Is Online School Really Homeschooling? A Conversation We Need to Have

Is Online School Really Homeschooling? A Conversation We Need to Have

Where does online school fit into the homeschooling conversation? In this week's episode, I sat down with Mindy to explore that question while unpacking the similarities and differences between public online education and traditional homeschooling. We discuss educational gaps, socialization, student safety, and why the rapid growth of homeschooling is forcing us to rethink how we define home-based education. We also dive into the broader cultural and political influence of the homeschooling movement, the role of regulation, and why nuanced conversations are essential if we want to improve educational outcomes without losing the flexibility that makes alternative education valuable. Whether you were homeschooled, attended online school, or are simply interested in education policy, this episode offers plenty to think about. Resources we mentioned * Lifetime Prevalence of Investigating Child Maltreatment Among US Children: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303545?journalCode=ajph * How a true believer’s flawed research helped legitimize home schooling: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/12/11/brian-ray-homeschool-student-outcomes/ * The Christian home-schooler who made ‘parental rights’ a GOP rallying cry: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/aug/31/the-christian-home-schooler-who-made-parental-righ/ * Ten Homeschooling Parent Myths Debunked: https://rlstollar.com/2025/06/06/ten-homeschooling-parent-myths-debunked/ * Online schools 'worse than traditional teachers': https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34671952 * Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.org * Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t Connect with Me * Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ex-HomeschoolersClub * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/ * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub * Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com * Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:14 Mindy’s Early Schooling 01:47 Middle School Pressures 05:23 Bullying and High School Fears 07:57 Homeschool vs Online School 10:28 Online School Day to Day 11:21 Tutoring Center Realities 13:11 Did Online School Work 15:55 Why Study Homeschooling Now 22:15 Guardrails and Learning Gaps 26:22 Homeschooling Political Pipeline 30:45 Shiny Happy People Connections 32:54 Homeschool Political Grooming 33:24 Lobby Days And Fake Scores 35:14 HSlda And Child Safety Gaps 39:20 Online School Under Homeschooling 40:44 Mandated Reporters And CPS Fear 43:32 Bullying And Queer Panic 46:58 Unlearning Homophobia 51:31 Defining Laws And New Models 55:51 Parental Rights And Anti Vax Roots 01:02:06 Research Myths And Data Needs 01:04:29 Former Homeschoolers Speak Up 01:07:37 Wrap Up And Community Invite

We Deconstructed Our Homeschool and Religious Experiences

Want to hear Liz's homeschool experience? Check out this episode: https://youtu.be/rvHUlhOM9hI?si=j7JGWwCJAMwtrChb Liz is back in the clubhouse to explore the role religion played in our homeschool upbringings and how those beliefs shaped our identities long after childhood. Liz shares what it was like growing up in an intensely Catholic homeschool environment, from her involvement in the Legion of Mary to embracing modesty culture, purity culture, and the expectation that she might one day become a nun. Together, we unpack the complicated process of questioning long-held beliefs, navigating religious trauma, and separating personal faith from the cultural expectations that surrounded us. We discuss purity culture, the lack of sex education in many homeschool environments, the experience of deconstruction, and the grief that can accompany rebuilding your worldview. Whether you're still religious, no longer religious, or somewhere in between, this conversation is about finding space to ask questions, heal, and better understand the stories that shaped us. Resources We Mentioned * When Religion Hurts You: https://drlauraeanderson.com/book * Homeschooled: A Memoir: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t * The Body Keeps the Score: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score * Interview with D.L. Mayfield: https://youtu.be/ohzrQqPq0Dw?si=vi3cp1QPt8fy3wfi Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back Liz 01:07 Homeschooler Connection 03:32 Catholic Roots And Belonging 06:21 Evangelical Upbringing 08:33 Confirmation And Commitment 11:11 Legion Of Mary Explained 13:30 Conference Culture And War Talk 19:37 Performing Faith Publicly 21:29 Christian Mime And Evangelism 24:00 Modesty Purity And Shame 28:29 Deconstruction And Questioning 31:55 Where Beliefs Came From 33:11 Silence Around Sex And Expectations 34:56 Nunhood and Holiness 35:41 Purity Books Osmosis 36:40 Period Shame Lesson 37:51 Apple Pie Purity Talk 41:06 No Sex Ed Basics 43:27 Bridgerton Level Ignorance 45:20 Study Abroad Cracks Bubble 47:43 Grief and Quiet Deconstruction 54:34 Naming Religious Trauma 01:01:30 Inner Child Healing 01:04:20 Finding Community Through Stories 01:06:50 Closing Thoughts and Resources If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with Me * Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/ * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub * Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com

