Best Jacob Gooden Podcasts (2025)

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Was I Really the Dumbest Person in the Room? Growing Up Homeschooled 58:06

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11d ago58:06

58:06

This week on the pod, I sit down with long-time friend Hannah to unpack her deeply personal journey through homeschooling, neurodivergence, and self-discovery. Growing up in a chaotic Christian homeschool environment with six siblings, Hannah reflects on what worked, what didn’t, and how a lack of structure and support shaped her sense of self-wort…

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The Homeschool Revolution You Haven’t Heard About 1:03:12

25d ago1:03:12

1:03:12

This week I sit down with Ashley Peek, a current homeschool parent, content creator, and founder of the Secular Homeschool Revolution. Ashley shares her journey from navigating a broken public school system to creating a thriving secular progressive homeschool community in Texas. She opens up about her daughter’s challenge getting the IEP services …

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Why Homeschooling Failed My Family 46:55

1M ago46:55

46:55

This week I'm reconnecting with longtime friend Stephanie to unpack her full-circle journey through homeschooling, early marriage, motherhood, and now parenting kids in public school. Stephanie shares candid reflections on growing up in an unstructured homeschool environment, her surprising enrollment into El Camino, and the decision to homeschool …

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Where Have I Been? 11:43

2M ago11:43

11:43

Hey everyone—it’s Jacob Gooden, and I’m back with an update on the Ex-Homeschoolers Club! In this solo episode, I open up about why the show has been quiet for the past month, what’s been happening behind the scenes, and how I’ve been dealing with burnout, anxiety, and social media overload. I share the changes I’ve made to prioritize my mental hea…

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What I Learned Growing Up Homeschooled (And What I Missed) 1:02:46

3M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

Get signed up for the newsletter here: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ In this solo episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I, Jacob Gooden, turn the mic on myself to share my full homeschooling journey. From starting in second grade to navigating private Christian homeschool co-ops in Southern California, I unpack the curriculum choices, the socializa…

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What’s It Like Growing Up Homeschooled with 11 Siblings? 1:07:22

3M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

If you haven't already, consider subscribing to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Ex-HomeschoolersClub In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with Julius, one of 12 siblings, to unpack what it was like growing up in a massive homeschool family led by a pastor dad. From the chaos of daily life in a household of 14 to na…

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Did Purity Culture Ruin How We View Marriage and Intimacy? | I Kissed Dating Goodbye part 4 53:37

3M ago53:37

53:37

In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, we’re wrapping up our four-part series on Joshua Harris’s controversial book I Kissed Dating Goodbye. In this final installment, I dissect Part Four, “Now What?”, where Harris outlines his vision for marriage, intimacy, and what he calls “principled romance.” I share personal stories of feeling pressure…

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Weird Things I Wasn’t Allowed to Do as a Homeschooler 1:49:19

4M ago1:49:19

1:49:19

This week on the podcast, we’re throwing a birthday party! It's the one-year anniversary of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, and to celebrate, I brought back my very first guest and longtime friend Cari Frantz for a fun and nostalgic conversation. We dive deep into the media, books, movies, and music we weren’t allowed to consume growing up as Christian …

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I Kissed Dating Goodbye Part 3: Purity Culture’s 4-Step Plan for Control 1:33:15

4M ago1:33:15

1:33:15

This week I'm diving into Part 3 of I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris—a section packed with so-called "practical tools" for keeping Christian teens pure. Spoiler: it's just more purity culture with a fresh coat of patriarchal paint. In this episode, I unpack chapters 8 through 11, covering Harris’s infamous four-step plan for building godly …

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How Homeschooling Sparked a Creative Career in Art & Animation 1:33:15

4M ago1:33:15

1:33:15

Subscribe to my email newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe This week on the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I had an absolutely joyful conversation with artist, teacher, and former homeschooler Noah Fontana. From the moment we hit record, it felt like two longtime friends reconnecting. We dove deep into Noah's unique homeschool upbringing, how…

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I Kissed Dating Goodbye: The Harmful Heart of Purity Culture | #43 1:05:00

