by by Erica Harrell of Homeschool For Freedom
Sending voice notes to all my homeschooling besties! Listen in on my personal and guests' reflections, learnings, advice, stories of homeschooling, and more. We'll chat getting and staying organized, planning lessons, activities, playdates, prepping for the day and anything else homeschooling that comes up! <br/><br/><a href="https://theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com</a>
Language
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Publishing Since
6/14/2025
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July 23, 2026
<p>She had her dream job in reach — then walked away to homeschool her son instead.</p><p>In this episode, I chat with <strong>Blanca Montelongo</strong>, an Air Force veteran, wife of 15 years, and homeschool mom of two in Texas who’s now going on eight years into her homeschool journey. Blanca shares the faith-driven decision that pulled her away from a career she loved and into homeschooling — a decision that, looking back, set the tone for everything that followed: raising kids who are seen as whole people, not just grades or test scores.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><p>* Why she couldn’t bring herself to apply for her dream project management job — and how that decision (plus a round of budget cuts) landed her in homeschooling exactly one year before the 2020 exodus</p><p>* Her “crystal balls vs. rubber balls” philosophy on balance, and why she’s stopped trying to do it all.</p><p>* Her honest advice for families coming out of the public school system: give yourselves permission to “detox” before diving into school at home.</p><p>* How she found (and later rebuilt) her homeschool community through Wild + Free and Classical Conversations after a move to Texas.</p><p>* Her simple, sustainable approach to making time for her own health as a busy homeschool and co-op mom.</p><p>✨ If you’ve ever felt like you’re juggling too many balls at once, Blanca’s take on priorities might be exactly what you need to hear.</p><p><strong>About Blanca Montelongo:</strong></p><p>I’m Blanca! An AF veteran who started homeschooling in 2019 and yes homeschooling is harder than the military! I have an amazing husband, my son is 12, my daughter is 6, and we live in Texas.</p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>00:00 – Introduction & meet Blanca02:00 – Called out of the workforce: the pivot into homeschooling04:00 – Her homeschool why: discipleship over curriculum05:00 – The 2020 exodus and becoming the go-to homeschool mom07:00 – What classical education looks like at home08:00 – Being a “Type C” homeschool mom and block scheduling14:00 – Behind the scenes of planning with Classical Conversations17:00 – Organizing homeschool materials (and why purging is her love language)22:00 – Building homeschool community after starting solo25:00 – Finding Wild + Free and the accountability of showing up29:00 – Why paid communities build stronger commitment31:00 – Starting Whole Heart, her own co-op35:00 – Coming out of the public school mindset42:00 – Her advice: take time to “detox” before starting school at home48:00 – Making time for herself: workouts, a walking pad, and diet55:00 – Educating the whole child, not just grades58:00 – The “crystal balls vs. rubber balls” philosophy on balance1:05:00 – Where to find Blanca and closing thoughts</p><p>Resources & Links Mentioned:</p><p>* Connect with Blanca on <a target="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/blancalight.m">Instagram</a>: @blancalight.m</p><p>* Classical Conversations: <a target="_blank" href="https://classicalconversations.com/">classicalconversations.com</a></p><p>* Wild + Free: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bewildandfree.org/">bewildandfree.org</a></p><p>* Follow me on Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/theorganizedhomeschool">@theorganizedhomeschool</a></p><p>* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voice-notes-from-the-organized-homeschool/id1821652066">Apple</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j45Sxj9CYwmtDcdFJnXri">Spotify</a>, or <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/@theorganizedhomeschool">Substack</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com</a>
July 21, 2026
<p>Did you know you can homeschool your kids without being the one who teaches them?</p><p>In this episode, I chat with <strong>Anne Machalek</strong>, a second-generation homeschooler who has turned her love of teaching into a full-time career serving other homeschool families — without being anyone’s mom. Anne shares what it was like growing up with a rotating cast of teachers (including her own older brother), how an unexpected health crisis redirected her from a psychology career into homeschool education, and what it actually looks like to run someone else’s kids’ entire school day. We also get into the legal realities of outsourcing instruction, her “education bartering” idea for trading subjects with other parents, and the deeply personal reasons she believes so strongly in individualized learning.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><p>* What it’s like to be a full-time homeschool teacher who isn’t a parent — and why that role is more common (and more legal) than most people realize</p><p>* The health crisis that redirected Anne from a career in psychology into homeschool education</p><p>* Why parents only have to be the “sole supervisor,” not the sole teacher — and what that means for outsourcing subjects</p><p>* Anne’s “education bartering” idea: trading subjects with other homeschool parents based on each person’s strengths</p><p>* The Montessori-inspired organizing systems (and portfolio tracking she’s used since she was a teenager) that keep her days running smoothly</p><p>* Why Anne believes homeschooling’s greatest strength is building education around who a child actually is — not the other way around</p><p>✨ Tune in for a fresh perspective on what a “homeschool teacher” can look like — and a reminder that education should be built around your child, not the other way around.</p><p><strong>About Anne:</strong></p><p>I’m Anne, a second generation homeschool teacher with a passion for teaching in various settings. I especially love music, literature, and history! Growing up as a homeschooler, I had many opportunities to explore my passions. I realized I had a desire to teach as a profession when I began teaching the violin at age 14. I planned on becoming a professor of psychology, but life took me in a different direction and I uncovered a love for empowering homeschoolers specifically. After having experienced homeschooling personally, I am a huge advocate for alternative education!