The Homeschool Show by NCHE is available weekly via video and podcast. You can watch or listen to the show on this page. You can also watch and subscribe on the NCHE YouTube channel, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast apps. 

As with everything NCHE does, our goal for the show is to help you homeschool with confidence and joy! Join us each week for information and encouragement. Email us and let us know what questions you have or topics you would like for us to discuss. 

212 Homeschool Testing, Reading Readiness, Curriculum Questions + Starting a Homeschool

In episode 212 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie revisit some of the most common questions homeschool families ask, especially those finishing their first year or preparing to begin. They discuss annual testing requirements, when children need to be tested, options for standardized testing, and what families should know about filing a notice of intent in North Carolina.

They also talk about accredited curriculum, how much time young children typically spend on schoolwork, reading readiness, and why learning timelines can vary widely from child to child. Along the way, they offer practical perspectives on reducing pressure and helping children learn at a pace that fits their development.

Resources

Thrive! 2026 Recordings

211 Hormones and Homeschooling + Thrive! Conference Tips

Amanda and Melanie talk about navigating hormones during the homeschool years, from puberty to perimenopause, and the ways emotional and physical changes can affect both parents and children. They share personal experiences, discuss the importance of communication and recognizing what may be happening beneath behavioral changes, and encourage families to approach these seasons with understanding and grace.

The conversation also includes practical Thrive! conference tips for both first-time and returning attendees, including planning workshop schedules, preparing for the vendor hall, building in breaks, staying hydrated, and making connections with other homeschool families. Amanda and Melanie also reflect on the end of the show’s fifth season and look ahead to what’s coming next.

News and Upcoming Events

  • Thrive! Homeschool Conference 
  • Thrive! conference app 
210 Homeschool Questions: ADHD, Graduation, Multiple Kids, and NCAA Sports

In Episode 210 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie answer common homeschool questions from parents navigating everything from early elementary struggles to high school graduation planning. They discuss feeling unprepared to homeschool, managing multiple children at different grade levels, homeschooling students with ADHD, and how to create a positive learning environment when both parent and child feel overwhelmed.

They also explain what North Carolina homeschool law actually requires regarding school schedules and graduation, share practical encouragement for new homeschoolers, and talk through what families need to know if a student wants to pursue NCAA college athletics. In addition, the episode highlights the upcoming Thrive! Conference and recognizes several North Carolina homeschool students for excellence in academics and writing.

News and Upcoming Events

209 Social Media Etiquette + Finishing the Homeschool Year

In Episode 209 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk about social media etiquette and online safety as part of their Real World Readiness series. They share practical guidance for families on setting boundaries, teaching empathy, protecting personal information, and helping teens think carefully about what they post. They also emphasize the importance of parents leading by example and staying actively involved in their children’s digital lives.

They also walk through key end-of-year homeschool responsibilities, including standardized testing, graduation options, transcripts, and updating information with the Division of Non-Public Education. In addition, they discuss how families can transition into summer while maintaining learning rhythms and preparing for the next school year.

Resources Mentioned

News and Upcoming Events

Thrive! Conference preregistration

208 Homeschool Dads, Homemade Paint, and the College and Trades Fair

In Episode 208 of The Homeschool Show, Matthew talks with Juan Guadalupe about his family’s homeschool journey, the faith and sacrifice involved in choosing home education, and why homeschooling is more than school at home. Juan shares how his family began homeschooling while building a small business and how God provided along the way.

Amanda and Melanie reflect on the importance of dads catching the vision for homeschooling as a lifestyle and invite fathers to attend the dads gathering at Thrive! The episode also includes a simple homemade paint activity for families and a look at the College and Trades Fair at Thrive!

News and Upcoming Events

207  AI Tools for Special Needs Homeschooling and What to Know About Testing

In Episode 207 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk with Karima Askour, co-founder of EZducate, about a new AI-driven platform designed to support students with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Drawing from her own experience as a parent, Karima shares how the platform uses visual tools, behavior plans, social stories, and personalized learning supports to help families address real challenges at home.

Amanda also offers a clear overview of North Carolina’s homeschool testing requirement, explaining what the law actually requires, what it does not require, and how families can approach testing without unnecessary stress. She addresses common misconceptions, especially for families transitioning from public school, and points to helpful resources for choosing and administering standardized tests.

Resources Mentioned

206 Keep Your School Active with State, Character-Focused Homeschooling, and Withdrawing from Public School

In Episode 206 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda addresses recent concerns about DNPE activity and explains what it means for a homeschool to be marked inactive, along with the steps families can take to keep their school active and records accurate. She also clarifies the role of DNPE and how it differs from NCHE, helping families understand where to go for information and support.

