Shiela Catanzarite

We welcome Sherri Seligson to the podcast, a marine biologist at Walt Disney World’s Living Seas Pavilion who was promoted to mom, and later, homeschool mom. Sherri shares how she came to homeschool her four children, learned to adapt lessons to their needs, and found encouragement in her community. She shares about her generous heart for lending her love of science to her own homeschool community and how those roots led her to what she is doing today. Sherri creates curriculum for Apologia, speaks at conferences, travels the world, writes books, and creates learning tools to accompany major motion pictures. She tells of how homeschooling specifically prepared her for these endeavors. She reminds us all how homeschooling our children is a blessing not only to them, but it can also be a blessing to us - if we let it.Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressSherri SeligsonSherri’s Apologia ProfileBooks and GuidesSherri’s InstagramSherri’s FacebookSherri’s YouTubeVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

The wonder of a garden in a childhood is alive in this episode about the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Homeschool Days. Both of us, Kayla and Kat, attended the event in August 2026 and we discuss our experiences at the Atlanta location’s educational event. From the expertly designed learning guides to the incredible passion of the volunteer docents throughout the garden, everyone had a fantastic day. We share our conversation with Kathryn Masuda, Director of Youth Programs for Atlanta Botanical Gardens, about the history of homeschool days at Garden, what to expect, and the best seasons to visit. This homeschool day is so well planned and implemented, it’s one you’ll want to add to your calendar for years to come. Kayla and Kat will be there and can’t wait to see you there too!Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressAtlanta Botanical Gardens Homeschool Day Info and Email Sign UpAtlanta Botanical Gardens FacebookAtlanta Botanical Gardens Instagram Email Kathryn Masuda: [email protected] Visit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

Rene Christensen, visionary behind Training Them Wisely, joins the podcast to share her wisdom from practical routines, to faith-filled perspective. Rene explains her journey from convincing her husband to homeschool as a first-time homeschool mom to someone who now confidently adapts curriculum, protects the most important parts of the day, and keeps her home focused on both learning and discipleship. Rene is generous with her advice and encouragement. She also shares the heart behind Training Them Wisely, from writing Bible studies for her own children to creating resources inspired by what her family and ministry kids actually needed. Along the way, she talks about the power of teaching a biblical worldview, why comparison kills joy, and how homeschooling can become a place of deep relationship building and spiritual growth.This conversation is especially helpful if you are homeschooling with multiple kids, teens, or trying to build a rhythm that works. If you need permission to simplify, pivot, and trust God in the process, this episode is for you.Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressTraining The WiselyTraining Them Wisely PodcastTraining Them Wisely InstagramTraining Them Wisely FacebookTraining Them Wisely YouTubeVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookThis episode is brought to you by The Homeschool IssuesYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

This week, Sheila Catanzarite shares how notebooking inspired her homeschool approach to help her raise confident, expressive daughters and continues to inspire her as she helps homeschool families rethink what writing can look like at home. If writing feels stressful in your homeschool, this conversation may change the way you think about it. Sheila explains how living books, short lessons, narration, and notebooking colored her homeschool. She explores the difference between receptive and expressive language, and why both matter. Sheila’s incredible resources, including a living language arts curriculum and a language lab, remind us about the human aspect of communication to connect with one another, heart-to-heart and soul-to-soul. You’ll be convicted to take on a more experimental approach to language arts and believe that the path to your children’s writing can transform from writing for perfection to writing with a confident voice. Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressShiela CatanzariteLiving Verse Language Arts CurriculumThe Living Language LabShiela Catanzarite’s InstagramVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

Homeschool planning does not have to mean rigid schedules or a binder full of paper you never use. Jenn Dickerson of Homeschool Planning shares the flexible system that helps families stay organized, keep simple records, and build a homeschool rhythm that actually fits real life.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by curriculum choices, behind on planning, or unsure what to keep for records, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. Jenn explains how she turned trial and error into practical tools for homeschoolers who want structure without feeling trapped. Helpful planning tips abound for new homeschoolers, multi-age families, and anyone who wants a simpler way to manage the invisible work behind homeschooling. If you’re ready to stop overthinking and start building a system that supports your family, this one is for you.Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressHomeschool PlanningHomeschool Planning InstagramHomeschool Planning FacebookVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

