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

Want to join our Purity Culture Livestream? Follow Kate on Substack: https://substack.com/@katejohnsonwrites or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katejohnsonwrites

Kate Johnson joins me to share one of the most powerful and difficult stories we've featured on the podcast. We talk about growing up homeschooled in a conservative Christian environment, navigating life after her father's arrest for child sexual abuse material, and how isolation, purity culture, and parentification shaped her childhood. Kate also reflects on finding her voice, questioning long-held beliefs, and rebuilding her identity as an adult. This conversation is heavy at times, but it's ultimately about healing, resilience, and why protecting vulnerable children must be part of the homeschool conversation.

In this episode we discuss:

• Kate's experience growing up homeschooled using Abeka, Calvert, Classical Conversations, and other Christian curricula.
• How her father's arrest shattered the sense of safety her family had built around homeschooling and church.
• The hidden dangers of isolation, parentification, and secrecy within some homeschooling environments.
• Purity culture, consent, and the long-term impact those teachings had on both girls and boys.
• Finding healing, embracing authenticity, and reclaiming her own voice.

Connect with Kate Johnson:

• Substack: https://substack.com/@katejohnsonwrites
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katejohnsonwrites
• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@katejohnsonwrites
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katejohnsonwrites
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@katejohnsonwrites

Resources Mentioned:

• Coalition for Responsible Home Educators: https://crhe.org

If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it. If you'd like to support the show, be sure to join the newsletter for updates and future episodes.

Connect with me:

• Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/
• 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 Trigger Warning

00:39 Invitation To Purity Culture Livestream

01:20 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:28 Kate’s Homeschool Origins

02:43 First Day Was 9/11

08:15 Finding a Homeschool Rhythm

11:05 Classical Conversations Explained

17:32 Curriculum Nostalgia and Resources

23:16 Siblings and Public School Switch

25:38 High School Culture Shock

28:51 Pastor’s Kid Pressure

31:21 TW: Dad’s Arrest and Fallout

36:38 TW: Isolation and System Gaps

39:36 TW: Silence, Control, Parentification

44:04 TW: Healing and Purity Culture

46:46 Guys Taught No Control

50:17 Consent And Worthlessness

52:45 College Identity Shifts

57:27 Politics And Deconstruction

01:01:32 Trusting Inner Intuition

01:03:41 TW: Dad Arrested Again

01:08:42 Somatic Healing Journey

01:15:50 Ritual Of Letting Go

01:23:20 Values And Bodywork Tools

01:29:22 Where To Follow Kate

01:31:45 Homeschool Safety Advocacy

01:34:25 Final Thanks And Wrap

Where does online school fit into the homeschooling conversation? In this week's episode, I sat down with Mindy to explore that question while unpacking the similarities and differences between public online education and traditional homeschooling. We discuss educational gaps, socialization, student safety, and why the rapid growth of homeschooling is forcing us to rethink how we define home-based education.
We also dive into the broader cultural and political influence of the homeschooling movement, the role of regulation, and why nuanced conversations are essential if we want to improve educational outcomes without losing the flexibility that makes alternative education valuable. Whether you were homeschooled, attended online school, or are simply interested in education policy, this episode offers plenty to think about.

Resources we mentioned

• Lifetime Prevalence of Investigating Child Maltreatment Among US Children: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303545?journalCode=ajph
• How a true believer’s flawed research helped legitimize home schooling: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/12/11/brian-ray-homeschool-student-outcomes/
• The Christian home-schooler who made ‘parental rights’ a GOP rallying cry: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/aug/31/the-christian-home-schooler-who-made-parental-righ/
• Ten Homeschooling Parent Myths Debunked: https://rlstollar.com/2025/06/06/ten-homeschooling-parent-myths-debunked/
• Online schools 'worse than traditional teachers': https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34671952
• Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.org
• Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t

Connect with Me

• Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ex-HomeschoolersClub
• 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 Welcome and Introductions
01:14 Mindy’s Early Schooling
01:47 Middle School Pressures
05:23 Bullying and High School Fears
07:57 Homeschool vs Online School
10:28 Online School Day to Day
11:21 Tutoring Center Realities
13:11 Did Online School Work
15:55 Why Study Homeschooling Now
22:15 Guardrails and Learning Gaps
26:22 Homeschooling Political Pipeline
30:45 Shiny Happy People Connections
32:54 Homeschool Political Grooming
33:24 Lobby Days And Fake Scores
35:14 HSlda And Child Safety Gaps
39:20 Online School Under Homeschooling
40:44 Mandated Reporters And CPS Fear
43:32 Bullying And Queer Panic
46:58 Unlearning Homophobia
51:31 Defining Laws And New Models
55:51 Parental Rights And Anti Vax Roots
01:02:06 Research Myths And Data Needs
01:04:29 Former Homeschoolers Speak Up
01:07:37 Wrap Up And Community Invite

Want to hear Liz's homeschool experience? Check out this episode: https://youtu.be/rvHUlhOM9hI?si=j7JGWwCJAMwtrChb

Liz is back in the clubhouse to explore the role religion played in our homeschool upbringings and how those beliefs shaped our identities long after childhood. Liz shares what it was like growing up in an intensely Catholic homeschool environment, from her involvement in the Legion of Mary to embracing modesty culture, purity culture, and the expectation that she might one day become a nun.

