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#84: Make Your Homeschool Feel Like a Feast Julie's Interview With Cathy Heller

Season #2

In this deeply insightful conversation, Cathy Heller welcomes Julie Ross, education expert and founder of A Gentle Feast, to explore homeschooling as a path toward real education. Julie passionately shares her personal journey from public school teacher to homeschooling advocate, illuminating how traditional education often stifles creativity, joy, and true learning. This episode is a profound call to action for parents to rethink education and embrace an approach that values real books, real life, and genuine connections.

Key Thoughts:

  1. Education should be a nourishing feast, not just filling a bucket.
    Traditional education emphasizes memorization, compliance, and short-term goals. Real education ignites curiosity, joy, creativity, and deep understanding.

  2. Children thrive when they're given space to explore and create.
    Homeschooling provides a way to reconnect children to their innate creativity, curiosity, and individuality—qualities often suppressed in conventional schooling.

  3. Narration is a powerful tool for deeper learning.
    Allowing children to express what they’ve learned in their own words reinforces understanding and fosters independent thought.

  4. Socialization in homeschooling is intentional and meaningful.
    Homeschool communities offer diverse age interactions that promote empathy, leadership, and genuine friendships.

  5. Real-life skills matter more than rote information.
    Preparing children for success involves teaching them to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach problems creatively.

  6. Homeschooling requires parents to first "deschool" themselves.
    Parents must unlearn traditional schooling methods, embrace flexibility, and release pressure to conform to outdated educational models.

  7. Less structured, focused learning can be more effective than long school days.
    Homeschooling can effectively happen in 2–4 focused hours, freeing up time for exploration, rest, and family connection.

Connect with Cathy Heller:

Cathy Heller Podcast

Website 

Resources Mentioned:

Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/84 for additional resources and links

Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in

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Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.