What if your next homeschool field trip was an indoor skydiving lesson that left your kids braver, your group more connected, and your whole family eager to go back? Today we talk about Kayla’s first visit to iFLY Atlanta—and how an exciting day in the wind tunnel became a memorable mix of fun, science, and confidence-building. We talk with podcast friend Whitney about how to set up the field trip, and what she loves about iFly and homeschooling. We learn what to expect, from hands-on demonstrations about weight and surface area to the safety briefing and the moment you float in the tunnel. Kayla explains why the experience felt less intimidating than expected, upping the excitement for the second flight, and how the instructors help flyers have an amazing flight.Our conversation also discusses the value of going on field trips in community. If you’re looking for an adventurous educational outing for your homeschool group or family, tune in for a firsthand look at iFLY’s field trip experience. Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressiFlyiFly Field TripsA & A Play on InstagramWhitney’s InstagramVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

Today we are re-releasing Episode 16, our conversation with friend of the podcast and mentor to so many homeschooling moms, Jennifer Henn. We are sharing her words and wisdom as a celebration of her life and legacy.Please keep the Henn family in your prayers. If you would like to support them, please visit this fundraiser run by our friends at Unite Homeschool Network.Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

Homeschooling gets a lot more beautiful when you stop treating poetry like a performance and start treating it like play. In this episode, Rachel Donahue, homeschooling mom and Chief Creative Officer at Bandersnatch Publishing, shares why poetry belongs in every homeschool. She explains why beauty matters so much in education and why the right poem can stay with a child for life. Rachel also explains how to make poetry feel inviting instead of intimidating, and how a home filled with books, rhythm, and art can help kids grow in confidence, language, and wonder. Through the conversation, she helps remove the pressure around teaching and learning poetry and reminds us to bring back the freedom and play - for our kids and ourselves. Learn about Bandersnatch Publishing’s mission to find a home for beautiful virtuous books that might otherwise fall between the cracks. This episode is for everyone: homeschool parents, book lovers, poetry skeptics, and anyone looking for practical encouragement to build a home culture full of beauty, confidence, and good books.Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressBandersnatch BooksFlicker PressBandersnatch Books on SubstackRachel Donahue on SubstackRachel Donahue InstagramThe BanderpodBandersnatch InstagramBandersnatch TikTokBandersnatch FacebookGod’s Grandeur by Gerard Manley HopkinsShel SilversteinJennifer TraftonRhyme ZoneBandersnatch by Diana Pavlac GlyerVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

Angela Smith, homeschool veteran mom and founder of Inquisicook, turned a childhood frustration into a homeschool kitchen curriculum that gives kids real science, real cooking skills, and real confidence. If you’ve ever wanted your children to do more than follow a recipe, this conversation will show you how food can become one of the most practical, engaging subjects in your homeschool. Angela shares how early homeschooling, years of trial and error with curriculum, and a growing love of science and hospitality eventually sparked the idea for Inquisicook.You'll discover why cooking is one of the best ways to teach science in a way kids can immediately use, her path to building a program around food science and culinary arts, and why she designed it to help students become intuitive cooks instead of recipe followers. We break down the practical side of the program and what to expect if you bring Inquisicook into your homeschool. Angela shares how the course helps kids build confidence, learn from mistakes, and understand the “why” behind what happens in the kitchen.This episode is packed with encouragement and practical ideas to blend faith, life skills, and science into one meaningful learning experience. Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressInquisicookInquisicook InstagramInquisicook FacebookInquisicook YouTubeVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!

Kayla and Kat chat with Shelby Gwinn and Joni Harrison, the women behind The Homeschool Issues, a growing online homeschool magazine created to highlight the many different ways families homeschool. From a book club connection that turned into a creative partnership to the launch of a publication built around community, flexibility, and honest storytelling, Shelby and Joni share how their homeschool experiences shaped both their friendship and their work.The Homeschool Issues features everything from homeschool moms and student success stories to local events, book reviews, and free educational opportunities for families, all while emphasizing there is no “right way” to homeschool. They reflect on the value of finding peace in your homeschool, the skills that homeschooling can build for life after graduation, and their dream of raising up young writers and active, thoughtful citizens. If you love hearing homeschool stories that are equal parts encouraging, practical, and inspiring, this conversation is for you.Show Notes:Theme Song: Together by Sara Ernst, Wild Pickle PressThe Homeschool IssuesThe Homeschool Issues InstagramThe Homeschool Issues FacebookNew York Times ArticleLego MastersDude PerfectVisit us: Homeschooling Down SouthTikTokInstagramFacebookYou’re invited to email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for episode topics!