Recent Episodes

Welcome to The Charlotte Mason Show, a podcast dedicated to discussing Miss Mason’s philosophy, principles, and methods. It is our hope that each episode will leave you inspired and offer practical wisdom on how to provide this rich living education in your modern homeschool. With new episodes releasing every Monday, you can start off your week listening in on discussions with Charlotte Mason mammas, interviews with seasoned homeschool parents, and even Charlotte Mason 101 classes. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Pull up a chair! We are so glad you are here.

Sponsors

Episode Archive

S9 E12 | Consider it Pure Joy: How Hardship Ushers in Blessing (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

S9 E12 | Consider it Pure Joy: How Hardship Ushers in Blessing (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

Life is full of trials and tribulations, yet we’re told to consider it all joy. Why? Because God is maturing us and is growing our character. He is working all things for our good! But it doesn’t feel like it at times, especially with the added pressure homeschooling can bring. So how can we respond to trials in a way that brings blessing? How can we help our children do the same? Jeannie and Shiela share their experiences trusting God with the varied hardships they faced while homeschooling. They touch on how they helped their children navigate trials and how they kept their homeschool alive while walking through difficulties. They offer wisdom and tips to help you not only prepare for what will come but persevere through it with hope and even joy!

S9 E11 | Finding Fulfillment in Your Marriage (Jeannie Fulbright)

S9 E11 | Finding Fulfillment in Your Marriage (Jeannie Fulbright)

Marriage is hard. Homeschooling is hard. Because of this, peace and joy can sometimes seem out of reach. The fact is, our ultimate role as women frequently goes unfulfilled, leaving us broken and wounded, dealing with our emptiness and loneliness in the only ways we know how. We attempt to fill the hollow hole in our hearts with the things of this world, which never satisfies. In this podcast, Jeannie shares her journey from a broken, painful marriage to transformation, wholeness, and healing through the living Word of God. She shares how to find all you need to be the wife God created you to be and experience a beautiful and fruitful marriage in a broken world.

S9 E10 | Homeschooling Out and About: Ideas for Enriching Your Academics With Adventures Outside the Home (Shiela Catanzarite)

S9 E10 | Homeschooling Out and About: Ideas for Enriching Your Academics With Adventures Outside the Home (Shiela Catanzarite)

Homeschooling is about freedom—freedom to pursue a lifestyle of learning that includes lots of out and about educational adventures. There are so many opportunities to enrich your children's learning outside your home. With a little planning you can take advantage of the variety of offerings in your area and beyond! In this episode, Shiela shares ideas for homeschooling out and about and how her family enriched their homeschool by adopting this life-giving lifestyle of learning. Go to Shiela's website to request her free PDF of ideas for homeschooling out and about.

S9 E9 | Designed for Destiny: Help Your Child Find His Purpose (Jeannie Fulbright)

S9 E9 | Designed for Destiny: Help Your Child Find His Purpose (Jeannie Fulbright)

Your child was designed for a purpose and given everything they need to fulfill that purpose. God has a specific plan and a unique will for their lives. Our job as homeschoolers is not to map out their route, but to help them discover the path God created before the foundations of the earth for them to walk. On that path, they will use the unique gifts, talents, skills, interests, and passions God developed in them. Only there will they find true fulfillment and peace in their vocation. In this talk, Jeannie will share why and how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in leading your children into their designed destiny, while releasing our need to control and direction and lean into God’s plan and purposes instead.

S9 E8 | Reducing Overwhelm in Your Homeschool (Shiela Catanzarite)

S9 E8 | Reducing Overwhelm in Your Homeschool (Shiela Catanzarite)

We've all experienced a sense of overwhelm on our homeschool journey from time to time, and sometimes it's hard to pinpoint exactly where the source of stress is coming from. But we're never stuck. There's a solution to overwhelm! In this episode Shiela shares the solution and also practical ideas and strategies to help you not only identify and reduce overwhelm but avoid it.

S9 E7 | How to Have a Quiet Time as a Homeschool Mom (Jeannie Fulbright)

S9 E7 | How to Have a Quiet Time as a Homeschool Mom (Jeannie Fulbright)

One thing we often neglect in our busy schedule is nurturing our walk with God. With everything we must complete, we feel that we just don't have the time to have a quiet time. However, Jesus tells us, "Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." We all want more than anything to do a good job homeschooling, to bear much fruit in our children's lives. Yet, if we are not walking with the Lord, we cannot bear fruit, we can do nothing well. Colossians 1:29 says, "To this end I strenuously labor with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." We need the energy Christ provides to succeed in any endeavor we undertake, especially homeschooling. In this podcast, Jeannie will share the simple format that Jesus taught us to strengthen our relationship with God. Even if you only have five minutes to spare each day, by employing the steps Jesus imparted, you will receive all the blessings and benefits of an intimate and dynamic relationship with God.

S9 E6 | Homeschool Friendships: Cultivating and Nurturing Life-Giving Friends (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

S9 E6 | Homeschool Friendships: Cultivating and Nurturing Life-Giving Friends (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

Homeschooling can feel lonely at times. We are made for relationships, and supportive friendships for you and your children are vital to keep you strong and encouraged on the homeschool path. But not any friend will do. We must be intentional about finding life-giving, likeminded friends for ourselves and also for our children. Where do we find these treasured friends? Jeannie and Shiela share their experiences and insights on finding and choosing the right kinds of friendships. They discuss the benefits of wise friends and the harmfulness of foolish ones. You’ll learn why quality friends matter and things to consider when looking for and nurturing these vital relationships that will add encouragement and fun to your journey. Don’t homeschool without them!

S9 E5 | Is Your Language Arts Living? (Shiela Catanzarite)

S9 E5 | Is Your Language Arts Living? (Shiela Catanzarite)

Is your language arts living? It should be! In this episode we'll discover the origin of language and its intended purpose. We'll discuss why most language arts programs are ineffective and how they fail to produce strong thinkers and writers who know how to artfully apply the elements of language arts to their communication. We'll learn what Charlotte Mason has to say about language arts and how we can approach this beautiful subject in a life-giving way that brings joy, confidence and maturity to our children's language learning, communication and ultimately connection.

S9 E4 | 5 Keys to Choosing Curriculum (Jeannie Fulbright)

S9 E4 | 5 Keys to Choosing Curriculum (Jeannie Fulbright)

As we head into the curriculum-choosing season, Jeannie shares five essential elements to consider when deciding on the books and materials you will use with your children next year. In this episode, Jeannie encourages you to contemplate God's purpose for your children and to how to align your curriculum choices to His ultimate will for your family. She also discusses how to assess whether a curriculum will encourage joy, excitement, curiosity, and love for learning in your children. Jeannie will conclude by infusing you with the faith to believe that God already knows which curriculum you should use for each of your children and that you can trust in Him to guide you.

S9 E3 | Vision: Beginning with the Ends in Mind (Shiela Catanzarite)

S9 E3 | Vision: Beginning with the Ends in Mind (Shiela Catanzarite)

It's a new year and God has gifted you 525,600 minutes! How will you invest them to ensure you have the most fruitful, life giving homeschool year ever? By beginning with the ENDS in mind! What were your gains in 2023? What do you want to gain by the end of 2024? Join Shiela as she shares a simple framework to help you reflect on the gains you had last year in order to plan for the ones you desire this year. Be inspired to create a vision and concrete plan that will bring clarity, confidence and direction to your family life and homeschool this year. Gather the family and create an exciting vision that ensures an adventurous year of growth and precious memories! Be sure to visit Shiela's website to request the free PDF she created to help you "begin with the ends in mind."

S9 E2 | How to Successfully Homeschool and Attend to Outside Duties or How to Successfully Homeschool While Working (Jeannie Fulbright)

S9 E2 | How to Successfully Homeschool and Attend to Outside Duties or How to Successfully Homeschool While Working (Jeannie Fulbright)

Let's face it: homeschooling is hard work. Add to that the responsibilities you assume outside the home, you could become overwhelmed. Whether those responsibilities are duties to your homeschool organization, the church, a ministry, a part-time job, or even a full-time job, there are ways to organize your life and rewire your mindset to enable a peaceful, purposeful, and successful homeschool and work life. In this podcast, Jeannie will share the trade secrets she discovered over her 25 years of homeschooling to make working and homeschooling a joy. By employing important principles from the Charlotte Mason philosophy and growing your faith in God’s purposes and plans for your children, you will find that you have all you need to create a beautiful homeschool life while also excelling in your duties outside the home.

S9 E1 | Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool, Pt. 2 (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

S9 E1 | Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool, Pt. 2 (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

In this first episode of 2024, Jeannie and Shiela share the last five of their top ten reasons to homeschool, focusing in on what an excellent education truly means and how homeschooling stimulates strong character and allows children time to develop their unique interests, passions, and skill sets, shaping them into the person God created them to be. Homeschooling is a gift. One that builds beautiful memories and allows our children to have a peaceful and purposeful educational experience.

S8 E11 | Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool, Pt. 1 (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

S8 E11 | Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool, Pt. 1 (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

Want to hear the Top Ten Reasons to Homeschool from two homeschool veterans and authors with six successful college graduates between them? In this podcast, Jeannie Fulbright and Shiela Catanzarite discuss the first five reasons to homeschool. If you need a reminder of why it’s all worth it or know someone who is looking for a reason to begin, this podcast is a must listen. Your eyes will be opened to how homeschooling builds family bonds, allows children the freedom to be themselves, to grow into the persons they were created to be, and to discover their interests early and pursue them well. You’ll be encouraged to release the burden of enslavement to the system that is failing American school children, and instead embrace a true learning atmosphere and environment that develops your children into the people God designed them to be. Jeannie and Shiela will share profound truths and stories that will inspire and encourage you to start or continue the homeschool journey with freedom and joy.

S8 E10 | Ways to Incorporate Scripture into Your Child's Days  (Shiela Catanzarite)

S8 E10 | Ways to Incorporate Scripture into Your Child's Days (Shiela Catanzarite)

From the beginning, it was God’s design that His words permeate the lives of His people. Charlotte Mason had a lot to say about the priority of Scripture in the home. She understood that God’s word is living and that it will prove effectual in the lives of our children as we impart it to them. More than ever, our children need to hear God speak. The homeschool lifestyle affords a myriad of opportunities to impart God's word to them. In this podcast Shiela shares practical ideas and insights for incorporating Scripture into your children's day.

S8 E9 | How to Develop Self-Motivated Children (Jeannie Fulbright)

S8 E9 | How to Develop Self-Motivated Children (Jeannie Fulbright)

How do we help our children become self-sufficient, independent, and self-motivated? This is a question that many parents struggle to answer. However, recent research studies and Charlotte Mason's teachings on this very issue have the answer. In this talk, Jeannie shares the seven keys for developing self-motivated children. Each key builds upon the other and intertwines to give us a clear picture of our role as parents in nurturing to life our children's natural desire to know, their Divine curiosity, the innate personal motivation that should be a driving force in their learning and education. You will discover that your role is doing less, not more. And as you trust in God to fulfill his purposes for your children, you will be freed from the need to take control over and worry about their future. The Truth that God guides and leads you and your children will set you free to enjoy this homeschool journey without the constant burden of failing your children.

S8 E8 | You Matter, Mama! (Shiela Catanzarite)

S8 E8 | You Matter, Mama! (Shiela Catanzarite)

You matter, Mama! You are God's masterpiece~ fearfully and wonderfully made. He cares so deeply about you and has His eye on you during these homeschooling years. God prepared good works for you to walk in and homeschooling is indeed one of those good works. It's a beautiful and amazing season…yet one that requires great investment. Investment of your time, your energy, your thoughts. And an even greater investment of your heart.

