If you're loving the show and want to show some support, consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub*Trigger Warning:* This episode contains discussions of suicide, depression, trauma, and mental health.What happens when homeschooling, isolation, and identity all collide? In this episode, I sit down with Beau to talk about growing up homeschooled in a deeply religious environment, navigating gender identity, struggling with severe mental health challenges, and ultimately finding purpose through helping others heal. Beau shares an incredibly honest story about the realities of loneliness, recovery, and becoming a Recovery Support Specialist after surviving some of life's darkest moments.*Connect with Beau*• Substack: https://substack.com/@healingkind• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/healingkind.bsky.social*Resources Mentioned*• CRHE: https://crhe.org• Homeschool Alumni Group Sessions: https://crhe.org/homeschool-alumni-groups/If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. *Connect with me*• BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub• Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com• Listen on Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/exhsclub/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub• Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/• Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com*Chapters*00:00 Welcome Back to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club00:57 Let's Meet Beau02:17 Was Homeschooling Structured For You?05:58 How Much Responsibility Did You Hold At Home?08:38 Where Did You Grow Up?10:06 The Push To Get Into College Early12:59 Socializing As A Homeschooler17:17 What Was Making You Feel Out Of Place In School?22:06 When Did You Know You We're Trans?27:26 What Did Early Adulthood Look Like?30:45 Why Is Mental Health So Stigmatized In The Homeschool World?32:26 Trigger Warning: We're Talking About Suicide41:08 What Did It Take To Become A Recovery Support Specialist?51:06 How To Connect With Other Homeschool Alumni?58:06 What Do You Think About The Current State Of Homeschooling? 01:01:35 It's Always Ok To Change Your Mind01:02:42 Don't Be Afraid To Share Your Story01:05:44 Taking Care Of Yourself After Being Vulnerable01:10:04 Connect with Beau01:11:16 Do All The Internet Things

Check Out Audra's FREE Masterclass about navigating the grief, guilt, and identity crisis after leaving Mormonism: https://mamaaudra.com/trainingWhat happens when your entire identity is built around a high-control religion, and you begin to question it? This week, I sit down with Audra Phelps, an educator, former member of the LDS Church, and coach who helps people navigate life after leaving high-control religions. We discuss the overlap between homeschooling and religious environments, why questioning your beliefs can feel terrifying, and the long process of rebuilding your identity after deconstruction. Whether you've left religion yourself or are simply curious about how people reclaim their lives after high-control systems, this conversation is full of empathy, nuance, and hopeConnect with Audra

• Website: https://mamaaudra.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamaaudraofficial/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mama-Audra
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamaaudra

Resources Mentioned

• When Religion Hurts You: https://drlauraeanderson.com/book
• Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.org

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might benefit from hearing this story. Connect with me

• BuyMeACoffee: buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub
• Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub
• Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/
• Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com

Chapters00:00 Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club00:58 Meet Audra Phelps01:35 Audra's Teaching Journey02:57 Homeschooling Pros and Cons03:41 Teacher Training Respect05:46 Homeschool Outcomes Seen07:40 Teamwork With Schools10:40 Why Move Overseas13:14 Homeschool Bubble Effects14:48 Jacob Leaving the Bubble16:51 Growing Up in the Mormon Church18:24 High Demand Religion Explained20:36 Church Taught Me To Distrust Myself24:03 How Mormonism Adds Prophets and Extra Scripture To The Bible26:05 Comparing Faith Traditions28:47 Deconstruction Starts Small29:55 Exiting High-Controlled Religion33:11 Anxiety And Panic From Gender Roles35:13 Finding Independence Through Teaching36:56 Going Overseas Changed My Perspective39:06 Pandemic and Stepping Back41:21 Are These Sacred Spaces Evil?42:41 An Awakening In Sagrada Familia44:09 Saying It Out Loud44:53 Religious Trauma Resurfacing46:42 Identity Loss and Mom Guilt48:54 Leaving Leads To Loneliness and Family Fallout51:33 Marriage Through Deconstruction57:29 Grieving for the Unlived Life01:00:47 How To Get Out Of The Confusion01:05:02 Becoming A Coach For The Ex-Mormon Moms01:11:37 Regulating the Nervous System01:14:04 Body Based Belief Work01:16:56 Finding Your Voice Again01:19:17 Connect with Audra

Check out Liliana's Poetry on Amazon: https://bit.ly/4eYOJve

In this episode, I sit down with Liliana to talk about growing up homeschooled in a conservative Christian environment, navigating a sheltered childhood, and learning how to build a life on her own terms. We dive into culture shock after leaving home, making friends outside the homeschool bubble, questioning long-held beliefs, receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis, and finding healing through writing and poetry. Liliana also shares how creativity helped her process emotional abuse, difficult relationships, and rebuilding confidence. It's an honest conversation about growth, identity, and discovering who you are after homeschooling.

Key Takeaways

• Growing up homeschooled in a highly religious and sheltered environment.
• Navigating culture shock and expanding your worldview after leaving home.
• Building a chosen family and meaningful friendships as an adult.
• How an adult ADHD diagnosis answered lifelong questions.
• Using poetry and creative writing to process trauma and healing.

Connect with Liliana

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valiantiaqueen/
• Poetry Books: https://bit.ly/4eYOJve

Connect with me

• Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/
• BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub
• Email me at exhsclub@gmail.com
• Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com

Chapters

00:00 Meet Liliana

01:06 Homeschool Background

01:46 Homeschool Normalization

03:58 Typical School Day

05:52 Co-ops and Classes

09:27 Siblings and Dual Enrollment

10:16 College Culture Shock

13:58 Leaving Home and Work

16:29 Marriage Roles Pressure

19:32 New Friends New Views

24:46 Trying Forbidden Things

28:41 Homeschooling Today

29:49 Homeschool Pros And Cons

30:53 College Worries And Bigger Goals

32:24 Chosen Family As Adults

33:32 How To Make New Friends

36:41 Writing And Self Publishing

38:55 Why Poetry Hits Different

41:39 Creativity Through Breakups

44:30 Adult ADHD Diagnosis Story

49:26 ADHD Coping Tools That Work

52:04 Therapy Help

53:27 Wrap Up