It's Not That Hard to Homeschool

🎙️ Rethinking College: Smart Alternatives for Homeschoolers Podcast: It's Not That Hard to Homeschool Host: Lisa Nehring  Sponsored by: CTC Math 🎧 Episode Summary In this episode, Lisa Nehring encourages homeschool parents to rethink the college experience and consider smarter, more affordable alternatives that align with their students' values, goals, and future career prospects. Lisa shares why the traditional 4-year college pathway is no longer the default and how families can save thousands by combining dual enrollment, CLEP, and strategic degree planning—all while preparing students with real-world, marketable skills for the digital economy. 🔑 Key Takeaways 📉 The College Shift: Post-pandemic, many colleges have lost value, raised prices, and shifted away from skills-based education and community-building. 💸 Cost vs. ROI: Most students graduate in 6 years with $30K+ in debt. Without a clear vocational plan, this can be a poor investment. 🎯 Smarter Strategy: Use dual enrollment + CLEP exams to earn transferable college credits early. 🧾 Gen Ed Blueprint: Focus on Composition I/II, College Algebra, Intro Sciences, Social Sciences, and Diversity classes. 🏛️ CLEP-Friendly Colleges: Consider “The Big Three” — Thomas Edison, Excelsior, Charter Oak — for flexible, affordable, accredited degrees. 💡 Alternative Paths: Entrepreneurship, online business, and skills-based certifications offer legitimate, lower-cost career readiness. 💻 Tools + Programs from True NorthAcademy 🎓 Dual Enrollment + Free Academic Advising 🔎 Career Exploration Course 🛠️ High school electives with real-world skills: Entrepreneurship, Photoshop, Video Editing, and more. 📚 Young Professionals Series – career-track guides (law, mental health, health occupations, and more) 📌 Quotes to Remember “College should be pursued with clarity, focus, and financial wisdom—not just because it’s what everyone else is doing.” “Help your kids develop ‘otherness’—unique skills and experiences that stand out on applications and in life.” “It's time to rethink college as one of many viable paths, not the only ticket to success.”     Be sure to subscribe and leave a review for It's Not That Hard to Homeschool. Every share helps us grow and continue providing high-impact support for homeschool families.

Sponsor Shout-Out: Homeschooling math doesn’t have to end in tears—yours or your kids'. Our favorite math solution? CTC Math. With short, clear video lessons and a self-paced, no-prep format, it’s the curriculum we wish we’d started with sooner. Try it free at ctcmath.com – and breathe easier. Episode Summary: In this lively episode, Lisa and Gina—your trusty admin team from It's Not That Hard to Homeschool—tackle a big question that’s come up often in our community: How do you teach your kids how to learn? The answer? The Five Common Topics—a powerful, flexible tool you can use across all grade levels and subjects to help your kids think critically and learn independently. Whether you’re homeschooling one child or ten, this method is a game changer. Key Takeaways: ✅ What are the Five Common Topics? Originating from classical education and rooted in Aristotelian thought, these are: Definition – Start by clarifying terms to prevent miscommunication and build deeper understanding. Comparison – Explore similarities and differences to build critical thinking muscles. Relationship – Examine how people, places, and ideas relate. Circumstance – Understand context: time, place, and surrounding events. Authority – Identify where truth or information is coming from—and why it matters. 🎓 Gina shares how this tool naturally aligned with her Principle Approach to homeschooling and became central to teaching her kids to reason biblically and think independently. 📚 Real-world application examples: from WWI history to college debate frustrations, to understanding family dynamics and even dinner-table conversations. 🔁 Lisa gives practical ideas for using the Five Common Topics to make textbook learning deeper and more personalized—even with a unit study on trebuchets! Resources Mentioned: 🛠️ Grab the eBook: Five Common Topics: Not So Common Anymore – available at True North Homeschool Academy 💡 CTC Math Free Trial: ctcmath.com Final Encouragement: The Five Common Topics aren't just for school—they're life tools. Equip your kids to think, reason, and engage with the world around them. And don't be surprised when these conversations continue into adulthood! 💬 Got questions or feedback? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you! 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