I want to remind you that amidst all this investing, sacrificing, and pouring out, YOU MATTER. God is for you, and He desires that you continue growing into the beautifully unique woman He's created you to be, even as you help your children grow.

In this episode, we'll learn ways to invest in ourselves so our children can truly have, "the best of their mother."

S8 E7 | Create a Love for Learning with Homeschool Pioneer Susan Marlow (Jeannie Fulbright)

S8 E7 | Create a Love for Learning with Homeschool Pioneer Susan Marlow (Jeannie Fulbright)

Jeannie brings homeschool pioneer, author, and curriculum producer, Susan Marlow onto the show to discuss creating a love for learning in your children. Susan homeschooled her children back in the early days of the modern homeschool movement, when it was illegal in many states. She now helps her daughter homeschool her grandchildren. She also continues to write delightful historical fiction novels that homeschoolers of all ages love. Jeannie and Susan discuss using historical fiction as a means to teach language arts, culture, and history, how to make learning a joy, and what it was like being a homeschool pioneer, blazing the trail for homeschooling in the 1980s. Susan also shares about her fiction writing course and videos, as well as the writing contests she hosts each year.

S8 E6 | Our Best Decisions and Our Worst Mistakes as Homeschoolers (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

S8 E6 | Our Best Decisions and Our Worst Mistakes as Homeschoolers (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

The homeschool journey is fraught with so many decisions each day, each week, and each year. Sometimes, you'll make great choices. Other times, you'll wish you had done things a bit better. In this episode, Jeannie and Shiela gather to share their foibles as homeschool moms, along with their finer moments. It is their hope that you'll be encouraged and uplifted and possibly rescued from making some of the same mistakes they did as homeschool moms.

S8 E5 | How to Incorporate Poetry Study into Your Homeschool, Pt. 2 (Shiela Catanzarite)

S8 E5 | How to Incorporate Poetry Study into Your Homeschool, Pt. 2 (Shiela Catanzarite)

The benefits of poetry study are numerous and invaluable to a child's development. Charlotte Mason knew this and was adamant that children engage with poetry regularly, even daily. Yet, many find poetry difficult to understand and even more difficult to teach—but it doesn't have to be! In this episode, I'll share a simple framework you can use to teach any poem. We'll discuss how to discover both the structure and artistry of the poem and how to identify the language arts elements the poet used to create the beautiful work. You'll learn how to incorporate the best of Charlotte Mason's methodology to make the beautiful language of poetry come alive for your children.

S8 E4 | A Brief History of the American Education System and Why You Should Avoid Employing it in Your Homeschool (Jeannie Fulbright)

S8 E4 | A Brief History of the American Education System and Why You Should Avoid Employing it in Your Homeschool (Jeannie Fulbright)

Embracing the Charlotte Mason educational model, so different from our own education, can often be challenging. We often have to deprogram from the beliefs about education that we accepted as truth and the models that purport to be the standard by which education should be measured. This is hard for us to do when we were so thoroughly immersed in the system of education that was created and instituted in the early 1900’s and still continues unchanged (if not worsened) in America today. But it’s much easier if you understand the history of this system and what its ultimate purpose was. It's also important to see the research and results of this model on American education. In this episode, Jeannie will share a brief history of the modern education system. As it often does, the truth will set us free. You will be freed from the system that not only extinguishes a child’s natural self-motivation and inborn creativity but also suppresses divine curiosity and turns an innate love for learning into drudgery. Jeannie hopes this episode will give you confidence in homeschooling using the tried and true, research-based Charlotte Mason methodology of education.

S8 E3 | Why Poetry Study is Beneficial and Necessary, Pt. 1 (Shiela Catanzarite)

S8 E3 | Why Poetry Study is Beneficial and Necessary, Pt. 1 (Shiela Catanzarite)

God hardwired our children's brains for poetry. Charlotte Mason knew this when she said, "Children are born poets, and they dramatise all the life they see about them, after their own hearts, into an endless play." She talked about the incredible benefits of poetry to a child's intellectual, academic and emotional development, and neuroscience only continues to prove what she insightfully observed. In this episode I'll share research behind the three main benefits of poetry and Charlotte's vision for why it should be a necessary part of every child's daily educational plan.

S8 E2 | Nature Study Hacking with Joy Cherrick (Jeannie Fulbright)

S8 E2 | Nature Study Hacking with Joy Cherrick (Jeannie Fulbright)

In today's world of hyper-technology, a mother's first duty is to restore a love for nature and the peace that comes from spending time outdoors. In this episode, you will learn how to seamlessly include nature study and nature journaling in your weekly routine. Jeannie Fulbright interviews Joy Cherrick, author of the Nature Study Hacking series, which is based on the Handbook of Nature Study. Joy and Jeannie discuss mindsets, expectations, tips for making nature study a part of your family's lifestyle, and how her guides can be used to increase your family's knowledge of nature and joy in nature journaling.

S8 E1 | The Benefits and Beauty of a Charlotte Mason Education (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

S8 E1 | The Benefits and Beauty of a Charlotte Mason Education (Jeannie Fulbright & Shiela Catanzarite)

Jeannie Fulbright and Shiela Catanzarite discuss the benefits and the beauty of a Charlotte Mason education, sharing experiences from the years of educating their own children using Charlotte Mason's model. You’ll hear how it brought beauty to their homeschool days and how it prepared their children for college and career. You’ll see how employing the Charlotte Mason method equips children for success in the real world. Jeannie and Shiela share the importance of deprogramming from the standardized system of education that is failing our children. By employing the methods Charlotte Mason taught, methods that research confirms effective, you will provide for your children a peaceful, joyful, quiet growing time that honors their uniqueness and gives room for them to discover their gifts and talents. The simplicity of using the Charlotte Mason model enables children to become strong thinkers, writers, communicators, and leaders in their generation.

S7 E22 | Why Our Nation Needs a Charlotte Mason Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S7 E22 | Why Our Nation Needs a Charlotte Mason Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

Miss Mason sums up her philosophy and the ways that it can affect the whole nation as we provide true knowledge in literary format in this last chapter of the Volume 6 book club.

S7 E21 | Seven Steps for Cultivating a Heart for God, Part 2 (Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E21 | Seven Steps for Cultivating a Heart for God, Part 2 (Jeannie Fulbright)

Charlotte Mason offered beautiful and sound advice for nurturing our children's relationship and love for the Lord. This divine task is in the hands of parent, and the primary feature of a living education. It is our privilege to set before our children new thoughts of God and new hopes of Heaven. But how do we do this? It can seem daunting and perhaps discouraging in light of our own failings and faltering in our own walk with the Lord. The good news is that our children have a natural inclination towards the things of God, a divinely inspired desire for Him. And our job is made easier with the help of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit as our children's primary instructor. To simplify the process of ushering in the atmosphere that will naturally nurture the Divine Life in a child, in this episode, Jeannie will share the last four steps of 7 steps for cultivating a child's heart for God based on the teaching of Charlotte Mason and the Bible.

S7 E20 | A Wide and Generous Feast in High School | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S7 E20 | A Wide and Generous Feast in High School | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

Julie and Shay discuss why the methods are just as important in the upper grades as they are for younger students as they dive into Miss Mason's writings about Continuation Schools during her lifetime.

S7 E19 | Seven Steps for Cultivating a Heart for God, Pt. 1 (Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E19 | Seven Steps for Cultivating a Heart for God, Pt. 1 (Jeannie Fulbright)

Charlotte Mason offered beautiful and sound advice for nurturing our children's relationship and love for the Lord. This divine task is in the hands of parent, and the primary feature of a living education. It is our privilege to set before our children new thoughts of God and new hopes of Heaven. But how do we do this? It can seem daunting and perhaps discouraging in light of our own failings and faltering in our own walk with the Lord. The good news is that our children have a natural inclination towards the things of God, a divinely inspired desire for Him. And our job is made easier with the help of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit as our children's primary instructor. To simplify the process of ushering in the atmosphere that will naturally nurture the Divine Life in a child, in this episode, Jeannie will share the first 3 of 7 steps for cultivating a child's heart for God based on the teaching of Charlotte Mason and the Bible.

S6 E18 | A Liberal Education for Elementary and Secondary Schools | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S6 E18 | A Liberal Education for Elementary and Secondary Schools | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

Julie and Shay Kemp discuss another chapter full of wisdom from Miss Mason as she describes how her philosophy of education has been tried and proven successful in schools, and what best practices are in elementary and secondary schools.

S7 E17 | Developing Spelling and Writing Skills With Copywork (Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E17 | Developing Spelling and Writing Skills With Copywork (Jeannie Fulbright)

Copywork is the methodology used for hundreds of years to develop strong spellers and skilled writers. However, if it's not done using the formula Charlotte Mason outlines in her works, we miss the opportunity to train spelling and writing through this seemingly simple, but superior, manner of teaching Language Arts. In this podcast, Jeannie explains the formula for using copywork as your primary language arts and spelling program as well as the steps for how copywork should be done. Unfortunately, the way most spelling programs are designed, not only separate spelling from a whole book/whole language approach, but can easily lead to bad spelling habits. Jeannie offers a free PDF spelling remediation program that will help you retrain your child who is a weak speller and habitually misspells words. She is also offering three weeks of Living Verse Language Arts in Poetry free to listeners of this show.

S7 E16 | Knowledge of the Universe | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S7 E16 | Knowledge of the Universe | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

In this episode of our Volume 6 book club, Julie and Shay Kemp discuss the subjects of science, geography, and mathematics, and how these can be addressed in a literary way rather than as dry facts and figures.

S7 E15 | Why Does it Matter That Children are Persons? (Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E15 | Why Does it Matter That Children are Persons? (Jeannie Fulbright)

Modern education does not respect children as individuals with a God-given purpose. It attempts to shape all children into the same mold of thinking and reacting to the world--and that is what it was designed to do. But God has given each of our children a unique creative genius. Studies prove this is true. Our job is to fan that genius to life, nurture it; and give them opportunities to hone their interests, talents, passions, and skills. God has a plan and purpose for our children established before He laid the foundations for the earth. Modern education seeks to extinguish a child’s natural curiosity. It is a system of education that is failing to produce thinkers. As homeschoolers, we can toss out the methods used in schools, and tailor our children’s education to their exceptional genius, allowing God to be the primary educator and guide for our children’s education. As we lead our children to Him, He will lead them in the way they should go.

S7 E14 | Add in the Routines of Morning Time and Tea Time to Enrich Your Homeschool (Julie Ross) | REPLAY

S7 E14 | Add in the Routines of Morning Time and Tea Time to Enrich Your Homeschool (Julie Ross) | REPLAY

Julie discusses the practices of morning time and tea time! She dives into why they are important to include in your homeschool and resources to make these times a pleasure for you and your children.

S7 E13 | A Focus on Self-Care and Healing Foods (Jeannie Fulbright with Anita Roussel)

S7 E13 | A Focus on Self-Care and Healing Foods (Jeannie Fulbright with Anita Roussel)

Self care sometimes requires more than taking time for yourself each week. There are times when our body is telling us we need to change something. If you find yourself plagued by autoimmune issues, you're too exhausted to do more than the bare minimum, maybe you even feel emotionally drained beyond normal mom-hood. In this episode, Jeannie talks to her friend and homeschool mom, Anita Roussel, who has been there and found her way out and completely restored to health. By switching to a plant-based diet, she and her husband radically transformed their health. Anita believes eating healthy should be easy and taste amazing. Because of that she's created a cookbook that makes being healthy a breeze. Anita is offering our listeners a free Quick Start Guide, so you can test it out and determine if this is the answer for you. She also has a lively podcast with her husband, Jarrod, where they share testimonies, recipes, and great tips on easy peasy healthy living.