Amanda’s conversation with Steve and Megan Scheibner centers on character-focused homeschooling, discipleship, and the long-term goal of passing on faith and values. Drawing from decades of experience, they reflect on parenting through every stage—from young children to adult children—and the role of parents in guiding, teaching, and entrusting outcomes to the Lord.

The episode closes with guidance on opening a homeschool and withdrawing a child from public school, including legal requirements, available options for families who may not yet meet them, and what schools may request during the withdrawal process.

Important Links

205 Speech and Debate, Communication Skills, and Real-World Etiquette

In episode 205 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk about the everyday moments when meaningful conversations happen with our kids and how those connections grow over time. Amanda sits down with Christy Shipe of the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA) to learn how homeschool students can get involved in speech and debate, what participation looks like, and how students develop confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate with clarity and respect.

The episode also looks at practical communication skills at home, including how students learn to express themselves clearly in conversation and disagreement. Amanda shares highlights from a recent tournament, where students describe what they’re learning and why the community matters, while Melanie and Amanda discuss how families can intentionally teach communication through everyday interactions.

As part of a real-world readiness conversation, Melanie and Amanda explore telephone etiquette and how communication habits are changing. They talk through how families can help students learn when and how to communicate clearly and respectfully in both phone and text conversations, and why these skills still matter.

News and Upcoming Events

204 Burnout, Homeschool Freedom Concerns, and Simple Low-Cost Activities

As spring approaches and routines shift, many homeschool families find themselves feeling stretched thin. In episode 204 of The Homeschool Show, Amanda and Melanie talk honestly about burnout—what it looks like in daily life, how to recognize it, and small, practical ways to reset. From adjusting expectations to carving out moments of rest, they share encouragement for finishing the year with intention while caring for your own well-being.

The conversation also turns to current homeschool legislation in Connecticut and what it could mean for families across the country. They discuss the importance of understanding homeschool freedom, staying informed, and considering how policy changes in other states may affect the broader homeschool community. The episode wraps up with a simple, low-cost nature-based art idea that families can try together.

News and Upcoming Events

203 Discipleship at Home, Dads at Thrive!, + Rethinking Socialization

In episode 203, Amanda sits down with NCHE executive director Matthew McDill to talk about discipleship at home and what it looks like to move beyond behavior and academics toward helping children know and love Christ. Matthew shares how parents can encourage self-motivation, build meaningful relationships with their children, and approach parenting as an invitation rather than simply instruction. The conversation also highlights sessions at Thrive! that are designed to support and equip homeschool dads.

Later in the episode, Amanda addresses one of the most common questions homeschool families face: socialization. She reframes the conversation by exploring what socialization really means and how homeschool families can intentionally build community and friendships through everyday life and local connections.

News and Upcoming Events

202 Homeschooling Special Needs + Teaching Kids to Write a Signature

Amanda talks with Stephanie Buckwalter of Adapted Home Education about homeschooling students with special needs and how a developmental approach can help families navigate learning challenges. Stephanie shares from more than 25 years of homeschooling experience with children who have a wide range of learning profiles, including gifted students, typical learners, and a daughter with significant special needs.

They discuss how focusing on development rather than curriculum can help parents better understand their child’s learning patterns and create meaningful progress, even when learning feels slow or unpredictable. Stephanie also previews several of the workshops she will present at Thrive!, including sessions on developmental learning, supporting students with significant learning delays, practical strategies that influence learning outcomes, and planning for life after high school for students who may need long-term support.

Later in the episode, Amanda and Melanie continue the Real World Readiness series by discussing the importance of teaching children how to write a signature. Melanie explains why learning cursive can benefit young learners, including improved letter recognition, reading and spelling support, and faster, more fluid writing.

News and Upcoming Events

201 Real-Life Support Groups + Threats to Homeschool Freedom

Amanda and Melanie talk with Briggs Greenwood about the value of real-life homeschool support groups and why in-person relationships remain so important for families navigating a digital world. Briggs shares from more than two decades of homeschooling experience and previews her upcoming Thrive! workshop, Leading an Analog Support Group in a Digital World.

They also answer common questions that new homeschoolers often ask online, including the difference between the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (NCDNPE) and NCHE, and whether homeschool families are required to join a co-op. Amanda and Melanie explain how homeschooling works in North Carolina and encourage parents that they are capable of leading their children’s education.

In addition, the episode highlights Thrive! Conference workshops for parents of neurodivergent and struggling learners and shares encouragement for families seeking connection, support, and confidence in their homeschool journey.

News and Upcoming Events