📋 Show Notes: Teens today are facing a full-blown identity crisis. As parents, we’re watching our kids grow up in a world where anxiety, confusion, and cultural chaos are becoming the norm. But there is a solution—and it may be simpler than you think. In this episode, Lisa Nehring breaks down how solid academic foundations and intentional education can restore a teen’s sense of identity, purpose, and direction. She explains why our tweens and teens are feeling so lost—and how classical tools like reading, writing, critical thinking, and worldview exploration can ground them in truth and resilience. This is an episode for any parent who’s watching their child struggle and wondering, “What can I actually do about this?” 🔑 What You’ll Learn: Why content consumption now outranks parents in shaping identity The devastating mental health trends linked to social media use How a lack of historical and literary understanding leads to despair Why classical liberal arts education builds agency, confidence, and hope What academic integrity looks like in today’s curriculum-saturated world How to spot solid academic pedagogy—and why it matters Tools and classes from True North that help teens build resilience, purpose, and skill How to prepare your child for a global gig economy while safeguarding their soul 📚 Resources Mentioned: True North Homeschool Academy Ask about our Dual Degree Program (graduate with a college degree + high school diploma!) Explore our classes in literature, dystopian studies, Bible, foreign language, career exploration, and more 🧠 For Parents Who: Feel like their teen is drifting or disengaged Want to understand how education influences identity Are seeking a meaningful, faith-based academic path Need real tools to guide their child through post-2020 uncertainty

📝 Show Notes: What if you had a simple, flexible, powerful tool that could teach your kids to think deeply about anything? In this episode, Lisa Nehring and Gina Glenn dive into the Five Common Topics—an ancient method (thank you, Aristotle!) that works beautifully in modern homeschooling. Whether you’re classically inclined or just want a stronger framework for conversation and learning, this method is your go-to for developing thinking, reasoning, and relational skills in your kids. It’s not a curriculum. It’s a mindset shift—and one that works across ages, subjects, and life itself. 🔑 In This Episode: What the Five Common Topics are (and how to use them across any subject) Why “define your terms” may be the most underrated thinking tool of all time How to talk about worldview, authority, and context without heated debates The difference between relationship and circumstance (and why your teen needs both) Why comparing and contrasting builds deep understanding—not just trivia How to start applying these topics today, even if you’re using textbooks, printables, or unit studies How to help your kids become resilient thinkers, not just good test takers Stories from real homeschooling moms who’ve used these tools successfully 📚 Want to Go Deeper? Check out our mini guide: Five Common Topics: Not So Common Anymore (co-authored by Lisa and her son—a great family project!) Use it to create conversations, unit studies, and critical thinking moments across your homeschool.

📝 Show Notes: The college world has changed. Costs are skyrocketing, transfer credits are a gamble, and many campuses no longer align with your family’s values. So what do you do when you want your teen to thrive in today’s economy—without drowning in debt? In this episode, Lisa Nehring introduces a game-changing alternative: the Dual Degree Program from True North Academy. It’s a revolutionary opportunity for homeschool students to earn a fully accredited 4-year bachelor’s degree while still in high school—from real colleges with real credentials. This might sound too good to be true… but it’s not. It’s a bold solution for forward-thinking families. 🔑 In This Episode: Why the college landscape is broken—and how to evaluate ROI (return on investment) The pitfalls of AP, CLEP, and dual credit programs that don’t transfer How True North Academy’s Dual Degree Program works What kind of students this program is (and isn’t) right for Why graduating at 18 or 19 with a bachelor’s degree and zero debt could be life-changing Answers to the most common parent questions: Can my teen start mid-year? ✅ Yes, even in January Can upperclassmen still join? ✅ Yes, with flexible pacing options

📝 Show Notes: If you’ve ever wondered, “How many hours = one high school credit?” or “Am I giving my teen credit for all they’re doing?” — this episode is for you. Lisa Nehring breaks down what a high school credit really is, how to track them properly, and why credits matter more than ever in a world where college admissions, scholarships, and transcripts all speak the same language: credit hours. You’ll also hear how to build a standout factor, what’s changing in how credits are awarded, and what you might be overlooking in your student’s education that’s already credit-worthy. 🔑 In This Episode: What the Carnegie unit really means (and how many hours make up a credit) Why rigor matters as much as hours—and how to track both Common areas homeschoolers forget to give credit for (PE, hobbies, family trips, clubs, jobs, etc.) How to develop a “standout factor” transcript that earns scholarship dollars The importance of communication skills and assessing for grades creatively (not just quizzes) New shifts in credit evaluation (project-based learning on the rise) How True North Academy helps families with transcripts, planning, and academic advising