S7 E12 | The Knowledge of Man, Part 2 | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 10 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S7 E12 | The Knowledge of Man, Part 2 | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 10 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

In this section of Volume 6, Miss Mason covers the subjects of literature, composition, languages, art and music in the curriculum and how to teach those with her methods. Julie and Shay discuss these subjects and the practical ways to follow the methods in your homeschool.

S7 E11 | Morning Routines That Rescue Your Day (Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E11 | Morning Routines That Rescue Your Day (Jeannie Fulbright)

They say: Win the morning, win the day. And for a busy homeschool mom, having the right morning routine is essential for a stress-free (at least stress reduced) day. In this episode, Jeannie will share five simple things that can easily become everyday habits that infuse you with more energy, a clear mind, and the strength of the Lord to ensure your day is the best it can be.

S7 E10 | Three Tips to Recharge Your Homeschool (Julie Ross)

S7 E10 | Three Tips to Recharge Your Homeschool (Julie Ross)

Homeschool mom, if you feel like you are lacking vision, clarity, or purpose in your homeschool, join Julie for this energizing coaching session! Julie gives you an opportunity to reflect on where you are and dream about where you want to go by asking pointed questions and guiding you through the process of recharging your homeschool.

S7 E9 | ADHD and the Charlotte Mason Model (Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E9 | ADHD and the Charlotte Mason Model (Jeannie Fulbright)

With two ADHD boys, my homeschool journey could be calm or chaotic depending on whether I was faithful to implement the Charlotte Mason model or strayed away from what I knew to be the best way to educate my children. The Charlotte Mason philosophy of education is the perfect fit for a child with ADHD. Using the Charlotte Mason method, especially the six essentials I mention in this podcast, you'll find homeschooling your ADHD both successful and rewarding.

S7 E8 | Knowledge of Man, History, and Citizenship | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 10 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S7 E8 | Knowledge of Man, History, and Citizenship | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 10 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

Julie and Shay Kemp discuss Chapter 10 of Volume 6 where Charlotte Mason gives us the "how" of teaching history and citizenship as well as reasons that these two subjects are vital parts of a child's education.

S7 E7 | The Importance of Free Time (Jeannie Fulbright with Joshua Parker)

S7 E7 | The Importance of Free Time (Jeannie Fulbright with Joshua Parker)

Charlotte Mason tells us, "From one to two hours...are given in the afternoons to handicrafts, field-work, drawing, etc.; and the evenings are absolutely free, so that the children have leisure for hobbies, family reading, and the like."

Charlotte Mason stressed the importance of allowing children free time to pursue their own interests. Many homeschoolers schedule too long for lessons that spill right over into the afternoon. This is why short lessons in the morning with afternoon free for other important work and skills is such a valuable part of the Charlotte Mason education.

In this podcast, in addition to hearing how Jeannie's children utilized their free time to grow in their personal interests, we will hear from a homeschooled senior, Joshua Parker, who will share how important it was to have free time in his homeschool days, and how he put those hours to good use, growing proficient and confident in a variety of useful and interesting pursuits. He will share how his parents helped to foster his hobbies, and ways we, as homeschoolers, can support our own children's unique pursuits.

S7 E6 | The Radical and Modern Philosophy of Charlotte Mason (Julie Ross with Leah Boden)

S7 E6 | The Radical and Modern Philosophy of Charlotte Mason (Julie Ross with Leah Boden)

Join Julie for this interview with Leah Boden of Modern Miss Mason as they discuss Leah’s new book on applying the Charlotte Mason philosophy in today’s homeschooling family!

S7 E5 | The Influence of Living Books (Jeannie Fulbright with Jenn Discher)

S7 E5 | The Influence of Living Books (Jeannie Fulbright with Jenn Discher)

Jeannie and fiction author Jenn Discher discuss the powerful influence that living books have on readers, both positive and negative and how choosing the right books can build character and influence a child's life choices and beliefs. Along with anecdotes from her experience as a Charlotte Mason homeschool mom, Jenn shares how, through reading living books to her children as a homeschool mom, she was inspired with a desire to write living books for children. She shares how, as a homeschool mom, she was able to find time to pen her first novel, The Elk King, a middle grade fantasy. She also shares her favorite resources for teaching young writers the craft of writing fiction. In this talk, you will be inspired to embrace the Charlotte Mason ideals of ensuring your children are immersed in a feast of living ideas and convinced that using the Charlotte Mason model of oral narration to written narration will ensure your children become proficient and skilled writers.

S7 E3 | Seven Strategies to Empower Your Prayer Life (Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E3 | Seven Strategies to Empower Your Prayer Life (Jeannie Fulbright)

When we are busy and life is a series of tasks to complete, problems to manage, and emotions run high, we often find ourselves trying to do it all ourselves. We forget that God longs to bless us. We forget to turn to Him. Yet, when we do seek Him, when prayer becomes our daily conversation, we find strength and peace beyond our comprehension. In this talk, Jeannie will share 7 strategies that will empower your prayer life, make your prayers more effectual, and enrich your family's faith.

S7 E1 | Why You Should Attend a Homeschool Convention (Julie Ross & Jeannie Fulbright)

S7 E1 | Why You Should Attend a Homeschool Convention (Julie Ross & Jeannie Fulbright)

Considering attending a homeschool convention in 2023? In this episode, Jeannie and Julie discuss four benefits of attending: Research, Refreshment, Resources, and Renewed Vision. Join them for the first episode of season seven and see if you need to add a convention to your calendar!

S6 E30 | Teaching Writing the Charlotte Mason Way, Part 2 (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E30 | Teaching Writing the Charlotte Mason Way, Part 2 (Jeannie Fulbright)

Ensuring your children leave home with the ability to write well, to communicate with excellence, is vital no matter what field your child chooses to pursue after high school. Imparting this skill is not arduous for the homeschool mom if she follows the essential and progressive steps given by Charlotte Mason. By teaching children to think with their pen by employing notebooking (visual and written narration), you empower your children with the tools needed for composition and every other form of writing. Notebooking is a methodology of education that employs a child’s comprehension, memory, imagination, and creativity to create a living book of their own knowledge. And as Charlotte Mason says, “that which they imagine clearly, they know: it is a life possession.” Notebooking creates knowledgeable, thoughtful and proficient writers. In this podcast, Jeannie shares stories and ideas for implementing this methodology with all subjects and whatever curriculum you are using. Because this methodology is often neglected, but so fundamental, Jeannie will soon be releasing her Notebooking University online course to provide homeschoolers with any and all age children with everything they need to utilize this powerful device with or without a curriculum. Be sure to follow Jeannie on social media and her newsletter to hear updates on Notebooking University.

S6 E29 | Homeschooling Through the Holidays (Julie Ross)

S6 E29 | Homeschooling Through the Holidays (Julie Ross)

Thanksgiving, Christmas, parties, church events, out of town guests, and HOMESCHOOLING!!! Oh my! It can seem so overwhelming this time of year to try and do ALL the things. In this super timely episode, Julie Ross shares a few practical tips to homeschool during this holiday season without loosing your mind.

1. Keep a routine

2. Make realistic expectations

3. Focus on love

4. Take care of yourself

S6 E28 | Teaching Writing the Charlotte Mason Way, Part 1 (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E28 | Teaching Writing the Charlotte Mason Way, Part 1 (Jeannie Fulbright)

American schools are turning out students that cannot write. College professors complain of the lack of proficient writing skills in college students. When Jeannie was a TA at Fairfield University, she found that even many Masters level students were deficient in writing. As is often the case, Charlotte Mason witnessed the way composition was being taught in schools and wrote extensively against this. She also gives us clear guidance for producing excellent writers. In this podcast, Jeannie will share two of the five Charlotte Mason tools for training our children to be skilled writers. In the next podcast, she will share the last three tools that will ensure your children have confidence in communicating in writing that they'll need whether they choose to enter higher education are begin their career immediately after high school.

S6 E27 | The 8 Mindsets Essential for Success in Life and Learning (Julie Ross with Michelle Brownell)

S6 E27 | The 8 Mindsets Essential for Success in Life and Learning (Julie Ross with Michelle Brownell)

Calm, curiosity, compassion, clarity, creativity, confidence, courage, and connection. In this episode, Michelle Brownell dives into the mindsets that are so important for parents to understand and embrance when it comes to homeschooling their children. Embracing these eight essential mindsets will not only impact the way you interact with your children, but it will also change the way you care for yourself. Join Julie and Michelle for this conversation packed with valuable information on mental health, family relationships, and home education.

S6 E26 | Fun in the Fall Nature Study (Jeannie Fulbright with Cindy West)

S6 E26 | Fun in the Fall Nature Study (Jeannie Fulbright with Cindy West)

Fall, with its changing leaves and lovely weather, is a delightful time for nature exploration. In this episode, Jeannie chats with Cindy West of No Sweat Nature Study. Together they discuss some practical ways for making nature study a regular part of your day. They also share some unique ways you can make fall and winter nature study an exciting and educational time for your whole family. From bringing nature indoors with object study and recruiting expert teachers from the extension office to counting nature study as your complete science curriculum, Cindy and Jeannie ignite the imagination for making nature study simple and streamlined for the whole family.

S6 E25 | Reason Can Be SO Unreasonable! | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 9 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S6 E25 | Reason Can Be SO Unreasonable! | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 9 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

Join Julie and Shay as they continue discussing Charlotte Mason’s A Philosophy of Education!

S6 E24 | Seven Essentials of a Charlotte Mason Education (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E24 | Seven Essentials of a Charlotte Mason Education (Jeannie Fulbright)

Have you ever wished you could explain to someone what makes a Charlotte Mason education unique and the essential ideas that guide her methodology? In this podcast, Jeannie shares the seven essential ideas that define a Charlotte Mason education: Nature, Living Books, Self-Education, Short Lessons, Effective Assignments, Intellectual Culture, and the Divine Life. Although one could spend weeks, months, and even years exploring the many foundational teachings of Charlotte Mason, this is a simple quick-start discussion for those who want to understand the basics of what a Charlotte Mason education is all about.

One thing of central value is that all of Charlotte Mason's ideas were founded through years of research by her, her contemporaries, and the brilliant minds that led The Enlightenment. Charlotte Mason principles are designed to give children the very best education, employing methodologies that are proven in modern science to be that which ensures a child develops in every area—intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The whole child is educated; it's not just about academics. We are shaping a whole person, not only a scholar.

S6 E23 | Where There's a Will There's a Way | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 8 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S6 E23 | Where There's a Will There's a Way | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 8 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

The power of the will is one that every homeschooling mother needs to address in order to foster a self-education in their children. So how do we consider that in our daily lessons? Julie and Shay Kemp discuss Miss Mason’s perspective on the will.

S6 E22 | Five Steps to a Superior Science Education (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E22 | Five Steps to a Superior Science Education (Jeannie Fulbright)

Today, Jeannie Fulbright, shares the five steps to a superior science education that has grown a love for science in thousands of children and launched a multitude of homeschoolers into science careers, including three of her own children. Not only will she share the five most effective ways to ensure your children are educated with excellence, but at the end of the podcast, she’ll share the secret formula her family used to make getting out in nature an everyday activity and built a lifelong love for nature in all of her children. And she’ll give you practical tips to make getting out of doors a great deal easier for you, and much more interesting for your children.

