Homeschool Hints Podcast

Midwest Parent Educators - MPE

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In their own words

Want support with your homeschool? Our Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) nonprofit has served homeschooling families in Kansas City and the regional Midwest since 1986. Let's help one another find resources, opportunities, and community as we raise the next generation! homeschoolhints.substack.com

As heard by us

Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026

Candid guest conversations make homeschooling choices legible through practical examples, family experience, and an explicitly Christian approach to parenting.

Homeschool Hints Podcast turns home education into a series of candid, practical conversations. Shansi Amaniyi interviews parents and specialist guests about decisions that shape the school day, asking questions that draw out lived experience instead of presenting a single…

Read our full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Aunt Sophie questions your homeschool; Shansi Amaniyi's guest helps you answer without turning Thanksgiving into a debate.

Press play if you want

  • reassurance from parents whose late readers went on to devour chapter books
  • a reason to read aloud together even when the school day goes sideways
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Talks about

Best episodes of Homeschool Hints Podcast

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Meet Our 2026 Encouragement Day Speaker: Terri HittJan 6, 2026

A reflective conversation on motherhood, grief, surrender, and the encouragement Hitt brings to Women's Encouragement Day.

Amaniyi's conversation with Hitt uses the upcoming Women's Encouragement Day as a quiet entry point into a heavier question: what happens when mothers feel responsible for shaping not just a child's habits, but a child's faith.

Joan Samuell: Norwex consultant & conference vendorOct 7, 2025

A homeschool veteran connects family history, conference life, and practical cleaning habits.

Joan Samuel's homeschooling story begins with her parents' choice to take a more active hand in what their younger children were taught, then follows that thread into her own family, from her first child's kindergarten year through the final graduation.

Unique Learners Coaching Program: Suzanne WandlingAug 5, 2025

A practical look at building support around the child a family already knows best.

Homeschool Hints frames MPE's unique learners coaching program as a practical way for families to build support around the child they already understand most closely.

Amanda Medford: How Women's Encouragement Day Can Help Homeschool Moms In 2025Jan 6, 2025

A grounded conversation about homeschool flexibility, grace, fellowship, and meeting children where they are.

Women's Encouragement Day shapes a warm, practical conversation with Amanda Medford about what homeschool mothers often need most: fellowship, worship, encouraging speakers, food, and a chance to sit with people who understand the same daily pressures.

'Not Enough Christian Fiction': Author JA Webb

A faith-centered author conversation about story, writing, and a path into homeschool audiences.

Homeschool Hints centers on author J.A. Webb, who describes a long turn from atheism, a break from God in grade school, and a later conviction that story can reach culture in a useful way.

Podcasts like Homeschool Hints Podcast

Episodes

  1. 1

    5 Skills To Help Our Children Reach Their Full Potential: Monica Irvine

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi introduces Monica Irvine and frames the conversation around five skills children need to be taught.

    ·44m·3 clips
  2. 2

    Isaac Durst: How character education can shape academic success, homeschooling

    ·20m
  3. 3

    Central Christian College of the Bible: How to prepare homeschoolers for life after high school

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi sits down with Brian Barber, Director of Online and Graduate Admissions at Central Christian College of the Bible in Mobley, Missouri, for a grounded conversation about homeschool next steps.

    ·22m·1 clip
  4. 4

    Annette Vaughn: 'Dear Homeschool Mom' book encourages those in all seasons of homeschooling

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi welcomes Annette Vaughn back to talk about her book, Dear Homeschool Mom.

    ·28m·1 clip
  5. 5

    How To Homeschool During Crisis Times: Terri Hitt

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi opens by asking what homeschooling can look like in times of crisis.

    ·27m·1 clip
  6. 6

    True Compass: How assessments can help homeschoolers in career readiness, exploration

    Hidden gem

    Christy Windisch joins Shansi Amaniyi to talk about True Compass and its work with homeschool families.

    ·22m·1 clip
  7. 7

    'Not Enough Christian Fiction': Author JA Webb

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi welcomes author J.A.

    ·21m·1 clip
  8. 8

    Deborah Burns: How medical transcription can help homeschool families

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi talks with Deborah Burns about how she moved from corporate work into a home-based medical transcription business.

    ·22m·1 clip
  9. 9

    The Well-Ordered Homeschool: How To Organize Your Priorities & Year

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi opens by reframing organization.

    ·34m·2 clips
  10. 10

    How To Prepare High School Homeschoolers As Entrepreneurs: Lisa Nehring

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi welcomes Lisa Nearing of True North Homeschool Academy after a few technical hiccups.