5M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

This week on The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I'm diving into Part 2 of I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris, tackling the chapters that aim to define "true Christian love" and promote the gift of singleness. As a former homeschooler who grew up immersed in purity culture, I bring my personal experience and critical reflection to the table. We unpack…

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Was Your Homeschool Curriculum Helping You—Or Holding You Back? | #42 1:29:12

5M ago1:29:12

1:29:12

Hey, it’s Jacob Gooden, and this week on the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I’m joined by the thoughtful and artistic Marsh—the youngest guest to date and a recent escapee from the world of homeschooling. We dive into their story of growing up homeschooled in rural Oklahoma, using the ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) curriculum, and being raised by th…

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I Kissed Dating Goodbye: Breaking Down the Book That Shaped Purity Culture | #41 55:22

5M ago55:22

55:22

I read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris—so you don’t have to. This is Part 1 of a multi-episode series where I unpack the book’s harmful messages, its connection to purity culture, and its deep roots in the Christian homeschooling world. From courtship myths to repressed sexuality and emotional confusion, I explore how this 1997 “dating m…

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Are Homeschoolers Better Than Public Schoolers? | #40 57:13

5M ago57:13

57:13

This week, I sit down with Charlie Monroe, a licensed therapist and former youth pastor, to explore the complexities of growing up homeschooled in a large, religious family. Charlie shares his K-12 rural homeschool experience, the emotional toll of isolation, and the transition into college and career. We discuss the impact of evangelicalism, rigor…

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Was I a Homeschool Success Story—or Just the Exception? | #39 1:14:07

6M ago1:14:07

1:14:07

This conversation dives into the highs, lows, and hard truths of RB's journey through homeschooling, patriarchal systems, and his path to healing. We discuss his early education in Pennsylvania, the move to Kansas, and the gendered disparities in educational investment he witnessed as the oldest of five siblings. RB opens up about the unintended pr…

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Do You Have A Homeschool Story To Share? | #38 19:32

6M ago19:32

19:32

Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribeIf you’re an ex-homeschooler with a story to tell—this episode is your invitation to share it. Today I’m breaking down everything you need to know about becoming a guest on the show. Whether your homeschooling experience was amazing, traumatic, or somewhe…

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What Happens When a Neurodivergent Kid Goes Undiagnosed in the Homeschool World? | #37 1:06:36

6M ago1:06:36

1:06:36

Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this powerful follow-up episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, Alyssa Gaona is back for a raw, insightful conversation about her personal experiences with autism and neurodivergence. While her first appearance focused on the wild realities of growing u…

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What Happens When Homeschooling Leads to Burnout Instead of Brilliance?l | #36 56:50

7M ago56:50

56:50

On today's show I'm joined by Mia Brooks, a longtime family friend. We dive into Mia's unique homeschool upbringing as the youngest of several siblings, her early leap into community college at age 14, and her reflective journey as a neurodivergent adult. From a less structured homeschool experience to discovering her ADHD as an adult, Mia shares c…

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Is Stand-Up Comedy the Best Therapy for Ex-Homeschoolers? | #35 1:17:07

7M ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Stream Jeremy's New Album Here: https://www.blondemedicine.com/bm142-almost-a-grown-man In this episode of, I sit down with comedian Jeremy Alder to unpack his wild and winding journey from fundamentalist Christian homeschooling in rural Texas to releasing his debut stand-up comedy album, Almost a Grown Man. Jeremy shares what it was like to be one…

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3 Things I'd Change About My Homeschool Experience | #34 18:57

7M ago18:57

18:57

Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I'm reflecting on a decade of being homeschooled and dive into three specific areas I would approach differently if I had the chance to go back. While I appreciate much of what my parents did, this episode ex…

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We Reunited After 7 Years… And Got Really Honest About Homeschooling | #33 53:57

8M ago53:57

53:57

Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe I can't believe it's been over 7 years... on today's podcast I reconnect with my longtime friend Katrin McGoogan (formerly Frantz). We dive deep into our shared homeschooling past, her experience navigating adulthood and motherhood, and her recent ADHD d…

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Am I Still a Homeschooler? Let’s Talk About It | #32 12:15