S6 E21 | Teaching Letters and Sounds (Julie Ross)

S6 E21 | Teaching Letters and Sounds (Julie Ross)

How do you introduce letters and sounds to your child? What skills are necessary to ensure a smooth transition to formal reading lessons? In this episode, Julie Ross, creator of A Gentle Feast explains the developmental progression of oral and auditory skills in teaching a child to recognize and explore letters and sounds.

S6 E20 | Starting Your School Year on the Right Foot (Julie Ross & Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E20 | Starting Your School Year on the Right Foot (Julie Ross & Jeannie Fulbright)

Join Julie and Jeannie for this timely discussion on setting up your school year for success! How can you go about setting goals in a way that doesn’t lead to overwhelm? This episode dives into what it looks like to reach for goals in your homeschool without placing unrealistic expectations on your children or yourself. Julie and Jeannie address the importance of fostering independence and self-motivation in your children through Charlotte Mason’s principle of masterly inactivity. Whether you are at the beginning of your school year or need a mid-year reset, let this episode inspire you to go after grace-filled, life-giving goals in your homeschool.

S6 E19 | Foreign Language Without a Curriculum (Jeannie Fulbright with Suzanne Gose)

S6 E19 | Foreign Language Without a Curriculum (Jeannie Fulbright with Suzanne Gose)

Can you really teach foreign language without knowing the language? Is it possible to teach a foreign language without a curriculum? The answer to both questions is yes. Join Jeannie as she interviews Suzanne Gose, the creator of Flip Flop Spanish (and soon German), who will share how you can easily—very easily—incorporate foreign language into your daily life. She'll share step by step instructions that will help you get off and running today! Look in the show notes for links to her favorite translation tool, and where you can take a peek at Suzanne's Charlotte Mason styled curriculum.

S6 E18 | Homeschooling Through Life's Challenges: Adoption (Julie Ross with Rebecca Butcher)

S6 E18 | Homeschooling Through Life's Challenges: Adoption (Julie Ross with Rebecca Butcher)

As we continue on in our series on homeschooling through life’s challenges, I am excited to introduce you to my friend, Rebecca Butcher. Her story of motherhood, loss, homeschooling, and adoption is full of God’s grace and faithfulness. Whether or not adoption is part of your family’s story, this conversation with Rebecca will encourage you as you walk through the many beautiful and challenging moments of life as a homeschool mom.

S6 E17 | Practicing Masterly Inactivity Makes for a Happy Homeschool (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E17 | Practicing Masterly Inactivity Makes for a Happy Homeschool (Jeannie Fulbright)

Masterly Inactivity is probably the least discussed Charlotte Mason principle, though it is quite vital to a thriving, joyful homeschool. If we could master Masterly Inactivity, we would find our homeschool a more peaceful, happy place and our children more self-sufficient and self-motivated. Charlotte Mason gives us seven primary tools for practicing Masterly Inactivity and they all hinge upon the foundation for a Charlotte Mason Education and that is faith that the Divine Life at work in our children at all times, in all circumstances. Tune in to learn how you can implement the seven tools for Masterly Inactivity and watch your children blossom under the loving care of our Father in Heaven.

S6 E16 | We Have Minds for a Reason | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 7 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S6 E16 | We Have Minds for a Reason | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 7 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

If the thought of embracing a Charlotte Mason style of education in your homeschool feels overwhelming to you, this episode is for you! One of the tenants of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy is that the student should bear the weight of his own education. It is not the teacher’s duty to handcraft a child’s education or to spoon feed ideas. This is good news! Join Julie and Shay as they dive into this concept and explore what it looks like practically to take a back seat and let your child take ownership of his own education.

S6 E15 | Scribbles to Essays: How Notebooking Develops Writers (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E15 | Scribbles to Essays: How Notebooking Develops Writers (Jeannie Fulbright)

You can teach your children to be effective, skilled, thoughtful, and proficient writers using the amazing tool of notebooking. Notebooking develops writers naturally and organically through a steady, year-by-year, incremental progression of transcribing thoughts and new knowledge creatively and uniquely. This is by far the best way to train the skill of writing, thinking, memory, and the habit of attention. Through notebooking, a child essentially becomes the author of their own living book. Learn about this amazing tool in Jeannie's latest podcast.

S6 E14 | Homeschooling Through Life’s Challenges: Medical Crisis (Julie Ross with Ella Savchuk of Schoolhouse Grace)

S6 E14 | Homeschooling Through Life’s Challenges: Medical Crisis (Julie Ross with Ella Savchuk of Schoolhouse Grace)

When a crisis strikes, how do you keep homeschooling? What does it look like to continue educating your children at home when your time is torn between caring for your children and caring for your husband in a medical crisis? Ella Savchuk joins Julie Ross to share the story of her husband’s unexpected medical event and how she and her family managed to stay afloat in the aftermath. Ella’s story is one of giving yourself and your kids extra grace, prioritizing what’s most important, and leaning on God’s strength in every moment. Whether you have walked through a crisis or not in your homeschooling journey, may you be encouraged by the story of hope Ella shares in this episode.

S6 E13 | Scheduling a Successful Homeschool Day (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E13 | Scheduling a Successful Homeschool Day (Jeannie Fulbright)

This one single Charlotte Mason method, more often neglected than implemented, could be the answer to all your homeschool struggles with your children. Following this seemingly unimportant but actually all-important teaching made all the difference for me and my children. It all boiled down to the length of time I allotted for each lesson. My entire homeschool was transformed when I scheduled my homeschool as Charlotte Mason suggested. In this podcast, I will share the whys and hows of scheduling a successful homeschool day--and training your children in two extremely important habits as a by-product.

S6 E12 | Homeschooling Through Life’s Challenges: Toddlers (Julie Ross with Lyndsey Mimnagh of Treehouse Schoolhouse)

S6 E12 | Homeschooling Through Life’s Challenges: Toddlers (Julie Ross with Lyndsey Mimnagh of Treehouse Schoolhouse)

Having toddlers in your home is a beautiful season, and it can also be challenging! Especially if you are trying to homeschool older children while meeting the many needs of your little ones. This is a topic that Lyndsey of Treehouse Schoolhouse shares openly about on her platforms, and she is joining Julie in this episode to discuss the reality of homeschooling with toddlers underfoot. Not only do Lyndsey and Julie talk about the difficult parts and offer strategies for making the most of this season, they also share encouragement about the gifts it holds. And if you are a homeschooling parent who also works from home, stay tuned until the end of the episode where both share what it’s like to run businesses from home while being fully present in their children’s education. This conversation is packed full of practical strategies, encouragement, and laughter!

S6 E11 | Keys to Character Training (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E11 | Keys to Character Training (Jeannie Fulbright)

What is more important to our children's future than good character? The good news is, there are several keys you can implement to ensure your children develop strong character. In this podcast, Jeannie Fulbright will share the teaching of Charlotte Mason on character development and the simple but effective methods that actually enable God to be the author and director of your children's character.

S6 E10 | Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, and a Life | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 6 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S6 E10 | Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, and a Life | Virtual Book Club: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 6 (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

The fun of our Volume 6 Book Club continues as Julie and Shay Kemp discuss Chapter 6, which is a summary of one of Miss Mason's most quoted mottos: "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." Each of these three powerful instruments can be used as motivators in our homeschools to provide a nourishing education to our children, so join us as we talk about how to consider each one and evaluate how we are implementing them to our best advantage!

S6 E9 | The Art of Poetry (Jeannie Fulbright with Shiela Catanzarite)

S6 E9 | The Art of Poetry (Jeannie Fulbright with Shiela Catanzarite)

Our special guest, Shiela Catanzarite, shares the importance of poetry in a child's education. Not only has God given us poetry through His Word, but, as He tells us in Ephesians 2:10, our lives are a form of poetry to the Lord. Neuroscience supports the power of poetry. Charlotte Mason, always ahead of her time, encouraged us to ensure our children interact with poetry daily. Jeannie and Shiela discuss these truths and share ideas on how to easily incorporate this beautiful art form into your homeschool, making it a memorable, special, and joyous time as a family.

S6 E8 | Live from Ambleside: Thoughts from a Charlotte Mason Graduate (Julie Ross interviews her daughter, Rachel)

S6 E8 | Live from Ambleside: Thoughts from a Charlotte Mason Graduate (Julie Ross interviews her daughter, Rachel)

If you are one of the many parents who has wondered whether a Charlotte Mason education will truly prepare your child for college and beyond, this episode is for you! Julie interviews her daughter who is a student at the University of South Carolina. Rachel shares what led her to major in neuroscience, the skills she gained from her Charlotte Mason home education that she uses in college, and her advice for parents who are considering this type of education for their children. Spoiler alert: the Charlotte Mason method really works!

S6 E7 | Guard Your Schedule (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E7 | Guard Your Schedule (Jeannie Fulbright)

In this chaotic world, our first duty as mothers should be to make our home a sanctuary—a tranquil place where learning and creativity thrive. That's why it's vital that we guard our schedule. It's such a blessing that there are so many wonderful activities, opportunities, and curricula to choose from. But with so many choices, we are at risk of adding things that are not God's best for us. In this talk, Jeannie Fulbright will share the mistakes that taught her to guard her schedule, and how God shows us when we should say yes and when we should say no.

S6 E6 | The Sacredness of Personality | Virtual Book Club #7: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 5 (Julie Ross)

S6 E6 | The Sacredness of Personality | Virtual Book Club #7: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 5 (Julie Ross)

In this episode, Julie and Shay discuss the ways to motivate our children to learn what Miss Mason addresses, as well as how each one can have pitfalls we should consider. What is the one true motivation that we can confidently use to encourage our children to pursue knowledge for knowledge’s sake? Miss Mason shares her wisdom and direction for families that truly want to learn to respect their children as persons.

S6 E5 | Nature Journaling: Everything You Need to Know (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E5 | Nature Journaling: Everything You Need to Know (Jeannie Fulbright)

At the same time that it builds a foundation in scientific thinking, nature journaling benefits your children in numerous other ways. In this talk, Jeannie will share all you need to know for making nature journaling both easy and enjoyable for the whole family. She'll share tips on choosing a journal, how to get started, and ways to encourage reluctant children.

S6 E4 | Getting Out of Your Mental Ruts: Charlotte Mason's Teaching on the Habit of Thought (Julie Ross)

S6 E4 | Getting Out of Your Mental Ruts: Charlotte Mason's Teaching on the Habit of Thought (Julie Ross)

In today’s episode, Julie Ross is expanding upon Charlotte Mason’s teachings on the habit of thought. As the thermostats of our homes, we set the temperatures for our families. If our mindsets are not in the right place, we can expect it to impact our children and our homeschools. Join Julie for today’s discussion, and learn how to get out of your mental ruts!

S6 E3 | How to Identify a Living Book (Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E3 | How to Identify a Living Book (Jeannie Fulbright)

Living books are a vital and necessary part of a living education. They are full of ideas and personality that sparks the imagination, imparting interest in the subject, and building a love for learning. But how do you know if a book is a living book? How do you tell a living from a dead book? Jeannie Fulbright shares the way you can tell almost immediately if a book is a living book. She gives examples from living books and twaddle. By implementing the method Jeannie describes, you can easily identify a living book.