    ·21m·1 clip
  11. 11

    Terrie Hellard-Brown: Finding the 'special thing' in special-needs kids

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi welcomes Terry Helen Brown of Hyperbole Press and asks about her homeschool journey.

    ·52m·3 clips
  12. 12

    How To Explain Your Homeschool Lifestyle When Visiting Family, Friends: Christy Faith

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi welcomes Christy Faith to talk about how homeschool families can explain their lives to relatives and friends.

    ·33m·2 clips
  13. 13

    Things I Wish I Knew For Homeschooling, Beginning Through High School: Trisha Pull

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi introduces Tricia Paul, who has spent 12 years teaching at home and is homeschooling six children in grades 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12.

    ·33m·2 clips
  14. 14

    Treehouse Schoolhouse: 100 Life Skills To Cultivate In Your Kids (Lyndsey Mimnagh)

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi opens with a warm homeschool-conference style conversation.

    ·25m·1 clip
  15. 15

    Foreign Language Success for Any Age: Adelaide Olguin of TalkBox.Mom

    Hidden gem

    Shansi Amaniyi introduces Adelaide Olguin of TalkBox.Mom and centers the conversation on foreign language success at any age.

    ·26m·1 clip
  16. 16

    Dan Schwabauer: The power of story in learning for anyone (not just homeschoolers)

    Dr.

    ·26m
  17. 17

    From Pandemic To Present Day - A 'Covid Homeschool' Story: Jennifer Moreno

    Hidden gem

    Jennifer Moreno says her family began homeschooling in 2020 when her son was in fourth grade and public school felt disorganized during COVID.

    ·29m·1 clip
  18. 18

    Upcoming events: March 2026

    Announcements for an upcoming homeschool conference, including a silent auction, open houses, scavenger hunt, prom, and Great Wolf Lodge event.

    Mar 2, 2026·2m
  19. 19

    Ricketts Great Books College: How homeschoolers can explore alternative higher education options

    Host Shansi Amaniyi interviews Jason Jackson from Ricketts Great Books College, discussing how this new institution offers an affordable, elite distance learning program tailored for homeschoolers, featuring a Great Books curriculum, Socratic teaching, and a unique tuition rebate system.

    Feb 3, 2026·20m·1 clip
  20. 20

    Meet Our 2026 Encouragement Day Speaker: Terri Hitt

    Hidden gem

    Host Shansi Amaniyi interviews Terri Hitt, a Christian motherhood mentor and author of 'The Good Mom Trap', ahead of the Women's Encouragement Day event.

    Jan 6, 2026·15m·1 clip
  21. 21

    Upcoming events: January 2026

    This episode announces upcoming events and opportunities for homeschooling families, including a youth leadership team, creative arts showcase, dads night out, women's encouragement day, capital day, chess lesson, and Great Wolf Lodge homeschool weeks.

    Jan 3, 2026·3m
  22. 22

    Joan Samuell: Norwex consultant & conference vendor

    Hidden gem

    Host Shansi Amaniyi interviews Joan Samuell, a longtime homeschool mom and Norwex consultant.

    Oct 7, 2025·18m·1 clip
  23. 23

    Upcoming events: September 2025

    Announcements for upcoming MPE homeschool events including graduation meeting, field trip, family night, and PSAT testing.

    Aug 27, 2025·3m
  24. 24

    Unique Learners Coaching Program: Suzanne Wandling

    Suzanne Wandling, MPE's unique learners coordinator, discusses a new coaching program for homeschool families with special needs children.

    Aug 5, 2025·17m·1 clip
  25. 25

    Upcoming events: June 2025

    This episode announces upcoming events for homeschooling families, including a used curriculum sale, a Royals game, a first aid/CPR class, and a Great Wolf Lodge homeschool week.

    May 28, 2025·2m
  26. 26

    How Do Homeschool Graduates Fare In The 'Real World'?

    The host discusses how homeschool graduates compare to their peers, citing research on academic success and college readiness.

    May 6, 2025·6m
  27. 27

    Upcoming events: May 2025

    Apr 28, 2025·2m
  28. 28

    Amanda Medford: How Women's Encouragement Day Can Help Homeschool Moms In 2025

    Host Shansi Amaniyi interviews Amanda Medford, a second-generation homeschooler and planning committee member, about the upcoming Women's Encouragement Day event for homeschool moms in February 2025.