8M ago12:15

12:15

Join the Newsletter for the latest Ex-Homeschooler News: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this solo episode I'm taking a deep dive into the definition of an "ex-homeschooler." Is it someone who has left homeschooling behind with negative feelings, or simply anyone who has experienced it? I'm sharing my personal journey—hiding my homeschool…

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The Truth About Life After Homeschooling | #31 45:21

8M ago45:21

45:21

Today I'm sitting down with Korbs to explore his unconventional path from homeschooling to navigating life beyond structured education. We discuss the quirks of homeschool culture, how it shaped his worldview, and the challenges of transitioning into traditional social and professional settings. Korbs shares his experiences adapting to new environm…

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Our Weirdly Similar Homeschool Lives (Mime, Theater & Chaos!) | #30 1:07:37

8M ago1:07:37

1:07:37

In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with Jenève, host of Homeschooled, a podcast exploring alumni experiences. We discuss our eerily similar homeschooling journeys, from big families and unconventional education styles to the chaos of homeschool theater and religious mime performances. Jenève shares her transition from stage ma…

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Why We’re All Struggling with Relationships & Connection | #29 1:03:32

9M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

In this episode I’m sitting down with Dr. Chez Leeby and Stephanie Boye, hosts of 7 on Sundays, a podcast focused on sex, relationships, and mental health for young adults. We dive into the challenges of relationships, loneliness, and navigating connection in today's world. From the impact of homeschooling, social media, pornography, and dopamine a…

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What Do You Do When Religion Hurts You? | #28 47:33

9M ago47:33

47:33

In this solo episode of I'm diving into the book When Religion Hurts You by Laura E. Anderson. This book explores the psychological effects of high-control religious environments and offers insights into healing from religious trauma. Inspired by my own deconstruction journey, I unpack key concepts from the book, including the nervous system’s resp…

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Purity Rings, Weird Analogies, and Why Sex Felt Wrong | #27 1:08:19

9M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Real stories. Real conversations. If you want the latest episodes of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club podcast, plus bonus insights and community highlights, sign up for the newsletter. https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with my longtime friend, Aaron MacDonald, to talk about his homeschool exper…

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Is Homeschooling Easier Today Than It Was Back Then? | #26 52:45

10M ago52:45

52:45

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? ⁠https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757⁠ On this weeks Ex-Homeschoolers Club, we welcome Ruth Brooks, a former homeschooler turned homeschool mom of four, to explore her un…

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We're Starting A Book Club 1:57

10M ago1:57

1:57

WE ARE LAUNCHING A BOOK CLUB!!! That's right the Ex-Homeschoolers Book Club is going live. Our first book is going to be “When Religion Hurts You” by Dr. Laura E Anderson Link to our Fable Book Club: https://fable.co/club/ex-homeschoolers-book-club-with-jacob-gooden-585330795145?invite=d05c4720-2e57-471a-ad97-dfe8a5026688 Grab your copy of “When Re…

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What Changed? Homeschooling in the 90s vs. Today | #25 1:02:21

10M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757 In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, host Jacob Gooden welcomes special guest Liz, a homeschool graduate from the 80s and 90…

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Was Homeschool The Best Choice For Me...Or My Parents? | #24 48:49

10M ago48:49

48:49

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757 Hey everyone! In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with Whitney Brim-DeForest, a former homeschooler with an incr…

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Did Homeschooling Better Prepare Us to Deal with Mental Health Struggles? | #23 1:12:22

10M ago1:12:22

1:12:22

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/forms/ecd981ec-ed4e-4b22-a15d-ae3b2858c757 Join me as I sit down with long-time friend and fellow Ojai Valley homeschooler, Alouette Pettit (Kim). From her unique homeschooling…

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The Shocking Truth About Homeschool vs Public School Education | #22 58:10

11M ago58:10

58:10

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9This week on The Ex Homeschoolers Club, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my college friend Adam Gaus. Until recently, I had no idea Adam was also homescho…

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Why I Deconstructed My Faith | #21 1:01:06

11M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my journey of faith, doubt, and discovery. Reflecting on the intersection of my Christian upbringing and homeschooling ex…

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How My Dad Went from Homeschool Skeptic to Advocate | #20 1:26:45

12M ago1:26:45

1:26:45

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this heartfelt episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I sit down with my dad, Keith Gooden, for an in-depth conversation about homeschooling, fatherhood, and personal …

