My Homeschool Experience: What Worked, What Didn't & What I'd Change
- Sep 18, 2026
- 55:59
- Full Episode
If you want to support the channel, like, comment, share, or consider buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub
-------------------------------------------------------------
*Join Book Club*
• Grab a copy of the book "A Well-Trained Wife" by Tia Levings: https://bookshop.org/a/128680/9781250898050 • Follow for updates on the email newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/ • Join the discussion over on the Fable App: https://fable.co/club/ex-homeschoolers-book-club-with-jacob-gooden-585330795145
-------------------------------------------------------------
On today's show, I dive deep into my personal journey growing up as a homeschool kid in Southern California. From starting out in public school to transitioning into home education for 2nd grade and going all the way through high school, this is a candid reflection on how my upbringing shaped my independence, routine, and confidence. I open up about the positive aspects (such as building strong time-management skills and thriving in unique extracurriculars like swing dancing and mime troupe) while addressing the flaws, including creationist-focused science curricula and a lack of exposure to diverse worldviews. Finally, I share my current perspective on the homeschool debate, advocating for common-sense regulations to protect children while emphasizing the need for nuanced, open conversations.
*Key Takeaways* • Transitioning to homeschooling requires intentional structure, but finding the right curriculum and building a strong local community are key to long-term social and academic success. • Experiencing home education can foster strong self-reliance, time-management capabilities, and the flexibility to pursue unique hobbies or business ventures. • A lack of diverse perspectives in faith-based curricula, particularly around science and contrasting worldviews, can create significant knowledge gaps later in life. • Evaluating homeschooling should be done on a case-by-case basis, with an emphasis on common-sense regulations to ensure child safety and educational standards.
*Favorite Quote* "It's not as simple as yes regulation, no regulation. Like, it's not as simple as just saying, 'Let's take existing rules and slap them on this thing.' It's not that easy. It's very much a conversation that needs to continue to happen and evolve with lawmakers, with alumni, with current homeschool families, with the education systems that are building the curriculums that are being used for kids." — Jacob Gooden
-------------------------------------------------------------
*Support the Show* • BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/exhsclub • Subscribe on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/exhsclub • Check out our Substack: https://exhsclub.substack.com • Email Newsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/
*Message Me On Socials* • Email me at [email protected] • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclub • Threads: https://www.threads.com/@exhsclub
*Listen on Podcast Players* • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1hIhpMeEy6VJuqNUwfz5TE • Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ex-homeschoolers-club/id1641525487 • iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ex-homeschoolers-club-201877573
*Chapters* 00:00 Welcome To The Ex-Homeschoolers Club 01:33 Support The Show and Join Book Club 03:30 My Homeschool Experience 18:39 Homeschooling Is A Privilege 19:47 Getting Into College 24:41 If You've Got Questions, Ask Them 25:12 Would I Have Succeeded In Public School? 27:24 3 Thing I Liked About My Homeschool Experience 33:17 Some Things I'd Change About My Homeschool Experience 39:55 Where Do I Stand Today With Homeschooling? 47:48 One Of The Biggest Criticisms Of The Show 48:55 Do You Want To Be A Guest On The Show? 54:13 Recap and Wrap Up
Brief Summary
Jacob Gooden shares his homeschooling journey, discussing challenges, benefits, and the importance of community and structure.
Key points
- Solo Episode Announcement. Jacob shares his excitement for a solo episode after a backlog of guests.
- Book Club Introduction. Join Jacob as he discusses the new book for the club, 'A Well-Trained Wife.'
- Public School Memories. Jacob fondly recalls his early years in public school before transitioning to homeschooling.
- Finding Community in Homeschooling. Jacob discusses the importance of community in his homeschooling journey.
- The Privilege of Homeschooling. Reflecting on the advantages of a privileged homeschooling experience.
- Navigating College Life. The challenges and adjustments faced when transitioning from homeschooling to college.
Episode highlights
- Book Club IntroductionJoin Jacob as he discusses the new book for the club, 'A Well-Trained Wife.'“I'm hooked, uh, already.”2:21Sep 18, 2026
- Public School MemoriesJacob fondly recalls his early years in public school before transitioning to homeschooling.“I remember really liking school, and I liked my teachers.”4:02Sep 18, 2026
- Finding Community in HomeschoolingJacob discusses the importance of community in his homeschooling journey.“I look back on that very fondly.”11:25Sep 18, 2026
- The Privilege of HomeschoolingReflecting on the advantages of a privileged homeschooling experience.“It's a privilege to be homeschooled, to be quite frank.”19:12Sep 18, 2026
- Navigating College LifeThe challenges and adjustments faced when transitioning from homeschooling to college.“I felt really prepared for school and also very ill-prepared for college.”20:19Sep 18, 2026
- The Struggles of Classroom DynamicsExperiencing the rigidity of college professors compared to the flexibility of homeschooling.“I was trying to understand this to a mastery level.”22:17Sep 18, 2026
- The Value of CommunityHow a strong homeschool community shaped social skills and confidence.“Community gave me a lot more confidence in myself.”29:28Sep 18, 2026
- The Need for Broader PerspectivesThe importance of exposure to diverse beliefs and ideas beyond a sheltered upbringing.“Not everything outside of my bubble is scary.”38:20Sep 18, 2026





