What Happens When Homeschool Kids Finally Enter the Real World?

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This week on the podcast, I sat down with Jaycie to unpack what it was like growing up K–12 homeschooled in a deeply religious environment shaped by ACE curriculum, church culture, and isolation. From role-playing public school in her bedroom as a kid to struggling with depression and culture shock during college, Jaycie shares an honest look at how homeschooling shaped her relationships, faith, and transition into adulthood.

*In this episode, we covered:* • ACE curriculum often prioritized religious ideology over deep academic learning • Homeschool isolation can make transitions into adulthood and college extremely difficult • Many homeschoolers develop strong self-teaching and research skills • Fear-based religious messaging can make social connection feel unsafe • College became both liberating and emotionally overwhelming • COVID gave many former evangelicals space to reevaluate faith and church culture • Public school and homeschooling both have tradeoffs, but involvement from parents matters most • Creative freedom and independent learning were meaningful positives from homeschooling

*Chapters* 00:00 Welcome to the Ex-Homeschoolers Club 00:35 Jaycie's Homeschool Rundown 01:36 ACE Curriculum Breakdown 03:09 Pros and Cons of ACE 09:45 Church as Social Life 11:02 Moving Missouri to Texas 13:59 Senior Year Depression 16:35 College Culture Shock 26:39 Gods Not Dead Mindset 30:23 Dropping Out and Marriage 32:50 Faith Shift During COVID 36:49 Homeschooling Reconsidered 40:22 Choosing Public School 44:33 Art Career and Reading 50:40 Cringey Co Op Puppets 53:04 Wrap Up and Goodbye

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