc...
Episode 165 - How To Homeschool the ”Hard” Child
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week's episode is a really good one! We talk about how to homeschool the hard child, and to be clear...
Episode 164 - When to Make a Curriculum Change
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we talk about how to know when to make a change in your homeschool curriculum. It can be tough ...
Episode 163 - Unboxing a New Homeschool Bible Curriculum
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are joined by Suzanne Nunn, With FPEA, to talk about an upcoming conference for parents of speci...
Episode 162 - Fall Fun for the Family
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! On this week's episode, we are talking about our favorite fall fun you can do as a family and how you can...
Episode 161 - What to Look for in a Homeschool Co-op
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are talking about what makes a good homeschool co-op and what to look for. We would also enc...
Episode 160 - Staying Organized - With Homeschool Manager
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are joined by Chris Olsen, who is a homeschooling veteran, and a creator of Homeschool Manager, ...
Episode 159 - The Best Homeschool Advice Ever!
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are talking about the best homeschool advice that our listeners have ever received. There ar...
Episode 158 - Don't Settle for Pretend Learning
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are talking about not settling for pretend learning. Don't worry, if you aren't sure what that m...
Episode 157 - You Are Smart Enough to Homeschool Your Kids
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week were are going back into the archives to re-play an episode from a few years ago, but we think ...
Episode 156 - How to Start the School Year Even When You Don't Want to - With Debbie Wilson
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! The podcast to help encourage homeschooling moms. This week we were joined by Debbie Wilson. She shares h...
Episode 155 - The 4-Hour School Day - With Durenda Wilson
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are joined by a very special guest, Durenda Wilson, who is the author of the 4-hour school day. ...
Episode 154 - Tips for Getting Started with Homeschooling - Debbie Wilson
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are playing an episode from over a year ago. Debbie Wilson joined us to share her simple tips for getting started with homeschooling. Whe...
Episode 153 - Family Friendly Movie Ideas
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are sticking with our theme of not talking about homeschooling specifically! So in this epis...
Episode 152 - Ben's Birthday Podcast - Without Ben
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast. If you would like more weekly encouragement, make sure to sign up for our short weekly email over on our ...
Episode 151 - Date Night Ideas
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we have some date night ideas for you! This is from a listener question, and we think it is a great...
Episode 150 - How Homeschooling Equipped Us - With Sam Wilson
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week homeschool graduate, Sam Wilson, joins us to talk about how homeschooling equipped him to pursu...
Episode 149 - Chores, Allowances, and Summer Jobs
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! In this week's episode we are talking about a couple of listener suggested topics. which were all about s...
Episode 148 - The 50 Mile Challenge
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we have a fun challenge for you. We are calling it the 50-mile challenge. The purpose of it is ...
Episode 147 - Fun Ways to Make Memories With Your Family
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are replaying an episode where we give some ideas and suggestions of places you can visit wi...
Episode 146 - After Graduation Expectations
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the smiling homeschooler podcast! On this episode we are talking about the time after graduation and what to expect. This is a big change f...
Episode 145 - A Different Way to Homeschool - With Dr. Roger Smith
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you for listening to our Podcast! This episode is a rerun from over a year ago. We interviewed Dr. Roger Smith, who is a homeschooling veteran, ...
Episode 144 - The Transition Into Summer
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Summer break is just around the corner! So on this week's episode, we talk about limiting video games, ma...
Episode 143 - Wrapping Up the School Year - With Debbie Wilson
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! On this episode, we are joined again by Debbie Wilson! She shares her thoughts on wrapping up the end of ...
Episode 142 - Appreciating Homeschool Moms
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! It is teacher appreciation week, so we are celebrating you this week! What you are doing for your childre...
Episode 141 - Don't Let the Pressure Change You
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Today we have a short episode for you. We do a quick check-in on what we have been up to, and talk about ...
Episode 140 - Parenting Teenagers - With Connie Albers
21 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! In this episode, we have another awesome interview for you! We get to talk to Author and homeschooling mo...
Episode 139 - Every Child Needs Encouragement - With Coach Rick
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! On today's episode, we are joined by the founder of the Saints, Coach Rick. He has a passion for Christ a...
Episode 138 - Are Extracurricular Activities Necessary?
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Thanks for listening to another episode of our podcast! Today we are talking all about extracurricular ac...
Episode 137 - Homeschooling Is Hard
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week were are answering customer questions and they seem to all have a theme, homeschooling is hard!...
Episode 136 - Writing is Tough! - With Debbie Wilson
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! On this episode we are joined by Debbie Wilson, to talk about her recommendations for teaching writing. T...
Episode 135 - What We've Learned From Homeschooling
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! In this episode, we are talking about the many things we have learned from homeschooling. This includes m...
Episode 134 - How to Involve Your Husband in Homeschooling
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are talking about how to involve your husband in homeschooling, especially during the hard times...
Episode 133 - Is College Always the Best Option? With Cindy LaJoy
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are going to replay one of our early episodes. This was an interview we had with Cindy LaJoy...
Episode 132 - 7 Ways to Simplify Your Homeschool - With Christy Rucker
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! On this episode, we are joined by Christy Rucker to talk about 7 ways you can simplify your homeschool. W...
Episode 131 - Every Child is Different - With Pat Mills
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we were joined by another homeschooling veteran, Pat Mills, who is also the social media manage...