S6 E2 | Virtual Book Club #6: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 4 | Authority and Docility, OH MY! (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

S6 E2 | Virtual Book Club #6: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 4 | Authority and Docility, OH MY! (Julie Ross with Shay Kemp)

Julie and Shay are back with another installment of their virtual book club! In this episode, they discuss Chapter 4 of Charlotte Mason’s A Philosophy of Education entitled Authority and Docility. Their discussion of these qualities may not be what you are expecting!

S6 E1 | An Exciting Announcement from The Charlotte Mason Show! (Julie Ross with Jeannie Fulbright)

S6 E1 | An Exciting Announcement from The Charlotte Mason Show! (Julie Ross with Jeannie Fulbright)

Welcome to Season 6 of The Charlotte Mason Show! In this episode, Julie Ross sits down with long-time homeschooler and curriculum author Jeannie Fulbright to discuss what first led Jeannie to the Charlotte Mason method. Now that Jeannie is an empty-nester, she shares about the exciting resources she is creating for the homeschool community. Make sure you stick around until the end of this episode to hear an exciting podcast announcement!

MOST POPULAR | Freedom in a Charlotte Mason Education (with Leah Boden) | REPLAY

MOST POPULAR | Freedom in a Charlotte Mason Education (with Leah Boden) | REPLAY

In this podcast, Julie talks with Leah Boden about:

  • How she came to the simplicity of Charlotte Mason’s methods
  • Ways to face the challenges of comparing your homeschool to others
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • The importance of patience in seeing the fruit of a Charlotte Mason education
MOST POPULAR | Nature Explorers: Brain Training to Enhance Our Children’s Potential (with Cindy West) | REPLAY

MOST POPULAR | Nature Explorers: Brain Training to Enhance Our Children’s Potential (with Cindy West) | REPLAY

As we prepare for season six of The Charlotte Mason Show, we are bringing back a few of our most popular episodes in a midseason mini-series! Don't miss this week's replay with Cindy West of Our Journey Westward.

Cindy West helps us to understand the connection between brain training and a Charlotte Mason education. In this conversation, we dive into how we can make forming good habits fun for our children by including creative activities each day.

S5 E20 | Virtual Book Club #5: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 3 Part 2 (with Shay Kemp)

S5 E20 | Virtual Book Club #5: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 3 Part 2 (with Shay Kemp)

Join Julie Ross and Shay Kemp as they discuss the end of Chapter 3 of A Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason.

S5 E18 | The Top Five Mistakes Homeschool Moms Make and How to Fix Them (with Ana Willis) | REPLAY

S5 E18 | The Top Five Mistakes Homeschool Moms Make and How to Fix Them (with Ana Willis) | REPLAY

Every homeschooling family is going to make mistakes, so Julie and Ana Willis address five of these that are common to so many of us.

S5E17 | Virtual Book Club #4: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 3 (with Shay Kemp)

S5E17 | Virtual Book Club #4: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 3 (with Shay Kemp)

In this episode, Julie Ross and Shay Kemp discuss the first part of Chapter 3, which covers Mason’s perspectives on the well-being of a child’s body, mind, and intellect. Let’s explore how these components are addressed within her philosophy so that students’ “divine curiosity” is not dampened.

S5E16 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Divorce (Shay Kemp Interviews Julie Ross)

S5E16 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Divorce (Shay Kemp Interviews Julie Ross)

Divorce impacts all areas of family life, including homeschooling. In this episode, Julie Ross shares with Shay Kemp the path she and her children have walked over the past few years and how she has adapted her homeschooling during this time.

S5 E15 | Hitting the Wall in Your Homeschool Year (REPLAY)

S5 E15 | Hitting the Wall in Your Homeschool Year (REPLAY)

In this episode, Julie addresses what can be one of the hardest months of the year for homeschooling: February! She offers some great advice and encouragement about how to run the race by pacing, planning, refueling, and focusing on gratitude.

S5E14 | Virtual Book Club #3: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 2 (with Shay Kemp)

S5E14 | Virtual Book Club #3: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 2 (with Shay Kemp)

Julie Ross and Shay Kemp discuss the second chapter dealing the The Mind of a Child, considering ideas such as what feeds a child’s mind, what motivates a child to learn, and what practices parents may want to avoid.

S5E13 | Solfa: The Beautiful Gift of a Music Education (with RaeAnna Goss)

S5E13 | Solfa: The Beautiful Gift of a Music Education (with RaeAnna Goss)

In this episode on music education, music teacher RaeAnna Goss shares what Solfa is and how it can bring value to our homeschool journey.

S5E12 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Death of a Loved One (with Shay Kemp)

S5E12 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Death of a Loved One (with Shay Kemp)

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can make homeschooling difficult, and in this episode Shay Kemp shares with Julie Ross strategies and resources that helped her family deal with this particular challenge and find ways to grieve and still find joy in homeschooling.

S5 E10 | Give Yourself the Gift of Self-Compassion (Julie Ross)

S5 E10 | Give Yourself the Gift of Self-Compassion (Julie Ross)

This is the season of gift-giving, and often we can leave ourselves last on the list! Julie discusses how Charlotte Mason encourages us to keep sight of our own needs during the holiday season as we meet the needs of our families and what that can look like for homeschooling families.

S8E9 | The Gifts of a Charlotte Mason Education (with Stacy Williams)

S8E9 | The Gifts of a Charlotte Mason Education (with Stacy Williams)

This is the perfect time of year to consider the gifts that are available to families that follow Charlotte Mason’s philosophy. In this episode, Julie and Stacy discuss the powerfully positive impact that these methods bring to us as we implement them daily in our homeschools.

S5E8 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: When YOU Have Special Needs (with Amy Bodkin)

S5E8 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: When YOU Have Special Needs (with Amy Bodkin)

In this installment of the Homeschooling Through Challenges series, Julie talks with Amy Bodkin about the unique issues that come up when the homeschooling parent has a learning disability. Sharing from her own journey, Amy gives great insight into helpful strategies and resources to help both parents and children.

S5E7 | Teaching Spanish with a Charlotte Mason Approach (with Suzanne Gose)

S5E7 | Teaching Spanish with a Charlotte Mason Approach (with Suzanne Gose)

Foreign Language can be a challenge for many of us, but it doesn’t have to be! Suzanne Gose talks with Julie Ross about the value of a second language for children and how to approach teaching it with Miss Mason’s methods.

S5E6 | Virtual Book Club #2: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 1 (with Shay Kemp)

S5E6 | Virtual Book Club #2: A Philosophy of Education, Chapter 1 (with Shay Kemp)

Why is it valuable to have a foundational theory of education in our homeschools? And what are the outcomes that we can see in students as we follow this theory? Julie Ross and Shay Kemp discuss this and other important topics to consider from Chapter 1 of Volume 6, A Philosophy of Education in this series of Virtual Book Club discussions.

S5E5 | Shakespeare and Plutarch Don’t Have to Be Scary (with Rachel Lebowitz)

S5E5 | Shakespeare and Plutarch Don’t Have to Be Scary (with Rachel Lebowitz)

Plutarch and Shakespeare can both be intimidating, but they don’t have to be when you have an understanding of the benefits they bring to your homeschool! Julie talks with Rachel Lebowitz of A Charlotte Mason Plenary about why it is relevant and valuable to include their writings, and ways to make it easier for your family to use these important parts of a Charlotte Mason education.

S5E4 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Chronic Illness (with Carrie Ballentine)

S5E4 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Chronic Illness (with Carrie Ballentine)

Chronic illness can be an unexpected challenge that makes many aspects of life more difficult, as today’s guest Carrie Ballentine talks about with Julie Ross. She addresses the effects on homeschooling alongside daily pain and what lessons she has learned in this season.

S5E3 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Moving (with Ana Willis)

S5E3 | Homeschooling Through Challenges: Moving (with Ana Willis)

The challenge of moving can bring chaos to the whole family- and if you throw homeschooling into the mix, that is a recipe for being completely overwhelmed! In this episode, Julie Ross talks with Ana Willis about how she tackled this challenge with her own family and shares how to make it manageable for parents and children.

S5E2 | Common Questions for the Start of the Year

S5E2 | Common Questions for the Start of the Year

Join host Julie Ross as she shares a Q&A session from the beginning of the year. She will answer such questions as "what if my child doesn’t like the book we are reading?" and "how do we find our rhythm?" and more.

S5E1 | Virtual Book Club #1: A Philosophy of Education, Introduction (with Shay Kemp)

S5E1 | Virtual Book Club #1: A Philosophy of Education, Introduction (with Shay Kemp)

In this episode, Julie Ross and Shay Kemp discuss the Introduction to Volume 6 in Charlotte Mason’s series- it is packed full of great information about the philosophy and sets a great foundation for the chapters to come that are we will discuss in future Book Club episodes!

S4E26: What Makes a Living Book

S4E26: What Makes a Living Book

In this episode, Julie sits down with Anthony from Living Book Press to discuss living books. They begin by describing what a living book is. Some points they address include the value fictional stories and fables have in education, ways that living books contribute to the overall education of your children, if you as the teacher need to pre-read all of what your child reads, some examples of what to do if you or your children do not like a book you’re reading, what twaddle is, and if there is ever a place for twaddle. Anthony also includes some wonderful advice to Charlotte Mason homeschooling parents and several book suggestions of some of his favorite living books.

S4E25: Parents’ Review Article | The Age at which Science Should Be Taught by George Cadell (with Shay Kemp)

S4E25: Parents’ Review Article | The Age at which Science Should Be Taught by George Cadell (with Shay Kemp)

In this classic Parents’ Review Article, George Cadell addresses how children are able to make connections in the area of science as they are ready for them in a natural, observable manner.


S4E24: Language Arts in a Charlotte Mason Education (with Shay Kemp)

S4E24: Language Arts in a Charlotte Mason Education (with Shay Kemp)

In this episode, Julie and Shay Kemp discuss the methods of teaching language arts that Charlotte Mason lays out in Volume 1.

S4E23: Parents' Review Article | A New Educational Departure by Charlotte Mason (with Shay Kemp)

S4E23: Parents' Review Article | A New Educational Departure by Charlotte Mason (with Shay Kemp)

Parent’s Review Article, A New Educational Departure by Charlotte Mason, read by Shay Kemp

S4E22: Homeschooling and the Enneagram (with Christa Hardin)

S4E22: Homeschooling and the Enneagram (with Christa Hardin)

In this episode, Julie Ross interviews Christa Hardin from the Enneagram and Marriage podcast on the strengths each type brings to homeschool and how each type can use their self-knowledge to grow.

S4E21: Add Morning Time and Tea Time to Enrich Your Homeschool

S4E21: Add Morning Time and Tea Time to Enrich Your Homeschool

Julie discusses the practices of Morning Time and Tea Time- why they are important to include in your homeschool and resources to make these times a pleasure for you and your children.

Get your FREE Summer Morning Time Packet » http://agentlefeast.com/podcast

S4E20: Parents' Review Article | The Month of Blossoms by Dr. J.E. Taylor (with Shay Kemp)

S4E20: Parents' Review Article | The Month of Blossoms by Dr. J.E. Taylor (with Shay Kemp)

In this classic Parents’ Review Article, we learn of all of the gracious offerings of Nature in the month of May, from the flowering plants to insects.

