Empowering Homeschool Conversations Podcast

Welcome to Empowering Homeschool Conversations, your authority in navigating the world of homeschooling diverse learners.

Featuring Peggy Ployhar from SPED Homeschool, Annie Yorty from AnnieYorty.com, Leilani Melendez from Living with Eve, Stephanie Buckwalter from ELARP Learning, and Dawn Jackson from Dawn Jackson Educational Consulting & Tutoring.

With over 75 years of combined homeschooling expertise, experiences, and perspectives, this group is eager to share their wealth of wisdom to empower your homeschooling journey.

So, grab your favorite mug, settle in and get ready for insightful discussions, valuable insights, and practical tips as these experts and their guests dive into the hottest topics in homeschooling. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler, just considering this path, or anywhere in between you don't want to miss a minute of these enlightening conversations that will empower your child to thrive in their homeschool environment.

Join us to give your homeschool the power boost it needs to successfully educate the unique learners in your home.

Search episodes of Empowering Homeschool Conversations on LifeAudio or your favorite podcasting platform.

Have a homeschooling question for our panel? Or want to view our upcoming broadcast schedule? Visit our Upcoming Events Calendar page to see the upcoming episodes and join the conversation.

How a Disney Animator’s Creative Vision Transformed Learning at Home

by SPED Homeschool

In this episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, we sit down with Chad Stewart, a veteran Disney and Sony animator whose pencil brought characters to life in Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove, The Polar Express, and more. But beyond the studio, Chad spent 20 years homeschooling his eight children, blending creativity, character training, and practical skills into a powerful, personalized education model.

Chad shares how animation principles—like storyboarding, iteration, and character development—can become dynamic teaching tools. Parents will learn how to unlock their child’s interests, use storytelling to build confidence and comprehension, and foster resilience through creativity. Whether you have a highly visual learner, a child stuck in a learning rut, or you’re simply seeking a new lens for home education, Chad’s journey offers both practical encouragement and innovative ideas. You don’t need to be an artist—just a parent willing to see learning a little differently.

To connect with Chad and learn more about his courses, visit:
https://www.theanimcourse.com/

To learn about the other Empowering Homeschool Conversations Co-Hosts and their resources, visit:

https://www.spedhomeschool.com/

https://annieyorty.com/

https://www.leilanimelendez.com/

https://elarplearning.com/

https://solimaracademy.com/

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Managing Parent Overload & Modeling Calm at Home

by SPED Homeschool

Homeschooling is a beautiful journey, but let’s be honest—it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and downright overstimulating! If you find yourself losing patience, feeling constantly drained, or struggling to stay calm amid the chaos, you’re not alone. In this episode of Empowering Homeschool Conversations, host Peggy Ployhar welcomes Whitney Whitten, a pediatric occupational therapist turned mom coach, to share practical strategies for managing parent overload and modeling calm at home. Tune in as we discuss sensory needs (for both kids and parents), ways to reduce overwhelm, and how to create a homeschool atmosphere that fosters connection rather than burnout.

To connect with Whitney and her resources, visit: https://sensationalmoms.com/

Viewers like you funded similar episodes, and other free resources from SPED Homeschool. To learn how you can support the nonprofit work of SPED Homeschool and this broadcast, visit https://spedhomeschool.com/donate/

NEW to SPED Homeschool and the Homeschool Heroes platform: Consultations and Cognitive Testing.

Here is Now What's Available for Your Family through SPED Homeschool:

One-on-One Consultations – Get expert guidance in homeschooling a struggling student, curriculum choices, accommodations, behavior strategies, executive function support, high school planning, and more. Our consultants provide personalized recommendations to help you move forward with confidence. https://www.spedhomeschool.com/consultants

MindPrint Cognitive Assessment – Finally, a strengths-based approach to education. This easy, at-home cognitive assessment provides unbiased insights into how your child learns best. It helps you understand where they’ll naturally excel and where they may need extra support—allowing you to tailor your teaching effectively with data that tells you exactly how your student learns best!

https://www.spedhomeschool.com/store/products/4344/mindprint-student-assessment

MindPrint + Consultation Bundle - When you bundle the MindPrint test with a consultation, you unlock a database of MindPrint teaching resources only accessible to our consults, which gives you even more in-depth and personalized homeschooling help to help your student learn successfully. https://www.spedhomeschool.com/store/products/4345/mindprint-student-assessment-plus-consultation

You don’t have to struggle through this journey alone. We’re here to give you the tools and confidence you need to create a home learning environment where your child flourishes.

To find out more about SPED Homeschool, visit our website at https://spedhomeschool.com/