Together, we unpack the complicated process of questioning long-held beliefs, navigating religious trauma, and separating personal faith from the cultural expectations that surrounded us. We discuss purity culture, the lack of sex education in many homeschool environments, the experience of deconstruction, and the grief that can accompany rebuilding your worldview. Whether you're still religious, no longer religious, or somewhere in between, this conversation is about finding space to ask questions, heal, and better understand the stories that shaped us.

Resources We Mentioned

• When Religion Hurts You: https://drlauraeanderson.com/book
• Homeschooled: A Memoir: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t
• The Body Keeps the Score: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score
• Interview with D.L. Mayfield: https://youtu.be/ohzrQqPq0Dw?si=vi3cp1QPt8fy3wfi

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back Liz

01:07 Homeschooler Connection

03:32 Catholic Roots And Belonging

06:21 Evangelical Upbringing

08:33 Confirmation And Commitment

11:11 Legion Of Mary Explained

13:30 Conference Culture And War Talk

19:37 Performing Faith Publicly

21:29 Christian Mime And Evangelism

24:00 Modesty Purity And Shame

28:29 Deconstruction And Questioning

31:55 Where Beliefs Came From

33:11 Silence Around Sex And Expectations

34:56 Nunhood and Holiness

35:41 Purity Books Osmosis

36:40 Period Shame Lesson

37:51 Apple Pie Purity Talk

41:06 No Sex Ed Basics

43:27 Bridgerton Level Ignorance

45:20 Study Abroad Cracks Bubble

47:43 Grief and Quiet Deconstruction

54:34 Naming Religious Trauma

01:01:30 Inner Child Healing

01:04:20 Finding Community Through Stories

01:06:50 Closing Thoughts and Resources

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. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Me

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

Grab a copy of Homeschooled for yourself: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t

This week I have the honor of sitting down with author Stefan Merrill Block to discuss his memoir Homeschooled, his years in an isolating homeschooling environment, and the complicated relationship he shared with his mother.

Stefan opens up about being pulled out of public school at age nine, the isolation that followed, the pressure of being told he was a prodigy, and the difficult transition back into traditional school after four and a half years of homeschooling.

We also explore themes that will resonate with many former homeschoolers: loneliness, identity, friendship, family enmeshment, educational neglect, and the long-lasting effects of childhood narratives. Beyond homeschooling, Stefan shares how books became a lifeline, how writing helped him process grief after his mother's death, and why he believes storytelling can be one of the most powerful tools for healing.

Whether you're an ex-homeschooler, current homeschool parent, educator, or simply interested in memoir and family dynamics, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the complicated realities behind one family's homeschool experience.

Connect with Stefan

• Grab a copy of the book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=t
• Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanmblock/
• Check out his website: https://www.stefanmerrillblock.com

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. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!

Connect with me

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

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

01:35 How Homeschooling Began

02:53 Bluff Called Leaving School

04:57 Unschooling Day to Day

07:30 Math CDs and Drifting

09:05 Isolation and Genius Myth

12:02 Decision to Return

16:06 High School Culture Shock

20:01 Success Versus Scars

24:35 Friendship After Homeschool

25:54 2020 Isolation Flashbacks

31:16 Owning the Homeschool Identity

33:03 Sanity Is Consensus

34:34 Finding A Writer Voice

35:45 Books As Empathy

39:35 Fiction Versus Memoir

42:47 Writing After Loss

47:42 Choosing Homeschooled Title

52:18 Calling For Homeschool Reform

53:54 Finding CRHE Community

57:14 Hate Mail And Defensiveness

59:15 Next Novel New Focus

01:03:11 Stories Change Laws

01:04:16 Wrap Up And Farewell

If you wanna support the work of CRHE, consider a donation: https://crhe.org/support-crhe/

Today we're talking homeschool legislation. And who better to do that than Tess Ulrey, director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education.

Together, we're breaking down major legislative victories in Nebraska and Connecticut, explaining the goals behind the Make Homeschool Safe Act, and exploring the complicated balance between parental rights, children’s rights, and educational freedom. The conversation also dives into public school sports access, mandated reporters, homeschool stigma, and why reliable homeschool data matters more than ever.

Key Topics Covered

• Nebraska’s LB1224 and what it changes for homeschool oversight
• Connecticut’s new homeschool registration requirements
• Why CRHE advocates for homeschool accountability
• Suspicious withdrawal during CPS investigations
• Access to public school sports and extracurriculars
• Homeschooling and children’s rights
• Why homeschool data and registration matter
• Legislative pushback from both homeschool and public school communities
• The future of homeschool reform in the U.S.

Resources Mentioned

• CRHE Website: https://crhe.org
• Make Homeschool Safe Act: https://crhe.org/make-homeschool-safe-act/
• Homeschooling's Invisible Children: https://hic.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. Follow Ex-Homeschoolers Club on Instagram and TikTok for updates, and send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Me

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

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back Tess Ulrey from CRHE

01:08 What Is CRHE? And What Do They Do?

02:27 Big Wins In Nebraska And Connecticut

03:55 Make Homeschool Safe Act

07:50 Nebraska LB1224 Breakdown

11:36 Kids Rights Bipartisan Shift

14:21 Connecticut HB5468 Changes

16:18 Why Registration Matters

20:16 Access Bills Sports Resources

25:23 Pushback and Practicalities

27:48 Homeschoolers on Teams

28:21 Proms and Shared Events

30:04 Breaking Homeschool Stigma

32:49 What Bills Are Next

34:13 How Laws Spread Statewide

38:38 Federal Graduation Recognition

43:58 Parents Rights Debate

45:10 How Alumni Can Help

53:15 Local Outreach and Wrap Up