S4E19: Ways to Cultivate the Artist in Your Child (with Alisha Gratehouse)

S4E19: Ways to Cultivate the Artist in Your Child (with Alisha Gratehouse)

Are you cultivating the artist in your child? For those who are struggling with picture studies, art appreciation, and adding art into your homeschool day, this podcast is for you! Listen in as Julie H. Ross sits down with Alicia Gratehouse of the Masterpiece Society to discuss cultivating the artist in your child.

CM 4 Episode  #18 Nature Explorers: Brain Training To Enhance our Children’s Potential with guest Cindy West

CM 4 Episode #18 Nature Explorers: Brain Training To Enhance our Children’s Potential with guest Cindy West

Cindy West helps us to understand the connection between brain training and a Charlotte Mason education- and how we can make forming good habits fun for our children by including creative activities each day!

CM 4 Episode #17 Helping a Child with Dyslexia Through a Charlotte Mason Education with Guest Tammy Wagner

CM 4 Episode #17 Helping a Child with Dyslexia Through a Charlotte Mason Education with Guest Tammy Wagner

In this episode, Julie talks with Tammy Wagner about a Charlotte Mason education and students with dyslexia, and the fears and concerns a parent might have. They address how to approach narrations, spelling, and other specific topics that help parents think outside the box when they have a student with dyslexia.

CM 4 Episode #16 Transitioning from Written Narrations to High School Writing with Guest Chelli Guthrie

CM 4 Episode #16 Transitioning from Written Narrations to High School Writing with Guest Chelli Guthrie

In this episode, Julie and Chelli Guthrie discuss all kinds of aspects of writing and how to address issues such as expectations, editing, and revisions, writing styles, and ideas of how to encourage your students in their narrations.

CM 4 Episode #15 Timelines and Century Charts

CM 4 Episode #15 Timelines and Century Charts

This classic PNEU article describes how to use charts and symbols to represent historical events in order to allow children to gain an overall understanding of their place in history.

CM 4 Episode #14  Exam Week in a Charlotte Mason Education

CM 4 Episode #14 Exam Week in a Charlotte Mason Education

Julie Ross shares the process and practical application of exams in a Charlotte Mason education and how to use that week to reset for the next term.

CM 4 Episode #13 The Top 5 Mistakes Homeschool Moms Make and How to Fix Them with Guest Ana Willis

CM 4 Episode #13 The Top 5 Mistakes Homeschool Moms Make and How to Fix Them with Guest Ana Willis

Every homeschooling family is going to make mistakes, so Julie and Ana Willis address five of these that are common to so many of us.

CM 4 Episode #11 Change Your Thoughts Transform Your Homeschool with Julie H. Ross

CM 4 Episode #11 Change Your Thoughts Transform Your Homeschool with Julie H. Ross

Julie talks about how we can first address our thoughts in order to make lasting changes in our lives and how to incorporate this principle into our homeschool.

CM 4 Episode #9 Homeschool a Large Family with guest Brooke Woody

CM 4 Episode #9 Homeschool a Large Family with guest Brooke Woody

Julie talks with Brooke Woody, mother of 10 children, about how homeschooling a large family and how to face the challenges and enjoy the journey. They discuss schedules, time management, organization, and other tips about how to school multiple ages.

CM 4 Episode #8 Homeschool a Large Family with Guest Brooke Woody

CM 4 Episode #8 Homeschool a Large Family with Guest Brooke Woody

Julie talks with Brooke Woody, mother of 10 children, about how homeschooling a large family and how to face the challenges and enjoy the journey. They discuss schedules, time management, organization, and other tips about how to school multiple ages.

CM 4 Episode #7 Narration: The Foundation of A Charlotte Mason Education with Julie H. Ross

CM 4 Episode #7 Narration: The Foundation of A Charlotte Mason Education with Julie H. Ross

Julie discusses the important method of narration, helping us to understand the benefits and how to use this powerful tool in our homeschools.

CM 4 Episode #6 Parent’s Review Article “The Windy Month” by  Dr. J. E. Taylor

CM 4 Episode #6 Parent’s Review Article “The Windy Month” by Dr. J. E. Taylor

Parents’ Review Article that leads us on a walk in the countryside to enjoy the plants and animals that can be found as the winter begins to lead into spring.

CM 4 Episode #4 Parents’ Review Article: “What Does a Plant Do During Winter?” by Sophia Armitt

CM 4 Episode #4 Parents’ Review Article: “What Does a Plant Do During Winter?” by Sophia Armitt

Shay Kemp reads a classic Parents’ Review on appreciating the stark beauty and intricacy of winter buds and plants- a perfect opportunity for nature study for this time of year!

CM 4 Episode #3 Hitting the Wall in Your Homeschool Year with Julie H. Ross

CM 4 Episode #3 Hitting the Wall in Your Homeschool Year with Julie H. Ross

In this episode, Julie addresses what can be one of the hardest months of the year for homeschooling- February! She offers some great advice and encouragement about how to “run the race” by pacing and planning, refueling, and focusing on gratitude.

CM 4 Episode #2 Parents’ Review Article “A Bird’s Life in January”

CM 4 Episode #2 Parents’ Review Article “A Bird’s Life in January”

Shay Kemp reads a classic Parent’s Review Article about the life of winter birds meant to encourage observation of these feathered friends during this season.

CM 4 Episode #1 Reflect, Reach, and Resolve: My Three Step Process to Setting New Year’s Goals for Homeschool Moms with Julie H. Ross

CM 4 Episode #1 Reflect, Reach, and Resolve: My Three Step Process to Setting New Year’s Goals for Homeschool Moms with Julie H. Ross

Join Julie H Ross, creator of A Gentle Feast as she walks you through her 3 step process for creating goals for your homeschool that actually lead to real results and lasting change. You will want to download your free planning packet at agentlefeast.com/goals.

CM 3 Episode  #31 Homeschooling with Little Ones with Giving Them Beauty

CM 3 Episode #31 Homeschooling with Little Ones with Giving Them Beauty

Christina Umbriaco (Um-Bree-Ah-Co) and Julie Ross use the acronym “SERVE” to talk about how to not just survive when homeschooling little ones but to thrive and truly give them a beautiful education with a focus on what matters most.

CM 3 Episode #25 CM on Parenting Adoptive, Special Needs, and Children Through Trauma with Le Shephard

CM 3 Episode #25 CM on Parenting Adoptive, Special Needs, and Children Through Trauma with Le Shephard

Le is a mom by birth and adoption to kids with superpowers and special needs. She’s also an experienced therapist. Le started 1000 Hills Counseling to help other parents who are struggling with a life that looks nothing like what they imagined. She helps couples reconnect and adult individuals heal from trauma and pain.

Le has had numerous articles published and has been recognized for her advocacy efforts with the PCDH19 Alliance on behalf of her daughter. Le speaks to large and small groups about relationships, adoption, coping with diagnoses, and parenting. She serves on the steering committee for the North Texas Emotionally Focused Therapy Community.

Le and her husband have a goal of taking their kids to every national park in America. They love spending summers in their fifth wheel working towards that and are about a third of the way there. She gets overly excited talking about the impact great books can have on their adventures.

CM 3 Episode #23 Homeschooling an Only Child with Guest Erika Alicea

CM 3 Episode #23 Homeschooling an Only Child with Guest Erika Alicea

Erika Alicea and Julie discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with homeschooling an only child, and the benefits of a Charlotte Mason in a one-child household.

CM 3 Episode  #19 Charlotte Mason and Dyslexic Students with Julie H. Ross and Nicole Williams

CM 3 Episode #19 Charlotte Mason and Dyslexic Students with Julie H. Ross and Nicole Williams

The idea of a CM education can be overwhelming to families with a dyslexic student, but Nicole Williams discusses with Julie the advantages of this philosophy for these students and how parents can make modifications to provide a living education for them that addresses the learning challenges they may face.

CM 3 Episode #13 Heritage Matters: How to Incorporate Heritage into Your Own Homeschool Journey with Julie H. Ross and Amber Johnston

CM 3 Episode #13 Heritage Matters: How to Incorporate Heritage into Your Own Homeschool Journey with Julie H. Ross and Amber Johnston

Julie discusses the topic of Heritage in the Homeschool with Amber Johnston of Heritage Mom, who addresses the importance of including not only one’s own heritage but how to make your family aware of the heritage of other people groups.

CM 3 Episode #9 The Great Recognition with Julie H. Ross

CM 3 Episode #9 The Great Recognition with Julie H. Ross

The concept of the guidance of the Holy Spirit was very important to Charlotte Mason. In this episode, Julie discusses with Richele Baburina how the idea of The Great Recognition can have a profound effect on the homeschool journey.

CM 3 Episode #7  Scouting with Julie H. Ross and Brittney McGann

CM 3 Episode #7 Scouting with Julie H. Ross and Brittney McGann

In this episode, Julie chats with Brittney McGann about scouting and why it can be an important part of your Charlotte Mason homeschool.

CM 3 Episode #1 Help, I’m New to Homeschooling With Julie H. Ross and Shay Kemp

CM 3 Episode #1 Help, I’m New to Homeschooling With Julie H. Ross and Shay Kemp

Julie talks with fellow homeschooler Shay Kemp about the basics of getting started with homeschooling and how to navigate the transition with if you are new to educating at home. They address the importance of routines, creating a positive atmosphere, flexibility, morning time and realistic expectations along with other issues that are vital to new homeschoolers.

CM 2 Episode #14 How to Get Your Kids Outside and Wild About Math with Julie H. Ross and Rachel Tidd

CM 2 Episode #14 How to Get Your Kids Outside and Wild About Math with Julie H. Ross and Rachel Tidd

Rachel Tidd is the author of Wild Math, and a homeschooling mother of two wild and adventurous boys. They live in a log cabin just outside of Ithaca, NY where they enjoy tromping through woods, swimming in the lakes, and exploring gorges. Prior to having children, Rachel taught first grade as well as grades 3-6 as a special education teacher. She holds an M.S.Ed. in Special and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Analysis from SUNY- College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

CM 2 Episode #12 Role of the Teacher with Guest Shay Kemp

CM 2 Episode #12 Role of the Teacher with Guest Shay Kemp

In this episode, Julie talks with fellow homeschooler Shay Kemp about the role of the teacher in the Charlotte Mason approach. They discuss Charlotte Mason’s expectations for teachers, how this role is different from the role of a teacher in a traditional classroom, and what components make up a lesson in a Charlotte Mason homeschool.

CM 2 Episode #11 The Power of Notebooking to Transform Student’s Learning with guest Celeste Cruz

CM 2 Episode #11 The Power of Notebooking to Transform Student’s Learning with guest Celeste Cruz

Charlotte Mason included several notebooks in her curriculum. In this episode Julie interviews Celeste Cruz from Joyous Lessons. They discuss the different types notebooks, their purpose, and how they enhance learning. Wondering how to practically make a habit of keeping in your home, this is the episode for you! As a mom of 10 children and a devoted student of Charlotte Mason’s work, Celeste has a wealth of information to share.

CM 2 Episode #10 Scholé in a Charlotte Mason Education with Guest Brandy Vencel

CM 2 Episode #10 Scholé in a Charlotte Mason Education with Guest Brandy Vencel

Schole is the approach of restful learning about what is true, good, and beautiful. How does this approach apply to a Charlotte Mason Education? Is it possible to practically make this a priority in our homes? You won’t want to miss this insightful episode with veteran Charlotte Mason expert, Brandy Vencel as she upacks the concept of Schole hopefully leaving you encouraged to think deeply and explore big ideas.