📝 Show Notes: We’ve all heard it: this is the Anxious Generation. Teen mental health is at an all-time low—and many parents feel powerless to help. But what if there were a simple, research-backed practice that reduces anxiety, improves decision-making, and even strengthens identity? In this episode, Lisa Nehring shares the surprising impact of regular Bible reading on mental health and emotional development—and how you can harness this powerful tool in your homeschool. Whether you're looking to build resiliency, restore purpose, or just help your teen calm their nervous system and gain confidence, you’ll walk away from this episode with actionable hope—and resources to get started right away. 🔑 In This Episode: What science says about Bible reading and reduced anxiety, depression, and trauma How scripture builds resiliency, cognitive strength, and emotional intelligence Why True North Academy’s Bible classes are about far more than just information A peek at upcoming spring classes including: 📖 Heroes of the Faith (elementary) 📖 New Testament Overview (middle/high school) 📖 Old Testament: Adam to Nehemiah 🗣 Modern and Biblical Hebrew Details on the Bible Bundle BOGO (2-for-1 Bible classes!) How True North helps students grow in wisdom, not just academics And a quick spotlight on the Dual Degree Program (yes, a real accredited bachelor's degree in high school!)

Are you unintentionally holding your teen back from independence? Discover how to build grit, resilience, and self-advocacy—three skills every teen needs to thrive in their defining decade. Foster Independence, Build Grit, and Raise Self-Advocating Teens Does your teen struggle with responsibility or constantly lean on you to solve their problems? This episode is your call to action. In today’s installment of the Defining Decade series, Lisa Nehring tackles the powerful trio every teen needs to master before they hit adulthood: independence, resilience, and self-advocacy. Get ready for an inspiring, real-talk session filled with practical ways to hand off the reins (without letting go entirely) and raise young adults who can stand on their own—and speak up for themselves. 🔑 In This Episode: Why stepping back as a parent helps your teen step up The danger of over-managing and what to do instead How travel and real-world experience build confidence and decision-making The difference between self-advocacy and victimhood Grit, resilience, and why your kids need more of both How to teach negotiation (even if you're not great at it) The policy at True North that helps teens become their own advocates

The Money Mindset That Sets Teens Up for Success What if your teen’s financial habits now could determine their freedom later? In today’s episode, Lisa Nehring breaks down one of the most critical (and often overlooked) skills teens need before they hit their 20s: financial literacy. From budgeting basics to lifestyle-based planning, we’ll explore practical ways to teach your homeschool teen how to think clearly—and biblically—about money. Whether your family leans toward Dave Ramsey or believes in the power of leveraging like Cody Sanchez and Alex Hormozi, this episode will spark the conversations that matter most. 🔑 In This Episode: Why “Follow your dreams and the money will follow” might not cut it anymore How to teach your teen to “budget by lifestyle” (and why it matters) What it really means to model financial literacy in a homeschool household When to talk about taxes, tithing, student debt, and investing Why business education in high school can change your teen’s trajectory The power of letting your teen run a business—and learn through profit (or failure) How classes at True North like Personal Finance, Economics, Career Exploration, and Entrepreneurship help teach life-ready money skills

🎙 Episode 3: Goal Setting for the Defining Decade In today’s episode of our “Defining Decade” series, Lisa Nehring dives deep into one of the most practical — and powerful — tools we can equip our teens with: goal setting. From planners and family check-ins to lifestyle vision casting and project management, this episode will help you understand how to cultivate real-world planning skills in your homeschool teens that will set them up for success in their 20s and beyond. 🔑 In This Episode: What the “defining decade” really means — and why it starts in high school The difference between tasks vs. projects (and why it matters) How family planning meetings teach executive functioning Why helping teens visualize their future lifestyle is even more powerful than goal-setting alone The surprising connection between hobbies, vocations, and scholarships How internships and job shadowing build confidence and clarity What “stand-out factors” are — and how your teen can develop one Lisa’s personal story about learning perseverance from an unexpected place: the diving board! This episode is full of practical ideas and encouraging stories to help you lead your teens toward a purposeful future. Because goal setting isn’t just about achievement — it’s about vision, wisdom, and creating a life that reflects your values.