Ex-Homeschoolers Club

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-worth. She opens up about entering adulthood feeling unprepared, navigating community college with massive anxiety, and later discovering she’s neurodivergent, a revelation that reframed her entire childhood. Now working in education and pursuing behavioral-tech certification, Hannah shares how therapy, understanding, and self-compassion have helped her rebuild confidence and reclaim her love of learning. This conversation is raw, insightful, and incredibly validating for anyone who felt “behind” growing up homeschooled.

Key Points

• Big family life, AWANA memories, and mime team culture
• How chaos, parental conflict, and lack of structure shaped her education
• Feeling “behind” and “dumb” the long-term effects of educational neglect
• Navigating college without foundational skills
• Discovering she’s neurodivergent at 30 & how therapy reframed everything
• Sensory issues, coping strategies, overstimulation, and emotional regulation
• Homeschooling today vs. “the bubble” we grew up in

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Ex Homeschoolers Club

00:32 Childhood Memories and AWANA Days

07:39 Homeschooling and Family Dynamics

12:10 Struggles with Education and Self-Worth

16:23 College Challenges and Career Choices

20:39 Discovering Neurodivergence and Therapy

29:42 Managing Overstimulation

30:30 Dealing with Everyday Frustrations

33:10 Understanding Neurodivergence

37:06 Homeschooling Reflections

43:29 Big Family Dynamics

46:39 Advice for Future Homeschoolers

49:48 Pursuing New Learning Opportunities

53:20 Homeschool Memories

55:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at [email protected]

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 she needed, the struggle to find inclusive co-ops, and how she built a space that celebrates diversity, social justice, and child-led learning.Together, we unpack the evolution of homeschooling beyond religion—covering everything from micro schools and anti-racist curriculum to sex education and the role of community in raising curious, confident kids.🔑 Key Points- How Ashley transitioned from frustrated parent to homeschooling advocate- What “secular progressive homeschooling” really means—and why it matters- The challenges of finding (and creating) inclusive co-ops for families of color- Building child-led education through clubs, field trips, and micro schooling- The importance of sex education, open conversations, and justice-centered learning- How homeschooling parents can still advocate for better public schools- Why mutual aid and community support are essential for homeschool success🔗 References & Guest Links- Podcast “Secular Homeschool Revolution”: https://open.spotify.com/show/5O8R301kT316E67DOf6y17?si=df7803f117334631- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@secular_homeschool_mama- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secular_homeschool_revolution⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Secular Progressive Homeschooling00:22 Meet Ashley Peek: Homeschool Parent and Content Creator02:03 Ashley’s Homeschooling Journey: Challenges and Decisions08:25 Building a Secular Progressive Homeschool Community15:59 Defining Secular Progressive Homeschooling25:34 Co-op and Micro Schooling: A New Approach40:23 Experiential Learning at Home41:18 The Role of Curriculum in Homeschooling42:14 Unschooling: Pros and Cons45:27 Encouraging Deep Dives into Interests46:42 Real-Life Skills vs. Academic Knowledge48:55 The Importance of Play and Exploration49:47 Parental Responsibility in Education59:20 Community Support in Homeschooling01:01:12 Advocacy for Public Education01:01:52 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsIf 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!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at [email protected]

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 her own children—before realizing public school was the right fit. We explore the tension between faith, education, and identity in the homeschool world, revealing how breaking away led to personal growth, renewed curiosity, and healthier family dynamics.🔑 *Key Points*- Stephanie’s experience growing up in a large, loosely structured homeschool family- Transitioning from homeschool to El Camino and earning her GED- Early marriage, motherhood, and the challenges of homeschooling her own kids- Letting go of the “public school is evil” mindset- Rediscovering a love for learning as an adult through podcasts and books🔗 *References & Mentions*- Adventures in Odyssey- Group Solutions Homeschool Co-op- El Camino Independent Study Program- Ken Ham / Answers in Genesis (mentioned critically)⏰ *Timestamps*00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:55 Meet Stephanie: A Lifelong Homeschooler01:46 Homeschooling Dynamics and Family Life06:52 Extracurricular Activities and Group Solutions12:45 Transition to El Camino and GED Journey20:07 Homeschooling Her Own Kids24:17 Rethinking Education Choices25:42 Public vs. Homeschooling: A Personal Journey26:18 Challenging Public School Stereotypes28:39 Parental Involvement in Public School30:22 Balancing Exposure and Protection35:12 Advice for Prospective Homeschoolers38:42 Rediscovering the Love of Learning42:20 Unique Homeschool Memories45:19 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsIf 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!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at [email protected]

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 health, including stepping back from social platforms, cutting down on caffeine, and making time for rest and fun. I also give you a sneak peek at the exciting new interviews coming soon—ranging from conversations with a sex education expert to homeschooling parents and college prep specialists. Finally, I ask for your feedback on the future direction of the show, possible community spaces, and ways we can grow together as ex-homeschoolers.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Why the Ex-Homeschoolers Club is not canceled and what’s coming next
• My personal journey with burnout, overwhelm, and how I’m working through it
• The importance of mental health practices: less caffeine, better sleep, stepping away from social media
• Sneak peek at upcoming guest interviews covering sex education, college prep, and modern homeschooling perspectives
• Call for listener feedback on building community (book clubs, Zoom hangouts, Reddit/Discord, etc.)

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 WE ARE BACK BABY

00:30 Where have I been?

04:28 What is happening with the show

05:53 I need your feedback

The Ex-Homeschoolers Club isn’t going anywhere—but I want your help shaping its future! Share your thoughts in the YouTube comments, on Spotify, or by emailing me at [email protected]. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs it. And if you’re new here, check out past episodes to get caught up. Let’s keep building this space for ex-homeschoolers together.

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 socialization opportunities, the challenges, and the lessons I carried into college and adulthood. I reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of Christian-based education, the role of extracurriculars like swing dance and theater, and how homeschooling shaped my worldview, work ethic, and career. This is a candid look at my personal story and what I’ve learned about education, growth, and identity along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Insights into different types of homeschooling: private, charter, and unschooling.

• Curriculum that worked (Math-U-See, Story of the World) and what fell short (Spanish with Rosetta Stone).

• The role of co-ops, church groups, and extracurriculars in building socialization skills.

• How Christian-based curriculum shaped my early worldview—and where it left gaps.

• Transitioning from homeschool to college: challenges, growth, and learning to adapt.

Resources Mentioned:

• Math-U-See (math curriculum)

• Story of the World (history curriculum)

• Exploring Creation (science curriculum)

• Rod & Staff English

• Rosetta Stone (language learning)

• CHEA (Christian Home Educators Association)

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend, leave a review on your favorite podcast app, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club newsletter for updates, resources, and community stories. Join the conversation with me on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok at @exhsclub.