The holidays can be the most wonderful—and most complicated—time of the year. From navigating family dynamics to keeping Christ at the center while culture shouts louder, how do we love our neighbors well when everything feels extra?

Join Lisa Bailey, Delise Germond, and Alicia Clark for an honest, refreshing conversation about navigating the holiday season with grace. These three homeschool moms get real about the joys and stressors of the holidays—from gift-giving anxiety and packed schedules to tricky family encounters and teaching kids about Santa (or not!).

You'll laugh, nod along, and maybe even tear up as they discuss:

• The tension between materialistic pressure and generous gift-giving
• How to set expectations early (before the post-turkey bombshell!)
• Managing the "busyness of good things" while leaving margin for rest
• Teaching children to focus on Jesus when culture is screaming something else
• Practical ways to love your neighbors during emotionally tender seasons
• What to do when relatives press hot-button issues at family gatherings
• Creative approaches to Halloween that honor your values

Whether you're a holiday enthusiast or someone who dreads the stress, this conversation offers wisdom, solidarity, and actionable ideas for making the season truly about loving God and loving others well. Plus, you'll get some genius life hacks (double batch those favorite recipes!) that just might save your December sanity.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Judson College:

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable.

Ready to answer your calling? Apply to Judson College today and step into God's plan for your life. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

What if homeschooling could feel like discovering Narnia while everyone else is just playing hide and seek? In this inspiring episode of Everyday Educator, Lisa Bailey connects with Janine Bell, Country Coordinator for Classical Conversations in the United Kingdom, for a fascinating conversation about building classical Christian communities across the pond. Janine shares her family's pioneering journey as home educators in a country where most people still think homeschooling is illegal—and how God has used Classical Conversations to transform not just education, but entire family cultures.

What You'll Discover:

• The surprising history of home education in the UK (and why most Brits thought it was against the law!)
• How Classical Conversations is helping rebuild community and authentic conversation in a culture known for its "stiff upper lip"
• The story of the UK's first CC graduate and the miraculous provision of classical Christian universities
• Real barriers facing home educators in Britain—including pending legislation that could restrict parental freedom
• Why British Christians struggle with the idea that homeschooling might be "hiding their light" (and Janine's powerful response)
• How God is using "the new dog to teach the old dog" as America shares classical education with its British roots
• Janine's transparency about her own doubts and discoveries—from making report cards at home to becoming the UK's country coordinator—offers hope to every parent who wonders if they're equipped for this calling. Her passion for seeing families discover the "Narnia" of classical community is absolutely contagious.

This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

At Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, we equip passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace. Experience vibrant community through our unique House System while receiving comprehensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts to make your divine calling affordable.

Ready to answer your calling? Apply to Judson College today and step into God's plan for your life. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

Forget the red pen and grade book—what if the best way to assess your child's learning had nothing to do with tests at all?

In this episode of the Everyday Educator, Lisa Bailey sits down with veteran homeschoolers Deb Switzer and Tim Knotts to revolutionize how we think about assessment in classical education. Both seasoned parents and community directors share their hard-won wisdom about moving beyond artifact-grading to truly knowing what our children are learning—and who they're becoming.

What You'll Discover:

• Why conversation trumps testing as the gold standard for assessment
• How to set meaningful learning goals that look different for each child (even in the same family!)
• The truth about Blue Book assessments—what they are, how to use them well, and common pitfalls to avoid
• Practical strategies for assessing younger children through narration and wonder
• Why assessing virtue and character matters as much as academic milestones
• How to help students learn to assess themselves—a crucial life skill

Whether you're navigating Foundations with littles or guiding a Challenge student through their first Blue Book, this conversation offers both encouragement and concrete tools for the journey. Deb and Tim's transparency about their own learning curves reminds us that we're all growing alongside our children.

This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden.

Ready to answer your calling? Find out what makes Judson College experience different. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

Feeling in over your head with homeschooling? You're not alone.

Every homeschool parent hits that wall—when the toddler is pulling everything off the shelves, five kids are asking questions at once, and you're wondering if you're failing everyone, including yourself. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, veteran homeschool moms Courtney Bradshaw and Karin Carpenter join host Amy Jones to talk about the seasons when homeschooling feels overwhelming. In this episode, you'll discover:

• ·       Why those "in over my head" moments are actually normal (and might even be necessary)
• ·       How to recognize when you're spread too thin—and what to do about it
• ·       The surprising antidote to homeschool loneliness (hint: it's not just about finding time)
• ·       Practical strategies for recalibrating when everything feels like too much
• ·       Why celebrating others' victories can sustain you through your own hard days
• ·       How to assess whether the problem is your curriculum, your schedule, or your heart

Both Courtney (mom of seven, including three adopted from foster care) and Karin (veteran of 15+ years homeschooling four children) share vulnerable stories from their own journeys—the days they wanted to quit, the moments they crashed at Jesus' feet, and the unexpected ways God met them in their weakness. Their wisdom is hard-won and deeply encouraging.

This episode of the Everyday Educator is sponsored by:

Judson College

Judson College, North Carolina's only four-year accredited confessional Christian institution, equips passionate students with over 25 majors and exceptional faculty to pursue God's calling in ministry, missions, or the workplace while experiencing vibrant community through our unique House System. We're committed to making your divine calling affordable through extensive scholarships and special SBC church member discounts, so you can give your life for Christ's cause without overwhelming financial burden. 

Ready to answer your calling? Find out what makes Judson College experience different. https://judsoncollege.com/distinctives/

The Classical Learning Cohort 

Are you ready to invest in your own education? Would you like to learn alongside others? Check out the Classical Learning Cohort! 

Learn More! Register for a free online event at www.classicalconversations.com/cohort