The Story Behind Homeschooled: Stefan Merrill Block Opens Up

Grab a copy of Homeschooled for yourself: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t This week I have the honor of sitting down with author Stefan Merrill Block to discuss his memoir Homeschooled, his years in an isolating homeschooling environment, and the complicated relationship he shared with his mother. Stefan opens up about being pulled out of public school at age nine, the isolation that followed, the pressure of being told he was a prodigy, and the difficult transition back into traditional school after four and a half years of homeschooling. We also explore themes that will resonate with many former homeschoolers: loneliness, identity, friendship, family enmeshment, educational neglect, and the long-lasting effects of childhood narratives. Beyond homeschooling, Stefan shares how books became a lifeline, how writing helped him process grief after his mother's death, and why he believes storytelling can be one of the most powerful tools for healing. Whether you're an ex-homeschooler, current homeschool parent, educator, or simply interested in memoir and family dynamics, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the complicated realities behind one family's homeschool experience. Connect with Stefan * Grab a copy of the book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t * Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanmblock/ * Check out his website: https://www.stefanmerrillblock.com If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with me * Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/ * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub * Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:35 How Homeschooling Began 02:53 Bluff Called Leaving School 04:57 Unschooling Day to Day 07:30 Math CDs and Drifting 09:05 Isolation and Genius Myth 12:02 Decision to Return 16:06 High School Culture Shock 20:01 Success Versus Scars 24:35 Friendship After Homeschool 25:54 2020 Isolation Flashbacks 31:16 Owning the Homeschool Identity 33:03 Sanity Is Consensus 34:34 Finding A Writer Voice 35:45 Books As Empathy 39:35 Fiction Versus Memoir 42:47 Writing After Loss 47:42 Choosing Homeschooled Title 52:18 Calling For Homeschool Reform 53:54 Finding CRHE Community 57:14 Hate Mail And Defensiveness 59:15 Next Novel New Focus 01:03:11 Stories Change Laws 01:04:16 Wrap Up And Farewell

Our Voices Can Make A Difference In Homeschooling Legislation

If you wanna support the work of CRHE, consider a donation: https://crhe.org/support-crhe/ Today we're talking homeschool legislation. And who better to do that than Tess Ulrey, director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. Together, we're breaking down major legislative victories in Nebraska and Connecticut, explaining the goals behind the Make Homeschool Safe Act, and exploring the complicated balance between parental rights, children’s rights, and educational freedom. The conversation also dives into public school sports access, mandated reporters, homeschool stigma, and why reliable homeschool data matters more than ever. Key Topics Covered * Nebraska’s LB1224 and what it changes for homeschool oversight * Connecticut’s new homeschool registration requirements * Why CRHE advocates for homeschool accountability * Suspicious withdrawal during CPS investigations * Access to public school sports and extracurriculars * Homeschooling and children’s rights * Why homeschool data and registration matter * Legislative pushback from both homeschool and public school communities * The future of homeschool reform in the U.S. Resources Mentioned * CRHE Website: https://crhe.org * Make Homeschool Safe Act: https://crhe.org/make-homeschool-safe-act/ * Homeschooling's Invisible Children: https://hic.crhe.org If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you! Connect with Me * Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/ * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub * Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back Tess Ulrey from CRHE 01:08 What Is CRHE? And What Do They Do? 02:27 Big Wins In Nebraska And Connecticut 03:55 Make Homeschool Safe Act 07:50 Nebraska LB1224 Breakdown 11:36 Kids Rights Bipartisan Shift 14:21 Connecticut HB5468 Changes 16:18 Why Registration Matters 20:16 Access Bills Sports Resources 25:23 Pushback and Practicalities 27:48 Homeschoolers on Teams 28:21 Proms and Shared Events 30:04 Breaking Homeschool Stigma 32:49 What Bills Are Next 34:13 How Laws Spread Statewide 38:38 Federal Graduation Recognition 43:58 Parents Rights Debate 45:10 How Alumni Can Help 53:15 Local Outreach and Wrap Up

Did You Forget Something? How to find any moment from the podcast

You can try out Podspun for yourself here: https://podspun.com/@Ex-HomeschoolersClubToday I’m sharing something a little different, it's a bonus episode/demo of a new tool called Podspun that lets you search through podcast episodes to find the golden nuggets you might have forgotten. If you’ve ever remembered a conversation from the show but couldn’t remember which episode it came from, this tool is designed to solve that problem. You can search topics, keywords, and even ask questions that pull answers directly from past episodes and guest conversations.I walk through how the tool works, show a few real examples from the podcast, and explain how it can help both longtime listeners and brand-new audience members explore the show in a completely new way.After you test it out, I’d genuinely love to hear what you think. Whether you have ideas for new features, feedback on how it works, or topics you’d like to explore through the tool, send me your thoughts at exhsclub@gmail.com. I’ll be sharing listener feedback directly with the creators as they continue improving the platform.Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at exhsclub@gmail.comChapters00:00 Welcome To A Special Announcement Episode00:33 Podcast Search Problem01:05 Meet Podspun01:24 Search Captions Demo02:27 Ask a Quesion Demo03:33 Try It and Share Your Feedback