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Behind the Homeschooling Curtain (My Mom's Tells All) | #19 1:16:13

12M ago1:16:13

1:16:13

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this heartfelt episode, Jacob Gooden sits down with his mom, Susan Gooden, to explore her decision to homeschool, the challenges of starting out, and the unexpected j…

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A Very Ex-Homeschooled Thanksgiving | #18 24:43

12M ago24:43

24:43

I want to hear from my Ex-Homeschool Friends. Here is my Google Form for you to share your thoughts on the future of the EXHS Club: https://forms.gle/tpJyso45KMcnWjcUA Hey folks, you're getting a solo from me today. I'm gonna walk you through the journey of launching the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, what you can expect for the end of 2024, and some of th…

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Did I Grow Up In A Homeschool Cult? | #17 1:03:01

12M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this weeks episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, I'm sitting down with Alyssa Gaona to explore her unconventional homeschooling journey. From growing up in a restrict…

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A Quick Update 1:39

1y ago1:39

1:39

Hey Ex-Homeschoolers! NO INTERVIEW this week but I'm making it up to you next week by dropping 2 episodes! 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 t…

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Does Homeschooling Give You an Edge in Creative Careers? | #16 56:42

1y ago56:42

56:42

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this episode, we’re joined by Keara Minshall, a filmmaker and homeschool alum, who shares her inspiring journey through homeschooling, the challenges she faced, and h…

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A Boy Scouts Guide To Surviving Homeschool | #15 1:12:32

1y ago1:12:32

1:12:32

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, Jacob Gooden reconnects with longtime friend John Slagboom to share stories from their homeschool days and discuss the jour…

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Did Homeschooling Prepare Us To Be Adults? | #14 49:14

1y ago49:14

49:14

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this episode of The Ex-Homeschoolers Club, Jacob Gooden sits down with Makeila Harrell (Mahoney) as they delve into the unique experiences of being raised in a homesc…

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Homeschool Senior Ditch Day Goes WILD! | #13 1:10:00

1y ago1:10:00

1:10:00

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, host Jacob Gooden welcomes Emileigh Bierman, who shares her unique journey through homeschooling, the challenges she faced …

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I Said I'd NEVER Homeschool My Kids! | #12 1:01:32

1y ago1:01:32

1:01:32

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this nostalgic episode of Ex-Homeschoolers Club, host Jacob Gooden reconnects with Morgan Shanks (Emmons) to reminisce about their shared experiences as homeschoolers…

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Homeschooling Taught Me To Code-Switch | #11 54:07

1y ago54:07

54:07

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this episode of the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, host Jacob Gooden welcomes Annanlee Chang, a long-time friend and fellow homeschooler, to discuss her unique educational jo…

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Nobody Ever Asked If I Wanted To Be Homeschooled | #10 57:10

1y ago57:10

57:10

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 Welcome back to The Ex Homeschooler Club! In today's episode, I'm excited to introduce my friend Elizabeth Slagboom, who has an inspiring and insightful story about her …

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Homeschooling Isn't All Rainbows and Unicorns | #9 1:07:09

1y ago1:07:09

1:07:09

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 Welcome back to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend Eliya Frantz. Eliya and I have known each other since we were kids, …

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How Do You Homeschool When You Don't Speak English? | #8 33:38

1y ago33:38

33:38

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 Hey everyone! Welcome back to the Ex Homeschoolers Club! Today I’m thrilled to have my longtime friend Julia joining me. We’ve known each other since she moved here from…

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I Survived Purity Culture and Lived to Tell the Tale | #7 34:21

1y ago34:21

34:21

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 In this raw and honest episode, I'm opening up about my experiences growing up in purity culture. From awkward sex education to struggles with shame and guilt, I'm shari…

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All She's Ever Known is Homeschool! | #6 30:10

1y ago30:10

30:10

I'm always striving to make this show better and I want to hear from you. If you've got a few minutes, would you mind answering a few questions? https://forms.gle/SCAWjZ3fo1L4CxCK9 We're back in the clubhouse this week with my friend Emily. While we may have bonded over a shared love for One Direction and red pants, our friendship blossomed into gu…