    Jan 6, 2025·13m·1 clip
  29. 29

    Upcoming events: January 2025

    Dec 31, 2024·4m
  30. 30

    Upcoming events: November 2024

    Oct 22, 2024·3m
  31. 31

    Upcoming events: October 2024

    Oct 1, 2024·2m
  32. 32

    How To Prepare For Homeschool Kindergarten: Suzanne Wandling

    Sep 2, 2024·19m
  33. 33

    Upcoming events: September 2024

    Aug 26, 2024·2m
  34. 34

    How To Homeschool (Free Workshop Aug. 17): Jacklynn Walters

    Aug 6, 2024·17m
  35. 35

    Upcoming events: August 2024

    Jul 30, 2024·2m
  36. 36

    How To Kick Off The (Home)School Year With GROW: Christa Norman

    Jul 2, 2024·18m
  37. 37

    Upcoming events: July 2024

    Jun 25, 2024·4m
  38. 38

    How Used Curriculum Sales Can Help Homeschool Families: Jennifer Laporte

    Jun 4, 2024·14m
  39. 39

    Upcoming events: June 2024

    May 28, 2024·2m
  40. 40

    Craig Harrison - 'Your Child's Best Teacher: A Father's Perspective on Home Education'

    May 7, 2024·29m
  41. 41

    Upcoming events: May 2024

    Apr 26, 2024·2m
  42. 42

    Homeschool Graduation: Gracie Neland, second-generation MPE alumna

    Apr 2, 2024·23m
  43. 43

    Upcoming events: April 2024

    Mar 25, 2024·2m
  44. 44

    Homeschooling & Special Needs: Suzanne Wandling

    Mar 5, 2024·20m
  45. 45

    Upcoming events: March 2024

    Feb 29, 2024·2m
  46. 46

    When Homeschooling Was Illegal: Q&A with Zan Tyler

    Feb 6, 2024·33m
  47. 47

    Upcoming events: February 2024

    Jan 29, 2024·2m
  48. 48

    Women's Encouragement Day: Jordan Gabler

    Jan 2, 2024·11m
  49. 49

    Upcoming events: January 2024

    Dec 26, 2023·3m
  50. 50

    Homeschooling in the Holidays: Tips From Jordan Gabler

    Dec 5, 2023·15m
  51. 51

    Upcoming events: December 2023

    Nov 28, 2023·3m
  52. 52

    How To Homeschool With A Baby, Toddler, Or Other Little Ones Underfoot

    Nov 7, 2023·19m
  53. 53

    Upcoming events: November 2023

    Oct 30, 2023·2m
  54. 54

    How To Spend All That Homeschool Time With Your Kids: Realistic Tips, Expectations

    Host Shansi Amaniyi and guest Crystal Levinson discuss the common fear of spending too much time with kids while homeschooling and offer encouragement.

    Oct 3, 2023·23m
  55. 55

    Upcoming events in October 2023

    Sep 27, 2023·2m
  56. 56

    How To Build Your Homeschool Community: Angelena Stowell

    Sep 5, 2023·15m
  57. 57

    Upcoming events in September 2023

    Aug 25, 2023·2m
  58. 58

    How To Organize & Plan Your School Year: Angelena Stowell

    Host Shansi Amaniyi interviews Angelina Stowell about her unexpected journey into homeschooling and shares tips for preparing for the school year.

    Aug 1, 2023·27m
  59. 59

    Upcoming events in July 2023

    Jul 6, 2023·4m
  60. 60

    Marissa Hitt with Melane & Co. on creating a business, homeschooling, and pursuing your passions

    Jun 6, 2023·17m
  61. 61

    How to plan field trips: Q&A with Annette Vaughn

    A homeschool mom shares tips and favorite field trip destinations in the Kansas City area for homeschooling families.

    May 2, 2023·25m
  62. 62

    'M is for Mama' Abbie Halberstadt: Q&A

    Apr 4, 2023·1h 3m
  63. 63

    Education Savings Account (ESA) legislation in KS & elsewhere: HSLDA attorney Scott Woodruff

    Mar 15, 2023·36m
  64. 64

    Q&A with Durenda Wilson, featured speaker at our 2023 homeschool conference

    An interview with Dorenda Wilson about her homeschooling journey and simplifying homeschool methods.

    Mar 7, 2023·24m
  65. 65

    GROW: Workshops for homeschool moms

    Feb 7, 2023·24m
  66. 66

    Women's Encouragement Day For Homeschool Moms

    Jan 8, 2023·21m
  67. 67

    What is Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) and how does it help homeschool families?

    Jan 7, 2023·24m