Episode 130 - Following Your Heart
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! In this week's episode we are talking about Birthdays, Valentine's days, and following your heart! We a...
Episode 129 - The Importance of Community - With David and Leslie Nunnery
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! On this episode, we are join by two special guests, David and Leslie Nunnery. They are the founders of th...
Episode 128 - Showing Grace to Others
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the smiling homeschooler podcast! Tonight we are talking about giving other homeschooling moms grace. This is a tough topic and can be agai...
Episode 127 - Multi-Generation Homeschooling - With Becky Clark
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! We have another awesome episode for you this week! We were joined by Homeschooling pioneer Becky Clark. S...
Episode 126 - What Do You Actually Need to Teach?
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the smiling homeschooler podcast! On this week's episode we are talking about what you actually need to teach in your homeschool. Many home...
Episode 125 - The Best Curriculum for 2021
06 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! In this episode, we talk about the curriculum suggestions from the homeschool moms of the smiling homesch...
Episode 124 - Homeschool Year-end Review
30 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! On this episode, Todd and Ben recap the homeschool year of 2020. This was a unique year in so many ways, ...
Episode 123 - A Christmas Story
23 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! Tonight we have a special Christmas episode for you! We have a Christmas story to share with your whole f...
Episode 122 - Countdown to Christmas
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! Today we are talking about the highlights of this year, and about Christmas. We have some simple suggesti...
Episode 121 - Enjoying Today - With Jamie Erickson
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! We have an awesome episode for you this week. We were joined by the Author of Homeschool Bravely, and hom...
Episode 120 - The Freedom To Take Breaks
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast episode 120. Today we are answering a couple of listener questions, and talking about taking a break! We w...
Episode 119 - Why Debbie Hates Teaching English
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! We have a great episode for you this week. We were joined by Debbie Wilson, to talk about the Subject of ...
Episode 118 - The Goal of Education
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the smiling homeschooler podcast! This is episode 118 and today we are talking about the true purpose of education, which is sometimes easy...
Episode 117 - Technology and Toddlers
11 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are talking about technology and toddlers this week! Here is the link for the You Da' Dad ...
Episode 116 - Motivating Kids and Homeschooling the Out-of-the-box Thinker
04 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we answer two listener questions that cover how to motivate your kids to do their school, ...
Episode 115 - Homeschooling With Special Needs - Dianne Craft
28 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Everyone, welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! As this episode is airing we are driving back from our Florida Vacation. So we will be back...
Episode 114 - Geography Matters and the Trail Guide to Learning - With Ashley Wiggers
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we are on Vacation, so we are replaying one of our first episodes! This is an awesome interview...
Episode 113 - Encouraging Your Child's Dreams - With Kat Petgen
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Everyone, welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast! This week we are joined this week by Kat Petgen, Todd's Daughter! She has some encouragemen...
Episode 112 - Thinking Outside the Curriculum Box
07 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Everyone, welcome to episode 112! This week we are talking about thinking outside of the curriculum box. Many homeschoolers feel stuck to the trad...
Episode 111- Devotions in Homeschooling - With Debbie Wilson
30 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are talking about devotions in homeschooling, and to do so we are joined by Debbie Wilson. She had a ton of great suggestions, that we hope t...
Episode 110 - Homeschooling: Where to Start
23 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Everyone! We are glad you can join us for another awesome episode. This week we were joined by Janelle Smith, who is a homeschooling mom, that has ...
Episode 109 - The Ages and Stages of Homeschooling
16 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Everyone, Thanks for joining us for episode 109! This week we are joined by Debbie Wilson, and she is here to share some of her wisdom and advice ...
Episode 108 - The First Day of School and Co-op
09 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Everyone, Thank you for being here for another episode! This week we are talking about the first day of school and homeschool co-ops. We know that...
Episode 107 - "Odd" But Happy Kids
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Ben is out Sick, so Todd recorded an episode on his own that is sure to make you smile!
Episode 106 - Learning Breakthroughs!
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Everyone, Thanks for joining us for episode 106! This week Ben is joined by his wife Rissa. They both were homeschooled all the way through high s...
Episode 105 - How to Foster the Hate of Learning
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you for joining us for episode 105 of the Smiling Homeschooler podcast. This week we are giving you some ways that will ruin your children's lov...
Episode 104 - What Matters Most - With Rachael Carman and Jan Smith
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Everyone, Thanks for listening to another episode of the Smiling Homeschooler podcast. Today we are going to playback two interviews that we did b...
Episode 103 - What To Do When You've Had a Rough School Year.
05 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks for listening to another episode of our podcast! This week we answer the question what do you do when your homeschool year is just rough? We kn...
Episode 102 - Simple Advice For New Homeschoolers
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 102 of the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This is a great episode! We were joined by Debbie Wilson, and she shared her advice for ne...
Episode 101 - Homeschool Confessions
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 101 of the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast. This week we are sharing some homeschool confessions. The point of this is to be real an...
Episode 100 - 100th Episode Q&A With the Wilson Family
15 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the 100th episode of the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we had Todd, and Debbie, plus three of their kids and their spouses, and o...
Episode 99 - What To Do When You're Feeling Defeated
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This episode ended up being awesome! We answered a couple listener questions, and we think you will find ...
Episode 98 - Fun With Your Family
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we cover some more of our suggestions for fun places you can visit with your family! The point ...