</p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>00:00 – Introduction & meet Anne01:00 – Growing up with a wide range of teachers03:00 – Discovering a love for teaching at 1406:00 – Early homeschool memories & what she loved07:00 – What she disliked — wanting more structure & grades10:00 – Building education around who a child actually is12:00 – From teenage side hustle to full-time teaching career14:00 – A typical teaching day & organizing systems17:00 – Debunking the “is this even allowed?” question19:00 – Outsourcing subjects & the education bartering idea23:00 – Who she teaches & how families find her28:00 – Portfolio tracking & assembling open-and-go curriculum31:00 – Yearly planning & Montessori-inspired organization33:00 – Curriculum favorites: journals, Spectrum, and TPT resources37:00 – Her “why”: individualized learning and flexibility39:00 – Homeschooling and kids with learning differences42:00 – Advice: model lifelong learning, define education for yourself44:00 – Final advice: homeschool the child you actually have46:00 – Book recommendation & where to find Anne</p><p><strong>Resources & Links Mentioned:</strong></p><p>* Connect with Anne on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/scaleandfeatherstudio">Instagram</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573317363800">Facebook</a>: @scaleandfeatherstudio</p><p>* Website: <a target="_blank" href="http://Scaleandfeatherstudio.com">Scaleandfeatherstudio.com</a></p><p>* TPT Storefront: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/scale-feather-studio">Scale & Feather Studio</a></p><p>* Book mentioned: Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just By Doing It by the Author, Ginny Yurich</p><p>* Fun Schooling journals (mentioned as a favorite resource)</p><p>* Spectrum Writing, 7th grade edition (mentioned as a favorite resource)</p><p>* Teachers Pay Teachers — literature unit studies (mentioned as a favorite resource)</p><p>* Follow me on Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/theorganizedhomeschool">@theorganizedhomeschool</a></p><p>* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voice-notes-from-the-organized-homeschool/id1821652066">Apple</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j45Sxj9CYwmtDcdFJnXri">Spotify</a>, or <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/@theorganizedhomeschool">Substack</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com</a>
July 16, 2026
<p>Monica’s oldest was five when they started formal lessons — and it was a struggle. A year later, at six, everything clicked.</p><p>In this episode, I chat with Monica, a mom of three (ages seven, four, and one) in her fourth year of homeschooling. She runs her homeschool from Small Quiet Lessons, centering it on faith, simplicity, and connection. Monica shares what “deschooling” actually looks like day to day in her home — including the real, sometimes messy work of homeschooling around nap times and a toddler’s interruptions — how she plans an entire school year using one running Google Doc, and why she’s decided to take this summer completely off for the first time. She also gets honest about the mistake that taught her to slow down — and why she still wonders, four years in, if she’s doing enough.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><p>- How she juggles lesson time with a preschooler and a toddler in the mix — nap time, screen time, and letting go of a “perfect” day</p><p>- What deschooling really looks like in her home — read-alouds, a little academics, and a lot of unstructured play</p><p>- Why she started formal lessons too early with her oldest, and what she’d do differently</p><p>- Her simple system for planning an entire year using one running Google Doc</p><p>- How she builds her own unit studies with zero curriculum background</p><p>- How she stays confident in a simplified homeschool without comparing herself to “maximalist” homeschool content online</p><p>- Her honest advice for new homeschoolers: do whatever works for your family</p><p>✨ Listen in for a reminder that simple can still be strong — and that you get to build the homeschool that actually fits your family.</p><p><strong>About Monica:</strong></p><p>I am a 4th year homeschool mom who really centers her homeschool on Christ, simplicity and connection. This is the first year I am taking the summer off to really give everyone a long break, make room for playdates with our traditional school friends who are also off, and have as much unstructured play time as feels right. I am on a journey to creating systems and habit that allow our whole family to enjoy our home and our time together.</p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>00:00 – Introduction & meet Monica</p><p>01:00 – Discovering homeschooling through YouTube after a rough daycare experience</p><p>02:00 – The heart behind their homeschool: foundation, virtues, and time together</p><p>04:00 – Managing homeschool with a toddler: nap time, screen time, and the mess of real life</p><p>06:00 – A typical day: read-alouds, main subjects, and unstructured play</p><p>07:00 – The lesson in switching up subjects when something isn’t working</p><p>08:00 – What “deschooling” really means in their home</p><p>11:00 – Curriculum & resources: The Good and the Beautiful, Evan-Moor, Reading Eggs, Arts for Kids Hub</p><p>13:00 – Planning ahead with one running Google Doc</p><p>15:00 – Building her own simple unit studies from scratch</p><p>18:00 – What simple weekly and daily planning actually looks like</p><p>21:00 – Staying confident in simplicity without comparison</p><p>25:00 – Her biggest homeschool mistake: starting formal lessons too early</p><p>27:00 – Wondering “am I doing enough?” — and why that’s normal</p><p>29:00 – Finding real community through co-ops, parks, and routine</p><p>32:00 – Her best advice: do whatever works for your family</p><p>34:00 – Where to find Monica + closing thoughts</p><p><strong>Resources & Links Mentioned:</strong></p><p>* Connect with Monica on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @smallquietlessons</p><p>* Curriculum mentioned: The Good and the Beautiful (math, language arts, handwriting)</p><p>* Evan-Moor Daily Practice Books (geography)</p><p>* Reading Eggs (online gamified reading resource)</p><p>* Arts for Kids Hub (YouTube channel)</p><p>* Follow me on Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/theorganizedhomeschool">@theorganizedhomeschool</a></p><p>* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voice-notes-from-the-organized-homeschool/id1821652066">Apple</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0j45Sxj9CYwmtDcdFJnXri">Spotify</a>, or <a target="_blank" href="https://theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com/">Substack</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com</a>
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Sending voice notes to all my homeschooling besties!
Listen in on my personal and guests' reflections, learnings, advice, stories of homeschooling, and more. We'll chat getting and staying organized, planning lessons, activities, playdates, prepping for the day and anything else homeschooling that comes up! <br/><br/><a href="https://theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com</a>
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