<![CDATA[Outside the Box Education Podcast]]>Outside the Box Education is a podcast for homeschool parents who are ready to let go of the pressure to recreate school at home and discover a more meaningful way to learn.

Hosted by Melissa Whittaker, each episode brings you real homeschool stories, practical ideas, and honest conversations about the challenges and joys of educating your children differently.

We’ll talk about everything from choosing curriculum and helping struggling learners to overcoming comparison, building confidence, and creating a homeschool that fits your unique family.

Because there isn’t one right way to homeschool—and sometimes the best learning happens when we’re willing to think outside the box.

]]>outsidethebox.educationRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:55:11 GMTWed, 16 Sep 2026 02:08:47 GMT60Outside the Box Education<p><b>Outside the Box Education</b> is a podcast for homeschool parents who are ready to let go of the pressure to recreate school at home and discover a more meaningful way to learn.</p><p></p><p>Hosted by Melissa Whittaker, each episode brings you real homeschool stories, practical ideas, and honest conversations about the challenges and joys of educating your children differently.</p><p></p><p>We’ll talk about everything from choosing curriculum and helping struggling learners to overcoming comparison, building confidence, and creating a homeschool that fits your unique family.</p><p></p><p>Because there isn’t one right way to homeschool—and sometimes the best learning happens when we’re willing to think outside the box.</p>episodicOutside the Box Educationsupport@themindfulheart.comno<![CDATA[I Thought I Was Failing at Homeschooling— Until I Saw This | #4 with Bethany Deardeuff]]>Have you ever worried you’re failing at homeschooling because your days don’t look the way you imagined?

In this episode of the Outside the Box Education Podcast, host Melissa Whittaker talks with Bethany Deardeuff, a homeschool mom of five, about letting go of guilt and finding an approach that fits her family.

Bethany shares her experience homeschooling in a neurodivergent family, navigating her own ADHD and mental health challenges, and supporting children with different needs. She reflects on the surprise of watching her oldest graduate with knowledge, curiosity, and abilities that grew—even when their homeschool never looked like her ideal.

Together, they explore:
• Finding a natural rhythm instead of forcing someone else’s routine
• Recognizing learning in everyday life
• Approaching math with curiosity rather than fear
• Building a supportive homeschool community
• Helping children feel safe and supported while doing hard things

If you’ve wondered whether you’re doing enough, this honest conversation offers encouragement to notice what’s growing in your family and make room for your own way of learning.

For more great homeschool articles, videos, podcasts, and more, visit https://outsidethebox.education.

Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU

]]>48615892-5da6-4f31-8bbb-cf36847d5959Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT<p>Have you ever worried you’re failing at homeschooling because your days don’t look the way you imagined?</p><p>In this episode of the Outside the Box Education Podcast, host Melissa Whittaker talks with Bethany Deardeuff, a homeschool mom of five, about letting go of guilt and finding an approach that fits her family.</p><p>Bethany shares her experience homeschooling in a neurodivergent family, navigating her own ADHD and mental health challenges, and supporting children with different needs. She reflects on the surprise of watching her oldest graduate with knowledge, curiosity, and abilities that grew—even when their homeschool never looked like her ideal.</p><p>Together, they explore:<br />• Finding a natural rhythm instead of forcing someone else’s routine<br />• Recognizing learning in everyday life<br />• Approaching math with curiosity rather than fear<br />• Building a supportive homeschool community<br />• Helping children feel safe and supported while doing hard things</p><p>If you’ve wondered whether you’re doing enough, this honest conversation offers encouragement to notice what’s growing in your family and make room for your own way of learning.</p><p>For more great homeschool articles, videos, podcasts, and more, visit <a href="https://outsidethebox.education/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://outsidethebox.education</a>.</p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.<br />Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU</p>no00:45:3714I Thought I Was Failing at Homeschooling— Until I Saw This | #4 with Bethany Deardeufffull<![CDATA[She Homeschooled 7 Kids—Here’s How They Learned to Teach Themselves » Michelle Jones]]>How do you homeschool seven children without trying to teach them all the same way? In this episode, Melissa talks with Michelle Jones, who began homeschooling more than 30 years ago and now has seven adult children.

Michelle shares how she moved from rigid schedules and workbooks toward an education shaped by each child’s needs and interests. She talks about the spelling tests she let go of, the family routines that helped her manage a busy home, and the health crisis that pushed her older children to become independent learners.