CM 2 Episode #9 5 Tips To Train Your Child In The Habit Of Obedience Crystal Wagner

CM 2 Episode #9 5 Tips To Train Your Child In The Habit Of Obedience Crystal Wagner

Habit training does not happen overnight. You will need to devote time and energy to developing the habit of obedience in your home. Don’t become overwhelmed by expecting perfect obedience immediately. Begin with one of the steps above and implement it faithfully. You will see results.

CM 2 Episode #8 Ginny Yurich 1000 Hours Outside

CM 2 Episode #8 Ginny Yurich 1000 Hours Outside

The average American child spends only 4-7 MINUTES outside every day in unstructured play. Charlotte Mason recommends 4 HOURS in outside activities daily. How can we bridge this gap? Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside offers practical wisdom and inspiration to help you make outside time a priority in your homeschool.

CM 2 Episode #7 Family Life Shay Kemp Audioblog

CM 2 Episode #7 Family Life Shay Kemp Audioblog

Family life may be said to be the test of Home Education, the great Problem that all parents are trying to solve, the training ground of each new generation--and as such it is one of the most comprehensive titles under which such an address as you ask me to give to-day, can be announced.

CM 2 Episode #6 Sarah Ruth Owens, Can You Really Homeschool and Work From Home?

CM 2 Episode #6 Sarah Ruth Owens, Can You Really Homeschool and Work From Home?

Because of Covid 19, most of America is having to navigate the waters of balancing homeschooling and work. Perhaps you are considering continuing to homeschool and wondering how to keep working. Or maybe you are currently homeschooling, but need to bring in extra income. Either way homeschooling and being a working mom don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In this super practical episode, SarahRuth Owens discusses finding balance and managing your time as a working homeschooling mom- because ALL homeschooling moms are working, whether it is a paid position, volunteering, caring for an elderly parent, or managing a home.

CM 2 Episode #5 A High School Charlotte Mason Education Part II Julie H. Ross

CM 2 Episode #5 A High School Charlotte Mason Education Part II Julie H. Ross

In today's Charlotte Mason Show podcast, Julie discusses the practical applications of using a Charlotte Mason approach in high school, focusing on literary analysis and how to continue with narrations through the high school years.

CM 2 Episode #4  A High School Charlotte Mason Education Part I Julie H. Ross

CM 2 Episode #4 A High School Charlotte Mason Education Part I Julie H. Ross

Today Julie talks about why homeschooling in high school can be so beneficial and covers questions that many parents have about homeschooling during this time. She discusses that the principles and methods don’t change for the high school years but allow us to provide a feast of knowledge for our children.

CM 2 Episode #3 10 Reasons Not to Homeschool Christina Umbriaco

CM 2 Episode #3 10 Reasons Not to Homeschool Christina Umbriaco

You probably already do homeschool but you’ve also probably realized by now how insanely hard it is (or can be) so I’ve made you a list of a *few* more reasons why it’s probably not a good idea.

CM 2 Episode 2 Fairy Stories as a Help or Hindrance in Education Julie H. Ross

CM 2 Episode 2 Fairy Stories as a Help or Hindrance in Education Julie H. Ross


"A primrose by a river's brim
A yellow primrose was to him—
And it was nothing more."

I think if Peter Bell had been a "P.N.E.U. child" the primrose would have been something more to him—because fairy stories would have formed part of his education.

Fairy tales are of the greatest importance in the early education of both the imaginative and unimaginative child. In the case of the first, they supply food for the child's eager fancy, in the case of the second they bring to life a very necessary quality.

CM 2 Episode #1 On Fourteen Years of Home Education

CM 2 Episode #1 On Fourteen Years of Home Education

This Spring marks 14 years since I felt the soul-stirring to bring my oldest home from a transitional kindergarten into learning at home. My homeschool journey has not been a neat and tidy trip down an educational highway, but more like a spontaneous trip out West without a map or money on back roads in a beat-up VW bus. I have no perfect, prescribed plan to offer.

CM #33: Charlotte Mason Over the Summer- Julie Ross

CM #33: Charlotte Mason Over the Summer- Julie Ross

In this podcast, Julie reads some Parent’s Review Articles and offers some advice about what to do during the summer holidays.

CM 31: Charlotte Mason 101 Teaching Reading the CM way

CM 31: Charlotte Mason 101 Teaching Reading the CM way

Charlotte Mason wrote that the traditional methods of teaching reading in her day were “one of the many ways in which children are needlessly and cruelly oppressed,” and were “an abuse of his intelligence.” What were the methods she so vehemently spoke out against? Unfortunately, many of them are still used to teach reading today. In her volumes, Miss Mason outlined steps in a reading lesson that would arouse the imagination and awaken the “joyous interest which is the real secret of success.” In this super practical podcast, Julie H Ross (who has taught dozens of children how to read), will guide you through Miss Mason’s approach to reading lessons.

CM 29 Charlotte Mason 101 Education is a Life with Shay Kemp

CM 29 Charlotte Mason 101 Education is a Life with Shay Kemp

Description: In this podcast, Julie talks with fellow CM homeschooler Shay Kemp about the Charlotte Mason principle “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline and a life,” focusing on the concept that education is a life. They discuss what intellectual, moral and physical nourishment look like in the context of a Charlotte Mason education, the feast of ideas, and ways to tell that our children are being “fed” a generous curriculum.

CM #27: Jennifer Pepito - The Importance of Play in Home Education

CM #27: Jennifer Pepito - The Importance of Play in Home Education

Are you feeling burnt out in homeschooling? Charlotte Mason says, ““If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play!” In this episode, Julie Ross and Jennifer Pepito, founder of Peaceful Press, discuss the idea of playful creativity and its role in home education. You will be inspired to explore this concept to revitalize your home.

CM 25- Leah Boden - Freedom in a Charlotte Mason Education

CM 25- Leah Boden - Freedom in a Charlotte Mason Education

In this podcast, Julie talks with Leah Boden about how she came to the simplicity of Charlotte Mason’s methods, ways to face the challenges of comparing your homeschool to others and feeling overwhelmed, and the importance of being patient to see the fruit of a CM education

CM 23: CM 101 Education is a Discipline

CM 23: CM 101 Education is a Discipline

Description: In this podcast, Julie talks with fellow CM homeschooler Shay Kemp about the Charlotte Mason principle “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline and a life,” focusing on the concept of discipline. They discuss the definition of discipline in the context of a Charlotte Mason education, the importance of habits, and how to address habits of mind and decency in our homes on a daily basis

CM 21- Homeschooling in a Crisis w/ Shay Kemp

CM 21- Homeschooling in a Crisis w/ Shay Kemp

Episode 21: Homeschooling in a Crisis

Description: In this podcast, Julie talks with fellow CM homeschooler Shay Kemp about homeschooling in times of crisis, not only with the coronavirus issues our world is facing now, but also in personal times of crisis such as moving, having a new baby, etc. Using the Charlotte Mason motto, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline and a life,” they discuss how each of these areas can be addressed in order to bring peace into the home in a time of upheaval, touching on issues such as routines, intentionality, cultivating habits, exploring the personal interests of your children, mother culture, and how living books can encourage us all during this time!

CM 17- Brittney McGann - Sloyd is Super Awesome

CM 17- Brittney McGann - Sloyd is Super Awesome

Description: Those who have studied or heard of Charlotte Mason have likely heard of sloyd, even if you are not sure what it is. What is sloyd, though? Why would Charlotte Mason want to include it in her programmes? What resources will help us to actually do sloyd? In this episode, Julie H. Ross talks all things sloyd with Brittney McGann to answer these questions and much more. Join them as they also discuss the benefits of learning sloyd, how to progress throughout your child’s years with it, the tools needed to do sloyd, and recommendations on how to start.

CM 15: Sarah Bliss, Nature Study with Littles

CM 15: Sarah Bliss, Nature Study with Littles

In today’s episode, Julie H. Ross is joined by author Sarah Bliss as they discuss nature study for the young and special needs children. Their discussion travels through topics of the benefits of nature study, a description of a typical nature walk, how being in nature can help children with sensory processing dysfunction or ADHD, and how nature study can aid in learning the habit of attention. This rich conversation finishes with resources to use in your nature study.

CM 13: Emily Groth Starting a Charlotte Mason Book Club

CM 13: Emily Groth Starting a Charlotte Mason Book Club

Emily Groth loves Jesus, His people, and His good creation (admittedly all rather imperfectly and only by grace!). She has lived on two continents and across 5 states, moving 9 times since she and Troy were married in 2001.

CM 11: Ana Willis Getting Started with the Charlotte Mason Method

CM 11: Ana Willis Getting Started with the Charlotte Mason Method

What are some of Charlotte Mason’s foundational principles to her teaching philosophy, and how can I begin to implement them? What is narration and how do we start doing it? In today’s episode, Julie H. Ross and Ana Willis discuss some of the foundational elements to a Charlotte Mason education, including an example of what a day looks like for the Charlotte Mason homeschooler.

CM 9: Amy Fischer-Charlotte Mason in the Early Years

CM 9: Amy Fischer-Charlotte Mason in the Early Years

Description: What did Charlotte Mason have to say regarding education for our early learners? What should our children be doing before beginning formal lessons at the age of 6? What if we live in an area that is required to begin school before our children are 6 years old? In today’s episode, Julie H Ross is joined by blogger and author Amy Fischer to address these topics and more to help you apply Charlotte Mason’s principles with your early learners.

CM 7: Leah Martin- The Power of Habits to Transform Your Homeschool

CM 7: Leah Martin- The Power of Habits to Transform Your Homeschool

Leah Martin was called to be a teacher at a very young age. She taught in public schools for 7 years, before teaching at an Ambleside School, where she learned about Charlotte Mason's philosophy. After leaving her teaching career, she decided to homeschool. She started My Little Robins in 2016 as a way to challenge herself to keep learning about Charlotte Mason's philosophy, and as a platform to continue to teach others. Leah lives in Colorado and enjoys an outdoorsy lifestyle with her husband and three children.

CM 5: Shay Kemp 3 Foundations of a Charlotte Mason Education

CM 5: Shay Kemp 3 Foundations of a Charlotte Mason Education

In this episode, Julie Ross chats with Shay Kemp, a fellow homeschooler, about the ways that her homeschool has changed since using the philosophy, principles and methods of Charlotte Mason. They discuss the topics of children owning their own education, flexibility within the structure of a schedule, living books, narration, and how each of these has helped their homeschooling day flow in a meaningful way as her family grows in using the methods of Charlotte Mason. Julie and Shay also share about how to begin a Charlotte Mason education with older children and ways to make that a smooth transition.

CM 3: Lynn Seddon; Exploring Nature with Children

CM 3: Lynn Seddon; Exploring Nature with Children

Charlotte Mason puts a great emphasis on children having plenty of time outdoors. In her programmes, students would study specific aspects of nature each term. How do we incorporate this part of the feast in today’s modern, mostly inside lifestyle? What about the mom who has little experience in the natural world? In today’s episode, Lynn Seddon, creator of Exploring Nature with Children will help answer these questions and many more to help get you started on offering this rich subject in your home.

CM 1: CM 101  – Who Was Charlotte Mason and Why Should I Care?

CM 1: CM 101 – Who Was Charlotte Mason and Why Should I Care?

Without knowledge, reason carries a man into the wilderness and rebellion joins company. Charlotte Mason, Times 1921

Audioblog Archive

S5 E19 | 3 Simple Tips to Get Your Family Outside (Brandy Gleason) | REPLAY

S5 E19 | 3 Simple Tips to Get Your Family Outside (Brandy Gleason) | REPLAY

Brandy Gleason is a mother to eight and grandmother to three. She has been homeschooling for 22 years and offers some advice on how to enjoy the outdoors with your kids. So often, you can't get them outside. Why is that? Brandy shares her top three tips to get your family outside: priority, preparation, planning.

CM 3 Audioblog #26 An Introduction to Scouting

CM 3 Audioblog #26 An Introduction to Scouting

Scouting has its own philosophy that dovetails beautifully with Mason’s philosophy of education. Scouting is about character. A scout at his best is duty-bound, honorable, loyal, reverent, brave, and selfless.

CM 3 Audioblog #24 Charlotte Mason’s Principles 3-4

CM 3 Audioblog #24 Charlotte Mason’s Principles 3-4

Our authority as parents and their obedience as children are a natural part of the parent and child relationship. That is a natural and necessary dynamic. The most important part of this principle is that she says the word: BUT. We have authority, they are expected to be obedient...but, there's more to that story!

CM 3 Audioblog #22 Simple Approach to Implementing Diverse History Lessons

CM 3 Audioblog #22 Simple Approach to Implementing Diverse History Lessons

I excitingly began learning more about a CM education, I hit a bump on the road when it came to the topic of literature, in particular with history. There appeared to be a lack of multiculturalism within book titles I found online, which didn’t reflect the rich diversity of our family.

CM 3 Audioblog #20 Imaginations as Cultivated by the Teaching of Geography and History

CM 3 Audioblog #20 Imaginations as Cultivated by the Teaching of Geography and History

An able paper appeared some time ago, in the Parents' Review, on the importance of Imagination in teaching. It is a very interesting subject, for on reflection one would be inclined to contest that no good teaching of geography or of history could be possible without a strong power of imagination. In order to teach geography, for instance, it is possible to fill a pupil's head with a certain number of words and figures, which have to be reproduced at an examination by a pure effort of memory. This done, the pupil is supposed to have mastered a branch of the subject, and his mind to be decidedly the richer, possessed mentally of a large tract of country. But it is not so at all. His mind is possessed of two pages of a geography book and certain outlines on a map--and that is geography.

CM 3 Audioblog #18 A Charlotte Mason Inspired Way to Get a Homeschool High School Fine Arts Credit

CM 3 Audioblog #18 A Charlotte Mason Inspired Way to Get a Homeschool High School Fine Arts Credit

Today we’ll be talking about the Charlotte Mason Inspired Way to Get a Homeschool High School Fine Arts Credit. We’ll be explaining what a fine arts credit is, why every student should get a fine arts credit regardless of what they’re planning to do after high school graduation, and how to do it the Charlotte Mason inspired way!

CM 3 Audioblog #16 The Purple Jar From the Book 'Early Lesson' by Maria Edgeworth

CM 3 Audioblog #16 The Purple Jar From the Book 'Early Lesson' by Maria Edgeworth

Rosamond, a little girl of about seven years old, was walking with her mother in the streets of London. As she passed along, she looked in at the windows of several shops, and she saw a great variety of different sorts of things, of which she did not know the use, or even the names. She wished to stop to look at them; but there were a great number of people in the streets, and a great many carts, and carriages, and wheelbarrows, and she was afraid to let go her mother's hand.

CM 3 Audioblog #14 The Holy Spirit is The Best Teacher

CM 3 Audioblog #14 The Holy Spirit is The Best Teacher

Who Is the Best Teacher Ever?

You can look all around a school, homeschool or public, and still not see the best teacher ever. Why? Because He cannot be seen! The best teacher ever, is actually inside the heart of the student. It’s the Holy Spirit!

CM 3 Audioblog #12 The Art of Recitation

CM 3 Audioblog #12 The Art of Recitation

Recitation has been called the Children’s Art. Arthur Burrell, author of Clear Speaking and Good Reading, called it so when he wrote an article, “Recitation: The Children’s Art”, for The Parents’ Review magazine back in 1890. Recitation is a skill that used to be taught in schools many years ago, but thankfully, through our homeschooling opportunities, we can bring it back into the lives of our children, and maybe even ourselves. We can learn to speak beautifully, clearly, and share great ideas of authors that inspire and kindle our hearts.

CM 3 Audioblog  #10 Language Arts Overview with Min Jungh Wang

CM 3 Audioblog #10 Language Arts Overview with Min Jungh Wang

Charlotte Mason said -

and I paraphrase – we ought not offend the mind of a child by asking her to produce writing when we have not yet allowed her to feast upon living ideas and build up a store from which to draw.

CM 3 Audioblog #8 How To Add Enchantment To Your Homeschool Through Literature

CM 3 Audioblog #8 How To Add Enchantment To Your Homeschool Through Literature

Is your homeschool relaxed and inviting? At one time, our homeschool was miserable. We were following all the “rules of school” and enjoying absolutely none of it. School had become stale and boring, and we desperately needed to add a little bit of Enchantment to our relaxed Charlotte Mason homeschool.

CM 3 #4 Home Life ASF

CM 3 #4 Home Life ASF

"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life."

CM 3 #2 Math in the Charlotte Mason Homeschool with Amy Fischer

CM 3 #2 Math in the Charlotte Mason Homeschool with Amy Fischer

Learn how to teach a living math lesson in my upcoming webinar and bring the Charlotte Mason method into action in your homeschool math lessons.

CM 34: LOST IN HOMESCHOOLING? APPLY THE PHILOSOPHY OF WONDER - Jennifer Macintosh

CM 34: LOST IN HOMESCHOOLING? APPLY THE PHILOSOPHY OF WONDER - Jennifer Macintosh

Life as a homeschooler isn’t what I imagined it would be all those years ago.

I suppose it takes a few years and enough failures to be humble enough to see the simplest lessons. If I were younger and reading my own words today, I’d still be filled with all the hope and joy of youth, and also the sometimes blinding idealism that sweeps reality far, far away, and embraces “what might be,” or “what I’m reading about that could be,” or, “how someone said it would be.” There is something about that idealism – it’s sweet in the moment, but add enough years and experiences and it runs away like a coward when reality rushes in – and you’re left with your intellect, willpower, and God’s grace.

CM 32 Audioblog Jennifer Pepito 5 Tips to Thrive in a Crisis

CM 32 Audioblog Jennifer Pepito 5 Tips to Thrive in a Crisis

The covid_19 crisis is unprecedented in our lifetime, and we all have different ways of surviving. I want to share 5 ideas that are helping me, and I hope they encourage you as well.

CM 30: Audioblog- Leah Boden Room For it All

CM 30: Audioblog- Leah Boden Room For it All

In this audioblog, Leah Boden reads from her own blog about understanding the beautiful tension of following the Charlotte Mason educational philosophy in the 21st century.

CM 28: Audioblog- Jennifer Pepito Loop Scheduling for Preschool

CM 28: Audioblog- Jennifer Pepito Loop Scheduling for Preschool

I get it. I’ve been there too. We have great intentions about doing The Peaceful Preschool four days a week, but then the baby gets sick, or we get overwhelmed with helping the first-grade student with their work, and it all falls apart.

But there is a solution to this spiral of intention versus follow-through, and it’s called loop scheduling.

CM 26: Audioblog- Cheli Guthrie How a Homeschool Crisis Restored My Sanity

CM 26: Audioblog- Cheli Guthrie How a Homeschool Crisis Restored My Sanity

How a Homeschool Crisis Restored My Sanity

A couple of years ago I had a panic attack about homeschooling. A storm of uncertainty and despair rained down on me. Doubts began to take over my thoughts. Fear began to paralyze me.

CM 24: Audioblog- Karen Andreola -  I am, I can, I ought I will

CM 24: Audioblog- Karen Andreola - I am, I can, I ought I will

Karen Andreola is best known for her book, A Charlotte Mason Companion. She home educated her three children K-12. Karen and her husband Dean fueled the revival of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education when they republished Miss Mason's original writings in 1989. They live in Pennsylvania and enjoy visits from their grandchildren. You can find more of her work, including her popular book, Mother Culture, at CharlotteMason.com.

CM 22- Brandy Gleason - 3 Simple Tips to Help You Get Your Family Outside

CM 22- Brandy Gleason - 3 Simple Tips to Help You Get Your Family Outside

Brandy Gleason is a mom of 8 and Grammy to 3. She has been homeschooling for 22 years and offers some advice on how to enjoy the outdoors with your kids. So often you can't get them outside, why is that? Brandy shares her top 3 tips to get your family outside … Priority, Preparation, Planning.

CM 18: AudioBlog: 5 Ways to Love Being a Homeschool Mama-Jenny Underwood

CM 18: AudioBlog: 5 Ways to Love Being a Homeschool Mama-Jenny Underwood

Listen in to today’s audioblog as Jenny Underwood reads her encouraging blog post on five ways to love being a homeschool mama. These points can help you to have a happier home on your homeschooling journey.

CM 16: Audioblog- Sarah Bliss Why Nature Study

CM 16: Audioblog- Sarah Bliss Why Nature Study

Julie H. Ross is joined by author Sarah Bliss as they discuss nature study for the young and special needs children. Their discussion travels through topics of the benefits of nature study, a description of a typical nature walk, how being in nature can help children with sensory processing dysfunction or ADHD, and how nature study can aid in learning the habit of attention. This rich conversation finishes with resources to use in your nature study.

CM 12: Audioblog- Christina Umbriaco The Hiding Place

CM 12: Audioblog- Christina Umbriaco The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom was the first living book I vividly remember reading. I was about eight or nine years old and I stumbled upon it in our basement while searching for yarn or something in the many random bins we had down there. I’m sure I read books previous to this one, or was read to by one of my teachers but I just don’t remember. However I will NEVER forget the incredible story and life of Corrie Ten Boom as she prays that the guards would pass over her as she walked nearly naked with a Bible around her neck while in the concentration camp. I can even see myself in the basement of the home I grew up in, simply devouring that book.

CM 10: Audioblog- Amy Fischer Using Your Home Atmosphere as an Educational Tool

CM 10: Audioblog- Amy Fischer Using Your Home Atmosphere as an Educational Tool

What did Charlotte Mason have to say regarding education for our early learners? What should our children be doing before beginning formal lessons at the age of 6? What if we live in an area that is required to begin school before our children are 6 years old? In today’s episode, Julie H Ross is joined by blogger and author Amy Fischer to address these topics and more to help you apply Charlotte Mason’s principles with your early learners.

CM 8: Audioblog - Leah Martin - Your Secret Weapon for Forming Positive Habits

CM 8: Audioblog - Leah Martin - Your Secret Weapon for Forming Positive Habits

Leah Martin was called to be a teacher at a very young age. She taught in public schools for 7 years, before teaching at an Ambleside School, where she learned about Charlotte Mason's philosophy. After leaving her teaching career, she decided to homeschool. She started My Little Robins in 2016 as a way to challenge herself to keep learning about Charlotte Mason's philosophy, and as a platform to continue to teach others. Leah lives in Colorado and enjoys an outdoorsy lifestyle with her husband and three children.

CM 4: Audioblog- Julie Ross The Outdoor Life of Children

CM 4: Audioblog- Julie Ross The Outdoor Life of Children

Charlotte Mason puts a great emphasis on children having plenty of time outdoors. In her programs, students would study specific aspects of nature each term. How do we incorporate this part of the feast in today’s modern, mostly inside lifestyle? What about the mom who has little experience in the natural world?