They also discuss homeschooling through high school, preparing for college, and the question that kept Michelle awake for years: “Am I ruining my children?” Her story offers practical ideas and reassurance for parents who want their children to love learning and feel ready for what comes next.

Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU

Visit us at
Website: outsidethebox.education
Instagram: / the.mindful.heart
Facebook: / outside.the.box.ed

]]>753d3081-1e6c-475e-b426-daf0f6293810Thu, 01 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT<p>How do you homeschool seven children without trying to teach them all the same way? In this episode, Melissa talks with Michelle Jones, who began homeschooling more than 30 years ago and now has seven adult children.</p><p>Michelle shares how she moved from rigid schedules and workbooks toward an education shaped by each child’s needs and interests. She talks about the spelling tests she let go of, the family routines that helped her manage a busy home, and the health crisis that pushed her older children to become independent learners.</p><p>They also discuss homeschooling through high school, preparing for college, and the question that kept Michelle awake for years: “Am I ruining my children?” Her story offers practical ideas and reassurance for parents who want their children to love learning and feel ready for what comes next.</p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.<br />Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU<br /><br />Visit us at<br />Website: outsidethebox.education<br />Instagram: / the.mindful.heart<br />Facebook: / outside.the.box.ed</p>no00:51:4413She Homeschooled 7 Kids—Here’s How They Learned to Teach Themselves » Michelle Jonesfull<![CDATA[Why a Teacher Chose Homeschooling (And What She Learned) » with Genevieve Arnold]]>What changes when a teacher chooses homeschooling? Genevieve Arnold shares her journey from the classroom to helping families learn at home. We talk about following a child’s interests, finding support, and why homeschooling doesn’t have to look like school at home.

If you’re curious about homeschooling—or worried you’re not qualified to do it—this conversation is for you.

Resources Mentioned: https://curriculumsquare.com/

Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU

Visit us at
Website: outsidethebox.education
Instagram: / the.mindful.heart
Facebook: / outside.the.box.ed

]]>da2e826b-fdfe-4875-a34e-7932e3831dddThu, 24 Sep 2026 04:22:35 GMT<p>What changes when a teacher chooses homeschooling? Genevieve Arnold shares her journey from the classroom to helping families learn at home. We talk about following a child’s interests, finding support, and why homeschooling doesn’t have to look like school at home.<br /><br />If you’re curious about homeschooling—or worried you’re not qualified to do it—this conversation is for you.</p><p>Resources Mentioned: <a href="https://curriculumsquare.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://curriculumsquare.com/</a><br /><br />Music licensed through Soundstripe.<br />Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU<br /><br />Visit us at<br />Website: outsidethebox.education<br />Instagram: / the.mindful.heart<br />Facebook: / outside.the.box.ed</p>no00:37:262Why a Teacher Chose Homeschooling (And What She Learned) » with Genevieve Arnoldfull<![CDATA[The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned in 12 Years of Homeschooling » with Mindi Eldredge]]>After 12 years of homeschooling, Mindi Eldredge has learned that successful homeschooling doesn’t have to look like traditional school. In this episode, she shares her family’s homeschool journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and why letting go of expectations and trusting your child can make all the difference. Whether you’re just considering homeschooling or have been doing it for years, this conversation offers encouragement to create a homeschool that truly fits your family.

Resources Mentioned:
Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace
by Sarah Mackenzie

Explore more homeschool encouragement and resources: https://outsidethebox.education

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU

]]>91f1cdfc-427b-41ce-94e6-41b627d4d75fWed, 16 Sep 2026 02:32:06 GMT<p>After 12 years of homeschooling, Mindi Eldredge has learned that successful homeschooling doesn’t have to look like traditional school. In this episode, she shares her family’s homeschool journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and why letting go of expectations and trusting your child can make all the difference. Whether you’re just considering homeschooling or have been doing it for years, this conversation offers encouragement to create a homeschool that truly fits your family.</p><p>Resources Mentioned:<br />Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace<br />by Sarah Mackenzie<br /><br />Explore more homeschool encouragement and resources: <a href="https://outsidethebox.education" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://outsidethebox.education</a><br /><br />Music licensed through Soundstripe.</p><p>Code: FX5MZDNBAVHFJVPU</p>no00:33:2111The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned in 12 Years of Homeschooling » with Mindi Eldredgefull